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I stumbled across a great book at my local used book dealer called, Japanese Destroyer Captain by Captain Tameichi Hara. This book is now one of my all time favorite books. Captain Hara was responsible more than anyone else in the excellent results achieved by the IJN torpedo tactics during the early years of the war. I checked Amazon.com and there are a few copies there most unfortunately are expensive. Thirty-five American dollars or more was the price for the few copies available. The copy I bought was published in 1978 but there were some later printings. With the exception of a casual mention of Bataan and a glossing over the rape of Nan king his book is very frank and critical of tactics used by both sides during the war. All in all one of the most illuminating books I have ever read about World War Two. For Naval History fans this is an absolute must read.

good book amazing that he had to remind the captain of the ryhjuo to launch his planes alas he was too late.

That was pretty amazing. What shocked me even more was the decision to send Naval units to Rabaul after it was obvious that the Americans owned the airspace there. Too much Sake at lunch I think.

Oh and his description of a Naval invasion of Java. Sorry boys no pre invasion naval bombardment we have to conserve shells, just give them the cold steel of your blades! Banzi!

that he sank at the begining of the war?

Originally posted by Micah Goodman

Oh and his description of a Naval invasion of Java. Sorry boys no pre invasion naval bombardment we have to conserve shells, just give them the cold steel of your blades! Banzi!

Not a bad decision considering the weak opposition put up by the Dutch. A naval bombardment would have slowed down the advance.

Originally posted by Matt Erickson
that he sank at the begining of the war?

In March of 1942 IJNS Amatskaze under Captain Hara’s command engaged USS Perch (SS-176) and inflicted more damage on her. USS Perch was on the surface at night trying to repair damage suffered from an earlier attack when Captain Hara spotted a sailor lighting a cigarette on USS Perch. Although claiming to have destroyed USS Perch Hara’s attack only damaged her. (A large oil slick was spotted at the attack site leading to the belief that his attack had destroyed USS Perch) She was finished off the next day by an attack from two other Japanese Destroyers. February first of that year he did engage and sink a sub at night, but he gave no indication in the book of what the submarines name was.

Originally posted by TIMJOT
Not a bad decision considering the weak opposition put up by the Dutch. A naval bombardment would have slowed down the advance.

Actually the forces engaged were British and Dutch and due to a lack of air support and Naval gunfire the Japanese suffered 30 dead and 90 wounded including the ground force commander. Considering that enemy forces numbered around 200 I think it was a mistake not to hit them hard and fast to prevent causalities.

I got find where I stashed that book:(