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Sinking the Supership
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Program Overview
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NOVA investigates the sinking of Japan's Battleship
Yamato through historical records, archeological evidence,
and eyewitness accounts.
The program:
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follows an international crew of deep-sea divers and naval
historians searching for the remains of the Yamato.
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reviews the history of the battleship and the role it played as
a weapon of war.
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describes Japan's intent to build a supership twice the size of
her competitors and with extreme firepower.
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notes how the Yamato, which was put into service in 1941,
was designed with a bulbous bow intended to reduce the drag of
the ship's enormous hull.
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points out the secrecy under which the Yamato was built.
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chronicles how the battleship became obsolete when aircraft
proved more effective in combat at sea.
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relates how the Battle of Midway—in which the U.S. Navy
defeated Japan in an air assault—sealed the fate of the
gunboat as an effective wartime weapon.
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explains how, until its final fateful engagement, Japan never
fully committed the Battleship Yamato to battle for fear
of losing a national treasure.
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recounts Japan's use of kamikaze pilots as a desperate means to
destroy American aircraft carriers.
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details how Japanese commanders sent the Yamato—in
what was known to be a suicide mission—to attack American
forces.
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chronicles the Yamato's final battle.
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recreates how naval historians believe the ship was sunk.
Taping Rights: Can be used up to one year after the program
is taped off the air.
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