Navalwarrior
Staff Sergeant
- 764
- Jun 17, 2018
Resp:There is more to than that. This was not the era of instant communication. RAF fighter command could do it but they were on a war footing and set up for instant response. The ground crews were billeted right by the aircraft, the pilots nearby ready for action. At 7.20 AM every one in Pearl is asleep, how do you get them down to the airfield in time to do anything?
Note that just getting them into the air in 35 minutes doesn't help, you have to intercept well before they arrive over target. The USN found from experience that at least 30 miles was the distance required with an altitude of 20,00 feet for a successful interception.
Additional time would have helped. There is a big difference in anticipating an all out attack vs sabotage. However, Americans I believe didn't see the Japanese as equals in ability. They all 'wear glasses' mentality was wide spread. Yes, many military leaders did see them as a serious threat. Not too many believed Japanese forces that large could travel that far unnoticed. The Japanese PH attack was well planned. Their timing was near perfect. However, it's execution will continue to be debated. Let's not forget Sinapore on Dec 8. The British had to be forewarned, but did it change anything?