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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic: JFK Taking Marines off Choiseul Island in 1943
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Retired Navy commander and book author (www.davidbruhn.com) seeks information about PT-59 and PT-236 taking members of the 2nd Marine Parachute Battalion off the Warrior River mouth at Choiseul Island on 2 November 1943. Additionally, renowned maritime artist Richard DeRosset (http://richardderosset.com/) requires details of the relative positions of the PT boats and LCP(R) Higgins boats involved, to do a painting of the event. We are both interested in such items as: (1) Did the PT-59 using scrambling nets to embark the Marines? (2) Were the Japanese ashore firing at the PT boats during embarkation of Marines from the sinking LCP(R) to the PT-59? (3) Were any illumination mortar rounds fired by Japanese forces? (4) JFK put his boat between the grounded LCP(R) and the shore, and the other LCP(R) came alongside. Were they on the port or starboard side of the PT boat? (5) Was the bow of Kennedy's boat pointing to the east or west in respect to the river mouth? Were the boats alongside pointed in the same director, or bow to stern?

David D. Bruhn

Posted By: David Bruhn | Posted on: Mar 31, 2013 - 6:40pm
Total Posts: 3 | Joined: Mar 31, 2013 - 6:04pm



Welcome David. Not sure if you've seen this or if it will help but it is an interesting story about "Operation Blissful": [url]http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2010/fall/blissful.html[/url].




Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Mar 31, 2013 - 8:11pm
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am



Kennedy's PT-59 could not find the other boat that was supposed to guide them to the Marines trapped on Choiseul, and in fact had gone a bit too far North. Kennedy actually came across a Landing craft roughly 300 yards off shore, which was damaged and delayed by repairs in getting on station to meet them.

Actually 2 LCPR's came in to take the men off, which were just ahead of PT-59 by a couple of miles. Bigger's men waded out under the cover of darkness, and one of the boats was filled with Marines, left for Voza. The second boat was leaving but sprung a leak, and pulled away from shore, water came in and started to flood the engine housing, and it was clear the boat was sinking. . The engine stalled, causing the boat to drift back towards shore. It was then that PT-59 showed up out of the darkness. Kennedy steered the boat between the sinking LCPR and the shore. he was only a few hundred yards off shore. Some 40 to 50 Marines were hauled onboard PT-59. There were no incidents, and to my knowledge, PT-59 left and was not fired at. PT Boats did not carry cargo nets, so nets were not dropped over the side, No Mortor fire came from the beach. Kennedy did not run out of fuel anywhere near Choiseul, but ran out of fuel around 3:00 am when he was towed back to Lambu Lambu Cove. PT-59 was assigned to offer fire support at Choiseul, but according to Maurice Kowal, a gunners mate on this mission, PT-59 never fired a shot in the rescue.



Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: Mar 31, 2013 - 8:22pm
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am



David: There is an article in the November 2001 issue of "All Hands" about this mission. Leo Campbell was gunner and crewmember on PT 236 on that mission. PT 236 was one in our Squadron 19. I believe Leo still lives in Bakersfield, CA. I am sure Allyson at PT Headquarters could give you his address and phone number. You might contact him for some first hand information.

C. J. Willis

Posted By: CJ Willis | Posted on: Apr 1, 2013 - 8:41am
Total Posts: 464 | Joined: Nov 5, 2006 - 5:02pm



Hi there.

So, the film PT-109 got the nets wrong too huh? I\m pretty sure the film showed nets being placed over the sides. Maybe the film was an April 1 joke?

The problem with many theatrical films, and many documentaries, is that they use footage that is not accurate or they change things around for more drama - supposedly more drama that is.

At least the film did get some people interested in the PT boats of WW2. It be nice if Italeri did a Elco 77' (?) Gunboat. Heck they can even market it as Kennedy's other PT boat.

Cheers

"Give me a fast boat for we want to get out of harm's way too."

Posted By: PeterTareBuilder2 | Posted on: Apr 1, 2013 - 5:30pm
Total Posts: 204 | Joined: Dec 8, 2012 - 6:03pm



Peter Tare Builder,

Over the years, I've told many an unknowing "PT 109" movie viewer about the PT 59 rescue of the Marines off Choiseul being morphed into a pre-ramming/sinking PT 109 incident for the film.

I also wrote, years ago, a several-page letter to the Revell model company proposing a PT 59 "custom kit" in 1/72nd scale, one containing parts for both a stock PT 59 and a gunboat version 77' Elco PT. I even proposed a name and a tag line for the dual-parts kit: "Guadalcanal Veteran/JFK's Second Command -- Build One Of Two Versions!".

After several discussions with modelers much more experienced than I, who advised me of the enormous costs and difficulties of tooling new model kits -- and the slim-to-none chance Revell would ever consider or create such a kit -- I didn't sent the letter.



Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Apr 1, 2013 - 5:59pm
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am



Drew, suggest it to Italeri.
Dave

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Apr 1, 2013 - 7:30pm
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm




Peter Tare Builder,

Over the years, I've told many an unknowing "PT 109" movie viewer about the PT 59 rescue of the Marines off Choiseul being morphed into a pre-ramming/sinking PT 109 incident for the film.

I also wrote, years ago, a several-page letter to the Revell model company proposing a PT 59 "custom kit" in 1/72nd scale, one containing parts for both a stock PT 59 and a gunboat version 77' Elco PT. I even proposed a name and a tag line for the dual-parts kit: "Guadalcanal Veteran/JFK's Second Command -- Build One Of Two Versions!".

After several discussions with modelers much more experienced than I, who advised me of the enormous costs and difficulties of tooling new model kits -- and the slim-to-none chance Revell would ever consider or create such a kit -- I didn't sent the letter.



Hi there.

Yes, please suggest that to Italeri. It'd be a fantastic kit. I bet it'd be pretty popular too.

Thanks and cheers

"Give me a fast boat for we want to get out of harm's way too."

Posted By: PeterTareBuilder2 | Posted on: Apr 2, 2013 - 3:49am
Total Posts: 204 | Joined: Dec 8, 2012 - 6:03pm



Just might do that, guys (write Italeri about a possible 1/35th scale "Guadalcanal Veteran/JFK's Second Command" PT 59 custom kit, with parts for both versions)...





Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Apr 5, 2013 - 11:07am
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am