All language subtitles for ENrt5ytagdG

TOHO MOTION PICTURE CORP.

- On some islands in the immense
expanse of the Pacific Ocean,

once gruesome battles were repeated
by Japanese and American forces.

The Japanese garrisons confined
in isolated islands always followed

the same fate of death in action.

"Choosing an honorable
death rather than surrender"

was a cruel and heartless
way of fighting a

battle that resulted
in total annihilation.

GUADALCANAL Killed in Action: 24,000

MAKIN, TARAWA Killed in Action: 5,400

KWAJALEIN, ROI-NAMUR
Killed in Action: 7,900

SAIPAN, TINIAN Killed
in Action: 39,000

GUAM Killed in Action: 19,000

IWO JIMA Killed in Action: 20,100

And at the Aleutian Islands
in the Northern Pacific Ocean,

Atty istand's garrison
of 2,400 men chose to

die rather than surrender
on May 29th, 1943.

ATTU Atty istand's
garrison of 2,400 men chose

to die rather than
surrender on May 29th, 1943.

ATTU

120 nautical miles to the east.

ATTU KISKA 120 nautical
miles to the east.

ATTU KISKA

ATTU KISKA 5,200 soldiers
confined on the island

of Kiska were waiting for
the same impending fate.

ATTU KISKA

MIRACULOUS MILITARY OPERATION IN THE
PACIFIC OCEAN THE RETREAT FROM KISKA

Produced by: TANAKA
Tomoyuki TAM! Yasuyoshi

from CHIHAYA Masataka's _ Screenplay by.
"Taiheiyo Kaisen Saidai no Kiseki SUZAKI Katsuya

Lighting by. Photography by: NISHIKAWA
Tsuruzo NISHIGAKI Rokuro Sound Recording

by: Sound Mixing Art Direction by:
SHIMONAGA Hisashi NISHIKAWA Yoshio KITA Takeo

KetaMart composer TEES puso ino Koka

kingRecords ~~ PANIUMA
voor piroshi DAN lkuma

Film Processing Assistant Director
Kinuta Laboratory BANNO Yoshimitsu Sound

Effects by Production Manager. Editor
KOGA Shoichi KANAYAMA Minoru FUJII Ryohei

Art Direction by: WATANABE Akira Photography. SPECIAL ARIKAWA Sadamasa
EFFECTS Assistant Director: Lighting by: TOMIOKA Motoyoshi NAKANO

Teruyoshi KISHIDA Kuichiro Optical Photography: Production Manager:
Compositing: MANODA Yukio KOIKE Tadashi KOYAMA Hiroshi TOKUMASA Yoshiyuki

Cast

MIFUNE Toshiro

SATO Makoto YAMAMURA So NAKAMARU Tadao

NISHIMURA Ko FUJITA Susumu
SHIMURA Takashi TAZAKI Jun

KODAMA Kiyoshi HIRATA Akihiko
FUNADO Jun TSUCHIYA Yoshio KUBO Akira

ITO Hisaya SADA Yutaka
YAMAMOTO Ren KUROBE Susumu

INABA Yoshio OTSUKA Kunio
NIHEI Masanari SAKAI Sachio

NAKAYAMA Yutaka ISHIDA Shigeki
OGAINA Yasuzo oe! Chotaro

FURL foshifiko HIROSE Shichi
OTOMO Shin KIRINO Nadao

TEZUKA Katsumi KASHIMA Kuniyoshi SUZUKI Kazuo
OKA Yutaka YAMADA Akira OGAWA Haruhiko KANASANA

Shigekatsu ARAKI Yasuo TSUTSUMI Yasuhisa
HASEGAWA Hiroshi TSUBONO Kamayuki ACHIHA Shinsuke

Director of Special
Effects: TSUBURAYA Eiji

Directed by: MARUYAMA Seiji

Listen everyone! Listen everyone!

The submarine, Igo number
7 arriving today will be

the last scheduled transporting
vessel to our homeland, Japan.

The passengers from each squad

must prepare promptly and
assemble at the main beach

under the orders of
the chief naval surgeon.

The cutoff time for
postal matters is at 14:30.

The cutoff time for
postal matters is at 14:30.

- Commander, I am going to go around
the island to collect the postal matters.

A senior staff officer
is going in person?

- Yes, sir. This will
be the last opportunity.

Yes.

NORTH HILL ANTI-AIR RAID TROOP

NORTH HILL ANTI-AIR RAID TROOP - Please take 720
pieces of mail for the North Hill Anti-Air Raid troop.

NORTH HILL ANTI-AIR RAID
TROOP - That's a lot..

- Each man wrote about
three letters on average. Now we all have nothing to regret.

RAID TROOP - Good.

RAID
TROOP - Please wait! - Yes.

Please take this.

Huh? What is this?

They are flower seeds.

- Ohh... Will they grow
in our homeland's soil?

- It won't?
- Well see.

Thank you.

Where are the postal matters?

- We have none.
- Why?

They all started, but...

We will not have another opportunity.

We still have some time.

Even ifit is just a hair or piece of a
nail that's still better than nothing.

You guys should send something
to your close relatives.

Yes...

I will wait for it. So hurry.

Yes.

Thank you for your service.

A submarine will arrive
soon to pick you men up.

After returning to the homeland,
get well as soon as possible

s0 you can return to the
battle line in fine shape.

Kato...
- Yes.

I am sorry that I had
to amputate your leg.

But I was happy that
your life was saved.

Chief surgeon...

What?

I am sorry that we
are leaving the rest.

Nonsense.

There is a purpose for
your return to the homeland.

5,200 of us that remain here in
Kiska will choose to fight and die

rather than surrender.

And who would tell the true
facts about Kiska to our homeland?

You men will.

Only you who are returning
on the last boat can do that!

The submarine is entering the bay!

- Well, I wish all of you a
safe trip home. Form lines!

- Submerge quickly!
- Submerge quickly!

Evacuate! Evacuate everyone!

Evacuate! Hurry!

- This is headquarters. Kurosaki
reports from the observation post.

There are about 10 enemy
ships on the south side sea.

- Ohama at the observation post,
about 20 enemy ships on southeast sea!

- Igo 7 is submerging quickly!
Igo 7 is submerging quickly!

- The number one power
generator is switching over.

- The number two power
generator is switching over!

What happened to the submarine?

I hope it is all right.

But it may...

Let's try sending a radio message.

Tell them, "It is too
dangerous. We wish you good luck.

"Go back."
- Yes, sir.

- Course 80!
- Course 80/

Course 80!

Captain, are we going?

Even a bag of rice or a single

bullet! We are going
to deliver to Kiska.

Radio message from Kiskal

"Give up entering and turn back."

Captain, it is not
possible to enter now!

What did you say?

Damn!

IMPERIAL HEADQUARTERS NAVAL
DIVISION DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

- What is going to happen to Kiska? Attu
has already been honorably annihilated.

Now are we going to leave
Kiska to the same fate?

Kunitomo-kun.

Consider the situation.

Including two full-time battleships,

there is a 30 ship enemy fleet
patrolling around the island.

The enemy is rushing
to build an airplane

base on the nearby Amchitka island.

Soon they will be
flying from Attu as well.

So Kiska does not have
any strategic value.

- Then what was the reason for
taking Attu and Kiska to begin with?

It was a diversion for
the Midway operation.

Then we should have
canceled the Aleutian

operation when the
Midway operation failed.

No.

The Aleutian operation
had its own purpose.

It was a big psychological
factor to affect

the enemy to take a part
of American territory.

- It was very helpful to raise
the morale of our men also.

But we no longer have Attu.

And if we leave Kiska alone to its fate
because we don't see any strategic value,

5,200 soldiers would never
be able to rest in peace.

It is very difficult emotionally,

but our planes and ships are all
necessary for operations in the south.

But Chief of Naval Operations...

All right, I will tell
you the conclusion.

Literally, at the time
of life-and-death matter,

we cannot afford to exhaust any of our

fighting strength for a small island.

Chief, we have no other choice.

Kiska must become the fortress
of the defense for the homeland.

And we can only pray for the fortunes
of war for our soldiers to the last.

Kawashima, what do you think?

- lam embarrassed as I have been
in charge of the northern area.

Since the annihilation
of the Attu garrison,

the 5th Fleet's submarines went
into Kiska Bay a total of 13 times

to transport 125 tons of military
supplies and 100 tons of food provisions.

And they also rescued 820 soldiers.

But during that time, we lost 5
boats and 4 boats were damaged.

And we finally had to stop the

transportation of
supplies by submarine.

Rescuing Kiska is extremely difficult.

But if nothing is done,

all of our garrison
will starve to death

less than a month
before the enemy invades.

Can we let it happen?

No, absolutely not!

If we leave Kiska to its fate
after the annihilation of Attu,

we will be shamed for
future generations.

Chief, please let us rescue Kiska.

We must combine the power of the five
fleets to rescue Kiska at any cost.

Well, please sit down.

Kawashima-kun, I will let you do it.

I will talk to the Combined Fleet.

Yes, sir.

Director!

I am appointed to be the Chief of
Operations for the Fifth Fleet today.

- Oh Kunitomo
- kun. I am counting on you.

Yes, sir.

- By the way, please send
a telegram to Rabaul first.

Director, Kiska is to our north.

I have my business to our south!

- So the liaison airplane flew
north from Rabaul immediately.

The newly appointed commander
of the 1st Torpedo Fleet

traveled by changing
planes several times

from Saipan to Tateyama,
through Ominato,

then to Paramushiro.

That was the northernmost point in the Kurile
Islands without even knowing his mission.

The destiny of the
5,200 man garrison at

Kiska started to
change from this time.

PARAMUSHIRO BASE IN THE KURILE ISLANDS

FLAGSHIP OF THE 5th
FLEET, CRUISER NACHI

Oh!

Omura! Welcome. Come on in.

Rear Admiral Omura
Shotaro has just arrived

as commander of the
1st Torpedo Fleet now.

- Hey, that's enough formality. We
were in the same class in school.

tis cold.

Yes.

- You are an unlucky man
to be teamed up with me

who graduated the military school
with the worst record in the class.

- There was a man who recommended you for the
position of commander of the 1st Torpedo Fleet.

Oh! Who is that?

That is me.

- What? You were the
one who called me?

Yes, I wanted you
to take a small trip.

- A small trip? I traveled from
the south end to the north end.

This is not quite the north end.

Will I have to travel further?

Yes.

To Kiska!

KISKA To Kiska!

KISKA

Fire!

All right, fire!

Get down!

Fire! Fire! Fire!

Fire!

Fire!

Fire!

Fire! Fire!

To the right, fire!

Fire!

Fire! Fire! Fire!

- The Matsugasaki air
- raid shelter had a direct hit. Casualties unknown.

- An enemy plane was shot down. It crashed into
the communication barracks and went up in flames.

- New enemy planes are attacking
from the direction of Kurosaki.

- This is headquarters.
Report the damage.

This is headquarters.
- Roger.

Fighter planes!

They are P-38s.

Where did they fly from?

Either Adak or Amchitka...

The enemy's base near Kiska
must have been completed.

- Appearance of fighter planes
indicate that they are on the last stage

of the attack for the
purpose of human casualties.

We can't wait much longer.

"On June 8th, a total of 120 planes...

"June 3rd..". They are getting

severe naval gun attacks.

"On May 20th..."

On that day at 7:20
PM, we received the last

radio signal from the
neighbor island Attu.

"We are praying for the
security of our nation

"as we order the entire
force for the final

attack. We will fight to
the end with no surrender."

- I don't want to allow Kiska
to send the same message.

How about the enemy?

They say over 30 ships including 2

battleships are always
patrolling around Kiska.

So itis like ten versus one...

- And if they have extended
their bases to Amchitka,

they'll keep an eye on the area 300
nautical miles off the shore of Kiska.

That will make going
in there very difficult.

Besides, Kiska is a part
of American territory.

This will not be easy.

Do you have any plan?

Fog...

Fog?

- If we use it like a smoke
screen, we may be able to sneak in.

- I have heard that not even
a submarine could get in.

So we must sneak in
with surface vessels in

a single swoop to rescue.
That is the only way.

- Under cover of the fog?
- Yes.

The fog is our only ally.

But they have radar.

Yes, that is the headache.

We have had enemy artillery
hits several times in the fog.

I wonder what they
are thinking on Kiska.

They are saying not to come.

That makes it harder to
leave them to certain death.

Itis no good.

He does not even understand
the gravity of the operation.

- We have an outrageous
man as the commander!

- And the director too.
Is he serious about this?

Director, did you know?

There is a bad rumor going around saying
that the 5th Fleet is the inactive fleet.

Yes, I know.

Director, please lead
the "Kego Operation."

You can't trust Omura?

- He does not have any distinguished
accomplishments on the battlefield.

- This operation's purpose
is not to attack the enemy.

We don't want any
battle to start with.

But when you are really
fighting for your life,

those men who want to perform
great exploits don't handle it well.

He is slow to act, but when he
makes decisions, he always wins.

He always has been that way.

FLAGSHIP OF THE 1st TORPEDO
FLEET LIGHT CRUISER ABUKUMA

What is your name?

- Navy Petty Officer Third
class, Yamashita Heihachiro!

Your nickname?

It is "Commander!"

Nice to meet you, "Senior Commander."

Yes, sir!

Commander, nice to see you, sir.

Oh! You were here.

Yes, it has been three years.

Ohh...

- All ships under the 1st Torpedo
Fleet are ready to leave port.

- They are all eager to remove the disgrace
attached to our being called "the inactive fleet."

There should be more captains here.

No, all of them are here.

We need more ships.

We need 5 more destroyers.

That is impossible.

The Combined Fleet has no
more than 40 destroyers left.

And they are all spread out
over this vast Pacific ocean.

They don't have any extras to send us.

I know that.

Not enough strength now?

We have only 2 cruisers
and 4 destroyers.

- I will talk to them, but 5
ships will be too hard to get.

How about with 2 ships?

No, 5 ships.

3 ships are probably
the most I can get.

No, 5 ships!

Hey you! Accept 3 ships.

You will never get any more than that.

"If our demands are
not met, just raise

a white flag up a flagpole," he said.

Idiot! That's enough!

Men on watch, prepare
for the shift change!

Men on watch, prepare
for the shift change!

I see. He got mad.

He turned red and started to yell.

It is good to get mad once in a while.

Especially when you are in war.

Commander, it is biting.

Oh, damn!

You should be paying more attention.

- Maybe we should send
a radio message to Kiska.

Huh?

- Tell them to fight with
'grace' and never surrender.

What?

- Those men on Kiska are not the only
ones who would receive the radio message.

Those soldiers with blue eyes nearby
should be listening in carefully as well.

THE RESPONSIBILITY OF
DEFENDING OUR NATION

RESTS HEAVILY ON THE SHOULDERS
OF THE GARRISON ON KISKA

WE PRAY FOR THE FORTUNES
OF WAR FOR YOUR BRIGADE.

So they are telling us
to fight till the end?

Yes, they sent it in
un ciphered text openly.

So they are not going to move at all.

- Praying for our fortunes
of war? Of course they are!

All right, we should respond.

On the night of July 15th, the day
of the "Bon Festival of the Dead,"

the entire garrison of Kiska will raid

the 5th Fleet in Paramushiro as
ghosts. so be prepared for us.

- Go back quickly!
The meal will get cold.

Ah, I am sorry.

It tastes good. Yes! This
is really the flavor of life.

Squad leader, that
is a tasteful comment.

We should eat now.

When the fog clears, there will be a lot of
bombardment again from the neighbor island.

Hey, I will carry that for you.

1am all right.

Don't strain yourself.

- This is the only thing I can
do to be helpful for others.

When the enemy invades, I will
only be a burden for my people.

Watch out! Get down!

Chief petty officer, Yano!

- Commander, the 5th Fleet in
Paramushiro is really staying in port?

Yes.

Why?

- Our communications
engineers caught a message

with the words "Kego Operation" from
the Combined Fleet to the 5th Fleet.

And?

If I remember correctly,

for the withdrawal operation
at Guadalcanal six months ago,

the same word, "Kego
Operation" was used.

I see. You are right.

Then...

Yes.

The fleet is coming to get us?

Yes.

Commander, please
tell that to everyone.

No, I shouldn't.

Huh?

- If the Combined Fleet is coming
with their full strength, I would.

But the 5th Fleet
alone won't be enough.

Why should we give
them fallacious hope?

It may be demoralizing. And
I think it would be too cruel.

Chief surgeon,

please keep this to yourself.

Yes, sir.

KISKA

KISKA
- Then what did you do?

KISKA

KISKA
- In order to avoid enemy radar,

KISKA we moved toward the west side
as we were clinging to the island.

KISKA

But it is too shallow there.

- But we went through submerged. So
there must be at least the depth of 20.

That was too reckless.

If you had scratched the
bottom, it would be the end.

There were a few times
that I got scared.

But it is amazing you went
through the shallow area.

- Commander, please let us do
that again. We have to save face.

Yes, when we need
you to do that again.

So the fleet is...

We are demanding 5
more destroyers now.

It may be impossible, but
we really need 5 more ships.

We really need 6 ships!

Please manage the reinforcements of
destroyers toward the northern area.

What you are saying is outrageous.

This is a modest demand.

I just could not demand 10
ships as Omura had requested.

Please understand how hard it
was to knock his demands down.

Chief, this is too outrageous.

Well, let's manage somehow.

Chief!

But we have to take your ships.

Huh?

Big ships are useless
for this operation.

So we will send the 5th Fleet's heavy
cruisers, Nachi and Maya to the southern area.

Then what would happen to
the fleet's headquarters?

You have to go on land.

Yes, sir.

- They came. The
destroyer reinforcements.

Only 3 ships...

No, there is another one.

Oh, 4 ships...

Ah! One more ship.

Huh?

Yes, indeed.

Ah! Another one. 6 ships!

This is great!

Hurry up!

Huh?

We have to thank the director.

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR EFFORTS

FLEET HEADQUARTERS WAS MOVED ASHORE

5th FLEET HEADQUARTERS

- Director, you are the first
admiral in Japanese naval history

to have ships taken away and having
to rent a cannery as headquarters.

Probably, I am the first in the world.

I can't stand this.

Oh!

Oh!

Kawashima, you did great.

You shouldn't have any complaint.

But it was a bad
business deal for you.

What?

- You used two large ships as pawns,
so you could have snatched more.

Commander, it is too indiscreet!

Hey!

- But...
- That's all right.

Omura, I snatched an
imported whisky from

the pawn shop in the
red brick building.

- Oh!
- Let's drink it.

Ah, that's great.

A crafty man!

We shouldn't be silent about it.

Captains of all the ships are here.

- Would you introduce yourselves? You
can just say the name of your ship.

Cruiser, Abukuma.

Cruiser, Kiso.

Destroyer, Shimakaze.

Destroyer, Asagumo.

Kuroshio.

Hayashio.

Akigumo.

Usugumo.

Samidare.

Naganami.

- Wakaba.
- Yes.

Hatsushimo.

Escort ship, Kunashiri.

Yes.

You must have waited for a long time.

Commander, you are rude!

- Are you mad at me?
- Of course, I am.

Let's hear about it.

You could have showed
your appreciation

for our director's efforts
to get those destroyers.

Staff Officers denounce him
as an incompetent director.

And even the officers
and crew of the Nachi

ridicule him. But he
puts up with them quietly.

If you have no sense of gratitude, you are
not qualified to command this operation.

I think about it differently.

If it was out of friendship,
or if I try to repay the favor,

we would make wrong decisions.

We should not be particular
about those trifle feelings.

We will fail for sure.

I will thank him later all at once.

But it must wait until we bring
back the 5,200 men from Kiska.

Commander...

I am sorry.

Hey!

Hey!

Listen everyone!

Those who have grenades, hand
them all in. I will keep them.

Collect them.
- Yes, sir.

Wait! Don't hand them in!

When the enemy starts to invade, would

you, chief surgeon,
shoot us in person?

If you refuse, we are not
handing in our grenades.

How about it?

All right. I will shoot you!

But not until the very last minute.

If any of you try to waste
your life prematurely,

you will be in deep
trouble. So don't forget it!

Understood?

Yes.

Hey, everyone hand in the grenades.

Commander, please give them some hope.

- You mean to announce
the withdrawal from Kiska?

That is the only way to save them.

As a doctor,

it is so hard to see my patients kill
themselves after trying so hard to save them.

Please!

- If there is any possibility of
a successful withdrawal, I would.

But the island is tightly
surrounded by enemy ships.

How can the fleet come near?

They cannot!

If that's the case, it is better if
the enemy invades the island quickly.

It would be more
pitiful if that happens

after we use up all
our food and ammunition.

- Squad leader...
- Huh?

Why did he kill himself?

If each ship goes in individually, it

would be easy. We can
handle any deep fog.

But all of our ships must go in and
out in a very short period of time

in order for us to
take the best chance.

All right, let's all go together.

Abukuma will go first. And all ships
follow like one stick. That's the only way.

- We will have to go over
100 hours in heavy fog...

This is quite a stunt.

It is like 13 blind
men walking in one line.

If one man stumbles over,
the entire line will go awry.

Fleet Staff Officer,
do you have any opinion?

Therefore, each captain
of each ship, please

display your superb
navigational skill.

Come in.

Chief of communications entering!

We got a radio message from Kiska.

- Read it.
- Yes.

"At 09:30 on June 18th, about 50

enemy ships were seen on the horizon."

- What?
- 507

That's more than when
they attacked Attu.

The enemy is really getting serious.

They may be invading.

We may not get there on time.

Keep talking about the agenda.

Yes, sir.

After leaving Paramushiro,

the fleet will take the camouflage
course toward the southeast.

But we still can't avoid the possible
enemy submarines lurking in the area.

So after three days since leaving port, we
must be very careful against the submarines.

Then at 200 nautical
miles southeast of Kiska,

that is at the edge of the
enemy's patrolling zone,

point Z, we will change the course
and go straight toward Kiska Bay.

About the time needed to board

soldiers after we
successfully arrive...

- There are no piers on that shore.
We will need at least 5 hours.

Fleet Staff Officer,
what do you think?

How about 3 hours?

- That is impossible. 5,200 men
will be all over the island...

I think we will need 5 to 6 hours.

Doitin 1 hour.

Once they see us dropping our anchors,

enemy planes will be coming
in less than one hour.

Nothing is impossible.

- In order to do that, we need to have a
detailed preliminary meeting with Kiska.

But because this is
a secret operation, we

can't send long radio
messages to each other.

Commander,

I will go into Kiska
beforehand in a submarine.

Please let me go.

- Would you go?
- Yes.

As soon as they are ready in
the island, I will contact you.

What would be the code?

- I will send "Sakura"
three times successively.

- We will send back "Saita"
three times successively.

That will be the code for the fleet
to leave the port of Paramushiro.

READY FOR DEPARTURE

Everything is thoroughly checked?

- Yes. I have memorized every
detail of the operation in my head.

- We can't have any
communications once you leave here.

That is fine.

Make sure to get to Kiska.

Yes, sir.

Good luck!

How are you feeling?

It gets colder than I
expected in a submarine.

- The water temperature around here is near
0 degrees, Celsius even in the summertime.

So it is impossible to swim in it.

- Once you go into the water, you
would not last for more than 5 minutes.

Don't scare me.

Don't worry.

Sixty eight men and I will
do our best to support you.

Captain!

Yes.

Oh! You came at the right time.

Chief gunner...
- Yes.

- The successful operation
of the withdrawal from Kiska

falls solely on Staff
Officer Kunitomo's shoulders.

And delivering the staff officer to the
island is the only mission for this boat.

I am counting on you!
- Yes. / understand.

Yes!

- You came at the right time. I
am working out the strategy now.

Would you help?

The strategy for the chess game?

Yes...

Please excuse me.

Did you get mad?

No, I just worried that
you might be distressed,

but now I am relieved to see
that your composure is fine.

Excuse me.

- I heard that there has not
been any contact from Kunitomo.

- The expected arrival date of the submarine
at Kiska has already passed a while ago.

The sound source is nearing!

Commander, please take a look.

Today and tomorrow, this area and the route
to the destination will have intermittent fog.

But on the third day, the high atmospheric
pressure will move from the southwest

to the Aleutian area. It
will cause fog for sure.

Fortunately, the line of
discontinuity in the Alaska area

will keep the Kiska area in
heavy fog for at least one week.

I see.

This is the most ideal fog forecast.

Commander, please order the departure.

But we have no message
from the submarine.

I am sure we will get one on the way.

Will the island be ready on time?

- They should be able to manage
it by the time we get there.

We may never have this chance again.

- If we miss this opportunity,
we may never be able to move...

Commander, please make the decision.

Let's believe what the scholar says.

I am confirming it again, weather
chief. You're sure about the fog?

Yes. I am absolutely
confident about it!

- Staff Officer, I am sorry for
wasting our time on the journey.

So we delayed two days...

I am sure the fleet
is waiting impatiently.

- The fleet would not move until I
send the radio message from the island.

JULY 7th

JULY 7th
- But Omura's fleet left from Paramushiro without waiting for the radio message from the submarine.

- But Omura's fleet left from Paramushiro without
waiting for the radio message from the submarine.

PARAMUSHIRO KISKA POINT Z

But Omura's fleet left from Paramushiro without
waiting for the radio message from the submarine.

PARAMUSHIRO KISKA POINT Z

PARAMUSHIRO KISKA POINT Z They started the
forward movement toward Kiska in the fog.

PARAMUSHIRO KISKA POINT Z

If we keep going, we will
get to Point Z tomorrow.

Then we will not be able to go any further
unless we get contact from the submarine.

Our fleet is like a
mute and a blind man.

But keep our ears strained.

We may get a sudden contact
from the submarine at any time.

JULY 12th

Itis Kiska!

Is that right? We've arrived?

Please.

No, I will view it
from the deck later.

I will prepare for the landing.

- Blow the main tank!
- Blow the main tank!

It seems that we'll finally get there.

Yes, sir.

Captain! The senior officer is down!

What?

From now on, I, the chief gunner,
Ensign Tawara, am taking command!

The shore is near. Go forward!

- The control room is damaged. We can't
pump out water. The boat will sink!

What?

Please hurry!

I can't go?

We're already under the surface.

Hey! Rescue team! Hurry! Hurry!

Helmsman, go faster! Go faster!

Prepare for the rescue!
- Yes.

Go under the launching tube!

Yes!

It is Morse code!

To the launching tube room...

Open the torpedo hatch!

Yes.

Yes.

Lower the rope!

Staff Officer, hurry!

Yes, I am going.

All right!

Chief gunner, the
engine room is flooded.

Please hurry!

- Close the number 2 hatch!
- Yes!

Evacuation is successful!

Close the hatch!

Commander, three successive
signals of "Sakura!"

- So it came.
- Yes, sir.

Good!

- Abukuma and the fleet
are already nearing Kiska.

But because this operation must
be carried out in absolute secrecy,

any radio communication is restrained.

Therefore, we can't make any contact.

And we can't specify the time
of arrival because it changes

depending on the enemy
situation and the weather.

So it can be today?

- They sent the signal, "Saita"
from Paramushiro five days ago...

Then, the fleet may arrive right now.

I will order the brigade
to gather immediately.

No, only the time
of the arrival of the

fleet, 16:00 has been
determined in advance.

- But it would not hurt to
gather in advance, would it?

- If the enemy sees the brigade
gathering, they will know our plan.

Therefore, the time of gathering is
5 minutes before the specified time.

It can't be any earlier or
later. We must keep that time.

- And what do we do if
the fleet does not show up?

We stand by for two hours

then we would go back
to our posts immediately.

So we can have the
hope of returning to the

homeland for 2 hours
out of 24 hours a day.

And we must forget about that for the rest of
22 hours and keep fighting against the enemy.

This may be very hard,
but please endure.

The fleet will be here for sure!

The fog is thinning.

The visibility of 1,000
meters is a little risky.

Let's go around one more time and see.

Starboard 10 degrees.

Starboard 10 degrees.

Starboard 10 degrees.

How is the fuel?

It is nearing the limit.

The fleet will anchor
1,000 meters off shore.

So please prepare 13 landing crafts.

If we use all we have,
15 will be available.

It may cause confusion
by being too greedy.

Keep it simple, one craft per ship.
- Yes, sir.

- So we will repeat the trip
three times to transport 5,200 men.

And we will have to do it in one hour.

One hour?

Once the fleet anchors,
they can't move.

If they're seen, enemy planes will
be here from Amchitka within one hour.

Understood.

The accounting squad will be

leaving the island on the
cruiser, Abukuma's first craft

and the destroyer,
Naganami's second craft.

You must not bring any bulky
baggage. At the time of withdrawal,

you must be in formal navy attire,

because we don't want
to look disgraceful

as navy sailors in case of the worst.

- We, the anti
- air raid squad, will board the ships in three separate groups.

You may forget the names
of your wives and children,

but you must not forget this number!

Chief, what do we do
about Taro and Hanako?

- Only humans are allowed to get
on board. No exceptions are allowed.

So we are leaving them on the island?

- We are even supposed to throw away
the rifles when we get to the ships.

There is only one exception. The ashes

of our fellow soldiers
who died in battle.

All of those ashes will be

received by us, the medical squad.

- Itis 12 kilometers from
here to the gathering place.

But we can't leave our post earlier.

We depart one hour
before the specified time.

So we will have to run.

- That is no problem. If we are getting closer
to our homeland, I don't mind running at all.

Good! Dismissed!

This is great!

- "To Japan! To Japan!
- [tis an irresistible force!

Hey! Don't get too optimistic yet.

Yes!

JULY 16th

Radio officer! The fleet!

- Did it come?
- Take a look.

This must be it.

Good, transmit the
information to all the squads.

At 30 nautical miles away south-southwest,
a fleet is approaching Kiska Bay.

- Wait! Wait!
- Yes, sir!

- You must not leave your
post until the specified time.

Go back! Go back!

Return!

About face!

- Stop! Don't move until
headquarters gives you the order!

Go back!
- Yes.

Enemy ship! Evacuate!

Evacuate!

- Report the damage.
Report the damage.

- How about that. That
is intense, isn't it?

Yes, sir.

- Now you understand my feelings when
I told the submarine to turn back.

Yes, I want to tell the
fleet not to come too.

Don't get tricked with
my leading question.

Ah, I see.

The "Two hours" out of
24 hours begins soon.

The time for hope of returning home.

Damn! The horizon became visible.

- We came this far.
We can't turn back now.

- We are almost there.
Kiska is in front of us.

Commander, let's go forward.

Wait.

Slow speed ahead!

Slow speed ahead!

Slow speed ahead!

- Shimakaze's captain offers his
opinion. "Want you to go forward."

Signal from Asagumo,
Her captain offers

his opinion. "Want you to go forward."

Every ship is pressing to rush in.

- Commander, all the men on Kiska
are gathered and waiting for us.

Commander, give us your decision.

We are going back.

- We will set the course to
Paramushiro. Starboard 30 degrees.

Starboard 30 degrees.

Starboard 30 degrees.

If we go back, we will
be able to come back.

- Then please send word
to the men on the island.

- No. We are in the middle of
the enemy's controlled area.

Don't send any radio signals.

Yes, sir.

Starboard 30 degrees. Roger!

- Return.
- Return!

Return.

Let's go back quietly.

- Omura's fleet turned back even
though it was so close to Kiska.

They headed back to Paramushiro.

Those men on the island will gather

again tomorrow at the beach without
knowing the fleet turned back.

They will do that again
the day after tomorrow.

Hurry! Hurry!

What's the matter?

- This is ridiculous. It
is just a waste to go there.

Shall we take a cigarette break?

Do you have a cigarette?

I have saved this one.

Damn! It got soggy with sweat.

What a waste!

I told you.

We should not be hoping
for the phantom fleet.

And we should not be sweating
every day for nothing.

- Idiots!
- Yes, sir!

Did you forget what I
told you men many times

that the entire withdrawal operation
may fail because of one slacker?

Prepare, straddle...
and clench your teeth!

Go!
- Yes/

- Harry!
- Yes/

This is an announcement
from the commander.

According to a quick radio
message from Paramushiro,

the fleet gave up on entering Kiska

Bay and returned a few days ago.

Stop gathering until further notice.

I will tell them to return
to their posts immediately.

Leave them alone for a while.

Fleet Staff Officer!

What is it?

We are sorry.

That's all right.

- No, now we fully realize that
all 5,200 of us are comrades

who must share the
fate of life and death.

- We really regret what we have
done. Your striking us was not enough.

- The two of us will keep running to the beach
for the gathering every day starting tomorrow.

I see. I am glad.

The 1st Torpedo Fleet, including the

flagship Abukuma,
returned to Paramushiro.

And they waited for another
chance for departure.

How is the fog?

I think there will be more
chances until the end of July.

The fuel is prepared too.

I am sure that there will
be another chance to go.

But what if the enemy
invades before we can go?

I have learned to pray for
the first time at this age.

Please, Kawashima, pray that the

enemy won't invade
before we get there.

KISKA

KISKA

But the American force with 35,000 men
had already planned to stage the invasion

KISKA

KISKA Just a few days later.

KISKA

KISKA And they had already finished assembling
at their bases in the Aleutian Islands.

KISKA

Hey!

Yes, sir.

How is the fog situation?

No ideal fogs are forecasted.

If we wait too long,
the enemy will invade.

But take a look.

This next fog will stay for
only three days at the most.

Report 5 days instead of 3.

Huh?

We have to push the commander.

- We can't stand that the 1st Torpedo
Fleet is being ridiculed anymore.

We can carry it out...

50% from fog's help and the other
50% can be made up by military spirit!

But...

That's enough scholar's selfishness.

Why are you wearing
a military uniform?

Go!

- End of the work shift in 10 minutes.
End of the work shift in 10 minutes.

Come in.

Ensign Fukumoto coming in.

How is it?

Yes, sir.

From 200 nautical miles off the shore of
Paramushiro to the Aleutians, fog is forming.

How long will it last?

Yes. Well...

It will last for 5 days.

I see.

You are sure.

Yes, sir!

Good. Please get off the ship.

Huh?

Your duty has ended.

We will do the rest.

What's wrong?

Commander...

Huh?

The fog won't last for 3 days.

I am sorry.

- Have you forgotten the
scholar's conscience? Have courage.

Sir... Yes!

- Therefore, from now on we will
limit the number of artillery shells

to three per day for each gun.

When we use up what we
have, that will be the end.

They will never be replenished.

So save as much ammunition as you can
to be prepared for the enemy's invasion.

That's all.

Salute!

- Even though, ammunition and food
provisions are dwindling every day,

why did you turn back on the way?

The operation is still in progress.

The fleet is sitting in port.

- The operation is in progress, whether
they are advancing by sea or staying in port

does not matter!

Director!

I want you to advise Commander
Omura to retire from his duty.

What?

He may have lost his nerve?

Idiot!

That man was saying, that he
learned to pray for the first time.

Go back and report that
Omura's fleet is in great shape!

- I heard that you had a messenger
from the Naval General Staff.

- Yes, the man was quite
understanding and he trusts you.

Look at this.

A liaison airplane delivered
this from Tokyo yesterday.

Huh?

"Despite the failure of the
withdrawal operation of Kiska,

"staying on as commander
of the 1st Torpedo Fleet

"is without grace for a
reasonable military person.

"What do you think?"

This is not good, it
contradicts what I just said.

Come in.

Ensign Fukumoto coming in.

Commander...
- Yes.

This time is for sure.

Is that right?

According to the
observation equipment,

the fog already has formed to 100
nautical miles from Paramushiro.

Yes.

JULY 22nd

All ahead slow!

All ahead slow!

All ahead slow!

Visibility 300!

Visibility 100!

From aft lookout to the bridge.

I can't see the succeeding ship.

Luminescent signal!

Yes, sir.

Slightly to right.

Slightly to right.

- Starboard
- Starboard

Shall we get closer?

- No, it will be too dangerous.
We will hit Abukuma's butt.

My butt feels itchy too.

Shimakaze is following us, isn't she?

Signals sent from
the flagship, Abukuma.

All ships keep in frequent contact
with each other using searchlights.

All ships are following us.

Yes.

Slow down to 6 knots.

All ahead slow!

All ahead slow!

PARAMUSHIRO KISKA POINT Z

PARAMUSHIRO KISKA POINT Z
- After advancing carefully through the fog, the fleet reached Point Z,

PARAMUSHIRO KISKA POINT Z

PARAMUSHIRO KISKA POINT Z then it
changed course north toward Kiska.

PARAMUSHIRO KISKA POINT Z

Damn, they are really pounding us!

We should shoot all
the bullets we have.

Yes, sir.

- At that time, men on Kiska knew
that the fleet had left port again,

but their hopes for survival
had not been renewed.

The air raids by American forces
intensified more and more each day

and made them believe that the day of total
annihilation was nearing with certainty.

JULY 26th

How far to the enemy ship?

From 10 to 20 nautical miles.

- Even a weak radio signal
would be too dangerous.

We'll stop all radio transmission
including ship to ship communications.

Yes, sir.

Light signal from Kiso!

Position of Kunashiri
cannot be identified.

- That's not good. Worst
case, It may collide.

Since when did we lose them?

- Their last signal, "We are
following," was 15 minutes ago.

They must not be too far away.

Try firing a gun.

But the enemy ships must
be near us in this area.

- If they are within 10 nautical
miles, our gunfire may be heard.

They have radar.

If they can hear us, they would
have found us a long time ago.

This is a gamble.

Either the enemy or
Kunashiri will appear...

Yes, fire a gun.

Shall we fire another one?

Please stop. It is too dangerous.

That's all right. Fire.

- 20 degrees to the right, a
black object is approaching.

- That's Kunashiril
- Hard aport!

Hard aport!

Hard aport!

Watch out!

All stop!

Check for flooding!

Kiso taking starboard.
going to our right side.

Shimakaze is on our left,
following from behind.

From aft to the bridge.

This is the bridge...

- Signal from Hatsushimo. "We collided
with Wakaba, but the damage is minor.

"We can continue our duties
without any difficulty."

- Commander, crew space in
the back area has flooded.

It will take one hour
for emergency repair.

One hour...

Commander!

- This is a great enough fog to
make us collide with each other.

We will get divine
punishment if we complain.

But we can't stay as we are.

We have no other choice.

Those damaged ships need to go back.

This ship will stop at the current
position. Hurry the repair work.

Yes, sir.

- The second ship, Kiso takes the
first position and leads the fleet.

The meeting point with
this ship will be at Point,

30 nautical miles south
of the southern channel.

Depart immediately.

Yes, sir.

Wakaba and Hatsushimo left the fleet

as escorts for the damaged Kunashiri

and they retuned to Paramushiro.

Cruiser Kiso took the lead by
leaving the flagship, Abukuma behind

and advanced foward the
meeting point in the fog.

40 minutes have already passed.

They're using radar.

We should fire back blindly.

No, it will hinder the repair work.

Commander, you don't
mind dying like this?

- Hurry the emergency repair!
- Yes, sir.

Hey!

Support the plate!

How much longer will it take?

About 15 minutes.

Is there any other damage?

No! There isn't.

Hurry!

Is the repair finished, yet?

Rear area crew's
space repair finished?

The repair is completed.

Good.

Run and leave the enemy behind.

Full ahead!

- Captain, how much longer
do we wait for Abukuma?

We have been waiting for 3 hours.

If the fog clears, we will fail again.

We can't do it over again this time.

We will lose the chance
to rescue Kiska forever.

Captain, please take command
for the withdrawal operation!

- Fine. We will go
forward toward Kiska Bay!

Enemy ship at 30 degrees to the left.

Prepare for left artillery
attack and torpedo attack.

Wait!

It is Abukuma.

TO ALL SHIPS FOLLOW Us

From this point on, we
will follow the Abukuma.

Full ahead!

Full ahead!

Who is that?

Ah, you were still awake.

I've been feeling uneasy.

It is a heavy fog.

Yes.

Captains must be
having a difficult time.

Commander, please
send the radio signal.

Huh?

We will guide the fleet
with the radio signal.

Won't it invite enemy ships in?

There is that danger.

But it is impossible for our
fleet to enter in this fog.

The fleet may be bewildered
at the entrance into Kiska.

They may be off shore
very close to here...

Fine.

JULY 28th

Course 320 degrees, Kiska Bay, Roger.

- We received a radio signal from
Kiska. Course 320 degrees. Kiska Bay.

How far?

About 20 nautical miles.

It will be easy if we just
follow the radio signal.

But sending radio signals means...

Commander, please increase the speed.

Keep the same speed.

- But if we keep the same speed,
we will not get in until night.

5,200 men will be waiting at the
beach on Kiska today for sure.

Please go straight in.

If the enemy already
knows that we are around,

they may be setting an ambush...

- But Kiska Bay is the only entry point.
There is only one way to get there.

Shall we go around to the west...

Huh?

- If we advance north by going very close
to shore, enemy radar won't catch us.

- That is too risky. We have no
observed information about this channel.

The tide is fast around here
and there are extended shallows.

No one has gone through.

Wrong, there is a man
who went through with

only one eye watching
through a periscope.

He is the captain of Submarine I-7

But it will be suicidal for
a fleet to form one line.

If we go around to the west, we will
face the danger of the channel for sure.

But if we keep going straight, we
may not face the danger of the enemy.

All ships stand by at this position.

Huh? Are we going to stop?

Let's wait and see for a while.

Commander, it is only 2 hours away.

Kiska Bay is almost there.

Please go in!

All stop!

All stop!

All stop!

10 degrees to right, enemy ship!

Ready for right side torpedo attack.

Yes, sir!

Island. Commander, it is an island.

What was it? What was the sound?

- If the enemy heard that sound,
they may have found our location.

Commander, there is a
big possibility for that.

- Men on the island have
to wait for one more day.

The fleet will circle west.

- Commander, that must be
a battle between two fleets.

Fleet Staff Officer,
what do you think?

Yes.

This is my mistake by having
forced you to send the radio signal.

I am afraid that our fleet followed
the radio signal to advance north

and they were ambushed
by an enemy fleet.

- Now we can't expect the withdrawal
operation of Kiska anymore.

We must give up the hope of returning
alive and renew our preparation for

our final battle without surrendering.
Please announce that to every man.

The commander has an announcement!

Right now, our fleet
seems to be engaged

in an artillery battle
against the enemy

on the southwest sea.

There no longer seems to
be any hope of withdrawal.

But despite the
difficult war situation,

a precious fleet was
twice sent for us.

We must deeply thank
our home country, Japan,

and those who engaged in
the withdrawal operation.

Director, we got a
radio message from Kiska.

Ah, read it.

Yes, sir.

"On July 28th, from
17:30 for three hours,

"sounds of gunfire were heard
on the sea southeast of Kiska."

What?

It seems that our fleet
encountered the enemy fleet.

Is that right...

- But around that time,
Omura's undamaged fleet

was advancing north through the
uncharted waters west of Kiska.

The sounds of gunfire

were the enemy's blind artillery attack
toward a misidentified phantom fleet.

It is strange that they heard the

sound of gunfire for
three hours on Kiska.

The enemy must also be on edge.

They may have misidentified the reflection
of an island on radar as a Japanese fleet.

We misidentified an
island as a ship as well...

Yes.

- Commander, the decision
to circle west was brilliant.

Well, it will get more
difficult from here.

Please go a little
further away from the land.

- No, if they catch us on
radar, that will be the end.

The enemy would never make
the same mistake again.

We should get even
closer. More! Closer!

Starboard!

Starboard!

18...

17...

Too shallow!

The distance to the quay is 70!

Port!

Port!

- Captain, the tide is fast.
Don't let it push us over.

Yes, sir.

Starboard, reef is near!

It is approaching.
Distance 40... 35...

Starboard the helm!

Left half speed.

- Starboard the
helm! Left half speed.

It changed!

Restore!

All ahead slow!

Restore! All ahead slow!

- From the bow to the bridge.
The fog is getting heavier.

Visibility 100.

Are the other ships all right?

- Officer on watch!
- Yes, sir!

Left ahead slow!

Left ahead slow!

Starboard. Starboard!

Rudder house, starboard!

Captain, we can't control the rudder!

What... I see. Restore!

Restore!

Chief engineer, What happened?

- From the stern to the bridge.
Tide is fast and unstable.

- Rudder house, don't swing the
tail and keep the rudder steady!

Yes.

Captain, let me take over.

Yes, sir.

All ahead full!

Full speed, commander?

It is the only way to ride across.

Starboard!

Starboard!

Are the other ships following?

Yes, they are.

The patrol boat is leaving
the mouth of the bay.

That is odd.

They may be joining with
the fleet from last night.

Yes.

It is a new enemy fleet.

What?

They are going south from northeast.

How many?

From 8 to 10.

They are switching shifts.

We may get short range naval
artillery attacks from them.

Yes.

Announcing the present situation.

The enemy fleet is going south
on the sea toward the east.

Each lookout post keep
watching with extreme caution.

Chief, isn't it an engine sound?

Yes.

This is the Matsugasaki lookout post.
We can hear a ship's engine sound.

Ah! Bugle!

That is the bugle sound
for entering the port!

- The fleet!
- The fleet!

- I remove the radio
silence. Send this message.

"Entering bay will
be 4 hours earlier."

- Hurry! Hurry! We may not
be on time if we are too slow.

- You will have stomach
problems if you eat all at once.

Eat sparingly so that it
would last for a long time.

And run away when the bombs fall.

Ah... Ship!

Ah! They are gathered.

Ah! There is another one...

Squad leader, now there are 4 ships.

Is that right?

Ah! 5 ships!

- All stop!
- All stop!

Drop anchor.

Each boat, start engine!

- Go on board!
- Go on board!

- Watch out for air raids
and submarines very carefully.

Lower the ladders!

Throw away your rifles!

Hurry and get on board!

Pull them up!

Hey! Anyone still here?

Anyone still here?

Salute!

You were still here!

- At the present time, 12:40, it seems
there are no enemy ships near Kiska.

- Yes, let's go!
- Yes, sir.

Let's go!

All are evacuated!

Good. Thank you.

The last boarding craft
just left the island.

Yes.

- Commander, the entire
withdrawal has been completed.

It has been only 55 minutes
since dropping anchor.

Good. Let's go back.

Prepare to depart!

Start moving slowly.

All ahead slow!

All ahead slow!

All ahead slow!

Commander...

- Akitani
- san, I appreciate your long service at the island.

Thank you.

The Kiska island's
garrison, 5,183 men are...

That is all of them. Is that right?

Yes, sir.

All of them with 115 ashes
of the deceased are here.

Staff Officer, Kunitomo...

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

Sir...

Raise the speed to Level Two.

Full ahead!

Full ahead!

Full ahead!

ON JULY 20th, 1943, THE FLEET

INCLUDING ABUKUMA HEADED FOR

PARAMUSHIRO AFTER RESCUING

5,200 MEN OF THE KISKA GARRISON

ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER, AMERICAN
FORCES CARRIED OUT THE INVASION

WITH 35,000 MEN AND THE
SUPPORT OF 100 SHIPS.

THEY FOUND NO JAPANESE
FORCES EXCEPT FOR TWO DOGS

AFTER ATTACKING THEMSELVES WITH
FRIENDLY FIRE FOR 2 DAYS AND NIGHTS

THE END Translation by:
Subtitles by: Authoring

by: Jiro Matsuki Merlin
David John Gainfort