Battle of the Philippine Sea, Part 5: Turn on the Lights!
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After the American aviators attacked the Japanese fleet on June 20, 1944, they flew back to their carriers in the pitch dark. In part 5 of the Voices from the Battle of the Philippine Sea series, we explore that return after darkness, including Admiral Marc Mitscher's daring decision to turn on the lights.
All videos are written, produced, and directed by staff and volunteers at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum.
@williamallencrowder361 3 жыл бұрын
The greatest pilots in the world
@robertnegron9706 3 жыл бұрын
Brought a tear to my eyes. The Admiral risked it all after his pilots. Rip to those brave aviators.
@garymcaleer6112 3 жыл бұрын
Excellent series. Those boys were part of my parents' generation. And anything associated with them I gravitate.
@Britspence381 3 жыл бұрын
I feel the same way. My Dad was a crew member on the USS Agawam, AOG6, an avgas tanker. He died young and I wasn't really interested in his service in my younger years, but my Mom had kept his letters from the Pacific and I have learned from them about his wartime experience.
@UltradogMN 3 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for this series. It was extremely well done. And the girl narrator was a great touch.
@HRNavalMuseum 3 жыл бұрын
Our pleasure! We're glad you enjoyed it!
@BP-1988 3 жыл бұрын
My father was on this mission flying his SBD from the carrier Lexington. He was able to make back to his carrier with little gas to spare only to find that Ltn. Buell had fouled the Lexington's flight deck preventing him from landing. Fortunately, he was able to keep his plane in the air long just long enough to land after the deck had been cleared. When learning of Buell's refusal to take the wave off and of the death of the Lexington's crew members because of this, my father was furious to say the least and talked about it long after the war had ended.
@HRNavalMuseum 3 жыл бұрын
So was your father a part of VB-16? Could I ask who it was? If you'd rather not type his name in a public forum like this, please feel free to email me at HRNavalMuseum@navy.mil. I'd love to learn more about him. Thank you for sharing!
@ianando9459 2 жыл бұрын
Wow. Amazing history . From my perspective as an Aussie born in the 50s I can still appreciate the outstanding US naval aviators and the mighty US Navy . We are and remain your best friends .
@twolak1972 2 жыл бұрын
Like bueller had explained a wave off meant certain death to him and his crew. It's sad 2 deck hands died because of the crash but given the decision he had to make I cant fault him for not leaving off. He was put in a no win situation. To court martial him would have been a huge injustice.
@shadeburst Жыл бұрын
It sounds as if your father had plenty of time to think about it and would have done exactly the same in the same circumstances. Do not shoot the piano player.
@ernienucup3703 3 жыл бұрын
Victory mixed with supreme sacrifice and sadness...
@tommythompsonsurfer 3 жыл бұрын
GOD BLESS AMERICA.....ALL AMERICAN PATRIOTS.
@BP-1988 3 жыл бұрын
The book "Mission Beyond Darkness" details the attack on the Japanese fleet and the harrowing return for these pilots.
@iananderson1848 3 жыл бұрын
Wow Great example of what made and still makes the USA a fabulous country . The light of the world . From an Aussie mate DownUnder
@Britspence381 3 жыл бұрын
Wow, what a powerful and well produced video. Thank you.
@HRNavalMuseum 3 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!
@2000ViperGTSsubscribe 3 жыл бұрын
@@HRNavalMuseum Former squid and I could not agree more. Really well done and Bravo Zulu to your crew for this!
@mykofreder1682 3 жыл бұрын
The crash on the Lexington , at night with shot up planes and crews, should have been an expectation. The people on the deck should have been more aware when someone was about to land and given everyone a heads up, so they could get ready to run for cover rather than be surprised by the mishap.
@2000ViperGTSsubscribe 3 жыл бұрын
I've see a flight deck doing recovery personally. Of course they were aware, they were trying to move the previous planes before to make room. A flight deck is a SUPER dangerous place to work. I've seen them up close at sea as we were giving supplies (UNREP and VERTREP) and it is chaotic in nature. They were doing recovery, so the planes come in, more moved, wings folded, transported via elevators, next, but when you have a zillion planes incoming at once, it is a TON of work, fast paced and a traffic jam like this quickly emerges.
@leoamery 3 жыл бұрын
The 'turn on the lights' decision had a precedent. Raymond Spruance had also 'turned on the lights' at Midway on 5 June, after the failed attack on the TANIKAZE.. Mitscher had been captain of the HORNET on that day. He would have remembered Spruance's 1942 decision. Mitscher would also realize the sticky situation he was in: a) The 'Return in darkness' mission was Mitscher's idea, permission dragged from a reluctant Spruance. If, say, half the attacking force was lost through ditching, the doubts raised at Midway about Mitscher's command competence would rise again. b) Mitscher didn't know it at the time, but his strike delivered the poorest performance, for the force deployed, in all 6 of the big carrier battles. To lose a big proportion of his strike for such mediocre results would have seen Mitscher back commanding a desk, again as happened at Midway.
@73Trident 2 жыл бұрын
Absolutely correct.
@ericmichaud1273 2 жыл бұрын
Santa Cruz was the poorest performance, since no enemy ships were sunk. I’d even argue that Eastern Solomons was a poorer performance since no attempt was made to locate and attack Shokaku and Zuikaku. Also it’s important to keep in mind Japanese AA fire was VASTLY improved from 1942 standards. The fact that they were able to sink a carrier and 2 oilers, heavily damage Zuikaku and lightly damage 2 light carriers is impressive in and of itself.
@fredjones554 Жыл бұрын
After this battle, the IJN had so few pilots that the carriers were useless. The air combat on this mission may have been more important
@dkompres6889 3 жыл бұрын
This has my eyes full of tears and it was a hard listen but I’m so glad I did!
@merhimaq1011 3 жыл бұрын
I enjoy watching
@orcstr8d 2 жыл бұрын
Lt Cdr Ralph Weymouth is father to Talking Heads bassist and co-founder, Tina Weymouth. I have to wonder now if the naming of their 4th album, the 1980 release called “ Remain In Light” which has a tribute to Ralph with 5 Navy planes on the back cover, might have something to do with the mission. Ralph’s “Once in a Lifetime” ordeal certainly had him thinking “ and you may find yourself behind the stick of a large navy dive bomber!”
@graff324 3 жыл бұрын
Respect and Honor to all of the brave American Sailors and Aviators of Task Force 58
@Draconisrex1 2 жыл бұрын
You've done a remarkable job in narrating.
@shadeburst Жыл бұрын
Mitscher had a reputation as a hot-head, which is not a bad thing in the navy. In the British Navy, where captains could be and often were hung for avoiding battle, for centuries the golden rule has been that a captain will never be faulted for engaging at once.
@gregm3905 2 жыл бұрын
Admiral Jocko Clark on the Hornet first ordered his battle group to turn on their lights that night. Admiral Mitscher followed his lead.
@duncare3601 3 жыл бұрын
I’m pretty sure the aviators who served with Taffy 3 at Leyte Gulf had a different opinion of Mitscher and Halsey both after that battle. Both admirals completely lost sight of the big picture in that battle, which caused hundreds of needless casualties to Taffy 3.
@73Trident 2 жыл бұрын
Absolutely correct.
@weldinco Жыл бұрын
The aviators that served under Mitscher on his flagship, the Lexington, held him with great esteem. One radioman went so far as to name his son after him. They are gone now but the aviators and crew of Air Group 16 definitely, whole heartedly, loved Mitscher. They believed this mission was completely worth while and they were proud of their accomplishments and of having served under Mitscher.
@rcdogmanduh4440 Жыл бұрын
War causes the lost of incredible numbers of life, hard men make hard decisions!
@steveb6103 10 ай бұрын
My father was able to land on the Enterprise with 5 gallons left in his tanks. He was from the Hornet. Flying a F6F Hellcat.
@blusnuby2 7 ай бұрын
Big SALUTE to your BRAVE father !
@winterwolf7696 3 жыл бұрын
my uncle was on the enterprise my dad in pattons army my dad had 5 brothers all were in army navy my grandma must of really worrride
@Charlleyw Жыл бұрын
He was a great commander it is sure. But there was a practical side to this. He could not afford to lose his experienced aviators. That was the reason the Japanese had failed so badly; their experienced pilots had been decimated, and their green flyers were. . . turkeys to be shot.
@williamallencrowder361 3 жыл бұрын
The best pilots, and The best aircraft, flying for the Greatest nation ever the USA
@chocolatte6157 3 жыл бұрын
Compassionate yes. But he jeopardized the lives of thousands. Could have been court martialed maybe.
@twolak1972 2 жыл бұрын
That's war. My dad God rest his soul was a waist GUNNER in a B24 liberator of the 458th heavy bombardment group in europe. On one mission they were to hit the ball bearing works at Schweinfurt .It was a extreme range mission and far beyond fighter protection range. The briefing officers told their bomber crews that QUOTE, WE EXPECT 100 LOSSES AND THE HIGHEST GERMAN FIGHTER INTERCEPTION TO DATE, BUT EVEN IF WE LOSE ALL WE SEND IT WILL BE WORTH IT AS IT WILL SHORTEN THE WAR BY 6 MONTHS, THIS MISSION IS VOLUNTARY ONLY. My dad looked around the briefing room and saw every crews hands in the air. EVERYONE WENT, THEY LOST 60 BOMBERS THAT DAY .War brings out the best on me , Everyone of them was a hero beyond doubt but none of them.would let you call them that , they were simply doing their duty.
@soulbravo1761 3 жыл бұрын
I highly suggest they make a film out of this historic and epic event😎
@johnnyfortpants1415 3 жыл бұрын
Feel so sorry for the flyer whose landing killed the two men. He had little choice, tragic all round. Hard to feel any sympathy for the IJN.
@trouts4444 3 жыл бұрын
Yes, tragic.
@blusnuby2 7 ай бұрын
Read his amazing book: DAUNTLESS HELLDIVERS, by Harold L. Buell, in which he gives his first hand narrative on that mission, the flight back, & the tragic crash landing on the Lexington`s deck.
@antoniocarrascosa6060 Жыл бұрын
Una mala decisión la de mitscher....provoco la muerte de muchos pilotos y puso en riesgo grave la de todos los demás...spruance no la hubiera aprobado
@solohoh 3 жыл бұрын
One Japanese carrier and two oilers were not worth the American lives lost in this operation -- all for an admiral who was hoping to get the credit and glory for another Midway.
@wymple09 3 жыл бұрын
I disagree. A carrier was a huge prize. The biggest prize in combat.
@isilder 3 жыл бұрын
They sunk one of the three remaining fleet carriers. The reason the other carriers didnt suffer badly may have been due to the lack of aircraft on them.. how was Mitcher to know their state ? Removing 33% of the enemies fleet carriers sounds to me like a fine result ... That would greatly reduce their capabilities. Prevented the next attack... had to be done.. Mitcher doesnt have ESP .. there could have been a suprise next day ?? Attacks at dawn ?
@2000ViperGTSsubscribe 3 жыл бұрын
It was absolutely worth it, sad, but worth it. if one is not ready to sacrifice lives leading men in combat, then one should not be in command at all. I'm a veteran saying this and what the military knows in advance. There is always a risk in combat of losses and a leader calculates them and an aircraft carrier is one of the great chess pieces in a war game and VERY important to neutralize.
@fishofgold6553 2 жыл бұрын
@Sabrina Marler I wonder what would have happened if Mitscher had chosen NOT to launch this attack? When and where would have been the next chance for an engagement between the same American force and Japanese force?
@weldinco Жыл бұрын
The crew of Air Group 16 were proud of this mission.