H8K flying boats were supposed to report weather and guide the P1Y attackers along the long route to Ulithi. The support plan also included three submarines for logistics and rescue, among them the 2,607-ton Type B3 I-58, while C6N aircraft handled reconnaissance. These assets formed the raid's operating chain. The 24-aircraft attack depended on support that could fail before the attackers reached the target.
Notable Point · 30:56-32:13
Why support aircraft and submarines mattered
H8K pathfinders, C6N reconnaissance, and three support submarines supplied the weather, navigation, intelligence, logistics, and rescue functions behind the raid.