Essex Carriers, Hellcat Did Great, Adm Pownall a Disaster

http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/essex-class-carriers-f6f-hellcats-and-rear-adm-charles-pownall/

Bad Admiral, great carriers and start for Hellcat

In an after-action report, Nimitz’s air chief, Vice Adm. John Towers, wrote that Pownall was “overcautious in plans and operations. He worries intensely before and during operations. Lack of aggressiveness resented by subordinates.” Pownall was relieved and given a senior administrative post. Though he never again served in combat (retiring a vice admiral in 1949), Pownall made one important contribution to air operations: the recommendation that submarines be stationed off target islands to rescue downed fliers.

Though he never again served in combat (retiring a vice admiral in 1949), Pownall made one important contribution to air operations: the recommendation that submarines be stationed off target islands to rescue downed fliers.

The Essex-class carriers would be the most numerous class of capital ships built during the war, forming the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s combat strength in the war. The Hellcat would become one of the most successful fighters ever, destroying 5,223 enemy aircraft. Its 19:1 kill ratio (13:1 against the Zero) was the best of all piston-engined fighters.