I just started reading Fred Goerner's book about AE. It is interesting, yes, but what a trip back in time for me. (1960) The respect there was for the miltary back then (Saipan), the pack of cigarettes on his desk in the photos, things like that. What the heck was the Navy doing there on Saipan? Probably some secret missle preparation. His information on FN, AE and their relationship was illuminating. Fred was a dipsomaniac and this trip with AE was his last best shot. He had been fired by Pan Am. This trip would get his proposed navigation school off the ground. George Putnam had precluded him from participating in any post trip publicity for his benefit. AE supposedly assured him, "Don't worry Fred, you will be included, we are a team." How touching. Obviously, FN's role was to keep his mouth shut, not to rock the boat. George Putnam was a control freak. Amelia may have been independent, but when you are stuck with this kind of personality, your easiest way out is to go along. He clearly didn't care about her lack of preparation, I think he was smart enough to know it was inadequate. If it were me, I would have learned Morse Code, practiced with the RDF, coordinated with the Itasca. So I say. In hindsight.
Unfortunately, all this analysis doesn't give a clue as to where they went. Goerner interviews Paul Mantz, her former advisor. When asked what this 157/337 business was all about, Mantz, the old pro says, "It means Fred was lost." That's my take on the situation from what little I know.