The US Beast That Punished Japan Nonstop
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- Опубліковано 4 лип 2024
- The war in the Pacific was in full swing, and the Cleveland-class cruiser USS Birmingham was caught in the middle. On the afternoon of November 8, 1943, the calm waters around the island of Bougainville masked a brewing storm as Birmingham’s radar screens lit up, detecting 13 Japanese enemy aircraft hurtling toward her task force.
Minutes later, the first ominous sight of a circling reconnaissance Mitsubishi Betty set the stage for an upcoming clash at sea. Alarms echoed through the corridors as the crew sprang to their battle stations.
At 7:00 pm, Birmingham, alongside two other cruisers, unleashed a barrage of fire at the enemy formation, now just 18,000 yards away. The Japanese pressed on and were met by the equally fierce resolve of the Americans, who launched flares and manned their guns with steely precision.
Birmingham’s 40-millimeter and 20-millimeter gunners quickly downed an Aichi D3A Type 99 carrier bomber, sending it crashing into the sea. Yet, a lucky bomb from the stricken plane tore a 15-foot hole in Birmingham’s hull, followed by an aerial torpedo that blasted a 30-foot gash on the port bow, flooding the fuel compartments.
Despite her wounds, Birmingham’s crew fought valiantly, extinguishing fires and patching the ship as they shot down six more enemy fighters. The battle raged fiercely, with the sea transformed into a fiery cauldron of destruction.
Even as a devastating explosion from a Val bomber claimed lives and inflicted injuries, Birmingham held her ground, maintaining a speed of 30 knots to break away from the never-ending swarm of enemy aircraft. The war would demand much more from USS Birmingham; her battle had only just begun.
Boston born 1960 I owe these men for my freedoms I have everyday. God bless all who served and for those who serve today. 🇺🇸🙏
My dad was on board the USS Reno during the attack on the carrier Princeton, His ship was actually there first alongside the Prinston to help with fires and so on. But due to the list of the carrier, it was damaging the Renos superstructure and they had to withdraw. The Birmingham had replaced the Reno so it could take over and assist the carrier because it bigger and had been taller in the water. My Dad explained what happened next, the carrier blew up with all those men on the starboard side fighting the fires. The cruiser moved away from the carrier and the Reno came along side to assist the cruiser, and what he told me next you will not hear in history books. In his own words the whole starboard of side the Princeton was a waterfall of blood, and body parts. He said it was the most horrific thing he had ever seen and never forgot. Mind you I was only 6 years old at the time, but the way he looked when he told the story and how sounded made me never forget. After all was said and done after the explosion, my dad's cruiser put 3 fish into the carrier sinking it due to smoke it was generating, fearing it would give away their position and drawing in more air attacks. Later on, that year his ship got torpedoed and almost sank. He served 22 years in the Navy, earned the rank of Force/Command Master chief and was offered Command Master Chief of the Navy, but declined because he hated Washington DC. Hope you enjoyed this story, told to me by someone who was there!
The US built 26 Cleveland class light cruiser and 175 Fletcher class Destroyers. No country has ever produced so many Capital ships in such a short time.
My sainted father served on the USS Birmingham during World War II. He joined the crew in 1943 before the ship sailed to the Mediterranean for the Sicily invasion and was on board when the war ended. He said that the closest the ship came to sinking was when the Princeton blew up. He was a boatswain's mate and his battle station was a quad 40 mm anti-aircraft mount on the port side of the ship. He said that he was watching damage control fight the fires on board the Princeton when something told him to go below and he was there when the Princeton exploded. Most of the men who were killed on the Birmingham were like him, just watching damage control fight the fires when the Princeton exploded.
You have got to admire the repair crews that patched up these ships so could fight another day. Unsung heroes
Dang man, Birmingham sought no quarter, and gave none. Huge respect to the crew, and the lives lost, and the wounded.
This particular show points out that Every Class of US Navy Ship was important in defeating the IJN. The Carriers and Battleships get the glory but it is the Cruisers, Destroyers, Mine Ships, Subs and even boats taking men ashore all won the peace. Happy Independence Day.
Gotta wonder if the Japanese pilot that did a fly by and didn’t attack didn’t feel right about attacking men trying to get to stay afloat. Humanity pops up in weird ways without us knowing most of the time.
Great story. The ships were as tough as the sailors.
Imagine being shot at with hundreds of rounds while flying.Thats crazy
My uncle served in the Navy during World War Two, told me a story about his ship being hit by a torpedo and sinking. He almost made it to a life boat but turned around to retrieve his wallet which he left by his bunk. As he said this my Aunt yelled at him and called him a dummy. He then said “ I had to go back, my wallet had my only picture of you in it.” I will always remember that story for the rest of my life.
Thank you for producing great videos for us to enjoy for FREE.
The industrial might of thr U.S. was intense back then and it had the good fortune of being under no threat making it much easier.
Thank you for this video. My grandfather served on the USS Belleau Wood CVL 24. It was great to hear his ship on this video.
It’s not just the surviving that should be respected but the people that gave their life’s up for us all to be here. Thank you veterans and fallen alike!
⭐🎖️🙏🤗🏆
Cleveland is a tough cruiser…Battle Stations! Midway on PS 2 it was my favorite ship.
Excellent insight
Thanks.
Thanks 💯👍