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Most pilots intended to bale out before impact.Would pilots that intentionally rammed enemy aircraft count as suicidal?
As long as they maintained themselves in power? Probably. While there's focus on 20th Century wars involving the US and Western Europe on this forum, the War of the Triple Alliance didn't end until Paraguay's leader was dead, after the death of up to 70% of the countries population. The post-war census showed a population of about 106,000 women and 29,000 men, so it's probably not unreasonable to conclude that about 70% of the pre-war male population died.I had a thought along those lines that myself. Assuming no A-bomb and no invasion, would those leaders have counted it as a victory even with their nation left a smoldering cinder?
I had a thought along those lines that myself. Assuming no A-bomb and no invasion, would those leaders have counted it as a victory even with their nation left a smoldering cinder?
What I meant was, because of the Imperial leadership mindset (decisive battle, glorious death, etc) and the original goal long forgotten, would the home islands not being invaded become the new win? So what if everybody dies.
Moving the goalposts as it were.
"Milady, there's no bread and the peasants are starving in the streets"Not for long. Japan's domestic supplies were carried mostly on interisland steamers. The submarine blockade and aerial mining program had already destroyed that. The 1946 famine would likely have ended the war whether or not the military leadership wanted it, I believe.
"Milady, there's no bread and the peasants are starving in the streets"
"Then let them eat cake".
History is filled with leaders who let their populace starve while they remained in power.
War doesn't end because the population is suffering, it ends with regime change.
From what I've read; Soviet attacks started with political prisoners/PoWs leading the assault. For Staling to sacrifice a couple hundred thousand ex-Nazi's wouldn't have hurt his feelings.
The Bible pre dates the English language by about 1,000 years, this is an English language forum, so I was quoting English language quotes, the same exists in all European languages that I know. As stated in my link forlorn hope comes from the Dutch verloren hoop, and the French for it is enfants perdus (French for 'lost children').The Englishman dying for England is the second greatest honour an Englishman can have.
The greatest honour for the Englishman is killing some Johnny Foreigner and stealing his country.
***Land of Hope and glory playing in background. I salute the flag, tears rolling down my cheeks.***
Starving out the Japanese could take 2 days, 2 weeks, 2 years while American war costs continue to skyrocket and Stalin is taking over Asia. Gotta grab the bull by the horns before the Soviets are marching down Tokyo Boulevard.
The Red clock is going tik tok and you have to wrap this up before Americans is fighting the reds in places like Korea and Indochina.
Starving out the Japanese could take 2 days, 2 weeks, 2 years while American war costs continue to skyrocket and Stalin is taking over Asia. Gotta grab the bull by the horns before the Soviets are marching down Tokyo Boulevard.
From what I've read; Soviet attacks started with political prisoners/PoWs leading the assault. For Staling to sacrifice a couple hundred thousand ex-Nazi's wouldn't have hurt his feelings.