Victory At Sea - Beneath The Southern Cross - Episode 10

[@dianealden9293]

My dad was stationed at Natal, Brazil for two years as a cryptographer and code breaker. The favorite song of the guys who were basically penned up behind a fence was Don't Fence Me In. They were only allowed out occasionally. Still have pictures of Dad with his unit and going to Mass on base. Dad died in 2021 at age 102. RIP to the best father ever.

[@mrlaw711]

102, your dad had a great life.

[@mnoliberal7335]

Glad you were blessed with a great father and that he had a long life.

[@lsnows]

God bless Brazil! Brazil fought in WWII when it didn't have to, when it could have comfortably leased its airbases to the US and left the fighting in the South Atlantic for others. Instead, that poor Latin American country sent 25,000 of its young men to fight in Italy in 1944-45 after US troops went on the offensive in Southern France. Now, THAT'S an ally. Thank you Brazil! God bless both Brazil AND the USA.

[@dieselvin7233]

Ermmm , ever heard of public opinion? Post German sinkings of Brazilian flagged ships opinion swayed and Politicians love votes.

[@richardcortez8992]

lsnows i

[@vivadjango]

There is no God and if there was one it wouldn't bless Brazil and the USA and damn everyone else. Typical Jesus freak.

[@jonathanhill4892]

@@vivadjango you do seem terribly upset over something.

[@williampaz2092]

vivadjango What hard evidence do you have for this?

[@mphrdldn]

Adore the musical theme of this episode, Beneath the Southern Cross.

[@steveember8972]

Listening to the "Beneath the Southern Cross" theme on the RCA Living Stereo "Victory at Sea" LP is a window into the combined genius that resulted from Richard Rodgers' writing the notes and Robert Russell Bennett's magnificent symphonic arrangement (and conducting) of it. But watching the episode, one realizes the extent of that arranging genius, as the full scope of the music (beyond what could be included on the Volume 1 album or even its CD counterpart), as well as all the subsidiary themes, is heard. I've always thought Mr. Bennett deserved MUCH more credit than he ever seemed to receive. And, while the script is sometimes a bit "over the top," as one might expect from its period, the combination of Leonard Graves' compelling voicing and the music - and the visuals - is just riveting. I'll never tire of watching - and listening to - this remarkable episode of "Victory at Sea." Thanks for making it available here!

[@rogershaner1625]

My dad served in the army in Guadalcanal in '42 but he never talked about it. I remember he would watch all these episodes on tv. I think it gave him and other vets a sense of accomplishment and pride though.

[@danieljackson654]

I also watched this series with my father when it aired in the 1950's. The Under the Southern Cross Tango was our favorite song for so many years.

[@melindaburch4318]

Me, too!

[@NavyBob1965]

As a 7-year-old I viewed Victory at Sea when it first came on NYC TV. I loved all the music and watched with eager anticipation for each episode. So I joined the Navy, hoping for a warship. Instead, I became a "Gator Navy" sailor aboard USS Oak Hill LSD-7. Well, it was a WWII ship, and I stayed aboard for its last two WestPac cruises. No one on the pier waiting me when we came home both times. But when it was time to take a bride, I insisted that our first song at the reception would be "No Other Love Have I". When it was announced by the band leader, our guests gave it a wonderful greeting with their "oooohs!"

[@rodbennett1133]

Nice to re-live compleat series.i too was 7/8 in '52. I had the stereo lp's in my 20's and a sound system that could handle them. WOW!

[@dmyjr]

I watched the entire series when it first came out, eagerly tuning in to NBC each week for the following episode. It came out when I was only 10 years old, but the dramatic combination of music and war footage really hooked me!

[@mphrdldn]

I watched the series with my father who had been in the Navy from '44-'46. I was born in 1953 so the episodes may have been reruns. I would stand up and make a V with my arms.

[@Lawrence1203-f7s]

I watched this series in the 50s. I loved it then as well as now. My dad was a Marine in the South Pacific but never talked about it. I am a combat Vietnam vet. I know why he never talked about it. viewed in San Diego, California

[@jerrera45]

I loved watching this series in the 50's. In fact, it is what inspired me to join the US Navy in 1963, a decision I will never regret.

[@randycaulkins3644]

I watcheed it at age 5 and was fascinated by the waves, music, and real world footage. The Navy wouldn't let me in since I posed a safety hazard at the bulkhead doorways since I was 6ft 5in tall. Ended up in the USAF doing spooky airborne cold war stuff.

[@dfw3355]

@lsnows I enjoyed reading what you said about Brazil in your comments. Interesting and informative. I have never been to Brazil but when i do I will express my thanks in person.

[@lsnows]

Do visit Brazil, but don't worry about thanking people. There is (disgracefully) widespread apathy and forgetfulness in Brazil about her efforts in WWII.

[@hugbug4408]

@@lsnows Brazil contributed greatly in defeating the Nazi - U-Boat menace , therefore gaining control of the Atlantic Ocean.

[@HughBond-kx7ly]

The narrator Leonars Graves had a powerful voice and perfect inflection and the amazing thing was he was only about 23 years of age at the time.

[@LordEvan5]

Watched this with my grandfather brings back memories

[@mphrdldn]

Dad and I watched this in the '50's.

[@cjgangi0123]

Me too.

[@davidperezjr.4248]

God bless America God shed his Grace on thee the United States of America 2 bad 2days generation of young people don't see that they will have 2 learn the hard way as they say those who forget history tend 2 repeat it.

[@georgehare2915]

iraq afghanistan vietnam still they went tsun tsu declared have enemy fight on others territory have your troops fight for there homes in there land worked every ime as usa found out

[@georgehare2915]

great series

[@roywinchel3620]

I wish we could watch every episode from start to finish 😂

[@TigerDominic-uh1dv]

I like the Series. 😊

[@rodbennett1133]

Thanks!

[@nuclearvault]

Thanks for watching!

[@Diwana71]

Terrific documentary.

[@markrubin9449]

Absolutely the tops.

[@dianealden9293]

My dad served at Natal, Brazil as a cryptographer code breaker for Army Air Force and other jobs in that line. Beautiful country -- he never forgot it.

[@theBike45]

Robert Russell Bennet conducted the NBC Symphony orchestra for the Victory at Sea series, not Toscanini.

[@allenjones3130]

Not only did Bennett conduct the NBC Symphony, he orchestrated Rodgers' score.

[@rogerjackson5218]

No other love ,from victory at sea benethe the southern cross,recorded by Perry como.

[@kentkirkland7230]

Wonderful music

[@harlandfriendofgod6108]

Rogers and Hammerstein I believe; check it out

[@donaldpalmer6625]

14:59 I'm surprised that they got that piano on board. And that German pirate playing it and smiling like he was having a picture taken.

[@granskare]

One good thing about the Graf Spee's capt. is that he saved the lives of all the people - a great thing !

[@zelphx]

I can't wait until you post this again in a couple of months!

[@abebuenodemesquita8111]

still cant forget that he was a nazi aiding in the mass murder of millions of civilians

[@redskindan78]

Captain Langsdorff should not have committed suicide, though.

[@studentjohn35]

The big cargo of eggs originated aboard the SS Duquesa, sunk by the KM Admiral Scheer. Atlantis and Scheer met mid-ocean and the larger ship shared those provisions.

[@sbchelldiver]

@theodorevx I Agree!!! The musical piece, Beneath the Southern Cross, done in a Tango Rhytm, has long been a favourite of mine!

[@Og-Judy]

That song was dogging me for ages. I recognized it from being a theme from the documentary "Victory at Sea" but didn't know the name. Thought it was just a popular tango song . Was born in the early 1950s and first heard this when the documentary was presented on The History Channel on cable TV in the 1990s. It wasn't until I found a mix of the original score I learned it's called "Beneath the Southern Cross" Being a Tango beat fits perfect with the Brazilian and US ally Naval fight😊👍🇧🇷🇺🇸❤

[@hugbug4408]

Battle for the Atlantic was a savage struggle for control. The ultimate control of the Atlantic by the allies was paramount in achieving victory in Europe , which the allies eventually achieved. Ditto in the Pacific too! Japan had control of the Pacific wrested from it , by the USAs industrial might !

[@roadtrip2943]

Graf spee capt langsdorf was conned into believing battlrships rodney, renown and carrier arc royal were positioned off plate river basin

[@theodorevx]

The music of the NBC orchestra under the direction of Arturo Toscanini is awesome.

[@williamjackson5942]

????

[@jeremybear573]

Touché

[@granskare]

please read the description...

[@rigamarrow]

Rogers later reused the tune as "No other Love Have I."

[@vietvet16432]

isnows....thank you very much !!

[@claudiacotner1638]

The action in this episode is sparse, but the music hits it's high note in this episode;manificent!

[@zelphx]

I have the original "box set" of this soundtrack on 45rpm's... it was the "battle of the LP vs. 7-inch boxed albums" in the early-mid '50s.

[@roadtrip2943]

The invasion of norway dec 40 cost germans 2 heavy cruisers lutzhow, blucher and 10 destroyers.

[@zelphx]

FRAU Blucher???

[@sbchelldiver]

Oh yes!!!

[@MrDaiseymay]

Correction--'War in the Air' was made and televised by the BBC.

[@MrDaiseymay]

I watched this series on TV in the early 50's, I was allowed to stay up late. I bought the series on VHS 10 yrs ago. The comentary is pretty gung ho, but it was only 10 yrs since WW2's end, and the Korean War was raging still, so not exactly surprising the 'tone' was like that. Another brill series by NBC was 'War in the Air', with great stirring music themes too,

[@c45acper41]

Anyone know of a source of the series: "Winston Churchill - The Valiant Years"? Another great series that I saw on TV during the late 50s-early 60s.

[@redskindan78]

Less than 10 years. Germany and Japan surrender in 1945; Victory at Sea was first broadcast in 1952.

[@claudiacotner1638]

Come on, Leonard Graves helped make this series with that manificent voice. He understudied YulBrynner on Broadway.

[@SabraStiehl]

Ref Brazil, they did just at someone here suggested they could and decided to sit out the war. This was likely due to resentment of U.S. actions prior to the war. Then the U-boats sunk two ships flying the Brazilian flag and things changed. Affronted, the people of South America's largest country joined the fray. Mexico and other Latin American nations acted in much the same way.

[@lsnows]

Brazil also sent a division to fight in Italy which it didn't have to do...

[@mjr92115]

Mexico wound up sending fighter planes to the Philippines front

[@plantlord3266]

the ships mentioned were heavy cruisers not battleships. there is no mention of Bismark or Tirptiz also raiders.

[@byronbailey9229]

Achilles was a Royal New Zealand Navy light cruiser

[@benwilson6145]

It was still a Royal Navy ship at this time

[@fsbirdhouse]

America was never great! Well never greater than this! The world has never seen greater than this.

[@Horseyperson12]

?

[@fsbirdhouse]

Facetious: treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant: "a facetious remark"

[@anthonylowder6687]

I thought all the Milch Cows were sunk earlier in the war.

[@philbyd]

Tough times

[@tamaiantama]

Both tough times.... and simpler times.

[@johnmatyas9586]

our politicians ought to watch what real patriots did to give them their freedom

[@stephennewton2223]

Good video, but, I notice that many of the guns firing in the River Platte battle could no have been there. There were no ships with superfiring triple turrets there, but, at least one shot shows them here.

[@HACM-mk3qx]

Gneisenau attacking Glorious off Norway 1940

[@stephennewton2223]

@@HACM-mk3qx Thanks. Makes more sense.

[@Og-Judy]

I find it disturbing they took Victory at Sea historical documentary and put it into Playstation and Xbox "Cali of Duty" active shooter game.. men of my father's generation went to war to save the world from totalitarianism and aggression. Many never came home. Now they sit behind computerized gaming controls playing "soldier"🤨

[@JohnRyan-gr8bs]

Notice that by the time this had been made Japan was already being rehabilitsted. The Japanese navy was "Hirohito's" NOT the Emperor's navy Hirohito = bad Emperor is now Ok

[@larrytischler570]

Mexico was also very friendly to Germany in WWII.

[@mjr92115]

not after the US entered the war. Till then, the US and Britain had been boycotting Mexican oil because Mexico had nationalized the petroleum industry. Mexico had almost no one to sell the oil to except Germany and Italy.

[@larrytischler570]

@@mjr92115 Nazi Germany courted Mexico in order to have a favorable place to make cross border incursion(s). They even built the reservoir known as "Sugar Lake", not far from McAllen, TX for that purporse.

[@jamescoleakaericunderwood2503]

@@larrytischler570 the whole reason we entered WW1... Germany promised Mexico AZ, NM, and Texas back ... British intercept... yup 👍

[@benwilson6145]

@@mjr92115 The USA sold oil to Germany even after the start of WW2. The Altmark loaded Texas light crude to fuel the Graph Spee

[@willboudreau1187]

Those krauts even looted that freighter's piano. Ya think maybe the good guys dropped the bomb on the wrong country? Me thinks so.

[@Horseyperson12]

?

[@gordonbartlett1921]

Oh yes -- stealing a piano that was going to go down with the ship is among the most serious of war crimes, right up there with genocide

[@laserbeam002]

I enjoy the footage and the history but the music is way over the top. Sometimes it makes the documentary almost impossible to watch.

[@sroozrloos4284]

The music makes the series but the commentary is really ham handed propaganda. Not unexpected though considering the copyright at the beginning of each episode is 1952 and negative feelings were still running hot against the Germans and Japanese seven years after the war.

[@granskare]

of course, it is only 7 years after ww2 ended - I knew an old guy who still has such problems.

[@larrytischler570]

@@granskare you have a problem. The old man had common sense.

[@zelphx]

@@larrytischler570 I didn't think a man named "Tischler" would take his side. :)

[@granskare]

well, 8 thumbs down. bah!

[@luisreyes1963]

They were rooting for the Axis.

[@paulclarke4571]

This has not aged well. Music is too dramatic and loud and comments too dramatic as well. Watch World at World to see it well done.

[@Horseyperson12]

They had pulled off victory in 2 oceans and the Med. Let them celebrate. Richard Rogers was a musical genius. Oscar Hammerstein thought so. The music is majestic and beautiful. Turn the sound down and use CC if you don't like the music and the guy's dramatic voice. Those of us born as the threat was removed love it. Listen to Bon Jovi and revel in the mess we have now.😢😢😢😢

[@jamesoneill8901]

I loved this as a kid. It is kinda terrible now though; footage of unrelated ships, misrepresented and vague ship statistics. Glossing completely over Allied damages...

[@Horseyperson12]

?

[@maddyg3208]

Kinda dumb to call a ship, "Atlantis"

[@fathertime1331]

Dan Rather calls this propaganda.

[@bcwest56]

Dan Rather calls you propaganda.

[@ronaldlee1378]

screw Rather!!!! commie lover

[@granskare]

you are still putting out Russian propaganda,,,,you are an odd character

[@williamjackson5942]

And yet you ronald lee are doing the work of the FSB, Putin would love you.

[@lumox7]

Dan Rather got fired.

[@shaunmcclory8117]

Jesus the music is unbearable!🙉🙉🙉

[@Horseyperson12]

Turn the sound and use CC.