Wartime expansion exposed the limits of this organization. British squadrons could divide their commanders, deputies, flight leaders, and other experienced officers between two cadres, then fill both with trainees. The Japanese structure lacked comparable redundancy at each level, so splitting a functioning unit risked hollowing out its leadership. A command system suited to one excellent air group could not create many new groups quickly.
Notable Point · 50:10-51:16
The command structure lacked expansion redundancy
A lean hierarchy worked for an elite force but could not readily split experienced leaders into cadres for new air units.