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Time for My Annual Underdog Post


DocWard

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Of course, this year it seems we're all underdogs in one way or another.

 

I've started thinking of October 25 as a sort of "Underdog Day." On this date in history, there have been several instances where forces have gone into combat against overwhelming odds, with little reasonable chance of success, yet somehow they often did.
 
October 25, 1415, at the Battle of Agincourt, the English under Henry V, defeated a numerically vastly superior French force. Henry took complete advantage of terrain and tactics, along with English archers to defeat a force comprised mainly of knights and men at arms. Henry led from the front. The proof? The crown he wore at the battle was split and his helmet dented.
 
October 25, 1944, the Battle off Samar, a small task force of destroyers, destroyer escorts and small, lightweight "jeep" carriers with the callsign "Taffy 3" runs headlong into the Japanese Center Force and its battleships and cruisers. The Japanese battleship Yamato, part of the Center Force, was present. For comparison, it displaced more tonnage than all of Taffy 3 combined. Through desperate attacks against the much larger force by ships and aircraft, Taffy 3, along with some late assistance from aircraft from Taffy 2, turned the Center Force, causing them to retreat and saving the landings at Leyte.
 
And a cautionary tale. The underdog doesn't always win:
 
October 25, 1854, the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War, the British Light Brigade, considered the best light cavalry of its day, through miscommunication, and possible desire for glory, is instructed to attack dug in Russian artillery emplacements, instead of retreating Russian artillery as intended. The origin of the words "Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die," come from the bravery of the Light Brigade in the face of well placed Russian guns.
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"October 25, 1944, the Battle off Samar, a small task force of destroyers, destroyer escorts and small, lightweight "jeep" carriers with the callsign "Taffy 3" runs headlong into the Japanese Center Force and its battleships and cruisers. The Japanese battleship Yamato, part of the Center Force, was present. For comparison, it displaced more tonnage than all of Taffy 3 combined."  "Small boys, attack!" And they did. DE's and DD's against CC's and BB's! :FlagAm:

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Torpedos,and 5" guns against 6",8", 14", and 18" guns. A DE, and three DD's were lost, but not before they put up one heck of a fight. Also  during the 24th-25th time period, the U.S. Navy lost the U.S.S.Tang, Lt. Commander Richard O'Kane in command. Not through enemy action, but a circular run of one of it's own torpedoe:FlagAm::blush:s

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The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors is one of the best historical accounts I believe I have ever read.

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I am real happy about the Navy's victory, in October of 1944. My Dad was among those that hit the beach on Leyte, and if the Navy had not stopped the Japanese fleet, I may not be here, nor would my son, or grandson.

It is best not to forget the bravery, and determination, of those thousands of men, for what they did, back then. It affects a lot of us even today, 76 years later.

 

 

 

 

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One cannot forget the Battle of Britain (1940).  "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few" - Winston Churchill.  

Not everyone in the RAF during this prolonged battle (Jul 10 - Oct 31, 1940), were Brits. They came from the commonwealth and occupied Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Rhodesia, Belgium, France, Poland, Czechoslovakia and the neutral United States and Ireland.

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7 minutes ago, Buffalo Creek Law Dog said:

One cannot forget the Battle of Britain (1940).  "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few" - Winston Churchill.  

Not everyone in the RAF during this prolonged battle (Jul 10 - Oct 31, 1940), were Brits. They came from the commonwealth and occupied Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Rhodesia, Belgium, France, Poland, Czechoslovakia and the neutral United States and Ireland.

 

But it didn't happen on October 25th! While I agree that the Battle of Britain was fought against somewhat long odds, I would assert it didn't go to the level of Agincourt or Samar. 

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1 hour ago, DocWard said:

 

But it didn't happen on October 25th! While I agree that the Battle of Britain was fought against somewhat long odds, I would assert it didn't go to the level of Agincourt or Samar. 

 

Ooops, I didn't read the question, the part about Oct 25th.  My error.

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16 hours ago, Waxahachie Kid #17017 L said:

I am real happy about the Navy's victory, in October of 1944. My Dad was among those that hit the beach on Leyte, and if the Navy had not stopped the Japanese fleet, I may not be here, nor would my son, or grandson.

It is best not to forget the bravery, and determination, of those thousands of men, for what they did, back then. It affects a lot of us even today, 76 years later.

 

 

 

 

 

As am I. My Dad was on a LCI(g) that helped get the troops ashore at Leyte. He was part of the invasion fleet that the Jap "Center Force" was gunning for. 

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This one is for the Aussies. Its a battle over the period 29- 30 Oct (yet for some strange reason the 25th is Chongju Day for 3 RAR?)

 

3 RAR was (and is) an Infantry Battalion and fought against a Tank Brigade (with help from the USA). The Aussies were outnumbered about 3:1 but attacked instead of defending.

 

The Battle of Chongju (29–30 October 1950) took place during the United Nations Command (UN) offensive towards the Yalu River, which followed the North Korean invasion of South Korea at the start of the Korean War. The battle was fought between Australian forces from 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR) and the 17th Tank Brigade of the Korean People's Army (KPA) for control of Chongju, North Korea and the surrounding area. After detecting a strong KPA armoured force equipped with T-34 tanks and SU-76 self-propelled guns on a thickly wooded ridgeline astride the line of advance, the Australians launched a series of company attacks with American M4 Sherman tanks and aircraft in support. Despite heavy resistance the KPA were forced to withdraw and the Australians captured their objectives after three hours of fighting.

That evening the KPA were strongly reinforced, attacking the Australian southern flank manned by D Company 3 RAR, and partially penetrating their perimeter. After two hours of fighting the assault was repulsed, and the KPA subsequently launched a furious assault against A Company 3 RAR on the northern position, which also failed amid heavy losses. The following day the Australians advanced to the high ground overlooking Chongju, killing and capturing a number of KPA in skirmishes. That afternoon the town itself was cleared by the remaining elements of the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade without opposition. KPA casualties during the fighting were heavy, while Australian losses included their commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Green, who was wounded in the stomach by artillery fire after the battle and died two days later.

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