- 5 months ago
Aspro (SS-309) During the closing days of World War II, the USS Aspro rescued a downed airman from the sea, only a few miles from the beaches south of Tokyo. The Aspro was attacked repeatedly by enemy aircraft but the rescue was affected due to the indomitable will of the submarine's skipper, of the skill and efficiency of his crew and of the close liaison between airplane and submarine.
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00:00Ah-ah! Ah-ah! Ah-ah!
00:30I'm Rear Admiral Thomas M. Darkus, retired.
00:34The story we're about to bring you contains a novel word, Zumi.
00:38In Navy parlance, a Zumi is an aviator.
00:41During World War II, our Submarine Lifeguard League fished from the sea a total of 504 Zumis.
00:48These included men from all branches of our services, as well as our allies.
00:53Some of these rescues were routine. Others were very dangerous and unpredictable of success.
00:59This is the story of the USS Aspro and its attempt to rescue a Zumi from the water not far from Tokyo itself.
01:14The body of water touching on the port cities of Tokyo and Yokohama and flowing into the Pacific
01:20is called in Japanese sagami nada.
01:23On the morning of August 3rd, 1945, just east of the island of Oshima,
01:31the USS Aspro surfaced to begin lifeguard duty.
01:37Commander James H. Ashley, Jr., of Clinton, Indiana, was her skipper.
01:41He was a veteran submarine, but new to the Aspro.
01:44Today marked her eighth day at sea under his command.
01:47The executive officer was Lieutenant A.W. Weaver of Brewster, New York,
01:51a veteran of seven war patrols, most of them aboard the Aspro.
01:55Chief Gunner's mate G.E. Murphy of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, was the chief of the boat.
02:00He was a man never at a loss for a word or a cigar.
02:03No lifeguard submarine worked alone.
02:09Approaching from the south to join the Aspro came two other members of the team, the Dumbboats.
02:15These planes carrying lifeboats acted as the eyes of the lifeguard.
02:19When necessary, the boats were parachuted to the Zumi in trouble.
02:23Close behind came the flight of fighters to fly air cover.
02:27The lifeguard was useful only if she could remain serviced.
02:31As it had been on many a previous morning, the store was open.
02:35There was only one thing to do, wait for customers.
02:38Well, there they go, Mr. Weaver.
02:43Pretty sight, isn't it?
02:45In a day like this, they can really get in there and raise some dust.
02:48Yeah, those cloud formations will hide them over Tokyo.
02:50They need it.
02:52Well, flying bombers, you can drop the stuff from way up.
02:55These guys go right down on the deck.
02:57Gotta be a little punchy to do that.
02:59Yeah, I guess you do.
03:01Yes, that's why I never made it.
03:03Well, they couldn't have rejected you for pilot training on that score, Murphy.
03:07They did.
03:08Doc said I was psychologically unqualified.
03:11I said I'd take the submarine service.
03:13He said that was okay.
03:15Yeah, they figured you're good for one thing and not the other.
03:18I'm afraid that's one of life's little mysteries, Murphy.
03:22Yeah.
03:23I guess I'm better off.
03:25Buddy of mine made it.
03:27He's dead now.
03:29He's dead now.
03:44What do you think you're doing?
03:45Nothing.
03:46I saw you following them guys.
03:48What's wrong with that?
03:49It's good practice.
03:50If they'd have been enemy planes, I'd have had them.
03:52After what happened last week, I told you never to aim your gun at none of our planes.
03:56But you couldn't fire.
03:57I had it at half load.
03:59At first you took it at Mustang last week.
04:01That was at half load too, huh?
04:02Right.
04:03I made a mistake.
04:04It could have been a very costly mistake.
04:06I missed it, didn't I?
04:08Just the same.
04:09Never aim your gun at none of our planes.
04:11Okay.
04:12Okay.
04:13But it's good practice.
04:14And that's why I'm the best gunner on this boat.
04:16Yeah?
04:17If you were that good, you'd have hit him.
04:27That burns in some screwball.
04:28I don't know.
04:29What he was doing was good practice.
04:31That's why he's the best gunner on this boat.
04:33Well, I ain't worried about you, Mr. Weaver.
04:35But if the skipper found out, I better check with that gun crew, sir.
04:43The skipper found out what?
04:45He thinks he don't know if Brinson fired on that Mustang last week.
04:49If they had it there, the skipper would know only the right things his crew does.
05:02Right on time.
05:03How'd you like some of that for breakfast?
05:05It's bad enough when I get grapefruit in my eye.
05:08Every time I hear that, Al, I just can't help feeling sorry for those people.
05:14It's the distance.
05:16What's distance got to do with it?
05:18If we were in there closer, they'd be shooting at us.
05:21And you wouldn't be sorry for anybody.
05:23I see what you mean.
05:27Japan's defenses were being softened for the coming invasion.
05:30Every man on Aspro knew that.
05:32Scuttlebutt had it that the war would last at least another six months.
05:37It was still three days before the atomic bomb would be dropped on Hiroshima.
05:42Bridge, radio.
05:44Go ahead, radio.
05:46BHF reports a pilot down in southwest Sagaminata, sir.
05:50Request Dumbos to investigate.
05:52Come left, 350.
05:55Come left to 350.
05:57Zero.
06:07Rick?
06:09Captain speaking. Go ahead.
06:10Dumbo reports Zoomy at 35-11 North, 139-20 East.
06:16They dropped my boat, Zoomy was seen getting into it.
06:18He was seen getting into it.
06:19Advise Dumbos to circle Zoomy.
06:21Put him on course 150.
06:25All ahead, full.
06:26All ahead, full.
06:27Take the car now.
06:34You get the position on that survivor, Bill?
06:36I hope there's a mistake.
06:37Why?
06:38Puts him less than four miles offshore.
06:40In north Sagaminada, not south.
06:43Radio room.
06:45Contact the Dumbos pilot who gave you the coordinates.
06:48Ask him to verify.
06:49Aye, aye, sir.
06:51There's got to be something wrong, sir.
06:52How about our course?
06:53This is close enough.
06:55Dumbos will correct us if it's not.
06:57Assuming the worst, how far are we away from him?
06:5935 to 40 miles.
07:01How much chance that close in?
07:03The Japanese could get him with a patrol boat.
07:04With the Dumbos covering him, I don't think a patrol boat will try.
07:08Captain, Dumbos pilot reports position is correct.
07:10Advisors, we change course 10 degrees port.
07:15Very well, radio.
07:18Take us two hours at least.
07:23Yes, sir.
07:23If we make a surface approach at flank speed.
07:26We're in deep water.
07:26We can always dive if trouble shows.
07:28I'm thinking of the mines, Captain.
07:29They don't show.
07:30We just have to take that chance, Bill.
07:33We don't hurry.
07:34He may drift under some shore battery, and we'd never get him.
07:36I heard the confirmation, Captain.
07:42How close?
07:43Four miles off the beach.
07:46Something bothering you, Captain?
07:48Shore batteries.
07:50They can't miss spotting us.
07:51We'll be coming in at high noon.
07:52You know, maybe they won't be firing at us.
07:55Why not?
07:56I don't figure no enemy, sub.
07:58It'd be dumb enough to come with a view of the beach this time of day.
08:01I hope you're right.
08:03Yeah, so do I.
08:04With the customer waiting, all hands had only one objective.
08:10To supply the service.
08:15Planes off the port bar, sir.
08:21The new Dumbo is coming to leave the others.
08:24Keep a sharp lookout.
08:25We're getting close.
08:26Captain, fight a plane flight leader reports one hour of gas remaining.
08:31Roger.
08:34How do you like that?
08:39There goes our air cover.
08:41We've got to be there by then.
08:43Those guys can sure pick the right time running out of gas.
08:47Take the car, now.
08:53Making good time, Captain.
08:55Passed into Sagami Nata two minutes ago.
08:57What do you figure?
08:58Forty-five minutes.
08:59Look out, you should see the boat in half an hour.
09:02Well, maybe we'll make it.
09:04You're not going to submerge?
09:05No.
09:06Nonetheless, we're attacked.
09:08Parallel is Maypole One.
09:10Parallel is Maypole One.
09:12Unidentified aircraft to the west.
09:14Aircraft to the west.
09:16Proceed with caution, over.
09:18Maypole One.
09:19This is parallel.
09:21Roger.
09:22Are you carrying bombs?
09:24Over.
09:24Parallel Maypole One.
09:25Parallel Maypole One.
09:26We are loaded.
09:27Over.
09:28Maypole One.
09:29Suggest you jettison.
09:31Are you aware of fighters' gas supply?
09:33Over.
09:34Yes, we are parallel.
09:35Will do.
09:36You are about 15 miles from Survivor.
09:39Over and out.
09:40Those planes could have been hours.
09:50It's nearly half an hour since contact.
09:52If the fighters are forced into a dogfight, they won't have gas enough to get home.
09:56I know.
09:58These darn cloud formations are going to make it tough to spot anything for it's right on top of us.
10:07Load off the starboard bow, sir.
10:10It's a zoom-y, Captain.
10:14Right on the nose.
10:26They're going after the zoom-y.
10:32Here's our fighter covered.
10:34There they are, sir.
10:38Anybody hurt?
10:40Virgin?
10:45Ted?
10:47They came out of nowhere.
10:49I thought they were ours.
10:56I don't want to die.
11:21If we can help it, we might lose it.
11:22These planes are standing in opposition.
11:24You can bet on that.
11:25It's only another 10 or 15 minutes.
11:26We can make it.
11:28Yeah, but it's at 8.
11:29Take a look.
11:33Could be laying low.
11:36Hey, they got one.
11:37Scratch one, Meatball.
11:41It's one of ours.
11:43Maybe he'll trail out.
11:50They're like a rock.
11:53Dumbo's are chasing him off.
11:55Parallel, this is temple one.
12:01We are forced to pull out.
12:02Hold her.
12:05Temple one from parallel.
12:06Thanks for your help.
12:07We're sorry to see you go.
12:09Over.
12:10Out.
12:12There go the fighters.
12:15How does it look?
12:18No sign of life.
12:19Bridge watch gun crew resume stations.
12:23Bridge watch gun crew resume stations.
12:28May pole one.
12:30This is parallel.
12:31Over.
12:31Go ahead, parallel.
12:32Parallel.
12:37You confirm survivor's condition.
12:39Is he dead or alive?
12:40Over.
12:41Circle on C.
12:42Over.
12:42We have to wave something.
12:50Stand up.
12:50Give us an idea.
12:52Parallel, this is May pole.
12:53I'm approaching the boat.
12:55We are directly over survivor.
12:58There is no movement in boat.
13:00Shall we make another run and try again?
13:02Over.
13:02Negative may pole out.
13:06Where does that leave us?
13:08Something like seven miles off the beach, if I'm not mistaken.
13:20The next ten minutes brought the Aspro closer to the Zumi with no verification from the Dumbo,
13:26no visual contact by the men on the Aspro as to the downed pilot's condition.
13:30He was in limbo, not dead, not alive.
13:33Commander Ashley had no choice but to discover the truth for himself.
13:37All back full.
13:38Rescue party, stand by.
13:40All back full.
13:41Rescue party, stand by.
13:47Anything?
13:49Parallel, this is May pole one.
13:50Bandits sighted to north.
13:52Repeat, one bandit to north.
13:53Over.
13:55Keep them off our backs, May pole.
13:56We're almost there.
13:58Roger parallel.
13:58He's flying course three, five, zero.
14:01Does not appear interested.
14:02Is there a sign of activity from Zumi?
14:04You have a live one out.
14:07Captain, look.
14:13All stop.
14:14Rescue party on deck.
14:15All stop.
14:16Rescue party on deck.
14:17All stop.
14:18Rescue party on deck.
14:20Clear the bridge.
14:40varied.
14:41Van fire.
14:46conversation from Jackets depend on deck.
14:46Dive! Dive!
14:54Come on! I got it!
14:55We're going now! We need to get another person!
15:05I got it! I got it!
15:16Murph! Murph! I got him! He was smoking!
15:18Honest, Murph! I got him!
15:26You got what?
15:27I hit him!
15:28I didn't spot him, but I hit him!
15:30Out scope!
15:41Scratch one enemy plane off the starboard valve.
15:43It buys all hands.
15:46The plane that bombed us just splashed off the starboard valve.
15:50See? I told ya! I told ya!
15:52Okay, okay. So what do you want? A medal?
15:56How's that zooming?
15:57All he needs is a hook and line, and he can go fishing.
16:06Down scope.
16:08Hello. May call one. This is Parallel. Over.
16:11Come in, Parallel. Are you okay? Over.
16:13Shook us up a little, that's all.
16:16How's the weather? Over.
16:18Looks all clear, but I guarantee nothing after that one.
16:21Too many clouds. Over.
16:24We're coming up. Out.
16:25Out.
16:28This is the captain.
16:30We've been seen and reported by the enemy.
16:32That means that every man must be on his toes for any emergency.
16:36Now we're going to surface again.
16:38I'll be the only man on the bridge.
16:41The lookouts and bridge watch stand by in the control room and conning tower for orders.
16:45Yes.
17:03Good shooting, Bernson.
17:05Stand by. We might need you to do it again.
17:07Open the hatch.
17:08Rescue party, stand by. Our zoomie's on his way.
17:29Clear the guard!
17:31All ahead and fall! Dive! Dive!
17:33Dive! Dive! Dive!
18:03Depth, 45 feet.
18:14Wow, that was close.
18:16Yeah, any closer, there's been one threw me up there and 90 zombies down here.
18:20You can say that again.
18:22We better get out of here.
18:25I'm scoped.
18:33The dumb boat splashed him.
18:55How is he?
18:56We'll keep the scope up as a marker.
18:58He can be right there when we surface.
19:00The home subject just radioed in this message, sir.
19:03Admiral Lockwood views with alarm the engagement of enemy aircraft by submarines of the Pacific
19:12Fleet.
19:13Maybe he thinks we had a choice.
19:15We've got to get that zooming out, Captain.
19:17Don't want anybody saying we stuck our necks out for nothing.
19:33Right full rudder.
19:37Right full rudder.
19:40Maypole one.
19:41This is parallel.
19:42Is it safe to surface?
19:44Over.
19:45Parallel's my position.
19:46It looks all clear.
19:47But keep in mind we are flying at 200 feet.
19:50Over.
19:51How about going upstairs and taking a look?
19:53Over.
19:54Cannot comply.
19:54We are nearly critical on gas.
19:57You will have to pick up survivors soonest.
19:59Maypole over.
20:00Out.
20:03Prepare to surface.
20:04The old man's got rocks in his head.
20:06How many times is he going to try it?
20:08He knows what he's doing.
20:10It's not like this is just what we need.
20:12Gives them around with the flyboys a shot in the arm.
20:15It's one thing being up there shooting at them.
20:17But laying here naked like a duck treading water.
20:20I don't like it.
20:22We quit now.
20:23We'll look pretty yellow.
20:24That zoomie is sitting up there waiting for us.
20:25Zoomie!
20:27Zoomie!
20:29Zoomie!
20:29Zoomie!
20:50Zoomie!
20:51Aircraft on the starboard bomb.
21:21Let's get out of here.
21:26You're on the wrong way.
21:28Clear the board.
21:30All I had was pull, dive, dive.
21:38Go ahead, go ahead, go ahead, go ahead.
21:55Glad to be aboard, sir.
21:57Captain Edward H. Mikes, 458th fighter squadron.
21:59My name's Ashley.
22:01We'll talk later.
22:02Take him down to the farms to me.
22:04May 4-1, this is Parallel.
22:13Over.
22:14Go ahead, Parallel.
22:15The survivor is Captain Edward H. Mikes, wound superficial.
22:20You can go home now.
22:22We thank you.
22:23Over.
22:24We're on our way, Parallel.
22:25If it's of any interest to you, we sighted five Georges and three Peets approaching position
22:30of submergence.
22:31Over and out.
22:32Take her down to 200 feet.
22:34Take her down to 200 feet.
22:39Take her down to 200 feet.
22:40It's funny how you only feel it when it's all over.
22:54Yeah.
22:55Let's go below.
22:56I need a drink.
22:57I'll settle for coffee.
23:06I tell you, Captain Ashley, when you dove that second time,
23:08I was ready to give up.
23:10I never thought you'd be back and I wouldn't have blamed you.
23:12Not a bit.
23:13We thought you were dead after that plane strafed you.
23:15I was okay, all during the dogfight.
23:17Then I started blacking out.
23:19How'd you lose your plane?
23:20Black?
23:21No.
23:22After we dropped our bombs, I led my flight over Kofu Airfield.
23:26I spotted a tank alongside a railroad track and went down.
23:29I got it.
23:31It got me.
23:32It's a pretty risky business.
23:34I guess about the same as yours.
23:36You and your crew, Captain.
23:38Much obliged.
23:43I'll be back in a moment with our special guest.
23:53The chief in the boat of a submarine is the top chief petty officer aboard.
23:56His responsibility is to see that the orders of the executive officer are carried out by the crew.
24:02It is a job that calls for knowledge, forcefulness, and tact.
24:06To hold it, a chief must be outstanding.
24:09It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you Mr. George E. Murphy, who was the Aspro's chief of the boat when she made the rescue you've just seen.
24:19Mr. Murphy, you were in a hard fighting ship.
24:22It was a pleasure to be on that ship.
24:24The crew had a lot of drive.
24:26When we went on lifeguard duty, they put just as much into saving lives as they did torpedoing ships.
24:32I imagine a lot of it was pride.
24:34It was.
24:35We weren't going to have him fly or die without trying even the impossible.
24:39Captain Ashley must have enjoyed leading that crew.
24:42We would have followed him anywhere.
24:44We were a team.
24:45I'm sure I speak for our audience when I say congratulations to the Aspro on a really outstanding performance.
24:52Thank you, sir.
24:56I hope you will be with us again when we bring you another true and exciting story taken from the history of the silent service.
25:16I hope you will be with us again when we bring you another true and interesting story.
25:30And the world is a future yet to be
25:36And to say, I want to say
25:41A submarine for underneath the sea
25:45So wake for life and take her down
25:49Come for life and down
25:51Underneath the ocean
25:53Build a bed for a mighty cloud
25:58Underneath the sea
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