ποΈ 83 Years Ago Today: The Nightmare of Savo Island (1/4) π§΅
On August 9, 1942, the Battle of Savo Island was a brutal wake-up call.
In Neptuneβs Inferno, James D. Hornfischer recounts: "a swift accumulation of errors,'" with "fear of using sensors and communications... widespread." Surprise long-range Lance torpedoes ravaged Allied cruisersβUSS Quincy, Astoria, Vincennes, and HMAS Canberraβin just 32 minutes, claiming over 1,000 lives.
On August 9, 1942, the Battle of Savo Island was a brutal wake-up call.
In Neptuneβs Inferno, James D. Hornfischer recounts: "a swift accumulation of errors,'" with "fear of using sensors and communications... widespread." Surprise long-range Lance torpedoes ravaged Allied cruisersβUSS Quincy, Astoria, Vincennes, and HMAS Canberraβin just 32 minutes, claiming over 1,000 lives.
ποΈ (2/4)
Survivors on Astoria witnessed horror: "I know I wasnβt the only one... who noticed our shipmateβs body slowly shrinking as the flames consumed it... a funeral pyre seemed symbolically appropriate."
Yet, as Hornfischer notes, the defeat "shook the Navy to its core but planted the seeds for its eventual mastery of the Pacific." This lesson in readiness turned the tide in the Pacific.
Survivors on Astoria witnessed horror: "I know I wasnβt the only one... who noticed our shipmateβs body slowly shrinking as the flames consumed it... a funeral pyre seemed symbolically appropriate."
Yet, as Hornfischer notes, the defeat "shook the Navy to its core but planted the seeds for its eventual mastery of the Pacific." This lesson in readiness turned the tide in the Pacific.
ποΈ (3/4)
Fast-forward to 2025: China's navy, with over 370 warships surpassing our 232, threatens $1.4T in U.S. trade routesβvital chokepoints since ancient times.
A CSIS report warns China could endure 52 ship losses to our 7-20 and still dominate. History demands action: Invest in tech, alliances like AUKUS, and a fleet ready for all fights.
Fast-forward to 2025: China's navy, with over 370 warships surpassing our 232, threatens $1.4T in U.S. trade routesβvital chokepoints since ancient times.
A CSIS report warns China could endure 52 ship losses to our 7-20 and still dominate. History demands action: Invest in tech, alliances like AUKUS, and a fleet ready for all fights.
ποΈ (4/4) Remember Savo Island.
Time to build and prevail with #MaritimeDominance.
Strengthen our maritime alliances with #FriendsAlliesPartners.
@usnavy @SECNAV #SavoIsland #StrongerNavy #PeaceThroughStrength #NeptunesInferno
Time to build and prevail with #MaritimeDominance.
Strengthen our maritime alliances with #FriendsAlliesPartners.
@usnavy @SECNAV #SavoIsland #StrongerNavy #PeaceThroughStrength #NeptunesInferno
https://x.com/strongernavy/status/1954248111913849277
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