An American warship that was sunk by Japanese dive bombers in the course of the Second World Battle 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 accidentally 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 growth was solely introduced this week.
“Captain Joshua Nix and his crew fought valiantly, evading 1,400 shells from Japanese battleships and cruisers earlier than being attacked by 26 service dive bombers, taking just one deadly hit,” mentioned 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 workers used “superior robotic and autonomous programs usually used for hydrographic survey capabilities to find the USS Edsall on the seabed,” Australia’s navy chief, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, mentioned.
He paid tribute to the US ship, saying it “holds a particular place in our naval historical past”.
“The USS Edsall served valiantly throughout World Battle II, most notably within the early Pacific campaigns. She operated alongside Australian conflict ships defending our shores, and performed a job in sinking the Japanese submarine I124 off Darwin.”
He added: “As we replicate on the legacy of the USS Edsall, we honour the sailors who confronted large challenges with bravery and willpower.”
