This section will be half-size this issue because of space limitations, caused by the unusual format of this one issue. This feature will return again in KTB#116 as a full page - perhaps even bigger.

WAHOO MEMORIAL

YOYA KAWAMURA (1739-LIFE-1991) sent an article (with his translation) regarding this new Memorial. It reads:

"The Memorial Of Peace dedicated to the crew of the USS WAHOO and the Japanese merchant seamen who lost their lives through the actions of American submarines was erected at the Peace Garden in Wakkanai City, Hokkaido, and the dedication ceremony was held on September 9th.

The erection of this Memorial had been proposed by Mr. George Logue whose brother was resting on board the WAHOO to the President of Wakkanai Ushio Kai - association of navy veterans living in Wakkanai City.

It cost five million yen (about 50,000 dollars) to build this Memorial, and this amount had been donated by people living in both countries.

Mr. Mori who was 2nd engineer of the KONRON MARU (Japan-Korea ferry) sunk by an American sub with the loss of 554 lives was present. Also, Mr. Shibata who had taken part in ASW operations aboard a mine sweeper was present."

NOTE - GEORGE LOGUE is Member 1879-LIFE-1991

More on I-8 and Ariizumi

We received a letter from WILLIAM FLURY (4183-1995) with his comments on a statement made by YOYA KAWAMURA in KTB #114 last month. The letter states:

"I want you to know I enjoy SHARKHUNTERS very much. The comments made by YOYA are very offensive to me. I am a survivor of the SS JEAN NICOLET atrocity."

MR. FLURY expressed his additional opinions about these comments made by YOYA, but they are a bit harsh even for this publication. We will just say that MR. FLURRY, a survivor of an absolutely horrible, inhuman atrocity committed by the crew of I-8 under Ariizumi, has every right to be emotional and to be outraged at anything even remotely resembling a defense of Ariizumi's actions, although I am not entirely certain that was YOYA's intent.

WORLDWIDE SUBMARINE FORCES

Worldwide Submarine Proliferation in the Coming Decade from a Naval Intelligence Report

Worldwide, submarine technology continues to improve to meet increasingly varied mission requirements. Until recently, the most popular export submarines were the Russian KILO and the German TYPE 109. However, other more modern submarines are being designed and are beginning production or are already ready for export.

However, other more modern and advanced submarines are being designed; are starting production; or are already available for export. These include the British UPHOLDER; the Dutch WALRUS; the soon-to-be-operational Australian COLLINS; and the successor to the TYPE 209 - the German TYPE 800 for export to Israel; and the German Navy's TYPE 212 which is programmed to enter service in the year 2003.

Where are the boats?

According to a recent US Naval Intelligence Report, the 600 or so submarines of the world are divided this way -

RUSSIA 181
U.S.A. 101
CHINA 87
No. KOREA 35
GERMANY 20
FRANCE 19
INDIA 18
JAPAN 16
TURKEY 16
BRITAIN 15
NORWAY 12
SWEDEN 12
ITALY 9
PERU 9
GREECE 9
SPAIN 7
PAKISTAN 6
DENMARK 5
NETHERLANDS 5
LIBYA 5
BRAZIL 4
EGYPT 4
ARGENTINA 4
TAIWAN 4
CHILE 4
YUGOSLAVIA 4
AUSTRALIA 4
CANADA 3
ISRAEL 3
POLAND 3
PORTUGAL 3
So. AFRICA 3
BULGARIA 3
SYRIA 3
So. KOREA 2
ALBANIA 2
ALGERIA 2
COLUMBIA 2
ECUADOR 2
INDONESIA 2
IRAN 2
VENEZUELA 2
ROMANIA 1

There are more than 600 submarines worldwide, operated by some 44 countries. The majority of these are diesel-powered as only five countries operate nuclear-powered submersibles and no additional nuclear fleets are expected to appear for at least the next decade. Until recently, only a small fraction of the submarine-owning countries were considered to be moderately to highly proficient in submarine warfare. In fact, most still have only rudimentary skills. Several Third World submarine navies however, have made significant strides recently in submarine operation proficiency.

Who are these countries? What submarines are in their navies? The answers will be in KTB #116 next month.