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 Author  Topic: Combat Questions
Blake

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Blake   Send Email To Blake Posted on: Jul 31, 2008 - 10:53am
I was discussing PTs with a friend of mine & he asked a couple of questions I thought I would throw out & see if I can find answers for him. His questions involve actual combat on the boats & so I thought the veterans we have here on the forum could fill in some operational details.
One question was about footing for the crew on that wet deck, especially moving around trying to fire weapons at speed. How was that accomplished?
His 2nd question: I was wondering about launching the torpedoes(Mk XIII late war Elco 80'). I assume they can't just 'pull a rope' start the torpedoes and kick it off the side. I was curious about the launch mechanism probably built into the mounting brackets assembly and how the torpedo propeller actually started?
I just started reading through my new copy of At Close Quarters, so I didn't have the answers for him yet.
Thanks for any info!


B-

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Frank J Andruss Sr

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Frank J Andruss Sr   Send Email To Frank J Andruss Sr Posted on: Jul 31, 2008 - 2:34pm
Blake, although I never served on a boat, I have spoken to dozens of PT VETS over the years about this that and the other. Most guys told me you needed to get your Sea legs first, second, riding one of these boats was tricky business. You never stood strait up when underway, you rode with the boat and bent your legs, learning how to take the pounding from the Sea. Remember, most fire fights were close combat and each action required different manuvers. Fighting the Barges was close in work, bringing the weapons to bear and killing quickly. Sometimes it demanded several high speed passes. Shore batteries could open up on you anythime, and it was time to go to high speed and high tail out of there. Holding on and firing at the same time took skill and daring , no doubt, but it was done.


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QM

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message   Posted on: Jul 31, 2008 - 6:53pm
Blake, I never remember slipping on a wet deck. When the crew was firing on a target, the men handling guns would be in a fairly stationary position. The loaders on the 40 mm, 37 mm and 20mm would need to move a bit to reload the guns. I just never encountered a problem with a slick deck at any time while underway. Riding the boat, especially in rough water when standing, the position should be with the knees not locked. The knees could flex to cushion the rough ride.

It is a misconception to believe that the boats would run from shore batteries. Depending on the circumstances, the boats sometimes withdrew and sometimes they stayed to shoot it out. At times, the skipper would have the 40 mm concentrate on the shore batteries while the others fired on the target. The 40 mm was frequently able to silence fire from shore. The almost unbelievable story of not running from shore batteries is the rescue in Wasile Bay. In this instance PT's 489 and 363 went into Wasile Bay in daylight to rescue a navy aviator. They were under almost constant shellfire in broad daylight for two and one half hours. See At Close Quarters, pages 368 and 369.

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ROSS FISHER

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of ROSS FISHER  Posted on: Aug 1, 2008 - 10:54am
WHEN JOHN BULKELEY AND THE SURVIVORS OF SQUADRON 3 ARRIVED BACK IN THE U.S. IN THE SPRING OF '42, THEY WENT ON A RECRUITING TOUR OF COLLEGE CAMPUSES. THEY EMPHASIZED THE NEED FOR ATHLETES TO HANDLE THE ROUGH-RIDING PT's FOR ALL THE REASONS YOU MENTIONED. COLLEGE GUYS ARE YOUNG, STRONG AND UNDER THE ILLUSION THEY'RE GOING TO LIVE FOREVER......IN OTHER WORDS, PERFECT PT SAILORS. BULKELEY TOLD THEM RIGHT UP FRONT TO EXPECT A HIGH CASUALTY RATE, BUT THEY STILL GOT MORE VOLUNTEERS THAN THEY COULD POSSIBLY USE. THEY EVEN GOT SEVERAL PRO FOOTBAL PLAYERS TO SIGN ON, TRY TO IMAGINE THAT HAPPENING TODAY.

ROSS FISHER

ross@dupagels.lib.il.us

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EARL RICHMOND

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of EARL RICHMOND  Posted on: Aug 1, 2008 - 11:58am
after i was discharged it took me a long time to walk "normally" again.legs slight;y apart,knees slightly bent and bottoms of my feet "feeling" what i was walking on.wife said it looked like i was constantly balancing myself when i walked.the rolling,dipping,slapping of the deck was with me for a long time.especially when the boat went up in the air ,and it came down before i did.that really did a job on the knees.don,t remember slipping on the deck,.1st GQ station i was ,loader on the aft 20mm.had to get the magAZINE OUT OF THE READY BOX AND SNAP IT INTO THE 20MM.WHEN EMPTY OF SHELLS HAD TO YANK IT OUT ,TAKE IT TO THE READY BOX AND GET ANOTHER LOADED,ETC. THE GUNNER WAS STRAPPED IN TO THE GUN.OTHER STATION WAS TWIN FIFTIES AT THE COCKPIT.WAS NOT STRAPPED IN. RODE ASTRADDDLE THE "BULL NOSE" A COUPLE OF TIMES.SOMETIMES TOOK CAT NAPS ON TOP OF THE DAY ROOM.ALWAYS SORT OF HALF AWAKE THOUGH. EARL

earl richmond

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CJ Willis

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of CJ Willis  Posted on: Aug 1, 2008 - 2:19pm
Hi Guys:
Like Earl and QM, I never had trouble with slippery decks. The deck paint we used was not slippery. As far as rough seas - I have seen the boat go completely out of the water and the engines rev up when the screws come out. That would give you a good jolt. In combat with barges we were going at slow speed so no problem. My general quarters station was in the port twin fifty turret my entire 13 months on 242 in the Solomons.
I am now paying for all those rough seas - just had my left knee replaced July 22nd - in hospital for 6 days - home with Randy now and have started that God awful rehab.

CJ Willis


C. J. Willis

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Gary Szot

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Gary Szot   Send Email To Gary Szot Posted on: Aug 1, 2008 - 2:39pm
I hope that you have a speedy recovery CJ.


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Will Day

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Will Day   Send Email To Will Day Posted on: Aug 1, 2008 - 3:08pm
God speed, C.J.

Will

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Frank J Andruss Sr

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Frank J Andruss Sr   Send Email To Frank J Andruss Sr Posted on: Aug 1, 2008 - 4:52pm
Hope your recovery is not too bad. I am looking at both knees being done at some point ( my rewards for playing Football ) What can i expect and how is the rehab and recovery time............


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EARL RICHMOND

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of EARL RICHMOND  Posted on: Aug 1, 2008 - 5:15pm
my best wishes for you CJ.take care and have a quick and good recovery
earl

earl richmond

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