Nikademus -> RE: Japanese Pilot Pool (7/14/2004 9:29:50 PM)
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ORIGINAL: joliverlay There seem to be differences of opinion regarding what the facts were about Japanese training programs for IJN carrier pilots. I've also seen the 100 pilot per year in Dunnigan's Book. In it he claims that the Japanese never really fix this issue, and disputes the 1000 pilots in 1942 (unless perhaps that includes army and navy?). Based on their response to loss of planes and pilots at Coral Sea, I'd be inclined to belive they really could not replace pilots at this time. [image]local://upfiles/8477/Tr518446332.jpg[/image] it depends on what one defines as "trained" and opinions do vary. According to some pilots (both japanese & USN) signs of green or incompletely trained IJN pilots was evidenced as early as Eastern Solomons. Frag was technically correct, least according to Pettie (Sunburst), who stated that even at war's start, the Japanese navy did not have enough qualified pilots to fill out her complete muster of planes (land + carrier) Obviously KB got first pick on the best and the concentration was greatest there. the only way to prevent airgroups from getting green/incompletely trained pilots is to set the frontline units to no replacements and instead, rotate airgroups that are depleated, fill them out and set aside a period of time for "advanced training" to bring the newbies up to 50-60+ status. Otherwise you get the greenhorns dumped straight into the frontline units. (which japan appeared to have done historically to a degree) and face the same situation...a mix of battle hardened vets and greenies. the latter who will make the mistakes witnessed by both sides.
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