Cruiser and Destroyer Actions of WW2 - Small but Vicious

Today we take a look a small sample of some of the smaller naval actions of WW2.

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:35 - Battle of the Bay of Biscay

00:14:16 - Battle of Vella Gulf

00:18:38 - Battle of Bastia

00:22:05 - Battle of Endau

00:28:09 - Battle of the Malacca Strait

Sources:

[adrianjorgensen]

It’s always nice to see the Italians get recognized and not as the punchline to a joke.

[chehalem]

Hearing of a WWII naval commander that actually understood the capabilities and limitations of radar and used that knowledge to great advantage at Vella Gulf seems almost unbelievable after so many accounts on this channel where radar was dismissed, ignored, or generally misunderstood.

[Zaaphod]

Captain Manley Power is THE best name for destroyer captain ever.

[MaxwellAerialPhotography]

could we get a full video on the small boat war in the channel and bay of biscay? these were the vicious knife fights of naval combat. in particular seeing the battle of ushant would be gratifying.

[NovusDawn]

I remember reading the autobiography of the Shigure's Captain and his career during the war. He and his crew didn't realize that a torpedo had put a hole in the rudder until the ship was dry-docked MONTHS after the engagement. They chalked the destroyer's bad handling to mechanical issues after the battle due to how long the ship had gone without cleaning and refit.

[rackstraw]

Manly Power: "There is no kill like overkill."

[Big_E_Soul_Fragment]

Everybody's gangsta until a Captain actually named "Manley Power" shows up

[JopardBDS]

Drach, you do seem to take great joy when referring to Captain Manely Power when he pops up. Did he have a sufficiently significant career to do a special on him? The prospect of a Manely Power special is quite splendid

[andrewhoogsteen]

I always like hearing about the destroyer skirmishes. They're so much more chaotic than the big line battles.

[Verdis_deMosays]

The Regia Marina really does have all the weird and wild stuff happen. I'd love to hear more about that particular scuffle, because it seems so uniquely Italian!

[bkjeong]

I’d actually like an entire series on the post-Guadalcanal Solomons night actions. IMO they’re about as crazy as any of the Slot battles.

[Nate-gztg]

This was an excellent video. Despite the short duration of the recountings, they felt adequately covered. I would actually like to see a part 2 of this, describing more cruiser/destroyer battles. Again, a very excellent video.

[gabrielantona]

I realize this is 5 months on and you'll probably never see this Drach - but these small "unknown" engagements are I think far more interesting than the larger stuff that has been documented and commented on ad nauseum. I think my fellow nerds watch you for the minutia !

[Perfusionist]

I liked this video presentation. These small actions are often under reported and under appreciated. Thanks for this presentation.

[NF]

The whole Wilderbeest-attacks-Sendai action can be played in a 2015 game, “Flying Tigers: Shadows over China” and despite being (essentially) an arcade game, you're forced to retreat before Sendai can be sunk - keeping things accurate to history.

[bjornforsman]

A video about the Haguro operation would be interesting, and I agree with you, The name Manley Power is probobly one of historys most fitting name of a naval officer!

[fighter]

Would love to get a full length video about the Italian vs. German skirmish, that sounds fascinating.

[jackvonkuehn]

Another Hit. This should be a regular series for the channel.

[Briandnlo]

One of my favorite overlooked battles. Moosebrugger is loose brother! Thanks, Drach.

[johnneutralobserver]

Fascinating account of actions, brilliantly narrated and delivered.