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The USS Harder submarine, which disappeared during World War II, has been found more than 900 meters deep in the Philippine Sea. The discovery, made by Project Lost 52, marks a pivotal point in U.S. naval history and offers new insights into naval battles in the Pacific.
In a historic discovery that promises to rewrite part of World War II, the wreckage of one of the United States Navy's most legendary submarines, the USS Harder, has been located.
The depth? A staggering 914 meters in the Philippine Sea. The mystery surrounding the fate of this powerful submarine, which defied the Japanese Imperial Fleet for years, seemed impossible to solve until a combination of high technology and dedication revealed its location, decades after the end of the conflict.
The USS Harder, missing for almost 80 years, has finally been found, but what this discovery reveals goes far beyond the simple find.
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Cutting-edge technology and the Lost 52 Project
As reported by sources linked to Military Society The discovery was made possible by the Lost 52 Project, a cutting-edge initiative that uses the latest technological innovations to locate submarines of the US Navy lost during World War II.
Using autonomous underwater robots, multibeam echo sounders and LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology, explorers were able to identify the nearly intact wreckage of the USS Harder resting on the ocean floor.
The Lost 52 Project, according to information from Military Society, is already famous for its discoveries, having located five submarines between 2010 and 2019: the USS R-12, USS S-26, USS S-28, USS Grunion and USS Grayback.
Now, with the addition of the USS Harder, the project reaches a new milestone, offering history and the U.S. Navy the opportunity to once again honor war heroes whose fates were sealed in the deep waters.
The feared USS Harder: legend and bravery in combat
Under the command of legendary Commander Samuel David Dealey, the USS Harder, part of the “Gato” class, was one of the most efficient submarines in the American fleet during the war.
Nicknamed “Hit 'em Harder,” the submarine and its crew were responsible for devastating the Japanese Imperial Fleet, sinking a number of enemy ships in missions that became true war epics.
Armed with 10 533-inch (1943 mm) torpedo tubes and two deck guns, USS Harder showed her strength on her first patrol in June 3, sinking the tanker Kyoei Maru No. XNUMX and the aircraft carrier Sagara Maru.
This winning streak continued for months, with the submarine continuing to inflict heavy losses on the enemy, including Japanese freighters and destroyers.
According to Navy records, one of the USS Harder's most daring and decisive missions occurred in 1944, during its fifth patrol in the Celebes Sea.
In just four days, the submarine sank three destroyers and damaged two others, forcing the retreat of Admiral Ozawa's Japanese fleet.
These actions had a significant impact on the course of naval battles in the Pacific, especially in the crucial Philippine Sea.
The Last Mission and Tragic Fate of the USS Harder
As glorious as its trajectory may have been, the story of the USS Harder would end tragically. On her sixth patrol in August 1944, the submarine continued to operate offensively, this time in the South China Sea.
The USS Harder managed to sink the corvettes Matsuwa and Hiburi, responsible for escorting an important Japanese convoy.
However, on August 24, 1944, while preparing to attack the oil tanker Niyo Maru, The USS Harder was intercepted by the Japanese corvette Kaibokan CD-22, which launched a series of depth charge attacks.
The submarine was destroyed and the entire crew lost their lives, ending the legendary submarine's cycle of victories.
Historic discovery at 914 meters depth
Decades passed before the fate of the USS Harder was finally revealed. Thanks to the tireless work of Project Lost 52, the submarine was located at a depth of over 914 feet, off the coast of Luzon, Philippines.
While the exact coordinates of the discovery have not been released, the location of the USS Harder marks a pivotal moment in U.S. naval history.
The submarine, which contributed so much to the Allied victories in World War II, now rests on the ocean floor, being considered a “war cemetery” protected by American law.
This discovery not only reinforces the importance of technological innovations in underwater exploration, but also serves as a tribute to the bravery of the crew who, under the command of Samuel David Dealey, fought crucial battles for the Allied victory.
Legacy of bravery and sacrifice
The USS Harder is more than a lost submarine; is a symbol of courage and sacrifice. By finding its wreckage decades later, Project Lost 52 has not only recovered a piece of forgotten history, but also revived the memory of the heroes who risked their lives to secure freedom.
With the discovery of the USS Harder, historians have a new chance to study and understand the details of US naval operations in World War II.
For the families of the lost crew members, this discovery represents the possibility of finally closing a painful chapter and honoring the memory of their loved ones.
And you, what do you think of this historic discovery? Are there still other legendary submarines waiting to be found in the depths of the ocean?
