Gambit and Jasasa Tactics

Dave Homewood · **Posted:** Sun May 06, 2012 12:02 am

Can anyone here give any insight into two different tactics that were being practised by RNZAF Lockheed PV-1 Ventura crews in June 1944?

The squadron was under their operational work up period at Bomber 1, Pallikulo, Espiritu Santo, and a particular training mission entry in the Operations Record Book, covering four aircrfat that flew this day, notes:
"Gambit tactics on submerged submarine sighting changing to Jasasa tactics."

What were the Gambit Tactics? And what were the Jasasa Tactics? Any ideas please? Was this standard US methods? Or solely RNZAF terminology?

Dan K · **Posted:** Sun May 06, 2012 8:44 am

Dave Homewood wrote:

What were the Gambit Tactics? And what were the Jasasa Tactics? Any ideas please? Was this standard US methods? Or solely RNZAF terminology?

Gambit tactics are exclusively for aircraft. I think you'll find the following link helpful:

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ref ... voy-2.html

Gambit tactics are detailed under section 2400:

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ref ... .html#2400

Don't forget details of the trapping square and continuous gambit:

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ref ... .html#2264

JASASA (Joint Air-Sea Anti-Submarine Action) tactics would've been employed in combination with surface vessels:

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ref ... .html#2400

Happy reading! :wink:

Dave Homewood · **Posted:** Sun May 06, 2012 4:56 pm

Thank you Dan. Much obliged.

Dan K · **Posted:** Sun May 06, 2012 6:55 pm

You're entirely welcome, Dave.

Although I sent you to a more comprehensive source, the "gambit" question could have been answered more simply.

A gambit is no more than an orbiting patrol of aircraft around the location of an observed or suspected submerging. If the patroling aircraft did not have sonobuoys (ability to track submerged sub), the goal was to get that sub to surface again as soon as possible. Search aircraft would orbit the spot out of visual range and use surface radar to detect when/where the sub resurfaced and would attack immediately to get the sub (with potentially drained batteries) to dive again. The theory was that if you kept repeating the process the sub would eventually be dead in the water...if she hadn't been sunk yet.

Dave Homewood · **Posted:** Sun May 06, 2012 7:07 pm

Thanks Dan, that is helpful. Cheers!

Taigh Ramey · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2012 3:23 pm

Hello Dan,

Ken told me about this thread and your links are great.

We have been trying to learn more about how our PV-2 would have been used if she had ever made it out to the theatre. The document posted on the HyperWar web site is great and most informative.

Would you happen to know where we could find a copy of Fleet Training Publication 223A? So far a search of the web didn't turn up anything. I would love to see a scanned doc or someday find an original if possible.

We are putting together an ASW camp of sorts at the museum as a fund raiser for the Harpoon and this information would be perfect to make it more authentic.

Thanks,

Taigh

Dan K · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2012 7:38 pm

Taigh Ramey wrote:

Would you happen to know where we could find a copy of Fleet Training Publication 223A?

Sorry, Taigh...I don't.

I noticed this from the Hyperwar site concerning FTP-223A:

Transcribed and formatted for HTML by Rick Pitz for the HyperWar Foundation

So perhaps contacting the webmaster would produce results.

I would think the folks over at NHHC could provide a copy as well.

http://www.history.navy.mil/

I'll be sure to let you know if I discover a solid source.

Taigh Ramey · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2012 8:53 pm

Thanks Dan!

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