Ferry vs Japanese Fleet

It’s 1942, off the coast of Singapore, and a River Steamer commandeered by the British is attacked by Japanese bombers. Captain Thomas Wilkinson of the HMS Li Wo leads his crew in a desperate resistance, and escapes. When the Li Wo continues on its journey through the Bangka strait, their hopes are dashed when they spot a Japanese fleet 10 miles ahead. They could try and lay low and try avoid detection but the small crew on a commandeered boat take an incredibly brave decision. Despite being massively outnumbered and outgunned, they’ll fight.
Yarnhub uses the Unreal® Engine. Unreal® is a trademark or registered trademark of Epic Games, Inc. in the United States of America and elsewhere. “Unreal® Engine, Copyright 1998 - 2023, Epic Games, Inc. All rights reserved.”

[@Yarnhub]

Please support us by commenting below, liking and sharing this video. Also a subscribe would be great.... and you could be even more awesome by supporting us on Patreon patreon.com/yarnhub

[@cyndaquil0155]

Ok

[@RifleRaptorYT]

hi

[@jibran_malik175]

Hi

[@Planespotter15k]

Hi

[@ult1mat3d0g3]

Hi

[@josephhelgersonjoseph6115]

I do appreciate the fact that some of the sailors have hats that say “HMS Repulse” on them as some of the Li Wo’s crew consisted of survivors from the sinking of Repulse and Prince of Wales.

[@harryjohnson9215]

A very good detail

[@sirboomsalot4902]

Holy crap, I didn’t even notice that. That’s an amazing detail!

[@carycoller3140]

No apologies needed 😌

[@sergiom9958]

Excellent view

[@maslov3018]

Crazy attention to detail from Yarnhub surprises once again!

[@captain_commenter8796]

The fact that the Li Wo rammed, pierced a ship’s hull, stayed afloat and only sank AFTER the warships fired at it show how truly powerful this little ferry was

[@trapaap6862]

What’s cool is it didn’t even sink until it was shot point blank by a heavy cruiser, just over a hour after

[@T-91.]

Well big things DO come in small packages after all.

[@NathanaelTan]

LI WO JENKINS!!!

[@brainflash1]

Ferries have to rely on themselves.

[@ryanrong495]

What surprised me that the ferry front deck is that strong with little to no bending or holes It is just transport ship hull that thin

[@TechGameEras]

That line, "He still remains at his post" really helped punctuate the action with the reality of what occurred and the dedication all the men of this ship had.

[@terranceippolito5061]

He Honorablely went down with his ship Like any good Captain would.

[@krikeydial3430]

They should have tried to avoid this fight. Had some balls I'll give them that.

[@TechGameEras]

@@krikeydial3430 And do what? Wait for an air attack they can barely defend against? Hide on an island with what little supplies they had or wait to discovered by another Japanese ship and be hunted? Try to wait till night with no way to refuel and hope tomorrow was better? Of all their options I think they picked one of the best as that at least aided the war effort as they all realized that this was bigger then their individual survival.

[@Nerathul1]

That line is such a punch to the gut

[@lucasolsen8512]

1000th like 🤙 Also I was looking for this comment!

[@caitheoutcastranger]

The bravery the crew of this ship had is absolutely out of this world, they saw an entire fleet of ships and said “yeah I think we can take em” absolute legends each and every one of them. Thanks for sharing such an amazing story yarnhub!

[@stevencolor3389]

1 Part bravery, 1 part desperation. If you know you are going to starve to death otherwise, why not take the quick death and bring your foes with you.

[@chicagotypewriter2094]

Taffy 3 Moment

[@TheEDFLegacy]

Especially those anti-aircraft crews. I certainly wouldn't want to be facing those 20 mm nose cannons on those Betty's!

[@kostakole9876]

Yeah I think we can take em with our 13 shells.

[@ussindianapolis487]

tbf li wo had no option other than fight bcs it was slower than pre drednought battleship.

[@puwapuwa11]

According to Japanese records, small transport ship "Inabasan Maru" (983 gross tons), which was at the head of the convoy in this battle, sank in flames. HMS Li Wo was sunk by light cruiser "Yura", destroyer "Fubuki" and "Asagiri", but they needed about 300 shells to sink her. I salute to Captain Wilkinson and his crew for their bravery from Japan.

[@bogdanilic7346]

Do you happen to have that source? If there's a translation, I would love to read it.

[@puwapuwa11]

@@bogdanilic7346 A few years ago, some japanese military Twitterers discussed about the battle. The outline of the battle is described in the action reports of Imperial Japanese Navy's 3rd Torpedo Squadron and 26 volumes of "Senshi Sōsho" (戦史叢書, War History Series; History books of Pacific War compiled by the Japanese Defense Agency after the war). They describe HMS Li Wo as "3000ton class auxiliary gunboat". I heard that the latter is partly translated into English. "Inabasan Maru" was a small freighter owned by the Kusakabe Kisen Kaisha built in 1917 at the Fujinagata Shipyard. She is generally referred that was sunk by air raid, but given the location and date, there is no doubt that she was sunk by HMS Li Wo.

[@andrewstackpool4911]

Thank you for sharing this with us. I find your comment that three warships needed some 300 rounds to sink her suggests that some units of the IJN still had some work to do in gunnery. I also raise an eye that soldiers aboard Inabasan Maru actually leapt overboard. I wonder if after recovery, they were executed for cowardice in the face of the enemy.

[@FatherGarcia883]

I swear one day yarn hub will get so realistic with their animations it will just be a video of them walking through a portal to view history with us

[@yulipuspitasari8070]

Yeah i I can imagine that happening

[@FatherGarcia883]

The cat has decreed that my comment is worthy of its heart

[@makkroww6097]

Yarnhub, i know people say this OVER and OVER again, but it is true, and they mean it. Your animations have gotten so good, i'm surprised this stuff is able to be watched for free. Thank you for all the content you have made!

[@T-91.]

I wouldn’t be surprised if companies started paying them to make actual shows. Shows like “Dogfights” (the airplanes ones) for example. Actually Sabaton (pretty much common knowledge by now) already teams up with Yarnhub.

[@serfnuts]

His videos haven't shown up for me in a long time and I forgot all about it and the animation was the first thing I noticed. It still has the same style but everything just looks so much better.

[@rogerrendzak8055]

For free?? Shhhh🤫

[@mjpraetorian4386]

Shame about the Sergeant and the captain. No one would ever know who the Sergeant was. Rest in peace.

[@michaelduffek2866]

Despite the lack of name, we *all* know of him. A brave man.

[@sinisterisrandom8537]

@@michaelduffek2866 no one is ever truly lost to time. Eventually it will be found time shall tell though.

[@Jakob_Herzog]

Yet we remember his actions, and if your remembered your never truly gone.

[@Tyonicle]

@@sinisterisrandom8537Many people have been lost in time. Sometimes there’s just no possible way or nothing left we can use to identify them

[@sinisterisrandom8537]

@@Tyonicle you took what I said a bit too literal.

[@ethanchernicoff5750]

the "he still remains at his post" got me way harder than normal. All of the respect that I can possibly give to you, Captain Thomas Wilkinson

[@kefkaZZZ]

Thank you for your summation Sir!

[@robertodeleon-gonzalez9844]

I have never served in the military, but upon hearing that, I gave my Scout salute. Honor!

[@eternalflame8798]

As a HongKonger , it's our pride that our "country"/territory built ship was featured in this epic story . I hope evey HongKonger could be like Li Wo , full of brave in their heart.

[@GeorgeGalligan]

As a man from Widnes, were this brave captain was born, there is a small memorial that we walk past and often don't notice. It isn't larger than the typical headstone but encompasses 3 winners of the VC from our small town. They gave so much and we will indeed, remember them.

[@eze8970]

According to wiki photo, of the 3 VC's memorial, Captain Wilkinson's death was in 1946?!.....

[@eze8970]

Oddly, all have Thomas in their names. Brave men all.

[@eze8970]

Sorry, when he was awarded the VC.

[@Vuk_Stajic]

The last line almost brought me to tears. "He still remains at his post"

[@epicpuppyman5562]

I know i havent watched the video yet, but you're animations keep on getting better and better! Keep improving!

[@Ilikebigbuffmen]

Ikr

[@nursestoyland]

@@Ilikebigbuffmenyeah!

[@user-em2xl4tf7v]

Even haters agree with this statement.

[@OLDMANWAFFLES]

I would watch an hour long movie of this.

[@bullreeves1109]

It’s stunning how good the models/textures of the Humans are getting! Fantastic work guys!

[@whiskeymonk4085]

I can't believe how lucky I am that both my grandfathers survived that war. One with a bronze star in Okinawa and the other an actual member of the band of brothers. Captured in Holland and escaped to Russia just to return to the war and fight on.

[@andro7862]

Wait, you're Joseph Beyrle's grandson? That's amazing.

[@whiskeymonk4085]

@@andro7862 Negative. I'm the grandson of James Kenneth Davis.

[@jharris0341]

Respect to your grandfathers.

[@ProWalter2]

I know that ww2 films have been done to death, but I would actually like to see a film adaptation of this story, the courage, sacrifice and selflessness of the crew and the captain is nothing short of legendary

[@paulpaterson1661]

Won't happen sadly. Hollywood rules the film making roost and a glory hogging American film maker aint going to be interested in British stuff.

[@steelrz44]

This would be a great one for sure. You could even tell three different stories to really amp up the humanity and run time. One Of her sister ship who was forced to beach in enemy territory, of course the main story of the “Li Wo” and her incredibly brave crew, and of course the Japanese perspective leading up and during the surprise attack. Would be a compelling story for sure.

[@alexanderpoirier3350]

The Li Wo, Fu Wo and the unnamed motor boat, along with their crews, will be remembered for their bravery and sacrifices.

[@yukooomi]

As a singaporean, I never knew about this story! This animation too is impeccable, hats off to you at yarnhub!

[@shimadwan8251]

Her crew consisted of 84 men, mostly naval reservists, but also included several survivors from the Prince of Wales and Repulse, five men from the Army, two from the RAF, ten Malayans and six Chinese

[@Thatguy-of5re]

For any war tech nerds that want to know: the three warships that sank Li Wo were the Nagara-class light cruiser Yura and the Fubuki-class destroyers Fubuki and Asagiri. By the end of that same year, all three of these ships would be sunk in the waters around the Solomon Islands. Ironically, according to Japanese Wikipedia, the four-inch gun on Li Wo is claimed by some documents to have been manufactured in Japan, although the exact model of gun it was is unknown.

[@lordwintertown8284]

Heh I thought it was a Nagara class that was modelled, Their animated models are getting much better I gotta admit.

[@justit1074]

yeah, i noticed they modeled the ijn ships properly

[@dragonladyz290]

Captain Wilkinson was both brave and pragmatic;. He knew he couldn't disengage from the enemy, as he would be sunk as soon as there was enough distance for the supporting warships to fire, without hitting their own ships. He just figured, if they are going to get shelled and sunk, then let it be after I've buried my bow into the side of one of them. That took guts!

[@techheadiv7457]

I'd like to see Yarnhub cover more stories like this. This intrigued me to where I had to look more into this. Usually, when I hear stories like this, I hear of the impact that followed (example: The Battle of Thermopylae allowed for the evacuation of Athens before the Persians sacked the city). The Japanese fleet en route to Sumatra, arrived at Sumatra. I'd like to hear that losing that one troop carrier threw a wrench in the Japanese plan which would haunt them later but from what I found so far, the engagement between the HMS Li Wo and the Japanese fleet heading to Sumatra bore no such impact. Indonesia, like Malaya and Singapore before it, would fall. Wilkinson and his crew had nothing to prove. They had nothing to lose as the British reeled from the defeat at Singapore. They just wanted to retreat to safety. However, when pushed against the wall, they decided to go balls out, and played all the cards they could play. Their actions likely did not affect any of the major outcomes that followed but they sure meant something to the British. The HMS Li Wo would become the highest decorated small ship in Royal Naval history. Whatever you do, do it well. You never know who it may impact.

[@benscott8782]

Such brave Defiance and Courage that Li Wo had as she gave her life.

[@manicmechanic448]

I said that this episode would be "epic". I was not disappointed. The entire crew has earned the Balls of Steel Award. They fought valiantly with Wilkinson's sword.

[@kaedenthepigeon2186]

As a Singaporean, I'm so glad our country was featured in one of your videos 🙂

[@user-fx5zp6ec3s]

And as a Hong Konger, I am so glad our ship makes her way to Yarnhub too ^^

[@deliciousnoodles5505]

A little sad this story of bravery wasn't taught in schools at all.

[@peekaboopeekaboo1165]

​@@user-fx5zp6ec3s Are you an English residing in Hong Kong ? Hongkong's Chinese people help build the Li Wo ...?

[@user-fx5zp6ec3s]

@@peekaboopeekaboo1165 When the hell HK had that many English to build a ship?

[@pauldanieljl5219]

There's no words to honour the selfless crew. Just because of such brave men, even facing so many loses, the allies had won the war.

[@odd-ysseusdoesstuff6347]

I love how cool this looks! A definite improvement from last year! Also, I haven't heard this story yet, so it's a great welcome for me! Quite sad that there are heroes we won't remember as the records had been destroyed, RIP unknown sergeant.

[@captain_commenter8796]

HMS Li Wo took the *“BANZAI”* page from the Japanese strategy book

[@Anonymous-_-69]

"He still remains, at his post." Damn

[@aldreenbautista2375]

Li Wo: *sneaks 2000 yards near the convoy in broad daylight without the Japanese noticing them and starts firing Japanese convoy: THERE IS AN IMPOSTOR AMONG US

[@angusmack.2202]

No one has any idea how happy I am to hear my country “Singapore” in a yarnhub video!!

[@theallseeingmaster]

I love British naval audacity, it never fails to entertain.

[@krikeydial3430]

That fight was suicide. I would have been an island boy.

[@Zscach]

this is getting multimillion dollar per episode budget level. Enough praising your teams work, time to be proud of your efforts. Your work is superb

[@Yarnhub]

Thanks!

[@gregsmall5939]

On target, bracketed, in three rounds with no range finder, is EXCELLENT gunnery. Bravo Zulu Li Wo.

[@jerrytheeggboy4053]

Your guys' animation is getting better and better every video, and it looks amazing. Cool story too.

[@wava3165]

the quality of your animations is each video better, this is so good

[@petulagraham1657]

My dad was one of the seven survivors. William D Wilding. He ended up on Banka Island along with other survivors and was taken prisoner. He spent the rest of the war in Palembang. Died in 1973.

[@anthonyburnam3415]

Your story makes me wanna cry. Your Dad? That is a Dad to be real proud about there. The British know honor and any honor the USA has came straight from you guys. I'm just amazed by this story. Thanks Ms Graham. Love England. Love the British.

[@rapipocudo8690]

"He still remains, at his post" Epic line right there

[@dusterl1472]

It's funny... I see everyone complimenting you on the animation, and yeah, it's great, but frankly, the stories you tell absolutely overshadow the animation. And please believe me when I say that's a compliment.

[@armanhadi777]

Unimaginable bravery. Beyond heroic.

[@montynelson5033]

the animation quality of this actually blows my mind. thank you yarnhub for not making me pay for this (which i would gladly do)

[@swancman]

No lie: I shed a tear watching this. R.I.P Temporary Lieutenant Thomas Wilkinson and the crew of Li Wo.

[@timixl00]

I love how realistic the faces look now they even have realistic looking facial hair. Amazing work yarnhub

[@idhamrahadian7288]

This yarnhub animation surely getting better on each episodes

[@iowaredneck9416]

There are countless movies of several wars, but one created by YarnHub… it would immediately cement itself on top of the greatest classics of all time. I hope you get to that point. As far as the captain and crew, they could have turned and ran aground, but they chose to charge into the fight knowing it would be suicide. Few people today poses the courage that countless demonstrated during WWII. As amazing as the explosions and animations are, the line about the captain still being at his post is very sobering. In the moment, a soldier will do his duty, but there is nothing glamorous about death. Thank you YarnHub for honoring these men as well as those in your other videos.

[@Yarnhub]

Thank you

[@NotSoDangeruss]

The quality of the animations is crazy. And the fact that you post weekly videos in unreal. Love the stuff. Keep it up!

[@Nathator97]

this was definitely an example of amazing leadership and fearlessness! I love these stories!

[@chris.76256]

I have no idea how you make the graphics better every video, someone needs a raise!

[@foxpedroska6717]

Boy. THE QUALITY OF THIS ANIMATION IS INSANE! This feels like a documentary video, please keep this up!

[@peterharrison5833]

I salute the bravery and selflessness of these men. The crew, the gunners, and the captain---all "still out on patrol..." RIP. Respectfully, PMH, MSgt(ret), USAF

[@goldosprey]

Captain Wilkenson: Eternally on patrol with his mate the Lewis gunner. Rest in Peace

[@brandonrodriguez5310]

“He still remains at his post” that gave me the chills for some reason.

[@richardvonpingel2379]

That Captain deserved that VC as did his crew. I have never heard this story before I am glad I have now.

[@change_your_oil_regularly4287]

Very unfortunate some of the names of key members of the crew have been lost to time. Incredible bravery RIP

[@Turgineer]

Wow, the ship held up very well even though it wasn't built for war. The crew also has tremendous courage.

[@rayhatton7683]

Prepare for ramming speed!!!!! Another story of greatness told. Well done yarnhub.

[@Jungoguy]

Dude…this is one of the most badass stories I’ve ever heard.

[@waboem]

The fact that they knew what attacking ment, and not just did it. But went for it with 110% shows how brave soldiers can be

[@whiskeymonk4085]

Went down with his ship like a true captain.

[@RickrollFoot]

I cant believe how good the animation has gotten in only a year!

[@benzn5965]

My guy the graphics and animations get better every video keep it up!

[@DeryckAllen]

id love to see this story be made a movie, what badass dudes!

[@dontcallmeroly2031]

The animation QUALITY is improving exponentially every single video. I look forward to these every week

[@jamesdees4955]

Man these facial models keep looking more and more realistic! Keep up the great work!

[@okvltism]

Brooo i almost burst into tears. Bravo yarnhub!

[@howardamey7228]

Absolute sheer unmitigated bravery and Valor! What a tremendous story. World class Yarnhub! You are truly a dedicated class of your own. My weekend has started on a positive step.

[@firefreedom5486]

jesus its so great watching this channel put so much more detail into their animations everytime

[@keefer9953]

As a Singaporean myself history didn't tell us about this story this so I'm glad you told us about these heros

[@TheoneandonlyJobis]

God bless these brave men. YARNHUB never fails to put a lump in my throat.

[@symphinitystugiii3476]

Thank you for getting these videos out. I have seen all the quality videos get posted faster and faster

[@strellettes8511]

The early 2000's History Channel could have only dreamt of this production quality. Hell TODAYS History Channel could only dream of this quality.

[@geneva214]

The saddest thing to happen in war is to lose the names of the brave men who sacrificed themselves

[@years-fp7pp]

finally you cover a lost peice of history that ive been waiting on thanks so much yarnhub i really love u guys and will support you to the end

[@somerandokid]

I love and hate these types of videos, i love them because they have a good morale and courage but i hate it when like the main character dies. Did they ever find the ruins of the Li wo? Great video overall and i hope you keep making more great animations about history!!!

[@guts-141]

That's the reality of war sadly

[@noggy3133]

There are no main characters in war, only soldiers with their determination.

[@buguhuwu]

My family just bought an iPad and a new Yarnhub video dropped so the only logical thing to do first was to watch it on the iPad. Great Video as always

[@Yarnhub]

We hope it looked and sounded great :)

[@GoingBackandQuestioning234]

We can clearly see the awesome improvement of details!!!❤

[@rolfagten857]

The Dutch sailors Peppi & Kokki were also involved in these battles. In 1946 they received a VC and MBE from the English king for this.

[@Spartan265]

His name may be lost to time but his actions will always be remembered.

[@indianheadlogan]

This 11 minute video is gonna take me half an hour to watch cuz I keep rewinding it to appreciate the attention to detail

[@williamhalsted4]

One of your best stories, and superbly executed. That last line went home. It was men like this who, even though they may have been stupid, won the war.

[@jaketorralba4521]

The white cute Cat at the beginning of the video and the whole story and animation are 5 stars ⭐ for me.

[@Jacked-Droid639]

The quality and upload time is unbelievable, keep up the good work!

[@brainflash1]

"This is a fighting ship. I intend to take it into harm's way."

[@shawnmullins2954]

The animation and detail just keeps getting better

[@johnparsons1573]

The stories are just wonderful. Small battles that are never talked about. Great job and thank you

[@kaelpaul322]

The animations have gotten amazing!!

[@cassandraralph5906]

Sobering and yet heroic at the same time! This really touched my heart ❤️

[@cnlnews8967]

The animations keep getting better and better

[@HritwRaje]

The animations of yarnhub have been getting better and more cinematic! 0:37 the captain catching the fly and the sound of fly merging with plane engine sounds is a wonderful nuance!

[@somerandomdude4300]

Prepare for ramming speed!

[@rad1mil]

Your channel is just so amazing! I'd love to mee your (and your team, if there is one) one day! Thank you for turning boredom into something nice :D

[@DER_WUNDERFZZ]

When the ship's rammed into each other that music is perfect

[@matyasgrohmann]

I haven't seen a Yarnhub video for a couple months and man! The animations keep getting better and better! It's magnificent, keep up the good work

[@ilsergentesalvucci3544]

This man will feel right at home in WH40K imperial transport

[@celiovicenteribeirofilho9740]

Curious how the small and outnumbered often demonstrate more courage than some would expect in the face of advession.

[@Rodinov_Claw]

Four minor items just for clarity sake: 1) The actual rank of "Captain" Thomas was Temporary Lieutenant, and he served with the Royal Navy Reserve. 2) The target was the lead transport, not some random transport in the middle of the pack 3) The sequence of the battle seems to be in reverse order: HMS Li Wo attacked with MG and the 4" guns, and then after receiving hits from IJN Yura, Fubuki and Asagiri, and when she was badly damaged, only then the captain ordered HMS Li Wo to ram the lead transport. 4) 10 survivors was picked up and was imprisoned in the PoW camp for the next 3 years. Source: Victoria Cross memorandum to the Admiralty 17th December 1946

[@henryvanderbeek2973]

Thank you for sharing that...

[@TheAlphaDingo]

The fall of Singapore was one of the biggest blunders and calamities not only in British history but the entire war. This one ferry and it's brave crew showed more determination and fight than the entire British high command!

[@melina001a]

Lieutenant Thomas Wilkinson, VC (1 August 1898 - 14 February 1942) Royal navy reserve, was born in Widnes, Lancashire, England. My home town he's still very well remembred and thought of well.

[@Brucedakat]

I have even watched it yet, but I know that there is incredible content to come😂❤ keep up the great work!