Jun 10, 2023
USS Barb, via @001_koshka
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USS Barb, via @001_koshka
In the closing weeks of World War II, a Navy submarine was credited with “sinking” a train during a daring mission.
From the U.S.Naval Institute:
#OTD in 1945, the USS Barb "sank" a train when a landing party went ashore at Karafuto, Japan, and planted the sub's scuttling charges on a track. As the party paddled back to the sub, the explosives detonated and wrecked a train. A victory mark in the form of a silhouette of the train was added to the bottom of Barb's battle flag. The raid was the only U.S. ground operation on the Japanese home islands during the war.
USS BARB (SS-220) in San Francisco Bay, California.
Photographed on May 3, 1945.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command: 19-N-83952
Colorized by Alex Color Studio: link
“Port beam view of the USS Barb (SS-220) in San Francisco Bay on 3 May 1945.”
(Source)
“USS Barb (SS-220). Members of the submarine's demolition squad pose with her battle flag at the conclusion of her 12th war patrol. Taken at Pearl Harbor, August 1945.
During the night of 22-23 July 1945 these men went ashore at Karafuto, Japan, and planted an explosive charge that subsequently wrecked a train. They are (from left to right): Chief Gunners Mate Paul G. Saunders, USN; Electricians Mate 3rd Class Billy R. Hatfield, USNR; Signalman 2nd Class Francis N. Sevei, USNR; Ships Cook 1st Class Lawrence W. Newland, USN; Torpedomans Mate 3rd Class Edward W. Klingesmith, USNR; Motor Machinists Mate 2nd Class James E. Richard, USN; Motor Machinists Mate 1st Class John Markuson, USN; and Lieutenant William M. Walker, USNR. This raid is represented by the train symbol in the middle bottom of the battle flag.”
USS Barb (SS-220) is the first and only submarine credited with destroying a train in combat.
(NHHC: NH 103570)
The Sub That Sank a Train - In Their Own Words
The Sub That Sank a Train – In Their Own Words
This is my second installment of my series, “In Their Own Words” wherein I use quotes from WWII submarine reports to highlight themes of commanders that I find interesting. My introductory post in this seriesfocused on a couple of themes: Commanders’ candor and/or colorful descriptions and Issues associated with life on the vessel. This installment falls into the former of those themes as I…
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“USS Barb (SS-220). Members of the submarine's demolition squad pose with her battle flag at the conclusion of her 12th war patrol. Taken at Pearl Harbor, August 1945.
During the night of 22-23 July 1945 these men went ashore at Karafuto, Japan, and planted an explosive charge that subsequently wrecked a train. They are (from left to right): Chief Gunners Mate Paul G. Saunders, USN; Electricians Mate 3rd Class Billy R. Hatfield, USNR; Signalman 2nd Class Francis N. Sevei, USNR; Ships Cook 1st Class Lawrence W. Newland, USN; Torpedomans Mate 3rd Class Edward W. Klingesmith, USNR; Motor Machinists Mate 2nd Class James E. Richard, USN; Motor Machinists Mate 1st Class John Markuson, USN; and Lieutenant William M. Walker, USNR. This raid is represented by the train symbol in the middle bottom of the battle flag.”
It was the only ground combat operation that took place on the Japanese home islands in WWII.
(NHHC: NH 103570)