"the Unknown Battle Of Midway"

BuzPezold · 24 September 2007, 07:22 AM

I am not sure if this come under this topic or under "Books and Magazines". My question is this. Has anyone read the book THE UNKNOWN BATTLE OF MIDWAY: The Destruction of the American Torpedo Squadrons by Alvin Kernan? If so I would like some of your thoughts about the book/author.

Buz

BuzPezold · 25 September 2007, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuzPezold

Has anyone read the book THE UNKNOWN BATTLE OF MIDWAY: The Destruction of the American Torpedo Squadrons by Alvin Kernan?

Buz

Anyone? Anyone?

Beuller?

Frey?

Anyone?

Buz

WarrenD · 25 September 2007, 09:21 AM

Buz,
I have not read it, but plan on getting Shattered Sword and reading that. I read Fuchida's biography this summer, a very interesting man.

Warren

BuzPezold · 25 September 2007, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarrenD

Buz,
I have not read it, but plan on getting Shattered Sword and reading that. I read Fuchida's biography this summer, a very interesting man.

Warren

Warren,

Thanks for responding. If you get the chance to readTHE UNKNOWN BATTLE OF MIDWAY let me know what you think. By the way it is a very quick read meaning you can probably finish it in 2 days if not sooner.

Buz

WarrenD · 25 September 2007, 01:02 PM

Buz, well I guess I oughta, HLJ has/had a sale on Valom Devastators and I stocked up.

I'm acquiring some B5N2 Kates now too.

Warren

PS: Have you been to J-aircraft.com Main Page by chance? You might like it! You also might find that some of the guys there have read it. Ask on the "everything else" message board there.

BuzPezold · 25 September 2007, 01:53 PM

Warren,

Thanks for the link.

Buz

Bushrod · 18 November 2007, 04:52 PM

I read "The Unknown Battle of Midway" and thought it was a very interesting book. I had just finished a bio of Mitscher(sp?) and had always thought highly of him. Well, he doesn't come off so well in TUBoM. Neither does his air commander(Stanhope.....?). It was interesting to read the OTHER side of the battle, not the Japanese side, but US mistakes and incompetence. I'd have to read more on the subject before I accept everything the author claimed, but as I said it was a different view than the idealized one I had grown up with. I recently read "15 Stars"(Eisenhower, MacArthur, Marshall) and found that very disillusioning. Marshall comes off well, but Ike and Mac take a lot of hits-politics, cushy accomodations, favors, etc. Just last week I was browsing a book on a P-38 FG in the Pacific-several things mentioned about McGuire made him sound like a jerk(conflict w/Bong,Lindberg). I would appreciate any info/opinions. And yes I did go OT and I sincerely apologize(but this stuff has been bugging me).

BuzPezold · 19 November 2007, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bushrod

I read "The Unknown Battle of Midway" and thought it was a very interesting book.
It was interesting to read the OTHER side of the battle, not the Japanese side, but US mistakes and incompetence. I'd have to read more on the subject before I accept everything the author claimed, but as I said it was a different view than the idealized one I had grown up with.

Bushrod,

I agree with you and that I also find the book interesting. However, I have my reservations about the author. I realize that he (the author) was an Aviation Ordnanceman in TORPEDO 6 onboard the USS ENTERPISE (CV-6) during the battle of Midway, but the books "promos" mislead the reader to think he was an aircrewman in the squadron and he was not. Also the author uses many annecdotes to convey his story that I find to be hearsay if not hyperbole. Thanks for responding.

Buz

Barrett · 19 November 2007, 07:34 AM

Alvin Kernan has written a couple of other books include a good memoir, Crossing the Line. He was the TBF gunner accused (incorrectly) of shooting down LCDR Butch O'Hare during an experimental night intercept in Nov 43. After the war he became an Ivy League literary prof.

He shows a "whitehat's" typical disregard for officers, which isn't always fair. However, his inglorious depiction of USS Hornet's hierarchy is largely correct. Mitscher needed adult supervision, even (especially) as commander of the fast carriers in 44-45, and the Midway debacle should have ended his career. In fact, he thought it had, but he was already selected for admiral.

"Knock-knock."

"Who'se there?'"

"Ring."

"Ring who?"

Ring Knockers (As in US Naval Academy graduation rings.) There's also the matter of Hornet's vastly incompetent air group commander, Stanhope Ring, one of Mitscher's Washington DC bureau buddies.

BuzPezold · 19 November 2007, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barrett

He shows a "whitehat's" typical disregard for officers, which isn't always fair. However, his inglorious depiction of USS Hornet's hierarchy is largely correct. Mitscher needed adult supervision, even (especially) as commander of the fast carriers in 44-45, and the Midway debacle should have ended his career. In fact, he thought it had, but he was already selected for admiral.

Barrett,

Yes, I read into that (not liking officers) as well. Mr. Kernan also seemed to have a disregard for George Gay too. The hearsay that I was talking about had to do with one of the HORNET's pilots (I can't remember who. I don't have the book with me at the moment.) Kernan talks of a pilot coming back from the mission. Jumping out of his plane and pulling out his service revolver while heading up to PRIMARY or OPS looking for Stanhope Ring. Now this may have happened, but his references in the book come from the MIDWAY blog or other second hand information. Still I did find his book interesting.

Buz