Mastering the Art of Command: Admiral Chester W. Nimitz and Victory in the Pacific

[@HotRodMolina]

Aye, bring Trent back! He's brilliant, but you've only scratched the surface of WW2's best commander overall. Getting prepped for tomorrow's show.

[@WW2TV]

Trent will be back

[@georgecooksey8216]

Terrific presentation and discussion. Thanks Paul and Trent.

[@jgonzalez101]

Thank you Paul for having Trent on to discuss several aspects of the Leadership of the great Admiral Chester Nimitz as he lead in the Pacific Theater! He was truly brilliant, humble, decisive and had much foresight as to what actions needed to be implemented. Truly the right man, at the right time for the job he was called to do.

[@evinoshima9923]

Great video. Incredible how the Nimitz orchestra learned the lessons, organized, and brought the technology and industrial capacity of the US to bear so effectively so swiftly.

[@woppysue]

My father was on the Independence Class CVL 24 USS Belleau Wood with Rear Admiral Pride on board. They served in Task Force 58 under Admiral Bull Halsey. I was blessed to grow up hearing my father's WWII navy stories. He was in 13 major battles in 18 months. They were awarded a Presidential Unit Citation. I have two male doberman Pinscher. One is named Admiral Nimitz and the other is named Admiral Bull Halsey. My previous doberman was named Admiral Pride. Thank you for the podcast

[@Ccccccccccsssssssssss]

Thank you for the video, and thanks for getting such a well-spoken and knowledgeable guest.

[@davidk7324]

Wonderful show today, I do hope Trent can be enticed back for another discussion. I learned a lot and suspect we would all benefit from hearing more of his work and expertise.

[@morganhale3434]

This is excellent! Up to this time all I have ever read or watched about the early carrier raids before the Battle of the Coral Sea emphasized the training in real war situations and the effect on morale, which is always important, but this if the first time I have heard about the effect on the Japanese High Command. I believe Nimitz agreed with Churchill that going onto the front foot is the best way to temper the actions of the enemy. Brilliant show!

[@Idahoguy10157]

I nominate Nimitz was the premier allied military leader of WW2. His theater was the entire Pacific Ocean basin.

[@sonofhawaii4227]

Thank you so much for such an interesting presentation. I’m glad that there are people out there who are doing this kind of research on one of the most important pieces of WWII. The highway just outside the joint bases Pearl Harbor/Hickam is named after Admiral Nimitz and rightfully so. Another thing that many people don’t know about Admiral Nimitz is how he and his staff worked to ease the tension between the US Military and the local Native Hawaiian population. Before then, it was a very strained relationship

[@jefsantamonica641]

I just got some time to watch this - unbelievably comprehensive, detailed, capturing the man, the officer - just a tremendous job on Nimitz. Thank you so much. I am very grateful to learn about how the Pacific war was handled. What a well done book Mr. Trent Hone. I really did hang on to just about every word.

[@gmdyt1]

Superb talk. Thank you.

[@therealuncleowen2588]

Regarding Midway, the battle is a great example of the saying that luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. The codebreakers provided Nimitz with the intelligence he needed, but then it was due to his planning that everything the Navy had available was in the battle area when the Japanese arrived. This includes the Yorktown, patched up as she was to provide a crucial third flight deck and airgroup, also the aircraft on Midway, and the submarines. As events transpired, every one those assets was necessary to win the battle. Once the battle began, individual acts of determination, bravery, situational awareness, and skill won the day. There was some good fortune to be sure, but that was only possible because of the things I just mentioned.

[@gregbailey1753]

I dont think Yorktown can be overemphasized. Hornets' air group aside from the massacred Torpedo-8 was useless. Enterprise took out Kaga and Akagi but without Yorktown Soryu survives the 1st strike and Hiryu and Soryu go after Enterprise and Hornet with most of Hornets fighters ditching and not able to return and serve CAP to defend Hornet and Enterprise. At best we would need another lucky break to not lose 1 or both of them. Yorktown and its superb damage control trained crew absorbed all the Japanese retaliation and made it a 2 to 1 battle in US favor even after she was not able to sustain ops.

[@therealuncleowen2588]

@@gregbailey1753 I agree 100%. Yorktown was crucial to winning the battle. The fact that she was drydocked and patched up into a serviceable condition in just 72 hours makes her contribution all the more inspiring. When I think of American can do spirit, I think of our men getting Yorktown ready for Midway. Then yes, the way Yorktown absorbed both Japanese air strikes and would still have been towed home had that Japanese submarine not torpedoed her. Amongst many epic performances at Midway, the MVP award has to go to the crew of Yorktown.

[@1089maul]

Paul/Trent, Thanks for such an informative and interesting presentation. Really enjoyed it! Bob

[@marks_sparks1]

17:40 amazing leadership & morale boosting there by Nimitz. I'm sure he was under pressure from FDR & King down to hit back asap. It would've been easy to dismiss that staff as normal but he built them backup in 2 seconds with that speech. I'm always amazed at how new managers in civil employment just seem to make it almost routine to demotivate existing staff (by excluding their expertise when making desicions on a given area, or look for a scapegoat etc). Managers manage and a leader leads. A big difference.

[@philbosworth3789]

A very good presentation by Trent that helped explain something about Nimitz.

[@lewistrott417]

As usual, a great presentation. Trent is very clear and concise and I have yet another book now on my list to read. This was very informative and enjoyable, thanks again for a fine effort.

[@davidlavigne207]

This was a brilliant show, which revealed much about Admiral Nimitz's command style and approach to problems. I found this quote online which I think reveals much of why he was successful: "He was significantly influenced by his German-born paternal grandfather, Charles Henry Nimitz, a former seaman in the German Merchant Marine, who taught him, "the sea - like life itself - is a stern taskmaster. The best way to get along with either is to learn all you can, then do your best and don't worry - especially about things over which you have no control." This is where he was at his best. He did his utmost to provide all the leadership, concentration of forces, logistics, and good estimation of the enemy's enemy plans to his subordinate commanders (Like Admiral Nelson did during his day). He then got out of the way and let the operations unfold, always ready to adapt the plan as needed. PS: Don't worry Woody, I like you even if Ernest J. King may not have. Not all Americans are Anglophobes.

[@Anderle52134]

Excellent!!!

[@stevemolina8801]

Shall Trent come back, Hell Yes! I am sure he has a treasure chest full of information we are interested in. Thanks for this great presentation!

[@thcdreams654]

Great content. Love the enthusiasm for the subject matter.

[@WW2TV]

Much appreciated!

[@scottkrater2131]

I've been in Admiral Nimitz's home town. Driving through as a truck driver. Seemed strange seeing a museum for a naval officer so far away from the ocean. I was surprised.

[@johnschuh8616]

Go back and tour the Museum. A dirst rate Museum in the middle of nowhere.

[@jammininthepast]

Well prepared, expertly presented and compelling. I learned much, thank you.

[@davidhorowitz33]

Brilliant!

[@timborchers6303]

Great presentation. Wonderful to see a discussion on what I like to call “the great acceleration” where the Navy timetable from late 1943 suddenly moves forward as the power of the fast carriers is deployed and carries the fleet forward.

[@stephenbrooks4713]

An absolute masterclass tonight on US naval operations in the Pacific and Chester Nimitz. I was looking forward to this show and was not disappointed- superb. Thanks Paul and Trent

[@WW2TV]

You are welcome

[@P_E_P_1966]

58:03 - Waow 👍 Great show as usual

[@dave3156]

Disappointed that I missed this one live. Great presentation by Trent--the visuals were outstanding, especially the list of operations contemplated and those postponed. Please do have Trent back on--would like to hear about other important figures in the Pacific Navy campaign--Halsey, Fletcher for example. Nimitiz is one of my favorite commanders of the war. Great show. Thanks again Paul--only the best from this channel!

[@boofather]

Excellent very insightful and impressed

[@ebolalegion]

Hopefully someday you could get one of these biographical episodes for Admiral Marc Mitscher, the Fast Carrier Task Force Commander through the Central Pacific to Okinawa. Cheers

[@WW2TV]

If an expert on Mitscher comes along - sure

[@robertdendooven7258]

@@WW2TV That would definitely be a lively show about his record at Midway and how he got a second chance.

[@morganhale3434]

Nimitz like Churchill believed in the classic American football dictum in that your opponent should be more worried about what you are doing than you are of them.

[@Chiller01]

Very informative presentation. To me it clarifies the idea that Nimitz’ greatest achievement was strategic not tactical. He was tactically brilliant at Midway but he had the greater talent to marshal his resources and his disparate personnel to achieve the wider strategic goals of the Pacific Theatre. The Eisenhower of the Pacific in many ways.

[@dukeford]

Nimitz did very little from a strategic standpoint that wasn't originated by King and his staff.

[@johnschuh8616]

Better than Eisenhower.

[@jimwatts914]

Comprehensive look at the leadership qualities of the great Texas hero Chester Nimitz and how the system he developed whipped the Japanese navy. Hone knows his stuff. Don’t miss it.

[@morganhale3434]

The main advantage that Nimitz was seeking in taking isolated islands or chains was not for offensive air action. Much has been written about the uselessness of the Peleliu campaign, but what Nimitz was seeking was air reconnaissance assets on those islands. It was both USN and IJN doctrine that the main reconnaissance used by the fleet would be flying boats and long-range bombers operating from land bases.

[@scottkrater2131]

I've noticed that. Critics of the Iowa class BB in the late war years as being a waste of resources. But nobody mentions they were already laid down before the Carriers were determined to be the war winning ships they became.

[@fredmauren5301]

Great discussion. Like getting a gratis war college education.

[@jimball2041]

Great Video! I listened to several times. My question is, "How did ADM Nimitz get selected for CINCPAC, when he was not on the list of 40 Officers to replace ADM Kimmel?

[@dukeford8893]

FDR and Frank Knox selected Nimitz. They actually wanted him to replace Richardson the year before, but Nimitz declined, stating that he was too junior.

[@alanbattenburg3578]

I wish that he speaker had talked about the Leader of JCPOA was also an Army officer. Notice that in the first picture of the Pacific Fleet that there are no Marine Officers. Later in the war a Marine would be the Bombardment Officer.

[@WW2TV]

Its so annoying when people comment negatively about what wasn't said, without sayong something positive about what was said. There's only so much that we can cover in a single show

[@terryhale9006]

The possible concern that the British might not contribute enthusiastically to the Pacific fighting after Germany was defeated deserves further treatments. The time frame did not allow much time to participate before the Japanese capitulated. Does the record show that the Royal Navy was being quickly re-deployed to take part in the war against Japan?

[@89128]

Nimitz was in tune with his command down to the lowest ranking sailor. He knew what pressure could do. He once said, "Give every dog, two bites." Meaning he would not relieve a commander for a mistake, hoping he would learn from it. He also remembered his own young naval career. When asked about very young officers, he said, "Ensigns are the epidemy of "Monkey see, monkey do." Having been involved in a couple himself.

[@robertoneill2502]

As to your question, Woody - yes please have Trent on again

[@niesenjohn]

I hate the idea that Midway is considered THEturning point. Its when the Americans start to turn the boat, but the boom doesn't come across the boat and the tack isn't completed until Guadalcanal. August-November of 1942 is the moment the sails are luffing in the wind (to continue the sailing metaphor) with the Americans controlling the seas during the day and the Japanese controlling them at night. By February of 1943, the Japanese have pulled completely off the island and the Americans are continuously upgrading while the Japanese are now slowly shrinking away. As Churchill said, "Wars are not won by evacuation," well in the case of Midway, "Wars are not won by defending lonely island outposts."

[@GlobalDrifter1000]

Thinking fast, thinking, slow was written by a sociologists. And he won the prize in economics.

[@johnfranklin8319]

I as American, always like the Queen, I think she handled herself and her duties with dignity. 👍

[@Rusty_Gold85]

One thing about the Pacific is for me lack of info on other Australian ( after Darwin , Coral Sea New Guinea) , British , Dutch new Zealanders contributions

[@WW2TV]

Well we try and cover ANZAC forces here on WW2TV

[@Idahoguy10157]

Nimitz’ in with MacArthur was Admiral Halsey. Unlike nearly everyone else Halsey and MacArthur got on well

[@ppumpkin3282]

Nimitz's best move was turning down the appointment to command of Pearl Harbor before it was bombed on December 7, 1941.

[@johnschuh8616]

He really had great insight into people, including his fellow flag officers. Jealousy is not something one wants to have to contend with. Eisenhower’s rivalry with Devers was a bad thing. Since I first heard of Devers, and began to look at the consequences of that rivalry, It has lowered my estimate of Ike considerably. The Allies practically walked ashore in Southern France and because of that those ports were a big factor ongoing at a time when Antwerp was still bottled up. But The two generals were too estranged to co-operate well. Part of that may be that neither general knew how to plan an advance after the Germans abruptly retreated from Germany. It did not help that Ike had no combat and even only a short command experience.

[@johnjay3808]

If Nimitz didn’t make the top 40 list of commanders, how did get command of the Pacific fleet?

[@johnfleet235]

Nimitz was appointed CINCPAC by President Roosevelt. It is said that FDR ordered Nimitz out to Pearl Harbor and Nimtz was "to stay there till the war is won." That list came out in February 1942. FDR must not have thought much of Nimitz not being on the list since FDR appointed him Commander of the entire central Pacific Theater with authority over all army, navy and marine personnel on March 30, 1942. If I recall correctly some top US Navy WW2 commanders were not on that list.

[@billenright2788]

RIP Queen Eliz. Quite the lady. A lot of us Americans thought she was one classy gal. She'll be missed on both sides of the pond.

[@henrikelanschuetzer4261]

Do You generally admire COLD BLOODED SNAKES??

[@Daddyclive]

Nimitz died never knowing that it was intelligence supplied by the UK from Bletchley Park that gave him the advantage over Japan. Britain had broken the Japanese naval code before America joined WW2, as the American cipher team discovered when they joined Bletchley.

[@robertdendooven7258]

I am disappointed that I could not have watched this livestream from the beginning. Two questions I would have had about Nimitz is whether he was really behind the Doolittle Raid due to it using up two of his four aircraft carriers when he could have used at least one, if not both, at the Battle of the Coral Sea. Second is why Nimitz did not aggressively get the USS Saratoga out to Hawaii in time for the Midway battle when he did not know how badly Yorktown was damaged and thus its availability for Midway?

[@nightstalkersnightstalkes2558]

From everything i have read or heard Saratoga wasn't going to have a fully repaired ship and an airgroup in time for the battle. They knew the battle would happen on June 4 and Saratoga wouldn't be ready. Yorktown was viable as a CV but was not going to be fully fixed but it could stand in as it did at Midway. The Doolittle Raid was a presidential mission so Nimitz had no choice. The second CV was always going to be in that raid to provide CAP for the task force whether Coral Sea happened or not.

[@robertdendooven7258]

@@nightstalkersnightstalkes2558 I know the Doolittle Raid was given to Nimitz. I wanted to know if Mr. Hone had any insight into what Nimitz really thought about it. The Saratoga arrived in San Diego on May 25 after repair in Puget Sound Navy Yard. If she would have reprovisioned overnight and leave the next day, she could have been in Pearl late on May 30. Leaving the next day, she could have been at Point Luck or further west on June 3. It would have been close I will admit. I wonder if she could have been faster from Seattle to San Diego? It depends on what day Nimitz was absolutely determined that the Japanese were attacking Midway.

[@nightstalkersnightstalkes2558]

@@robertdendooven7258 My memory was that Saratoga wasn't going to have her air group ready in time for her to sail to be there on time. It was going to be close as she did provide some aircraft for the Hornet and Enterprise after the battle was ending. As History kind of shows Hornet herself did fairly little damage at Midway especially with the flight to nowhere. Had Hornet's Dive Bombers been able to find the fleet it's possible that the US doesn't even lose Yorktown in the battle. The fourth CV helps out at Midway but it depends on how it is handled command wise. Mitscher was a dud at Midway, who know how Saratoga does.

[@robertdendooven7258]

@@nightstalkersnightstalkes2558 On sailing from San Diego, she carried 14 fighters of the VF-2 detachment she had when going to Puget from Pearl in February. Also, she had 23 SBDs of VS-3. At Pearl Harbor she could have embarked the 38 fighters of VF-5 and VF-72 along with up to 20 TBFs of the VT-8 detachment that arrived at Pearl on May 29 along with the other two fighter squadrons. It would have been a fighter heavy composite air group.

[@nightstalkersnightstalkes2558]

@@robertdendooven7258 It's possible she could have been there. However the Lexington class if i remember right could only operate like 60 planes instead of the 80 by the Yorktowns due to being designed as a battlecruiser instead of a CV from scratch. Maybe he wanted a reserve force in case the Japanese didn't show up where they were suppossed too? Some of the books say Nimitz if the battle went badly:ie Yorktown gettting destroyed but not having the US not hitting any of the Japanese CV's at all would have pulled back the other Hornet and Enterprise. He was willing to fight on his terms but felt that the Marines on Midway could hold the island in any case. And the Japanese didn't bring near enough soldiers to beat 3k marines dug in like they were. In a sense the US was going to have a spotting advantage due to the seaplanes at Midway. Most of the early carrier battles where won by who got the first blow in. The Japanese actually were better at getting a strike off faster than the US Navy was so if they discovered each other at the same time the Japanese got the first blow in. But Midway that couldn't really happen as the seaplanes had long range and the strike against Midway kind of isolated where the Japanese CV's could go. What i never figured out was why didn't the Japanese just take all the other crap they did and build one big task force and then attack Midway with the smaller CV's and hold the big 4 cv's for killing the American Fleet. Midway was a lure in the battle plan but the Japanese operated like it was the main objective. And going to Alaska was just didn't make any sense at all.

[@stevenrickett4333]

It seems ironic that King is questioning if Nimitz is in the right job. Better to ask is King?

[@dukeford8893]

FDR was not about to replace history's most powerful and accomplished naval officer. Who would not have sent Nimitz to the Pacific, btw (King probably would have sent Ingersol).

[@MisterBlisters]

The navy dresses like a bunch a dorks . Especially the hats. Dork Mode activated

[@WW2TV]

Dork comment

[@ivtones]

Jesus Loves You

[@WW2TV]

I don't care