They Mounted an Aircraft Cannon on a PT Boat — Japan Called Them “Devil Boats”

Описание: They Mounted an Aircraft Cannon on a PT Boat — Japan Called Them “Devil Boats”

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In 1943, U.S. Navy PT boats in the Solomon Islands faced a deadly problem. Their torpedoes were unreliable, their machine guns struggled against armored Japanese barges, and night after night, enemy supply runs slipped through. With no official solution coming, PT boat crews improvised—bolting a salvaged 37mm aircraft cannon from a downed P-39 Airacobra directly onto their tiny wooden boats.

What followed shocked both sides. The cannon gave PT boats the firepower to rip through steel-hulled barges at close range, turning fragile patrol craft into lethal ambushers. Japanese crews, suddenly facing devastating fire from fast, unseen attackers in the dark, began referring to these boats as “Devil Boats”—a name born from fear, confusion, and mounting losses.

This is the true story of battlefield innovation under pressure: sailors who ignored doctrine, rewrote the rules, and changed the fight at sea using scrap metal, ingenuity, and sheer nerve. It’s a forgotten chapter of World War II that proves some of the most effective weapons aren’t designed in factories—but built in desperation, right on the front lines.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This video presents dramatized storytelling inspired by World War II events and publicly available sources. While every effort is made to create an engaging and respectful narrative, some details may be simplified, interpreted, or inaccurate. This content is intended for entertainment, not as an academic or definitive historical reference. For verified and in-depth history, please consult professional historians, primary archives, and scholarly works. Viewer discretion is advised.