Chapter 230

< World War II - The Day (1) >

January 7, 1942

The Empire of Japan, Tokyo – Imperial Palace

Emperor Hirohito gazed through the window at the streams of rain pouring from a sky thick with dark clouds.

Prime Minister Tojo Hideki, meanwhile, was growing flustered as he watched the Emperor, who had summoned him only to remain silent.

After keeping his Prime Minister standing for a long time without a word, Hirohito finally turned to face Tojo.

“Prime Minister.”

“Yes, His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Is Operation Z proceeding smoothly?”

Operation Z, which had been in preparation since 1940 for a potential war with America, had finally been put into action.

“It should be proceeding smoothly, Your Majesty.”

“When is the date of the attack?”

“W-Well, that is…”

It was a matter for the Navy, and as an Army man, Tojo had not been informed of the precise plan.

But he couldn't say that to the Emperor. Tojo hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“While it is a military operation, the exact date may change due to the long-range expedition. I am told it will be carried out within this month.”

Hirohito narrowed his eyes at Tojo, recalling his conversation with Navy Minister Nagano Osami.

-Your Majesty.

The American embargo and the German U-boat fleet they’ve condoned are causing tremendous disruption to the war effort. I regret to inform you that war with the United States is now unavoidable.

-Navy Minister, can we truly defeat those Anglo-German-American brutes?

-…It has to be now, or never.

-Now or never?

-To transport oil and resources, the Empire has already lost 60 of its 400 transport ships, Your Majesty.

If we allow this situation to continue and the Soviet Union collapses, all that awaits the Empire is ruin.

-What you say is true, but I worry that my ministers are not acting out of despair.

-…The Navy awaits Your Majesty’s imperial sanction.

In the end, Hirohito had approved the execution of Operation Z.

Nevertheless, it was only now, with the decision already made and the fleet at sea, that Hirohito felt a surge of anxiety.

“If there is no certainty that we can fight and win, then it is wrong to drive our subjects into such a war.”

“Y-Your Majesty.”

Hirohito looked at Tojo and asked.

“Although a clean victory like those in the First Sino-Japanese War or the Russo-Japanese War may be difficult, we will be victorious, will we not?”

“That is…”

Tojo Hideki’s mind echoed with the voice of Susumu.

-The conclusion of the Total War Research Institute is that the Empire of Japan will be defeated if it goes to war with America.

“Will we not?”

Tojo Hideki had no confidence that they could win.

The decision had already been made, and he had praised the great spirit of the Yamato People, but when asked if they could win, Japan’s situation was not good enough to answer with certainty.

However…

'After all the blood the Empire has shed and all the money it has spent in China, with the Southern Resource Area now entirely in our hands, to surrender to them without even a fight is unthinkable.'

To give up now, they had already obtained most of what they desired.

Had there been no prospect of success, it would be a different story. But with the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, which had seemed so distant even as they spoke of it, now within their grasp, what they held was far too great to relinquish.

“…The blood and sweat of the subjects of the Empire will be rewarded, Your Majesty.”

Only then did Hirohito smile with satisfaction.

“Yes, of course. We have not been defeated once in the last 2,600 years.

This time will be no different.”

---

January 8, 1942.

In the United States, at the Munition Building, headquarters of the US Department of War in Washington D.C.

, President Wendell Willkie, Secretary of State Robert A. Taft, and other heads of government were gathered.

Before them, the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, William Leahy, pointed to a map of the Pacific and began to speak.

“Based on our analysis of the report received from Germany, the US Joint Chiefs of Staff has concluded that the possibility of Japan targeting Pearl Harbor in the event of a war with the US is low.”

Wendell Willkie’s brow furrowed slightly.

“Low, even though America’s entire main fleet is gathered there?”

“That is correct, Mr.

President.”

And at that exact moment.

Aboard his flagship, the aircraft carrier Akagi, which was sailing through the North Pacific past the Kuril Islands, Admiral Ozawa Jisaburo, Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese Mobile Fleet, was addressing his commanders.

“The rise and fall of the Empire hangs on this Operation Z! All hands, give it your all! Our target is Pearl Harbor!”

At that same moment, President Willkie asked a question in America.

“I believe an explanation is in order.”

At a look from Leahy, the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Harold R.

Stark, rose from his seat, not bothering to hide his considerable annoyance.

“First and foremost, it is a matter of location.

The distance from the Japanese archipelago to Hawaii, where Pearl Harbor is located, is 3,700 miles (approx. 6,000 km).

If what the Empire of Japan wants is to gain an advantage through a surprise attack, then approaching that distance undetected is next to impossible.”

Having said that, Stark added with a smirk.

“And that’s not to mention whether those yellow monkeys, who are barely worthy of being called a great power, even have the ability to pose a meaningful threat to Hawaii from 3,700 miles away.”

However, Admiral Ozawa’s fleet was approaching Hawaii by circumnavigating the high-latitude North Pacific in the dead of winter, a route so treacherous that even fishing boats dared not set sail.

“But in the unlikely event that they do reach Pearl Harbor, isn't that dangerous? The surprise submarine and air attacks they've already demonstrated in southern Britain and on Ceylon Island have proven they can inflict serious damage on a fleet.”

Despite Willkie’s question, Chief of Naval Operations Stark did not seem particularly enthused.

“As you know, Mr. President, the situation at Pearl Harbor is different from other seas.

The entrance to the harbor is extremely narrow, making a large-scale submarine ambush like the one France demonstrated nearly impossible.”

“Hmm…”

“Furthermore, the water inside the harbor is only about 12 meters deep.

It’s impossible to use torpedo bombers in such shallow water. Besides, Pearl Harbor has some 400 aircraft and 780 anti-aircraft guns.

You think those inferior yellow monkeys can break through all that and launch a surprise attack?”

From a Chief of Naval Operations, it was a perfectly sound analysis. Any American pilot would have told you that launching a torpedo or bombing attack in such a location was nearly impossible.

“The Army’s analysis also suggests that if Japan were to attack the United States, the Philippines is the most likely target.”

Army Chief of Staff Marshall chimed in to support him.

But on the deck of the aircraft carrier Shokaku, which was approaching Pearl Harbor, the 5th Carrier Division's fighter commander, Iwamoto Tetsuzo, was explaining the countermeasure to his pilots, who were seasoned veterans of the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Southern Operation.

“In this operation, to conduct a torpedo attack in the shallow waters of Pearl Harbor, the torpedo bombers must drop their specially modified torpedoes just above the water surface.

This will make them extremely vulnerable to enemy fighter interception, so be especially diligent in providing cover!”

“Yes, sir!”

At the same time, in America.

With virtually the entire US military high command taking a negative stance on a Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Secretary of State Taft spoke up, looking pleased.

“An exceptionally accurate analysis. Germany’s warning to be cautious of a Pearl Harbor attack is clearly nonsense, spoken without any knowledge of Pearl Harbor’s environment or its detailed situation.

Other countries are likely unaware of just how much of a natural fortress Pearl Harbor’s structure is.”

Even as Taft spoke, the pilots of the Imperial Japanese Naval Air Service were studying photographs, postcards, and maps laid out before them.

Postcards depicting the names and appearances of each naval vessel docked at Pearl Harbor, along with detailed maps and photographs of the harbor itself.

Information that should have been classified as military secrets was readily sold to tourists in Hawaii, and it had been passed on to the Japanese mainland through Japanese-American residents and spies.

Completely unaware of this reality, Willkie creased his brow and spoke.

“According to the telegram from Germany, their U-boats spotted a Japanese fleet, including several aircraft carriers, returning to the mainland.

If the Empire of Japan’s target is the Philippines, as our military suggests, isn't that a strange move?”

“Considering the considerable losses their carrier-based aircraft suffered in the last Battle of Ceylon, they may have needed to reorganize,” said Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson.

Willkie turned his head toward the Chief of Naval Operations, Stark.

“Does a fleet normally return to its home country in its entirety to replenish carrier aircraft? We understand that only one or two carrier transport ships and their escorts are typically moved.”

“Well, who knows what those yellow monkeys are up to. Perhaps they’re so inferior they have to move the whole fleet together.”

“Hahaha!”

Laughter erupted from various corners of the room, and at this point, Willkie felt his energy draining.

Army Chief of Staff Marshall, who had been watching the scene with a stiff expression, saw the president’s disheartened face, cleared his throat to change the mood, and then spoke.

“The President's doubts about the enemy's military actions are justified. It is possible that their movement is aimed at Midway, not the Philippines.”

Willkie narrowed his eyes slightly, lost in thought.

Certainly, Midway or Wake Island were easier to attack in terms of distance, but their strategic value was lacking.

To launch a surprise attack with a fleet of numerous aircraft carriers, consuming vast amounts of fuel, just to occupy a naval base on a coral atoll?

But his desire to transfer the Atlantic Fleet to the Pacific and conduct defense drills at Pearl Harbor had met with strong opposition.

Taft and the Republican Party had accused him of pushing Japan toward a declaration of war, arguing that by blockading the Philippine waters and making a secret agreement for U-boat berthing rights, he was already provoking them enough.

Adding more fleet assets to the Pacific was like asking for war.

As for the defense drills, they opposed them as an irresponsible act that would cause public anxiety based on nothing more than unconfirmed German intelligence.

In the end, Willkie decided to do what he could.

“For now, let’s consider preparing for all possibilities.

Let’s assume that a Japanese attack could come at any time—on the Philippines, Midway, Wake, and… Pearl Harbor. I do not view the situation of having all our capital ships docked in the cramped harbor of Pearl Harbor in a positive light.”

With the President going this far, Chief of Naval Operations Stark reluctantly nodded and replied.

“…Understood, Mr.

President. In that case, I will relay orders to Admiral Kimmel’s Pacific Fleet to disperse some of the capital ships to Midway and Wake and to remain on alert.

Just in case, we will also dispatch bombers to counter any enemy fleet that might attack.”

“But deploying the fleet forward like that could unnecessarily provoke Japan.

If we move on Germany's far-fetched claims and our capital ships are attacked after leaving the natural fortress of Pearl Harbor…”

As Taft still voiced his dissatisfaction, Willkie shook his head and cut him off.

“Even without Germany, there are others who have expressed concern about the possibility of an attack on Pearl Harbor, including the Atlantic Fleet Commander, Admiral Ernest King.

I may not have the military insight of the people here, but I at least know the basic fact that you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket.”

Willkie looked Taft straight in the eye and added resolutely.

“If, as the Secretary of State says, they have no intention of daring to attack us, then they will not launch an attack just because a few ships in the Pacific Fleet move around. And if they have already decided to attack us, then the blockade of the Philippine waters and the stationing of the Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor are already pretext enough.”

“Understood, Mr. President.”

Wendell Willkie stared at Hawaii and Pearl Harbor on the map with a grave expression.

“Track the movements of the enemy aircraft carriers that returned to the Japanese mainland.”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

The aircraft carriers, which had left their home country long ago, were already crossing the Pacific, but America's tracking failed to catch them in time.

Finally, Willkie muttered with a bitter smile.

“…The rest is up to the Pacific Fleet and Admiral Kimmel.”

---

January 24, 1942

Hawaiian Islands, Honolulu Island – Pearl Harbor

Saturday morning.

At his headquarters, the Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, Admiral Husband Kimmel, was receiving a report.

“Admiral Fletcher's fleet, accompanying the CV-2 Lexington and the battleship West Virginia, has arrived at Wake Island.

No particular movements have been detected in the vicinity.”

“Admiral Halsey's fleet, with the CV-6 Enterprise and the battleship Arizona, will depart for Midway today.”

“Hmph, I wonder if this isn't all just a vain effort.”

Admiral Kimmel grumbled, his arms crossed.

The reaction of the US forces in Pearl Harbor to the sudden order from superiors to disperse the fleet was utterly placid.

Since it was an order from above, they had dispersed the fleet, but their state of alert did not extend beyond routine patrol missions.

“Continue patrol activities as a precaution.”

And that patrol activity was thoroughly focused on the southern waters of Hawaii, not the north.

At least by American common sense, it was more likely for an enemy to approach through the Japanese-possessed islands to the south than to attack from the north after a 3,700-mile ocean voyage.

“Admiral.

A report of a missing fishing boat has come in. It says the boat set out for the waters north of Hawaii…”

“It’s only January, what are they doing getting lost so early? Don’t they know how rough and dangerous the North Pacific is in winter?”

“Well, that's more for November and December.

By late January, the more diligent boats are starting to head out for the fishing season…”

“Alright. Send about three destroyers to conduct a search.

Anything else I need to know?”

“A tanker is arriving today to replenish our fuel stockpile.”

“Thorough, aren't we? Understood.”

Admiral Kimmel gave a nod and stretched.

“Just have to get through today, and then it's finally Sunday.

I'll be able to enjoy a relaxing round of golf.”

When the somewhat suspicious order had come down, Admiral Kimmel had asked the Chief of Naval Operations, Stark, if there was anything special going on.

But Stark had replied that it was just the President paying heed to the opinions of a minority of admirals like King and the Germans, that there was no real problem, and that he should continue his duties as usual.

“Well, what could happen? This is the rear area.”

And so, a day passed.

January 25, 1942.

At dawn on Sunday, the Japanese Mobile Fleet led by Admiral Ozawa Jisaburo reached the waters northwest of Hawaii.