Pop quiz

Donald M. Scheef · Post by **Donald M. Scheef** » Tue Apr 14, 2020 10:17 pm

USS Langley (the seaplane tender, AV-3) was converted from an aircraft carrier: USS Langley, CV-1.
USS Langley (the aircraft carrier, CV-1) was converted from a collier: USS Jupiter, AC-3.

Lexington and Saratoga were laid down as battlecruisers, not cruisers or battleships. panzergator is correct about the Washington Treaty.

The battleship that sailed around the southern tip of South America (Cape Horn) to get from the west coast to the east coast of the USA was USS Oregon (Battleship number 3, later BB-3). The reason for this is that it was faster than traveling west across the Pacific, Indian Ocean, Cape of Good Hope, and the Atlantic ocean. Note that this was before the Panama C*n*l existed.

USS Astoria (CA 34) was sunk during the Battle of Savo Island. There is no mystery about her location. The remains were identified during sonar mapping in 2015, on the bottom of Ironbottom Sound, between Guadalc*n*l Island and Florida Island.

There are several possibilities for USS Liberty:
Civilian schooner Katherine on Lake Champlain, captured by American revolutionary forces in 1775, renamed Liberty, and used as a warship on Lake Champlain until burnt and scuttled in 1777. The location of the remains, if any, are uncertain beyond the fact that the ship never left Lake Champlain. Technically, never USS Liberty since USA did not exist at that time.
Cargo ship Liberty - launched in 1918, served in US Navy as USS Liberty (ID-3461) until decommissioned in 1919. Commercial service until taken over by US Army as USAT Liberty in 1940. Torpedoed by Japanese submarine in January, 1942 and beached on the coast of Bali. In 1963, volcanic activity caused the wreck to slide off the beach and sink. The location is well-known as is a popular dive site.
Cargo ship SS Simmons Victory launched 1944, served as commercial transport under USN charter until taken over by USN in 1963. Commissioned as Technical Research Ship (ATGR-5) Liberty. In June, 1967 the ship was severely damaged by Israeli aircraft. Never completely repaired, the ship was decommissioned in 1968 and scrapped in 1973. Since the ship was reduced to pieces during the scrapping, there is no real "location" for the remains.

Don S.

panzergator · Post by **panzergator** » Tue Apr 14, 2020 10:22 pm

Actually, Cav dog, it was a case of "we've always done it that way." The practice was left over from the M48 gassers, up through the 48A2. Excess fuel could accumulate accumulate in the cylinders and the bilge. Starting the tank could cause a small explosion, igniting the other "free" gasoline sloshing around in the hull and then there was a raging fire. The conversion to diesel eliminated all of this because diesel takes a lot more effort to combust. Standing by with a fire extinguisher was unnecessary.

A British gun crew of the 1950s consisted of seven men. The purpose of six positions was easily identifiable, but the seventh required much research. What was this poor soul's mission (other than SLJO)?

panzergator · Post by **panzergator** » Tue Apr 14, 2020 10:47 pm

Chris, yes to the PT boats and Mac.

Yep on your other two. The Devastator was an easy flyer and very steady, but also very slow. It was little more than an aerial target.

The USS Ward, an old WWI-era four-stacker, hit the miniature sub at the base of 're conning tower, as evidenced by a photo included in several books about Pearl Harbor. The History Channel program claiming the finding of the sub and the hole, eliminated any doubt, is horsepucky. The proof was the photo taken at the time, which I saw in the early 60s as a young boy. We knew all along Ward got in the shot.

Donald, "target, target, cease fire. Good on both answers.

Still looking for the Astoria, the trip around the horn, what happened to the Liberty, and the number of mortars in a mid-1970s much battalion.

And more questions involving our Pacific Theater... Where were "Topside" and "Bottomside?" What branch of service manned the " concrete battleship? "

panzergator · Post by **panzergator** » Tue Apr 14, 2020 11:10 pm

Cav dog, Israelis were, indeed, slightly chagrinned to discover the "cherry juice" hydraulic fluid was flammable and sprayed the interior of an M60 or A1 when the vehicle was hit during the '73 war. Cherry juice was replaced with "something brown" around 1975.

Cav Dog · Post by **Cav Dog** » Wed Apr 15, 2020 1:33 am

PG I was right, an arcane DA directive, I just had the wrong reason!

Unsurprisingly, we did the same thing in aviation and still do, had a crewman/crew chief standing by with a fire extinguisher upon starting the engine. I never did see a fire when starting the motor but apparently it happened once on a time dating back to the Wright Bros and has been policy ever since.

chrisswim · Post by **chrisswim** » Wed Apr 15, 2020 1:34 am

PG,
Fort Drum, Manila Bay, Philippines
Coastal artillery unit manned the fort.

redleg · Post by **redleg** » Wed Apr 15, 2020 1:39 am

Here's a fun one:

What are the names of the two characters in this comic? And what division did Bill Mauldin serve in?

panzergator · Post by **panzergator** » Wed Apr 15, 2020 1:50 am

Willie and Joe. I have Stars and Stripes from 1943-47. Really great stuff.

panzergator · Post by **panzergator** » Wed Apr 15, 2020 2:26 am

Chris, yep. Right about Ft. Drum on all counts.

There are still open questions, opportunities to do good and be better. I know they aren't strictly about minis, painting, and gaming, but trying to keep the forum informative regarding military history, at least.

Better get your answers in. There are more questions comin' at ya faster than the Russians in Fulda.

After Sheridans were withdrawn and before M1s were issued, what was the equipment and organization of an 11th ACR cavalry platoon?

What American general was called to get the Berlin Airlift organized once it was determined to make a real effort? What was e noted for in WWII? To whom was he married? What were the PRINCIPAL US airplanes used to haul cargo? How often did a plane land in Berlin?

How many Atomic Annie's made up a battery?

What tactical mission would the 11th ACR have to conduct in conjunction with the main battle force upon release from their covering force mission?

What does the boot in the West Point museum memorialize?

The H series tank battalion had two bridges in the mid-70s. Why didn't the mech battalion of the same era have any?

In a naval batle, why is crossing the "t" a good thing?

Who said "There's something wrong with our bloody ships today!". Why did he say it?

What was the caliber of USA Arizona's main battery?

Don't forget the other remaining open questions.

Cav Dog · Post by **Cav Dog** » Wed Apr 15, 2020 2:38 am

Maudlin was in the 45th ID.

Mech didn't have bridges because tracks could swim. Well once in theory anyway.

Does the covering force question assume it didn't turn into a DIP mission?

Here's a good one, early versions of TOW missiles had a range of 3000m when fired from a ground mount yet 3750m when fired from a Cobra gunship. Why?

panzergator · Post by **panzergator** » Wed Apr 15, 2020 2:42 am

Donald, I hadn't noticed you edited your answers. I'm on a small screen Kindle at the moment. It was Liberty shot up by the Israelis I was asking for.

You found the Astoria!

And named the USS Oregon and the reason it rounded 're Horn.

Now we're cookin'!

"Topside" and "Bottomside?"

number of mortars in an H series much battalion?

The British gun crew's 7th man. Let me specify ARTILLERY gun crew.

Plenty here for everyone. Don't be shy. You Russian front guys should ask some questions.

panzergator · Post by **panzergator** » Wed Apr 15, 2020 3:01 am

Covering force WAS gonna be a die in place mission for many, but for those that survived, one of the most difficult tasks awaited...

TOW question - ballistic drop.

Yes, M113s could float, if you did everything right.

chrisswim · Post by **chrisswim** » Wed Apr 15, 2020 4:34 am

USS Arizona main gun
4 turrets, 3 guns each, 14 inch (356mm).

TOW question, ground firing unit were typically at a lower height, so would have less ability to see/target over 3000 meters. An attack helicopter would typically be a bit higher, having slightly longer ability to target and track.

Cav Dog · Post by **Cav Dog** » Wed Apr 15, 2020 4:34 am

Retrograde operations handing the battle off to the main body followed by passage of lines and then reconstitution. Pulling this off intact would have been iffy at best given the pressure from follow on forces. Of course that's why they got extra Cav pay.

Nope on the TOW question.

The answer to the H series Cav platoon question is in another thread.

panzergator · Post by **panzergator** » Wed Apr 15, 2020 4:35 am

Roger, Chris.