Following the lead of the German Navy in WWI, several countries, including Britain, France, the United States, Italy and the Soviet Union all pursued development of aircraft capable of submarine transport, as well as the submarines capable of carrying them. But no country more so than Japan carried the development of these aircraft and naval vessels to the logical conclusion. During the 1920s, Japan purchased aircraft technology from Germany and submarines from France and Great Britain, and using them as a starting point, developed the most successful submarine launched aircraft and aircraft carrying submarines of any navy before and during WWII.

The first chapter of this book covers the early development of submarine aircraft operational procedures and strategy, followed by a detailed chronological description of operations, beginning with reconnaissance over Pearl Harbor, then various locations in Australia and New Zealand, followed by Indian Ocean operations, the North Pacific, missions to Germany and finally operations against the United States and the U.S. Navy. Details include the specific aircraft, submarines and individuals involved.

Chapter Two provides abundant photos and profiles of all submarine launched aircraft, from the earliest experimental German Heinkel-Caspar U-1 reconnaissance seaplane to the Aichi M6A1 Seiran. This section contains page after page of descriptions and technical tables, 1/72 and 1/48 scale drawings and color side, top and bottom illustrations. The sheer amount of graphic information is startling.

Finally, chapter three offers detailed information, photos and profile drawings of all classes of aircraft carrying submarines. I was taken by surprise at the number of submarines built by Japan in the 1920s, 30s and 40s that were capable of carrying and launching aircraft.

This lavishly illustrated book is a complete one-volume guide to Japan’s underwater aircraft carriers and submarine-launched aircraft - a must-have reference book for anyone interested in the subject. Thanks to Casemate Publishers for providing this excellent book, and to IPMS for the opportunity to review it.