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Topic: PT Boats drive off Jap fleet at Guadalcanal |
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Travis B
Advanced Member
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 Posted on: Apr 24, 2021 - 1:25pm
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I recently obtained this newspaper from the Historic Newspaper Archives in Scotland. I was curious on what PT boat squadron and PT boats were involved. The Date on the Newspaper is January 5th 1943
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Apr 26, 2021 - 9:11pm
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Hi Travis,
I would like to help you but it would be helpful if you could enlarge the block of text in the upper right side that describes the story contained in the headline. I imagine this press release timeline was 4-6 weeks after the fact, which would place the battle on or earlier than November 1942. I can look into it and we can consult "At Close Quarters" book for all the PT Boat action that occurred in fall of 1942.
In the meantime try to post an enlargement of that paragraph on the newspaper so we can at least read what it has to say.
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR |
Total Posts: 1473 | Joined:
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Travis B
Advanced Member
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Posted on: May 8, 2021 - 8:49am
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My research has brought me to an article about the Midnight Raid in Iron Bottom Sound were American PT-Boats thwarted a Tokyo Express run on December 7, 1942, near embattled Guadalcanal. I have included the link to the article below which talks bout the heroic actions of several PT Boats notably PT-109 being skippered by Lieutenant John Searles who led the coordinated attack against the Japanese destroyers attempting to deliver supplies through the Slot.
https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/2018/12/15/midnight-raid-in-iron-bottom-sound/
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: May 9, 2021 - 1:00am
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Hi Travis,
Actually, per the article and to my knowledge, LT Searles was the Skipper of a different boat PT40? and LT Rollin Westholm (aka "Westy") was in command of PT109 (as Squadron Leader) while ENS Bryant Larsen was the actual CO of PT109 that night. Westholm was riding aboard as overall Squadron Commander. I have a typewritten account of Larsens Guadalcanal experiences that I would be willing to send to you if you would like. All I need is your email address. It is a pdf file of 1894kb size, so it should be easily able to be emailed to you. You should also check out the "Tokyo Expess" section of Gene Kirklands "PT King" website linked here.http://pt-king.gdinc.com/
Let me know if this interests you. Bryant Larsen was one of the Original benefactors of the Save the PT Boat Inc group here in Portland, since he moved to Portland after the war was over.
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR |
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Travis B
Advanced Member
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Posted on: May 9, 2021 - 1:06pm
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Jerry, if you could please email me Larsens Guadalcanal experiences. My email is autopartsguy88@gmail.com. Thank you! I know PT-40 is a hour drive from me in Kingston NY, I will be making a weekend trip to check it out.
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Dick
Moderator
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Posted on: May 9, 2021 - 4:01pm
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Please advise if there has been a change, but I believe you are talking about PT 48, and it is part of Fleet Obsolete, and has been sitting on their premises since 2008. I couldn’t find any current info on state of its restoration, so a took a street tour on Google Maps. The street view still seems to show a partial hull covered with the same weather sealing plastic sheet since its arrival, and no restoration what so every. I don’t think making a trip would result in anything that can’t be seen on navsource.org , other than a simple walk-around the old lady.
The photos below are hosted on navsource.org.
http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/120504806.jpg
http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/120504805.jpg
Google Maps, street view:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.9205868,-73.9782636,3a,75y,191.45h,72.4t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sNTLvxpKvIiBZ9NWJPJk11Q!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
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Stearman
Advanced Member
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Posted on: May 9, 2021 - 8:46pm
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PT-48, one of the things I intend to do, when I win the Mega-million jackpot this week! But seriously, It would be nice to see her restored! I know it will be a job and a half, just restoring the the 18' that was cut out of her, let alone the rest of the hull damage.
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Total Posts: 150 | Joined:
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Travis B
Advanced Member
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Posted on: May 10, 2021 - 3:08pm
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I reached out to Fleet Obsolete about a year ago and since then I have been talking to Brenna who has informed me that Fleet Obsolete has setup a committee and is moving forward with restoration work on all PT boats in their possession. Currently Fleet Obsolete is looking for volunteers and also plan to start one of the many PT boat engines they own. I wasn't sure if anyone on the forum can confirm or deny all of this but so far they seem very serious about the project. I plan on taking the drive up to Kingston to meet Brenna and look around at the end of the month.
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Total Posts: 127 | Joined:
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NWSaint
Full Member
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Posted on: May 10, 2021 - 3:25pm
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Can't, and I repeat, you CAN NOT let the 48 die!!... use the 658 as an example of what can happen when you put your mind to it.. do whatever it takes! .. create a team and make it happen!!!!
NW.
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smallwi
Advanced Member
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Posted on: May 10, 2021 - 5:18pm
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Jerry,
I would be interested in the Bryant Larsen document. Peter.tare@verizon.net
Thanks,
Bill
Bill Smallshaw |
Total Posts: 134 | Joined:
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