The World at War (35 page)

COMMANDER MINORU GENDA

Japanese Navy Air Staff

The British and American troops were not as well trained as those of Japan. In this respect I think that the Navy, particularly its air arm, had no equal in the world at that time. I was in Britain before the war and saw the ability of the Americans when the war started and my impression was that in both countries their ability was below that of Japan. As for strategy, there was not much to choose between the two sides.

PETTY OFFICER SABURO SAKAI

Outstanding Japanese naval fighter pilot (sixty kills)

Frankly speaking, Japan had already used up a great part of its resources in the war against China, therefore I personally did not think that Japan would be able to win. In fact I was surprised because the war unfolded so easily in favour of Japan. At the same time, when the other side's counter-offensive got started I felt apprehensive.

PROFESSOR VANNEVAR BUSH

Director of the US Office of Scientific Research and Development

For most of the war the strategy of the Pacific was an American strategy. It had to be: the British were there, but a very minor part. But as far as the war in Europe was concerned, the strategy was worked out jointly with genuine joint discussions and consideration. The decision was made early that Europe came first and it was a decision in spite of the fact that we got the devil knocked out of us in the Pacific for a long time. Now the Navy protested at being left way under par in the Pacific and it did put us up to very heavy casualties, but I think the country in general agreed with the decision that the real threat was in Europe.

NAOKI HOSHINO

Japanese Fascist ideologist

We were told only part of the Midway story; the Navy did not tell us the other part. What we were told was that one aircraft carrier was sunk and one was severely damaged. Since there were four carriers involved in the battle, the way we heard it three had come back, but the Anglo-American side was saying that all four had been sunk and there were similar reports in their newspapers. This left some doubt in our minds and we pressed the Navy for more details, but they stuck to their original announcement. As to when we learned the whole truth it was three years later after the war ended, at the War Crimes Tribunal we learned that four carriers were sunk at Midway from the official documents presented by the United States. If four aircraft carriers were lost at Midway it means it was impossible for Japan to pursue the war effectively any further, so from that point on the military never let us know the real situation. As a result of investigations conducted after the war ended it was found out that the Navy had reported the truth to General Tojo shortly after the Midway battle and he ordered that this being an important matter it must never be revealed to others. Tojo, being the kind of man he was, probably intended to reveal the facts bit by bit as time went on but the war proceeded at a fast pace with Japan going downhill and there was no opportunity to make the facts known. So Japan's subsequent battle plans were made on the wrong assessment of its own strength.

COMMANDER GENDA

I think the big reason the Midway battle did not go well was because Japan was not wary enough. The Americans knew in advance that Japan

Interviewee Anthony Eden behind the Big Three at the Teheran conference, 1943.
(insert)
Sir Anthony Eden, then Earl of Avon, being interviewed for
The World at War
in 1971.

Admiral Karl Dönitz, then head of the U-Boat army, congratulating U-boat crew, 1942.
(insert)
Interviewee Admiral Dönitz in 1971.

Squadron Leader Max Aitken during the Battle of Britain, 1940.
(insert)
Sir Max Aitken interviewed in 1971.

General Sir Harold Alexander and interviewee Brigadier John Harding in the desert, 1942.
(insert)
Lord Harding in 1971

Hitler and his gang in the early 1930s.

First Quebec Conference, August 1943 – Churchill and Prime Minister Mackenzie King of Canada stand behind President Roosevelt and Governor General of Canada, the Earl of Athlone.

Night pageant, Berlin to mark Hitler's 50th birthday, 20 April 1939.

Stage management – Hitler addressing the Reichstag following the Fall of France, 1940.

Churchill and Lord Privy Seal Sir Stafford Cripps on HMS
King George V,
October 1942. 'Former Naval Person' was the
nom de guerre
used by Churchill in his correspondence with 'Potus' (the President of the United States).