A hypothetical force of 500 escorts raises the question of whether American submarines would have been as successful. One possible consequence is that Mark 14 torpedo defects would have become evident more quickly as submarines faced effective pursuit and failed to return. The outcome remains uncertain. Japan never had escorts available on that scale. Only four Shimushu-class ships were completed out of 16 planned.
Notable Point · 1:01:20-1:02:05
A larger escort force and the Mark 14 counterfactual
The suggestion of 500 available escorts raises an unresolved question about American submarine losses and earlier recognition of torpedo defects.