Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Part 6 of memoirs of a Japanese Torpedo Bomber Pilot, He flew Nakajima B5N torpedo bomber from the carrier Sōryū during the Attack on Pearl Harbor, the Indian Ocean Raid and the Battle of Midway. He is most notable for having released the torpedo that eventually sank the battleship California during the Attack on Pearl Harbor. He was shot down and lost his right hand during the Solomon Islands Campaign while flying from the carrier Jun'yō, but survived the crash and was eventually evacuated to Japan. Here is the link of the playlist ua-cam.com/play/PLGjbe3ikd0XEb8to3WScsn77gC7w7Az8S.html Link of Part 1 ua-cam.com/video/4aHenx86M-M/v-deo.html Link of Part 2 ua-cam.com/video/wPNrMpUEX4k/v-deo.html Link of Part 3 ua-cam.com/video/ZgxiiVAz2Aw/v-deo.html Link of Part 4 ua-cam.com/video/yaRXVhWxU6c/v-deo.html Link of Part 5 ua-cam.com/video/uLO0EQF925k/v-deo.html
I very much enjoy the candid unvarnished thoughts and memories of this earthy blue collar flier. His colorful language gives the account a stronger sense of immediacy
I served 22 years combine service USMC/USN to honor the men and women who gave me my freedom. My hope is this current generation will honor my gift to them with similar service. No world wars in my time just 3 Middle Eastern Wars, I came back with all my parts only I had 2 more holes. Service to a nation comes in many fashions not only the Military, Police, Fire & Rescue, Local Government, Non Profit Orgs or just being there for you fellow Americans regardless of religion, race, creed, mother land, gender, Ideology, Orientation when they are in need of help/support. Be part of the solution that heals this country and not the one isolating anyone who has a different view.
I doubt the younger generations will sacrifice as our founders through to our generation. If you look at the current political, educational, economic, and social conditions it would be hard to justify saving this mess. Sadly our sacrifice, commitment, and oath to our Constitutional Republic has been stolen from us. Semper Fi and Carry On!
Ive always been interested in the Pacific war but I've only seen it from the American side. These stories from the memoirs of a Japanese Aviator have allowed me to see a new dimension of the war from our "enemies" perspective. And profoundly deepens my disgust for war,and our innate ability to always find a reason for it.
I really like to see a cinematic version of Taffy 3 and (arguably) the most one sided yet victorious naval battle in modern history and deserves the recognition for being the most heroic (again arguably)of the pacific war…!!!
I would have to say given Hollywood current lack creativity when it comes to historical films, I think I would prefer not to see them butcher the legacy of Taffy 3
@@glenchapman3899 The latest version of “MIDWAY” wasn’t too bad,at least it didn’t get bogged down in a saccharine flavored love story or a fictitious and totally unnecessary character (looking at you Charlston Heston)….
@@HeedTheLorax those are great videos, I did see the one about the disastrous voyage of the Russian Baltic fleet in during the Russo/Japanese war so I’ll have to check out the one on Taffy 3….thanks!👍
I like the 'fog of war' when they recall things that didn't happen, false reports and so fourth. Like the mention of battleships escorting the Yorktown.
It’s generally not recognized, that at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack, the US had: The two new North Carolina class battleships Laid down the four South Dakota class battleships Laid down the four Iowa class battleships Laid down six Essex class aircraft carriers Laid down four Independence class light aircraft carriers Instituted the first ever peacetime draft in 1940 Had, or was developing every major US aircraft of WW II I’m not sure the Japanese woke a sleeping giant as much as they got him up off the sofa.
@@markhunter9264most of the vessels didn’t fully naturalize until stating in 1943 and it even took until 1944 to see real results. There is a reason why they call it the Miracle at Midway. Stop living in denial and spreading misleading info. US even lacked fleet oilers in 1942. Junk torpedoes. Lack of armor piercing bombs. You discredit the US ingenuity of poker knowledge. Radio intelligence. Bravery and resourcefulness. Even with all that is was just pure IJN stupidity which blew it for them at Midway.
The turning point of the Pacific War to be sure but it was more a stroke of luck and intelligence than military precision. At this point in the war we we're still getting use to this kind of warfare. The White House believed the target would be California and not Midway but for once the politicians listen to their military leaders. Imagine if we still had such leadership. last time was under Reagan. Trump was a poor knock off of that man and Biden well I leave that to the historians down the road,
I find it interesting that the narrator tells the people in the ocean that he'll be back for them and then when he gets to the ship he just gets out of the boat and gets up on deck and forgets all about it. Nice, real nice.
@@andrewtaylor940 the narrator is AI. The story is from a Japanese pilots account and is as faithful as anything else that's out there. Diaries are one of the key tools to a historian. You have absolutely no idea what you're talking about but I'm guessing you hear that a lot.
@@bookaufman9643the narrated story has facts stated in real time that he would no idea about so these stories are a combination of some of his recollections, recollections of others, some historical record they read, a combination of each, and perhaps even none of some. How would this pilot know how many torpedo planes got back to their base or even where they came from ? There are several statements of knowledge made throughout these diary readings that couldn't have been known to a Japanese Torpedo Plane Pilot because they weren't known by anyone on the Japanese side of the battles.
@@raymondcaylor6292 this is a post war revision of his wartime diaries. That is a very common way to do this kind of thing and I'm sure he published a book about his wartime experience. He even quotes American sources in this so obviously this was done after the war because he's talking about the trials. German authors do this all the time when they're talking about their experiences on the Eastern front. It's an attempt to tell the full story but he's also trying to show his part in the whole bloody thing.
@@bookaufman9643 I realize what we're listening to and it's obvious it isn't the diary of a Japanese Torpedo Bomber Pilot. It's like I said, it is a memoir from his own experiences, the experience of others, historical records, and/or recollections of others. It's not my intention of calling out information conveyed he couldn't possibly have first hand knowledge of but simply pointing out that listeners should understand the narrator isn't reading a chronology of first hand experiences and feelings as a diary would.
It’s odd now because of this channel I’ve heard this story from multiple perspectives. Like multiple times they describe the escorting destroyer putting out black smoke to say that they are spotting the incoming attack on the carriers
Again, this narrative varies from the actual condition of the carriers. They Carriers weren't within 10 minutes of launching an anti-carrier strike. Reference " Shattered Swords" Carrier launch logs and actual photos prove what the IJN status for launch actual was. This narrative developed during the war to explain the battle in a more positive manor. This is in no means intended to disrespect the IJN or it's brave service members.
Allied pilots soon learned how to deal with Japanese Zero fighters. When the understood the Zeros capability and weaknesses. And learning correct tactics. Even the Grumman Wild Cats could tackle -Zeros effectively with suitable tactics. Such as avoiding tight dogfights. Using team tactics or diving attacks and escapes. And with the loss of great pilots at Midway the quality of Japanese Navy pilots rapidly declined. While the allied nations were rapidly training huge numbers of effective pilots and building huge numbers of superior fighters. Also building over 150 aircraft carriers. By the wars end the US Navy had 100 active carriers. With plenty of pilots and aircraft. Midway gained the US time to build its carrier fleets. The outcome was inevitable.
What you say is true. I agree with documentaries and military history writers who report our American fleet submarine services kept us in the fight with their brave missions up to Japan's door step and throughout the war.
Actually, it was due more to the inexperience of replacement fighter pilots. It wasn't the lack of the ability are the fighter pilots,no.. It was due to inferior aircraft building and slow technical advancement an aircraft design.
Japanese losses at Midway included many skilled ground crews that could not easily be replaced. Maintenance became an increasingly serious issue for the Japanese Navy. Also poor logistics and base facilities. Lack of fuel became a major problem as allied submarines sank many oil tankers. So less fuel for training new aircrew. Midway began the downward spiral of the Japanese Navy.
An airplane takes a lot of people to build and a lot of money, we in the USA would never intentionally crash it into the enemy, it's defeatist, foolish, stupid. God bless America🇺🇸
The Japanese reported Hornet and Enterprise sunk. Of course, they couldn't report Lexington sunk, since they reported it sunk already. It's almost sad that they lied about four fleet carriers sunk. Even the Japanese army didn't realize the losses until later.
Too bad it was too risky for the carriers to go hunt the battleship division following the air and invasion fleets. Putting some unprotected surface warfare ships and a few thousand sailors on the bottom might have hastened the end of the war. I wonder how long before the author found out Enterprise was not damaged in the Midway battle?
Midway Island was not worth the losses. The plan to capture Midway was ill conceived and ego driven. At that early stage of the War, Japan would have been better off consolidating their Eastern Front and reinforcing its Southern Front. Once depleted, the Japanese poor management really proved as deadly as taking on the US and Allies.
The Zero was not as superior as thought to be. Once allied pilots gained experience, better training, understanding of the Zero and suitable tactics the Zero rapidly lost its dominance. Even the Grumman Wild Cats could take on Zeros effectively. The Wildcats could use its firepower, tough construction and dive speed to advantage. Avoiding tight dogfights with the Zero. Attacking when in a superior position. Most of the other new US fighters were of Even better performance. Especially the Hell Cats and Corsairs. Also the Lightnings, Mustangs, and Thunderbolts when they saw action against Zeros. The He'll Cats and Corsairs doing the most damage against Japanese Navy Zeros. This was made much worse by the high losses of Japanese Zero fighter pilots after Midway. Japan rapidly lost in quality of pilots as the war progressed. Partly due to poor training. The Gruman Hell Cat fighters were superior to Zeros in most capabilities except range. But Heĺl Cat pilots should always avoid tight turning dogfights and use speed and dives to attack and escape. Or use specific tactics to deal with Zeros by working in teams. Zeros also had good climb rates but slow dive speeds. Another confusing problem for US fighter pilots was a tendency for Zero fighters to produce smoke when attacked. This was a normal response of the engine. But inexperienced allied pilots often thought they had shot down the Zero. Experience showed that a Zero needed to actually be seen burning to consider a possible kill. The Guadalcanal campaign became a losing war of attrition for the Japanese Navy and army. Including fighters. While allied fighters and pilots improved in number and quality. Before the war the Japanese Navy had developed a large number of very capable pilots. But failed to sustain numbers and quality of new pilots. Who had very little chance in combat. Later in the war British carrier Sea Spitfires also proved effective against Japanese kamikaze pilots. Even in Zeros. Some of the best IJN pilots did survive the war. But not many. By 1944 the Japanese carrier fleet lacked enough aircrew to operate effectively. Zeros were not even very effective kamikaze planes. Unless lucky or skillful pilots. The Zeros were very vulnerable to incendiary ammunition causing them to burn quickly.
So? Crippled and made useless by U.S Actions. Just because a ships doesn't sink on its own, doesn't mean it's not made a floating wreck that cant be salvaged. Don't be stupid.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Part 6 of memoirs of a Japanese Torpedo Bomber Pilot, He flew Nakajima B5N torpedo bomber from the carrier Sōryū during the Attack on Pearl Harbor, the Indian Ocean Raid and the Battle of Midway. He is most notable for having released the torpedo that eventually sank the battleship California during the Attack on Pearl Harbor. He was shot down and lost his right hand during the Solomon Islands Campaign while flying from the carrier Jun'yō, but survived the crash and was eventually evacuated to Japan.
Here is the link of the playlist
ua-cam.com/play/PLGjbe3ikd0XEb8to3WScsn77gC7w7Az8S.html
Link of Part 1 ua-cam.com/video/4aHenx86M-M/v-deo.html
Link of Part 2 ua-cam.com/video/wPNrMpUEX4k/v-deo.html
Link of Part 3 ua-cam.com/video/ZgxiiVAz2Aw/v-deo.html
Link of Part 4 ua-cam.com/video/yaRXVhWxU6c/v-deo.html
Link of Part 5 ua-cam.com/video/uLO0EQF925k/v-deo.html
Evil won WW2
I very much enjoy the candid unvarnished thoughts and memories of this earthy blue collar flier. His colorful language gives the account a stronger sense of immediacy
I served 22 years combine service USMC/USN to honor the men and women who gave me my freedom. My hope is this current generation will honor my gift to them with similar service. No world wars in my time just 3 Middle Eastern Wars, I came back with all my parts only I had 2 more holes. Service to a nation comes in many fashions not only the Military, Police, Fire & Rescue, Local Government, Non Profit Orgs or just being there for you fellow Americans regardless of religion, race, creed, mother land, gender, Ideology, Orientation when they are in need of help/support. Be part of the solution that heals this country and not the one isolating anyone who has a different view.
Sir, Yes Sir
Thank you !🙏
👍❤️
I doubt the younger generations will sacrifice as our founders through to our generation. If you look at the current political, educational, economic, and social conditions it would be hard to justify saving this mess. Sadly our sacrifice, commitment, and oath to our Constitutional Republic has been stolen from us. Semper Fi and Carry On!
When was the last war that the USA fought that in hindsight was justified. I can’t think of one including my own VN.
Ive always been interested in the Pacific war but I've only seen it from the American side. These stories from the memoirs of a Japanese Aviator have allowed me to see a new dimension of the war from our "enemies" perspective. And profoundly deepens my disgust for war,and our innate ability to always find a reason for it.
Thanks for another fascinating video. I enjoy these first hand accounts from the other side's perspective.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I really like to see a cinematic version of Taffy 3 and (arguably) the most one sided yet victorious naval battle in modern history and deserves the recognition for being the most heroic (again arguably)of the pacific war…!!!
I would have to say given Hollywood current lack creativity when it comes to historical films, I think I would prefer not to see them butcher the legacy of Taffy 3
Have you watched Drachinifel's video about Taffy 3? Highly recommend it.
@@glenchapman3899 The latest version of “MIDWAY” wasn’t too bad,at least it didn’t get bogged down in a saccharine flavored love story or a fictitious and totally unnecessary character (looking at you Charlston Heston)….
@@HeedTheLorax those are great videos, I did see the one about the disastrous voyage of the Russian Baltic fleet in during the Russo/Japanese war so I’ll have to check out the one on Taffy 3….thanks!👍
@@54blewis At least none of the captains of Taffy 3 threw their binoculars at anyone lol
Decisiveness is better than thoroughness, he says. In war. I agree by and large.
Loving this.
I like the 'fog of war' when they recall things that didn't happen, false reports and so fourth. Like the mention of battleships escorting the Yorktown.
Midway was a decisive battle that caused many military leaders to recognize "they had awaken the sleeping giant."
It’s generally not recognized, that at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack, the US had:
The two new North Carolina class battleships
Laid down the four South Dakota class battleships
Laid down the four Iowa class battleships
Laid down six Essex class aircraft carriers
Laid down four Independence class light aircraft carriers
Instituted the first ever peacetime draft in 1940
Had, or was developing every major US aircraft of WW II
I’m not sure the Japanese woke a sleeping giant as much as they got him up off the sofa.
That quote is from a movie ("Tora, Tora, Tora"), not Yamamoto.
@@markhunter9264 Japan had spies too, they had to know these facts
@@markhunter9264most of the vessels didn’t fully naturalize until stating in 1943 and it even took until 1944 to see real results.
There is a reason why they call it the Miracle at Midway. Stop living in denial and spreading misleading info.
US even lacked fleet oilers in 1942. Junk torpedoes. Lack of armor piercing bombs.
You discredit the US ingenuity of poker knowledge. Radio intelligence. Bravery and resourcefulness.
Even with all that is was just pure IJN stupidity which blew it for them at Midway.
Midway is my favorite battle.
The turning point of the Pacific War to be sure but it was more a stroke of luck and intelligence than military precision. At this point in the war we we're still getting use to this kind of warfare. The White House believed the target would be California and not Midway but for once the politicians listen to their military leaders. Imagine if we still had such leadership. last time was under Reagan. Trump was a poor knock off of that man and Biden well I leave that to the historians down the road,
Remember Afganistan.
Definitely one of the US Navy’s greatest hits, ha ha!
You obviously haven't been in war!
@garycamara9955 You obviously have too much time on your hands.
This is a story many already know well. But hearing the personal account of an individual participant is always interesting.
Especially from the Japanese side
You honestly believe this is a personal account . SMHL
Oh good. Looking forward to this episode.
Fantastic account!
@18:52...it's interesting to hear that happens in militaries across time and around the globe 😅
I find it interesting that the narrator tells the people in the ocean that he'll be back for them and then when he gets to the ship he just gets out of the boat and gets up on deck and forgets all about it. Nice, real nice.
@@andrewtaylor940 the narrator is AI. The story is from a Japanese pilots account and is as faithful as anything else that's out there. Diaries are one of the key tools to a historian. You have absolutely no idea what you're talking about but I'm guessing you hear that a lot.
@@bookaufman9643the narrated story has facts stated in real time that he would no idea about so these stories are a combination of some of his recollections, recollections of others, some historical record they read, a combination of each, and perhaps even none of some. How would this pilot know how many torpedo planes got back to their base or even where they came from ? There are several statements of knowledge made throughout these diary readings that couldn't have been known to a Japanese Torpedo Plane Pilot because they weren't known by anyone on the Japanese side of the battles.
@@raymondcaylor6292 this is a post war revision of his wartime diaries. That is a very common way to do this kind of thing and I'm sure he published a book about his wartime experience. He even quotes American sources in this so obviously this was done after the war because he's talking about the trials. German authors do this all the time when they're talking about their experiences on the Eastern front. It's an attempt to tell the full story but he's also trying to show his part in the whole bloody thing.
@@bookaufman9643 I realize what we're listening to and it's obvious it isn't the diary of a Japanese Torpedo Bomber Pilot. It's like I said, it is a memoir from his own experiences, the experience of others, historical records, and/or recollections of others. It's not my intention of calling out information conveyed he couldn't possibly have first hand knowledge of but simply pointing out that listeners should understand the narrator isn't reading a chronology of first hand experiences and feelings as a diary would.
Sailors from the destroyer took his place on the lifeboat and continued rescuing more survivors.
It’s odd now because of this channel I’ve heard this story from multiple perspectives. Like multiple times they describe the escorting destroyer putting out black smoke to say that they are spotting the incoming attack on the carriers
Again, this narrative varies from the actual condition of the carriers. They Carriers weren't within 10 minutes of launching an anti-carrier strike. Reference " Shattered Swords" Carrier launch logs and actual photos prove what the IJN status for launch actual was. This narrative developed during the war to explain the battle in a more positive manor. This is in no means intended to disrespect the IJN or it's brave service members.
Allied pilots soon learned how to deal with Japanese Zero fighters. When the understood the Zeros capability and weaknesses. And learning correct tactics. Even the Grumman Wild Cats could tackle -Zeros effectively with suitable tactics. Such as avoiding tight dogfights. Using team tactics or diving attacks and escapes. And with the loss of great pilots at Midway the quality of Japanese Navy pilots rapidly declined. While the allied nations were rapidly training huge numbers of effective pilots and building huge numbers of superior fighters. Also building over 150 aircraft carriers. By the wars end the US Navy had 100 active carriers. With plenty of pilots and aircraft. Midway gained the US time to build its carrier fleets. The outcome was inevitable.
What you say is true. I agree with documentaries and military history writers who report our American fleet submarine services kept us in the fight with their brave missions up to Japan's door step and throughout the war.
Sounds like he was one of the scared, and panic sailors scrambling to the top
Actually, it was due more to the inexperience of replacement fighter pilots. It wasn't the lack of the ability are the fighter pilots,no..
It was due to inferior aircraft building and slow technical advancement an aircraft design.
I'm confused...? Pretty sure you've covered this part of midway battle in previous vids? Is this from a different author's point of view?
Japanese losses at Midway included many skilled ground crews that could not easily be replaced. Maintenance became an increasingly serious issue for the Japanese Navy. Also poor logistics and base facilities. Lack of fuel became a major problem as allied submarines sank many oil tankers. So less fuel for training new aircrew. Midway began the downward spiral of the Japanese Navy.
Their downward spiral started at pearl harbor.
They just didn't know it
pilot losses were not that big...that would later come over the slot
This is such a happy story 😊😊😊
An airplane takes a lot of people to build and a lot of money, we in the USA would never intentionally crash it into the enemy, it's defeatist, foolish, stupid. God bless America🇺🇸
No the USA just invades countries wages war and after 10 years plus gives up Vietnam, Afghanistan not stupid at all ! Or defeatist !
The Japanese reported Hornet and Enterprise sunk. Of course, they couldn't report Lexington sunk, since they reported it sunk already. It's almost sad that they lied about four fleet carriers sunk. Even the Japanese army didn't realize the losses until later.
He said under attack they tighten their formation. How then did they not shoot each other?
By not holding the trigger on when they sweep across their friendly aircraft. Situational awareness.
They hid the disaster and lied about it. I always wondered what relatives of the 4 carriers were told throughout the rest of the war?
How come Lt. Tomonaga the attack leader of Midway group not even mentioned?
Jap pilot recounting "his" story.
This guy is off the Soryu. He mentions him about 16:20.
This is the first I'd learned that Captain Yanagimoto took the coward's way out.
You viewed this through the lens of your cultural bias
In order to save face a lot of bravado is expressed in these tales.
Why didn't they flood the magazines on these ships? Seems to me this could have saved them.
The bombs on the hangar deck were going off.
In akagi's case, the bomb hit also left her without electricity, which made damage control way harder than it already was
Dai Nippon Tekkaku!
😮
Too bad it was too risky for the carriers to go hunt the battleship division following the air and invasion fleets. Putting some unprotected surface warfare ships and a few thousand sailors on the bottom might have hastened the end of the war. I wonder how long before the author found out Enterprise was not damaged in the Midway battle?
Midway Island was not worth the losses. The plan to capture Midway was ill conceived and ego driven. At that early stage of the War, Japan would have been better off consolidating their Eastern Front and reinforcing its Southern Front. Once depleted, the Japanese poor management really proved as deadly as taking on the US and Allies.
Apparently many intelligent,knowledgeable individuals disagree with you.
The Zero was not as superior as thought to be. Once allied pilots gained experience, better training, understanding of the Zero and suitable tactics the Zero rapidly lost its dominance. Even the Grumman Wild Cats could take on Zeros effectively. The Wildcats could use its firepower, tough construction and dive speed to advantage. Avoiding tight dogfights with the Zero. Attacking when in a superior position. Most of the other new US fighters were of Even better performance. Especially the Hell Cats and Corsairs. Also the Lightnings, Mustangs, and Thunderbolts when they saw action against Zeros. The He'll Cats and Corsairs doing the most damage against Japanese Navy Zeros. This was made much worse by the high losses of Japanese Zero fighter pilots after Midway. Japan rapidly lost in quality of pilots as the war progressed. Partly due to poor training. The Gruman Hell Cat fighters were superior to Zeros in most capabilities except range. But Heĺl Cat pilots should always avoid tight turning dogfights and use speed and dives to attack and escape. Or use specific tactics to deal with Zeros by working in teams. Zeros also had good climb rates but slow dive speeds. Another confusing problem for US fighter pilots was a tendency for Zero fighters to produce smoke when attacked. This was a normal response of the engine. But inexperienced allied pilots often thought they had shot down the Zero. Experience showed that a Zero needed to actually be seen burning to consider a possible kill. The Guadalcanal campaign became a losing war of attrition for the Japanese Navy and army. Including fighters. While allied fighters and pilots improved in number and quality. Before the war the Japanese Navy had developed a large number of very capable pilots. But failed to sustain numbers and quality of new pilots. Who had very little chance in combat. Later in the war British carrier Sea Spitfires also proved effective against Japanese kamikaze pilots. Even in Zeros. Some of the best IJN pilots did survive the war. But not many. By 1944 the Japanese carrier fleet lacked enough aircrew to operate effectively. Zeros were not even very effective kamikaze planes. Unless lucky or skillful pilots. The Zeros were very vulnerable to incendiary ammunition causing them to burn quickly.
The Zero's engine smoked when the throttle was on overboost, which it often was when in combat.
But not sunk by US actions!
So? Crippled and made useless by U.S Actions. Just because a ships doesn't sink on its own, doesn't mean it's not made a floating wreck that cant be salvaged.
Don't be stupid.
The concern was that the Americans would salvage it and make it an effective war propaganda trophy
@@captainobvious9233 - Not sure what you feel you are accomplishing.
Most books on Midway state or imply the IJN carriers were sunk by US action.
@@GlobalDrifter1000 - It was accepted doctrine of all forces to destroy vehicles (land and sea) instead of allowing capture, for whatever use.
The text to voice AI choice of an Oxford accent makes it SOOO easy to dislike the narrator