Steampunk Submarine

Batfish in seven war patrols, claimed a total of 15 ships sunk for 37,484 tons, and damaged 3 other ships. JANAC officially credited Batfish with... more

by John Straton

Title

Steampunk Submarine

Artist

John Straton

Medium

Photograph

Description

Batfish in seven war patrols, claimed a total of 15 ships sunk for 37,484 tons, and damaged 3 other ships. JANAC officially credited Batfish with only 6 ships, for a total of 10,230 tons. This accreditation is par for the statistical course. Generally, American submarines were credited with only half of what they sank - or claimed twice as many ships as were later substantiated.
At any rate, JANAC credited Batfish with the sinking of 3 enemy submarines. But even here, the records are confused, particularly as to the identity of the first submarine Batfish sank on February 9, 1945. Some records indicated I-41, others the RO-115, others the RO-55. To the best available information, there is general agreement about the second and third submarines: RO-112 and RO- 113.
The entire crew serving aboard the 6th War Patrol was authorized to wear the Presidential Unit Citation which read as follows:
"For extraordinary heroism in action against enemy Japanese combatant forces during the sixth War Patrol in the South China Sea from December 30, 1944 to March 3, 1945. Persistent and aggressive in her search for vital targets, the USS Batfish relentlessly tracked down the enemy and in three separate, brilliantly executed attacks, launched her torpedoes with devastating speed and skill and demolished three Japanese submarines. By the destruction of these formidable and threatening hostile Fleet units in a single War Patrol, the Batfish contributed significantly to the successful completion of the war. The courage, superb seamanship and gallant fighting spirit of her officers and men reflect the highest credit upon herself and the United States Naval Services."

Uploaded

April 6th, 2014