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Topic: OT 71st Anniversary of HMS Repulse & HMS Prince of Wales Sinkings |
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PeterTareBuilder2
MASTER
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Posted on: Dec 10, 2012 - 12:39pm
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Today marks the 71st anniversary of the Japanese attacks on HMS Repulse (Battle Cruiser) and HMS Prince of Wales (Battheship) and the subsequent sinking of both vessels. Even tough it was a much newer ship HMS Prince of Wales eas more easily sunk than was HMS Repulse. With the sinkings of these two Capital Ships at sea and under power following the Pearl Harbor attack a few days earlier it was seen that the Age of the Battleship was at an end. Now it was to become the Age of the Aircraft Carrier.
Cheers
"Give me a fast boat for we want to get out of harm's way too." |
Total Posts: 204 | Joined:
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Dec 10, 2012 - 1:29pm
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Hi Peter,
Stupid Question....what does "OT" mean in regard to your subject line?
Thanks Jerry
That is really sad about the 2 British Battleships, I think they learned after that to add more AA guns that were faster firing and more efficient at stopping air attacks. The AA suite on both of those ships was not very impressive compared to what they installed later in the war. I think that may be one of those "hard lessons" to learn.
Also, I wanted to point out as well that (as shown on the PT Boat calendar) today, Dec 10, 1944 is the day the PT323 was hit by a Kamikaze just off Leyte and chopped into two pieces. One of our veterans, Dick Lowe was on board the 323 when it got hit and was tossed up into the air as if on a springboard. Dick is still with us and still is amazed he lived through the ordeal. Herb Stadler the CO and the XO William Adelman, who were both standing at the bridge were the only two crewmen killed in the attack, all the enlisted men survived. Just a good thing to remember these brave warriors who gave their all for the country. God Bless Them!
PS I just got off the phone with Dick, and asked him if he knew what day it was....he said he would never forget! He said to tell everyone on the board Hello! He also said Elco boats were the best! and I had to let that one slide by.
Dick on PT658 in 2008
PT323 before it got hit.
PT323 after the hit
Another view, see the proximity to shore
A view of the bridge from the aft side seeing damage caused by plane crashing into it
Jerry Gilmartin |
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PeterTareBuilder2
MASTER
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Posted on: Dec 10, 2012 - 4:02pm
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Ahoy there Jerry.
OT in a topic header means Off Topic. I use it here if I post something that is not directly related to PT boats but is something related to the sea that I think members would find of interest. OT in the header makes it easy for tthe moderators (is there more than one here?) to remove such posts if they violate he Message Bard Rules.
I find it astounding the damage a PT boat could sustain yet remain afloat thereby giving the crew a great chance of survival an/or rescue. Thanks for posting those images. What a model that would make. What skills would be required to build it too. Years ago I saw images of DKM Bismark and RMS Titanic models that were built showing either vessel built as it appears in their final resting place.
Cheers
"Give me a fast boat for we want to get out of harm's way too." |
Total Posts: 204 | Joined:
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Dec 10, 2012 - 4:27pm
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Thanks Peter! I felt kind of silly since I did not know what that meant.
Jerry Gilmartin |
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Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Dec 10, 2012 - 4:37pm
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Jerry, as a fund raiser, can you get Dick to sign copies of the boat, or come up with something that can be framed. I would pay to have his autograph, and to include it in my exhibit. Let me know................
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Nuge210
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Dec 10, 2012 - 5:40pm
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Jerry,
Pass on a Merry Christmas to Dick for me please ( even though he's an Elco man )
Steve |
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