Japanese Destroyer Captain
Pearl
Harbor, Guadalcanal, Midway The Great Naval Battles of the Pacific Seen Through Japanese Eyes
There are only a handful of accounts by Japanese
veterans published in English. This book is one of them, and
additionally is an outstanding autobiography about destroyer service
during WWII. The book tells the story of Naval
action in the Pacific, prior to Pearl Harbor thru the end of the war.
Originally published in Japan in 1958, the book begins with a frank
introduction, stating how the author, Captain Hara sought to not only
write about his own experiences, but also to write objectivly about
merits and faults of both himself, the commanders around him as well
as the enemy. His writing has consulted both Japanese and American
records to provide insights on both sides of the battle
Pre War & Eta Jima
The book begins by recounting
his early life and rural upbringing, and the most important day of
his life, when he traveled to Hiroshima to take the exam for entry
into Japan's Naval academy at Eta Jima. He describes his studies
there and early assignments afterwards crewing ships, and also comments
on the political climate of the world, and how events like the Naval
Treaties, developmentss in air power, and events in China were preceived,
and how ridgid class-structure dominated the Imperial Navy, as well
as its traditionally subordanat position to support the Army during
operations.
Towards War
Hara mentions Japan's peacetime development
of torpedoes, which would prove to be the world's best when war came
in December 1941. Hara himself authored an important torpedo doctrine
that dramatically increased crews successes. He also writes about the
doubts of many senior naval officers about a war with the United States,
and clearly understands the industrialzation would mean that the Japanese
Navy would have to win every battle decicivly. Hara
assigned as a destroyer captain prior to the start of the war is powerless
to voice his concerns and must go about his duty to destroy the enemy.
Start of the Pacific War
On the eve of the Pearl Harbor attack,
Hara was commanding destroyer Amatsukaze, and
observed the attack on Davao returning soon afterwards to land troops at the town. Next,
he particpated at the Battle
of the Java Sea where his destroyer fired
torpedoes and observed the battle from a distance, and later sunk submarine
SS-176 and participated in the occupation of Christmas
Island south
of Java. Then, a support role in the battle of Midway when the Navy
suffered a crushing defeat by American air power and loss of its carrier
force.
Solomons Campaign
It was during the Guadalcanal and Solomons campagin that Hara's gained
great reputation and fame as a destroyer captain. Firstly,
during the Battle of the Eastern Solomons when carrier Ryujo was
sunk before them.
Battleship Yamato Mission
After taking
command of a new crew, his service continues until the end of the war, when he commanded one of the escorts for Battleship Yamato.
Review by Justin Taylan
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Last Updated
November 30, 2018
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