Battleship Massachusetts BB59

[shadow01]

My question is where the Massachusetts was in the following:

The surrender in Tokyo Bay.

And was she part of the fast battleships that could have confronted the Mushashi or Yamamoto?

Thanks in advance! :)

[desertswo]

My question is where the Massachusetts was in the following:

The surrender in Tokyo Bay.

And was she part of the fast battleships that could have confronted the Mushashi or Yamamoto?

Thanks in advance! :)

No and Yes.

[Albany Rifles]

Captain, just curious.

She was assigned to TG 38.3/58.3 which escorted the fast carriers.

Are you saying she and the other South Dakotas would have stayed with the carriers as the Iowas split off?

[TopHatter]

Captain, just curious.

She was assigned to TG 38.3/58.3 which escorted the fast carriers.

Are you saying she and the other South Dakotas would have stayed with the carriers as the Iowas split off?

Gonna jump in here...

I think the good Captain meant "Yes, the Massachusetts would've confronted the Yamato and Musashi with the other fast battleships.


Also for Shadow, there are lists on the 'net of every single Allied vessel present for the surrender ceremonies, right down to the 'lowliest' LCI

List of Allied ships at the Japanese surrender

[desertswo]

Gonna jump in here...

I think the good Captain meant "Yes, the Massachusetts would've confronted the Yamato and Musashi with the other fast battleships.


Also for Shadow, there are lists on the 'net of every single Allied vessel present for the surrender ceremonies, right down to the 'lowliest' LCI

List of Allied ships at the Japanese surrender

The question was written as "could have" not "would have." "Could have" is pretty open ended, yes? Halsey "could have" done the right thing and hanged around the beach head and waxed Kurita and the Center Force that attacked the Taffies off Samar. . . but he didn't. As it was, the force designated to protect the Taffies, had it been formed, was made up of Iowa, New Jersey, Alabama and Washington under the command of Willis Lee. Instead, Halsey took those ships, in addition to Massachusetts, et al. in his futile run to the north to take out Ozawa's toothless carriers.

While the instrument of surrender was being signed in Tokyo Bay, Massachusetts was on course for San Francisco and an overhaul.

[shadow01]

Thank you!

[tbm3fan]

Gonna jump in here...

I think the good Captain meant "Yes, the Massachusetts would've confronted the Yamato and Musashi with the other fast battleships.


Also for Shadow, there are lists on the 'net of every single Allied vessel present for the surrender ceremonies, right down to the 'lowliest' LCI

List of Allied ships at the Japanese surrender

That is a lot of ships. I'd love to see an overall picture of that if there is such a photo in existence.

[desertswo]

That is a lot of ships. I'd love to see an overall picture of that if there is such a photo in existence.

One would have thought that some enterprising soul in an airplane would have snapped a pic, but it looks like this is about as good as it gets.

[Albany Rifles]

Proud to say the man I am named for LTJG(T) John E. Buchanan flew his FM-2 as part of the 8 hour aluminum overcast.

[Doktor]

One would have thought that some enterprising soul in an airplane would have snapped a pic, but it looks like this is about as good as it gets.

It's really confusing, as there are many pics of USN ships in August heading to Japan. Some are truly majestic.

My fav is this one:

[tbm3fan]

One would have thought that some enterprising soul in an airplane would have snapped a pic, but it looks like this is about as good as it gets.

I have seen that one before but alas it is looking upwards. With all those ships in Tokyo Bay one could walk from one end of the bay to the other and not touch water. You would think there would be a shot, of what one could consider, the greatest armada of ships in one single place for the history books.

[desertswo]

I have seen that one before but alas it is looking upwards. With all those ships in Tokyo Bay one could walk from one end of the bay to the other and not touch water. You would think there would be a shot, of what one could consider, the greatest armada of ships in one single place for the history books.

I take it you've never steamed in Tokyo-wan.

[Parihaka]

Frankly it would have been a bit difficult to take a meaningful photograph

[Parihaka]

I do like the story this tells though

[desertswo]

Frankly it would have been a bit difficult to take a meaningful photograph

[ATTACH=CONFIG]33786[/ATTACH]

Indeed, but pictures could have been taken of groups of ships. I suspect there probably were, but not considered worthy of publication.