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mitch96

(15,571 posts)

9. The Japanese campaign also helped the US win the war in the Pacific. The Navy and Aircraft mfg were dying to get a hold

Reply to marble falls (Original post)

Sat Nov 22, 2025, 06:24 PM

Nov 22

of. a Mitsubishi A6M Zero Fighter. The scourge of the pacific. Light, fast and very maneuverable. with great range. During the campaign a Japanese pilot crashed a Zero mostly in tact on the island of AKutan in the
Aleutians. The plane was taken back to the US and rebuilt. Subsequintly flown and it's strengths and weakness were studied. From this information the US Navy and Grumman built the F6F Hellcat just to defeat the Zero.. And the Hellcat did an admirable job...
The Akutan Zero has been described as "a prize almost beyond value to the United States"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akutan_Zero

Yup, I'm a history nut...
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Highlight:

Surfing WWII history: what I found they never taught in school ... [View all] marble falls Nov 22 OP

Whoa. Fascinating. I never knew WWII came to Alaska. Beartracks Nov 22 #1

I knew the Japanese had invaded the Aleutian Islands, but I thought is was a bunch of soldiers on both sides ... marble falls Nov 22 #4

So many stories. Interesting behavior given the name Simon Bolivar Buckner erronis Nov 22 #2

My Dad was stationed in Alaska during the war, Bayard Nov 22 #3

my father, a WW2 vet, was awarded an American Theater Battle ribbon lapfog_1 Nov 22 #5

Highest ranking American military officer killed in action -- by Japanese artilery at Okinawa WW2 Ponietz Nov 22 #6

This Is Covered In An Episode Of... ProfessorGAC Nov 22 #7

I'm surprised no one noticed his racism. He used Russian meat assaults on Okinawa ... marble falls Nov 23 #10

i was sure attu + kiska would be on a test, so now they are stuck in my brain. pansypoo53219 Nov 22 #8

The Japanese campaign also helped the US win the war in the Pacific. The Navy and Aircraft mfg were dying to get a hold mitch96 Nov 22 #9