The Forgotten War Below: The US Submarines that battled Japan

The Forgotten War Below: The US Submarines that battled Japan
With James M. Scott
Part of Submarines Week

Focusing on the unique stories of three of the war's top submarines: Silversides, Drum, and Tang, in today's show we will hear about the camaraderie, exhilaration, and fear of the brave volunteers who took the fight to the enemy's coastline. WW2TV regular James M. Scott will tell their stories.
The casualty rate among submariners topped that of all other military branches. The war claimed almost one out of every five submarines, and a submarine crewman was six times more likely to die than a sailor onboard a surface ship. But this valorous service accomplished its mission; Silversides, Drum, and Tang sank a combined sixty-two freighters, tankers, and transports. The Japanese were so ravaged from the loss of precious supplies that by the war's end, pilots resorted to suicidal kamikaze missions and hungry civilians ate sawdust while warships had to drop anchor due to lack of fuel. In retaliation, the Japanese often beat, tortured, and starved captured submariners in the atrocious prisoner of war camps.

The War Below: The Story of Three Submarines That Battled Japan by James M. Scott

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[MrFluidwill]

Outstanding. Can't decide if I prefer topics like this where I know nearly nothing and a window opens on a whole new world or when one of your experts comes on and adds colour and detail to a topic I'm already familiar with. This channel is a jewel.

[jimwalshspace]

Thank you james and woody for another brilliant presentation.

[petestorz]

German WW1 U-boats were under 900 tons, some under 500 tons (surfaced). They may have strongly influenced the early 1920s S-boats but the mid 20s through mid 30s V-boats were much larger (double or triple the largest U-boats) and reflected the USN's own explorations of technology, size, and roles. The realities of Pacific Ocean distances forced boats to be larger (the small S-boats served in WW2 combat, but their age and size were a great hindrance). There were several evolutionary classes from the Porpoise class to the Tambor class that was the class before the Gato class. The Tambor class pretty much solidified the design that was incrementally improved in the Gato, Balao, and Tench classes.

[BevSantini]

Knew a WWII submariner in the Pacific. Can’t begin to imagine what life was like for them. Great show!

[jeffbraaton]

Damn this was a Brilliant Presentation. So much new information, James gives the viewers a lot to think about, as was evidenced by how engaged the sidebar was. Great job James, Paul every show gives and gives some more!

[davidlavigne]

I'm so glad I was able to watch this live. Not only was it an informative presentation by James, but I very much enjoyed the many astute comments and questions in the live chat. There are some very well informed, well read and intelligent viewers that I always learn something I didn't know about many of the subjects Paul brings to the channel. I can't wait to watch the upcoming show about the Royal Navy Submarines so I can make comparisons and ask questions about the differences in doctrine and operations. Thanks for having some authors on a subject truly fascinating to so many of us.

[american_cosmic]

Awesome video! Been very much looking forward to this week!

[philbosworth]

James gave a very interesting talk there - had me spellbound.

[IRatherbeTrashthanADemocrat]

Submarine week was an absolute fantastic presentation. Well done!!!

[petestorz]

The USN had successive submarine classes, but they were evolutionary steps toward a conceptual goal. They were called "fleet boats" because their surface speed was close the cruising speed of the "Standard" type battleships, and one envisioned use was for submarines to be scouts for the battle fleet. But anti-commerce was another envisioned role. The IJN saw their submarines as pieces in their grand strategy of a decisive battle - scouting, harassing, and attriting the US battle fleet as it headed for Japan. Anti-commerce was a low priority. The IJN proliferated sub classes and specialized capabilities where the USN worked toward a more general purpose goal (except for the small 2 Mackerel class boats, which never did any combat patrols).

[andrewwelham]

Morton to O'Kane - "Tenacity Dick, stick with the bastards til they're under." And, my favorite radio transmission of the war - Morton to Pearl Harbor "Wahoo engaged in running gun battle with Japanese destroyer. Destroyer gunning, Wahoo running."

[michael_nelson]

Thanks Paul. Great show as always - just wished I had manage to catch it live, had some questions... so looks like you'll have to get him back on :)

[petestorz]

When the Japanese captured the Dutch East Indies (modern Indonesia), they captured oil fields and refineries, but the well and refinery equipment were sabotaged. AFAIK these never were fully brought back online, the refineries especially. Consequently, fuel oil scarcity plagued IJN operations, even in 1942. Yamato and Musashi were amazing, but they guzzled fuel oil. Tankers were prime targets for USN submarines. By October 1944, IJN elements were based near the DEI to be near oil, and were burning unrefined oil. Lack of fuel for carriers hindered training pilots to operate on carriers.

[Brian-nwbn]

Comment for the algorithm! Man you really don’t miss brother, every video you put out is incredible I learn so much from you and your guests. Thank you for what you do mate, God speed !

[fazole]

The old TV show, "The Silent Service", is on yt and it dramatizes submarine stories from the USN and Kriegsmarine.

[davidwatson]

Excellent 👌
Thanks for all your hard work.

[billenright]

We have a WW2 sub here in Oklahoma, USS Batfish, that had a stellar combat record. Been in it, no way i could have done 90min much less 90days. These sub sailors had major cajones.

[sniperboom]

drachinifel has a great series on the US submarine war and video on all the problems with the mk 14. Can't recommend Enough.

[maul]

Woody/James. Fabulous presentation! I feel that James has only related part of a story and that there is more to tell. Get him back on! Thanks. Bob

[stevej]

Hi Paul - how you keep up with such a high rate of extremely high quality shows is amazing and this one on the U.S submarines did not disappoint!! Hopefully my wife will allow me to spend some time working through the large back catalogue of shows I have missed!!

Happy Christmas to yourself and Magali 🎄❄☃ Best wishes for 2024