Comments on: The Turning Point of WWII in the Pacific http://jeffnolan.com/wp/2007/06/05/the-turning-point-of-wwii-in-the-pacific/ Jeff Nolan's take on investment, innovation, entrepreneurship and the technology industry Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:20:20 -0600 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Chris Yeh http://jeffnolan.com/wp/2007/06/05/the-turning-point-of-wwii-in-the-pacific/comment-page-1/#comment-222502 Chris Yeh Sun, 03 Feb 2008 03:24:59 +0000 http://jeffnolan.com/wp/2007/06/05/the-turning-point-of-wwii-in-the-pacific/#comment-222502 I've often thought that this battle really sums up so much about the American attitude. For example, as the CVEs desperately tried to run from the Japanese battleships, the AA gunners could only sit helplessly (their guns being completely ineffectual against anything afloat). The XO told them, "Don't worry boys, we're luring them into 40mm range." When the Japanese task force made the decision to turn away, and as the battered American ships watched in disbelief as their certain death sailed away from them, one wag shouted out, "Ah shucks, they're getting away!" Somehow, I can't picture the Brits, French, Germans, Russians, or Japanese reacting to those situations in the same way. I’ve often thought that this battle really sums up so much about the American attitude.

For example, as the CVEs desperately tried to run from the Japanese battleships, the AA gunners could only sit helplessly (their guns being completely ineffectual against anything afloat). The XO told them, “Don’t worry boys, we’re luring them into 40mm range.”

When the Japanese task force made the decision to turn away, and as the battered American ships watched in disbelief as their certain death sailed away from them, one wag shouted out, “Ah shucks, they’re getting away!”

Somehow, I can’t picture the Brits, French, Germans, Russians, or Japanese reacting to those situations in the same way.

]]> By: Martin Edic http://jeffnolan.com/wp/2007/06/05/the-turning-point-of-wwii-in-the-pacific/comment-page-1/#comment-123224 Martin Edic Thu, 07 Jun 2007 19:31:13 +0000 http://jeffnolan.com/wp/2007/06/05/the-turning-point-of-wwii-in-the-pacific/#comment-123224 Jeff, Herman Wouk did a pretty decent fictional version of both battles in his Winds of War books, especially in analyzing the changing historical perspective of the various Admirals involved and their contributions. Two things stood out when I first read it: - How the public persona of an Admiral like Halsey inflated his importance at the time (a reason why I watch Petraous with caution). Later he was not seen in the same light. and - The virtual elimination of the beloved battleship as a viable weapon. Almost immediately after Midway officers from the old battleship school were superceded by the airmen. It was the ultimate example of old tech being replaced overnight by new tech. Just ordered the Tin Can Sailors on your recommendation. Thanks. Jeff,
Herman Wouk did a pretty decent fictional version of both battles in his Winds of War books, especially in analyzing the changing historical perspective of the various Admirals involved and their contributions. Two things stood out when I first read it:
- How the public persona of an Admiral like Halsey inflated his importance at the time (a reason why I watch Petraous with caution). Later he was not seen in the same light.
and
- The virtual elimination of the beloved battleship as a viable weapon. Almost immediately after Midway officers from the old battleship school were superceded by the airmen. It was the ultimate example of old tech being replaced overnight by new tech.
Just ordered the Tin Can Sailors on your recommendation. Thanks.

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