In the waning days of World War II,
the Japanese High Command realized that the tide had turned against them—but
they were determined to fight to the last. In February 1945, the Imperial
Japanese Navy sent four submarines on a secret mission to the Philippines to
recover all the resources they could. To intercept them, an American submarine
wolf pack was sent to the waters north of the Philippines. On a pitch-black
night at sea, the USS Batfish (SS-310)—a fleet sub helmed by Commander
John "Jake" Fyfe—engaged a Japanese sub. But in the ensuing skirmish, an armed
torpedo lodged in the Batfish's tube. Thus began one of the greatest
displays of courage in the annals of submarine warfare. With the enemy alerted
to their presence, and their own torpedo threatening to destroy them, the crew
of Batfish entered onto a seventy-tow-hour sea battle that tested the
limits of their mettle. In an astonishing display of skill, fortitude, and
mariner's luck, the Batfish not only survived, it dominated—destroying a
record-breaking three enemy submarines in a single patrol. Based upon
never-before-heard first-person accounts and official documentation, this is
the true story of the submarine, the skipper and the crew of USS
Batfish and a testament of the bravery of those who endured hell under the
waves in the name of their country and freedom.
New
softbound book, 326 pages, 24 black and white photographs, an index, appendix and complete USS
Batfish crew roster.
New Book --- $14.99
"Don
Keith has captured the history as well as the personalities of the crew of
the Batfish. His writing style perfectly complements the events of
her service during World War II and the remarkable but quirky way she wound
up in Muskogee, OK. at War Memorial Park. A fun read as well as an emotional
one." F. Isbell
"Don't know why
I ordered this book but am so glad I did. Once I started reading, I found it
very well written, entertaining and in parts, hair-raising. It captures the
zeitgeist of the crew when the eerie sound of a torpedo rushes past the hull
of the boat, or the shattering thunder of an exploding depth charge shakes
the sub, barely missing blowing it up in the sea as well as the urgency of
mechanical problems that seriously threaten the submarine and the lives of
those on board. The horror is mixed with humor and the crew is presented in
such a way that you are able to relate to what they must have felt in their
darkest moments of terror as well as in their great joy when victorious over
enemy vessels. Also well done, the foibles and dilemmas of getting it to
that landlocked bean field in Oklahoma where it finally stands as a proud
memorial to the World War II battles at sea and the incredibly brave men who
fought them. Do put this one on your "must read list." It's a winner!"
Elizabeth Ann Sinkey
"My
main fodder is nonfiction historical, both European and American, so this
book is right up my alley. Entertaining and well written with lots of
detail, the way I like it. Yes, I'm female and read a lot of Jane Austen
romance etc., but my favorite movie is "Hunt for Red October"... go figure.
You'll like this book, too." Jane Austen Fan
Photo below: Commander John "Jake" Fyfe on the bridge of
Batfish. Photo appears in the book.
The Author
Don Keith is an
award-winning author, journalist, and broadcast personality. He was
twice named Personality of the Year by "Billboard Magazine." His
first novel, "The Forever Season," was named Fiction of the Year by
the Alabama Library Association. "Gallant Lady," his true story of
the World War II submarine USS Archerfish, was a featured
selection of the Military Book Club. Don also wrote "In
The Course of Duty" and "Final Patrol." Don lives in Indian Springs
Village, Alabama, with his wife, Charlene.
The Heroic Mission of the USS BATFISH
by Don Keith
New Softbound edition
326 pages with 24 black and white photos
New $14.99
ISBN # 0-451-21659-8
