Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"The sinking of the USS Indianapolis was the worst sea disaster to ever occur in the history of the United States Navy." — Marcus
"It was the deadliest air raid in history. Surpassing Hiroshima and more than doubling the death toll in Nagasaki." — Ben (referring to the Tokyo firebombing)
"The odds were greatly in favor of these men sinking to the bottom of the sea, where their deaths would have been nothing more than a large number without a tail." — Ben (discussing the low probability of rescue)
This episode of Last Podcast on the Left delves into the harrowing account of the USS Indianapolis, its pivotal role in delivering components for the atomic bomb, and its subsequent sinking. The narrative begins by establishing the ship's significance and its veteran status in World War II. A key focus is the discussion of Japanese Kamikaze tactics, their development, and their impact on naval warfare, including a kamikaze attack that wounded the Indianapolis. The episode then details the ship's critical, top-secret mission to transport enriched uranium for the atomic bomb to Tinian Island, occurring shortly after the Trinity atomic test. This mission, despite its immense importance, left the ship vulnerable due to its speed-optimized, thinly armored construction and the lack of an escort.
Following its delivery, the USS Indianapolis was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. The episode vividly describes the immediate aftermath of the sinking, the chaotic struggle for survival for the 890 men who went into the shark-infested waters, and the extreme conditions they endured for four days. This includes graphic descriptions of shark attacks, dehydration, delirium, hallucination, and the psychological toll on the survivors, leading to desperate acts and profound suffering. The narrative highlights the communication failures and delayed rescue efforts that compounded the tragedy, and the grim reality faced by those in the water.
Finally, the episode addresses the aftermath and the profound injustice faced by Captain Charles B. McVeigh III. Despite evidence suggesting that he was not solely to blame and that the disaster was a result of systemic failures and bad luck, he was court-martialed and scapegoated. The episode details the immense personal toll this had on him, including decades of hateful correspondence from victims' families, ultimately leading to his suicide. The episode concludes with the eventual exoneration of Captain McVeigh years later, underscoring the complexities of blame, responsibility, and the enduring impact of war tragedies.