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Platapus · 10-09-22, 10:02 AM

One of my favorite movies. Pretty good on accuracy but a lot of literary licenses in order to compress complex issues into a movie.

But there is one scene that I just don't understand.

About 1:50 into the movie. Lt Kaminski (You wanted confirmation, Captain, there's your confirmation). He is sitting at his desk during the attack. He is rapidly looking at paper work and signing it and placing it aside.

Now, as a policy minion, I fully appreciate the importance of paperwork, but what exactly is he supposed to be signing during an attack?!?!?

(bombs bursting in air)

"hmm, next month's toilet paper requisition? Approved"
"Seaman Snuffy's leave request? Approved"

What paper work is being signed during an attack???

Now, that's a dedicated staff officer!

Buddahaid · 10-09-22, 10:13 AM

Um, I hate paperwork, kill me now!

Skybird · 10-09-22, 10:22 AM

Orders to return fire. America is a bureaucracy.

Eichhörnchen · 10-09-22, 01:08 PM

Wasn't there a similar scenario in "The Longest Day", where a staff officer was skeptical about the reports by a coast-watcher (Hans Christian Blech) of an impending invasion? Blech was also the war-weary aide to Robert Shaw in My favourite war movie "The Battle of The Bulge" - who had a similar dim view of his seniors

Jimbuna · 10-09-22, 01:42 PM

Could have been penning a letter to his mum back home.

August · 10-10-22, 02:35 PM

Not sure of the characters exact job description but it could be any number of things. Probably not orders to return fire as that would not be the purview of a low level pencil pusher like a Lt. Commander, but rather more mundane things that keep the military machine rolling like casualty reports, supply receipts from the opening of stocks and the like.

All armies (and navies) run on paperwork and 1940's US was certainly no exception to that. It just comes with having a level of organization beyond that of a pitchfork and torch armed mob and it must be done by those whose job it is even when the bullets start flying or it all grinds to a halt.

It would not be that officers job to abandon his desk for a helmet and rifle unless Japanese forces were marching up the street and even on that dire situation he'd probably be tasked with destroying paperwork (and would probably have to sign for the destruction at some point too if he manages to survive).

Torvald Von Mansee · 10-13-22, 02:01 AM

August has the bestest answer

August · 10-13-22, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torvald Von Mansee

August has the bestest answer

Thanks!

But the REAL answer is that he was just doing the acting moves that some writer or director thought that character should be doing in that particular scene. I'm thinking something like:

"Cut cut cut! He needs to be doing something when Andersen opens the door. He can't just be sitting there looking out the window. Here, sit down and act like you are signing some papers!. Take 2 action!"

fred8615 · 10-14-22, 12:50 PM

10-09-22, 10:02 AM	#1
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 18,970 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	Tora Tora Tora One of my favorite movies. Pretty good on accuracy but a lot of literary licenses in order to compress complex issues into a movie. But there is one scene that I just don't understand. About 1:50 into the movie. Lt Kaminski (You wanted confirmation, Captain, there's your confirmation). He is sitting at his desk during the attack. He is rapidly looking at paper work and signing it and placing it aside. Now, as a policy minion, I fully appreciate the importance of paperwork, but what exactly is he supposed to be signing during an attack?!?!? (bombs bursting in air) "hmm, next month's toilet paper requisition? Approved" "Seaman Snuffy's leave request? Approved" What paper work is being signed during an attack??? Now, that's a dedicated staff officer! __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

10-09-22, 10:13 AM	#2
Buddahaid Shark above Space Chicken Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 8,561 Downloads: 160 Uploads: 0	Um, I hate paperwork, kill me now! __________________ "However vast the darkness, we must provide our own light." Stanley Kubrick "Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming." David Bowie

10-09-22, 10:22 AM	#3
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 40,534 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	Orders to return fire. America is a bureaucracy. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

10-09-22, 01:08 PM	#4
Eichhörnchen Starte das Auto Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: The Fens Posts: 15,755 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Wasn't there a similar scenario in "The Longest Day", where a staff officer was skeptical about the reports by a coast-watcher (Hans Christian Blech) of an impending invasion? Blech was also the war-weary aide to Robert Shaw in My favourite war movie "The Battle of The Bulge" - who had a similar dim view of his seniors __________________

10-09-22, 01:42 PM	#5
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 181,344 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Could have been penning a letter to his mum back home. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!! GWX3.0 Download Page - Donation/instant access to GWX (Help SubSim)

10-10-22, 02:35 PM	#6
August Wayfaring Stranger Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 22,680 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Not sure of the characters exact job description but it could be any number of things. Probably not orders to return fire as that would not be the purview of a low level pencil pusher like a Lt. Commander, but rather more mundane things that keep the military machine rolling like casualty reports, supply receipts from the opening of stocks and the like. All armies (and navies) run on paperwork and 1940's US was certainly no exception to that. It just comes with having a level of organization beyond that of a pitchfork and torch armed mob and it must be done by those whose job it is even when the bullets start flying or it all grinds to a halt. It would not be that officers job to abandon his desk for a helmet and rifle unless Japanese forces were marching up the street and even on that dire situation he'd probably be tasked with destroying paperwork (and would probably have to sign for the destruction at some point too if he manages to survive). __________________ Flanked by life and the funeral pyre. Putting on a show for you to see.

10-13-22, 02:01 AM	#7
Torvald Von Mansee Sea Lord Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: CA4528 Posts: 1,673 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	August has the bestest answer __________________ "You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you" - Leon Trotsky

10-14-22, 12:50 PM	#9
fred8615 Saint of the seas Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sorrento, Louisiana Posts: 1,305 Downloads: 265 Uploads: 127	__________________ Frederick J. Barnett Radio Stations & Music Captain's Desk Photos FJB Camera Pre Pearl Harbor Career Start Office links, Info Boxes, & 50 cal Crew Rank Fix Sub Class Info Real Subs SH4 Randomizer Sub Images Office Images Sub Pinups & Pics 24 Hour Clocks Office Posters Nav Map Make-Over Add-ons FJB Navigation Maps Office Window Chronographs Someone's got to take the responsibility if the job's going to get done! Do you think that's easy?! - Gregory Peck, The Guns of Navarone.