The Yangtze Incident - Britain's Last Battle in China 1949 (Episode 1) AUDIO PROGRAMME

The thrilling but largely unknown story of the naval battle Britain fought deep inside China up the Yangtze River in 1949. In Part 1, HMS Amethyst is attacked on her to way to Nanking. Can fellow British warship HMS Consort save her?
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Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of War Stories with Mark Felton. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. War Stories with Mark Felton does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
Credits: KZbin Creative Commons; WikiCommons; Google Commons; Mark Felton Productions; War Stories with Mark Felton
Music: "Pursuit" licenced to iMovie by Apple, Inc.
Thumbnail: 'HMS Amethyst Arriving at Hong Kong, 3 August 1949' by Bernard Finnigan Gribble, National Maritime Museum.

[@phbrinsden]

I was a 6 year old boy living in Hong Kong when HMS Amethyst limped into the harbor full of holes and going slowly to keep the sea from entering the lowest shot holes. The harbor was filled with a huge crowd which cheered her in. I still have the images in my memory as a 77 year old now.

[@somethingelse4878]

Thank you sir. Very interesting, you never forget things like that

[@blackrabbit212]

More years ago than I care to remember, I sailed with a man who had been attached to Britain's Far East fleet at the time of the incident. Apparently, the Amethyst made a run for it as the Old Man had run out of gin.

[@jxmai7687]

About 10 years ago I met a British medic veteran in Melbourne Australia, he was must over 90 but still riding a bike pass my shop, on day we have chat, he told me he was a medic in the Birtish- Hongkong base, when HMS Amethyst scape to Hongkong, he was there to take care the injured soldier, he also showed me one small photo about just 1 inch size, that was the HMS Anethyst with full of shell holes, many small one without penetration, but few bigger one did penetrate. you can find more about it here, markfelton.co.uk/publishedbooks/am-under-heavy-fire/ .

[@elrjames7799]

@pbrin How did you, a six year old American boy, get to be living in Hong Kong during 1949?

[@raritania7581]

@@elrjames7799 Why'd you assume that he's American?

[@JohnDoes620]

You are exactly what the history channel should be

[@JohnDoes620]

Jack Starr you must have a lot of friends

[@darthkarnage7538]

@@jackstarr4726 Except there are plenty of details that weren't even on Wikipedia. Also what "globalist version"? Is it the one where the US didn't single-handedly win the war all by itself? Cause it certainly didn't.

[@nriab23]

@@darthkarnage7538 a lot of this information comes from a vast array of books and military reports etc. I've seen a lot of poor popular history channel that give the most basic recounting of ww2 over and over again. and people eat that up. this goes into much more depth

[@oveidasinclair982]

The History Channel is horrible, Mark Felton is the True History Channel.

[@craigdouglas9806]

@@jackstarr4726 REALLY?

[@daddybob6096]

When this action took place i was a lad of 9yo in New Zealand. Later as an adult i joined the NZ Army as an infantry soldier serving in Malaya following the conflict in that country. My 80th birthday is fast approaching on May 30, 2020.

[@raziqrahman1976]

How long were you deployed at Malaya?

[@daddybob6096]

@@raziqrahman1976 1961/63 Terendak Garrison, Malacca, (nice town, nice people, population 75,000 in those days. PM Tunku Abdul Rahman. Singapore PM, Lee Kuan Yew. Both very impressive leaders. Thankyou, Robert W.

[@johnmockingyou7547]

Happy Birthday! In advance.

[@gustini2146]

You’re probably the oldest person I’ve seen to comment on KZbin. Happy early birthday

[@terryharris1291]

Have a good Birthday on the 30th.I served with 1 RNZIR in Malaya -Singapore 1981-1983 .Onward.

[@ScienceChap]

When I was 15, I first saw the movie "The Yangtze Incident", filmed aboard Amethyst herself before she was scrapped. It was a real hero movie, and I was inspired to search for a copy of the book by Lawrence Earl, and then build a scratch-built model of the ship which I still have in my office at home. It's quite amateurish by many standards, but it is recognisably a model of a WW2 ASW sloop. One thing which really sticks in my mind is the story of the ship's cat, Simon, who was awarded a Dickon Medal for his efforts in keeping the rat infestation under control. A little remembered, but wonderful story. Thanks Mark for getting it out there.

[@RayVal53]

Make or acquire a scale cat, deploy into your model, honor them all!

[@barrydysert2974]

Thank you for sharing. 🖖Oh, and 😻

[@63051]

Lawrence Earl is a British. So you wouldn't expect him to write anything other then portray the British as victims just sailing peacefully and innocently along the Yangtze minding their own business. The fact of the matter is that it is just the opposite. Mao has already warned them to stay out of China internal business. But these pompous British bloated with arrogance were thinking they can intimidate China. They believed they were in 1839 with HMS Volage and HMS Hyacinth just like they are insulting and attacking China with their Yankee cohorts today.

[@amaamas6550]

My dad Alan Fawcett was a able seaman on HMS Amethyst God rest him, he passed away age 54yrs

[@LNMarls]

3 things I need in order to survive the Coronavirus Apocalypse: 1. Water 2. Food 3. Dr. Mark Felton's videos

[@rascallyrabbit8548]

23 cans of tuna and litter. - the cat

[@bobsto997]

saving my sanity in lockdown

[@swaghauler8334]

@@rascallyrabbit8548 You forgot the Cracknip!

[@AussieDisciple]

holy bloomin' moly! not 1 but 2 episodes of Dr Felton.... each of 20mnts.... it must be Xmas.... well.... either that..... ....or... its: the CV-19 ;

[@clam4597]

I'm running out of toilet paper.

[@paulspydar]

My Grandfather served on the Belfast , fitting as he was from Belfast. may he rest in peace.

[@connoroleary591]

I met men who had served on the HMS Belfast. They were a great crew and were also engaged in the Korean war.

[@confusedbadger6275]

My father was a stoker on HMS Consort

[@FlexBeanbag]

@@confusedbadger6275 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJ7GaoF8m82rbZY

[@larrybarnes3920]

Respect.

[@ddanh4258]

Mine too.

[@jongray5411]

My grandfather died during this incident rip James Patrick foley x

[@amaamas6550]

My dad Alan Fawcett was on this ship and survived the incident, my elder brother has his medal and photos of Simon the cat and Roley the cook, he also has a pocket watch which belonged to a crew member who had the back of his head blown off RIP all those who perished on HMS Amethyst

[@whipandride4781]

Makes me think of the "Sand Pebble's" with Steve McQueen and his BAR. Still one of my all time favorite McQueen movies.

[@charliemanson4808]

Ahhh boredom relief just when its needed! I couldn't think of a better distraction than Dr Mark. Thank you and I hope you and those close are all safe and well. Peace Charlie 🇬🇧

[@richardwestwell4902]

This tale is told in an excellent movie starring Richard Todd and many other well known actors. Ok so they use a bit of theatrical licence in the movie but on the whole it was well done and most enjoyable to watch. Who remembers the radio operator French and his passion for herring sandwiches. Mind you they had to be "herrings in".

[@theblackprince1346]

@Dennis Moore he helped capture Pegasus Bridge.

[@slartybartfarst55]

@@theblackprince1346 Exactly! The Movie should be treasured

[@theblackprince1346]

@Dennis Moore wasn't that "the longest day"? which was set on d-day.

[@richardwestwell4902]

@wargent99 The name of the movie, funnily enough, is The Yangtze Incident. I have found some short clips on youtube but not the full movie. I already have the movie on a disc a friend downloaded for me years ago. Sorry I can't be more help.

[@Bellakelpie]

For those after a copy of the movie, you can get a DVD copy through Amazon.. www.amazon.com/Yangtse-Incident-Amethyst-NON-USA-Kingdom/dp/B001NDT9WS

[@joshjhane18]

I was in the U.S. Navy, Stationed aboard the U.S.S. Floyds Bay A.V.P. 40,we were anchored when the H.M.S Amethyst arrived from her Yangtze Incident, her after Gun Turret was blown off, Len Tothill, a British Sailor Stationed at British Base, Tamal where the Amethyst was docked, took me aboard the Amethyst,,, by the way Hong Kong then was just a city on Victoria Island, was when the Air Port was still in Kai Tak, before they Built it on the water at Kaloon, I am 94 yrs old now, BUT I do remember things, and I did like it very much then, now it's a mess

[@williaminavanbottle9297]

I worked with one of the seamen involved in the Yanktze incident, at the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh Scotland in 1977. He had the attitude of a man that had had experiences that made everything else...cardboard. To ease the boredom, alcohol was his drug of choice. To me, it did not have any visible effect on his physical or mental dexterity. If only I'd taken him seriously. What we let pass us by in our youth!!!

[@paulcateiii]

thank you Dr. Felton - have a great Sunday

[@richardmiller8028]

Keep them coming Mark, listing to your audiobooks and watching the videos is the only thing I look forward to during the day. Thoroughly enjoyed the bridge busters epic! Thank You 👍🏻

[@WarStorieswithMarkFelton]

Glad you like them!

[@garymckee8857]

Mark you make this social isolation bearable with your videos . Thanks.

[@WarStorieswithMarkFelton]

My pleasure

[@theliquor6423]

@@WarStorieswithMarkFelton My Grandfather (Dennis Shipley) was in China Station 1947-1958 and served aboard HMS Concord, his job was passing the shells up from below decks to X turret during the yangze incident as I understand it.(I may be wrong) but he didn't speak of it and I found out more during his last days under the influence of morphine than anything else. He had terrible nightmares, screaming at someone to "get that f*cking hole plugged up" and at points seemed to be trying to save himself/someone and gesturing as if he had hold of a rope (maybe a shell pierced the hull?), such a gentle giant that had impeccable manners and never swore so this spoke volumes to me. Lest we forget! 🇬🇧✌ p.s thanks for making all these videos, such awesome and well presented content. Please keep it up!

[@suzyqualcast6269]

@Dennis Moore : As a follow on to your valuable detail, in 82 I'M reading room upstairs I was handed a pile of documents which included hand detailed sketches of the German reckoned to be defences obtained by forward commandos in the months before Dday having via rubber boat/mini sub got there to assemble same from an approaches off coast eye view.

[@jona.scholt4362]

"Prepare to repel borders!" I'd imagine that was a command the lieutenant didn't expect to shout when he woke up that morning! And I would suspect he never thought he would be giving a command that probably wasn't issued since the time of Nelson! (@12:20)

[@ExVeritateLibertas]

Back when naval service was actually dangerous.

[@rkelsey3341]

Boarders?

[@jona.scholt4362]

@@rkelsey3341 boarders indeed! I didn't catch that (obviously). Appreciate the proof reading; only wish it was before I posted the comment!

[@scottcharney1091]

Arrrr

[@Peoples_Republic_of_Devonshire]

@@ExVeritateLibertas it's always dangerous

[@rockyhill-viewdairy2164]

Reminds me of an old radio show! Well done, can't wait for the next episode!

[@williamlarson3623]

Another of Felton's excellent works. Thanks.

[@hootsmon4723]

Excellent

[@HankD13]

Always makes me think of the 1962 movie The Sand Pebbles, the fictional gunboat U.S.S. San Pablo set in the 1920's US Yangtze Patrol days (which operated up to 1949). One of my all time favourite movies and a lot more fun than the Yangtze Incident (even though HMS Amethyst played herself!). Lovely history.

[@63051]

Suppose these are favorite "great films" for people who help made Hollywood's "Blackhawk Down" a blockbuster. They can tell their children and grandchildren how America's finest kicked Somalia Mohamed Aidid's fishermen ass in Mogadishu. It is no wonder why you have people who thinks the rest of the world is just filled with hate and enmity when others object or condemn what Uncle Sanction and his lackeys and errand boys do.

[@asmodeus0454]

The film "The Sand Pebbles" starring Steve McQueen was made in 1965/66 and released in December 1966. The book "The Sand Pebbles" by Richard McKenna on which the movie was based was published in 1962.

[@anitamaree9121]

Thank you for your hard work and giving us accurate information. It's really a pleasure following your video's. I honestly appreciate your work. Love South Africa. 2020

[@raskltube]

THIS is what I call a good military story, this channel is the shit. u rock

[@suemiller9842]

Wow, thanks, I need a cup of tea to steady my nerves after this reading. Your narration is magic. Keep safe.

[@WarStorieswithMarkFelton]

You are so welcome

[@maxy1172]

I remember when I first heard of this story doing my own bit of personal research I honestly was surprised this happened this story needs to be told more in my opinion

[@kevnwarriner8819]

There was a film that was maded in 1957 aboard the Amethyst before she was scrapped, called "The Yangtze Incident" i remember watching it as a boy in the 1980's, it's really good watch from what I can remember of it.... PS it starred Richard Todd and is on KZbin on the War Movie's Channel

[@ex0duzz]

British history vs china is not a flattering story for British to tell because they are the bad guys.. it's a history they'd rather bury and be forgotten than reminding everyone British were evil and still owe china trillions for opium war and robbing and destroying chinas treasures etc.

[@JohnDoe-ne4kg]

Thing is, China is the world's second largest movie market. Hollywood wouldn't touch this with a barge pole.

[@Brinkly1000]

Thanks Dr! Another excellent edition.

[@arthurkorff]

yay! thanks so much Mark! First youtuber that is must watch tv

[@teddybrawl]

The addition of a cat on board gripped my heart. Brilliant narration.

[@michaelmorris2243]

Mark, you are the best. Keep up the excellent work. It is very much needed. Thank you very much. Stay safe. 🖖🏽🙋‍♂️🐈✌

[@stephenmichalski2643]

Just popped up now for me........this was really really great.......riveting......tell ya....if this is the way quarantine's gonna be......I hope I'm quarantined for the rest of my life.....and if not.....I'll frickin pretend I am.......this was awesome.......seriously.......GREAT WORK!!!!

[@MililaniJag]

Great movie. Yangtse Incident: The Story of H.M.S. Amethyst 1957. Cheers!

[@MililaniJag]

Oh and it stars the first Doctor Who!!

[@grahammay6917]

Great movie? Totally inaccurate. Consort was my first ship, (‘55). I knew/met most of Consorts survivors at subsequent reunions....a lot of bad feeling because of that film. She attempted three times establish a tow. thirteen men killed in the attempts. There was no one on deck of Amethyst to accept the tow...........

[@MililaniJag]

@@grahammay6917 Inaccurate war movies, unfortunately, are all too common. For what its worth. From a neutral observer pov of the movie, as portrayed, the Consort and her crew did all they could to set a tow. Do you know of a more accurate movie? How about an accurate book? Cheers!

[@grahammay6917]

Rob, alas.....I only have first hand accounts for this one incident. Yes, artistic licence for dramatic effect will always over ride the truth. We have to take most re-enactments with a pinch of salt. Stay safe.

[@motorcop505]

I have a book, "Last Action Hero of the British Empire: CD-R John Kerans 19-5-1985" by Nigel Farndale. He was. Called upon by the Admiralty to go to the rescue of HMS Amethyst. It's a mere 96 pages, but it gives a fascinating account of this incident.

[@ditzydoo4378]

Great story Mark, that deserves to be told. All though I thing the photo labeled H.M.S Amethyst "1950" kind of gave away the end... 0_o

[@josephmountford2292]

Please do some more POW experience and/or escape stories. You have amazing researched details and you are a great story teller!

[@zulphur]

Love this i own a Sailor hat from the HMS Amethyst :-)

[@johnb332]

Wow, that was the fastest 23 mins ever. Great courage shown by our British allies. Sad that so many were killed.

[@dan0alda568]

As usual, excellent, keep them coming please.

[@geoffcartertheoreticalstru6484]

Thanks Mark, cheered me up.

[@WarStorieswithMarkFelton]

Glad to hear it

[@michaeldryden4639]

A few years ago I had the privilege of meeting this old person at the maritime museum in London. He had been a boy sailor on HMS London when it went up the Yangtze to try and rescue Amethyst. A number of his mates were killed when they come under attack. It was fascinating to speak to somebody who was there

[@aldenunion]

Fortunate he was able to speak on it. Brutal to relive I'm sure.

[@TheGreenjacketbilly]

My uncle John was an AB on HMS London during this period. Ive held his medal. Have some black and white pictures of the damage...pretty heavy stuff.

[@aldenunion]

@@TheGreenjacketbilly Did he get a award for that specific action?I hold some amazing and important British groupings,one is DCM grouping from Hill60 Second Ypres 1915..Hold a Boer war grouping as well.They are majestic toned dreams,have not been touched since those who earned.I never even cleaned the Rainbow off as they are in a air-tite case so toning is hindered and frozen in time(I'm afraid to touch the beauty).Both 5 medal groups,that are officially engraved and I have friends at museum who gifted me all they're information.Special to hold such,but even better when from your own kin.

[@TheGreenjacketbilly]

@@aldenunion yes he did like all personnel involved I believe. Naval General Service Medal with a clasp 'Yangste' if memory serves. My cousin, his son, has it.

[@aldenunion]

@@TheGreenjacketbilly Thank you,I am going to look them up,in case I ever see one.Now you mention,I may have already.(Just did not realize what they were from)..Very sad to be caught out in the open when you think your safe and not involved in a dispute. Terrible, prayer's out to those men lost and wounded.Yesterday I was metal detecting along a little stream that runs through town.I found a Silver Plated zinc Nazi Germany party spoon.A soldier must of went for a walk,just back from France (guessing) and to fathom what he just lived through,the sight of that symbol was just to much..Watching your people lost is a miserable and powerful flashback to endure.

[@LazyLifeIFreak]

Personally I'd rather not be anywhere near the amount of hurt when HMS London's 8 inch guns open up on the shore bank.

[@viramati5831]

The first officer Geoffery Weston was a good friend of my mother and step-father and he entered the army legal services after the war (my Step-Father became head of the army legal services). I remember him well as a boy as he was nicknamed 'Chief Roaring Bull' because of his habit of shouting loudly when speaking. Though he had lost a large amount of his lungs he played a furious game of squash and smoked heavily. a real character as they would say. as a boy the film based on this incident was a prep-school favorite

[@robertforrester578]

That's good work. Thanks from Philadelphia

[@MrXdmp]

Thank you for another history story Dr. Felton!

[@user-ro2nn7lt3r]

Damn, manigga Marc Felton over here got no chill ... I been listening to these videos and stuff while I am at work and yet there is always more and they keep popping up... Not that I am complaining in any way, shape or form. :)

[@alanjackson4646]

How English, operating on the injured Ship’s cat whilst under enemy fire ! Why have 90 people disliked this !

[@somethingelse4878]

I've been looking for the film of this for years Thanks mark for the true story 👍

[@pyroromancer]

Intro music is appropriate when you are stuck in traffic and you need to go #2

[@charliemanson4808]

Hope you got there in time!

[@RU-zm7wj]

It's like being inside a bass drum.

[@aldenunion]

You live on the 3rd floor?

[@bradpendleton5675]

Great narration excellent job.

[@IAM-zu9nx]

Mark, first off, thank you for all the great shows you put out. Could you please get your own History show on TV. Our daughter is your age and born in Nuremberg and you are so incredibly knowledgeable and have my respect and thanks. I'm hoping the young people world wide will listen and pay attention and realize how great those men, women, kid's were in the War year's, and the debt all free people owe them

[@joebuchanan3808]

I had heard of this incident and sort of thought I knew what happened, but your video and narration filled in a lot of gaps. Thank you so much. I really enjoy your channel.

[@ProWhitaker]

Thanks for the video

[@pagarb]

I was 8 years when she sailed into HK, watched from a 2nd floor balcony on Chatham Road which at the time had an unobstructed view all the way to Lei Mun pass, the eastern entrance to HK harbor. It was a very different world in those days. Am sure pbrin remembers all the fireworks fired off by local sanpans and junks to welcome her back, it was quite a show. It was a very proud moment for the Royal Navy and a very interesting time to have been there, how much things have changed.

[@63051]

It is indeed a different world. Gunboat Diplomacy may be great in the 20th Century when others like Chinese are armed with Kungfu swords or bow and arrows. Today, this will get you killed or fleeing Kabul shitless in the night from sandals and goat herders.

[@andrewgalea5412]

My father was a Naval officer in the Far East at the time and remembered the whole sordid affair. He lost allot of good friends in this little battle.

[@63051]

Sordid because the British got the snort knocked out of them? Or sordid because Britain was taught a lesson for sticking her where it doesn't belong? It is China's civil war and Chinese business and you were warned. So, go print more of your worthless BNO passport for all those Hong Kong ingrates who took them and are now jobless in UK. But while you are it make sure you have enough money to pay your old folks and retirees. In case you have forgotten, your Liz Truss has looted their savings and pension funds to save the British Pounds. All to please your American Master who was hiking up the Dollar interest rate for America to benefit Americans. You British better get used to Purina Chow for supper.

[@oliversmith9200]

Back for a third viewing of this epic tale. I've been impressed with the incident since seeing the movie on TV in the '60's.

[@andybannister366]

Well done Mark, great review. My Dad was Stoker Bannister.

[@economicsofgeopolitics888]

Your accent and music is so perfect

[@QuizmasterLaw]

"Britain was fighting its last battle in China" A small correction, if I may: "Britain was fighting its MOST RECENT battle in China"

[@joeblow9657]

yes

[@TheJuggernoob1]

👀

[@roryross3878]

Next British ship that tries will get a dozen missiles down the gullet for their troubles.

[@QuizmasterLaw]

@@roryross3878 List of wars Britain lost: 1. American Revolution 2. 0.

[@roryross3878]

@@QuizmasterLaw ... Numbers of British "subjects" sacrificed and outright murdered for the empire: Countless. From globe striding opium pimps to financial middle-men for the American Empire, ohh how far the British ruling class has fallen. Get ready to lose big time if you wake the Dragon.

[@locoo1]

Wow I saw a commercial on your video incredible .

[@LocknessMonster707]

My grandfather Ronald Longman was on the consort. He was a ww2 vet but he always used to say that this was the craziest action he experienced.

[@amaamas6550]

My dad Alan Fawcett was on HMS Amethyst, he was involved in the Yangszte Incident

[@alantodd7048]

My father was aboard HMS Amethyst. He never spoke of the incident.

[@hamishboyd3548]

So was mine. He was a Midshipman and Sub Lieutenant all through the war on the Amethyst and left the ship to join the Fleet Air Arm in 1946, so was thankfully spared this horrific battle. He lost many friend and colleagues, but never spoke of it.

[@torikoerikson7371]

J Peeze Cuz National China leader Chiang Kia-Shem sought shelter from Britain and USA and hoped foreign powerful warship to prevent overwhelming CCP army crossing the Yangtze River. At that time, CCP had controlled most areas in south of Long River and only have banjo raft and fishing-boat for down-south landing operations . But Britain refused to preserve Chiang’s tottering regime. LOL.

[@vincentsong1355]

@@torikoerikson7371 Do you know that if the UK did it, KMT would fail in a even more spectacular fashion? The HMS London and Black Swan were shelled by both Nationalists and Communists as they attempted to rescue HMS Amethyst. Why? They all hated European colonists. The civil war was practically over at that time. Chiang Kai-Shek's diehard followers were wiped out long before the Communists reached Yangtze, and the remaining nationalists simply could not stomach any more wars. 14 years of Japanese invasion on top of four more years of the Chinese Civil War were just too much.

[@ex0duzz]

Course not, they were basically shot at and killed like fish in a barrel. Britains whole history in China is a shameful one. Especislly the two opium wars.. Along with the destruction of the summer palace who's destruction is perfectly preserved until this day as a reminder to every Chinese of Qing China's weakness and the century of humiliation at foreign powers all ganging up against China.

[@larrysimpson6135]

Looking forward to part 2

[@seanmichael9686]

shhhh, currently at work. cheers mark!

[@Cba409]

Omg i need part 2 bro!!!

[@nicholashett6265]

My cousin,Stuart kier Hett briefly took charge as captain of amethyst between captain changes,at the age of 21? Possibly making him the youngest captain of a British ship? The ships cat,Simon was given the dicken medal

[@nicholashett6265]

@@alasdairmmorrison74 I do stand to be corrected,this was the story I was told as a child

[@oveidasinclair982]

The Amethyst was in excellent position to call in artillery from the HMS London with her longer range guns, that way she wouldn't be subjected to point blank shore fire, looking forward to part II.

[@craigclemens986]

Smoke shells would have been helpful

[@slartybartfarst55]

A Great Story. Was well known when I was young. Thanks Mark for bringing it to a new generation.

[@EldredTGlass]

My father served on two American Gunboats in the Yangtse River Patrol in 1920 he was 18 years old

[@mohammadsaida4603]

Nice video thanks first time I heard about 👍👍👍

[@roberthodgins8075]

Great stuff.

[@volvo1354]

we wait for videos now the way a dog waits for its master to come home

[@wolfgang6517]

God, poor cat... that description made me really sad

[@BrettonFerguson]

0:48 "...that threw up great *geezers* of water close to the ship." EDIT: Mark Felton Productions is one of my favorite KZbin channels. I just couldn't help poking fun at British accents when he said *geezers* because in the US it is pronounced Geisers. I had an image of 90 year old men flying out of the water near a ship.

[@WarStorieswithMarkFelton]

And it's spelled 'geysers'.

[@ZEZERBING]

"Throwing geesers "? I feel sorry for those old guys.

[@ZEZERBING]

I know that too. It just caught my attention because we call old people that. Made me laugh.

[@onshisan]

gai-zir/gee-zur, tomato/tomahto... but seriously, let’s just agree to take the aluminium from the lorry up the lift to the laboratory.

[@davidhull1481]

When I lived in Britain I heard that word a lot, and it seemed to mean just guys, not old guys.

[@michaelreeves8164]

Well, what would you do if you were running low on ammo?

[@frederickmiles327]

You rather understate the significance and scale of sending HMS London the Royal Navy's last heavy cruiser, after reconstruction in 1939-40 it would be close to 15,000 tons, and was the only County cruiser with real armour, most of Britain's heavy cruisers relied on speed, and 4 twin turrets to find the range and target first and the hope that a long hull would allow plenty of space for the shells or bombs to go straight the the ship and out the other side. Type 42 and Type 22 were often saved by the same design logic in the Falklands. The London suffered heavy damage from ferocious fire going up river and escorting HMS Amethyst back to HK. When London made it back to Plymouth. The dockyard broke the bad news, that the damage and wear, meant HMS London could not refit again, the news shattered the naval staff much as the similar story, that led to USS Newport News being decommissioned, when it arrived at Norfolk, VA in 1975.

[@vincentsong1355]

HMS London deserved it. By the end of the day, it was shelled by both Chinese nationalists and communists because they all hated the Brits. The incident signals the end of British colonial days in China.

[@BoogurTWang]

My pop was a "CHINA SAILOR" he was in the US-NAVY and his tattoos were as colorful when he passed an '86 as the day he got them

[@billolgaau]

As a young boy I remember this incident being reported on the Radio & we followed the drama day by day. (We didn't get the details of course)

[@brutusbarnabus8098]

@Bill Bray - How are you even still alive?

[@billolgaau]

@@brutusbarnabus8098 I was last time I looked in the mirror :o) (Moses was a friend of mine)

[@brutusbarnabus8098]

@@billolgaau - and you and Jesus were altar boys together? ;)

[@wastedangelematis]

Immeasurably happy right now 🤩😘

[@rgriffinRETIRED_SHEEPDOG]

excellent!

[@blue2sco]

I inherited a photo copy of the Ships log from this incident, need to look it out and give it another read.

[@BerthaGang]

Mark Felton 🐐

[@bungwater1052]

Interesting as a former resident on the yangzhe coast I never heard of this, excellent nonetheless

[@colintraveller]

You could have mentioned that there was a film made about this which Richard Todd played the Ship's Captain in the info below

[@mikecavallaro466]

I have a DVD movie: The Yangtze Incident ( 1957 ) staring Richard Todd. A very good account.

[@grahammay6917]

Mike Cavallaro but totally inaccurate. Consort attempted three times to establish a tow.....there was no one on the stern of Amethyst to accept it. Consort had thirteen killed in the attempt. She was my first ship (six years after the ‘incident’). I knew/met most of the survivors at consequent reunions. A great bunch of men. A lot of bad feeling because of that film...........☹️

[@daledunham9258]

Great as all your productions are

[@Charliecomet82]

"...Empire Day, when we try to remember the names of all those from the Sudbury area who so gallantly gave their lives to keep China British." Monty Python's Meaning of Life

[@zacharywitt4009]

You should make a video on the USS Panay incident!!!

[@somebloke3869]

Yes, I'll be tuning in next time. Mainly to find out what happened to Simon.

[@DrivermanO]

When I was a lad in the late 50s (I was born in 1951) there were a lot magazine articles about this. I read everything I could lay my hands on in those days. Later (early 60s) the Daily Mail ran daily reports on the trial of Adolf Eichmann. Very impressionable to a 10/11 year old.

[@scottcharney1091]

Good boy, Simon!

[@alswann2702]

My father, USN '44-'63, was part of the American blockade of communist China and recalled derisive catcalls from British and French merchant seamen, our former allies, as they ran the blockade at will.

[@alexlyster3459]

sounds like it was probably around the time of the Suez Crisis?

[@paul6925]

That description of the poor guy’s liver lying outside his body ...

[@erc9468]

0:46 - Great "GEEZERS" of water. Gotta love those angloisms.

[@xmlthegreat]

The word is Geyser.

[@erc9468]

@@xmlthegreat LOL. I just like mocking the British on the use of their own language.

[@elrjames7799]

Although originally built as a sloop, hadn't Amethyst been modified into a frigate (designated F 116) by 1949?

[@therealunclevanya]

I've been a subscriber for quite a while yet this video (and others) has only just popped up. I suspect YT are throttling your channel Mark. They are purging/demonetising again. In other news, I am very distantly related to Lieutenant Commander Kerans.

[@lovethesmellofracefuelinth7374]

Wow that's an interesting story, and is also cool how our boys respected the dead British soldiers. Although it sounds like something they would do, and are usually decent people for the most part 🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@lovethesmellofracefuelinth7374]

@wargent99 I'll have to agree with you on that, the vast majority of the media does suck and really are the enemy of we the people

[@rutabagasteu]

@@lovethesmellofracefuelinth7374 Trumper.

[@lovethesmellofracefuelinth7374]

@@rutabagasteu yep and proud of it 💪🏼😎🇺🇸

[@kyleclark7947]

@wargent99 agreed!

[@scottb4579]

@wargent99 "Rope. Tree. Journalist. Some assembly required." LOL Love how concise you are. I'm American and that's about right isn't it? Bunch of leftist propaganda artists dividing our nation they are.

[@nonamesplease6288]

I seem to recall a movie made in the 1950's about this incident.

[@obiwanrussell1747]

There was, "The Yangtse Incident" starring Richard Todd made in 1957. Much of it was filmed aboard the Amethyst herself, but all shots of her moving were a sister ship as she had already been decommissioned. Instead of China, they went all the way to Harwich to film it.

[@jxmai7687]

@@obiwanrussell1747 haha, try to go back to the same river for make the movie, see what could be happen, think about it so funny lol

[@nutjob9100]

I hope Simon the cat pulled through 🐈

[@lexington476]

22:43 ugh, a cliffhanger ending 🤘😀.

[@airplanemaster1]

8:19 Making her way down stream, steaming fast, and she's war bound

[@WildBill-kf2pc]

What a story !

[@michaeldryden4639]

Far from being upset about the incident he had set up a stall in the Maritime Museum with maps and documents. When he realised I was very interested he gave me the full story. I have found that a lot of survivors of terrible incidents when they find you are interested in them will open up. I guess after what they have been through nothing frightens them . There are of course exceptions my next door neighbour was in Churchill tanks during the war and he had nightmares when he went to sleep.