Submarines

This research project is about WWll submarines. There were many different varieties of submarines used by both sides during the war. Different types of weapons were used on these submarines, such as missiles and torpedos. The submarines had a number of important functions.  There were many types of submarines used in WW ll that carried different types of weapons and performed a variety of tasks. 

History of Submarines

   This is a World War II era submarine 

WWll submarines have a rich history.  The USS Sailfish was previously named the Squalus and was the first submarine built for radar picket service.  The USS Sculpin shared an intertwined history with the USS Sailfish.  It is also marked as a cursed ship.  The USS Tang was USA’s most legendary submarine. Oldenburg believes that, “after Japan’s devastating attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, which destroyed and damaged the entire US Navy battleship fleet, the submarine service took a crucial role in stopping the Navy’s Pacific offensive” (Oldenburg).

Allied vs. Axis Submarines

  The USS Guadalcanal, a World War II submarine used by the Allied Powers

Submarines are combat ships that rely on stealth and the ability to pinpoint targets and threats.  German submarines were called U-boats.  British submarines were called X-crafts.  X-crafts did not carry torpedoes while U-boats did.  The Italian and Japanese Navies had large submarine fleets when the war began.  Experts state that, “an array of weapons enables submarines to engage their targets and defend themselves against attack” (Museum of American History).

Uses of Submarines

   This picture is an example of a naval blockade

Submarines had a variety of uses during World War II.  Submarines were used by both sides to try to get around naval blockades.  They also kept the enemy short of fuel and other goods.  German submarines sank cargo ships importing food and goods to Great Britian.  Between 1939 and 1945, nearly 3,000 ships carrying goods were sunk.  Historians claim that, "the main task of the American submarines, just like the German U-boats, was to suffocate Japan's military industry, cut it's oil supply, starve it, and prevent mass troop movements by sea" (World War ll Submarines).

Works Cited 

Divemasterking2000. Submarine Force Museum, Japanese Ko-hyoteki Type A mini-sub outside museum. 10 Mar. 2009. flickr. yahoo, 10 Mar. 2009. Web. 10 May 2010. <http://www.flickr.com/‌photos/‌divemasterking2000/‌3346230714/>.

- - -. Submarine Force Museum, Japanese Ko-hyoteki Type A mini-sub outside museum. 10 Mar. 2009. flickr. yahoo, 10 Mar. 2009. Web. 10 May 2010. <http://www.flickr.com/‌photos/‌divemasterking2000/‌3346230714/>.

Lines, Cliff. Looking at submarines. NYC: The bookwright press , 1984. Print.

Museum of American History. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 May 2010. <http://americanhistory.si.edu/‌subs/‌weapons>.

Oldenburg, Don. “submarine accountsdive dive deepinto drama of WW II.” USA today 20 May 2008: n. pag. Middle Search Plus. Web. 3 May 2010.

Roberts, R N. USS Olympia and USS Becuna. 25 June 2007. www.flickr.com. creative commons, 25 June 2007. Web. 10 May 2010. <http://www.flickr.com/‌photos/‌rnrobert/‌626356281/>.

“World War 2 Submarines.” World War 2 Submarines. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 May 2010. <http://www.2worldwar2.com/‌submarines.htm>.

Billy Blaze