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In the '30s, Hart opposed USN building fleet subs (around 1500 tons surfaced), saying they're too big, & favored something more like the WW1-era U.S. S-boat or Type VII (both around 1000 tons). Some of that, doubtless, was because of treaty tonnage limits (IIRC, a 52,700 ton cap).

WI Hart's proposal had been accepted? IMO, this would have prevented operations off Japan from either Pearl Harbor or Midway for most of the war.:eek:

Even if they were capable of reaching Japan (& I'm dubious), the on-station time couldn't have been more than about a week, which makes it pretty absurd (given a 10 day or two week transit each way:rolleyes: ).

There are proposals for how smaller boats could have been used. I'm of the view SWPA operations were too unproductive & dangerous to make that the standard.

If Hart's approach had been followed, what would have resulted? Would Japan have lasted longer?

Any other thoughts?
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