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The Purest, Most Badass Carrier Aviation Movie Ever
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- Опубліковано 10 лип 2021
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20th Century Fox called "The Fighting Lady" a "newsdrama" when it was released in 1944, and it lives up to that label in that it covers the details of carrier warfare in the Pacific Theater during World War II very accurately and provides plenty of drama with the use of real combat footage. The result is the purest, most badass carrier aviation movie ever.
My uncle was a SB-2C Helldiver Pilot aboard the Yorktown. Unfortunately, he was reported MIA over Guam on June 14, 1944. He never returned. Thanks for sharing this movie.
My father on the Yorktown, circle the names in his Yorktown CV-10 books of the pilots that never came back.
God bless your uncle's soul.
The officer identified as "Jocko" is actually Joseph James "Jocko" Clark, a Cherokee, and first Native American to graduate from Annapolis in 1917 and achieve the rank of full admiral. Clark earned renown as a pioneer in naval aviation and carrier-attack strategy, having served as task group commander during WW2 and Commander Seventh Fleet during the Korean War.
Sir,you can ghost write ✍, or,copy Google while changing just a few words,and some,putting in your own words! Congratulations,
William, Thanks for the info, very interesting.
I was the CCA officer on CV 10 circa 1966. Jocko came on board for the last change of command of the Fighting Lady. He gave each officer in the Wardroom an autographed copy of his book. One my cherished possessions
Jocko Clark was referred to as Patton of the Pacific. He was from Pryor, Oklahoma and yes he was Cherokee. He is mentioned in the movie "Midway" during the bar scene.
Hand Salute!
My father served in the Philipeans during WWII. WOW what a battle. Love you, DAD. We owe you a lot.
I was aboard the Yorktown in 1968 for the Apollo 8 recovery and we transported most of the aircraft used in the movie Tora, Tora,, Tora, it was a memorable cruise for a wingnut such as me. I started my Naval Career aboard the USS Intrepid with F4D Skyray in VF-74 and we were the first operational squadorn in the Navy to get the F4H Phantom in 1961. I ended my career aboard the USS Oriskany with VAW 111 Det 34 flying the
E1B Tracker. I miss the Navy and carrier ops.
I was assigned to DE-361 USS Walton in 1967 and walked past the USS Oriskany at Hunter's Point, before it went into dry dock to get the fire damage repaired. I don't know the precise dimensions but that hole in the port side of the hanger deck made me stop and gawk at it for quite a while. They were very fortunate to not lose the ship!
One of her (Oriskany) anchors is part of a park in Oriskany, NY. Three also an A4 there.
After her service to recover the Apollo, she was transferred to the Atlantic Fleet to replace the USS Randolph (CVS-15) which had been retired. On the first cruise she had 1/3 old Yorktown crew, 1/3 old Randolph crew and 1/3 new crew. We would sit in the ready room between flights watching video of Tora, Tora, Tora shot aboard the Yorktown as the video had been used to record the take off (mock Japanese aircraft from modified T-6 Texans). We also enjoyed the air conditions officers quarters (only Sr. Officers on the Randolph had A/C).
Although all the Essex class were built basically from the same plans, over the years of modifications and upgrades there were barely two that were the same.
One of the strange things I saw was the USS Ranger CV-61 dockside in San Diego. On fire, black smoke on one end. And liberty call on the other end.
Also in that during same period in SD. Came back from liberty and immediately had to man a hose. I was on a frigate on the opposite side in 32nd Street.
The carrier used to be docked opposite on the Coronado Amphib Base
My Dad flew off of an escort carrier in the Pacific in WWII. He was the turret gunner on the TBM Avenger. He had some very intense stories to tell. RIP Dad!!
@@cbbees1468 CVE-77 USS Marcus Island.
@@cbbees1468 yup!! Marcus Island was there. She took a direct hit from one of Yamato’s 18 inch guns, but the shell didn’t detonate and passed through the ship and out the bottom.
My dad served as a turret gunner for VT-10 on CV-6 The Big E 1943 -44and last on Intrepid 1944-45 . I am thankful for all of the men who gave up their lives for our freedom.
The freakin' YAMATO!!
@@fredvanduyne8684 Thank you to these men and may Jesus welcome them and shed His grace on them as they entered the Kingdom of Heaven. 🙏😥🇺🇸 ✝
My dad was Lt.Jg of a wildcat fighter squadron in WWII. He survived, obviously, because i'm here!
Anyways, the Lex was very close in construction and it was a real thrill to visit her in Corpus Christi. I went to the bow where my dad told me was the pilot berths, and he actually had flown onto that carrier, and what a weird thrill to see those bunk beds and to think he'd slept in one of them!
And I thank him for those flying genes. I can fly just about anything and my greatest thrill is landing at the airport in St.Bart's and piloting a small plane river flying in the mountains at about 30'.
This movie richly deserves a 4k restoration.
At 85+ years of age, I thoroughly enjoy your presentations about WW2 armaments and ships and the aircraft. My son-in-law's father won a Navy Cross for his participation in the Battle of Leyte Gulf when he bombed a Japanese aircraft carrier that eventually sank. He was a Naval Reserve Officer and was in service long enough to participate in the Korean War, too, but as a Chaplin - the most highly decorated chaplin in the Navy during that conflict.
@@alexanders5087 That would follow.
@@alexanders5087 The answer is that he was ordained a minister within the 5 years between the two wars.
Many veterans of WWII took up a religious vocation upon surviving that brutal and horrific war.
Great breakdown on the movie. Keep the WW2 Naval aviation episodes coming. This really shows what it was like. My dad was an aviation machinist mate aboard the USS Wasp CV-18 in the last few months of the war, he is still going strong at 94. He enlisted when he was 17. He was almost wiped out by a Kamikaze in the last few days of the war. All the old salts told the young guys to run to the bow during a Kamikaze attack because the pilot will be aiming for the island and if he misses, he will miss aft. This wasn’t the case in this incident, as the kamikaze was hit at the last moment and missed the Wasp off the bow narrowly missing my dad. He has so many stories just from his couple months in action, I can’t imagine some of the stories the guys who were on carriers for a few years would be able to tell.
God bless all the WW2 vets who are leaving this world now at a fast pace. May we never forget…
Why not just show the film?
Dear Ward, want to express my deep gratitude and appreciation for the historic, procedural and technical background you interspersed into the viewing of this extraordinary film. In all humility I think that’s the utmost and best way to honor and respect the people who played their true life parts in making of this movie, even until their ultimate sacrifices, through which our petty souls enjoy the freedoms these folks fought for.
Retired Aussie Armoured Corps soldier here. My knowledge of things Navy is minimal and this vid is fantastic to get the commentary to explain what is happening and who's who in the zoo on the carrier. Thank you Mr Carroll.
My grandfather is actually in the picture with the airplane burning at 21:48. That is actually a fire being fed by engine oil. He said when those airplanes overheated, the back, bottom cylenders would crack and catch fire. He made friends with the photographer and 6 months after the war ended, he got a signed copy of the finished movie in the mail. The priest that married him and my grandmother followed him in all his assignments and they both came home together. He says having Father Moody with him is the reason he never got hurt even though 2 off the carriers he was on got sunk.
Great movie and great breakdown!!!
My grandmother passed a few years ago at 92 and we found my grandfather’s medals. He was an officer in the Army Air Corps (crypto, apparently) but was imbedded with the Marines in the Pacific. He island hopped all the way to Japan, including Iwo Jima. As an Air Force veteran I was stunned by his medals!!! They are the medals you only see in books, Ward!!! We had no idea (he died in ‘75, heart attack 2 weeks before he was due to retire from the Air Force Reserve as a major…I was 4).
Truly, the greatest generation 🇺🇸
The Greatest Generation...Men and Women....My Father and one of his brothers served in the Navy WW2 the other brother was a Bomber pilot....none of them ever talked about it much...and then when they did it was very late in their life if questioned maybe . I always thought they did not wish to think of those friends lost during that war that did not get to live their young life....
@@harveymushman2219
So I'm gonna assume by your UA-cam name that you ride motorcycles.
You know this year is the 50th anniversary of On Any Sunday don't you?
Hard to believe it's been 50 years, this months AMA magazine has it on the cover and the entire magazine this month is dedicated to the fact that it's OAS's 50th anniversary.
Still the greatest motorcycle documentary ever made hands down.
What were the medals/ribbons awarded him?
@@harveymushman2219 Quite possibly so. Nothing like combat to forge very close relationships; brothers. 😔
@@dukecraig2402 Wow. Until I saw this post I didn't think about it. I watched that movie in the theater when I was in high school. I watched it again a couple months ago on one of the streaming services. I don't remember for sure which one.
My father was a PBY/PBM driver out of Kaneohe NAS in ‘44/45. His brother, my uncle, was a navy radioman who landed with the Marines on Kwajalein. When I was little, the three of us went to the local theater who was screening this movie and he narrated that portion in the movie that showed the landing there. God I wish I had a tape recorder with me. Years later for my high school graduation, my father and I took a three week trip visiting many of the famous battlefield islands in the Pacific including Kwajalein. I have pictures of us standing on that exact beach which we shared with my uncle when I got back. That trip was a highlight of my life! Anyway, I thought I would share that story. Thank you for the great content, I never miss an episode
You....my friend, not only served this country...but you still are, with this wonderful work you're doing.
God bless you! Please!...keep up the fine work. Thanks
Thank You Young man, for this show. And for your service to our great country.❤
My Father was on the Big E during the campaigns the film featured. The men in that task force are honored everyday by their children watching their bravery in awe.
The Most decorated naval ship, the Enterprise. Should have saved that carrier. Battleship New Jersey, second most decorated, serves as a museum ship.
The CAG bringing his plane aboard with blood and parts of his face all over the cockpit is one of the most badass things I've ever seen.
You talking about the F14 pilot after the birds radome flew off and into the canopy? I just stumbled on that video earlier today and holy moly.
It's not wonder that legend became an astronaut.
that footage was beyond hardcore. The skill and cool required to land on a carrier in that condition is incredible.
What a moving tribute to the heroic men who saved America from hostile, fascist nations. We need many more men just like them today. Thank you for your great videos about our warriors who fight in the sky.
Which countries exactly?
I have fond memories of the "Lady". I served on her in the early 60's. Also, I have taken Scout Troops down to Charelston to spend a couple of nights on board. I give them a very complete tour.
Hello Ward - Bravo Zulu for a great narration on the Fighting Lady. I am a retired Navy helo pilot (deployed on USS Ticonderoga in '74), live in the Charleston area and have been a volunteer on the Yorktown for six years. We recently started giving guided tours on the ship and I always remind our guests to watch The Fighting Lady after they tour the ship to get a feel for what it was like in those early years. We have a Hellcat, Avenger, Dauntless and Wildcat among others on display. (Also a Tomcat!)
1974 is closer to WW2 than it is to 2022.
My uncle Jimmy served as a medic, through out WW2, on the carrier Tigonderoga. At 14 yrs.old he deployed to the S. Pacific.. yep 14. He was a wonderful man and a very smart man. He taught me so much about so many things.. but most of all about science. That was his passion.
My youngest son who is now 19 spent the night aboard the USS Yorktown, with his Scout troop a few years ago, they loved it very much and came back telling some stories of its history. As a Navy vet of Vietnam, I don't quite have the emotion about my war as I do for my parents war, they were literally fighting for the survival of the free world and I am forever grateful for them.
When I was a kid my scout troop stayed on an old navy ship. I don't remember which one because that was one of the monthly campouts that I happened to miss.
@@jakem.1587 Scouting used to be a great thing, my youngest son the one that stayed on the Yorktown, was very close to getting his Eagle rank, quit because of changes made on social and moral grounds, he said the pledge had become a lie.
@@AdamosDad we was old school BOY Scouts. Moms was allowed to help behind the scenes kinda way but they had to go sit in the waiting room with the rest of the moms during our meeting. The dads was allowed to sit in the meeting and go on the camp outs and be fully involved. And that's what made me fall out of it. My scout master was getting up in age so the parents was stepping in for their little turd and I was one of 3 kids in the troop whose dad wasn't involved... Your not supposed to argue with parents about why you tormented they're special boy the night before, or something like that. Basically it turned into When the scout master was away the dads would take advantage of it, and I got fed up with it.
@@jakem.1587 I actually went on a few big ones (campouts) they had great leaders, I never had a reason to argue with boy scout leaders since one was my father-in-law and another a very good friend. That son is twenty now and I'm 73 so at my age I didn't go on hikes and such but had a good time. Our troop finally dissolved when the gay/girl/ scout financial thing came down the pike. It was a great thing in bygone years.
@@AdamosDad I was the one sneaking into the staff campsite to party with em. It was alot of good fun and I learned a whole bunch, but like I said your not supposed to argue with a group of parents ganging up on you because you didn't something to the kid. Your supposed to be sleeping with one eye open because your terrified of how the parents is going to retaliate on you for switching out their denture glue with Ben Gay.
I have watched WWII movies, documentaries, anything I found on WWII for reasons I can only describe as feeling compelled. I have NEVER watched anything so throughly explained as this post on this channel. This 72 year old Grandmother (MIL of current airman) thanks you SO much 😊!
Thanks Ward for this awesome presentation.
It clearly makes it easy to see why this was our greatest generation. These guys were more badass than most of us will ever be in our entire lives. They had a job to do and they went over there and did it.
When the job was done, those that were lucky enough to survive the war came home and returned to their lives.
I also found it interesting to see the many aircraft in this presentation that were damaged upon landing. The clips which we've seen used over and over in war movies many times. Just like you mentioned Ward watching all those spinning propellers makes you realize what a dangerous environment the flight deck of an aircraft carrier is when planes are being launched and recovered. The same holds true now as it did then. I once worked with a gentleman who served in the Navy and had spent time serving aboard an aircraft carrier. He told me his first time on the flight deck during recovery and launching was the scariest moment of his entire life.
Ward, you are absolutely correct, this is the most badass carrier aviation movie ever! I have seen bits of this gun camera footage over the years in many movies and documentaries, but this puts it all together into one flaming furball. I'm in my early 70's, retired from the USNR as an Airedale in 1996, and had the pleasure of knowing many of the Greatest Generation personally, including my Dad and Mom, who both served in the Army in WW2. Dad landed at Utah Beach with the 4th Armored Division, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and was first into Bastogne to "rescue" (his words) the 101st Airborne, wounded twice, ended the war as a German POW after breaking open the Hammelburg POW camp where Patton's son-in-law was being held. Mom was an ATC who trained new pilots for the duration of the war. They both had stories, but as most of that generation, did not talk much about it. An uncle flew 40 missions over Germany with the 8th Air Force. I knew a number of their Army Buddies, who were all unassuming, "just doing the job".They're part of the reason we're not speaking German today.
When I first went from Active Duty to the Reserves in 1981, there were a bunch of Senior 1st class Petty Officers at Point Mugu in the Reserves, and transferred from North Island to Point Mugu in early 82. Back then in 1982, over half of the old 1st class Sailors were approaching the mandatory retirement age of 60. I was an E-4 and was talking to one of the old Salts. He asked me if I had ever watched any old war movies where there is a hellcat with collapsed landing gear sliding down the flight deck and hits the island. I told him I had,. He said if you look and see the guy in the fire suit diving into the open hatchway, it is me. He said at first he was going to run around the back side of the island and realized he would not make it so he turned to start running forward and spotted the open hatchway and dove in. Every time I see this scene I think back to when he told me the story. To bad I do not remember his name, he is just one of the many great Sailors I had the privilege to have met in my 41 year career. I should have kept a journal just to remember their names and the sea stories they told me.
Knew a couple them fellas to mid to late 80s. Think both of them had broken service. Got out in late 40s then come back in mid 50s or Korea.
Ive seen that clip a hundred times and have always wondered what was going through his mind.
@@h.r.puffnstuff8705 AT1 Herbert Henderson was in my unit NAS Barbers Point and NAS Cubi when Barbers Point moved to BP, he was a Marine in Korea. He was at the big Chinese attack somewhere in the middle of winter. He said they fired their M14's so much the barrels were glowing red. During any lull they were using their rifles to warm their hands.
@@CFarnwide it was an almost a Wright engine...
@@GM-fh5jp his spider senses were working overtime that day!
this was a great movie to see when I was young. It was one of the movies my father and I watched on Sunday afternoons. My dad was born in June 1940, and grew up during this period, and into the 1950s. Listening to my dad describe parts of these movies, particularly how the planes operated on the carriers, got my interest for Naval Aviation in a huge way. I graduated high school in 1990, and needless to say, I just could not wait for graduation and report for training at San Diego three days after my graduation. No summer vacation for me.
There are quite a few stories of sailors walking into spinning propellers and losing life and limb. 🤕
@@jamesburns2232 Hazards of the job. We always had our heads on a swivel on the flight deck. Situational awareness is big up there.
@@jamesburns2232... one of the flight deck crew on the Dolittle raid did exactly that
Mooch, I live in South Carolina and I have been to the Yorktown many times. My sons now 25 and 43 were fortunate enough to spend a weekend on her with their Cub Scout troop. I was with them as well and I would not want anyone to miss such an opportunity with their sons. What a treasure CV 10 is for our state and nation. I am taking my 6 year old grandson to visit BB64 Wisconsin in Norfolk this April. He already knows her as Bug Whisky and he knows about the Temper-Temper story from Korea. I feel a personal responsibility to teach my sons and grandson something about our naval history because our schools certainly will not teach it. By the way they show this movie on board CV10 and both my boys got to watch it on their overnight visits.
Just a few weeks ago I spent a night on the USS Hornet in Alameda, CA with my 9yo son and his Cub Scout Pack. It was quite an experience! Glad to hear Scouts have been doing this all over the country for some time now.
My Father was on the USS Franklin during the horrible attack that took her out of service and sent her back to NY. He was also on the USS Saratoga and the USS Boxer too. He was a Supply Officer, went in at 17 and came out 22 years later as a Commander in Aviation Supply. I spent nine years in the US Air Force on the KC 135 and KC 10 as a Boom Operator. Loved every day of it. Thank you for your videos and stories, in joy each of them.
Boom Operator....I would have liked to experience doing that. I was a crew chief on F-4s but always thought that being a boomer or a B-52 tail gunner would be pretty cool ! :)
My grandfather served as communication officer on the Franklin. After getting it back to NY he served on the Randolph for the rest of the war. I can tell as he was very hard on my dad and brothers he was very kind to me. My dad said the war really made him very hard. I miss Grandad dearly.
Great rundown of an awesome era. As a now retired 31 year veteran of the RAAF I appreciate what the generation before us had to push through. Thanks so much Ward.
First, thank you sir for your service. Fantastic video and narration. Your insight as an Naval aviator and historian truly helped me see things I would have otherwise missed. My grandfather flew with VF-27 and was an Ace. Absolutely the greatest man in my life….I have missed him the last 20 years. Watching these videos makes me think of how brave and and his fellow crew was during this time. Like others, he didn’t talk much about the war, but he would answer my questions if I asked. Him having to jump off and swim away from a smoking Princeton is a story I will never forget. Please keep up the amazing work….it is appreciated!!
I have no doubt your grandfather would have been a very interesting man to discuss his Navy days with. Sorry for your loss.
I SERVED ABOARD THE YORKTOWN IN 1965 AS A MEMBER OF CARRIER AIR GROUP 55 IN A WESTPAC TO VIET NAM. I HAVE BEEN TO PATRIOTS POINT THREE TIMES, I AM NOW A RETIRED US NAVY PERSON. LOVE THE NAVY.
I’ve taught at 4 different universities for 21 years, and lectured at numerous universities & symposiums, but you’d make a phenomenal professor that could bridge dynamics of war college for civilian universities interested in military history. Your extremely charismatic & have great wisdom, I received my PhD in public administration, but I love researching WW2, my 5 uncles were in WW2, however my father was the youngest of 16 kids, and joined the Marine Corps in 1949 & served in Korea, he was only a Buck Sergeant (3stripes w/a deer & antlers in the chevrons) stayed in the reserves & went to Vietnam in 1965. I never researched anything about the Korean Conflict, Or Vietnam, however father had a lung taken out in Inchon Harbor Navy hospital ship, but stayed in the reserves
& my 17YO brother was killed in Vietnam in 1974 he was only a PFC Marine, and lost 11 first cousins, all Marines in the 60’s & 70’s. I was never in the military I’m 57 & was on selective service, but I was already in college at 17, mother was a professor & wasn’t going to loose any more sons to the Corps, so she pushed my other brother & sister to finish grad school with a JD or PhD.
Thank your wonderful family for service and sacrifice to our country!
@Jester Flight, that was an interesting story of Your family and relatives who served in various units and various branch's, at various times.... I had heard the term 'Buck Sergeant' before, and always thought that this vintage slang description was always the entry - level position of the numerous stages of the various levels of the 'Sergeant' ranking status in various branch's of the U.S. military services.... In the Marines, when I was in ('82-'86) , The privates (E-1) had no rank symbols, and they were of a basic entry level status. The Private first class (E-2) has 1 inverted Chevron. The Lance/Corporal's (E-3) have 1 inverted Chevron and Crossed Rifles underneath the Chevron. Corporals (E-4) have 2 inverted chevrons with Crossed Rifles underneath. The basic entry level (E-5) rank of Sergeant has crossed-rifles just below the 3 inverted chevrons, the (E-6) rank of Staff Sergeant has the 3 inverted chevrons with a single upward arced bar (a rocker) underneath the chevrons and crossed rifles in that area between the chevrons & the rocker... Gunnery Sergeants (E-7) had 2 rockers , and 3 chevrons again with the crossed rifles in the middle... Master Sergeants (E-8) had the 3- Chevrons, 3- rockers with crossed rifles in the middle... First Sergeants (E-8) Had the 3 Chevrons 3-Rockers and a Diamond shape in the middle...Master- Gunnery Sergeants (E-9) had the 3 chevrons, 4- rockers and a symbol of a bursting bomb in the middle... Sergeant Majors (E-9) had 3-Chevrons 4-Rockers and a Star ⭐ in the middle... And the highest ranking enlisted person in the Marine Corps is the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps (E-10) 3-chevrons 4-Rockers an Eagle/Globe & Anchor symbol in the center with 2 small stars flanking it... But I have NEVER heard of or seen ANY uniform of ANY branch of the U.S. military, at ANY time having the symbol of a deer & antlers , on the enlisted rank status badges ... Do you happen to know which branch of the U.S. military service, had a deer & antlers on the rank status badges?... Do you happen to know which unit your 17 y/o PFC brother was in, during his time in Viet-Nam back in 1974? What was his MOS? That is tragic what happened to him, especially since he was killed quite awhile AFTER the U.S. completely pulled - out ALL U.S. TROOPS (and several of their local refugees) of that conflict in late March of 1973... Was he an MIA or a POW? I'm thinking that he is guarding the gates, for he is serving in heaven at this time... Thank for that enlightening / uplifting story of all of Your courageous family members and relatives who paid the ultimate sacrifice, so that free people can remain living in freedom... God bless all of those brave people, who died in the various military services, and those brave civilians assisting those military units, who also paid the ultimate sacrifice, in a gallant effort , to defend our freedom... They should NEVER be forgotten....
My dad was a US Marine attached to the USS Intrepid and was in the movie “ The Fighting Lady “……great movie. I have the news paper clippings where they interviewed my dad…..my dad is at 14:34 writing a letter home…..his battle station was the port side forward gunnery tub, and he was seriously wounded on 25 Nov 1944 when the kamikazis hit the Intrepid……
Wow! What a family heirloom.
Semper Fi
Thank your dad for his service for me from a fellow Marine.
That’s awesome, thank you for sharing with us.
Please, for the sake of your family’s future generations, make sure you take every precaution to preserve this family heirloom! Hell, personally I’d suggest you take it to a framing company that has experience with matting and framing pictures/letters for preservation.
They will use special low/no acid backgrounds and matting, as well as glass designed to block UV light to help prevent fading of the ink and paper. This is especially important with news print as it’s not really meant for archival use, as the vast majority of it goes straight into the trash.
If your in a small town there might not be one without driving and hour or so, but you could ask any local historical society, or museums who they use, as they may know someone fairly close or possibly even someone local who does a professional job as a sideline. But even if it takes a couple hour drive, it’s well worth it.
Pictures!!
In 1985, I was honored to have visited this lady. Words can not describe the emotions I felt that day.
As a combat Vet there will never be a generation like them. I can't imagine being on the beaches of normandy on June 6. What a nightmare that must have been! Great Movie, keep up the great work. Thank You
My family severed on both sides, my Japanese mother had family in the IJN and IJA and my American father had family in the Army, Army Air Corp and Navy and I served in the USN in the mid 70's on board the aircraft carrier USS Independence, CV-62 and my father is retired USAF!
Dang, you definitely collected more stories than the usual kids did.
All respect and honor to you and your family sir. You are all heroes. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Great insight into a most interesting (and terrible) time
Must make for interesting family gatherings!! Just kidding,soon as we all accept we're one global family, the better.
"Severed" is the right word for your family!
My father and Uncle each graduated from the Naval Academy. My Dad took his commission in the Air Force as there was no Air Force Academy at that time. My Uncle was a naval aviator who flew the Crusader off of aircraft carriers. These men immediately followed WWII and understood duty, honor and the cost of war. 🇺🇸
Thanks for sharing this Ward. When I joined the Air Force in the Spring of '74 all of us new to RECON watched a film "Alone Unarmed and Unafraid" showing RF4 pilots running recon missions in Vietnam. They would come back all shot up and so shook up that they had to pull some of the pilots out of the cockpit and help them down. Those were some brave souls.
I’ve been to that museum (it’s called “Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum”). It’s fascinating. They also have a destroyer there, the USS Laffey, which has its own unique WWII story, and there’s a post-WWII submarine called the Clamagore. Certainly worth a visit.
I couldn’t agree more, best badass war move ever, due to the use of real war fighters, in the air and on ship.
A gentleman that lived near my parents in the 60’s was a WWII LSO and went overboard several times to avoid in coming aircraft. Support ships picked him up pretty quick.
My brother in-law, survived a arresting wire breakage during Viet Nam, really messed up his leg and was in hospital for a long time.
Them "support ships" were destroyers, likely Fletchers, that in fact was their job, to pick up guys like him or pilots who chose to ditch alongside, usually being too battle damaged to safely come aboard.
A destroyer was also referred to by her crew as a 'Tin Can", because she had no armor to speak of; speed they told us, was better than armor anyway- and if you're a 19 year old kid, you bought it. When you saw a sailor strolling down a street, his Dixie Cup hat planted on the rear quarter of his skull in a rakish manner, you were looking at a guy who considered himself a better mariner than any of his contemporaries in the fleet- a cut above. Tin Cans were Blue Water vessels, Tin Cans were Brown Water vessels, Tin Cans could fight in littoral waters, Tin Cans could fight in estuary waters, Tin Cans could plane guard carriers and rescue pilots, and sometimes the occasional hapless crewmen who went overboard. He could ride out 26 foot seas and still do his job, even if it meant walking on the bulkhead of a passageway as she rolled with the sea, feeling her throb and shimmy as she settled back into the waters after her screws breached an impossibly deep trough and bit their way back in. And then there were the nights; a calm sea, looking over the side, only a few feet above the waterline, seeing the warm glow of bioluminescence streaming by as the ship peacefully steamed ahead on an easy 1/3 bell, the whine of forced draft blowers sounded reassuring while feeding the boilers combustion air as you walked by an engineering hatch , you couldn't help but fall in love with a life like that, and no matter how old you get, it's always just a memory away.
I, a Tin Can Sailor, a Snipe '69- '73
@@BeachsideHank thank you
@@BeachsideHank - Thank You Hank, for an eventful exposé of naval Tin Can running; said so very Eloquently 👍🏼
We live in Charleston and took my dad, now deceased, on a tour of the Yorktown when he and my mom visited us. Dad was an army air corps master sergeant at age 23 at the end of WW2. Indeed, they were the "Greatest Generation." That was a terrific 'You Tube' presentation. Waitng for more on the exploits of "Punk."
Great video as always! Small correction. The plane at 3:20 is a SB2C Helldiver. It was the replacement to the SBD Dauntless that pilots hated for a variety of reasons.
I noticed he keeps calling the SB2C a TBM throughout the video. :-)
My War Thunder "Oh no, gunpods diving" senses were tingling when I saw its ghastly silhouette
Yeah having locking pins made of white metal and randomly losing wings in flight will do that to a reputation.
@ 11:57 He even miss'IDs a Hellcat as TBM. Ward must really like the TBM.
Isn't that the reverse? I though the Helldiver was the one the crews hated, They called it the son-of-a-b**** 2. The Dauntless was called Slow-but- deadly.
Patriots Point, in Charleston, SC, is an amazing place to visit. In addition to all of its historic carrier aircraft, many parts of the ship are accessible for walk-throughs. Really amazing to see how complex a machine a WW2 aircraft carrier really was. Also they have an amazing Vietnam-era base camp with real equipage as well as the destroyer USS Laffey (DD-724), a Sumner-class destroyer and the USS Clamagore (SS-343), a GUPPY III-class submarine. It can't be done in one day, so make a weekend of it. And while you're at it, take one of the ferry boats out the the Fort Sumter National Monument. What can I say but we've got a ton of history in this town! Come see us!
And, a lot of great restaurants !
My late brother-in-law was a crewman aboard Yorktown II and was at Leyte Gulf and Okinawa....his brother was aboard Indianapolis and had appendicitis at Pearl Harbor and was hospitalized missing ships movement before the fateful voyage
Thank you for the info, I'm putting this on my list, 24 month list that is!
Clamagore is gonna be scrapped.
My USAR unit was privileged to be the ceremonial hosts of a gathering on the Yorktown of most of the living Medal of Honor recipients 15 or so years ago. One of the most awe inspiring and humbling experiences of my life! Thanks for this glimpse of the Lady in her prime!
Great video! My grandfather fought in Europe and Japan in the army air corps. After the war he went to Harvard graduated then became a professor at Harvard. After he left he worked for Fairchild/ republic on the A-10 and F-111 as an engineer then finally retiring from Grumman. He’s still kick at 95.
Your narrative is most appreciated. My dad was in the U.S. Army and fought at the Leyte invasion and at Okinawa. As a young boy, I would ask him questions about his service when he was putting me to bed at night and he would tell me (sanitized, I'm sure) stories of the battles. This brings back tender memories. So many of our soldiers, sailors, airmen were from poor, hard working families and, as in my dad's case, immigrant families. What a great generation!
My dad was en route to Leyte with his Army unit when the Pacific war ended. But he saw the awfulness of war in the past tense. He was hospitalized with malaria on Luzon and remembered seeing some badly wounded and maimed servicemen. He teared up (which he NEVER would do, at least in front of me) when he recounted the experience.
God bless and rest in peace all who served, especially those who never made it back.
My son, Kieth, was a training squadron plane captain for VS27 SeaWolves flying S-3 Vikings out of Cecil Field. He trapped aboard multiple carriers both in the Atlantic (mostly) and Pacific with VS27 taking pride in naming all the ones on which he served with his planes. I take great delight in watching every carrier-focused film available and I'll watch Fighting Lady right now. There is a carrier film featuring mostly F4-U but I don't recall its name... I'll try to search for that one next. Piloting and owning the Cessna Skyhawk and Beechcraft Bonanza for 7 & 12 years respectfully, I gave up full scale in '06 but took up RC aviation last year where I met Rob Baker, a Tomcat RIO, who now owns our local hobby shop and frequently flies mostly scale turbine models, including the F-14.
I have this movie, Ward. I was stationed on the Ticonderoga CVA-14 back in 69. Being it was an Essex class carrier and fought in WWII, this movie stirs me. In fact, I’m going to watch it now. Thanks for the great post!
As a teenager in 1964 I took part in the "Day in the Navy" journalism contest, spending 24 hours on a mini cruise on the Yorktown. Saw the movie, toured all parts of the ship, slept, ate, and watched ops, and wrote a story about the experience for my high school paper, along with hundreds of other boys. Though I only took ninth place, and later served in the Army, it's an experience I'll never forget. Thanks for the chance to relive it.
The Bridges at Toko-Ri is pretty badasss too. It was really interesting seeing the last vestiges of piston power on deck with jet power. Also really cool to see how they used the prop planes to help maneuver the Carrier into dock.
CAG was pretty pissed about how his Skyraiders were being abused.
The question the admiral asks at the end...they volunteer sir, but he knows that
Outstanding Ward! As always… proud to be the oldest son of a Marina Sgt. who fought on Okinawa!
Mooch, retired AICS here, C/S "Crane". My Dad served on the Intrepid (CVS-11) during the Vietnam War in 68 and 69. She was homeported in Quonset Point, RI as a Anti-sub carrier, but was reconfigured as a Light Attack carrier in 68 with A-1s, A-4s, and had an F-8 det. I was never a carrier sailor, did tours on FF, FFGs, and CGs. OSCS(SW) USN RET'D 1978-2002 AIC/S 1981-2002
Forgot to mention that this movie was directed by Edward Steichen, the great and hugely influential photographer, who in his sixties (!) came out of retirement to become head of the Naval Aviation Photography Unit. Helped with the war effort during a period of his life (retired, wealthy, successful) when many people would have said 'screw that shit', or words to that effect. Was highly decorated for his service in both WW1/WW2. Thanks for the movie commentary!
John Ford was another one with a very similar story to that.
Just to add that some of his still photography is absolutely stunning. He ranks as one of the worlds greatest photographers.
Edward Steichen commanded the Photographic Division of the American Expeditionary Force in WWI, finishing his war service as an Army Colonel. He was able to join the Navy in WWII, entering as a Lt. Commander and finishing the war as a Navy Captain. Likely making him the only person to have been an O6 in both services.
Steichen was not the Director of this film, he was the Director of the Naval Photography Unit, and probably never set foot on this ship at the time of filming. He had many photographers and cinematographers working under him from his office in Washington DC. Please correct me if I am wrong.
I haven't had the chance to visit the Yorktown but my dad and I when I was young made almost yearly runs to Battleship Cove in Mass, loved touring the big wagon but going into the sub they had there gave me wicken claustrophobia.
Ward, thank you for this truly fascinating film. I was an AT3 attached to VA-35 aboard the USS Nimitz in the early ‘80’s and proud to have served. Thank you for sharing your experiences and observations with us. Thank you for your dedication and service to our country!
I served on the Nimitz from 93-95. Sadly, I spent most of that time in dry dock.
Those are SB2Cs, not TBMs. My dad worked on them. They were called "Big-Assed Birds" because of the large vertical fin and rudder.
An incredible movie indeed. Also very nice to have the commentary done by an experienced naval pilot. This Canadian vet salutes you and all of our brothers-in-arms. Oh yeah, the F-14 is my all time favourite jet!
Truly "The Greatest Generation" One Grand Father in New Guinea along with a Great Uncle on Iwo Jima. The other Grand Father at the battle of the Bulge. Both Grand Pa's got Purple Hearts! Every place mentioned in the film I have heard of, and I am by no means what I consider super knowledgeable about the Pacific Theater during WWII. How many kids today know of these men and the places and battles they waged to defeat the Axis Powers. Very few do, and sadly that's one of the reasons why we are in the shape we are in presently.
Awesome grandfather's to grow up with
You are dame right, unfortunately !
My sister just retired from USN this summer, after a lengthy and fruitful career. She had the rare honor of helping build one of the newest ships and crew it on its first tour. We have a lot of maritime history in our family. So, I am very proud of the US Navy. I’ve also been fortunate enough to have scuba dived on several WWII wrecks in the South Pacific. It’s a very sobering experience to see a ship or an airplane up close, underwater with all the damage from the war. This movie really helps to put a lot of things into context and perspective. Thank you.
Another great video! I enlisted in the Marines in '77 and after boot camp, went Marine Aviation and got orders to Parachute Rigger school at NAS Lakehurst NJ. Its a very old base, more like a museum and the bldgs had pics hanging on the walls from the 1920's thru the 60's of guys who went before me and some of the carriers they were assigned to as well as the aircraft. Motivating to say the least to know i was becoming part of the history of Naval Aviation. There was a lot of history there and glad i was a part of it all.
Ward, very moving. As a son of WWII I grew up watching Victory at Sea but somehow missed this movie. My Father was an Army Captain badly wounded in Normandy, but never talked about the war.
I moved on from my time in the Navy long ago. But this channel is dragging me back. My days on the Chucky V (CVN-70) are flooding back. Thanks for all this. Bravo Zulu Sir.
Funny how that happens!
A friend of mine many years ago said his dad was a Hellcat pilot in the Pacific. His plane got shot up pretty good and lost all or most of the oil pressure. He limped back and landed safe. He ended up writing Grumman a thank you note for their fantastic plane.
thanks Ward, many of my uncles and aunts served during the Second World War. Many were Army Air Corps Aviators. My father was a senior tech sergeant in the 384th bomb wing in England from '43 through '44. My Mom was a chief petty office in Washington from '41 until '45. They were the greatest generation.
Excellent video. Sure like to see more. My Dad, a hero in my eye's, saw lots of action. Never would talk about it. Before he died, I came home from my work and he had all his medals displayed for me to see along with the ship he was stationed on. Miss you Dad!
“Style points”, my man was feeling the groove!
🍻
Yup ,...10 cups of coffee and "keep that prop arc away from me boss"
Somewhere here on UA-cam there is a documentary about the LSO’s and their stylish routines. Wish I could remember the name of it!
I bet it sure got your attention on deck! I have to give him credit for his style of doing his job. By his facial expressions he was really into it. God bless him.
FIRST... THANK YOU FOR YOU SERVICE WARD.
SECOND...YOU HAVE A CALMING VOICE & THE WAY YOU EXPLAIN SITUATIONS IS VERY EASY TO FOLLOW.
I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH FROM YOU WARD !
THANKS FOR THE CHANNEL.
MANDO
Thanks for the support, Mando.
Wow, that's one heck of a war film. The fact that it's all authentic documentary footage just makes it even more impressive and sobering to watch.
Good video, thank you. Beautiful ladies behind you!
My dad was enlisted and served aboard the Escort Carrier U.S.S. Lunga Point, from Spring '44 until war's end. The Lunga Point survived more direct hits by Kamikaze attacks and still make it to a safe port under its own power than any other Escort carrier. The amazing and incredible thing is that with all of the Kamikaze attacks, no sailors or airmen were killed. The only sailor that was killed happened when he walked into the props of one of the aircraft.
Much like a High School year book, the Lunga Point; and I assume the other carriers did as well, had its own Journal of life and activities aboard the Lunga Point from laying of the keel to after the war ended. The Lunga Point was part of the operations that went into Nagasaki, Hiroshima, and Tokyo to evacuate the American POW's and many sick and injured Japanese people. His Journal showed pictures of his carrier filled up with hundreds & hundreds of Japanese people...the flight deck was covered with people.
I can only remember one time when I was in High School when Dad pulled out his Journal about the Lunga Point. He had never talked about it and I didn't know it existed. After he died in 2005 and his wife, my Mother-in-Law, went through his stuff, the Journal never showed up. It wasn't until recently that I discovered that those journals are available online...imagine that...LOL...and I found the one for the Lunga Point and read it. I remembered many of the pictures from that one time over 40 years earlier when Dad showed his to me. Wow...it really made an impact on me.
As Dad became sicker & sicker from cigarette cancer, The V.A. finally acknowledged that part of Dad's cancer was from the residual atomic radiation that he was exposed to in the evacuation operations.
Myself, I joined the Navy in 1971-1975, and was in VAQ-33; an ECM squadron. I was trained as an aircraft electrician but after I got to VAQ-33 and got introduced to the Line Division where the planes are launched & recovered & taken care of...where all the action was...I wanted to be part of that and so I became a Plane Captain for our ERA-3B ( A-3 ) Skywarrior planes ( B-66 for you Air Force guys ), I loved it...I took a great deal of personal pride and ownership of "my" planes.
Thanks, Mr. Carroll, for this review and for all of the other videos you share with us.
My grandfather who was a math teacher and school principal when the attack on Pearl Harbor happened enlisted in the Navy after the attack.
He was commissioned as an officer and was posted at the Navy Flight Center in Jacksonville Florida as an instructor teaching air cadets the mathematics of navigation.
Could be he trained some of the pilots you see here in this film or perhaps some of the higher ranking men you'd have been around that came out of the Naval Aviation pipeline of WW2, some of the men who started out as pilots during the war undoubtedly stayed in and made a career out of the Navy so you just might have had to salute one or two of the men he'd trained in navigation.
@@dukecraig2402 Good history about your grandfather. I have no idea how old the C.O. of our squadron might have been but I suppose it is a possibility that there is a connection. I went to aviation electricians school at N.A.S. Jacksonville. All of us lived in those WWII era barracks; long, rectangular open floor plan barracks with row after row of bunks. Our school was 22 weeks of intense electrical education. The Marines also had their electrical school there with us since we both had the same helicopters and a few other aircraft. The best instructors I had were Marine Gunny Sergeants...they were very smart and I learned more from them than from Navy instructors.
Thanks for responding.
@@marbleman52
I would doubt that any of the aviators my grandfather trained would have still been flying due to their age at the time you were in, but there's a chance they could have been an Admiral or some higher Naval rank, having been in the Army I get a little confused about the rank structure in the Navy, what you guy's called a Lieutenant we called a Captain, I have no clue what a Major (O4) would be called in the Navy, what would it be?
And I know what you mean about those WW2 barracks, at Ft Riley Ks in the 80's we were housed in those same kind but since we were duty stationed and not in training they had divided the two floors up with walls to make the insides into two man rooms, they were rickety old buildings that never would have survived a Kansas tornado had one struck, and we were right in tornado alley😳😳😳😳, that made for some sleepless nights when the Spring storms were blowing in.
@@dukecraig2402 An Army Major would be a Navy Lt.Commander. A LT. Colonel would be a Commander, and Navy equivalent of Colonel is Captain.
Badass analysis Ward. Thanks for bringing this to us. My dad was in the Navy during WWII. I remember watching many movies about WWII with my dad. We had some wonderful discussions about his service, and some of the things he did, and the places he served. He was a real patriot. His favorite song was “ God bless America”.
Great look at the greatest generation, thanks Ward. Got a chance to stand on the deck of the Yorktown in Charleston and reflect on what happened aboard The Fighting Lady. Sobering moments.
Correction: the were not priming the engine. they were clearing the lower cylinder of accumulated oil before start. hydraulic lock will bend things.,
Good intel, Michelle. Thanks.
In a radial engine, oil tends to accumulate in the lower cylinders. If not cleared, engine will lock up and bend connecting rods when start up is attempted.
Turning props was a moment of connection I had with my grandpa when I was a young teen. I was watching the old discovery Channel program called: "wings." Plane of the day - The Boeing B-29. I saw footage of ground crew turning the props. I asked my dad, a pilot, what that was about. He said, I'm not sure but asked your granddad. He was an instructor on the B-29. He'll know. It was Christmas shopping season of 1991 and my grandparents took all of us to the mall. My granddad and I sat on a bench waiting for the others and I asked him about the prop turning. He told me it was all about avoiding oil hydraulic lock in the lower cylinders as oil will drain into them. But that began a 2 hour conversation with him and his war experience. He was definitely part of that greatest greatest generation. And he was a great grandpa that taught me so many things. He died in 2003 on a Monday. Not a day goes by I do not think of him.
Not to belabor the point, but they are actually checking for the presence of oil in the cylinders before the pilot attempts to start the engine. If one of the lower cylinders had a significant accumulation of oil, the prop would stop turning, and they would have to remove at least one of the spark plugs to drain the oil. Most likely they would have removed both plugs from the affected cylinder and washed the oil off of them with avgas drained from one of the aircraft’s drain points.
Great video, Ward. Much appreciated.
@@jcarne1015 Thanks for the explanation. Good stuff.
As a Crewmember of the "Big E" CVN-65 USS Enterprise 1982-85. I want to thank you for the hard work you did to make these videos. May God bless you and your family. 🕊
This is amazing.... What these men did, day in, day out, is so far away from what the vast majority of modern Americans are familiar with. Their actions carved into history the kinds of stories that make it clear why they truly were and still are, the greatest generation.
Ward, Thank you for a great post! Your narration was spot on!
Thank you for this review, I'll look for it this weekend. My grandparents were in the Navy for the war. Grandpa, being a perfectionist but color blind, was top of his class in radioman school which meant he was offered whatever spot he wanted upon graduation. He requested back seat gunner in the SBD dive bombers, and was denied as being too value a radioman (~ 50% return to carrier odds.) He never talked about the war, very little interest when I asked. This is my favorite era of history, but these productions make me thankful that he was stationed flying patrol in the Pacific off Ecuador.
Great job! I got to tour the USS Lexington, nicknamed "The Blue Ghost" in Corpus Christie TX. Awesome ship! I'm a huge fan of WWII history - all of it. My dad crossed the English channel Dday+60 - U.S. Army corporal in France & Germany. His older brother (my uncle Bill was a P-51 Mustang pilot towards the end of the war. My dad's older sister's husband (uncle will) was wounded in the battle of the bulge and received a purple heart. These people truly were the greatest generation. Keep up the great work!
Great Video Ward. I served onboard the USS America CV-66 in VF-142 in the mid 70's. Tomcats were new back then. I use to go up to the 06 level on the island to watch flight ops. The thing I remember most is how LOUD it was. I cherish those memories of being in the Navy. If I wasn't married with a child I would have made a career out of the Navy. Love all your videos.
Hey, I was in the Ghostriders! Went on the '74 cruise in America. Worked the Line Division as a P.C... was an AMSAA then. Buck Torske
The Yorktown is now a museum moored at Patriots Point, South Carolina, (in Charleston Harbor). I have visited the Yorktown twice, and it is very worth the trip...
The Intrepid is one of the few Essex class carriers that got an angle deck and is in NYC on the west side piers, unless she's in the yard being refurbished now. I was on the Wasp and took my 2 nephews aboard Intrepid when she was first opened to the public and talked my way into showing the boys places that were not open to the public like the bridge and CIC.
@@davidvoinier6008 annnnnd the other angled deck Essex class I know exits today is the mighty Hornet. I’ve been onboard CVS12 more times than I can remember
I also highly recomend this visit. Was there twice about 10 yrs. ago. If I remember correctly they have a sub and a Viet Nam display. Well worth the trip.
A Different 'Yorktown'. The first Yorktown Aircraft Carrier CV-5 was sunk at Midway in June 1942.
@@ppgwhereeverett4412 i believe he was referring to the yorktown in the film which is the same one that is now in S.C. It was originally named the USS Bon Homme Richard but was changed immediately after the Yorktown sank to fool the Japanese that the Yorktown survived.
Best war footage I've ever seen ! Guess what? The movie just popped up on the screen and it's a whole hour. Gonna watch it now . Thanks for this video .
Thank you for reviewing this film. Your play-by-play comparison of then vs. now was outstanding - truly added much to my understanding of the times. I had not heard of this film and will check it out. I like to study all things military history. I was instructed early on in my life that it is a taxpayer's duty to be informed in this area, and have taken that mission seriously for 50+ years.
My dad was a Navy pilot towards the end of the Korean war but assigned duty on a WW2 era jeep carrier ferrying new and repaired aircraft to Japan and then returning to either Pearl Harbor or San Diego with damaged aircraft or aircraft in need of modification and repair. Later he served aboard a modified Essex class carrier, the USS Randolph, which was part of the Sixth fleet in the Mediterranean. He took some great movies of aircraft takeoff and recovery operations while on board and those home movies I recently had converted to DVD. His squadron were called the Clansmen because the squadron commander was a Scottish-American by the name of Mcdougall and all their jets had the Scottish tartan painted on the tails. My hats off to all seamen and pilots who have served on these carriers then and today.
Much respect for your father! Any way you could upload the videos you have to UA-cam? You really should. A memorable era.
The USS Yorktown CV-10 was also the ship that recovered the Apollo 8 capsule after splashdown in the Pacific in 1968.
Thanks for this upload Mr. Carroll.
I remember the first time I saw this on a Saturday summer afternoon in 1975. I was totally blown away by the footage as I was and have always been a huge WWII buff.
Ran out, bought a 1/48 Monogram F6F Hellcat model and proceeded to recreate as many of these scenes as I could from memory( even tho they were all the same basically)…
Seeing this for the first time while also listening to my dads tales of the Pacific War from his experiences on a DE and then with the SEABEES on Tinian was priceless.
Fast forward 6 years and I’m on my way to Great Lakes as an Airdale where I eventually make it to these same battle spaces on board Enterprise CVN-65 not 40 years later, 1982/83.
I wasn’t done with the Navy yet and then proceeded to P’cola and flight school eventually becoming a Hummer pilot.
It was the examples in THIS VIDEO and my dads sea stories with which I hold incalculable respect and admiration. I’m proud to have done my little part, but it will NEVER rise to the level of bravery of all these men. And I have passed on their stories to my kids.
Thanks Mooch for your narration, makes me proud that our generation appreciates the sacrifices of the shipmates who went before us.
FLY NAVY!!
Thank you for sharing. The strike on the Mariana's was significant, for me at least. My Dad had completed a tour in North Africa as flight engineer on a B-24 Liberator. They were assigned to the US Navy. His crew were reassigned to a B-29. They were the 11th to land on Saipan. He told me stories of the crews taking sniper fire until the Sea Bee's terminated the "mesquitos". The camera footage from their bomb raids is utterly stunning. He was always thankful and respectful of Navel aviators and ship crews. "Son those guys were incredibly brave souls ". Thank you for bringing his recollections to life.
The Fighting Lady is one of my favorite WWII films that were made during the war.
One of, but my favourite is 'Ice Cold in Alex'.
Where / how can i watch it? Is it sold anywhere?
@@tekkhero9767 Try your local library systems. I found it at the Coronado (California) Public Library, but it wasn't available in the San Diego city or county system.
@@HolySoliDeoGloria ok thanks
@@tekkhero9767 Now I see in the comments that it's also on UA-cam. I could have saved myself a trip to Coronado (but the library is pretty nice). ua-cam.com/video/B5JbXRDOP60/v-deo.html
I have to agree this was a great movie! Your breakdowns of these films are awesome. Great Channel Ward keep up the stellar work!
GoCards!! 😁
@@tnkboy89 Haha hey I can respect that. My stepfather is a Cards fan.
i love your channel Ward!!!!!! I recently found your channel with Tomcat videos. Your Channel is one of the realest military aviator channels on youtube!!!! My Grandfather was a Navy sailor in the 40's. im not 100% sure what ship or carrier he was on as he passed away in 1981before i was born in 1988. Thank you for your service!!!! also Thank you for these amazing videos and your channel is AWESOME!!!!!!
Awesome, Sir. I’m an Army brat of a WW2 and Korea Lifer and followed all WW2 history. You provided a depth of knowledge I had not known. RIP all Warriors, God Bless you and God Bless the U .S .A.
Ward, again another great Naval Aviation History lesson. I'll have to break out my copy of "Victory at Sea" series and watch the Pacific Air War episodes. I think my Dad would have loved this one. Gunners mate on 5 in 38 turret, USS Tennessee (BB-43). Road her from her refit after Pearl Harbor (at Bremerton ) all the way to Tokyo Bay. He to was also amazed that Japanese aircraft could make it through the wall of 5 in, 40 mm, & 20 mm lead that was put into the sky. Keep'em coming Sir!
I'd never seen this movie, but I've seen almost every scrap of footage that Ward showed thanks to my Dad's "Victory at Sea" addiction.
I would also recommend Ian W Toll's recent trilogy. It covers all of the battles shown in the movie, with particular attention paid to Spruance's conservative (but effective) tactics at Philippine Sea vs Halsey's over-pursuit of a decoy force in a similar situation at Leyte.
@@patrickchase5614 Thanks, will check it out. During late 50s / early 60s, i would sit with Dad watching either "Victory at Sea" series or "The Silent Service" series. To this day, their theme songs / sound tracks still play in my brain!
I went to Amazon Prime and bought the movie package (Fighting Lady, The Life and death of the USS Hornet, Yanks Smash Truk, & Brought to Action) for $5. What a great movie! Thanks for reviewing it.
Hi do you have a link for that? Thanks!
Thanks so much for this video, Commander! My father, Tech Sargent Sal Giglio was involved in the invasion of Kwajalein and remained there till the heavily guarded Enola Gay passed through the island and bombed Japan. And later hearing that Japan surrendered.
“Fight is on ONCE AND FOR ALL”. Beautiful review of this documentary. Thank you.
Ward, love this stuff. Reading the comments, I see that others have caught the aircraft identification corrections. So, all I have is this one for you, which I had to learn ...
Hand turning the prop is not used to prime the engine. It is used to break the potential hydraulic lock. In radials engines the oil, by gravity, goes to the bottom cylinders when it sits for a long time, like over night. If you try to crank it, you can bend rods and break pistons. Hand proping like this, slowly, can get that oil moving so this does not happen when you do start the engine. That is the big reason why when these big radials start up, you get a bunch of white smoke from the exhaust stacks and it coughs and spits. That is actually burnt oil that was in the cylinders. This is also why it takes about 15-20 seconds for a radial to really run smooth and sound right. You will not see this from inline engines very much. I have had to do this many times before our pilots start up the radials in our wings F-8F-3 Bearcat, F-6F-5 Hellcat, PBJ-1J (B-25J, but naval version flown by the Marines) and SNJ-5 Texan (same as the AT-6, but the naval version).
Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing, CAF Col 37150
I love the fact that Captain is out there hands on during the work up. Getting dirty with the deck crew! Leadership at work.
He had C.P.O.s who are supposed to do that. I wonder if the cameras running had anything to do with that.
Yes, that was epic.
Jocko argued with his flight deck officer that he wasn’t doing a great job. The flight deck officer in a ballsy move bet Jocko that he could do better than Jocko. The cameras caught Jocko trying his hand at spotting a deck. The FDO spotted faster and in a smaller space, and Jocko never bothered him again :). This is from Clark Reynolds book.
Thanks for highlighting this exceptional work. Brilliant!
More more more of this type of viewing. Can't wait to stream the whole movie. Great photos videos and narration. Thank you for the presentation.
My Dad was a Hellcat pilot on one of the small carriers. They were steaming for the invasion of Japan when they got word of the A-bombs and the end of the war. The ship was supposedly dry, no alcohol, but turns out there was a lot of booze on board. I have his flight logs, a good remembrance of him. He liked the Hellcat, called it a good and stable fighter. He went on to fly F9f Panthers.
Probably a Princeton class light carrier. They could carry the hellcats. The escort carriers were too small and too slow, 19 knots, to carry hellcats. If you find out the name of the ship he was on that would be great then you could research it. Those light carriers were an emergency building program started before Midway. Light carriers were built on light cruiser hulls. They could keep up with the fleet carriers.
@@JohnRodriguesPhotographer Both Independence class CVLs and some CVEs operated Hellcats. Escort carrier air groups, as opposed to the usual composite (VC) squadrons, had separate fighter and bomber units as per the CVLs.
@@BTillman48 everything I've seen over the years, the CVE's didn't have enough deck or speed for the F6F. Typical aircraft compliment I have read about is the TBF/TBM and F4F. Any squadron info so I can read up on it?
My Grandfather was in involve with liberating Holland and after VE day told to get ready to go to Japan. He never had a problem with the atom bomb being used
As far as I'm concerned, and I say this as a non-drinker, if you are fighting in a war you have rightfully earned some booze.
Back a late as the end of the 70's, Paddles was still giving the cut signal -- to us flying he C-1a. The difference being Jets vs Recips. The recovery rate of the jets was way to slow to add power after you discovered that you missed the wires. In a jet, the engines take their good old time to go from idle to full power because the fuel control would not allow the fuel to be poured on the fire too fast. That was to prevent a compressor stall. During a bolter, a compressor stall would mean you are going to get wet. But our recips could jump back up to full power almost as fast as we pushed the throttles. So when we got the cut lights, we actually cut the engines.
Thanks for giving the personal account! Gotta love it when those who did it, or are doing it, take the time to share those bits of their lives.
I went through flight training in '68& '69 in the multi engine pipeline. That meant I flew T28 and TS2 in training; both piston engine aircraft. I did my training command carrier qualifications in these aircraft. At that time the Navy was teaching us to cut power on landing. But we were told about the "problem" with jets in case we ever switched at some future time. Got my commission via Navy ROTC. Much of our Navy studies involved watching the Victory at Sea series. We also watched the movie covered in this blog.
Another great video. The movie brought back great memories of watching Victory at Sea as a kid on Sunday mornings back in the 1960s.