Didn’t know our damage control was better? That has been written and reported extensively.
For an expert I would call him a dumbass.
Naw, that was ME writing, and I still unclear:
I knew that, but I didn’t realize just HOW far-reaching the effects of that turned out, on the reports of the returning IJN pilots.
And how strongly those incorrect reports ended-up warping IJN command decisions at Midway.
“We have lost 3 but our enemy has lost 2”
Versus:
“We have lost 3 and our enemy has lost NOTHING”
That sounds super different.
Of course, unfortunately Yorktown DID end up going down, but not until much later.
On damage control an important feature is the fuel lines were filled with carbon dioxide as soon as the attacking planes were seen.
Every Navy recruit got a couple of days of firefighting and damage control training in boot camp, regardless of their probable job assignment. On our ship we had refreshers each year; drills for non-DC specialists so they could function in those capacities in an emergency. I would assume that is still a Navy-wide standard.
Dumbass me never knew that. I’m glad for this information.