Operation Storm: Japan's Top Secret Submarines and its Plan to Change the Course of World War II
Author(s): John Geoghegan
The riveting true story of Japan's top secret plan to change the course of World War II using a squadron of mammoth submarines a generation ahead of their time In 1941, the architects of Japan's sneak attack on Pearl Harbor planned a bold follow-up: a potentially devastating air raid--this time against New York City and Washington, DC. The classified Japanese program required developing a squadron of top secret submarines--the Sen-toku or I-400 class--which were, by far, the largest and among the most deadly subs of World War II. Incredibly, the subs were designed as underwater aircraft carriers, each equipped with three Aichi M6A1 attack bombers painted to look like US aircraft. The bombers, called Seiran (which translates as "storm from a clear sky"), were tucked in a huge, water tight hanger on the sub's deck. The subs mission was to travel more than half way around the world, surface on the US coast, and launch their deadly air attack. This entire operation was unknown to US intelligence, despite having broken the Japanese naval code. And the amazing thing is how close the Japanese came to pulling off their mission. Meticulously researched and masterfully told, Operation Storm tells the harrowing story of the Sen Toku, their desperate push into Allied waters, and the dramatic chase of this juggernaut sub by the US navy. Author John Geoghegan's first person accounts from the last surviving members of both the I-401 crew and the US boarding party that captured her create a highly intimate portrait of this fascinating, and until now forgotten story of war in the Pacific.
Product Information
"John Geoghegan's 'Operation Storm' is a fascinating, meticulously researched and deft account of this bizarre chapter." - "The Wall Street Journal" "An exciting narrative of a naval showdown revealing hubris and humility on both sides...Geoghegan has scoured the archives to present a little-touted facet of Japanese naval history that offers a fascinating glimpse into the workings of the Japanese mindset at the endgame of the war." -- "Kirkus" ""Operation Storm" is an exciting page turner comparable to the best of Tom Clancy's techno-thrillers--except this tale happens to be true...Geoghegan has delved deeply into...(the) records to tell a fascinating story." -- "Aviation History" "Aviation historian Geoghegan's virtuoso research turns up surviving witnesses and obscure documents to corroborate this engrossing story of politics, logistics, and the technological leaps and bounds made during wartime, and the resulting tale is a thrilling take on a little-known aspect of the conflict in the Pacific theater." -- "Publishers Weekly " "A magnificent page-turner that reveals the inside story of a remarkable top secret program, "Operation Storm "is a powerful, towering achievement." -- David King, bestselling author of "Death in the City of Light" "A great historical read, scrupulously researched and brilliantly written. Geoghegan has produced a marvelous insight into the men on both sides who fought a brutal underwater war beneath the waters of the Pacific in WWII." --Clive Cussler, bestselling author of the "Dirk Pitt" and "NUMA" Series "The Imperial Navy's submarine force in WWII is still barely understood in the West. Geoghegan has given us one of the first detailed glimpses into the workings of Japan's undersea fleet. His detailed coverage of the Imperial Navy's I-400 program is uniquely interesting." -- Jonathan Parshall, author of "Shattered Sword" "Anyone who believes there are no more hidden secrets to World War
John Geoghegan has written extensively about aviation history, underwater exploration and marine engineering for the "New York Times" Science Section, Smithsonian Air & Space, WIRED, Popular Science, Aviation History, Military Heritage, Flight Journal and the San Francisco Chronicle Sunday Magazine.
General Fields
- :
- : Presidio Press
- : Presidio Press
- : 0.367
- : 01 March 2014
- : 203mm X 132mm
- : United States
- : 01 May 2014
- : books
Special Fields
- : John Geoghegan
- : Paperback
- : Paperback
- : 940.54510952
- : 940.54510952
- : 496
- : 496