The FReeper Foxhole Remembers Fighting the Kamikazes (1944-1945) - May 23rd, 2003

http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/wwii/facts/kamikaze.txt ^ | CE1 Robert A. Germinsky, USNR

[SAMWolf]

Thanks. Right nowe I'm trying to fight with a severe AP ammo shortage. Don't have a full loadout to the whole Platoon. :-(

[SAMWolf]

Damn Those were impressive ships!!

[snippy_about_it]

I'm here for ya! LOL.

Will these work?

[SAMWolf]

Only if they're 75 mm. I'm still in PzIV-Gs

[snippy_about_it]

So I says to him, come out of there tank boy, lets dance and he says he needs ammo for the boys...

Foxhole Foxette vs. Tank...hmmm - Ain't that a kick in the head!

Here's your 75mm ammo..Have fun, I require sleep. :)

[GATOR NAVY]

Good read. I would only note that the despite what the article says, FRANKLIN was not hit by a kamikaze. It was a conventional attack by a single bomber that caught her with a fully fueled and armed strike ready for take off on deck. It was almost like what happened to the Japanese carriers at Midway. She was the most the heavily damaged carrier to survive the war, over 700 dead if I remember.

Even after Okinawa, the Japanese still had thousands of aircraft available for kamikaze attacks if Kyushu had been invaded. They had also learned their lesson and were planning on making the transports, not the warships, their primary targets. It would have real bad.

[GATOR NAVY]

The photo in the main post labled "machine gun in 40mm mount" is from that same hit on MISSOURI.

[SAMWolf]

LOL! Never get between a tanker and his tank!

Now that I have the ammo, I can dance you know. Have to take care of my men first.

[SAMWolf]

LOL! I love the song!!

[snippy_about_it]

Have to take care of my men first.

I wouldn't have it any other way!

[snippy_about_it]

Knew you would. :)

I'll let you and GatorNavy hash out the story and I'm going to hit the hay!

Good night Sam.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks Gator Navy, good catch.

I don't think the pictures claim the Franklin was hit by a Kamikaze. It just said damaged after an air attack. Although the damage was extensive. I still think that catching the Japanese at Midway with the carriers ready to launch was a miracle.

[GATOR NAVY]

It's the time zone difference. I always get here late :-(

[SAMWolf]

Thanks Gator Navy. Wasn't sure what ship that picture was from

[SAMWolf]

Good Night Snippy. Thanks for the ammo and the dance. Nice dress.

[GATOR NAVY]

The upper half of the pilot's body was also found on the deck. He was given a military funeral.

[SAMWolf]

That part I heard about when I toured the Missouri. i heard some of the Officiers weren't too thrilled about it either.

[GATOR NAVY]

What I read is that the ship's chaplain was the one who pushed it. I think the story might have been different if they had suffered casualties.

[Light Speed]

Learned of this somewhat comical event at reunion of USS Isherwood.

In the morning of April 16th off IE SHIMA...USS Isherwood DD-520 hooked up with the wagons of TF-54 in screen postion just aft and outboard of Battleship USS Texas.

A Kamikaze appeared out of nowhwere..[nearby Island of IE Shima probably masked its approach from radar].

DD-520 opened up on the kamikaze making hits..but had to break fire as her guns were angled too close to Texas to continue...that is..except for 1- 20 mm which continued to hammer away as DD-520's guns fell silent.

The story gets comical here..as the "Operator" of that 20mm mount was not a man assigned to that duty station...but in fact..was a cook from below decks!

Some of the men had general quarters duties..but they were not gun duty..this cook had badgered a buddy..to let him slip topside and fire the 20 when the officers weren't around.

So..the Cook hammered away at the kamikaze....low and behold..it broke apart and crashed into the sea close behind USS Texas's fantail.

Cookie got a big cheer....then he got directed to the Captain and execs looking at him from the flying bridge;

Cookie was headed for Captains Mast and a courtmartial...end of days for cookie.

As cookie was getting shredded before the Captain a TBS message came in from USS Texas,with a congrats from their Captain..and some Other Brass who were impressed with DD-520's shootin irons.

Cookie kept his job..and stayed aboard ship..the call from USS Texas saved his bacon. : )

[GATOR NAVY]

Ha! Good story.