- 7 weeks ago
Concerns the Gato Class WWII Sub U.S.S. Barb (SS-220) and her Final WWII Patrol.
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Short filmTranscript
00:00I'm Rear Admiral Thomas M. Dyker, retired.
00:29The story we are about to bring you is one of extraordinary heroism.
00:34The USS Barb was one of the most aggressive submarines in World War II.
00:39In fact, she ranked number three in the amount of enemy tonnage sent to the bottom.
00:44She had a fighting crew.
00:46In fact, a crew that wouldn't quit fighting.
00:48Here is their story.
00:49The USS Barb wrote several new chapters in submarine history.
01:01In doing so, she resorted to almost every type of warfare, from bold surface attacks to riding
01:07dangerously in the shallow waters and bombarding shore installations.
01:10The USS Barb rung up the unbelievable toll of more than 90,000 tons of shipping.
01:30Our story begins when the Pirates of the China Sea, as the Barb's crew was called, topping
01:39off one of her spectacular patrols.
01:42Operating in dangerously shallow waters, they were in search of a convoy reported to be
01:46hugging the coast.
01:48The Barb skipper was Commander Eugene B. Fluckey of Washington, D.C.
01:52Lieutenant William M. Walker, from Miami, Florida, was the Barb's first lieutenant.
01:58The ship's top petty officer was Paul G. Saunders, Chief of the Boat.
02:02His hometown was San Diego, California.
02:08Well, all them meatballs and no spaghetti.
02:13How come they got you working a swab, Jackie boy?
02:16Well, the old man caught Miss Gylark in on the bridge again.
02:19How do you always manage to get into trouble?
02:22Well, I'll tell you, Chief, it's, uh, well, you see, actually, uh, well, I don't know.
02:31I get up in the morning and, uh, there I am, in trouble.
02:36Well, you better get that extra duty worked off.
02:38You know, Scuttlebutt has it we're going to get leave right after this patrol.
02:41Leave?
02:42Say, how soon before we head back?
02:44Well, we still got ten fish left in the tubes.
02:47You know the old man ain't going to leave until we find the home for him.
02:49Ah, sure, Lee.
02:54May I have this dance back?
02:56Thank you very much.
02:57Yes, I'll do.
02:59Oh, you do have a lovely complexion, my dear.
03:01Yes, or you'd ask him up.
03:03Yes, you do.
03:03Oh, you can.
03:05Ah.
03:06Ah, Lucienne.
03:07I've waited six months for this leave.
03:13I've seen Lucienne.
03:15I'd rather take the swab.
03:22Thanks.
03:22Holy smoke.
03:29Look at this, Mr. Walker.
03:31Hmm?
03:31Looks like a whole flock of ships right next to the coast.
03:34Right.
03:37Notify the captain.
03:38We spotted the convoy right up against the beach.
03:42Say, that looks like fate review at Hampton Road.
03:45Yeah, ain't that beautiful?
03:47Moving nice and slow, just like ducks on a pond.
03:50Beautiful.
03:50Looks like the convoy, all right.
03:57Have they changed position?
03:59Yes, sir, they're moving south slowly.
04:01Most of the coast's unexplored.
04:02It'll be pretty rough getting in.
04:04Hmm.
04:05Well, the chart tells us is that it's rocky.
04:08We go in slow enough, we might find our way through.
04:11We never make it out the same way.
04:12Once we attack, they'll close in, we'll have to be moving fast.
04:16Nobody could recommend that you go in there, Captain.
04:17It's a big convoy.
04:21It's worth a big chance.
04:24Besides, targets are scarce these days.
04:27Put us on a course to go up ahead of them.
04:29Aye, aye, sir.
04:34What are you so happy about?
04:36Oh, I was just thinking about the old man.
04:38How can a guy be such a good joke?
04:40And hand out so much extra duty.
04:50The barb slipped beneath the surface on a course towards the dangerously rocky coastline.
04:55There they are, there must be about 30 of them.
05:22We'll fire all torpedoes and haul out.
05:25Aye, aye, sir.
05:27The barb slowly swung into position.
05:34Commander Flucky gave the order to fire a bow spread of six torpedoes.
05:39Fire.
05:40At eight second intervals.
05:42All six direct hits.
06:04Right full rudder.
06:05All ahead full.
06:06After torpedoes, stand by.
06:08Stern in position, the barb fired a spread of four more.
06:20Eight hits carefully spaced, timed and observed.
06:23A large freighter settled and sank.
06:25A big ship burst into shooting flames.
06:28One unidentified vessel rolled over on the side.
06:30In less than one minute, thousands of tons of Japanese shipping was laid useless.
06:37The barb couldn't take time to look back as she felt her way through the congested waters.
06:42The luck of the audacious was with her.
06:46We're clear, sir.
06:47Passing over the 20-fathom curve now.
06:49Fine, fine.
06:50From here on, it's downhill all the way.
06:52Let's head for home.
06:54Service.
06:55A few weeks later, the barb steamed into Pearl Harbor.
07:16Her crew and officers were in high spirits.
07:20What's the first thing you're going to do when you get ashore, Jackie?
07:23Oh, I don't know.
07:24I hear they have a beautiful art museum there.
07:28You going to an art museum?
07:30No, but I hear it is beautiful.
07:37But what they didn't know was that Com Sub Pack was to have disappointing news for them.
07:44What makes you think lifeguard duty isn't important?
07:46I didn't say that, sir.
07:48All I said was I got a bunch of wildcats on board who need more action.
07:51They won't sit still.
07:52Sounds like a cocky crew.
07:55Yes, sir, they are.
07:58I can understand why.
08:01Yes, sir.
08:02I'm sorry, Gene.
08:03Bob's getting pretty old.
08:05We have faster and more mutton boats for combat patrol now.
08:08Maybe so, Admiral, but I don't think there's a ship in the force with a barbed spirit.
08:12You think that's the most important factor?
08:14Yes, sir.
08:14I know it is.
08:15I'm afraid I can't do it, Gene.
08:19I'll guarantee you a million dollars worth of damage.
08:22No.
08:22But, sir, I've got a plan to knock out shore installations.
08:26We can't do enough damage with one deck gun to make it very worthwhile.
08:29We could employ rockets.
08:32Rockets?
08:33What a sub?
08:34Just because it's never been done, sir, doesn't mean it isn't possible.
08:37I didn't say it wasn't possible.
08:40Sorry, sir.
08:41But we know those shore installations better than we know the streets in Washington.
08:45With a full load of rockets, we could massage that shoreline...
08:47Let me think about it.
08:48I'll also personally guarantee you at least 15 ships.
08:54Looks like you've got your heart set on another combat patrol.
08:58Then you'll let you do one more wall patrol, Gene.
09:01And with rockets.
09:03Thank you, sir.
09:04Now, get out of here before I change my mind.
09:07Aye, sir.
09:08And thanks again, Admiral.
09:09We won't disappoint you.
09:16Have a good time on leave, Jackie?
09:18Yeah.
09:21Transfer orders from ComSubPak.
09:33See, I wonder who's getting transferred.
09:35None of your business.
09:36Take it to the yeoman's office.
09:39And keep your nose out of it!
09:41Yeah, all right.
09:48You're hereby order to transfer a powder, Jack, electrician maker.
09:49Yes, first feeble competition to, uh...
09:51What was that?
10:06Commanding officer, USS Borough,
10:08I'm so packed.
10:09Subject transfer of enlisted personnel.
10:11Hm. You are here by order to transfer
10:13a Potter, Jack, electrician maker.
10:14Yes, first available compensation to, uh...
10:19Potter?
10:21Something wrong, Potter?
10:26No, sir. There's nothing wrong, sir.
10:28Cheer up. We'll be underway in a few hours.
10:30I'm sure we'll be able to find some extra duty for you.
10:33Let's go.
10:45Loaded to capacity with electric torpedoes and all sorts of other ammunition, including
10:55a hundred rockets to inaugurate their assaults on Hokkaido.
11:02On June 8, 1945, the Barb departed on a final war patrol.
11:07Captain, just broke an urgent message from ComSubPAC.
11:13He wants us to head for La Perouse Straits and raise the rumpus.
11:17I don't understand.
11:18Aren't Heidemann's Hellcats in there now?
11:20Seems they should have enough subs in his wolf pack to take care of the area.
11:24It means only one thing.
11:26They must be trapped in there.
11:27I guess they want us to draw all anti-submarine attention off of La Perouse Straits so they
11:31can get the wolf pack out.
11:36On June 21, the Barb approached La Perouse Straits on the surface in hopes of being sighted by
11:42Japanese patrol craft.
11:49Thunderbird!
11:51Dive!
11:52Dive!
11:53Dive!
11:54Dive!
11:55Dive!
11:56Dive!
11:57Dive!
11:58Dive!
11:59Dive!
12:00Dive!
12:01Dive!
12:02Dive!
12:03Dive!
12:04Dive!
12:05Dive!
12:06Dive!
12:07Dive!
12:08Dive!
12:09Dive!
12:10Dive!
12:11Dive!
12:12Dive!
12:13Dive!
12:14Dive!
12:15Dive!
12:16Dive!
12:17Dive!
12:18Dive!
12:19Dive!
12:20At 1736, Beidemann's Hellcats made their way safely out of the straits, but Barb had
12:35completed another successful mission.
12:39At 1950, the Barb surfaced inside La Perouse Straits and manned battle stations.
12:46They set up the launchers and loaded twelve five-inch rockets to pay their compliments.
13:07The initial rocket assault was highly successful, leaving the city of Shari badly damaged.
13:15Despite many countermeasures, the Barb fearlessly attacked the enemy at every opportunity, determined
13:21to fulfill her promise of a million dollars' worth of damage and at least fifteen ships.
13:27By August 2, 1945, she had made good her promise.
13:32The aggressive Barb had made use of all torpedoes and rockets, adding many thousands of tons
13:37of shipping and four rocket assaults to a brilliant record.
13:43I just wanted to remind you, Captain, we haven't sent our report to Clomsub-Pack informing him
13:48that all our torpedoes are expended.
13:50I hadn't forgotten, Bill, but if we report now, he'll make us come home.
13:54There isn't much else we can do, is there, sir?
13:56You remember that military railroad train we saw along the coast inside Patience Bay?
14:03Yes, sir.
14:05I'd like to climax this patrol by blowing it up.
14:09We're clean as a hospital ship.
14:11There's not a bit of ammo aboard, except for scuttling charges.
14:15Yeah, I know.
14:17If only I'd save just one rocket.
14:22Scuttling charges.
14:23That's it.
14:24I don't understand, sir.
14:26Each one carries a fifty-five-pound charge of super-high explosives.
14:30We could rig a micro-switch to one of them, send a landing party on a beach at night,
14:34plant it under the tracks, and when the train passes through, bless your water-logged head.
14:40Suppose we have to scuttle.
14:42We've got three charges, haven't we?
14:44I think we could blow ourselves up with two if need be.
14:49What's your honest opinion, Bill?
14:52My honest opinion, sir, is that it's absolutely ridiculous.
14:57I'd like to make a request.
14:59What is it?
15:01Permission to lead the landing party.
15:04Permission granted.
15:06Thank you, sir.
15:14This, my boy, is the proper way to do a pox trot.
15:19Man, that looks more like a turkey trot to me.
15:23You're just jealous.
15:24So what do you call a pox?
15:28Come in.
15:38Sir, I've been meaning to tell you that we'll never transfer orders for me before we left Pearl Harbor, sir,
15:43and I pocketed them so she wouldn't beach me.
15:45How did you get your hands on them?
15:47I was supposed to deliver them to the yeoman's office, sir.
15:50And I, um...
15:51I guess I snaked a picture.
15:54It figures.
15:55Yes, sir.
15:57You realize, of course, this is a serious offense.
16:00I know, sir.
16:01And I was going to tell you after we got to sea, but...
16:03I was afraid you'd put me off at Midway.
16:05You've got to be disciplined, you know that.
16:08Yes, sir.
16:11You're restricted to ship until we get to Pearl.
16:14Restricted to ship?
16:16Well, how can I get off at sea, sir?
16:18We're not through with War Patrol yet.
16:20I'm sending a landing party inside Patience Bay.
16:23You were going to be an important part of it.
16:25Oh, well, that isn't fair, Captain.
16:27I could have planned it until we got back.
16:29Too bad, Potter.
16:30Captain.
16:33Yes, sir.
16:38Looks like about 900 yards off the coast, Captain.
16:48Condition's perfect.
16:49No moon, heavy clouds.
16:51Right.
16:52Buster the landing party on deck.
16:54Replace Potter with Downey.
16:56I'll start briefing him right away.
17:05I thought you were in the landing party.
17:08The old man restricted me to the ship.
17:14All right.
17:15Let's go over it once again.
17:16Four men to a boat.
17:18Lieutenant Walker will lead the party ashore.
17:20One guard will proceed 50 yards up the track,
17:23another 50 yards down.
17:25The rest of the party will dig under the track
17:27and plant the battery and charge.
17:29Chief Saunders will test and adjust the micro switch
17:32on the firing circuit.
17:34Then return to the boat.
17:36Well, sir, I don't think I can handle a firing switch.
17:39Wasn't it clear when I explained it?
17:41No, sir.
17:42I think it should be handled by an electrician's mate.
17:44And who do you think should do it?
17:46Potter, sir.
17:47Very well, get him.
17:49Yes, sir.
17:50Man, I've been trying to think of some soul-stirring message like
17:57synchronize your watches.
17:59But all I can think of is
18:01if you get stuck, we'll come back for you every night.
18:04If we can't,
18:05follow the mountain ranges north and head for Siberia.
18:08Siberia?
18:10Siberia?
18:11Shove off and God go with you.
18:13To the next day.
18:14Oh.
18:15And after that,
18:16I was afraid of a smaller one.
18:18I'm afraid of a little bit in that boy.
18:19And a little,
18:20I'm afraid of a little bit.
18:22I'm afraid of an electrician,
18:23but, I don't think I can't really do that.
18:24I'm afraid of a little bit,
18:25I'm afraid of a little bit.
18:26I might be afraid of a little bit.
18:27I don't think of a little bit.
18:29You know,
18:30like you know,
18:31what's the deal with the importance of your watches?
18:33Hey!
18:57There's a highway.
19:01Okay, come on, follow me.
19:03Enjoying your trip?
19:05Very funny.
19:06You better let me take the lead.
19:07I'm not the most smart thing.
19:18There's the railroad track, sir.
19:21Look out!
19:23Right out.
19:25You remember your whistle signals?
19:27Yes, sir.
19:28Bob White for assemble, Whipple Wheel for alert.
19:30Right, get going.
19:33No wonder they can't grow anything but bulrushes here, Mr. Walker.
19:35Look at that lousy soil.
19:36Never mind the soil, Potter.
19:37Just keep digging.
19:38Just keep digging.
19:39No wonder they can't grow anything but bulrushes here, Mr. Walker.
19:43Look at that lousy soil.
19:44Never mind the soil, Potter.
19:45Just keep digging.
19:46No signal.
19:47No signal.
19:48No, I'll shoot, sir.
19:49Probably our lookout.
19:50Nothing on earth but a scared American could run that fast.
19:51Don't shoot!
19:52What's up?
19:53What's up?
19:54There's a lookout.
19:55There's a lookout.
19:56There's a lookout.
19:57Nothing on earth but a scared American could run that fast.
19:59Don't shoot!
20:00What's up?
20:01There's a lookout tower about a hundred yards up the track.
20:02Why didn't you whistle?
20:03Well, there's a guard asleep in the tower and when I saw him I got so scared my mouth dried
20:04up I couldn't whistle.
20:05Come on, bear a hand.
20:06Come on!
20:07Come on, bear a hand.
20:09Oh, my God.
20:10No signal.
20:11No signal.
20:12No, I'll shoot, sir.
20:13I'll be our lookout.
20:14Nothing on earth but a scared American could run that fast.
20:16Don't shoot!
20:21What's up?
20:22There's a lookout tower about a hundred yards up the track.
20:24Why didn't you whistle?
20:25Well, there's a guard asleep in the tower and when I saw him I got so scared my mouth dried
20:29up I couldn't whistle.
20:30Come on, bear a hand.
20:35Sir, I can hear a train approaching.
20:47It won't fit. I'm going to have to dig a little deeper.
20:49Come on, Dabby, don't jack dig.
20:52Clear the tracks. You're too close.
20:55Come on.
21:05Oh, they got me.
21:17Oh.
21:21Your carbon dioxide cartridge exploded.
21:26You ain't hurt, Onionhead. Come on.
21:29Yeah. Yeah, come on.
21:35Hurry up.
21:53Only about another 30 seconds to a minute, she'll be on us.
22:03She's all set, sir.
22:04All right, let's go.
22:16Hurry, Jack. Hurry.
22:18Hurry.
22:43They got it.
22:44Jack must have been too close to that one.
22:55You four men take the first boat back.
22:59We'll wait here for another minute.
23:05We'd never get back there. They'll be closing in on the beach soon.
23:09Can't leave him now. He might still be alive.
23:11We've got to, Saunders.
23:12We'll spot that sub soon. There'll be curtains for all of us.
23:15You're right, sir.
23:16Hey, wait for me!
23:26Hey! Wait for me!
23:28Hurry up, young man!
23:29You think the old man will give me extra duty for being late?
23:38You think the old man will give me extra duty for being late?
23:38I'll be back in a moment with our special guest.
23:55I know you will be pleased to meet the barb skipper, Captain Eugene B. Fluckey,
24:05who is now head of the Department of Electrical Engineering at Annapolis
24:08and the director of the Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium project.
24:13Gene, this 12th patrol of the barb was certainly a model of ingenuity.
24:16Where did you get all those ideas?
24:17Tommy, we knew we had very little chance of finding any worthwhile targets for our torpedoes that late in the war.
24:24So we thought them up while we were sitting on our hands.
24:27The barb stood three of all submarines and tonnage sunk.
24:31Won the Presidential Unit Citation.
24:34You were awarded the Medal of Honor.
24:36And still you tell me you had time to sit on your hands.
24:39Well, we had 80 of the finest men and submarines on board.
24:42But they were always in a hurry.
24:44So sometimes we did sit on our hands.
24:46But I must admit, it wasn't for very long.
24:48Congratulations to you for furnishing such fine leadership to this outstanding submarine.
24:56I hope that you will be with us again for another true story of the silent service.
25:02Take a dance and often lie
25:06Through the deep blue and beneath the ocean
25:09We'll control the ocean's wide
25:14From down, down, underneath the sea
25:19Safe and force will pass the word
25:23In the future's yet to be
25:27That we'll save as long as there's
25:32Our submarine are underneath the sea
25:35So make for life
25:38And make for time
25:40Down, down, down, underneath the ocean
25:44There's men who'll fight me down
25:48In the deep blue, underneath the sea
25:52And make for place
25:54And make for taking power
25:55An absolute fortune
25:55Fun and zombie
26:00Bye
26:01Bye
26:02Bye
26:03Bye
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26:12Bye
26:13Bye
26:15Bye
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