Did PT boats sink any Japanese warships?
Originally conceived as anti-ship weapons, PT boats were publicly credited with sinking several Japanese warships during the period between December 1941 and the fall of the Philippines in May 1942—even though the Navy knew the claims were all false.
How many ships did U.S. PT boats sink?
By war's end, the American units' boats had fired 354 torpedoes and claimed to have sunk 38 vessels totaling 23,700 tons.
How many Japanese ships were sunk in ww2?
By the end of the war, the IJN had lost 334 warships and 300,386 officers and men.
Did PT boats sink submarines?
After serving in a training squadron in Rhode Island, PT-59 was reassigned to the protection of the Panama Canal before being transported by oceangoing ship to the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific. It arrived at its home base of Tulagi and served successfully, sinking a Japanese submarine by torpedo.
Did a PT boat ever sink a battleship?
No capital ship was sunk in WW2 by a motor torpedo boat/PT boat but one Dreadnought Battleship was sunk by an Italian motor torpedo boat in WW1. SMS Svent Istavan of the Austro Hungarian Navy a Dreadnought of 21000 tons was torpedoed and sunk by the 30 ton torpedo boat MAS-15 the sinking was filmed.
How many Japanese ships were sunk by US submarines?
Number of Japanese ships attacked by submarines = 4,112. Total number of Japanese ships sunk by submarines = 1,392. Average number of merchant ships sunk/war patrol = 0.80.
Was there a real pt73?
The real PT-73 was a 78-foot Higgins boat assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 13, which saw service in the Aleutians and in the Southwest Pacific theater. On 15 January, 1945 it ran aground, and was destroyed to prevent it falling into enemy hands.
Do any PT boats still exist?
Today, just four combat-veteran PT boats still exist in the United States; of those, only PT-305 is fully restored and operational, complete with original-model engines.
What was the largest ship sunk by PT boat?
USS McCawley (APA-4). 9000 tons attack transport, sunk off Guadalcanal after being accidentally torpedoed by US torpedo boats.
Did any Japanese ships survive WWII?
Nagato survived the battle, retreating to Japan to be refitted for coastal defense. She also escaped serious damage from an Allied air attack in July of 1945 and was the only Japanese battleship to survive the war.
Did the Yamato sink any ships?
Yamato fought Allied ships only once, in the Battle of Samar Gulf, where she sank one American escort carrier and one destroyer.
Did any Japanese carriers survive the war?
The Hosho and Katsuragi, among the few Japanese carriers to survive the war, were given new roles as passenger transports, as were destroyers such as the Yoizuki.
Was PT 73 a real PT boat?
The real-life PT-73
It was assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 13 under the command of Commander James B. Denny, USN. The squadron participated in the Aleutian Islands Campaign from March 1943 to May 1944.
Did the Germans have PT boats?
The German torpedo boats of World War II were armed principally, if not exclusively, with torpedoes and varied widely in size. They were not small schnellboote (known to the Allies as E-boats) but small seagoing vessels, the larger of which were comparable to destroyers.
What happened to all the PT boats after ww2?
At the end of World War II, the expense of returning PT boats to the United States from overseas was considered prohibitive, so most boat were stripped of useful materials and burned.
What happened to JFK's PT boat?
During the night of August 1 into the second in 1943, the 80-foot boat was struck in the South Pacific by a Japanese destroyer, the Amagiri. The PT boat itself was destroyed. MATT PORTER: And on that night, Lieutenant John F. Kennedy, commander of the PT-109, led his crew members to a nearby set of islands.
Did PT boats sink any ships in ww2?
PT-59 (more on her later) is credited with sinking Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) submarine I-3 on December 9, 1942 near Guadalcanal. PT-37 and PT-40 sank destroyer IJN Teruzuki on the night of 11–12 December, barely three months after the Japanese had put her into service.
What replaced the PT boat?
Their role was replaced in the U.S. Navy by fast attack craft.
Was the Yamato bigger than the Bismarck?
The only warships that would exceed the Bismarck in size were the non-treaty U.S. Iowa-class battleships, which were built in 1943 and had a standard displacement of 48,425 tons, and the two even larger Japanese battleships of the Yamato class.
Were U boats better than American submarines?
The U-boats could go faster and farther, and they could carry almost twice as many weapons as the newest U.S. submarines. They also could submerge four times faster. The U.S. Navy's subs possessed advantages only in maximum depth and an extra half knot submerged.
Were any Japanese carriers sunk by submarines?
Just three hours later, the USS Cavalla (SS-244) hunted down the veteran Japanese carrier, Shokaku. The Cavalla hit and sank the carrier with three torpedoes. By destroying two carriers, submarines contributed greatly to the decisive American victory in the Philippine Sea and badly crippled the Japanese fleet.
Did they use a real PT boat on Mchale's Navy?
The boat was used for shots of the PT-73 underway at sea, while a full-scale mock-up was used for studio scenes. The real PT-73 in World War II II was a seventy-eight-foot Higgins PT boat, assigned to the U.S. Navy's MTB Squadron 13, and was placed in service on August 12, 1942.
Were PT boats used in Vietnam?
All Patrol Torpedo boats were taken out of service immediately after WWII and either scrapped or sold (minus armament), A variety of light patrol and river craft were used in the Vietnam war including the well-known PBR (Patrol Boat River) pictured below, but no PT Boats.
Can you buy a PT boat?
Specialized yacht brokers, dealers, and brokerages on YachtWorld have a diverse selection of PT models for sale, with listings spanning from 1979 year models to 1986.
Were PT boats used in Europe?
Built in New Orleans by Higgins Industries, the patrol-torpedo (PT) boat PT-305 was a critical asset for the US Navy during World War II, serving in European waters from 1944 to the end ofthe war.
Were there PT boats in Europe?
By the last patrol on the night of April 28, 1945, American PT boats had been fighting in the coastal waters of North Africa, Italy, and France for two years. During that period, they fired 354 torpedoes, claiming 38 vessels totaling 23,700 tons sunk.
How fast was a WWII PT boat?
Engines. PT-109 was powered by three 12-cylinder 1,500 horsepower (1,100 kW) Packard 4M-2500 marinized aero gasoline engines (one per propeller shaft), with a designed top speed of 41 knots (76 km/h; 47 mph).
Has the USS Tang been found?
The USS TANG is located off the mainland coast of China near Oksu and Turnabout Islands. She lies in 180 feet of water, but has never "officially" been found.
Where are PT boats any good?
PT boat action during World War II is well documented in history books and popularized in movies. Serving in multiple theaters, PT boats effectively and consistently challenged their adversaries. These fast ships, manned by courageous sailors, fought magnificently against long odds.
What is the most famous PT boat?
Lieutenant John F. Kennedy's encounter with a Japanese destroyer on the night of August 1, 1943, may be the most famous small-craft engagement in naval history, and it was an unmitigated disaster.
How many Japanese ships did the U.S. submarines sink in ww2?
By the end of the war in August 1945, the Japanese merchant marine had less than a quarter of the tonnage it had in December 1941. Overall, U.S. Navy submarines sank around 1,300 Japanese merchant ships, as well as roughly 200 warships.
How many U.S. ships did Japan sunk in ww2?
American losses were heavy; 2,403 personnel and bystanders were killed, 18 ships were damaged or sunk, and 188 aircraft were destroyed. In contrast, the Japanese lost 29 aircraft and five midget submarines.
How many Japanese carriers were sunk in ww2?
The Imperial Japanese Navy never truly recovered from Midway, and would possess a total of 18 aircraft carriers throughout the war, but 14 of these were ultimately lost - the majority of which fell around the Philippines, with three sunk during the Battle of the Philippine Sea.
Is Bismarck better than Yamato?
Yamato has the advantage in main battery, secondary battery, armor protection, propulsion layout, and rudder control. Bismarck is superior in fire control, officer performance, crew training, speed, and damage control.
Was Musashi bigger than Yamato?
They were sister ships, and were the same size and displacement. They had the same main and secondary armament. Both originally had wing triple 155mm turrets, but these were later removed on both ships. Both, during the same overhaul that removed the wing turrets, received considerably upgraded AAA in place of them.
Why did the US sink the Yamato?
The Yamato was the lead ship of the Yamato-class battleships, the heaviest and most powerful ever built. She was sunk on April 7, 1945, during Operation Ten-Go, a desperate attempt to stop the Allied invasion of Okinawa. She was attacked by wave after wave of US Navy planes, ...
Why did Japan lose Midway?
Japan lost Midway the way they did based on a lack of coherent operational priorities, poor operational planning, poor operational security, and poor decision making in battle. Japan could not have won the Battle of Midway the way they wanted to, but they could have won a different battle.
Could Japan have won ww2?
Key point: Japan could never have crushed U.S. maritime forces in the Pacific and imposed terms on Washington. That doesn't mean it couldn't have won World War II. Let's face it. Imperial Japan stood next to no chance of winning a fight to the finish against the United States.
Why did Japan lose ww2?
Japan's tanks could not compete with their opposite numbers. The Empire's logistical base was undeveloped for modern warfare. While the Allies could produce large numbers of trained pilots, Japan produced very few. When its elite airmen were lost at the Battle of Midway in June 1942, Japan could not replace them.
Did a PT boat ever sink a submarine?
It arrived at its home base of Tulagi and served successfully, sinking a Japanese submarine by torpedo. In the fall of 1943, PT-59 was converted into a gunboat under the direction of its new commander, Lieutenant (and future U.S. President) John F.
How many PT boats still exist?
Today, just four combat-veteran PT boats still exist in the United States; of those, only PT-305 is fully restored and operational, complete with original-model engines. An operational PT-305 promises to become one of The National WWII Museum's most exciting artifacts and teaching tools.
How many ships sunk by PT boats?
By war's end, the American units' boats had fired 354 torpedoes and claimed to have sunk 38 vessels totaling 23,700 tons.
What was the largest ship sunk by PT boat?
USS McCawley (APA-4). 9000 tons attack transport, sunk off Guadalcanal after being accidentally torpedoed by US torpedo boats.
Did German U-boats sink American ships in ww1?
From April 1917 until November 1918, four German U-boats visited the East Coast of the United States and sank 10 vessels off North Carolina's coast and 200 U.S. vessels in total. One of these U-boats, U-140, was particularly notable for sinking the Diamond Shoals Lightship, LV-71, in August 1918.
Was there a real pt73?
The real PT-73 was a 78-foot Higgins boat assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 13, which saw service in the Aleutians and in the Southwest Pacific theater. On 15 January, 1945 it ran aground, and was destroyed to prevent it falling into enemy hands.
Why did the Navy burn the PT boats?
The U.S. Navy ended up destroying most of its PT boats because the light wood from which they were made could not be stored for future use as could the steel used in decommissioned warships. Before being scrapped the PT boats were first stripped of their valuable armament.
What happened to all the PT boats?
At the end of World War II, the expense of returning PT boats to the United States from overseas was considered prohibitive, so most boat were stripped of useful materials and burned.
How did the PT-109 crew survive?
Most of the crew were knocked or fell into the water. The one man below decks, engineer Patrick McMahon, miraculously escaped, although he was badly burned by exploding fuel. Fear that PT-109 would go up in flames drove Kennedy to order the men who still remained on the wreck to abandon ship.
Did a PT boat ever sink a battleship?
No capital ship was sunk in WW2 by a motor torpedo boat/PT boat but one Dreadnought Battleship was sunk by an Italian motor torpedo boat in WW1. SMS Svent Istavan of the Austro Hungarian Navy a Dreadnought of 21000 tons was torpedoed and sunk by the 30 ton torpedo boat MAS-15 the sinking was filmed.
Were PT boats effective in World War II?
During World War II, PT boats engaged enemy warships, transports, tankers, barges, and sampans. Some were converted into gunboats which could be effective against enemy small craft, especially armored barges used by the Japanese for inter-island transport.
Did the Germans have PT boats?
The German torpedo boats of World War II were armed principally, if not exclusively, with torpedoes and varied widely in size. They were not small schnellboote (known to the Allies as E-boats) but small seagoing vessels, the larger of which were comparable to destroyers.
What happened to all the PT boats after ww2?
Even after the tide turned in the Pacific theater, PT boats were run hard and getting spares remained difficult. At the end of the war, with little need for all of them the determination was made that they were beyond economical repair. Those irreparable boats were destroyed as the best method of demilitarizing them.
Could the USS Iowa beat the Yamato?
A 3:1 engagement would then subject a Yamato to nearly 150,000 pounds of shot each minute, while each Iowa would only be subjected to about 19,000 pounds of ordnance in return. Ceteris paribus, U.S. battleships would quickly win such an encounter.
Who would win USS Missouri vs Yamato?
A duel in open ocean at extended range (> 20,000 yds) would also favor Missouri with radar fc. And extended range would result in plunging fire where Missouri's heavy shells would easily Pierce Yamato's deck armor.
Why did the U-boats fail ww2?
In the end, the defeat of the U-boats really came down to a numbers game. The strategic goal of the German U-boat force was to sink more shipping than the Allies could replace and force surrender through starvation. This was a fight the Germans were sure to lose.
What beat the U-boats?
The introduction of aircraft carriers, Very Long Range aircraft and roving 'support groups' of warships eventually defeated the U-boats at the end of May 1943.
Were any Japanese carriers sunk by submarines?
Just three hours later, the USS Cavalla (SS-244) hunted down the veteran Japanese carrier, Shokaku. The Cavalla hit and sank the carrier with three torpedoes. By destroying two carriers, submarines contributed greatly to the decisive American victory in the Philippine Sea and badly crippled the Japanese fleet.
Did any Japanese warships survive ww2?
Nagato survived the battle, retreating to Japan to be refitted for coastal defense. She also escaped serious damage from an Allied air attack in July of 1945 and was the only Japanese battleship to survive the war.
What was the largest ship sunk by a PT boat?
USS McCawley (APA-4). 9000 tons attack transport, sunk off Guadalcanal after being accidentally torpedoed by US torpedo boats.
How many Japanese ships were sunk?
At the beginning of the war in 1941, the Japanese Navy had around 10 battleships, 10 aircraft carriers, 38 cruisers, and over 100 destroyers. Here are some additional details about the types of ships in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II: During World War II, Japan lost a total of 3,057 ships.