La flota de alta mar japonesa

Ballantine's Illustrated History of World War II / the Violent Century: Weapons Book #33

by Richard Humble

Book about Japanese World War II ships

Genres: History, Military Fiction, Nonfiction, World War II

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Richard Humble read Military History at Oriel College, Oxford. Now retired after 17 years as a Prison Teacher, he is a published author of 44 books on history for both adult and children's readership.

Reviews

[Christopher Rush]

Surprising myself quite a bit, I may have enjoyed this book even more than the Ballantine book on tank warfare in World War 1. What's so surprising about that is I had (and still have) virtually no interest in naval or air combat. I certainly don't mean to offend anyone in the Navy or Air Force - I sincerely thank you for your service. For some inexplicable reason, conflict simulation games about naval or aircraft combat just do not interest me in any way. It's not because I have had bad Battleship! experiences or anything like that. I have owned Midway and Luftwaffe and a few other games of their ilk, but none of them appealed to me. I say again I can't explain it. I have no desire to play X-Wing or Armada or Wings of Glory. Strangely enough, I had many enjoyable hours playing TIE Fighter and Wing Commander II back in the day - they did not spoil my appetite for the genre either.

For whatever reason(s), naval and air combat just don't interest me ... but this book was engaging, interesting, informative, well-written (even for a 28-year-old kid) and I plowed through it. I suspect part of my interest came from its Japanese-centric perspective (coming, I understand, from a European Caucasian's research/analysis/synthesis framework) - you don't get that too often, at least, I haven't. Mr. Humble gave what appeared to me (and I less humbly consider myself a fairly attentive and sensitive reader to that sort of thing) a balanced and respectful treatment of the positive and negative aspects of the development of the Japanese navy from the beginning of the 20th century to the end of WW2, within the limitations of the series, of course.

Especially interesting was the seemingly universal problem of "Decision Makers in Charge" not listening to the wise counsel of actually knowledgeable, competent people, such as Yamamoto - why would high command not listen to him? Mr. Humble answers that question well, of course, but those of us who feel like we are in similar situations are still boggled and bamboozled by it.

The only thing preventing me from giving this five stars is it ended too abruptly for me. I wish it had a few more pages (or even paragraphs) of conclusion - what lessons should be learned? what syntheses can we create from this history? Now, please don't interpret that as "why can't you do that for yourself?" ... oh, I could. My point is I wish Mr. Humble had done it, because his writing and treatment of the subject was so riveting I wanted to know more from him based on all the reading and research and work he put into it and couldn't necessarily say because of the limitations of the series design - the work just somewhat abruptly stops. I wanted a fuller, longer conclusion to the entire journey. If it had that, I would be willing to give this five stars, something I don't give too often (keeper of the stars as I am). This was great. (I still don't have any desire to play naval or air wargames, but I really liked this book.)

[Martin Koenigsberg]

In Japanese High Seas Fleet, Richard Humble, an author on Naval and International topics, tells the story of the Imperial Japanese Navy and its capital ships. Starting in the 1870s after Meiji reformation, the Japanese built up a modern fleet in part because of their burning desire not to fall prey to Colonial powers. Of course, they really wanted an Empire of their own, preferably carved out of China, Manchuria and Korea(at first), so they rapidly set about making themselves a regional power with victories over China and Russia at the turn of the century. Then, as Britain's ally in WWI, they were able to snap up all of Germany's Imperial Naval Bases in the Pacific- making them a true Naval power. By 1941, they were at the height of their power, with Battleships and Carriers more numerous than the Allies' Pacific Holdings. That- and their deeply felt spiritual advantage made the IJN more than a match for the effete Westerners. All this is ably told in the 160 page Ballantines History of the Violent Century format- full of b/w pics, maps, diagrams and line drawings.

Of course, the flaws in the plan were many. The Japanese Army- even more deeply involved in self delusional fascism had talked the Navy into a literal suicide pact of aggression. The Westerners, far from being effete- had forged an alliance of United Nations- both free and Colonial holdings that was far better resourced. Japan's smaller industrial base was simply unable to compete, so the Allies were always getting new Ships , aircraft, men and supplies from the USA and British Empire- while the Japanese were always trying to husband pre-war resources or their ill-gotten gains as the war progressed. At the end- Carrier groups with few or no aircraft were sent on missions to act as decoys or bait- the pilots had all been shot down and the aircraft sat at factories with no petrol to fly. It's a sad tale of hubris- but an important one for today's audience. The way of fascism is the way of the death cult- almost every time.

There are few adult themes and little graphic violent passages, so this is okay for the Junior Reader over 12/13 years. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast it's a mixed bag. The Gamer does get a great short history of the entire Naval war-and a little bit of a taste of command disagreements - but will probably want more. The Modeler gets those great b/w pics- and a feel for the period- but I think more is needed for real build/diorama help. The Military Enthusiast gets a great amuse buche- a little taste of a topic that will leave them ready to take on more filled out resources. Published in 1973- this book shows a little bit of age- but is still a good and informative read.

[Sicofonia]

In late XIX century a major political and sociological change occurred in Japan, the so called Meiji Restoration. After centuries of self-imposed isolation, Japan finally decided to open up to international relations and trade. This process also meant the creation of a modern army and navy.
In typical Japanese fashion, the country did not re-invent the wheel but looked at how the powers at the time were organized. Hence, they decided to develop their navy following the organization and structure of the most powerful one: the Royal Navy.
What happens next is a fascinating story of how the most recently created navy became the third navy of the world (in terms of size) by early XX century. Only to face total destruction at the end of WW2 in the Pacific theatre.
Richard Humble's narrative is concise and precise, and in a mere 160 pages work he manages to describe quite correctly the development and eventual decline of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Naturally, in 160 pages there´s little room to delve deep in details when it comes to relating major events such as the Battle of Midway. However, the book is also packed with many pictures, maps and illustrations; which greatly enhances the final result.
On a personal note I would add that being far from an authoritative work, this book is recommended if you want to learn how the IJN developed from its inception to its destruction. At any rate it is a very compelling read.

[Robert Hund]

Checked out of the Point Aux Barques Library on vacation in August 2000. Good.

[Alex MacKenzie]

Very good explanation of the IJN. Provides pre-WWII background including Tsushima. Really starts off with Pearl Harbor, then Coral Sea and Midway. After that the IJN kept trying to lure the USN into ambushes where their battleships could dominate. However US reconnaissance and codebreaking almost always countered the IJN. Repeated defeats, both tactical & strategic, kept whittling away at their irreplaceable Carriers & battleships. Even the last foray of the super-battleship Yamato was for nought; wasted.
The IJNAF is covered as well, initially wildly successful, then repeatedly trounced by more & better aircraft.
The Japanese themselves readily admit that after their initial attack at Pearl Harbor they were afflicted with “Victory Disease”, attacking everywhere with limited resources. Which can be successful , up to a point. Then it is replaced with a fatalistic determination, then finally fatalism.
Recommended.

[Keith W]

I generally liked this book but was annoyed by various errors of fact and poor editing. At one point, the book says the Japanese carriers KAGA, AKAGI, HIRYU and SORYU sank at the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, when everyone knows they went down at Midway. I don’t think this was a mistake by the author. I think a line or two of text fell out of the manuscript during publication. A good editor — actually, even a so-so editor — should have noticed that omission. Several times in the book, the author talks about this ship or that ship losing its “bows.” The word is bow and a vessel has only one of them, not more than one. When referring only to one ship, the word should be singular, not plural. There were other annoying errors as well, and I could not tell whether they were the author’s or the editor’s fault. Either way, they detracted from the book.

[George Kasnic]

Very well done book about the Japanese High Seas Fleet. From its catalyzation by the visit of the Great White Fleet, destruction of the Czar’s fleet at Tsushima, its growth in the 20’s and 30’s, its supremacy at the end if 1941 and its four year death ride. Replete with maps, schematics, and photographs the author avoids the Anglophile bent many books in this series display, as well as not resorting to stereotypes. The Japanese military is presented as that incredibly focused and disciplined machine it was, as well as the strengths and fatal weaknesses of these characteristics. The only drawback was little coverage of the Singapore/Indian Ocean campaigns by the fleet, which was unusual given that this is a British series.

[James Kingman]

A great and accessible book that helped me when looking into Saipan's broader place in the Pacific Theater.

[John E]

Standard fare for the series. Thin text and many pictures. Like all in the series the photos and drawings are the most interesting parts.

[Sean Chick]

Good overview of a fleet that attained the heights of power and accomplishment with several stunning naval victories only to be utterly destroyed.

[Bill V]

This is an OK book. The text itself is quite bland but the best aspect of the book are the photos. Many of them I have never seen before.

[Alfredo]

Tremendo. Más un libro de historia que uno técnico, merece ser reeditado, actualizado, poseído en papel couché y leído por todo fanboy naval del mundo.