Blackadder XVI
2008-03-09 21:12:34 UTC
I'm currently reading Parshall and Tully's epic, "Shattered Sword: The
untold story of the Battle of Midway" - which explodes several myths
regarding the battle, namely, that the IJN carrier task force was ready to
launch a massive airstrike.
However, the conclusion imho seems a tad woolly though - jabbing at too many
directions at once.
The authors seem however to downplay the significance of the Battle of
Midway. Sinking 4 of IJN carriers, together with their expert ship crew
(yes, most of the aircrew survived but not so for the ship crew and
officers.)
But it did seem a rather close-run thing - Spruance's constant attacks,
whilst sent in almost piece meal - did seem to throw the IJN off-balance and
allowed the divebomer teams from the Yorktown and Enterprise to deal the
decisive blow. Would another USN admiral have done the same thing I wonder?
But if the IJN had succeeded to defeat the USN - the significance can't be
downplayed.
[Of course, the countdown to the Nuke strike at Hiroshima would not have
been altered very much. But if the IJN had sunk the USN carriers - that
would have left the US with only one fleet carrier, the Saratoga and the
small Ranger and Wasp. And yes by late 1943, the Essex class fleet would
have arrived to crush the IJN who were beset with a set of insurmountable
logistic and technical problems.]
A clear victory at Midway would allow the IJN to roam the Pacific and Indian
Ocean almost at will in 1942 -mid 1943 causing more destruction to Allied
civilians and property. Who knows what sort of incalculable damage they
could have done?
untold story of the Battle of Midway" - which explodes several myths
regarding the battle, namely, that the IJN carrier task force was ready to
launch a massive airstrike.
However, the conclusion imho seems a tad woolly though - jabbing at too many
directions at once.
The authors seem however to downplay the significance of the Battle of
Midway. Sinking 4 of IJN carriers, together with their expert ship crew
(yes, most of the aircrew survived but not so for the ship crew and
officers.)
But it did seem a rather close-run thing - Spruance's constant attacks,
whilst sent in almost piece meal - did seem to throw the IJN off-balance and
allowed the divebomer teams from the Yorktown and Enterprise to deal the
decisive blow. Would another USN admiral have done the same thing I wonder?
But if the IJN had succeeded to defeat the USN - the significance can't be
downplayed.
[Of course, the countdown to the Nuke strike at Hiroshima would not have
been altered very much. But if the IJN had sunk the USN carriers - that
would have left the US with only one fleet carrier, the Saratoga and the
small Ranger and Wasp. And yes by late 1943, the Essex class fleet would
have arrived to crush the IJN who were beset with a set of insurmountable
logistic and technical problems.]
A clear victory at Midway would allow the IJN to roam the Pacific and Indian
Ocean almost at will in 1942 -mid 1943 causing more destruction to Allied
civilians and property. Who knows what sort of incalculable damage they
could have done?