17. The United States planners faced a suicidal enemy
The Japanese tactics of fighting to the death on the ground, coupled with the suicidal tactics of the Japanese air fleet and navy, were the greatest concern for the planners. While MacArthur dismissed them out of hand, the reports of the Japanese troop buildup in Kyushu were supported by Magic intercepts and the analyses of members of MacArthur’s own staff. Nonetheless, he continued to argue forcefully for a seaborne invasion, submitting unrealistically low casualty estimates, which he argued would be lower than those sustained in the Philippines, since the best Japanese troops were already eliminated. Marshall continued to support the invasion officially, though privately he expressed doubts about its necessity.
Meanwhile, Admirals King and Nimitz altered the makeup of the carrier air groups to be assigned for the invasion fleet. The torpedo groups were to be removed from the carriers and replaced with fighter squadrons. On more than half the carriers the bomber groups were also to be removed, likewise replaced with fighters. This move would have given the Navy an increased air defense against the incoming kamikazes, which could be engaged and hopefully shot down before they were in sight of the fleet and the troopships. The fleet also officially adopted the Big Blue Wave of constant air patrols which had been put into effect at Mindoro during the invasion of the Philippines.