Defeating the Japanese Zeros: Lieutenant Commander John S. Jimmie Thach: One U [Hardcover]

& a worthwhile and enjoyable introduction for general readers to the Navys significant role in World War II and to a naval aviator whose memory should enjoy a large and enduring popular legacy.  National Maritime Historical SocietyIn the months before the attack on Pearl Harbor, a report from Nationalist China described a mysterious super fighter plane used by Japanese forces, said to be faster and more maneuverable than anything in Americas arsenal. U.S. intelligence dismissed it as exaggeration, underestimating Japans capabilities. The plane was later identified as the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, which dominated the Pacific skies after Pearl Harbor.Lieutenant Commander John S. Jimmie Thach of the U.S. Navy recognized the threat posed by the Zero and devised a tactic to counter it. With the Japanese preparing to attack Midway Atoll, Thach trained his pilots in the Thach Weave, a revolutionary formation designed to offset the Zeros superior performance. This tactic proved highly effective in air combat and allowed Thachs squadron to neutralize the Japanese advantage.The battle at Midway became a turning point in the Pacific War. The U.S. Navys victory, aided by Thachs tactical innovation, crippled Japans offensive capabilities. After Midway, the Japanese would never win another major battle, while the Americans would never lose one, marking a decisive shift in the wars outcome.&an excellent explanation of the two Thach tactics, and reproduces the original Midway report by Thach and Lt. Commander Best&& a worthwhile and enjoyable introduction for general readers to the Navys significant role in World War II and to a naval aviator whose memory should enjoy a large and enduring popular legacy.The author covers Thachs combat in the Battle of Midway and as operations officer for a carrier task force.GB