U.S.S. Wahoo (SS-238)
by J. T. McDaniel
"American Submarine War Patrol Reports"
Popularity
4.14 / 5
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U.S.S. Wahoo (SS-238) by J. T. McDaniel
Details
War:
World War II
Perspective:
Submarines
Military Unit:
US Navy
True Story:
Yes
Biography:
No
Region:
Pacific
Page Count:
176
Published Date:
2005
ISBN13:
9781932606072
Description
Brief Summary
U.S.S. Wahoo (SS-238) by J. T. McDaniel provides a detailed account of one of the most successful American submarines from World War II. The book meticulously compiles the official wartime reports of the submarine's commanding officers, Marvin G. Kennedy and Dudley W. Morton, who were instrumental in Wahoo's achievements. Through these reports and additional material, McDaniel chronicles the impressive feats of the Wahoo, which was credited with sinking 20 enemy ships totaling 60,038 tons during the war in the Pacific.
Main Themes and Topics
The book explores several key themes, principally the strategic importance of U.S. submarines in the Pacific theater during World War II. It assesses how a relatively small fraction of the Navy could have such a significant impact, demonstrating the pivotal role of submarines in naval warfare. McDaniel also delves into the technical and operational challenges faced by the submarines, especially the problems associated with the Mark 14 torpedo, which proved to be a major hurdle for Wahoo on its sixth patrol.
Writing Style and Tone
J. T. McDaniel adopts a factual and precise writing style that reflects the rigorous nature of the source materials utilized in the book. The tone is objective and authoritative, providing readers with an unembellished yet compelling recount of historical events through official reports and technical analyses. By focusing on documentary evidence, McDaniel allows the achievements and challenges of U.S.S. Wahoo to be presented in a manner that is both informative and engaging for history enthusiasts and naval scholars alike.
Criticism
While U.S.S. Wahoo (SS-238) is highly informative, some readers may find the heavy reliance on official reports can occasionally make the reading experience somewhat dry. The book's emphasis on technical details might not appeal to general readers who are not as interested in the minutiae of naval operations. However, for those with a keen interest in military history and naval warfare, this level of detail could be considered invaluable.
