- 4 months ago
A daring submarine commander chooses to surface rather than lose his prey in the shallow waters of a Japanese-held harbor.
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Short filmTranscript
00:00I'm Rear Admiral Thomas M. Dykers, retired.
00:30In this chapter of the Silent Service, you will see the skipper, the USS Taranti, Lieutenant
00:36Commander George L. Street, carry out an attack for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
00:43This achievement was all the more noteworthy in that it occurred on the Taranti's First
00:47War Patrol, under a skipper entrusted with his maiden command in enemy waters, and especially
00:54because the whole thing sprang from a brilliant hunch.
00:58We bring it to you as a true story, as authentic as we can make it.
01:07In March 1945, as events were mounting to a climax in the war against Japan, an empire now fighting
01:15desperately for its life, the USS Taranti departed from the island of Saipan, bound for her patrol
01:22area in the Yellow Sea, between Japan and Korea, her first patrol.
01:28The captain and his executive officer shared two things.
01:31A burning desire to crown the Taranti's First Patrol with success, and a deep mutual respect.
01:38This is the skipper, Commander George L. Street of Richmond, Virginia.
01:43His confidence in his executive officer, Ned Beach, hailing from Palo Alto, California, who
01:50after the war became naval aide to President Eisenhower, was such that Street regarded Beach
01:55as his alter ego, dividing the burdens of command almost equally between them.
02:00And this was her gunnery officer, Lieutenant Endicott Peabody, former All-American guard at Harvard,
02:08as son of a famous educator, Dr. Peabody of Groton School.
02:13Like many a minister's son, Chuck Peabody was full of fight and vinegar, and he was a natural leader.
02:20This is Lieutenant Ed Campbell of Philadelphia, the engineer officer, and Lieutenant Stocky Stocker,
02:27a language student before joining the Navy.
02:30The strongest man on board was Dale W. Remley, chief of the boat.
02:35It was said that Remley could lift a torpedo single-handed.
02:38One hand, anyway.
02:40Shortly after the Tiranti arrived on station west of Japan, the captain called a meeting in the wardrobe.
02:54Wonder what the old man has in mind?
02:56This wasn't the captain's idea.
02:58Wow, wow.
03:00Thank you, thank you, thank you very much.
03:02Here, play a little ball.
03:03Hey, easy with that thing, Peabody.
03:05How many times do I have to tell you it's Peabody?
03:08You ever handle one of those?
03:10No.
03:11No.
03:12Well, neither have I.
03:13Anyway, you're now a grenade officer.
03:15See, I think Remley knows about hand grenades.
03:17That's right.
03:18Why don't you stick Remley with the job?
03:20I want you.
03:21Now, you get with Remley so you can instruct all the members of the boarding party.
03:25Aye, aye, sir.
03:26Aye.
03:27Skipper?
03:28Go ahead, Captain.
03:29Gentlemen.
03:30This meeting was called by Mr. Peabody.
03:33So, I suggest we turn the meeting over to Mr. Peabody.
03:36Captain, I know this boarding party idea is going to pay off.
03:39Why, in Saipan, I heard the Japanese were using 3,000 junks and sampans, anything as
03:44a last resort to transport oil drums, goods and supplies.
03:48A lot of small crap that we can't waste a torpedo on.
03:51Okay, okay.
03:52You told us about that part last time.
03:55Now, what about the tactics?
03:56That's what I want everybody's opinion on.
03:58Now, my idea is that we ran that junk at about three knots.
04:02That old penetrator plank's just far enough so that we can hold her while we board.
04:06Then we board her in two waves.
04:08The first wave secures grapnels to her gunnels, rounds up the crew, searches below deck for cargo,
04:13and grabs the ship's paper and log.
04:15Then we sink her.
04:16How many of you?
04:17Stocker, Spence, Renly and I can handle it.
04:19Just the four of you?
04:21Suppose they act real hostile.
04:23Oh, now that's for the second wave under Ed Camel, if I can recruit him.
04:26Now, the second wave mans the deck guns and uses automatic rifles to cover us in case the enemy fires back.
04:32Well, how does it sound?
04:35Any holes?
04:36One, maybe.
04:37Just one.
04:39Most of this crew thought they were being trained as, uh, submarinas.
04:43Not pirates.
04:45Think you can count on any volunteers?
04:47I've already got five I've been drilling.
04:49And I think I can count on a few more.
04:52You, for instance, Ned?
04:53Oh, I can hardly wait.
04:55Well, anyway, if the plan has the captain's okay.
04:59You've got my blessings.
05:02At least it'll keep us from getting bored until we can find some big targets.
05:06And maybe we can find a prisoner and then we can find out where the big ones really are.
05:09You know, when the Taranti was christened, everybody knew that she was a lucky ship.
05:14And we're not gonna go home from this patrol empty-handed.
05:19Any questions?
05:20Nothing for me.
05:21Nothing for me.
05:22Nothing for me.
05:23Nothing.
05:24That's it.
05:25You got a minute, Captain?
05:27Sure, Ned.
05:28What's your inspiration this time?
05:32Now, look, don't tell me you're still thinking about that Onikisaki area.
05:35I've decided that they wouldn't risk putting their big ones in those harbor areas.
05:38The answer is no.
05:39I've given up on that idea, too.
05:41I got a new one.
05:42Are you really gonna shoot me down on this one?
05:44It's almost pure hunch.
05:45Well, I won't shoot you down if it holds water.
05:48After all, we know they're hiding their big ones somewhere.
05:51Here, on Quelpart Island.
05:54You see this indentation on the northwest coast behind an island?
05:57Mm-hmm.
05:58It's a perfect spot for them to use.
06:00Why?
06:01Well, we know they've been getting through this route here by daylight.
06:04They've got to hold up somewhere overnight.
06:06Most likely in the shallow coastal waters where they won't expect submarines.
06:09Quelpart Island is a logical hiding place.
06:12Let's see.
06:15To reach that area, a summit had to go through miles of shallow water where she couldn't dive because of reefs and shoals.
06:29No, you're right.
06:30They would feel safe there.
06:32And it's beyond the range of our aerial reconnaissance.
06:34It's unnatural.
06:35You know, Ned, you might just have something there.
06:39But as you say, it's only a hunch with a college education.
06:44I'll tell you what we'll do.
06:46If we can get more concrete evidence,
06:48Oh, such as presence of minds, shore-based radar,
06:52I'll consider it.
06:55Seriously.
06:56Aye, aye, sir.
06:58In the meantime, let's look up some samples for Peabody.
07:02Oh, I'm sorry.
07:04I mean Peabody.
07:06Ha, ha, ha, ha.
07:14Sail bearing 045.
07:22Lieutenant Peabody to the bridge.
07:23You're on the double.
07:29See what I see, Commando?
07:30A nice fat junk for you.
07:32Perfect.
07:34Perfect!
07:35Let me at them.
07:36You really think those Commandos of yours are ready?
07:37Ready?
07:38They're over-trained.
07:39You give me ten minutes and watch us.
07:43Now, remember.
07:44Second wave.
07:45Hold your fire unless those sports and the junk start something.
07:47So I can even really take your positions behind me on the bull-nose.
07:50And don't jump until I get aboard her first.
07:53Come on.
07:54Let's go.
08:05Go!
08:06Go!
08:10Let's go.
08:40One half knots, Captain.
08:42Make it four knots. And hold it right on the button.
08:45Stand by the ram.
08:47Stand by the ram.
09:10All engines back full.
09:26All engines back full.
09:44We're pulling clear.
10:05It looks like all you'll need next time is Remley.
10:08Oh, Spence, I had to restrain him.
10:10He lost a brother on the trigger, you know.
10:12I'll Captain to work like a charm, not a hitch.
10:15And there she goes to the bottom with a full cargo.
10:20Good work, Chuck. We'll have to try this more often.
10:23Oh, tell Stocker to start interrogating those prisoners immediately.
10:26Oh, here's the ship's papers and logs.
10:29And a souvenir for you, Ned.
10:31Oh, thanks, Commando.
10:34Say, this is a very valuable clock.
10:36Priceless, you might say.
10:38Says right here, made in USA.
10:42With this auspicious beginning,
10:49Ippity's commandos carried out many more successful boardings.
10:54Volunteers ceased to be a problem.
10:57Every man in the crew suddenly wanted to be a member of the boarding party.
11:00Spence?
11:01Even Ned Beach, although he couldn't rid his mind of that sheltered harbor at Kelphart Island,
11:14he became more convinced than ever that here was where they'd find some really big game.
11:20Well?
11:44I give up.
11:49He can't speak Japanese and he won't speak Korean.
11:52That's your brand of Korean anyway.
11:54I bet we could sweat it out of him.
11:58Maybe if we played that way.
12:01I guess that's how.
12:03How you doing, Gestapo?
12:04Another dud.
12:05Afraid we got a pretty sorry excuse for an interpreter here.
12:08I never tried to pound myself off as any language expert.
12:12Okay.
12:14Okay, just keep trying, you guys.
12:16These fishermen just may know something about Kelphart Island.
12:19They've been running around in these waters all through the war.
12:22I'll make a deal with you, Ned.
12:23If we get the dope we need to bag a big ship,
12:25you lay off the remarks about my winning the war my way.
12:29It's a deal.
12:34Well, let's get this deaf mute out of here and bring in the next one.
12:36Sorry.
12:37I speak English.
12:39Why didn't you say so?
12:42Heard man say, Kwaypat Island.
12:44I changed mine.
12:45You know Kwaypat Island?
12:47I know Kwaypat Island very well.
12:49Good.
12:50When was the last time you were there?
12:52You pay money?
12:53Sure, we've paid plenty of money.
12:55Come on, Stocker.
12:56Get it up.
12:57I'm strapped.
12:58I'll pay you back when I can.
13:04Big ships in harbor.
13:06Many mines, many guns, many airplanes in the sky.
13:11Many towers with sail turning like this.
13:17Radar.
13:18Everything.
13:26Cigarette?
13:28Thanks.
13:30Captain, about that Kwaypat Island deal.
13:32Yeah?
13:33The boys have been interrogating that fisherman we picked up.
13:35And I'm satisfied that part of his information is reliable.
13:43Well, he's a Korean.
13:44There's not much for him to lose.
13:46No, there's no love for Japan there, that's for sure.
13:48From what he says, there are mines and numerous patrol vessels in the area
13:52and an unusual amount of air coverage.
13:58And you really believe this guy, huh?
13:59Yes, he's convinced me.
14:01I'd say now that we've got more than a hunch to go on.
14:06Yeah, but it's still only a hunch.
14:11But it's a good one.
14:13You know, maybe we haven't been wasting our time with Peabody's commandos after all.
14:17There's only one way for us to find out, Ned.
14:21And that's to poke our nose in there.
14:24Get going and work me out a detailed plan.
14:28Got it right here.
14:29Got it right here.
14:47At midnight of April 14, 1945, the Turanti executed a wry approach to the hidden harbor at Quellpot Island.
14:54She crossed a ten-fathom curve, only sixty feet of water under the boat.
15:03Hardly enough to cover a big ship like Turanti.
15:07From here in, she was committed.
15:10The lookouts, and Commander Beach has offered the deck, were all eyes and ears.
15:19Anything happening?
15:20Control boat, bearing zero-three-zero.
15:22She'd just barely make her out.
15:26At first I thought she was starting to close on us, but now she's turned away.
15:31Let's hope so.
15:32At least we haven't flushed out a flock of torpedoes or shore guns.
15:35The only sign of life are those five shore-based radars we've monitored.
15:38Apparently, air search type.
15:39Well, they shouldn't be too effective against us.
15:41Five of them, you say?
15:43That shows we're on the right track.
15:44Floating mine!
15:45Off the port bow.
15:47Right, ten degrees runner!
15:48Right, ten degrees runner.
15:50Right, ten degrees runner.
15:54Plenty of margin.
15:57Yeah, we're okay.
15:59Runner or midships, steady as you go.
16:02Apparently, that prisoner of yours was right when he said there were mines in here.
16:06Maneuvering, bridge.
16:08Make turns for six knots.
16:10Maneuvering, making turns for six knots.
16:12The Turante moved closer to a small island which blocked the inner harbor where she hoped to find an enemy anchorage.
16:28She had a choice of penetrating the inner harbor from the north or from the south.
16:32The Turante was now probing the southern approach.
16:37Nine fathoms.
16:39About as far as we can go on this approach, Ned.
16:41Yeah.
16:42You see anything in there that looks like ships?
16:44Thought for a minute I saw something.
16:45Not an eye.
16:46It's hard to tell against the shoreline, though.
16:49If we can't see ships from this range, we couldn't see the chute.
16:51You think the anchorage is empty?
16:53No, not necessarily.
16:54Maybe we can get a better look if we try the northern approach.
16:56Keep about 1,200 yards off shore.
16:58And circle the island.
16:59Highlight, Captain.
17:00Left, 20 degrees rudder.
17:01Left, 20 degrees rudder.
17:02Continue your single ping perthometer readings every three to five minutes.
17:03Aye, sir.
17:04better look if we try the northern approach. Keep about 1,200 yards offshore, and circle
17:10the island.
17:11All right, Captain. Left, 20 degrees rudder.
17:16Left, 20 degrees rudder.
17:18Continue your single-ping pathometer readings every three to five minutes.
17:22Aye, sir.
17:27The Taranti skirted around the island, sheltering the harbor until she was in position for another
17:32cautious approach from the north. Once again, she crossed the ten-fathom curve.
17:40Ten fathoms.
17:45Nine fathoms.
17:50Eight fathoms.
17:53You sure that thing's working, Remler?
17:55I see what you mean, sir.
17:57If this keeps up, we might as well get out and walk.
18:00Seven fathoms.
18:02Well, another five minutes, we'll know one way or the other.
18:05See anything?
18:06Not yet.
18:09It's all moving on. It's on the port beam.
18:13It's an escort vessel.
18:14She's paralleling us.
18:18Two patrol vessels.
18:20I don't think they see us.
18:21Could be.
18:23Battle stations, Ned.
18:25Man your battle stations.
18:26Man your battle stations.
18:27Battle stations, torpedo.
18:30I see three or four ships.
18:40Three.
18:41Big ones.
18:42Patrol vessels turning toward us.
18:43Man the deck guns.
18:44Man the deck guns.
18:46Man the deck guns.
18:47Man the deck guns.
18:48Man the deck guns.
18:49Man the deck guns.
18:50Man the deck guns.
18:51Gun crew on deck.
18:52Man the deck guns.
18:53Gun crew on deck.
18:54Man the deck guns.
18:55Gun crew on deck.
18:56Man the deck guns.
18:57Gun crew on deck.
18:58Captain, she's turning away.
19:20Looks like a false alarm.
19:22Let's station your gun crews just in case.
19:23All right.
19:25We'll hug the island a little closer.
19:26Come left at five degrees.
19:29Come left, five degrees.
19:31Captain, radar has to be ship contacts.
19:34TDC plots of two, speed zero.
19:36Good, we've caught them at anchor.
19:38Secure the photometer readings.
19:40If they can get in there, so can we.
19:41Aye, aye, sir.
19:45Looks like an ammo ship.
19:47Till frigate's nearer.
19:48Okay.
19:49We'll move in closer and get this over with.
19:52Get on the largest target.
19:53Aye, Captain.
19:56We're ranging on the bigger ship now.
20:01Twenty-five hundred yards.
20:03That's about right.
20:04We'll try a sighting in shot using TBT bearings.
20:11The Durante backed down and laid two.
20:14A bow towed slightly out to combat the set of the current.
20:19Anytime you're ready, Nick.
20:20Arm!
20:26Arm!
20:44Exploring against the beach.
20:46Yeah, it missed to the right.
20:48Anyway, we know there's no torpedo nets.
20:54They think it's aircraft.
21:05Fire!
21:06They have to pick off the two frigates.
21:35Fire!
21:36Fire!
21:40Suit number one, fire directly.
21:50Park!
21:51Suit number two, fire directly.
21:53Park!
21:54Fire!
21:54Fire!
21:54We've got two more of them.
22:06Now let's get out of here.
22:07Trap full rudder, all ahead full.
22:14Leaving as she had entered, skirting close to the small island to escape detection,
22:19the Turanti raced to evade one of the patrol boats, now hot on her trail.
22:24She reached deep water, and then the inevitable depth-charging began.
22:36But after what the Turanti had been through, there was little panic.
22:44So believe it or not, everything worked out just the way we planned.
22:47Captain, radio just picked up a message.
22:51I told you, the President is dead.
23:05Send out a report to the Force Commander.
23:09Sanked three ships.
23:15For FDR.
23:16Aye, aye, sir.
23:29I'll be back in a moment with our special guest.
23:31I'm sure you all would like to meet the Commander of the USS Turanti and his Executive Officer.
23:41This is Captain George L. Street, the real-life skipper of the Turanti,
23:46and Captain Edward L. Beach, former Executive Officer.
23:50I agree with you about that slight smell of suicide.
23:53Well, it would have been too bad if we'd been boxed in at Kelport, where we couldn't dive.
23:59The government has rewarded you with a Congressional Medal of Honor for this patrol.
24:05Did it seem at the time like your plan was above and beyond the call of duty?
24:09At the time?
24:11I'd just say it seemed like a good idea.
24:13A good idea with a strong smell of nerve and genius this time.
24:17Ned, everyone has been enjoying your submarine stories so much.
24:22Do you have another one in preparation?
24:24Well, after all, my main job is being an officer of the United States Navy.
24:29But in answer to your question, I do have a few ideas.
24:32It's too bad that the old team of Street and Beach can't sail together again.
24:37That's one of the prices we pay for getting older.
24:40Well, congratulations to you both on this truly outstanding patrol in the Turanti.
24:47Please join us again for another exciting chapter of the silent service.
24:52THE END
24:54THE END
24:56THE END
24:57THE END
25:27Oh, no, no, no!
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