As early as 1937, Claire Chennault, the author of 'The Role of Defensive Pursuit,' warned the USAAF about the dangers of Japanese air power. Apparently his warnings were ignored as the superiority of the Mitsubishi A6M was a complete surprise to the American forces. As leader of the Flying Tigers, Chennault constantly stressed to his pilots, 'Never try to turn with a Zero. Always get above the enemy and try to hit him with the first pass.' Because of the A6Ms exceptional range and performance, it was to bear the brunt of the action of almost every military engagement in the Pacific until the end of the war.