The Scrap Iron Flotilla - Australian Destroyers in the Mediterranean

Today we take a look at the career of the so-called 'Scrap Iron Flotilla' and how they proved to be anything but, with huge help from a number of veterans who were actually there!
To discover more of the incredible history of Australians in the Mediterranean during WW2 visit:
historyguild.org/australians-...
This project commemorating the service by Victorians in the
Mediterranean theatre of WW2 was created by History Guild and is supported by the Victorian Government and the Victorian Veterans Council.
Transcript of interview with Arnold Coleman, 23/01/2004, Australians at War Film Archive, (Archive No 1408) australiansatwarfilmarchive.un... retrieved 21/03/2022
Transcript of interview with Keith Young, 04/09/2003, Australians at War Film Archive (Archive No 877) australiansatwarfilmarchive.un... retrieved 21/03/2022
Transcript of interview with Ean McDonald, 22/08/2003, Australians at War Film Archive (Archive No 579) australiansatwarfilmarchive.un... retrieved 21/03/2022
Transcript of interview with Maxwell Middleton, 14/01/2004, Australians at War Film Archive (Archive No 978) australiansatwarfilmarchive.un... retrieved 21/03/2022
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[@Drachinifel]

Pinned post for Q&A :)

[@edwarddunne2758]

What made the 4.5"/45 Mk 6 gun mount as seen on the Daring class destroyers such a good gun mount that it was seen on the majority of Royal Navy ships up until the late 1960's?

[@Knight6831]

What sort of ships were 5.5" Guns intended to be used against? and Was weight the reason Hood got 5.5" Guns?

[@Knight6831]

Why was IJN Takao not repaired by the British and taken as a war trophy?

[@ratboi9770]

Did canada ever have a Battle Cruiser or Battleships and how many were planned but the idea was scrapped?

[@Knight6831]

@@ratboi9770 there were plans for a Canadian built version of the QE-Class Super-Dreads known as the Arcadia Sub-Class and it seems 3 were planned

[@thursty4836]

Camping under the Southern Cross, listening to the rain fall, learning more about some true Aussie heros. Thanks for keeping their memories alive.

[@khaelamensha3624]

Taking a long lunch break to learn about Aussie heroes. Regards from France

[@mastathrash5609]

Easily one of his best put together wednesday vids of recent 👍

[@riverraven7359]

Britain is always happy to hear the Australians are joining our side, makes life a LOT worse for whoever we are scrapping with. (Canada and New Zealand too but this isn't their story)

[@sadwingsraging3044]

I hope I get to see the Southern Cross some day.

[@Benepene]

Life is good afterall

[@Cato-the-Antipodean]

24:15 "...a couple of other battleships; very old; they travelled at about 8 knots a fortnight, one of them; Ramillies". I grew up listening to war stories from Aussie WW2 vets and they always had a funny quip on hand.

[@fluffly3606]

If I did the math right, 8 nmi per fortnight is about 1.2 cm or half an inch per second

[@bigships]

@@fluffly3606 😂😂😂

[@SennaAugustus]

They (Ramillies and Royal Sovereign especially) were so slow that they never made it into the battle (Calabria/Punta Stilo), and only Malaya managed to get off a few salvoes.

[@Big_E_Soul_Fragment]

Proposed idea to sink the Graf Spee: rush in and torpedo spam her Godspeed, you crazy Aussies

[@inyobill]

I suspect that, as you impliy, the Graf Spee would have been in extremis.

[@kevintemple245]

Worked for Taffy 3's escorts.

[@eligedzelman5127]

I mean, speed and torps are destroyers kind of thing. You just need to be really brave

[@aitorbleda8267]

I think it would have probably worked

[@Aelxi]

No surprise since Aussies been fighting monsters/kaijus in a regular basis.

[@Dave_Sisson]

After the war the Australians built their own Daring class destroyers and named them Vendetta, Vampire and Voyager. Another vessel was named Stuart and a shore installation was named Waterhen. So the names of those ships were carried on.

[@rosiehawtrey]

Hopefully more useful than the extant Darings, godawful things that they are.

[@mariuspontmercy2736]

Even if the Daring class is best remembered today for the HMAS Voyager becoming one of the victims of HMAS Melbourne's habit of cutting her own escorting destroyers clean in half.

[@aaronleverton4221]

@@mariuspontmercy2736 Hardly her fault that her escorts repeatedly played chicken with her.

[@sgrb387]

The Vampire was also preserved as a museum ship, she's docked at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour, Sydney Beautiful ship too, really well preserved

[@YaMomsOyster]

We need a V class once again.

[@SaintlyAussie]

I'm sure when Drach is in the States they will address him as Drach. Us Aussies will probably just call him Bill.

[@rictusmetallicus]

He's Bruce from the naval department

[@nl-oc9ew]

@@rictusmetallicus g'day Bruce!

[@the13inquisitor59]

@@rictusmetallicus It'll be this.

[@popefang]

Good evening ladies and Bruces

[@thatsme9875]

@@popefang touche !!

[@VeraTR909]

'We threw everything but the anchor at at them...' when referring to Anti-air made me burst out laughing. Great video and awesome stories.

[@18robsmith]

Vendetta - a glorious name for a small ship with a bad case of anger. Then crew it with Australians.....

[@merafirewing6591]

*DOOM music intensifies*

[@sugarnads]

😂😂👍🏿

[@1987palerider]

@@merafirewing6591 Rip and tear

[@airplanemaniacgaming7877]

@@merafirewing6591 _Meathook intensifies_

[@philipjooste9075]

Hey Drach, as a follow on (and tribute to the South African Navy in its centennial year) you might want to consider an episode on the exploits of the "Little Ships" of the SA Naval Forces in the Mediterranean (and elsewhere) during WW2.

[@45641560456405640563]

Yes that's a good topic idea.

[@captain61games49]

As an Australian who just got their little bit of glory I approve this message

[@davidmuller8084]

@@captain61games49 Thanks, very gallant of you! Fwiw, it is not recorded in the official history of HMAS Voyager that following the sinking (by mine) of the A/S Whaler HMSAS Southern Floe off Tobruk on 11Feb 1941, the sole survivor was saved by her crew.

[@A-world-of-My-Own]

Good shout the SA Naval `heritage trust would be a good reference, and the the Natal U boat kill in the North Sea for the elsewhere. Re`; At the end of the war, South Africa received three Loch Class frigates: HMSAS Good Hope, HMSAS Natal (Loch Cree K 10) and HMSAS Transvaal. HMSAS Natal achieved a war record when she sank the German submarine U714 whilst still on trials off St Abb’s Head on 14 March 1945. Good work Aussies.

[@neilwilson5785]

Great idea

[@TheLesserWeevil]

I can't believe how a one-man channel can put out so much quality content. You're a superhuman Drach. Massive respect and keep it up. From a colonial Down Under. P.S. Dear UNSW: Please fire whoever is coughing during interviews.

[@khaelamensha3624]

I may be viewed as a fleeing frog by some but I do share your point of view! 😉😂

[@PalleRasmussen]

The guy coughing is one of the veterans.

[@Around_blax_dont_relax]

@@PalleRasmussen "tell that living piece of history to cease his involuntary bodily function, of which the cause i know not"

[@kentvesser9484]

You might enjoy the work of Othais at C&Rsenal as well. Another lone man doing an incredible job regarding well researched firearms history and engineering.

[@TheLesserWeevil]

@@PalleRasmussen If that is true, I wish to rescind my previous comment and instead declare that I am a massive wanker.

[@mrmodelmaker9767]

As an Australian I’ve been waiting for this one!

[@contrapunctusrex2499]

m8 sameo!

[@davidwhite6878]

Too right mate!

[@DanielA-sk8oh]

Same!!!

[@thomaswhitelake]

Thank you so very much for this! My great uncle Arthur McMaster, RSM from 6th Division AIF was pulled off Greece by HMAS Voyager. His company narrowly escaped the stukas in the hills and on that beach. He almost drowned after pushing a lighter full of men off a sand bar while wearing his greatcoat. He said that he thought he was done when a hand plunged into the water, grabbed him by the collar and pulled him aboard. He was very thankful for the courage of the crew of Voyager, who he said ceaselessly entered danger to save our boys. As a kid I spent a lot of time with he and his mates from the war. I miss their dry humour, matter of factness and quiet warmth, the inclusion of the interviews brought them back to life for me for a bit. Many thanks!!

[@petercastles5978]

Mate you are so lucky to have this history. My uncle Jim swam off either Greece or Crete and climbed up the side of a NZ destroyer. God bless those blokes in the Navy. Uncle Jim was destroyed by it all in reality. They were thrown into a crap show with no hope . Jim disappeared and is lying dead here in Oz somewhere.

[@thomaswhitelake]

@@petercastles5978 Yes Peter, a lot of sadness is made by war. Like your uncle Jim, my grandad, Dan, Arthur's half brother was ruined by it. I never got to know him. Mum said that he would dive to the ground shaking if a car backfired on the street. PTSD is a very nasty and real thing! After the war, mum at age 13 and her older brother had to leave school to support the family. They were all fractured by World War II. In the late 80s and early 90s, I used to meet up with Macca (uncle Arthur) and the boys from his company on the first Monday of every month, at the pub. They would drink like fish and reminisce with jokes, laughter and very colourful language. Then every now an then someone would say 'remember when' such and such... The table would go silent and nothing more would be said until the subject had changed. Memories of the fallen! I'm sorry for your family's loss of uncle Jim. May this beautiful land of ours hold him in peace. Take care mate! Thank you for your reply.

[@airplanemaniacgaming7877]

@@thomaswhitelake Your Great Uncle and his mates gave the Wehrmacht, the Luftwaffe, and a slight bit of the Kriegsmarine a nice little bit of the Australian Spirit: Stubborn as a mule, pesky as a Cane Toad, and kick like a 'roo. That is how I see the Aussie contributions to the war effort. Greetings to a fellow Commonwealth countryman, and may the memories and spirits of those who have since passed be forever remembered by those who try. -a dumbass up north in Canuckistan

[@issacsmith3169]

After quitting my job and feeling shit. This is definitely going to make me feel 1000% better.

[@kevintemple245]

Good luck, man. Hope you find a better job soon.

[@issacsmith3169]

@@kevintemple245 im lucky that I have another job already (working as a contractor to a airline) but the one I quit I worked for 5 years with so just feels really werid and shit

[@kmech3rd]

Good luck bro. I'm inches from walking away from a 21 year job in the machine trades b/c of management idiocy. Hope you land soft.

[@khaelamensha3624]

Well after a Drach video and five rum glasses, we all see the world from a wiser point of view 😂

[@alphachad4631]

Haha nice one I quit my job today as well hey

[@draco84oz]

The Scrap Iron Flotilla - a badge of honour on par with the Rats of Tobruk…and the guys who served on it sound like typical Aussie larrikins! Thank you for this, Drach! The names of the Scrap Iron Flotilla were later reused for the Daring-class destroyers that were built in the 50s - this is where the HMAS Vampire that is on display at the Australian Naval Museum in Sydney comes from. BTW - HMAS Waterhen is currently the name of an RAN base in Sydney harbour, home to the Navy’s mine clearance divers.

[@glenchapman3899]

The Rats Of Tobruk actually made little badges for themselves, out of downed German aircraft. Pro level trolling lol

[@marcbondura2987]

He hid behind a painted canvas from 15” shells LOL the way he said that made me giggle. Awesome line.

[@KPen3750]

Only the Australians would think “oh I’m gonna be bombed, great time for a photo” and yell at the planes to get closer.

[@Paludion]

"- Now look at this beaut' !!"

[@mpersad]

Wonderful to hear these veterans recollections of these historic events - it's great to know that these oral histories have been recorded for posterity.

[@aaronleverton4221]

"Eight knots a fortnight" is, from now on, going to be my go-to description of "not fast".

[@michaelthompson342]

They marched under the “Scrap Iron Flotilla” banner in Sydney on Anzac Days. God bless them!

[@firestorm165]

Saving this one for the 25th of April. If you know why, you know

[@kevintemple245]

Because it's my birthday?

[@IanSinclair77]

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!!!

[@peanut1412]

Lest we Forget

[@Dave_Sisson]

25th of April is Liberation Day on South Georgia. It's a public holiday for the few dozen people that live there. ... But it is also ANZAC day in Aust & NZ.

[@lilianaadamcewicz8320]

My Dad ex-Italian navy emigrated to Australia in 1952. As part of Italian Navy Association participated many functions with Australian Navy Association. Although they had once been enemies formed a long lasting friendship and even marched on ANZAC day. They all had one thing in common, the love of the sea and they were Sailors. The Italians say “once a sailor always a sailor”. God bless them all!

[@glenchapman3899]

Thats a really common thing to see among former foes. The Africa Corp reunions in Germany often invited surviving veterans from the other 'enemy' nations. I think the same thing holdd. Once a solider always a solider. There is very common ground in griping about the food, the officers, lack of girls etc.

[@airplanemaniacgaming7877]

@@glenchapman3899 a nice example of the fact that at the end of the day, when you peel away the uniform, the nationality, and all the other flashy stuff, it was men fighting their fellow man. Just look at the legend of Charlie Brown and Franz Stigler, two separate men from two separate countries flying two separate types of aircraft who after the war ended and met up later on would become the best of friends. Never forget, we're all human.

[@edwinlamont4187]

I've read that the 10th flotilla was also called the "Western Desert Light Flotilla" or WDLF. Also coined by the Australian crews as We Die Like Flies!

[@Chironex_Fleckeri]

Lmao . Australians have been legendary shitposters for generations, I see.

[@scottyfox6376]

Laconic humour..

[@AnimeSunglasses]

...note to self: beware of Australian flies.

[@the13inquisitor59]

@@AnimeSunglasses They will try and carry you away in summer, so... yeah.

[@normantrewin2708]

@@AnimeSunglasses Australia is a wonderful country, let's face it 15 billion blow flies can't be wrong!

[@sixstringedthing]

Miserable wet night in Sydney, could do with some real rum but this will have to do. The History Guild project sounds interesting, thanks for calling them out mate.

[@robertstone9988]

Miserable wet gloomy rainy day here in Indiana as well.

[@admDanRyan]

Been rainy in the dry season here in the Philippines too...

[@roybennett9284]

Been hammering down here on Wollongong,but now the rain has gone to bed... getting Rey for tomorrow...Mr d if it wasn't for your Channel then the virus would have won...a trip back in time is sometimes better than a holiday.

[@bearcatracing007]

25°c and clear beautiful night here in Cairns 😀😅

[@Princeofbelka]

Suns up in a Sydney!!!! It’s still fucking raining

[@stephenchapman4440]

I love that. "we will always know you by your piratical rig"

[@scott2836]

Thank you very, very much Drach. It is great to see these stories get wider distribution and exposure. Hearing accounts directly from the men involved is such a privilege. Thank you as well to the various Australian historical organizations for making their unique stories available to later generations.

[@EndsBeginning]

As an American I can't wait to see those crazy Aussies doing insane things! Those guys are awesome!

[@nunyabusiness1846]

*were awesome

[@EndsBeginning]

@@nunyabusiness1846 Did Aussies stop being awesome? They've had some... Questionable leaders recently, but the average Aussie is still more inclined to do crazy things and make it work.

[@airplanemaniacgaming7877]

@@EndsBeginning just look at Aussie youtube for an example of that! Explosions&Fire, I Did A Thing, etc...

[@andrewarmstrong7254]

The last time I was this early, HMAS Sydney hadn't shot at anything yet.

[@loonatticat]

One of these Wednesdays, I’m going to bring some Rum to work and dig in properly.

[@jaysonlima7196]

Its cold and rainy here so I'm tucking in with a nice Irish coffee......

[@kilotun8316]

Having worked with some RAN folks in the past, they were just the most wonderful people. Complete professionals when there was business to take care of but once things eased off, they were the first to get the party going. Never had so much fun roasting each other's services/countries but always with the greatest respect.

[@nickabbott6278]

Still only 1/3 of the way through, so good to hear people speaking English correctly!!

[@edwardloomis887]

University of New South Wales collected so many invaluable first-hand accounts captured here. Many thanks to the people who collected the veterans' memories before we lost them. Fantastic... especially the signalman who got to shoot an Italian ship with a Lewis gun. I have no doubt that was a highlight of his wartime service.

[@samuelmathis3483]

Love the use of Oral History, I had the pleasure of interviewing several WWII veterans while working with the Veterans History Project. Never heard a dull story no matter what their job was.

[@Ricky40369]

That was magnificent. I was riveted to the screen. Cheers to my Australian cousins. God has a special place for them.

[@cheesedetectiverook5950]

Ahhh, this one is a treat. Thanks for featuring our boys on your channel, Drach

[@beckster181]

As an Aussie who had Uncles in the navy in WW2 and my father was in the 7th Div Cav. Programs like these are great as it imortalises the work and valour of our WW2 Vetrans and many of those vetrans did not ever really tell their stories fully as the memories were still too raw for them even as late as the 1990's . My own Father was never to tell of his experiances fully but the war changed him totally as my Mother said arfter he died he was finally at peace and with his mates he never forgot and that he would atlast be the man she fell in love with before the war the man she never was to see again but was happy to know would be there when her time came finally in 2006.

[@BuildYourOwnBoat]

Ian is such a wonderful storyteller. I could listen to that man read Ikea instructions.

[@michaeldonahoo461]

I had the great pleasure, as guy in his twenties, of working with John Moyes between 1983 and 1985. He was a respected journalist and Editor in Chief of the Sydney Sunday Telegraph. He was also a good Aussie bloke! Captain Hector Macdonald Laws Waller DSO & Bar (1900 - 1942) was one of the RAN's great captains of World War II. The naming of the HMAS Waller in 1999 was a fitting tribute to another good Aussie bloke!

[@matthewgustafson5225]

I really love the part were Signalman guy explains about his time using the Lewis Gun against an Italian Ship or the one where he talks about the "Take this box and pass it to your Mate" chant, its story's like that I would put in a book about these men, its fascinating the bravery of these men who fought in the 2nd world war and the stories they tell on how they survived.

[@sadtown]

"He wasn't a handsome man, but he was a man's man" If that doesn't describe classic hardworking Aussie bloke's I don't know what does

[@Deevo037]

The Australian fighting man, sticking it to global superpowers for over a century.

[@jona.scholt4362]

If it's Humpday you know what that means; It is Rum Ration Wednesday! Everyone rejoice and lift up your cup of spirits and enjoy!

[@corriewilliams752]

Good evening dear Drach, great vid. Am an Aussie so was proud to hear of the exploits. while I relish each of your episodes, the thing that really brought this episode alive for me was the actual recounts by the service people who were there. Appreciate there are few participants still with us, but any curated recounts of actual events from all sides of the conflict would be appreciated. The participants add a level of immediacy, and a slang that is not often heard today. Gives us a touch of what our grandparents thought, experienced and spoke like (sounded like). Anzac Day is coming on the 25th so ur docs add an additional poignancy and sum to our collective remembrance. Look forward to hearing of ur adventures in the US. Many thanks, markc

[@tgmccoy1556]

Love the vet's reminisces. I regret not being able to record all of my late father -in-law's experiences as a Tank driver in WW2.

[@david__w7964]

Of the extensive body of excellent work which Drach has built over the years, but this might just be the finest example yet. History done very bloody well indeed! Good on the History Guild project too, the accounts from the veterans are fantastic.

[@TannithVQ]

I found the humble and matter of fact accounts of these old sailors deeply moving. This was such a great video Drach, even by your lofty standards

[@peregrinemccauley5010]

What a gem of a documentary .

[@davidhuddy3581]

Thanks Drach. My Aussie bias admitted. Man you bring history to life

[@The_Modeling_Underdog]

Whenever you put Australians and ships together, everyone knows it's going to be epic.

[@veyolaski4324]

Its either epic or miserable, depending which side you are on

[@briannicholas2757]

I am very used to the exceptionally high standards of your videos Drach, but I must say that this is by far my favorite thus far. I think at heart we all love a tale of David's versus Goliaths and this most certainly fits that bill. Thank the gods, that someone had the presence of mind to capture these men's stories. They ARE WWII. We often hear the words of politicians and journalists and even historians, but the fact remains that all wars are fought by men and women, real people who had real lives before the war, yet they took up arms, did what needed doing, and went home to pick up where real life had left off. They never forgot their friends and comrades who didn't make it home, founding veterans groups to support one another, support the widows and orphans, and to remind the younger generations of the sacrifices made so they could burn a flag or protest this or that. Each an every one was a genuine hero. We must look to their stories, study how they coped and succeeded against the odds at first, and steel ourselves in a time when we all may be called upon to fight the forces of evil and tyranny yet again. Drach, thank you so very much for sharing this with us. Fair winds and following seas on your journey here in the states.

[@timstatler7714]

Vendetta breaks down. Admiral Delenn of the Minbari, "The destroyer below is under our protection. If you value your lives, be somewhere else!"

[@nigelleyland166]

Thankfully someone had the forsight to interview, eye whitness accounts are ofren so rare and often add more to history than any other media. Thanks for this one Mr D, all completely new info to me. Hope you all enjoy your trip accross the pond.

[@jona.scholt4362]

Those County Class Cruisers (@1:16) are damn good looking ships. It's the single level deck, three smokestacks and twin turrets.

[@lightwalker222]

They are lovely, aren't they?

[@airplanemaniacgaming7877]

I sure can appreciate them. My favourite ship (After Warspite, of course. NONE can top the Grand Old Lady.) has to be hull number 69, HMS London.

[@hans_von_twitchy1014]

A treat. Would've like it to continue for another 10 hours.

[@Hollywood113807]

I haven't seen these intervews since I was in Highschool and they were only a couple of years old. Thanks Drach it was good to watch these again.

[@bullettube9863]

It's so important and wonderful to hear veterans tell their stories now, for one day they will be gone but their stories will last forever.

[@rosiehawtrey]

The problem with steam lines blowing out is that the steam actually erodes the metal away over time - kind of like a steam cleaner on kitchen goop only much more aggressive. Then the metal just splits. You don't want to be anywhere near it when it does.. If you've ever seen the bad choice scene in Last Crusade...?

[@mikefields3089]

Thank you for keeping real history alive.

[@avnrulz]

In the 1980s I worked in a helicopter unit which had several VN era airframes, which were taken very good care of by their crews. One day we received a notice they were to be retired to the boneyard and replaced with several 'newer' airframes, which arrived in worse shape than the ones being retired.

[@MrDdaland]

Indeed, it's almost inevitable that the "replacements" will be the worst units the losing organization can get rid of...

[@nnoddy8161]

Just finished reading Mike Carlton's 'Scrap Iron Flotilla' - great book. Only recently released. Hec Waller's achievements are incredible in both Stuart and finally in Perth.

[@Nick-rs5if]

Salute from Sweden, mates. Admiral Nelson would be proud!

[@stringpicker5468]

Thanks for putting them out there Drach. Old "Hardover Hector", a name given by his crew due to the nature of his maneuvering, was a hell of a commander and his loss in HMAS Perth was a considerable set back for the RAN. He is not nearly as well known in Australia as he should be. RAN members did not get awards in the way that our army and RAAF members did partly due it is said to the Royal Navy being in control of RAN decorations. Their memory was partly eclipsed also perhaps because they were lost in the greater shadow of Kokoda and the bombing of Darwin.

[@tracenjez]

Thank you so much for this. Australian naval history usually talks about HMAS Sydney & the Pacific war. It was great to hear about the smaller ships in a lesser talked about theatre

[@comtepseudonyme2144]

I really LOVE the time you spent to take a look at the sociological aspect of hierarchies. It's amazing. Ships are not just metal. It's also people. It's never said enough.

[@wester42]

Literally killing time before my Fitness test to join the Royal Australian Navy

[@riverraven7359]

Admiral Cunningham pulling stealth 100 on his own crew 😂 edit: the joy of a signals man getting to shoot at something...😂😂😂

[@taccovert4]

Only thought I had was "Why wasn't Admiral Cunningham made Viscount Matapan in the same vein of St. Vincent"

[@paulwallis7586]

For those wondering, those guys are exactly what the WW2 Australian ex-service guys were like. Grew up surrounded by them. My old man travelled on Waterhen from Mersa Matruh. (A "mersa" is a very deep draught area almost literally right next to the shore.)

[@Bismarck-ns8ql]

Thank you for doing one on these i love your vids as an Australian and a navy nerd this was one of my favorite story of our navy

[@earlyriser8998]

this was a fantastic episode with the actual narration by the vets. The mix of the normal pictures and video and then the interviews is compelling listening.

[@Wolfeson28]

17:19 So THAT must be how Seymour ended up on HMS Lion at Jutland! Thank you for putting together such an amazing video. I could keep listening to McDonald's storytelling in particular all day.

[@johnevans7261]

A first-class history of a first-class division of destroyers. Well done, Drach, and the men who told their stories. Thank you.

[@perotekku]

Would be interested in the Allies lesser known, "stopgap" ships. Armed yachts, trawlers, and reactivated WW1 vessels. The last USN and RN ships sunk by U boats were two of these very ships, USS Eagle PE-56, and HMT Ebor Wyke. HMCS Raccoon is another tragic example, sunk within Canadian waters with all hands. Brave little ships, with even braver crews who served bereft of the glory of grander ships.

[@Ebonyqwe]

Wow, listening to them recount their experiences made me cry. Great video

[@jimlatosful]

I love hearing stories from veterans, I think it's excellent that they have been preserved before they're lost forever! I will say though, I'm having trouble understanding them at some points, I think subtitles would be beneficial. Also, I greatly enjoyed hearing an Australian do an American accent, it was pretty good

[@therealuncleowen2588]

Thank you Drach, for this priceless piece of history! So many different thoughts come to mind listening to this video. The description of the Tobruk supply run was absolutely fantastic. It made me think of current events and wonder whether we'll ever get a coherent survivors account of the fate of the Russian ship Saratov, which sank in Berdyansk. Some experts have suggested the sinking was actually the result of an ammunition explosion due to poor Russian practices regarding ammo storage as well as Russia's habit of never discarding old ammunition. Also, the video mentioned the Battle of Crete, which resulted in probably the costliest victory ever achieved by an airborne force. That victory was then followed by a long occupation which was violently resisted by the island's population which despised their German occupiers. Meanwhile, in the last month, we've seen the Russian airborne defeat at the Battle of Hostomel Airport. That defeat will take it's place alongside Crete and Arnhem in the bloody history of costly airborne operations. While the Ukrainian populace has resisted as ferociously as the Cretens. It's such a stark contrast to learn of the heroics of an earlier generation and feel admiration at their bravery, such as the small group that salvaged a burning oil tanker, while such feelings are tempered by the time that has passed. It's always been tempting to think that today's generation couldn't stand up to such danger. In contrast, learning of current events in Ukraine reminds us that tyranny and evil are not things confined to the past. Today's generation can stand up to much hardship with great bravery when forced to. The raw emotions caused by such current images has taught me not to tut-tut about old men who won't buy Japanese cars because they still can't stomach the Japanese. (Just as an example). I doubt I shall ever look at anything Russian again without having to suppress a surge of revulsion.

[@dercoomer8343]

Well considering this video is about WW2 and the fact that you're bringing up parallels from that war to the current events in the Ukraine, let me do the same. Let's just say if you were to say read about Russia's victory at Stalingrad or even all the suffering the Russian people underwent during the Siege of Leningrad (both events are very similar of the sufferings the Ukrainian people are undergoing at the Siege of Mariupol today btw), you would feel revulsion about those events?

[@historydoesntrepeatitselfb7818]

Listening in from Melbourne mate, cheers for keeping there memories alive

[@comentedonakeyboard]

Fortunately for the Aussies the Emus never joyned the Axis.

[@bearcatracing007]

We eat them now so technically we did beat them 😅

[@comentedonakeyboard]

@@bearcatracing007 i guess they should have signed the Geneva convention 😂

[@the13inquisitor59]

@@comentedonakeyboard Best part is, they’re pretty damn tasty.

[@comentedonakeyboard]

@@the13inquisitor59 a valuable piece of inteligence

[@mflashhist500]

Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou Drach!!! I have been waiting with bated breath for this episode! More Angry Aussies taking on the Empire’s Enemies! The story of the Scrap Iron Flotilla is one very important to Australia’s naval heritage. A sad footnote was the loss of Hector MacDonald Laws Waller as Captain of HMAS Perth in the battle of Sunda Strait, he surely would have reached great heights in the service of our country.

[@BenPortmanlewes]

Really good Drac, hats off to the Aussie veterans. Could listen to them all day. Thanks.

[@drcovell]

Listening to this interview, I swear all Aussies were the *last* opponent I’d want to face, using hand-me-down ships, held together by “Bits and bobs,”plus the ingenuity of the men aboard them. They did twice as much with half the resources. (Sounds like the USMC!) 😉 As a grateful Yank, I offer profound respect and a salute to those men! 🇬🇧+ 🇳🇿+🇦🇺+🇺🇸 ⚔️🩸❤️ keep 🌎🕊! ANZUS/UK and their willingness to share sacrifice will keep the 🐲 at bay!

[@wazza33racer]

Aussies, would call them, the "beer can flotilla". I had the distinguished honor of having a father in law, who was ex royal navy ( HMAS Slinger) and despite an age gap of 50 years, we got on very well, and I am very much in his debt, of friendship. Despite losing 3 brothers in WW2, he had a strong respect for the germans, and said "never forget it took the whole world to beat them........twice".

[@elnrik8655]

This was one of my favorites you've done Drach. Listening to verbal accounts from servicemen is enthralling. I've watched this video three times now. I would love to see more series like this

[@paulamos8970]

Really informative as usual Drach, the additional interviews with former crew members added that personal touch 👍🏻 😀

[@markspiers64]

Thanks mate .great show ..made me proud to be an Aussie ,,and a tear to my eye listening to those blokes ,,,good on them

[@Graham-ce2yk]

For those who are interested in such things, Australian pulp ficton author J. E. MacDonnell featured the 10th flotilla in about a third of his works.

[@bazza945]

Jim Brady, Leading Seaman series?

[@Graham-ce2yk]

@@bazza945 No, the 'Dutchy Holland' novels have quite a few set in the Mediterranean roughly 1940-41. Matapan is used as the climactic battle for a late (The copy I have bears no copyright date, but I'm guessing it's from the 1980s) novel entitled 'The Glory Hunter'. The only Jim Brady novel set in the Med that I know of is 1968s 'Petty Officer Brady' which adds the County class cruiser HMAS Vixen(!) to the battle line right behind Barham. The 'Jim Brady' novels are mostly set in the Indian Ocean/Pacific theaters during WWII. The exception, 1959s 'Subsmash' is an outlier in the authors naval fiction being set post war and I'm guessing roughly contemporous to the year of publication.

[@janwitts2688]

Yes HMS Carlisle comes with her own fan group...

[@aaronlea9559]

thank you so much all of you

[@jamesbrown4092]

I love hearing these first-hand accounts by the people who were actually there. A rare treasure that is sadly almost gone.

[@ricklotter]

That was amazing, informative, and I really appreciate being able to hear veterans speak of their service in their own words. Thank you all so much for what you gave, and thank you to Drach for bringing it to us!

[@f1b0nacc1sequence7]

Exceptionally good. In a difficult week, you made my day....

[@vespelian5769]

Incredible stuff as usual. This channel is an archive in itself but it's sad to know these old boys have passed on or are not long amongst us. So many stories and so many experiences. So sorry I never got to talk properly with my own grandfather in this respect. God bless that generation.

[@rydplrs71]

Great stories. They kept me thoroughly entertained while doing spring yard cleanup.

[@danielhammersley2869]

Awesome story retelling there with the veterans included Drach!

[@Bill3528]

This was brilliant Drach. The RAN is a bit under appreciated given the exploits of the army at places like Tobruk. Great to hear the RAN is having its story told in such wonderful detail and with such affection. Lest we forget.

[@hmmjedi]

I think the saying goes it's not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog meaning goes very well for these ships... may they sail on sunkissed waves forever...

[@verysilentmouse]

So much joy seeing the spirit of Aussie sailors enthusastically being aggressive.

[@BWNSPTV]

‘Oh..we thought that was great!'...'We’re going into have a bash at ‘em!…great!'…'We spent an hour and a half going in, out and around bashing anything we could see!' 🇦🇺Legends!

[@45641560456405640563]

Get into 'em lads!

[@Jordy120]

I've been enjoying your channel greatly, big thanks. Having these seamen recount things in their own words is a treasure!! Again, Cheers mate.

[@johnfairhurstReviews]

Just to add to the praise of the interviewees (and you, Drach for putting this together!)

[@SC-vq4zc]

This was amazing, thank you so much to all involved. These are the things we need to remember. And tying the personal experiences to the larger strategic picture puts it all into context. Fantastic.