parsifal
Colonel
Just one correction. The Japanese did have an outstanding DD designed specifically for AA work, the Akitsuki class. the big failing for Japanese DDs was in their ASW capabilities. Then again USN DDs sucked at this as well until later in '43.
What made the USN designs seem to overtake the japanese designs was a matter of age......USN Fletcher class were built 1942 to 1944 and were fighting many DDs designed and built 15 years older than they were.
Both the USN and the Japanese really failed in producing designs that were adequate seaboats. Particulalry true for the American carriers, which to this day continues to be their Achilles heel. Both the Japanese and the Americans were almost as besotted with firepower as were the Germans, and this made their ships anything but satisfactory when the weather was poor
What made the USN designs seem to overtake the japanese designs was a matter of age......USN Fletcher class were built 1942 to 1944 and were fighting many DDs designed and built 15 years older than they were.
Both the USN and the Japanese really failed in producing designs that were adequate seaboats. Particulalry true for the American carriers, which to this day continues to be their Achilles heel. Both the Japanese and the Americans were almost as besotted with firepower as were the Germans, and this made their ships anything but satisfactory when the weather was poor