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Narrator: Pearl harbor
is just the beginning.
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00:00:15,282 --> 00:00:19,401
In the terrifying weeks after
japan's surprise attack,
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00:00:19,437 --> 00:00:22,571
More shocking blows
fall upon the allies,
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00:00:24,542 --> 00:00:28,911
As a wave of terror
spreads across the pacific,
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00:00:28,946 --> 00:00:32,881
Leaving behind a tragic
trail of wreckage
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00:00:32,917 --> 00:00:35,234
On the ocean floor.
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Imagine if we could
empty the oceans,
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Letting the water
drain away to reveal
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00:00:44,712 --> 00:00:47,546
The secrets on the sea floor.
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00:00:48,949 --> 00:00:51,600
Now, we can.
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00:00:52,703 --> 00:00:56,739
Using accurate data and
astonishing technology
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00:00:56,774 --> 00:01:01,376
To bring light once
again to a lost world.
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What can a shattered wreck
in the south china sea reveal
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About the technical
brilliance of the
japanese navy?
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Anthony: The result was
complete collapse of half
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Of the ship's systems
from a single blow.
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Narrator: What secret
weapon sends this
mighty battleship down?
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Osamu: If you can't see it
coming, how do you avoid it?
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Well, the answer is you don't.
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Narrator: And why does
this sleepy australian port
become a second pearl harbor?
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00:01:38,783 --> 00:01:45,170
(theme music plays).
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December 1941.
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The empire of japan
is on the March.
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00:01:59,637 --> 00:02:02,504
It already holds
parts of china.
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Now it targets the regions
beyond, sparking conflict
with america and her allies.
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Including great britain.
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From the fortress of singapore,
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The royal navy dominates
the south china seas.
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Can the ruins of a mighty
battleship reveal just how
badly the british misjudged
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The power of their new enemy?
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After the surprise attack
on pearl harbor,
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Winston churchill worries
that japan might invade
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The dutch east indies
and british malaya,
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Areas rich in the resources
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That japan badly
needs, especially oil.
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Seeing the imminent threat,
the royal navy mobilizes a
battle group of six powerful
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War ships, and
call it force z.
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Its mission is to head north
east from singapore, on the
lookout for japanese invaders.
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Leading the convoy is
a brand new battleship,
hms prince of wales.
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00:03:17,781 --> 00:03:22,401
Churchill believes that
her mere presence will be
enough to deter the enemy.
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Eric: Prince of wales was a
state of the art battleship,
very heavily protected.
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The ship with its armor was
pretty immune to attack.
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Rod: The battleship was
the supreme embodiment of
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A nation's sea
power and majesty.
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If you saw prince of wales
coming over the horizon, you
knew you were in big trouble.
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Narrator: Armed with ten
14 inch main guns, plus
16 secondary guns and
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Anti-aircraft capability,
the prince of wales is
lethal to targets at sea,
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On land and in the air.
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She's also well protected.
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Armor shields the deck, and an
additional 15 inch thick belt
surrounds her massive hull.
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00:04:11,936 --> 00:04:16,104
Force z is 50 miles
east of british malaya,
52
00:04:16,140 --> 00:04:20,242
When it encounters japanese
naval units for the first time.
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00:04:23,981 --> 00:04:26,748
But by early afternoon
the following day,
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The prince of wales is at the
bottom of the south china sea,
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And britannia's rule over
these waters is over.
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Decades later, diver
rod macdonald is part
of a military expedition
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To research what happened here.
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Rod: My role in this
expedition is basically
to try and work out
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00:04:54,645 --> 00:04:56,812
Exactly why the wreck sank.
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When this vessel was
built, it was a state
of the art battleship.
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00:05:01,335 --> 00:05:03,935
Narrator: The location of
the wreck is well known.
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00:05:05,406 --> 00:05:09,074
But her condition has
not been revealed in
such detail before.
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Over 200 feet down, the
mighty prince of wales,
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Silent on the sea floor.
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There are areas
of serious damage.
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Over weeks, the divers scour
the wreck, gathering data.
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00:06:03,080 --> 00:06:05,480
And as the waters roll back,
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00:06:05,516 --> 00:06:10,635
Light shines for the first
time in almost 80 years
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On hms prince of wales.
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It's mostly intact,
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But its starboard side
is punctured by three
massive holes.
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From their position below
the water line, they look
like torpedo strikes.
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Elsewhere on the
wreck, further details
of her final battle.
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00:06:54,415 --> 00:07:00,102
The smaller 5.25 gun turrets
on the starboard side
are all aimed downwards.
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00:07:03,574 --> 00:07:08,610
As the british sailors
fight to defend their ship,
what are they shooting at?
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00:07:11,415 --> 00:07:16,501
The answer may lie
with another ship, the
uss north carolina.
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A battleship built to
similar specifications.
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It survived its own deadly
encounters with the japanese.
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Naval historian anthony
tully believes this
battleship holds clues
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About the downfall of
its british cousin.
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Anthony: Behind us here,
the north carolina's
secondary battery,
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00:07:39,309 --> 00:07:41,977
A five inch 38 caliber guns.
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00:07:42,012 --> 00:07:45,647
The prince of wales
had eight five inch
mounts of similar size.
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00:07:45,682 --> 00:07:48,667
These guns were trained
low on the horizontal.
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They're not elevated like
this, but rather like this.
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00:07:52,272 --> 00:07:57,342
Narrator: Guns trained low
couldn't hit distant ships.
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00:07:58,312 --> 00:08:01,980
And they aren't for
taking on submarines.
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00:08:04,535 --> 00:08:09,137
Tully believes it can only
mean one thing, air attack.
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00:08:10,574 --> 00:08:12,807
Anthony: So they're trying
to track the planes 'cause
the japanese aircraft were
90
00:08:12,843 --> 00:08:16,344
Attacking at wave top level
and they had to lower them
to this level to even have a
91
00:08:16,380 --> 00:08:18,280
Chance of hitting them.
92
00:08:18,315 --> 00:08:22,267
Narrator: 5.2 inch guns
are formidable against
attacking aircraft,
93
00:08:22,302 --> 00:08:26,605
But the armor belted
hull is the prince of
wales ultimate defense,
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00:08:26,640 --> 00:08:30,442
Impervious to most gun
fire and torpedoes.
95
00:08:30,477 --> 00:08:33,345
Eric: If any ship
would be able to shrug
off an air attack,
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00:08:33,380 --> 00:08:34,846
It was prince of wales.
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Rod: No battleship had
been sunk in action
in the open sea.
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The big guns of battleship
were the only things
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That could take out
another battleship.
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Narrator: Despite
all this protection,
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Somehow the japanese
managed to break through.
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The drained wreck
exposes more clues.
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The holes reveal
whatever hit this hull
created massive damage,
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00:09:05,879 --> 00:09:09,848
Much bigger than damage
caused by a typical
torpedo of the day.
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00:09:14,371 --> 00:09:19,641
It points to one thing, a
new japanese wonder weapon.
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The type 91 torpedo.
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Osamu: The standard torpedo
can break the surface and
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Run in an erratic direction
that you don't intend it to go.
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00:09:33,457 --> 00:09:36,675
But the japanese had
pretty much worked the bugs
out of their torpedoes.
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Narrator: The japanese
military used the 91,
with devastating effect,
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00:09:40,948 --> 00:09:44,299
For the first time just days
earlier at pearl harbor.
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00:09:44,334 --> 00:09:47,269
Osamu: It came as a nasty
surprise to the allies.
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00:09:49,506 --> 00:09:56,144
The war head was quite
powerful compared to other
contemporary torpedoes.
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00:09:56,780 --> 00:10:01,967
It could be released at a
higher altitude, at a longer
distance from the target,
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00:10:02,002 --> 00:10:04,035
At higher speed.
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00:10:04,071 --> 00:10:10,308
These innovations made it
a revolutionary version
of an aerial torpedo.
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00:10:12,079 --> 00:10:16,114
Narrator: The type 91 torpedo
is indeed revolutionary.
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00:10:19,636 --> 00:10:25,307
At its nose is a warhead
carrying a payloads of
450 pounds of explosive.
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00:10:28,011 --> 00:10:32,080
Wooden stabilizers on its tail
fins guide it into the water.
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00:10:32,115 --> 00:10:35,200
On entering, the
fins snap off.
121
00:10:36,136 --> 00:10:40,305
Then an internal depth
meter keeps the missile
from rolling off target,
122
00:10:40,340 --> 00:10:44,175
And at a steady 20
feet below the surface.
123
00:10:45,379 --> 00:10:50,649
But if the torpedo was at this
depth, it should have hit the
ship right in the armor belt.
124
00:10:54,871 --> 00:10:57,639
Rod: If any of these torpedoes
had hit the armor belt,
125
00:10:57,674 --> 00:11:00,875
Prince of wales would
have survived unscathed.
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00:11:00,911 --> 00:11:05,146
Narrator: But the
damage on the wreck is
way below the armor...
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00:11:05,182 --> 00:11:08,266
On the ship's soft underbelly.
128
00:11:08,301 --> 00:11:13,104
How did the japanese
91s strike so low?
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00:11:23,984 --> 00:11:26,735
While patrolling the
south china sea.
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00:11:29,506 --> 00:11:34,309
Japanese aerial torpedoes,
designed to strike at
precisely 20 feet below
131
00:11:34,344 --> 00:11:37,712
The water line, have
pierced the battleship.
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00:11:38,582 --> 00:11:42,267
But her hull is supposed
to be impenetrable.
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00:11:46,807 --> 00:11:52,343
Looking at what remains of
the battered wreck, the hull
damage shows torpedoes strike
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00:11:52,379 --> 00:11:55,914
Three times on the
starboard side,
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00:11:57,567 --> 00:12:02,036
Outside the protective
armor belt and below the
136
00:12:02,072 --> 00:12:05,206
Normal operating
depth of the type 91.
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00:12:06,877 --> 00:12:10,912
And there's another
hole on the port side,
close to the stern.
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00:12:11,715 --> 00:12:15,934
Can this torpedo strike
explain the ship's fate?
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00:12:19,873 --> 00:12:24,876
The damage at the stern
attracts the attention of
naval historian anthony tully.
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00:12:26,012 --> 00:12:30,932
He's on board the uss north
carolina, a ship with similar
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00:12:30,967 --> 00:12:33,701
Design features to
the prince of wales.
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00:12:35,005 --> 00:12:36,738
Anthony: This is the
propeller shaft we're seeing.
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00:12:36,773 --> 00:12:39,140
If you were standing
right here, it would
be spinning like crazy.
144
00:12:39,176 --> 00:12:44,879
Because of the torpedo hit,
you had a bent shaft rotating
out of, out of alignment.
145
00:12:47,467 --> 00:12:51,202
Narrator: The bent
shaft causes a dangerous
chain reaction.
146
00:12:52,639 --> 00:12:56,274
A ship's hull is divided into
partitions known as bulkheads.
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00:12:56,309 --> 00:13:01,312
These add strength and can
be sealed off to contain
water if flooding occurs.
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00:13:01,982 --> 00:13:05,767
They are what allow a warship
to take a hit but stay afloat.
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00:13:07,671 --> 00:13:11,873
Running through these
bulkheads are the ship's
four propeller shafts.
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00:13:12,676 --> 00:13:15,743
A damaged but still rotating
shaft would rupture the
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00:13:15,779 --> 00:13:19,080
Bulkhead seals all
along its length.
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00:13:19,816 --> 00:13:24,702
This would allow water to
flood the engine room, deep
in the center of the ship.
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00:13:25,906 --> 00:13:29,407
Anthony: This entire
space, this entire vast
claustrophobic space,
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00:13:29,442 --> 00:13:32,343
Would be filled with water.
155
00:13:33,079 --> 00:13:36,915
Rod: It doesn't take
much water inside a ship to
alter the trim of the ship.
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00:13:37,450 --> 00:13:42,003
Narrator: If flooding makes
the ship list to one side, it
would raise the armor belt out
157
00:13:42,038 --> 00:13:47,275
Of the water, exposing the
ship's vulnerable hull to
further torpedo strikes.
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00:13:48,144 --> 00:13:51,246
Rod: If the ship had been on
an even keel, that torpedo
would have hit the armored
159
00:13:51,281 --> 00:13:54,265
Belt, which would have
dealt with it quite easily.
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00:13:55,969 --> 00:14:00,405
Narrator: Using all the
evidence, we can now recreate
what likely happened.
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00:14:04,377 --> 00:14:06,945
It's late morning.
162
00:14:06,980 --> 00:14:12,667
Force z are spotted by
enemy aircraft and turned
back, heading to singapore.
163
00:14:15,438 --> 00:14:18,706
But the hunter
becomes the hunted.
164
00:14:19,376 --> 00:14:23,611
Japanese bombers arriving
from nearby bases
spot the british fleet.
165
00:14:26,049 --> 00:14:30,301
The prince of wales lowers
her anti-aircraft guns and
opens fire on the enemy.
166
00:14:35,642 --> 00:14:41,913
A bomber now at wave top level
on her attack run launches
her deadly type 91 torpedo.
167
00:14:46,036 --> 00:14:48,770
It strikes the
prince of wales.
168
00:14:50,206 --> 00:14:52,774
Right by the port propeller.
169
00:14:55,045 --> 00:14:59,847
Eric: It is impossible
to protect the propellers and
steering gear of a battleship.
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00:15:01,250 --> 00:15:03,635
Narrator: The flooding
ship starts to list.
171
00:15:03,670 --> 00:15:07,171
The armored section rises up,
bringing the unprotected hull
172
00:15:07,207 --> 00:15:09,941
Into the firing line
of the torpedo.
173
00:15:10,777 --> 00:15:12,810
Osamu: It's a sitting duck.
174
00:15:13,446 --> 00:15:16,414
Narrator: Three more torpedoes
strike the prince of wales,
175
00:15:16,449 --> 00:15:19,801
On the starboard side,
beneath the armor plating.
176
00:15:21,204 --> 00:15:26,474
A state of the art
battleship is now brought down
by a handful of torpedoes.
177
00:15:27,277 --> 00:15:30,612
Eric: In about 100 minutes,
less than two hours, one of
the most modern battleships in
178
00:15:30,647 --> 00:15:34,048
The world had been sunk
by torpedo bombers.
179
00:15:36,670 --> 00:15:41,322
Narrator: Force z loses the
prince of wales and one other
warship in the battle group,
180
00:15:41,341 --> 00:15:44,375
Hms repulse.
181
00:15:45,412 --> 00:15:51,799
840 british sailors are
dead and naval warfare
has been changed forever.
182
00:15:52,836 --> 00:15:56,604
Eric: No battleship had been
sunk by air attack at sea.
183
00:15:56,640 --> 00:15:59,407
This is a major landmark
in naval history.
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00:16:00,276 --> 00:16:04,612
Narrator: This catastrophic
defeat marks the beginning of
the end for the british empire
185
00:16:04,648 --> 00:16:09,467
In the east, and the japanese
have only just begun.
186
00:16:11,171 --> 00:16:16,140
What can we learn of the
scale of japan's ambition
from a vessel lost over
187
00:16:16,176 --> 00:16:19,610
3,000 miles from japan itself?
188
00:16:23,416 --> 00:16:27,935
Expedition diver mac mccarthy
has been investigating wrecks
189
00:16:27,971 --> 00:16:30,872
In the pacific
ocean for decades.
190
00:16:34,544 --> 00:16:38,846
War records reveal a
japanese submarine, I-124,
191
00:16:38,882 --> 00:16:42,900
Was sunk off the coast of
australia in January, 1942.
192
00:16:43,336 --> 00:16:45,503
And he wants to find it.
193
00:16:49,175 --> 00:16:52,744
His mission takes him to
waters north of australia.
194
00:16:52,779 --> 00:16:58,599
To an area declared a
war grave and off limits
to diving since 1976.
195
00:16:59,636 --> 00:17:03,438
Michael: I had a personal
desire to see it because it
had so much mystery around it.
196
00:17:04,641 --> 00:17:09,243
Narrator: In 1988, mac and
his team gained permission
to explore the wreckage.
197
00:17:10,013 --> 00:17:14,866
Michael: The problem was that
the position fixing in those
early days wasn't very good,
198
00:17:14,901 --> 00:17:18,336
So it was very difficult
to locate the wreck.
199
00:17:21,107 --> 00:17:24,609
Narrator: The crew
deploys a side scan sonar.
200
00:17:28,948 --> 00:17:32,300
Michael: You clearly
start to see this pointy
shape, which is about,
201
00:17:32,335 --> 00:17:35,136
Of course it's a
glorious moment.
202
00:17:35,171 --> 00:17:37,805
Oh heckety deck, look at this.
203
00:17:39,075 --> 00:17:43,511
Narrator: Mac's team have
pinpointed what looks
like their sunken sub.
204
00:17:45,348 --> 00:17:48,866
Next, they lower an rov.
205
00:17:53,073 --> 00:17:56,507
Michael: There we all
were around the screen.
206
00:17:57,544 --> 00:17:59,877
And then down it goes.
207
00:17:59,913 --> 00:18:03,681
We're watching the compass and
we're watching what's in front
208
00:18:06,836 --> 00:18:10,404
And then there
comes the submarine.
209
00:18:12,142 --> 00:18:15,209
Narrator: The submarine
has suffered damage.
210
00:18:15,245 --> 00:18:18,579
But is this the sub
he's looking for?
211
00:18:20,150 --> 00:18:24,802
To find out, we're
now able to drain the
waters of the timor sea.
212
00:18:35,782 --> 00:18:39,066
The submarine appears.
213
00:18:40,170 --> 00:18:43,771
A five and a half inch deck
gun is clearly visible.
214
00:18:44,440 --> 00:18:48,776
The conning tower shows signs
of damage from enemy attack.
215
00:18:50,079 --> 00:18:53,414
It must have been hit
hard and repeatedly.
216
00:18:54,650 --> 00:18:56,334
And there's more.
217
00:18:59,072 --> 00:19:02,039
Markings visible on the tower.
218
00:19:02,709 --> 00:19:07,011
Japanese submarine, I-124.
219
00:19:11,601 --> 00:19:15,837
Submarines are the ultimate
maritime stealth weapon.
220
00:19:15,872 --> 00:19:22,043
Nearly undetectable when
submerged, but something
must have found this one.
221
00:19:23,646 --> 00:19:27,548
Australian naval historian tom
lewis is trying to work out
222
00:19:27,584 --> 00:19:30,902
What the submarine
was doing here.
223
00:19:32,272 --> 00:19:35,973
He's found blueprints
that match the sunken
sub's features.
224
00:19:36,776 --> 00:19:39,410
Tom: If you look at
this, you've got torpedo
tubes, ballast tanks,
225
00:19:39,445 --> 00:19:43,114
You've got diesel engines,
you've got electric batteries,
you've got periscopes.
226
00:19:43,149 --> 00:19:46,734
You sort of say okay, german
u-boat from world war I.
227
00:19:47,437 --> 00:19:52,406
So, japan took the
plans of one of the german
u-boats and they copied it.
228
00:19:54,444 --> 00:19:58,279
Narrator: But this isn't a
straight copy of a german sub.
229
00:19:58,314 --> 00:20:04,302
The japanese take the design
and develop it further to
give the submarine a new role.
230
00:20:05,505 --> 00:20:08,139
Tom: This is a mine
laying submarine.
231
00:20:08,174 --> 00:20:13,077
It's designed in a different
way from other submarines
of world war I and ii.
232
00:20:13,379 --> 00:20:15,913
The mines are bigger than
the average sort of mine.
233
00:20:15,949 --> 00:20:18,966
You make a big mine and
you dispense it and it's
got more fire power,
234
00:20:19,002 --> 00:20:20,167
It's got more punch.
235
00:20:22,038 --> 00:20:27,541
Narrator: The I-124 is one
of four underwater mine layers
in the imperial japanese navy.
236
00:20:28,244 --> 00:20:32,613
280 feet long, it carries
a crew of over 75 men.
237
00:20:33,216 --> 00:20:39,237
Its armed with torpedoes,
and a deck gun, and it carries
42 powerful sea mines.
238
00:20:43,676 --> 00:20:47,345
Michael: This book here is
the wreck inspection journal,
which we have to keep.
239
00:20:48,314 --> 00:20:51,699
Narrator: So what was
this minelayer doing here?
240
00:20:51,734 --> 00:20:57,405
Mac mccarthy finds a map
detailing the war movements of
all four japanese mine layers.
241
00:20:59,008 --> 00:21:02,843
Michael: These are the
japanese records and they
show the movements of these
242
00:21:02,879 --> 00:21:07,481
Japanese submarines in the
north australian coast, and
their proximity to the coast.
243
00:21:09,035 --> 00:21:12,937
Narrator: The japanese subs
are targeting this critical
supply route between northern
244
00:21:12,972 --> 00:21:16,307
Australia and the
dutch east indies.
245
00:21:18,144 --> 00:21:21,379
A mine layer should
be undetectable.
246
00:21:21,414 --> 00:21:25,733
So how did it somehow
make itself a target?
247
00:21:36,379 --> 00:21:39,947
Narrator: Off the coast of
northern australia, diver
mac mccarthy has found
248
00:21:39,983 --> 00:21:42,967
A japanese world
war ii submarine.
249
00:21:48,875 --> 00:21:52,877
A closer look at the
drained wreck reveals
something unusual.
250
00:21:56,949 --> 00:22:00,067
Hatches in the hull
have been blown open.
251
00:22:03,272 --> 00:22:07,274
Elsewhere on the sea
bed, something curious.
252
00:22:08,444 --> 00:22:12,380
Objects that looks
like oil barrels.
253
00:22:12,415 --> 00:22:15,566
These are submarine killers.
254
00:22:15,601 --> 00:22:17,868
Depth charges.
255
00:22:19,906 --> 00:22:23,507
Depth charges are deployed
when a submarine is spotted.
256
00:22:28,081 --> 00:22:33,367
As a charge sinks
to a pre-selected
depth, it detonates.
257
00:22:34,570 --> 00:22:37,705
The shockwave can
send a sub down.
258
00:22:38,341 --> 00:22:41,776
This sub must have been
spotted then hit hard.
259
00:22:43,646 --> 00:22:47,481
But how did the enemy
know where I-124 was?
260
00:22:51,704 --> 00:22:55,673
January 19th, 1942,
the submarine sends
261
00:22:55,708 --> 00:22:59,810
A routine message
that is picked up by
allied intelligence.
262
00:23:01,881 --> 00:23:05,132
The following day, a torpedo
attack on a us ship
263
00:23:05,168 --> 00:23:09,170
Alerts them to japanese
submarine activity.
264
00:23:11,274 --> 00:23:16,644
The australian sub-killer,
deloraine, armed to the
teeth with depth charges,
265
00:23:16,679 --> 00:23:19,580
Heads off to search for it.
266
00:23:20,216 --> 00:23:25,069
While japanese and german
subs are similar, their
tactics are very different.
267
00:23:26,105 --> 00:23:28,606
The germans target
merchant shipping,
268
00:23:28,641 --> 00:23:32,643
While japanese subs shadow
and attack allied task-forces.
269
00:23:34,180 --> 00:23:38,399
Tom: The japanese strategy
in world war ii, how they use
their submarines, is floored.
270
00:23:38,868 --> 00:23:40,134
They attack warships.
271
00:23:40,169 --> 00:23:42,803
It's a sort of odd concept.
272
00:23:43,739 --> 00:23:48,342
Narrator: When the deloraine
spots a torpedo fired at it,
it's the clue the crew needs.
273
00:23:51,147 --> 00:23:55,566
For once, the japanese
navy is too ambitious
for its own good.
274
00:23:56,836 --> 00:24:01,472
It allows the deloraine to
pinpoint the sub, then attack.
275
00:24:05,311 --> 00:24:09,547
Now using evidence from
historical records and
our drained shipwreck,
276
00:24:09,582 --> 00:24:13,501
We can illustrate
I-124's final hours.
277
00:24:17,974 --> 00:24:21,909
The I-124 is laying mines
in the allied shipping lane.
278
00:24:23,579 --> 00:24:27,915
Allied intelligence
alerts hmas deloraine to
the presence of a sub.
279
00:24:29,602 --> 00:24:32,386
She fails to find it.
280
00:24:32,405 --> 00:24:37,241
The I-124 spots the australian
warship first and attacks.
281
00:24:40,112 --> 00:24:45,900
A torpedo narrowly misses
and the deloraine is alerted
to the sub's position.
282
00:24:47,403 --> 00:24:49,737
Tom: Unfortunately, they
took on a modern warship,
283
00:24:49,772 --> 00:24:52,806
Specifically designed
to kill submarines.
284
00:24:53,609 --> 00:24:57,111
Narrator: The minesweeper
immediately charges the sub.
285
00:24:57,146 --> 00:24:58,979
Michael: Where do you go?
286
00:24:59,015 --> 00:25:03,033
Once they've got a lock
on you and they can see
where it's come from,
287
00:25:03,069 --> 00:25:04,635
They know where you are.
288
00:25:04,670 --> 00:25:07,104
It's a suicidal position.
289
00:25:07,139 --> 00:25:12,343
Narrator: I-124 is
pummeled by round after
round of depth charges.
290
00:25:13,379 --> 00:25:18,048
Seconds later the hatches blow
and she plunges to the depths.
291
00:25:18,935 --> 00:25:24,371
The first japanese submarine
to be sunk by the australian
navy in world war ii.
292
00:25:26,209 --> 00:25:29,376
There are no survivors.
293
00:25:31,214 --> 00:25:35,866
Despite their advanced
technology, the japanese
strategy of using subs for
294
00:25:35,902 --> 00:25:39,470
Pre-emptive attacks
costs them dearly here.
295
00:25:40,239 --> 00:25:45,809
But the wreck of I-124 is
evidence that the japanese
do quickly bring the war to
296
00:25:45,845 --> 00:25:47,978
Northern australia.
297
00:25:48,014 --> 00:25:51,515
They will be back,
and in shocking force.
298
00:25:57,106 --> 00:26:02,776
Maritime archaeologists david
steinberg and silvano young
are leading an expedition dive
299
00:26:02,812 --> 00:26:06,013
In darwin harbor,
northern australia.
300
00:26:07,083 --> 00:26:11,969
They've come to investigate
the largest ever
attack on australian soil.
301
00:26:17,677 --> 00:26:21,245
The only warning is the
drone of an air armada.
302
00:26:22,348 --> 00:26:27,017
Nearly 200 japanese
planes descend on darwin,
strafing the harbor.
303
00:26:30,273 --> 00:26:33,774
Next, they target
the town itself.
304
00:26:34,810 --> 00:26:37,044
Nine naval vessels are sunk.
305
00:26:38,281 --> 00:26:41,699
And hundreds are
dead and wounded.
306
00:26:42,635 --> 00:26:46,570
David: It's a massive
attack and was devastating
and overwhelming and
307
00:26:46,606 --> 00:26:49,473
Lived in people's memories.
308
00:26:50,876 --> 00:26:53,510
Those that experienced
it will never forget it.
309
00:26:53,546 --> 00:26:57,481
I think darwin is
australia's pearl harbor.
310
00:27:02,004 --> 00:27:05,839
Narrator: David and silvano
are searching for evidence
to understand just why
311
00:27:05,875 --> 00:27:09,376
The raid was so successful
and so deadly.
312
00:27:09,412 --> 00:27:11,545
David: There it is.
313
00:27:14,917 --> 00:27:19,436
One of the main things we're
gonna be looking for is any
damage that's been done from
314
00:27:19,472 --> 00:27:22,339
The attack on the
9th February, 1942.
315
00:27:33,636 --> 00:27:35,402
David (over radio):
Heading down.
316
00:27:35,438 --> 00:27:36,870
Roger, left surface, 0918.
317
00:27:44,847 --> 00:27:46,447
On a wreck.
318
00:27:46,482 --> 00:27:50,000
Silvano: Yeah, roger, just
have a swim round and just
work out where you are.
319
00:27:50,703 --> 00:27:53,504
David (over radio): This looks
like a structure here.
320
00:27:55,975 --> 00:27:59,677
Narrator: But the dive
can only reveal so much.
321
00:28:00,246 --> 00:28:03,147
Using data from david
and silvano's survey,
322
00:28:03,182 --> 00:28:06,467
We can lay the floor
of darwin harbor bare.
323
00:28:16,846 --> 00:28:20,514
To reveal not a ship...
324
00:28:21,517 --> 00:28:24,501
But a plane.
325
00:28:26,439 --> 00:28:31,875
Camouflaged paintwork suggests
it's military, not civilian.
326
00:28:34,580 --> 00:28:38,215
Features on the plane
help david identify it.
327
00:28:39,235 --> 00:28:41,835
It's a catalina.
328
00:28:43,005 --> 00:28:47,174
The catalina is an
allied flying boat.
329
00:28:48,177 --> 00:28:52,413
It was used for vital
intelligence gathering
and surveillance.
330
00:28:53,716 --> 00:28:57,468
Silvano: The catalinas were
essential for the allied war
effort because the only way
331
00:28:57,503 --> 00:29:01,505
You were, you were gonna
find the enemy at sea
was with your own eyes.
332
00:29:02,041 --> 00:29:05,075
David (over radio): Here you've
got some tall sheeting and
I'm just, oh look at this.
333
00:29:05,111 --> 00:29:06,877
Does that look burnt to you?
334
00:29:06,912 --> 00:29:09,580
Silvano: Certainly does.
It's definitely burnt.
335
00:29:10,449 --> 00:29:13,000
Narrator: There's
clear evidence of fire.
336
00:29:13,035 --> 00:29:17,204
Silvano: That's most
definitely burn damage
from the fire that caused
337
00:29:17,239 --> 00:29:19,173
The loss of the aircraft.
338
00:29:20,709 --> 00:29:23,644
Narrator: So what
caused this fire?
339
00:29:23,679 --> 00:29:26,914
And ultimately sent
this catalina down.
340
00:29:27,316 --> 00:29:28,415
David (over radio): Can you
see this clearly?
341
00:29:28,450 --> 00:29:30,667
We've got more
examples of damage.
342
00:29:31,270 --> 00:29:34,271
Silvano: So you got
machine gun damage.
343
00:29:35,941 --> 00:29:39,409
Narrator: Returning to
the drained wreckage,
there's more evidence.
344
00:29:41,347 --> 00:29:45,165
More signs of gunfire.
345
00:29:46,335 --> 00:29:49,603
Under the pilot's
window, something else.
346
00:29:51,440 --> 00:29:54,475
Larger holes.
347
00:29:59,114 --> 00:30:01,281
Tell-tale signs.
348
00:30:02,735 --> 00:30:06,303
Silvano: Yeah, that
looks like 20 millimeter
canon damage there.
349
00:30:08,107 --> 00:30:11,542
Narrator: Which points to
one particular fighter plane.
350
00:30:13,179 --> 00:30:18,081
A brilliantly designed killer
that is a vital cog in japan's
military machine,
351
00:30:19,068 --> 00:30:21,268
The zero.
352
00:30:25,641 --> 00:30:27,140
Silvano: Yeah, it's
very exciting, yeah.
353
00:30:27,176 --> 00:30:30,444
It was really a
process of elimination.
354
00:30:30,479 --> 00:30:33,981
There was zeroes that came
down, strafing on them.
355
00:30:36,302 --> 00:30:40,370
Narrator: The mitsubishi a6m,
or zero, is a fighter plane
356
00:30:40,406 --> 00:30:43,740
Capable of launching
from aircraft carriers.
357
00:30:45,845 --> 00:30:50,214
It carries a pair of one
third inch machine guns
358
00:30:50,249 --> 00:30:53,283
And a three-quarter inch
cannon in each wing.
359
00:30:55,538 --> 00:30:59,940
It has an unparalleled
range of over 1,500 miles.
360
00:31:03,312 --> 00:31:06,313
Osamu: The zero is an
iconic japanese fighter.
361
00:31:09,201 --> 00:31:12,336
It is to the japanese what the
spitfire is to the british.
362
00:31:13,105 --> 00:31:17,541
Narrator: Japan attacks darwin
with her best, and fresh
evidence beneath the waters
363
00:31:17,576 --> 00:31:23,947
Of the harbor reveals a
secret tactic that almost
guarantees success.
364
00:31:32,875 --> 00:31:37,444
D silvano young have found
one plane in darwin harbor.
365
00:31:41,584 --> 00:31:44,801
Now they extend their search.
366
00:31:53,846 --> 00:31:57,414
And discover two
more downed catalinas.
367
00:31:59,335 --> 00:32:04,438
Mapping the position of
all three planes reveals
they lie in a line.
368
00:32:07,409 --> 00:32:10,210
They couldn't have
all crashed this way,
369
00:32:10,245 --> 00:32:12,512
The wrecked flying boats
must have been moored at
370
00:32:12,548 --> 00:32:15,182
The time of the attack.
371
00:32:18,037 --> 00:32:20,837
Evidence on the drained
catalina sheds light on
372
00:32:20,873 --> 00:32:24,408
Japanese tactics that
February morning.
373
00:32:27,546 --> 00:32:31,949
The position of the damage,
all on one side, is revealing.
374
00:32:34,036 --> 00:32:37,904
The bullet-holes all
lie on its south side,
375
00:32:37,940 --> 00:32:41,842
Suggesting the
direction of the attack comes
376
00:32:41,877 --> 00:32:46,346
Not from the sea,
but from inland.
377
00:32:49,034 --> 00:32:54,271
An approach from the south,
over the australian mainland,
would surprise the allies.
378
00:32:55,874 --> 00:32:59,943
And tom lewis thinks
the japanese tactic of
attacking in the morning
379
00:32:59,979 --> 00:33:02,913
Gave them another advantage.
380
00:33:03,949 --> 00:33:06,166
Tom: There's a number
of reasons for attacking
from the south.
381
00:33:06,201 --> 00:33:08,268
The first is you're
attacking out of the sun.
382
00:33:08,303 --> 00:33:09,469
You've still got
the sun behind you,
383
00:33:09,505 --> 00:33:11,872
Which is good because it
blinds your defenders.
384
00:33:11,907 --> 00:33:15,008
So it gives you that
element of surprise.
385
00:33:18,213 --> 00:33:23,500
Narrator: At the time of the
attack, darwin is a small
town of 2,000 civilians.
386
00:33:27,006 --> 00:33:31,074
But darwin's size
belies its importance.
387
00:33:32,311 --> 00:33:36,380
Its location isn't just the
perfect place for launching
surveillance aircraft,
388
00:33:36,415 --> 00:33:39,900
Like the catalinas, as
david and silvano discover
389
00:33:39,935 --> 00:33:43,270
As they continue to
scour the sea bed.
390
00:33:44,773 --> 00:33:47,507
They find another wreck.
391
00:33:47,543 --> 00:33:50,477
A large ship.
392
00:33:51,380 --> 00:33:54,981
Much of it is gone, salvaged
in the decades since it sank.
393
00:33:56,135 --> 00:33:59,603
But enough remains to
reveal what it was.
394
00:33:59,638 --> 00:34:02,105
A cargo ship.
395
00:34:02,708 --> 00:34:09,346
David: We can see there is
trucks and motorbikes and
ammunition and also on this
396
00:34:09,381 --> 00:34:13,700
Side is gas masks and
mortars, military equipment.
397
00:34:14,770 --> 00:34:17,370
Narrator: And the importance
of darwin becomes clear.
398
00:34:17,406 --> 00:34:20,907
It's a crucial link in
the allies supply chain.
399
00:34:21,610 --> 00:34:26,813
A base for vessels and the
hub for shipping ammunition
and other vital supplies.
400
00:34:28,767 --> 00:34:34,171
Now, it's possible
to understand exactly what
happened in darwin harbor.
401
00:34:41,630 --> 00:34:46,800
188 planes are launched
from four japanese
aircraft carriers,
402
00:34:46,835 --> 00:34:50,036
Nearly 200 miles to the north.
403
00:34:50,372 --> 00:34:54,741
But rather than heading
directly to darwin,
the planes fly east,
404
00:34:54,777 --> 00:34:57,944
Circling around the town.
405
00:34:58,013 --> 00:35:01,314
They want to attack darwin
harbor from the south.
406
00:35:05,838 --> 00:35:08,672
Tom: You would have
seen the aircraft coming
towards you this way,
407
00:35:08,707 --> 00:35:11,741
Crossing the beach down there.
408
00:35:13,278 --> 00:35:16,646
Narrator: The australians
are unprepared.
409
00:35:16,682 --> 00:35:19,966
The town is poorly defended
for an attack from the air.
410
00:35:22,337 --> 00:35:28,341
The catalinas are sitting
ducks as the zeroes
circle round to attack,
411
00:35:28,377 --> 00:35:31,778
Protected by the full
glare of the sun.
412
00:35:32,047 --> 00:35:36,333
The pilots swoop down,
unleashing the full
force of their weapons.
413
00:35:37,169 --> 00:35:39,970
Machine gunning
the moored planes.
414
00:35:43,108 --> 00:35:46,409
A second wave of
planes arrives.
415
00:35:46,445 --> 00:35:49,146
High altitude bombers.
416
00:35:56,338 --> 00:35:59,906
Tom: The place was in
absolute pandemonium.
417
00:36:00,776 --> 00:36:04,344
Narrator: The fighters
and bombers destroy
30 military aircraft
418
00:36:04,379 --> 00:36:07,647
And nine ships
anchored in the harbor.
419
00:36:08,217 --> 00:36:12,269
Tom: Behind is left chaos,
ships on fire, ships sinking,
420
00:36:12,304 --> 00:36:15,105
People underwater
who are dead.
421
00:36:15,307 --> 00:36:20,443
Osamu: Darwin remained
ineffective as a harbor
that could support the war.
422
00:36:21,780 --> 00:36:26,032
Narrator: The japanese have
used advanced technology
and smart tactics against
423
00:36:26,068 --> 00:36:29,970
An unsuspecting and
unprepared enemy.
424
00:36:31,840 --> 00:36:36,176
The allied supply chain into
the pacific is crippled.
425
00:36:40,015 --> 00:36:43,500
And still, the
shockwave spreads.
426
00:36:43,535 --> 00:36:48,038
In washington dc and london,
allied leaders are astonished
427
00:36:48,073 --> 00:36:51,541
At the scale and speed
of japan's victories.
428
00:36:53,111 --> 00:36:56,880
Just days before the
darwin bombing, the
japanese also capture
429
00:36:56,915 --> 00:37:00,600
The famous british
stronghold of singapore.
430
00:37:01,136 --> 00:37:06,673
Now japan has its eye on java,
in the dutch east indies,
today known as indonesia.
431
00:37:07,876 --> 00:37:12,712
The imperial navy mobilizes
a landing fleet to seize
its precious oil fields.
432
00:37:14,683 --> 00:37:17,601
The allies scramble
to stop them.
433
00:37:17,636 --> 00:37:22,405
Pulling together a force that
includes one of australia's
most famous warships,
434
00:37:22,441 --> 00:37:24,708
Hmas perth.
435
00:37:26,478 --> 00:37:32,282
At 550 feet long, the
light cruiser hmas perth
is almost twice the length
436
00:37:32,301 --> 00:37:34,601
Of the statue of liberty.
437
00:37:35,103 --> 00:37:39,039
Achieving 32 knots,
she is built for speed.
438
00:37:40,175 --> 00:37:44,411
Armed with almost 40 guns, the
perth is a fearsome opponent.
439
00:37:45,480 --> 00:37:50,567
But the allied fleet she ' s
sailing in is unprepared
for what's to come.
440
00:37:51,169 --> 00:37:54,571
Eric: There was an ad hoc force
of cruisers and destroyers
441
00:37:54,606 --> 00:37:56,206
From four different countries,
442
00:37:56,241 --> 00:37:59,609
Australia, britain,
the united states
and the netherlands.
443
00:37:59,645 --> 00:38:03,713
So you have this
almost rag, tag and
bobtail force of ships
444
00:38:03,749 --> 00:38:07,500
Against the very highly trained
and motivated japanese navy.
445
00:38:12,074 --> 00:38:15,342
Narrator: The two fleets meet
in the battle of the java sea,
446
00:38:15,377 --> 00:38:18,845
And the allies don't
stand a chance.
447
00:38:20,248 --> 00:38:22,532
They lose five vessels.
448
00:38:22,567 --> 00:38:25,902
Along with 2,300 lives.
449
00:38:30,709 --> 00:38:33,877
Eric: There was no
common doctrine.
450
00:38:33,912 --> 00:38:36,313
No common signaling system.
451
00:38:36,348 --> 00:38:39,532
The whole thing degenerated
into complete chaos.
452
00:38:42,137 --> 00:38:46,606
Narrator: Two allied cruisers
escape, seeking refuge on
the southern coast of java.
453
00:38:47,309 --> 00:38:51,745
An american heavy cruiser,
uss houston, and hmas perth.
454
00:38:53,582 --> 00:38:57,300
Eric: They had been told
that there were no japanese
forces in the vicinity
455
00:38:57,336 --> 00:38:59,869
So therefore they could
have a safe passage.
456
00:39:00,906 --> 00:39:05,041
Narrator: But 48
hours after escaping the
japanese in the java sea,
457
00:39:05,077 --> 00:39:08,011
The perth disappears.
458
00:39:14,770 --> 00:39:20,573
Diver andrew fock and
skipper vidar skoglie lead
an expedition to unravel
459
00:39:20,609 --> 00:39:23,443
The fate of the
australian warship.
460
00:39:25,614 --> 00:39:30,967
Her last known position is
in the sunda strait, a narrow
passage of water between the
461
00:39:31,002 --> 00:39:34,204
Islands of java and sumatra.
462
00:39:36,675 --> 00:39:40,043
Andrew surveys the area.
463
00:39:41,580 --> 00:39:45,382
Eventually, the sonar
detects something promising.
464
00:39:47,169 --> 00:39:50,937
Vidar: The biggest thrill of
all is to find a new wreck.
465
00:39:50,972 --> 00:39:52,806
You never know what you're
gonna find down there.
466
00:39:55,777 --> 00:39:58,411
Narrator: The team dives.
467
00:40:03,001 --> 00:40:06,503
They encounter
a massive wreck.
468
00:40:10,609 --> 00:40:14,110
And as the waters roll back...
469
00:40:17,349 --> 00:40:19,766
We can see for the first time
470
00:40:21,503 --> 00:40:25,305
A huge vessel
lying on her port side.
471
00:40:25,907 --> 00:40:32,312
With four large gun
turrets visible and several
gaping holes in the hull.
472
00:40:36,067 --> 00:40:38,835
It's definitely the perth.
473
00:40:43,408 --> 00:40:47,744
The guns on one of
the turrets are pointing
straight down into the sand
474
00:40:47,779 --> 00:40:51,948
And the sighting ports on the
two half turrets are both open.
475
00:40:53,502 --> 00:40:57,804
These guns were operational
and firing to the end.
476
00:40:59,341 --> 00:41:02,942
She did not go down
without a fight.
477
00:41:15,207 --> 00:41:19,108
Narrator: Andrew and
vidar are investigating
the wreck of hmas perth.
478
00:41:21,413 --> 00:41:26,833
The exposed starboard side
of the perth hull shows
several gaping holes,
479
00:41:26,868 --> 00:41:30,904
And underneath they
find something else.
480
00:41:32,007 --> 00:41:36,643
Vidar: It had some very
serious torpedo damage
right behind the bow.
481
00:41:37,078 --> 00:41:40,547
We could actually swim
through the hole from
one side to the other.
482
00:41:44,069 --> 00:41:47,103
Narrator: Using the data, we
can look beneath the wreck,
483
00:41:47,138 --> 00:41:51,407
To reveal something impossible
to see from diving alone.
484
00:41:52,177 --> 00:41:57,514
Two bigger holes on
the opposite port side.
485
00:41:58,850 --> 00:42:01,601
The perth was under attack
from both directions.
486
00:42:03,605 --> 00:42:08,341
And one attacker hit
the ship with something
unusually powerful.
487
00:42:09,544 --> 00:42:14,180
A typical torpedo wouldn't
cause such massive damage.
488
00:42:15,150 --> 00:42:19,335
Wartime records suggest
the most likely cause was
something that wreaked havoc
489
00:42:19,371 --> 00:42:22,038
In the java sea days before,
490
00:42:23,542 --> 00:42:26,442
A japanese wonder weapon.
491
00:42:26,478 --> 00:42:29,045
The long lance torpedo.
492
00:42:30,248 --> 00:42:33,333
Eric: The long last was
by far the most effective
torpedo in the world,
493
00:42:33,368 --> 00:42:37,570
And the western navies
had virtually no
idea of its existence.
494
00:42:38,807 --> 00:42:42,575
Narrator: Reaching faster
speeds than anything
else afloat at the time,
495
00:42:42,611 --> 00:42:46,579
The long lance has a
huge warhead, packing
around twice the payload
496
00:42:46,615 --> 00:42:49,332
Of an average torpedo.
497
00:42:49,367 --> 00:42:53,102
It has an astonishing
range of 23 miles.
498
00:42:53,204 --> 00:42:57,073
Inside, it uses
a revolutionary
system of propulsion
499
00:42:57,108 --> 00:42:59,909
Which leaves no
trail of bubbles.
500
00:43:00,912 --> 00:43:04,864
Osamu: The standard
surface torpedo ran
on compressed air,
501
00:43:04,883 --> 00:43:07,467
Which means that
you get bubbles.
502
00:43:07,869 --> 00:43:11,237
It leaves a wake in the
water which you can see
from quite a distance.
503
00:43:11,273 --> 00:43:13,439
You can see it coming.
504
00:43:13,475 --> 00:43:17,243
If you can't see the torpedo
coming, how do you avoid it?
505
00:43:17,279 --> 00:43:19,045
Well the answer it you don't.
506
00:43:19,080 --> 00:43:21,080
You can't.
507
00:43:22,968 --> 00:43:27,904
Narrator: Its ability
to target ships at distances
unheard of means the japanese
508
00:43:27,939 --> 00:43:32,575
Can attack the allies
while keeping their
own ships out of range.
509
00:43:35,080 --> 00:43:39,115
Tragically for the perth, she
escapes one japanese fleet,
510
00:43:39,150 --> 00:43:43,369
Then sails unwittingly into
the path of a second.
511
00:43:44,606 --> 00:43:46,472
Eric: What they didn't
realize was that they were
512
00:43:46,508 --> 00:43:50,243
Running into a major
japanese invasion force.
513
00:43:51,046 --> 00:43:55,448
Narrator: It's now
possible to understand the
final hours of hmas perth.
514
00:43:57,502 --> 00:44:01,404
In the java sea, the allies
take on the japanese.
515
00:44:02,073 --> 00:44:05,975
Over the course of the
battle, they are hit hard.
516
00:44:08,580 --> 00:44:11,214
The perth escapes.
517
00:44:12,450 --> 00:44:16,836
Told that the sunda strait is
safe, the captain heads for
this narrow stretch of water
518
00:44:16,871 --> 00:44:19,572
Off the java coast.
519
00:44:19,607 --> 00:44:22,975
But she's spotted by
a japanese destroyer.
520
00:44:24,846 --> 00:44:29,732
Minutes later, three entire
destroyer divisions close in.
521
00:44:33,138 --> 00:44:36,606
Salvos of torpedoes
come from all sides.
522
00:44:41,079 --> 00:44:44,113
The japanese go
in for the kill.
523
00:44:44,149 --> 00:44:47,967
Eric: Now they could
concentrate a superior
force of long lance fitted
524
00:44:48,002 --> 00:44:51,437
Destroyers against
the allied ships.
525
00:44:56,077 --> 00:45:00,313
Narrator: Two long
lance torpedoes likely
hit the port side,
526
00:45:00,348 --> 00:45:02,799
Causing a massive explosion.
527
00:45:05,103 --> 00:45:08,604
Eric: It was very difficult to
counter a long lance because
you couldn't see it coming.
528
00:45:09,074 --> 00:45:12,842
Narrator: The perth goes down
just eight minutes later,
529
00:45:14,279 --> 00:45:17,647
Along with 375 sailors.
530
00:45:19,467 --> 00:45:23,403
Another emphatic victory
for the japanese navy.
531
00:45:25,273 --> 00:45:30,476
The following day, japanese
landing fleets begin their
invasion of java island.
532
00:45:31,913 --> 00:45:35,381
Just one day after
originally planned.
533
00:45:35,417 --> 00:45:38,835
Eric: With the delay
of the invasion of java
by a mere 24 hours,
534
00:45:38,870 --> 00:45:40,737
And the heavy losses suffered,
535
00:45:40,772 --> 00:45:44,140
This must go down as one
of the greatest disasters
in naval history.
536
00:45:46,177 --> 00:45:50,947
Narrator: Thousands of allied
lives were lost across the
region in just three days.
537
00:45:52,117 --> 00:45:55,935
But today, surveys reveal that
little remains of the perth,
538
00:45:55,970 --> 00:45:59,338
Or many other ships
sunk by the japanese.
539
00:45:59,374 --> 00:46:03,509
These and other vessels face
another more recent enemy...
540
00:46:03,545 --> 00:46:09,582
Salvagers, with the wrecks
being illegally ripped
apart for their metal.
541
00:46:10,935 --> 00:46:14,504
Vidar: The grab itself would
go down on top of the wreck
and it would stab into it,
542
00:46:14,539 --> 00:46:19,909
That would close up
and then just tear, tear
chunks of metal off.
543
00:46:19,944 --> 00:46:23,045
So piece by piece,
they would rip it up.
544
00:46:23,081 --> 00:46:25,148
Andrew: There's just
no wreck at all.
545
00:46:25,183 --> 00:46:28,100
As if it's just been lifted.
546
00:46:28,803 --> 00:46:33,773
Narrator: What remains of
these wrecks is a continuing
reminder of the first shocking
547
00:46:33,808 --> 00:46:37,343
Months of the pacific war.
548
00:46:38,112 --> 00:46:42,482
And the price of
allied overconfidence.
549
00:46:44,769 --> 00:46:48,571
Eric: There was
a tendency at this time to
underestimate the japanese.
550
00:46:48,606 --> 00:46:53,075
Osamu: The japanese actively
encouraged that kind of
misperception on the part of
551
00:46:53,111 --> 00:46:58,881
The western countries because
they didn't want them to know
how advanced they really were.
552
00:46:59,834 --> 00:47:02,535
Narrator: Less than three
months after pearl harbor,
553
00:47:02,570 --> 00:47:05,905
The empire of japan is at
the apex of its power.
554
00:47:06,674 --> 00:47:12,945
With superior technology and
strategy, it now controls the
entire region and its oil.
555
00:47:12,981 --> 00:47:16,148
It will take the allies
three deadly years to
556
00:47:16,183 --> 00:47:19,101
Defeat an enemy they so
shockingly underestimated.
557
00:47:19,137 --> 00:47:20,336
Captioned by cotter
captioning services.