Photography
In reply to the discussion: More photos from the Pacific Air Show. [View all]Retired Engineer Bob
(759 posts)That certainly helped with the 400 distance problem.
The entire mission was gutsy. Two of the four carriers we had in the Pacific were sent within 500 or so miles of Japan to launch 16 bombers. Tactically it was insignificant, strategically very important. Imperial Japan had recently hit Pearl Harbor, taken over Hong Kong, Singapore, Dutch East Indies, and more with little opposition.
Strategically, hers what it accomplished:
Good news on the home front. Up till then, all news regarding the war was bad.
Japan freaked out. Fighter squadrons needed for their conquests were sent back home, cooling their heels until 45, three years later.
Yamamoto insisted on wiping out the American aircraft fleet, setting up the Battle of Midway. Didnt work out too well for Imperial Japan.