- 6 months ago
Searaven (SS-196) On her second war patrol, USS Searaven becomes a sitting duck to save a group of 33 Australian soldiers and aviators trapped on Timor after fighting the Japanese in a retreat action for eighty days.
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Short filmTranscript
00:00I'm Rear Admiral Thomas M. Dikers, retired.
00:28In the spring of 1942, the USS Sea Raven went through one of the most thrilling episodes of the war.
00:35She persisted in the face of one bad break after another.
00:39The success or failure of her mission rested squarely on the shoulders of a young ensign,
00:44who volunteered for a most hazardous assignment.
00:49In April 1942, it was believed that a Japanese task force was planning a strike at Western Australia.
00:59One of the Allied ships available to meet this threat was the USS Sea Raven.
01:06She came up from a berth at Albany in Southwest Australia to take part in the defense.
01:11Lieutenant Commander Hiram Cassidy of Brookhaven, Mississippi, had taken command of Sea Raven just two hours before she sailed.
01:18A new command suddenly assumed, a patrol destined to be different.
01:23By the time the Sea Raven arrived at Fremantle, West Australia, the situation had changed, and so had Sea Raven's orders.
01:36Captain, cargo in the after-torpedo room is all braced and short, sir.
01:40Thank you, George, and good morning.
01:42Yes, sir.
01:44Well, isn't it such a good morning?
01:48Oh, wonderful morning, sir. Don't get me wrong.
01:51I'm not exactly a jumping fire-eater, sir, or anything like that, but...
01:56Well, sir, it's almost too bad that the Japanese task force didn't materialize after all, isn't it, sir?
02:01You'll get your shots of them. The war is young.
02:04Yes, sir.
02:06I... I still hate to see us unloading most of our torpedoes, sir.
02:11The order is to bring three-inch ammunition to Corregidor. Somebody has to do it.
02:16And those eight torpedoes we have in our tubes can be fired if necessary.
02:20Yes, sir, but they can't be serviced.
02:22Uh... or... can they, sir?
02:26No. I put 45 tons of three-inch shells blocking the tubes.
02:30You know you're learning, George.
02:32Thank you, sir.
02:34Uh... I just hope I'll be able to stand my own watch as diving officers before the patrol is over with, sir.
02:40Patience, New England. You'll get there.
02:44Thank you, sir.
02:49On April 9th, history arrived in one of its grand climaxes.
02:53And with disaster came change.
02:55Baton has fallen.
02:58Well, Iraq won't be needing that three-inch stuff for carrying.
03:02Crews offensively against enemy, then return to Australia.
03:05A limited cruise, of course, considering our reduced armament.
03:09Reduced armament?
03:11Sir, we're loaded. We're a floating bomb.
03:14Exciting, isn't it?
03:16This is the captain. We have received new orders radioed from headquarters.
03:31We will not at present return to Australia.
03:34I am calling for volunteers to go ashore on the island of Timor for special duty involving considerable personal risk.
03:42I will interview the volunteers in the wardroom.
03:45Men on watch will be heard when we leave.
03:47I will need three men.
03:49George, here it is.
03:52Thirty-three Australian soldiers and aviators have been trapped on Timor by the Japanese advance.
03:58They've been fighting a retreating action there for 80 days.
04:01They managed to salvage a radio from a plane and have been calling for help.
04:05We've been assigned to take them off.
04:07Watermaster Markson and Siglem and McGreevey are all set to go.
04:10Are you interested?
04:11Yes, sir.
04:12Now, this might be a very dangerous mission.
04:16Not only is the island heavily occupied by the enemy,
04:19but they may also have the code the Aussies are using.
04:22They may be just waiting for us to make our move.
04:24Well, it sounds like it might be interesting, sir.
04:27Well, another good possibility is that they may attack the ship while you're ashore
04:31and forces to strain you there.
04:33Oh, I understand that, sir.
04:35You do. And you still want to go?
04:38Yes, sir.
04:39Why?
04:41Well, there's lots of reasons for it, sir.
04:45It's like you said at Fremantle, somebody's got to do it.
04:47Yeah.
04:48And, uh...
04:50Well, sir, I guess I'm still sore at the Japanese for bombing the tinder I was on in Manila
04:55and chasing us out of the melee barrier.
04:57That was the Otis, you know.
04:59And, uh...
05:01Well, sir, I hope this won't work against me.
05:05Go ahead.
05:07Well, uh...
05:09My being a reserve officer and never having gone to submarine school.
05:13I...
05:14Well, I just don't feel like I'm any value to the submarine as a submarine.
05:17I'd like very much to help get those Australian officers.
05:20I see.
05:22Well, you did go to Massachusetts Marine Institute.
05:26And being from the New England coast, you'd know small crap.
05:30And I hear you're a very good swimmer.
05:33Yes, sir.
05:34You are the eager beaver.
05:36Yes.
05:37Well, the beaver looks like first-rate submarine material.
05:40I'm for him.
05:41I'm for him.
05:42Well, thank you, sir.
05:43Just a moment.
05:44There's one more thing.
05:46Now, this island is swarming with Japanese.
05:49They've warned these Aussies to surrender or expect no quarter when caught.
05:53They, uh, will not be very easy on anyone trying to save them.
05:58Okay, New England.
06:00There she stands.
06:01Now, George, let's talk about... Timor.
06:06Approaching Timor, Sea Raven submerged and cruised back and forth a mile and a half off the beach.
06:18There's a lot of people on the beach.
06:21Four, five on horseback.
06:25There's a lot of traffic out there.
06:27Can't make out whether it's Japanese, Australians, or natives.
06:30Have a look, George.
06:36Down scope.
06:40We attempt contact Tuesday night.
06:43Let's hope they show up.
06:47At 2 a.m. the morning of Monday, April 13th, an enemy submarine fired a torpedo at Sea Raven.
06:53It missed, but it was near enough for sonar to hear its propellants.
06:59At 6.40 p.m. of the appointed Tuesday night, Sea Raven surfaced one mile off the beach.
07:06The crew is at battle stations and ready for any eventuality.
07:14The utmost precautions were taken against the possibility that the enemy knew Sea Raven's movements and might mount a surprise attack.
07:21There it is, sir.
07:22A small fire in the jungle at the point of rendezvous.
07:35Well, he's hoping the enemy isn't out for the whole scheme.
07:42Landing party on deck.
07:46The Greedy and Markson will remain outside the surf of the boat.
07:51Edson Cook will go ashore alone.
07:53When you find the men, bring them back through the surf to the boat. Is that clear?
07:56Yes, sir.
07:57Now, whatever you do, don't take the boat to the beach.
08:00You might not be able to get back through the surf and you'll all be captured.
08:03And remember, we're in an exposed position here, submerged the surface.
08:07And we have a cargo of high explosives. They'll work fast.
08:10All right.
08:11All right.
08:12Proudy.
08:13And Cook, keep that pistol dry.
08:16All ready, sir.
08:18Good luck.
08:19Thank you, sir.
08:20Hold it.
08:21Steady, right here.
08:25Nothing.
08:52Well, as we saw the fire signal,
08:55Maybe they're just lying low and waiting.
08:59They know we're coming.
09:01Let go the anchor.
09:06What are we so mousy for?
09:08That serpent drive on a three-inch gun.
09:11That's a lot of gun to swim with, sir.
09:13Well, the breakers will carry me in.
09:16Think the breakers will accommodate you coming back?
09:19You take care of yourselves.
09:20Take care of ourselves.
09:25Say, uh, if I'm not back by 2.30, go on back to the ship.
09:30They've got to submerge before daylight.
09:39It's supposed to be pretty hot stuff in the water.
09:41Yeah, so are sharks.
09:55Wait.
09:57Wait.
09:58If I'd just hop and run away in the water,
10:02you must destroy.
10:04amateur headlights of lightning,
10:06that's where it's raining.
10:07I got to Beloved.
10:09It's you haven't...
10:11came me out the sea.
10:14The sea WirtschaftØ· is calling me out the seas.
10:16Well, the sea it's out the sea.
10:19Mr. Staley would watch.
12:21Hey, you guys!
12:29Hey!
12:31Hey, you guys!
12:36Guys!
12:38Guys!
12:42Hey!
12:44Hey!
12:48Hey!
12:50Hey!
12:52Hey!
12:58He should have been back an hour ago.
13:00Hey!
13:08Hey!
13:10Hey!
13:12Hey!
13:16Hey!
13:18Hey!
13:20Hey!
13:26Hey!
13:28Hey!
13:30Hey!
13:38Hey!
13:40Hey!
13:42Hey!
13:52Hey!
13:53Hey!
13:54Hey!
13:55Hey!
13:56Hey!
13:57Hey!
13:58Hey!
14:00Hey!
14:02Hey!
14:04Hey!
14:06Hey!
14:07Hey!
14:08Hey!
14:10Hey!
14:12Hey!
14:14Hey!
14:16Hey!
14:17Hey!
14:18Hey!
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14:20Hey!
14:22Hey!
14:24Hey!
14:26Hey!
14:27Hey!
14:28Hey!
14:32Hey!
14:34Hey!
14:36Ah!
14:46You!
14:47Thank you!
14:48Hey!
14:52Hey!
14:54Hey!
14:56Hey!
14:58Hey!
15:00Hey!
15:02Hey!
15:04And if he got a chance again, if he'd be fit.
15:07He burned with a fever, his head throbbed.
15:10The fact he tried unsuccessfully to hide from the captain.
15:15Wednesday, April 15th.
15:17Sea Raven stood out to sea, requesting instructions from submarine headquarters.
15:22The reply came the following day, Thursday, April 16th.
15:26The Australians were at the rendezvous point all right.
15:29You were okay.
15:31A Japanese patrol movement and the Aussies had to lie low.
15:35You mean it was that patrol around the campfire?
15:38Yeah. You must have sounded like an Allied invasion force to them.
15:42Oh, man.
15:43Well, we're gonna try again tomorrow or Saturday night.
15:46I'd say the sooner the better.
15:48Tomorrow night?
15:49Well, sir, it's about 7 p.m.
15:51The enemy permitting.
15:54You, uh, feeling all right?
15:56Oh, much better, sir.
15:58You left marks and do the swimming.
16:01Remember, the same situation prevails.
16:05Orders are the same.
16:06Boat outside the breakers.
16:07I understand, sir.
16:08Good luck.
16:09No, it's just a funny feeling I've got about the Australians.
16:11To me, they're always the Anzacs.
16:13There never were really too many of them, but...
16:15Boy, what a reputation those guys have got.
16:17Same way with the Canadians.
16:18Same way with the Highlanders.
16:19You gotta pull for people like that.
16:20Now, you'll probably find them in the jungle, just beyond the beach.
16:22Take this and secure it to a stump or a tree or something, so you can pull your way back to the breakers.
16:32And if you're running any trouble or need any help, it's five short flashes when they've laid.
16:36Good luck to you.
16:37Aye, aye, sir.
16:38Good luck.
16:39You'll find them in the jungle, just beyond the beach.
16:40Take this and secure it to a stump or a tree or something, so you can pull your way back to the breakers.
16:46And if you're running any trouble or need any help, it's five short flashes when they've laid.
16:51Good luck to you.
16:52Aye, aye, sir.
16:53Good luck.
17:09Hello, Yates.
17:36Oh, we're glad to see you.
17:3880 days we've been on the run.
17:40Mighty glad you're here, Yank.
17:41All right, Paulie, all right.
17:43We couldn't have met you at the rendezvous point again, Yank.
17:46There's blasted patrols a report.
17:48Blast them.
17:49Eat nothing but wild rice and roots.
17:51For 80 days.
17:52Look at us once, will ya?
17:53Where are the others?
17:54Undercover.
17:55They're hurt and sick with fever.
17:56It's been a mess.
17:57They can't shift for themselves.
17:59Some of them can't.
18:00It's gonna be rough getting to our boat through that surf.
18:06Good afternoon, Ron.
18:08Hey there.
18:09Hey, Caleb.
18:10How would I even walk?
18:11Or, too, not day to rest.
18:13Go ahead.
18:15How would you stop?
18:16Yeah.
18:17How would you stop you?
18:18I wouldn't mind.
18:19You're gonna see.
18:30I feel like I'm coming out.
18:32Well.
18:32Oh, like a fool.
18:33Ship contact bearing 3-0-0.
18:55This lecture might be a destroyer.
18:58I know something's up.
19:00He'll pass within 1,500 yards.
19:03Starboard ahead, 1-3rd, port back, 1-3rd, left full rudder.
19:08Battle station, surface.
19:20We don't dare try a torpedo.
19:23If it doesn't go off or if it misses, the whole mission will be lost.
19:29All we can do is present the smallest possible outline, that DD.
19:32And pray.
19:51They've spotted us. We haven't got a chance.
19:53We've got the land behind us. Maybe they won't see us.
19:56Maybe.
20:11Maybe.
20:16Didn't see us.
20:17The, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the.
20:36we swim and pull ourselves out by the stern line let's just hope the anchor holds the men in worse condition go first I'll uh I'll take this one
21:06take it easy with him he's bad
21:09what about Mark from the guys he's coming oh this is no good we're never gonna get them all in this way
21:28we sure don't leave them there you kidding
21:31if we can get them through those breakers
21:36is what
21:49why that's surf I don't know what are we gonna do this one of the times gonna take all night
22:00I don't know if those sick officers are gonna live through this
22:03so
22:05so
22:10so
22:25that's the left of them sir makes 33 you know i get the photo board i don't lose any time
22:37getting out of here all 33 men being provided for the pharmacist makes treating the wounds
22:52he says he can take care of some of those bad tropical ulcers and that other stuff
22:55that we get to a hospital in freemantle the men in the worst condition are in primitive bunks
23:00and uh the others are hot bunking us so they can i'll get some rest
23:04do you understand my reason for insisting you didn't take that boat to the surf
23:07yes sir you and your men could have been lost the boat destroyed an entire mission hopelessly
23:14compromised you realize that yes sir nevertheless you landed that boat last night through those
23:19dangerous breakers you made several trips back and forth why well sir there was no other way
23:25why not well uh our anchor line parted and we lost our anchor
23:33you lost your anchor yes sir we lost our anchor
23:38oh i see
23:42well i just wanted to record the operation exactly as occurred in my patrol report
23:48well done
23:51well thank you sir that's all uh oh mr cook very well done indeed george
23:59i'll be back in a moment with our special guest
24:08we are fortunate to have with us the hero of our story that's in george c cook who is now commander
24:19cook united states navy george when you volunteered for submarines you probably had no idea you'd go
24:25through one of your most hair-raising experiences ashore that's right sir and especially on an island as
24:30remote as tomorrow you must be quite a swimmer to have made those trips through the surf particularly
24:35carrying a man on your back well i was brought up on the shores of massachusetts and been swimming
24:39practically all my life on the surf how did it feel to have all those strange people scatter for the
24:44jungle when you turn the light on your face even before i turned the flashlight out it was one of
24:49our life's darkest moments you were decorated with the navy cross for this action and you certainly
24:54deserved it congratulations to you please be with us again for another true and exciting story of the
25:02silent service
25:13we'll control the ocean's wide from down down underneath the sea
25:20we're the steps we'll fight we drive
25:30we'll fight
25:34we'll fight
25:48Let the fight be done in the deep blue underneath the sea.
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