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> strategic bombers did win the war against Japan. Only after the Japanese navy had been almost completely sunk, the Japanese merchant marine even more thoroug
by jcranmer 4y ago
> strategic bombers did win the war against Japan.
Only after the Japanese navy had been almost completely sunk, the Japanese merchant marine even more thoroughly sunk. And even then, it's not clear if the atomic bombs or the Soviet entry into the war against Japan (threatening to roll up the Japanese position in China as completely as the above) played the bigger role in compelling Japanese surrender. (And this is the best example anyone can give of strategic airpower achieving victory).
- kasey_junk 4y agoThe Japanese navy was largely sunk via air power though.
- greedo 4y agoNo, submarines sank 200 IJN warships and aircraft and surface ships claimed another 134. While aircraft sank some of the more important ships (carriers), subs were really responsible for the defeat of the IJN. Also, mines were responsible for a huge percentage of shipping losses.
- nradov 4y agoMany of those mines were laid by strategic bombers. Subs played the largest role but aircraft were also important. https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1959/november/japans-nightmare-mine-blockade https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1959/november/jap...