Originally Posted by
Danny42C
....the most probable explanation is that their LoC were just too long to stretch any further)... It was only the strange myopia of the Japanese Army Commanders which saved our VVs being massacred in the air... They held the Oscars on the ground, wasting them in ineffective "sweeps" to strafe opportunity targets on our side.
Quite. Not only were their lines of communication over-stretched, the Japanese army was over-stretched, per se. That was reflected by their meagre rations, tatty uniforms and lack of 'Rest & Recuperation'. Of course everyone knows of their using Allied POWs to hurriedly construct supply railways to improve their lines of communication. When it came to the retaking of Burma, there were nine times as many Allied squadrons as the Japanese could muster. It's rather doubtful that they had the means to conduct an effective fighter air defence, ready to systematically intercept Allied offensive operations. Also, the RAF was doing an effective job of neutralising their air force. Well defended airfields might not be bombed, but the fuel and munition dumps, essential for their aircraft to operate, would be. (The precision Vultee 'Vengeance' played a role in that.)
The Japanese were on the back foot even before their failed thrust into India in 1944. Though the Japanese were extremely hard and courageous fighters, the Allies were much better resourced. And never let it be forgotten that the 14th Army achieved their victory in 1945 only because of the outstanding work done by the RAF and USAAF. Books about the campaign tend to paint the Air Force as being in a minor, supportive role, when in fact they were a decisive factor... as General Slim, the 14th Army commander, had no hesitation in admitting.