Japanese Quotes by Charles River Editors

“The Midway air base had been reinforced from Hawaii on the basis of the new intelligence.”

— Charles River Editors

“As the U.S. Navy’s website put it, “Prior to the invasion, the 8-square mile island would suffer the longest, most intensive shelling…

— Charles River Editors

“The island would be bombarded for over 70 days ahead of the actual amphibious invasion of Iwo Jima, which would not occur…

— Charles River Editors

“America experienced its first victory against the Empire’s expansion at the Battle of Coral Sea on May 7, 1942. In early June…

— Charles River Editors

“The steeper angle of a true dive bombing run (about 70 degrees) was far less vulnerable to flak and far more accurate.…

— Charles River Editors

“By the beginning of March, enough of Iwo Jima was controlled that landings and take-offs could be maintained without fear of suicide…

— Charles River Editors

“Unaware that they had launched another attack on the Yorktown, which they thought had already been badly damaged, the Japanese returned to…

— Charles River Editors

“After the patrollers had located the Japanese force, 9 B-17 Flying Fortresses were dispatched from Midway, locating the convoy four hours later.…

— Charles River Editors

“In fact, the Japanese defending the island had no illusions about victory and did not even consider it a realistic option. They…

— Charles River Editors

“they had to deal with heavy artillery being fired at them by well-hidden units. The Japanese would open the steel doors to…

— Charles River Editors

“Iwo Jima is more officially known as “Sulfur Island,” and it lies in a chain of volcanic islands south of the Ogasawara…

— Charles River Editors

“The Marines were fearful of “banzai” attacks at night, a tactic frequently used by the Japanese that simply attempted to overwhelm Allied…

— Charles River Editors

“Arashi was ultimately unsuccessful in that mission, and it was this same destroyer which was spotted by McClusky. By following the destroyer,…

— Charles River Editors

“The Americans, Dutch and Australians had lost further vessels as well, notably at the battle of the Java Sea in February. As…

— Charles River Editors

“Despite all of these important drawbacks, the Americans still won the battle convincingly, thanks mostly to the killer blows struck by one…

— Charles River Editors

“Unbeknownst to the Japanese, the main disadvantage Japan would have at Midway was the fact the U.S. could read their radio traffic.…

— Charles River Editors

“There were two reasons for this. First, the Americans had finally received intelligence regarding the Japanese carrier fleet. Earlier that morning (at…

— Charles River Editors

“Posted on the other side of the world, it was early on the morning of December 8 in the Philippines when Douglas…

— Charles River Editors

“Midway was merely a convenient target chosen by Yamamoto to draw the Americans out, and both sides’ objectives were attritional attempts to…

— Charles River Editors

“The organization of high-tempo air operations from carriers remains an extremely challenging proposition even today, but in June 1942, the Japanese were…

— Charles River Editors

“Translated as “God Wind,” “Divine Wind” and “God Spirit,” kamikazes would sink 47 Allied vessels and damage over 300 by the end…

— Charles River Editors

“Ironically, the last aircraft carrier to sink as a result of the Battle of Midway was an American one. By the early…

— Charles River Editors

“The black ash that inundated the island was suitable for a superior quality of concrete, and the resulting caves, bunkers, pillboxes and…

— Charles River Editors

“Kuribayashi had the benefit of having traveled in the United States, and he had even attended Harvard for a short time. In…

— Charles River Editors

“This points to another problem the Japanese had: coordination of their immediate fleet defense was difficult. Unlike the Americans, they had no…

— Charles River Editors

“In an episode characteristic of the U.S. tactical intelligence effort during Midway, the attacks on this modest force had repeatedly been reported…

— Charles River Editors

“Early histories have often overstated the degree of intelligence detail available to the Americans at this stage. Fletcher rightly expected the Japanese…

— Charles River Editors

“The Wildcats tore into the Vals as they climbed prior to making their dives, and 11 of the 18 attacking dive bombers…

— Charles River Editors