The Giant Waves that Almost Changed the End of WW2

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  • Опубликовано: 25 фев 2024
  • US Navy Task Force 38 had been heavily pounding Japanese airfields and facilities around the Philippines for over three days.
    The intensity of combat was so that Admiral Halsey’s ships were almost out of fuel and were bound to meet with refueling ships to continue supporting the amphibious landings at Mindoro.
    By December 17, 1944, the weather had worsened, so refueling operations were suspended. The sky abruptly turned grey, the sea turned rougher, and rain engulfed Task Force 38.
    Still, there were no warnings of any cyclonic disturbance, and Halsey ordered his ships to relocate to another area to continue refueling. Doom befell upon TF38 from then forward.
    The barometers began to drop at an alarming rate. The wind rose to 60 knots, and a thick mist surrounded Task Force 38. Then, colossal waves of around 50 feet began to clash with the hulls of all ships.
    The smaller vessels were completely lifted and thrown around like leaves in the wind. Sailors fell overboard, never to be seen again in the darkness of the ocean, while others struggled to avoid being hit by the aircraft that crashed into each other aboard the carriers.
    A small but ruthless typhoon had consumed TF38, and there was no way out. The brave sailors, with future US President Gerald Ford among them, were caught in the eye of the storm.
    As fires erupted, aircraft crashed on the decks, and the sea devoured ships, it was up to men like Lieutenant Ford to keep their ships afloat.

Комментарии • 85

  • @d.e.b.b5788
    @d.e.b.b5788 2 месяца назад +5

    My dad survived that storm. He once told me, that they don't make ships big enough to go out into that ocean. That's reflected by some other people's quotes about what it was like back then. Imagine; being on the bridge of one of those big ships, watching the front of the ship disappear under the water, and having the ocean splashing against your windows up that high as the bow pointed at the sky.

  • @coryfogle5353
    @coryfogle5353 3 месяца назад +24

    My Scout Master was on the Fantail of one ship and said at one point he was able to look straight up at the bottom of the Bow of another ship. Miraculously they didn't collide. But only fate, luck, and God prevented the collision.

  • @michaelpreston233
    @michaelpreston233 3 месяца назад +5

    They are the greatest Generation.

  • @davidsauls9542
    @davidsauls9542 3 месяца назад +10

    I had two friends that were on a battleship in that storm. Each said they had never known fear like that. Hours and hours with no relief.

  • @Hey_MikeZeroEcho22P
    @Hey_MikeZeroEcho22P 3 месяца назад +21

    'Typhoon Cobra'...........
    As a USN Veteran of 20+ years, That Name, sends shivers down MY Spine!!
    With the capsizing of destroyers HULL, MONAGHAN, SPENCE and the loss of those All of those men except for a Small handful from those three (3) ships...always made wonder if MY frigate(s) would hold up??

    • @univrzsal
      @univrzsal 3 месяца назад +1

      those ships were incredibly small. check out USS sullivun to see. I'm sure ur ship would survive, tho i wont lie alot of the modern ships are built alot weaker in terms of hull strenth i've heard

    • @Hey_MikeZeroEcho22P
      @Hey_MikeZeroEcho22P 3 месяца назад +4

      @@univrzsal You are correct...Our Modern ships ( at least in the 80s ), were built to withstand some "pounding" of the seas..... except the modern LCS. The LCS (Littoral Combat Ship) is made of aluminum, for speed and evasion, THOSE ships are target vessels, but they are being put out of commission soon.

  • @Walter-wo5sz
    @Walter-wo5sz 3 месяца назад +22

    You ain't seen "rough" until you've seen waves crash over a carrier deck.

    • @billotto602
      @billotto602 2 месяца назад +1

      AMEN TO THAT SHIPMATE ! 🫡 🇺🇸

    • @dangeary2134
      @dangeary2134 Месяц назад +1

      My uncle (RIP, Uncle Jim!) showed me pictures of an enormous wave coming over the deck of an aircraft carrier.
      He served on four different vessels, and I never learned which.
      James Tesdorf was his name, if anyone has the means to look him up.
      I always get hit with a wall when I try.

  • @danor6812
    @danor6812 3 месяца назад +15

    I never heard of this. I saw videos/movies and read stories about heavy fog and such. But never heard about the USN running into a typhoon. And losing 3 ships with all hands.

    • @NVRAMboi
      @NVRAMboi 2 месяца назад

      It's true. TWO typhoons.

  • @TRHARTAmericanArtist
    @TRHARTAmericanArtist 3 месяца назад +24

    I remember watching a program in which a sailor recalled seeing a destroyer enveloped by a huge wave and disappearing beneath it during the typhoon. Hard to imagine a modern ship being engulphed by a wave.

  • @toranagachan3402
    @toranagachan3402 2 месяца назад +4

    NEVER underestimate the power of water!

  • @OCCA
    @OCCA 3 месяца назад +5

    My father was assigned to the Donaldson - Shallow draft Evarts Class Destroyer Escort - what a horrible storm for that little ship.

  • @GregDeverell
    @GregDeverell 3 месяца назад +9

    My uncle Billy Deverell was killed in action on LST 750 December 28th 1944 he was killed due to the explosion of the S.S. John Burke

  • @chillindave1357
    @chillindave1357 3 месяца назад +14

    Yet another story I've never heard. Ty

  • @davidstearns9664
    @davidstearns9664 3 месяца назад +4

    Such a great loss of life ...RIP

  • @DrMatey215
    @DrMatey215 3 месяца назад +13

    Epic episode. A very fine piece of work. 5 ✨ stars ✨!

  • @graham2631
    @graham2631 3 месяца назад +13

    Were does the love of god go when the waves turn the minutes into hours...

    • @johnhafford1970
      @johnhafford1970 2 месяца назад

      Ahhh, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot.

  • @miapdx503
    @miapdx503 2 месяца назад +1

    Our veterans, those who survived WW2, endured some things we cannot imagine. That's just one more reason to show respect...those men are amazing. Our Vietnam vets too. Just to have come out alive is a tremendous thing. I salute you all 🌹👍🏽💯👊🏽⚓🌹

  • @patrickmurray9409
    @patrickmurray9409 3 месяца назад +28

    My greatuwas on a cruiser in that storm. His ship was capsized during this. My great uncle Pete, thank you for your service.

    • @michaelpreston233
      @michaelpreston233 3 месяца назад

      Cheers

    • @PlaneReality
      @PlaneReality 2 месяца назад

      Salute

    • @desimonevd
      @desimonevd 2 месяца назад

      Do you know what ship? According to my sources, while several cruisers were badly damaged by the storm, none of them capsized. OTOH, three destroyers did capsize and sink (Hull, Monaghan and Spence) plus many others were badly damaged. A terrible tragedy.

    • @patrickmurray9409
      @patrickmurray9409 2 месяца назад

      Sadly I don't it's been years since was around him. He passed atleast thirty years ago. My memory isn't great lately, getting old sucks. He must have been on the destroyers. He was a character.

    • @vincentchang8933
      @vincentchang8933 2 месяца назад

      Fuck off nobody cares

  • @peterblake4837
    @peterblake4837 3 месяца назад +7

    The tense delivery is spoiled by ignorance - the "eye of the storm" is quiet and calm.

    • @vf12497439
      @vf12497439 2 месяца назад +1

      The eye of the storm is a nice break and the fear of the hell to return never leaves your mind.

  • @johnassal5838
    @johnassal5838 3 месяца назад +2

    I heard a story I'm not sure is 100% true but here it is. After president Ford fell down the stairs on two seperate occasions getting off air force one someone asked him how he could be so unlucky. Thing is Ford knew is was actually extremely lucky to live through this cyclone since he went through an open hatch, completely over the side just barely holding onto the railing of the ship he was on which was listing almost 70 degrees or something at that moment with his feet dragging on the waves.
    Anyway he always said that pulling himself back aboard left him way head of the game!

  • @eoinf2773
    @eoinf2773 3 месяца назад +7

    Would be great if you could do a video on the RMS Leinster around 570 civilians and army died on it in 1917 hit by a German submarine. Your video's are great 👍

  • @WaterburnerActual
    @WaterburnerActual 3 месяца назад +6

    First off, WTH were there people on the WX Decks!?!
    Loss of life...sadly, seems avoidable.
    But even more sadly, even today with the technology we have, that wasn't even thought of then, we still have avoidable loss of life as a result of Severe WX. Typhoons to Tornadoes to Fire Storms to Flooding. The Fleet in those days didn't always have time to relocate, but today, we have oftentimes, days to prepare to relocate. Our WX FXers not only give time to prepare/relocate, but they provide Risk Areas where Severe WX is expected, along with a estimate of likelihood for storm development.
    With Spring Storm Season quickly approaching, we all need to have Severe WX Plans drafted and tested, for Home, Driving to Work/School, at Work/School, Recreation Areas or anywhere one might find themselves in Severe WX.
    Don't be Scared
    Be
    Prepared

    • @flick22601
      @flick22601 3 месяца назад +1

      People were on the weather decks attempting to assess damage and secure and repair things that had suffered damage. When weather that severe occurs, everything on board is secured especially the watertight compartments. But, mama nature didn't read the book and is determined to do things her way.

  • @wearetomorrowspast.5617
    @wearetomorrowspast.5617 3 месяца назад +7

    Here's to you lads, more brave than I can ever imagine.

  • @Eric-kn4yn
    @Eric-kn4yn 3 месяца назад +3

    Cain mutiny was based on typhoon cobra

  • @MSimmonsAZ
    @MSimmonsAZ 3 месяца назад +3

    Besides the technology we have today, we would also send a plane to scout the storm. Hard to imagine going through that day.

  • @user-vg8sz3sc6x
    @user-vg8sz3sc6x Месяц назад

    My dad served on the destroyer USS Hickox, DD-673, that is mentioned in this video. He said it was the worst part of the war for him and many others who survived. Three other destroyers, the Hull, the Monaghan, and the Spence all capsized and sank during that typhoon, taking most hands with them.

  • @toranagachan3402
    @toranagachan3402 2 месяца назад +1

    It was during this typhoon that the Cain munitions occurred. Also, this vid's opening pic shows an Essex class carrier with the armored flight deck bent down around the bow. This carrier was the USS Wasp, CV18, my dad's ship. The damage was incurred when during the storm, the ship was forced to turn into the wind so as to keep from rolling. The Wasp shipped so much water over the flight deck that the whole forward section of the bow + several frames further aft would be completely submerged. The "bending" of the flightdeck would occur as the ships engines & gyroscope, screaming for all they were worth pushed the ship thru wave after enormous wave, each one bending it a little more & a little more & a little more! My father got to see this from the signal bridge as it was happening. Halsey was trying to keep to a timetable with the invasion + the resupply efforts. He figured the fleet could take it.
    It did, but the cost of damage to the fleet was enormous.

    • @toranagachan3402
      @toranagachan3402 2 месяца назад +2

      USS Cain Muinty! Damm spell check!!!😅

  • @earlshaner4441
    @earlshaner4441 3 месяца назад +9

    This is the way the Pacific Ocean because I sailed her when I was in the United States NAVY

    • @spvillano
      @spvillano 3 месяца назад +2

      Mar Pacífico, the peaceful sea.
      I'd hate to see a warlike sea!

    • @earlshaner4441
      @earlshaner4441 3 месяца назад +3

      I have seen many different storms when I was on the USS Dubuque LPD 8 and I was in the Pacific Ocean

  • @matthewcohen9582
    @matthewcohen9582 3 месяца назад +2

    The Indiana jones-esque background music makes it

  • @user-pj5by8lx2m
    @user-pj5by8lx2m 3 месяца назад +5

    I was wandering whether or not Ford survived glad you told me several times

  • @daystatesniper01
    @daystatesniper01 3 месяца назад +7

    Just goes to show however powerfull your navy when mother nature throws a wobbly there is usually only one winner .RIP brave sailors/airmen lost in this storm.

  • @jameszooski9053
    @jameszooski9053 3 месяца назад +1

    And I thought I new history, I just learned a lot, my family was there.

  • @davidbroadley2983
    @davidbroadley2983 3 месяца назад +2

    Any seaman would see the increase in frequency of the seas.
    Halsey was no seaman. Worse still he wouldn't listen.

  • @garielgrenadius7564
    @garielgrenadius7564 2 месяца назад

    My grandfather was in this typhoon. He said it looked as though the sky and sea were one.

  • @johnassal5838
    @johnassal5838 3 месяца назад +1

    Didn't Halsey run into typhoons on *3* different occasions?

  • @DavidJones-me7yr
    @DavidJones-me7yr 3 месяца назад +1

    I wonder if the planes back then had the ability to get above the hurricane??

    • @Eric-kn4yn
      @Eric-kn4yn 3 месяца назад +1

      Running out of fuel got them i think

  • @suzannakoizumi8605
    @suzannakoizumi8605 2 месяца назад

    I have heard Cathy O'Brian speak about her sad experience with Ford. I no longer consider him an honorable man.

  • @dadyo63
    @dadyo63 2 месяца назад

    Dont think 12 refueler ships would go any were near refeuling over 200 ships bud ,what ever

  • @kirkmorrison6131
    @kirkmorrison6131 3 месяца назад +2

    Halsey's Typoon couldn't be really predicted in WWII. It was only predictable by a sailor with a lot of sea experience.

  • @user-yj6ul9kz3p
    @user-yj6ul9kz3p 3 месяца назад

    el viento divino ayudo a japon

  • @andrewdillon7837
    @andrewdillon7837 3 месяца назад

    Halsey was a fool ! , quote from Capt. Ramius ,,There is a documentary about capt ramius , theVilnius schoolmaster

  • @user-qs3jx8uv2l
    @user-qs3jx8uv2l Месяц назад

    Satellites in the 40s, were have you been. This remark probably came from a Melanin

  • @MagnumGreenPanther
    @MagnumGreenPanther 3 месяца назад +6

    Pretty sure this is a debatable title

  • @anibalcesarnishizk2205
    @anibalcesarnishizk2205 3 месяца назад +1

    That was a true Kamikaze.

  • @grandpahickory613
    @grandpahickory613 3 месяца назад +2

    those weather men should have been court martialed !!!

  • @straitjacket8689
    @straitjacket8689 3 месяца назад +3

    Halsey should be relieved of his command

  • @WNH3
    @WNH3 3 месяца назад

    Just what is a "Mustang pilot" in the context of USN losses?

    • @Hey_MikeZeroEcho22P
      @Hey_MikeZeroEcho22P 3 месяца назад

      Planes being transferred by USN to other islands for escort duties of long range bombers.

  • @macbomb
    @macbomb 3 месяца назад +1

    I guess not calling it Typhon Cobra is a way to get more people to watch.

  • @Dr_Larken
    @Dr_Larken 3 месяца назад

    Free cookies!

  • @dalebelseth3058
    @dalebelseth3058 3 месяца назад

    Mustang Pilots?

  • @mrhassell
    @mrhassell 3 месяца назад +2

    First! Am bushed how I managed this..

  • @kimmoj2570
    @kimmoj2570 3 месяца назад

    When you see word "dark" on first word of channel, go away.

  • @jacktattis
    @jacktattis 3 месяца назад

    I do not like this style of narration

  • @halachgoy
    @halachgoy 3 месяца назад +1

    Why didn't they check the satellite weather forecast?

    • @Hey_MikeZeroEcho22P
      @Hey_MikeZeroEcho22P 3 месяца назад

      World War TWO..... rockets were JUST being launched by Germans..........
      Satellites??!!

    • @fighter5583
      @fighter5583 3 месяца назад +4

      You know satellites didn't exist in the 40s.

    • @bernardkroeger4045
      @bernardkroeger4045 3 месяца назад +2

      @@fighter5583 I think that was a HaHa comment. At least I hope so.

    • @Eric-kn4yn
      @Eric-kn4yn 3 месяца назад

      They were too busy with their playing with e devices

  • @420WEED69
    @420WEED69 2 месяца назад

    Ford Ford Ford