Reply #12: That is because the Japanese bungled the strike. [View All]

Yes. They blew it - big time !! Amateurs talk about tactics, professionals talk about logistics. After the well planned and executed morning strike against the fleet Hawaii was defenseless, but the fuel storage farms, supply warehouses, repair facilities and commercial docks were UNTOUCHED !! The reason you knock out the military opposition is to be able to either capture or destroy the logistics. By leaving the logistics alone, they allowed the US to quickly bounce back from strike and to have the use of Pearl Harbor for the entire war. Destruction of Pearl, or invasion and occupation of Hawaii would have forced the US to conduct the war from our own Pacific coast.

Hitler made a really stupid move in declaring war against the US. His treaty with Japan did not require him to as it was a defensive treaty, not an offensive one. Besides, what did he care about treaties anyway? If he had not declared war, the the US anger would have been focused on Japan, and he would have been able to concentrate on Russia.

This does not mean that I advocate a preemptive strike anywhere, but I do recognize that they can be extremely effective.