Why did the IJN lose most all sea battles?

[Raptor1]

In terms of actual losses, the IJN came out pretty evenly in the few major battles they had parity with the US navy, with the obvious exception of Midway which they lost due to a combination of intelligence, poor planning and general luck on the American side. When they had the right conditions on their side, they even managed a couple of clear victories (Savo Island and Tassafaronga being the obvious examples). By the end of the Guadalcanal campaign, they were clearly outmatched in technology, training and numbers and had very little chance of any sort of victory.

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by Raptor1

In terms of actual losses, the IJN came out pretty evenly in the few major battles they had parity with the US navy, with the obvious exception of Midway which they lost due to a combination of intelligence, poor planning and general luck on the American side. When they had the right conditions on their side, they even managed a couple of clear victories (Savo Island and Tassafaronga being the obvious examples). By the end of the Guadalcanal campaign, they were clearly outmatched in technology, training and numbers and had very little chance of any sort of victory.

Nah, admit it Raptor, they kept rolling ones.

[Torplexed]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Nah, admit it Raptor, they kept rolling ones.

"I fear we have awoken a sleeping giant and loaded his dice."

[Raptor1]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Nah, admit it Raptor, they kept rolling ones.

The dice were loaded! The cards were stacked!

I still haven't gotten revenge for the Marshalls, have I?

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by Raptor1

The dice were loaded! The cards were stacked!

I still haven't gotten revenge for the Marshalls, have I?

Indeed, the battle that I won and then retreated from...

[Wolferz]

The melted down beer cans they used for shells didn't help much either.

The IJN just didn't have the numbers in assets and their failure to catch our carriers at Pearl was also an ingredient in the recipe for failure.

We have only succeeded in awaking a sleeping giant.
Admiral (I think I'll take a trip in a Zippo plane) Yamamoto

[Subnuts]

As far as post-1942 goes, I imagine having superior numbers, reliable radar, better surface fire control, vastly superior damage control, and ULTRA probably gave the USN a decided advantage. Having a massive industrial base and the ability to easily replace losses didn't hurt, either. During the Guadalcanal campaign, the USN lost almost twice as many cruisers and more destroyers than the IJN, along with two aircraft carriers. However, the Japanese had completely lost control of the sea around Guadalcanal by February 1943. The sinking of the battleships Hiei and Kirishima within 24 hours of one another were the kind of crippling losses the IJN just couldn't recover from.

I know I've mentioned it before, but anyone seriously interested in the Pacific War needs to read Shattered Sword. It explains the inner workings of the IJN and the Japanese naval mindset in way more detail than I could ever hope to do in a single message board post.

[Torplexed]

Originally Posted by Subnuts

I know I've mentioned it before, but anyone seriously interested in the Pacific War needs to read Shattered Sword. It explains the inner workings of the IJN and the Japanese naval mindset in way more detail than I could ever hope to do in a single message board post.

I've got a copy. As someone who grew up on Walter Lord's book, Incredible Victory it certainly has forever changed the way I see the Battle of Midway. From an American underdog win to Japan basically sticking it's head in a noose for lack of imagination on how to further prosecute the war.

[Dammit_Carl!]

Originally Posted by Subnuts

... but anyone seriously interested in the Pacific War needs to read Shattered Sword. It explains the inner workings of the IJN and the Japanese naval mindset in way more detail than I could ever hope to do in a single message board post.

Gracias on the suggestion, amigo