[ARC5] Torpedos....

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

On 2 Jul 2013 at 19:05, Robert  Eleazer wrote:

> By the way, the most recent analysis of the battle off Samar concluded that 
> it was the one and only gun on the fantail of one of the Jeep carriers that 
> hit that cruiser's torps and sank it.

Could be. There was so much confusion during that battle I wouldn't be surprised about 
anything.

> By the way, while Taffy 3 was engaged, the commander of Taffy 2 sent a 
> couple of his destroyers to have a look see but ordered them to not engage 
> and return once they saw what was going on.  And they did just that.  But if 
> I had been the Captain of one of those destroyers I would have told my crew, 
> "They may send me home tomorrow for disobeying orders, but if I get a Jap 
> cruiser today I'll be happy to go!  Set up a torpedo attack!"
> 
> Great book:  "Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors."

I thought the entire book was pretty much encapsulated by the words of Commander 
Copeland of the DE, Samuel B Roberts, just before he attacked. I think it is on page 50 of 
that book.

Sends chills up and down my spine every time I read it.

The 5 inchers on the destroyers and DEs were firing so fast the Japs thought they were 
automatic guns.

Yes. Great book.

Ken W7EKB