Global InformationList of most successful American submarines in World War II information
| Date | Additions | Losses | Net change | End of period total | Index |
| 12 July 1941 | 6,384,000 | 100 | |||
| 12/1941 | 44,200 | 51,600 | −7,400 | 6,376,600 | 99 |
| 1942 | 661,800 | 1,095,800 | −434,000 | 5,942,600 | 93 |
| 1943 | 1,067,100 | 2,065,700 | −998,600 | 4,494,400 | 77 |
| 1944 | 1,735,100 | 4,115,100 | −2,380,000 | 2,564,000 | 40 |
| 1/45 – 8/45 | 465,000 | 1,562,100 | −1,097,100 | 1,466,900 | 23 |
In World War II, the United States Navy used submarines heavily. Overall, 263 US submarines undertook war patrols,[2] claiming 1,392 ships and 5,583,400 tons during the war.[3][a] Submarines in the United States Navy were responsible for sinking 540,192 tons or 30% of the Japanese navy and 4,779,902 tons of shipping, or 54.6% of all Japanese shipping in the Pacific Theater. Submarines were responsible for laying 18,553 mines.[4][5] At the beginning of the war, Japanese merchant ships had a carrying capacity of around six million tons. By the end of the war, in August 1945, the capacity was two million, with only 320,000 in condition to carry cargo.[6]
Submarine warfare began on 7 December 1941, when the Chief of Naval Operations ordered the navy to "execute unrestricted air and submarine warfare against Japan."[6] It appears the policy was executed without the knowledge or prior consent of the government.[5] The London Naval Treaty, to which the U.S. was signatory,[5] required submarines to abide by prize rules (commonly known as "cruiser rules"). It did not prohibit arming merchantmen,[5] but arming them, or having them report contact with submarines (or raiders), made them de facto naval auxiliaries and removed the protection of the cruiser rules.[7][8] This made restrictions on submarines effectively moot.[5] U.S. Navy submarines also conducted reconnaissance patrols, landed special forces and guerrilla troops and performed search and rescue tasks.[9] The submarines were so successful that by early 1944, they struggled to find targets.[10] The war against shipping was the single most decisive factor in the collapse of the Japanese economy, and the Cabinet of Japan reported to the National Diet after the war that “the greatest cause of defeat was the loss of shipping.”[6][11]
Starting in 1941, submarines patrolled the American Theater, hunting German U-boats and protecting shipping lanes. Submarine Squadron 50, formed in 1942, served in the European Theater. The squadron was present in several invasions, and hunted blockade runners, first off of Spain and later Norway. The ships scored several hits, but a lack of targets led to them being returned to the United States.[10]
- ^ Parillo, Mark (1993). The Japanese merchant marine in World War II. Annapolis Md.: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-55750-677-1.
- ^ Gruner, 2012 p.3
- ^ Gruner, 2012 p.6
- ^ JANAC, 1947 p.vi
- ^ a b c d e Holwitt, Joel Ira (1 April 2009). "Execute against Japan": the U.S. decision to conduct unrestricted submarine warfare. Texas A&M University Press. ISBN 978-1-60344-083-7 – via Project MUSE.
- ^ a b c "U.S. Pacific Submarines In World War II". Historical Naval Ships Association. Archived from the original on 2018-02-27. Retrieved 2018-06-10.
- ^ Doenitz, Karl (21 March 1997). Memoirs, ten years and twenty days. Da Capo Press. ISBN 978-0-306-80764-0.
- ^ Milner, Marc (1985). North Atlantic run: the Royal Canadian Navy and the battle for the convoys. Annapolis Md.: Naval Institute Press.
- ^ Blair, Clay (1 March 2001). Silent victory: the U.S. submarine war against Japan. Annapolis Md.: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-55750-217-9.
- ^ a b "Silent Victory 1940- 1945". www.public.navy.mil. Archived from the original on 2018-01-26. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
- ^ Poirier, Michel Thomas (20 October 1999). "Results of the German and American Submarine Campaigns of World War II". Submarine Warfare Division. Archived from the original on 9 April 2008. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
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