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Current USN "professional historians" at the NHHC very much emphasize warfighting, along with the significance of logistics and the unchanging nature of geography. I point you to our recent study of ADM Turner's preparations when he was in charge of War Plans in '40-41 and the conduct of logistics during the Guadalcanal campaign, including the supply line/airfield race in SoPac in the Spring of 1942. See the link to this pamphlet which I helped write after an ask by RDML Williams.

https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/publications/publications-by-subject/richmond-kelly-turner.html

To be fair, I do not disagree with you at all regarding the focus of historians at academic institutions, and even some at the war colleges and academies. A sad state of affairs. Director Cox is not of their ilk.

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To emphasize your point, would a mash-up of "Wang Yi's Pacific Island Tour" map with the above "Central Pacific 'rings of approach' map put the 'second island chain' strategy in equally sharp relief?

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Aug 8, 2022Liked by CDR Salamander

Great map. And thanks, Tim, for the downloadable pub. Very interesting!

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