Farragut State Park in Idaho was once a boot camp for Naval recruits established during WWII. The Navy wanted to remove vulnerable facilities from the Pacific Coast in the event of a Japanese coastal attack. The facility also benefitted from training divers and sailors utilizing the nearby deep water lake of Lake Coeur d’Alene. There is a Museum there with various setting depicting Naval Training life. They have volumes of books listing the names of all of the Recruits who passed through the training facility.
I was at Farragut State Park in 1969 for a Boy Scout National Jamboree, the week Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon ! Age 14. Great memories and the coldest (lake water) showers I’ve ever had in my life !
I have no problem with reruns. It’s like a refresher course. Those of us who have raised or are raising kids understand your family events that take time. Family must have the priority. All your posts are appreciated.
We can definitely eliminate the range argument. In WWII, the fort was equipped with 6" rifles having a range of about 15 miles. The sub most likely had a 14cm/40 deck gun with a range of about 9.6 miles. Of interest, the larger, but older 10" batteries and 12" mortars had considerably shorter ranges and would not have been able to engage.
The chances of a hit on the sub would have been vanishingly small. Since the sub was not accurately targeting the fort, why give them a datum to correct their aim. Holding fire would seem to have been a good strategy. Holding fire until they got within accurate range, which may have also brought them within range of Forts Canby and Columbia as well. Of course, by then the Columbia Bar may have taken care of the issue depending on sea state.
I had heard about the ballons that were sent over by Japan, but never heard about this. Thank you for a new piece of history. I really enjoy your columns.
My daddy and his family had moved from Arkansas to California during the depression. They thought they could find work there. At some point after WW2 was declared they moved back to Arkansas because of the threat of Japanese attacks on the U.S. mainland in California.
I NEVER heard of this before! So interesting, and eye opening. We need to be alert to ALL threats..(even big balloons) 🇺🇸
Farragut State Park in Idaho was once a boot camp for Naval recruits established during WWII. The Navy wanted to remove vulnerable facilities from the Pacific Coast in the event of a Japanese coastal attack. The facility also benefitted from training divers and sailors utilizing the nearby deep water lake of Lake Coeur d’Alene. There is a Museum there with various setting depicting Naval Training life. They have volumes of books listing the names of all of the Recruits who passed through the training facility.
I was at Farragut State Park in 1969 for a Boy Scout National Jamboree, the week Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon ! Age 14. Great memories and the coldest (lake water) showers I’ve ever had in my life !
The museum sounds interesting. We’ll have to check it out sometime.
Thank you Tara. Reruns are okay. Little known events such as an attack on an American mainland base during WW2 deserve to be repeated.
As a father/grandfather of kids in sports, I fully understand.
New lesson for me. I am aware of the balloon bomb. Thanks Tara for the information and story.
I have no problem with reruns. It’s like a refresher course. Those of us who have raised or are raising kids understand your family events that take time. Family must have the priority. All your posts are appreciated.
Absolutely so.
The attacks on Oregon are interesting!
Wow! Who knew?? Certainly not me. Thank you again, Tara.
Tara
You never cease to amaze me in a great way
❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Thank you Tara for this bit of history.
As for histories sake if we forget , it may happen again. Enjoy your weekend!
Unfortunately I fear it will happen again.
We can definitely eliminate the range argument. In WWII, the fort was equipped with 6" rifles having a range of about 15 miles. The sub most likely had a 14cm/40 deck gun with a range of about 9.6 miles. Of interest, the larger, but older 10" batteries and 12" mortars had considerably shorter ranges and would not have been able to engage.
The chances of a hit on the sub would have been vanishingly small. Since the sub was not accurately targeting the fort, why give them a datum to correct their aim. Holding fire would seem to have been a good strategy. Holding fire until they got within accurate range, which may have also brought them within range of Forts Canby and Columbia as well. Of course, by then the Columbia Bar may have taken care of the issue depending on sea state.
Thank you, Tara.
🇺🇲 Learned something today, something I probably should have learned in school.
Thanks, TR 🇺🇲
I had heard about the ballons that were sent over by Japan, but never heard about this. Thank you for a new piece of history. I really enjoy your columns.
My daddy and his family had moved from Arkansas to California during the depression. They thought they could find work there. At some point after WW2 was declared they moved back to Arkansas because of the threat of Japanese attacks on the U.S. mainland in California.