SO NOT OFF THREAD- BYWATER- The man who invented the Pacific War

[JeffroK]

On a recent holiday I was walking down the main street of Thames, New Zealand when I passed a table of books outside a Charity shop, I did a quick scan and found a gem I didnt know existed.

BYWATER - THE MAN WHO INVENTED THE PACIFIC WAR by WILLIAM H HONAN ISBN 0798848567

This is the amazing story of Hector C Bywater who wrote THE GREAT PACIFIC WAR in 1925 which predicted a war between the Japanese Empire and the United States. But Bywater was much more than that. Due to schooling in the USA he was able to pass as American and prior to and during WW1 was one of Britains best placed spies in Germany, regularly revealing unknown designs or builds. His methods of collection intelligence varied, from trawling the papers to personal investigation. One he caught a ferry past the Von der Tann and implied it was a minelayer, the ferry conductor, a Naval Reservist became annoyed and spouted out all of the specs and data on one of Germany's latest Battleships.

Bywater also began writing for US & British newspapers, becoming their Naval correspondent and wrote a few books on Naval combat in WW1.

Following the way of the era, Bywater conducted spirited "debate" through the papers with many other writers, including a small spat with Franklin D Roosevelt, always supporting the power of the Battleship & Battlecruiser though willing to acknowledge that the Aircraft Carrier had a (small) place in the Fleet.

These debates continued after the publishing of THE GREAT PACIFIC WAR, the book became recommended reading in many Navies INCLUDING the Imperial Japanese Navy. The book doesnt claim that it was the blueprint for the Pacific War, but that many involved from both sides had read it and that something must have been absorbed.

Written in 1925, Bywaters book suffers from its era, both sides are basically in WW1 fleets with only slight modernisation, a couple of carriers follow the fleets of either side. Bywater doesnt claim being the originator of some tactics but appears to be the first person to put them together in an achievable strategy. The main difference between book and real life is the attitude of the japanese to its enemy, the book shows them treating prisoners with great respect. As I said, a big difference between 1925 & 1941.

In the 30's Bywater continues his writings, becoming PNG with the British Admiralty for a time and swapping newspapers. He is one of the first to disclose the German resurgence with the build of Scharnhorst & Gniesenau and the japanese plans to arm its next BB's with 18" guns.

Sadly, throughout this Bywater becomes an alcoholic and on 16 August 1940 dies while the Battle of Britain rages over his home. While death is believed to be due to Alcohol poisioning, there is a hint that the kempeitei has its hand in it. One of Bywaters correspondents in Tokyo dies when accidently falling from the kempeitei HQ ??

A great book about an amazing man, its available on kindle and in the better Charity store bookshelves.

[MakeeLearn]

THE GREAT PACIFIC WAR (1925)

Ive read that it was a very popular book at the time.

[CaptBeefheart]

I picked up his novel on Kindle recently. Great book.

Cheers,
CC

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: JeffK

On a recent holiday I was walking down the main street of Thames, New Zealand when I passed a table of books outside a Charity shop, I did a quick scan and found a gem I didnt know existed.

BYWATER - THE MAN WHO INVENTED THE PACIFIC WAR by WILLIAM H HONAN ISBN 0798848567

This is the amazing story of Hector C Bywater who wrote THE GREAT PACIFIC WAR in 1925 which predicted a war between the Japanese Empire and the United States. But Bywater was much more than that. Due to schooling in the USA he was able to pass as American and prior to and during WW1 was one of Britains best placed spies in Germany, regularly revealing unknown designs or builds. His methods of collection intelligence varied, from trawling the papers to personal investigation. One he caught a ferry past the Von der Tann and implied it was a minelayer, the ferry conductor, a Naval Reservist became annoyed and spouted out all of the specs and data on one of Germany's latest Battleships.

Bywater also began writing for US & British newspapers, becoming their Naval correspondent and wrote a few books on Naval combat in WW1.

Following the way of the era, Bywater conducted spirited "debate" through the papers with many other writers, including a small spat with Franklin D Roosevelt, always supporting the power of the Battleship & Battlecruiser though willing to acknowledge that the Aircraft Carrier had a (small) place in the Fleet.

These debates continued after the publishing of THE GREAT PACIFIC WAR, the book became recommended reading in many Navies INCLUDING the Imperial Japanese Navy. The book doesnt claim that it was the blueprint for the Pacific War, but that many involved from both sides had read it and that something must have been absorbed.

Written in 1925, Bywaters book suffers from its era, both sides are basically in WW1 fleets with only slight modernisation, a couple of carriers follow the fleets of either side. Bywater doesnt claim being the originator of some tactics but appears to be the first person to put them together in an achievable strategy. The main difference between book and real life is the attitude of the japanese to its enemy, the book shows them treating prisoners with great respect. As I said, a big difference between 1925 & 1941.

In the 30's Bywater continues his writings, becoming PNG with the British Admiralty for a time and swapping newspapers. He is one of the first to disclose the German resurgence with the build of Scharnhorst & Gniesenau and the japanese plans to arm its next BB's with 18" guns.

Sadly, throughout this Bywater becomes an alcoholic and on 16 August 1940 dies while the Battle of Britain rages over his home. While death is believed to be due to Alcohol poisioning, there is a hint that the kempeitei has its hand in it. One of Bywaters correspondents in Tokyo dies when accidently falling from the kempeitei HQ ??

A great book about an amazing man, its available on kindle and in the better Charity store bookshelves.

warspite1

Great book +1

[dr.hal]

I've got a book titled "Visions of Infamy, the Untold Story of how Journalist Hector C. Bywater Devised the Plans that Led to Pearl Harbor". This too is by William H. Honan. Is this the same book as yours just repackaged? It has a different ISBN and went to print in 1991. I've not read it yet, so I'm curious if it is worth the time to read! Hal

[AW1Steve]

ORIGINAL: dr.hal

I've got a book titled "Visions of Infamy, the Untold Story of how Journalist Hector C. Bywater Devised the Plans that Led to Pearl Harbor". This too is by William H. Honan. Is this the same book as yours just repackaged? It has a different ISBN and went to print in 1991. I've not read it yet, so I'm curious if it is worth the time to read! Hal

Yes. [:D]

It's a Biography of Bywater. With some speculation as to his unusual death.

I'd also Read "The Great Pacific War" as a most entertaining work of fiction, most Germane to WITP players.

[AW1Steve]

I'm a bit of a fan of Bywater. I've tried to collect everything he's written. He was a bit of a time capsule of Naval Strategic thinking of his time period (1914-1940) equivalent to Polmar, Friedman, Eric Grove , Padfield and similar writers of our own era.

He's criticized for missing two major items of the war , and the attack on Pearl Harbor. For the latter , no one ever thought Roosevelt would move the fleet to Pearl Harbor in 1940 (A POLITICAL decision , not military , orchestrated by state and treasury) and it's inconceivable that Japan would open the war on a forward operating base with no fleet present.

On the 1st issue , he clearly states that when (writing) aircraft couldn't carry a big enough bomb or torpedo to penetrate a battleships armor or torpedo bulges. And until 1936 he was absolutely right. Big torpedoes were dependent upon planes like the Swordfish , Devastator and Kate. And thousand pound bombs would wait for the SBD. Everything before was a pinprick as far as battleships were concerned. Doctrine called for aerial attacks on the battlefleet's ESCORTS or other carriers.

But one thing Bywater stresses again and again as the fleets biggest problem being not attacking the enemy , but finding them. As he saw it , and most thinkers of the era , the best use for aviation was search , scouting and tracking the enemy. That he definitely encouraged.

All in all I find him pretty well on track for doctrine. Those of us who play War Plan Orange can definitely find him useful. [:)]

[dr.hal]

Ok thanks Steve, did you read it? Is it worth the expenditure of time and energy? I got it as a standby but have never set the time aside to have a go.... Hal

[AW1Steve]

ORIGINAL: dr.hal

Ok thanks Steve, did you read it? Is it worth the expenditure of time and energy? I got it as a standby but have never set the time aside to have a go.... Hal

Yes indeed. As I said , I'm quite a fan of Bywater. Anytime that I can get inside of the head of the people who's thoughts formed the doctrine that was actually used in WW2 I find fascinating. It's one of the things that draws me to WITP. [:)]

[AW1Steve]

But in fairness , you might want to read some of his work, fiction or non fiction. Other wise it's a little like reading a biography of Shakespeare without ever having read the bard. Rather disjointed. [X(] [:)]

[dr.hal]

Just got your second post Steve. Ok, so looks like reading. However on the issue of bombs not penitrating a BB's armor, what of Billy Mitchell and the Ostfriesland? I know the event was somewhat staged but still the BB went down!

[dr.hal]

ORIGINAL: AW1Steve

But in fairness , you might want to read some of his work, fiction or non fiction. ]

Suggestions???? Hal

[AW1Steve]

Start with The Great Pacific war. With the Exception of his work on light cruisers in the 1914-18 war it's the only one (I believe at this time) to be in print. I spend a lot of time on Ebay, albis (and yes Amazon--they have a lot of good links to used book sellers) not to mention haunting used book stores looking for old out of print books. (Mostly on tactics , strategy and naval thought). What can I say , everybody needs a hobby. [:D]

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss ... or+bywater

My apologies , several of his books appear to be back in print.

[dr.hal]

Got it, thanks.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: AW1Steve

He's criticized for missing ...... the attack on Pearl Harbor. For the latter , no one ever thought Roosevelt would move the fleet to Pearl Harbor in 1940......

warspite1

That is the trouble with some authors. The guilty ones are so busy trying to be controversial to sell books, they don't bother with assessing the real life situation that confronted thinkers and planners of the time. Why should they? It's much easier to write a controversial headline and fill the book with junk than actually take the trouble to properly analyse what they are writing about and pontificating over.

[RFalvo69]

The Admiralty Trilogy Group published a campaign based on the book. It is playable using the "Command ay Sea" tabletop rules.

http://www.wargamevault.com/product/144 ... rs_id=7981

[MakeeLearn]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: AW1Steve

He's criticized for missing ...... the attack on Pearl Harbor. For the latter , no one ever thought Roosevelt would move the fleet to Pearl Harbor in 1940......

warspite1

That is the trouble with some authors. The guilty ones are so busy trying to be controversial to sell books, they don't bother with assessing the real life situation that confronted thinkers and planners of the time. Why should they? It's much easier to write a controversial headline and fill the book with junk than actually take the trouble to properly analyse what they are writing about and pontificating over.

....

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: MakeeLearn

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: AW1Steve

He's criticized for missing ...... the attack on Pearl Harbor. For the latter , no one ever thought Roosevelt would move the fleet to Pearl Harbor in 1940......

warspite1

That is the trouble with some authors. The guilty ones are so busy trying to be controversial to sell books, they don't bother with assessing the real life situation that confronted thinkers and planners of the time. Why should they? It's much easier to write a controversial headline and fill the book with junk than actually take the trouble to properly analyse what they are writing about and pontificating over.

....

A miniature German general! How cute! Now everyone will want one as a pet!
Wait a minute ... is he trying to peek up her skirt?

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: MakeeLearn

ORIGINAL: warspite1


warspite1

That is the trouble with some authors. The guilty ones are so busy trying to be controversial to sell books, they don't bother with assessing the real life situation that confronted thinkers and planners of the time. Why should they? It's much easier to write a controversial headline and fill the book with junk than actually take the trouble to properly analyse what they are writing about and pontificating over.

....

A miniature German general! How cute! Now everyone will want one as a pet!
Wait a minute ... is he trying to peek up her skirt?

warspite1

Well it worked for Freddie Bauer..... [;)]

[AW1Steve]

ORIGINAL: dr.hal

Just got your second post Steve. Ok, so looks like reading. However on the issue of bombs not penitrating a BB's armor, what of Billy Mitchell and the Ostfriesland? I know the event was somewhat staged but still the BB went down!

ORIGINAL: dr.hal

Just got your second post Steve. Ok, so looks like reading. However on the issue of bombs not penitrating a BB's armor, what of Billy Mitchell and the Ostfriesland? I know the event was somewhat staged but still the BB went down!

What people don't seem to realize was that Mitchell took a useful test and turned it into a useless media circus. The Ofrietsland and the other ships were generally Pre dreadnoughts. They were anchored. Mitchell was to drop standard bombs (read 500 pounders) to see what would be legitimately done with a standard war load with standard planes. What Mitchell did was had special 2000 LB bombs made , a load so heavy that the Army's biggest plane could barely stagger into the air with it. And then stagger about 20 miles to bomb repeatedly anchored ships. This was not a test of what Army airpower could do. It was how much Mitchell could rig the test. Yes , I suppose that if an outdated enemy fleet sail to with 20 miles of the Army base where the Army's biggest planes (the WHOLE squadron that we had) then wait for special bombs to me made, which a few of them would be dropped close enough to act as mines on the hull (they missed) then yes , I guess you could say "Mitchell showed them". Frankly I think the test owed more to PT Barnum than Douhet . So did Bywater and most other naval thinkers of the era. It would be nearly 20 years till air forces would be capable of the jib. Then again , Mitchell also that an aircraft carrier was useless , nothing more than a floating bomb, and aircraft carrier planes would always be inferior to shore based.

I'd take Mitchell with a grain of salt. Actually , a wheel barrow of it. I've read and own several of Mitchells books and articles , and he echoes Douhet, Trenchard and to a lesser degree Sherman (a contemporary of Mitchells teaching at the Air University) , but really didn't come up with much of his own. But he was a great salesman and recruiter. [:)]