"In no engagement of
its entire history has the United States Navy shown more gallantry,
guts and gumption than in those two morning hours between 0730 and
0930 off Samar"
— Samuel Eliot
Morison, History of United States Naval Operations in World War II,
Volume XII, Leyte
Undoubtedly one of the most lopsided Naval battles in history.
6 escort carriers, 4 destroyer escorts, and 3 destroyers held off twenty-three ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, some outweighing them by over thirty times!
The incredible story of Taffy 3 was published in "The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors" by James D. Hornfisher, and it's a gripping read.
The Battle Off Samar was part of the Leyte Gulf Campaign, and was the end of an operational Japanese Navy.
The story of Taffy 3 has also been covered on The History Channel, and The Military Channel.
For a detailed review of this Naval action, please go read the entire Wikipedia entry. It's just an amazing story of bravery and courage.
One of the Iowa volunteer crew was on the USS Hoel, the first American ship to be sunk, and I'm looking forward to meeting him.
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Yep, that is one helluva story! And truly a credit to those who stood up and charged an enemy that overmatched them!
ReplyDeleteIt never ceases to amaze me just how ignorant I am of these world-changing moments - in this case, one that happened 10 years before I was born.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the links. Between you and Tam (10/16), I've read the Wikipedia pages on the Battle of Leyte Gulf and Battle off Samar.
Awe-inspiring.