[grognard]

The problem is that the Japanese could NOT think --in their case the Samarui box--outside the box. Retreat was equivalent to defeat, and they had trouble admitting the Bushido spirit was no match for modern weapons. of course they are not the only ones--the US in Vietnam and maybe Iraq, Hitler once the war starting going badly, Napoleon's early opponents, the French facing Wellington, etc. etc.(And don't even look at the US Civil War) etc. ad infinitum.