What a strange sight to see a submarine crossing the prairies! This is an HA. 19, a Type A Ko-hyoteki-class midget submarine touring through Watertown on a World War II War Bond drive.
The submarine had made its way to the entrance of Pearl Harbor during the main attack but was became grounded on a reef. It was discovered by the USS Helm and fired on the sub dislodging it from the reef. The sub submerged and made several other attempts to enter the harbor. On their final attempt to enter the harbor they hit a depth charge. After the engine died, the submarine was grounded one last time. U.S. bombers attempted to bomb the sub but missed, finally washing ashore and into the hands of the American Navy.
The submarine was taken apart in 3 separate pieces to investigate the Japanese vessel. In 1942, when the military was done with the sub it was sent to the U.S. mainland, loaded onto a flatbed truck and sent on a nationwide tour. Viewing ports were cut into the side of the sub so visitors could see inside for the price of a $1 saving stamp. The sub travelled to 2,000 cities and towns in 41 states raising money for the war and recruiting men into the military. Today, the submarine is housed at the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas.