The Drydock - Episode 161

The French tried and failed to capture the Isle of Wight in July 1545.

Andrew Waite

Got a question about the Merchant Aircraft Carriers (MACs) and just re-watched the live stream from Drydock 161. Been studying WW2 for about 40 years and only just learned about them a couple of months ago while playing "Port City" by PixelFederation (they have a mockup of the Dutch tanker MV Macoma (which operated with Swordfish elements of 860 NAS, from what I can find). My question is are you going to do a 5 minute guide, rum ration or drydock about them (and I know they are not really in the main focus of your channel)?

George Newman

Q&A:Considering the debate during the 1830s and 40s amongst the Royal Navy between sticking with more Traditional designs, or Implementing New and untested design principles, I always wondered if and how the battle of Campeche effected royal navy design choices. being that the Iron Hulled Steam frigate Montezuma and Steam Frigate Guadelupe were cutting edge British built, royal navy officer ran ships, yet experienced such casulties fighting a bunch of Texans with no real naval experience in a Sloop and a barely maintained Brig

It was supposed to be a special but YouTube blocked it on claims of copyright infringement. Not sure what the status is.

Glenn Ricafrente

I just can't get the way add new lines work on Patreon! Dr Forczyks has also written a book claining Hitler wanted (and had a plan but was talked out of it) to invade the Isle of Wight, and could both have succedded with 4000 soldiers, held the island and by the use of existing civilian airfieds (and imported heavy guns) forced the RN to abandon Portsmouth (and in addition facilitated Sealion) . As it is 'about 150km from LeHavre to Isle of Wight, admitedly 4000 troops could be 'lifted' on ships not barges - but with heavy equipment and resupply - and with Portsmouth just round the corner - and probably not of fast warships but in merchant ships at 10 knots? It all seems rather impausable. Any thoughts?

Roger H

Apologies for the second post (particullrly I failed to add the question at the end of my last one.

Roger H

On Quora (OK I know!!!!!), an ex-USN in a thread about the likely success of Operation Sealion said - An excellent book on the subject is Dr. Robert Forczyk’s “We March Against England: Operation Sea Lion, 1940–41.” In it he argues that the RN WOULD NOT commit the resources needed to forestall a German invasion if it had been launched nor could either the RAF or British Army had prevented a landing. By way of a 'quote' from the book he says "Essentially, he argues (using British primary source materials) that that Home Fleet commander, Admiral Sir Charles Forbes, was more than reluctant to expose the Home Fleet’s battleships and cruisers to damage and/or destruction from German air attacks. I guess there are two things here "Reluctant" to put heavy ships into the Channel is one thing thing not atatcking an invasion fleet is another. The second point is many have commented that the 'heavy' ships except for the old battleships would not be used against the invasion fleet unless German heavy ships were in the channel.

Roger H

Does anyone remember in which episode Drach reviewed U-571? I missed it and would love to hear him rip a flick where the Americans take credit for a Brit accomplishment.

Billy Shakespeare

Above note is a possibly relevant reference from Today In History, in blog "The Strategy Page'

1944 B-24 raid on the Kuriles, Japanese Submarine Chaser No. 77 is sunk.

On the last item, the cruiser USS Boise (sister ship of USS Helena) was sent there to participate with the ABDA forces, but she ran aground and returned to the USA for repair.

Smokey The Bear

I heard it. I was going to comment that the function of the Congress of the US regarding the Navy is to punish the Navy financially, and give its secrets to the enemy of the people of the USA. They may use a 'militia' hiding in the bottom of a row boat as the key to winning, but there are a few in there who would know better.

Smokey The Bear

Found it thank you.

Chris Bruce

B17s did score some hits on transports (from 5,000 feet) during the 2 days of The Battle of the Bismark Sea (and possibly hit another stationary DD).

Andrew Dederer

Q&A: In 1945 the USN had battleships sailing around the coast of the Japanese home islands, lobbing 16" shells at buildings and such. As dramatic as this sounds, I'm having trouble finding much about this operation-- how it was planned, the goals, how the target were selected, images or accounts of the results, what Japan thought of this absurd happening, etc. Can you talk about this a bit?

Dubsington

Q&A How would you rate Teddy Roosevelt's influence with respect to the US Navy, is he overrated (he was one never to turn away a good opportunity for self promotion) or underrated, and hoe would you compare him with the great Admirals of England contemporaneous to him in the late 19th, pre WW1 period?

Robert Henry Illston

Yep, towards the end, check the additional post in the video for timestamp :)

Drachinifel

Can anyone find if my question made it threw "Q&A What where the politics surrounding the u.s navy budget in its early years, why was it seen that having a navy was unnecessary?"

Chris Bruce

Hey, got it down to 5 hours..... Drach's version of slacking

Dubsington