The planned canal attack gave way to Operation Arashi, intended to strike Allied carriers at Ulithi after the fall of Okinawa made invasion appear imminent. The crews had spent months rehearsing a strategic infrastructure raid before being redirected toward a tactical carrier attack. The operation began to unravel when an Avenger caught and sank one of the supporting submarines, disrupting the two-phase plan. Japan's surrender then ended the mission before the surviving I-400 force could attack.
Notable Point · 53:49-55:08
Late-war missions that never reached their targets
As Okinawa fell, the force shifted from the canal plan toward a strike on Ulithi, but losses and Japan's surrender stopped the operation.