The 1925 US Fleet Visit to Australia

In 1925 the United States decided to send a significant naval fleet on a visit to Australia and New Zealand. The press emphasized goodwill, and events like sports contests between US sailors and local residents. But the voyage had much deeper, and more complex, diplomatic goals.
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This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
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Script by THG
#history #thehistoryguy #Australia

[@claytondennis8034]

With a decade of service in the US Navy, I can attest that a port visit to Australia is still the highlight of a Western Pacific Deployment.

[@kcinkg]

What ship(s)? I was in Guam in mid 90’s when an Aircraft carrier came into Apra Harbor , The Independence I believe, I rode a JetSki nearly under the overhang while the crew and planes were mustered on deck. Not something I will ever forget, it was immense.

[@dr.froghopper6711]

I witnessed but never experienced a WestPac cruise. My job was in intelligence and such trips were not gonna happen. But I had buddies that went on a couple. Sea Stories around the caveman tv kept many of us entertained for days.

[@ELCADAROSA]

Retired USN here ... if you're still in, stay in.

[@davidhovde9996]

​@@kcinkg😊)p9

[@henryvegter8773]

Same here with deployments ‘83 - 2003. Sydney, Bunbury and Perth. Aussies are great people to hang out and party!

[@MrLunithy]

Australian from Darwin here, I remember when my grandfather explained me how the US boat defended Darwin to the end. He was a RAAF Halifax navigator and felt it was important that more Australians knew this. I myself thank all US people for there service o7.

[@spoddie]

ex Australian Army officer here, I've never heard of this visit. What an incredible fleet.

[@banhatlessducks]

Thanks for serving our country mate, Vic 😎

[@richardkeilig4062]

Same here. I knew of the Great White Fleet, but not this one. I believe the main intent was one of peace. This was 1925, not 1939. An American and Aussie.

[@richardkeilig4062]

Well done. I learned a great deal. God bless.

[@jindalee4471]

It was actually a siege demanding the commonwealth to pay war reparations

[@chrislehman255]

As a former US Navy officer and someone who attended high school in Melbourne 30 years after the fleet's visit, I have to admit that I had never heard about this piece of Australian and USN history. In my time as a school boy in Australia, the major US/Australian celebration was the Coral Sea Day. It was a way to acknowledge that the battle helped insure that Australia would not be invaded and to thank the US for its role not only in that battle but in winning the war in thePacific. On another topic, I have the same WWI recruiting poster in my office that is over the History Guys left shoulder. The illustrator is Howard Chandler Christy who was a very well known portrait painter, combat artist, muralist and illustrator. The model was Helen G. O'Neill.

[@luigivincenz3843]

Thanks for the info. THG's background items sure looks very interesting and they each deserve an episode.

[@roderick2105]

HI Chris . Which high school in Melbourne did you attend ??

[@chrislehman255]

@@roderick2105 I went to Melbourne Grammar in 1955-56.

[@roderick2105]

@@chrislehman255 Its a small world !!

[@SSgtB0311]

One of best times I had in the military was visiting Australia as a United States Marine! They respect the United States Marines! It was a blast making port calls to Darwin, Perth and Sydney!

[@xgford94]

My Grandfather was in the Australian Army 39 to 46 and used to tell me the only US fighting man worth buying a beer for was a US Marine, and that the US Army was the best polished turd in history. This attitude had everything to do with how well the USMC had done on Guadalcanal and how poorly the US Army did at Buna-Gona (were my Grandfather was injured by a Japanese hand grenade) . P.s. @SSgtB0311 thank you for your service. And your contribution to our economy 😂

[@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606]

@@xgford94lmao if it wasn’t for the US army all of Western Europe would still be speaking German and raising their right arms. The Army’s poor performance in the pacific is due to the army not being organized for use as a expeditionary force. That’s always been the job of the Marines, go in loud, hard and fast and leave it for the army to nation build afterwards.

[@sweetchristmas101]

@@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606 It's more likely Western Europe would be speaking Russian and the US would be living in fear of the Red Menace and their nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles.

[@lookoutforchris]

@@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606compared to what’s happening in Europe today is that actually seen as bad?

[@lizj5740]

Just reminding everyone that, during the Viet Nam war, U.S. Marines were not allowed to spend their R&R time in Australia.

[@ArtieKendall]

Nearly 100 years later, the Australia-U.S. alliance remains as important as it ever was. It's good to be reminded that our ties have a strong history in times of stability and uncertainty.

[@douglassauvageau7262]

The AUKUS alliance is the latest formal expression of those ties.

[@wirebrushofenlightenment1545]

@@douglassauvageau7262 Apart from carefully pretending that there are no nuclear weapons onboard the vessels when they visit New Zealand ...

[@comicus01]

@@wirebrushofenlightenment1545 NZ explicitly does not even allow nuclear powered ships to visit, so no aircraft carriers or submarines. And those are the only ones that I'm aware of that carry nuclear weapons. We don't have a need for ships with nukes to visit NZ, so if they don't want to allow them to visit, I don't see why we would try and push the issue, or do it secretly.

[@wirebrushofenlightenment1545]

@@comicus01 I thank you for your considered and convincing reply, however I was quite drunk when I wrote the original comment, so can't quite find a context for discussion. Your point, however, stands.

[@obriets]

When you look at Australia and New Zealand’s defense postures, you may be inclined to think their armed forces are not very large or powerful. However, you also need to look over their shoulders behind them, because those two countries have a lot of friends in the world, and those friends haven’t forgotten that these two countries were always there in their own times of need.

[@IdleDrifter]

I loved my port visit to Australia back in 2002. The people were friendly and we bought each other a few rounds of beer. Good times.

[@dartharpy9404]

Thanks as an Australian. Indeed a history that should not be forgotten

[@Ashley-wm7ix]

Thank you for enlightening and educating us to a forgotten diplomatic piece of US naval history. The bond between our nations is deeper than diplomacy. They are family. Later, with most of the named battleships resting on the bottom of Pearl Harbor, America sent what it could to defend Australia with an asiatic squadron led by the USS Houston. They fought valiantly as brothers in arms with Australians. The first bloody naval battles of the Pacific in WW2 were to defend and prevent the Japanese from invading Australia. Australians have never forgotten that, and have fought side by side with Americans ever since. Australians and New Zealanders visiting America are always welcome to sit at our dinner table with us. 🇦🇺🇺🇸🇳🇿

[@johnlashua3805]

As a historian, I've always been astonished that Australia has never been invaded, to speak of in WWII. In fact, American news of Hawaii Invasion was to congeal the South Pacific Allies way before Japanese ever inspired to control the Pacific.

[@historymatters6627]

Lovely thing to say, you're always welcome to a barbie if you make another 1925 style visit.

[@-SANDMAN-]

I’m a former U.S. Marine and lived and worked inAustralia for about a year and a half between 2017 and 2018. I had never heard of this 1925 visit. Great video!

[@geoffballe8766]

You come back anytime brother 🇦🇺

[@georgecaserta2360]

Had the pleasure of visiting Fremantle and Perth. As part of crew of Kitty Hawk. The Australian people are still an amazing hosts

[@johnqpublic2718]

The grammar within your comment is not amazing, however.

[@RetiredSailor60]

Thanks for your service Shipmate...

[@VultureSkins]

⁠@@johnqpublic2718You don’t need to have perfect grammar to be understood, and because KZbin comments aren’t a formal space, I don’t think it matters much.

[@georgecaserta2360]

@johnqpublic2718 yeah think faster than I type lol

[@ntvypr4820]

@@johnqpublic2718 One excess word and you Captain Dunsel go nuts. So why don't you go do that anatomically impossible thing to yourself. See? All that is grammatically correct, so I fixed it.

[@user-vs1oh9dn6h]

So special to see this. My grandfather, Joseph F. Still, Gunner's Mate 2nd Class, USS MISSISSIPPI BB-41 was on board. I have his tour book from this cruise.

[@historymatters6627]

WOW, how cool

[@darrenmonks4532]

I'm a 53 year old Australian History teacher, who did 4 years in the infantry (when a lot younger). I fully support our US alliance. Our military, on a personal/individual level - know no better mates/buddies/cobbers/comrades/pals than the Yanks.

[@AnthonyOMulligan-yv9cg]

I'm Irish born with an American Grandmother and an Australian Grandmother, I've been here in Oz 34 year's......and I've known of 5 wonderful Marriages between US servicemen and Aussie Gal's, 3 of my own generation (50-60)

[@ronaldfazekas6492]

Wow--I thought I knew US History, but I did not know of this visit--56 ships!--My dad was a radar crewman in the USAAF in WWII and was attached to the RAAF in Australia and New Guinea--My dad had nothing but wonderful memories of the Aussies!

[@geoffpilcher2460]

U.S.S Canberra commisioned in Sydney 22 July this year so a pleasant surprise to have this vid of a U.S fleet all those years ago.

[@RHatakeyama1961]

My grandfather was greatly impressed with admiral Coontz’s fleet visit to Hawaii before they sailed to Australia. Named my dad after him. Out of 8 kids, my dad was the only one not to have been given a Japanese first name. Dad turned 98 this past June

[@historymatters6627]

Hope he kicks on quite a few more mate

[@johnthomas2485]

When Congress balked at Roosevelt sending the fleet, and threatened to not fund it, Roosevelt responded "I will sail the fleet halfway around the world, if Congress sees fit to leave it there, so be it." That might not be a perfect quote but it's pretty close. Obviously, this wasn't this cruise, but still love that quote.

[@roderick2105]

A wonderful quote !!

[@BlueNeahno]

I remember a story of an Australian house wife standing at the kitchen sink during the uncertain early days of possible Japanese invasion as Australia was pretty much on its own.She looked out onto the Brisbane river with woe as surely this must the start of the Japanese invasion.A navy ship was making its way down the river however to her great joy it flew the Stars and Stripes..’now we are safe’ she beamed. And we were.

[@johnfun3394]

Thanks, Australia is the only country I ever wanted to visit. Probably on video is the closest I will get. Isn’t that life!

[@PeterPaoliello]

Come on down!

[@historymatters6627]

You aint dead yet, come visit.

[@terrencecoccoli524]

Australian ties have always been important to America, as far as I can remember. A lot of mutual respect on both sides.

[@mflashhist500]

This visit was another in a series of stepping stones that brought US and Australia closer together. It is interesting to note that our bond is now so strong that the new USS Canberra, Littoral Combat Ship, was officially commissioned in Sydney last week. A historic first time that a US Navy vessel has been commissioned outside of the USA.

[@1337flite]

Unfortunately I believe both LCS classes of the USN are being decommissioned.

[@RetiredSailor60]

Was hoping to get to see Australia while I was in the Navy, but wasn't to be. Fair Winds and Following Seas shipmates past, present, and future. OS1(SW/AW) USN Retired....

[@timthepilot]

Wondeful and informative video good Sir! My Great-Grandfather instructed and served with the Americans in the First World War. Gen. Sir John Monash chose the 4th of July 1918 to commence the Battle of Hamel. This was a great mark of respect for the dough boys who took part in their first contact with the Germans under the watchful care of their Aussie Digger mates. We've been close allies ever since. I alongside my father and grand fathers have served alongside our Yank mates along the 20th and 21st centuries. We are very different but we're more similar than we make out. Thank you again Mr History!

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/sH2Te3uGeZWohc0

[@timthepilot]

I had a sneaky suspicion you had already made a video referencing that piece of history.

[@gtopp9619]

I can attest to the warmth of the Australians. When we docked at Darwin, we had a tremendous welcome by the citizens. Truly a wonderful country.

[@heritagehillsecurity8778]

Australians give a very generous welcome to USN today, too.

[@DuckReach432]

A child born in the year Australia was Federated into a nation would have been twenty-four years old at the time of this visit.

[@michaelpeters5696]

Didn't know this footage was out there. My grandfather was on the Nevada on that cruise -got his fleet book and pictures still. Too cool.

[@oldmanriver1955]

The Great White Fleet visit scared the sh-ts out of Sydney-siders and was a prime reason for very strong support for the Royal Australian Navy. The force envisaged was to be capable of defending our sea-lanes = a battle cruiser (HMAS Australia, flagship), cruiser division (Melbourne, Sydney of SMS Emden fame and a seaplane tender Adelaide). Interestingly enough, the fleet would have sailed over the scuttled flagship, a result of the Washington Naval Treaty. 5:24

[@-jeff-]

A timely piece of history since at this time all branches of the US military are in Australia paticipating in "Talisman Sabre" in joint exercises with their military.

[@barryallison-ut2ux]

Not all branches . Where is the Coast Guard ???

[@ntvypr4820]

@@barryallison-ut2ux Guarding the Coast? There WAS a WAR on, y'know..

[@billmago7991]

I visited the uss bainbridge in 1970 . We took two sailors for a trip around Sydney the next day. Great fun for a young kid ,nice guys I still have the pic of me, with them ,me wearing a US sailors hat they gave me.🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@adriaandeleeuw8339]

My Step father made comment about the fleet which he went to see when he was 10 in Melbourne when I was younger. I was not aware it was so large, My sister lives in a bayside town called Rye and all ships entering and leaving the Port Phillip Bay must literally go past her lounge room window. She has seen some majestic ships pass by including US Carriers.

[@Aramis419]

My great uncles, who served in the Pacific in WW2 would always tell me, "Don't date a girl in Australia. You're probably related."

[@every1665]

I remember when the (now decommissioned) USS Ranger aircraft carrier visited Fremantle in 1992. Those were the days when the public could still go onboard. Utterly amazing piece of machinery and then people who keep it all happening. Big respect for the USA!

[@JohnPaul-ii]

US Navy should start planning a fleet visit in 2025 for the centenary. Definitely won’t bother the Japanese this time.

[@marckyle5895]

It won't kill us to send an Arleigh Burke or Ticonderoga.

[@bernardkroeger4045]

Yer, but the Chinese will get a little riled. They own all the South Pacific don't they?

[@johngreen3543]

Or better yet, put out a stamp. That way all Americans who use the mails can find out about "Hands Across the Pacific".

[@presidentxijinpingspoxdoct9756]

And most of us Aussies still hold the good old USA in great affection.

[@dementionalfed]

I have a couple of the information booklets that were made for the navy sailors for their visit. It highlights notable locations to visit and events that were being held. It's really interesting

[@michaelpeters5696]

Is that the 1/2 inch thick book, with the names and ports and such? My grandfather on the Nevada took a few of those pics.

[@sevysnape]

As an Aussie that's a very interesting story that I wasn't aware of thanks for sharing. I do recall my grandmother telling me that when she was young she used to go out with a sailor from San Diego here in Melbourne around that time in history, apparently she was a bit of a rebel and had to sneak out the window of a night to see him because her mother was a very strict and straight laced 1800's born woman.

[@jeffbangkok]

Another excellent end to my evening. Good night

[@gswombat]

Just in passing... I met a fellow in the early 1960s (I was about 8 years old, but an unusual 8 year old) who had visited Melbourne as part of The Great White Fleet in 1909 (yes, a different event to this) and after returning to the US chose to live in Melbourne. He had so many wonderful stores to tell. Sadly, I have forgotten his name. I do remember that he was in his early 90s.

[@chokkan7]

I had the good fortune to be stationed abourd the USS Blue Ridge in 1986 when the US Navy paid a similar visit to Oz. I'd read about the continent since my youth and was fascinated with its history. Our ship made port in Sydney, Mebourne, Perth, and Darwin. The trip was a pivotal point in my personal development and I had the time of my life; the Aussies were extremely hospitable...can't say enough good things about them.

[@ntvypr4820]

Wonderful video. I remember well reading of Teddy Roosevelt's dispatching the Great White Fleet on it's travels around the world, but I never heard of this story. The things THG finds to show us in relation to it are just fantastic. But seeing such things also makes me proud of both our countries and greatly gratified to see the affectionate welcome shown the the U.S. fleet by all the people of Australia. The brotherly bond between nations is always wonderful to see. Being close allies with the U.K it can only stand to reason that same relationship would be extended to Australia just as it is to other UK Commonwealth countries. Canada, etc.. Wonderful video, Sir...

[@roderick2105]

I am Australian, but I'd never heard of this naval visit even though the American fleet dropped anchor in my hometown of Melbourne, so long ago. It was long before my time. But members of my ageing generation, continue to have a profound admiration, and sincere gratitude to the US Navy for overcoming hostile Japanese forces through-out the Pacific campaign. Without that same US Navy and its dedicated sailors , Australia and Australians would now be speaking Japanese !! Many thanks for this really great history lesson !!!

[@goto8438]

I remember reading a handout booklet about "the great white gleet" visit at my grandmothers house in Sydney.

[@Kitsambler]

The logistics of navigation in Australian waters, chart familiarity, resupply and refueling arrangements, communication details and other infrastructure knowledge that can only come first-hand would prove invaluable in the coming war. Although we call it "The Battle of the Coral Sea", it was really "The Battle for Australia".

[@1967hashem]

😊 God bless the string Alliance between the USA and Australia who have fought side by side in every war since 1917 down to Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.

[@brettmitchell1777]

It’s a bit of a stretch, but both Australia and America sent troops to fight in the Boxer Rebellion in China 1900/1.

[@1967hashem]

@@brettmitchell1777 I'm sure the Chinese haven't forgotten.

[@stoneyascension7250]

During WWII, the US Navy saved Australia from invasion. Many US lives were lost on land, sea, and air in order to save our country. God bless America, Australians may truly say.

[@SonofDaVinci4]

There was a unique restaurant I ate at during a port visit of the USN ship I was stationed on. It was delicious and thought I visited something truly Australian. It was an Outback. After the cruise, I learned it was a large chain of restaurants ha ha.

[@garydargan6]

There are a number of coastal fortifications around Australian ports dating from the time of the Crimean War. Initially Australia's remoteness was viewed as a protection from possible invasion by Russia until the unannounced overnight arrival of a much earlier American flotilla in Sydney Harbour

[@paulhicks3595]

Thank you, I had no idea - probably because my parents were only infants when the fleet visited Melbourne. And yet I was well aware of the Great White Fleet and the notorious Confederate raiding ship The Shenandoah which famously spent some time in Melbourne in 1865 making a huge impression then and a lasting local legend. BTW this ships story would be an excellent one for you to tell.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXu6m4embKl7e80

[@sealteamsix1784]

imagine sailing across the literal pacific ocean in 1865.

[@tedbadje3430]

There were some in the UK government who were contemplating war with the U.S. during the 1920s because of the size of the US Navy. Luckily, that didn’t happen, and the UK and Australia are our steadfast allies.

[@seanlander9321]

Not since 1942 when Britain turned in Australia, have the UK and Australia been steadfast allies. In fact later, in the occupation of Japan and then the Korean War, the British were under Australian command because neither America or Australia trusted their resolve.

[@mr.naughtypants7069]

If the UK would've did that, the US would've sunk half their fleet. And when WWII rolled around, they'd be speaking German. No help from the US. The US may have been Allied with Germany.

[@luigivincenz3843]

never heard of that. Why would the Brits wage war with America in the 1920's? Didn't they learn their lesson less than 200 years previous?

[@davidlea-smith4747]

Given what was to happen this visit seems a very farsighted decision by the US. My grandfather fought side by side with American soldiers in Papau New Guinea and Australians should be grateful to the US for everything they did for Australia in WW2.

[@hctim96]

And what Australia did for the US!!!

[@ntvypr4820]

If you've ever seen the HBO Miniseries "The Pacific" about the WWII fight against the Japanese, It has an episode that shows an R&R Stop in Australia by the U.S. Marines and soldiers that had been fighting at Guadalcanal (I think it was that one) and the kindness shown (as well as a couple of the frictions) to the many American soldiers was depicted quite well I think.

[@AB-ez4rm]

Australians should never forget what they did for the US during WW2. They provided the support and supplies and land base operations that were needed.

[@frankb4517]

From an American, may we never forget the sacrifices of the many brave “Diggers” who fell on the Kokoda Trail.

[@mystikmind2005]

'Grateful' might not be exactly the right word, since it is not America saving Australia from an Australian/Japanese war.... It was primarily an American/Japanese war. A better way of putting it is to be 'mutually grateful' for the sacrifices made on both sides to stop the Japanese.

[@davidsargent9359]

What a sight that must have been! The power, the might and beauty of such a fleet would’ve made one feel rather small.

[@AC_WILDCARD]

I have 2 original photos from a sailor of the Oklahoma from her visit to Melbourne. Out of all my originals of Oklahoma photos they are 2 of my favorites.

[@jamesmoss3424]

One day I will go to Australia 🇦🇺. 😀👍

[@adriang6259]

You'd be welcome, mate.

[@bluevibesmusic9837]

Thank-you so, so much for publishing this video. I am a military history buff, and I didn't know about this 1925 US Fleet visit to Australia. Amazaing stuff.

[@daz746]

In 1987/88 I was based in Perth as an Australian Army Engineer when the USS Missouri visited. My fellow Sappers and i got to meet and party with sailors of the US Fleet and a fine time was had by all. A great bunch of blokes. Good times.

[@ChiefMac59]

Thought I knew a lot about US naval history, but this was new to me

[@RailfanDownunder]

Superb work Sir ... I knew of the visit of the Great White Flett but not this later visit

[@jeffjeziorowski8612]

I’d be curious to know how many famous officers from WWII were there?

[@historymatters6627]

Couple of pics of Melbourne with the Yankee sailors marching down is amazing, you can pick the exact spot as some of the old buildings remain. Our fondness for the US Navy only grew, and we owe our endless gratitude to their sacrifice, esp at Coral Sea. Never forgotten. Forever mates.

[@dennisboulais7905]

Great episode. Never heard of this visit before.

[@peterarmstrong8613]

Melbourne boy here, (64yo). I’m amazed this happened in my home town and I didn’t know this huge event even happened. Thank you.

[@AndrewCastlemaine]

Perhaps rather bizarrely, the visit of the Confederate ship the Shenandoah in 1865 is the visit local history books in Victoria tend to focus on more

[@kcinkg]

This was a great episode, the pacing and cadence was perfect, easier to follow than some previous episodes.

[@guillermobetancourt1006]

The history between Australia and USA goes so far back that even the 1st Marines uses Australia’s unofficial anthem as their march; Waltzing Matilda

[@wrh7787]

Once again great presentation and great detail. I really enjoy listening to your channel every night.

[@davidaustrian9455]

I knew an person name Eric Dixon whose mother was related to rear admiral Cole. She was invited to meet with hIm on his Ship in Melbourne Australia during this expedition. The uss cole was attacked and damaged by terrorists in the Aden in the Year 2000. That ship was named after rear admiral Cole, that’s how the subject came up. It was a huge event for australia.

[@jackmason5278]

This, as usual, was a great and informative video. I'm troubled, however, that you seem to be devoting too much time to podcasts and compilations. I can't be bothered with anything shorter than five minutes nor longer than forty. I really enjoy your videos of more moderate length, like this one.

[@VultureSkins]

How are you determining what “too much time” is, as an outsider to his process and personal life? Side note: if podcasts/compilations are too long for you, they can be watched in shorter segments. KZbin usually keeps track of where you left off in a video, and sometimes there are time stamps in the comments indicating the beginning of a new topic (and usually a good stopping point).

[@ntvypr4820]

Can't please everyone but YOU think he should change his whole contribution model, meant for many, to accommodate only YOU. That is what a lot of America has become. Whiner's about EVERYTHING. Nothing is TOO small to bitch about.

[@nevillemignot1681]

My Dad served along side American troops on Bouganville during WW2, and drummed it into us kids that 'The Yanks saved our Arses' [Asses]. Another chapter in our nations being the best of friends for over 100 years.

[@ColinFreeman-kh9us]

Amazing, I can only imagine the fun all had

[@JeffreyGlover65]

Nothing better than starting my day off with some THG. Good morning and good day!

[@HorthornNZ]

The reason that the visit is not so well remembered is because it did not have a catchy name such as 'The Great Green Fleet' - its marketing.

[@msau9747]

7:43- I definitely heard a "Meow" lol

[@Delekhan]

Not exactly a forgotten piece of history but I think many people don't know about the origins of the US Forest Service and why it was created. A deep well to draw from for a video of you choose to do so. I work for them so it's holds a special place even if I'll never get rich being a public servant. I've got a couple sources if you want to make one. Either way, thank you for all the work you do bringing us interesting, informative, entertaining videos. Y'all are awesome!

[@mrstude]

A story about the Australian involvement in wwii would be appropriate!

[@historymatters6627]

We joined on Sept 2nd 1939, and by 1940/1 had 3 divisions, most of our army fighting Rommel and the Germans in northern Africa (Tobruk, El Alemein etc) until the attack on Pearl. We lost a lot of troops at the fall of Singapore, so much so we felt completely undefended. Pulled out roughly 2/3 of our forces in Africa (pissing off Churchill) to come back to the Pacific to fight in New Guinea. At which point in 42 the Yanks tried to intercept a Jap task force which intended to invade Port Morsby. At which point the Lady Lex and Yorktown saved my country at incredible cost. Something like that.

[@matthewpoplawski8740]

AS ALWAYS, MR. LANCE, AN EXCELLENT VIDEO!! I was pleased that you used the word AUSTRALASIA in describing Australia. I, first, came across this word in naval historian Pau Stillwell's coffee table book about battleship that was published by Metro Books in 2001. Mr. Stillwell gives an account of that visit,but, your description gives more details than his. This has nothing to do with the visit,but, should be included. In 1924, the ARIZONA took a cruise to the Canal Zone. Prior to this ,they an open house in New York City where a female, who wanted to go to California (the ARIZONA was homeported in San Pedro) decided to stowaway. Upon arriving in the Canal Zone, she had been discovered, and was reported to the ship's captain. She was told to leave and sent back to New York via commercial steamer. 23 ARIZONA sailors were court-martialed and sent to military prison(the longest sentence was 10 years). CPO who turned in the young lady wasn't very liked afterwards. After he retired, he always carried a loaded pistol when threats on his life were made by some sailors wanting revenge.

[@edwardloomis887]

American companies fought under Australian command at World War I's Battle of Hamel, a very rare event given General Pershing's desire that our Soldiers remain together under U.S. command. Due to outstanding planning by General Monash and the staff of the Australian Corps, Hamel was also a rare event for the allies prior to 1918: a victory with rapid and substantial gains thanks to close coordination of infantry, artillery, armor and air support (CAS and air drops). Our two countries have stood together then and since. The U.S. is blessed to have an ally like the Aussies.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Talk about the Battle of Hamel in this episode. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sH2Te3uGeZWohc0

[@BALOYBEACHBUM]

Thank you for such History! and a BIG SALUTE!!

[@theccieguy]

Great Job 👍 History Guy

[@mattgeorge90]

Great episode. Thanks for sharing!

[@zolandia5262]

Strange coincidence that I saw this video. I was putting some family documents away in a storage unit and I happened to briefly glance through a diary belonging to my great uncle. One entry from this time described how he and his brother, who were teenagers at the time, travelled 100 miles to Auckland New Zealand to see the American fleet. The family had lived in San Francisco for a while and so were interested in relations with the US. Sounds like it would have been a spectacular sight! I had heard of the Great White Fleet visit before but had never heard of this visit. Thanks for the video. I will take a closer look at the diary now.

[@shawnr771]

Thank you for the lesson.

[@Ltulrich]

This brought a tear to my eye.

[@billybud9557]

While in the Navy, I visited Australia. Fond memories. Never knew of the visit you describe. Thanks. Well researched.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Thank the AMAZING THG🎀 👍 Shoe🇺🇸

[@lezferme]

Suggestions for future episodes: The World Cup, TV dinners, Atari/ video games, bleeding statues of Templemore, Ireland, Grigori Rasputin‘s murder, Bea Franco the Mexican girl from Jack Kerouac's novel "On the Road”, and comic books.

[@divarachelenvy]

yet another awesome episode Mr. cheers.

[@wazza33racer]

Battleship masts were epic in the 1920's.........best ever storage for keeping chickens.

[@Your.Uncle.AngMoh]

Thank you for another well-researched and presented video, Lance @TheHistoryGuy

[@BasicDrumming]

I appreciate you, thank you for making content.

[@SDCornishman]

My uncle was part of the visit to Australia. I treasure many keepsakes he brought back.

[@kenjackson5685]

1st class...thankyou for sharing

[@ninadowlin4938]

Thank you for a great episode. Very interesting and something I had not heard of previously.

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

Great video...👍

[@robertthomson1587]

There are photo montages of the US Fleet's visit on building sites around Sydney.

[@leeropp7725]

The Navy flew me down to Geelong Australia to catch my first ship, USS Rathburne. The we cruised to four ports in NZ

[@loyalrammy]

From one history guy to another, great job.

[@aaronleverton4221]

56 ships? Port Phillip Bay must have looked like a car park.

[@jamesmills5940]

My Daddy was on the New Mexico and talked about going to Australia ,I guess that was the time , His friend and he joined the Navy told no one just left My Daddy was gone for four years never came home .I am 89 ,

[@petebondurant58]

I went there in 1992. Those women were insane! 😀