Re: Article excerpt on matter of Civil Air Patrol U-boat kill claim
Posted by:
historynow11
()
Date: August 02, 2012 10:26PM
Donald,
I'm in CAP, and do not misconstrue the recognition that because one thing is not accurate that other claims are accordingly discredited. CAP aircraft provided a valuable reconnaissance and deterrent capability. If they sank or did not sink U-boats does not invalidate their contributions. Proving whether CAP sank or did not sink U-boats is not a case of "well, we'll never know." On the contrary, there is a preponderance of evidence to indicate that no, they did not sink a U-boat. Sight U-boats? Highly probable. Damage U-boats? Questionable at best. Deter attacks on merchant traffic, saving lives and helping to win the war? Absolutely.
As a whole, the organization has done itself an extreme disservice over the past 70 years with a program more inclined to parrot propaganda-esque information rather than undertake scholarly research and critical analysis. The negative response of someone even challenging the assertion of CAP U-boat sinkings in a scholarly manner does not benefit the organization is they cannot provide a cogent, reasoned response. Furthermore, placing all emphasis on "we sank U-boats" and avoiding the documented, legitimate work of the CAP for the American home front war effort is detrimental to the organization's character and legacy.
Historynow11
I'm in CAP, and do not misconstrue the recognition that because one thing is not accurate that other claims are accordingly discredited. CAP aircraft provided a valuable reconnaissance and deterrent capability. If they sank or did not sink U-boats does not invalidate their contributions. Proving whether CAP sank or did not sink U-boats is not a case of "well, we'll never know." On the contrary, there is a preponderance of evidence to indicate that no, they did not sink a U-boat. Sight U-boats? Highly probable. Damage U-boats? Questionable at best. Deter attacks on merchant traffic, saving lives and helping to win the war? Absolutely.
As a whole, the organization has done itself an extreme disservice over the past 70 years with a program more inclined to parrot propaganda-esque information rather than undertake scholarly research and critical analysis. The negative response of someone even challenging the assertion of CAP U-boat sinkings in a scholarly manner does not benefit the organization is they cannot provide a cogent, reasoned response. Furthermore, placing all emphasis on "we sank U-boats" and avoiding the documented, legitimate work of the CAP for the American home front war effort is detrimental to the organization's character and legacy.
Historynow11
