The early morning hours of July 6; 1943; found the USS Helena off the Solomon Islands in what would later be known as the Battle of Kula Gulf. But the ship’s participation in the battle came to a swift end when three Japanese torpedoes suddenly struck. One hundred and sixty-eight sailors went down with the ship; many never surviving the initial torpedo hits. As the last of the Helena disappeared below the ocean’s surface; the remaining crewmen’s struggle for survival had only just begun.Sunk in Kula Gulf tells the epic story of the Helena’s survivors. Two destroyers plucked more than seven hundred from the sea in a night rescue operation as the battle continued to rage. A second group of eighty-eight sailors ―clustered into three lifeboats―made it to a nearby island and was rescued the next day. A third group of survivors; spread over a wide area; was missed entirely. Clinging to life rafts or debris; the weary men were pushed away from the area of the sinking by a strong current. After enduring days at sea under the hot tropical sun; they finally found land. It was; however; the Japanese-held island of Vella Lavella and deep behind the front lines. The survivors organized and disappeared into the island’s interior jungle. Living a meager existence; the group evaded the Japanese for eight days until the Marines and U.S. Navy evacuated the shipwrecked sailors in a daring rescue operation. Using a wide variety of sources; including previously unpublished firsthand accounts; John J. Domagalski brings to life this amazing; little-known story from World War II.
#557609 in Books Dunkerly; Robert M. 2007-03-20 2007-03-20Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .31 x 6.00l; .60 #File Name: 1596292369160 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. So Much More Than A BattleBy Century ReviewEach " eyewitness telling" is a story in itself; where emotion; challenges; attitudes; and beliefs give the reader a clearer understanding of what happened. The book is such an excellent way of presenting different perspectives; based upon the location of a soldier and the action in which he was engaged. I'm astonished at the recall of all the men who shared their memories decades later. The author provides a credible analysis of "tying" up the various viewpoints. For a reader who likes military history with an interest in the importance of this Battle; this book provides that -- along with a look into the lives of men who were there. Further; many men's names are recalled; offering the reader a hopeful read of finding names of men in their own historical line. And I always like a book where the author follows up with what happened to the survivors.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy E. H. EllisWell done research of an American epic. One of the participants - Leonard Hise - was an ancestor.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Enjoyed reading about the battle during our stay at Kings ...By Frank B NelsonVery interesting. Enjoyed reading about the battle during our stay at Kings Mountain and North Carolina. The personal narratives were great. LT COL Frederick Hambright was my great-great-great-great maternal grandfather. The narratives showed me how determined the Patriots to win the battle and the hardships that they had to deal with to get to and through the battle.
