Naval Craft (past & present)

[Blair]

There is a very good You Tube video available.
It is a bit over 3 hours in length and covers most all innovations in "Big Gun Ships".
It is titled," Battleship: Documentary on Battleships of the 20th Century."

Programing this info into a You Tube search may help you find it???
My best,
Blair

[Four-Eyed Buck]

As it was, the Surigao BB's were used as bombardment ships. Some had 14's instead of 16's, modernized, tripods removed, radar's installed, etc.. They were too slow to run with the carrier's, but could put a real pounding onshore. They were pressed into action to cover the Southern Force. Halsey took the fast BB's with him to get the carriers when he thought the Center force was dealt with. Kurita out foxed him

[Major 2]

HMS Raglan - First World War Royal Navy Abercrombie-class monitor laid down December 1, 1914.
The ship was named Robert E Lee in honor of the CS General Robert E Lee, however as the United States was still neutral, the ship was hurriedly renamed HMS M3 on May 31 1915. She was then named HMS Lord Raglan on June 20 1915 and again renamed HMS Raglan on  June 23 1915.
Raglan was sunk with the loss of 127 lives,  by the Turkish battlecruiser Yavuz Sultan Selim (formerly German battlecruiser SMS Goeben), the light cruiser Midilli (formerly German light cruiser SMS Breslau) and four destroyers.
But not before she sunk Midilli and badly damaged Yavuz Sultan Selim, January 20 1918.

Very cool to have ship named for your ancestor. 

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[Texas Lawdog]

That is neat, M2.

[Major 2]

They Cuz you'll find this interesting

HMS Campbeltown was a "Town"-class destroyer of the Royal Navy during the Second World War. She was originally US destroyer USS Buchanan

The Gift Horse (film) was based on the ship http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044658/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

[Four-Eyed Buck]

An old four piper,M2. Probably part of the swap for some of the base access along the Atlantic. Believe it involved about 50 of the old girls,IIRC

[Texas Lawdog]

I have not heard of that movie. It does have some well-known British actors in the cast. I collect old war movies, maybe I can pick up a copy for personal viewing.

[Blair]

TLD,

Please do that and post it here.
I would very much like to view it.
My best,
Blair

[Major 2]

I'm looking too, Jim

[Mean Bob Mean]

Just looking at USS Texas information.  Seems they have an annual Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony.  That would be kind of cool . . .

[Major 2]

I've been aboard her several times , fine old girl.
Of Course she was not in the Pacific on Dec. 7, 1941 but rather , she served in the Atlantic with distinction at Normandy
but later saw service in the Pacific off Iwo Jima.
I met a fellow , who served on her in the Atlantic, but later served on the Ben Franklin ( he was aboard March 19 ,1945 when she was hit )
He was one of the 400 that stayed with her when she made for Brooklyn Naval Yard for repairs.

I would assume the Texas has a DDay remembrance as well.... however, I'm not sure where she is in the restoration & stabilizing process she has been going through 

[pony express]

A couple of days late, but how about the lowly landing craft? General Eisenhower said without them, the whole strategy for the war would have been different.

[Major 2]

LCVP the Higgins Boat  20,000 + built , maybe a dozen left in the world...
the best examples are at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.

President Roosevelt  " Andrew Higgins won the war for us "

[pony express]

Hard to imagine advancing straight into all the artillery, machine guns and small arms fire, in a small wooden boat at 12 knots....

Even harder to imagine charging out of that boat and wading to shore under fire.

[Four-Eyed Buck]

All they had to do was zero in on the ramp and wait for it to drop. First guys were instant casualties

The Texas and the Arkansas bombarded the port of Cherborg after D-Day. I know Texas took a hit from the German's shore batteries. Conning tower I believe

[Jayhawker]

For those in more northern climes....

LST 393 is on display in Muskegon, MI as is the Silversides (SS 236) She sunk 23 major enemy vessels and won 12 Battle Stars...both worth spending your time at. You can spend the night on Silversides if you're inclined....

Was on Alabama (BB-60) shortly after she returned to Mobile. Interesting story about her...during a Japanese air attack, her #9 5" turret fired a round into the #5 5" turret killing 5 crewmen....

[Jayhawker]

Also of interest to some may be what the Navy had planned net in the world of BBs...The Montana Class...Longer that the IOWAs and heavier at over 70,000 tons(loaded) displacement....they were to mount 12 16 inch guns in 4 turrets...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montana-class_battleship

Now..wouldn't THAT have been somethin to see...alas,all 5 builds were cancelled in favor of aircraft carriers...

[Blair]

This day, 46 years ago, I went on active duty with the US Navy.
Over the years, I must have had fun, because it sure doesn't seen that long ago!
My best,
 Blair

[Major 2]

Happy Anniversary...and here's to happy times 

[Blair]

Major 2,

Thanks.
During my time in the Navy, I was not all that happy. I didn't care for the long periods of isolation that came with Sea Duty.
About two and a half years at sea out of the four years, all of which were considered sea duty service.
I look back on that now with some reverence. Have even joined my Naval Air Squadrons Reunion Organization.
This has been great fun when I can get to them.
VA-15 Valions "None Finer"
My best,
 Blair