Quote:
Originally Posted by Sniper297
Sam Dealey (USS HARDER SS-257) said something to the effect "why would I want the deck gun aft? Am I supposed to be running away from somebody?"  OTOH his attitude might not have been the best, since HARDER was lost with all hands in 1944. Got a lot of gongs though, nobody ever told him to "be more aggressive" since he deliberately sought out destroyers as targets.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_David_Dealey |
It's a shame that Admiral Christy actually encouraged such foolhardy tactics as hunting destroyers. It's one thing to be in a forced battle with one and pop off a few down the throat shots. But those are low percentage bets to be made in desparate times, not frivolous adventures to be sought by one more concerned with personal glory than ending the war.
Dealey's logs taught Fluckey a lot, both good and things not to do. Christy should have been canned right after the captured American minelayer killed Harder and her crew.