WT Forums

Was curious to hear views on this thought I had after watching the Trial of Billy Mitchell. During the final stages of his Court martial, letters Mitchell had written disclosed that he predicted a surprise attack on the Hawai'ian Islands by a foreign force, attacking in two waves, etc. When asked what country, he replied, "Japan". This was in 1925 if I recall, and I wonder if Yamamoto played upon the ignorance of the American military towards the importance of airpower in war. I doubt anyone could envision Japan attacking the U.S., even in 1941. Wouldn't it be ironic if the prediction of an American was the fuel of an idea to inflict one of America's greatest tragedies. From a personal standpoint, I to this day insist FDR knew about it and allowed it to happen to justify our entry into a war he knew was going to suck us in anyhow. Per the scope and design of the Japanese attack, he would unite all parties and put to rest any objectors or isolationists. For those who say not, consider this, take the number of U.S. destroyers sunk by the Germans in the North Atlantic. Not one sinking by this hostile country encited a war or conflict. One could argue the German's claim of mistaken identity; but Pearl Harbor was an unforgiveable blow to the States and thus thrust us into WWII. FDR knew the German argument would hold enough weight to declare war, but the actions on December 7th, 1941 would.



Edited by - 78amu on Dec 15 2006 23:56

Actually, full up wargames were run in 1926 simulating a full attack on Pearl by the empire of Japan, including carrier based planes.

Describing 1926 operations: "(USN Commodore) Reeves used annual fleet exercises (Fleet Problems) to demonstrate new tactics, such as high-speed long-distance steaming combined with undetected predawn launches and coordinated dive-bomb attacks against targets ashore. Finally, Reeves seized upon opportunities to demonstrate the offensive potential of the carrier. During war games, he foreshadowed the Day of Infamy by launching a dawn attack against Pearl Harbor."

http://www.militarymuseum.org/Reeves.html

Yes....that's 1926.

Pearl Harbor was VERY MUCH predicted, and practiced.

This naval aviation visionary also accomplished other feats as well:

"In January 1929, the U.S. Navy undertook another exercise known as Fleet Problem Nine. Fleet Problem Nine took place off the coast of Panama. Present for the first time in these fleet problems were two ships of radically new design—the aircraft carriers USS LEXINGTON (CV-2) and USS SARATOGA (CV-3). During the exercise, Vice Admiral William V. Pratt, commanding the attacking force, authorized Rear Admiral Reeves, commanding the SARATOGA and a light cruiser as escort, to execute a high-speed run toward the Panama Canal. "We take off at 3:30 a.m. to bomb the canal," an excited Lieutenant Artie Doyle wrote on the eve of the landmark attack. "They haven't a chance to stop us." Reeves "attacked" the canal with a seventy-plane strike force launched 140 miles from the target.

"The planes struck without warning in an attack deemed so effective by the referees that they ruled the locks at the Pacific end of the canal destroyed.

The SARATOGA's performance changed naval warfare; she had demonstrated that a speedy aircraft carrier could independently attack enemy installations with devastating results. Admiral William V. Pratt, the Black Fleet Commander for this exercise, was so impressed that he moved his flag to the USS SARATOGA for the return trip to the United States. (11)

In his post-exercise critique, Admiral Pratt made the following comment, "Gentlemen, you have witnessed the most brilliantly conceived and most effectively executed naval operation in our history. . . . I believe that when we learn more of the possibilities of the carrier we will come to an acceptance of Admiral Reeves' plan which provides for a very powerful and mobile force . . . the nucleus of which is the carrier." (12)"

Yet compared to Mitchell very few have heard of Admiral Joseph Mason "Bull" Reeves, USN
(1872-1948).

"US Army Snipers...providing surgical strikes since 1776."