The Scrap Iron Flotilla - Australian Destroyers in the Mediterranean

[@Drachinifel]

Pinned post for Q&A :)

[@edwarddunne2758]

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

[@Knight6831]

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

[@Knight6831]

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

[@ratboi9770]

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

[@Knight6831]

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

[@thursty4836]

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

[@khaelamensha3624]

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

[@mastathrash5609]

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

[@riverraven7359]

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

[@sadwingsraging3044]

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

[@Benepene]

Life is good afterall

[@Cato-the-Antipodean]

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

[@fluffly3606]

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

[@bigships]

@@fluffly3606 😂😂😂

[@SennaAugustus]

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

[@georgethomas9040]

My favourite I've read, while not related to the Med or navy, was a couple of blokes in the pacific, where it's been raining non stop for weeks, finally it lets up for a bit and stops, one bloke says 'I wonder what this place is like when the drought's over'

[@VeraTR909]

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

[@Dave_Sisson]

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

[@rosiehawtrey]

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

[@mariuspontmercy2736]

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

[@aaronleverton4221]

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

[@sgrb387]

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

[@YaMomsOyster]

We need a V class once again.

[@thomaswhitelake]

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

[@petercastles5978]

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

[@thomaswhitelake]

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

[@airplanemaniacgaming7877]

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

[@TheLesserWeevil]

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

[@khaelamensha3624]

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

[@PalleRasmussen]

The guy coughing is one of the veterans.

[@Around_blax_dont_relax]

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

[@kentvesser9484]

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

[@TheLesserWeevil]

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

[@draco84oz]

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

[@glenchapman3899]

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

[@petercastles5978]

The Rats were supplied by the Scrap Iron Flotilla. No Tobruk without them.

[@mrmodelmaker9767]

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

[@contrapunctusrex2499]

m8 sameo!

[@davidwhite6878]

Too right mate!

[@DanielA-sk8oh]

Same!!!

[@philipjooste9075]

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

[@45641560456405640563]

Yes that's a good topic idea.

[@captain61games49]

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

[@davidmuller8084]

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

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

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

[@neilwilson5785]

Great idea

[@SaintlyAussie]

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

[@rictusmetallicus]

He's Bruce from the naval department

[@nl-oc9ew]

@@rictusmetallicus g'day Bruce!

[@the13inquisitor59]

@@rictusmetallicus It'll be this.

[@popefang]

Good evening ladies and Bruces

[@thatsme9875]

@@popefang touche !!

[@mpersad]

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

[@kingbillycokebottle5484]

In Australia they're mythologised, of course we recorded them, gotta show the future what a legend looks like. Used to be as a middle class kid ya had three options, the trades, university or the services. So these stories became pretty important to recruiting the next generation, kids sitting on pops lap hearing war stories has inspired men to war since we first clubbed someone else with a rock.

[@Big_E_Soul_Fragment]

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

[@inyobill]

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

[@kevintemple245]

Worked for Taffy 3's escorts.

[@eligedzelman5127]

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

[@aitorbleda8267]

I think it would have probably worked

[@Aelxi]

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

[@scott2836]

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

[@issacsmith3169]

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

[@kevintemple245]

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

[@issacsmith3169]

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

[@kmech3rd]

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

[@khaelamensha3624]

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

[@alphachad4631]

Haha nice one I quit my job today as well hey

[@sixstringedthing]

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

[@robertstone9988]

Miserable wet gloomy rainy day here in Indiana as well.

[@admDanRyan]

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

[@roybennett9284]

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

[@bearcatracing007]

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

[@Princeofbelka]

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

[@Ricky40369]

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

[@cheesedetectiverook5950]

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

[@samuelmathis3483]

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

[@nickabbott6278]

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

[@aaronleverton4221]

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

[@peregrinemccauley5010]

What a gem of a documentary .

[@lilianaadamcewicz8320]

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

[@glenchapman3899]

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

[@airplanemaniacgaming7877]

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

[@18robsmith]

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

[@merafirewing6591]

*DOOM music intensifies*

[@sugarnads]

😂😂👍🏿

[@1987palerider]

@@merafirewing6591 Rip and tear

[@airplanemaniacgaming7877]

@@merafirewing6591 _Meathook intensifies_

[@corriewilliams752]

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

[@davidhuddy3581]

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

[@marcbondura2987]

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

[@kilotun8316]

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

[@mikefields3089]

Thank you for keeping real history alive.

[@beckster181]

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

[@michaelthompson342]

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

[@hans_von_twitchy1014]

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

[@EndsBeginning]

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

[@nunyabusiness1846]

*were awesome

[@EndsBeginning]

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

[@airplanemaniacgaming7877]

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

[@TannithVQ]

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

[@david__w7964]

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

[@Hollywood113807]

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

[@briannicholas2757]

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

[@gl3618]

Australians are AWSOME to be around. Was with them in Kandahar Afghanistan. Lax standards on hair and uniform, but utmost professionals on their skills. Commanded a respect and admiration of their ability as military personnel to be uniformed AND happy. lol! Wish I could have swapped to the Australian Infantry. Had an amazing Australian captain with ANSF DEV get me their hat with the Australian Infantry badge, which I honor more than any company/battalion/brigade coin I ever got. It is more important to me than my bronze star, and the AAMs I got that were supposed to be ARCOMs with honor (E3s don’t get those according to the command staff who sat on the FOB like frogs on Lilly pads). Mad respect for the Australians, cheers mates!

[@goodshipkaraboudjan]

What year(s)? A family member was based with the SOTG out of Kandahar. No ranks, patches, shaving or haircuts was their SOPs. It was around the same time a US Humvee went missing and the same day one was rolling around doing KFC runs with a kangaroo stenciled on the side which caused a bit of a stir.

[@bullettube9863]

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

[@tgmccoy1556]

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

[@edwinlamont4187]

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

[@Chironex_Fleckeri]

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

[@scottyfox6376]

Laconic humour..

[@AnimeSunglasses]

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

[@the13inquisitor59]

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

[@normantrewin2708]

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

[@historydoesntrepeatitselfb7818]

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

[@johnevans7261]

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

[@chiseldrock]

Thanks for your service. Never forget!

[@simonf8902]

Thank you for showing off this extraordinary service. ❤

[@comtepseudonyme2144]

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

[@BuildYourOwnBoat]

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

[@robertibert9269]

Amazing story thanks for having it told.

[@Ebonyqwe]

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

[@nigelleyland166]

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

[@BenPortmanlewes]

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

[@KyriosMirage]

I've long maintained that a destroyer with nothing to lose was the most dangerous fighting force in WWII, and these five certainly lived up to that.

[@tracenjez]

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

[@earlyriser8998]

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

[@markspiers64]

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

[@Bismarck-ns8ql]

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

[@stephenchapman4440]

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

[@jimlatosful]

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

[@rydplrs71]

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

[@danielhammersley2869]

Awesome story retelling there with the veterans included Drach!

[@bushyfromoz8834]

Oh my God!!! I have waited for this forever!!!!

[@elnrik8655]

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

[@Bill3528]

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

[@loonatticat]

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

[@jaysonlima7196]

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

[@Wolfeson28]

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

[@matthewgustafson5225]

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

[@stephendecatur189]

Wonderful job. Thanks Drach

[@paulamos8970]

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

[@f1b0nacc1sequence7]

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

[@firestorm165]

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

[@kevintemple245]

Because it's my birthday?

[@IanSinclair77]

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!!!

[@peanut1412]

Lest we Forget

[@Dave_Sisson]

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

[@mflashhist500]

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

[@ukaszgornowicz4770]

Iam in total impress of your materials. Jestem pod wielkimi wrażeniem oglądając Twoje materiały! Wielki fan!

[@ricklotter]

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

[@michaeldonahoo461]

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

[@edwardloomis887]

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

[@andrewarmstrong7254]

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

[@mickmaxtube]

This is gold. Thanks Drach

[@Jordy120]

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

[@nohandle257]

Absolutely mesmerizing! One of your very best productions!!

[@vespelian5769]

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

[@moosifer3321]

One of your best, Bravo RAN, nice vid Drach!

[@workingguy-OU812]

My word... beyond excellent video. Thank you to the History Guild.

[@freddywarren69]

Been waiting for this for so long! Yes.

[@jamesbrown4092]

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

[@johnfairhurstReviews]

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

[@pbeccas]

I really enjoyed this one. Great work.

[@SC-vq4zc]

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

[@whiskeytangosierra6]

Very informative and good hearing the voices of those who were there. Thanks to the History Guild for their participation.

[@supercrew63]

this was an awesome episode never knew that much about the Aussie DD's in WW2...

[@stringpicker5468]

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

[@guyplachy9688]

I asked for this video quite some time ago in the Pinned Post &, as a former serving member of the RAN, I'm glad to see that you have gotten around to covering these little heroes. Thank you, Drach!

[@aaronlea9559]

thank you so much all of you

[@Jon.A.Scholt]

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

[@lightwalker222]

They are lovely, aren't they?

[@airplanemaniacgaming7877]

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

[@therealuncleowen2588]

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

[@dercoomer8343]

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

[@packetofbirdseed7814]

Been waiting for this video for a very long time

[@willarth9186]

Brilliant as always and your history lessons are always looked for and appreciated...

[@lukebaker1167]

top job once again man!!! from Aussieland!!

[@andrewp8284]

This was fantastic, thank you for putting this together for us!

[@strydyrhellzrydyr1345]

That was one Hell of an amazing video Drach... Really nice. I absolutely loved it, it was done extremely well... Beautiful stories

[@bigsarge2085]

Learned something new, thanks!