WILLIAM FREDERICK HEALTH

Admiral Health was one of the few naval new era in which the superiority of aircraft over the battleship, it became apparent even before the Second World War.

William Frederick was born on December 30, 1882 in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1904, originally held various positions on the destroyer during the First World War, commanded the escort ships. In 1934, already 52-year-old, a sailor was a pilot and later commanded the aircraft carrier "Saratoga" and the station of the Marine Aviation in Pensacola. Since 1938, Health was a division commander of aircraft carriers, with the rank of Rear Admiral in 1940 became vice-admiral.

After Pearl Harbor Health, commanding joining the aircraft carrier "Enterprise", provided the movement of troops on the island of Samoa. He then commanded two aircraft carrier compounds in the raid on the Gilbert and Marshall Islands. Vice Admiral sent cruisers and destroyers for the shelling of the islands Vauthier and Taro, please feel free to leave to escort the aircraft carrier only 3 destroyers. February 1, aviation attacked Roy atoll, Kwajalein, taro, and Vauthier, damaging the surface installations, including airfields. Aircraft were destroyed, damaged or sunk several ships and boats. This raid allowed mariners to acquire military experience and self-confidence.

The attack Wake Atoll Health, as before, sent to the firing, two cruisers and two destroyers Rear Admiral Spryuensa. The shelling from the sea began before the advent of aviation. Shells and bombs were launched from the airfield building, ignited the fuel depots, destroyed several aircraft. On the way back flagship attacked Marcus Island on 4 March in the 1200 miles from Tokyo. The aircraft carried out an attack in the moonlight before dawn. At this time, Health has not used the firing of two cruisers before with him, so as not to risk nothing. Health led the aircraft carrier connection, with which 18 Apr 16 Colonel Dulitla bombers raided Tokyo. Plaque was unexpected for the Japanese. They decided that the aircraft arrived from Midway Atoll, which led to the decision to seize the island. However, in the battle at Midway flag was not involved. Because of skin irritation caused to the nervous soil, Health in the United States sent for treatment. October 3, 1942 he succeeded Admiral Gormley as a commander of the South Pacific theater.

At that time, was a struggle for the island of Guadalcanal. October marked the battle of the Santa Cruz, which fought the Japanese and American aircraft carriers connection. American, consisting of aircraft carriers Enterprise and Hornet with the escort, commanded Kinkeyd. The morning of October 25, U. S. planes damaged aircraft carriers "Dzuyho and Sekaku. Retaliation the Japanese have disabled the "Hornet", which the evening was dobit American destroyers. Damaged "Enterprise" was able to take all the survivors of two British aircraft carriers. After the battle the Japanese connection went to the North American - to the south. The Japanese are not supported on the ground were unable to defeat the Americans, who went to the counter at Guadalcanal.

Photo — «William Frederick Health»

At night the fighting ships in November 1942, both sides suffered heavy losses. However, the advantage in aircraft carriers aviatsii1 allowed Americans to impede the delivery of Japanese reinforcements to Guadalcanal. In February 1943, Japanese troops had to be evacuated.

Health understands that Japan is better prepared for night fighting, despite the American advantage in radar technology. He, along with Vice-Admiral Kinkeydom wrote a pamphlet on the tactics of night fighting, which took into account recent advances in the delivery of reinforcements to halt the enemy. Clearly, his efforts yielded results: in the battle of Vella Gulf on Aug. 6, 1943 6 squadron minonostsev according to the radar fired 24 torpedoes and sunk 3 of 4 Japanese destroyers before they noticed the attack.

To avoid unnecessary resistance flagship proposed instead jump through a step-by-step strategy for large groups opponent. At his suggestion, went around the island garrison Kolombangara, and troops used to assault Russell Islands, two island groups Trobrian then Bougainville.

Admiral intended to build on the Russell Islands airfields, but they are included in the zone, which is the responsibility of General MacArthur. Health has the permission of the Committee of Chiefs of Staff to move the border zone of its responsibility to the west. February 21, the Americans occupied the island, and by the end of May, the airfield was ready. The Japanese are also constructing airports. During this period, numerous air exhausted fighting the Japanese air force. The Japanese, after heavy fighting, many stoivshih U. S. Navy, left the central part of the Solomon Islands.

In early November 1943 the aim of Health became the Bougainville with the Airport Authority, are required to acquire the port of Rabaul on New Britain. November 1, before disembarking in the Gulf of Empress Augusta surface ships fired on targets at the bank of the island, and then covered the area from the boarding attack Japanese cruisers. Initially, the boarding supported basic aviation. Aircraft carrier "Saratoga" and "Princeton" with their cover of Health reserve in the event of the emergence of enemy ships, but eventually put them in the attack. With the support of aviation forces by the evening of November 2, firmly anchored on the springboard.

When news came of the arrival of a new Japanese Rabaul connections Health has ordered all forces to attack the port, the main purpose of electing warships. In the first raid on Rabaul on 5 November with 2 aircraft carriers, 6 cruisers were damaged and 2 destroyers, destroyed dozens of aircraft. Health is congratulated personnel successfully. After flying all the cruiser went to Truk, many needed repairs in Japan. The Japanese had to abandon the action surface forces in the landing area. The second time on November 11 planes of 2 operational connections and shore command atakovyvali with a break in time so as not to disturb the government. Despite the unfavorable weather, a few destroyers were damaged or sunk. Attempting to counter the Japanese air base ended in failure. By the end of November, Japanese air base was obessilena.

In December 1943 - January 1944, the aircraft carriers has been repeatedly hit on the Japanese bases, and landing forces captured the islands of Green Health and Emirau, leaving Rabaul and Kavieng in the rear.

Photo — «William Frederick Health»

Now the forces of the South Pacific closed the forces of General MacArthur in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.

In June 1944, Health was the commander of the 3 rd Fleet, which consisted of high-speed aircraft carriers and battleship with numerous cruisers and destroyers. Started a campaign in the Philippines. Impact forces were reduced in 38-s rapid connection of Vice-Admiral Mitshera divided into 4 teams. To support the landing forces MacArthur had the 7 th Fleet, Vice Admiral Kinkeyda of escort aircraft carriers, battleships and oldest amphibious forces.

From 9 to 12 September, 3 of the 4 groups of compounds of high-speed operational aircraft carriers attacked the Philippines and try to oppose completely destroyed Japanese aircraft. September 13, 1944 Health offered to give up boarding on the island of Palau, to bypass the island of Yap, a liberated use of force for the landing to the island of Leyte. After agreeing with the MacArthur Foundation decided not prepared to abandon attacks on Palau, Yap but did not disembark. As a result of planting on the island of Leyte, previously appointed on 20 September, was postponed to October 20.

In September the 38 th operative connection attacked Manila and other items on the Philippine islands. The earth was divided nearly 3000 aircraft, sunk many ships and boats. In October, aircraft carriers engaged in destruction of enemy forces that the Japanese could use the closest bases to American troops in the landing at Leyte Gulf. 12-16 October, ran a battle of American ships from the Japanese air base on the island of Formosa.

From enemy attacks damaged the American cruiser. Upon hearing the radio message to Tokyo that almost the entire American fleet sunk, Health decided enticed out enemy ships of the Inland Sea. He ordered to organize a "1-st division of damaged vehicles from 2 affected heavy cruisers and their escorts. It was put in motion radiodezinformatsiya to show that the entire fleet suffered. However, the Japanese fleet, released into the sea, was ordered to return, because the pilots have seen too many ships.

Top of disembarkation in the Philippines 3rd fleet includes 12 high-speed 6 new aircraft carriers and battleships to the cordon of cruisers and destroyers. Direct support of disembarkation was to implement the 7 th Fleet. Despite the fact that at the end of September, three days of Health negotiated with the MacArthur Foundation and Kinkeydom of coherence, the overall command of 2 fleets did not create that effect in the battle.

October 17, the advance detachment of the invasion fleet seized islands at the entrance to the Gulf of Leyte. October 20, after an artillery preparation of troops landed on Leyte Island beach. On the island, and in the air there was a heavy fighting. The Japanese were forced to send almost the entire fleet against the American forces involved in landing on the Philippines. Artillery ships of Vice Admiral smokes should break into Leyte Gulf from the south through the Straits of San Bernardino and Surigao and destroy invading forces, aircraft carrier force, Vice Admiral Odzava would be a lure for ships Health.

Health Plan of the 38 th should prompt the connection to the case of the battle to provide all the fast battleship and one aircraft carrier group in the 34-s rapid connection.

Photo — «William Frederick Health»

Lacking information on the actions of the enemy, the flagship of 22 October has sent one aircraft carrier group into Uliti to rest and resupply. The rest of the group on 23 October adopted a fuel and returned to the position. Only October 24, became aware of the approaching Japanese surface forces in the Gulf of Leyte. 2 However, the order of surface ships have been taken for one and Kinkeyd believed that dealing with it without the support of aviation, and Health to concentrate all efforts against the central force.

First, the central connection smokes successfully attacked 2 submarines, then - British Health. But Admiral feared counterstroke Japanese aircraft carriers and sent search teams to a lot of intelligence. When attacking enemy planes appeared, had to raise in the air all the fighters and postpone strike on the enemy. Americans managed to shoot down a large number of aircraft operating in Luzon. Was lost only aircraft carrier Princeton. The Americans attacked the central connection, and made into torpedoes and bombs Battleship "Musashi", which sank, and other ships. However, in 12 hours and 45 minutes of radar detected a group of enemy aircraft, fired from aircraft carriers Odzavy. Discouraging attack Americans after 4 hours and found the Japanese aircraft carriers.

American surface ships 7 th fleet through aircraft escort aircraft carriers on 24 October during the day almost completely destroyed the two compounds bound for Leyte Gulf in the south. However, the remaining ships in the formation of central connections led to the "Yamato" their way to the Gulf of San Bernardino, where stood Escort aircraft carriers.

This was because the idea of Health refused to provide battleship and cruisers of the 2 teams in the 34-s rapid connection, to destroy ships of smoke when you exit the Strait of San Bernardino. It is considered the most important task the destruction of aircraft carriers Odzavy and went with all forces to the north, leaving a passage of any vessel and no warning Kinkeyda. Thus, the trap worked, and the smoke was able to break in the boarding area. However, it is delay, not immediately assess the situation and allowed the 7 th Fleet to take countermeasures. Smoking, when victory was already close and fire could destroy everything Escort aircraft carriers, and then transport, at the last moment decided not to continue moving forward and retreated. At the departure of his ships have been further damaged by strikes task force of aircraft carriers, which expelled Health.

Admiral himself, believing the reports of the pilots on the central group of Japanese ships damaged, acted against neatakovannogo connect aircraft carriers Odzavy. He put forward the next 6 battleship with cruisers and destroyers, aircraft carriers to cover in case of occurrence of battleships "Ise" and "Hugo". On the morning of October 25, American planes attacked in a blow to the enemy ships. Despite the request for assistance Kinkeyda, Health continued extermination of the Japanese connection. Only to receive a request Nimitsa, where the 34-s rapid connection, Health, and sent him one of the aircraft carrier groups to the Philippines urgently.

Photo — «William Frederick Health»

The remaining 2 groups attacked the ships Odzavy out of 17 of its vessels 9, including all aircraft carriers were sunk aircraft, and one - submarine, the rest returned to Japan, for now Health chose another target. It is intended to intercept the force smokes himself with battleship New Jersey, Iowa, 3 cruisers, 8 destroyers hurried to the strait of San Bernardino. However, time spent on refueling destroyers helped smoke break. At the retreat, he lost a cruiser and destroyer of strikes aircraft carrier groups, the 3rd Fleet. Japanese fleet virtually ceased to exist.

After a stubborn battle Leyte island was finally occupied on 26 December. Americans bombing Philippine island, cut off the Japanese aircraft, were fighting with the kamikaze attacks. In January 1945, the 3rd Fleet provided disembark on the island of Luzon, suppressing enemy air base in the Philippines and Formosa. January 9, U. S. troops landed in the Gulf of Lingaya. After that, Admiral, Admiral King was allowed to lead the aircraft carriers to connect South China Sea. Attacks from the air were sunk dozens of ships from the convoys, coming off the coast of Indochina, and then aircraft carriers attacked Formosa, Peskadorskim islands and coasts of China and went smoothly, although the Japanese radio reported that the 38-s block compound in the South China Sea.

January 26, after returning from a raid, Health passed the command of Admiral Spryuensu and 3rd Fleet was renamed in the 5 th. Health returned to the 3rd Fleet until 28 May, during the struggle for Okinawa. Kamikaze attacks was kept in suspense for seafarers. On the other hand, 2 and 3 June Ship aircraft continued raids on the airfields of the island of Kyushu. Then, on the proposal of Health from the Philippines in Okinawa for air support the army moved on 14 th aviagruppu Marines, after which the Admiral took 38 th operative connection Leyte Gulf in preparation for action against Japanese installations on the islands. July 10, the Americans carried out a raid in the district of Tokyo. Since the air resistance of the enemy appeared weak, Health postponed the strike on the island of Honshu and Hokkaido. In addition to air strikes shore islands fired two surface ships. Americans have sunk many ships, including ferries, which were taken from Hokkaido to Honshu, coal and iron ore. July 18 was repeated raid on Tokyo. 24 and 25 July, aircraft carrier aircraft caused considerable damage to the ships of the Japanese fleet in Kure. Health was not satisfied with the results, and a raid on Kure reiterated on 28 July. Japanese Navy ceased to exist.

September 2, admiral attended the signing ceremony of surrender on board his flagship liner "Missouri. " In December 1945, Health was a navy admiral rank five and was approved by the U. S. Senate four months. From 1 April, 1947 mariner retired, engaged in the business. In 1951-1957 years he was president of the company. Died Health Aug 16, 1959 in Fishers Island, New York.