The Philippine Sea may have been the final opportunity to carry out Kantai Kessen, and its failure exposes the concept's weakness. A viable plan must assume a capable, committed opponent. It cannot depend on that opponent repeatedly advancing into an arranged trap. A strategy may fit one's own circumstances, but it must still account realistically for the enemy's intelligence, equipment, and will. Tan No. 2 instead demanded American complacency and perfect Japanese execution.
Notable Point · 9:17-11:07
Kantai Kessen and the danger of planning for a foolish enemy
Kantai Kessen's failure warns against strategies that work only if the enemy keeps making mistakes.