[pfflier]

I think the survival of the carriers has been overstated. Later use of them as an offensive weapon proved, out of necessity, that they were very effective.

The Americans still largely viewed them as support ships for battleship based fleets at the time of Pearl Harbor. Yamamoto demonstrated foresight to view the carriers as an independent offensive weapon for many months before Dec 7th.

What benefitted the Americans most, was the inept leadership displayed by Nagumo. He blew his chance at Pearl Harbor and he lost his fleet at Midway. We were very fortunate that he was in command for both battles.

[exit82]

Short video of the USS Arizona as it exists now underwater.

At 2:53 you see a very small drop of oil escaping to the surface.

Even after 75 years, it is estimated that 8-9 quarts of oil escape from the hull each day.......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzF_ic_9Eac

[equaviator]

Roger that!

[Lou L]

I think the survival of the carriers has been overstated. Later use of them as an offensive weapon proved, out of necessity, that they were very effective.

Overstated? In hindsight, their survival has been overstated, and I agree with that. Perhaps at the time of the attack, we had yet to realize what kind of offensive weapon the carriers could be in wartime, and the initial assessments of the carriers was more understated.