b-17

[the lancaster kicks ass]

somewould call that cowardness.................

 

[dead parrot]

Oh, not cowardice surely. Hesitancy, excessive conservatism, indecision, maybe; cowardice is reserved for people who have to actually do the fighting, not for their generals. The only thing they have at stake are their careers...

Like LG pointed out, the fact that the attack was already a raging success, with few losses, plus the threat of those missing carriers, probably meant his choice was the sensible one at the time (given the info he had).

 

[Lightning Guy]

Hind sight is 20/20. People attack Spruance for being too cautious and Halsey for being too aggressive. And whatever else you might say about the Japanese, the were EXTREMELY courageous and there was little cowardice among them.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

i realise that, i was just pointing out that some would redard that sort of "hit and run" attack isn't the manly thing to do.......................

 

[dead parrot]

Oh, come on, Lancs. Unless the objective is to invade and hold territority, just about any attack (and almost ALL attacks from the air) are "hit and run". It's not like, say, the Dambusters flew in circles over their target after dropping the bombs to be manly.

 

[Lightning Guy]

Or the Mosquitoes you fellows brag about so much. Using speed to run into and away from a target may not be "manly" as you put it, but it is smart!

 

[plan_D]

I don't think you can debate with Lanc about that, parrot. He did say that some might consider it, not that he considered it. Looking back we know another attack would have been better for him, and studying it, it seems that would be the best choice.
They didn't know then, everything is a risk in war. They had already taken a huge risk and it paid off, they weren't looking to take another one and try their luck.

 

[Lightning Guy]

So given the information available to Nagumo: 1) they had inflicted considerable damage to the Pacific Fleet, 2) they had suffered very few casualties and, 3) the American carriers were completely unaccounted for he probably made the right decision BASED ON that knowledge.

 

[dead parrot]

(snip)...I don't think you can debate with Lanc about that, parrot. He did say that some might consider it, not that he considered it. Looking back we know another attack would have been better for him, and studying it, it seems that would be the best choice. ...(snip)

No, you're absolutely right. I read Lanc's post to mean that he felt the whole Pearl Harbor attack was cowardly because it was a hit and run strike... Sorry for the misreading.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

that's ok..........................

 

[cheddar cheese]

its a shame we let this thread die...several months ago this was the center of conversation

 

[Lightning Guy]

That may be the ugliest siggy you've ever had.

 

[cheddar cheese]

Nope, i had a stuka once Its not permanent, after i posted on here a bit im going hunting for a new one

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

That may be the ugliest siggy you've ever had

you know who had a good siggy, sagaris, i miss him.............

 

[lesofprimus]

LOL....

 

[cheddar cheese]

To hell with Sagaris! He was even more retarded than me...

 

[Lightning Guy]

I think that could be debated . . . but at least you know where you stand . . .

 

[cheddar cheese]

Thanks

 

[lesofprimus]

And seeing how Sagaris was a dual poster, it makes this whole conversation even more twisted and demented...

 

[cheddar cheese]

Yup