Why did the Japanese Airmen overestimate the damage they inflicted? I noticed many people commenting on how inaccurate the Japanese claims were, so I think this photograph that can help explain that issue. This picture was taken after the costly air raid on August 8th, where the betty bombers claimed to have sunk and damaged 17 ships when in reality only two ships had been hit. At first glance, it would look like the damage was heavy, until you realize that the only ship on fire is the George F. Elliott on the left, while the two plumes of smoke in the center and on the right are just downed Bombers. In my view, If you were a Japanese pilot, full of adrenaline, entirely focused on making it out alive, being chased by fighters, and then you quickly looked back and saw this: You would probably just count the amount of smoke columns you saw and not conduct a careful analysis. Thus, they probably saw 17 smoke plumes that were their own losses. Well, that’s my thought anyways.
P.S. A channel update: As I mentioned, I am beginning a Guadalcanal Series. I started with Savo Island and will work from there to cover all the battles in chronological order. At the moment, I am researching and writing for Eastern Solomons! As you know, I am just a one man team, so all I ask for is patience since these videos take me a long time to complete. Thanks!
Montemayor
Why did the Japanese Airmen overestimate the damage they inflicted? I noticed many people commenting on how inaccurate the Japanese claims were, so I think this photograph that can help explain that issue. This picture was taken after the costly air raid on August 8th, where the betty bombers claimed to have sunk and damaged 17 ships when in reality only two ships had been hit. At first glance, it would look like the damage was heavy, until you realize that the only ship on fire is the George F. Elliott on the left, while the two plumes of smoke in the center and on the right are just downed Bombers. In my view, If you were a Japanese pilot, full of adrenaline, entirely focused on making it out alive, being chased by fighters, and then you quickly looked back and saw this: You would probably just count the amount of smoke columns you saw and not conduct a careful analysis. Thus, they probably saw 17 smoke plumes that were their own losses. Well, that’s my thought anyways.
P.S. A channel update: As I mentioned, I am beginning a Guadalcanal Series. I started with Savo Island and will work from there to cover all the battles in chronological order. At the moment, I am researching and writing for Eastern Solomons! As you know, I am just a one man team, so all I ask for is patience since these videos take me a long time to complete. Thanks!
Montemayor
4 years ago | [YT] | 1,629