Historical Lessons Learned from the Game

[ilovestrategy]

ORIGINAL: USS Henrico

Somehow the history books left out:

Japanese High Command got the combat results first every day of the war and passed them on to the Allies. Admiral Nimitz woke up each morning to heartwarming comments from his counterpart along the lines of "Our submarine torpedoed your carrier. Nanana Banzai!"

I'm having a hard time typing this, I'm laughing so hard! [:D][:D]

[Shark7]

When you look at the historic facts several points on commanders are evident:

1. The US had developed more 'Social Generals' during the inter-war period. These commanders were not necessarily inept, in fact they were very good at maneuvering the politics of the era, but they had no practical combat experience. Some of these officers proved to be quite brilliant, but some of them should not have been commanding a supply depot in the middle of Kansas, let alone a front line combat unit. Every army suffers this to some extent. This was corrected during 1942, when better commanders were given command. You also had the shake-up following Pearl Harbor as blame was assigned (rightly or wrongly).

2. The Pacific theatre was the place where UK officers were put out to pasture, so to speak. The officers here were either close to retirement, inept, or pariahs. Though some were actually quite good...but tended to be junior officers, and not in overall command (IE Heath would have been a far better choice than Percival, but it was the case). It was not until Lord Mountbatten took command that things began to improve. Basically, getting assigned to the Far East was a punishment.

3. Japanese Army officers had the advantage at the start of the war simply because a Japanese officer followed the Bushido Code. Thus, they culled themselves and only successful commanders were available at the start of the war. They had also been fighting in China for the better part of a decade, the experience was a benefit. That doesn't mean there weren't bad ones, but they generally were not in charge of front line units. Of course Bushido was also the downfall of Japan, as even successful officers will fail eventually, and at that point they are pretty well obligated to follow the code. This could be part of the reason that Japan's military really started to disintegrate the longer the war went on... Remember, Yamaguchi (one of the brightest in the IJN) chose to go down with his ship, Hiryu when he could have easily survived it.

Just my take on it. Basically all sides made lots of mistakes, there is plenty to go around.

[Sredni]

apologies [:D], ended up responding to the offtopic bit. Can't think of anything to add to the threads main topic though alas.

[herwin]

ORIGINAL: Sredni

I find myself wondering how much our modern armies have succumbed to the peacetime malaise of inept politician officers bloating up the officer corps. Have we developed the doctrines and rules necessary to avoid this following ww2? Were Iraq and Afghanistan enough to shake things out and drive out the incompetents? Did Iraq and Afghanistan expose a lot of officers who really shouldn't have been leading soldiers in combat?

If there's ever another real war (god forbid) will we once again see the first year marred by incompetent leaders botching up things. Is this inevitable?

I suspect this should be moved to another thread--perhaps far, far away. Following WWII, the US military decided to maintain a professional officer corps large enough to officer an 8 million man military. It still did during the Vietnam period. It may still be doing that. If you wish to cite chapter and verse, please start the thread that I didn't start. This thread needs to stay halfway humorous.

Cheers,

[crsutton]

Below you will find a diagram of a typical US Armored spearhead attack vs a prepared Japanese position.

[DOCUP]

ORIGINAL: USS Henrico

Somehow the history books left out:

Japanese High Command got the combat results first every day of the war and passed them on to the Allies. Admiral Nimitz woke up each morning to heartwarming comments from his counterpart along the lines of "Our submarine torpedoed your carrier. Nanana Banzai!"

Classic love it

Don't forget I can't fight today I have to remove the cows from my yard.

doc

[NormS3]

ORIGINAL: zzodr

ORIGINAL: mike scholl 1


Of course every Military has it's weak links that only become obvious when push comes to shove..., but in this game the situation is rediculous. To think George C. Marshall would have allowed this situation to develope is to believe in the Easter Bunny.

Wait. what.. the Easter Bunny isn't REAL? [;)]

I kinda gave up on him when he didn't take the rap for a "wall writing" incident when i was 5.

Funny stuff guys!

[Chickenboy]

@ crsuttton,

I laughed my *** off whilest perusing this thread from my Droid. Thanks for the needed laugh, mate!

[JeffroK]

Have you been cheating on your West Point Thesis!!!

Just change the japanese for Koreans, Vietnamese, Iraqis, Afghanis.......

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

@ crsuttton,

I laughed my *** off whilest perusing this thread from my Droid. Thanks for the needed laugh, mate!

Thanks, I worked for hours drawing up that diagram.....Really put my heart and soul into it.

[zzodr]

ORIGINAL: crsutton
Thanks, I worked for hours drawing up that diagram.....Really put my heart and soul into it.

It looks like you used Photoshop! [;)]

[zzodr]

Every fooken time a ship comes in to port with Major Damage to it's engine,
Admiral Nimitz must issue orders to the crew to shut it down so they can begin repairs.

[JeffroK]

ORIGINAL: zzodr

Every fooken time a ship comes in to port with Major Damage to it's engine,
Admiral Nimitz must issue orders to the crew to shut it down so they can begin repairs.

You think you are playing the role of Nimiotz, really its closer to FDR & WSC

[bradfordkay]

ORIGINAL: JeffK

ORIGINAL: zzodr

Every fooken time a ship comes in to port with Major Damage to it's engine,
Admiral Nimitz must issue orders to the crew to shut it down so they can begin repairs.

You think you are playing the role of Nimiotz, really its closer to FDR & WSC

Plus the harbormaster of every port, as well as the group commander of every air group...

[zzodr]

ORIGINAL: JeffK

ORIGINAL: zzodr

Every fooken time a ship comes in to port with Major Damage to it's engine,
Admiral Nimitz must issue orders to the crew to shut it down so they can begin repairs.

You think you are playing the role of Nimiotz, really its closer to FDR & WSC

Well there is more pics of NIMITZ in the game than any other dude so thats who I choose. [:)]

[JeffroK]

And down to the commander of an Infantry Company

[Insano]

ORIGINAL: crsutton

Below you will find a diagram of a typical US Armored spearhead attack vs a prepared Japanese position.

I was inspired by crsutton. How about this one?

[crsutton]

Well, I would have to commend you for the use of multiple colors.

[Chickenboy]

And it looks like it was not done in crayon-another breakthrough! [;)]

[ilovestrategy]

You guys never cease to crack me up! [:D]