- 4 months ago
The "Final War Patrol" of the USS Barb (SS-220) was its twelfth and final patrol in June 1945, notable for the first use of rockets by a U.S. submarine for shore bombardments and the unique event of landing commandos to blow up a freight train on Japanese home soil.
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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,
01:05from bold surface attacks to riding dangerously into 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,
01:39topping off one of her spectacular patrols.
01:42Operating in dangerously shallow waters,
01:44they were in search of a convoy reported to be hugging 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 Skylark 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? Say, 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 do.
02:59Oh, you do have a lovely completion, my dear.
03:01Yes, or you'd ask him up.
03:03Yes, you do.
03:03Ah, you see?
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.
04:00Most 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.
06:19Eight 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 look 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.
06:55Service.
06:55Service.
06:55Service.
06:56Service.
06:57Service.
06:57Service.
06:58Service.
06:58Service.
06:59Service.
07:00A 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.
07:25I hear they have a beautiful art museum there.
07:27You 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.
07:53Sounds 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 forest 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.
08:30We could employ rockets.
08:32Rockets?
08:33Board 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.
08:49I'll also personally guarantee you at least 15 ships.
08:54Looks like you've got your heart set on another combat patrol.
08:58Then I'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.
09:11Have a good time on leave, Jackie?
09:17Yeah.
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.
09:37And keep your nose out of it.
09:41Yeah, all right.
09:42Come in.
09:50There, sir.
09:54Thank you, sir.
09:55And you don't know who, sir.
09:57I'm so back subject transfer of enlisted personnel you are here by order to transfer a
10:13potter jack-lick if you make a test for a stable competition to something wrong
10:25pattern no sir there's nothing wrong sir cheer up we'll be on the way in a few
10:29hours I'm sure we'll be able to find some extra duty for you
10:43loaded to capacity with electric torpedoes and all sorts of other ammunition including a hundred
10:56rockets to inaugurate their assaults on Hokkaido on June 8 1945 the Barb departed on a final war patrol
11:06captain just broke an urgent message from com sub pack wants us to head for la peru straits and
11:15raise the rumpus I don't understand aren't heideman's hellcats in there now seems they should have
11:21enough subs in his wolf pack to take care of the area means only one thing they must be trapped in
11:27there I guess they want us to draw all anti-submarine attention off of la peru straits so they can get
11:32the wolf pack out on june 21st the barb approached la peru strait on the surface in hopes of being
11:41sighted by japanese patrol craft
11:48yeah
11:50yeah
11:55yeah
11:58yeah
12:00yeah
12:02yeah
12:06for the next three hours the barb dived and surfaced like a playful porpoise drawing all attention away from the wolf pack
12:17at seventeen thirty six vitamins hellcats made their way safely out of the straits the barb had completed
12:35another successful mission at nineteen fifty the barb surfaced inside la peru straits and manned battle stations
12:43they set up the launches and loaded twelve five-inch rockets to pay their compliments
12:50the initial rocket assault was highly successful leaving the city of shari badly damaged
12:58despite many countermeasures the barb fearlessly attacked the enemy at every opportunity determined to fulfill a promise of a million dollars worth of damage and at least fifteen ships
13:05by august 2nd 1945 she had made good a promise
13:12the aggressive barb had made use of all torpedoes and rockets and rockets
13:18adding many thousands of tons of shipping and four rocket assaults to a brilliant record
13:25just wanted to remind you captain we haven't sent our report to com sub pack informing him that all our torpedoes are expended
13:32i am forgotten bill bill but if we report now he'll make us come home
13:39there isn't much else we can do with it sir
13:40you remember that military railroad train we saw along the coast inside patience bay
13:56much else we can do with it sir you remember that military railroad train
14:00we saw along the coast inside Patience Bay yes sir I like to climax this patrol
14:08by blowing it up we're clean as a hospital ship but not a bit of ammo
14:13aboard except for scuttling charges yeah I know if only I'd save just one
14:20rocket scuttling charges that's it I don't understand sir each one carries a
14:2855-pound charge of super high explosives we could rig a micro switch to one of
14:32them send a landing party on a beach at night planet under the tracks and when
14:36the train passes through bless your waterlogged head suppose we have to
14:42scuffle we've got three charges haven't we I think we could blow ourselves up
14:46with two if need be what's your honest opinion bill my honest opinion sir is
14:55that it's absolutely ridiculous I'd like to make a request what is it
15:01permission to leave the landing party permission granted thank you sir
15:16this my boy is the proper way to do a pox truck man that looks more like a
15:22turkey truck to me now you're just jealous oh so what do you come
15:35come in sir I've been meaning to tell you that we'll never transfer on us for me
15:43before we left Pearl Harbor sir I pocketed them so she wouldn't beach me how'd you
15:46get your hands on I was supposed to live into the yeoman's officer and I guess I
15:52snaked a picture and figures yes sir you realize of course this is a serious
16:00offense I know sir and I was gonna tell you after we got to see but I was afraid
16:04you put me off at midway you've got to be disciplined you know that yes you're
16:12restricted to ship until we get to Pearl restricted to ship how can I get off
16:18at sea sir we're not through with war patrol yet I'm sending a landing party
16:22inside patients bay you were going to be an important part of it oh well that
16:27isn't fair captain I could have planned up till we got back too bad Potter captain
16:31yes
16:42looks like about 900 yards off the coast captain
16:49this is perfect no moon heavy clouds right muster the landing party on deck
16:55replace Potter with Downey I'll start briefing him right away
16:58I thought you were in the landing party
17:07the old man restricted me to the ship
17:14all right let's go over once again form into a boat lieutenant Walker will lead
17:19the party ashore one guard will proceed 50 yards up the track another 50 yards down
17:25the rest of the party will dig under the track and plant the battery and charge
17:30chief signers will test and adjust the micro switch on the firing circuit then
17:35return to the boat well sir I I don't think I can handle the firing switch
17:39wasn't it clear when I explained it no sir I think it should be handled by an
17:43electrician's mate and who do you think should do it Potter sir very well get him
17:49yes sir
17:50man I've been trying to think of some soul stirring message like synchronize your
17:59watches but all I can think of is if you get stuck
18:03we'll come back for you every night if we can't follow the mountain ranges north
18:08and head for Siberia Siberia shove off and God go with you
18:33hey
18:40there's a highway
18:56hey come on follow me enjoying your trip very funny look you better let me take the
19:07leads I'm not the most smart thing go by no I'm sure
19:09that's the railroad track sir look out
19:22right out you remember your whistle signals yes sir bob white for assemble
19:29whipple wheel for alert right get going
19:32no wonder they can't grow anything but bull rushes here mr walker
19:41no wonder they can't grow anything but bull rushes here mr walker
19:47look at that lousy store never mind the soil Potter just keep digging
20:05no signal no I'm sure I'll go look at nothing on earth but a scared American could run
20:15that fair don't shoot
20:17what's up there's a lookout tower about a hundred yards up the track why didn't you
20:24whistle well there's a guard asleep in the tower when I saw him I got so scared my mouth
20:29dried up I couldn't whistle come on bare hands
20:30sir I can hear a train approaching
20:41it won't fit I'm gonna have to dig a little deeper
20:48come on dabby don't jack dig
20:50clear the track she's too close
20:53come on
20:55come on
21:15oh they got me
21:17oh
21:22your carbon dioxide cartridge exploded
21:27you ain't hurt onion head come on
21:29yeah
21:31yeah
21:33yeah
21:35yeah
21:37yeah
21:42yeah
21:43yeah
21:47yeah
21:49yeah
21:50yeah
21:51Judge
21:53wait about another 30 seconds to a minute she'll be on us
21:58yes
22:02she all sets right let's go
22:12so
22:17Hurry!
22:44They got it!
22:47The deck must have been too close to that one.
22:55The four men take the first boat back.
22:58We'll wait here for another minute.
23:05We'd never get back there. They'd be closing in on the beach soon.
23:08We can't leave him now. He might still be alive.
23:10We've got to, Saunders.
23:12We'll spot that sub soon. There'll be curtains for all of us.
23:15You're right, sir. I'm sorry.
23:24Hey! Wait for me!
23:27Hurry up, your mother!
23:29You think the old man will give you extra duty for being late?
23:39I'll be back in a moment with our special guest.
23:51I know you will be pleased to meet the barb skipper, Captain Eugene B. Fluckey, who is now head of the Department of Electrical Engineering at Annapolis and the director of the Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium project.
24:09Gene, this 12th patrol of the barb was certainly a model of ingenuity. Where 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.
24:23So we thought them up while we were sitting on our hands.
24:26The barb stood three of all submarines in tonnage sunk, won the Presidential Unit Citation, you were awarded the Medal of Honor, and still you tell me you had time to sit on your hands.
24:38Well, we had 80 of the finest men and submarines on board. They were always in a hurry.
24:43So sometimes we did sit on our hands, but I must admit it wasn't for very long.
24:47Congratulations to you for furnishing such fine leadership to this outstanding submarine.
24:55I hope that you will be with us again for another true story of the silent service.
25:01Take a dance and hop in line
25:06Through the deep blue underneath the ocean shine
25:10We'll control the oceans wide
25:14From down, down, down, underneath the sea
25:18Take the force, we'll pass the word
25:22In the future's yet to be
25:26That we're safe, as long as there's
25:31Our submarine are underneath the sea
25:35So break for time and take for time
25:39Number of stars
25:41Number of stars
25:42And now
25:43Go down, down, down, underneath the ocean
25:44There's men who'll find me down
25:48In the deep blue underneath the sea
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