Devastating US Navy Ambush - Battle of Vella Gulf Documentary

Four Japanese destroyers are racing into the Vella Gulf in the Solomon islands, on a supply mission to an isolated island garrison. Suddenly, from the darkness ahead of them come the silhouettes of American destroyers, then the sightings of torpedoes surging towards them. A few devastating minutes later, the Japanese ships would lie in ruins, as a devastating ambush played out.

0:00 - August 6th 1943
0:35 - The Battle for the Central Solomons
3:00 - The Tokyo Express
6:38 - The Battle of Vella Gulf
10:35 - Counting the Cost

Credits:

Artwork by:

Lead animation by CKD Productions

Written, Animated, Directed and Produced by:

Sources:

Hara, Tameichi (2007) [1961]. Japanese Destroyer Captain. Annapolis: Naval Institute.
Mark Stille, US Destroyer vs IJN Destroyer: The Pacific 1943

[williammurray]

"Mildly famous Captain" . Thanks for putting PT109 into the fuller story.

[jackhew]

These animated ww2 battles are always a hit 🎯

[wolfu]

I have Tameichi Hara's memoares, "Japanese Destroyer Captain" in my book shelf. The way he writes is exemplary when it comes to impartiality. In it, he doesn't hesitate to criticize, and praise, both the strategies and the tactics employed by both sides. The one thing I remembers the most is:
Those with the benefit of hindsight, doesn't understand the burden of making split-second decisions.

When the Shigure was lifted out the water in November 1943, they discovered that the American torpedo had left a two feet diameter hole in the rudder. When the engineers asked Hara how they'd managed to navigate the destroyer with the rudder in this condition, Hara replied:
"The rudder has been sluggish in recent months, but we've been on dozens of missions since then and pulled through as you can see."

[RampantFirefly]

Captain Hara knowing full well they were sailing into an ambush despite his warnings “oh no! My ship can’t keep up. I better lag to the rear… just ‘cause”

[Guangrui]

It's a small battle compared with air sea campaigns such as the Midway, but in cutting off the supply lines and sinking the destroyers that would have been part of the anti-submarine screen of fleet carriers and battleships, the engagement in the dark night of August 6 1943 was of strategic importance that should be recognized

[fabianzimmermann]

To quote the very amusingly written history book Dark Waters, Starry Skies by Jeffrey R. Cox:
"… the lead Japanese destroyer Hagikaze was the first hit, starting a large fire. The good news was the fire was quickly doused; the bad news was that it was doused by the plume of water from a second torpedo hit…"

Originally the American plan had been created by Arleigh Burke, who also commanded the destroyer divisions from this battle. Moosbrugger replaced him just before the battle, which in earlier Pacific War battles usually led to disaster. But the destroyer captains convinced Moosbrugger to go with the plan they already knew and had trained for and since he had helped Burke in developing it, he agreed, which is why he used Burke's plan to great success.

[robbielewis]

My dad served on the USS Moosbrugger. watching this, I was like, wait a minute, that's the ships' namesake, isn't it.

[eitantovey]

Wow, a perfectly executed textbook attack down to the letter. A full surprise torpedo attack at the broadside, and crossing the T with the guns, while also waiting for the torpedoes to hit before opening fire. Absolutely stunning

[joselitostotomas]

It's was the steady incremental improvements:

1. Replacement of defective torpedoes.
2. Effective use of radar by placing the most effective radar ship in the lead.
3. Creation and implementation of the Combat information Center to help division commanders and above "see" the tactical situation. It all started with a destroyer XO in the radar room and yelling to the bridge what he's seeing.

[sharkscrapper]

As a retired US Navy surface warfare officer I greatly appreciate the graphics and discussion. Keep up the great work.

[joeschenk]

Great to see this battle animated. Capt Hara's book does tell this battle very well.

[larrywilson]

My father was a radioman on the USS Craven, DD 382. H8e was very proud of this battle!

[samschellhase]

It’s so interesting to me that naval ships can take so much damage sometimes, but can also go down in minutes from a single lucky hit. You could be hit with shells and torpedoes for minutes straight and still limp away, or one lucky magazine hit means you’re going down with almost all souls on board.
300 out of over 1500 people surviving, is horrific, really. Has to have been really demoralizing too

[fearthehoneybadger]

This is what the USN was capable of when their torpedoes finally started working.

[dudex]

I have read Tameichi Hara's memoirs, it is fascinating to see the "birds eye" perspective of the events he described.
I strongly recommend his memoirs, a very rare case of recorded history since so many of the destroyer captains died during the war and many who survived stayed silent.

[GamerSnow]

Such a shame that you don't have that iconic intro music anymore, for me it was such a unique feel when watching the start of your videos. Watched everyone and would like to comment that your documentary are outstanding. Great narration voice also!

[SquidInJapan]

Frederick Moosbrugger was my great grandfather! Thanks for the interesting video! First time I’ve seen the battle talked about in a conspicuous manner.

Some funny irony about the whole situation is that I actually live in Japan.

Proud that via the efforts of men like my great grandfather, that this country went from being what was essentially a military dictatorship to one of the most desirable places to live in the world.

[Krywiggles]

This was an amazing video! Some years ago, I attended the United States Naval War College, and they really focus on the Naval Battles of Guadalcanal in November 1942. If you did a video on those series of battles, I guarantee you that those professors would definitely use your video in an academic manner.

Keep up the good work, man!

[bfmarc]

Arashi just couldnt catch a break. First Midway, now this.

[legallyblind]

Thank you for always having captions ❤️😊