The Battle of Kula Gulf-Death of the Machine Gun Cruiser-Episode 210

Comments · 302

• JO

  @joesmith323 · 3 years ago

  losing only 168 men out of a crew of 1,200 for a ship that broke up and sank in the dark is a remarkable achievement.

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• KE

  @kemarisite · 3 years ago (edited)

  The ridiculous thing about American doctrine for these light cruisers is that they were allowed to go to continuous rapid fire in a night action within a certain range. Under continuous rapid fire a Brooklyn or Cleveland will continuously illuminate itself with gun flashes, but will simultaneously continuously ruin the night vision of the spotters. For night battle, it makes more sense to stick to formal salvos so that the spotters can be warned and close their eyes against flashes and so that the enemy only sees you once every 6-8 seconds.<br><br>I&apos;m not Nathan Okun (delighted to hear him mentioned), but I&apos;ve had some YouTube comment discussions with him. In particular, he has explained in incredible technical detail that the US delay fuse for armor piercing shells had a flaw at this stage of the war, which was probably best understood (because US personnel would have a chance to examine the results after the battle) from USS Massachusetts fighting the French Battleship Jean Bart at Casablanca a few days before Washington ravaged Kirishima. The explosive filler in US shells, ammonium picrate, would off gas in storage and the gases released would corrode the fine workings of the fuse, preventing it from setting off the main charge, so there would be a significant percentage of duds. This would be resolved by dipping the assembled fuse in sealant to protect those fine mechanisms from the corrosive gases, but until that was recognized and applied to fuze production duds would be a problem.

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• RA

  @rangerlongshot · 3 years ago

  My favorite WWII cruiser! She took care of her crew to the end.

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• PA

  @papabear2 · 3 years ago

  At 7 years old I was introduced to “Victory at Sea” and now 70 years later at age 77 I stumbled upon you guys. You are finishing up this history so well. I read the Chinese are studying these battles around Guadalcanal and the Solomons and building their fleet accordingly with many smaller ships like destroyers. Good job!

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• DU

  @dutovdevlich3781 · 3 years ago

  Japanese Type 95 Torpedo: 22,000 yards fast speed. 44,000 yards slow speed. &nbsp;Incredible range for any Torpedo in those days.

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• TI

  @timothygarrison7909 · 2 months ago

  The honor and the integrity with which you both continue to serve history and your country is inspiring. &nbsp;Thank you so much,

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• SU

  @sundownsigns · 3 years ago

  Thanks for the detailed review of the Kula Gulf battle. &nbsp;My dad and his brother survived the sinking of the Helena. &nbsp;They were among the lucky ones picked up by the Nicholas at sunrise. &nbsp;Their battle station was on a 40mm Bofer. &nbsp;Dad said he placed his shoes on the deck and stepped off only a couple of feet to water. &nbsp;On board the Nicholas they were ordered below to an engine room to lower the center of gravity of the ship. &nbsp;The captain asked for more speed, the reply was, &quot;we&apos;re already at the last notch&quot;. &nbsp;They were headed to Tulagi at full speed!

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• CO

  @colleenmonfross4283 · 3 years ago (edited)

  My dear friend, Jim &quot;Red&quot; Leighton was the Corpsman on the Helena when she went down. &nbsp;He is credited in the book about the Helena, &quot;The Fightin&apos;est Ship: The Story of the Cruiser &quot;Helena&quot; &nbsp;as saving many of the men who washed up on the shore with him. &nbsp; Those men were made of stuff the likes of which we haven&apos;t seen in successive generations. &nbsp;We owe them everything and are forever in their debt.

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• MA

  @marciar7407 · 3 years ago

  This former Navy Nurse (NAS JAX and others) thanks you for a great podcast. I have always had great interest in WWII and your detailed info on the Pacific theater has expanded my knowledge. Today&apos;s podcast was exceptionally informative.

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• MR

  @MrSpook-ri8kv · 1 year ago

  My grandpa Lenard Wallace Stout served on the Helena, and was on her the night she sank. He was a crewman on port side 40mm,, was in the water till they reach Vella Lavella.

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• PA

  @PatReed-kl6ub · 1 year ago

  I can not tell you how hooked I am on your podcast. &nbsp;This is like my favorite history class on steroids. &nbsp; You have made my morning cardio fly by. &nbsp;Thanks again. &nbsp;You two are masters at teaching history

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• AU

  @auscolpyrtosspott · 3 years ago

  I have never heard of this engagement. &nbsp;The bravery of the men looking after the survivors. &nbsp;Another great episode, gentlemen.

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