us navy submarines in the pacific world war 2

Furthermore, they played important reconnaissance roles, as at the battles of the Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf (and, coincidentally, at Midway), when they gave accurate and timely warning of the approach of the Japanese fleet. US submariners also claimed 28% of Japanese warships destroyed. US submarines accounted for 56% of the Japanese merchantmen sunk most of the rest were destroyed by mines or aircraft. The torpedoed Japanese destroyer, Yamakaze, as seen through the periscope of an American submarine, Nautilus, in June 1942. Only 42 US submarines were sunk in the Pacific, with 10 others going down in accidents or as the result of friendly fire. The Japanese military claimed its defenses sank 468 Allied subs. Submarines strangled Japan by sinking its merchant fleet, intercepting many troop transports, and cutting off nearly all the oil imports essential to weapons production and military operations. This was the case even though submarines made up a small proportion of the Allied navies - less than two percent in the case of the US Navy. US submarines, as well as some British and Dutch vessels, operating from bases at Cavite, in the Philippines (1941–42) Fremantle and Brisbane in Australia Pearl Harbor Trincomalee, Ceylon Midway and later Guam, played a major role in defeating Japan.

Us navy submarines in the pacific world war 2