The Conquest of Distance:
US Naval Strategy in the Pacific 1941-45 – 2 hr. class
Hybrid – Tuesday 3:10 pm – 5:10 pm
Sept. 24, Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12 
In the early 1920’s a territorially aggressive Japan sought to be recognized as a first-tier world power. To achieve this goal, however, it faced two daunting challenges. The first was a severe lack of natural resources, particularly oil, to fuel its military and economic expansion. The second was an armed forces strong enough to seize and exploit these resources. Fifteen years later Japan was firmly ensconced in China. The US Navy had meanwhile devised a comprehensive and revolutionary plan to fight a multi-year war across the vastness of the Pacific. It consisted of an integrated and balanced force that could operate at full capacity regardless of the distance from its national base. It would project overwhelming power across the sea, over land, and in the air. It would bring or make whatever it needed and would overwhelm any who sought to interfere.
This is an American story of foresight, planning, ingenuity, commitment, leadership and execution. It was a truly unique historical accomplishment. This series will present an overview of the historical challenges of long-distance operations, the national capacity of Japan vs. the United States to conduct distant warfare, and the six components of US strategy leading to complete victory.
- Week 1: The Effects of Distance Upon Military Operations – This presentation analyzes the attenuating effect of distance on military operations as it pertained to the US vs Imperial Japanese (IJ) naval grand strategies in the Pacific Ocean WW2 campaigns.
- Week 2: Short War Strategy vs. Long War Strategy – Imperial Japan planned a Short War strategy of both limited duration and limited goals. Conversely the US elected a Long War strategy whose unlimited duration would force an unconditional surrender.
- Week 3: Submarine Forces – A key element of the US Long War strategy was the USN submarine force. After a year of overcoming peacetime inertia and equipment failures it would emerge as the most efficient submarine force of WW2.
- Week 4: Forward Logistics and Mobile Basing – The Long War strategy envisioned high intensity fleet operations across thousands of miles. The USN, therefore, developed a unique mobile logistical network that provided for its every need!
- Week 5: Sea Based Airpower – Aircraft Carrier Task Forces – Building from the base of the Two Ocean Naval Act of 1940, by 1943 multiple Carrier Task Forces would emerge. These aircraft carriers and their escort ships would drive the IJN from the seas, destroying it completely.
- Week 6: Thunder From the Sea – Amphibious Warfare – Looking for a niche to expand their role, the USMC would become amphibious warfare specialists. With a sophisticated doctrine it met even the most challenging battles of the 1940’s Pacific conflict. Semper Fidelis!
- Week 7: Construimus, Batuimus – The Sea Bees. The role of the Construction Battalions, CB’s, was to exploit the success of the USMC. Carving operational airbases out of raw material, often in days instead of months or years. Their motto above, We Build! We Fight! was true indeed!
- Week 8: Long and Very Long-Range Airpower – With the capture of the Marianas Islands the USAAF were within range of the IJ Home Islands. Using the new long-range bomber/fighter B-29/P-51 aircraft, paired with area incendiary attacks, the Long War came to an end.
Bill Preinitz grew up in Chicago and has been a Weston resident for the last 44 years. He currently lectures on military and general history, archeology, anthropology, astronomy/astrophysics, and paleontology. He attended Northern Illinois University at DeKalb, graduating with a BS in Finance. Immediately after graduation he served in the U.S. Army. Returning to civilian life, he completed an MBA with a specialty in operations research and computer simulation. He later moved to NYC and began a career on Wall Street in the Investment Banking industry in 1980. He retired in 2008 and published two books through Wiley & Sons, on financial analytics and modeling.