From 1934 to 1944, the Japanese Navy built several dozen midget submarines for combat use. They were originally intended to be carried by larger Japanese ships and deployed in the path of an enemy fleet, where they would disrupt its operations with torpedo attacks. However, during the Second World War, the midgets were used for special operations against ships in enemy harbors, among them the 7 December 1941 Pearl Harbor attack and May 1942 raids on Sydney, Australia, and Diego Suarez in the Indian Ocean. The boats also were employed off Guadalcanal in 1942-43, where they achieved modest success against U.S. shipping, and as shore-based defensive units in the Aleutians and elsewhere in the Pacific war zone.
Type A midgets displaced 46 tons, were 78 feet long and carried two 45cm (17.7") diameter torpedoes. Powered by electric motors, they were capable of very high speeds (about 20 knots), but had very limited range. To increase endurance, the prototype Type B and production Type C boats were fitted with a diesel engine to recharge their electric batteries. They had an additional crew member, were slightly longer and heavier, but otherwise resembled the Type A.
Approximately sixty production Type A midget submarines were built between 1934 and 1942, and given alpha-numeric names in the "Ha" series (Ha-1 through Ha-52 and Ha-54 through possibly Ha-61). The single Type B (Ha-53) and fifteen Type Cs (Ha-62 through Ha-76) were built in 1943-44.
This page features photographs of Japanese Type A, B & C midget submarines taken during 1942-44, and provides links to earlier and later views.
For additional images of Japanese Type A, B & C midget submarines,
see:
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 42364 Japanese Two-Man Midget Submarine Refloated at Guadalcanal This Type A midget submarine was found scuttled off Guadalcanal in 1943, after the Japanese evacuated their forces on the island. Collection of Vice Admiral Homer N. Wallin. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 76KB; 590 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 97250 Japanese Type A Midget Submarine Beached near Aruligo Point on the northern shore of Guadalcanal, 1 May 1944. It had been raised by eight Navy Seabees from a sunken position 20 feet deep and 300 yards offshore, where it had been scuttled by the Japanese in late 1942 or early 1943. The beached Japanese transport Yamazuki Maru is in the background. Photographed by SSgt. Heiberger, of the 3rd Marine Division. Official U.S. Marine Corps Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command. Online Image: 130KB; 740 x 600 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 74772 Japanese Type A or Type C Midget Submarine Beached on a southwest Pacific island, 1943-44. Photographed from a PB4Y-1 patrol bomber of Bombing Squadron 106 (VB-106). Courtesy of Vice Admiral John T. Hayward, USN(Retired), 1972. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 148KB; 740 x 605 pixels |
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Photo #: SC 189261 Three Japanese Type A Midget Submarines Wrecked by demolition charges, at a former Japanese base on Kiska Island, Aleutians, 7 September 1943. U.S. soldiers are examining the submarines and facilities. Note winch in the foreground. Photographed by Lt. James. Photograph from the Army Signal Corps Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 150KB; 740 x 600 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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For additional images of Japanese Type A, B & C midget submarines,
see:
NOTES:
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 22 February 2000
Coding updated 3 May 2009