Submarine Raider (1942) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

The Japanese carrier is jamming all radio signals, preventing the submarine from transmitting any messages to Pearl Harbor. Every attempt to send a warning is blocked by Japanese interference, and any fragments of information that slip through are quickly intercepted by the enemy.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, the carrier's jamming was established when it prevented the distress call from the yacht from reaching anyone but the submarine.

• radio warning
• pearl harbor
• jamming
• submarine communication

The carrier prioritizes its mission to reach Hawaii for the upcoming attack rather than stopping to rescue the downed pilot. This decision underscores the ruthless efficiency of the Japanese naval operation and sets up the carrier's later vulnerability when it pursues the submarine's decoy.

Foreshadowing: The carrier's refusal to rescue was foreshadowed by its continued course toward Hawaii despite the distress call from the yacht.

• japanese pilot
• carrier rescue
• pearl harbor attack

The captain uses a crew member who speaks Japanese to broadcast a fake rescue message, implying a救援 (rescue) mission is imminent and that the submarine possesses critical information about enemy ships. This lures the carrier toward the submarine's coordinates, exposing it to attack.

Foreshadowing: The crew's ability to speak Japanese was established earlier during intercepted message analysis.

• decoy message
• japanese language
• trap
• carrier lure

The submarine releases a marker buoy to mark its location for the carrier to find, but the carrier spots the buoy and responds with depth charges. This reveals the submarine's exact position, forcing it to dive and leading to the depth charge assault that ultimately sinks it.

Foreshadowing: The risky plan was devised after the crew realized they could use the carrier's pursuit against it.

• marker buoy
• depth charges
• submarine exposed

Bill Warren, the brother of submarine captain Chris Warren, returns to Pearl Harbor with his date but is shot at during the attack. He is later killed in a taxi along with the driver while trying to navigate the chaos of the bombardment.

Foreshadowing: Bill's earlier scene at the dance club, where he was knocked out by a Japanese spy, hinted at the danger facing those on the island.

• bill warren
• pearl harbor attack
• charlie warren brother
• killed

After luring the carrier closer with the decoy message, the submarine releases the marker buoy which the carrier investigates. When the carrier closes in and drops depth charges, it exposes its own position. The submarine fires back and successfully sinks the carrier before being forced underwater itself.

Foreshadowing: The captain's plan to use the carrier's pursuit as a weapon was established when he identified the opportunity to strike back.

• sink carrier
• battle
• depth charges
• submarine attack

The crew intentionally reveals their position as part of a calculated risk to lure the carrier into range. By broadcasting a fake rescue message and releasing the marker buoy, they trick the carrier into approaching, turning the cat-and-mouse game into an opportunity for a direct strike.

Foreshadowing: The captain explicitly states this is a chance to strike back at the carrier after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

• trap
• risky plan
• carrier attack
• lure tactic

After successfully sinking the Japanese carrier, the submarine is caught by depth charges and sinks beneath the waves. The captain's final line about remembering Pearl Harbor underscores the sacrifice made in the attack.

Foreshadowing: The marker buoy release was always a double-edged gamble that exposed the sub to counterattack.

• submarine sunk
• depth charges
• sacrifice
• remember pearl harbor

December 7, 1941 is the date of the actual Pearl Harbor attack, which marks the United States' entry into World War II. The film uses this historical date to ground its fictional submarine narrative in the real-world events that define the war's Pacific theater.

Foreshadowing: The opening scenes take place on December 6, 1941, building toward this infamous date.

• december 7
• 1941
• historical date
• pearl harbor day

Sue Curry is the only survivor of the civilian yacht that is sunk by the Japanese carrier. She is rescued by the American submarine Sea Serpent after her fellow crew members are killed in the lifeboat attack.

Foreshadowing: The yacht attack opened the film, establishing the immediate threat posed by the approaching Japanese fleet.

• sue curry
• yacht survivor
• rescued

After learning about the Pearl Harbor attack and the death of his brother Bill, Captain Pulaski sees an opportunity for vengeance. He calculates that luring the carrier closer, despite the danger, could deal a significant blow to the Japanese fleet and fulfill his brother's sacrifice.

Foreshadowing: The personal stake in the attack became clear when Bill Warren was killed in the taxi during the Pearl Harbor bombardment.

• captain pulaski
• revenge
• brother death
• risk decision