THE SILENT SERVICE "Hit 'Em Again, Harder" 1957
This is the 33rd episode of the U.S. war series, "The Silent Service". The series was about the exploits of the U.S. Navy's submarine fleet. Each episode is a stand-alone tale of the actions of a particular submarine. Most of the stories are about actions against the Japanese Navy and merchant fleet in the Pacific. There is also the odd tale from the Korean conflict. The series ran for 78 episodes during 1957 and 1958. The stories were all based on actual events. Some pretty good attention to detail here with the U.S Navy allowing filming on several WW 2 era Gato class subs.
Each episode started and ended with retired Real Admiral Thomas M. Dykers giving a breakdown of the action. Dykers became a writer, producer and technical adviser after leaving the service. He worked on films such as, TORPEDO ALLEY, FLAT TOP, THE FROGMEN, HELL AND HIGH WATER and SUBMARINE COMMAND.
This episode is about the U.S.S. "Harder". This mission starts on May 26 1944 as the "Harder" is sent to Borneo to pick up 6 British Commandos. After the pick up, the submarine heads for the Japanese Fleet anchorage at Tawi-Tawi.
The "Harder" soon comes up on a convoy of tankers escorted by the Japanese destroyer, Minazuki. The "Harder" puts several tin fish into the destroyer sinking her. The next morning the "Harder" has a run in with another Japanese destroyer, the Hayanami. One of the submarine's torpedoes hits the destroyer's magazine sinking her instantly.
On the night of June 8th the "Harder" sights six destroyers travelling in line. The "Harder' closes in and soon puts paid to the destroyer, Tanikaze. The submarine also hits another destroyer sending it to the bottom. The next day she hits and sinks another un-named Japanese destroyer.
On the afternoon of 10 June Harder sighted a large Japanese task force, including three battleships and several cruisers. This was part of the Japanese Task Force heading to stop the US attack on the Marianas. The Task Force fled the anchorage at Tawi-Tawi in large part due to the actions of the "Harder". The Japanese Fleet would be more or less destroyed at the resulting Battle of the Philippine Sea.
The Captain of the "Harder" would be awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on this patrol. The "Harder" would be lost with all hands on its next patrol. The submarine was credited with at least 18 Japanese vessels including 5 destroyers. The "Harder" was lost with all hands on August 24th 1944.
This is the 33rd episode of the U.S. war series, "The Silent Service". The series was about the exploits of the U.S. Navy's submarine fleet. Each episode is a stand-alone tale of the actions of a particular submarine. Most of the stories are about actions against the Japanese Navy and merchant fleet in the Pacific. There is also the odd tale from the Korean conflict. The series ran for 78 episodes during 1957 and 1958. The stories were all based on actual events. Some pretty good attention to detail here with the U.S Navy allowing filming on several WW 2 era Gato class subs.
Each episode started and ended with retired Real Admiral Thomas M. Dykers giving a breakdown of the action. Dykers became a writer, producer and technical adviser after leaving the service. He worked on films such as, TORPEDO ALLEY, FLAT TOP, THE FROGMEN, HELL AND HIGH WATER and SUBMARINE COMMAND.
This episode is about the U.S.S. "Harder". This mission starts on May 26 1944 as the "Harder" is sent to Borneo to pick up 6 British Commandos. After the pick up, the submarine heads for the Japanese Fleet anchorage at Tawi-Tawi.
The "Harder" soon comes up on a convoy of tankers escorted by the Japanese destroyer, Minazuki. The "Harder" puts several tin fish into the destroyer sinking her. The next morning the "Harder" has a run in with another Japanese destroyer, the Hayanami. One of the submarine's torpedoes hits the destroyer's magazine sinking her instantly.
On the night of June 8th the "Harder" sights six destroyers travelling in line. The "Harder' closes in and soon puts paid to the destroyer, Tanikaze. The submarine also hits another destroyer sending it to the bottom. The next day she hits and sinks another un-named Japanese destroyer.
On the afternoon of 10 June Harder sighted a large Japanese task force, including three battleships and several cruisers. This was part of the Japanese Task Force heading to stop the US attack on the Marianas. The Task Force fled the anchorage at Tawi-Tawi in large part due to the actions of the "Harder". The Japanese Fleet would be more or less destroyed at the resulting Battle of the Philippine Sea.
The Captain of the "Harder" would be awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on this patrol. The "Harder" would be lost with all hands on its next patrol. The submarine was credited with at least 18 Japanese vessels including 5 destroyers. The "Harder" was lost with all hands on August 24th 1944.