US Navy Fleet Problems - Carriers, Pearl Harbor and the End (XVII-XXII)

Today we take a look at the background and thinking behind the inter-war USN Fleet Problems, with summaries of Fleet Problems 17 through 22, the last of the fleet problems.

Sources:
To Train the Fleet For War: The U.S. Navy Fleet Problems, 1923–1940 - Albert A. Nofi

US National Archive Videos:
428-NPC-782
428-NPC-2952
428-NPC-3125
428-NPC-3485
428-NPC-3532
428-NPC-3534
428-NPC-7471
428-NPC-15549

00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:48 - Fleet Problem 17
00:13:17 - Fleet Problem 18
00:21:37 - Fleet Problem 19
00:32:27 - Fleet Problem 20
00:40:21 - Fleet Problem 21
00:45:12 - Fleet Problem 22

[TomFynn]

IJN Admiral: "But, Sir, the US had a fleet exercise for exactly that."
Yamamoto: "And that is precisely why they won't expect it."

[JonatasAdoM]

Watching fleet problems while having sleep problems. Rather fitting.

[therealuncleowen]

Ironically, they could have conducted the exercise with live Mark XIV torpedoes without adding too much danger to the exercise.

[riotintheair]

It becomes increasingly obvious as these precede that King was a genuinely talented admiral - he had a cunning grasp of opportunities when they presented themselves and he exploited them ruthlessly and efficiently.

[VintageCarHistory]

You're quite correct- heading up to the Aleutian islands in winter is no fun. We did that in a fleet exercise in January of '89 during a blizzard. An Adams Class destroyer in freezing high seas becomes a tumbling ice cube. Our guns, missiles and radars froze, requiring us to go topside and carefully chip off the ice. And I do mean carefully, especially on the radars. If in ice removal we accidentally dent a waveguide it would disable the radars and was not a fun thing to repair.

[ph]

IJN: interesting.
USN: Are you taking notes again?
IJN: No.
USN (pulls out spray bottle): Get out of here.
IJN: Hisss

[glauberglousger]

This is why it’s so hard to write accurate wars or history

The stuff that happens is sometimes too ridiculous/requires a specific set of circumstances to artificially create

[washingtonradio]

Interesting that the Fleet Problems were realistic enough to highlight operational issues that USN would face in WWII and give a some ideas about their solutions. Also, the air-mindedness of these problems also highlights that USN admirals were not some sort of battleship worshiping Luddites but the USN was thinking about how to effectively use air power at sea. Too many popular histories paint the USN pre war admirals as bungling Luddites when these exercises showed they were trying to figure out how to use air power correctly. Even if they didn't fully grasp every nuance they were actually trying some ideas that were implemented in WWII.

[TimelyAbyss]

I find it very informative that in most fleet problems the US navy made sure to slate full scale logistics practice into the schedule.

[Big_E_Soul_Fragment]

Ranger strikes out of nowhere, confusing the enemy fleet
Enterprise: Noted

[DavidVT]

34:12 In retrospect, inviting the Kamchatka to participate in the fleet exercise was considered a mistake.

[cavscout]

Every time I learn more actual-info about Admiral King, the more I think he was a GREAT admiral. The claims against him seem to usually fall apart when investigated...

But, kudos to the US for actually practicing this stuff. Seems an honest attempt to be ready for war. Even if you have or can have the most against the enemy... using them smartly and adapting as needed is an unstoppable force.

[Dynasty]

So during fleet problem nineteen, King managed to pull of a near identical attack on Pearl Harbor.

Did any of the sailors involved in fleet problem nineteen get a sense of deja vu during the attack on Pearl Harbor?

[josephpicogna]

Outstanding, as a career, USN officer, I had occasion to study these fleet problems and wish I had had this video program instead

[mpersad]

This has been a superb series of videos, I have learned a huge amount. Your research, and use of archive materials are consistently of the highest standard. Really outstanding, many thanks Drach!

[HEDGE]

19:32 The surprise sporting commentator announcement from Drach about King and Ranger with a steel chair both startled me and made me laugh out loud! Brilliant stuff!

[jasonlupo]

I'm really enjoying all of the footage of the ships and aircraft in motion at full speed; it brings them to life in a way that all the still photographs in the world can't. Thanks, Drach! :)

[tonyjanney]

"A messy night action". All the Guadalcanal naval surface fights summed up in a single phrase.

[BoschPianoMusic]

Surprisingly, I have found your fleet problem mini-series to be one of the most interesting videos on your channel. Great work Drach

[shotgun]

Hearing 'Ranger and Admiral King out of nowhere with a steel chair'... my mind began picturing Azur Lanes Ranger holding Admiral King who holding a steel chair while riding on one of Rangers planes... Not sure if that a funny image to picture but got a chuckle from me.