- 7 weeks ago
Australian raiders are transferred to the Solomon Islands by the USS Grouper.
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00:00I'm Rear Admiral Thomas M. Dyke,
00:29and I'm Rear Admiral Thomas M. Dyke is retired. Although the primary function of the silent service is to sink ships, they have to be ready for most any kind of an oddball assignment. One of the artists fell to the USS Grouper, which was operating in the vicinity of the Solomon Islands. This is the story of her secret mission.
00:48It was September 23rd, 1943.
00:59The USS Grouper, under command of Martin P. Hattel of Annapolis, Maryland, was patrolling the area south of Trump. The executive officer was Lieutenant John D. Mason of Edensburg, Pennsylvania.
01:18It was one of those fabled South Sea nights, warm, peaceful, scented by flowers from a nearby tropical island. The war seemed a million miles off, and tomorrow it would be even farther away.
01:31After two long years of fighting, the Grouper was due to leave for San Francisco in the morning.
01:36You know, it's a shame. What's that, Captain? Always. Things you've always read about. South seas, tropical islands. Nights like this.
01:48Well, I'll still take San Francisco. I always figured I'd come here someday just to see what it was like. Well, you made it, Captain. Yeah, I made it.
01:57You both. Keep those cigarettes covered. There's a war on, you know. Aye, aye, sir.
02:06Hey, Corley. Yeah, what?
02:09You know what I'm gonna do when this war's over?
02:12You ain't gonna do nothing. This war ain't never gonna be over.
02:15All right, all right. Then I don't wait. As soon as we get back to Frisco, I'm gonna transfer me to the infantry.
02:21Yeah, which army?
02:23Which army? Part of United States Army, stupid?
02:27Never heard of it.
02:28Oh, Corley, how'd you ever get in the Navy? You're illiterate.
02:32No, don't be such a wise guy.
02:34Yeah, maybe you're right. I like you, boy. You're all right. That's why I'm gonna cut you in on a good thing.
02:41Yeah, like what?
02:43Well, now, you're gonna need some shore money when you hit the beach at Frisco, all right?
02:46I got me three months back pay.
02:48Three months back pay? Man, them civilians make that much every week.
02:52Man, you gotta be fat. Maybe spending all your time at the USO.
02:56I never thought of that.
02:58I'll tell you what I'm gonna do.
03:00Now, there's some poker players down there that's gotta be reformed.
03:04Now, a hundred bucks will buy you half interest in the tape.
03:09I don't know. You lose that hundred of them.
03:11Lose? Man, I got an edge. Why do you think I let this beard grow?
03:17Okay.
03:30You guys ever see this view from the top of the mark?
03:32Boy, that's really something.
03:33Feel the cost.
03:35Next month, that's where you'll find me. I may spend my whole leave up there.
03:38You're sitting up there on top of everything looking at that view.
03:41Why? Tell me that. Why?
03:43Because for two years, all I've had to look at is gauges and valves and your faces.
03:48I gotta get that out of my system.
03:50Maybe things have changed since I was there.
03:52You just have to pay to get in and pay to get out.
03:54Yeah. Where are you gonna get the money? Where?
03:56Donations, boys. Donations.
03:58So the other cards.
04:00Dispatch, Captain.
04:04Thanks.
04:10Ask Lieutenant Mason to come to my room.
04:12Aye, aye, sir.
04:14We can leave the area any time.
04:21All right.
04:23We're proceeding immediately to Woodlark Island.
04:25Our route is between Cape Hennepin and Green Island.
04:28Well, it's a little off course for San Francisco, isn't it, Captain?
04:31We're picking up a party of Australians and 3,000 pounds of equipment.
04:36What's the deal?
04:38Special mission.
04:40We're to land them on New Britain, near Cape Oxford.
04:43Is that all it says, sir?
04:47Passage to and from to be undetected.
04:50Oh, the Japanese behind every bush on New Britain, that sounds like a good idea.
04:54You want me to break the news to the men?
04:56No discussion with the crew. They'll know soon enough.
05:04Steady on course 1-4-0.
05:06All ahead, standard.
05:08Steady on course 1-4-0.
05:13All ahead, standard.
05:16All engines answering ahead, sir.
05:18The way I figure it, it's got to be Australia.
05:22Why? Tell me that. Why?
05:24Because if it ain't Australia, there's nothing there after that except the South Pole.
05:29Man, that's kind of far from Frisco.
05:48Well, let the lights end for us.
06:08Right full rudder.
06:10All ahead, one third.
06:18Major Andrews, sir.
06:23See you often.
06:24Quite a heavy board maker.
06:26I'm commander of a hotel with Captain.
06:28She seems a little small, Captain. I've got 46 men here.
06:31We'll find room for them.
06:33They're worth seeing anyway.
06:35All right, come on, make a move. Smartly.
06:36Looks like a bunch of farmers.
06:42Fine-looking bunch of men, Major.
06:45Oh, there are a bunch of larrikins from out back, but they're going for a blue.
06:49Oh, yes.
06:51I understand you have the intelligence information.
06:54I don't know the waters myself, but my head boy comes in those parts.
06:58What the...? What's holding him up?
07:00Hey, Arthur! You stop along together all night?
07:03Time, huh?
07:05You fell up along, you come along quick time, huh?
07:08What'd he say?
07:09How do I know what he said? I don't speak Australian.
07:17All right, let's get stuck into it then, huh?
07:19No more.
07:21Boy, as him say, government ships have altogether too much small hold.
07:25Altogether too much frighten.
07:28Better me savvy go along bush belong me.
07:32Oh, beg pardon, sir. Sorry, Captain.
07:34What's the crisis?
07:36I don't know, sir.
07:37No, no, no, no.
07:40Captain, we aren't taking them fuzzy wuzzies aboard, are we?
07:43We are?
07:47Too much smalkey hold. I don't go down below.
07:56You going along, Major?
07:57Oh, they won't go down below. They're crooked on the size of the hatch.
08:01Haven't got a bigger one, have you?
08:03If we had, we'd be in trouble.
08:05Well, if they won't go down, they'll have to ride on deck, that's all.
08:08No, they won't. They'll be submerged most of the time.
08:11I don't know what your orders are, Major, but I've only got three hours to get your load aboard and underway.
08:16Underway.
08:17All right.
08:22Captain, I've got an idea if we're getting them below.
08:25You know what's happening?
08:26Well, the way I get it, sir, the Chief, or whatever he is, claims he isn't afraid.
08:30It's the rest of them.
08:31But if we can get him down below, maybe he'll tell the others it's okay.
08:35Okay, we'll try it.
08:37You go below and stand by. I'll drop him down to you.
08:40He hesitates at the last moment.
08:42Aye, aye, sir.
09:06This is Arso, the head boy.
09:09Haven't you got that gift ready for him?
09:11Huh?
09:12Oh, sure have, Captain.
09:14Hey, right here.
09:17See?
09:18Souvenir of the grouper.
09:20Got the name right on it.
09:25Now we'll look the rest of the boat over.
09:37This is our window.
09:49See all together, people belong after.
09:51All right.
09:52All right, let's get them below.
09:55Him, he master, belong government.
09:58Too much good fellow.
10:00Him, friend, belong me.
10:01All right.
10:03All right.
10:07A landing party of 17 Australians and 29 natives were embarked.
10:12In addition, rubber boats and 3,000 pounds of equipment were taken aboard.
10:17The grouper got underway for New Britain before daybreak.
10:22This shows a cove somewhere north of Cape Oxford, but that's all.
10:26There's no scale, no landmarks, nothing.
10:28I'm sorry, Captain, that's all the drill they gave me.
10:31But you're expected.
10:32The natives are going to light a signal fire high in the hills behind the cove.
10:37Major, if this coast is anything like the ones I've seen, there'll be a dozen fires.
10:42How am I expected to find the right one?
10:44Even if I do, what about soundings?
10:47This cove is probably too shallow to dive in and certainly too small to maneuver in.
10:53I don't intend to be a sitting duck for anybody.
10:55Well, nobody would blame you for that.
11:00Get in as close as I can.
11:02About three or four miles to go on the rubber boats.
11:05Captain, the boats they brought aboard were fitted with attachments for outboard motors.
11:10The faster they get in, the better.
11:12Yes, sir, but no motors came with the equipment.
11:15Major, I believe you said your head boy came from that area.
11:21That's right, yeah.
11:22I think we'd better find out how much he knows about it.
11:24I'll get him.
11:26Tavia told you do it, no.
11:29Him, he no understand these words, he no savvy these words.
11:33Supposed me to talk up government fellow like king, belong me.
11:37Bad fellow master, make them all fellow work too much hard like devil devil, no good.
11:43Stop along, Calibus. All right.
11:46All right, why? Do you know what he's talking about?
11:48Well, it's Prince in English.
11:51Drongo was up to party and he got in strife with the Johns.
11:57Whatever that means.
11:59Ask him if he knows the area around Cape Oxford.
12:01Yes, sir.
12:03Catch him marry belong me.
12:05Him, he cry too, too much.
12:07Soon now, him say,
12:10Did you get any of that?
12:11Oh, yes.
12:12It seems he has a minister for home affairs waiting for him.
12:14I think I savvy this stuff a little, Captain.
12:19That means the boy has a wife on the island.
12:21So he must know something that's useful.
12:23If we can ever find out what it is.
12:26Ask him about the cove. Is there a reef?
12:29He understands you, Captain.
12:30Good.
12:32Yes, sir.
12:34This fellow reef, you know like reef belong country, belong master.
12:38Anchorage stop all night in Anchorage.
12:40No more. Close up. Dead. Finish.
12:44Supposed for him, he's still wait.
12:47Translation?
12:49Some bloke in a foreign after came a cropper.
12:52Mason?
12:53It sounds like there's a reef, Captain.
12:55A small craft found it in the cove.
12:57Might be a navigational hazard.
12:59That's not the only one.
13:01No!
13:06What's he say?
13:07Belly belong to me. Too much big humbug fella.
13:11That'd be a basket of oranges, wouldn't it?
13:13Oof. He's crummy.
13:15Translation?
13:17I think he means the boy's seasick, Captain.
13:24The group had dove just before daybreak and continued the rest of the day submerged.
13:28Japanese aircraft were operating in the area and the coast was expected to be well guarded.
13:34Captain Hattel would have to feel his way in close enough for the landing party to paddle ashore.
13:40How bad is it?
13:44Well, it doesn't look good, sir.
13:46There's only two paddles per boat.
13:48None of the landing parties ever been in a rubber raft before.
13:51Okay, we'll use our men as paddlers on the first trip.
13:54They'll have to scrounge some additional paddlers from the island natives.
13:57Those headhunters behaving themselves?
13:59Oh, yes, sir. Real friendly.
14:01Hey, don't you know better than to sneak up behind the guy?
14:05Take a walk.
14:07They're making me nervous. Come on.
14:10Well, it ain't poker.
14:11It's nothing I've ever seen before.
14:15Get a look at those cards.
14:17What's the book?
14:18You know, the books are so beautiful.
14:20Don't you know better than to sneak up behind the guy?
14:22Take a walk.
14:23They're making me nervous. Come on.
14:32Well, it ain't poker.
14:33It's nothing I've ever seen before.
14:36Get a look at those cards.
14:39What's the matter with them?
14:40The backsplums, the readers.
14:42Go on.
14:43I tell you, I got them spotted.
14:45Every loving card in a deck is marked.
14:48And somebody's gonna get killed.
14:50Who's doing it?
14:50They're all doing it covered.
14:52But it's all dinkum.
14:53They all know the markings.
14:55Everybody knows what everybody else has got.
14:57You're kidding.
14:58So what's the idea of the game?
15:00To see who can cheat the best.
15:02You watch.
15:03They'll find a dead bird in a minute.
15:05You mean they're gonna start shooting?
15:06Nah.
15:06I mean some gallop will walk into a snare.
15:09Yeah?
15:10Then what happens?
15:11He's in the chair.
15:15I mean he has to shout everybody a drink.
15:17When he gets back.
15:24How long do you think it'll be, Captain?
15:27Landfall in about four hours.
15:30How long it'll take us to find that cove?
15:32I wouldn't want to guess.
15:34You're afraid we've been a nuisance to you.
15:37It's all part of the job, Major.
15:39Well, they tell me you were due to go back to America.
15:42We've been away two years.
15:44A few more days won't kill us.
15:46But you lads must be anxious.
15:48I know.
15:49I only got home myself a short time ago.
15:51Oh?
15:53From where?
15:53North Africa.
15:55Some of my lads were the rats of Tobruk.
15:58You didn't waste any time getting back into action.
16:00I've been in the wrong war up to now.
16:03My father and my brother are prisoners of the Japanese in my bowl.
16:07Sorry.
16:08There's been worse.
16:09One of my blokes was on the north coast of New Guinea when they came.
16:13He had to climb over the Owen Stanley Mountains in his shorts and sneakers.
16:17Captain!
16:18Plane off our starved quarter!
16:20We better go below, Major.
16:22Stand by to dive!
16:23The plane circled overhead for a few minutes and then flew away.
16:34There was nothing to indicate whether the grouper had been sighted.
16:38Captain Hartel proceeded towards Cape Oxford on the surface.
16:45Hey!
16:46Hey, what's going on here?
16:47We follow him all together.
16:49Make a marine, they're on government ship.
16:51Me no sabe this business.
16:53Hey, what'd he say?
16:54What's he yammering about?
16:55Line forms to the left.
16:57You'll pay your money and wait your turn.
16:59Are these guys taking showers?
17:01Nah.
17:02They just like to work the valves.
17:03They've been lining up all night.
17:05Well, I ain't gonna put up with much more of it.
17:07I tell you right now, I'm gonna belt one of these guys.
17:10Pick your man.
17:11I got a buck says he'll take it.
17:17I can make out at least eight fires.
17:23Same count here.
17:25Tell it there.
17:27Blew off the starboard bow.
17:29See it?
17:31Yeah.
17:33It's a little higher than the others.
17:35That might mean it's up in the hill.
17:38It could just as easily be a Japanese patrol.
17:41How do we know?
17:42Well, you want me to give the recognition signal?
17:45Not yet.
17:45Not yet.
17:47We'll get in closer.
17:49Well, how close are you gonna get, Captain?
17:51Well, I don't intend to let them drift around in the dark.
17:53We'll go right into the cove so they'll have a short hole to the beach.
18:09What do you estimate the distance to the beach?
18:111,000 yards.
18:121,000 yards.
18:13We'll ease around another four or 500 yards.
18:16All ahead, 1,3rd.
18:18Lanny fighting, Danny bison.
18:20Very well.
18:21Hey, how do I look?
18:22Whacko, you look like a flaming cow cocky.
18:25Is that good?
18:30Good fellow master.
18:32Go away, will ya?
18:33What's this for?
18:36Him, he says you're too much good fellow master.
18:40Give you presents.
18:41You mean he's giving me this crooked deck?
18:43You serve a humbug.
18:44Another fellow stopped along government ship.
18:46Catch him plenty of money, quick time you.
18:48All right.
18:49Hey, get a load of this joker.
18:51He's giving me these crazy cars to clean you guys out.
18:54What are you trying to do, get me killed?
18:56Him, he say you friend belong him.
18:59Can you beat that?
19:03You both?
19:04As soon as you hit the beach, forage for some paddles.
19:07As many as you can get.
19:08Yes, sir.
19:09And if you have to leave the beach, be careful.
19:10Might be Japanese patrols in the area.
19:12Aye, aye, sir.
19:20The equipment will go on with the next load.
19:22Then the Navy boys.
19:24Good old.
19:26Captain, they let the fire go out on the hill.
19:29We can't see anything to get a fix.
19:32Get a radar range on the bluffs, then.
19:34If we don't maintain position, those boats will never find us.
19:37Aye, aye.
19:39Captain, you've done a bunch of job, then.
19:42I and the lads appreciate it.
19:44Part of the job, mate.
19:53Where are the rest of the paddles?
19:54You boat went after them.
19:56The village is back there in the jungle.
19:57He hasn't come back yet.
19:59Well, if he's not on the beach, when you get back, send a signal.
20:01Aye, aye, sir.
20:03Aye, cast off.
20:04You boat.
20:04Well, that ain't Robinson Crusoe.
20:05What took you so long?
20:05Captain's got the connection.
20:06I got followed up on that village.
20:07It's the craziest place I've ever been.
20:11Women, kids, and dogs, and chickens.
20:14Everybody took off for the hills the minute they see me.
20:16I got followed up on that village.
20:17Craziest place I've ever been.
20:18Women, kids, and dogs, and chickens.
20:19Everybody took off for the hills the minute they see me.
20:21I emptied that village in nothing flat.
20:22Can't understand it.
20:23Well, take a look in the mirror, and you will.
20:24I never noticed her right now.
20:25But you look wilder than those fuzzy wuzzies.
20:29I'm not alone.
20:30You're not alone.
20:31I'm not alone.
20:32You're not alone.
20:33I'm not alone.
20:34I'm not alone.
20:35I'm not alone.
20:36I'm not alone.
20:37I'm alone.
20:37Philippians, they'll kill thee when they are alive.
20:44Line perÃodo, with kids, and the young people,
20:45and dogs and chickens.
20:47Everyone took off for the hills the minute they see me.
20:50I emptied that village in nothing flat.
20:51Can't understand it.
20:53Well, take a look in the mirror.
20:54I never noticed her right now.
20:56You look wilder than those puisquids.
20:58All right, les, over you go.
20:59Come on, Zyngal.
21:00We won't hurt you.
21:01Hold him strong.
21:02Hold him strong.
21:03Come on.
21:04Where are you going?
21:05Thanks.
21:06Next.
21:11All right, now, shove off.
21:18Captain, ship just rounded the gate.
21:21Gun crew, stand by.
21:29How many more to go?
21:30Two more trips, Captain.
21:36Don't fire until I give you the word.
21:40Aye, aye, sir. Deck gun's loaded and ready.
21:44Keep it pointed right at them.
21:45If they move this way, I want to get them first.
21:54All right, now, take it easy there.
21:56Watch his leg.
21:58Come on, now.
22:01Captain, the men are bringing in an army pilot.
22:04He's been hiding out in the jungle.
22:06He should have stayed there. He was better off.
22:10The enemy passed. The grouper was not sighted.
22:15Get them going again, and fast.
22:21I'm the captain. Name's Hattel.
22:23Norman.
22:24Boy, am I glad to see you.
22:25I thought I was going to be stuck there until the end of the war.
22:28How'd you get here?
22:29I got shot down flying a photo reconnaissance over Raval.
22:33Say, uh, what are you doing here?
22:35We just brought in a landing party.
22:37Where they're going or what they're planning to do, I couldn't say.
22:41I can tell you where we're going.
22:43San Francisco.
22:54How's our captain here?
22:55Fine.
22:56The pharmacist mate fixed up his foot.
22:58He asked for ice cream to make him feel at home.
23:03I wonder what those guys are going to do back there.
23:05Make reconnaissance on Japanese positions, I suppose.
23:09MacArthur will probably be making a landing soon.
23:14I hope we've helped to make it earlier.
23:21There was no doubt the grouper's night landing helped make the invasion of Duke Britain easier
23:25when General MacArthur's troops went ashore the following December.
23:39U-S-S grouper.
23:55Now, how the devil did that get here?
24:00I'll be back in a moment with our special guest.
24:09We have with us Captain John D. Mason, who was then the executive officer of the U-S-S grouper.
24:15Brad, as you look back on it, I bet you're glad you had to postpone that trip to San Francisco.
24:20We'd been on patrol for quite a while, and there was a lot of moaning when this new assignment came through.
24:26But it turned out to be an experience none of us will forget.
24:29Your captain, Spike Hartel, has told me your passengers were a pretty frightening outfit.
24:33They were the kind you wouldn't want real mad at you, but we were careful how we handled them.
24:38After we convinced them it was okay to come below, we had very little trouble.
24:42Apparently, they were as natural as children.
24:45Yes, and twice as inquisitive.
24:47There wasn't a single inhibition in the whole crowd.
24:49Maybe they have something in a way of life.
24:52I want to congratulate you and the ship's company of the group on another great job of submarining.
24:56Be with us again when the silent service brings you another true and exciting submarine story.
25:05Take her down, let's often fly
25:12Through the deep blue underneath the ocean
25:16We'll control the ocean's wide
25:21From down, down underneath the sea
25:25Safe and cold, we'll pass the word
25:29In the future's yet to be
25:32That we'll save
25:35That we'll save
25:36As long as there
25:37Of some marines are underneath the sea
25:42The race will die
25:44And take her down
25:46Some go down, down underneath the ocean
25:50Fearless men will find renown
25:54In the deep blue underneath the sea
25:57The sea
25:59In the deep blue underneath the sea
26:00Of the sea
26:02In the deep blue under the sea
26:04By this enemy
26:05The sea
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