[3.0L]

Hats off, salute!

Never forget.

[M_Six]

I'm currently reading Jeff Shaara's To Wake the Giant, about the year preceding the attack. It ends on the day of the attack, and I just got to that part today. Shaara's novels are always quite close to the actual history. If that holds true for this book, then there were some serious errors in judgment by many of those in charge. A lot of that had to do with the belief that the Japanese would never attack a stronghold like Pearl Harbor. And of course, it's easier to look back and connect the dots now than it was to see them back in that time.

https://www.amazon.com/Wake-Giant-No...dp/0593129644/

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Shaara's novels are always quite close to the actual history. If that holds true for this book, then there were some serious errors in judgment by many of those in charge. A lot of that had to do with the belief that the Japanese would never attack a stronghold like Pearl Harbor.

It's true that there was a lot of wishful thinking -- and racism -- involved in the run up to the Pacific war. And yet I have become appreciative of the key government officials (FDR on down) who recognized the perilous times and ramped up production of military hardware in the couple of years before the war. Those aircraft and ships entered service in 1943 and helped to turn the tide against Japan. Had the buildup waited until after Pearl Harbor, they would not have entered service until a year or so later.

We now live again in perilous times with an unthinkable Pacific war a distinct possibility. Where are the far-sighted statesmen to get us ready?

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by M_Six

I'm currently reading Jeff Shaara's To Wake the Giant, about the year preceding the attack. It ends on the day of the attack, and I just got to that part today. Shaara's novels are always quite close to the actual history. If that holds true for this book, then there were some serious errors in judgment by many of those in charge. A lot of that had to do with the belief that the Japanese would never attack a stronghold like Pearl Harbor. And of course, it's easier to look back and connect the dots now than it was to see them back in that time.

https://www.amazon.com/Wake-Giant-No...dp/0593129644/

I've started At Dawn We Slept so many times I can't count! All the similar Japanese names make my head spin. I do remember Yamamoto's misquoted quote. He never said they will march into Washington and dictate terms of surrender. The first part of his statement was "If we do this, we better be prepared to..."

[M-technik-3]

A friend of mine just passed he was 101.5 and was a B17 pilot. If you have a chance to meet or talk with a WW2 Vet chat them up. They went through some crazy ordeals.

This is Bill's Obituary https://www.mackfamilyfh.com/obituaries/vincent-purple

Rest in Peace to all those that passed.

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by M-technik-3

A friend of mine just passed he was 101.5 and was a B17 pilot. If you have a chance to meet or talk with a WW2 Vet chat them up. They went through some crazy ordeals.

This is Bill's Obituary https://www.mackfamilyfh.com/obituaries/vincent-purple

Rest in Peace to all those that passed.

Beautiful tribute to a great man.

Thanks for sharing.

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

I've started At Dawn We Slept so many times I can't count! All the similar Japanese names make my head spin. I do remember Yamamoto's misquoted quote. He never said they will march into Washington and dictate terms of surrender. The first part of his statement was "If we do this, we better be prepared to..."

I find it interesting to read military history and try to understand the good and
bad decisions, mistakes and deceit, good leaders, bad leaders.

I’m currently, I’m reading Dereliction of Duty. Since I was dragged into that
war, it makes my blood boil. I can only read a few pages at a time, then have
to put the book down for a while.