Combined Fleet Decoded: The Secret History of American Intelligence and the Japanese Navy in World War II

by John Prados

The most authoritative and revealing examination yet of the way intelligence--of all kinds--was instrumental in defeating Japan. Prados gives a new picture of the war in the Pacific, one which will challenge many previous conceptions about that conflict, and one which will be irresistible to those readers who find histories of that period fascinating. 16 pages of photos.

Genres: History, Military History, Nonfiction, World War II, Japan, Nautical, American History

832 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Dr. John Prados is an American historian & researcher whose primary areas of specialisation are the history of World War II, the Vietnam War, the Cold War and politico-military affairs generally. He earned his Ph.D. from Columbia University in Political Science (International Relations). Dr. Prados is a senior fellow and project director with the National Security Archive at George Washington University (Washington, D.C.).

Reviews

[John Nevola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written long enough after the War to assure hindsight with clarity, declassification of war secrets and the participation of the Japanese, Combined Fleet Decoded is the most complete and descriptive book on the War in the Pacific ever written.

John Prados demonstrates great scholarship and the tenacity of a world-class researcher as he uncovers never before revealed secrets of cryptography and the impact of intelligence gathering on the pivotal naval battles of the Pacific. Long before America's edge in production could be brought to bear, the gathering, analysis and interpretation of the enemy's intentions provided the Americans with just enough of an advantage to fight the
Japanese to a standstill early in the War. It was in this crucial period that the code breakers excelled and provided just enough of an edge to make a difference.

While only the most avid World War II history buff would consider this a "page-turner", it is written well enough to maintain interest and moves along at a decent pace. Considering the interesting revelations and new insights into old battles, it is certainly worth reading.

[Gerry Connolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Prados has written a penetrating analysis of the role of intelligence in the Pacific during WWII. The Japanese navy sought “the decisive battle” as the allies squeezed Japan into tighter and tighter spaces. Intel was a critical component of allied success, as was overwhelming force brought to bear after Midway in 1942. The naval battles were bloody affairs with substantial losses of life. Japan’s gamble and miss at Pearl Harbor (No US aircraft carriers were there and numerous ships sunken or damaged were repaired and redeployed) looks reckless by 1944-45. Excellent one volume history of the naval combat in the Pacific.

[Ray S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prados basically rewrites the history of progress in the Pacific War. The degree to which intelligence activities played a profound part in determining the outcome of sea and land battles throughout the entire war. The well-known breaking of the Japanese naval code that led to victory at Midway is but one small, if vital, piece of the intelligence puzzle. We've all heard of how the Allies helped defeat the Nazis by reading their military codes of the Enigma machine, but compared to breaking codes derived from the Japanese language---one of the hardest languages in the world---the Enigma problem was comparative child's play. Prados revealed the intelligence-based underside of the WWII in the Pacific and does so in a style that is almost surgical and very readable.

[Ferris Mx · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive study of WWII in the Pacific, with slightly more weight on intelligence than other histories. Definitely felt like a source for Cryptonomicon, and I always love that feeling. Anecdotes reinforcing that are the factoid that Eisenhower and Churchill were not allowed to visit the front because of their Ultra knowledge, failed codebook disposals, and the case where Chief of Staff Burke wanted to know why a radio lieutenant had such unfettered access to Admiral Mitscher. None of these histories can ever paint Halsey in a good light.

This book illuminated the principle of focus on mission. When commanders retained this focus (Spruance at Midway), they achieved success even if later criticized. When commanders lost the focus on mission (Halsey at Leyte), catastrophe ensued.

[Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, but only if you are interested in many details of the Pacific war and (navy) intelligence in particular. Gives you an insight into the way the Japs thought. There are more books written about this subject but this could well be the standard.

[Andrew Duke · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of breaking Enigma is (fairly) well known. Less well known (apart from Midway) is the work done on the Japanese codes and ciphers during World war 2. This book documents those efforts.

Worth if for the references alone.

[James Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author describes the complex underside of WW2 in the Pacific, where decoding what the Japanese were saying to each other was foundational to winning the war.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would actually rate this 4 1/2 stars .

[Nishant Pappireddi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive account of how intelligence (not only codebreaking, but also reconnaissance, direction finding, and other methods) on both sides of the Pacific War played a role in the naval war in the Pacific.

[Ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good specialist history.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb overview of the intelligence effort against Japan, both before and during the war.