9 August 1944 – While on her 6th war patrol the USS Bowfin (SS\AGSS 287) spotted four freighters near the harbor for Minami Daito. Launching a torpedo for each target two were hit and sunk and a third was damaged. The fourth ‘stray’ torpedo hit a pier, blew up and deposited a bus sitting on that pier into the harbor. Along with the episode of the USS Barb (SS 220) ‘sinking’ a train, this actual event was later portrayed in the film Operation Petticoat as ‘sinking a truck’. Should you find yourself in Pearl Harbor you can visit the USS Bowfin submarine museum and Park, the boat is open for tours.
© Gregg Smith
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