Crossing the 'T' - The Battle of Cape Esperance-Episode 118

This week Bill and Seth discuss the first surface victory of the Guadalcanal campaign for the US Navy off Cape Esperance. A shrewd commander, technological advantages, and overwhelming firepower are just some of the factors that drive the US Navy to victory over a Japanese cruiser and destroyer force in October 1942. Tune in to hear what the team has to say.

[Folks-- this is Bill. The challenges of a live show but in this episode I screw two things up: it was I-24 not I-26 at Pearl Harbor, and even more egregious I called I-58 "I-28" during the episode, something I know intuitively but the words came out of my mouth wrong. So embarrassing! I will endeavor to do better going forward!]

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[k.danylchuk]

My grade 12 chemistry teacher had been with the marines from the start on Guadacanal. He still had PTSD, and would stop teaching every once in a while and tell a "war story." Waiting for the enemy to build up in the dark on the barbed wire, before you opened up with your weapons, among others. He was a wonderful man, a terrific teacher. Everyone respected him, and forgave him his "reminisces". This was 30 years after Guadacanal, he was a greying, portly guy. His son was a grown man. One Friday night, his son got jumped and beaten up by 3 guys in a tavern. He made it to his dad's house, and his dad went back to the tavern and personally beat up all 3 guys. It made his stories about Guadacanal a lot more believable.

[nicksignore]

My mom is named Helena after this light cruiser. My grandfather was on the Helena when it was torpedoed at Pearl. He was then transferred to the California for the rest of the war. So, what that means is he was on the Helena when the Cal sunk and was on the Cal when the Helena sunk. Crazy.

[genclassics]

These are the best podcasts on the pacific theater on YouTube. I’ve been reading and studying WWII since my 30s (I’m 70 now) and have thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated the depth you go into. The planning you put into these shines thru. Thanks for all your time and effort.

[robertdimarzo]

The best history of WW II in the Pacific I have ever OUTSTANDING!!! My father, a sailor in the Pacific Theater during WWII, would have loved this series!! Thank you both and all your guests! Learning so so much I never knew!

[jameshannagan]

Neptunes Inferno was a great help in understanding all the naval actions around Gaudalcanal.

[parrot]

We certainly do appreciate all your hard work you both put into this podcast. Right or wrong I do now take for granted every time I “tune in” to a new episode it’s going to be another high quality program.
Intelligent and thought provoking conversations on these subjects are relatively difficult to find nowadays in the non-virtual world. You both indeed deliver just that. I think I’m speaking for not just myself, but for most all of the YouTube subscribers of this channel when saying thank you again for your fine efforts. It is genuinely appreciated.

[jeffreymartin]

This channel has assumed the most honored place in my bookmark bar. Congrats Gentlemen!

[davidcaguillard]

Hey guys, I’m an avid fan of all things WWII podcasts. Yours is the best. The detail, intelligence and respect for your topic and audience is unsurpassed. Thank you for your work and care.

[GenDischarges]

Gents, This is the way that I want to read, see, hear history. Thank you for your work to deliver such an excellent presentation. (All presentations!) The bravery and courage of all involved in these events continues to amaze me. Thank you.

[eyecyou]

It’s like watching a Monday night football game. Absolutely a wonderful and entertaining and informative series. It’s my favorite theatre of war. Great job

[kilcar]

Listening to you both, and your guests has brought back conversations I recall from my parents generation, as almost everyone of military age ( male) was " in the service" and their wives, mother's and sweethearts were working in defense plants, or just going to work every weekday. You Gentlemen brought the real feeling of listening to my father, uncles and their friends as a boy . I was riveted then. Your broadcasts are just as riveting, as you convey the passion for this hugely important era of our history. My father's Seabee footlocker sits in my living room, and I think of all the Japanese air raids it witnessed in the New Hebrides, Louisaides, and New Guinea. Thanks for sharing your passion.

[GazzaLDN]

Amazing how quickly Radar changed Naval combat

[NjK]

Sometimes it's easy to forget, but I do want to thank you both for researching, organizing and doing these shows.. Hope you all had a happy Christmas and have a great New Year

[therealchiamac]

At the start, since you're thanking everyone. Thank you two for putting this together and getting it online. It's been great to listen to and learn from.

[flparkermdpc]

This comment is sent just after 9/11 2024. YOU were recapping the first year in the episode and said that you weren't being compensated in any way. I hope the growth of the acceptance and viewership numbers is affirming and encouraging. In addition many of us pray for you and give thanks for your efforts, moreso lately after Bill's testimony on other threads. Many blessings, men.

[matthewhartzell]

Loving this podcast - listening with my old man who was a sailor on USS Chicago- CG-11 during Vietnam - thanks for doing this!

[BlitherVids]

This was fantastic. There are some great WWII channels out there, but none so far have managed to quite capture the level of detail that you two get into. Loving it, and please keep them coming!

[chrisjackson]

Great and highly informative....one of the best podcasts of the Pacific keep up the great work

[elizabethcarlson]

I have been really enjoying these podcasts. Thanks for the hard work. My dad was a Navy pilot in WWII, enlisting at age 17 in 1943.

[josephairoso]

You have reinvigorated my interest in the war in the Pacific, I though I had read most of the pertinent books on the topic, which as it turns out they were mostly invacuate. Now I am following along with you guys and reading the new materials available that dovetail with your timeline, so far, Shattered Sword, The Battle of Midway (Symonds) and Neptune"s Inferno. Really appreciate your insight and work you guys put in, keep it up, learning a lot!