Pearl Harbor counterattack ?

Just because the enemy doesn't realize they are sailing into a decisive battle that can only be decisive against their goals doesn't mean the battle is any less decisive. :p
Well, yes and no. The Japanese were idiots - they never asked themselves how a battle could decisively knock the US out of the war. Midway ended the Japanese capacity for major offensives at sea, but it didn't have even the potential for knocking the US out. (As I'm sure you already know.)
 
sharlin said:
Also if I recall reading somewhere, a naval bombardment isnt actually that effective against ground targets, great for morale but less so against specific points.
It also runs counter to IJN theory & practise (IDK if it rose to contrary to doctrine).

Sending an even larger force to seek "decisive battle" is contrary to doctrine.:rolleyes: IJN expected to meet USN in a "decisive battle area" NE of the P.I. It's why their ships were so short-ranged. It's why they totally sucked at en route refuelling.
Grimm Reaper said:
an IJN fleet which still outgunned them to a massive degree.
Well, no. It was 4 to 3 in decks, & given Fletcher had Midway, you might say he had the edge. Plus he had PBYs, which Nagumo could only dream of. All the other ships were decoration.:rolleyes:
CalBear said:
It did have its decisive battle at Pearl Harbor.

They lost the war that day.
Word.:cool:
 
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