Trivia!

But I've always been fascinated by the K-129 and Glomar Explorer story. I think I've read every book on the subject with all their different claims and theories as to what really happened. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend "Blind Man's Bluff" that has a couple chapters on this subject and also covers several other submarine spy missions. Another great book that continues the story is "The Silent War: The Cold War Battle Beneath the Sea" by John Craven, who was directly involved in the spy sub program and the search for K-129.

 

Ok, thanks. What ship was hit but not damaged in the Rennell Island fight on January 29, 1943?
Here is a clue she looked similar to another class, but her main amarment was different.

I loved the book blind mans bluff. Just amazing the stuff that has ben told that the US and Russia have done to each other. Makes you wonder what hasn't been told.

 

USS Wichita

 

Bingo, you got in one. I thought it was to easy. I found out when building mine that the turrets where the prototypes for the Baltimores. That and her hull was the same as the Brooklyn's.

 

Which operation is the only one in which all four Kongo class ships operated together?

 

Off the top of my head I would guess the attack on Pearl harbor.

 

nope!

 

How about Guadalcanal?

 

Nope!

 

Hmmm, I confirmed they were all at Guadalcanal, and I guess you could say two are still there today! The Imperial Japanese Navy Tabular Record of Movement site says they all participated in the First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 13 November 1942. However, only two were directly involved and the two are described as distant support ships. So maybe they weren't part of the same "operation."

Since you use that term operation, I assume you mean something more like a preplanned strategy rather than a somewhat spontaneous battle. Since two of the Kongos were sunk at Guadalcanal, this operation must have occurred in early to mid-1942. I know it wasn't Coral Sea and I don't think they were all at Midway...so what's left? Was it the raid in the Indian Ocean?

 

That's it! All four ships operated together in the Indian Ocean raid. In the Guadalcanal campaign, all four participated but not together; they rain in pairs. One night would be Kongo and Haruna, the next night would be Hiei and Kirishima. Indian Ocean wins it though!

 

I'm glad my logical deduction paid off!

 

New question:
Who is this man and how did he perish?

 

He looks like some important British officer. I bet someone got the Iron Cross for killing him.

 

It's General Melchett, probably boffed by Private Baldrick's bad baking:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1oxtxB_mT0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_qtg4Mipbs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPV-GnNl59k

 

Well, not quite.

 

I believe t is Herbert Kitchener, the 1st Earl Kitchener

 

That may or may not be correct, but it's only a partial answer. There was another part to the question.

 

He was lost at sea when the ship he was on was struk a mine. He was enroute to russia.

 

Yes, bb26, you are correct. The man in the British recruiting poster is Lord Kitchener. Kitchener was a famous military officer frequently honored for his victorious campaigns throughout the far-flung Empire. At the beginning of World War I, Kitchener was given the important position Secretary of State for War and launched a massive recruitment campaign. One of the most iconic parts of the effort was the aforementioned poster featuring Lord Kitchener himself. This poster went on to be imitated dozens of times, such as America's "I Want You" poster with Uncle Sam.

As the war dragged on, Lord Kitchener's policies were criticized within the government and he lost much of his influence. However, he remained popular with the public and continued leading the recruitment effort. Because of his popularity, Kitchener was sent on a diplomatic mission to Russia in 1916 to shore up support for the war. Even though well before the overthrow of the Russian monarchy, there were already signs Russia might quit the war and make peace with Germany.

Lord Kitchener boarded the cruiser HMS Hampshire at Scapa Flow for the trip to Russia, but the vessel was lost shortly after departure. While passing near Orkney, Hampshire blew up and sank in the midst of a terrific storm. Only 12 of the 655 men aboard survived, and Kitchener's body was never found.

There have been many theories about how and why the ship was lost, including conspiracy theories that the British government wanted Lord Kitchener eliminated because of disagreements over policies. Kitchener had also been harsh on the Irish leading to claims the ship was bombed by Irish terrorists. While these theories are unlikely, the German spy Fritz Duquesne's claims that he sabotaged the ship are more credible and he was even awarded the Iron Cross for it. However, the general consensus is Hampshire hit a mine that had recently been laid by the submarine U-75.

HMS Hampshire has been partially salvaged, fueling additional rumors that she carried a large supply of gold to be given to Russia to encourage continued involvement in the war. The wreck is now a protected site.

Have at it, bb26!