The Japanese Navy in World War II: In the Words of Former Japanese Naval Officers, Second Edition

by David C. Evans (Editor)

Overview

First published in 1986 and lauded by historians and World War II buffs eager for the Japanese viewpoint, this collection of essays makes significant contributions to the field of World War II literature. In it, top-ranking Japanese officers offer their personal perspectives of the Pacific War. This second edition adds five articles to the original twelve to present a full picture of the Japanese navy’s role in the war.

Most of these moving accounts were written in the 1950s and retain the immediacy felt by the writers when they participated in the events. They provide valuable information on the strategy, tactics, and operations of the Japanese fleet, as well as insights into the personalities and motives of its leaders. Here, Vice Admiral Shigeru Fukudome comes to grips with allegations that the assault on Pearl Harbor represented strategic folly, political blundering, and tactical stupidity. Captain Mitsuo Fuchida describes how his bombing group unleashed “devils of doom” on Battleship Row, and Mitsuru Yoshida gives an eye-witness account of the sinking of the famous battleship Yamato. The new contributions to the volume discuss operations in the Indian Ocean, the battle of the Philippine Sea, the protection of merchant shipping, submarine warfare, and Japan’s overall naval strategy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781682472149
Publisher:	Naval Institute Press
Publication date:	02/15/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	592
Sales rank:	596,069
File size:	21 MB
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About the Author

DAVID C. EVANS (1940–1999) served in the U.S. Navy as an ensign and a lieutenant (junior grade), USNR. He taught history at the University of Virginia and was the associate dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. He is the co-author of Kaigun: Strategy, Tactics, and Technology in the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1887–1941.

Editorial Reviews

[T]his is a very worthwhile book for a wide audience and it holds a wealth of new materials.” —International Journal of Maritime History “The unparalleled Japanese perspective provided by The Japanese Navy in World War II made the book essential reading for students of the Pacific War when first published in the 1960s. This remains true today.” —Warship “ … lauded by historians and World War II buffs eager for the Japanese viewpoint, this collection of essays makes significant contributions to the field of World War II literature.” – SeaTechnology Magazine “David Evans provides an incredibly valuable text that offers a great deal of information and an interesting first-hand perspective on the Pacific war. It is highly recommended for anyone with an academic or general interest, and will provide a great deal of new insight into the maelstrom of the Second World War in the Pacific.” —The Northern Mariner "The composition and format made the reread of this work worthwhile by helping me realize that I was becoming complacent with my ideas of revisionism in search of the truth. So, thank you Naval Institute Press for the timely reprint. I highly recommend reading..." —Naval Historical Foundation “The Japanese Navy in World War II remains valuable for anyone doing serious research into the Pacific war.” – The NYMAS Review

From the Publisher