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The Silent Service Trivia Quiz

This quiz will test your knowledge of US submarine actions in the Pacific Theatre in World War II.

A multiple-choice quiz by hylander6. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
hylander6

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
330,762

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Very Difficult

Avg Score
4 / 10

Plays
487

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Leaving aside the scuttling of the USS Sealion at Cavite on 25 December 1941, What was the first US submarine casualty of the Pacific war? Hint

USS Shark

USS S-37

USS Swordfish

USS Stingray

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Starting on February 9, 1945 this US submarine sank three Japanese submarines in five nights. What was the name of this silent hunter? Hint

USS Bowfin

USS Barb

USS Bluegill

USS Batfish

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Question 3 of 10

3. This submarine was witness to the attack on the Japanese carrier force (Kido Butai) at Midway. She also fired a torpedo at the IJN Kaga in the same encounter. What was her name? Hint

USS Narwhale

USS Cuttlefish

USS Tambor

USS Nautilus

4. On the 23rd of October 1944, the USS Dace and the USS Darter attacked Admiral Kurita's cruiser force in the Palawan Passage. Three cruisers, all of the same class, were either sunk or crippled. Which sister ship survived this encounter? Hint

IJN Maya

IJN Atago

IJN Chokai

IJN Takao

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Question 5 of 10

5. This submarine bagged the IJN Shinano the largest single target of the war. Name the submarine that accomplished this feat? Hint

USS Amberjack

USS Trigger

USS Argonaunt

USS Archerfish

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Question 6 of 10

6. Who was the captain of the USS Wahoo? Hint

Edward Beach

Richard O'Kane

Dudley W Morton

Sam Dealey

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which pair of submarines sank the veteran carrier IJN Shokaku and the new carrier IJN Taiho? Hint

USS Trigger and USS Drum

USS Dace and USS Darter

USS Albacore and USS Cavalla

USS Harder and USS Tang

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. On May 23rd, 1939 the USS Squalus sank during a training dive. Her sister ship USS Sculpin found and assisted in the rescue of 33 sailors including the commanding officer. The Squalus was raised and went on to serve in the Pacific War. Under what name did the Navy change her to? Hint

USS Sailfish

USS Seadragon

USS Sawfish

USS Spadefish

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. After the Allied defeat at the Battle of Savo Island, this US submarine sank the heavy cruiser IJN Kako. What was the name of this submarine?

Hint

USS S-38

USS S-28

USS Growler

USS S-44

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Question 10 of 10

10. This US submarine fired one of the ultimate torpedo shots of the Pacific War. This submarine sank both the fast battleship IJN Kongo, but also the destroyer IJN Urakaze. Which was it? Hint

USS Shark

USS Skate

USS Sealion

USS Seawolf

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Leaving aside the scuttling of the USS Sealion at Cavite on 25 December 1941, What was the first US submarine casualty of the Pacific war?

Answer: USS Shark

USS Shark was lost in February 1942. She attacked a group of Japanese transports anchored near the mouth of Ambon Harbor without scoring any torpedo hits. She escaped with slight damage from a depth charge attack made by the destroyer Amatsukaze. Five days later she reported contact with an empty Japanese cargo vessel.

This was the last message ever heard from her. The reason for the loss is still under conjecture, but its probable that she was sunk near Menado by a depth charge.

2. Starting on February 9, 1945 this US submarine sank three Japanese submarines in five nights. What was the name of this silent hunter?

Answer: USS Batfish

In five nights the USS Batfish sank three Japanese submarines. Operation Takao was a plan to evacuate Japanese aviators from Luzon in the Philippines and transport them to Takao in Formosa. Single-handedly, Batfish broke up the operation sinking RO-115, RO-112, and RO-113 in the process. The USS Batfish is preserved in Muskogee, Oklahoma. She is displayed entirely on land.

3. This submarine was witness to the attack on the Japanese carrier force (Kido Butai) at Midway. She also fired a torpedo at the IJN Kaga in the same encounter. What was her name?

Answer: USS Nautilus

The IJN Kaga was ravaged by the aircraft from US Task Forces 16 and 17. The USS Nautilus was shadowing the Kido Butai when an opportunity presented itself for an attack on the damaged carrier. The torpedo that struck the Kaga failed to detonate. Upon striking the hull of the carrier, the torpedo broke into two pieces.

The warhead sank, but the air flask continued to float, and was used to save some of the Kaga's crew.

Answer: IJN Chokai

The Atago and Maya were both sunk in this action. The Takao made port in Singapore where she remained for the rest of the war. Chokai was badly damaged and then scuttled in the Battle off Samar, engaging the escort carrier of Taffy 3.

5. This submarine bagged the IJN Shinano the largest single target of the war. Name the submarine that accomplished this feat?

Answer: USS Archerfish

The IJN Shinano was the third battleship if the Yamato class. After the terrible losses at the Battle of Midway, the Imperial High Command decided to complete the ship as an aircraft carrier. Because of the recent air raids on Tokyo, the ship was being moved to the inland sea to complete fitting out. When sunk most of her watertight doors were not fitted.

6. Who was the captain of the USS Wahoo?

Answer: Dudley W Morton

Dudley Morton's nickname was Mush Morton.

7. Which pair of submarines sank the veteran carrier IJN Shokaku and the new carrier IJN Taiho?

Answer: USS Albacore and USS Cavalla

USS Cavalla has been donated as a memorial in Texas. It has been reported that her present condition could be better.

Answer: USS Sailfish

On December 3rd 1943 the USS Sailfish torpedoed and sank the Japanese light aircraft carrier IJN Chunyo. What was not known to the officers and crew of the Sailfish, was that the survivors of the USS Sculpin was being transferred to Tokyo aboard the carrier. The USS Sculpin had been sunk while in action on 18 November by the destroyer IJN Yamagumo.

9. After the Allied defeat at the Battle of Savo Island, this US submarine sank the heavy cruiser IJN Kako. What was the name of this submarine?

Answer: USS S-44

The fact that the USS S-44 was there at all was a miracle. The submarine was 18 years old and most of her machinery was worn out.

10. This US submarine fired one of the ultimate torpedo shots of the Pacific War. This submarine sank both the fast battleship IJN Kongo, but also the destroyer IJN Urakaze. Which was it?

Answer: USS Sealion

The USS Sealion had originally shot at both the Kongo and her sister ship IJN Haruna. She claimed hits on both, but the torpedoes aimed at the Haruna hit the destroyer instead, sending her to the bottom.

Source: Author hylander6

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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