Summary of "Forsaken Mission" - MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories
Episode Title: Forsaken Mission
Release Date: June 19, 2025
Host: Ballen Studios
In the "Forsaken Mission" episode of the MrBallen Podcast, listeners are immersed in three gripping military horror stories that unveil the terrifying and mysterious events of wartime. Each story delves into real-life incidents that blend historical facts with chilling narratives, leaving listeners both informed and unsettled.
1. Ramree Island Massacre
Timestamp: [02:56] – [07:22]
The first story recounts the harrowing events on Ramree Island during World War II. In early 1945, British and Indian infantry launched an assault to reclaim the island from Japanese forces. Despite overwhelming naval artillery support, the Japanese soldiers chose to retreat through a treacherous 10-mile mangrove swamp teeming with venomous creatures.
As Co-host describes, "Set Zed was called over the loudspeakers, and Cliff, along with Ron Endicott, who was 18, and Buddy Coston, who was 21, were at the bottom of the ship in the freshwater pump room" ([09:21]). This retreat led the Japanese soldiers directly into the lair of Ramree Island's notorious saltwater crocodiles. These formidable predators, some weighing up to 2,200 pounds and reaching lengths of 23 feet, became instruments of a gruesome massacre.
The narrative highlights the sheer terror experienced by the trapped soldiers:
"About 20 of them were captured. They said they were completely surrounded by these crocodiles, that everywhere you looked there were growling huge crocodiles eating one person. And as soon as they were done, they would just charge after you and eat you." ([05:45])
By the end of the retreat, only 500 of the initial 1,000 Japanese soldiers survived, marking Ramree Island as the site of the largest animal-induced human massacre recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records.
2. Set Z: The Tragedy of the USS West Virginia
Timestamp: [07:22] – [15:37]
The second story, titled "Set Z," delves into the tragic sinking of the USS West Virginia during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Among the injured were three young sailors—Clifford Olds, Ron Endicott, and Buddy Coston—who found themselves sealed inside the freshwater pump room as the ship sank.
MrBallen explains the dire circumstances:
"They just had to get the hell out of their compartments so that they do not get trapped inside of one of those rooms." ([02:56])
Despite the "Set Z" procedure intended to maintain buoyancy by sealing compartments, it inadvertently trapped the three sailors, leading to their slow suffocation over 16 agonizing days. Their plight remained a secret for years, only coming to light long after their deaths. The story is underscored by their desperate attempts to stay alive, marked by the daily red pen entries in their calendar—a haunting reminder of their final days.
A notable quote from the session:
"They were alive for those 16 days because they had a calendar where they were marking off each of the days they were down there in red pen." ([10:57])
Their names were eventually added to memorials, officially recognizing them as killed in action on December 7, forever marking their story in the annals of military tragedy.
3. Lighter Than Air: The Ghost Blimp of Daly City
Timestamp: [15:37] – [37:09]
The final story, "Lighter Than Air," presents a mysterious and unresolved incident involving a military blimp during World War II. On August 16, 1942, Lieutenant Ernest Cody and Officer Charles Adams embarked on a routine patrol to detect Japanese submarines off the California coast. An unexpected issue arose when the blimp appeared unusually heavy due to moisture from fog, leading to the departure of a navy mechanic who left the mission with the two pilots.
Co-host narrates the unfolding mystery:
"They have 28 miles to the west to the Farallon Islands and then 20 miles north to Point Reyes. This was supposed to take about four hours." ([18:53])
As the mission progressed, the blimp reported spotting an oil slick, signaling potential enemy submarines. However, subsequent communications from the pilots ceased abruptly after observing the slick. Efforts to locate the blimp by Air Control and seaplane rescue teams proved futile as the blimp vanished without a trace.
The climax of the story occurs when Ida Ruby, a local horse rider, witnesses the blimp's final moments:
"What she saw was three people inside of that gondola. And if you recall, that gondola only ever contained two people... she just saw three people." ([26:03])
When the blimp crash-landed in Daly City, it appeared deflated and unmanned, despite Ida's clear observation of three individuals aboard. Investigations yielded no survivors or explanations, leading to the enduring enigma of the "ghost blimp." Theories range from stowaways to possible alien abductions, yet none conclusively explain the disappearance of the pilots and the mysterious third passenger.
Conclusion
"Forsaken Mission" masterfully weaves together true historical events with eerie, unexplained phenomena, leaving listeners pondering the thin line between reality and the unknown. Each story not only highlights the horrors of war but also the lingering mysteries that continue to captivate and frighten to this day.
Note: The stories presented in this episode are based on true events, though some names and details may be fictionalized for dramatic effect. MrBallen emphasizes the blend of fact and narrative to enhance the storytelling experience.