Operation HAILSTONE-The Carrier Raids on Truk with special guest Jon Parshall: Episode 304
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- Опубліковано 16 жов 2023
- This week Seth and Bill welcome back guest and good friend Jon Parshall as the trio discusses Operation HAILSTONE, better known as the Carrier Raids on Truk. Following the opening portion of the Marshall Islands campaign, Admiral Spruance brings Marc Mitscher's fast carriers to Truk to absolutely wreak havoc on the supposed "Japanese Pearl Harbor". Tune in and see what the team has to say about the devastating raids.
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Good to see Jon back...my favorite guest on this channel
Yes please. Whoever they had on last week please not again. I couldn't follow anything!
He’s our favorite too!
Jon is the best
There is ONE little tidbit you guys forgot. USS TANG ( SS 306) She rescued TWENTY TWO Airmen from this raid. Some VERY close to the beach. I am surprised Captain Toti didn't mention this.
Don't take it hard, Bill.
I didn't know about Tang either.
They discussed that during the episode covering Dick Okane and the Tang
@@clarenceneal2622 True. I remember that; but they discussed Mark Mitscher during Midway. Knowing Captain Toti; it was probably an oversight; however Tang's rescue was RECORD setting. ( and dangerous)
It was indeed
@@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar WHAT about the Kingfisher that was used as a swimming pontoon 4 the a dozen or so rescued pilots ? From what CA or BB was it ? Can t rem - oer & out
Another day of education courtesy of Seth, Bill and Jon. Time well spent.
Seth, you have quite a talent for writing and speaking in a narrative style.
Yeah the bits he write for these shows are epic.
@@emilrydstrm3944 many thanks to the both of you.
Thank You UHPW, I’ve been enjoying the heck out of this channel ever since I found it a couple of months ago. I listen to past episodes pretty much every night. I haven’t heard all of them but I’ve listened to a bunch of them more than once. The effort that you guys put into this program is really appreciated. It’s become one of my favorite military history channels and I listen to a lot of military history channels!
Seth, your turn of phrase is unique and really genuine. You put so much into these podcasts and you can tell from all your commenters how much all your hard work is so appreciated!😊
And that goes for Captain Bill and Jon or whatever guest you have on. It just amazes me the depth of knowledge and the passion you guys have for this often-overlooked theater during World War II. Being that my dad was in the US Navy, South Pacific your show deeply resonates with me and shows me what my father went through and the waters that he sailed through. Your show completely helps me to reconnect with my dad on a very deep level which just adds to the love and respect that I had for him when he was alive. So thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.🇺🇲⚓️💯🙏💖🙏🚬☕️
Man I sure do wish Jon was here more often, as always great work fellas we very well much appreciate all of this.
Fabulous episode, thank you all.
"The chandelle is an aircraft control maneuver where the pilot combines a 180° turn with a climb."
You two guys are great on your own, but its always great to see Jon with you. I feel like he fits with your warm and friendly style better than the last guest did.
Jon is a pal. The fit is genuine. I’ve known him for years and the rapport is genuine and honest.
This is like talking to three friends in your living room. Love it!
Always nice to see John pop in with his pearls of wisdom. And Bill's video game reference.
I most enjoy these narratives, thank you Seth, Bill Jon and all the guests. My uncle enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942 at the age of 33 and became quartermaster. He was designated as a beach master for the invasion of Truk, until the invasion was cancelled in favor of these bombing raids.
Guys, this is probably my favorite episode!
I’m a Vietnam Era Veteran (1972-1975). I would have loved to have seen these videos back in the day!
I have several books on the war in the Pacific Theater, and my dad served as a Lieutenant in Saipan and other islands.
Thanks guys!
I remember as a kid, watching the Jacques Cousteau special on his team's dive on Truk. It was incredible. Until your show today, I had thought Truk was the "Pearl Harbor" for the Japanese. Interesting enlightenment!
I dove in Truk in 1985 with a bunch of Aussie SAS and IS Navy SEAL team guys (I was a Lt in a Special Boat Unit). We’d been doing ops in Guam the previous couple of weeks and filled an Aussie C130 with dive gear and Tooey’s Beer. We spent the weekend diving the wrecks and it was amazing. I also had the great fortune to meet Kimeo Issac who was a teenager in Truk when the attack took place. Kimeo was also the guide for Cousteau in the 1960’s when he and his people dove there. Kimeo sat around with us as we participated in draining some Tooeys, and told us what it was like. He was a hell of a nice guy and passed a few years back. It was absolutely amazing diving these wrecks after seeing Navy photos taken during the attack that showed torpedoes in the water and then the next day I’m examining the damage personally. I’ve been diving 48 years and this was the most incredible experience in my dive log.
This was a great episode. I knew something about the Truk raids, but this put the battle into a better context for me. Looking ahead to the Philippine Sea, after the day of carrier battles, Adm. Lee wasn't too interested in a follow-ip night action with the surface forces. One might wonder if the mediocre performance of the Iowa/New Hersey group off Tryk may have affected his opinions about the readiness of US battleships to meet the Japanese in a night action. Add that to his personal experience off Guadalcanal, and that his battle line hadn't exercised together very much, plus his appreciation of Japanese night-fighting and torpedoes. That might explain some of his reticence. Anyway, thanks for a fine presentation!.
In writing about the Truk raid in their book Titans of the Seas, James and William Belote said:
A most unwilling witness to one strike was Major Gregory (Pappy)Boyington, Marine ace extraordinary. After being plucked, wounded, from a life raft off Rabaul by the Japanese, he had been interrogated at length and loaded into a Betty bomber for a fight to Truk. His eventual destination would be the secret interrogation camp run by the Imperial Navy for POWs holding information of exceptional value.
Boyington's plane had barely stopped rolling before the major and several other prisoners were hustled, blindfolded, to a shallow pit and unceremoniously thrown in. They quickly realized that American planes were attacking Men airfield-and them. In growing excitement Boyington, peering over the edge of the pit from beneath his blindfold, watched Zeros, Jills, and other planes catch fire and blow apart. Heat "cooked off" their guns, sending 20-mm. slugs glancing about and into the pit. The American ace threw some of them out of his unintended refuge.
During a momentary lull a Zero landed to refuel, its pilot clambering out to stroll across the held wearing a fur flight cap with flaps that pulled down over his ears. Seeing Boyington and his five companion POWs in the pit, he started, then, composing himself, said in English, "I am a Japanese pilot." The uninhibited Boyington, a native of Olkaogan, Washington, responded impulsively, "With all the goddamn trouble we got, ain't you the cheerful SOB, though!" About then Hellcats dove with .50s stuttering, the Japanese pilot ran, ear coverings flapping, and the captives ducked. Somewhat miraculously Boyington with his companions survived both raid and war.
An outstanding episode. I'm am learning a lot from your discussions.
Gentlemen, this is one of best UA-cam channels in existence. For folks interested in world war twice, this is pure gold. I look forward to each new episode. Keep it up. Really looking forward to Peleliu and the Leyte battles as well as the Philippines liberation.
Man, the battle of Leyte Gulf and the battle off Samar will be so nice to watch. I hope it ends up being three episodes (what with the North, Center, and Southern forces), there's so much to tell. I can imagine Drachinafel and Jon Parshal as guests. I'm really looking forward to it. (The exploits of the U.S.S. Johnston and U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts are legendary)
So good
Only Jon Parshall could say (1:08): "There are some spectacular photos that come out of this. I wish I had my book. It's in my basement which is all torn up at the moment, but Dan Bayly's 'WWII Wrecks of Truk Lagoon' which is a big coffee table book. I don't know if you've ever seen it but it is gorgeous!...If anyone ever wants to nerd out on the Truk attack, Dan Bayly's book is absolutely wonderful." 🤣TY Jon
The three of you compliment each other so well. It's truly a pleasure to watch these videos.
Great presentation on the demise of the Japanese base in Truk atoll. Another home run guys. Love to see Jon Parshall on the show.
Also, I've been waiting for ages for this episode.
Another great episode. The dynamic between you three guys is wonderful. It's informative, entertaining, and, at time, humorous. Looking forward to the next episode.
I consider myself relatively knowledgeable about the Pacific War, but without exception, these episodes reveal new info and insights. This episode offered more detail and context on Operation Hailstone than I've seen anywhere else. BTW: There was some crosstalk when I think you guys mentioned Alvin Kernan. His memoir is a treasure. It deserves a bit more recognition. I'm intrigued that Jon had a direct acquaintance with him. Thanks, Seth, Bill, and Jon!
Same here
I was having withdrawal symptoms last night...couldnt wait for a new episode, and there it is!!!
Knowledge and thoroughness. And Seth, Bill and Jon? Such. Great. Chemistry.
Awesome episode. Back in the mid 70’s I attended a presentation by Diver Film Director Al Giddings at the Buffalo Historical Society. In 1973 he and his team located the IJN Submarine I-169 which was lost at Truk Lagoon. At the time he worked with the Japanese government to assist in recovery of remains before resealing the submarine. He also made it a point to not release the location at that time to preclude recreational divers from disturbing the sub as it is a war grave.
I have always wondered how the IJN managed the breakout of Truk through the north channel. I never would have guessed Spruance allowed it to happen. Again thanks for another great tutorial.
Nice job Seth, Bill and Jon. As usual Great work.
Thank you Bill Seth and Jon. I love when they have Jon on as a guest.
Guys! This was a master class by the three of you! I especially appreciated the scholarly insights by John Parshall, the viewpoint of a former Naval Academy graduate and submarine commander, and the well spoken narrative of Seth Paridon. It also dispelled my former beliefs that Truk was the "Pearl Harbor" of the Japanese Navy. It seemed that it was more like a poor man's "Ulithi" in comparison. Let us have the three of you together for the future episodes if we can. I only wish that James Hornfischer could have joined us. His writings were monumental. I shall miss him. This was not just a beating, it was an "Ass whoopin'" in the southern vernacular. Great show!
I was going to write that this could be "The Friendship Onion", and then Jon is here...
Perfection. He was so happy on FB yesterday from finally having walked Mikasa.
About the chase of the Iowas after the Nowaki. 1) It gave valuable gunnery practice to the new crews. 2) It gave Spruance a bit of knowledge about those Long Lances. That would have been embarrassing. 3) At 35 knots, the Nowaki could run away from the Iowas which were running at 31 knots while firing their forward cannons, if allowed to proceed in a straight line. But she could not do that while 16 inch shells were falling all around her. She was forced to zig zag, which slowed her overall forward progress. 4) For an hour, the Nowaki learned that the Americans had full sized battleships that can keep up with a destroyer that was built for speed. One lucky hit and the Nowaki would have been scrap iron and her crew fish food. 5) The Nowaki was obliged to report all of this when she got away.
After Truk, the Japanese knew that the sleeping giant was now wide awake. With new carriers, new and better planes, well trained pilots, and 30 knot battleships.
You HAVE to let one "escape" if you want to send a message to their masters.
It's like The Bride in "Kill Bill" :
"I want them to know everything I know, I want them to know I know they know. And I want them to know they will all be as dead as O-ren Shi is"
Another thought that came to mind that may give some additional credence to Spruance’s actions here was that the surface fleet had been lacking in anti-ship opportunities in recent months and it may be possible their morale was sagging. When considering the major boost the carrier boys were getting by smashing Truk, could it be that Spruance was attempting to have some of the glory be shared? Just playing devil’s advocate.
Woke up this morn. with our first Rude slap in the face by Mr. Winter, I believe everything I own hurts this morning. You fellas though sure pick up my spirits with these fun discussions.
I love the podcast. Even more so when John is participating.
Always a great guest.
But, I'm a bit confused by the statement Japan 'didn't have shipping' to supply Truk. Japan had the world's third largest merchant marine by 1937 (ships 100 GRT and larger) and was just under 6.4 million tonnes in 1941; the gov't had been subsidising the fleet's modernisation throughout the '30s by scrapping old ships and replacing with larger, faster ones. Some of these had been requisitioned by the IJA and IJN to support China ops. Jon is certainly correct that Japan didn't have the funds (especially the hard currency). The national budget increased by about 435% from '31 to '39 and the military was allocated over 70% of spending after the invasion of China commenced. Its diversion of export trade to the yen bloc meant reduced hard currency earnings (needed for import of machinery and some resources) and war mobilisation in '38 further shifted production from dollar-earning exports to military needs. And keep in mind Japan's currency had collapsed in value since 1932, dropping from 2 yen per US dollar to about 4.25 in Dec 1939; the fall from 2 to 5 per $1 happened between Jan '32 and Jan '33, then recovering to 4 for most of the decade. Not only were dollar earnings down, the cost of dollar-denominated imports had increased. This is why Japan tried to strong arm the Dutch in late 1940 to accept payment in yen for 3.15 to 3.8 million tonnes (22 to 26.6 million barrels per annum) of its oil. The Dutch agreed to 1.8 million tonnes (12.67 million barrels) payable in guilders or dollars.
Some of Japan's allocation of resources and manpower was, to put it politely, cockamamie. For example, it built an entire new showcase capital city, Xinjing (Changchun), for Manchuria. Population was 490,000 in 1940. The oil-substitution programme was a massive investment that was a bust. (The Japanese were sitting atop 16 billion barrels of crude in Manchuria and didn't know it.) Conscription was done haphazardly; essential civilian skilled occupations were not identified and exempted from military service. A result was women, students, and Korean labourers working in the coal mines. Domestic coal powered Japan's economy. Lack of hard currency thwarted import of labour saving machinery. Infrastructure and productive investment took higher priority than remote islands. Expansion of the hydroelectric power system and reservoirs allowed Japan to reduce consumption of coal, but this was manpower and resources expended at home and not at Truk. Japan was able to marshal the resources to build massive projects, for example the world's second largest hydroelectric power plant at the Korean-Manchurian border, so it had civil works machinery. Trade-offs. If you look at Japan's 5-year plan drafted and budgeted in '36 and beginning in '37 to ready itself for war w/ the US there was a lot of investment going into productive capacity in both Japan and Manchuria and to a lesser extent Korea. Kwangtung Army's invasion of China in mid '37 threw a spanner into the works. It's interesting that Japan decided on lebensraum-esque imperialism for Manchuria in '31 (and emigration earlier) to deal with an over-populated homeland and by 1940 Japan began to realise it lacked manpower.
In Jon's defence, no one's merchant fleet was prepared for what followed in September 1939, especially after June '40. The entire merchant marine was in disarray (read C. B. A 'Betty' Behrens's _Merchant Shipping and the Demands of War_ for the mess Britain was in.) Twelve nations accounted for 90% of the world's merchant ships. Even Britain, the world's largest at 31% realised a lot of its pre-war trade was carried by foreign bottoms and it didn't have enough of the right kind of ships. The coastal ships that carried most of its imports from Europe, its principal trade partner, were now cut off from Europe's ports and most couldn't be converted to sail the long ocean voyages to the new suppliers. It needed many more blue-water ships to make up this loss and also because it still had to support the Dominion and Commonwealth. More oil tankers were required, and it chartered 150 of Norway's 260 (18% of the world's total) by the end of 1939; it picked up most of the remainder after Germany invaded Norway. Britain also gained most of the Dutch fleet (8th largest including many tankers) and some of the French (7th). The German (5th) and Italian (6th) fleets were bottled up in the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas or interned at neutral ports. The Greek fleet (9th), almost all slow dry-bulk tramp steamers, joined the Allied cause (some chartered by the Swiss) after Greece was invaded. Neutral Sweden (10th) was mixed. Some ships were chartered by the Allies, other remained free agents (for example chartered by the Red Cross), whilst most remained to sail the Baltic and North Sea - the vast majority of Sweden's 240 losses were due to German torpedoes and mines in the North Sea and Atlantic. Due to ridiculous rules about payment, tax, and reserve military training many Swede mariners left Swedish ships to work aboard other nation's vessels. Spain's fleet (12th) was hamstrung by the reduction of oil exports to the nation. The Allies were also aided by the large number of experienced Chinese and Indian merchant mariners employed on these ships.
The addition of the German-occupied states' merchant fleets gave Britain in mid 1940 the largest merchant ever assembled. And it wasn't enough.
Who remained? The US (2nd with 18%). But almost all the US fleet served domestic routes (coastal, Great Lakes, and east-west coasts via Panama) due to the 1915 Seaman's Act that made its merchant mariners the world's most expensive and uncompetitive. Domestic US shipping was restricted to US-flagged vessels, but during wartime Washington relaxed this to allow Canadian ships to transport cargo between America's domestic ports. During the interwar years the majority of US international maritime commerce was carried by foreign bottoms. So, even the US experienced a shortfall, but not as dire as everyone else.
Japan was also affected by this shipping shortage. The Dutch consulted w/ Britain about continuing to use of Dutch-flagged tankers to deliver oil from DEI to Japan in 1940 rather than divert its tankers to wartime efforts. London recommended the Dutch continue serving Japan to avoid upsetting Tokyo enough to precipitate an attack. Yet, even with this and its own tankers, Japan had to use dry-bulk vessels to transport oil and petrol in 55 gallon drums from the US due the to tanker shortage.
Sinking of merchant ships in '39, '40, and '41 including those of neutral states further reduced availability to non-combatant countries like Japan. Small population countries with disproportionately large fleets - Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, and Greece plus a few countries outside the dozen such as Denmark and Belgium - had been covering the major economies' peacetime shipping shortfalls.
When Japan exited the Naval Treaty it was no longer bound by the non-fortification clause as of 31 Dec 1936. It did have about 3.5 years to ship supplies to Truk before the disruption to world shipping began. Though it took about 14 years to complete, in 1937 Japan had at last completed a land survey to determine who owned what land on its Micronesian possessions. Truk is about 1200km due north of Rabaul, and Rabaul was sent supplies. Heck, even Guadalcanal was sent land clearing equipment like bulldozers.
In the 1920s in addition to the copra and sugar grown in the mandate and phosphates mined, Japan found fishing and pearl riches in Micronesia and developed major port facilities at Tanapag, Saipan and Malakal, Palau. A hub and spoke system where outlying islands were exploited and the resources transported to the hub or processing, storage, and packing for shipment to Japan.
Nippon Yusen Kaisha, aka NYK (Japan Mail Steamship Company) the largest steamship line in the empire, had the government contract to act as the principal shipping agent between Japan and the main ports of
Micronesia. Four thousand ton ships like Yokohama Maru, Shizuoka Maru, Yamashiro Maru,
and Yawata Maru..NYK's eastern line sailed from Kobe to Jaluit
Atoll in the Marshalls, by way of Yokohama, Saipan, Truk, Ponape, and Kusaie. By 1940 the total Japanese settler population in Micronesia had climbed to 77,000, up from 20,000 ten years earlier, of which about 4,000 were on Truk. Smaller 400 ton vessels remained in Micronesia to provide more frequent intra-island transport.
It seems Truk's terrain worked in its disfavour. From 1931 to 1941 the military authorities favoured building airfields on the flatter islands, especially the Marshalls, a feature Truk didn't have. Truk's vast lagoon was an asset, for it provided ample room for ships to manoeuvre
under aerial attack, but none of the high islands in the centre and only one or two of the islets on the surrounding reef
were level or large enough for adaptation to military aviation.
If we recall the 'decisive battle' strategy, subs and aircraft would harass and attrit the US fleet to whittle down its numerical advantage. The surface fleet action would be closer to the Japanese home islands.
By the time Japan revised its thinking to attach a higher importance to Truk, it was behind the 8 ball. Rabaul, Guadalcanal, and Port Moresby were more important for the thrust south to cut the lines the communication to Australia. Truk was in a limbo position; not close enough to Japan for the decisive battle and too far from the better than expected front lines that had been attained beyond what the IJN had long planned.
Great podcast. My Tuesday is complete. When I see Jon Parshall or Drach as the guest I'm really happy. Thanks Bill and Seth and Jon.
Great great episode gentleman. John is always such a wonderful addition when he joins you.
Re Mitscher and Spruance Trent Hone (if my memory is correct) makes a pretty compelling argument that one of the major reasons Spruance decides not to unleash the fast carriers at Philippine Sea is because he just doesn’t trust Mitscher. In that respect one does have to wonder if a different Admiral (like McCain) that Spruance did trust would have been turned loose at Philippine Sea. Which makes one wonder if the Navy might have been better off with someone else in command of TF58. In my judgement if the principle commander of a large force doesn’t trust (and with very good reason in this case) one of his most important subordinates then that subordinate needs to go. Given that Spruance had been named to command 5th fleet before Mitscher was given command of the carriers Mitscher should probably have never been given that command. Mitscher certainly did do an excellent job in command of the carriers. But just as Jon has argued in the past that someone else could have stepped in for Turner I’d argue that their are others who could have filled Mitscher’s shoes just as capably.
Re Spruance and the surface engagement. I tend to side with Bill that while this wasn’t well thought out by Spruance it is understandable that he would want to find away to give his surface forces some chance to get into the fight and draw blood. That’s not to say his decision was right just understandable. I don’t agree however that Nimitz would have fired Spruance had Iowa and NJ been torpedoed. Nimitz has a long history of (to his credit) allowing people who screwed up a second chance and given how tight he and Spruance were I’m pretty sure Spruance would have learned his lesson and remained in command. I think we forget sometimes that even the best are human and can and will make mistakes. They just make less of them.
This event though does have to help paint Willis Lee in a better light than some have cast him for refusing the chance to take on the Japanese forces at night with his battle line at Philippine Sea. Lee knew full well just how dangerous an engagement like that could be and knew that his ships had not had the opportunity to do the training required to allow them to operate effectively as a homogenous force. That Lee the Navy’s best surface warrior stood back and let the aviators do their thing should be to his credit. I’m sure in his heart he would loved to have taken his force into battle but he didn’t allow that desire to override cold calculation about what the best way was to get the job done.
On a lighter note I’d like to propose a drinking game for this episode. Everytime Jon says “but we digress let’s smash Truck” or words to that effect you down a shot lol.
Beautiful work guys. Thank You.
Jig Dog Ramage . Didnt get to meet but listened to him at Tailhook 1999. Thanks guys for this and all videos !! BZ
I remember watching the Jacques Cousteau program on Truk Lagoon. Amazing undersea historic project
Another fine episode. Good to see Jon and his input on Truk. Loved it guys!
One thing you guys left out was that Operation Hailstone marked the first night bombing raid by carrier aircraft. 12 radar-equipped TBF-1C Avengers from VT-10 led by Lt Van Eason take off Enterprise. Each loaded with 4x 500lb bombs. They destroyed 2 oilers and 6 Cargo Ships and 6 more cargo ships damaged for the loss of a single Avenger.
More accurately, the USN’s first carrier aircraft night-bombing raid. We must at least give the British credit for doing it earlier!
Seth, Bill with Jon…Excellent episode. Thanks much. S
Truk. Outstanding. I remember watching the National Geographic special on the wrecks in Truk legoon as a kid.
Yes! I remember learning of Truk from "The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau" in 1970.
Of the Cousteau Truk episode (produced by ABC) Wikipedia says -
Truk lagoon in the South Pacific, the site of a fierce battle during WWII, is now home to around 50 sunken Japanese vessels. The crew explores the Pacific lagoon to learn how marine life adapts to foreign matter. The divers discover an uncharted sunken freighter, complete with the skeletons of its long-dead crew.
What I admire about these podcasts is that Seth & Bill never forget the human cost of war and how much the very idea of conflict should be avoided., to the utmost. There are many other YT channels that get obsessed with details and technology of warfare. But in the end, it is about families on all sides being torn apart and the survivors, somehow living the rest of their lives with images in their minds that nobody should have to suffer.
Neil DeGrass-Tyson (discussing relative safety) said that World War 2 killed 1000 people per hour for every hour from 1939 to 1945. I suspect it was even worse than that. Especially when Russia sand China are included.
Correct. Watch our episode on the Atomic Bombs and see how that math affected justification.
@@davidelliott5843 For some reason YT would not show your comment in the default queue!
Bravo guys, Unauthorized History podcast at its best. The two of you plus Parshall is always a combo that works so well.
One tiny bit of trivia related to Parshall's point about Truk being used as a "training target" following Hailstone. I believe this practice was used considerably in the Marshalls for Navy and possibly USMC aviation. Also this approach was used to test out new techniques and equipment. Green pilots would get a taste of live fire attacking bypassed Japanese-held islands. I think the interesting episode of Charles Lindbergh serving as a contract pilot with a Navy F-4U squadron testing the type in a bombing role took place in the Marshalls and involved attacks on bypassed targets.
Still hope to dive the wrecks at Truk some day - but good to know about the book as a "backup plan".
I absolutely love the job you gentleman are doing! Historical truth is pretty important nowadays. Thanks.
Agree, but when or why is historical truth unimportant? I'm sure you did not mean it like it came off.
@@flparkermdpc It’s important.
Another great episode! Pairing up Jon and Bill is great as they bring their different expertise to the history.
You guys are awesome. Thanks for what you do.
I love seeing this channel grow. Fair seas and following winds lads. Big fan from Texas
Jig Dog has to be the coolest name ever. He could sure back it up too! He was a bad ass and retired as a rear admiral. Good to see Jon and as always excellent job guys!!! Y’all make Tuesdays fun!
Like my pappy once told me, never take a swing at someone playing medicine ball catch with Killer Kane.
Jig was the best. True legend in every sense of the word.
"Skull" Stimpson was another badass nickname
Thank you gents. Wonderfully presented. I love history, particularly when done by 3 such
knowledgeable translators of the past.
I spend my entire week anxiously waiting for another episode. You guys are great!
Another excellent video. Thank you.
Comment from the peanut gallery: from the Navy side - Rabaul had been attacked by carriers, but only by two at most. Nothing like the fleet that attacked Truck.
My father served in the Navy in the Pacific, he often talked about Truk. I, until this episode, knew nothing about this battle. Thanks for the impressive work and information.
One of the best episodes so far this season! Always great to have Jon weighing in as well. Great work!
So good to see you back Jon! Seth and Bill...from one of your earliest followers and perhaps your most infamous MacArthur fan...just wanted to say THANK YOU for providing such fantastic content. The entire WWII historical community owes you all a huge debt of gratitude. You all honor the memories and accomplishments of the men you speak about. I can give no greater compliment
Stellar ep guys!
I knew Seth had to be a great guy cause he takes his dog to work. It's always great to see Jon. Saw him with Drach last week going over the wreck Akagi. Wow Bill, I didn't know you are a pilot also. Sub Skipper, TV star, Godzilla movie and a pilot. Never ceases to amaze me. One day I hope you go over the objects and photos on the wall behind you.
Another awesome torpedo Tuesday. Keep em coming.
Bill responding: haven't piloted a plane in over 30 years...
Nice to see Jon Parshall back. I'm surprised that the Japanese did not fortify Truk as they did Rabaul. Seems Truk was not as formidable as it was made out to be. Thank you for another excellent podcast.
Another "well done, fellas". Capt. Toti, should you find yourself here in Annapolis give a shout and I'll stand you to a beer at Middleton's. Heck, I'll spring for a couple dozen oysters too! It's the least I can do to repay y'all for the lessons learned here.
Bill responding: Love Middleton's. Once had a beer with Bruce Springsteen and a few of his guys there, I think in 1976.
Can you 3 be on all the time. Great videos always.
SGT DOUG, RECON, 101ST, RVN 68-69
Just found you guys and have only watched two episodes so far. Subscribed. Thanks.
Fantastic again. Thank you all.
I now enjoy watching your series on a regular basis, I am a generation removed from this action, I was in Vietnam and helped win the cold war against the 9 foot tall Russian, and I even survived Jimmy Carter (President Ret.) great work and I truly enjoy your work.
Captain! I've done many chandelles in my straight-tail 172. It's a climbing, 180-degree turn, finishing just above stall speed. The point is, Vraciu traded energy for altitude. His Pratt 2800 allowed him to out-climb the Zero and subsequently reverse.
Bringing guests like Jon, is one reason this channels episodes are fresh and interesting. Definitely a homeschool friendly channel.
Seth Paridon is actually a Metalhead!!!!
Thank you gentlemen for another episode of this wonderful podcast.
There is one question on my mind, for which I have found no real answer in all the books I have read regarding the Pacific War.
What was the Japanese mindset? Why did they fought this war the way they did?
From my point of view, there were many tactically, operationally and strategically mistakes the Japanese did during the course of the war.
Like comitting available forces piecemeal to a given battle (like Guadalcanal), or making operational plans that left their forces dispersed, without having the chance to support each other.
And they did this until the end of the war. Why? Did they not learn from former mistakes?
Greetings from Germany.
The Axis powers were all completely delusional with regards to their ambitions and their country's capabilities. All three had spent the previous 10 to 15 years preparing for a war which they felt was winnable when it in fact had absolutely no chance of success. The early successes all came from overtaking territories that were basically undefended. These countries had no military to speak of, with the single exception being France and I can't explain how they could be so inept. All of the territory the Japanese overtook was nothing more than sending some troops and saying here we are.
There were a few within the Japanese military High command who were very opposed to the war, and openly against any aggression towards the United States. Ironically, two of the most outspoken also ended up Supreme commanders of the Japanese Navy, Yamamoto and Toyoda.
Within their society, you were bound by honor to die for the emperor unquestioningly. We can debate if that's right or wrong, but that was their mindset. They had literally brainwashed themselves all the way up as high as the emperor himself. The country had no fuel oil, they literally had no fuel for the largest ships in the world. They had no way to move the fuel even if they could have gotten it. They hadn't enough food for their own people. They didn't have the manufacturing capability to replace equipment. They had no raw materials like aluminum and steel, etc. They were counting on all this stuff coming from the conqured territories but it doesn't work that way. They may have been correct in believing that they could deal with the British because the British were already in a war with Germany. But they certainly couldn't overcome the US in spite of the us having I think the 17th largest military in the world at the time they attacked Pearl harbor. The only reason it wasn't bigger was because the US didn't want to spend money, shall I say waste money, on Military hardware. It wasn't that they didn't have it to spend, it just wasn't prudent to build up a military for a country that had no intention of going to war. But the Japanese underestimation of dealing with America cannot be overstated. From top to bottom, they had absolutely no clue what they were getting into.
That is not far removed from the attitude of the Germans or Italians as well. Going back as far as the Kaiser at the turn of the century, I want to say that for about 20 years he had people actively investigating what would it take to INVADE the United States. You heard that right, the same country that couldn't invade England, 24 miles away in 1941, actually wasted resources planning how to somehow circumvent England on their way to INVADING the United States. ???? Now if that doesn't come under the heading of delusional, I don't know what does. When that didn't work out, they started World War 1 instead.
you said a thing that my Dad said more than once. Discretion is the better part of valor. I love you for this! Keep doing good history, keep true and real. THANKS,.
Great job guys!
Gentlemen: Another great episode. It is so nice to see these other operations, that just don't typically get the the press ,get the extensive coverage you are providing.
Another excellent episode. Jon is always a fine guest.
He has returned with his famous wallpaper.
Fantastic shirt standoff between Jon and Bill too. We're doing it in style here
You guys are the model for the icing on the cake of WW2 history...
I love all your episodes but especially enjoy the ones with Jon Parshall.
So do we.
Excellent presentation Seth, Captain and one of my favorites Jon. I agree Spurance exposed his surface ships for no apparent reason. However I believe that the plan was for the warships to clean up any ships attempting escape. The brown shoes were justifiably peeved. It remains a head scratcher. Thanks so much I enjoy your videos. You're appreciated.
Hello. I stumbled across your videos when I was watching Drachinefel's video series. The first ones I saw were the couple on Tarawa. As an avid amateur historian I love your videos and your guest commentators. I subscribed to your channel and started at the beginning, working my way up to your most current. I just finished the Cactus Air Force video. It may take me a while, but I will eventually get caught up. Of course I have watched your new ones that came along after I subscribed. Keep up the great work. Greetings from San Angelo, TX.
i had the pleasure of diving the wrecks of Truk Lagoon in December 1998... man that was a life time ago. Awesome to get to see some of those wrecks. They have been preserved and it really is a world class diving site just for the sheer number of wreck dives available. If you are a diver, its well worth the time, effort and energy to visit Chuuk.
I truly enjoyed the episode as always!!!!
Great show gentlemen.
ANNNND another trio of favorite UA-cam contributors! Thank you!!
1976, Jr.ROTC in high school we watched a DoD produced movie (35 mm reel-to-reel Baby), on the "Liquidation" of Truk Island. The amount of steel on the bottom of the Lagoon defies description.
Just listened all the way through. That was soooo cathartic. I had previously enjoyed the Solomon Islands series, and Tarawa, but it made the war seem horrifying. (Which it was!) But this was a delightful reminder that we did in fact win, lol!
You guys are awesome and thanks so much. My dad was a WW2 vet and was DDay plus 30 and was shot after crossing the Moselle River on 9/11 of all days….I’ve always viewed WW2 from the European point of view and you have really opened my mind and curiosity about the other 50% of the fighting that took place!!!! I love your channel and Seth is so into it and knowledgeable. Bill is an American hero! Love this and I don’t know how the heck I got to see this series in the first place, but I love it. Is there anyway that you get an expert like John when the Pacific campaign is over and do one on the European theatre? My dad was shot in the Metz debacle and by war’s end ended up in what is now known as the Czech Republic linking up with Russians….love you guys and thank you!!!
Jon Parshall is very good, despite being a bit clingy about Japanese carriers 🙂, good stuff again 👍
So proud the New Jersey is mentioned. So proud of all who served aboard her.
Havent commented in a while but have like and watched most every episode! Always great to see Jon on here, really a great chemistry between historians and friends when he's on! I loved to here the Callsign from Spruance, very patriotic! Great episode as always ❤
Another enlightening gem!
One of my favorite channels. Both my father and father in law were carrer navy. Dad joined shortly after pearl. Dad in law did too. Both retired in the 60s.
The knowledge shared here is emense sip of water from a fire gose.
Always great to see and hear Jon Parshall. His ability to articulate with clarity and a relaxed tone to his voice is something I enjoy very much. I don't know if this was postwar or during the war, Truk was supposed to be known as the "Gibraltar of the Pacific". Thanks to your podcast I am learning that this was not the case. Are there any particular book titles about this raid you can recommend? Thanks again for this great series of shows! Keep it coming please! 👍🙂
Great rapport between the fella’s, I especially enjoy how passionate Seth is when he speaks about the fallen heroes of WW2 that he met, befriends and deeply respects
Great episode, gentlemen. Illuminating & enjoyable.
Grew up in the fifties. My dad & maternal grandfather were Navy veterans of the Pacific campaign & several of my teachers were WWII vets. Thank you for your scholarship & insights.
Subscribed.
As a true history geek I find your episodes riveting. So much so I find it more and more difficult to push the pause button when necessary to get some really important stuff done. This is just just too good. I'll figure something out. I have a passion for accurate history (WWII in particular) and this the best yet. Keep it coming.
Excellent! Very entertaining and informative!
On an edge of one of the runway was an American Marine, Greg Boynton had been captured earlier and had been flown in to Truck trust before the raid started.
This history might be unauthorized, but it certainly is authoritative. Thanks a lot, guys!
Another fantastic episode! And it is always such a pleasure to see and hear from Jon Parshall. I am reading the book 'Battleship' (which was due to your recommendation), and I am at the place where it is just about to hit Truk. I am at the spot where the Indiana runs into the Washington (causing fairly serious damage). So, now I am really looking forward to what it has to say about this operation, although the Washington may not have been involved due to its damage in the 'collision'.
As with reading the book 'Battleship', listening to your guys, with all the details, made me feel almost like I was there. You deliver such detail about the events, the results, and so much of whom did what. And Jon's knowledge adds so much to it all. What a great episode!
Before February 1944, the US Navy thinking about Truck, was like the big old house on the next block over where that old lady lived and today is Halloween and you're scared to go there. Once there, it turns out the old lady was really nice and gave you the best candy.
Great to hear more on Truk, my grandfather was a Seabee and stationed there at the end of the war part of the occupation force. He was on Weno. He would have loved this episode.
The only surface engagement the Iowa class had during WWII.
Great show as usual.
Excellent episode as always gentlemen, Jon is always a great guest and I can't wait to see further collaboration with him and other guests in the future. I'm looking forward to next weeks episode.
Shooting ducks in a barrel? Were sitting fish watching? Another great podcast, enjoy all you do.