8th Submarine Squadron (Imperial Japanese Navy)

The 8th Submarine Squadron (第八潜水戦隊, Dai-Hachi Sensui Sentai) was a squadron of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) that existed during World War II. It primarily operated as a support and training unit for submarines.

The squadron was formed relatively late in the war, in October 1943. Its initial role was to coordinate and support submarine operations in the Southwest Area Fleet, which included areas such as the Java Sea and the Indian Ocean. While it did not directly participate in offensive patrols as much as front-line submarine squadrons, its responsibilities included logistical support, personnel training, and coordinating maintenance for submarines operating in its designated area.

The squadron's composition varied over time, but typically included several submarine tenders and a number of operational submarines assigned for training purposes. It played a role in evaluating new submarine tactics and technologies, contributing to improvements in Japanese submarine warfare capabilities, even though those capabilities were increasingly hampered by Allied anti-submarine warfare advancements as the war progressed.

The 8th Submarine Squadron, along with the rest of the IJN's submarine force, faced increasing difficulties due to the growing effectiveness of Allied anti-submarine measures and the diminishing availability of resources. As the war situation deteriorated for Japan, the squadron's effectiveness was considerably reduced, and its activities were eventually curtailed by the end of the war in August 1945.