Warning Signs Ignored on the Path

[Sherman A1]

Before Japan took the fateful decision to launch the Pacific War, the Japanese military commissioned a report on the economic strength of major countries. The study concluded Japan was far weaker than the US and the UK. NHK World looked into why the decision to go to war was taken in spite of the study indicating that Japan was in a relatively weak economic position.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20211210204033201/

The video runs a bit over 9 minutes but is well worth watching for those interested in the history of WWII.I really enjoy the reporting on NHK as I find to to be informative without the manufactured drama of US cable noise services.

[OAITW r.2.0]

1. I think oil and rubber in SE Asia were prime motivators for Japan's decision to strike Pearl Harbor.

They wanted unfettered access to the Phillapines and Singapore...they thought PH would kill the US ability to project power in the region for years. They made a fateful mistake in not striking while the Carrier taskforce were anchored in the harbor.

[Irish_Dem]

7. Right, why didn't the Japanese strike while the carriers were still there?

I think it was the Saratoga, Lexington, Yorktown, Enterprise out on maneuvers or missions?

Then the Japanese got the Yorktown at Midway, but the Hornet and Enterprise were not sunk.

[OAITW r.2.0]

9. The Battleships, while impressive, were of limited value in the Pacific War.

Air power and the carriers, ultimately won this was for us. Changed the ultimate thinking of naval air power and it's ability to change the course of military history. I would bet that Yamamoto and his war planners would rather have caught the carriers in Port and would have dealt with the battleships later, without the cover of air support.

[OAITW r.2.0]

12. I think Yamamoto knew the value of Naval Air Power.

That's why PH is such an important moment in military history. What I don't know was what the intel was telling him, with regards to US Carrier forces at that time. My point is Yamamoto should have planned the attack when the carriers were at PH anchorage. Ordering the attack when they were at PH would have had a far greater impact to the War and its outcome.

My dad was on a pocket aircraft carrier patrolling the west coast of Central/South America. Engine room. Took a couple of Japanese torpedo hits that never exploded. Otherwise, I'm not commenting on DU.

[Irish_Dem]

13. My understanding is that the Japanese intelligence was excellent leading up to PH.

Perhaps I am wrong on that score. Scout planes and actual spies on the ground.
So I am not sure what the decision making was about not getting the carriers.
I will have to do some reading.

Right, if Yamamoto had gotten the carriers at PH, we would have most likely lost Midway.
Then Japan would have owned the Pacific.

Very interesting about your Dad.

[OAITW r.2.0]

14. Did you mean. not losing Midway?

No US Carriers - no Midway.

[Irish_Dem]

15. Right that is what I am saying.

No US carriers, we would have lost Midway Island(s) to the Japanese and they would have won the Pacific.

Isn't this correct?

Maybe you are saying without US carriers there would have been no battle?
The Japanese would then have just taken the islands and controlled the Pacific.

[Irish_Dem]

2. Their economic situation was one reason they went to war, and they had a superior military

compared to the US. Their naval force was vast compared to the US. And their army was fierce and fought to the death.

Japan badly needed natural resources and was ambitious, wanting to be the Pacific superpower. They could have won the Pacific with their superior navy.

But they made a mistake with Pearl Harbor. America put its entire heart and soul into winning the war, they were determined, smart, dedicated, brave, with very smart leadership and beat the Japanese at their own game.

[3Hotdogs]

4. --- and the U.S. had blocked Japan's access to the oil in response to Japan's invasion of Manchuria.

[Irish_Dem]

6. Exactly. They considered this a serious provocation.

Japan was searching for land, resources, raw material, oil in the invasion of Manchuria.
Japan was still suffering from the Great Depression.

Also American was seen by many prior to WWII as a land of playboys and slackers.
And America's military before WWII was severely lacking.
Japan had a superior military force.

So the Japanese thought it would be an easy task to gain control of the Pacific and obtain
land and resources right and left.

[rurallib]

3. The Akimuro unit was incredibly accurate in their predictions

That was incredibly interesting.

Looks like Japan had a faction that dealt with reality, but control was in the hands of the war mongers.

[Irish_Dem]

8. Yes the Akimuro report was Army, and the Army was not as powerful politically as the Navy.

The Navy and pro-war politicians got their way.

[3Hotdogs]

5. Also, the Japanese military academy had a final exam quesition.

Plot an attack on Pearl Harbor. I recall that question was on the exam list for 10 years before Pearl Harbor.

[Irish_Dem]

10. Good God, I never heard that one. So Pearl Harbor was a Imperial Navy wet dream for a long time.

The did have one hell of a Navy at the start of WWII.