STRIKE OF THE SAILFISH

Swiftly moving tale of submarine fireworks in the Pacific.

Even non-military buffs will enjoy spending time with two U.S. Navy crews during World War II. Few elderly survivors remain, but prolific military historian Moore, author of Blood and Fury, The Battle for Hell’s Island, and other books of military history, makes good use of memoirs, oral histories, videos, interviews, articles, helpful family members and official documents to provide a nearly day-by-day account of often terrible events. Built and launched almost simultaneously in 1938, the Sculpin and Squalus were both the latest model Sargo-class submarines whose “steel pressure holes made them capable of a ‘test depth’ of two hundred fifty feet.” Squalus sank the following year after suffering a catastrophic leak, killing 26 men. Thoroughly overhauled after being recovered, it was renamed the Sailfish. “With a new lease on life and a new name,” writes Moore, “Sailfish was destined for great accomplishments in World War II.” Boats that sank were considered cursed, but as the author demonstrates as he recounts their patrols in the Pacific, the Sailfish enjoyed a more fortunate career than her companion. Delivering too many crew mini-biographies to remember, but emphasizing the captains and heroes, the author creates a gripping, extremely detailed account of submarines’ operation, personalities, and attacks—not always successful—on Japanese shipping. Sculpin was lost after an attack by a Japanese destroyer in 1943, so most of the action involves its sister ship. Readers will enjoy Moore’s expert descriptions of many encounters, highlighted by “the first known unassisted sinking of an enemy carrier by a submarine.” This isn’t quite as impressive as it sounds, because the ship was a flattop merchant vessel designed to transport planes, not a fighting carrier. Nonetheless, Moore’s capable history is fast-paced and gripping.

Entertaining World War II naval history by an old hand.