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Defeating the Japanese Zeros: Lieutenant Commander John S. 'Jimmie' Thach: One U.S. Navy Pilot and H

Defeating the Japanese Zeros: Lieutenant Commander John S. 'Jimmie' Thach: One U.S. Navy Pilot and H

by Gorman, R J
No customer reviews yet ISBN 9781036137595

"... a worthwhile and enjoyable introduction for general readers to the Navy's significant role in World War II and to a naval aviator whose memory should enjoy a large and enduring popular legacy." - National Maritime Historical Society

In 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 America's arsenal. U.S. intelligence dismissed it as exaggeration, underestimating Japan's 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 Zero's superior performance. This tactic proved highly effective in air combat and allowed Thach's squadron to neutralize the Japanese advantage.

The battle at Midway became a turning point in the Pacific War. The U.S. Navy's victory, aided by Thach's tactical innovation, crippled Japan's 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 war's outcome.

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Product details

Pub dateJan 30, 2026
ISBN-101036137597
ISBN-139781036137595
LanguageEnglish
Last updated 2026-09-20 22:49
$24.53 $34.95 29% off
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