cat-like 復習
日本の教科書には詳しく書かれていないパールハーバーについてです。
The Forgotten Reason Why Japan Attacked Pearl Harbor
In December 1940, the Japanese Army began experimenting with airborne forces. Training of the first volunteers took place at Ichigaya near Tokyo. Requirements for the unit were rigid. Most of the volunteers were between the ages of 20 and 25, and officers could be no older than 28. All had to go through a rigid medical examination. Additional psychological and physical tests were administered and, acting on the belief that paratroopers had to have cat-like abilities to land safely, volunteers were given intense physical fitness training similar to that of a gymnast.
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/the-forgotten-reason-why-japan-attacked-pearl-harbor-22697
cat-likeを取り上げます。なんとなく意味は分かるのですが、cat loverなのでこの単語を調べたくなりました。『ジーニアス英和辞典』(第五版,大修館)を引いたところ、「ネコのような,油断のならない,忍足の」とのことでした。Oxford Dictionary of English (2th) によると、"resembling a cat in a appearance, action or character"と定義されております。
この文脈では「ネコのように(着地できる能力)」となるかと思います。ちなみにparatrooper は「落下傘兵」のことをさします。(Gomez)