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Posts Tagged ‘Guadalcanal’

World War II History for July 6

06 Jul

Today in WWII History

World War II History for July 6

1942 - Diarist Anne Frank and her family took refuge from the Nazis in Amsterdam.

1942 - Japanese forces landed on Guadalcanal Island and began constructing an airfield. On February 1, 1943 the Japanese forces began to withdraw.


Japanese Machine Gunners on Guadalcanal

1944 - Hartford Circus Fire

The Hartford Circus Fire was one of the worst fire disasters in US history. While thousands of spectators were enjoying an afternoon performance of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, a fire broke out on the southwest sidewall of the tent. The big top, waterproofed with a coating of paraffin and gasoline, quickly collapsed in flames, trapping hundreds beneath it. Circus Bandleader Merle Evans is said to be the person who first spotted the flames, and immediately directed the band to play Stars and Stripes Forever, the tune that traditionally signaled distress to all circus personnel.

1944 - Georges Mandel, French patriot, is executed

On this day in 1944, Georges Mandel, France’s minister of colonies and vehement opponent of the armistice with Germany, is executed in a wood outside Paris by collaborationist French.

Born into a prosperous Jewish family (his given name was Louis-Georges Rothschild, though no relation to the banking family) in 1885, Mandel’s political career began at age 21 as a member of the personal staff of French Premier Georges Clemenceau. He went on to serve in the National Assembly from 1919 to 1924, and then again from 1928 to 1940. Although a political conservative, he fell into conflict with fellow conservatives over their too-often pro-German sympathies, especially during the two world wars.

In 1940, he was transferred to the Ministry of the Interior by then French Premier Paul Reynaud, with whom he shared the conviction that no armistice should be made with the German invaders, and that the battle should continue, even if only from France’s colonies in Africa. After the resignation of Reynaud and the establishment of the Petain/Vichy government, Mandel sailed to Morocco, where he was arrested and sent back to France and imprisoned. He was then handed over to the Germans, and put in concentration camps in Oranienburg and Buchenwald. On July 4, 1944, he was shipped back to Paris, where the French security police, the Milice, took him out to a wood and shot him. As he was being handed over to his countrymen by the German SS, he said: “To die is nothing. What is sad is to die without seeing the liberation of the country and the restoration of the Republic.” [1]

[1] “Georges Mandel, French patriot, is executed,” History.com, http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=6511 (accessed Jul 6, 2009).

 
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Posted in Country - Japan, Europe Theater, Media, North America, Pacific Theater, Today

 

World War II History for November 12

12 Nov

Today in WW II History

World War II History for November 12

1942 - During World War II, naval battle of Guadalcanal began between Japanese and American forces. The Americans won a major victory.

1944 - During World War II, the German battleship “Tirpitz” was sunk off the coast of Norway.

32 British Lancaster bombers attack and sink the mighty German battleship Tirpitz.

In January 1942, Hitler ordered the Germany navy to base the Tirpitz in Norway, in order to attack Soviet convoys transporting supplies from Iceland to the USSR. The Tirpitz also prevented British naval forces from making their way to the Pacific. Winston Churchill summed up the situation this way: “The destruction or even crippling of this ship is the greatest event at the present time…. The whole strategy of the war turns at this period on this ship….”

Attacks had already been made against the Tirpitz. RAF raids were made against it in January 1942, but they failed to damage it. Another raid was made in March; dozens of RAF bombers sought out the Tirpitz, which was now reinforced with cruisers, pocket battleships, and destroyers. All of the British bombers, once again, missed their target.

Sporadic attacks continued to be made against the German battleship, including an attempt in October 1942 to literally drive a two-man craft up to the ship and plant explosives on the Tirpitz’s hull. This too failed because of brutal water conditions and an alert German defense. But in September 1943, six midget British subs set out to take the Tirpitz down for good. The midgets had to be towed to Norway by conventional subs. Only three of the six midgets made it to their target. This time, they were successful in attaching explosives to the Tirpitz’s keel and doing enough damage to put it out of action for six months. Two British commanders and four crewmen were taken captive by the Germans and spent the rest of the war as POWs.

But it wasn’t until November 1944 that the Tirpitz was undone permanently. As the battleship lay at anchor in Norway’s Tromso Fjord, 32 British Lancaster bombers, taking off from Scotland, attacked. Each bomber dropped a 12,000-pound Tallboy bomb and two hit their target, causing the Tirpitz to capsize, and killing almost 1,000 crewmen.

Ironically, the mighty Tirpitz fired its guns only once in aggression during the entire extent of the war-against a British coaling station on the island of Spitsbergen.

1948 - The war crimes tribunal sentenced Japanese Premier Hideki Tojo and six other World War II Japanese leaders to death.

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Posted in Atlantic Theater, Country - Japan, Europe Theater, Media, Pacific Theater, Today

 

World War II History for October 11

11 Oct

Today in WW II History

World War II History for October 11

1939 - U.S. President Roosevelt was presented with a letter from Albert Einstein that urged him to develop the U.S. atomic program rapidly.

1942 - The Battle of Cape Esperance, during World War II, began in the Solomons.

The battle for Guadalcanal began in August, when the Marines landed in the first American offensive of the war. The ground fighting saw U.S. troops gain a decisive edge, wiping out detachments and regiments in brutal combat. The most effective Japanese counterstrikes came from the air and sea, with bombing raids harassing the Marines and threatening their dwindling supplies. But before the Japanese could reinforce their own ground troops, the Navy went to work.

The battle of Cape Esperance, on the northwest coast of Guadalcanal Island, commenced at night between surface ships; all Japanese reinforcements came at night, an operation nicknamed the Tokyo Express. The Navy sank one Japanese cruiser, the Furutaka, and three destroyers, while losing only one of their own destroyers. In characteristic fashion, those Japanese sailors who found themselves floundering in the water refused rescue by Americans; they preferred to be devoured by the sharks as a fate less shameful than capture.

Unfortunately, the loss of American manpower was greater than that of hardware: 48 sailors from the American destroyer Duncan were the victims of crossfire between the belligerents, and more than a hundred others died when an American cruiser turned on a searchlight to better target a Japanese ship. It also had the unintended effect of illuminating the sailors of the cruiser, making them easy targets.

The American Navy continued to harass Japanese ships trying to reinforce the Japanese position on the island; relatively few Japanese troops made it ashore. By the end of 1942, the Japanese were ready to evacuate the island–in defeat.

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Posted in Country - USA, Other, Pacific Theater, Sea, Today

 

World War II History for August 24

24 Aug

Today in WW II History

World War II History for August 24

1942 - U.S. forces sank the Japanese aircraft carrier Ryuho in the Battle of the East Solomon Islands. During this battle the “coastwatchers,” volunteers that reported on Japanese ship and aircraft movement, were a key to American success.

On this day in 1942, U.S. forces continue to deliver crushing blows to the Japanese, sinking the aircraft carrier Ryuho in the Battle of the East Solomon Islands. Key to the Americans’ success in this battle was the work of coastwatchers, a group of volunteers whose job it is to report on Japanese ship and aircraft movement.

The Marines had landed on Guadalcanal, on the Solomon Islands, on August 7. This was the first American offensive maneuver of the war and would deliver the first real defeat to the Japanese. On August 23, coastwatchers, comprised mostly of Australian and New Zealander volunteers, hidden throughout the Solomon and Bismarck islands and protected by anti-Japanese natives, spotted heavy Japanese reinforcements headed for Guadalcanal. The coastwatchers alerted three U.S. carriers that were within 100 miles of Guadalcanal, which then raced to the scene to intercept the Japanese.

By the time the Battle of the Eastern Solomons was over, the Japanese lost a light carrier, a destroyer, and a submarine and the Ryuho. The Americans suffered damage to the USS Enterprise, the most decorated carrier of the war; the Enterprise would see action again, though, in the American landings on Okinawa in 1945.

As for the coastwatchers, Vice Adm. William F. Halsey said, “The coastwatchers saved Guadalcanal, and Guadalcanal saved the Pacific.”

Footnote: It was a coastwatcher who arranged for the deliverance and safe return of John F. Kennedy and his crew when they were stranded in the Solomons in 1943.

 
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Posted in Pacific Theater, Sea, Today

 

World War II History for August 7

07 Aug

Today in WW II History

World War II History for August 7

1942 - U.S. forces landed at Guadalcanal, marking the start of the first major allied offensive in the Pacific during World War II.

On this day in 1942, the U.S. 1st Marine Division begins Operation Watchtower, the first U.S. offensive of the war, by landing on Guadalcanal, one of the Solomon Islands.

On July 6, 1942, the Japanese landed on Guadalcanal Island and began constructing an airfield there. Operation Watchtower was the codename for the U.S. plan to invade Guadalcanal and the surrounding islands. During the attack, American troops landed on five islands within the Solomon chain. Although the invasion came as a complete surprise to the Japanese (bad weather had grounded their scouting aircraft), the landings on Florida, Tulagi, Gavutu, and Tananbogo met much initial opposition from the Japanese defenders.

But the Americans who landed on Guadalcanal met little resistance-at least at first. More than 11,000 Marines had landed, and 24 hours had passed, before the Japanese manning the garrison there knew of the attack. The U.S. forces quickly took their main objective, the airfield, and the outnumbered Japanese troops retreated, but not for long. Reinforcements were brought in, and fierce hand-to-hand jungle fighting ensued. “I have never heard or read of this kind of fighting,” wrote one American major general on the scene. “These people refuse to surrender.”

The Americans were at a particular disadvantage, being assaulted from both the sea and air. But the U.S. Navy was able to reinforce its troops to a greater extent, and by February 1943, the Japanese had retreated on secret orders of their emperor (so secret, the Americans did not even know it had taken place until they began happening upon abandoned positions, empty boats, and discarded supplies). In total, the Japanese had lost more than 25,000 men, compared with a loss of 1,600 by the Americans. Each side lost 24 warships.

The first Medal of Honor given to a Marine was awarded to Sgt. John Basilone for his fighting during Operation Watchtower. According to the recommendation for his medal, he “contributed materially to the defeat and virtually the annihilation of a Japanese regiment.”

 World War II History for August 7 [2:25m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (4242)

 
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Posted in Country - Japan, Country - USA, Media, Pacific Theater, Podcast, Today

 

Hero Ships: USS Laffey

23 Jul

“Wherever there is a mess, the destroyer runs first. She is expendable and dangerous.” – John Steinbeck

Watch the full episode of “Hero Ships: USS Laffey”.

The USS Laffey (DD-724) is the only surviving Allen M. Sumner class destroyer preserved in her World War II configuration and the only destroyer of the period that saw action in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theatre.

USS Laffey - Benson-class Destroyer (DD-459)

USS Laffey (DD-459)

1942 Battle for Guadalcanal was the first action for the Laffey. Escorting a convoy toward Guadalcanal a Japanese submarine breaks into the defense and torpedoes the aircraft carrier USS Wasp. The Laffey picks up survivors from the burning oil covered sea.

In early November 1942 Marines on Guadalcanal face a desperate situation.

“My pride in you is beyond expression. No honor for you could be too great.”

Admiral William F. Halsey,
to the men who fought in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal,
November 12-15, 1942

While ships brining reinforcements to Guadalcanal were making their way to shore, The Laffey defended them in a screen, filling the air with flak and munitions to bring down the Japanese dive bombers. They then get news that a Japanese task force is approaching, vastly stronger than the US ships.


Japanese battleship Hiei in 1942

1000 Yards away the HIJMS Battleship Hiei (Kongo-class), with her 14″ guns bear down on the Laffey. They pass astern of the Laffey by only 20 ft. Then they are surrounded by 2 battleships and 2 destroyers with 14″ shells splashing all around her. 14″ shells hit the bridge of the Laffey and the #2 gun mount.

The blow to the bridge has knocked out many controls and making her slow and sluggish to control. Inside mount #2 the men are vaporized. She is then hit by a torpedo in the stern stopping her in the water. Then the battleship that hit her the first time hit with another 14″ salvo. Fires race topside and below. Captain Hank gives the order to abandon ship. The magazine compartment exploded and she started to go down.

On Friday the 13th of November 1942, the USS Laffey is pounded to death in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. 228 days since her comissioning she is dead. But the Laffey name is not gone.

USS Laffey – Allen M. Sumner-class Destroyer (DD-724)

USS Laffey DD-724

“I knew my Laffey would tangle with the enemy in some desperate battles. Yet I was determined to bring her and her men through any ordeal we might face. I had lost one ship and did not intent to lose another.”
- Captain Julius Becton (former captain if the USS Aaron Ward who saw the USS Laffey DD-459 sink)
upon taking command of the USS Laffey (DD-724)

The new Laffey’s first operation was on D-Day firing its 5″ guns and launching over 1000 rounds (more than any other destroyer) onto the beach defenses of Normandy. The German 88mm positions at Cherbourg needed to be taken out by the allied naval battery group and the Hambourg 11″ coastal defense guns pounded away at them.

Once complete the ships left the harbor and took a chance to go over battle damage. an 11″ shell with 400lbs of unexploded ordinance were found in the aft of the ship. Someone in a Checloslovakian forced labor camp made it a dud saving the Laffey.

Layte Island, Philippines. The US fleet closes in on the islands that were critical to the Japanese flow of oil. In October 1944, in a desperate attempt to stave off the advancing US forces the Japanese develop a new weapon, the Kamikazi (Divine Wind).

“Keep moving and keep shooting.
Steam as fast as you can and shoot as fast as you can.”

-Skipper of the USS Cassin Young
offering advice to Captain Becton in regards to kamikazes.

300 miles off the coast of Japan lies the island of Okinawa. It was the perfect staging ground of the invasion of Japan.
April 1, 1945, Easter Sunday, approx 50k troops advance on the beaches. Offshore, 19 picket stations are set up against kamikazi attacks. USS Laffey is stationed at radar picket station #1, the closest to the Japanese mainland. The gun crews prepare for battle.

“That screen has do many dots on it that it looked at times like an advances case of chicken pox.”
Captain Becton upon seeing the radar screen the morning of April 16, 1945.

At 8:20am Captain Becton receives word that 50 boggies are picked up on the radar screen. The first hit they received was on the fantail causing a fire for 2 decks. After several hits, a plane dropped a bomb jamming the rudder.

Finally US aircover arrives and chases off any remaining Japanese planes.

22 Japanese planes have directly attacked her, 7 kamikazes and 4 bombs hit the mark. The back part of the ship was a mess, the main deck was riddled and broken up. 1/3 of the crew are casualties. 2 water tight doors contain the flooding and keep the ship afloat. Damage control parties of the survivors win difficult battles over the fires and flooding.

Laffey is towed back to a nearby base for repairs and made it back to Seattle under her own power for formal repairs.

The ship earned the nickname “The Ship That Would Not Die” for its exploits during the D-Day invasion and the battle of Okinawa. It is a U.S. National Historic Landmark and is preserved as a museum ship in Charleston, South Carolina.

http://link.history.com/services/link/bcpid1612750155/bclid1672079576/bctid1672667496

 
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Posted in Atlantic Theater, Media, Pacific Theater, Sea

 
 
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