[hchutch]

My beefs with Fletcher are more his incompetence during the Wake Relief Expedition and in pulling out prior to the battle of Savo Island. He did not make that many mistakes at Midway (although had he sent BOTH squadrons of SBDs out on June 4, as opposed to using one on a scouting mission early on), he might have been able to take Hiryu out in that first strike. His best move was turning things over to Spruance once yorktown was hit that first time.

Also, Halsey was not dumb, and I don't think he'd have been suckered in June of 1942. Leyte Gulf was not even all Halsey's fault. There were two chains of command, and there was a distinct lack of communications. Furthermore, the carriers were thought to be the greatest threat at the time.

[eeman]

I cannot make any intelligent comment about Wake Island or more specific comments about Leyte Gulf. Alas,Midway and the Battle for the Atlantic are the only things I know in detail. Regarding Fletcher at Midway, however, I was under the impression that he passed control to Spruance early in the AM, after the carriers were sighted but before any attack.

[oyez]

I think the Marines on 'Canal called him "Haul Ass" Fletcher.