A Study On William Frederick Halsey’s Naval Strategy And Tactics

The two unprecedentedly scale world wars in20th century made significantimpact to the world development process, but also bring the word a large crop ofword-renowned generals and military personality. Their military thought、militarystrategy and tactics、forces of the road and so on,all had become an integral part ofthe world military history. Of which General William Frederick Halsey is the mosteye-catching. During the46years service in the U.S. Army, especially in Word WarⅡ, Halsey’s fleet had won all the way across the Pacific Ocean, from Iwo Jima toOkinawa, finally direct to Tokyo. He not only did illustrious feats, but also formed awhole set of theory on the navy strategy and tactics, from his longtime warexperience.This thesis is to take a comprehensive and systematic study on GeneralHalsey’s navy strategy and tactics, respectively from three periods: World War Ⅰ、World War Ⅱ、the period between two world wars. To explore its historical contextand theoretical sources, and to analyze its influence on the development of postwarU.S. navy construction and military thoughts with an objective evaluation of GeneralHalsey’s role in the U.S. and the world military history. Moreover, this thesis analysison General Halsey’s outstanding contribution to U.S. military strategy and tactics、military construction will provide theory evidence in the study of development andconstruction of the U.S. Army during that time as well as in the subsequent period.This paper will discuss on his military strategy and tactics, and detail its meaning,influence and status.The first part mainly introduces Halsey’s biography. This part briefly outlines thelife trajectory of Halsey in time order. so as to lay a foundation for full understandingof his military thoughts, his naval strategy and tactics.The second part mainly introduces the contributing factor of his militarythoughts. In order to analyze the reason for his shaping ideology, it also focuses on hiseducational factors, military influence and his character, the scientific and technological progress and so on.The third part focus on the content of Halsey’s naval strategy and tacticsrespectively from three periods: World War Ⅰ(1900-1918),World WarⅡ(1919-1941),the period between two world wars(1942-1945).His special militaryconstruction and fighting principles in1900-1918, his defense strategy and hisintroduction of technology in1919-1941, his naval strategy and tactics in1942-1945:strategy of three-dimensional combat modes, three fighting principles, aircraft carrierbattle, island combat and so on. Above all, this part focuses on the final form of hisnaval strategy and tactics in World War Ⅱ.The last part of the thesis provides a brief overview of the historical limitationsof General Halsey’s naval strategy and tactics. First of all, this part compared hisnaval strategy and tactics with the contemporaries. Secondly, this part concentrates onthe importance of his naval strategy and tactics in the course of the U.S. navy militarydevelopment and the world history, and it also has played a great role in promoting.Lastly, this part evaluates his naval strategy and tactics though briefly and concludesits limitation.