Edwin T. Layton (1) (1903–1984)

An interesting insiders account by a member of the United States Pacific Fleet staff both prior to the outbreak of the Pacific War and for the duration of the fighting. RADM Layton's writing is a fascinating insider account of the military intelligence operations and intrigues behind two of the most significant events in the first six months of the Pacific War, Pearl Harbor and Midway. As a loyal staff officer his defense of his commander, Admiral Kimmel is understandable. As the Pacific Fleet Intelligence Officer on December 7, 1941 you can not escape the idea that some of the passionate defense of Admiral Kimmel may also be in the interest of protecting his own military reputation, since the surprise attack certainly qualifies as an intelligence failure of significant proportion. Granted the collective wisdom of the defense establishment expected attacks almost anywhere in the Pacific except Hawaii and the US West Coast. Henry Clausens's Pearl Harbor Final Judgment presents a significantly less favorable light on both Admiral Kimmel and the entire command and staff operation/coordination/cooperation in the Hawaiian Department during the critical months preceding December 7, 1941.… (mere)