[Milsurplus] Common sense- Pappy's stories

[Hue Miller]

Hue Miller comments on:

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "James C Whartenby" <antqradio at juno.com>

> Subtitled: Book Report on "Baa Baa Black Sheep" by Gregory "Pappy"
> Boyington
> 
> Having just read Gregory "Pappy" Boyington's book less then a year ago, I
> reread the chapters concerning the radio communications with the
> Japanese.  In essence, it is more complicated then your "specifics"
> indicate.  For one, Boyington himself called it a "game", but he is
> referring to a game of wits.
> 
> The end of Chapter 16 describes the first instance.  Here the Japanese
> are trying to find the position of Boyington's flight of Black Sheep in
> order to ambush them.  The Japanese ground radio operator's use of
> English is too perfect, no use of slang, so Boyington is aware of the
> trap.  Boyington gives false information over the radio and is able to
> turn the tables on the enemy.  The Japanese lost 12 planes and Boyington
> lost none, in 30 seconds of combat.

We know from numerous accounts the Japanese did jam US combat 
communications (HF!), and sometimes even gave false target locations 
and firing information ( if i recall correctly. ) Numerous Japanese returning 
from the US or once having studied in the USA, were drafted into the IJA.
As for having turned the tables by clever radio games per this example, i'd
have to say for me, doubt overwhelms credence. At this stage of the war,
were the Japanese already suffering from loss of experienced pilots?
> 
> The next instance is in Chapter 18.  This is close to the thread.  The
> radio communication is still taking place between the US and Japanese
> forces, but the enemy fighters do not to take to the air.  This is the
> passage where Boyington taunts the Japanese pilots on the ground to come
> up and fight.  The Japanese response is: "Major Boyington, why don't you
> come down if you are so brave".  The Black Sheep are harassed by
> antiaircraft fire.

They had his name, i assume, from previously captured airmen? I haven't
read this book in years, but apparently when they finally shot down Pappy,
they were "expecting him" and saving a welcome for him.
> 
> The last indication of Japanese monitoring of US communication is at the
> end of Chapter 18.  Here the Black Sheep are communicating with each
> other, in flight, as if they are unescorted dive bombers.  The Japanese
> pilots take to the air to engage and are then ambushed by Boyington's
> Black Sheep.

Hmmm......could  either side really ever be expected to attack a bomber 
flight with no protective escort lurking somewhere nearby?
 
> Historically accurate?  Probably not, but I would think it is close to
> what really happened, even with the author's poetic license.  "Baa Baa
> Black Sheep" is a pretty good read, if anyone is interested.
> Regards,
> Jim

Thanks for the reminder on how these accounts actually went.
-Hue Miller