The Miraculous Torpedo Squadron

by Jūzõ Mori

This is the autobiography of Jūzõ Mori, a torpedo bomber pilot in the Imperial Japanese Navy during WWII. Never before translated into English, this book gives a vivid depiction of what it was like to fly and fight for the IJN. Contents include the author's youth in pre-war Japan, joining the navy and training to become a pilot, and his combat experiences during the war. Mori flew first in China, then took part in the attack on Pearl Harbor, the invasion of Wake Island, the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asian operations, the battle of Midway and the battle for Guadalcanal. This is a rare opportunity to view the war through the eyes of one of our opponents in his own words.
Filled with hitherto unrevealed details about the most significant battles of the war, this book is a must read for those interested in the history of the Pacific War.
Nick Voge spent many years working as a translator in Japan and is also a commercial pilot flying for a small Hawaiian airline. He is thus uniquely qualified to translate this epic story into English.

Genres: World War II

238 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 10, 2015

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

This was a great account of Japanese torpedo bombing. The translation is very good. I really liked how the kindle version had images of most every watercraft and aircraft mentioned as well. I highly recommend this one

[Robert F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much like “Letters from Iwo Jima,” this book reveals the basic nature of human beings in war. Young men who answer their nation’s call are very much alike in many ways; usually ignorant of the real causes of war, patriotic call wrapped in male testosterone, camaraderie and adventure. Remove the peculiarities of culture and these are universal.

This book humanizes the Japanese airmen who bombed our fleet at Pearl Harbor and helped the Japanese Army subdue much of China. It is not an apology, it is a participants’ eye view of the effort to fulfill their duty as they saw it. All hands get dirty in war and everyone has a reason they did it.

For readers who want a fuller picture of WW2 in the Pacific, this is a valuable read. Because it is a translation, there are a few places where the rendering is a bit clunky (Hence 4 stars, not 5.) It needed better editorial control. But over all, it reads easily and is sometimes compelling.

[James Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging Book, Certainly a Different Perspective on the Early Stages of War in the Pacific

Thoroughly enjoyed this tale of early WWII naval air action in the Pacific. My overwhelming impression was this Japanese Naval Aviator appeared so ‘normal.’ Not at all like the barbaric horde that tortured and beheaded captives. I frequently thought after he described an event in terms not differently than I often read in books on WWIi if he too would have yielded the sword so easily. Recommend this book strongly.

[Denise Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting personal account of a Japanese torpedo plane pilot

Mori’s account of fighting at Pearl Harbor, Midway and Guadalcanal is fascinating. It’s one of only a handful of first hand accounts of surviving Japanese WW2 combat pilots, especially those flying bombers off a carrier.

[Aptroed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good book to get the Japanese side of major battles, but what a waste of lives in a losing effort. Also shows the power of the US in men and material!

[Yong · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read on the life of a Japanese Torpedo plane pilot during world war 2. A unique account, although a pedestrian retelling.

[Shan S Rea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very informative and well done history. This guy actually bombed Pearl, amazing info on how pilots were trained in the IJN. Could not put it down. Highly recommended to anyone wanting another POV. This guy fought with honor for his country.

[C. G. Telcontar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This memoir is only recently available in English, originally published in 1973 in Japan, and it is fantastic to finally have another viewpoint from the Japanese side. The translation is not, however, top notch. There is a liberal sprinkling of some modern slang terminology thrown into the action sequences and some overall wonkiness in the text. the photo selection is all new for the American edition, and I say that because 90% of it's drawn from the internet. This pilot fought in China, flew at Pearl Harbor, Wake Island, the raid on Darwin, the Indian Ocean raid, Midway and finally Guadalcanal where he lost his hand and was shot down. Such firsthand accounting makes it valuable in its own right. This guy was not what I'd call a brain surgeon, and his insights, if you will, are very limited and his style and recollections superficial. He's not a thinking man's pilot like, let's say, Pierre Clostermann or Bob Stanford Tuck.

Valuable for those who dig deep, deep into the war material and want a fresh perspective from the Japanese side.

[Christopher Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read from a totally different perspective!

I always wondered what went through the minds of our enemies in WWII...as it turns out, the Japanese military beauracracy was ALOT more screwed up than I realized. The various insights of war from a Japanese perspective, written in a thoughtful and pragmatic style was a real treat! Just to read about their training and preparations for Pearl Harbor makes this a must read for Pacific War buffs!

[Uncle Dave Avis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a well written book by an airman who was in many of the early air battles of WW2. From China to Pearl Harbor to the battle of Midway to Guadalcanal. He writes about what happened to him in these battles without touching on the right or wrong of it. He just flies where he is sent.
He is one of the very rare Japanese torpedo plane pilots who survived the war and has done a great job bringing his memoirs to us.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting short war memoir of naval aviator Mori. He expresses the attitude of the Japanese soldier toward the war very clearly and his combat experiences very vividly. The title is misleading as the story is not about one squadron but his experiences to include China, Pearl Harbor, Midway and Guadalcanal.

[Dennis Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

World War II Japanese Flying History

The book was well written and was interesting from the standpoint of comparing the thoughts of allied pilots with that of Japanese pilots. Each felt that they were doing what was necessary to protect their country. It is a interpersonal story that is not based on political beliefs, but on personal experiences.

[Adalgiza Scaggiante Cravinhos · Rating 5 out of 5]

It it is fascinating to see the difference between our respective cultures and

how those differences affect our perspectives. Patriotism is
a very subjective concept that impairs our ability to have an
unbiased opinion independent of right or wrong. This book clearly demonstrates that.

[Martin Chlebek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rare insight into the war service of Imperial Japanese Navy torpedo bomber aviator. Mori describes his training, service in China and then operations as carrier based pilot on Soryu and Junyo: Pearl Harbor, second Wake Island, Midway and Guadalcanal.

[William B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story about the war between Japan A Tale For me The Ages!

This is not just a story about war. It is about the courage and determination only a few people possess.