Re: What was the biggest mistake made during WWII?
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Japan: Failing to seize the Pearl Harbor initiative
Germans: Failing to give up the beachheads in france and launch a counter attack instead.
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Japan actually did not fail to seize the Pearl Harbor initiative. Going into the Pearl Harbor invasion, Japan knew with a successful strike, that they would be able to control the Pacific for 6 full months, with uncertainty looming thereafter. As a matter of fact, Japan did control the Pacific, for almost exactly six months, taking over almost all of Asia, and building a huge perimeter defense. It was their demolition at Midway (where I don't believe they should have even engaged battle in), which lead to their demise.
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I wouldnt say there was uncertainty after. Their plan was brilliant.
1. bomb Pearl Harbor destroying US fleet
2. build bases all over the pacfic, stocking them with plans, troops, etc hence making it almost impossible for the US to successfully "retakeover" because u attack 1 or 2 or 3 bases, the japanese send out immediate back up from other bases. The japanese called this the "Circle..." or "Sphere of something"
3. Control all trade in the pacific, which the US had essentaily been doing and which Japan had been subjigated to.
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