World Battlefronts: COMMAND: Still Going On

Before the Tenth Army (under General MacArthur's command) on the island of Okinawa (supposedly under Admiral Nimitz' command), Lieut. General James H. Doolittle of the Eighth Air Force (under General Spaatz's command) made a brash speech. He said the naming of a single, overall commander for ground, sea & air forces in the Pacific was essential for victory over Japan. The confused command situation surrounding Doolittle gave his remarks added point.

A few hours before Doolittle spoke, command of the U.S.-held islands in the Ryukyu chain, including Okinawa, had passed in part from Admiral Nimitz to General MacArthur. But no...

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