"How anyone can argue that 50 year old memories are more reliable than notes made on the day is incredible to me. I mean if I make a note of my actions on a particular day just two weeks ago I know for a fact that my memory will be less reliable than the notes. The same is true for events years ago, except that the memory will be far less reliable."
I cannot argue with that statement, I know myself that in order for me to remember certain details I have to take notes, or write it down somewhere. I can understand your logic, but for me, over the last 25 years there have been too many (I'll even qualify them as sober) discussions and note taking events with sub vets. I dont know why the author of a book is not a valid source. You didnt comment on Gene Fluckey's statement about how long it took. Why is that? Isnt it probable that he kept his own notes? Have you ever read The book Thunder Below? It is written like a patrol report in many places, or doesnt his word count?
I guess I dont care if you change your MOD or not, its a MOD to a game (arguably one of the finest IMHO). It just seems odd to me that the only valid source you claim is a transcripted patrol report from the internet and thats where the buck stops. For a game its ok I guess, but anything beyond that deserves a bit more IMHO. I know that no historian would ever consider the internet the bottom line in deciding facts. I actually met one of the guys from the history channel and he explained to me (with his degree in history in tow) what great pains he must take place in order to contradict an existing published "historical" fact. Quite impressive, yet he was upset because he stated how obviously "suspect'" the methods were someone used to establish certain facts and how much work he had to do to disprove it. So, for someone like me who has lived & been involved in WWII submarine history, people, technology and how it all works for 20+ years, I get into the details, because thats where the truth lies, in the details.
Frank
