Apollo11 -> Malaya... (4/11/2003 4:39:11 AM)
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Hi all, [QUOTE]Originally posted by Feinder [B]I'm not sure I'd call them "pioneers in naval invasion", in the NICE sense. I suppose you could call the guy that strapped a pair of boards to his arms, and flapped widly as he jumped off a cliff an "aviation pioneer" also. But neither the aforementioned chap or the Japanese would actually be considered as very successfull as pioneers. Ok. So the Japanse weren't -that- UNsuccessful, but I don't think they exhibited anything all that remarkable. 1st invastion of Wake Island was driven into the sea. The invasions of the Phillipines and the Malay Penensula was albeit successful, however, they were largely unopposed. But the LOCATION of the invasions were good; however, I'd classify that as better STRATEGY than any sort of skill in the actual invasion. As stated the SLNF were were sailors with guns, and Japanese Army guys were usually better trained. My comments are really only meant for their (mild) humor value; please to not take as a personal attack. But aside from all of it, the SNLF couln't hold a candle to the US Marines (and I'm not just saying that to be boistrous). -F- [/B][/QUOTE] When I wrote "pioneers" I meant that Japanese first created such force and were first to use it (for amphibious assault) in modern times. It's true that they didn't have specialized landing craft that Allies developed later in war but this nonetheless doesn't mean that they didn't test the principle (and it was successful). Also Malaya was great victory against much stronger opponent. It was the one and only "Blitzkrieg" in Pacific (yes - they used bicycles instead of tanks but it doesn't matter)... Leo "Apollo11"
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