Why the Submarine is the unsung hero at Midway -- true story.

[MKalafatas]

I think "timid" is too strong. The "Tokyo Express" runs through the Solomons were a bold concept. Pearl Harbor was a bold concept. It may be fair to say that at key moments, certain commanders lacked the courage of their convictions. But such criticism could be leveled at commanders in nearly every theater of war from the dawn of time.

The death of Yamato makes an interesting counterpoint to the "timidity" argument.

[WernherVonTrapp]

Originally Posted by MKalafatas

I think "timid" is too strong. The "Tokyo Express" runs through the Solomons were a bold concept. Pearl Harbor was a bold concept. It may be fair to say that at key moments, certain commanders lacked the courage of their convictions. But such criticism could be leveled at commanders in nearly every theater of war from the dawn of time.

The death of Yamato makes an interesting counterpoint to the "timidity" argument.

The Tokyo Express wasn't a bold concept, IMO. It was an absolute necessity (for a people that could not accept defeat) if they were to have any chance of holding onto a valuable asset. As time when on, it became an act of desperation, despite the fact that defeat was staring them in the face. Guadalcanal was called "Starvation Island" by the Japanese while the Tokyo Express was still running, and the IJN eventually had to rely on Destroyers as fast, armed, transports since all of their merchants and barges were being sunk.
No doubt, Pearl Harbor, IMO, was the most carefully contrived Japanese operation of the entire war, but quite possibly the only one. Every successive offensive stroke (again, IMO) was under the pretense of "Bold". All their other conquests of the time, were against positions defended by poorly trained and supplied armies, and/or poorly defended positions. The fact that the Philippines held out against the Japanese for so long, despite the poorly trained and equipped defenders using outdated weapons and tactics, was more a tribute to "Bold" American spirit than bold Japanese initiative. If a mugger chooses to attack an old lady as opposed to the 6 foot tall young man, is he being bold, or choosing an easy opportunity?
I don't think timid is too strong, but again, as I said earlier, I wasn't speaking of every instance.