The Secret Submarine

A RAAF Bomber Success Story

Doctor Tom Lewis

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English

BIG SKY PUBLISHING
01 March 2025

True war & combat stories; History; Second World War; Naval forces & warfare; Air forces & warfare; Military & naval ships

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Uncover the untold story of a forgotten battle off Australia's shores

The official history of the Royal Australian Air Force claims that no enemy submarines operating off the Australian coast during World War II were sunk. But what if history got it wrong?

In a fierce and decisive air action off the coast of New South Wales, RAAF Beaufort bombers engaged a colossal Japanese submarine over 100 meters long. What followed was a deadly duel between the submarine's anti-aircraft guns and the bombers' machine guns. The I-178, with her crew of 88, lies lost somewhere north of Sydney. The events of that day have remained buried—until now.

In this groundbreaking work - Tom Lewis- one of Australia’s leading military historians rewrites the history books. ‘The Secret Submarine’ not only reveals a forgotten victory but also immerses readers in the harrowing experiences of those who served in WWII bombers and submarines. Additionally, it chronicles the broader, brutal struggle between Japanese forces and the combined might of the USA and Australia, a conflict that saw over 40 ships sunk and countless lives lost off Australia’s east coast.

Praise for Tom Lewis

‘Tom Lewis has reminded us of the perils of lack of preparation in peacetime and the price to be paid in war for not recognising new technologies and methods for striking at Australians from the sea.’ [Attack on Sydney Harbour] - Lieutenant-Commander Desmond Woods OAM RAN

Tom Lewis never lets his readers down. He has embedded a narrative with all the necessary historical and political background, photographs, maps, diagrams, pen-pictures of key players as well as a closing epilogue. ’ [Attack on Sydney Harbour] - Neville Taylor RUSI Vic

Remarkable in its sweep of World War II’s Pacific theatre, and the terrible price all involved would have paid if it continued. Atomic Salvation would be ideal for a comprehensive documentary’– Ian Richards, film-maker

An effective blend of historical narrative and scholarly argument, Dr Tom Lewis’s Atomic Salvation is both a memorable and enlightening reading experience. – [Atomic Salvation] – Dr LFS Browne – Historian

The sanitized version of warfare in books and films omits the bloody and ferocious encounters at the sharp end of war, this book explains. [The Truth of War] – Newcastle Herald

By: Doctor Tom Lewis
Imprint: BIG SKY PUBLISHING
Country of Publication: Australia
Dimensions: Height: 5,842mm, Width: 3,886mm,
ISBN: 9781923300064
ISBN 10: 1923300067
Pages: 440
Publication Date: 01 March 2025
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

A retired naval officer and high school teacher, Dr Tom Lewis OAM served in the Australian Defence Force, where he saw active service as an intelligence analyst in the Middle East. Tom has written 22 history books, with his most recent being “The Sinking of HMAS Sydney”, which focuses on living, fighting and dying in WWII cruisers. “The Bombing of Darwin – Australia Remembers 4”, was written for young people – while “Lethality in Combat”, republished as “The Truth of War”, remains his most controversial. In 2003 Tom was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for meritorious service to the Royal Australian Navy, particularly in the promotion of Australian naval history. In 2021 he was the winner of the Commodore Sam Bateman National Book Prize from the Australian Naval Institute for “Teddy Sheean VC”.