Relax, this is not a political commentary. At least, not one for the moment. Here is a clip taken from the memoirs of Vice Admiral Charles Lockwood, America’s submarine force Skipper. It says:

“A congressman, who evidently had access to official information, told the press that American submarine commanders weren’t afraid of Japanese depth charges, because they were too light and were not dropped deep enough. As enemy agents read the papers too, the Japanese quickly remedied these defects. I consider that indiscretion cost us 10 submarines and 800 officers and men.”

The Congressman Admiral Lockwood refers to was Rep. Andrew Jackson May, a 68 year old member of the House Military Affairs Committee who, after returning from a war zone junket, gave out this information in a press interview. It was picked up by press associations and sent out over the wires, including newspapers in Honolulu who thoughtlessly published it. Lockwood was furious. He wrote to Admiral Edwards - “I hear Congressman May said the Japanese depth charges are not set deep enough. He would be pleased to know the Japanese set them deeper now.”