An American warship that was sunk by Japanese dive bombers through the Second World Warfare has lastly been discovered, greater than 80 years later.
The USS Edsall was attacked shortly after Pearl Harbor in 1942 and sank with an enormous lack of life. The wreck, found by chance on the backside of the Indian Ocean, is the ultimate resting place of greater than 200 servicemen.
There have been no survivors of the assault, which went on for use in Japanese propaganda.
The 314ft destroyer was discovered by the Australian navy final yr however the improvement was solely introduced this week.
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Greater than 200 US servicemen died when the ship went down. Pic: Don Kehn Jr/US Navy
“Captain Joshua Nix and his crew fought valiantly, evading 1,400 shells from Japanese battleships and cruisers before being attacked by 26 carrier dive bombers, taking only one fatal hit,” stated Caroline Kennedy, the US ambassador to Australia.
On the day it was sunk, the USS Edsall was shelled by Japanese warships however managed to evade them utilizing excessive manoeuvres and smokescreens – which led one Japanese combatant to explain the Edsall as a “Dancing Mouse”.
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The USS Edsall helped guard Australia’s coast. Pic: Naval Historical past and Heritage Command
The Australian navy made the shock discovery because it was conducting an unrelated and unspecified mission within the space.
Its employees used “advanced robotic and autonomous systems normally used for hydrographic survey capabilities to locate the USS Edsall on the seabed,” Australia’s navy chief, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, stated.
He paid tribute to the US ship, saying it “holds a special place in our naval history”.
“The USS Edsall served valiantly during World War II, most notably in the early Pacific campaigns. She operated alongside Australian war ships protecting our shores, and played a role in sinking the Japanese submarine I124 off Darwin.”
He added: “As we reflect on the legacy of the USS Edsall, we honour the sailors who faced tremendous challenges with bravery and determination.”
