Saturday, 21 Oct ’44.
0000 H Picked up news broadcast on Phillippines invasion.
Immediately headed for BALABAC STRAIT to watch for heavy units since SINGAPORE-BALABAC-MINDANAO SEA is shortest route for any part of Jap fleet which might head for LEYTE.
0815 H Submerged in western approach to BALABAC STRAIT.
1824 H Surfaced. Patrolling tonight covering southwest approaches to BALABAC STRAIT.
2350 H Radar contact 26,000 yards, 261 degrees T(3 targets) 0100 target position 07-31N; Long. 115-22E.
2352 H At battle stations; making full power. Sent contact report to DACE and CTF-71 on 3 probable heavy cruisers. Targets tracked at speed 23 knots, base course 020 degrees T, headed through the Dangerous Ground. We were only 29 degrees forward of targets from beam on contact, and never had a chance to gain position. Held on at full power (18.8 knots) through Dangerous Ground until after daylight with view (1) possible zig toward us (2) to send out contact reports to coach DACE onto track (3) to attempt to sight targets at dawn for identification. Sent total of two contact reports to CTF-71 and 11 to DACE. DACE was in position for possible interception.
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