Dr. Symonds didn't talk that much about the other navies, but his presentation was a brilliant presentation on the importance of the naval aspect of the war. Always interesting to hear his presentations. He is spot on about Adm. King "getting the camel's nose under the tent". King and Britain's Harris are the two most unfairly criticized commanders of the War. I wish he would do a presentation on the other navies.
@lieshtmeiser5542 Yes. Brilliantly told. Just one of many examples of the importance of the Anglo-American alliance. He didn't mention the fact that the 'Ohio' was still afloat was because it was lased together between two British destroyers. Not only dud Pedestal occur at the same time time as Guadalcanal, but it was at the same tine that the Germans reached Stalingrad and was drawing significant Luftwaffe effort away from the Stalingrad campaign.
Incredible presentation. Thank you Dr. Symonds. One comment on Samuel Morison, as fine an author as he was he was not without personal flaws. His almost unforgivable treatment he gave in his writings to Admiral Frank Fletcher is evidence of one of these personality flaws. In short, Fletcher would not allot time for Morison’s requested interview between the period of time between the end of the Coral Sea operation and Fletcher’s taking command of the Midway operations in June 1942. It is said Morison took Fletcher refusal to an interview (do to time constraints) personally. It can be seen in Morison’s writings on the admiral and accomplishments or in Morison’s opinion, lack there of, in later post war publications.
Thank you. You provide a legible scale to the events. We recently returned from the Nimitz Museum of the Pacific Was in Fredericksburg TX. That is well worth the trip to visit.
Thank you Dr. Symonds. I've watched your Great Courses Pacific War Series twice; absolutely wonderful. If it were possible I would love to hear a conversation about how the pacific war might have been fought (now knowing the outcome). You allude to this in your Iwo Jima lecture. I am sure there are other examples.
A very interesting and enlightening talk. Thank you. However, the US wasn't alone in the Atlantic. Canada started pumping out ship also. Particularly ships to protect convoys.
The food ration statement may be referring to meat, certainly not to food in general, as 6 ounces of food a week would have quickly led to the starvation of the whole island. As far as I could find out, no one actually starved to death on Malta during the siege.
Great presentation. Thank you. Why aren’t historians more critical of King? And his premature invasion of Guadalcanal. And his Lst’s going to Tarawa, etc, instead of Normandy. What a jerk. How many lives could have been saved at Normandy with a few more tanks?
"......premature(?) invasion of Guadalcanal." As opposed to waiting until the under-construction airfield there was finished, fully manned and equipped?
To adapt an old saying, Mr. Symonds could captivate an audience by reading from the phone book. Kudos, sir!
Great ... I always learn from Craig Symonds! Noted another book to go buy. Thank you!
Dr. Symonds didn't talk that much about the other navies, but his presentation was a brilliant presentation on the importance of the naval aspect of the war. Always interesting to hear his presentations. He is spot on about Adm. King "getting the camel's nose under the tent". King and Britain's Harris are the two most unfairly criticized commanders of the War. I wish he would do a presentation on the other navies.
The heroic saving of Malta was a highlight of this video.
23:00
@lieshtmeiser5542 Yes. Brilliantly told. Just one of many examples of the importance of the Anglo-American alliance. He didn't mention the fact that the 'Ohio' was still afloat was because it was lased together between two British destroyers. Not only dud Pedestal occur at the same time time as Guadalcanal, but it was at the same tine that the Germans reached Stalingrad and was drawing significant Luftwaffe effort away from the Stalingrad campaign.
Incredible presentation. Thank you Dr. Symonds. One comment on Samuel Morison, as fine an author as he was he was not without personal flaws. His almost unforgivable treatment he gave in his writings to Admiral Frank Fletcher is evidence of one of these personality flaws. In short, Fletcher would not allot time for Morison’s requested interview between the period of time between the end of the Coral Sea operation and Fletcher’s taking command of the Midway operations in June 1942. It is said Morison took Fletcher refusal to an interview (do to time constraints) personally. It can be seen in Morison’s writings on the admiral and accomplishments or in Morison’s opinion, lack there of, in later post war publications.
@parrot849 Absolutely correct. Fletcher was also unfaulty treated by Adm. King.
Yes Morrison was an ass. Adm. Fletcher was treated badly because of this ass and never got his due for his war record.
Thank you.
You provide a legible scale to the events.
We recently returned from the Nimitz Museum of the Pacific Was in Fredericksburg TX. That is well worth the trip to visit.
I am a simple man: I see Craig Symonds, I press play.
Thank you Dr. Symonds. I've watched your Great Courses Pacific War Series twice; absolutely wonderful. If it were possible I would love to hear a conversation about how the pacific war might have been fought (now knowing the outcome). You allude to this in your Iwo Jima lecture. I am sure there are other examples.
incredible content. it truly was a war of numbers.
A very interesting and enlightening talk. Thank you. However, the US wasn't alone in the Atlantic. Canada started pumping out ship also. Particularly ships to protect convoys.
The food ration statement may be referring to meat, certainly not to food in general, as 6 ounces of food a week would have quickly led to the starvation of the whole island. As far as I could find out, no one actually starved to death on Malta during the siege.
Great presentation. Thank you. Why aren’t historians more critical of King? And his premature invasion of Guadalcanal. And his Lst’s going to Tarawa, etc, instead of Normandy. What a jerk. How many lives could have been saved at Normandy with a few more tanks?
"......premature(?) invasion of Guadalcanal." As opposed to waiting until the under-construction airfield there was finished, fully manned and equipped?