The Spies of Lanikai: Oahu 1941 by Donald Crandell

Author:Donald Crandell [Crandell, Donald]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Create Space
Published: 2015-12-03T00:00:00+00:00

EARLY SUMMER 1941

For years the idea of attacking the United States had been part of the Japanese dialectic; to dominate the vast regions of the Pacific. Now, Admirals Yamamoto and Shimizu and their team were completing a bold plan for a surprise strike against the U.S. fleet

The pilots’ training in their mini subs was over. The fact that they were preparing for an attack against the United States was well known. Although the exact location where the attack would occur had not been officially announced, it was not hard for them to figure it out. But questions still remained.

The Imperial Japanese Navy celebrated every career advancement with a salute. On this occasion an informal afternoon gathering was held at the Kure Officers’ Club. Each pilot would be assigned his permanent submarine and each would be matched with his petty officer assistant.

Admiral Shimizu, Yamamoto’s Commander of Japanese Submarine services was there as were Midget Submarine experts Lt. Commander Maejima and Lieutenant Matsuo. Matsuo had also been Kazuo Sakamaki’s Mentor during his time at Kure.

The Admiral said a few words of congratulation followed by ‘Banzais’ and the downing of sake. Training in their mini subs was over.

After the reception, Sakamaki and Matsuo returned to the Chiyoda and went to the wardroom to relax before dinner. Their discussion turned to ‘the attack’. The mini sub mission was clearly to sink capital ships of the U.S. Fleet. This could only mean their destination would be Pearl Harbor. In order for the midget submarines to accomplish their mission they would have to enter Pearl Harbor quickly, unobtrusively and smoothly “Much depended on U.S. patrols and the navigational ability of the submarine skipper.” Gordon Prange also wrote, “Recognition of the harbor mouth at night would require a navigational fix on landmarks around or near the channel entrance.”16 This was a problem and there were no positive answers.

To find answers, Kazuo followed a protocol common to all military services everywhere. He asked his mentor and nearest in rank, Matsuo, if he knew how to maneuver a midget sub into an enemy harbor at night; Pearl Harbor for example. How would such a harbor be defended? How would it be approached? Who has such information for us?

The questions drew a blank look from Matsuo who suggested they needed a meeting with Commander Maejima on the subject. Since, by now, everyone in submarines assumed it was highly likely that the subs would be going to Pearl Harbor to attack the U.S. fleet, the subject was certainly apropos of what they all needed to know.

Matsuo went to Commander Maejima seeking an answer to the subject of the midget subs gaining entrance to Pearl Harbor. Maejima called the meeting and brought Admiral Shimizu, into the discussion. With all five pilots present, the subject of entry into Pearl Harbor was broached.

It was immediately and clearly apparent that it would be of paramount importance to know how and where to penetrate the harbor, especially at night. There would be but one or two opportunities to enter without being discovered.

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