The Air Battle of Formosa-with Jon Parshall - Episode 324

This week Seth, Bill and great buddy Jon Parshall get together to discuss one of the more unknown events of the Pacific war, the Air Battle of Formosa. In early October 1944, Admiral William F, Halsey's Task Force 38 launched a series of devastating air strikes on the Japanese bastion of Formosa in preparation for the liberation of the Philippines and Leyte landings. The massive air battle that followed over the next four days was the single largest air-sea battle of the ENTIRE WAR and saw the single largest deployment of United States naval aviation to that point. The massive air battle consumed more Japanese resources than did the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot and was essentially the prelude to the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Yet, the Air Battle of Formosa remains largely unknown to the general public. Tune in and see what the team has to say.
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[@kevinharmon3697]

One of my favorite things to happen in these podcast, is when John and Seth go full history nerd at each other. Then, they pause to let Bill chime in, but Bill, like the audience, are fully geeked out. Never change fellas

[@flparkermdpc]

Oh, so true, still an hour from finished!!

[@markbarbara80]

Come for the history, Stay for John Parshall's shirts.

[@chrisschmalhofer4348]

And his wallpaper!

[@douglaskillock3537]

​@@chrisschmalhofer4348The wallpaper is a legend all on it's own. The shirt is a doozy even by John's standards

[@ricardokowalski1579]

Shirt stays ON 😂

[@brushhogg1]

Both the shirts and the wallpaper are "loud". However, John plays bass and has the "Kitty Butai", and thus is already my hero even before the excellent history .

[@michaelmoorrees3585]

Shirt to distract from the wallpaper.

[@c7042]

Your pod cast is 2 hours long. I'm not complaining. It's more interesting and informative than the typical 2 hour movie these days anyway. Thanks.

[@The2ndFirst]

Long form podcasts are my go to for entertainment these days.

[@flparkermdpc]

I'm an hour from done with this podcast, and I'm thinking....this IS the GODZILLA of Japanese postwar movies. The Japanese really saw it/Him from October 1944 through August 1945. I'm also think that it's a good thing Germanÿ DID NOT HAVE a big ocean coastal exposure. All the more ways to be attacked..

[@westsonrises]

I could go for longer 🙂 Love this podcast

[@halflifeapc8777]

You guys really do other history channels a disservice by blowing them out of the water. For real, since I’ve started watching your videos it’s shocking to me how much qualitative and in depth knowledge I’ve gained about the details of the tactical to the strategic to the operational aspects of this theater. While also being delivered with an excellent understanding of the art of podcasting. It’s criminal that this channel doesn’t have a million subscribers, let alone a syndicated documentary series. Thank you so much for your tireless efforts. Your work on this theater is un surpassed in any video media

[@PalleRasmussen]

I would disagree. WW2TV, Drachinifel, The Aussie who does history, are all as good. There are also KZbin channels from places like Yale and various military academies that do quite well.

[@seanquigley3605]

I wouldn't say they do a disservice, they up the game and help set better standards for history content. So far all the guests they have had on are engaging and they are always humorous even if it's dark humor.....even my fiance sometimes laughs when it's on and she's doing her thing while I watch and she hears it....the world needs this kind of quality history content. Hopefully one day we will get a Naval History or Military History content Convention where we can actually meet all these folks at. Kind of like ComiCon but for REAL nerds.

[@kensvay4561]

No they are the best by far.

[@PalleRasmussen]

@@kensvay4561 what is your arguments for this claim? Are you familiar with the others? I am myself a military historian, and I cannot claim that one is better than the rest. But then, Socrates was probably right. And since I wrote the above, I have also found the "We Have Ways To Make You Talk" with All Murray and James Holland. Also very high quality.

[@robbielee2148]

@@PalleRasmussen ah yes but Drach has the advantage of his smashing & most splendid English accent lol.

[@weima-ke7790]

Thanks Seth, Bill and Jon. I’ve been so hoping that you would cover the Formosa Air Battle, and I really enjoyed this one. The remains of the IJN Kobi Airfield in Huwei are about five miles from my house in southwestern Taiwan. The battle scars are still visible on the remaining buildings. A tragic fate awaited three airmen taken POW after having been brought down in operations on 12 October. LT. Harwood Sharp and ARM1c James Langiotti of VB-8 in a Helldiver flying off USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) were attacking Matsuyama Airfield (now Songshan Airport) in Taihoku (now Taipei) when hit by anti-aircraft fire. They made for the coast and had to ditch about three miles southwest of the Tamsui River mouth. They survived the ditching and deployed their dingy and made it to shore. They were able to hide out in a farmhouse until 24 October when they were finally captured and sent to the notorious Taihoku Prison. Also on 12 October, a Helldiver from VB-18 flying off USS Intrepid (CV-11) piloted by LT. John Thvedt, with ARM1c Freddy McCreary as gunner/radioman were also hit while attacking Matsuyama Airfield. The Helldiver went spinning into a dive. McCreary, believing they were going to crash, bailed out. Thvedt was able to recover and limped back to CV-11 and ditched. Thvedt was rescued. McCreary was captured and sent to Taihoku Prison. The captured airmen were tortured and then in May 1945, along with 11 other airmen who had been captured in later operations over Taiwan, faced a mock trial where they were found guilty of war crimes and sentenced to death. The 14 airmen were executed by firing squad at Taihoku Prison on 19 June 1945. The postwar war crimes trial where those that had ordered the execution became one of the three trials where the precedent of a POW having the right to trial under International Humanitarian Law, Articles 146-148 of the 1949 Geneva Convention was established. Freddy McCreary’s ashes were buried at Wakefield Cemetery, Barbourville, KY, and Sharp’s and Langiotti’s ashes were taken aloft in an Avenger over the ocean near Diamond Head, Hawaii and scattered at sea in April 1948.

[@lesmoore6443]

Thank you for such an interesting and informative comment. Another benefit of this podcast and forum.

[@weima-ke7790]

@@lesmoore6443 thanks. We remember the executed airmen each June at a remembrance service at the Taihoku Prison wall. There’s a memorial plaque there for the airmen. Each May, on Memorial Day we also remember the Allied aircrews lost in operations over Taiwan-US, British, Australian, and then New Zealand and South African. The Japanese also kept there most valuable POWs on Taiwan from August 42 until October 44, when they moved the captured Allied generals to Mukden. There were rank and file Allied POWs held on Taiwan too. The largest number by nationality were firstly British, then American, then Dutch, then Australian, and then smaller numbers of other Commonwealth-South African, Canadian and New Zealand. The sites of the POW camps also have memorials, and two have attached museums. On Remembrance Sunday each November there is a large remembrance service for the POWs. Then in Kaohsiung (Takao) there is also the POW Hellship Memorial with an attached museum. Kobi Airfield is a Pacific Air War memorial park. The Pacific War is quite well remembered here.

[@flparkermdpc]

Thank you for adding your details to this episode, which is expanding, and in my case, establishing a subtheatre of the Pacific War that I knew NOTHING about, due to the Philippines', and Iwo, and Okinawa, and Atomic overshadowing of this part of the end of the war. These air campaigns are massive and this is History that "deserves to be remembered," to borrow a phrase.

[@catchen0422]

My father is also from Huwei. He told me they saw biplanes (most likely PT-17s) over Huwei often in the 50s. My uncle later joined ROCAF and flew F-5Es. He retired as a 747 captain in China Airline. Now two of my cousins and a distant relative are also commercial airline pilots! I have always known that the airfield in Huwei was built and used by Japan Navy in WW2, but only until not very long ago did I know a F6F crash-landed almost intact there and the pilot was captured. Google "captured F6F" and you will find more details about this unusual incident. (in case you don't know this yet of course...)

[@vindobonaification]

Your intro is one of the most beautiful you can find on youtube.

[@Godussop81]

For real it’s the best

[@jamesthompson8133]

Yes it is! I also like the music because that means a great video is on the way.

[@brushhogg1]

The rolling violin in the background is reminiscent of Victory at Sea...

[@dnp7162]

Agree 💯!

[@shoofly529]

@@brushhogg1 Great series!

[@TaichoCyclist]

I am from South-East Asia who has a deep interest in World Wars history, particularly in Pacific War. Thank you for providing such thought invoking podcasts into battles that history books do not give justice. Yes, I have "subscribed" and also "liked" like parade drill. Get well soon Jon as I also just recovered from COVID. Good to see you in great spirits and will help you get by quickly.

[@PalleRasmussen]

May I, out of curiosity, ask where in South-Eadt Asia you are from?

[@flparkermdpc]

Irrepressible comes to mind. I'm amazed we still don't have at least a carrier so named.

[@robertzimmerman6772]

"I'd rather be lucky than good." Always makes me think of my grandfather as it was one of his favorite sayings, and it has become my favorite saying. Thanks Bill, for the opportunity to reminisce about my grand pops.

[@raucousindignation5811]

"Luck favors the prepared." Meaning those that are well prepared will have the most benefit when they get lucky.

[@James-hd4ms]

Kind of a stupid saying.

[@jimfisher7324]

The growth in AAA to WWII was tremendous. A US picket destroyer in 1945 could throw up 70% more weight of AAA broadside against an incoming aircraft than the Bismarck could in 1940. And, the picket destroyer had proximity fuses and radar fire control.

[@Jakal-pw8yq]

American Ingenuity baby! Without those innovations where would we have been?🇺🇲⚓️💯

[@user-lj6fu6rc5j]

I think your viewers have all come to expect excellence from you and you've never disappointed. God bless.

[@saenole66]

Another winner of a podcast on a subject not well known. Jon,Parshal always adds great content.

[@flparkermdpc]

Amen.

[@cenccenc946]

What I think I love most about this channel, is you talk to us like we are adults that know more than a little bit about WWII, and are hungryfor more information. None of this 'In WWII the world was at war' (cue dramatic music, followed by a two hours recap of the entire war) and then 3.5 minutes of potentially new information about one battle. Thank you.

[@flparkermdpc]

❤great comment addition. So true.

[@flparkermdpc]

Just Jon's mention of the Evans book on the JIN post war translation of diary notes...is sufficient to star this episode. And there's so much more here. Whew. And a Jerry Lee Lewis "BREATHLESS--AA.

[@denniswiemer72]

Again, I find myself better educated for having watched your podcast. Everyday is a School Day. Thanks guys.

[@46bovine]

A friend of mine who was a big fan of Gen. MacArthur was given a grant, by the MacArthur memorial/museum in Norfolk, VA for his masters thesis. His thesis pissed off the folks there in the “memorial(?)” you almost need to pull a gun to get them to give you a copy. Jim’s attitude toward Mac changed considerably, when he did the research.

[@flparkermdpc]

No surprise to regulars here. Very Veritas😅

[@kepple83]

I been to the mc Arthur memorial

[@flparkermdpc]

For what institution was this friend's masters thesis written? What was the opinion of the advisory board reviewing that thesis?

[@OMMgreenshirt]

My father would have been thrilled to hear USS Bunker Hill being mentioned. He was extremely proud of his boat.

[@kentiffany8872]

Pronounciation~I am a Navy linguist. Your pronounciation is fine. Inflections ,stresses, accents change from village to village. Never threw me off. Great stuff! Thanks.

[@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar]

Unlike others in the comments, I don't lose sleep over it.

[@mkaustralia7136]

@@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar😂😂😂

[@johnstewart7022]

I appreciate your comments regarding the 5"-38 gun, especially Jon's comments. I would add that we need to recognize that the ballistics of the 5" gun are comparable to the German 128mm, and the proximity fuse was infinitely more lethal, I would say that in addition we need to appreciate that the 5"-38 was power operated, radar controlled (the Mk-37 director was crucial to this) and was fed by power operated ammunition hoists. All of this greatly amplified the effectiveness. There was no way a contemporary shore side AAA system was as integrated, automated and effective. I have had the good fortune to participate in operating a 5"-38 when I was on active duty, and even in the '70s it was impressive. What the effect must have been in WWII is impossible for me to contemplate.

[@James-hd4ms]

Thank you for your service.

[@jahmanoog461]

Thank you for sharing. Certainly a great gun. I love the sound it makes, and I only ever heard recordings.

[@ritaloy8338]

I had the opportunity to man a 5"-38 gun mount while I was in the United States Navy onboard a Gering class destroyer. I served in multiple locations at General Quarters. We accidentally sunk a towed target being towed a Fleet Tugboat on the first shot of twelve. The first two roubds were for getting the range of tbe target. We received a perfect score.

[@toddj1432]

Perhaps one of the reasons why people don't really know of this battle is the fact that it hasn't been called Formosa for a couple of generations. My grandfather was there and always called it Formosa. I went looking for it on a map and could never find it. Then he explained it is now called Taiwan. Your podcast is a most excellent source of information and reflection. I appreciate the fact that you guys call out the bad calls of the leaders of the allied forces. Keep up the awesome work guys!

[@UPNilesCyn]

there was some satire of the serenity prayer where they said "Give up the things of thy youth....like Formosa"

[@flparkermdpc]

Agreed. This and some follow on episodes really cement in my mind that Halsey only deserves that fifth star if he quits after 1942-43, and that Spruance never forgot a lesson. And even he needed some serious luck when the Long Lance missed New Jersey off Truk when even Spruance was lured off mission. Lesson learned and stored for Saipan.

[@Scoobs3240]

Another great episode focusing on an often overlooked episode of the Pacific War! Formosa is a subject of both personal and professional interest to me as two of my relatives “logged green ink” over this Japanese bastion - most notably my grandfather who flew SB2Cs with VB-19 aboard USS Lexington (CV-16) as part of TF-38.3. He logged three strikes, 2 against Japanese shipping around the Pescadores Islands and one against Toyohara Airfield, during October 12-14.

[@christopherj.osheav5807]

Youza! Another blockbuster episode gentlemen. Thank you.

[@davidwatson2399]

Excellent as usual 👍

[@jetdriver]

For those that might be interested in the story of the USS Houston at this battle the book “The Battle to Save the Houston” is an excellent look at the fight to save that ship. Thanks for the book recommendation Jon. I just ordered a copy of The Japanese Navy in WWII. You need a shop of your own selling those shirts!

[@dakotagorder2731]

I'm a simple man- I see Jon Parshall and I drop what I'm doing to listen.

[@flparkermdpc]

LOL!

[@MrFrikkenfrakken]

Well again excellent conversation with a wonderful guest. Thanks Seth, Bill and Jon.

[@kemarisite]

1:00:32 "eggs thrown at the stone wall of the indomitable enemy formation", and Jon gets to the quotation we've all agreed we love.

[@flparkermdpc]

❤❤😂

[@The2ndFirst]

This was much appreciated. I've studied all theatres of the war for my whole life, and never really heard of this engagement at all.

[@theironherder]

This episode was, I think, the best of the series. It held my interest from start to finish, something that none of the previous episodes had done. That's not on you, I have "attention deficit". This was the best organized and best presented. Thank you. And now that you are so good at it, maybe you could start over (LOL).

[@Perfusionist01]

Hi guys! Another fantastic Tuesday learning experience. You have done it again; you took a battle that I knew "something" about and presented it in the full context. Thank you. It's always good to have Jon participating!

[@flparkermdpc]

Imagine what the episode did for my ignorance of the post Marianas, post Spruance, pre Halsey Typhoon periods!

[@USSBB62]

Thanks Seth, Bill and John 5/38 Mt. Captain in Viet Nam on BB-62. As John said 18 rounds per minute per barrel.

[@orangecountyrailroading2443]

Well I heard about the raid on Formosa but that was nothing compared to your Podcast! God Bless you all for your fine work. Love every episode especially with those with Jon Parshall. Been listening and relistening to many episodes from each season. It is like a Great Book on tape with much needed light placed on the men in combat, not a gloss over done in many venues all my life. I will say this, watching The Pacific as good as it is pales to your Podcasts. I have a new appreciation of having my freedom in this country. Thank You!

[@koopanique]

I'm really glad that this podcast found so much success so quickly; it's really cozy and informative and I wouldn't have thought that this many people would be interested in the naval and air warfare of the Pacific theater

[@bobbyjolee4362]

Certainly one of the Best UPP broadcasts, both to detail the obscurity of the battle and for the interweaving of adept commentary perspectives. -- Spellbinding!

[@williamfankboner4206]

Great to see Jon Parshall back.

[@gregcollins7602]

Great Torpedo Tuesday guys. Alway enjoy Seth, Jon and Bill. Btw, im the president of Bill's fan club. We have a banner that looks a lot like Jon's shirt but includes Godzilla. Next week we are going to talk about care and maintenance of bilge pumps on Balao class submarines.

[@flparkermdpc]

❤😂❤😊. It's been Hellcat Tuesday for awhile hereabouts!!!

[@lesmoore6443]

Yet another fantastic episode. Nice to see Parshall always pushing the envelope with his shirt/wallpaper combo. And let me second the idea of an episode devoted to the critical and little understood topic of logistics. The strategic force multiplying effect of things like the Ulithi anchorage and bases, the miracles performed by the SeaBees and Army engineers, the ingenious things like the huge floating drydocks - they weren't just central to the duration and outcome of the Pacific war (and the European one), they were a pure reflection of industrial age America at its zenith.

[@Brock-vs3xg]

By unanimous acclamation, the loyal listeners (and watchers) demand from this point forward ALL episodes of the Unauthorized History of the Pacific War podcast shall be two hours in length. We can’t get enough! That won’t be problem for you will it gentlemen?

[@cragnamorra]

Another fantastic episode, guys! Adding my 2 cents to the calls for a logistics-focused episode. The numbers and implications are mind-boggling. Case in point: Jon rattled off here the large numbers of AA guns: 5"/38, 40mm, and 20mm. Thousands of AA barrels in the task force...all of which are high-ROF. If something like two or three thousand guns, then how many HUNDREDS of thousands of rounds must have been expended against a typical air raid, of which several occurred during this battle. All of which had to be replenished, either at sea or back at Ulithi (which still would have been "afloat", rather than "pierside"). When it comes to ammunition replenishment in such quantities, "routine" could not have been synonymous with "easy" or "not dangerous".

[@flparkermdpc]

And zero devastating ship explosions like Bari, Italy, or the LST in Hawaii.

[@gruntforever7437]

like an offensive lineman, you never hear anything bout logistics unless something went wrong. The USN FLeet train in the pacific in WW2 was by itself a tremendous accomplishment and the sailors who made it work never go their due either

[@jamesthompson8133]

That AA gunfire would be like trying to run through flash flood without getting hit by a rain drop. It’s hard to imagine how awesome that would be to see. Man I sure do love Tuesday mornings. You guys are great!!!

[@James-hd4ms]

Flash floods without rain drops are fairly common

[@jamesthompson8133]

Not here in Pensacola Florida but I understand what you’re saying. Should have said a hurricane or something else.

[@flparkermdpc]

😂❤😂

[@hdfoster5507]

Thanks guys, very enlightening as usual! Truly, it is a forgotten, but important battle.

[@rayschoch5882]

My dad's Air Group 19 came aboard CV-16 (USS Lexington) in July, 1944, and fighter operations escalated through the remainder of the combat tour. Dad shot down his first Japanese plane (a B5N "Kate") off Formosa during a raid on October 12, and his Hellcat was badly shot up not long afterward by Japanese AA ground fire during the strike on a Japanese airfield. He wrote in a combat report that the Taiyohara airfield had as many as 10 planes in a single revetment. On another raid on the Pescadores Islands (near Formosa) on October 14, his Hellcat was hit multiple times by ground fire AA in the engine and the wing root. The Grumman brought him back to the Lexington, where he landed safely. The Hellcat was thought "unrepairable," and after the guns, etc. were salvaged, pushed over the side.

[@Jakal-pw8yq]

Your dad was a hero❤

[@bruceinoz8002]

One of "Murphy's many rules of Combat Operations, is: "Incoming "friendly fire" is more accurate and dangerous then incoming enemy fire" Up there with: "Tracers work both ways".

[@peterstickney7608]

About the Flak comparison - It's not just the guns, and the Prox Fuzes, important as they are, but the combination of Tracking Radars tied directly to the Mk 37 Director/Computers, automatically tracking, which are controlling the guns by Remote Power Control - No humans passing info, no time lags, no mistakes from manual steps. By this time, almost all the 40mm mounts had Mk 51 Optical Directors, separate, but adjacent to the mount it was controlling, manually tracking in Az/El and Range, and driving the mount directly through Remote Power Control. A Task Force's Flak was not only thick, but, by late in the War, Precise.

[@user-mg4to4ik8r]

As I do for every one of your episodes, I found myself saying, "I didnt know that" when listening to this episode about the Formosa battles. Great series Fellas! I look forward to each episode.

[@donaldhambright969]

Just another awesome pod cast..thank you Seth and Bill and John...great job as usual.

[@gagamba9198]

So informative. Great job. You're sure right that Formosa's air battle is off the radar. Evans's book is terrific. If it's not in your library and you want to read Fukudome Shigeru's account, the US Naval Institute has his 'Strategic Aspects of the Battle Off Formosa' online. The Army Air Force got involved on 14 Oct. One hundred and four B-29s dispatched from Chengdu, China attacked the Okayama aircraft plant on Formosa, hit last-resort targets, and targets of opportunity. More B-29 attacks were conducted on the 16th and 17th. I think a total of three B-29s were downed by the Japanese, indicating that they could put up almost no resistance. Yes, please do episodes on logistics. Ulithi is about 1600 km (1000 mi) east of Samar Island (eastern Philippines, just NE of Leyte) and 1400 km (870 mi) north of PNG's northern coast. The Visayas group is central Philippines between Luzon and Mindanao.

[@colinellis5243]

Gents another BRILLIANT session of "real-time" history......Jon P, despite the shirt, is totally correct, the 5" 38 with proximity fuses was by far the best heavy AA weapon on Earth at that time!

[@jonathanmorton9856]

Thank you guys had never seen more than a mention of an air raid on Formosa

[@riftraft2015]

Another great show guys. 👍 I admit I never knew this air attack on Formosa happened. Why nobody talked about this massive USN air battle/attack is a mystery to me. That big a loss in aircraft had to be a major nail in the coffin for IJN & IJA air power. The huge logistics loss could also not be replaced by this time.

[@thomasbrown9402]

I'm reminded of a story I read here on YT of a German civilian who was in the rubble of his city asking American soldiers whether Philadelphia was alright because he had heard it was destroyed by German bombs and he had family there.

[@OMMgreenshirt]

Thank you for mentioning another book "The Japanese Navy in World War II" written by David E. Evans. I found a new second edition on Amazon and it is ordered!

[@kensvay4561]

Me to!

[@KMN-bg3yu]

I like to think I'm fairly well informed about the Pacific War, sadly, until today I was totally ignorant concerning these massive air battles. Thank you

[@stevensparks3126]

Thanks to you guys I have heard of the Battle of Formosa. Thank you !

[@andrewpizzino2514]

The day is complete, a new episode

[@davidbrian2570]

Good morning all, from SC!

[@josephspringer7432]

At 1:21:20 you mention Franklin sailor Al Cole. (It took me two full years to gain his trust for an interview and to sign a release.) Al was a wonderful gentleman who, during the March 19, 1945 attack off Kyushu, found himself alone on the shattered hangar deck. He didn't know what to do. Al was ready to jump into the sea when suddenly he felt a small tap on his shoulder and heard someone speak, "Don't jump." Startled - indeed, he was alone - he turned but no one was there. Then suddenly he witnessed a half dozen sailors jump into the sea from the flight deck. Al watched as the screws sucked them all under, to their deaths. In the end, Al jumped onto the bow of a destroyer and didn't get his feet wet. I asked Al if he had done anything spectacular after the war. "No, not really," he said. There had to have been a reason the good Lord spared Al that day. Did you raise a kid who became a surgeon? Nope. Nothing, said Al. "I wasn't even saved at that time in my life. I found the Lord in the late fifties." I continued to press Al. There had to have been "something" there that we were missing. Then he admitted, "Well, I became a Youth Minister during the early sixties. More than 200 of my students became preachers." I remarked, "Don't you think that's it, Al?" "Ya think so?" "YES!" Sometimes when one is close to a miracle it is tougher to notice. When Captain Shoemaker aboard Franklin ordered reverse due to the incoming torpedo (off Formosa), Shoemaker -- avoiding Navy protocol because of time -- grabbed Franklin's wheel and brought the ship hard over, where the fish missed astern by just fifty feet. That's why she avoided the torpedoes. In the end, Shoemaker may have saved the ship, but he ruined his career. The next morning Shoemaker received a letter from Adm Halsey who gave Shoemaker hell because the ship wasn't at GQ. ~Joe Springer~ (Author of INFERNO: The Epic Life and Death Struggle of the USS Franklin in WWII)

[@Jakal-pw8yq]

Jesus Christ the guy saves the ship in his career is ruined. My dad served in the South Pacific US Navy as well and he said there was a term for that kind of stuff and it was called chickenshit!!🇺🇲⚓️💯☕️🚬

[@josephspringer7432]

@@Jakal-pw8yq Precisely!

[@TheBurr75]

Nice one made my day

[@bryndisthordardottir2010]

I love you guys. You now have a fan in Iceland. Best wishes, Einar

[@islandhopperstuart]

There's no ignoring Jon's shirt! Once again great to have him along.

[@user-fi4qd7mz8h]

Great commentary Jon as always...great shirt too😂😂. Greetinvs from the dentist from Albania

[@jollyjohnthepirate3168]

Always enlightening. Thanks for shining a light on an overlooked part of the Pacific war.

[@paulrugg1629]

Once again, these 3 guys are so listenable, so informative, so in the weeds organized, what a joy in a field of to often dull, boring presenters.

[@flparkermdpc]

Agree wholeheartedly. I'm hoping the last comment is not including ANY of the other guests on Unauthorized History of Pacific (and now Asiatic)War. Jon has really been a star, for sure. Shirts and Smiles.

[@ReverendScaleModeler]

Great episode of a hugely overlooked battle! Was not as familiar with it especially the staggering losses Japan suffered. I especially noted the mention of USS Bunker Hill; my late father was a pastor (as am I) and served a Free Methodist Church in Ogden, Iowa, when I was in high school. A man in that church was on the Bunker Hill and experienced this battle as well as the May 11, 1945, kamikaze attack off Okinawa. He was a gunner's mate on a 40mm mount and was the only survivor of his crew. He said the others were killed by one of the kamikazes. He told that story just out of the blue one day after church over coffee and cake.

[@marchuvfulz]

Really glad you did this episode. You're absolutely right in noting that many histories of the war largely pass over the Formosa battle with one or two lines.

[@hededcdn]

They usually just reference air strikes and the dates.

[@Ravenflight104]

John.... LOVE THE SHIRT !

[@James-hd4ms]

You should see him shirtless

[@joebombero1]

Agree. Difficult days here, but every time John is speaking I smile hahaha. He has to be former Navy.

[@TomSmith-lf8tr]

Completely agree with these comments. In Australia we are still watching the South China Sea (and wishing there was a Nimitz ready to take command.)

[@mpetersen6]

There likely is a Nimitz but in today's political environment he's probably never going to rise above LtCmd.

[@thesmallerhalf1968]

@@mpetersen6In the tradition of the US military the only politics today will be the internal Navy politics. As it was in 1941-45.

[@thesmallerhalf1968]

The key difference is that there is no war in the region right now and little likelihood in the near future. Plenty of sabre rattling, and China is bullying the neighbours but nothing more.

[@flparkermdpc]

Amen. Watchful waiting here, too. I have never met an Academy grad I thought was other than an outstanding head and heart, but like some others, I'm Concerned just now above LCDR.

[@willpinder1229]

Great episode! Outstanding job guys! Thanks!

[@TheBruceGday]

I really prefer the long-form shows. Can’t get enough.

[@flparkermdpc]

This whole string of comments just underscores the excellence of this podcast. Seth, Bill and Jon are bringing out the Varsity subscribers and commenters. Excluding myself. Thanks everyone.

[@ThePlebicide]

Thanks for another great episode

[@user-hw1qo2mu9e]

Thank you Bill Seth and Jon.

[@astraltraveler2725]

WOW, Jon! What a shirt!! I gotta get me one. Historian, author, and trendsetter, Jon Parshall.

[@jayjohnson9996]

Once again guys I really enjoyed this weeks show and I love when John Parshall is in the house!!!

[@williampage622]

Exceptional presentation. Thank you!

[@cheesenoodles8316]

Excellent....so much of the Pacific War gets overlooked.

[@stevelueb7787]

Y'ALL DO SOME GREAT WORK !!!! THANK YOU I knew Formosa was stacked with material/planes but I never heard what became of it. Now I know

[@bloodworthmagic]

Great presentation as always.I love the historical humor. If possible, let's have more of that. Everyone knows not to bother me on tuesday mornings!

[@thomasstrout1738]

Captain, thank you for your service. I worked as a nuclear pipefitter at PNSY in the 80’s and 90’s. Worked on NR-1 twice, 605 Jack, 606 Tinosa, 614, 615, 676, 678, 631, 641, 642, 645, 674, 676, 678, 690 (twice), 700, 703, and 714. Wondering if you ever passed thru Portsmouth, NH. My Uncle John Clinton Strout Jr. remains aboard USS Golet on eternal patrol. Last communication was late June 1944 Pacific East of Japan. There is no finer man than a United States Submariner. You maintained our freedom.

[@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar]

Never a NH or Maine guy and avoided New London as much as possible.

[@patrickshanley4466]

ANOTHER great episode guys. You are so right that this air battle almost unknown even for those who have read/watched quite a bit on the PTO.

[@paularchibald7734]

Guys, I can't tell you what a joy it is to listen to good historians having fun! I've been playing with CVE-90 booklet of plans, and brother isn't that something to see regarding industrial production! It's just wonderful to see confirmation from other arenas. Thanks again, and see you next time. An old HM2.

[@robbielee2148]

Always avoided the Pacific as a side show, until I found this channel. Not sure yet how or why but you guys have hooked an old Royal Navy enthusiast; I am sure I'll be watching a lot more presentations from this channel. Thx so much for keeping it real. New Subscriber

[@gravelydiggs2139]

Thank you again.

[@ganndeber1621]

Another informative and well presented video, nice one.

[@Les537]

Thanks, boys. Quality content.

[@johndorso502]

Love this episode as I had little info concerning this operation. More on the this geographic area of the war would be very informative.

[@hededcdn]

These guys are great! Glad i stumbled on to this.

[@waynes.3380]

Thanks again for your show and Insights.

[@Squirrelmugger]

Jon has leaned into the shirts before but this particular one aggressively assaulted my optic nerve and called me stupid holy cow.

[@jeffreymartin8448]

Excellent episode. This team has it clicking and kicking.

[@UPNilesCyn]

Another excellent podcast! I was aware of these actions but had never thought to put them in the context of "the open skirmish of the Battle of Leyte Gulf." That's a great insight and really puts these actions in perspective.

[@fredflintstone577]

Just subscribed. Love your passion. Thanks for sharing your incredible knowledge.

[@brushhogg1]

Did a little reading about the Ki-67 "Peggy" bomber. This thing was kind of impressive. It had almost fighter grade speed, very heavy defensive armament and was fully aerobatic, known to have been commonly looped and rolled.... definitely a class above the G4M1. It's Japanese name was Hiryu....

[@Fulcrum205]

An excellent airplane comparable to the A-20 Havoc or Russian Pe-2 but longer ranged and heavier defensive armament. It fell victim to the IJN amd IJA practice of picking a different engine for every single aircraft in service and the slow production that resulted from such silliness.

[@brushhogg1]

They did not have 50 giant warehouses of R-2800's? 😢

[@Fulcrum205]

@@brushhogg1 no. They had 100 different small warehouses each with a different engine inside. One of the smartest moves the US military made was consolidating aero engines into just a few types: the P&W R2800, Wright Cyclone, Allison, Packard Merlin, and Ford Merlin (which became a tank engine).

[@Jakal-pw8yq]

​​​@@Fulcrum205 It seems like on almost every level the IJA and the IJN just could not cooperate and get it together. Too many egos, too much arrogance. Lucky for us, the Japanese over complicated every single battle plan they ever conceived of. And therefore could not execute those plans. For a country that's been around for a couple of thousand years they sure didn't use that knowledge gained over that time to their benefit. Again, lucky for us that nobody agreed. Similar to the Germans with that "Bohemian Corporal" meddling in all the affairs of his military. Look how that worked out for Germany. Or didn't work out I should say. Unlike the Japanese, the Germans had some very very capable Generals and had they been turned loose things would have been much more difficult. The end result would have been the same because Germany could not out produce America. Nobody could at that time and I think that is still the case today in 2024. If we were called on to take a war footing, I pity the country or countries that would be foolish enough to come after us.🇺🇲⚓️👍🙏💖

[@Fulcrum205]

@Jakal-pw8yq the Germans had the same problems. Goring soured relations between the Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, and Wehrmacht. Much of the failure of the Germans to stop the Murmansk convoys can be laid directly at the feet of the Navy and Luftwaffe refusing to cooperate. Albert Speer for all of his wonders in increasing production numbers also screwed up new aircraft development by playing a bunch of silly political games.

[@douglasrice7524]

Whenever I sit down for a KZbin video and hear the lilting piano sending its waves across the waters seen on newsreel war footage from that historic place and time, I know I will learn of significant events and calamitous outcomes that shaped the lives of the generation that followed -- MY generation. Please continue..

[@jammininthepast]

Thank you Seth, Captain Toti & Jon, you are all amazing & interesting WW 2 historians. I thoroughly enjoy your hard work, details and endeavors to share this history. Thanks again, you're appreciated.

[@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar]

Our pleasure!

[@slimeydon]

I LOVE that shirt Jon! I dont think my life will be complete until I get one!

[@terencecowart8759]

As you said, I never heard of this action, Your decision was most informative

[@sprintcarfan87]

Great episode as usual.

[@1redcougar175]

Good job gentlemen for reviewing an episode most know little about!

[@ThePrader]

Thank you. I spent two and a half years living in Taiwan ( 1958-1961), 18 months in a former Japanese Army brick fortress with walls, guard towers with .30 cal machine guns mounted in each tower, with broken glass cemented on top of the walls. This was in the province of Hsinchu while my father was a USA Infantry "advisor" to the Chinese army as a Captain and then Major in the group called "MAAG". Later we moved to a compound outside of Taipei. As a child I had no idea of the history of the country. I went to Catholic mission schools run by the Jesuit Order. I even wore a brown "monk" robe at school. As a child we would explore the mountains around Hsinchu, and the defensive caves the Japanese army dug to defend against air attack. We stumbled across live munitions from time to time from WWII. My dad taught me how to "spot" old mortar shells and call for an MP to remove or disarm the thing. They were everywhere in those caves. I used to play with old bullets of various types I dug up -when dad was not looking. He had an old WWII armored car he drove around in as a "gift" of the ROC Army. When I was 10 years old he took me to "the range" and he and an old Sgt. let me hold "the cadillacs" of a tripod mounted .30 machine gun and shoot off a couple dozen rounds. Some childhood? How many kids get to shoot WWII machine guns I wonder? I guess I had a weird childhood. So, naturally I became a USN officer. Can you do an entire episode just on Taiwan during the Japanese occupation. From what I have learned since a child it was brutal.

[@nltalbottgmail]

Jon and Seth are exceptional WWII historians. Fun to listen to guys who really know their stuff.

[@jago5373]

Great stuff folks.

[@laytonalldredge3948]

Well done!