Midway. Historia Japońskiej Marynarki Wojennej

by Mitsuo Fuchida, Masatake Okumiya, Andrzej Saczek (Translator)

Bitwa o Midway to punkt zwrotny w wojnie na Pacyfiku, to japoński Stalingrad. Stoczona 4 czerwca 1942 pomiędzy okrętami japońskimi, a amerykańskimi, w pobliżu atolu Midway na Oceanie Spokojnym, zakończona zwycięstwem amerykańskim. Uznawana jest umownie za punkt zwrotny w wojnie na Pacyfiku, ponieważ inicjatywa działań militarnych przeszła na stronę amerykańską.
Książka przedstawia bitwę pod Midway z punktu widzenia japońskiego. Odtwarza jej przebieg z drobiazgową dokładnością wplatając w opowieść przeżycia własne autorów - uczestników bitwy.
Ale to nie tylko opowieść o bitwie pod Midway. Autorzy przedstawiają także przebieg działań wojennych z punktu widzenia japońskiego od początku wojny do Midway, a więc w okresie w którym wzięli czynny udział w walkach.
Mitsuo Fuchida – to legenda japońskiego lotnictwa. Był pilotem prowadzącym atak na Pearl Harbor. Brał udział w większości niebywałych sukcesów Japończyków na początku wojny. W czasie bitwy pod Midway został ranny na pokładzie flagowego lotniskowca „Masatake Okumiya” - oficer sztabowy. W czasie bitwy o Midway przebywał na pokładzie lotniskowca „Ryujo”, który atakował Aleuty w ramach operacji Midway.

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

280 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1955

Reviews

[Dimitri · Rating 3 out of 5]

The least you can say for two officers-turned-historians because they had the good fortune to survive the suicidal attrition of the Japanese war, is that they hold strong opinions which titilate the historical debate: "It's often said that wartime is a succession of errors on both sides and that victory goes to the side which makes the fewer."

The persistent importance attached to battleships over carriers was a first (not that Japan had a monopoly on this prior to Midway); thus the Coral Sea victory had far-reaching consequences for the Midway operation. For all his brilance and gambler daring, Yamamoto did a rush job on the Midway planning in his obsession to protect the imperial capital after the daring Doolitle raid, with long-range aircraft launched in daylight from a U.S. carrier. The elimination of 2 carriers deprived 1/3 of the air striking power, possibly the margin that made the difference between victory and defeat. Next to this, there was the legendary mistaken belief that the USS Yorktown carrier was sunk & another operating far away in the Solomons, but both would be back in time. Thirdly, radio silence inhibited the task force of learning enemy whereabouts from Tokyo, while it zigzagged through the fog with planes grounded & the unresolved incompatibility of 1) invading Australia 2) sinking the U.S. Pacific Fleet: "All forces plunged forward through the boundless fog like stagecoach horses driven blindly forward by a cracking whip."

It certainly belies the Japanese reputation for meticulous and complicated plans, flavoured with a gamble. Sometimes, even they just winged things. Or the High Command wasted time, as both authors feel about all the operations once the Pacific Perimeter was established: carriers had no business in the Indian Ocean for a tactical raid without strategic follow-up.

While no doubt still valuable for the sheer Japanese POV, many wilful inaccuracies were uncovered in Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway so read that instead.

[William Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author, Mitsuo Fuchida, was a key figure in the air operations of the Japanese carrier force early in World War Two, and his account of the pivotal battle at Midway proved extremely influential to historians of the postwar era. After all, he was pivotal in the Japanese air operations during the battle. But as we now know, Fuchida got a lot wrong. His account was more about saving face for the Japanese than about accuracy.

The best book on this battle, SHATTERED SWORD, convincingly proves this many of Fuchida's underpinnings were wrong. Whether intentional or not, the Japanese air officer misled historians for decades.

Nevertheless, the background details given by Fuchida are fascinating. Anyone interested in the truth of what happened at Midway should read this book to get an idea of what it was like from the enemy side.

[Duane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew enough of the details of the battle itself, that this book really didn't add much as far as that goes. So the fact that it may be inaccurate in some of the "hardware" aspects of the battle and of their deployment, aren't particularly of issue with me.

What it did do was provide some fascinating insights into the background and the tableau of the war itself, into Japanese attitudes and planning of the war from the outset, and the abominable manner in which the civilian and military leadership, besotted with a twisted quasi-religious fervor much akin to Naziism in Germany, dragged the Japanese military and the Japanese people at large - both of which nevertheless share in the culpability for the war - into the destruction of their nation. There's a lesson in that for all nations which, while never explicitly stated in the book, nevertheless comes through loud and clear. The Japanese - and the Germans, for that matter - seem never for a moment to have questioned whether their obsessive expansionism was justified, but only whether a particular means of achieving it was wise, and that also is made more than obvious. Also, they go into Japanese psychology, and the incredible hubris of the Japanese at that time which led them to ignore the ominously prescient outcomes of their military "board games" - a story which I'd heard of, but never read in such detail. I think they spend a bit too much time in self-recrimination and mournful regret, which detracts somewhat from the impact of the book, but, it was written for Japanese, and not Americans, so...

[Liberty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting book on the Battle of Midway from the Japanese perspective. Mitsuo Fuchida (the man who led the attack on Pearl Harbor and later became a great friend of America) does not in anyway try to make excuses for the failure, but instead quite thoroughly lays out the facts, details, and statistics of the battle; sparing no pains as he explains the purpose of the battle, the plans, and why it was such a catastrophic failure to the Japanese Navy.

Interestingly enough, Fuchida himself was sick the entire battle from a recent appendicitis surgery.

The book, though very thick content-wise, is probably a good idea for anyone interested in the Battle of Midway. Besides understanding the tactical errors of the Japanese, through their own eyes, it is a good reminder, that even our enemies are still human.

[Nick Hawkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

For many decades this was the only English language account of the battle from a Japanese perspective. Unfortunately we were mislead by Fuchida, more recent work has revealed that this book is deliberately in error on several key points (see Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway for details).

It's still a good read but more as a historical novel than a record of history.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

History is written by the victors. Not in this instance however... and I'm glad to experience the view from the losing side of this battle. I know there is some controversy over certain details provided by Fuchida, and I am deducting a Star for those probable errors out of a sense of honor for those that died. Whitewashing the facts afterwards to save face is not acceptable, but I do give him some benefit of the doubt as time can blur facts, and maybe his is simply remembering wrong certain details.

The book is otherwise a wonderful read, and is enlightening to an American reading this as his "enemy" through out the book. His critical assessment of the operations and planning is interesting and demonstrates the highly optimistic attitudes the IJN leadership felt about their chances of success. When anything countered those positive outcomes, such as wargames demonstrating weaknesses with their plans, they simply enforced rules that tied the hands of the American "players" to conform with their expectations. Negativity was not tolerated.

Warships are tough places to be when combat is happening and damage is being taken. I've served onboard a carrier having a large fire... not fun. Now doing that with bombs going off and no power... unimaginable. I hold the sailors and airmen who fought these battles in the highest regard, and with zero shame admire the Japanese men who fought and died here at Midway. That said, I'm glad we won. Because history is written by the victors. Usually.

I give this a solid 4 Stars, and recommend this book... though encourage you to also read Shatter Swords which is a more recent book that is a bit more factual.

[Phrodrick slowed his growing backlog · Rating 3 out of 5]

When originally published in America, By the US Naval Institute, Midway: The Battle that Doomed Japan, the Imperial Japanese Navy's Story became the source for the Japanese view of the "Incredible Victory" that was the battle of Midway. Authors Mitsuo Fuchida and Masatake Okumiya had been present for at the Battle, serving in positions that would have given them access to events in the battle for events in the carries fleet, and had served on the team that conducted the official Japanese after action study. The fact that the book was published by The Naval Institute with an introduction by US Naval Historian Thomas Buell, author of among others: The Quiet Warrior: A Biography of Admiral Raymond A. Spruance (Classics of Naval Literature) and a forward by Admiral Raymond Spruance (Commander American task forces at Midway) is testimony to the importance given to this book.

Since that time Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway has become the new standard text for the Japanese view of this engagement.

I am not sure that the errors in the Fushida book end its utility. The major controversy seems to be based Fuchida's claim that during fatal 5 minutes wherein the Japanese Carriers were taken by surprise and fatally damaged their decks were loaded with a strike force armed but not yet ready for take off. A closer review of the logs suggest that the decks were busy dealing with the combat air patrol. My read of the Fuchida book had me confused on this point, but it is likely that there would have been strike planes, armed and in the hanger decks, along with other improperly stored bombs and torpedoes. This is the kind of point that the serious historians like to fight over, it is not fatal from the point of view of the more general reader.

Having just read : RESEARCH & DEBATE REFLECTING ON FUCHIDA, OR "A TALE OF THREE WHOPPERS" by Jonathan Parshall I am certain that Fushida's version is incorrect as to the spotting of the Japanese strike force. I do not see Parshall's comments as to the location of, and status of this strike force. If these aircraft were in the Hanger decks, they would have been closer to where the American Bombs exploded and the damage inflicted by cooking off their ordinance would be if anything more fatal.

A more serious claim is that Fushida is highly critical of Admiral Nagumo's failure to use a two plane search tactic. If it is correct that the Fleet had not yet adopted this tactic or that Fushida could not have known about it at the time of Midway, this is a serious charge of revisionism against Fushida. There may be other errors in the details of Fuchida's account, but I am leery of the suggestion that his account is designed to clear the author's reputation. Then Captain Fushida was not a member of the planning group that designed the Midway /Aleutian assault, and he was recovering from an emergency appendectomy during the battle. He would have had no face to save in the larger scheme of events.

His major hypothesis was that Japans decision to enlarge their war by attacking the western nations was that for Japan, the war was started by those with no understanding of war at sea, and fought by those with no understanding of aerial warfare. Fuchida amply defends his hypothesis.

For the more general reader, or a history hobbyist, Midway: The Battle that Doomed is readable and a rare chance to read history as written by the defeated. Perhaps some face saving is to be expected when you are present on the losing side. Every reader should be aware that reading this text is , for good reason, no longer the best source for the Japanese analysis of Midway.

At the risk of a spoiler, there is a very important paragraph at the end of the book, it deserves consideration by any with opinions about the use of armies. In speaking of the larger failures by the people of WWII Japan he makes this observation:
"...there is an irrationality and impulsiveness about our people which results in actions that are haphazard and often contradictory. a tradition of provincialism makes us narrow-minded and dogmatic, reluctant to discard prejudices and slow to adopt even necessary improvements if they require a new concept. indecisive and vacillating, we succumb readily to conceit, which in turn makes us disdainful of others....
Our want of rationality often leads us to confuse desire and reality and thus to do things without careful planning. ..."

Japan had to lose a war to gain the freedom to consider events from this point of view. It may be that there are, in the United States, people, including those seeking leadership positions who also suffer from `Victory Disease".

For the record, my copy was bought by me at the National Museum of the Pacific Fredericksburg, Texas.
A worthy place for your support and education.

[Nahian]

It gives a chilling sensation to read the words of the man, who led the first wave of attack on Pearl Harbor.

Until the western historians identified the anomalies of Fuchida’s narrative, it used to be a major source of Japanese side of the story. While self-promoting misinformation are common in participant authored history, accepting Fuchida’s version on face value has ended up creating a few myths which are deeply engraved in our minds. Most notably: Kido Butai carrier decks full of aircrafts-minutes away from launching a strike when the US dive bombers pounced on them. But the recent works, siting the flight logs, reveal the IJN carriers were handling only CAP aircrafts at that moment and not ready for launching its own strike.

Despite the few anomalies, the book gives a good general narrative of the battle from the Japanese perspective. It is highly recommended that this books is followed up by reading the Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway and not to be read as a standalone history.

[Curtis Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book. After having been stationed in Japan for 11 plus year I had a good understanding of the Japanese culture in the after years of WW II. I have always been fascinated with the Battle of Midway long before I was stationed and served twice on the USS Midway which was named after the great battle. While serving both in Japan and the Aircraft Carriers USS Midway, USS Independence, and USS Kitty Hawk all of which were stationed out of Japan my understanding of the battle has always been one from the American Military's or the U.S. view. In this book you hear from the powerful Japanese Navy's view. The author takes you into the mindset of the planners, leaders, and the overall Japanese Military's perspective. The Japanese Military was victorious in every battle they fought for the last few decades leading up to the war. This belief of undefeatable was a major factor in the many mistakes the Japanese Naval Leadership made going into this battle and one that cost them so much. Truly a good book.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting account of the battle of Midway told after the war from a Japanese point of view – but very critical of how the battle was carried out. Parts of the book were way beyond my knowledge level (descriptions of ships and planes and most of the battle maneuvers), but there are many other sections that were totally captivating. I felt like I was actually watching a good WW II movie. I was carried along so strongly that I even forgot that “the enemy” was me. Wonderful footnotes - that are required reading - bring information up-to-date or comment on conflicting points of view.

A couple of quotes: “warfare is a succession of errors on both sides and [the] victory goes to the side which makes the fewer.” (p. 105)
“We were accustomed to success and so sure of our superior strength that no thought was given to the possibility that things might not go exactly as we had planned.” (p. 166)

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always fascinating to read about battles from the viewpoint of the other side, and this book is a great view of the Japanese campaign in the Pacific - from Pearl Harbor through Midway - from the perspective of one of their own officers. It was a revelation to the Japanese people when it was first published in the early 50s, as they had never been told the truth about much of the war. Much of it will seem "old news" to modern Western audiences, but the insights about Admiral Yammamoto's strategic shortcomings as well as the amazing heroics of many of the Japanese aviators and sailors makes for compelling reading.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read from the Japanese side of the battle, from the pilot that led the attack on Pearl Harbor. This was the battle that the general public in Japan did not learn about until this book was initially published in 1951, the English version appearing in 1955. Later books on this battle, specifically "Shattered Sword" (published 2005) bring to light many inaccuracies in Fuchida's work, but "Shattered Sword" was able to make extensive use of Japanese primary sources, most unavailable to Fuchida at the time of his work. My recommendation is to read both, and other works on the battle to get a more fuller view.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't the book I read. I bought a paperback book about the battle of Midway at a school "book fair" when I was in fourth grade. I was a bit of a WWII nerd back then and the cover art on the one I bought caught my eye. I honestly can't remember much about the book, except that I really liked it at the time.

I may still have my copy buried in a box of paperbacks in the loft. I may just read it again if I've still got it.

I suspect Fuchida's book is an interesting read, showing that very decisive battle from the view of the Japanese navy--instead of the victorious U.S. fleet.

[Peter Galamaga · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Battle of Midway from the Japanese perspective. A bit slow and detail focused for the first half of the book where the lead-up to the battle is described.
As a former US Navy officer, I found the battle descriptions fascinating and horrifying. I can't imagine a worse nightmare than being trapped aboard a flaming warship during battle.
One significant takeaway that I got from this book - and something that I'm finding as a constant in all of the history accounts I read - is that "experts" are not to be relied upon.

[Bill V · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an adequate read into the Battle of Midway. Unfortunately some information that has been disproven over the years is contained in here such as the Japanese were on the verge of launching their airstrike against the American fleet when their own carriers were struck or the fact that two-phase search patterns should have been used when the concept hadn't yet even been conceived.
The language and narrative is easy to read and the Japanese Order of Battle seems quite complete; there is no American equivalent provided.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any student of Midway if only to appreciate the view from the Japanese perspective as they handily beat off attack after attack during the epic day and began to feel truly invincible...until the "helldivers" (their term for the onslaught of Navy SBD Dauntless Dive Bombers) from USS Enterprise and USS Yorktown that arrived as the defending Zero fighters were dealing with TBD Torpedo bomber attacks. The rest is history as the tide shifted in the war....

[Ronald Roche · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a crucial read for anyone who wants to understand not only how, but more importantly why the battle happened the way it did.

I have to say, most of the books I've read about Midway have done a good job at using eyewitness accounts from both sides, but since Fuchida was a senior planner for the IJN, his account is redolent with the sort of insights that only an insider can give.

Read this book on 5/25/16

[Mark Mears · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am glad I took the time to listen to this book from the Japanese perspective on Midway. I learned some interesting information.

I would have liked to hear more personal details and impressions from Mr. Fuchida in regards to his experiences. The criticisms of leaders and the Japanese people as a whole perhaps played well in the climate of the fifties, however analysis would be better.

Overall I enjoyed the book.

[Jill]

I looked for the 'Japanese Destroyer Captain' book that Natalie just profiled, but no luck at my library. However looking under the Roger Pineau (tertiary author) name led to this well reviewed 'Midway' book, which I have ordered from the Esquimalt branch of the Greater Victoria Library. Esquimalt is also home to Canada's western naval headquarters.

[Guy Saults · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this was a great book when I first read it. Now I understand that the book is full of inaccuracies and gives a vey misleading account of the entire campaign. Historians are still scratching their heads wondering about the author's motivations for obscuring the facts for so long.... I believe the book was never intended for a Westetn audience.

[Greg Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Battle of Midway from the Japanese view-point. Both authors were in the battle, however, it would have been better if this could have been written by them immediately after the battle took place. With information from the American side available (after the war) some of their conclusions and explanations were biased.

[Mike Glaser · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book to read in order to see a familiar campaign through the eyes of the other side. It is an even better book to read on how organizations can fail as the result of too much success. The IJN was a first class fighting organization and though an eventual American victory in the Pacific war was probable, it was in no way guaranteed.

[Colby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offered a fascinating Japanese perspective on the Battle of Midway. It pointed out the Japanese fleet's tactical errors, but more interestingly explored some philosophical and cultural causes for those errors.

[Robert Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Commander Mitsuo Fuchida, who led the first air strike on Pearl Harbor wrote this book in the mid 50's and it is a classic work. I first read this in high school and it taught me to read history from different perspectives.

[Cedar Bristol]

Fuchida was in command of the planes that bombed Pearl Harbor, and would have died at Midway but for an emergency appendectomy shortly before the battle. His take on the battle is the best place to start.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very interested in learning about the Japanese viewpoint at that time in history. It was doubly informative because I met Mitsuo Fuchida in the late 50's after he became a Christian. God surely worked a miracle in his life. He became one of the most gentle of men I have ever met.

[David Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book for fans of World War II history. I have read books on the battle of Midway before, but this is the first one I have read that tells the story from the Japanese prospective. A little too technical in places but I guess that was necessary to get the facts right.

[Kai · Rating 4 out of 5]

always good to have the other side to tell the story too...excellent read about the Battle of Midway.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent account of the battle of Midway from the Japanese side.

[Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to know Midway from the Japanese perspective, from someone who was there, this is the book.