Sixth and Seventh War Patrols
From 23 March to 29 March, S-31 reconnoitered Kwajalein Atoll and searched the sea lanes connecting that atoll with Truk and Wotje for enemy traffic. On 29 March, she set a course for New Caledonia; crossed the equator on 2 April; and arrived at Noumea on 9 April. After an eight-day refit, she provided services as a target for destroyer/antisubmarine warfare training exercises. From 5 July to 26 July, she interrupted her training schedule for her seventh war patrol which took her into the southern New Hebrides to transport and support a reconnaissance team landed on Aneityum and to hunt for an enemy submarine reported to be operating in the area. On her return to Nouméa, she resumed training exercises and continued them until 20 August.
While in Nouméa, the S-31 became the first American submarine to be equipped with a plan position indicator, or PPI. Originally intended for Admiral Halsey's flagship, the South Dakota, crewmen from the S-31 appropriated the plan position indicator for their own use. The plan position indicator proved remarkably useful during her eighth war patrol.
Read more about this topic: USS S-31 (SS-136)
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