Comments by "Scott Giles" (@scottgiles7546) on "The Drydock - Episode 033" video.

  1. It would appear that you consider Admiral Beatty's skill as a commander close to those of General Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmanay Melchett. Oh SURELY there are some Black Adder fans amongst the viewership and commenter class here!
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  2. That may have been true with the larger and more complex plans, or the Japanese may have lost skills as the war progressed. Clearly early in the war local commanders were capable of rapid and decisive action. The battle of Savo Island shows this, as do many of the other actions in iron bottom sound. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Savo_Island
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  3. One case of, unsuccessful, boarding involved the USS Buckley (DE-51). "On 22 April 1944, she joined hunter-killer Task Group 21.11 (TG 21.11) for a sweep of the North Atlantic and Mediterranean convoy routes. On the morning of 6 May, aircraft from the escort carrier Block Island (CVE-21) reported an enemy submarine near Buckley. She steamed toward the surfaced submarine, evading her torpedoes and gunfire, and commenced firing. At 0328 Buckley rammed the German submarine U-66 and then backed off. Shortly thereafter, the submarine struck Buckley, opening a hole in the escort vessel's starboard side. Hand-to-hand combat ensued between crew members of the two combatants on Buckley's foredeck, involving, among other weapons, coffee mugs and shell casings. The U-66 drew astern of Buckley and sank at 0341 in 17°17′N 32°24′W, after hand grenades were dropped down its hatch. "
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  4. Mostly the Japanese.....
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  5. A more serious question is what you think Halsey's next assignment would have been if the Center Force HADN'T turned away....
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  6. It is interesting that the two biggest/cleanest victories of the US over the IJN happened when Halsey was away. (Midway. Turkey Shoot.)
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  7. As far as boarding, I know there was a sub and sub hunter action in WWII. Can not remember the details so will do a search.
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