Japan had superior forces to us in 1943? Or 1944? Or 1945? Who knew?
We also got lucky.
Did we now? How much does luck play in victories? Were Lee's victories due to the fact that he was lucky in the generals he faced before Grant? Or was he the better commander?
Lee developed infantry tactics that are still studied in military academies all over the world and used today.
Don't be dense. They had superior forces till we sunk so many of their capitol ships. Yes, later in the war we had superior forces, and that's because our great Admiralty overcame their forces.
Did we now? How much does luck play in victories?
Sometimes it is entirely responsible for a victory. Washington's crossing the Delaware only succeeded because of Luck. The commanding officer of the opposing forces had a note in his pocket telling him of the plan. It was only through luck that he didn't read the note until it was already over.
Were Lee's victories due to the fact that he was lucky in the generals he faced before Grant? Or was he the better commander?
Both and more. I think his opponents did not have their heart in what they were doing. They knew they were in the wrong, and could not really muster up the will needed to kill so many people who were only defending their homeland.