Two tentative Navy demobilisation plans emerged in May and June without consultation with the other services. Earlier work, including the Yarnell study, had left considerable uncertainty about the Navy's postwar requirements. On 22 October 1944, Admiral Ernest King assigned postwar planning to his new deputy, Vice Admiral Edwards, and Edwards's planning officer, Rear Admiral Duncan. They began a systematic study that placed fast carriers and escort carriers ahead of battleships under anticipated fleet limitations. Duncan's background as an aviator made him central to that work.
Notable Point · 15:50-16:38
King centralises postwar planning around carrier priorities
In October 1944, King assigned postwar planning to Edwards and Duncan, whose priorities placed fast and escort carriers ahead of battleships.