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Old 20th November 2014, 01:34
Leo Etgen Leo Etgen is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2005
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Allied Opinion of IJN vs. IJA Fighter Pilots

Hi guys

I am not making a sweeping generalization when stating that the Americans considered the P-400 unsuitable for aerial combat over Guadalcanal. For example, Vandegrift reported to Ghormley on 2 September 1942 that "P-400 entirely unsuitable for operations. Will not be employed further except in extreme emergencies." Commander, Aircraft, South Pacific Force evaluated the P-400 as "No good at altitude and disheartening to the brave men who fly them." The 67th Fighter Squadron's historian wrote "We can't manoeuvre and dogfight with the Zero - what good are we?" As regards to the limited Japanese capability to build forward bases it was not just a matter of limited resources but also the result of a lack of attention before the war to logistics and the development of airfield construction techniques and equipment, as well as the units, necessary to build air bases and maintenance facilities. The Japanese had built a network of excellent bases before the start of the war but it was their lack of foresight regarding forward based heavy maintenance and engineering units with heavy earth moving equipment that limited their ability to construct bases not to mention the chronic shortage of shipping to transport these. Logistics and supply may be less glamorous than offensive action but if you wish to prevail in a war with a modern industrial power it is a vital aspect to consider and the Japanese failed to do so.

Horrido!

Leo
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