@@centralcrossing4732 That's OK, we know, thought you might be able to write a comment on the screen at the time. I will delete this message, if u like Keep up the great work, one of the best channels on RUclips
Thank you for covering the fates of _Yamato's_ last cohorts, they are almost always overlooked, or at best scantly referred to in passing. Nicely done.
I always find the story of the destroyers in Operation Ten-Ichi-Go interesting. Thank you, Central Crossing. Asashimo's story was very dark. It must be horrifying to know that the nearest ship was miles away, with no hope of rescue. Suzutsuki's story (Sorry if I misspelled the ship's name) was quite interesting. She sailed to Japan backwards! Kasumi's mysteriousness was something that I did not really know before. Thanks! Isokaze's sinking was a striking moment of a Japanese documentary on Operation Ten-Go. This documentary is part of a long series of Pacific War movies. Yukikaze was so lucky! The photograph at 10:29, to quote the Yamato and Musashi photo archive, appears to capture the moment the bombs that would destroy her aft 155 mm (6.1 inch) gun turret hit. The bomb, we all know, started a gigantic fire that was not extinguished until Yamato exploded and sank. The loss of life in Operation Ten-Go was staggering. Finally, the wrecks of the destroyers sunk during Operatiom Ten-Go must be found. Their future discoveries are a way to acknowledge what their crew members went through that fateful day.
Operation Ten-Go was doomed from the moment Yukikaze was assigned to it. It might have been a lucky ship but no one around it was! Yukikaze was present at the sinking of Hei, Musashi, Taiho and Shokaku, Shinano, Kongo, and finally Yamato herself! 😂
I have seen a filmed interview with one of the American squadron commanders who attacked the Yamato and its escorts. Actually, I think he may have been the CAG (Commander Air Group) of one of the aircraft carriers involved with Yamato's sinking, so he would have directed all of the squadrons of his aircraft carrier. This interview was done in the early 1970's, so less than thirty years after the war ended. I'm not 100% certain, but I believe this interview was shown in an episode of The World at War, one of the best documentary series that covered WW2 in both Europe and the Pacific. This man was remarkably cold blooded in his assessment of the attack, or the specific wave of attack that he both witnessed and commanded. I don't remember his exact words, but he said he was disappointed in the overall results. He said that with more forethought or better coordination, every last Japanese destroyer should have been sunk. His regret in failing to have sunk every one of Yamato's escorts was plainly visible on his face and in his voice. If you get a chance to see this interview, it is definitely worth watching.
Considering how barbaric the Japanese armyand was to the Chinese, the occupants of the islands the Japanese invaded and treated POWs , including American sailors and pilots Japanese ships picked up There was no reason the retired pilot has no reason to be sympathetic toward
I’ve heard a couple stories about the destroyers of Operation Ten-Go. Pretty well done Crosser on telling the story of these destroyers! There’s many people who don’t give any attention or consideration towards them. Their rescue efforts were valiant even if they were futile in areas of the battle. The amount of aircraft attacking Yamato and the rest of the fleet, and the sheer amount of damage caused just has go to show how dominant we were in the later years of the War in the Pacific of WW2. Though it’s a shame what happened to the Yukikaze, knowing its history, it should have been made into a museum ship instead of being scrapped. At least we have it in World of Warships. You’ve just earned a subscriber. 🤙🏼
Interesting! All these years and I’ve never heard what happened to the destroyers that were escorting Yamato. Thanks for the video. -- The whole mission sounded like an “Honor” situation. Military bosses: You’ve got that super battle ship sitting there doing nothing while our boys are getting their butts kicked on Okinawa. You’d better do something or go fall on your sword. Japanese Admirals: We aren’t wimps! We’ll prove it! US Navy: More opportunities for vengeance!
That was an interesting video. You are correct, there isn't much attention (in general) to the fates of the destroyer escorts that participated in Operation Ten-go.
Tameichi Hara, who was in command of the destroyers, was criticized by some for not going down with the Yahagi. The Japanese people could be rough on those that survived.
If I remember correctly he was thrown or blown overboard in the ships final death throws. Was unconscious when he hit the water. Floated for much longer than anyone else. Maybe a day or two? Before one of the destroyers found him. They only found him because they had found another sailor, who had seen him in the water before they got separated convinced the destroyer to keep looking. I believe he was the last man rescued? I also seem to recall that he had expected to get a lot of scorn for not dying with the ship. But from what he said, he was surprised that this was not the case. That everyone seemed really glad that whoever survived, did survive. I remember reading it and coming to the realization that many of the legends about the Japanese concept of honor and dying honorably, might in truth be a tad overblown. The exceptions were the top Army/Political Leadership who's wives kept insisting they commit seppuku. Which seem shockingly well documented. (and in some cases darkly hilarious. One guys wife kept giving him pistols and knives.)
@andrewtaylor940 was that Tanaka's wife? Shamed him into it. I only mention Hara because another recently aired memoir mentioned it. He didn't get it as bad as Fuchida though.
@@rileyhaynes2515you'd be surprised. If you're ever interested there's an excellent book written by Air Commodore Aidan MacCarthy ,an Irish doctor who served with the British. He saw the full horrors of both the Japanese navy and merchantmen/ fishermen. After his prison ship was torpedoed he was rescued by a Japanese destroyer who started throwing men overboard again. (On the prison ship he was on he and the prisoners had to sleep on the ship floors meaning a torpedo hit would snap your back) When he was picked up again by a fishing trawler he was put to work in a camp in Japan in horrific conditions. Nastiness ran through the core of the Japanese forces. That book is fascinating, by the way, that man saw so much
With the number of carriers involved it’s curious that any IJN vessels survived. The DD that steamed backwards to Japan was a sitting duck and just about completely defenseless. Were the US carriers tasked with something else that prevented them from returning until everything was sunk? Great stuff!
There really wasn't much point in going after them. Yamato was at least notionally a threat, and sinking it was a propaganda point. A few destroyers with no fuel for future missions really weren't worth the effort - it's not like they could threaten the Okinawa invasion or do much to present any future invasion of Japan proper.
Thanks for your patient scholarship. Even though these ships killed my people and were trying to destroy allied ships nevertheless, my imagination illustrates your narration, especially concerning the hits and explosions, and against my wishes, I feel sorrow for the men
The first wave expected massive air cover. When that didn't materialize, the fighters strafed the ships knocking our their air defenses. One Japanese stated there was no defense against .50 Caliber BMG. Actually I am surprised so many smaller vessels survived since I would guess, every pilot wanted to sink that battleship.
Probably due to fuel shortages, and a mixed bag of ships. Some of those destroyers were in need of refitting , and might not have been able to sustain that speed for the entire trip as well.
Using the time tested "Monday Morning Quarter Backing" technique I have always wondered why the Japanese coordination for Ten Go did not plan for the ship to break out in the open sea during night fall. Has this ever been addressed? Timing the run so the group came up to Okinawa around dawn would have been the best chance. Why then head out at night and pop up still in home waters in day light?
I remember watching a documentary where a Yamato survivor tells where an officer gave up a piece of floating debri for him which allowed him to live. I don’t usually feel any sympathy for Japanese soldiers of any type but this guy was on his first mission and considering the circumstances and his demeanor I did. Just imagine being there……
Hatsushimo 10:19 -> Hamakaze
Thank you for pointing this out. For anyone else who catches this error, I was still talking about Hatsushimo.
@@centralcrossing4732
That's OK, we know, thought you might be able to write a comment on the screen at the time.
I will delete this message, if u like
Keep up the great work, one of the best channels on RUclips
Thank you for covering the fates of _Yamato's_ last cohorts, they are almost always overlooked, or at best scantly referred to in passing.
Nicely done.
I always find the story of the destroyers in Operation Ten-Ichi-Go interesting. Thank you, Central Crossing.
Asashimo's story was very dark. It must be horrifying to know that the nearest ship was miles away, with no hope of rescue.
Suzutsuki's story (Sorry if I misspelled the ship's name) was quite interesting. She sailed to Japan backwards!
Kasumi's mysteriousness was something that I did not really know before. Thanks!
Isokaze's sinking was a striking moment of a Japanese documentary on Operation Ten-Go. This documentary is part of a long series of Pacific War movies.
Yukikaze was so lucky!
The photograph at 10:29, to quote the Yamato and Musashi photo archive, appears to capture the moment the bombs that would destroy her aft 155 mm (6.1 inch) gun turret hit. The bomb, we all know, started a gigantic fire that was not extinguished until Yamato exploded and sank.
The loss of life in Operation Ten-Go was staggering.
Finally, the wrecks of the destroyers sunk during Operatiom Ten-Go must be found. Their future discoveries are a way to acknowledge what their crew members went through that fateful day.
Operation Ten-Go was doomed from the moment Yukikaze was assigned to it. It might have been a lucky ship but no one around it was! Yukikaze was present at the sinking of Hei, Musashi, Taiho and Shokaku, Shinano, Kongo, and finally Yamato herself! 😂
Great topic. Not many people have focused on this element of the story.
I have seen a filmed interview with one of the American squadron commanders who attacked the Yamato and its escorts. Actually, I think he may have been the CAG (Commander Air Group) of one of the aircraft carriers involved with Yamato's sinking, so he would have directed all of the squadrons of his aircraft carrier. This interview was done in the early 1970's, so less than thirty years after the war ended. I'm not 100% certain, but I believe this interview was shown in an episode of The World at War, one of the best documentary series that covered WW2 in both Europe and the Pacific.
This man was remarkably cold blooded in his assessment of the attack, or the specific wave of attack that he both witnessed and commanded. I don't remember his exact words, but he said he was disappointed in the overall results. He said that with more forethought or better coordination, every last Japanese destroyer should have been sunk. His regret in failing to have sunk every one of Yamato's escorts was plainly visible on his face and in his voice.
If you get a chance to see this interview, it is definitely worth watching.
@Kwolfx. The attitude of that commander is how you win a war against a rabid and determined enemy.
Considering how barbaric the Japanese armyand was to the Chinese, the occupants of the islands the Japanese invaded and treated POWs , including American sailors and pilots Japanese ships picked up
There was no reason the retired pilot has no reason to be sympathetic toward
losses the Japanese fleet had or how their personnel died .
I’ve heard a couple stories about the destroyers of Operation Ten-Go. Pretty well done Crosser on telling the story of these destroyers! There’s many people who don’t give any attention or consideration towards them. Their rescue efforts were valiant even if they were futile in areas of the battle. The amount of aircraft attacking Yamato and the rest of the fleet, and the sheer amount of damage caused just has go to show how dominant we were in the later years of the War in the Pacific of WW2. Though it’s a shame what happened to the Yukikaze, knowing its history, it should have been made into a museum ship instead of being scrapped. At least we have it in World of Warships.
You’ve just earned a subscriber. 🤙🏼
I always wondered about this!
Thanks for the informative video as always !
Brilliant insight and so appreciate this side of the story.
The Akizuki class were excellent ships and the only ships of their size that could defend themselves well against air attack.
thanks for the history lesson. Well presented and prepared.
Interesting! All these years and I’ve never heard what happened to the destroyers that were escorting Yamato. Thanks for the video.
--
The whole mission sounded like an “Honor” situation.
Military bosses: You’ve got that super battle ship sitting there doing nothing while our boys are getting their butts kicked on Okinawa. You’d better do something or go fall on your sword.
Japanese Admirals: We aren’t wimps! We’ll prove it!
US Navy: More opportunities for vengeance!
That was an interesting video. You are correct, there isn't much attention (in general) to the fates of the destroyer escorts that participated in Operation Ten-go.
You produce great content. It's not much of a comment but I wanted to feed the algorithm.
Excellent, well researched video😎
Tameichi Hara, who was in command of the destroyers, was criticized by some for not going down with the Yahagi. The Japanese people could be rough on those that survived.
If I remember correctly he was thrown or blown overboard in the ships final death throws. Was unconscious when he hit the water. Floated for much longer than anyone else. Maybe a day or two? Before one of the destroyers found him. They only found him because they had found another sailor, who had seen him in the water before they got separated convinced the destroyer to keep looking. I believe he was the last man rescued? I also seem to recall that he had expected to get a lot of scorn for not dying with the ship. But from what he said, he was surprised that this was not the case. That everyone seemed really glad that whoever survived, did survive. I remember reading it and coming to the realization that many of the legends about the Japanese concept of honor and dying honorably, might in truth be a tad overblown. The exceptions were the top Army/Political Leadership who's wives kept insisting they commit seppuku. Which seem shockingly well documented. (and in some cases darkly hilarious. One guys wife kept giving him pistols and knives.)
@andrewtaylor940 was that Tanaka's wife? Shamed him into it. I only mention Hara because another recently aired memoir mentioned it. He didn't get it as bad as Fuchida though.
Instant thumbs up...
YUKIKAZE's anchor was returned to Japan and is displayed at the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Acadamy in Etijima.
Fascinating History!
This was essentially a suicide mission. The IJN at this point was not an effective fighting force.
These guys were incredibly brave, may their souls rests in peace
Not something you'd really want to say about WW2 era japanese soldiers. Peace is not really something they deserve.
@@phoenix211245 Yeah, but they're also naval crew. Not many opportunities for war crimes sitting on a destroyer
@@rileyhaynes2515you'd be surprised. If you're ever interested there's an excellent book written by Air Commodore Aidan MacCarthy ,an Irish doctor who served with the British. He saw the full horrors of both the Japanese navy and merchantmen/ fishermen. After his prison ship was torpedoed he was rescued by a Japanese destroyer who started throwing men overboard again. (On the prison ship he was on he and the prisoners had to sleep on the ship floors meaning a torpedo hit would snap your back) When he was picked up again by a fishing trawler he was put to work in a camp in Japan in horrific conditions. Nastiness ran through the core of the Japanese forces. That book is fascinating, by the way, that man saw so much
@@rileyhaynes2515 You haven't heard about how their navy was transporting POW's?
A-holes, 99+% of them
With the number of carriers involved it’s curious that any IJN vessels survived. The DD that steamed backwards to Japan was a sitting duck and just about completely defenseless.
Were the US carriers tasked with something else that prevented them from returning until everything was sunk?
Great stuff!
There really wasn't much point in going after them. Yamato was at least notionally a threat, and sinking it was a propaganda point. A few destroyers with no fuel for future missions really weren't worth the effort - it's not like they could threaten the Okinawa invasion or do much to present any future invasion of Japan proper.
@@facubeitches1144 I get it. But, fly boys be flyboys. The smell of blood in the water…….
Thanks for your patient scholarship. Even though these ships killed my people and were trying to destroy allied ships nevertheless, my imagination illustrates your narration, especially concerning the hits and explosions, and against my wishes, I feel sorrow for the men
Interesting layout of turrets on these 'small' vessels is unusual.
Ten US aircraft and 12 airmen. And seven planes went down when the Yamato blew up. And unlike Pearl Harber THET KNEW WE WHERE AT WAR !!!!!
I highly recommend reading the Book Japanese Destroyer Captain about Captain Hara
not a fan of hara's . that guy is way too full of himself.
Notice their destroyer divisions are at half strength. 3 to make 8 vessels
The first wave expected massive air cover. When that didn't materialize, the fighters strafed the ships knocking our their air defenses. One Japanese stated there was no defense against .50 Caliber BMG. Actually I am surprised so many smaller vessels survived since I would guess, every pilot wanted to sink that battleship.
Not sure why they weren’t cruising at around 26 or 27 knots the whole trip.
Probably due to fuel shortages, and a mixed bag of ships. Some of those destroyers were in need of refitting , and might not have been able to sustain that speed for the entire trip as well.
Using the time tested "Monday Morning Quarter Backing" technique I have always wondered why the Japanese coordination for Ten Go did not plan for the ship to break out in the open sea during night fall. Has this ever been addressed? Timing the run so the group came up to Okinawa around dawn would have been the best chance. Why then head out at night and pop up still in home waters in day light?
I remember watching a documentary where a Yamato survivor tells where an officer gave up a piece of floating debri for him which allowed him to live. I don’t usually feel any sympathy for Japanese soldiers of any type but this guy was on his first mission and considering the circumstances and his demeanor I did. Just imagine being there……
🇺🇸
They were so sure the plan would work.
The Gods thought otherwise.
Hi I don't understand why all ijn ships are easily sunk without giving any substantial damage to attackers
Operation Ten-Go. What a senseless waste of human life.
Great asalways, and rest in peace, all who tragically died.
Take care, and all the best.