Raymond Ames Spruance

[Barrett]

Steve is right of course, and apparently the reason remains unknown why Nimitz and Halsey signed on to Mac's convoluted comm plan. But Halsey never did accept ownership of his Leyte blunder. In his memoir he scuttled a life-long friendship by saying, "I wondered how kinkaid could let Ziggy Sprague get caught like this." A friend of mine who commanded one of the air groups at Leyte was a Navy Jr. whose father had known Halsey. The Bull still insisted he'd done the right thing up to his death.

[kgbudge]

I'll buy that Halsey deserved a fifth star for Guadalcanal. It was the decisive campaign of the war, and the man in charge when it turned around deserves a lot of honors for it.

Still a shame Spruance didn't get his fifth star.

[Delta Tank]

Halsey earned his star because of the job he did at Guadalcanal. While he did screw up at Leyte, the blame was equally Nimitz and Macarthur's. Nimitz for allowing Halsey the freedom to go after the carriers and MAc for refusing Halsey and Ohlendorf to directly communicate.

Are you sure about this?? I found a source that stated that this in fact was not true, the Navy guys could in fact talk to each other, in fact it all the call signs and frequencies for both naval units was published in the order. I posted it here somewhere on this forum, but I do have search issues, namely it seems like I can never find what I am looking for! But, I will look and post thread.

Mike

[Delta Tank]

I found the correct thread!

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=161508&hilit=halsey+halsey+communications&start=30

And below is the communications plan.

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/rep ... -44-N.html

Go to:

APPENDIX - IV
To
ANNEX "N" TO COMMANDER CENTRAL PHILIPPINES
ATTACK FORCE
OPERATION PLAN NO. 1-44
VOICE AND CW CALL SECTION
INDEX

More from the above thread:
Re: Attack On Clark Field and MacArthur

Post by Delta Tank on Fri Jun 25, 2010 7:32 pm
I have read a little more of that order cited above. It is clear beyond doubt that MacArthur did not forbid his subordinates from coordinating with the 3d Fleet (Halsey) in fact he ordered them to coordinate with the 3d Fleet!

(5) For coordination of land-based and naval aircraft in support of the operation, see Standing Operating Procedure Instructions Number 16/1, this headquarters dated 10 August 1944.
(6) To coordinate the attack of Third Fleet carrier aircraft, the Commander Allied Naval Forces, in concert with the Commander Allied Air Forces and Commanding General Sixth US Army, will furnish the Commander Third Fleet at the earliest practicable date the following
(a) Schedule and tracks of echelons.
(b) Target maps of air and surface bombardment.
(c) Communication plans.
(d) Naval gunfire plans.
(e) Other plans and data necessary for the support of the operation by the fast carrier forces.
(7) Areas of responsibility for naval and air operations of the Third Fleet and Southwest Pacific Forces will be designated later.
(8) Instructions for long range reconnaissance, and bombing and attack restrictions will be issued in subsequent Operations Instructions.
(Emphasis added)
Mike

Mike

[Delta Tank]

Found another post in that thread that is pertinent:

Since I grew up in an environment that believed that "no horse is to dead to kick", I found this interesting tidbit on the site Center for Military History. It is the operations order that MacArthur's command issued for the invasion of the Philippines. You will notice several places that told the naval commander to coordinate with the 3d Fleet Commander. It also directs the Air Force Commander and the Army Commander to coordinate with the 3d Fleet, if I read it correctly. Gotta go!

http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/ ... h07.htm#b1

You can read a portion of it here:
d. The Commander Allied Naval Forces, while continuing present missions, will:

(1) Transport and establish landing forces ashore in Leyte Gulf-Surigao Strait areas as arranged with the Commanding General Sixth US Army.

(2) Support the operation by:

(a) Providing air protection for convoys and naval task forces and direct air support for the landing and subsequent operations, supplemented as arranged with the Commander Third Fleet and the Commander Allied Air Forces.

(b) Arranging direct air support and cover with carrier aircraft for minesweeping and preliminary landings in the Leyte Gulf area during the period A-2 to the time escort carriers

[187]


assume the mission of direct support on A Day.

Emphasis added.

Mike

[Delta Tank]

Deleted post!

Mike

[Delta Tank]

Halsey earned his star because of the job he did at Guadalcanal. While he did screw up at Leyte, the blame was equally Nimitz and Macarthur's. Nimitz for allowing Halsey the freedom to go after the carriers and MAc for refusing Halsey and Ohlendorf to directly communicate.

Since no one has responded to my post on Wednesday, can we mark this as another myth, which there are many that have made it into "history" books, of World War II?

When something sounds incredibly stupid, maybe it is a lie!

Mike

[Barrett]

I've been traveling and was unable to log on go figger.

Ref. the case for Guadal accounting for Halsey's fifth star: He got his fourth star in Nov 42 near the end of the campaign, and was made FADM three years later. Clearly he benefited from the "me too" aspects of the five-star shower, and I remain convinced it was entirely political. But whatever his significant failings, he was by far the best-known American admiral, and the public would've been curious/irate had he been passed over.

IMO The Bull peaked in the Solomons, during/after Guadal. Thereafter he was increasingly out of his depth, both professionally and temperamentally. His hour-long rant at Leyte Gulf, while the CVEs were getting hosed, says it all.

[Delta Tank]

Blaming MacArthur fascinates me so I have been doing some investigating and came up with this:

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=191079

It is a work in progress, so please comment with sources if you believe I am wrong.

Mike