Yes, some submarines in World War II were used as artillery platforms, although this was not their primary role. Submarines were typically designed for underwater combat, primarily for attacking enemy ships and submarines using torpedoes. However, certain submarines were equipped with deck guns or had artillery pieces mounted on their decks to provide support for specific operations, particularly during surface operations.
Here are a few examples of submarines that served as artillery platforms during World War II:
1. U.S. Navy Submarines
Many U.S. Navy submarines were equipped with deck guns, often 5-inch or 4-inch guns, which allowed them to engage targets while on the surface. While these guns were not typically used in major surface combat, they were valuable for attacking unprotected merchant ships, coastal targets, or smaller vessels.
For instance, Gato-class submarines, the most produced class of U.S. submarines during the war, were armed with a 5-inch/25-caliber deck gun and could engage enemy targets while surfaced, often attacking Japanese shipping in the Pacific. This allowed submarines to act as coastal artillery platforms when operating close to shore.
In addition to attacking ships, these deck guns were sometimes used in more unconventional roles, such as bombarding Japanese shore installations or defense positions, providing support to ground forces during amphibious assaults.
2. Japanese Submarines
The Imperial Japanese Navy also equipped its submarines with deck guns, primarily for surface combat and to assist in raiding Allied merchant shipping.
For example, the I-400-class submarines were some of the largest submarines ever built during WWII. They were designed as aircraft carriers, but they also had deck guns for surface action. These submarines were capable of launching aircraft but were also equipped with 5.5-inch deck guns, which were used to attack enemy ships or targets while the submarines were surfaced.
Another Japanese submarine class, the I-15, also had a 5.5-inch deck gun. These guns allowed Japanese submarines to act as artillery platforms during attacks on merchant convoys or when attempting to disrupt enemy supply lines.
3. German U-boats
German U-boats, particularly the Type IX and Type VII classes, were primarily designed for torpedo warfare and not for use as artillery platforms. However, some U-boats were also fitted with smaller deck guns for surface attacks, typically 3.7 cm or 8.8 cm guns.
While not as large or powerful as the guns on U.S. or Japanese submarines, these smaller guns were useful for attacking enemy vessels while the U-boat was surfaced, or in some cases, engaging shore-based targets during coastal operations.
The U-2511 was a notable example of a German submarine that had a 5.5-inch deck gun installed. This was one of the few cases where a German submarine had a relatively large artillery piece, although the gun's primary use was for attacking merchant ships, not as a traditional artillery platform.
4. British Submarines
The Royal Navy also used submarines with deck guns, though these were typically smaller caliber guns, such as the 4-inch gun. British submarines like the T-class were fitted with these guns to attack merchant ships and conduct surface raids.
British submarines were involved in coastal bombardment missions as well, particularly in the Mediterranean and the Far East. While they weren’t typically used for large-scale artillery bombardments like surface ships, they did provide some shore bombardment capabilities when other naval assets weren’t available.
Use of Submarine Guns as Artillery Platforms:
The deck guns on submarines were mainly used for surface attacks and coastal bombardment, but their effectiveness as artillery platforms was limited by several factors:
Vulnerability: Submarines were far more vulnerable to counterattacks when they were surfaced. Engaging in surface combat put the submarines at risk of being targeted by enemy warships or aircraft.
Limited range: Submarine deck guns had a relatively short range compared to the large guns of surface warships, which limited their effectiveness for long-range bombardment.
Tactical role: Submarine warfare was primarily focused on torpedo attacks rather than surface engagements, meaning the use of artillery was more of a secondary function rather than a primary strategy.