Wtfiv

I know you are flat out with the Battle of Saipan, but your effort prompted me to overhaul the subsequent Battle of Tinian, which I have up for review at Wikipedia:WikiProject Military history/Assessment/Battle of Tinian, and there is no one better qualified to review. Hawkeye7 (discuss) 00:19, 13 April 2024 (UTC)Reply

Hi Hawkeye,

I saw! I had started putzing with that myself, considering it for a "next project", but what you did looks really good. It has also helped me out, providing me with insights on how flexible I can be with a Pacific War article. (e.g., It addresses my misperception that those OOB sections were an informal best practice for these articles, something like an infobox.) I'm moving fairly slowly on the Saipan, but I think it's worth it; the reviews raise points worth considering. I had planned on reviewing the Battle of Tinian as soon I finished with Saipan, but I'm not sure how soon I'll get that done. If you'd like me to review sooner, I can do that.

As an aside, I envy that you have access to Hayes, 1982! I've never seen it; it looks like it is out of print, rare, and incredibly pricey used. But even the description and your hints make it seem like an insightful read of decision-making at the highest level. Your mention of it up made me realize how little the essential guiding role of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in WWII is understood. Wtfiv (talk) 00:59, 13 April 2024 (UTC)Reply

For a next project, there always the Battle of Guam (1944). I suggest reading through the review of Battle of Tinian, because there might be some points that also apply to Saipan. Saipan is much better known and documented than Tinian. One history vs hindsight point that came up: there is an impression that the islands were seized primarily as a base for the B-29s. In fact that was a secondary priority, and on 6 August Nimitz even issued a directive that work on naval installations was to have priority over airbases for the B-29s.

I don't know where I got my copy of Hayes. It sits on the shelf here, within easy reach. Regrettably, the third work in the series, on the war with Germany, was never written. Hawkeye7 (discuss) 06:58, 13 April 2024 (UTC)Reply

Thanks for the tip. I'll look at it more carefully in a couple of days. And I agree about the capture of the Mariana's. Miller in Plan Orange assumes it to be a base, and I understand that to the chagrin of the Army Air Forces, Nimitz gave priority to making Guam an advance naval headquarters whereas they wanted. I allude to the point when talking about Saipan as an interdiction site, but it sounds like I need to be more direct. I'll look at what the points you got in the Tinian article, and see what else could be added to Saipan. Thanks again! Wtfiv (talk) 15:08, 13 April 2024 (UTC)Reply

Thank you for improving article quality in April! -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:20, 20 April 2024 (UTC)Reply

today a sad task - memory of Andrew Davis - turned into entertainment (yt at the bottom of his article, actually both) -- the latest pictures capture extreme weather --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:21, 23 April 2024 (UTC)Reply

Today's story mentions a concert I loved to hear (DYK) and a piece I loved to sing in choir, 150 years old (OTD). --

... forgot to sign the above, sorry. - Franz Kafka died 100 years ago OTD, hence the story. I uploaded a few pics from the visit of Graham87. -Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:25, 3 June 2024 (UTC)Reply

Today is "the day" for James Joyce, also for Bach's fourth chorale cantata (and why does it come before the third?) - the new pics have a mammal I had to look up. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:54, 16 June 2024 (UTC)Reply

New pics of food and flowers come with the story of Noye's Fludde (premiered on 18 June), written by Brian Boulton. I nominated Éric Tappy because he died, and it needs support today! I nominated another women for GA in the Women in Green June run, - review welcome, and more noms planned. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:06, 18 June 2024 (UTC)Reply

My story today is - because of the anniversary of the premiere OTD in 1782 - about Die Entführung aus dem Serail, opera by Mozart, while yesterday's was - because of the TFA - about Les contes d'Hoffmann, opera by Offenbach, - so 3 times Mozart if you click on "music" ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:33, 16 July 2024 (UTC)Reply

Today's story is about a photographer who took iconic pictures, especially View from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, on Manhattan, 9/11, yesterday's was a great mezzo, and on Thursday we watched a sublime ballerina. If that's not enough my talk offers chamber music from two amazing concerts. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:22, 20 July 2024 (UTC)Reply

Today I have three "musicians" on the Main page, one is also the topic of my story, like 22 July but with interview and the music to be played today -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:17, 8 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

On 13 August, Bach's cantata was 300 years old, and the image one. The cantata is an extraordinary piece, using the chorale's text and famous melody more than others in the cycle. It's nice to have not only a recent death, but also this "birthday" on the Main page. And a rainbow in my places. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:19, 13 August 2024 (UTC)Reply