The Silent Serviceshows submarine warfare in the

Happy birthday. Hey, heat. Hey. Heat. [Music] Heat. With a wartime requirements of more than 5 million tons per year, it is apparent that The steel industry became directly dependent on the availability of merchant shipping. Thus, the state of health of steel production could be said to be directly dependent on the operation of United States submarine. [Music] Japan's chief supply of water came from America in the years prior to the war. Therefore, since the war started, our water requirements which amounted to about 5 million tons a year had to be supplied mostly from the Dutch East Indies. One of the decisive factors in our defeat was the activities of American submarines which cut off the supply from the source entirely. Our records show that about 36% of the major vessels that vessels rather than Australia were lost to the United States submarine. Actually, Admiral Neano is pretty accurate in his estimate. The latest reports, and we've checked and double checked them, show that one battleship, nine carriers, and 15 cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy were sunk by Allied submarines. He might have added, though, that 42 destroyers and 28 submarines were sunk in the same way. It's not a bad few years work. By the way, I noticed the admiral didn't give any figures on their merchant marine. Well, that's understandable. It must be quite a painful subject to him. There just isn't any more Japanese merchant marine. Our submarines accounted for 63% of that important branch. Mr. Namura probably could have told you that the 104 of his vitally needed tankers were victim submarines. Their merchant marine was destroyed on the high seas in the ports of the Japanese Empire and even in the shallow waters off the China coast where the submarines had to operate as PT boats since there was insufficient water for diving. Admiral, you think in these articles we're writing we could explain why during the war there was so little publicity given our subs and the shellacking they were handing the Japs? I wish you would. It was just something that couldn't be helped. At the beginning of the war, some civilians visited the front and then broke into print when they got back about how American submarines didn't fear Japanese destroyers. They boasted that the nip depth charges weren't big enough to hurt us and weren't set deep enough to reach us. You can imagine how joyfully the [ __ ] They radically changed their tactics and we lost, I should say, about 10 submarines with all on board before we can prove our construction sufficiently to slow the [ __ ] down. Is that when you became a silent service? Right then and there. We buttoned up our lips and set with torpedoes. Besides, there was too much work to do to permit talking about it. Just visualize the spot we were in. December 7th, 1941. There wasn't time to be bitter. It was up to us. The small ships. The big ones were out of the picture. Yesterday, December 7th, 1941, a date which will live in infamy. The United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. Yes, it was up to the submarines. At that time, we had exactly 51 submarines in the Pacific, and that included 12 of the old S-class. Small and slow, but they gave a good account of themselves. On December 15th, 8 days after Pearl Harbor, American subs drew their first blood. The swordfish was cruising off Hainan Island in the South China Sea. On the radio, they could hear the voice of a Japanese woman speaking faultless English. Later, she would become famous as Tokyo Rose. We know very well that American submarines have headed west from Pearl Harbor. If American submariners are wise, you will turn back. Certain death awaits you over here. And now I'll play for you unfortunate Americans, a popular recording. [Music] One week after Pearl Harbor, the Atsutan Maru, 8,663 tons, became the first victim of an American sub. A dubious honor. [Music] It wasn't long before she had plenty of company at the bottom of the ocean. On the 1st of January, the 5,384 ton Kanan Maru was sunk right off the very coast of Japan. [Music] But those early days were tough. Just look at the vast amount of territory the Japs overran in no time at all. Naturally, they wanted to consolidate, keep all that loot from the conquered territories pouring into Japan. Fuel, oil, rubber, coal, iron, rice. It was our job to see that most of that loot didn't get there. And for 18 months, our subs were the only ships that penetrated enemy controlled sea lanes. It was rugged, but it paid off. Let the Japs tell you about it. American submarines in 1944 sank 1004 Japanese merchant ships totaling 580,000 or 390 tons and 140,000 tons of men. But that was only beginning. [Music] Yes, only the beginning. Even newly commissioned subs got big scores. For instance, the Trigger. Her story starts in Mayor Island. That's the way she looked to me the first time I ever saw her. I was reported missend. Got to be offers cook first class time I was transferred. She didn't look like nothing much to me right then. Just a lot of pipe and steel. No life, no spirit. But I felt a little better when I saw the galley. Small but clean. The latest in devices. A man sure could get a mess of cooking done in there. But all in all, I sure felt let down. I said to myself, "Man, what possessed you to volunteer for the sub service anyhow? Next time you keep your big mouth shut." I began to feel a little better though about the trigger when we got underway. There was just something about it. Well, by the time we reached Pearl, the trigger and me was friends. She sure won me over. How'd you do it? Well, well, I tell you, shippers. Well, it's like Arc says, he says, I don't find it any easier than the Stewart to put into words what I feel about the trigger. I think it's that all ships have soul and all sailors know it, but it takes a while to learn to commune with it. It took me quite some time. But when it happened, it was our first patrol and our first kill off the eastern coast of Caillou. A goodsized freighter. Clear the bridge. Take her down before we're spotted. That baby might mount enough guns to blast us to kingdom come. Take her down. Secure. [Music] Now, let's take a look to see if she spotted us. Everything looks normal from here. It isn't a trap. She might be a Q ship carrying death charges and sound gear. We can't hit her till we close the range. To close the range, we've got to watch out that she doesn't see or hear us or the killer will become the corpse. The minutes seem like hours until we get into position. Easy. Easy. Then estimated range 1500 yds. Track 90 port angle five left. Stand by. He's coming on. Coming on. Fire one. [Music] Then 8 seconds. Fire two. [Music] Trigger had come of age, but she was soon to face her first ordeal. Death charging. [Music] [Applause] The destroyer left the scene confident he had sockets. For several nights later, we heard Tokyo Rose on our radio. I regret to inform all American submarines that one of their number has recently fallen victim to a destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. You will hear an appropriate recording. [Music] [Applause] Hello. [Applause] Heat. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] down. Periscope up. Periscope [Applause] Paris. Look, man. This is a jackpot. We've got the biggest aircraft carrier I've ever seen up here, plus two destroyers. We're going to shoot our whole wand at the carrier up. Periscope [Applause] bearing mark 829 range mark 61 down periscope angle on the bow. Starboard 15 right full rudder. Right. Four rudder. All ahead 2/3. All ahead 2/3. New course 240. New course 2 4 0. The distance of the track 17. Control 63 ft. Control 63 ft. Forward torpedo room. Make ready all forward torpedo room. Make ready all tubes. Set depth 12 ft. Set depth 12 ft. Rate for silent running. Break for silent running. Break for depth charge. Break for depth charge. Steady on 25. [Music] All ahead 1/3. All ahead 13. How much time I got? None, sir. Torpedo run 11 O. Raise about 16 O. Gyro 005 increasing. Shoot anytime. Standby forward. Stand by for periscope. Check bearing and shoot. Bearing mark for fire. Down. Periscope. Set. Fire. Fire. One. One. Fired. Sir. Fire. Fire. Two. Two. Fired. Fire. Fire. Three. [Music] Three. Fired. That's fire. Fire. [Music] [Music] The trigger, of course, was subjected to another terrific death charge. There were moments when no one on board thought she'd come through, but she stood up and eventually got away. Carrier just managed to crawl back to Tokyo Bay, badly crippled. The trigger was lost in March 45 off the Ryukuse. At that time, she was one of the highest ranking subs in tonnage and total number of ships sunk. The trigger will never be forgotten, nor will the work of all our other submarines. In 1943, 284 Japanese ships totaling 1,341,968 tons brush about 100,000 tons of warships were sunk by American submarines. Naturally, they got some of our subs, too. But our losses weren't excessive when you consider what was accomplished. In fact, they were quite small compared to the losses of the [ __ ] and German submarine services. But we felt deeply each individual loss. For instance, take the case of the sculp. On 19th November 1943, we sighted a fast convoy and made an attack. [Music] Their screen detected us and immediately subjected us to depth charging. Things were getting tough when we heard a range wall. We headed forward and shook the j. At least we thought we did. But the moment we regained periscope depth, we found that jet destroyer sitting right in our lap. We tried to duck him, but he had heard as well as seen it. [Music] After 5 hours, the batteries were almost flat and the men completely exhausted. We had a tough decision to make. The first concern of our skipper, Commander Conaway, was for the life of his men. We had on board the Wolfpack commander, Captain Cromwell, who had heard that the Japs used a special brand of torture to extract information from their captives. Suddenly, a decision was reached. We'd battle service and use our deck gun to fight it out with the destroyers. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Commander Conaway and the next two in command. Lieutenant Allen and Lieutenant Freeze were killed almost instantly. I succeeded to command. [Music] [Applause] The situation was hopeless. I gave the order to scuttle ship. [Music] Captain Cromwell chose to go down with the boat because he knew too much. Hensson Max Fedler also went down with the sculpin. [Music] Heat. [Applause] Heat. [Music] But now for a change. It was a very pleasant phase to our activities. Patrols were tough on bodies and nerves. So we arranged a program of relaxation and rehabilitation between runs that was the envy of every branch of service. With the approval and backing of Fleet Admiral Nimttz, our commander-in-chief, we took over the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Honolulu, locked, stock, and barrel. And we said to the submarine men, "It's all yours." Other operating forces also had quarters at the Royal where it held about 150 officers and 1,000 men, but the majority were always submarine men and aviators from the carrier groups. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] I guess the Royal Hawaiian was one of the reasons there was a waiting list for subduty. It almost seems like the more rest and fun our men had, the more damage they did to the Jaff fleet. And that's understandable too for they want to seem mentally and physically fit and trained to meet any type of combat. Just take the figures for 44. In 1944, 429 merchant ships were totaling 2,387,78 tons were destroyed by your son. In addition, about 500,000 tons of warships were sunk. Unreached figures for merchant ships include only ships of 1,000 tons or larger. The smaller ships s by yourselves chiefly by gunfire were too numerous to count. Yes, the [ __ ] fleet was just about shot. In fact, by 1945, targets were getting awfully scarce and awfully small. What was left of [ __ ] shipping tried desperately to crawl home, hugging the coasts, but our subs went right after them, right into the dangerous shallow water, right along the China coast and into the minefield yellow sea. We gave them no rest. This was about the time of the big carrier strikes and the B29 raids in the homeland, which brings up another interesting phase of submarine work, lifeguard duty. That is the picking up of our downed aviators. We had quite an air se rescue system worked out. It didn't get much publicity because we didn't want the Japs to know about it. I'm an electrician's mate, second class. And of course, that means I don't get to see much topside action. So, the other day I says to the chief, I says, "Um, hey chief, how about me getting on the gun crew?" She thought I was kind of crazy wanting to be topside the others, but he finally gave in and here I am. [Applause] Hey, this is beginning to be more lightning. [Music] That's one load of fish that won't end up in jab bellies. How about this prisoners? Welcome aboard, boys. You'll find conditions a little cramp, but we'll treat you right, feed you well, even though you don't deserve it. I'd always heard that Japs would would rather die than be taken prisoner, but these guys don't seem to object to our rescue efforts. Wait a minute. We've got something. Our B29 is in trouble. We've got them on radar, but the lookouts haven't spotted them yet. Say this lifeguard stuff is new to me, but it has its exciting moments. [Music] [Applause] Brother, am I glad I'm not on that plane. Well, here's a couple that were lucky enough to jump. We're going over to pick them up and and then survey the wreckage to see if there are others we can rescue. Maybe we'll find some still alive. This job of dragging tired and half ground pilots aboard a sub looks easy, but it takes careful handling and a a certain amount of risk on the part of our own boys. Climbing up the side of a slippery otter and super stretcher in a choppy sea isn't easy, even for one of our own men. So, it gets a bit complicated when these tumies drop in on it. Say, these guys look like they're badly shot up. Doc is up here now and first aid is being given to those who need it right away. There isn't time for pleading for shock and exposure on deck because we're in enemy waters and subject to attack at any moment. So skipper says to get from below as soon as possible. Here we are now down in the cheese quarters. Doc has made this compartment into a first class operating room. Looks like we're going to have more company in a few minutes. You know, this picking up of flyers is getting to be quite a habit with us. Of course, most of the guys here in the south would rather be firing fish or the jet guns, but it's a great feeling to be able to rescue a small bunch of fellas like these. And and it's a relief to have somebody new to swap yards with after being out here for so long. Sometimes a kid you and I used to know back home isn't so lucky. We're doing all we can. No sign yet, but we're not giving up. Well, we tried, but he didn't make it. But we'll make it up to him. We'll save as many of his buddies as we can. Yes, many of that boy's buddies were saved. At one time, we had 22 submarines on station whose primary duty was lifeguarding. All in all, we rescued more than 500 Army, Navy, and Marine aviators. The submarines were proud of that work and eager for the assignment. But in the last months of the war, it didn't supply enough action to satisfy them. So, as you will see, they figured out some special assignments for themselves. and very interesting, too. During the summer of 45, Traranti was in the same fix as all the other subs. No targets really worth wasting the taxpayers torpedoes on. Or we managed to amuse ourselves. Shot up a few picket boats and other small crab. Knocked off a sea truck or two. Raised some mild hell in the general way. We played pirate and boarded some junks. scared the crews half out of their yellow skins and gave the deep six to a lot of dried peas bound for Japan. [Music] We took a few prisoners. [Music] Exploded some minds. But there was nothing to write home about, even if we could have written home. Then one morning, we cited a ship in the distance. It looked like it was tied to a dock alongside a car. We kept it under observation for about an hour. [Music] Looked like a 2 or 3,000 ton freighter taking on coal by conveyor. [Music] We held a war council. It would be risky entering a harbor full of rocks and sholes. Should we try it? Well, we didn't come out here to sit on our duffs. We changed course. Then the skipper, as he always did, spoke to the crew. Bonus, I think you might like to know what we're up to. There's a 2 or 3,000 ton fighter in the harbor tied to a colory dock taking on coal. That's the biggest ship we've seen so far, and targets are too scarce these days to let any pass. On the good side of the ledger, I can mention these two items. One, there seems to be a lack of patrol craft in this spot. And two, I don't think there any mines because there's an awful lot of small craft around. Now, on the bad side, the ledger, the harbor's full of rocks and shs. Navigation is going to be tough. We'll make a submerged attack, but then we'll have to service and hood it out. If recorded here submerged, it'll be just too bad. However, we have the best navigator in the business. So, what are we waiting for? Let's go. Battle stage has emerged. We got into position, went through the preliminaries. [Music] Let me tell you, right here and now, when the real thing comes up, it's like nothing you ever went through in your life. When that scope goes up in this harbor, you're playing for keeps. Your blood pressure tells you that. The sweat on your hands and the butterfly in your chest keep reminding you that when you get within 1,000 yards of your target, you're going to let go with everything you've got. Then get if you can. [Music] The exact look confirms it. We're dead on and coming closer. Closer. [Music] Dozens of small craft crisscrossing overhead. If one of them sightes our scope while the skipper's taking cuts to keep us off the rocks, you can make like the song and kiss the boys goodbye. Now coming on a thousand yards, 20 to go. 10 5 one. [Music] Look at him scramble nuts. She's listening to port and down by the bar, but still afloat. Hey, wait a minute. They man that deck gun there on the right. Looks like they think a plane got him. But we can't surface while that gun's still in business. All right, then. Let her have another fish just ahead of the stack. Polish off ship and gun crew both with one blow. Fire two. Swing left again. Sonar reports fish ran true but suddenly stopped. No explosion. Must have buried itself in a mud bank or a torpedo net. But there's not time to speculate. The NIP gun crew spotted our periscope. They're taking pot shots at us. Better slip another fish and quick. Steady on 280. Torpedo run 750. Depth set 2 ft. Gyro angle 038. Fire three [Music] bullseye. And now, as Shakespeare said, let's not stand upon the order of our going, but let's go. [Music] [Applause] [Music] They've got a nerve shooting at us. What kind of hospitality do they call that? All right, now let's show some speed. Wait a minute. We must have surfaced too fast. The bow plane should have folded up like a fighter plane's wings. Stuck out like that. They'll drag our speed down till the Japs can catch us with a rowboat. That's not all it can catch us. Come up. Come up there. Steady as you go, sweetheart. Now we can highball for deep water. But the Japire is getting closer. I'm beginning to sweat again. [Applause] [Music] Well, here we are getting the decoration. So, I guess we made it all right. But believe me, it was close. That was months ago, but I've just about now stopped sweating. The power and light company is going to seem awfully beautiful in a few weeks when they hand me that ruptured duck. But brother, how I'm going to miss this boat and the boys. Yes, we rewarded our men in the submarines, tried to honor them for the heroic things they had done. But nothing we can do, nothing we can say can properly express our gratitude to these men of the silent service. And of the men who did not come back, the men who went down with their ships, what can we say? How can we repay them? Shall we not echo their prayer? May God grant that there be no next war. But they know and we know that if there is and whether it be fought with weapons we now know or with weapons at whose nature we can only guess, you will find submarines in the thick of the combat fighting with skill, determination, and matchless daring doing their utmost for all of us and for our United States of America. Yeah. Heat. [Music]