I-400: Japan's Secret Air Strike Submarine Objective Panama Canal

While much has been written about the German U-boats of World War 2, virtually nothing has been published on the Japanese ‘I-boats’. The I-400 ‘super submarine’ was one of the most monstrous creations to emerge from the war, and in its time was the largest submarine ever built. It was considered to have been one of Japan’s most secret weapons - indeed the Allies remained unaware of its existence until surrender in August 1945. The Imperial Japanese Navy tasked the I-400 with a secret mission to attack American cities and to destroy the Panama Canal.

The authors have traced and interviewed three of the original six pilots slated to fly the Seirans on their hazardous missions. They have revealed for the first time the story of their aircraft being painted in fake US markings for their final mission. The story is also told using first-hand accounts from former officers and crew of the I-400 and those US naval personnel who ‘crewed’ the vessel on its final voyage. The book contains hundreds of astonishing photographs, many of which have never been seen before, showing the I-400 from both inside and outside as well as its hangars and aircraft.

Henry Sakaida, Gary Nila and Koji Takaki
Hardcover c250 b/w photos plus colour artwork

I-400: Japan's Secret Air Strike Submarine