KAMIKAZE: HMS Formidable, May 4, 1945

It was the height of the invasion of Okinawa. Japan was throwing a last-ditch effort at unseating US Marines from their beachheads. Kamikazes swarmed the skies. HMS Formidable, part of the British Pacific Fleet interdicting attacks from Formosa (Taiwan), was to suffer a direct hit on her armoured flight deck. Here's what happened - in the words of those who were there. Find the full account of this action at www.armouredcarriers.com
Full original audio:
Roy Beldam: www.iwm.org.uk/collections/it...
Richard Bigg-Wither: www.iwm.org.uk/collections/it...
John Maybank: www.iwm.org.uk/collections/it...
Stanley Harris: www.iwm.org.uk/collections/it...
Adrian Sweet: www.iwm.org.uk/collections/it...
Douglas Parker: www.iwm.org.uk/collections/it...

[@robertguttman1487]

Around this time my father was on a Martin PBM "Mariner" flying boat operating out of Kerama Rhetto, near Okinawa, which picked up three survivors from a FAA Grumman Avenger belonging to HMS Formidable. He had to swim out to the life raft in order to bring it alongside the plane, which the British airmen appeared to be unable to accomplish. It turned out that the three British airmen had been in the sea in their rubber life raft for three days and were absolutely exhausted. Much to their annoyance, when they later flew the three airmen back to the Formidable, the Mariner was fired upon by the British AA gunners. The Mariner was a very distinctive aircraft, being a large twin-engine flying boat with gull wings and a twin tail cocked up at an acute angle which was impossible to mistake for any other aircraft. However, at that time all of the Allied warships were being subjected to attack by a steady stream of Kamikazes, so the AA gunners had become nervous and were liable to shoot at anything in the air.

[@iatsd]

It wasn't by accident. It was standard practice on many British and other Commonwealth ships and among Army units to fire on US aircraft as a matter of course. In my grandfathers case, for example, they began firing on US aircraft after their RAF forward base was attacked for the 4th time in 14 days by Americans aircraft. There's a reason British and Commonwealth aircraft in the Pacific and Indian theatres adopted the blue and white recognition roundals: the older blue and red ones got them shot at all the time by the Ameriancs who only saw the red part and thought/claimed they were Japanese.

[@davidcarr7436]

Hampton Gray a Canadian pilot in the Fleet Air Arm, flying a Corsair from HMS Formidable, was awarded the Victoria Cross, for his actions August 9,1945. A new Canadian warship is to be named in his honour. RIP 🍁

[@tango6nf477]

They were great ships but were nothing without the great men, many of whom were only 19 or so years old who crewed them. Little is told of the exploits of the British far East Fleet, indeed not many realise there was one because it was so overshadowed understandably by the actions of the US Navy, but it is good to see this footage to inform or remind us. Those of us born after the war owe them a great debt and much respect.

[@dong1589]

My father signed up in 1943 and served on HMCS Thetford Mines, a frigate doing North Atlantic convoy duty. He was too young to serve but got in anyway and was so small they had to put him in a cadet uniform. He said the reason he sighed up so young was because all his friends had enlisted and he refused to be left behind.

[@TheBeatleman66]

@@dong1589 talk about “ mates sticking together”!No finer example

[@hionmaiden663]

My dad was also on a carrier, his ship became part of the Eastern Fleet in early 1945. The Eastern Fleet was in the Indian Ocean, and operated along the Burma, Malay, Singapore area. In May they went on the hunt for the IJN Heavy Cruiser Haguro and destroyer Kamikaze in the Malacca Strait. The Free French Battleship Richelieu and the Heavy Cruiser HMS Cumberland were dispatched to attempt an intercept, (my dad always talked of this, 'bows up stern in', and within half-an-hour they were out of sight. The Haguro was sunk by the Destroyers of the 26th Destroyer Flotilla before Richelieu and Cumberland could arrive. Haguro was one of the Cruisers that sank HMS Exeter and the destroyer HMS Encounter in 1942.

[@russellwilliams1071]

MY dad said same airframe albert Alexander....fleet air arm...

[@davidrenton]

quote "The USN liaison officer on HMS Indefatigable commented: "When a kamikaze hits a U.S. carrier it means 6 months of repair at Pearl. When a kamikaze hits a Limey carrier it's just a case of "Sweepers, man your brooms."”

[@alganhar1]

@@nickdanger3802 And your point? You know the reason many ships, especially capital ships were repaired in the US not in the UK? It was not because British Yards could not do the work, in fact sending British ships to US Yards for repair was a logistical nightmare. It was because British Yards, unlike American yards, were under constant risk of being bombed, being as they were actually, you know, in range of enemy aircraft for most of the war. American citizens did not have to worry about their cities or their ship yards being bomber night after night... did they? As a result sending ships, especially high value capital ships, to safe yards to effect repair was a sensible idea. It makes little sense to save, say HMS Illustrious and have her wrecked beyond repair in drydock because she was bombed whilst under repair does it? Something you MAY want to consider when snarking about British ships being repaired in US Docks. And early was this was NOT altruistic, the US charged TOP dollar, actual extortionate rates, forced Britain to sell of assets in the US at ridiculously low prices, in order to get those ships repaired or supplies sent. It was not until Lend Lease that that changed, and Lend Lease was not signed until March 11 1941.... almost 2 YEARS after the war began..... The OP was also correct, the British Armoured Carriers WERE better suited to surviving Bomb and Kamikaze attacks, they had been designed to, after all. British Armoured Carriers were designed to operate in the North Sea, Atlantic and Mediterranean, places where there was not only significant risk, but almot surety of attack by land based aircraft. That does not make them superior to US Carriers, just means the Carriers of the USN and RN were designed with different criteria in mind, and for different Operational Theatres. Fun fact, bombs used by the Germans and Italians in the Mediterranean were larger than the bombs the Japanese used. Most bombs carried by Japanese aircraft were 250 or 500 lb bombs. Illustrious suffered 6 bomb hits in January 1941, of these 2 were 1000 lb bombs and one was a 2200 lb armour piercing bomb. She not only survived that, she survived the war, serving until 1956.... Had she been a US Carrier, they would probably have had to scuttle her.....

[@ccoopey]

Thank you for this. My father - Harry Coopey - served on Formidable from 1943 and survived these kamikaze attacks. He wouldn’t speak of them as he lost some good friends. He would only talk about the funny incidents on board and In port. It’s really interesting for me to hear eye witnesses describing the attacks and seeing footage of the ship and the men who fought in her.

[@dv4662]

My Father, Howard Verco, was also onboard Formidable at the time of these attacks having been drafted a couple of months previously. Unfortunately Dad died a couple of years ago. Like your Father, a true hero.

[@johnnyp2898]

Just look at all the young faces at 20.30 , 20.40 , brave young men , to whom we all owe a great deal , thanks very much fellas , if I was half the man you was , I'd be extremely proud , God rest all of you

[@lateo74]

My late grandfather Fred L (TAG) and Gilly P (Pilot) had just landed their Avenger moments before this attack. They'd been testing their radio and allegedly the only Avanger that had been airborne that morning. I'm not sure how accurate that is. Both were injured by shrapnel but had gotten to the tower in time to survive. Gilly P was permanently injured and taken off the ship; whilst Fred L continued to fly a week later with 848

[@holydiver73]

On the 75th anniversary of the first Kamikaze strike, we remember all our hero’s lost that day. My father was a Radar operator on the ship at the time of the attacks. He used to talk about his Navy days all the time particularly about his time in the Pacific, but if anything that came on TV about Kamikaze, he either used to change channel, or leave the room. After watching this, I fully understand why.

[@sophycartledge2539]

Dear Holydiver, who was your father? I want to ask if my father knew him, my father was a Corsair pilot on Formidable at the time of the Kamikaze, Sophy Cartledge

[@91Redmist]

Greetings from the States. Thanks and respect to all in the Royal Navy who helped to bring about the defeat of Japan.

[@danteshark424]

haha nonsense.US robbed UK of the THrone of world throught two greate wars ,sadly UK now is second dog to US.U make me laugh hauhauh

[@NiallMS1]

@@danteshark424 Like all halfwits you are easily pleased!

[@trevorhart545]

AND Thanks back from the UK and Commonwealth for the defeat of Nazis

[@alanhesketh9265]

My dad (aged 21 at the time) was an aircraft fitter on The Formidable between 1942-5 and had a finger on his left hand severed by shrapnel in the May 1945 Kamikaze attack, several of his shipmates were killed. He always considered himself very lucky. He used to work on the engines of Fairy Swordfish and Albacores. I have a few photographs of him on board with his mates.

[@Shipfixer]

Absolutely great channel! Instant SUBSCRIBE. I was in Vietnam where I saw some horrific things. But nothing can compare to the bravery and determination of these men who fought both at sea, and on land in WWII. They were the best generation of men. My most humble respect to them all. Cherish the time you can spend with a WWII veteran. There are fewer of them every day.

[@JOYOUSONEX]

I have been schooled by this series of videos about the British carriers in the Pacific theater. I simply did not know that they were there and fought so bravely.

[@hionmaiden663]

See the one about USS Robin, (HMS Victorious), borrowed by the USN because they only had one serviceable carrier left in the South Pacific in 1943.

[@pomrobpomrob3938]

My late Father was a stoker on HMS Formidable. He did not like to talk about some of the horrors he saw whilst under attack.

[@sophycartledge2539]

Please let me know your father's name, I want to ask my dad if he knew your Dad, my Dad was a Corsair pilot on the Formidable at that time called Chris Cartledge.

[@peterpowell8827]

My father who is now 95 and was a stocker also, served on h m s ruler .also a carrier. He cries if I ask questions about that time.

[@trevorhart545]

Nice to see recognition of the RN in the War against Japan in WW2.

[@peterpowell8827]

@@trevorhart545 my father was in the harbour at Tokyo bay when they signed on a carrier

[@peterpowell8827]

They were still called stoker's. But were gunners and general dogs bodys. I asked my 95 year old father that question.

[@KBO3006]

Thankyou for the video my Dad served aboard HMS Formidable he was a aircraft mechanic .

[@jackyn6093]

I pray for all the soldiers who died in the battle. I am pleased that Great Britain and Japan have strong connection now after unfortunate history. I hope our friendship be forever.

[@johnhanson5943]

Fukushima san, your comments are well taken and I hope that history will not repeat itself. I have travelled to Japan many times over the years. I like it very much. My concern in recent years is that Japan is insulating itself again culturally, historically, politically and socially - and I fear that is not a good thing. Soon Japan will need to decide whether it stands with the West or the Chinese. I hope that Asian nationalism and sometimes, unfortunately, racism doesn’t cause problems again for the very worthy Japanese people. Kind regards and Konichi-wa, J. Hanson

[@jackyn6093]

@@johnhanson5943 Thank you for your reply. I'm sorry but I can't understand some of your comments. What do you mean by "Japan is insulating itself again..." and "racism". Please explain more in detail about them by concrete cases. In my recognition, maybe most of Japanese people as well, Japan, as country of free and democracy, is against continually countries that have abused human rights and have forced to surrounding countries by hegemonism. It seems to be harmonized with western countries such as the USA and the UK.

[@trevorhart545]

WELL SAID !, from UK

[@hionmaiden663]

Did you know, in WW1 Japan and Britain were allies.

[@jackyn6093]

@@hionmaiden663 Yes, I know. Before that Japan could win against Russia by support of the UK. And now we welcome Queen Elizabeth, the brand new carrier to come to Asia.

[@jimwaugh243]

My father, Jimmy Waugh, served on the Formidable. He received a shrapnel wound in his right leg on the May 4th attack when a Kamikaze was blown up by its own bomb just above the flight deck. My dad would reminisce sometimes about the great guys he served with and some of the fun they had but for some reason never mentioned the Kamikaze attacks they fought off. I read an article years ago that the Formidable fought off circa 300 Kamikaze attacks. It must have been a terrifying ordeal for all those men, many of whom would still be in their teens.

[@BenoitDusquen]

So well filmed. Great testimony of this epic episode of the Royal Navy

[@tonyjames5444]

On a different point the RN deserves credit for working out how to operate Corsair fighters from carriers.

[@davefloyd9443]

Britain went to war without a modern, dedicated naval fighter aircraft. The naval aviation wing, the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) settled on a navalized Spitfire, The Seafire. Although the Spitfire was an extremely effective land based interceptor, it had been designed as such and wasnt really robust or long legged enough to be the long term choice. Interesting info on British Naval Aviation doctrine in the interwar years here: www.naval-encyclopedia.com/ww2/british-aircraft-carriers/

[@reconn9056]

My Father was on Formidable (Air Mechanic (E) 1st Class). He also doubled on the Crash Party for the flight deck. He was 20 years old at the date of the two K attacks. He told me about pitching aircraft debris over the side but also the horror of seeing dead bodies. The memory of the first and second attacks never left him. He was proud he served, but shocked at the loss of life he witnessed, both through enemy action, but also because of avoidable deaths due to poor aircraft m/c in some cases, and cock-ups on the flight deck etc. RIP Dad and all those who gave their lives in the Pacific.

[@wrongstuff51]

My Father also served on the Formidable. If I remember correctly he was an Air Frame Fitter. He never spoke of the incident. He was seriously injured and was repatriated to the Blue Mountains to recover.

[@reconn9056]

So sorry to hear that. Your father has been through a terrible experience. We should honour him and all his generation.@@wrongstuff51

[@arthurblundell6128]

my dad's youngest brother was a yeoman signaller on formidible and can remember as a boy his album of photos of the damage

[@GabrielKish]

I forgot the Brits used armored flight decks. To take a hit like that and come out with a dent in the deck is .... incredible. An American carrier of that time wouldn't mostly likely wouldn't have survived, or would've been knocked out of commission.

[@archiveacc3248]

The US lost a handful of smaller escort carriers to kamikazes, but no US fleet carrier was ever sunk by one. USS Franklin and USS Bunker Hill took incredible damage from kamikazes but managed to stay afloat and were repaired

[@kesfitzgerald1084]

@@archiveacc3248 without a doubt that was a testament to the great work of their damage control teams. Time and time again, they saved ships that should have been lost. I suppose the Royal Navy, whilst also having exemplary damage control had the added buffer of armoured flight decks.

[@stephenchappell7512]

Their ability to take a greater hit was also behind the decision to deploy the fleet in the more exposed North West off Formosa.

[@ramal5708]

@@stephenchappell7512 greater hit from Kamikazes probably, not from well placed heavy AP bombs from Japanese DBs or Torpedoes from TBs or Submarines. As tough as the British Armored deck, they are still vulnerable to these weapons, we will never see how the effects of this weapons on the armored deck because the Japanese resorted more to suicidal attacks. IJN Taiho had Armored flight deck but she was sunk by torpedoes from US Sub in Phillipine sea. Honorable mention USS Yorktown(the first one) wooden flight deck was holed and penetrated by AP bomb and repaired again in 72 hrs with some patch repair crews and still could launch and recover aircraft during Midway Battle. Enterprise was damaged by bombs in Battle of Santa Cruz and remained on station, recovering her own aircraft and aircraft from sinking Hornet, Enterprise at the time was the only functioning US carrier in South Pacific even though damaged.

[@stephenchappell7512]

@@ramal5708 I mentioned 'their ability to take a greater hit' as proven by illustrious on her Malta run, and yes they were positioned in the North West approaches because of this. Of course all Aircraft Carriers by their very nature were and remain vulnerable relying on their aircraft and escorts for defence.

[@geoffhunter1385]

You are what I call real heroes, The word heroes is used to freely these days, You were the people who made the freedom with have today, I salute you all.

[@jonswaffield499]

My father Cliff Swaffield was an observer in an Avenger on the Formidable who's pilot was Reg Elliot. It was only in later years that he would ever talk about the war. The first time was after I asked him directly because I had come across a picture of the Formidable after the first Kamikaze. He had a whole box of pictures - now with the Fleet Air Arm museum (some of the stills from the video look very familiar!) . "We were having lunch. There was a big thud and we wondered what was going on. The tannoy was peeping away merrily, and all the men were at action stations". Sadly dad passed last year at 97. We still have his log book, leather flying jacket and helmet (I used to wear it for snow-ball fights as a kid). There should also be a piece of shrapnel he retrieved from his Mae West somewhere.

[@davebedford3870]

One of my Uncles , who I never met in my life was on HMS Formidable, he was Fleet Air Arm too but Ive nevr been able to get any information on him.

[@bryancollins61]

My Father John Collins was a radar operator at this time on the Formidable but never really talked about it and having 5 sons who pestered him about his time during the war , he must have had some patience to keep blanking us , but that was just his way, he was a quiet man from Glasgow and never discussed his war

[@brianaustin8989]

This subject has fascinated me for some time, so much so, I used to do talks on the "Forgotten Fleet" as they were dubbed as the war was over to most Brits after VE Day. An interesting book on the Fleet is "They Gave me a Seafire". A little known fact was that most Fleet Air Arm flyers were Canadian & New Zealand guys. The FAA, had a recruiting centre in Auckland, N Z, which helped in this as the RAF did not.

[@kiwihame]

Fabulous accounts and footage. Thanks for sharing.

[@markrayment3208]

My Grandfather Ken Collins was stoker on HMS Formidable and told about ,we owe them a lot .

[@1chish]

But .... but .... the British were never in the Pacific according to Hollywood University. Of course this was the second tour for HMS Victorious in the Pacific. She was there from December '42 to August '43 as the US only had one Fleet carrier (Saratoga) left. Well done the Navy ....

[@sgperformer]

The Hornet and Enterprise, followed by about 10 more carriers by wars end. Nevertheless, without our British, Australian and Canadian allies it would have been a much longer war.

[@topbanana4013]

@@sgperformer ?? enterprises was badly damaged out of service hornet was sunk it why the us take victorious and named it USS robin it was 1942 not 1945 when you had all them carriers

[@sgperformer]

How many carriers did the US build in 4 years from Pearl Harbor to V day in the Pacific? Please remind me? American resolve and massive industrial capacity won the war, that’s just the truth. The Japanese were marching all over the Pacific essentially unchallenged with no halt in site until the USA got involved. Now look, I don’t want to slight our great great allies, their lives were lost too. But the tide of the war only turned once the USA got involved. Winston Churchill admitted that the war could not be won without the USA.

[@sgperformer]

Admiral Yamamoto admitted the Japanese could never win the war with the USA involved, he did not mention any other nation. But please, let me remind how extraordinary our British and Australian Canadian French and many other allies were. I’ve admitted they fought heroically and had great leaders, but WW II both in Europe and the Pacific could not have been won without the USA.

[@terrancedactielle5460]

@@sgperformer thanks for the help, late again like WW1 but still. It's the thought that counts. xXx

[@colinwestwood1162]

My dad,Kenneth Westwood was a gun layer in Formidable, he joined in December 1944 and was there,thanks dad for your service and thanks to all the others in the senior service.

[@johnbrown2890]

It’s interesting that the British praise their armored deck. I read somewhere that because the Americans used a wooden deck with armor lower that their ships were repaired quicker making note that the Yorktown suffered quite a lot of damage yet was able to operate in 45 minutes with almost full capacity in 2 hours while some other British flat top with similar damage had to go back to a repair facility and took 2 months to repair. And remember that the Yorktown was already badly damaged in the coral sea with 3 months of repairs made in 3 days before sailing to midway. The USA and great BRITAN made one hell of a team.

[@alexcc8664]

Yea the USA could repair quickly but the British were armoured and took far less damage. Whatever you choose there's a drawback.

[@mebsrea]

The British approach seems more “modern” now, in that it clearly resulted in lower casualties.

[@alexcc8664]

@@mebsrea more to do with the fact that we had a huge empire and were never far from a port you see whereas the Americans had to travel a long long way. We had good carrier crews though remember the Japanese based pearl harbour off of our attack in Italy when we practically knocked out the Italian fleet at port.

[@jameswebb4593]

Check out the fatalities and wounded from Kamikaze attacks upon USN and RN Carriers.

[@leandro9311]

HMS Formidable: HQ, we request to go to port, several hits recorded HQ: Why ?? You should still have ammo and ammunition, and the damage wasn´t that bad HMS Formidable: Correct, but we need more cement

[@hionmaiden663]

Ammo and Ammunition?...D

[@ramal5708]

HMS Formidable: "request permission to RTB, we have been torpedoed by Japanese Submarine on our stern starboard side, I guess our Armored deck couldn't resist torpedoes"

[@user-wn2rd5nu6c]

My great grandad was a baker on the HMS formidable💪🏽

[@sophycartledge2539]

Hello, who was your great grandad? I want to ask my dad if he knew him, dad was a Corsair pilot on Formidable, called Chris Cartledge

[@user-wn2rd5nu6c]

sophy cartledge he was alec Fowler💪🏽

[@sophycartledge2539]

@@user-wn2rd5nu6c Thank you for letting me know - I will pass that on to my Dad.

[@davidelliott5843]

British carriers with armoured flight frack were more capable of handling a Kamikaze than US ships

[@RandomDudeOne]

All those American made Corsairs and Avengers look nice on those British carriers.

[@keithwaites9991]

@@RandomDudeOne you're welcome, dude, glad to provide great aircraft carriers for them to fly off

[@teaandmedals]

@@RandomDudeOne We were happy to show you how to fly your Corsairs. ^^

[@robertholland6012]

Enjoyed your work

[@peterpayne964]

My father, Frederick John Payne, was a Petty Officer Torpedo Gunner's Mate serving in Formidable when this happened. In fact, he was aboard her throughout the war, including the Battle of Crete and Battle of Matapan. He didn't speak of his experiences very often but did once mention helping to carry live, fused bombs and throwing them over the side because of the risk of them cooking off in the aftermath of an attack. I think he must have been referring to the kamikaze hit. He passed away in 1979. RIP.

[@anthonywilson4873]

Fantastic video of real events with comments by those on-board. This is the real history straight from the horses mouth. To many revisionist history people out there. Try it on this story it will not wash, its plain to see what really happened. Multiple accounts. There where a few ships out their helping the US in the Pacific. The fleet included 6 fleet carriers, 4 light carriers, 2 aircraft maintenance carriers and 9 escort carriers, with a total of more than 750 aircraft, 4 battleships, 11 cruisers, 35 destroyers, 14 frigates, 44 smaller warships, 31 submarines, and 54 large vessels in the fleet train. UK built the first dedicated aircraft carrier 1924 HMS Hermes. So they had a good idea about what they where doing, UK also later developed the angled flight deck and optical landing system ( The meat ball), steam catapults. Not forgetting they invented Steam turbines, first steam turbine boat Turbina by Parsons that supplanted the steam engine again invented in UK. But the Brits can’t build precision stuff for mass production,! ok who invented the micrometer. Oh no it’s getting familiar UK. Look it all up. If you are a Brit you have a proud engineering heritage don’t let miss-informed mudslingers get away with it. US came up with arrestor wires. First jet to land on a carrier UK vampire 1945 flown by Eric “Winkle” Brown.. 2407 deck landings (still world record). Need a film about that guy. Look him up.

[@haroldgodwinson832]

Excellent production.

[@richardcleveland8549]

I've seen several of your videos now and am really impressed by the quality. I'm especially glad to have viewed this one, because it points up the invaluable contribution of the RN to the Pacific war effort, that it was not simply an American war (the impression one would have from virtually all of the vids by Americans). Hearts of oak, indeed! "Steady, boys, steady!"

[@jameshunter5485]

God bless the Royal Navy and Commonwealth forces that comprised the British Pacific Fleet in WW2. As horrific as the the kamikazes were to the US Navy off Okinawa, it would have been much worse if it weren’t for the valiant efforts of the Commonwealth forces. Churchill was against taking a subservient role in the Pacific, but Admiral Nimitz greatly appreciated the role that Task Force 58 played. By the way the RN Corsairs are lovely aircraft.

[@wekapeka3493]

Yes excellent aircraft. The RN aviators showed how corsairs could be used as carrier aircraft. Built for that purpose by the USA they were discounted as carrier aircraft because they had poor forward visibility to see the flight deck on approach. (One of the fuel tanks holding 40 gallons was forward of the pilot extending the nose. RN aviators learnt to approach the carrier on circuit with one wing down thus giving visibly, and only straightening up immediately before touchdown. I remember my father telling me this, he flew fixed wing, land based corsairs with the RNZAF (16 and 22 squadrons) in the New Britain area against Japanese targets such as Rabaul.

[@GabrielKish]

@@wekapeka3493 I never knew the U.S. gave up on the Corsair until the Brits fixed it. Kind of like the Mustang with it's shit engine until the Brits shoved a Merlin in the nose and transformed it into one of (if not) the greatest WWII fighter plane of all time. I wonder what else they modded that we had given up on?

[@archiveacc3248]

@@GabrielKish Navy gave up on trying to land the Corsairs on a rolling carrier deck. It worked just fine for Marines and their land strips though

[@petersouthernboy6327]

GabrielKish - the Americans didn’t really “give up” on the Corsair, they deployed them with the Marines on island bases and used the Hellcats on the carriers which were coming off the Grumman assembly lines in large numbers in 1943.

[@windborne8795]

The Sterling Hayden movie Flat Top is a great classic movie showing the US Navy flying the Corsairs off of carriers towards the end of the war. The US Navy finally adopted the Brit's approach method for the F4U. Brilliant ingenuity! 🇺🇸🇬🇧😎

[@peterdixon7705]

My father served in the British Pacific fleet at this tjme , He was a official navy photogragher ,looking at this video footage I recognise photos my father had in his collection of ww2 photos . I have his photos today and medals. He must have taken some of the Photos in this recording.👍👍👍👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@ArmouredCarriers]

I must say I am intrigued, as most phots available in archives are cropped photos of cropped photos taken of the original photos ... which means a lot of resolution and picture has been lost!

[@peterdixon7705]

@@ArmouredCarriers my fathers photos were in an album snd included ship photos of HMS NELSON in Malta together with carriers. HAS VENGENCE ,ships in Sydney in the Asian region,Scapa Flow ,In Hong Kong,Japanese prisoners of war ,Japanese surenders.MONTY with navy officers .and a document of all the survivors of Scharnhorst signatures including CCHF Admiral Fraser.

[@peterdixon7705]

@@ArmouredCarriers Also in his collection is photos of his follow sailors and Fleet air arm aircraft corsairs and others in fight and on the decks of the carriers .

[@steriskyline4470]

@@peterdixon7705 that’s incredible! You should scan them and upload them somewhere so his work can be more easily appreciated! I’m sure there’s huge swaths of people who would love to see! Thanks for sharing the story

[@peterdixon7705]

@@steriskyline4470 I did this a few years ago on ship's nostalgia under my name. In they Royal navy section.👍👍

[@johnbrown2890]

Not to forget the AUSSiES and KIWI’S they were damm tough

[@stephenchappell7512]

Many Kiwi and Canuck were deemed surplus to requirements by the RAF and so passed on to the FAA. Amongst them was future VC recipient Robert Gray.

[@wyominghorseman9172]

And they fought shoulder to shoulder with us in our war with Japan. We love em.

[@vincentlefebvre9255]

@@stephenchappell7512 Sadly posthumously 🙁

[@ToddSauve]

My uncle Joe Hoffart was in the Canadian army and helped invade Kiska in the Aleutian Islands in August 1943. Fortunately the Japanese had just evacuated a week or so earlier but left behind numerous booby traps that killed a number of men. One of his officers picked up a phone receiver in a cave. It blew up and plastered him all over the ceiling of the cave. The Japanese were still on Attu and the Americans had to mop them up. Uncle Joe said the winds on the islands were unbelievably strong and they had to anchor each other by going in groups and holding hands if they went across the island. We also had troops fighting the Japanese at Hong Kong in 1941 and scattered across the Fleet Air Arm.

[@nicholasroberts6954]

I understand that Don Jupp had previously been No 2 to Bobby Bradshaw in 852 squadron on the Canadian carrier, HMCS Nabob when she was torpedoed whilst preparing to attack Tirpitz (Op. Goodwood IV) in Alten fjord Norway. After the submarine attack, he had, together with Bradshaw, mounted an anti-submarine patrol from the stricken carrier, in atrocious weather, in order make the trailling submarine, which was angling to finish off the carrier, submerge and give Nabob a chance to make it back to Rosyth. They suceeded in making the submarine submerge and, after four hours, returned to the carrier. Jupp achieved the incredible feat of landing back on Nabob, without incident, even though the carrier was 15 foot down at the stern due to the 40 foot square hole caused by the torpedo. Bradshaw crashed on board. Very, very brave men. This event depicted in the ward room painting which used to hang in HMS Ocean (Now decommisioned and slated to serve with the Argentinian Navy !). Wonder where the painting went ?

[@lynnwood7205]

And to think that that vast victorious Navy would be but a memory in ten years time. My uncle was an American naval aviator at Okinawa. In remembrance this American Veterans Day, or as I prefer, Armistice Day.

[@DONALDSON51]

A fantastic channel. I hope you get many more subscribers

[@jaybee9269]

Great content.

[@Winning1]

I DONT KOWN WHO ORDERED THE SHIPS EQUIPMENT BUT THANK GOD THEY DID QUICK DRYING CEMENT ON AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER

[@pimpompoom93726]

Armored decks provided better protection, this is true. But they also significantly reduced the number of aircraft the ship could carry. Less Aircraft means limited Combat Air Patrol, which means more risk of attack. So, what was the best solution? Depends on the situation. The USN likely couldn't have won the Battle of Midway with armored flight deck carriers, they wouldn't have put enough planes in the air to inflict that kind of damage on the Japanese carriers. On the other hand, they probably wouldn't have lost carriers at Coral Sea and possibly Midway if they'd had better protection. Pluses and minuses to each design approach. The Japanese carrier Taiho had an armored flight deck, but it was sunk due to damage from a torpedo. You can't put armor everywhere.

[@jp-um2fr]

The US navy has armoured decks now, they learned their lesson. 3 inches of armour makes no difference whatsoever to how many planes can be carried. The simple reason ours only carried half what the US ships did was that they were only half the size. I'm surprised that the armour plate we had was that good, even in wartime we made the best. The wooden walls of England gave way to a steel roof. Somebody got it right for a change.

[@pimpompoom93726]

@@jp-um2fr That is not true, the weight of all that extra armor seriously reduces the amount of tonnage a ship can carry-and that includes aircraft. It also limits an AC carrier to one less internal Hanger floor, usually. The Japanese AC carrier Shokaku had wooden decks and carried 72 aircraft plus 12 'spares' for a total complement of 84 aircraft. The similar in size Taiho had armored decks (3 inch thick, average) and only carried a full complement of 63 aircraft. The added tonnage of all that armor cost planes, fuel(s) and other essentials. It doesn't come for free. I won't even get into how that extra tonnage reduces speed and consumes vastly more fuel. Also, while armor protects against bomb strikes to some degree, it makes repairs much more difficult. When a wooden deck ship is hit the damage woodwork can be easily replaced. An armored ship often sufferers structural damage to beams and rafters, much more difficult and time-intensive to repair. Finally, the Taiho was sunk by torpedoes from a submarine, all that deck armor didn't do anything to protect against that threat. That's why US designers tossed the dice and determined that an enhanced CAP was a better defense against both aircraft attackers and submarines than armored decks were. On the whole, given USA advantages over Japan in aircraft production, it was the correct decision by our navy.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

jp - three inches of deck armor made a HUGE structural design difference in the 1940’s. The US Essex Class Fleet Carriers could carry 90 aircraft, while the largest British fleet carriers had 54 aircraft.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

The USN Essex Class carried 90 aircraft, and the FAA Implacable Class carried 54 aircraft. So there WAS a reason why the Americans went the path they did.

[@pimpompoom93726]

@@petersouthernboy6327 Exactly. The USN gambled that more aircraft would make up for the lack of flight deck armor by being able to deploy a much more effective Combat Air Patrol. US carriers had speed, range and offensive capability advantages over the British armored designs. They could be built much faster and at a lower cost of strategic materials. The hanger deck and boilers were protected by armor plate in the Essex class, the flight deck was not. That allowed more aircraft, fuels and essentials to be carried and promoted a bigger offensive 'punch'. It must have been an acceptable compromise, no Essex class carriers were lost in combat out of 24 deployed during WW2.

[@Aislanzito]

incredible images of this naval operation

[@rpm1796]

Sub Lt. Robert Hampton Gray, RCNVR, VC, DFC, 1841Sqn NAS, HMS Formidable. Died 9th, August1945. The last VC of World War 2. Bless Em' All.🍻

[@Cdntrvler54]

Actually his was not the last VC to be honoured for actions.. That is with Pilot Ofcr Andrew Mynarski but his was given out after the war.. Makes for excellent reading what Mynarski did and why there was the delay.. Both exceptional Canadians.. LEST WE FORGET en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Mynarski

[@rpm1796]

@@Cdntrvler54 What's the part.....? The last VC action of WW2.

[@Cdntrvler54]

If you read the Wikipedia I posted, it outlines why Andrew Mynarski was awarded his VS and why it wasn't until 1946 that it happened. I am not anywhere diminishing Hammys bravery but setting the actual history in correct order.

[@ashermil]

Lol the damage control team hooking up the fire hose into a circle!

[@jorgecaro5301]

Really nice video 👍

[@jonathancox7431]

My father Ken Cox was a bofurs gunner on Formidable . He was badly burned in the first attack by Kamikaze , he was shipped to Australia and spent months in hospital but eventually made a full recovery. He spoke about his time in the Navy but never about the attack.

[@ernesttravers7517]

Fantastic video

[@forthleft]

This is beautifully produced.

[@tonyfletcher8628]

Like some of those others commenting, my own father was on HMS Formidable throughout its time in the South Pacific - he was a CPO artificer, so had to look after the aircraft. I still have photographs he brought back, including some of the wreckage on deck. Incidentally, he also ran the ship's cinema, and nearly got lynched when he put a film on that he got hold of when the ship called in Bombay, having been assured that it was some well known English language film, only for it turn out to be a Hindi epic.

[@rorybrown9750]

My Father CPO Brown was a shipmate of your Father's and he was also a articfer or "tiffy". He was in charge of a damage control and repair team of 50 men. It was his team that cleared the Kamikaze wreckage and filled the massive dent in the middle of the armoured flight deck with quick setting concrete. I believe the concrete was still there when the ship was payed off in the fifties.

[@ArmouredCarriers]

Thanks for that. If you are interested, check out my pages on HMS Formidable at armouredcarriers.com ... and I'd be fascinated to know if your pictures are different to those there!

[@matthewmoore5698]

Very good video

[@johnstewart9745]

My father GEORGE STEWART ,and my uncle CHARLES COSTELLO, served on FORMIDABLE for most of the WAR .🇬🇧

[@neolithicdave1247]

My father was on there as part of the Fleet air arm working on the Corsairs.Dougie Williams.Went through alot didn't they.I served in the British Army for a little while and had a few moments but not in a world war scale.Very brave guys.

[@sophycartledge2539]

Hello, as well as my Dad, Chris Cartledge, I am also in touch with Keith Quilter, another Corsair pilot, at the same time as Dad. He is older than Dad at about 98, and Dad tells me that Keith was far more knowledgeable about the inside workings of the Corsair aircraft machinery, than he was. I will ask Keith if he remembers Dougie Williams. You never know unless you ask!

[@charlesdudek7713]

I didn't know the British flew Corsairs. Corsairs developed into a great fighter plane.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

The Fleet Air Arm had the Seafire, which was awesome. It had very short range, however so the Royal Navy has to use Hellcats and Corsairs for strikes while the Seafires were used for Fleet CAP.

[@charlesdudek7713]

@@petersouthernboy6327 That seafire is a nice looking plane. From the name and appearance it seems it might be a carrierized spitfire.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

Charles Dudek - that’s exactly correct, the Seafire was a carrierized Spitfire. Because it’s limited range was a handicap, the FAA used them for point defense (Combat Air Patrol) directly above the carriers.

[@charlesdudek7713]

@@petersouthernboy6327 Sounds like a logical use for a good plane with limited range.

[@Kevin-mx1vi]

Despite the Corsair being designed as a carrier aircraft the US Navy couldn't at first use them successfully, and gave them to the Marine corps for use as land based aircraft. It was the British Fleet Air Arm who learned how to operate the Corsair from carriers, and by following their example the aircraft became a success in American carrier service.

[@wretchedfibs4306]

Excellent. Was keeping eye out to see if I could spot my Dad. Didn't but that's ok. here's some info...She was constructed by Harland & Wolff, Belfast, and launched on 17 August 1939. An accident occurred just before the launch ceremony was to begin - the wooden cradle supporting the ship collapsed and the ship slid down the launchway while workmen were still underneath and around the ship. One spectator was killed by flying debris and at least 20 others were injured, however Formidable was not damaged. Because of the incident, Formidable was referred to as "The Ship That Launched Herself."

[@ArmouredCarriers]

Much of the footage is somewhat 'generic' as there isn't a lot about. But the photos are all off Formidable. And wherever you see footage with an aircraft with an X on its tail, that's off Formidable also.

[@wretchedfibs4306]

@@ArmouredCarriers Really appreciate your hard work in collating, sorting and editing the 'generic' footage into such a first class production to remember those men. My Dad thought the war was over after the Germans were defeated but was taken off the Liverpool and sent to the Pacific on the Formidable. He certainly didn't want to go but did his duty like so many others. He also found that Kamikazes gave everyone a peculiar creepy feeling about bombers bent on suicide. The gunners were very keen to shoot them down.

[@sophycartledge2539]

Hi wretched fibs, what was your father's name? I am going to ask my Dad if he knew your Dad. My dad was a Corsair pilot called Chris Cartledge

[@wretchedfibs4306]

@@sophycartledge2539 His name was charles bernard gibbs, a gunnery officer. One day a pilot took him for a ride because they were complaining that the tow rope for their target practice was too short.... He agreed, lol. so they got longer ropes.

[@sophycartledge2539]

@@wretchedfibs4306 Thank you for your reply, I will pass his name onto my Dad. Dad tells me that he didn't meet a lot of people on the Formidable because of the various groups that they kept themselves in, and only recognised 1 name of the ones from these various postings. However, I think it is amazing that descendants of these brave people are able to share a few stories amongs each other. Thank you so much.

[@phillipjones3342]

Fantastic historical story thanks for sharing God bless all our World War II heroes

[@alantoon5708]

Another excellent program. Imagine that, filling the indentation in the flight deck with cement... It would have gone right thru a wooden flight deck.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

Imagine many thousands of Japanese aircraft held in reserve for Kamikaze duty tasked to crash into Allied Landing Craft and support ships during the invasion of Japan.

[@dankuchar6821]

Hence The Bomb!

[@iamgroot6965]

I believe that there is a grave dedicated to the memory of one of the fallen on this ship in peel green cemetery since he was buried at sea

[@onehunglo1967]

What's the name of the tune when the video first start's?

[@roybennett9284]

A life in on an ocean wave .classic

[@user-ju4nn3zv1f]

Прекрасная военная документалистика,да ещё на морскую тему.

[@billbolton]

Thanks, Drach sent me to Dr Alex, he sent me here via Bilgepumps.

[@ArmouredCarriers]

You've been well and truly entrapped by the naval history mafia!

[@kieranfurlong6368]

Will you be doing another one of HMS Formidable on May 9 or of HMS Victorious and Indomitable?

[@ArmouredCarriers]

That depends on if I can find sufficient audio. If not, I will probably have to overcome my talking into a microphone fear and tackle these examples in a different way.

[@kieranfurlong6368]

@@ArmouredCarriers I hope you can because I find this interesting about the BPF I'm reading a book on it at the moment

[@ArmouredCarriers]

@@kieranfurlong6368 Which one?

[@kieranfurlong6368]

@@ArmouredCarriers The British Pacific Fleet: The Royal Navy's Most Powerful Strike Force By David Hobbs

[@ArmouredCarriers]

@@kieranfurlong6368 That is by far the most in-depth and detailed look at the operation available.

[@gerryhenderson6442]

My dad was on the HMS Formidable, unfortunately he passed away on the January of 1975., aged 52. I wonder if anyone out there would pass on any history of the Formidable to me as my dad never told me of his experiences.. He was an aircraft fitter, his name was James Henderson and he was from Larbert in Stirlingshire. Gerry Henderson

[@bethansimpson1913]

My grandfather john h Simpson was on formidable in 1945 and has a diary entry from this day, he was 17/18. I was listening to the killers drinking wkd at that age! What absolute heros, im very proud.

[@alamocannon3791]

Why carry sand and cement on a carrier ??? Capt, " you never know when you want some"....

[@georgepantazis141]

Thank you.seems to small

[@jaybee9269]

Love the stretcher guy pointing at the camera...

[@simac5144]

Lest we forget.

[@williambennett2031]

Brave crew

[@robertsmart203]

There was a man who lived behind me Danny rackham who was on this ship.these days on board of her never left him

[@davidelliott5843]

US Navy refused to take the Corsair because the long nose made landing difficult. British Fleet Sir Arm pilots just flew a curved approach and loved them. US Navy changed its mind.

[@richardmartin6622]

The Marine Corp used them throughout the Solomon islands campaign.

[@trevorhart545]

@@richardmartin6622 I think that David Elliotts' point was that the USN and USMC only accepted the Corsair AFTER the RN proved they were useful. The USN and USMC initially refused to accept the aircraft until the RN used them successfully.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

@@trevorhart545 - again, you are wrong. The USMC and USN starting basing Corsairs on islands as soon as they became available - starting with Henderson Field Guadalcanal. Every time the USMC took an island, they based Corsairs on it and dominated the airspace. Yes, it is entirely correct that the British FAA were the first to operate Corsairs from carrier decks, but it had more to do with an abundance of aircraft being available to the Americans than anything else. Hellcats went to carriers and Corsairs went to Marine squadrons. In early 1944 when all those Essex class carriers started coming on line, the Marine squadrons transferred to carriers.

[@trevorhart545]

@@petersouthernboy6327 You need to learn history. The Vought Corsair did NOT become available until AFTER the RN took all the initial aircraft after the USA had not accepted the aircraft. Armchair Admiral or just a Bull Shitter ??? FACTS speak louder than your IGNORANCE !

[@Hattonbank]

@@trevorhart545 No need to be rude!

[@martentrudeau6948]

British Testimonials praising the virtues of the British armored carrier decks, very interesting and great stories, I have never heard this before. Now I know why all carrier decks are armored today.

[@richardmartin6622]

American carriers were restricted in width by the dimensions of the panama canal so they were narrower at the waterline than British carriers. Adding the weight of a steel deck would have made them quite unstable in heavy seas.

[@Hattonbank]

Is that still the case since they widened the Panama Canal, can a Nimitz class carrier transit through the canal?

[@richardmartin6622]

@@Hattonbank I don't know. Good question.

[@jmleaf8102]

@@Hattonbank A Nimitz class carrier can transit the Panama Canal. All American carriers are built to go through the Panama Canal.

[@Hattonbank]

@@jmleaf8102 You are right! I just checked and it was possible for Nimitz class carriers to transit the canal EVEN BEFORE the wider locks were commissioned in 2016. The next time I go down to the Grand Union canal in Warwickshire and look at boats going through the 12 foot wide locks, I will try and envisage a Nimitz carrier going through the Panama Canal!

[@jmleaf8102]

@@Hattonbank Thank you. Even before the widening of the Canal, when they built the ships, there was just enough room in the lock to accommodate the ship with small rope bumpers so it would not be damaged. There were only inches of room to get through. Have a great day.

[@randyjohnson6845]

I love the names of the British carriers.....British carriers British pilots American planes. Japanese didn't stand a chance

[@wretchedfibs4306]

There was also a story how one kamikaze pilot ditched in the sea and was rescued...but then he committed suicide in the brig, later.. anecdotal.

[@jimbomayo69]

Should show this in training to our young sailors, to ram home the importance of good damage control.

[@kitchenersown]

Intro song?

[@roybennett9284]

Life on the ocean wave

[@petersouthernboy6327]

The USN Essex Class carried 90 aircraft, and the FAA Implacable Class carried 54 aircraft. So there WAS a reason why the Americans went the path they did.

[@1chish]

So better to lose 90 aircraft in a Kamikaze attack than not lose 54? Odd sort of logic.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

1chish - twice as many fighters flying CAP. There were no Essex class carriers sunk,, btw.

[@1chish]

@@petersouthernboy6327 Maybe not but the argument holds. If you have timber decks you will lose many aircraft and services below the flight deck and reduce flight operations. The US Navy lost Fleet carriers at a crucial time in 1942. USS Hornet was sunk and USS Enterprise was badly damaged at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, leaving them with only one operational fleet carrier, USS Saratoga. So they requested a carrier from the RN which sent HMS Victorious (with steel decks) which served from January '43 to August '43 as USS Robin. When you look at the way these UK carriers withstood direct hits and were back in action within hours speaks volumes for the design. if nothing else the water used to fight deck fires does not go straight down into the ship and cause a list as happened with US carriers on fire. There is no doubt the British designed steel decks were copied by the US Navy in later builds so the US Navy itself accepted the argument of smaller air wings and steel decks vs larger air wings and timber decks.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

1chish - if the US Navy had built Implacables instead of Essex class - they’re back in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands in Spring 1945

[@1chish]

@@petersouthernboy6327 That is a massive supposition and pure opinion.

[@garyshepherd9367]

👍

[@jacklawson2597]

My uncle Keith lawson was a seaman on HMS Formidable during this kamikaze attack, he's sadly no longer with us but I wish to find his service records, does anyone where I might be able to find this? Haven't had much luck so far.

[@reconn9056]

Try the National Archive at Kew - could be a good place to start

[@sophycartledge2539]

The author Will Iredale has written The Kamikaze Hunters, and he had found access to lots of records for his research. Perhaps you can investigate via that book and that author. The book has lots of information about Formidable and the experiences of the people involved.

[@sophycartledge2539]

Dear Jack, I asked my father a bit more about how he found out more about his 'Wing man' - who got shot down during the attack on the Turpitz, and he found the following contact details helpful, he said they were most helpful in tracing lots of details about him. "The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Head Office, 2 Marlow Road, Maidenhead, Berks, SL6 7DX. Phone [phone]. He was able to find out a lot about his wing man, called 'French', and where there is a memorial for him.

[@jacklawson2597]

@@sophycartledge2539 Great thanks for this information!

[@mebsrea]

My dad (RAF 1947-55) managed to get his service records a couple of years ago, I think by writing to the MoD. I can ask him for details, if you’re still looking.

[@liverpoolscottish6430]

There is a vinyl record called, 'The Sound Of The Aeroplane At War.' One recording is of the kamikaze attack on HMS Formidable. You can hear her letting go with every weapon system on board to repel the attack, you can hear the spent brass cases bouncing off the armoured deck. You hear one continuous engine note from a Japanese fighter coming through the barrage of flak, accompanied by main armament blasting away. It makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJPTgaWQeamEfrMsi=-E0i0Jy6D0wd3C91

[@ArmouredCarriers]

Wow. Thanks for drawing my attention to this.

[@Baza1964]

that's an incredible sound byte. Thanks . If you want to hear a Japanese sub get depth charged and hear it sinking and imploding ,got to "ww11usbombers" he has a show on the anti submarine efforts which includes this actual recording .

[@TheBeatleman66]

May God bless the crews and pilots of the Far Eastern Fleet RN.

[@josephdestaubin7426]

I would think sailors that refuse orders while out to see during a war time would risk having to swim home.

[@markwheeler202]

Drachinifel covers the armored/unarmored flight deck design decisions at kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZWrlXp-hZ2beck

[@ArmouredCarriers]

A very well informed analysis, as are all his videos. Highly recommended.

[@russellwilliams1071]

MY dad was on H.M.S Formidable 😊

[@TheJohhnyrotten]

Why hasn't got 100,0000 views 10,000 comments?

[@petesheppard1709]

Regarding armored (yes, I'm a Yank ;) ) vs unarmored flight decks, the Americans took immediate note of the armor's advantages in the early war ('39-40) and incorporated the concept in the Midway-class carriers, but they were too late for the war. The unarmored Essex class, essentially a pre-war design, was too far along to redesign. Essexes did have an armored hangar deck, though.

[@ArmouredCarriers]

It was very much a practical middle ground (only possible after all the treaties had been abandoned). The early RN designs had armoured 'box' hangars. This was heavy and constraining, but protected both the aircraft and the interior of the ship. The larger Midways were able to have an armoured flight deck (between the lifts) as well as an armoured hangar deck to protect the vitals. This permitted an open hangar for the larger air group.

[@petesheppard1709]

@@ArmouredCarriers Indeed. One of several British innovation that the Americans incorporated into their designs. BTW, I'm thoroughly enjoying your videos and the insight into the WWII RN!

[@petersouthernboy6327]

if Yorktown, Enterprise and Hornet were armored 30’s vintage aircraft carriers - the US loses the Battle of Midway based on known US aircraft attrition during Midway and the fact that the Japanese would have had ~ 160 more aircraft.

[@crazylegssw]

@ 16:24 why does Formidible have the Japanese flag hoisted? Seems very odd.

[@ArmouredCarriers]

It is a signal flag, a black circle on a yellow backgound. It spells out a message in combination of the other flags.

[@annettehadley9718]

@@ArmouredCarriers I was wondering why as well.... thank you!

[@stanleysangata1983]

@@annettehadley9718 its a maritime signal flag for the letter "I" (INDIA) which is used until today and each of the alphabet A-Z has its own callsign and meaning.

[@annettehadley9718]

@@stanleysangata1983 ok thank you.. x

[@juanvargaschavarria8772]

Seafire hunter the kamikazes cosair is good valiants pilots carrier uk🇬🇧

[@johnhanson5943]

A good documentary- which also reflects still on the self-perpetuating class system in Britain (especially in the RN). A system which was traditionally rejected by British Colonies and Commonwealth countries (including ex-colonies - apart from India curiously). However, in spite of the class system, we were more united and capable then, than we are today. We need to also remember that British Empire/Commonwealth forces had to fight largely alone for over 2 years against Germany, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, partly Vichy France and Japan all around the globe. This against the most powerful axis ever known - and the Russians were in cahoots with the Germans during most of this time or another massive drain on resources when they were being hammered by the Wehrmacht from the summer of 1941 and into 1942. This documentary reflects on the end of the war - but it was in 1939/40/41 when Britons, Aussies, Kiwis, Rhodesians, British Kenyans, British Indians, Nepalese, South Africans, Canadians, etc really had to fight alone against a massive and most powerful enemy and for their very existence. We need all never to forget this and be eternally grateful for this massive sacrifice! The Kamikaze threat was a different end-phase of the war scenario - and after Stalingrad, El Alamein, the entry of the US and massive sacrifices of the Russians - the war was already to a large degree a forgone conclusion by the time of the desperate suicide bombers. Even with the use of only conventional weapons, Japan was already finished militarily and no real threat in the Pacific / Asia theatre - although they still were stubbornly resisting in Burma, Thailand, etc. We also need to remember that the UK sold itself into 60 years of massive financial indebtedness to the US, political insignificance and poverty as a reward for standing up to German militarism / fascism and in 1914 and 1939, Japanese brutal militarism in 1939 and later on communism in the Cold War on behalf of many EU countries who conveniently forget all this (including ex aggressors). Strategically, it was a massive mistake for the UK being allied with the French - and the damage had already largely been done from 1914 onwards - in this respect. The war of 1939 in Europe was simply WW1 part 2 but with the added serious problem of the Japanese and the Communists in Russia. The strategic beneficiary was the US - but at least they are related cousins, friends and stalwarts of freedom, liberty, democratic system, Western civilisation and fairness (at least they were then and hopefully will be in future again). We in the UK and the West have a new threat today - and this time the enemy is to a very large degree within our own establishments and at the very highest levels. The external enemy is today only the CCP - and extreme Leftist / Mega Money Globalist in nature. Let’s never forget the sacrifice of our ancestors and family members in the past - and keep our eyes on the ball in the present. Freedom, democratic systems and western civilisation is a very precious thing - and also a very fragile organism. We need to fight and resist all attempts to destroy it - but in different ways to the past. We need in fact to be far smarter today to defend our liberty, rights and freedoms and make for a better world based on the superiority of western civilisation (which has nothing to do with skin colour or heritage).

[@ianwilkinson4602]

great summing up.

[@planet_69]

and for the last 25 years the state has been grooming english girls to go with blacks and have mixed race kids, ix that whatt they fought for ?

[@robertholland6012]

I'm related to Holland captain of the hood, Lancelot ,if you do t mind

[@sushiromifune7096]

They were taught death is worth. All of the amateurs were ordered to Kamikaze and accepted. A few Veterans who knew the real war refused suicide and confronted death to the end. Their inner confrict was isolated that neither the ally nor the enemy could understand.

[@cozmcwillie7897]

I wonder if the Japanese would have had more success using torpedoes. Or did they? Did it fail ?

[@user-we5hy7oj1s]

神風特別攻撃隊

[@scottmccambley764]

119 wasn't that Hammy Grays regular ride?

[@ArmouredCarriers]

115. There is a clip of it taking off in there somewhere I think.

[@scottmccambley764]

@@ArmouredCarriers 115 wasn't his normal ride, it was the one he was assigned on the day of his VC action

[@scottmccambley764]

119 is seen taking off returning to Formidable after the deck repair that is why I asked.

[@ArmouredCarriers]

@@scottmccambley764 Ah. I'll have to remember that. Thanks.