Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:41:30-1:46:54

Choosing a Second World War submarine by theater

The panel's submarine choices change between Pacific, Mediterranean, and Atlantic service, with Allied anti-submarine patrols adding another risk.

Amphion Class SubmarinesAnti-Submarine WarfareBalao Class SubmarinesGato Class SubmarinesI-400 Class SubmarinesLive Q&AS Class SubmarinesSubmarinesT Class SubmarinesU Class SubmarinesV Class SubmarinesWorld War II
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Question

Which Second World War submarine would each panelist choose?

Short answer

The choices include Gato, Balao, T-, Amphion-, S-, U-, V-, and I-400-class boats. Several panelists change their selection according to the operating theater.

Notes

The initial choices include Gato and Balao types, while Dragon would take a T-class boat or HMS Amphion or HMS Astute. Dan would prefer to avoid Second World War submarine service, but would choose an S- or V-class boat for the Mediterranean and an American boat for the Pacific. Clarke selects an I-400 for the Pacific, a U- or V-class boat for the Mediterranean, and an S-class boat for the Atlantic. The U and V classes are described as closely related successive variants. The conversation also raises the danger of encountering British and Canadian anti-submarine forces, including the risk to a friendly submarine operating in the wrong area. The choices depend on deployment theater as well as personal preference.