Quote:
Originally Posted by Rockin Robbins
Part of the problem with RSRD is that unless there is some kind of semi-official record of traffic, then it didn't exist. Early in the War, 1942 and most of 1943 that was a Japanese ocean and OF COURSE they didn't register their ship movements through US channels so we could make future games accurate. They didn't even bother to give Ubi headquarters a phone call!
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To make matters worse, not only did the Japanese not register with us. They often didn't register with themselves.
The authority to direct shipping was divided among stubbornly noncooperative Navy, Army and civilian agenices. Responsibilty for escorting and protecting shipping was even more dispersed among numerous naval districts with inadequate personnel and resources. Since there was no central authority early in the war to organize convoy traffic, most ships sailed singly and without escort to and from their destinations.
The ugly rivalry between the Japanese Army and Navy was such that Army began creating its own amphibious infantry units and running ships and submarines including submarine chasers, the Navy meanwhile would end up creating its own paratroop force.
The upshot was that when an Army transport decided to up anchor and leave port under Army orders, it often didn't bother to inform the Navy and vice versa.