“I enjoyed all the submarine and RAAF information gathered together in it which one cannot get elsewhere. So much research there to get it all together…”
– Dr Michael White OAM QC, a leading RAN submarine historian
Uncover a forgotten battle off Australia’s shores
The official history of the Royal Australian Air Force claims that no enemy submarines operating off the Australian coast during World War II were sunk. But what if history got it wrong?
In a fierce and decisive air action off the coast of New South Wales, RAAF Beaufort bombers engaged a colossal Japanese submarine over 100 meters long. What followed was a deadly duel between the submarine’s anti-aircraft guns and the bombers’ machine guns. The I-178, with her crew of 88, lies lost somewhere north of Sydney. The events of that day have remained buried—until now.
In this groundbreaking work – Tom Lewis- one of Australia’s leading military historians rewrites the history books. ‘The Secret Submarine’ not only reveals a forgotten victory but also immerses readers in the harrowing experiences of those who served in WWII bombers and submarines. Additionally, it chronicles the broader, brutal struggle between Japanese forces and the combined might of the USA and Australia, a conflict that saw over 40 ships sunk and countless lives lost off Australia’s east coast.
Praise for Tom Lewis
‘Tom Lewis has reminded us of the perils of lack of preparation in peacetime and the price to be paid in war for not recognising new technologies and methods for striking at Australians from the sea.’ [Attack on Sydney Harbour] – Lieutenant-Commander Desmond Woods OAM RAN
Tom Lewis never lets his readers down. He has embedded a narrative with all the necessary historical and political background, photographs, maps, diagrams, pen-pictures of key players as well as a closing epilogue. ’ [Attack on Sydney Harbour] – Neville Taylor RUSI Vic
Remarkable in its sweep of World War II’s Pacific theatre, and the terrible price all involved would have paid if it continued. Atomic Salvation would be ideal for a comprehensive documentary’– Ian Richards, film-maker
An effective blend of historical narrative and scholarly argument, Dr Tom Lewis’s Atomic Salvation is both a memorable and enlightening reading experience. – [Atomic Salvation] – Dr LFS Browne – Historian
The sanitized version of warfare in books and films omits the bloody and ferocious encounters at the sharp end of war, this book explains. [The Truth of War] – Newcastle Herald
Dr Michael White OAM QC, a leading RAN submarine historian –
“I enjoyed all the submarine and RAAF information gathered together in it which one cannot get elsewhere. So much research there to get it all together…”
Reviewed by Walter Burroughs –
The official history of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) claims that no enemy submarines operating off the Australian coast during WWII were sunk. In this his latest book Tom Lewis suggests that the official history might have got it wrong and immerses his readers through an interesting piece of detection in explaining why.
There is an immense amount of detail in this work but it is easily read and should be of interest both to those less familiar with our wartime history and those from the warrior class who recall these now distant times. The author takes us into the design and operation of both submarines and anti-submarine aircraft even expanding into the lesser known but fascinating field of Australian wartime aircraft production.
This eventually leads to the nub of the story which details the happy hunting ground for enemy submarines off our most easterly point with the majority of shipping having to round Cape Byron. Accordingly, it was just south of here that the RAAF established a base at Coffs Harbour for flights of aircraft to patrol and escort convoys. This task usually fell to medium and light sized bombers such as the Ansons, Beauforts and Hudsons.
From ship attacks in early June 1943 enemy submarines were known to be in these waters and this was later confirmed from Japanese records. In a strategy to keep these craft at bay daytime patrols were conducted by Anson bombers and at dusk these patrols were handed over to radar-fitted Beauforts. Sometime at night the subs would have to surface to recharge their batteries and this is when they were most vulnerable.
On the 18th June one of three Beauforts conducting night patrols just after midnight had a radar blip and a few minutes later saw the outline of a submarine and immediately pressed an attack using three 250-pound depth charges. These exploded close to the boat which attempted to crash dive but for some reason was unable to completely submerge and lost speed. The Beaufort completed a turn and came in for second attack and dropped its last remaining depth charge just ahead of the submarine which was now fully surfaced and stopped in the water. The first Beaufort then retired to its base at Coffs Harbour but not before dropping a flare that illuminated the target for the other two Beaufort to take over.
The second Beaufort conducted further attacks with depth charges and machine guns and gun fire was returned by the submarine. Finally, the third Beaufort joined but was unable to locate the submarine. It is now up to the reader to find out what comes next and make a judgement call as to should the official history be challenged.
In summary this is a well-researched and well-written history of events during a critical stage of the Second World War when the enemy was still in the ascendency. It is full of facts and figures but is not overwhelming and there is something here of interest for everyone. The author is to be congratulated on keeping this important part of our history alive with an engrossing account before this soon fades from living memory.
Subconcious –
There is an immense amount of detail in this work, but it is easily read and should be of interest both to those less familiar with our wartime history and those from the warrior class who recall these now distant times. The author takes us into the design and operation of both submarines and anti-submarine aircraft even expanding into the lesser known but fascinating field of Australian wartime aircraft production.
In summary this is a well-researched and well-written history of events during a critical stage of the Second World War when the enemy was still in the ascendency. It is full of facts and figures but is not overwhelming and there is something here of interest for everyone. The author is to be congratulated on keeping this important part of our history alive with an engrossing account before this soon fades from living memory.
Dr Michael White OAM QC –
‘I enjoyed all the submarine and RAAF information gathered together in it which one cannot get elsewhere. So much research there to get it all together.’
Walter Burroughs –
‘In summary this is a well-researched and well-written history of events during a critical stage of the Second World War when the enemy was still in the ascendency. It is full of facts and figures but is not overwhelming and there is something here of interest for everyone. The author is to be congratulated on keeping this important part of our history alive with an engrossing account before this soon fades from living memory.’
Nick Veronico –
‘Argh! Big Tom Lewis fan and “The Secret Submarine” is only available in the states as a Kindle book. Still searching for a copy. (Edit: Just found a copy!) Really appreciate the comments by Rosalind Turner. An endorsement from someone on this page makes me want the book even more. Now to obtain a copy and smuggle it into the house (You know the house rule: “For every book that comes in, two must leave!”‘
Rosalind Turner –
‘The Secret Submarine’ and thoroughly enjoyed it – great details of working on the I-76 subs, and the Beauforts get some great coverage in the book too.’
Neil Steele –
‘An eye opener.’