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The USS Barb: Revolutionizing Submarine Warfare in World War II

Jonathan Franzen

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Published in Thunder Below : The USS *Barb* Revolutionizes Submarine Warfare In World War II

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When the United States entered World War II in 1941, the submarine was still a relatively new and untested weapon. However, the USS Barb would soon prove that submarines could be a decisive force in the war.

Thunder Below!: The USS *Barb* Revolutionizes Submarine Warfare in World War II

by Eugene B. Fluckey

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The Barb was commissioned in 1942 and quickly became one of the most successful submarines in the Pacific Theater. Under the command of Captain Eugene Fluckey, the Barb sank 21 enemy ships, including nine merchant ships and 12 warships. This made the Barb the most successful American submarine of the war.

The Barb's success was due to a number of factors, including its advanced technology, its skilled crew, and its aggressive tactics. The Barb was one of the first submarines to be equipped with radar, which allowed it to track enemy ships more easily. The Barb also had a crew of highly trained and experienced sailors. Finally, Captain Fluckey was a brilliant strategist who was willing to take risks.

The Barb's most famous mission was its attack on a Japanese convoy in the South China Sea in October 1944. The Barb sank seven ships in the convoy, including two destroyers. This attack was a major blow to the Japanese war effort and helped to turn the tide of the war in the Pacific.

The USS Barb was decommissioned in 1946 and is now a museum ship in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Barb is a reminder of the important role that submarines played in World War II and the bravery of the men who served on them.

The Barb's Legacy

The USS Barb's legacy is one of innovation, courage, and success. The Barb was a pioneer in submarine warfare and its tactics and technologies are still used by submarines today. The Barb's crew was a model of professionalism and bravery, and their actions helped to win the war.

The USS Barb is a reminder of the importance of naval power and the courage of the men and women who serve in the United States Navy. The Barb is a national treasure and a symbol of American victory in World War II.

Image Credits:

USS Barb (SS-220) underway in the Pacific Ocean during World War II. Photo courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.
Captain Eugene Fluckey, commanding officer of the USS Barb (SS-220),poses for a portrait in 1944. Photo courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.
The USS Barb (SS-220) is now a museum ship in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo courtesy of the USS Barb Foundation.

Thunder Below!: The USS *Barb* Revolutionizes Submarine Warfare in World War II

by Eugene B. Fluckey

4.8 out of 5