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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic: THE OTHER DISASTER AT PEARL HARBOR
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Today the history channel had at 11 AM est "THE OTHER DISASTER AT PEARL HARBOR" which occurred on May 21, 1944. six combat loaded LST's were lost in west loch, when amidst the loading of ordnance supposedly a morter shell was dropped on the deck of one of the ships. The LST's were loaded for the invasion of Siapan and had on board tons of ammo (small arms and large caliber), TNT , Torpex, hundreds of thousands of gallons of fuel, AVGAS in drums on deck, trucks and other volitale supplies. The LST's were moored in a nest, 29 LST's in all. Well during the emergency, COMPEARLHARBOR, Ordered three PT boats to head to west loch and torpedo the LST's. The three boats were later ordered to stand down and the fleet tugs went in to fight the fires. I
n the documentary, at 11:29 a nice shot of PT 27 RON 1 is seen motoring through the harbor with a number of men on deck. This is a 1944 shot of 27 as she has a SO-A radar mast and empty roll-off racks. Maybe taken in May 1944, but probably not on the 21st of May. Anyway, a nice video shot of John Akin's old boat, maybe he was on her that day. Jerry let him know if you will.
take care,
TED



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Dec 7, 2009 - 11:30am
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



Thanks Ted I will do that! Jerry

Jerry Gilmartin

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Dec 7, 2009 - 12:22pm
Total Posts: 1469 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm



The rusted remnants of those LSTs were still there when I was stationed at Pearl in 1980-82. We would see them when we loaded/unloaded ammo.

Charlie

Charlie

Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Dec 8, 2009 - 5:28am
Total Posts: 598 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm



Charlie;
They are still there.
TED



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Dec 8, 2009 - 8:41am
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



Does any one have photographs they can post here, showing those sunken craft at Pearl. This is the first time I have ever heard of this disaster...............



Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Dec 8, 2009 - 1:35pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am



Frank;
Go to this site, they have a number of May 21, 1944 photos and one May 2003 photo of LST 480's rusting bow.
http://battle.netgate.net/westloch/westloch.htm
take care,
TED



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Dec 8, 2009 - 2:46pm
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



Ted

Thanks for the listing. Boy, such a horrible explosion and a high number of dead and wounded. I wonder if they ever replaced those much needed supplies that were to go to Siapan. My Uncle was 19 years old, serving with the 2cond Marine Division and lost his life on the aweful Island on June 19, 1944...................



Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Dec 9, 2009 - 12:51am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am



Frank;
According to the documentary, the invasion force replaced mostly everything, the were only one LST short, from the original plan requirements. The invasion kicked off on schedule,the landings began at 07:00 on June 15, 1944. This invasion was over shadowed in the media, by the other D-Day, in France.
A nice write up can be found at this website:http://www.cnmi-guide.com/history/ww2/4/
take care,
TED



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Dec 9, 2009 - 5:39am
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



I went to Google maps and took a look at Pearl Harbor and the West Loch and you can see the hull of the LST.

Charlie

Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Dec 10, 2009 - 4:44am
Total Posts: 598 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm



Hi Ted,
I told John Akin about this and then I looked on the History Channels website and they do not have a video called "The other disaster at Pearl Harbor" Are you sure this video was on The History Channel? Is that the entire name of the show? I see they have one called "Huiman Torpedo Raiders" on the "Greatest Raids" series" All I want is to be able to purchase this DVD so I can give it to John Akin. Is there a way you could tell me the exact name (and possibly a link!) to the Program and where to buy a copy? Is it the Nova PBS program called "Killer Subs in Pearl Harbor"? Please let me know. Thanks Ted! Jerry PT658 Portland OR

Jerry Gilmartin

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Jan 19, 2010 - 5:53pm
Total Posts: 1469 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm



Jerry;
My fault, It is really called :The Other Tragedy at Pearl Harbor.
Arthur Kent is the host and it was part of his History Undercover series. 2001



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jan 20, 2010 - 6:22am
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



this is not related to the question but i think i read somewhere that it was a pt boat that shot down the first japanese plane at pearl harbor? earl

earl richmond

Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: Jan 20, 2010 - 8:31am
Total Posts: 319 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm



Earl;
You are correct. GM 1/c Joy Van Zyll de Jong and TM 1/c George Huffman on PT 23. They jumped into the .50 cal turrets and shot down a Kate, a few minutes later they claimed another Kate.
Ens Harold Howes was CO and Ens Paul Rennell was XO of PT 23 at the time.
Take care,
TED



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jan 20, 2010 - 2:45pm
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am