The U.S. Cruiser Japan Couldn’t Explain

Comments · 639

• CL

  @cliffcochran5224 · 10 months ago (edited)

  My dad was an officer on the USS Helena. He was among several groups that made it to Vella La Vella.  He was also one of many that were pictured in Life Magazine.  I grew up proud of my father. He loved his crew and his country. I recall him  describing “Bish” the pastor/coast watcher and the courage of the Solomon Islanders who were often treated terribly by the Japanese. Big thanks to Dark Seas!!

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• AN

  @andrewtaylor940 · 10 months ago

  The real game changer was the FC and FD radar controlled fire directors. They let the Brooklyns do something that the Japanese had never seen before. Ripple Fire. The ship didn't have to Volley fire. Each gun could fire independently whenever it was ready. It wasn't being reaimed by spotting splashes. It meant that instead of firing volleys every few seconds the ship was constantly firing on the target like a machine gun. 6" shells were hitting the Japanese ship being targeted every 1-2 seconds without pause or respite. The Japanese sailors did not have those brief moments to move or react the way there had traditionally been. It kept them pinned down and panicking. It was like being in a 100 gun artillery barage on land. And it was coming from just 1 little ship. The follow on Clevelands could put up almost as much fire with one less turret.

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• JA

  @Javamonstr89 · 10 months ago (edited)

  My grandfather was in the water for 3 days watching all his buddies die from sharks ans dehydration. It affected him the rest of his life. He was on a dd that sank during ww2. I never got to get the full story b4 he passed away. Iirc he was serving in a 5inch 38 gun turret . He was scared of being in the saltwater the rest of his life. He loved fishing but would never go in the water past his ankles. I cant imagine how scary it was being stuck in the water for days like that. Rip grandpa

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• YO

  @youflatscreentube · 10 months ago (edited)

  As a paramedic in the 1980’s in a retirement area in Florida, I had the distinction privilege of caring for a sailor that served on the USS Helena.  He was a chief in the engine rooms.  He told me the was a big difference between the two captains and the skill of Hoover.  I’ll never forget talking to him, he was proud of his ship and crew.  Rightfully so.

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• FO

  @Foolio77 · 8 months ago

  The sailor at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-84SFPbYTY&amp;t=1133">18:53</a> looked absolutely exhausted. I’m not tired of saying it; God blessed this earth with these amazing men. The fact that 80+ years later we are still telling stories and learning new facts about the war is a testament to how much heroism, grit, courage, determination, sacrifice, and excellence was on display throughout the war. I’m so proud to be American.

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• CH

  @chrissnape9537 · 10 months ago

  If those above Haulsey judged him as he did others , he would have been relieved several times. The fog of war is so true

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• ED

  @edwardplatkin5730 · 10 months ago

  First time I&apos;ve heard the proper description of Helena&apos;s big guns as &quot;naval rifles&quot;. I was an instructor in the machinists apprenticeship program at the Watervliet Arsenal in Watervliet NY. Among other accomplishments the arsenal built the 16&quot;/50 naval rifles for the Iowa-class battleships. Call them &quot;cannons&quot; in the shops, and you&apos;d better start running for your life.

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• MA

  @Machines.In.Action · 10 months ago

  It’s hard to believe a light cruiser could fire that many shells in such a short time without overheating the guns.

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• YT

  @ytlas3 · 10 months ago

  I met a number of the USS Helena CL 50 crew members at the combined USS Helena Assn (CL 50 &amp; CA 75) at the Las Vegas reunion in Sept 2001. &nbsp;The Helena Assn sold &quot;Kula Gulf Swim Club&quot; T shirts out of their organization back then as a small reminder of where their ship sank.

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• PA

  @PaulBeacham-y6c · 3 months ago

  I was a powder passer on the center gun of a 6&quot;47 cal. Gun, USS Springfeild CLG 7, 1968-70. Extremely cramped inside we stood on narrow diamond plate cat walks surrounding the guns. We wore no hearing protection so we could hear orders. It was controlled chaos every one shouting, cordite smoke filled the turret, hotter then hell. Turret rotating, gun barrels elevating, ship rolling side to side.

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• GO

  @goodday126 · 10 months ago

  We&apos;re calling Admiral Callaghan a &quot;loss&quot;, but his arrogance and lack of understanding got men killed and ships sunk. You better believe it was because he thought he was too good to sail on a light cruiser. There are too many of these personalities in flag positions, even today.

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• DA

  @darwinawardrecipient955 · 10 months ago

  Crazy to see how the real winners of the war are the engineers. Whoever has the better tech and training almost inevitably win.

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