HMS Exeter - Guide 247

[@Drachinifel]

Pinned post for Q&A :)

[@navnig]

Is there anything left of her to speak of now? Or have the salvage pirates taken the lot of her?

[@snebbywebby2587]

@@navnig Nothing but her imprint in the mud

[@snebbywebby2587]

Does severe damage have a lasting effect on the structural integrity of a ship after being repaired?

[@Knight6831]

Battleship New Jersey did a video on cancelled WW2 Super-Dreadnought Battleships in that video they gave the UK 4 Vanguard Class, 4 Lion Class, 5 King George V Class, 2 Nelson Class Fast Battleship and 5 modernised Queen-Elizabeth Class Super-Dreadnought Battleship in the Battleship fleet and 2 modernised Renown Class Battlecruiser and 1 modernised Admiral Class Battlecruiser Given the Royal Navy need Cruisers, Destroyers, Corvettes and Sloops more than battleship What is a more realistic Battleship fleet for the Royal Navy if WW2 started in 1945?

[@wildkarrde3370]

Just how valuable is the metal from a 79 year old wreck that's been sitting in relatively warm saltwater so close to the surface? How much usable material can realistically be left after so long in conditions conducive to rusting?

[@LazyLifeIFreak]

I told my wife that her "forward superstructure was somewhat bulkier than her sisters".

[@keithmoore5306]

not a bad thing if you're into bulkier superstructures!!!

[@mbr5742]

A lot more survivable then telling a female she has a slightly more flared stern...

[@shanesimpson3455]

@@keithmoore5306 I like me that broad beam.

[@keithmoore5306]

@@mbr5742 again not a bad thing if you're into PAWG's and they know it!!!

[@notshapedforsportivetricks2912]

And if she ever asks "Does this awning make my quarterdeck look big?", the correct answer is "No".

[@markbrown4442]

That is an awful fate for a gallant ship. My Grandfathers ship, HMS Achilles, fought with her during the River Plate engagement and he always spoke of her fondly

[@jamessimms415]

Sad indeed. But the hastily organized ADBA Command never really had much hope against the Japanese Navy @ its zenith. That doesn’t take away the heroism of all of the Command ships complements. What’s even more tragic & infuriating is the disrespect of the designated war graves.

[@PlymouthPilgrim1975]

My grandfather was Sergeant George Puddifoot, RM and ws aboard Exeter at the Plate. Her crew became quite the celebrities after that.

[@CS-zn6pp]

@@jamessimms415 it's effectively state sponsored looting as the ships doing the looting are connected to local and national politicians as well as being crewed by former navel personal from the country in question...

[@fwcolb]

I recognized the name of the ship in the title. I was 8 years old attending a primary school in Toronto. Our teacher showed us on the world map where the Rio de la Plata is located. And then drew a map on the left side blackboard way up front near the door. I could hardly see it. But I heard her explanation of the engagement. I already knew we were at war with Germany because my father had already joined the Canadian Army. Maybe this lesson in current events was what prompted me to join the Royal Canadian Navy at age 19.

[@darrylarfain5593]

@@jamessimms415 Sorry for the ship, but that's how people in my country work. They don't care about those dead bodies, all they think is how they can make money. I remembered my government was urged by the ex-ABDA countries to tighten the guardings of war graves. That's not easy because my country has a pretty small navy with only a few ships, but on the other hand, we had an enormous water territory. I feel bad for my country and I apologize for what they had done.

[@waverleyjournalise5757]

I love hearing stories of the many HMS Didn't Give Up's. True pluck and honour are irreplaceable!

[@MarvinWestmaas]

Tbf this happened on all sides, each nation has their heroes o7

[@NathanDudani]

Muh nationalism

[@silverhost9782]

@@NathanDudani Not sure how you jumped to that but go off I guess

[@stanleyrogouski]

@@NathanDudani Three small British cruisers win a victory against a German capital ship in the middle of the "Phony War." I'm not even British but I can get behind having some pride in that.

[@stefanlaskowski6660]

That's spelled "honour" in the UK. 🇬🇧 😁

[@Deevo037]

Captain Bell in the movie after retiring against Graf Spee: "Request permission to submit revised list of spare part requirements."

[@DonaldMcKay3768]

British movies about WW II are full of dialogue like that. My own favorite, from "Corvette K-225", is when the captain asks for department heads to report damage (the ship is steaming into harbor in England), the gunnery Officer responds, "The Ordnance Department will be quite upset about it, sir."

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

How did that work out?

[@Deevo037]

@@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe The ship made it home. Unfortunately it was sunk by th Japanese later.

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

@@Deevo037 You don't say? Isolated incident for sure. Eh!

[@Deevo037]

@@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe Not really Early on in the Pacific the allies were very much on the back foot. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKjImGWkoMyJqsU

[@Paludion]

2:50 Despite its obsolescence, the "EYEBALL Mark I" can still be deadly.

[@Bird_Dog00]

I certainly won't call it obsolecent. Mark 1 Eyeball is still the best general purpose sensor we have available. Other sensors may exell by a huge margin in one era, but will simply not be able to perform at all in another. edit: typos

[@Foxttellio]

@@Bird_Dog00 i prefer the more acurate MK1. Human Eyeball, it works better than just a good ol' MK1. Eyeball

[@Bird_Dog00]

@JZ's Best Friend He might have enlisted the help of half a dozzen burly sailors for the task. OR, he might have realised that given the destruction of B turret, the armour wouldn't save him from a direct hit anyway and thus the increase in risk - while present - wasn't quite as great as a more cursory glance would sugest.

[@TheRelativy]

It is amazing how much they relay on new technology, and in the end, one man with binoculars wins the battle for you.

[@scottgiles7546]

Mark-1 Eyeball rules!

[@Kevin-mx1vi]

@@scottgiles7546 Not naval, but Spike Milligan told the story that when his battery was in Italy they knew there was a German observation post on top of a mountain a few miles away. Aware of the danger it posed but having no coordinates by which to aim, an NCO sighted a gun by looking down the barrel and estimating the elevation. The shell that was fired blew the top off the mountain !

[@hawkeye5955]

The exception is Admiral Rozhestvensky who threw binoculars into the sea whenever the Kamchatka was spotting phantom Japanese torpedo boats.

[@BrotherAlpha]

3:40 ... "somewhat battered..." Wow. That's an impressive understatement, even for a British person to make.

[@mbr5742]

It still floats and moves under it's own power. That"s better than Victory after Trafalgar. So nothing serious

[@megalodon7916]

@@mbr5742 I hate to imagine what you consider serious, then.

[@mbr5742]

@@megalodon7916 Hood counts

[@Peoples_Republic_of_Devonshire]

@@mbr5742 or Ardent

[@ClassicFormulaOne1]

The story of HMS Exeter always interested me. Legend ship. Greeting from the Netherlands

[@Edi_J]

I'm from Poland, I have a sentiment for Exeter from my childhood (1980's), when I was visiting Russia and bought a plastic model described just "A cruiser". I searched the limited sources to which I had access at those times and I found out that it was fairly accurate 1:500 cast of Exeter in the state as seen here in her last campaign... I recall reading somewhere that Soviets had stolen the mold design from one of leading model manufacturers ;)

[@jcalvert6666]

The russians were indeed using moulds from british modelmaker Frog. But they were not stolen or copied, but simply bought, after Frog shut down in mid 1970s. Interesting bit is that USSR bought only the allied model moulds, and refused to buy the axis ones. So axis moulds were later sold to other companies, like Revell. You can still sometimes find the models under russian brand "Novo" , althrough during times of USSR, they were often sold in unbranded boxes with generic names like "carrier fighter" or "destroyer" .

[@whtalt92]

@@jcalvert6666 I have a Blackburn Shark kit from one of the post-NOVO brands. They do mention the type as well apart from the samolyet torpedonosyets moniker.

[@zabdas83]

@@jcalvert6666 the Soviets used plastic models as a base level design for actual produced ships, really, that sounds a bit... Desperate? Where did you hear this?

[@jcalvert6666]

@@zabdas83 My friend, what are you smoking ? Soviet toy manufacturer NOVO bought model moulds from defunct british toy company FROG and produced the same model kits under their own brand. As in, you know, toys. No one ever implied they used them as basis for real ships 🤣

[@cody4783]

"[...] resolved to try RAMMING [...] next" seems to be not terribly uncommon Plan B among the Royal Navy; And I absolutely love the tenacity of using anything post-age of sail for such a purpose, while the foe on the receiving end surely has functional firepower to retaliate during the whole approach. Great video!

[@christopherrichards3601]

Yep ... exactly what HMS Glowworm did to the German Heavy Cruiser "Admiral Hipper" ... rammed it and tore a huge hole in the Hipper's side.

[@cody4783]

@@christopherrichards3601 Yes! Glowworm's story was another I was thinking of when that line was mentioned. It was an incredible last-ditch effort in a truly one sided battle once Glowworm's torpedoes missed and the rest of her forward armaments were knocked out in a close range battle. A shame for the soldier's efforts that Hipper was able to tank the blow with relatively minimal losses compared to her adversary.

[@anxiousbottle]

glowworm, spitfire, campbelltown, heck even when the rammed ship isnt an enemy as demonstrated in jutland by broke, sparrowhawk and contest

[@Big_E_Soul_Fragment]

When the damage control party kicks in: 'TIS BUT A SCRATCH

[@thatguyondiscord547]

Interesting pfp considering video

[@teknonaught]

I insta-jumped to the comment section for your comment, doubly so because of your pfp lol.

[@phoenixinvictus9880]

"A scratch?!? Your ship's disarmed!" "No it isn't!"

[@chriswright7857]

Ah, a shikikan of culture I see

[@LukeTansiongco]

Just realized your pfp is exact ship he's talking about rn

[@hmskinggeorgev7089]

Not sure if it's just me but this is one adorable looking heavy cruiser. Give me more Halfling county class

[@GG-ir1hw]

Kinda looks like a Baby QE with its super structure design and turret layout.

[@GG-ir1hw]

Woops in fact is this a York class derivative, only 6 guns? What a waste of time… looks more like repulse or Renown thinking about it.

[@giauscaesar8047]

She sure looks good after that refit.

[@harryjohnson9215]

@@GG-ir1hw Queen Elizabeth's had 8 guns in 4 turrets

[@hmskinggeorgev7089]

@@GG-ir1hw I know

[@cartmann94]

HMS Exeter: or how to beat the Germans with 1 HP, blinded and with manual controls.

[@Benepene]

Arroused german here: the cruisers were getting their arses handed. River Plate was won politically. Graf Spee would not have made it home regardless of the fuel.

[@joemaloney1019]

Tis only a flesh wound...ramming speed!

[@ThePaulv12]

@@joemaloney1019 Yes, I was trying to make a Monty Python correlation but couldn't.

[@captmoha3787]

@@Benepene British had the last laugh though with the wreck of the Graf Spee being sold by the German government to a salvage company that was actually a shell company for British intelligence, who combed the wreck and managed to gather some valuable technical information.

[@zhoufang996]

@@Benepene only one side ended the battle by hiding in a neutral port, though

[@OtherWorldExplorers]

I hope the guy that was on the aft turret got a Victoria Cross for his efforts.

[@shanesimpson3455]

Sorry mate the Royal Navy would consider that as "One's Duty old man" but he was Hero as were all the crew.

[@murderouskitten2577]

knowing brits they probably got sent to some coal/salt mines to repent for their failure of doing better job

[@DrivermanO]

@@murderouskitten2577 No you don't!

[@s.31.l50]

@Free Speech I think if he was killed in action, he’d probably get a posthumous VC.

[@shanesimpson3455]

@@murderouskitten2577 No mate worst posting to The Falklands or Outer Hebrides.

[@konstantinmostakov6914]

Being an Exeter Uni student this ship fills me with great pride. Great work as always!

[@davidirvine4294]

It was a Plymouth (Devonport) built ship.......

[@konstantinmostakov6914]

@@davidirvine4294 I meant that I’m proud of the name & the heroic actions of the crew. The fact that it was built in Devon as well makes it even better in my eyes. Thanks for the information.

[@christopherrichards3601]

Welcome to my home town! I hope you thoroughly enjoy your stay and best of luck with your studies!

[@alanobrien3736]

HMS Exeter's actions during the Battle of the River Plate triggered a lifelong interest in Naval History when I read a short account of it in a classroom library book when I was 9 years old. 52 today. Thank you, Drach. Great birthday present.

[@grondhero]

"I'm not fatter than my sister [ship], I'm just big beamed." - HMS _Exeter,_ probably

[@earlyriser8998]

Drach, Can you do a show about the grave robbers destroying the WW2 relics across the south pacific? I have read about the problems around Guadalcanal and it appears iron bottom sound has a lot less iron around than it did in 1946.

[@MarvinWestmaas]

When this news was spread on national Dutch news there was a very big upset, sadly this has never been followed up on. A more in depth review of this would be very interesting but I'm not sure the channel's other content align with what I would like to see there ( not the background of the ships, but insight in why the people responsible for violating those wargraves have not yet been identified ).

[@t.bunker2511]

I guess the small Pacific island nations need the bribe money to look the other way more than they care about someone else's war graves. Asia's appetite for scrap steel is voracious, and the non-irradiated armor steel-plate sells well on the black-market for lab equipment.

[@gregorywright4918]

@@t.bunker2511 Maybe they need a "war grave-free" certification for metal used in instruments, like "dolphin-free" was a big thing with tuna...

[@Sathzur]

@@t.bunker2511 I've heard elsewhere that the Australian Navy takes a dim view of the scavengers and do their utmost to discourage them whenever they find them

[@mebsrea]

@@MarvinWestmaas I’m surprised, given how little the Dutch government seems to do about illegal salvaging of Jutland and other wrecks from Dutch ports.

[@s.31.l50]

If anyone haven’t read Jeffrey Cox’ Rising Sun Falling Skies, I strongly recommend. It’s the best book I’ve found on the Java Sea campaign.

[@_the_wolff_2652]

Miloš Hubáček - Pacifik v Plamenech is also great book. :)

[@stefanlaskowski6660]

Awesome book. Read it few months ago. 👍

[@TankerBricks]

Read it. Love it to bits

[@petehoskins1267]

I have Rising Sun as an e-book, I should make a start on it, cheers.

[@Ccccccccccsssssssssss]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@davidwhite6878]

When I joined the RAN College as a 16 yo Cadet Midshipman in 1972, our parade ground instructor was a Welsh RN CPOGI Hubert James “Taffy” Bowen. He joined the RN as a Boy Seaman during WWII and was onboard HMS Repulse when it was sunk by Japanese aircraft. He was pulled out of the water by HMAS Vampire, who didn’t know what to do with him, so the put him on the first RN ship they came across, HMS Exeter. Following her sinking he spent the remainder of the war as a PoW in Japanese camps in what was then the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia. Lovely bloke, he ended up settling in Sydney.

[@kensington25]

Thank you for this video. My grandfather served as a Lieutenant on the HMS Exeter and spent the rest of the war as a POW after she was sunk.

[@tomdolan9761]

I've read somewhere that as HMS Exeter left port for the Battle at Java Sea the ship's band played 'A hunting we will go'.

[@dovetonsturdee7033]

No. That was the tune Walker's 2nd Support Group usually played when leaving Liverpool.

[@metaknight115]

IJN Haguro: Silently approaches

[@wbnc66]

Exeter at River Platte: I've had worse Graf Spee: You've got no guns left! Exeter: Just a flesh wound...

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

Off to Falklands just for good measure as Harwood had more than enough to do the job. An embarrassment of richs certainly.

[@josepnebotrius872]

Almost as the Monty Python's black knight.

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

How did she fare at Java Sea? IJN cared little about the River Platte.

[@michaeldonahoo461]

In the little Australian seaside town of Nelson Bay about 200KMs north of Sydney there are 5 streets named: Exeter; Achilles; Ajax; Cumberland; and Harwood! I note Captain Woodhouse of the Ajax was knighted and retired an Admiral. Captain Parry of the Achilles was knighted and retired and Admiral. Bell of the Exeter however, retired a Captain and a Mr. I wonder what sin he committed?

[@LarS1963]

Good question. I wasn't aware, well spotted.

[@Foxttellio]

Oh goodie i better go visit that sometime then mate, thanks for some inch resting info!

[@paspartu2000]

retired early in 1948 on health grounds

[@benwilson6145]

He was awarded the Companion of the Order of Bath and was ADC to King George VI so still honoured

[@LarS1963]

Actually, he was made a Companion of Bath (Knighted) December 23, 1939. He was a flag-captain in 1940-41 and commanding naval officer on Ceylon (Now Sri Lanka) in -42. He took command of the battleship HMS Anson in -45, and naval AdC to George VI from -47 to -48. He retired due to ill health in -48. No sins I was able to discover during a brief search. :)

[@PhantomLover007]

Exeter’s office or on top of the turret . Position G1. “Miss”. Position G2. “Hit”. Position G3. “Hit.” Position H2. “Hit” You damaged my battle cruiser

[@gregorywright4918]

"pocket battleship" = heavier cruiser...

[@LordInter]

@@gregorywright4918 with much bugger guns and slightly better armour

[@TheLoxxxton]

I think the crew of these ships must be exceptional men. To be sitting there taking hits from 11 inch shells and still keep up the fight is incredible

[@keithmoore5306]

well they can't exactly do much else other than fight back once the fight starts!! you try to withdraw the enemy will pursue and chase you down until they get you or have to turn back due to lack of fuel! not to mention what their higher command would do to them if turned tail and went french!!

[@mbr5742]

@@keithmoore5306 The french SOILDIERS and SAILORS fought bravely. Even in lost situations. Do not blame the troops for politics and politicians.

[@stanleyrogouski]

@@mbr5742 Seems to me that the issue in France in 1940 wasn't that the French were cowards but that France was a deeply divided society with a powerful far right that actually sympathized with the Nazis. What's more the French Army ever since the Dreyfus Affair had been identified with the anti-Semitic right. There was a French left willing to fight the Nazis but they had little or no institutional power. When you think about it it kind of reminds me of the United States in 2021.

[@mbr5742]

@A Fels And again someone who can not seperate political decisions from the soldiers.

[@TheLoxxxton]

@@keithmoore5306 yes I understand all that and God forbid they went French. I think it was more about some officer standing on top of the guns sighting in by eye and messages being sent up and down a chain of men etc that sort of thing.

[@noneofyourbusiness4433]

As far as I can tell, either this video or the live drydock in progress now is your 200th video! What an amazing accomplishment, especially considering how well researched and presented they are. Thank You! And it looks like they have a cumulative 72,159,000 viewings. Awesome! EDIT: I came up with 200 because that's where my browser stopped as I scrolled down your list. It dawned on me later that number is way too low. I think a better number is around 644! And the total view count is over 98,000,000. That sets you up for a celebration when they reach 100,000,00

[@23draft7]

Boy, the damage that those sailors went through. My Lord, to be in such battles and keep going. Like that train going up the hill, I think I can, I think I can. All guts, sadly she rolled over & sunk. God bless those that were on her.

[@aforman1951]

I had an Uncle that served on I think USA's PC-415 . It was an experimental steam turbine built in 1938. Sub chaser. I have heard rumors about what happened during it's service on the Normandy Invasion, but can't find anything. If you could find anything I'd appreciate it.

[@Olliemets]

Thanks, Drach. Patiently waiting for a vid about one of my favorite ships. Been fascinated with this little undergunned ship designed for foreign service sing I was a kid in the 60s.

[@dillank3240]

This has always been one of my favourite cruisers. I can't say why, but it is.

[@lianie4606]

My Great Uncle was young man who served on this ship whilst it took a pounding and spent the rest of his life in hospital with Shell shock bless him.

[@katrinapaton5283]

Would strongly reccomend the book HMS Electra by Lieut.-Commander T.J.Cane. She was present during three of Britains worst moments at sea during WW2; Hood and Prince of Wales vs Bismark, Repulse and Prince of Wales on the 10th December 1941 and the first Battle of the Java Sea where she helped defend a crippled Exeter.. Thanks Drach for this video on the Exeter. The old girl may have been diminutive in size but was huge in stature. One of my favorite British ships ever.

[@tylerthelen485]

Cannot even tell you why, but as a child this was my favourite RN ship. I named as many of my homemade lego ships as was feasible HMS Exeter

[@orwellboy1958]

Me too, I think it was one of the first airfix models I made.

[@ivangenov6782]

I don't blame you, this ship really doesn't wanna sink

[@robbielee2148]

@@orwellboy1958 I have been a Airfix collector since the 60s & don’t recall them ever making Exeter. In fact it was my biggest concern, as they made Graf Spee & Ajax in 1/600, but no Exeter AFAIK. I still build Airfix & have their entire 1/600 WW2 line, lately I’ve been kit bashing to produce ships not done by Airfix but so far just Norfolk, Uganda & Unicorn.

[@robbielee2148]

Long b4 Airfix I was a Lego shipmaster too lol 🇬🇧

[@orwellboy1958]

@@robbielee2148 maybe you are right, it was a very long time ago now. Maybe it was another manufacturer, I definitely remember building it and that would have been late 60s early 70s. PS. I've done a little more research Frog made a HMS Exeter model back in the 1960s so perhaps it was theirs I built.

[@randyschaff8939]

My favourite cruiser of ww2. Very inspiring. Big morale boost for the Brits sinking the Graf Spee in 1939.

[@sctm81]

Technically they tricked the Germans to sink it themselves ....

[@agesflow6815]

Thank you, Drachinifel.

[@davidjohnston1799]

That's an insanely brave crew

[@richardmanginelli2624]

HER MAJESTY'S SHIP ! STILL TO THIS DAY GOD SPEED TO ALL ITS SHIP AT SEA From Long Island NY

[@boobah5643]

Try again, son. Elizabeth has been queen for a long time, but 'twas the king's navy in _Exeter's_ day.

[@raigarmullerson4838]

holy hell that ship is tough. Taking that much damage but kept fighting anyway

[@nigeltrump6443]

I'm very lucky to have saved some part of the HMS EXETER history in finding a bag destined for the bin which had personal belongings to a sailor who was on the Exeter in the battle of the river plate. War medals,binoculars,pocket watch, 4 photo albums and a very nice signed photo of Sir Henry Harwood. Found in a house clearance, but sadly the family didn't care on history just the fact of selling the house 😕.

[@danielkennedy1524]

another brilliant story/history! thank you sir!

[@unemployed_history_major4795]

Is there any other examples of a crew doing what Exeter’s did at the River Plate? Manually controlling steering, manual/local fire control, etc and still managing to be successful?

[@MisterApol]

USS Johnston, Battle of Samar for one.

[@NathanDudani]

@@MisterApol successful

[@logansimmons5421]

@@NathanDudani Just because the ship sank doesn't mean they weren't successful, they defended the aircraft carriers and scared the enemy.

[@ASB117]

@@logansimmons5421 They chased off the Yamato!

[@christopherrichards3601]

HMS Glowworm versus Admiral Hipper ... a small British Destroyer against a German Heavy Cruiser. Glowworm rammed Hipper causing serious damage before succumbing herself. Glowworm's Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Gerard Broadmead Roope, was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.

[@loganholmberg2295]

I think you should do more coverage of looting of old war wrecks. It's something that never gets enough attention.

[@marcusfranconium3392]

A sad ending , there is a list of all surface ships that where under abda command . And seeing the number of ships that got diverted or damaged . the remaining abda fleet in the java see was just a realy small part. Just have a look at the ships that where under abda command ( not submarines not included) American USS Houston (CA-30) - lost USS Marblehead (CL-12) - heavily damaged USS Boise (CL-47) USS Alden (DD-211) USS Barker (DD-213) USS John D. Edwards (DD-216) USS Whipple (DD-217) USS Parrott (DD-218) USS Edsall (DD-219) - lost USS Bulmer (DD-222) USS Stewart (DD-224) - lost USS Pope (DD-225) - lost USS Peary (DD-226) - lost USS Pillsbury (DD-227) - lost USS John D. Ford (DD-228) USS Paul Jones (DD-230) USS Asheville (PG-21) - lost USS Tulsa (PG-22) USS Holland (AS-3) USS Canopus (AS-9) - lost USS Otus (AS-20) USS Langley (CV-1) - lost USS Childs (AVD-1) USS Heron (AVP-2) Lanikai (converted yacht) USS Pecos (AO-6) - lost British HMS Prince of Wales (53) - lost HMS Repulse (1916) - lost HMS Exeter (68) - lost HMS Dragon (D46) HMS Danae (D44) HMS Durban (D99) HMS Emerald (D66) HMS Electra (H27) - lost HMS Encounter (H10) - lost HMS Express (H61) HMS Isis (D87) HMS Jupiter (F85) - lost HMS Scout HMS Tenedos (H04) - lost HMS Thanet (H29) - lost HMS Stronghold (H50) - lost Dutch HNLMS De Ruyter (1935) - lost HNLMS Tromp (1937) HNLMS Java (1921) - lost HNLMS De Zeven Provinciën (1909) - lost HNLMS Evertsen (1926) - lost HNLMS Kortenaer (1927) - lost HNLMS Piet Hein (1927) - lost HNLMS Van Ghent (1926) - lost HNLMS Banckert (1929) HNLMS Van Nes (1930) - lost HNLMS Witte de With (1928) - lost Australian HMAS Perth (D29) - lost HMAS Hobart (D63) HMAS Adelaide (1918) HMAS Vampire (D68) (ex. HMS Vampire) HMAS Vendetta (D69)

[@gregorywright4918]

All those US DDs were 4-piper WW1 Clemson-class destroyers assigned to Asiatic Fleet, most cruising around China during the 30's. Their "home base" during the time was at Manila in the Philippines.

[@jamesgoacher1606]

Thank you I enjoy very much these short episodes. They always seem to bring out something that you did not realise you didn't know. She looked a little like Henry Cooper after a Boxing Match regardless of whether he had won or not.

[@metaknight115]

Amazing ship. I wish I could visit her today.

[@DardanellesBy108]

Interesting. I didn’t know she was beat up so badly by Graf Spee and didn’t know the IJN sank her. No surprise the sailors did all they could to stay in the fight with Graf Spee until all options ran out. They maintained the Royal Navy’s tradition of tenacity.

[@WayneBorean]

I hate grave robbers. It makes us honest archaeologists/paleoanthropologists furious.

[@grondhero]

...

[@robertfrost1683]

The reason is pre atomic bomb steel is very valuable.

[@andreww2098]

When does it change from grave robbing and become archaeology?

[@grondhero]

@@andreww2098 When you sell it to a museum instead of a collector. ;)

[@chac65]

The "looting" of warship graves is minor in comparison to the looting of countries like Indonesia under British, Dutch, Japanese, or American control. British guy complains about historical looting, Egyptian guy (or someone from any number of countries) thinks... ????? Damn those Indonesians for looting those ships that were there to systemically loot the entire archipelago. The Japanese, Dutch, British, and Americans were literally fighting over who got to loot Indonesia.

[@derekmills5394]

My dad (92) remembers the Exeter, Ajax and Achillies returning to the Falklands after River Plate. Exeter was reported in local press as 'having a hole in the bow big enough to drive a horse and cart through'

[@VintageCarHistory]

Grave robbers. A very appropriate term for such scum.

[@ryanh2621]

Thats an understatement

[@keithmoore5306]

yeah definitely needs to be made a death penalty offense worldwide like piracy!!!

[@guaporeturns9472]

You think the dead sailors give a shit what happens to their bones.. ? Of course they don’t , they are dead. Many poor Indonesian families benefitted from the jobs created by scrapping those ships. That area and it’s people was ravaged by that war that they had nothing to do with... pretty sure none of the families that were negatively affected by the war were reimbursed for anything , so let them enjoy a little prosperity from the wreckage left behind by the superpowers that didn’t and still don’t give a shit about them.

[@ldkbudda4176]

@@keithmoore5306 How many black Somalian pirates were hanged/killed? NIL!!!

[@philstothard8333]

@@guaporeturns9472 you honestly deserve all the shit that is coming your way .

[@Phoenix-ej2sh]

"Somewhat battered" - that's the British understatement I've always heard about, yes?

[@jamesm3471]

Nothing like having to rely entirely on the age old, Mark I Eyeball for fire control. In a better world, that fellow who got the critical hit whilst standing on the turret, would’ve made it home, where , try as much as he liked, he would never be able to actually pay for any of his own drinks, with his own money again.

[@ollieahokas9179]

HMS Exeter was one of my favorite WWII cruisers...

[@raymaxwell2940]

Drachinifel will you be doing any of the light cruisers HMS CAIRO KENYA DAUNTLESS CAROLINE Just these ships show on my Grandfathers service Record as a RM GUNNER IN WW2 Or ships involved in the Arctic Convoys etc have to say it was a honour a few years ago to Accept the ushakov medal on behalf of the grandfather who passed away just a few weeks before spartiate is also on his record found out it was a shore base in scotland and not a ship in ww2 with caroline being the headquarters in Belfast Harbour

[@fieldmarshalbaltimore1329]

Literally just finished watching Baz Battles new release on the Battle if the River Plate. Finished it, keyed over to suggested, and here was this video

[@admiralsirrusty3465]

Best book by far to read about her is 'No Surrender' by WE Johns & RA Kelly

[@peterwallace3436]

Biggles author wrote naval history? Thanks awfly Allgy, old chap. I had no idea

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

You've given me a reason to pull out my DVD of, " the battle of the River Platte." Great naval film. On Amazon.... 😉

[@cody4783]

Aw, I found that cover under a "Pursuit of the Graf Spee" on Prime video, but it's unavailable in my region (US). So rarely have I actually felt the need for a VPN... Thanks for bringing it to my attention though!

[@rutabagasteu]

Damn fine ship and crew. I'm a US Navy veteran.

[@falklandsgamer9156]

If I recall, there were a few in her crew during the River Plate that were from the Falklands, and she used scraps of plating from the hulk of the SS Great Britain to patch up before making the return journey.

[@cdfe3388]

The “Destroyermen” series by Taylor Anderson opens with the Battle of the Java Sea. HMS Exeter only appears for about a page and a half, but makes a hell of an impression in her final moments that is still felt several books later.

[@johngregory4801]

No one could ever steal the mettle of HMS Exeter or of her crew. Just the materials that defined her shape and purpose.

[@mebsrea]

Someone should find a Chinese wreck and start salvaging it. I imagine the hypocritical threats from Beijing would follow instantly.

[@mebsrea]

@@kms_scharnhorst There has definitely been involvement by Chinese firms. The Chinese are basically the real-life Vogons.

[@whtalt92]

@@kms_scharnhorst Poor inhabitants with heavy salvaging equipment and blowtorch equipment suitable for underwater use.

[@whtalt92]

@@kms_scharnhorst I must have whatever it is you're smoking. Lack of US, British or Dutch action in preventing the scrapping? What would you suggest, sending a couple of frigates over and permanently guard those sites? There are certain conventions governments normally tend to adhere to when it comes to war graves.

[@whtalt92]

@@kms_scharnhorst That is not how maritime law works.

[@ericgrace9995]

If you want to see how medals are awarded today as compared with WW2, compare a photograph of Dwight Eisenhower and America's top general today , General Milley. He looks like a Christmas tree. It's like they're handing out "participation trophy" medals.

[@SaintlyAussie]

Not really - Ike had a crapton of medals at least 60 I would have thought - including the Soviet Order of Victory and his Mexican Border Service Medal.

[@scottgiles7546]

@A Fels " I'm the not-so-proud recipient of a commendation for bravery in my file for basically panicking the least hard in the one time in my career there was a legitimate danger, during an ambush in Afghanistan." Panicking the least hard sounds like the definition of bravery. Only fools have no fear so they can't be brave. The one shitting his pants but doing it anyway is brave. Find peace and live your life well is what we wish for people like you. And don't get me started on 'Merica's current leaders or I shall be banned and all posts deleted.

[@stanleyrogouski]

When Ulysses Grant tried to check into the Willard Hotel in 1864 before his meeting with Lincoln and his appointment as Supreme Commander he couldn't get a room because none of the hotel employees had any idea who he was. When they finally found him a tiny room off in some dank part of the hotel without any windows he said "sure that's fine." Then the desk clerk realized "oh shit. That's the Supreme Commander of the United States Army."

[@ericgrace9995]

@@SaintlyAussie But try and find photographs where he has more than a couple of rows on his Ike Jacket !

[@ericgrace9995]

@A Fels That's more or less how my father described WW2 and my uncles described Korea. Thanks. Might not have worked out, but you carry no blame for that.

[@idhamrahadian7288]

I somewhat as an Indonesian feel ashamed about the fate of the ship being robbed by the grave robber. The same robbery that destroyed USS Houston and HNLMS de ruyter. I am truly sorry for this

[@Charliecomet82]

Think of it as making a buck from two guys who broke into your grandpa's house and got into a fight over who had the right to steal his stuff first...

[@jaredthehawk3870]

Houston and Perth are still fairly intact especially Houston.

[@sirderam1]

Idham Rahadian Neither the fault or the shame are yours - but your concern honours you.

[@SlavicCelery]

It's not your fault. I just don't understand how someone can justify a quick buck off of a noted mass grave. Like did they ever stop and think for a second, what if it was a ship from our country full of our fallen countrymen? Greed has a way of making people do some pretty sad actions.

[@idhamrahadian7288]

@@SlavicCelery Thanks Tim. There is a tribe here known for bottomless "appetite" for steel.. unused bridge. Gone. Unused or even used railway section. Gone. Oil or water piping. Gone.

[@tonyjedioftheforest1364]

Great video, I didn’t realise she was sunk as I thought she was in the film The Battle Of The River Plate. This channel is absolutely brilliant.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

HMS Jamaica plays Her in the film.

[@krondarr8865]

RIP to her gallant crew. She gave it her all and then some in two different oceans and theaters.

[@wcweathe]

Q&A Admiral Drach in a WW epic you are presented with a Hunt for Red October situation and you are commanded to "stop that ship" but the only thing available is a group of n-1 ships (Rouge battleship but you only have battle cruisers) What would you do and how do you think it would play out ?

[@DolFunDolhpinVtuber]

River Plate was a good movie. Sad to hear about the illegal salvaging.

[@riverraven7359]

The county and town class cruisers were very good looking and useful ships, sadly limited by treaty conditions their enemies largely ignored one way or another.

[@sctm81]

Britain was cursed to abide by the rules they tried to impose on everyone else which everyone else fighting them then conveniently ignored leaving Britain at a disadvantage in a 1 on 1. Fortunately for them, Britain still had the numbers to win eventually.

[@gsxrinfrance5827]

My stepfather was on Exeter, picked up by the Japanese and spent over 3 years as a POW. A couple of years before he died he suffered from dementia, couldn't remeber who my mother was, but could name a lot of the Japanese guards, and the Dutch prisoners he was with, strange what the mind does. Amazingly, he held no grunge again the Japanese and had a good life until his death at 80...

[@rcwagon]

Thank you for the story of this gallant ship. Pummeled by Germans, then Japanese, and lost against a an onslaught. It seems that ABDA stood for All Benthic Doomed Assets.

[@unclestone8406]

Exeter joins Enterprise in the _"I didn't hear no bell!"_ club 🍻

[@PalleRasmussen]

Technically Exeter was first, you just did not know about it.

[@shabut]

@@PalleRasmussen Technically Enterprise did it better.

[@PalleRasmussen]

@@shabut they were still later, which was my point. It was an excellent ship with a very skilled helmsman, but later.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

Rocky can't climb the steps this weekend. Justin Bieber concert is getting set up.

[@unclestone8406]

To clarify, the "IDHNB" club is beyond space and time, same as the Restaurant at the End of the Universe or Valhalla. It's not who gets there first, just being there matters 🍻

[@janwitts2688]

The fact that one 8 inch hit caused critical damage resolves the 8 inch vs 6 inch issue nicely...

[@thomasjamison2050]

One has to wonder if Force Zed might not have somewhat fared differently if Exeter had been present to divide up the aerial attacks as well as contribute somewhat to the air defense.

[@edlewis4696]

So, you mentioned a refit occurring on the Cumberland in the Falkland. What Royal Naval repair or retrofit services were available in the Falklands then and that facilities history?

[@jasonz7788]

Thank you drach great work

[@sctm81]

Exeter vs Graf Spee is an amazing story of an underdog win against all odds.

[@lawrencelewis2592]

How about a video on the USS Canopus, scuttled in the Phillipines in 1942?

[@TexasAnlaShok]

BazBattles just had a video about the Battle of River Plate drop as well.

[@davidtryon6157]

"Tough little ship."

[@jacobpederson6628]

She was such a handsome ship

[@06colkurtz]

Well done Sir

[@geoffburrill9850]

Another great vid. Can you please do one on Exeter's sister York.

[@malcolmbrown3532]

Cumberland had been on detatched duty in the South Pacific, based in Valparaíso before re-rounding the [Cape] Horn and headijng to the blustery roadsted that is Port Stanley in the Falklands.for a "self refit". The other somewhat ironical situation is that Commodore Harwoods South Atlantic Squadron was the waekest of the various Squadrons hunting the German Pocket Battleships [in this case the Graf Spee].

[@harryjohnson9215]

Can you do HMS Duke of York

[@augustosolari7721]

Graf Spree: I might be pocket size, but I'm still a Battleship! HMS Exeter: Someone Hold My tea.

[@scottgiles7546]

HMS Exeter: Don't make me spill my tea laughing.

[@augustosolari7721]

@@scottgiles7546 last time Someone spilled tea to the sea, there was war!!!

[@philiphumphrey1548]

Graf Spee was little more than an up-gunned heavy cruiser. It was vulnerable to Exeter's 8 inch shells. Taking on three British cruisers was not a good idea, Captain Langsdorff would have done better to have turned tail and scarpered as soon as he saw them.

[@seatedliberty]

American officer standing on turret directing fire: clangs while walking due to giant brass balls. British officer standing on turret directing fire: brass balls of equal size to the American's but properly muffled so as not to be undignified about it.

[@johnwalsh7256]

Great tale

[@edwardandrews2752]

Any chance of a look at the patrol service ( trawlers etc of WW1) I come across places in the Moray Firth towns with names such as Patrol Road, Admiralty Street etc?

[@jaredthehawk3870]

Destroyed is an understatement. The wreck is completely gone. All that's left is a ship shaped indentation in the seafloor. Her AND A battle mates, the Perth and Houston have faired a bit better.

[@johnhunt3369]

The Channel Island of Sark’s only military casualty of WWII died from malaria after enduring 18 months in a Japanese POW camp, having survived the sinking of HMS Exeter. Able Seaman Leslie Parkyn. We will remember them

[@fredfarnackle5455]

Indeed...

[@DarkestdaysAU]

My grandfather served on the Exeter during the battle of the River Plate.

[@blogsblogs2348]

Interistingly the york and Exeter were built with heavier armour than the counties..

[@stanleyrogouski]

Interestingly the Graf Spee had 5 inches of armor on its turrets and the Exeter had 1 inch. They both had about 3 inches of belt armor. I think a County class had more belt armor than the Graf Spee but I'm only going by stats on Wikipedia.

[@jefferyindorf699]

As built York, and Exeter had heavier Armour then the counties, but after Japan left the London Naval Treaty the Admiralty just happened to find some armour laying about that just happened to fit the counties perfectly. 🤔

[@philmcevoy7129]

My cousin, a Royal Marine, was killed on the Exeter at the Battle of The River Plate. He was in the forward turret.

[@GM-fh5jp]

"Exeter still returning fire sir"!..."good old Hockey" What a fine job she did at The Plate.

[@rnp497]

Would be great if you did a series of things on seriously mis-matched battles in which pure luck and puck are all that count. Like Exeter, USS Johnson etc etc

[@randyschaff8939]

My favourite destroyer is the HMS GLOWWORM . She fearlessly swung in and rammed the heavy cruiser Hipper and sacrificed herself so that the ships in her convoy could get away! There is no equal to the “ BLOODY BRITISH ROYAL NAVY”

[@dovetonsturdee7033]

Read about HMS Achates and convoy JW51B. Still laying smoke to protect her convoy as she sank.

[@TheTrueHistory]

Was an eight not “eighteen” inch hit: “Exeter” was fighting against the “Haguro”, not against the “Yamato”. Please copy that mistake.

[@phaasch]

That is the bleakest possible end for any ship. I hope karma is served well to those responsible.

[@stanleyrogouski]

What light cruiser "played" the Exeter in the Michael Powell movie? I remember they used the Cumberland itself but its gun turrets had already been removed and I could never quite figure out why the crews of the Achilles and Ajax were so happy when it arrived in Montevideo (which I believe was Malta). Why cheer a ship without guns?

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

It just so happens I have that DVD. HMS Jamaica plays the role of HMS Exeter.