The Mission Beyond Darkness-Battle of the Philippine Sea Part 2 with Jon Parshall: Episode 314

This week Seth, Bill and Jon Parshall tackle the second day of the Battle of the Philippine Sea, also known as the Mission Beyond Darkness. On Jun e20, 1944 Admiral Marc Mitscher made the bold decision to launch his aviators in a risky, long-distanced duck strike. In an attempt to get the killing blows on Ozawa's carrier force Mitscher sent an enormous strike of 240 aircraft. The strike, the first on Japanese carriers since 1942, produced mixed results and ended in one of the more famous, if not controversial, decisions of the entire Pacific war.

For more on the Battle of the Philippine Sea, check this other episode out:

#wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #hollywood #movie #movies #books #mastersoftheair #8thairforce #mightyeighth #100thbombgroup #bloodyhundredth #b17 #boeing #airforce wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #hollywood #movie #movies #books #oldbreed #1stMarineDivision #thepacific #Peleliu #army #marines #marinecorps #worldwar2 #worldwar #worldwarii

[BP-]

During this battle, my father was part of Bombing 16 from the USS Lexington flying an SBD in Ralph Weymouth's squadron. Carrying 1000 pound bombs, on their leg out, he said that they plotted their course staying low gradually climbing to arrive at 15, 000 feet over the target area. As he started down, he noticed a group of TBFs being jumped by Zeros. One TBF was shot down and fortunately they saw 3 chutes and all of the crew were later rescued by a PBY. My father said his dive went well and he released his bomb at 1500 feet. At his release point his said his canopy and windshield had fogged badly because his SBD had a malfunctioning heater. As he pulled out of his dive, his gunner confirmed that they had gotten a hit. He didn't say or may not have known at the time which carrier he dove on but we now think it was either the Hiyo or the Junyo.. Because of the fogged canopy and wondering where he was, he jammed open the cockpit and found they were directly over a Japanese DD at about 500 feet which was firing at them. Fortunately they were not very good and his plane didn't take a hit. He worked his way around the entire Japanese fleet to get to their rendezvous point for the long trip back. During the return, he also turned off his radio because he couldn't stand the what he was hearing. When he got back to the Lexington, low on fuel, he found the the flight deck had been fouled by an SB2C. (Thank you Harold Buell.) Later, Buell tried to justify his actions of ignoring the wave off in his book "Dauntless Helldivers". His actions killed two, while endangering the lives of others trying to land, including the life of my father.  When my father was finally was able to land, only 14 of the 34 Lexington planes found their way back to their home carrier. Despite what they had just gone through, I think Seth, Bill and Jon are right on about some of the aviators and their determination to finish off the Japanese fleet. My father said that his squadron had talked about and considered a followup attack the next morning. Weymouth put together a group of 10-12 volunteers dive bombers who would attack. It would be a one-way mission with the proviso that after the attack they would ditch in mass and be picked up by a destroyer. He said that the plan was rejected by the admiral's staff because their primary mission was to protect the landings on Saipan and Guam. For his actions during the battle my father was awarded the Navy Cross.

[tougheddie]

Love this channel, coming from sunny England coverage of the Japanese war is basically Pearl Harbour, Mid way, a few islands then victory. This channel has shown how bloody hard victory was for Americans and allies, I never know how many low's had to be overcome before the tide started to turn. Keep it up. Also, John is a great guest speaking

[haldorasgirson]

"Another guest?" You have THE guest, the incomparable Jon Parshall. Amazing episode, as usual.

[Antmann]

I so look forward to these every Tuesday night. Brilliance

[Iamkcsc]

Aww guys, keeping the Tuesday schedule this week is a real treat. I appreciate it.

[Phoenix-ejsh]

So let me make sure I understand something here.

Jon Parshall, co-author of one of my favorite historical volumes and frequent guest on one of my favorite YouTube channels, also built plastic models of ships, plays Overwatch, and is a bassist?

My doe-eyed fanhood of this man is growing by the day.

[kennhi]

I look forward to these podcast every Tuesday morning. This is the best WWII podcast series on YouTube

[russfranck]

You guys are the best and John is a joy, keep it up

[williamault]

Great show as always!! Yes the, to a question posed by Cmdr Totey, yes the Hellcat fighters had hard points under the wings for bombs, and later in the war rockets, as well as hard points underneath the fuselage for an external drop tank. Great show as always. On a side note, my sister gave me John Parshall and Anthony Tullys book “Shattered Sword” for Christmas. We are well and truly blessed today.

[Jakal-pwyq]

The Unauthorized History of the War in the Pacific and your content never cease to amaze and educate me! The addition of your guest, Jon Parshal, combined with another incomparable historian, Seth, make for both lively and accurate conversations! And then we have Captain Bill, who really is the color commentator, ala John Madden! Torpedo Tuesday has become a ritual for me! A log on the fire, a fresh cup of coffee and a cigarette or two. Yes, I know it's bad for me, and I'm trying to quit! That's how I start my Tuesday mornings for the last 2 years! And I do have a vested interest in your show, being that my father was in the US Navy, South / Central Pacific. He served aboard two separate ships. The light Cruiser CL57, USS Montpelier, and the converted seaplane tender AV11 USS Norton Sound. Rest in peace Dad, you did your job, and you did it well!🇺🇸⚓️🙏💯💖👍

[FFWildcat]

“These aviators…” just what do you mean Captain? 😂😂😂 that was classic!

[Otisthelesser]

I was like 401. You guys are 5 min into this episode and it’s already up to 1600. You guys are doing great work and people are watching. Couldn’t happen to a better group of guys.

[jordanvraptor]

Thank you for this podcast. It helped me understand how and why my uncle died. Robert Varmette was a radioman/gunner on an SB2C Helldiver in this battle. My father always said he was MIA in the Mariana Turkey Shoot. I remember seeing the telegram the Navy sent our family. It said his plane was seen being attacked by a Japanese fighter. His plane was last seen losing altitude and smoking. He and his pilot were never seen again. My dad had a nice photograph of uncle Robert and his pilot in front of of their Helldiver which was taken just a few weeks before they were shot down. Thank you for remembering men like my uncle who gave their all for their shipmates and country.

[gagamba]

Great episode. Thanks for making my 2023 even better. Happy New Year and regards to you all.

[terrylawrence]

I loved the talking heads. Tina was my favorite. I play drums. Jon plays bass, right on. Now I know Tinas Dad was there. I'm happy he made it. Your show is one of a kind. Maps, more maps. Thanks Seth and CPT Bill. Your the best.

[robertzimmerman]

This podcast is the gift that keeps on giving. Hope you gentlemen have a happy new year!

[craigjones]

Started giving a thumbs up right out of the gate with this channel. Every single one is a grand slam. Thanks to all you guys for such great content.

[EnzedderEntertainment]

Fantastic talk as ever gentlemen! Hope you all had a very Happy Christmas and have a good New year

[elwrongo]

Just finished the audio book of Jon Parshall's Shattered Sword, all about Midway, fabulous, really enjoyed it.
Thoroughly recommended, thanks Jon.

[GordonAnderson-cm]

Great informative stuff, hey how about an episode on the United States Merchant Marine in the Pacific war? Talk about unsung heroes!