It is amazing how the Chinese Red Army’s Navy is busy having their students learn about Naval History in WW II, but they have their history all messed up and fail to realize the true strength of America. Most military historians when asked to look at the analytical side of the equation tell us that the US had the advantage of industrial production, which is very true, but that was not the deciding factor, not even close, let me explain.
Yes, we had production capacity and we were not lacking in resources such as rubber, steel, and oil as the Japanese were at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Dutch made it worse on the Japanese by blowing up their oil production facilities when the Japanese tried to commandeer it in the East Indies, but there is much more to the strategic advantages of the US at that time in history, so let’s talk about that shall we?
Not long ago, I got into a debate on this topic with a student of WW II history, and I stated; “NO! NO! NO! The GREATEST asset was the American People who rallied in unity after the attack on Pearl Harbor. In fact, I’d say that Yamamoto was right when he said; “I fear I have awoken a sleeping giant,” and to that I say; he was damn-right – don’t mess with the United States. FDR, yes I share genes with him, probably had considered an attack of this type, and he knew what would happen if the Japanese did. In my view, the Japanese were foolish to assume that they wouldn’t be totally destroyed by a united American Culture against them, they were fools for attacking in my opinion.
Many believe and still do that the attack on Pearl Harbor was a brilliant surprise attack, and that our military and leadership was caught off guard and “stunned” over the attack. Well, I doubt that everyone at the top level was stunned, or surprised. FDR and the military planners had obviously been planning for something like this, because they sure as hell acted fast, it’s as if the battle plans had already been worked out in all but details, and names of second and third level leadership to get it done.
Some historians believe our US Navy was in disarray at the time, don’t kid yourself, as that’s the same US Navy that defeated the Japanese even after that decisive attack. Let’s not allow anyone to re-write the reality of Naval Warfare. Please consider all this and think on it.
