Last stand of the Tin can sailors

[Liddabit]

This was an amazing story I watched yesterdy after thanksgiving dinner about some American sailors on 3 Destroyers and 4 destroyer escorts guarding some carriers in Leyte gulf. They were suprised by a huge taskforce of 4 battleships, 6 heavy cruisers, 2 light cruisers, 11 destroyers. Those 7 small american ships steered right into the on coming japanese and launched their torpedos in a spread at the oncoming Japanese to screen the retreat of the carriers.

It really is an amazing story of how badly things went for the Japanese and how lucky and brave the Americans were.

Here is the Wikipedia link for it : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_off_Samar

[Vlaba]

I have read that Moon Chapple is Bream put the heavy cruiser Aoba out of action,
McClintock in Dace sank the heavy cruiser Atago and damaged the heavy cruiser Takao, and Claggett in Darter sank the heavy cruiser Maya. All these were part of the fleets heading for Leyte that had sailed from Brunei. The Atago was Vice Admiral Kurita's flagship!

[klcarroll]

Yes indeed! ...It makes you appreciate that those torpedo tubes on DDs and DEs aren't there "just for show"!!

klcarroll

[Sgt_Starbuck]

That would be Taffy 3? That story should be burned into the heads of all Americans. What a fight!!

Sarge

[AVGWarhawk]

Read the book! Much was missed on the TV version. My wife got me the book for my b-day two years ago. I have read it three times.

[USSIWOJIMA]

Here is a good read on it,check out the story on the USS Johnston,very heroic stuff..

http://www.bosamar.com/usforces/de413.html

http://www.bosamar.com/usforces/dd557.html

[USSIWOJIMA]

Originally posted by AVGWarhawk:
Read the book! Much was missed on the TV version. My wife got me the book for my b-day two years ago. I have read it three times.

Whats the name of the book,id like to get it..Thanks

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally posted by USSIWOJIMA:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by AVGWarhawk:
Read the book! Much was missed on the TV version. My wife got me the book for my b-day two years ago. I have read it three times.

Whats the name of the book,id like to get it..Thanks </div></BLOCKQUOTE>



'The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors.' James D Hornfischer.

[USSIWOJIMA]

Thank you sir/ http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[lane2512]

Great book! If you like it (don't see why you won't) you should also check out Destroyer Operations of World War II by Theodore Roscoe. Every single destroyer and destroyer escort action listed. Amazing read.

[DaKooch]

There is another excellent book covering the same battle from the Japanese point entitled, "Sea of Thunder" by Evan Thomas. I've read them both and they compliment each other very well.

[USSIWOJIMA]

Thanks guys,I will check them out http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/25.gif

[kiltie1932]

I served aboard a Fletcher Class DD during the Korean fracus and can attest to the authenticity of "Last Stand...". I'm an old man now, but am and always will be a Tin Can Sailor. Thanks for the tip re "Sea of Thunder". I'll get it. Fair winds and following seas to all of you.
...Abbie the Boats...