Hit and Run-The US Carrier Raids of 1942-Episode 105

In this week's episode, Seth and Bill discuss the situation in the Pacific in late December 1941 and the United States' first strike back at the Japanese.

The February 1, 1942 raid on the Marshall Islands by Enterprise Air Group highlights the episode as our hosts break down the attacks and the personalities that took part in the very first aircraft carrier-launched offensive strike in US Navy history.

Join us for an exciting episode as Bill and Seth dive deep into this often forgotten and overlooked, but very important aspect of the early Pacific War.

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[stevenwillis]

Vastly fascinating and informative. My father served throughout the Pacific war afloat and I have had a 60 year obsession with all things nautical. Beyond a doubt the best podcast I've ever had the honor and pleasure to pursue.

[terryp]

Hands down, the best history podcast ever. Tremendous detail with excellent perspective. You guys are living encyclopedias and your passion is nonstop. I am so hooked.

[jammin]

Great job. 1942 is, to me, the most compelling part of the Pacific war. Love the discussions you are presenting.

[davidstallard]

You guys did a very good job and hope your channel grows because you put a lot of work and effort into it.

[tomhoefling]

By the way, another thing that the 2019 Midway movie covered was the almost unbelievably heroic actions of Aviation Machinist's Mate 1st Class Bruno Gaido, including his subsequent murder by the officers of the Japanese ship that captured him and his compadre.

[roadgeneral]

I must tell you guys that I have thoroughly enjoyed your You Tube version of your podcasts. This history needs to be told over and over again. The current generation, for the most part doesn't know or care about this period of time. A time when the U.S. was emerging as the premier World Power. To Capt. Toti, I'm an ex-sailor. Active duty 1960 to 1963. PO2, also stationed at Pearl Harbor on Ford Island at The Fleet Intelligence Center Pacific. Had to take a ferry or launch to get to the Island back then. I worked at the O-Club on Ford Island as a bartender I my off duty time. Biggest mistake I ever made in my young life was leaving the Navy. At 81 now, I think about that decision almost every day. I sincerely hope and pray you beat the medical problem you are fighting.

[dancolley]

This is a GREAT episode. It plugs a knowledge gap that I've had for years. I frequently heard that the days between Pearl Harbor and Midway were the time that there were "a series of nuisance raids" but this is the first time that an explanation found me ... Where? Who? When? With what? etc. This podcast had given me a platform which I can use to continue to fill that gap. Thank you. Great job.

[mainiacjoe]

31:25 The light cruiser was Katori, which in line with Japanese dismissal of defense in these areas was NOT a fist line cruiser. Indeed it had been laid down as a training cruiser and had a mixed main armament of 5.5" and 5" to facilitate the cadets' exposure to different weapon systems. She was sunk by Iowa during the Truk raid.

[rossdawgsbrokenspirit]

This is fantastic, this part of the war I never read.

[rossdawgsbrokenspirit]

I can visualize George Murray's direction of Enterprise in this episode avoiding the bombs and early kamikaze

[dave]

Another great program. Didn't know much about these raids, but gotta hand it to Bull Halsey. Air crews are gaining the much needed combat experience to put to good use later. Thanks Seth and Bill!

[dank]

Best episode yet. I thought I was up to speed on early war goings on but apparently not. Nicely done

[stevebainbridge]

This was a great episode. Thanks!! Bruno and the 58 missions by Bush. I hope and know that we have many more heroes now and into the future. Regards, Steve Bainbridge, Gunnery Officer DD826

[PFWoody]

Never heard of Gaido until now. Thanks for correcting that deficiency. That man deserves to be remembered.

[joshwhite]

Thank you for posting this; I'm so glad I found this podcast. The early carrier raids are what really sparked my interest in the Pacific War back in the day, and I still find them one of the most fun areas to delve into. There are comparatively few sources on them compared to Midway or Guadalcanal or Leyte (The Doolittle Raid being the one exception), so I'm always looking for more info :)

[mikemazzola]

Another masterful episode. I hang on every word. And there are so many yet to watch! Well done gentlemen. As the son of a Naval Aviator, I am partial to the airmen, but I appreciated Bill's pride when he plugged the submariners for dragging a future president from the drink. A war hero of a future president. Different services maybe; but one Navy. The undisputed queen of the seas. May it always be so.

[jetdriver]

I think your central point here that the importance of these raids has not been properly appreciated is spot on. Well done.

With respect to Pye and his decision to cancel the relief expedition I think history has shown he made the right call. Saratoga by herself was not in a position to take on Car Div 2 and it’s almost certain given the limited speed of advance of the transports that they would have arrived too late to make a difference. Furthermore Pye had been advised that Wake was a liability and as such he would have properly judged that it wasn’t worth losing a carrier over.

Yes the effects of the recall were terrible to morale. But the effects of pressing forward and losing Saratoga and multiple other ships would have been far worse. This is in fairness seen with the benefit of hindsight. Furthermore that Nimitz ultimately sidelines Pye is a good indication that histories judgement of him was largely accurate. But in this case I think he made the right call.

[crwmdp]

Please don’t stop! These podcast are amazing. Thank you so much for sharing these.

[Neaptide]

Great, well researched, level headed and organized historical review. Getting addicted to these….

[krill]

You make it real and express it with the enthusiasm I feel. Can't thank you enough. Be well!