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The Philosophy That Drove Yamamoto’s Erratic Pacific Battle Plans
From victory at Pearl Harbor to crushing defeat at Midway
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto had a storied career with some serious highs and devastating lows. He was the mastermind behind both the attacks at Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941 as well as the disastrous Battle of Midway. Historians have been mixed in their portrayal of Yamamoto. After the war, some Japanese blamed Yamamoto for their stunning defeat while others continued to praise him as a hero and a genius.
Undoubtedly, Yamamoto’s plans were bold and — some would say — reckless. He was an avid gambler and liked to play games. When he thought the odds were in his favor he would go all in. First, at Pearl Harbor, to great success. Later at Midway en route to a crushing defeat.
His critics would groan that Yamamoto had been far too cavalier with Japan’s precious military assets. But Isoroku Yamamoto was not a gambler without reason. His decisions from the start of the war until his death were predicated on one deeply held belief.
He believed in his heart of hearts that Japan could never beat the United States in a long war.
In light of that view, he did everything in his power to fight the war in the only way he thought advantageous. Get out…
