U.S. submarines of World War II attained an exemplary record of destroying enemy vessels. Though submarines comprised only about 2% of the U.S. Navy, they destroyed over 30% of the Japanese Navy and over 60% of merchant vessels. There were 314 submarines in service during the war, with approximately 260 deployed to the Pacific. U.S. Submarines sank approximately 1,560 enemy vessels with a loss of 52 submarines.
The submarines used during World War II were the Gato, Balao and Tench classes. One Gato class submarine, Bluefish, had an exemplary record in the South Pacific. Bluefish was commissioned on 24 May 1943 at the Electric Boat Company in Groton, Connecticut. Under the command of George E. Porter, Bluefish departed New London, Connecticut, on 21 July and reported to Task Force 72 in Brisbane, Australia. Bluefish achieved nine patrols, sinking many enemy ships in the waters of the South Pacific. Like other U.S. submarines, all crew members were volunteers. The submarine Bluefish was primarily based in Fremantle, Australia, patrolled throughout Indonesian waters, the South China Sea and the waters around Japan. The sub was credited with sinking 73,514 tons and damaging 50,701 tons of enemy shipping. The actual count exceeded the official count. The sub also performed rescue missions, saving many pilots and crews. This book reviews the development of the U.S. fleet submarine and puts forth a detailed record of the patrols of the Bluefish. An appendix with a "Detailed List of Attacks by Bluefish" a wealth of illustrations, photographs, and maps; and an index to subjects and places enhance the text.
Charles C. Roberts, Jr.
2023, 6" x 9", paper, index, 144 pp.
ISBN: 9780788429316
101-R2931
