Documentary on the finding of the PT109 from National Geographic

[nytemare]

This was very well done. Had me tearful in a couple of instances.

http://www.joost.com/032001n/t/Search-for-Kennedy-s-PT-109#id=032001n

[MicaelS]

1. Thanks! n/t

[nytemare]

3. No problem!

It was really very interesting.

[pokerfan]

2. Had no idea any of it would still be around after sixty years at the bottom of the Pacific

what with it being constructed out of "plywood."

[nytemare]

4. Not really sure if the wood part is left.

The impression from the program is that the majority of the boat is buried under the sand, and the Navy wouldn't let any digging go on around the boat. So, what became of the wood part is up to interpretation. There is still wood remaining on the Titanic. I guess a good sealer goes a long way.

[pokerfan]

5. True

and it was somewhat more substantial than mere plywood, hence the quotes in my previous post. ... actually made of two diagonal layered 1-inch thick mahogany planks, with a glue-impregnated layer of canvas in between. (wiki) That would probably hang around for a while.

[Brother Buzz]

13. The three V-12 engines would remain, albeit rust encrusted

These engines were built by the Packard - Big and strong!

[Enthusiast]

6. Thank you, nytemare

I had watched this episode before but ended up watching the entire thing over again. The battles for the Solomon Islands are among the most interesting of WWII.

[nytemare]

7. You're welcome.

I enjoyed the scene when Max Kennedy met the islander who saved his uncle. It was surely a kleenex moment.

[Enthusiast]

8. Yes, it was.

I read a book about the coast watchers and the native inhabitants of the Solomon Islands. Unfortunately I don't remember the author or book title but it was excellent.

[nytemare]

9. Have you seen "The Thin Red Line"?

It was more of a streaming musical narrative than a movie, about the battle at Guadalcanal. The cast was great, and the music was hauntingly astounding.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120863/plotsummary

Here is a sample of the music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7wRZZ-4cTk

[old mark]

10. The taking of Guadalcanal was ont of the saddest and most heroic

engagements in US history. If the Marines had been better supplied their terrible suffering may have been reduced and victory made a bit less costly.

mark

[Enthusiast]

11. Logistics were a nightmare for both sides.

But for the Japanese, it was even worse. Every time they tried to reinforce existing manpower on Guadalcanal their ships were attacked. Then when they did manage to reinforce troop numbers they couldn't get them food enough to survive. Much of our success against resupply has to be attributed to reports from the coast watchers. Success on Guadalcanal was the key to victory. What an amazing story.

I did see the Thin Red Line. My dad was in the Pacific during WWII, in the Army. One account of Guadalcanal I enjoyed was Guadalcanal Diary.

[Captain Hilts]

12. I'd love to see this. To his credit, JFK NEVER claimed to be a hero.

And his actions after the wreck were, truly, heroic.

I love this naval archaeology stuff.

[nytemare]

14. And taking his health into account.

That guy was always in the hospital. Could have easily gotten out of military service, actually had to have strings pulled to get in to military service, then more strings to get into combat service. All with a shitty back and ulcers galore. Then, this skinny wan looking fellow dragged a guy to an island on his back by pulling a strap in his fucking teeth. That is a man.

Now, Rush Limbaugh had a friggin' anal cyst, and used that to get out of service.

[Captain Hilts]

15. That's exactly right. nt