The Battle of Tassafaronga and the Guadalcanal Campaign Wrap Up-Episode 125
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2024
- This week Bill and Seth put a "bow" on the Guadalcanal campaign, tying up loose ends, giving a brief overview of the naval Battle of Tassafaronga, while also giving the overall perspective of the tide-turning campaign in the Pacific war in this final episode of Season 1.
Bill and Seth also give a preview of what's coming up next in Season 2 as the podcast, and the Pacific War, progress into 1943.
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"We've covered I venture to say more than any other World War 2 podcast probably has." Indeed. My grandpa was a gunner's mate on the USS Honolulu, from December 10, 1941 till the Battle of Leyte Gulf (including the slot, night actions, the Tokyo Express, the sinking of the USS Helena, Tassafaronga, etc). He told me lots of stories and anecdotes and I've studied WW2 extensively (I thought) but for the first time I see how all this fits together and what happened, why, who was calling the shots, etc. Thank you for putting this series together. 10 stars.
My wife's grandfather was a US Marine Sargent on Guadalcanal--a rough and hardscrable kind of man from Oklahoma. He had a rough go of it on Guadalcanal--lost nearly a whole platoon. It was magic when I got them together and they got to talking about the Canal. Travis Leo Milligan (the Marine) talked about sitting on the beach at night watching the night battles. It was horrific. He paused and said, with great emotion (almost in tears) said to Tom Adams (the gunner's mate): "You Navy boys saved our lives." His heartfelt gratitude was palpable.
We're okay with a Guadalacanal-only channel, you guys did a great job.
Gentlemen, you’re doing a wonderful job. Your ability to weave personal, first-hand accounts from veterans into the conversation is the real strength of this podcast. Thank you for the work you’ve done so far and I’m looking forward to future episodes.
Thanks man. That’s what we’re all about in regards to the personal stories. It’s easy to forget when talking about grand campaigns like Guadalcanal that all of these events were fought by regular people. It’s their stories that really matter.
@@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar Loving all the primary sources you guys bring. Incredibly cool how many of them you two have met personally!
I agree completely
I am LOVING THIS detailed breakdown of WWII in the Pacific. The back stories are absolutely amazing, keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!
Glad I caught this before I went to sleep! I’m going to take this opportunity to thank you, Seth and Bill, for your ongoing hard work putting together this channel (and the podcast as well). My maternal grandfather (I never met him, unfortunately, he passed away in an automobile accident long before I was born) saw combat as Marine in the Pacific. I’ve never known much at all about him, or his service history, but I’m trying to change that now, in large part thanks to you both. Thank you again for your efforts, your research, and your service. I’m sincerely looking forward to many, many more episodes.
The lead photo in this episode is self explanatory. UGH!
Great content. US Navy losses off Guadalcanal were shocking, reminiscent of the terrible sinkings and damage suffered by the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean 1941-3.
The shipyard capacity info mentioned by Captain Bob, glad to see him looking so well, is truly ominous. Wall St and the City of London have awakened the Dragon. Should never have happened, but that's where sheer short term greed and lack of patriotism in the financial sector has got the West
Couldn't agree more, you hit the nail right on the head......
Cousin Ian.😁
Captain William "Bill" Toti, Ian. Otherwise, great comment. Must be language forensic problem.
Another great episode -- thanks, guys! A couple of notes:
1) My son very recently inducted in the USMC hoping to be a combat engineer. As part of helping him understand what "adapt, improvise, overcome" means, I showed him pictures of the coconut-bowed US cruisers and explained to him that they had to sail like this at least 800 miles and in one case in reverse back to CONUS. His response was littered with four-letter words, so at least he's a fit with the Misguided Children that way, lol.
ETA: Some wise guy in the Pentagon thought it would be a good idea to give him the trigger to a 155mm howitzer. He's now in artillery at LeJeune.
2) Wright had no understanding or trust of radar. He also blew the belated torpedo attack not only by ordering it late, but then by opening fire before any torpedoes struck, thereby jettisoning surprise.
3) While the Japanese lost enormous amounts of aircrew in the 'Canal campaign, often overlooked is that they also lost a boatload of airedales. Given that their mechanization was quite behind American levels in that era, they didn't have farm-boys who could be retrained from working on a tractor to working on an aircraft engine. They had to have more intensive training for their mechanics. So at Midway they suffered deeply there, and somewhat in the Solomons carrier battles as well.
4) Just got Hornfischer's "Neptune's Inferno" in today, will start it after finishing ""The First Team" ... bated breath indeed.
Seth & Bill. From an Australians point of view you have "Kicked many Goals" being factual, interesting and bloody accurate so on Macarthur. You cover and applaud the Aussie effort in New Guinea. Thank you both.
Gentlemen, my family lived in the Dutch Indies when the Japanese army invaded. During the war they were forced (as all Europeans) to live in detentioncamps. Very harsh conditions; lot of cruelties, very little food and a lot of deaths. As a young kid my father was brought to the "hospital" (essentially to die) but somehow he survived.
Without the sacrifices of the Allied forces they would not one of them would have survived. So I'am gratefull of their efforts ánd of the way you guys tell the story for everone to remember. Thank you very much and keep up what is a huge job: making an episode every week.
Speaking of which, I don't know why the Battle of the Java Sea doesn't qualify as an Allied Sea Battle loss since Savo Island also had Allied losses. That battle resulted in a lot of Allied sailors not drowning or being killed outright also going to Japanese Labor camps with high death rates. Japan's war caused a calamity of unnecessary death in proportions hard for younger generations to imagine and in just about everyplace they occupied. Not meaning to "grind the proverbial axe" over it but it is the history in context.
I joined the Navy in Nov, 1951 , I was sent to the USS RADFORD DDE 446 ,her sister ship DDE FLETCHER DDE 445 , they were DD 446 and DD445 WW 2 Destroyer's . I went to several reunions , The WW 2 members talked about rescuing men from the USS Helena . These ships were mothballed and in 1949 the Navy took these ship out of moth balls ,They kept 2 5" inch guns put in 2 sets of 3" gun mounts .They replaced the whole super structure except the Pilot House ,Bridge,wardroom ,They moved CIC to close to the pilot house. They did several early Fletcher Class DDs like this.They were for ASW but saw a lot plane guard off Korea., You mentioned the Fletcher a couple of times talking about Guadalcanal same ship.
this is by far one of the best podcasts on TH-cam, I still want to know why they did not charge the people in charge of the Mark 14 torpedo...in my 75 years, nobody has ever broached the subject
If I recall correctly the design belonged to a high ranking admiral and anybody that spoke up found themselves on latrine duty or worse.
JP is on to something. Really.
Seth and Bill, along with your esteemed guests, have done a great job with exploring this. I just wish my uncle Pat had been here to see and hear this. He was a battle hardened Marine that served from Guadalcanal thru the end of the war. You've a great chemistry, keep it up for as long as u can!
A job well done gentlemen. I enjoyed the series and looking forward for the next season. These stories bring back memories of my early learning of Navy history. I grew up a Navy Brat. My dad was a corpsman on the Wahoo II out of Pearl back in 1960 to 62. From Pearl Harbor Kai elementary school second floor we could look down at “Destroyer Row”. We watched the Arizona Memorial being built and commissioned. We lived in Navy housing less than 100 yards from the main gate. Me and my pack of ruffians wandered all over Pearl Harbor base. Often chased by security guards and Marine MPs for being in off limits areas. The “Boat” luaus were fantastic, like a big family gathering. Much better than my Army experiences…(yeah, I went to the dark side…hooha.) The WestPac tours my dad went on dragged but greeting the sub returns were great. Some of my favorite childhood memories. I’m looking forward to the Submarine presentations because if they are as professionally done and deeply researched and presented it will be a joy to watch. See you soon.
Bill responding: I remember Pearl Kai elementary well!
Bill's comment on industrial / naval shipyard capacity comparison between US/Japan in the 1940s vs US/China today is an eye opener ! 😮
My only disappointment is I didn’t find this content sooner. The intelligence and eloquence of you and your guests brings depth and color to these events. Well done gentlemen.
These episodes are wonderful. I have learned so much about the Pacific War.
I'm sure I speak for many here, but you guys have hands-down the best WWII podcast out there. Incredible job, guys. We can't wait for Season 2!
Please keep making these! Don't overwork yourself to do so Seth! But I love these and the format as well you guys are awesome! Thanks again another good one
From a retired Sonar Supervisor on 688’s, 594’s, and 637’s, you gentlemen do one heck of a job. Bravo Zulu!
I have loved every minute of season 1, truly grateful for the stories as well as the detail of the history that many popular channels gloss over. Thank you!
40:35 "for some people this may be a little too much detail..." Well, you can always get lost in the weeds of an endless succession of factoids, BUT history at the level of meaningful detail can relate the granularity back to the larger focus and show how that history came about, not just the outcomes. It reminds us how contingent and hard won those outcomes were. You do a very good job of this. Even anecdotes that don't contribute to this end help color the picture for us.
This podcast series is stupendous. I never knew how important Guadacanal was and now I have a much more profound appreciation.
Thank you.
Thank you
I look forward to this every week. Y’all are doing fantastic.
I'm a gen X who's been reading about WW2 since the 70's when I could still talk to legit vets. I enjoy the detail so much I've listened to every episode at least twice. Also adding John and Dave is brilliant. Keep up the good work, please.
This is an outstanding series you two have put together. First, Seth, thanks for giving up your lunch to do these. I have been a WWII buff for many years but have learned a great deal from the information you put out. It is really special taking to the individual level and calling out some the names of people who had a significant impact. Thanks Seth and Bill for the quality programming you create!
I feel like I’ve read a really well researched and written book with every episode. Thanks, gentlemen.
This show has become the highlight of every week since I found it. I'm here for wherever you decide to take this.
Thank you
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and all your guests. I have always known about the Guadalcanal campaign mostly from the surface side battles but never this amount of detail about the actual ground battles and the individuals involved. Well Done. I live on Okinawa now and of course have been to many of the battle sites and read many different perspectives about the Battle for Okinawa. I hope you have that on your list as I am sure you know this battle has many many stories within the overall campaign. I would definitely love to see that and the guests you might have. Keep up the good work, love this format.
Drachiniefel covered the naval battle(s) of Guadalcanal really in depth but I agree- you covered land, air and sea more than ( probably ) any other YT channel
Love your site. Good work, thanks for your service. My did was a chief motor machinist mate on an evacuation/hospital ship for most of the ‘43 campaigns. I would like you to consider a show looking at logistics, including troop transport, evacuation and all the rest. Best of health!
Thank you guys for this channel. My father was at Guadalcanal in June 1943. He was a 17 year old seaman on the USD Deimos AKA 78, a Liberty ship. On June 15th, the ships in his convoy were attacked by Japanese planes while they were unloading ammunition for Henderson Field. Read the book "Bluejjacket Odyssey". His ship was later sunk off San Christobel Is on June 23, thanks again
Re-reading Neptune's inferno, I read that Carlton Wright was slated to command the surface force, planned, that Norman Scott eventually trained and fought with at cape esperance
I enjoyed you guys in season 1 and this is my first time watching Seth and Bill. These two guys make a really nice team. I’m really looking forward to seeing you guys in season 2 so please don’t have us the viewers sitting here going crazy in the process. I love you guys great job and keep up the good work!
Awesome! Thank you!
Keep the passion! It comes thru, and subs, PBY's, SBD's, yes. Just met a 97 yr old B-29 pilot on Friday. The train story is fantastic, can't wait to hear your take! And the Wahoo!
Thanks to both of you for a terrifice first season of this series! Your guests have been terrific. My only regret is that so few people seem to have discovered it yet.
You guys shouldn't have been surprised to find an audience. I don't know how much market research you did ahead of time, but TH-cam has quite a few WWII focused or oriented channels that are successful. People are hungry for these stories.
Great job so far, looking forward to more!
I love this podcast. I would love it if you could do an episode on the debacle of the Mark 14 torpedo issues. It seems so strange that the Navy would ignore such critical design flaws, that was obviously costing sailors lives and hampering the ability to effectively attack the Japanese Navy and Japanese supply ships. I understand it may not fit your format for an episode, but I imagine Captain Toti has some interesting insights considering his submarine experience, and what it must have been like for the sailors dealing with these issues. Anyway, great podcast.
It's coming
I am so pleased to hear that the two of you are continuing and that you will be teaching us so much more, with so much detail! I am currently writing an ebook on the history of the US, and when that is done, I will start writing another ebook on the US in WW II. I am now researching how to publish an ebook, which is very different from publishing a hard copy. So, your info and rich detail will no doubt be helpful in my writing of my second ebook. Thank you so much for your videos! You two complement each other so nicely.
Randomly watched the Cactus Air Force video and now I’m 24 episodes invested! On to season 2! Top notch work gentlemen and thank you for sticking with this labor of love project.
This series of yours on Guadalcanal is the best podcast/YT series I have come across. I've watched it all now (except Savo Island, which I can't bring myself to learn more about - but I suppose I should). The detail, much of which wasn't even in the several books I have read on the campaign, has been much appreciated. As an Australian, I'm also chuffed that you don't ignore our contribution, small as it has been up to this point.
My father was A Marine Fighter pilot. His 1st combeat was on pellulu. Then later on the Phillipines. My uncle was in the army where he became a master Seargent. They were reluctant to talk much about there service. I did pry a few stories out of them. My knowledge of The Pacific Campaign was sketchy at best. Mostly gleaned from movies. I watched your series on Pellulu 1st. Then I went back to the start. I find each episode fascanating. Im 72 and I would like both of you and your guest speakers. As you are giving me a deeper understanding of what these men endured. By the time I finish your series. You will have plugged a gap in my understanding, Before I quit this earth
Left out thank you. Yours in Christ
My Dad and one of his brothers served in the Army in WWII, one going through Northern Europe the other through the Underbelly. His three other brothers served in the US Navy all in the pacific. All came home but two shot to hell. Even though I served in the Navy and in country Viet Nam I wasn't smart enough to get their stories. I thank you for bringing those we have never heard about to the forefront. You keep on making these and I will keep listening, again outstanding work. Go Navy!
Another episode. So happy.
31:26 - Re. Cap'n Bill's comment about China: I loathe politics; it's a divisive force that solves nothing and sets neighbor against neighbor. That's why I greatly appreciate the fact that this channel avoids discussions of modern day politics. Nevertheless, now-in 2024-every American had better think damn hard about what's going to happen to this nation if we keep going the way we've been going for the last few years.
Seth and Bill: This is *_by far_* the best program exclusively covering the Pacific War. You guys are right up there with Drach in the absolute first-rate quality of your content. 😎
'Tassel Longa?! Neva hoid of it!' 😊
Which is to say...
I'm so glad you took the time to make these comments. They're priceless. As we never really got tech as good as the Long Lance in WWII, there seems to be many that dismiss the lessons even today.
Long before WWII, our country needed to learn the lessons of war quickly, before we suffered irreparable loss. As the Japanese were overconfident about their warfighting ability, so the US today seems extremely careless about the way that hard and soft war is changing the world:
- cheap FPV kamikaze drones (Ukraine)
- dismissal of the power of fixed fortifications and mines (Ukraine)
- lack of response to territorial 'creep' (Ukraine, 9 Dash Line, Myanmar, perhaps Guyana...)
- undermining of democracy (Africa seems nearly lost)
- supporting terrorism (Gaza)
- failure to recognize the impact of Climate Change and war on migration (US and Europe)
It seems like we are in another Cold War, but no one in America wants to recognize the danger. I want another Vietnam as much as any vet, but our military and political leadership needs to up our game.
Captain Toti's comments on industrial capacity is on the money. I am still shaking my head that the West cannot produce nearly enough 155 mm shells, but I will bet China would have no problem ramping up, and they could already have hundreds of thousands of autonomous attack drones. If that's the war we have to fight, we will lose if we don't get on the ball.
I love this podcast.
Found it on TH-cam and also listened on Spotify in the car..I have really enjoyed it Especially the naval battles thank you you taking to time to do them..mike
As I have mentioned before, the South Pacific Campaign, along with the Southwest Pacific Campaign, was the death knell for the IJN's air arm, including both carrier based and land based. But one thing that is rarely mentioned is the difference between combat losses and operational losses, where usually there more operational losses than combat losses. And it particularly hit the Japanese hard because of the inability, as early as May, 1942, to supply replacement aircraft and important repair parts in numbers that were needed. I have read accounts of when Rabaul surrendered at the end of the war, as well as air base complexes in northern New Guinea like Wewak and the like, American and Allied personnel found large amounts of Japanese aircraft that were unserviceable for want of small parts that were not available because of the supply issues mentioned above. And it only got worse as the war went on. And the Japanese obsession with Guadalcanal caused many problems, such as sending carrier air groups to Rabaul from Truk when they had just began to rebuild the carrier groups after the savagery of Coral Sea and Midway. I have found Robert Bergerud's excellent book Fire In The Sky a great resource for some of the minutiae that really hindered the Japanese.
Great show again. Can’t wait for more seasons
Great presentation, look forward to the future episodes. Wish you guys would include more video and photos in your podcasts with you all talking in the background. Keep up the good work.
What is so great about you guys, you tell about the good, the bad and the ugly- that most just glance over.
…and holding their feet to the fire.
Cap'n Bill, yes, I love the details! Keep it coming. You two fellows seem to make a fine team and you produce an enjoyable video podcast. I understand the reasons for going non-linear. The Pacific War was so convoluted that one really can't do a linear presentation. The sub war, with all its frustrations, was concurrent with all the other campaigns. While the Americans were starting the Solomons campaign, the Austrailians were saving their country by fighting in the hellhole of New Guinea, while the airwar ground down both sides over all the battlefields. You briefly touched on the losses of the IJN's 11th Air Fleet. It's not often appreciated how much of the IJN's air power was used from land bases. The guys who SGOULD have been the flight leaders or squadron commanders for the rebuilt Japanese aircraft carrier force of 1944 died over the Solomons in 1942 - 43. Midway is often credited as being the "end" of the Japanese pool pf pilots, but it was actually the Solomons campaigns that ground them down like a pencil in a sharpener. I'm looking forward to the new season. Thanks for producing this series!
I love the history talks. Most people who I talk to have no clue about WWII. Bill and Seth do such an excellent job bringing it all to life. I was born to vets of WW2. Both parents: Mom in US 3rd army as a nurse in Europe; Pops was part of the Manhatten project and later US Army in 1945. I had the privilege to grow up with many many WW2 vets. Thanks again for bringing up the memories of those whom I knew. My extended family fought at Guadalcanal, one served and still does on the USS Wahoo. My cousin was with the 100 day Carlson Raider March at the Canal. Growing up with all these folks was amazing.
These, podcast are amazing. I almost feel like I’m ready to write my dissertation on Guadalcanal . Thank you!
This is Great History guys THANKS !!
Great content and fantastic guests. Thanks for all you do!
It’s been said that “You never forget your 1st Grade teacher” and so it is with Guadalcanal.
The many operational mistakes and errors made in planning and executing our first offensive in the Pacific were tragic. The lessons learned were written in blood. Yet, more than 80-years later, we remain fascinated and interested in Guadalcanal as it represents our struggle, the time and place where Good triumphed over Evil for no reason other than the power of American spirit to persevere.
If history tells us how we became who we are, then part of our DNA was developed through a fiery baptism at Guadalcanal.
I got to tour the us submarine Silversides, while it was located at Navy Pier in Chicago. The Naval crew on board where super nice. I was about 9 yo, and a sub was big in my mind then. The officer that gave my family the tour was top notch. Watching the periscope come up and looking through it is one of my favorite memories.
20:15 I mean actually Adm. Kinkaid did learn from the mistakes at night action against IJN and implemented a tactic which could counter the IJN at night, but sadly he was relieved and Wright took over, Wright would eventually followed Kinkaid's tactic, but again he didn't have time to train the crews of the ships with this new tactic.
The improved tactic is where prior to the action the cruisers would launch scout aircraft as spotter and also to drop flares and illum to light up enemy formation, then for the destroyers they would act independently, when they detected enemy formations and then eventually launch torpedo at the enemy, then the cruisers would then finish off or engage the targets with their bigger guns, the flaw of this tactic is that US didn't follow up on what the DDs should do after torpedo launches, that is why during Tassafaronga the destroyers were out of position or formation and did not screen or support the cruisers with their guns or star shells, same goes with the couple USN destroyers that joined the surface task force peacemeal that were "taken" from a convoy escort that was steaming from Guadalcanal towards Allied base. Also the problem of radar as tactical deficiancy to aid or guidance still plagues US commanders and officers onboard USN ships.
The tactic for combined cruisers-destroyer night action would later be improved in 1943 where Admiral Aaron S. Merrill, would use the tactic and won a night engagement in Battle of Blackett Strait where he use radar for detection and for fire control, relying his destroyers to attack first, then scout and support the cruisers when the cruisers eventually opens fire on enemy ships, also Merrill prioritize his ships would be the one that fire first, followed up quick and accurate fire on IJN ships before the IJN ships could return fire and/or launches their torpedo. Also same tactic was used at Empress Augusta Bay, Merrill used similar tactics where he had 8 destroyers in 2 formations that contains 4 destroyers each, send them first to attack, launch torpedo at IJN ships and then follow up with their guns, his cruisers would stay far and out of enemy torpedo range, although the US destroyers had problems with maintaining formations and some either collided with one another or unable to avoid enemy torps, the engagement themselves was a victory for the US side.
Another neat footnote is many of the survivors from Northampton went on to form the core crew of Iowa.
Need 'Unauthorized History of the Pacific War' fix soon. I blew through all current epoxides in about 2 weeks. Counting on you two to keep up the good work. And it is a lot of work. But, there are countless out there who are digging these a whole lot !!!
Long day. Heaps of work. Kinda tired.
I look into the channel and - well, well, well - what do I find!
Another excellent episode.
Context, Context is what makes your podcasts so good. Tom from the UK
Speaking of cruiser bows, probably the last example of this occurrence was tragically when the ARA Belgrano, a Brooklyn class cruiser had her bow blown off by a RN WW2 torpedo, in 1982
Looking forward to whatever content is released thanks for an excellent series on Guadalcanal. (Any stories you have in your back pocket about the USS Bowfin would be a great personal bonus. My Dad was a very young crewmen aboard.
This battle was full of 'bow' movements. 😆
The changes from Northampton to Portland to New Orleans class cruisers were largely evolutionary improvements bounded by treaty limits. So a fundamental weak point was likely to be shared among the classes. On another point, I wonder whether 8" guns slower rate of fire outweighed 8" shells being heavier than the 6" shells of the Brooklyns and Clevelands. The 6" shells might not pierce belt armor, but the higher rate of fire and more numerous guns may have made for quicker "mission kills".
One of the fundamental observations regarding cruisers is that three rounds per gun per minute from 8" guns just isn't as good for swatting nimble destroyers at night as 8-10 rounds per gun per minute with the 6"/47 Mark 16.
Great series and I cannot wait until the next season. Hopefully, you are getting revenue for your efforts. Your guests were wonderful. As a former submarine officer, I can't wait to hear about your takes on Dick O'Kane and Mush Morton (I have both books, Wahoo signed by the Admiral). I have been OOC for last couple of weeks and your videos kept my sanity and I thank you for that. BZ!!!
Both coming
Our aircraft were in a large part inferior to what the Japanese were flying at Guadalcanal. The F-4 was pretty tough, but the P-39 was a joke. It was totally outclassed by Japanese fighters. With the right tactics the P-38 was successful. The aircraft we would have, the F-6 Hellcat and the F-4U Corsair would turn things around in the air. It’s amazing we even held our own on Guadalcanal. Thanks again guys for the great lesson guys. 👍
Though Captain Rooks of the USS Houston (sunk in Bantam Bay off Java) wrote warning about the Japanese torpedos, US Navy senior staff didn't seem to get it as late as 1943. When Admiral Oldendorf was asked (pressed) by newspeople after the Battle of Surigao Strait why he didn't pursue the Japanese down the strait, he said "Tassafaronga". He did get it. I hope you will cover that battle and its myths exposed by Anthony Tully's recent book.
Fantastic Fantastic Fantastic
Keep going guys
Sub info Ww2 is way understated
I can’t wait to watch it next
Wicked
Hi guys, enjoying your discussions on the Guadalcanal naval battles, and looking forward to your discussing the 1943 battles further up the Slot.
Thanks to Seth and the CEO moderator in Admiral Bill.
So insightful and as Paul Harvey says, AND NOW YOU'VE HEARD
THE REST OF THE STORY
Gents, you are doing great! Thanks for all of your effort in creating this history content!
Thanks for the detailed work you've all put into the Guadalcanal campaign, you have added to my knowledge greatly. My interest stems from my grandpa who served as a Cmdr in the RNVR
The situs of air combat is also critical when one discusses the lost of skilled aviators by the Japanese at Guadalcanal vs. the U.S. losses of skilled aviators. Much of the air combat occurred in and about Guadalcanal and nearby waters. We had better search and rescue capabilities, coast watchers along the island chain, and air control of those environs during daylight hours when rescue was most effective. Also a damaged Japanese plane (and perhaps wounded pilot) had to fly hundreds of miles back to the Truk area in order to fine a safe location to land. We had Henderson Field!
Whatvdo I want to see? Whatever you got! Its all great. Seth and Bill, I'm aboard for the entire cruise. Thank you Gentlemen
WOW, I never knew that about Jason Robards - thanks!
That surprised me also. I looked up his history on IMDB with some mention of his service time but nothing about surviving his ships sinking.
See his Wikipedia page
Very enjoyable discussions of history that should not be forgotten. Much of this is relevant to current events. As a former naval person and gulf coast native, a big "Thanks" for your efforts.
Thank you gentlemen so much for taking this time to educate all of us and keep history alive. My Father was in the US Army Air Corp from 1942-1946. And yes, he bristled if you called it “Air Force.”
I hope it’s ok if I add my two-cents of things I might like to see. An in-depth look at the torpedo fiasco. In particular if the USN had pushed for development of the MK. 17 surface torpedo sooner. I would also be interested in anti-submarine tactics and weapons, also such things as talking about the development of the Fletcher Class DD and the argument of armored vs un-armored flight decks.
I know this might be asking a lot, but perhaps sometime we might could have an in person meeting, say at the Alabama Battleship for example?
Thanks!
Admiral Carleton H. Wright was awarded the Navy Cross for his epic performance with Task Group 67 he was not merely infamous for his racist assessment of Japanese torpedo engineering (sight unseen). After he quickly became a shore desk jockey in D.C. he was then made commander of the 12th Naval District of San Francisco. The Port Chicago, CA. Munitions dump disaster and unsafe conditions inspired hundreds of servicemen to refuse to load munitions, an act known as the Port Chicago Mutiny. Adm. Wright ordered a general court martial of 50 African-American Navy stevedores finding them guilty of mutiny and sentencing them to hard labor and dishonorable discharge after expressing fear and refusing to return to the work of loading ammunition. 320 sailors and civilians perished and 390 others were injured in the disaster. Japanese Destroyers had reloading mechanisms. Their 24" in diameter torpedoes ran on pure compressed Oxygen/Kerosine in fuel tanks and had 1078lb warheads. The IJN destroyers could reload at sea for an additional volley. Their explosive used was 7% more powerful than TNT but less stable.
I'm an old USN veteran (USS John King DDG 3) and served some of the same years as Bill. Your descriptions of the destroyer battles in the Solomons is little known and highly enlightening. In fact outside of Leyte Gulf I can't recall any serious destroyer actions mentioned during the war in the Pacific. It makes me proud to have been a destroyer sailor. THANK YOU and God bless.
Always good stuff guys. Love what you do.
Fantastic work, gentlemen! I would be very interested in hearing Capt. Toti talk more about China's current capabilities v. US. Stunned to hear about how one Chinese shipyard has more capability than our 20.
With the passing of each war veteran, they take a entire encyclopedia of knowledge and experience with them. Thank you for for bringing more than Cliff Notes to this history. Please keep it up.
I look forward to every new episode. Thank you and greetings from Malaysia.
You guys should engage with TRADOC and NETC to offer this series for Officer and NCO / CPO Professional Development. There are so many lessons learned here that are relevant to wartime leadership even today.
You guys are fascinating to listen to. I just wish Seth’s lunch breaks were longer!
I love this channel great work !
Thank you!
Losing the bow is a consequence of what is considered an appropriate design choice. They have the all or nothing armor scheme which ends ahead of the turrets. The blown off bow happens when the torpedo hits at the junction between the armored box and the unprotected bow.
Bill, the Pittsburgh lost her bow during typhoon cobra
I suspect that a small inaccuracy may have crept into the narrative about the USN New Orleans trip back to the USA for ultimate repair at Puget Sound. . I understand that the ship sailed stern first only to Sydney. Extensive repairs and the fitting of a new temporary "stub" bow at Cockatoo Island Naval Dockyard, permitted it to sail front first firstly to Pearl Harbor where it was accessed. It then proceeded directly to Puget Sound. The repairs having been deemed safe. The rapidity and effectiveness of the repairs at Cockatoo Island were a matter of great pride to the workers there. Bring them in, patch 'em up, send 'em back! Numerous photos of the work are available online from the AWM.
Just in time manufacturing originated in Japan. The process was documented after World War II, though the practice (or societal concept) may have been present before the documentation.
Learning about the schoolhouse is a lesson necessary in any endeavour. In the context of Guadalcanal it does focus the remainder of the War in the Pacific Theatre.
I'm familiar with the big battles and really like the details in your podcast. Ty gentlemen!
I love you guys and you are doing a great job. Tarawa, Pelilu and the rest of it are a large part of the pacific war, again great job guys.
i love listening to all you guys have to say ww2 history is a big fascination with me thank you both for these broad casts on true subjects.
Outstanding series. 👍🏻🇺🇸
Guys your absolutely right about the torpedoes. It was criminal that we could build an atomic weapon but couldn’t get a torpedo to work. The Washington jerks were in bed with someone who was getting contract’s and were more interested in making money than the safety of our men. These assholes should have been charged with criminal charges and put in prison for a long time. Love the channel guys!
You guys are the best. Super thorough, very informative, highly accurate info and also very entertaining too!!!! We want MORE!!!!!
Seth and Bill, I am primarily a Podcast-Listener rather than TH-cam-watcher of the podcast, but I wanted to thank you both for taking the time to share these invaluable conversations with us all. I am greatly looking forward to “Season 2”.
Our pleasure!