WWII after Pearl Harbor

CCIP · 04-22-07, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlobalExplorer

The Japanese always tried to adhere to overcomplicated plans, plans that required everything to happen exactly as the planned, and they were not very well in reacting to new situations. So in a way, their leadership was lacking, and that accelerated their defeat.

Agreed. They lacked a pragmatic doctrine all over, and that really messed up many of their opportunities at the end. That wasn't the only case where, for no reason other than sticking to plan or being overly cautious, they didn't push their attack beyond an initial success and let their initiative just slip.

Takeda Shingen · 04-22-07, 11:19 AM

Also, remember that it was the battleship, not the carrier, that was the centerpiece of the naval group. The carrier-sponsored turkey shoot that was Midway changed the thinking of most of the worlds navies, and changed the concept of the battle group, evolving into what it is today.

In short, carriers were just not that important to the world's naval leaders in December of 1941.

GlobalExplorer · 04-22-07, 11:25 AM

The Japanese mentality contributed a lot to ther defeat. A good example is how the lack of armour on their fighters (because they believed anything but a 100% offensive weapon was disgraceful) and their reluctance to rescue "dishonored" pilots from the sea cost them the air war, because there were plenty of modern aircraft at the end, but no more experienced pilots who could fly them.

Camaero · 04-22-07, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlobalExplorer

The Japanese mentality contributed a lot to ther defeat. A good example is how the lack of armour on their fighters (because they believed anything but a 100% offensive weapon was disgraceful) and their reluctance to rescue "dishonored" pilots from the sea cost them the air war, because there were plenty of modern aircraft at the end, but no more experienced pilots who could fly them.

Not to mention most of them didn't wear parachutes.

If you were Japan in 1941 and the Nazis were smashing up everything that was in their path you would probably feel pretty good about the outlook of things even if you did leave just two little carriers.

Look how much the japs tore it up in the months to come as well. It looked like the axis were unstoppable. Those were very dark times!

04-22-07, 11:25 AM	#3
GlobalExplorer Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Location: Berlin Posts: 2,015 Downloads: 165 Uploads: 0	The Japanese mentality contributed a lot to ther defeat. A good example is how the lack of armour on their fighters (because they believed anything but a 100% offensive weapon was disgraceful) and their reluctance to rescue "dishonored" pilots from the sea cost them the air war, because there were plenty of modern aircraft at the end, but no more experienced pilots who could fly them. __________________

04-22-07, 11:19 AM	#2
Takeda Shingen Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 8,643 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	Also, remember that it was the battleship, not the carrier, that was the centerpiece of the naval group. The carrier-sponsored turkey shoot that was Midway changed the thinking of most of the worlds navies, and changed the concept of the battle group, evolving into what it is today. In short, carriers were just not that important to the world's naval leaders in December of 1941.