Operation WATCHTOWER-Roots of the Guadalcanal Campaign-Episode 112
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- Опубликовано: 14 ноя 2022
- This week Seth and Bill examine the preparations for the Operation WATCHTOWER-the invasion of Guadalcanal and Tulagi. The team dives deep into the planning and preparation of the first American ground offensive of the Pacific War.
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Bill, you have no reason to apologize for your voice. God bless you for your years of service to both our Nation & the free works as a whole. Enjoy your time before the microphone and share your passion of history with all of us. This former surface gunner’s mates salute to you sir cheers! Bravo Zulu for all you do.
Thank you
Agree!
Amen to that. Plus as someone who worked in Radio, I’ve got to say I love his voice.
Bill seems just such a thoroughly nice man. The kind of officer you want to serve under.
Not a damn thing to apologize for Captain. You went to the danger, as all great leaders do. You contribute so much wisdom to this channel that I’d listen even if you have to tap things out in Morse Code! Fair weather and following seas!
You sound great, like a grizzled old sea captain, he just said it. You guys are great.
From Bill: Well I am an old captain....
I'm not addicted to the Unauthorized History of the Pacific War. Really, I can stop anytime I want to. I just don't want to for days on end.
Haha
Bill, never apologize for injuries suffered serving our nation. It’s a pleasure to listen to you and hear your perspective.
Capt. Bill, No apology for your voice condition is necessary. Your explanation was more than enough. Appreciate your service to our country and will pray for your full recovery.
The M3 was a great tank against the Japanese armor till the end of the war. Plus, the 37mm gun had a helpful ammunition, cannister. Which was used in the 37mm AT gun and the Lee/Grant tanks used by the Australians.
So sorry to hear about your medical problems, Capt. Toti. Wishing you the best in your treatments and thank you so much for your service.
From Bill-- thank you
I cannot believe these guys only have 10,000 subscribers?!?!?! That baffles me. This is a great podcast on the Second World War
100% agreed. Both very knowledgeable and great presenters. If I were a high school history teacher I would have my students watch it and write a report on the episodes for extra credit. Captain the fact that your are willing to speak on such an important topic despite the pain it causes you reminds me of Grant writing his memoirs while suffering throat cancer. Well done Sir.
These guys havent been online for long time. Excellent and easy to listen content. Regards from Finland.
My father in law Aldo Ray, made a fortune in Hollywood with a voice like that. He was a US Navy Frogman in WWII. Love these podcasts.
Wow, I loved Aldo Ray! I can't recall the movies that he was in ATM but I always enjoyed his performance's in the movies that he appeared in!
Loved Aldo, he was a great actor!!!
Captain Bill you have absolutely nothing to apologize for sir! I respect and appreciate everything you personally and professionally stand for sir! Thank you for being you sir.
Thank you
I'm very grateful for this podcast. My (now late) father had a minor role in the USN. He was a pharmacist's mate in every sea battle after Midway, and through early 1946. He told me very little about what he'd experienced; he said it too horrible for daughterly ears. He told me about the kamikazi and rescuing wounded sailors and pilots from heavy seas and burning vessels and planes. I had no idea was an incredibly near-run campaign Guadalcanal was.
Wishing you a speedy recovery Bill.
You're in my prayers!
Bill: I was studying your voice earlier today, and came to the conclusion that screaming at knucklehead sailors wore the old voice box clean out. It was decent hypothesis, don't you think?
My stupid brother talked me out of joining the Navy when I was a kid. Submarines are still a love of mine. Run Silent, Run Deep....what a book!
Capt. Bill Toady, prayers for your well being.
As my grandfather used to say, “You can’t kill bad grass.”
Bill is just fine. Fine as wine.
The best. Your detail and presentation is first rate.
Thank you, Captain Toti, for your service. Your words are an important and lasting history of the U.S. Navy. I am glad you are still able to talk and share after being wounded.
Thank you very much, James.
Bill, this whole channel is a blessing and I’ve come to love your distinct voice. Helps me always know who is talking between you and Seth and guests.
This episode could’ve been titled “It’s All We Had.”
Sympathizing with The Devil (Adm. King) for a second, with his strategic objective being the maintenance of the SLOCs to Australia,, you can appreciate him wanting to get it done before what would become Henderson Field was operational under the Japanese. We weren’t ready on 07Aug42, but we’d have had to fight our way through land-based air to get there if we waited any longer.
Halsey & Fletcher catch flak ex post facto, but I’ll stand on the table for both of them, and Spruance.
Halsey’s appointment to replace Ghormley was crucial. His operational style (I’m wearing two boots, the enemy has two asscheeks, they should meet) salvaged our first offensive of the war.
And the war was won in 1942 by Fletcher, Spruance, & Halsey, when the US Navy didn’t have a pot to piss in or a porthole to chuck it out of, yet still kept managing to deny the IJN their strategic objectives, then go on the offensive.
“It’s all we had” and those three guys and the men under their command made it work.
Wow. Great post. I appreciate your military acumen. I'm guessing you were USMC, or rather you were the guy they were looking for, as in a few good men (some that got better offers from the Air Force.)
It's the third time I watched this bar discussion, as Seth tries to put 3 hours of mini subjects in a one hour podcast.
Fortunately, He and Captain Bill frequently do over that hour.
Tell your ( smart) friends, Eh?
For those that don't know President Roosevelt was at one time the Asst. Secretary of the Navy, this is where he and Churchill formed a relationship that endured throughout the war, they were actually friends, and the American public generally was a Churchill fan also, in fact, at least at certain times Churchill was more popular in the States than he was at Home.
I'm glad I'm not the only one that believes Watchtower operation was the turning point in the war in the Pacific, and not Midway.
Agreed. I did subscribe to the Midway hypothesis but the more I learned the more I saw the span of time from Midway through the Japanese evacuation from Guadalcanal as the "turning point", if one can regard eight months of battles (on land and at sea) as a "point".
I've watched many videos about Guadalcanal. I didn't think I could learn much more about it. This is one of the best. I learned so much. The back story leading up to it is fascinating. Thank you.
You're in the right place!!
Hey Bill Thanks for letting us know about your voice. I was born with some birth defects. So, I understand where you are coming from. I never let it keep me down. Congrats to you for powering through. Your voice sounds good to me. I appreciate your insights. Take care John
I was a Marine officer flying CH-53Es from '86-'92. People don't believe me when I tell stories about the gear and conditions we dealt with. We looked like the Clampetts go to war.
The Marines have done so much with so little for so long, they think they can do everything with nothing forever.
i'm a little heartbroken to hear you apologize for your voice, captain. i love to hear you talk. bless
From Bill-- so kind. Thank you
My uncle Bill joined the marines at 16 and was on Guadalcanal soon after. He said there were only about 8 out of his company still standing by the end of the battle. He was then sent to several more island invasions. Definitely had a tough war but made it through, but with lots of psychological damage, I think, from what my dad said.
This is a great series on many levels.
To follow up on Mr. Hannigan's comment below regarding Fletcher's decision making, it is fascinating how pro/anti Fletcher online communities have evolved.
It might be prudent to not so strongly hold judgements when a great many factors come into play, particularly in high stress, imperfect wartime settings.
We agree. The issue of Fletcher's leadership is extremely polarized. Many, to include King, couldn't wait for him to get replaced. Others point to his unassuming leadership at Midway as being at least partially responsible for one of our greatest victories.
The Marines had never fought in a larger command than two regiments, even in WWI. Never as a full division with Air and Artillery attachments too.
At Johnsp... great perspective. How much untapped talent in Archer Vandegrift that it seemed all that was needed was the opportunity to shine, and he was THERE. Same for the commander at the operations level in First Marines. Amazing professionalism from the beginning. These men hadn't been just sitting as the world headed to Hell.
Best wishes Captain Toti, always good hearing your insights.
Bill responding: thanks very much
OH Captian Toti.............I'm so sorry. I knew that it was different than from interviews when you were younger. God Bless you for serving your country. You're a great American
The details provided by these videos are on the level of graduate courses. Much would be forgotten if this series didn’t exist.
As the son of a Navy Corpsman who served in the Pacific, I am grateful to learn how to fit the puzzle pieces together with detailed explanations provided in this series.
I've only been listening to these shows for somewhat short time now first for tarawa podcast then I went back and rewatched it here on RUclips. I haven't watched for a few months but I'm now trying to add you to my daily routine at night watching on RUclips. Definitely top of the line show
Love your voice Bill, it's calming and assuring. A wise voice. Thanks for your service and thank you for sharing your knowledge!
The Guadalcanal campaign is among the most interesting part of WWII to study and discuss. Most of my interest is in the naval/air portions. 6 months long, 50ish war ships sunk, many surface night battles, fascintating history. so glad I was not there but, love to read and learn. have red dozens of books on the subject, many more than once.
I think Iron Bottom Sound is one of the most important historical places in modern history. I understand the Navy dedicates a wreath there, every year.
You certainly wouldn't have wanted to be on an American cruiser during the campaign.
@@williamfankboner4206 at least not in the bow sections :)
You suggest that Watchtower happened too early... surely if it was delayed, even a month the Japanese Guadalcanal airfield would have been active and loaded up with a Japanese Cactus Airforce, plus the Japanese carriers would have been more likely to be in the area to interdict the landing fleets... assuming that there would then be a couple of relatively tied carrier battles, such as Eastern Solomons which technically can be called a US victory because the Japanese resupply fleets turned around... they would then be losses as it would be the US invasion fleet turning around...
Feels to me like Watchtower occurred at the only time it could have prior to late 1943 when the US had overwhelming naval assets.
My Dad is in the opening scene showing Marines boarding the transport and again at 45:26
The ambivalence and pessimism of both Fletcher and Ghormley about the operation is astounding to me. These guys were in COMMAND of the most important operation of their lives. One would think it was the ultimate pinnacle of lives dedicated to the Navy, yet Ghormley didn't even attend the rehearsal or the conference, and Fletcher seems to have had no notion of the OBJECTIVE of the operation, and only concerned with the safety of his carriers. Thank God for Vandegrift, Harmon and (eventually) HALSEY.
This is the second time I've listened to this RUclips on Guadalcanal, I do volunteer work on the USS Cassin Young so this is right up my alley and I read and watch everything on sea battles off Guadalcanal especially November 12-15 "42" I like that both of you are frank and not one sided. I always called 1942 the year America learned to fight and boy did we in and around Guadalcanal. Bill and Seth great work!!!
Just a quick note to thank Seth, Bill and the excellent guest speakers for a very engaging series. I am a retired Brit in London and enjoy the knowledge, tempo and "banter" of you guys so much I am now on a repeat of Series 1. Wishing you all well on this epic undertaking. I often wonder if a series 3 will take on the Atlantic to show the kind of insight that is the hallmark of series 1 and 2.
I am listening to podcast chronologicaly so only now I know - I wish Bill best health.
This show has to main pillars and I prefer it to be kept that way. This dualistic complementary perspective you present guys is really big value to the show.
I've read dozens books on WW2 and Pacific but I still find podcast interesting and entertaining.
From Bill-- thank you
Very informative setup of a key turning point in this war! Thanks guys!!
I really have been enjoying you guys podcast because I’m a huge fan of the pacific war during World War 2 and have been fascinated about the naval clashes between the United Sates and the IJN. Bill you will be missed get well and I hope to see you soon!
Bill responding-- already recovered, and thanks!
Love the show, I love hearing about history from people who have research it so well.
I have no problem with your voice Captain. I actually like hearing what you have to say. God bless you.
Thank you
Your sea voice is your trademark, Captain Toti. We look forward to hearing you in every episode! :)
One of the big lessons from the beginning of Operation Watchtower was logistics. The need to develop combat loading of the transports. The type of containers used to carry materials. Cardboard boxes weren't appropriate to carry supplies. A better way to land those supplies and more of it.
In most of the battles of this era communications was a problem. Senior commanders seldom talked face to face and seldom had conversations over radio either. To send a message he writes it out or dictates to an aide. It is then dictated encoded and put in proper format in the communications center. Then taken to the radio room and put in an in basket to be sent. Then sent to sender and possibly it needs to be relayed through another station. Each transmission is by Morse code one character at a time. When it gets where it is going, the procedure is reversed. Additionally most in the chain have little understanding of how important it is. A senior commander might send and receive hundreds a day. When you add this to the difficulty of radio communication in the 1940s you can understand how sometimes not everyone was on the same sheet of music.
Love this series. My father served in the army and was in New Guinea, Leyte, and spent time on occupation in Japan. When the war ended his unit was training for the invasion of Japan.
God bless you Bill.All the best.
Luck favors the bold guys. Kings timing was perfect or this conversation wouldn't be happening. You are pushing one of those big "what ifs" which I reckon is a historian's bread and butter.
AARRRRRGH;AVAST!!!
SOUNDS FINE TO THIS RETIRED NAVY DOCTOR! PERFECT PITCH TO PROJECT:AYE ,AYE!!!
I actually came here to say, that I absolutely love your voice and when Seth says, you sound like a proper sea wolf, he's 100% right. It is something that gives this podcast those 10% that push it to 110% 😊
As a New Zealander, I have great admiration for the US troops, both Army and Marines, who came to NZ in 1942/43 to protect us and train for the Pacific campaign - they left many memories and infrastructure which is still in use! The 1st Marine Div trained in Wellington for Guadalcanal, the 2nd Marine Div trained on our East Cape for Tarawa, and the 43rd US Inf Div trained in and around Auckland and the Kaipara Harbour in 1943 before going to the Solomons and on to the Philippines. US Forces HQ under Admiral Ghormley, was based in Auckland and the Jean Batten State Building which housed it, still exists. US Memorial Day is celebrated every May at Auckland's War Memorial Museum and many Kiwi families descend or have a US Serviceman in their family - my own mother's younger sister married a US Navy sailor stationed in Auckland! Kia Kaha and Arohanui from New Zealand.
I've always wondered a bit at the decision not to bring USS Ranger (CV 4) to the Pacific. I've read the explanations: too small, not robustly-enough constructed, light AA, etc. And sure, up to a point I get that; it's understandable how in mid-1942 it would've been decided against. But goodness, by late 1942 after Santa Cruz, four US carriers had been sunk, another was under extended repair on the West Coast, a banged-up Enterprise was holding on alone in the South Pacific, and the Essex-class carriers building were still roughly a year away. At THIS point, surely that earlier Ranger decision had to have been seriously re-considered. She was no Yorktown- or Essex-class, to be sure, but was still a fleet CV, not a CVL. I bet Halsey would have been been tickled to death to see Ranger chop into SoPac.
Bill, NO apologies are in order now or ever ! Your sharing with us the events by which your affliction was so cowardly imparted upon you, at least in the opinion of this old backwoods Vitginia lawyer, should ever steel our resolve to be increasingly vigilant. You are in my prayers ❤.
I'm coming back to the beginning episodes of the podcast. You men, Bill and Seth did not make the same mistakes as Admiral King forced on his commanders, launching before "being ready". Things have unfolded pretty much First things first. Well done, and continuing on, first things first, filling when appropriate. I'm still trying to get all my friends and enemies to watch and listen. We are entering a world nearly as dangerous as 1941-42. Dusting off the lessons of 82+ years ago has value. Bless you, Men. Onward.😅
Seth and Bill addressed the preponderance of positive and gentlemen commenting with pointing out the existence of some outliers that need editing. Thanks to all the good people adding to the effort, encouraging Bill and Seth.
Hi Bill, although your voice does not bother me, and I did not make note of it since I have been watching the podcast, I'm sorry that you have the problems that you have with your lungs and appreciate your service
Bill responding: been trying some new meds and it seems to be getting better. Thank you
The reason that the Japanese army was so ill-prepared was the limited Japanese transport capability and the fact that the Navy kept the Midway disaster a secret from the Army,.
My father joined the Navy on the idea that IF he had a bed, it would be dry; if he didn't have a bed, it would no longer matter.
Jeep carrier, later in the war, mostly anti-sub duty.
I’m a newbie to the finer details of the Pacific War. Your discussion of the first time logistics needed between the Amy Air Force , Navy and Marines was very enlightening. This was the first time I really understood what needed to be envisioned, understood and accomplished. Calculated Risk is also term I now appreciate. Perhaps some officers’ mind could not stretch beyond their own experience and self regard. Might as well use Calculated Risk and Go For Broke or one certainly gets trashed by history!
Love this format and content. Thanks. And thanks for your service Admiral. A major factor, perhaps THE major factor, for the future in the Pacific was were the huge distances. So managing logistics was, I think, impressive. I’d love to listen to you discuss this. My dad served on an evacuation ship during most of the major assaults in the Pacific, hence my interest.
I have Tourette’s and have to work through that. Bill, you’re an inspiration to me.
You guys are awesome!
Best wishes Captain Toti, what you offer is so valuable no matter what.
Bill, my friend and I pray for U, a voice we.value so very much.
Thank you
The Mayo Clinic is less than stellar. A change should be considered.
Good luck and thank you for your service
Great show, guys!
Outstanding information.
Thanks.
Re: combat loading. The lesson may have been learned for the Pacific, but the memo didn't get to the Atlantic: lots of load order issues for Torch.
Really love you guys and breaking down of things on all levels
I love you guys Thank you for your service.
U guys are a gifted team, the captain is a perfect balance, may u keep on keepin' on ....,.
Never apologize for doing your duty. Than you for your service.
Bil I hope your throat does not give too many problems and you will be able to continue with these presentations for a long time as your input adds an fasinating experienced
naval officers perspective in addition to the usual historian only format.
Great respect for your military service and continued contributions to military history .
You guys and guests are awesome! I only know of some of the people UHPC speaks about through filmed interviews. I am so impressed that you had contact with these persons. And a informed unique perspective
Bill, thank you for sharing the story about your lung and larynx issues. I'm sure the clinicians who care for you considered the role that inhalers (especially steroid inhalers) can play in altering a patient's voice. They can have direct effects as well as rendering a patient susceptible to fungal throat infections. If you use inhalers extensively, it might be something to explore unless it was one of the first things they considered.
Thank you guys for your great job. Will you also plan to tell us what was MacArthur’s troops doing in parallel, the army story?
We definitely talk about New Guinea. Stay tuned.
It was a learning experience early, the loss of carriers later was because of looping in 1 sector for days. They would have been safe enough if they planned out destinations in rang during daylight hours. Start south, go west, south west, etc so you do not revisit areas in a 5 day period.
I am sure air cover requirements were covered in the operations order for the invasion. I believe Fletcher dis-obeyed those orders by only having 3 days air cover during un-loading. Anyone seen the operations order??
Noticed in Seth’s background the mug from ‘twelve o’clock high’ on top of the bookcase (very cool). (Misidentified Seth as Ian in a different post - sorry about that).
Two thumbs up!
Just watched this for the first time. People have told me that my prayers have made big differences. I hope that is true. I have huge amounts of time to pray. Ill be putting your health in my prayers. I believe you are doing wonderful work here.
Also, i dont know if anyone in the comments have mentioned this...
Your resemblance to Fred Armistead is striking! Did the kids on your boat call you Mr. Saturday Night Live?
Oops! I need to edit. Im talking to Capt. Toti.
The more I hear about it, the more I begin to see parallels between the set up for Operation Watchtower and Operation Corporate. Both are cases of a push to conduct amphibious operations on an island at the end on a long supply line, on short notice, with insufficient air assets and an impending deadline.
Hey Seth & Bill, Bill I understand what you mean, I have extreme emphasima, but it comes with the more that I exsert myself the harder it is to breathe.Rickm.
Yeah Bill, I know the aggravation and frustration, I've had multiple severe traumas that now retired am having difficulty with, really putting a cabash on my once normal life, had to change the way I now live. Medical science is always coming up with something new, never give in or up.
Fletcher had two veteran CV's and an inexperienced hybrid CVL/CV, the Wasp, against only two IJN veteran CV's and two or three CVE's. His pessimism was unwarranted and unprofessional. There was no way that the superior Japanese battle line could trap his carriers with all of the Coral Sea to maneuver in with secure bases in New Caledonia and Northern Australia to fall back on. Therefore, the only real threat to his Carriers were the IJN's Carriers. Also, the only major Japanese airbases were in Rabaul and Truk at this time. The problem with Ghormley's command ineptitude began with him being absent and unable to either ride herd on Fletcher so he would commit and fight or getting him replaced. I think the task mentally became too big for Fletcher to handle. The Peter principle in effect.
Thanks!
best pod cast speek for many
Patton was a Major for 14 years during the interwar doldrum years.
Wasp was conducting important reinforcement missions to Malta before transfer to the Pacific.
The Japanese were running a multi - front war, also. With troops spread out over a vast area. Most of which required sea supply and transportation. About a million of the 4 million Japanese Army troops were in China. By the time of Guadalcanal, the Japanese supply line was stretched thin. I am pretty sure Admiral King new this and gambled on nibbling at the Japanese Empire at a place we could take and hold.
I spent a whole weekend at the George Marshall Museum ( now closed) years ago. One highlight was the Casablanca conference. King was pointing and I guess yelling at a British Field Marshal Brooke ( my notes are handwritten)- the next pic has Marshall and King outside talking. I don't have any notes on what happened.
This is Captain Toti responding-- I lived 2010-2019 in Leesburg, Virginia, not three miles away from George Marshall's house and would visit it often. I didn't know the museum was now closed. That's disappointing. And yes, there probably are many photos of King yelling at someone!
@@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar Dodona Manor (Marshall's house) is still open for tour. Plan to see it in the next couple of weeks, as I still live in Northern Virginia following Army retirement two years ago. I agree with you that MacArthur's fame is undeserved and needs relook. However, I am glad the Army had Marshall. He was absolutely the leader we needed. I particularly loved walking the "Marshall Corridor" in the Pentagon (5th Corridor on 3rd Deck), which was adjacent to the corridor with portraits of the Army Chiefs of Staff (6th Corridor, same Deck). There seemed to be an unspoken truism for senior Army leaders, "You might be an Army Chief of Staff and get you portrait on the wall, but you'll never be George C. Marshall."
All that said, a real tragedy of this era (WWII) is the pettiness of interservice rivalry.
I am unconvinced by the US explanation for why Guadalcanal and Tulagi were so critical.
Hawaii gets mentioned, but G&T are south of the equator and Hawaii is almost at the Tropic of Cancer. They are west of 165W and H is east of 165 E. In terms of proximity, Tarawa and Tuvalu are hundreds of miles closer to Oahu.
In terms of interdicting shipping, the Allies had their own ring of islands: Noumea, Port Vila, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa which were either occupied already or could be to interdict flights from G&T.
My what if scenario is that the US invaded Tarawa instead of Guadalcanal. Still heavy fighting and loss of life, but closer to Hawaii and much more opportunity for the submarines to attack reinforcing convoys.
King orders Fletcher to not endanger or risk the carriers then orders an invasion that we were not ready for that will take 5 days to unload the supplies knowing full well that the Japanese will be there in less than 5 days and with air close enough by to be there to harass the ships but it is Fletchers fault somehow. King had to know that was impossible and a total contradiction and Fletcher did the right thing by pulling the carriers out so I guess he just wanted someone to blame for the inevitable removal of the air support. Even in hindsight I do not see a way out of that connundrum but all is well that ends well I guess.
You’re 100% right. It’s one of the issues I fault King for actually. I feel that he forced the issue for Guadalcanal before we were ready. I understand his impatience, but it wound up costing lives.
King had moments of convenient accountability measures which almost always reflected the shadow of blame elsewhere
Apparently it was Fletcher's fault our surface navy couldn't fight at night.
@@lorrinbarth1969 right on. The best weapon our Navy had then was Ching Lee, but even he was smart enough to know the US Navy was ill-prepared to fight a night action.
.
One more thing: if Ching Lee started running one way, it would be best to follow him. He knew when to engage and when not to. Ching Lee on the Bridge of the Washington was about as deadly a weapon as the Navy ever put to sea in WWII
thank you .
Say what you will about Admiral Halsey, and he certainly made his share of mistakes, but without him the Marines on Guadalcanal don't make it off that island. Under Ghormley the Marines only had 2 possible outcomes: death or capture by the Japanese. Halsey may not have been the Admiral you'd take home to meet your mother but he was the kind of aggressive, capable, "hands-on" leader that was absolutely critical at the time.
No argument from me.
SP
It's fascinating to see the (obvious - totally agree) point made that the Japanese Army was dependent on the Japanese Navy when you consider the tremendous antipathy and rivalry between those services throughout the war. I wonder to what degree the loss of Japanese sea control had on IJA planning as the war progressed?
It had to have substantial impact. Courses of Action (COAs) substantially reduced. I think in retrospect the IJA understood the importance of the IJN, but rather than saying "we should have paid more attention to this," their attitude was "the IJN just didn't care or wasn't trying as hard as we were." In other words, they blamed it on lack of moral aggressiveness.
thought about comparing Fletcher and Kinkaid vs Spruance. Spruance had a clear idea of what his mission was. fletcher and kinkaid subordinated the mission to their personal desire to not to take any action that would put their career in jeapardy.
I feel Fletcher would have been ok as a task group commander, later in the war. His obsession with fueling is something does repeatedly up to and including Guadalcanal.
You have to understand that underway replenishment at sea (unrep) was in its infancy at that time. Unrep was dangerous and time consuming. Also, It wasn’t so much the Carriers, but the destroyer screen was extremely limited fuel wise. The US only had 5 fast tankers (after Neosho was lost at Coral Sea) to not only fuel the task force but also deliver fuel to the outlying bases. Supply was limited and the time it took to refuel the force at sea was extensive. Fletcher was expecting a rapid response, probably from strong Japanese forces. He could not risk running his screening forces out of fuel in the face of another carrier battle with the Japanese.
His "obsession" was well-founded. Carrier task forces burned (and still burn) enormous amounts of fuel quite fast under wartime steaming conditions.
Ditto. You have no reason to apologize considering your sacrifice made to our counyry.. Soldier on.
i had nodules removed also, good 'ol VA gave me a massive sinus infection from hell!!!!! with the fiber optic scope.
Hey, Bill - I didn't have any problem with your voice. But, the subject having been raised, I appreciate your sharing the background.
I had been aware of your being at the Pentagon during the 9/11 attack, but learning of the resulting ongoing impacts on your health is tremendously compelling.
Thank you - first for your service, and also for sharing with us. 🫡
Thanks much
Sending Callaghan to that meeting was a joke. His communication skills are demonstrated leading up to the bar room brawl.