U.S. history, how did the potato save a U.S. ship? 

"Svend" (svend) 12/03/2018 at 02:43 • Filed to: None

0

4

it’s on Series P, Episode 8 , Plants of BBC Qi.

Now known as T he Maine Potato Episode.

In early hours of 5th of April 1943 a U.S. destroyer the U.S.S. O’Bannon (DD 450) came across a Japanese sub, the RO-35, in the Pacific. The ship was too close to the boat to lower the guns, so the crew of the U.S.S. O’Bannon started pelting the submarine with potatoe s, in the dim light of dawn the Japanese crew who were sleeping on the deck up to that point, had no idea they were potatoes and thought they were grenades so the Japanese ran about frantically getting them off the deck and running for cover. Giving the U.S.S. O’Bannon time to move away, position it’s gun s and open fire, sinking the sub.

I love the BBC for bringing stuff like this.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Svend 12/03/2018 at 03:15

2

TIL

Qi is one of the best shows from the UK at present

Svend > pip bip - choose Corrour 12/03/2018 at 03:29

1

Sandi Toksvig is a perfect replacement for Stephen Fry (thought there is less banter about Sandi’s upbringing than there was of Stephen’s).

Qi is one of those shows that makes learning interesting yet openly admits that some of what we learn will be found to be false as further in f ormation comes to light about the subject. 

ttyymmnn > Svend 12/03/2018 at 09:06

4

You sure that wasn’t the Irish Navy?

Svend > ttyymmnn 12/03/2018 at 09:26

5

Yes. I'm sure. The Irish Navy wouldn't of throw the potatoes.