This is John Batchelor. Remembering Pearl Harbor on December 7, 2024. I speak with Craig Simons, a professor of meritist at the United States Naval Academy, taught history for 30 years at the Academy. Also, the Ernest J. King distinguished professor of maritime history

at the U.S. Naval War College for several years,

writing about Chester Nimitz,

who commanded the Pacific Fleet,

signed there by the President of the United States

and Ernest King right after Pearl Harbor,

and he put together a battle force

that was outgunned initially by the

Japanese Imperial Navy. And here, Craig Simons explains that Nimitz did not favor the Doolittle

raid, but he didn't get in the way of it. And the professor explains why.

More of this later tonight.

Thank you.

Well, he doesn't think it's necessary.

But Nimitz was very good at choosing the battles he thought he could win.

And by that, I don't mean fighting the Japanese.

I mean fighting those who gave him orders, who worked for him or who worked alongside him.

Pick the battles you're likely to win, and those you're not likely to win.

You just have to make the best of it.

And that's what the do little raid was for him.

Remember, Nimitz has only four carrier task forces.

And here's a proposal that's going to send two of them, 50% of his entire

offensive capability, off to conduct what amounts to a public relations stunt of dropping a few

...