Battle of Midway Dive-bomber Dispels Myths of Sinking Japanese Carriers

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A dive bomber pilot during World War II, George Walsh flew missions in the SB2C Helldiver. He flew with ADM Halsey's Task Force 38 from carrier Ticonderoga and from ADM Spruance's Task Force 58 from carrier Hancock. Walsh is also a historian of the epic Battle of Midway in 1942.
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[@CemtekComInc]

My friend, Wiggs Anderson of Tinley Park, IL outside Chicago, was on the Ticonderoga when those 2 Komikazies hit as mentioned here by Mr. Walsh. He told me that if he had been at his regular duty station that day on one of the bridge lookouts, he would have been killed. Wiggs survived the war and has gone on to be with the Lord after a full, long life.

[@shawnpa]

I think he is a hero and credible historian. Dive bombers turned the tide in Midway, which turned the war in the Pacific.

[@rolandgard6984]

I would like to thank Mr. Walsh for his service and say that a radio announcer named Michael Savage proclaimed years ago that the American dive bombers were braver than the Kamakasi pilots when a caller tried to comment on how brave the Kamakasi's were. I wish he could have heard the broadcast.

[@gordonhall9871]

American diver bomber pilots did it over and over flying into the mouth of the dragon

[@raymondschlichting6778]

Outstanding interview. Very informative.

[@catinthehat906]

I don't know when this was filmed exactly but hopefully Roland Emmerich's 'Midway' movie that came out in 2019 has set the record straight and given the dive bombers the credit they deserved. I can only think that the US Navy's long pretence that the torpedo bombers sunk these carriers was out of some sort of guilt that they sent brave men (who virtually all died) on a mission with defective torpedo's that were completely ineffective.

[@fitzspike]

Great story Mr. Walsh! Well done Sir!

[@ckaz007]

A great book that tells the story of the Battle of Midway and the success of the US dive bombers is by Victor Davis Hanson, Carnage and Courage. It's well worth the read.

[@secretagent86]

WOW it is extremely rare to find a front line soldier/marine/naval aviator/ etc with such a strategic overview!!! hats off

[@robynn144]

As a Navy veteran myself (although not from World War 2!), I only wish I could have done as much as you did, Mr. George Walsh. I salute you, Sir. You are a true hero.

[@simonvirus6417]

What an interesting interview, definitely a case where truth is harder than fiction. What a Pilot, from Australia

[@galjorbismarck7324]

Not just dive bomber...scout dive bomber.A truly American heroe

[@kiteman357]

God bless these men. I wish the current generation had such heart. Yes I am a vet, Just Cause and Desert Storm. When I grew up, war hero's and astronauts were my role models. Two of my uncles fought in WWII. Both flew the hump in the 1st air commandos and one went on to fly SAC bombers. These men were hero's.

[@Chiller11]

This guy is a gem. I hope he read Shattered Sword. That book was an extraordinarily detailed analysis of the events at the Battle for Midway. It did the SBD Dauntless pilots justice in my view anyway.

[@manilajohn0182]

Then you weren't reading Shattered Sword. The two authors claimed that that dive bomber crews were telling "lurid tales" for which they can "be forgiven". In fact, the two authors' primary source- Senshi Sosho- is 'not' the official history which they claim it to be. Moreover, they conveniently left out statements from the senior surviving officers of both Soryu and Kaga which completely support the statements of our dive bomber crews- and directly contradict the authors' claim that all of the Japanese attack aircraft were in the carriers' hangars when the dive bomber attack began.

[@joshwise9894]

Thanks for your service!

[@dmaextraordinaire8205]

Thank you for your service sir.

[@mariekatherine5238]

Fascinating, what is said about the Battle of Midway.

[@stephenfoster8414]

There's actually a movie on HBO Max about Midway and it's specified on The dive bombers

[@adamtennant4936]

I hope he got to see it.

[@tmoney007confederation7]

Yes! This is a man that actually fought in WW2.... and he admitted that the Allies could have been defeated by the Axis! Most historians fail to mention that? Great documentary my fine SIR!

[@macguru9999]

America could never have been defeated by Japan, but they could have lost all sway in the western Pacific ocean if they had given up on it, of course they did the opposite and took on a war on 2 fronts , winning the pacific war and hugely contributing to the winning in europe as well, in both men and material support to their allies. I think there was a lot of propaganda designed to galvanise the armed forces and the public, and it was a huge success.

[@hooper4581]

These interviews are outstanding. Thank you for sharing these stories before they are lost to time. Ps. I didn’t know uncle junior was a dive bomber 😝

[@dr.barrycohn5461]

Great fellow and real hero.

[@marthavaughan4660]

`Impressive. He knew what was coming and acted appropriately.My father went through Naval flight w/o a down check and an old grizzled chief instructor stated that NO-ONE went through his program unscathed, so he got his down. This upset him more than anything that happened throughout. Aviators forever. To have them back for direction. Ahh, yes

[@jcmalex1]

Impressive, a true hero

[@riverbender9898]

I salute you Sir!

[@marthavaughan4660]

Bless you for making this narrative available for posterity. Succeeding generations now have this to hopefully learn from and remember those who gave their all for our future. The most we could do is to know that they asked for nothing more than a chance to redeem and redress the naked aggression perpetrated on the world by the yellow swine.

[@tommyjenkins7453]

It's going to happen again if this current administration don't stop bowing down to China the other swine

[@brendanoreilly6917]

Incredible.

[@AstroGremlinAmerican]

I remember seeing documentaries about the torpedo planes all being shot down but the dive bombers being successful, in part because Japanese interceptors were changing out armaments.

[@shawnpa]

I think I saw what you did. Good memory, I forgot that was in the movie.The movie made it look like the US Navy just caught the Japanese by surprise. Hollywood dramatization made it look like it was a huge lucky break. It makes much more sense that it was because of the tactics this veteran said were used.

[@paulmiddleton4215]

@@shawnpa by pure chance McClusky found the Jap destroyer steaming full bore all alone. the destroyer had been shadowing the US sub Nautilus from attacking the Jap fleet. McClusky , lost as to where the fleet was, then followed the course of that lone destroyer catching up, to set up the most fateful 5 minutes in history. sinking 3 of Japan's fleett carriers.

[@gordonhall9871]

wow this was a great video

[@joeymaterese8095]

Pure hero

[@86chanko]

wow, what a story

[@kilo-mn5md]

good interview, very informative thank you

[@inajames3160]

I’m interested. I don’t hear as much about pacific campaign. It’s not fair. The interviewer can giver better info as to who this brave veteran is . I’d love to follow. God bless sir, thank you for your service and all who gave.❤

[@leonardcisneroz1868]

Thank u

[@randygerman2176]

Interesting point, there is a two second difference between being a dive bomber and a kamakasi.

[@secretagent86]

RESPECT SIR

[@RichardMyers-gx5fw]

I'm so jealous! Your the last of the greatest generation. Thank You Z so much!!! I wanted to be a fighter pilot in the Marines, not mean to be.

[@RichardMyers-gx5fw]

.my father was a marine Corp. Corsair fighter pilot

[@tommychew6544]

What a sharp mind! Things have always been held back and will never be known. The failings of some in power will always be covered up. What some would call luck is actually intervention. Like being a kid and suddenly knowing what to do, I experienced it playing sports, and further on onto my live in the Marines. I just understood when it was time to hit the clutch or the brakes for older people like me. Ignoring this instinct we have been given will be the end of us. People in power today wouldn't want any of that, they think we should be followers, and that's all the major parties.?? I don't see a way out of this.

[@christianjensen5523]

An informative and very deep dive into the topic! (pun intended :)

[@sr633]

Intense information to put you where this so important combat happend.

[@phillipburns2431]

One book I been thru on sub War fare..stated that torpedoes they had early on were garbage...same thing he stated they would hit ship bounce off holes of ships..dive lower than targets missing them...but sub crews complaints fell on deaf ears till think late 43....44....than things were corrected

[@justinthebeau2590]

Before WW2 The IJN was probably the most powerful navy in the world at that time with the most advanced warships currently in use until Midway.

[@thomasjr8360]

I am going to more research on this dude

[@hooper4581]

His blog is required reading for any midway buffs

[@ThanxBeToGod]

St 23:25, it's tough for civilians to understand how impactful that leadership situation was. By putting that inexperienced yet "senior" officer in charge, the fighting efficiency of the squadron itself declines. The squadron went from unconsciously competent cocksure bold leadership to inexperienced and unfamiliar probably even pensive ignorant decision making. Under that kind of leadership any military unit becomes pedestrian and vulnerable, and all of its members know it.

[@Sequatchiemm]

Someone please tell this man there is a movie called midway literally all about dive bombers it is a great movie

[@lynnhauenstein4136]

I just wish time had been permitted for all the stories, of all presenters seems to be crowded into commercial breaks, cant we go another hour? Even if not radio convenient. These stories are so cool, had 3 uncles serve in Pacific now understand more.

[@ppumpkin3282]

Sounds like this guy believes naval brass screwed up by keeping our carriers out of range at midway and sending torpedo bombers that were useless. If not for mcclosky turning right at the right time - midway would have been a disaster. We got lucky.

[@ppumpkin3282]

I agree with him! Not only did it put them far away while the Japanese carriers changed course, they also knew many pilots would not have enough fuel to return and many would have to land in the water. The dive bombers from Hornet did not hit the carriers at all, the Hornet dive bombers who ignored orders went on the right course but they all got shot down. There was a US submarine "the Natilus" that was harassing the Japanese fleet and the ship that Mclosky followed to the carriers had stayed behind to harass the sub, so without that sub, we might never have found the carriers. As much as the torpedo bombers were on a suicide mission, some experts say it was the torpedo bombers that exhausted and drew away the Japanese air cover, so they didn't get the dive bombers when they finally came and destroyed the carriers. If I was a assigned to a torpedo plane I would have known it was a suicide mission. I'm not sure what I would have done - tried like hell to switch to a fighter or dive bomber. What's worse is at that time of the war most of those torpedoes were defective, so even if they went on a suicide mission it wasn't worth it.

[@user-ff2iz5qc6l]

@@ppumpkin3282 The Hornet’s SBDs did miss the first attack, many actually made it to Midway, they had spotted the smoke from the 1st Japanese attack, and landed there. They were able to refuel and fly back to the Hornet. They did have a role in the attack on the cruiser Mikuma. Which would also sink.

[@tommyjenkins7453]

The history channel battle of midway told story of dive bombers and mcclusky sinking Japans acft carriers

[@earlworley-bd6zy]

Secret mission of BB-46 Maryland in case all the air craft carriers were wiped out

[@TacoMyrick]

Use some of that Patreon money to hire a sound engineer.

[@richardbowers3647]

Politics is always a mystery!

[@jerandall777]

This guy is the first I have ever heard who did NOT know exactly where he was when he heard about Pearl Harbor. He must hae been drunk or in a place that would reflect negatively on his character.

[@brucefulper4204]

A little narrow minded dude......

[@beckybnyc322]

you must be drunk writing such a ridiculous response after listening to the mans experience DoucheAbag smdh

[@69Applekrate]

several times he says there were no books written on dive bombers. yet, I have read at least one book dedicated to them. by looking it up, here appears to be several of them.

[@joeymaterese8095]

Well hes 90...sometimes your use to saying something and eventually someone wrote one....hes a legend he say what ever he wants

[@17donhol]

Richard Best...You suppress what Lt Best accomplished the same way u say the Navy has suppressing the accolades of Dive Bombers.... Although I greatly respect ur service to our country and consider u a hero I think you are doing a disservice to the memory of Lt Richard Best...

[@fighterjetsteve]

Don't think he suppressed or did any disservice to Mr Best. The accomplishments of Best are well noted. The interview wasn't about Best, it was about the guy being interviewed.🤔🤔

[@17donhol]

@@fighterjetsteve He said Torpedo bombers were USELESS it was up to them to win that battle... Disgraceful....

[@fighterjetsteve]

@@17donhol the torpedo bombers were useless, they all got shot down. They did what they could in obsolete equipment but thats disgraceful to you......ho hum with your trivial hum drum.

[@17donhol]

@@fighterjetsteve that just shows ur ignorance...Yes they had no chance against the superior Zeroes but while the jap carriers were repelling the attack THEY WERENT ABLE TO GET THE VALS UP FROM THE HANGERS ONTO FLIGHT DECK which mean they couldnt LAUNCH !!!! That allowed the bombers to cast h them in a very vulnerable position and were floating powder kegs until the bo.bers could wipe them out.. McClusky totally fucked up diving.on Kaga and quick thinking Lt Best pulled out of a dive and took.his 2 wingmen.with him and went after the Akagi....Bests single 1000 lb bomb., the only bomb that was a direct hit ) exploded in the hangar section and set off a chain reaction.of explosions and doomed Akagi... McCluskys bomb on Kaga.missed btw...

[@ppumpkin3282]

Best was a dive bomber.

[@ppumpkin3282]

Kind of a misleading title. This guy was not a dive bomber at midway - but he has other interesting stuff.