The U.S. SUBMARINE WAR
  in the PACIFIC  1941 - 1945
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World War II U.S. Submarine Wolfpacks and Hellcats
WWII U.S. Submarines at War in the Pacific Theater 1941 - 1945

SubPacFleet  ○   SoWesPacFleet ○  Hellcats

 

 U.S. Wolfpacks

The U.S. Navy did not utilize submarine wolfpacking techniques in the same fashion as did the U-Boat arm of the German Kreigsmarine. German wolfpacks were formed and assembled while the boats were underway or on station and under the direction of the Commander of U-Boats, Admiral Karl Dönitz. When word of a convoy reached Dönitz, he would direct boats in the general area by radio communication to converge on the targets thus forming and coordinating the wolfpack from HQ. The number of U-Boats within the pack would often be large. Typically U.S. wolfpacks consisted of three boats, deployed as a single group and under the unified command of the senior officer within the group. Other than intelligence regarding potential target convoys, tactical orders as to individual submarine positioning did not come from the fleet commander as did the U-Boats. The results for American subs were generally mixed with many U.S. skippers often preferring to hunt alone rather than as a member of a group. 

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SubPacFleet
PACK COMMANDER PACK NAME SUBMARINES
Capt. C.B. Momsen none Cero, Shad, Grayback
Cdr. F.B. Warder

none

Snook, Harder, Pargo
LtCdr C. F. Brindupke

none

Tullibee, Haddock, Halibut
Capt. G.E. Peterson none Parche, Bang, Tinosa
Cdr. F.W. Fenno Fenno's Ferrets Picuda, Perch, Peto
Cdr. D.F. Weiss none Tinosa, Sealion, Tang
Capt. L.N. Blair Blair's Blasters Shark, Pilotfish, Tunny, Pintado
Capt. W. O'Regan Mickey Finns Apogon, Thresher, Guardfish, Piranha
LtCdr. A.R. Gallaher none Bang, Seahorse, Growler
Capt. W.D. Wilkins Wilkin's Wildcats Rock, Sawfish, Tilefish
Cdr. L.S. Parks none Parche, Hammerhead, Steelhead
Cdr. S.P. Moseley Moseley's Maulers Billfish, Sailfish, Greenling
Cdr. D.R. Donaho Donk's Devils Spadefish, Redfish, Picuda
Cdr. J.B. Oakley Jr. Ben's Busters Growler, Pampanito, Sealion
Cdr. E.R. Swinburne Ed's Eradicators Tunny, Queenfish, Bart
Capt. C.W. Wilkins Wilkin's Bears Seahorse, Whale, Segundo
Cdr. A.H. Holtz Holtz' Cats Baya, Becuna, Hawkbill
Cdr. R.S. Benson Benson's Dogs Razorback, Cavalla, Piranha
Cdr. F.C. Acker none Pomfret, Snook, Cobia
LtCdr. G.H. Browne none Snook, Cobia
Cdr. A.B. Banister Banister's Beagles Sawfish, Icefish, Drum
Cdr. E.N. Blakley Blakeley's Behemoths Shark, Blackfish, Sea Dragon
Cdr. J.S. Coye Jr. Coye's Coyotes Silversides, Salmon, Trigger
Cdr. W.J. Millican Millican's Marauders Escolar, Perch, Croaker
LtCdr. T.L. Wogan Wogan's Wolves Besugo, Gabilan. Ronquil
Cdr. J.P. Roach Roach's Raiders Haddock, Halibut, Tuna
Cdr. B.A. Clarey Clarey's Crushers Pintado, Jallao, Atule
Cdr. T.B. Klakring Burt's Brooms Silversides, Saury, Tambor, Trigger, Sterlet, Burrfish, Ronquil
Cdr. G.W. Underwood Underwood's Urchins (1) Spadefish, Sunfish, Peto
Cdr. L.D. McGregor Sandy's Sluggers Redfish, Shad, Bang
Cdr. C.E. Loughlin Loughlin's Loopers (1) Queenfish, Barb, Picuda
Cdr. L.P. Ramage Red's Rowdies Parche, Pomfret, Sailfish
Cdr. F.W. Fenno Fennomints Pampanito, Sea Cat, Pipefish,
Searaven
Cdr. R.M. Davenport Roy's Rangers Trepang, Segundo, Razorback
Cdr. C.L. Bennett Bennett's Blazers (1) Sea Owl, Piranha, Seapoacher
Cdr. V.L. Lowrance Rebel's Rippers Sea Dog, Sea Robin, Guardfish
Cdr. W.S. Post Post's Panzers (1) Spot, Icefish, Balao
Cdr. W.A. Stevenson Steve's Stingers Aspro, Croaker, Sawfish
Cdr. M.K. Clementson Clementson's Clippers Blueback, Sea Fox, Puffer
Cdr. J.C. Nichols none Silversides, Tautog
Cdr. C.E. Loughlin Loughlin's Loopers (2) Queenfish, Barb, Picuda
Cdr. W.D. Perkins none Burrfish, Pogy, Ronquil
Cdr. J.F. Enright Joe's Jugheads Archerfish, Batfish, Blackfish
Cdr. G.W. Underwood Underwood's Urchins (2) Spadefish, Pompon, Atule, Bang
Cdr. A.G. Schnable Al's Sharks Pilotfish, Finback, Rasher
Cdr. C.B. Stevens Clyde's Cannibals Plaice, Scabbardfish, Seapoacher
Cdr. Frank Latta Latta's Lancers Lagarto, Haddock, Sennet
Cdr. E.E. Shelby Shelby's Shellackers Gato, Sunfish, Jallao
Cdr. B.F. McMahon Mac's Mops Piper, Sterlet, Trepang. Pomfret, Bowfin
Cdr. J.D. Fulp, Jr Fulp's Fiddlers Segundo, Sea Cat, Razorback
Cdr. C.L. Bennett Bennett's Blazers (2) Sea Owl, Piranha, Puffer
Cdr. J.R. Middleton, Jr. Middleton's Mobsters Thresher, Peto, Shad
Cdr. W.B. Seiglaff Barney's Boxers Tench, Sea Devil, Balao, Grouper
Cdr. W.S. Post Post's Panzers (2) Spot, Sea Fox, Queenfish
Cdr. R.W. Peterson Pete's Panthers Icefish, Kingfish
Cdr. R.G. Latham Latham's Locators Tinosa, Spadefish, Tirante
Cdr. Hiram Cassedy Hiram's Hecklers Tigrone, Bullhead, Blackfish
Cdr. J.F. Walling Walling's Whalers Snook, Burrfish, Bang
Cdr. E.T. Hydeman Earl's Eliminators Sea Dog, Threadfin, Trigger
Cdr. N.J. Nicholas Nick's Nippers Silversides, Hackleback, Threadfin
Cdr. A.C. Smith none Trutta, Lionfish, Parche, Sunfish
Cdr. J.A. Adkins Caddy's Caddies Cod, Pompon
Cdr. R. Kefauver Russ's Rustlers Springer, Trepang, Raton
Cdr. B.F. McMahon Mac's Moppers Piper, Pomfret, Plaice, Seapoacher

 

SubSoWesPacFleet
PACK COMMANDER SUBMARINES
Cdr. R.T. Whitaker Flasher, Crevalle, Angler
Cdr. F.D. Walker Crevalle, Angler
Cdr. E.D. Haskins Guitarro, Raton, Gunnel
Cdr. H.C. Munson Rasher, Bluefish
Cdr. S.D. Dealey Harder, Haddo, Hake. Ray
Cdr. C.W. Nimitz Jr. Haddo, Hake
Cdr. R.T. Whitaker Flasher, Lapon, Bonefish
Cdr. D.H. McLintock Darter, Dace
Cdr. V.B. McCrea Hoe, Aspro, Cabrilla
Cdr. J.A. Adkins Cod, Ray
Cdr. E.L. Barr Jr. Bluegill, Angler
Cdr. W.G. Chapple Bream, Guitarro, Raton
Cdr. I.S. Hartman Barbero, Redfin, Haddo
Cdr. T.B. Oakley Jr. Growler, Hake, Hardhead
Cdr. Thomas Kinsella Ray, Raton, Batfish
Cdr. F.A. Greenup Hardhead, Hake
Cdr. G.E. O'Neill Jr. Gunnel, Muskellunge
Cdr. J.G. Martin Hammergead, Lapon, Paddle, Mingo
Cdr. J.R. Stevens Flounder, Bashaw, Guavina
Capt. E.H. Bryant Hawkbill, Flasher, Becuna
Cdr. Earl Tiedman Guavina, Bashaw
Cdr. A.H. Holtz Baya, Hoe, Cavalla
Cdr. H.D. Sturr Becuna, Flasher, Hoe, Paddle, Dace
Capt. E.H. Bryant Hawkbill, Baya, Cavalla
Cdr. F.C. Lucas Jr. Caiman, Blenny, Lapon
Cdr. N.D. Gage Gurnard, Guitarro
Cdr. T.L. Wogan Besugo, Hardhead, Cobia, Blackfin, Gurnard
Cdr. A.H. Holtz Baya, Cavalla
Cdr. F.C. Lucas Jr. Caiman, Sealion
Cdr. E.L. Barr Bluegill, Bream, Barbel
Cdr. B.C. Hills Perch, Gabilan, Sealion, Barbel
Cdr. R.L. Gross Boarfish, Charr
Cdr. T.H. Henry Kraken, Pargo
Cdr. J.R. Stevens Flounder, Hake, Pargo
Cdr. P.E. Summers Pampanito, Guavina
Cdr. E.F. Steffanides Tuna, Barbel, Blackfin
Cdr. F.D. Boyle Charr, Tuna, Blackfin
Cdr. G.W. Grider Flasher, Bashaw
Cdr. J.M. Hyde Bergall, Blower, Guitarro
Cdr. H.D. Sturr Becuna, Blenny, Guavina, Baya
Cdr. G.H. Laird Jr. Hammerhead, Baya
Cdr. H.J. Kossler Cavalla, Hoe, Hammerhead
Cdr. B.A. Clarey Pintado, Hawkbill
Cdr. J.H. Campbell Blower, Bashaw
Cdr. P.E. Summers Pampanito, Mingo, Sealion, Caiman
Cdr. B.A. Clarey Pintado, Caiman
Cdr. H.B. Dodge Brill, Chubb
Cdr. M.K. Clementson Blueback, Bergall, Hawkbill, Blackfin, Flasher, Bluegill, Bashaw
Cdr. R.A. Keating Jr. Rock, Guavina, Cobia, Blenny, Baya
Cdr. J.R. Stevens Flounder, Searobin, Chubb
LtCdr. W.L. Fey Caiman, Sealion, Mingo
Cdr. F.D. Boyle Charr, Besugo, Gabilan
Cdr. E.L. Barr Jr. Bluegill, Bashaw, Croaker

 

Hellcats

By the early part of 1945, the normal Pacific hunting grounds for U.S. submarines had all but dried up - due to the greatest extent to their own effectiveness against enemy shipping. There was however one area of enemy waters that had remained basically untouched throughout the war and in which Japanese merchant shipping transited unmolested: The Sea of Japan. The biggest and most dangerous challenge was just getting to it. Access to the "Emperor's lake" was limited to just a few entrances, all of which were heavily mined by the Japanese. It was not until the introduction of the FM sonar did American submarines venture into these locations. 

The FM sonar was an electronic weapon used to detect Japanese mines. Originally developed late in the war for navy mine sweepers, they were seen by VADM Chales A. Lockwood (ComSubPac) as being just what the doctor ordered to enable American submarines to negotiate the Tshushima Straits, which was considered to be the safest route due to its' depth, into the Sea of Japan. 

The term "Hellcats" is a title of distinction given to those boats which participated in the carefully planned Operation Barney by braving the mine infested entrances in an effort to penetrate the Sea of Japan. The term is derived from the nickname applied by the US Navy to IJN mines - "Hell Pots". When the FM sonar picked up a contact there was, in addition to a visual "blip" on the screen, an audible bell-like tone which was referred to as "Hells Bells". 

 
"Mighty Mine Dodgers" Certificate
issued to all Hellcat crewmembers
(click to enlarge)
 

The Hellcats
SS 411 USS Spadefish  SS 401 USS Sea Dog
SS 291 USS Crevalle SS 302 USS Skate
SS 282 USS Tunny SS 283 USS Tinosa
SS 229 USS Flying Fish SS 287 USS Bowfin

SS 223

USS Bonefish

 

PACK COMMANDER Pack Name Submarines
CDR E.T. Hydeman Hydeman's Hepcats Sea Dog, Crevalle, Spadefish
CDR George Pierce Pierce's Polecats Tunny, Bonefish, Skate
CDR Robert Risser Risser's Bobcats Flying Fish, Bowfin, Tinosa

 

 

 
 
  RESOURCE NOTES:
Wolf Pack: The American Submarine Strategy That Helped Defeat Japan
Steven Trent Smith
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Copyright 2003
Product photo
United States Submarine Operations in World War II
By Theodore Roscoe
United States Naval Institute
George Banta Company Inc Copyright 1949
Product photo Silent Victory: The U.S. Submarine War Against Japan
By Clay Blair
J.B. Lippincott Company
Copyright 1975

 
  Hellcats of the Sea
Charles A. Lockwood
Greenberg Publishing
Copyright 1955

 

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