The Battle of Casablanca on Battleship Massachusetts

I’m with the uss Massachusetts living history crew and we all portray ww2 sailors on board and are always open to new members young and old who are interested, we portray sailors and do living history displays and events on board, we also help restore and maintain the ship back to original conditions.

I love that they preserved the piece of 1.5" armor that was penetrated by the 8" shell. When we talk about war ships, 1.5" armor is perceived as pathetically weak, but seeing a piece of 1.5" hardened steel punched through like it is barely there really brings perspective into the amount of power in capital ship projectiles.

Having grown up very close to Fall River, I have visited the Massachusetts more times than I can recall. I spent an overnight with a Boy Scout troop on her. My grandfather lived in Brockton MA and worked at the Fore River shipyard in Braintree/Quincy MA from the time the keel was laid until she was taken out for fitting. We walked the decks of Massachusetts many times when he was alive. He always said that if someone had told him he would walk those decks with his grandson, he would have thought they were crazy.

In 1998 USS Massachusetts was towed to Boston and placed in Dry Dock for a 10 Million Dollar refit. Money well spent!

My grandfather was a radio operator on one of Massachusetts' spotter planes during Operation Torch. He is the one who called in the famous "Batter up" signal that indicated the Vichy were shooting at them. Massachusetts then gave the "Play ball" signal for everyone to open fire. He and his pilot were promptly attacked by fighters, crashed landed, and taken prisoner by the Vichy French for about three days before Patton's army rescued them.

I was born on cape cod and visited the Massachusetts as a child and spent hours in a sandy spot in my yard making sand battleships complete with guns and accurate superstructures then throw small stones at them playing the massachusetts destroying them, I am 67 now and they still are great memories

I distinctly remember seeing that preserved punctured plate on my first visit to Mamie as a kid. I am glad they've kept it and make it part of their display and as part of the ship's story.

strangely enough, the Massachusetts also sank more ships(ok not all were warships) in that battle than most other US warships did in their entire service(excluding the carriers) besides the Jean Bart, 7 merchant ships, a floating dry dock, at least 1 destroyer sunk, other destroyers and a light cruiser damaged directly or with splash damage

My late grandfather was at Casablanca aboard the carrier Ranger. It was a combined effort between Massachusetts and aircraft from Ranger that put the Jean Bart out of action. Massachusetts also assisted in the action against several French destroyers and a cruiser.

That penetrated plate was very impressive! Really enjoyed this. Thanks!

Thats so cool that you can actually see the battle damage. And the piece of armor the 8in projectile pierced.

Got to visit Battleship Cove today. Took 2 of my sons with me. Was absolutely blown away when I say that piece of armor plate that was hit bubthe French 8inch shell. I've been on board the New Jersey and North Carolina. The BIG MAMIE is just as awesome.

I always forget that the ranger existed, you never think of the Atlantic when you think aircraft carriers

Thank you for the time you put into making these videos and the work you do on these ships....youve taught me so much and i am so very grateful.

i dont remember seeing the damaged deck plate in 1973 (i was only 8y old) but i DO remember where the hit was "memorialized" on the weather deck...

Thanks for doing this video - I have spent the night in that room as chaperone for a Boy Scout Troop on an overnight camping trip - nice to see the "rack" that I slept on. As I recall, that particular berthing space was used by the marines, who were at battle stations, obviously, probably in a 5" mount. I think there were no casualties from this hit.

Wonderful video! The look to the plaque before correcting the date relative to Midway cracked me up. Thank y'all for such wonderful content.

I was thinking it would be cool if you and Drachinifel could meet up when he can do his American visit and you guys can make a video together

Thanks for the great content. Been to BC many times, glad to see they keep making improvements.

Ryan, thank you so much. Very good information. Appreciate your knowledge.