How The USS Cavalla Torpedoed The Japanese Fleet Carrier Shokaku

Discover the dramatic true story of how USS Cavalla (SS-244) sank the Japanese aircraft carrier Shokaku on June 19, 1944, during the Battle of the Philippine Sea, marking a crucial turning point in World War II's Pacific Theater. This in-depth historical account details Lieutenant Commander Herman J. Kossler's daring submarine strike that destroyed one of the six carriers involved in the Pearl Harbor attack, resulting in the deaths of 1,272 Japanese sailors and contributing to the "Marianas Turkey Shoot" that devastated Japanese naval aviation. Based on verified historical records and naval archives, this 16,000-word narrative explores the tactical brilliance of American submarine operations, the three-hour depth charge ordeal Cavalla endured after launching six torpedoes at extremely close range, and the strategic consequences of sinking the 25,675-ton carrier that crippled Japan's ability to conduct carrier operations. From Cavalla's commissioning on February 29, 1944, to her Presidential Unit Citation and eventual preservation as a museum ship in Galveston, Texas, this meticulously researched account demonstrates how a single submarine with 80 crew members altered the course of the Pacific War, showcasing the technological advantage, code-breaking intelligence, and extraordinary bravery that allowed American submarines to sink 1,314 Japanese vessels totaling 5.3 million tons during World War II.