Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Humanities/2021 June 29

= June 29 =

Captain removed as unfit in combat
It's a trope film and television loves, but have there been any real cases in where a modern (20th century or later) warship captain was removed as unfit for duty while in a combat situation? Or heck even pre-modern? 108.29.92.115 (talk) 02:46, 29 June 2021 (UTC)
 * Don't know about warships, but particularly in the Vietnam conflict, fragging was an unofficial way to relieve troublesome officers on land. 2602:24A:DE47:BA60:8FCB:EA4E:7FBD:4814 (talk) 04:23, 29 June 2021 (UTC)
 * e.g. Doug Neidermeyer - dead! ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 10:01, 29 June 2021 (UTC)
 * Does defragging mean they return as zombies? Clarityfiend (talk) 22:34, 29 June 2021 (UTC)
 * The incident on HMAS Nestor (G02) in 1941 might count. It didn't happen in the heat of combat, but it was during wartime, and Nestor had recently taken part in operations attempting to intercept German ships, including one German weather vessel that was captured with an Enigma machine . The senior officers were apparently drinking heavily and the crew refused to perform their duties until the captain and two officers were arrested . --Amble (talk) 17:40, 29 June 2021 (UTC)
 * USA Admiral Ghomley commanded South Pacific fleet in 1942, at the beginning of the war. He showed little aptitude for fighting, never visited the front line. He was replaced by Admiral William "Bull" Halsey whose performance became legendary. There was big celebration among US marines when the news of Ghomley replacement was announced. By the same token Admiral Kimmel was replaced by admiral Chester Nimitz after Pearl Harbor disaster. Admiral Fletcher who commanded a South Pacific Flotilla showed no interest in fighting the Japanese and was retired by admiral King soon after beginning of the action in the South Pacific. --- AboutFace 22 (talk)
 * Admiral John Byng was executed by firing squad in 1757 for failing "to do his utmost" against the French. Alansplodge (talk) 22:01, 29 June 2021 (UTC)
 * But them's flag officers, not captains as the OP specified. Clarityfiend (talk) 22:34, 29 June 2021 (UTC)
 * Military career of L. Ron Hubbard is interesting though Hubbard didn't make Captain as far as I can tell. 2602:24A:DE47:BA60:8FCB:EA4E:7FBD:4814 (talk) 08:10, 30 June 2021 (UTC)