[Monterrosa-24]

I want to make it clear that I wasn't there. I was an easy going Cold Warrior all the way.

But I do have a theory on the 1861 to 1865 War. If the Confederates in their worst showings of the war at Island #10, Fort Henry, and Fort Donelson had fought half as tough as the Japanese on Iwo Jima, I would be writing this in the CSA today.

[rlmorel]

Hmmm. I am not sure about that...IMHO the Johnny Rebs gave a more than fair accounting of themselves as soldiers...they could never have won though no matter what, the industrial might of the North would eventually have rolled over them. You could easily make the same argument regarding the failures of the Southern Army about the North...at First Bull Run, for example.

I lived in Japan and the Phillipines as a kid, and the interesting thing is, the memory of the war seemed a lot fresher there than here in the USA. As a Boy Scout, I marched the route of the Bataan Death March. I have read pretty extensively on the Pacific War, and it is difficult not to feel respect for the Japanese fighting man, even when seeing the sadism and brutality he was capable of.

Unusual people, the Japanese. I do like them, but they are such a paradox. Capable of such great beauty and sensitivity, but also such incredible brutality. It is no wonder Asia is STILL nervous about a militarized Japan.

[RedMonqey]

"If the Confederates in their worst showings of the war at Island #10, Fort Henry, and Fort Donelson had fought half as tough as the Japanese on Iwo Jima, I would be writing this in the CSA today."

Confederates and Japanese lost for the same reasons. Never get in a fight with someone who is bigger than you better equipped and has many more of brothers (as back-ups) than you.

The South believed quality meant more quantity and the Japs thought "Spirit" meant more machinary The only resort the South had was to go "Guerrilla" and fight as the Viet Cong did.

[ballplayer]

Why ,the japanese Lost