Battle of Vella Gulf

This is part of our larger series on the Pacific Battles of World War II. We have reached the Battle of Vella Gulf, 6-7 August 1943.

To support this channel and the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial, go to:

[gkscott]

My Dad, Clyde Scott, was on one of those destroyers. USS Dunlap DD-384. He was a gunners mate at the time I believe. Saw an interview mentioning him during the battle. He didn't talk much about his WWII experiences. Made me proud!

[RaySiciliano]

I served on the USS Moosbrugger (DD-980) and was also fortunate to have one of V.Adm. Moosbrugger's Grandson onboard with us as a shipmate. This battle is near and dear to my heart, and well done with the presentation and discussion. Made me smile and proud to have served onboard her.

[davewalter]

Thanks for this series on the Central Solomons. I've been reading Ian Toll's middle volume on the Pacific War and he skims over these battles. You do a great job of filling in details on the engagements and the backgrounds. Excellent.

[johnyrebbaron]

They named a Ticonderoga Class Cruiser after this battle my brother was a plank owner, I got to take a cruise on her from NY to Norfolk. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[-VOR]

Great video. But you got some details incorrect. Moosbrugger's column didn't just run parallel to the coast. He turns toward the coast after launching his fish, then turns again toward the enemy colmn. And this was Commander Arleigh Burke's battle plan, NOT Moosbrugger's.

[spvillano]

One frequently overlooked fact was that Japan never ratified their signatures of the Geneva or Hague Conventions. But, they did promise to abide by them, but commanders frequently didn't.
False surrenders were common and resulted in reprisals.
Basically, the whole theater was a legal goat rope mess. And honestly, I'd not be considering any rescues either.

[BobMarcum]

I served abroad the namesake destroyer USS Moosbrugger DD980. Ships motto, “More Than Required”.

[hazchemel]

thanks, fantastic battle in an amazing series of battles.

[stevefreeland]

Thank you for doing this video; enjoyed it!

[CheechNoChong-mbwp]

I have read in other books and on other sites that the Commodore I’d Des. Squadron 23 was Arleigh Burke. He was formerly the Commodore of Destroyer Div 43. DeWitt Clinton Eli’s Hamberger was Captain if the USS Converse. When the Presidential Unit Citation was awarded to DesRon-23, it covered only the actions which took place from 11/01/1943 to 02/23/1944 under the Colman of Commodore Burke. Burke eventually to become Chief of. Naval Operations.

[ManuelGarcia-wwgj]

For the first part of the battle for the Pacific, the USN"s torpedoes were completely ineffective and was likely to sink the ship that launched them as they were to sink an Japanese ship. The PT boats had no real chance thanks to those very iffy torpedoes.

[seanmac]

Was it the SK type radar or the SG type. I thought that the SK was the submarine version of the SG

[copper]

Does the New Jersey have any visible battle damage today

[terrydouglas]

Mush Morton the commander of the Wahoo was criticised for machine gunning Japanese soldiers and sailers in the water or on small boats trying to reach Guadalcanal.

[joechang]

prior to Barbarossa, Japan sent a delegation to Germany via the Soviet Union. Hitler showed them almost everything except for radar. Somehow, they learned the location of a radar design facility, and showed up one day. The facility director was aware the Japanese where in Germany, and being shown every indulgence, and assumed it was a sanctioned visit. Sometime later, they were informed that it was a good time to go home. Yamashita? of the army delegation took the hint, while the Navy delegation was enjoying their time and did not. The Japanese had night watch people who stayed in the dark the whole time. During one cruise, I did not go outside for a few weeks, spending time under indoor lighting. then one day there was meeting outside in bright sun light. I went inside as quickly as I could. Early war US torpedoes had 3 serious problems, 1) running too deep, 2) unreliable magnetic detonators, and 3) contact detonators too fragile to function on a perpendicular hit.

[larrywilson]

The Japanese also sit in cruisers. The reason they couldn't see our ships it's just the ship sale close to the islands so the Japanese radar became confused.

[brooklynbummer]

The Japanese felt it was a dishonor to surrender and if surrendering, considered dead by the nation

[larrywilson]

My father was a communication officer on USS craven. Your account is lacking.

[larrywilson]

You really need to do your research. My father was on to destroy escorts that received a total of 12 battle stars. He enlisted before Pearl harbor and he was a decommissioned officer on the USS Butler

[deltasource]

need to see if you can get hooked up with wargaming world of warships not so much for a sponsorship (which would be great) but more so to spread the word about the ship.