Playing The "Chicago Piano"

This video is about the 1.1” / 75 caliber Anti-Air Gun, also known as the Chicago Piano.

While some of the characteristics and technical details about the 1.1” Gun are included, the focus is on problems associated with this gun. Why was it INFAMOUS? 1st hand accounts will highlight a few. And we’ll explore this in more detail using scarce archival resources from the 1930s.

We’ll also discuss important findings of the 1940 AA Defense Board – the preferred AA weapons were the 20mm Oerlikon and the 40mm Bofors. But during the 1st half of 1942 the 40mm Bofors, wasn’t available. The USN had to make do with what they had – the Chicago Piano.

In 1942, some VERY important ships fought some very important battles using this gun. In the fall of that year the USN 40mm made their combat debut at the battle of Santa Cruz. Two Yorktown Class carriers participated in this Battle: the USS ENTERPRISE (CV-6) and the USS HORNET (CV-8). The ENTERPRISE had the 40mm, but the HORNET did not. The HORNET was sunk at this battle, but the ENTERPRISE survived. A lot of factors contributed to the loss of the HORNET – and all indications are that the 1.1” guns worked fine. But the ENTERPRISE’s 40mm did shoot a little farther, and they hit a little harder. Admiral Nimitz’s Battle Action report commented on the 40mm performance.

Given its reputation why did the Navy equip Destroyer Escorts with the 1.1”? We’ll show specific memorandum from our archives about this decision. This didn’t affect all DEs just the 1st ones launched, about 20%. DEs launched later, like the SLATER, had the 40mm Bofors. Since Destroyer Escorts primary role was Anti-submarine defense, the problems with the 1.1” weren’t major issues, until the Battle of Okinawa.

In the near future we hope to expand on this topic – we’re planning videos about the 20mm Oerlikon, and the 40mm Bofors. And, several weeks ago we aired a video about guns on the USS SLATER’s effective ranges that discusses all the AA guns.

00:00 – 00:25 Introduction (What was the Chicago Piano – the 1.1” 75 cal. AA Gun)
00:25 – 01:45 DEs with 1.1”, and the Naval Battle of Okinawa
01:45 – 02:35 USS Rall (DE-304) - personal experiences with the 1.1” Gun.
02:35 – 03:40 Safety features of the 1.1” Projectiles, and examples of failures.
03:40 – 03:55 Referral “Men of Poseidon – USS Rall” You Tube Video.
03:55 – 05:35 History of development of the 1.1” Gun – Pre-WWII.
05:35 – 07:00 Air Attacks on ships, Dive Bombing – 1940 AA Defense Board
07:00 – 07:30 AA Defense Board 40mm Recommendation. Need Guns now! Still make the 1.1”
07:30 – 08:10 Why some DE received 1.1” and some 40mm
08:10 – 09:25 1.1” Usage in 1942, 40mm introduced at Battle of Santa Cruz.
09:25 – 10:00 Closing remarks

Important Links:
https://ussslater.org
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Rzagdnxpxr4j7... (Google Maps - Slater Location & Reviews).
https://www.museumships.us/
   • USS Rall "Men Of Poseidon" pt 1   (Men of Poseidon - USS Rall DE-304)

Citations:

Within the video there are notes that pertain to the citation of each image or video.

DEHM – From Destroyer Escort Historical Museum collection or website
Wikipedia – 1.1-inch/75-caliber gun, Okinawa Order of Battle, and other related topics.
OP1112 – Gun Mount and Turret Catalog (1944)
OP1664 – US Explosive Ordnance (1947)
U. S. NAVY BUREAU OF ORDNANCE IN WORLD WAR II by Buford Rowland Lieutenant Commander, USNR William B. Boyd Lieutenant, USNR (1953)
Google Map Snapshots detailing location of Okinawa
Navsource.net – USS Hornet CV-8 Characteristics, image of 1.1” gun, image USS Wyoming AG-17.
Men of Poseidon - USS Rall DE-304 – permissions to use clip from @gedda707
NAID 134053411 – CINCPAC Action Report, Battle of Santa Cruz (October 1942)
NAID 38726 – World at War
NAID 513791 – WWII Poster “America at War”
NAID 75759 – Target Practice, USS Honolulu
NAID 76509 – USS Hornet, Battle of Santa Cruz (October 1942)
NAID 77480043 – Destroyer Screen Action Report, Battle of Okinawa 1945
NAID 81715 – USS Hornet – Battle of Midway
Internet Archive – US Naval Administrative Histories of WWII – BuOrd - Gun Mounts