This episode discusses Japan's failed attempts at military campaigns in 1944, including the unsuccessful defense against the B29 bomber attacks and the costly Operation Ichigo, which resulted in heavy casualties for the Japanese soldiers and little gain.
During World War II, the Japanese would launch Banzai attacks at night, where thousands of soldiers would swarm the American front lines, often using brutal and medieval tactics such as sword wielding and hacking to death wounded Americans who couldn't escape.
In preparation for World War II, Japanese Admiral Yamamoto tasks himself with finding a way to successfully attack the United States despite his belief that the war would not be winnable. He came up with the surprising plan of attacking Pearl Harbor, which was a risky, but eventually successful military action.
The Americans find the last Japanese carrier, but after the Japanese knock it out, they're not looking to find the same carrier again in The Battle of Midway.
The failure of military commanders to act on intelligence warnings before the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and the September 11 attacks in 2001 by terrorists is deeply troubling. Both of these events serve as critical reminders of the importance of gathering and responding to intelligence to prevent future attacks.
This episode explores the cost disparity between the US aircraft and the Japanese Yamato. It also touches on the first test of modern naval combat followed by the death of the American president in 1945.