December 6,1941

Keith Willshaw wrote:

The handful of pilots who did get airborne managed to shoot down
a number of enemy aircraft, as many as 11 while losing 4 of their
own number, 3 of whom were shot down by 'friendly' AAA

I *think* by the time AAF aircraft got airborne, the Japanese Zero escort
had largely separated from its charges, given the surprise of the attack.

If surprise had not been achieved, fighter escort probably would have
stuck with its dive/torpedo bomber assignments. I think attacking P-40s
would have had a much more difficult time.

This assumes a true air battle over Pearl would have played out just
as it did in the SWPA or Central Pacific area a year later. I don't see
why it would not have.

About the best the AAF could have salvaged with advanced notice and
preparation, was the saving of more aircraft, but I think such notice
would have killed more pilots; a net loss over the total surprise
that actually occurred.


Perhaps they would have learned those lessons a little earlier.

They were lessons waiting to be learned. The sooner the better I guess.


SMH