First book to discuss submarine operations at Midway in detail,
including how the Japanese misused their submarines at Midway because of
a flawed tactical plan.
Most books gloss over submarines at Midway and, if they are mentioned at
all, conclude they failed miserably and had little impact on the outcome
of the battle. It is undeniable that carrier aviation and intelligence
saved the day, but the role of the submarine was an important one in
defense of an anticipated amphibious assault.
Midway Submerged is a comprehensive examination of a little-known
aspect of this pivotal naval battle, explaining how Nimitz used his
submarines at Midway, and the Japanese misused theirs based on a flawed
tactical plan. Based on in-depth archival research not only into the
battle itself, but also submarine design and construction, and tactical
and operational doctrine for both the United States and Japan, it brings
a whole new dimension to the discussion of the battle of Midway. It
examines the intended role of the submarine in the plans and doctrine of
both navies, and what the submarines were expected to accomplish for
both fleets during the battle, before assessing the actual
accomplishments, successes, and failures of the submarine forces on both
sides. Of particular importance, the book offers an analysis of how well
these vessels fulfilled the expectations placed on them by their
respective naval planners, concluding that submarines played a more
important role in the outcome than has been previously understood.
