Sunk! hardback / I-58 / Mochitsura Hashimoto / Japanese Submarines in World War II / Submarine Book Store

BOOK REVIEWS

"Absorbing... the author's descriptions of this own encounters with Allied units, and especially the story of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, possess undeniable interest." New York Herald Tribune

"...throws new light on the suicidal mystique of the whole Japanese war effort." The New Yorker

During World War II, Commander Hashimoto was the skipper of several Japanese submarines including; RO-44, I-158 and I-58. He saw action in many crucial Pacific operations. At the outbreak of World War II, Lieutenant Hashimoto was the torpedo officer on the submarine I-24. The I-24 launched the midget-sub at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, which carried Kazuo Sakamaki, who became America's first POW. Hashimoto’s greatest victory came while at the command of the submarine, I-58 when he torpedoed and sank the American cruiser USS Indianapolis (CA-35). This sinking was the greatest single disaster in the history of the U.S. Navy as 883 American sailors died. The Indianapolis was also the largest ship ever sunk by a Japanese submarine! The author tells of how he sank the Indianapolis on that fateful night in 1945. This is also the story of a lost cause. It contains incredible yet true accounts of torpedo rationing, lack of radar, inadequate equipment, and outmoded strategy. Covering each and every phase of the Battle of the Pacific from Pearl Harbor to Okinawa, written by one of four Japanese commanders who survived the war. Commander Hashimoto has written a book which is both entertaining and extremely informative.

One of the most difficult World War II submarine books to locate and without a doubt, one of the best! This is a 1954 first edition Hardback with dust jack. Jacket is covered in new protective plastic. 276 pages, 8 black & white photos, large 28 page appendix, index and additional maps and diagrams. Large Pacific maps inside front and back covers.

Sorry, sold out. ---

The Story of the Japanese Submarine Fleet 1941 - 1945

by Mochitsura Hashimoto

Introduction by Commander Edward L. Beach, USN

The Author

In 1931, four years out of high school, Mochitsura Hashimoto graduated from Japan's Naval Academy. At the outbreak of World War II, Lieutenant Hashimoto was the torpedo officer on the submarine I-24. The I-24 launched the midget-sub at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, which carried Kazuo Sakamaki, who became America's first POW. In mid-1944, Hashimoto was given command of the new submarine I-58, a boat which was larger (355-feet long) than an American Fleet sub. While on patrol on the night of July 30, 1945, Commander Hashimoto encountered the USS Indianapolis (CA-35). The American cruiser was east of the Pacific island of Guam, steaming in the direction of the I-58 at a high rate of speed. Hashimoto fired his torpedoes and quickly sank the 10,000-ton cruiser, killing over 880 American sailors. After the war, Hashimoto became a high-ranking officer in the new Japanese Defense Force Navy, his book "Sunk!" was published in 1954. Hashimoto passed away in October of 2000, he was 91 years old.