All language subtitles for Retreat from Kiska (1965) en

TOHO MOTION PICTURE CORP.

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

gruesome battles were repeated
by Japanese and American forces.

The Japanese garrisons confined
on cut-off islands always followed

the same fate of death in action. "Choosing
an honourable death rather than surrender"

was a cruel and heartless way of fighting
a battle and resulted in total annihilation.

GUADALCANAL
Killed in Action: 24,000

MAKIN & TARAWA ATOLLS
Killed in Action: 5,400

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

SAIPAN & TINIAN ISLANDS
Killed in Action: 39,000

GUAM
Killed in Action: 19,000

IWO JIMA
Killed in Action: 20,100

And on the Aleutian Islands
in the Northern Pacific Ocean,

Attu island's garrison of 2,400 men chose to
die rather than surrender on May 29th, 1943.

ATTU
Attu island'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 awaiting the same fate.

ATTU
KISKA

MIRACULOUS MILITARY OPERATION
IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN
THE RETREAT FROM KISKA
(Taiheiyo Kiseki no Sakusen: Kisuka)

Produced by:
TANAKA Tomoyuki
TAMI Yasuyoshi

from CHIHAYA Masataka's screenplay
"Taiheiyo Kaisen Saidai no Kisuki"
by SUZAKI Katsuya

Art Direction by:
Sound Mixing:
KITA Takeo
SHIMONAGA Hisashi
Lighting by:
Photography by:
NISHIGAKI Rokur�
NISHIKAWA Tsuruz�
Sound Recording by:
NISHIKAWA Yoshio

Theme song:
"Kiska March" y
Composer: Music b:
"Kiri no Kiska"
DAN Ikuma DAN Ikuma
King Records
Lyrics by:
YOKOI Hiroshi

Sound Effects by:
KANEYAMA Minoru
Assistant Director:
Film Processing:
BANNO Yoshimitsu
Kinuta Laboratory
Editor:
Production Manager:
KOGA Shoichi
FUJII Ryohei

References:
"SHUKI" PHOTOGRAPHS
from/by former 1st Torpedo Fleet
"KIRINOKOTO" "Kiroku Shashin
Taiheiy-o Sens-o shi" Staff Officer, by former
5th Garrison Chief Naval Surgeon,
published by Kobunsha
ARICHIKA Rokuji, KOBAYASHI Shinichiro

Cast

MIFUNE Toshiro

SATO Makoto
YAMAMURA So
NAKAMARU Tadao

FUJITA Susumu
NISHIMURA K�
TAZAKI Jun
SHIMURA Takashi

KODAMA Kiyoshi HIRATA Akihiko
FUNATO Jun
TSUCHIYA Yoshio KUBO Akira

Director of Special Effects:
TSUBURAYA Eiji

Directed by:
MARUYAMA Seiji

Listen everyone!
Listen everyone!

Submarine I-7, arriving today, will be

the last scheduled transportation
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 cut-off time for postal items is 14:30.

The cut-off time for postal items is 14:30.

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

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

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

NORTH HILL
ANTI-AIR RAID
TROOP

NORTH HILL
ANTI-AIR RAID
TROOP
Each man wrote about three letters on
average. Now we all have nothing to regret.

NORTH HILL
ANTI-AIR RAID
TROOP
Good.

NORTH HILL
ANTI-AIR RAID
TROOP
- Please wait!
- OK.

NORTH HILL
ANTI-AIR RAID
TROOP

Please take this.

Huh?
What's this?

They are flower seeds.

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

- It won't?
- We'll see.

Thank you.

Where are the postal items?

- We have none.
- Why?

They all started, but...

We will not have another opportunity.

We still have some time.

Even if it 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 them.
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

so 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 to your
return to the homeland.

The 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,

that there are about 10
enemy ships to the south sea.

Ohama at the observation post, about
20 enemy ships to the south-east sea!

I-7 is submerging quickly!
I-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?

If only a bag of rice or a single bullet!
We are going to deliver to Kiska.

Radio message from Kiska!
"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 honourably annihilated.

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

Kunitomo-kun.

Consider the situation.

Including two first-class battleships,

there is an enemy fleet of
30 ships patrolling the island.

The enemy is rushing to build an airplane
base on 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 cancelled 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 by taking part of American soil.

It was also very helpful in
raising the morale of our men.

But we no longer have Attu.

And if we leave Kiska all alone and to its
fate because we see no 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 to operations in the south.

But Chief of Naval Operations...

Alright, I will tell you the conclusion.

Literally, at this time of
life-and-death matters,

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 defence for the homeland.

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

Kawashima, what do you think?

I am 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.

So we finally had to stop the
transportation of supplies by submarine.

Rescuing Kiska will be extremely difficult.

But if nothing is done,

all of our garrison will starve to death

in less than a month even
before the enemy invades.

Can we let that happen?

No, absolutely not!

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

we will be shamed in the
eyes of 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.

Admiral!

I have been appointed as the Chief of
Operations for the Fifth Fleet as of today.

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

Yes, sir.

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

Admiral, Kiska is to our north.

I have business to our south!

So the liaison airplane flew
north from Rabaul immediately.

The newly appointed commander
of the 1st Torpedo Fleet

travelled, changing planes several times

from Saipan to Tateyama,
through to Ominato,

then to Paramushiro,

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

From this time the destiny of the 5,200
man garrison at Kiska began to change.

PARAMUSHIRO BASE
IN THE KURILE ISLANDS

FLAGSHIP OF THE 5th FLEET,
THE CRUISER NACHI

Ho!

Omura! Welcome. Come on in.

Rear Admiral Omura Shotaro has just arrived
now as commander of the 1st Torpedo Fleet.

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

It is cold.

Yes.

You are an unlucky man
to be teamed up with me

who graduated 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 travelled from
the far south to the far north.

This is not quite the furthest north.

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!

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.

The appearance of fighter planes
indicate that they're 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 were receiving
severe naval gunnery attacks.

"On May 29th..."

That day, at 7:20 PM, we received the last radio
signal from the neighbouring island of 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 it is 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, in a single swoop,

we must sneak in with surface vessels
to effect a rescue. It 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.

Several times we have experienced
enemy gunnery hits 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.

It is no good.

He does not even understand
the gravity of the operation.

We have an outrageous
man as the commander!

And the Admiral too.
Is he serious about this?

Commander, did you know?

There is a bad rumour going around
saying that the 5th Fleet is asleep.

Yes, I know.

Commander, please lead
the "Kego Operation."

You have no trust in Omura?

He doesn't have any distinguished
accomplishments on the battlefield.

The purpose of this operation
is not to attack the enemy.

To start with we don't want a battle.

But when you are really
fighting for your life,

men concentrating on the performance of
great deeds don't handle that (pressure) well.

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

He has always been that way.

FLAGSHIP OF THE 1st TORPEDO FLEET
THE 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're 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 at 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 aren't 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 openly
in unciphered text.

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 flavour of life.

Squad leader,
that is a tasteful comment.

We should eat now.

When the fog clears, there will be a heavy
bombardment from the neighbouring island.

Hey, I will carry that for you.

I am 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
intercepted 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 was 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,
clinging to the island.

KISKA

But it is too shallow there.

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

That was too reckless.

If you had scratched the bottom,
it would have been the end.

There were a few times
that I got scared.

But it is amazing that you
went through that 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 at the moment.

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

We really need 6 ships!

Please manage for 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 south.

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 Admiral.

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR EFFORTS

FLEET HEADQUARTERS
HAS BEEN MOVED ASHORE

5th FLEET HEADQUARTERS

Commander, you are the first
admiral in Japanese naval history

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

Probably, I am the first in the world.

I can't stand this.

Yo!

Oh!

Kawashima, you did very well.

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 imprudent!

Hey!

- But...
- That's alright.

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.

The captains of all the ships are here.

OK. 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.
- Right.

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 admiral's efforts
to get those destroyers.

The Staff Officers denounce him
as an incompetent commander.

And even the officers and crew of the Nachi
ridicule him. But quietly he puts up with them.

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

I think of it differently.

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

we would make wrong decisions.

We should not be particular
about those trifling feelings.

We would fail for sure.

I will thank him later at the first instant.

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
in, all of them. 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?

Alright.
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, announce the
withdrawal from Kiska?

That is the only way to save them.

As a doctor,

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

Please!

If there was 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 quickly invades the island.

It'd be more pitiful if that happens after
we use up all our food and ammunition.

- Squad leader...
- Mmm?

Why did he kill himself?

If each ship goes in individually, it would
be easy. We can handle any thick fog.

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

in order for us to seize the best chance.

Alright, let's all go together.

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

We will have to travel over
100 hours in heavy fog...

This is quite a stunt.

It is like 13 blind men
walking in single file.

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 skills.

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?
50?

That's more than when they attacked Attu.

The enemy is really getting serious.

They may be invading.

We may not get there in time.

Keep talking about the agenda.

Yes, sir.

After leaving Paramushiro,

the fleet will take a decoy
course toward the south-east.

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

So for the three days after leaving port, we
must be very watchful against submarines.

Then at 200 nautical miles
south-east of Kiska,

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

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

Referring to the time needed to board
soldiers after we successfully arrive...

as there are no piers on this shore
we will need at least 5 hours.

Fleet Staff Officer, what do you think?

How about 3 hours?

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

I think we will need 5 to 6 hours.

Do it in 1 hour.

Once they see us dropping our anchors,

enemy planes will arrive in under an hour.

Nothing is impossible.

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

Because this is a secret operation, we can't
send lengthy radio messages to each other.

Commander,

I will go to Kiska beforehand
in a submarine.

Please let me go.

- Would you go?
- Yes.

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

What would be the code?

I'll send "Sakura" (Cherry blossoms)
three times in succession.

We'll send back "Saita" (bloomed)
three times in succession.

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

READY FOR DEPARTURE

Everything has been checked thoroughly?

Yes, in my head I have memorised
every detail of the operation.

We can't have any communication
once you leave here.

That's fine.

Make sure you reach 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 summertime.

So it is impossible to swim in it.

Once you go into the water, you
wouldn't last more than 5 minutes.

Don't scare me.

Don't worry.

The sixty eight men and myself
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 this boat's sole objective.

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

Yes!

You came at the right time.
I'm working out the strategy now.

Would you help?

The strategy for the chess game?

Yes...

Please excuse me.

Have you been angered?

No, I just worried that
you might be distressed,

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

Excuse me.

I've heard that there hasn't been
any contact from Kunitomo.

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

The sound source is closing!

Commander, please take a look.

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

But on the third day,

an area of high atmospheric pressure
will move from the southwest

into the area of the Aleutians.
It will cause fog for sure.

Fortunately, the line of discontinuity
(ie a front) in the area of Alaska.

will keep the Kiska area under
heavy fog for at least a week.

I see.

This is a most ideal fog forecast.

Commander,
please order the departure.

But we have no message
from the submarine.

I'm sure we'll 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 this
knowledgeable fellow says.

For me to confirm it again weather
chief. You're sure about the fog?

Yes.

I am absolutely confident about it!

Staff Officer, I am sorry for
wasting 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

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

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

KISKA
PARAMUSHIRO
POINT Z

KISKA
PARAMUSHIRO
POINT Z
In the fog they commenced
the advance destined for Kiska.

KISKA
PARAMUSHIRO
POINT Z

Going as we are,
we will reach Point Z tomorrow.

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

Our fleet is like a mute and blind man.

But keep our ears strained.

At any time we may get a
sudden contact from the submarine.

JULY 12th

It is 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, chief gunner,
Ensign Tawara, am taking command!

The shore is close.
Advance!

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

What?

Please hurry!

I can't go?

We're already below the surface.

Hey! Rescue team!
Hurry! Hurry!

Helmsman, faster!
Go faster!

- Prepare for 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 flooding.

Please hurry!

- Close the number 2 hatch!
- Yes!

Evacuation is successful!

Close the hatch!

Commander,
3 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 restricted.

Therefore, we can't make any contact.

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

depending on the enemy
situation and the weather.

So it could even be today?

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

Then, the fleet may be arriving even now.

I will order the brigade
to gather immediately.

No, the time of fleet's arrival, at 16:00, has
been the only detail determined in advance.

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

If the enemy sees the brigade
gathering, they'll ascertain our plan.

Therefore, the time to gather would be
5 minutes before the specified time.

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

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

We standby for two hours,

then immediately return to our posts.

So we can have the hope of a return to
the homeland for 2 hours in 24 each day.

And we must forget about that
for the other 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.

With a visibility of 1,000 metres
it's a little risky.

Let's go about one more time and see.

Starboard 10 degrees.

Starboard 10 degrees.

Starboard 10 degrees.

How is the fuel?

It is nearing its limit.

The fleet will anchor
1,000 metres off shore.

So please prepare 13 landing craft.

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

It may cause confusion
if we overreach.

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

So we'll repeat the trip three times
to transport all 5,200 men.

And we must do it in one hour.

One hour?

Once the fleet anchors,
they are immobile.

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

Understood.

The accounting squad will be

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

and the second craft,
the destroyer Naganami's.

You mustn't bring any bulky baggage.
At the time of withdrawal,

you must be in formal navy attire,

because, as navy sailors, we don't want
to look disgraceful 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
aboard. No exceptions are allowed.

So we are leaving them on the island?

We're 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.

It is 12 kilometres from here
to the assembly point.

However we can't leave our post early.

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!
It is 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.

A fleet is approaching Kiska Bay 30
nautical miles to the sou-souwest.

- 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
HQ gives you the order!

- Go back!
- Yes.

Enemy ship!
Clear the area!

Withdraw!

Report the damage.
Report the damage.

How about this.
It's 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 deceived
by my leading question.

Ah, I see.

The "two hours"
out of 24 begins soon.

The time for the hope
of returning home.

Damn!
The horizon has become visible.

We've come 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 ahead!

Slow ahead!

Slow ahead!

Shimakaze's captain proffers his
opinion. "We want you to go forward."

Signal from Asagumo, Her captain proffers
his opinion. "We want you to go forward."

Every ship is keen to dash 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 course for 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
area under the enemy's control.

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, brace yourselves...
and clench your teeth!

- Go!
- Yes!

- Hurry!
- Yes!

This is an announcement
from the commander.

According to a quick radio
message from Paramushiro,

the fleet gave up on entering Kiska
Bay a few days ago and retreated.

Cease assembling 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 alright.

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 waited for another
chance to depart.

How is the fog?

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

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?

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

Please, Kawashima, pray that the
enemy won't invade before we get there.

KISKA

KISKA
But an American force of 35,000 men
had already planned to stage an 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 optimal fog is forecast.

If we wait too long,
the enemy will invade.

But take a look.

This next fog will persist
for only three days at most.

Report 5 days instead of 3.

Huh?

We have to push the commander.

We can't endure that the 1st Torpedo
Fleet is being ridiculed any longer.

We can carry this out...

with 50% helped by the fog and the other
50% can be made up by military spirit!

But...

That's enough of the
narrow-minded egghead.

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.

Fog is forming from 200 nautical miles off
the shore of Paramushiro to the Aleutians.

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 3 days.

I am sorry.

Have you forgotten the professional's
conscience? Have courage.

Sir...
Yes!

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

for each gun to three per day.

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
in preparation for the enemy's invasion.

That's all.

Salute!

Even though ammunition and food
provisions are dwindling every day,

When on the way why did you turn back?

The operation is still in progress.

The fleet is in port, inactive.

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

it does not matter!

Chief!

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

What?

May he not have lost his nerve?

Idiot!

The man was saying that he has
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 Naval General Staff.

Yes, the man was quite
understanding and trusts you.

Look at this.

A liaison airplane delivered this
from Tokyo yesterday.

What?

"In spite of the failure of the
Kiska withdrawal operation,

"his staying on as commander
of the 1st Torpedo Fleet

"is without justification for any
reasonable military person.

"What is your opinion?"

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

Come in.

Ensign Fukumoto coming in.

- Commander...
- Yes.

This time for sure.

Is that right?

According to the
observation equipment,

fog already has formed to 100
nautical miles from Paramushiro.

Right.

JULY 22nd

All ahead slow!

All ahead slow!

All ahead slow!

Visibility 300!

Visibility 100!

Aft lookout to the bridge.

I can't see the succeeding ship.

Signal light!

Yes, sir.

Slightly to starboard.

Slightly to starboard.

- Starboard.
- Starboard.

Shall we get closer?

No, it's 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 to 6 knots.

All ahead slow!

All ahead slow!

KISKA
PARAMUSHIRO
POINT Z

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

KISKA
PARAMUSHIRO
POINT Z

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

KISKA
PARAMUSHIRO
POINT Z

Damn, they're really pounding us!

We should shoot
all the bullets we have.

Yes, sir.

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

but their hopes for survival
hadn't been renewed.

The air raids by American forces became
more and more intense every day

and made them believe that the day of total
annihilation was inevitably approaching.

JULY 26th

How far to the enemy ship?

10 to 20 nautical miles.

Even a weak radio signal
would be too dangerous.

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

Yes, sir.

Light signal from Kiso!

Kunashiri's position
cannot be determined.

That's not good.

In the worst case
there may be a collision.

How long since we lost them?

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

They mustn't be too far away.

Try firing a gun.

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

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.

So it is a gamble,

either the enemy
or Kunashiri will appear...

Yes, fire a gun.

Shall we fire another?

Please stop.
It is too dangerous.

It's all right.
Fire.

A black object is approaching,
20 degrees to starboard.

- That's Kunashiri!
- Hard aport!

Hard aport!

Hard aport!

Watch out!

All stop!

Check for flooding!

Kiso is heading starboard,
going to our starboard side.

Shimakaze is on our port,
following from behind.

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, the crew
space aft has flooded.

It will take one hour
for emergency repairs.

One hour...

Commander!

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

We'll 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 point and leads the fleet.

The ships will recombine at Point Y,

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 all returned to Paramushiro.

The cruiser Kiso took the lead leaving
the flagship, Abukuma, behind

and, in the fog, advanced
toward the meeting point.

40 minutes have already passed.

They're using radar.

Even if blind, we should return fire.

No, it will hinder the repair work.

Commander,
you don't mind dying like this?

- Hurry the emergency repairs!
- Yes, sir.

Hey!

Brace 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?

Is the aft crew space repair finished?

Repair completed.

Good.

Run, leaving the enemy behind.

Full speed ahead!

Captain, how much longer
need we wait for Abukuma?

We have been waiting for 3 hours.

If the fog clears, we will fail again.

This time we can't repeat this.

We will permanently lose the
chance to rescue Kiska.

Captain, please issue the command
for the withdrawal operation!

Right.
We will advance on Kiska Bay!

Enemy ship, 30 degrees to port.

Prepare port for gunnery
and torpedo attack.

Wait!

It is Abukuma.

TO ALL SHIPS - FOLLOW US

From this point on,
we will follow Abukuma.

Full ahead!

Full ahead!

Who's that?

Ah, you were still awake.

I've been feeling uneasy.

It is a heavy fog.

Yes.

The captains must be
having a difficult time.

Commander,
please send the radio signal.

What?

We will guide the fleet
with the radio signal.

Won't it invite in the enemy ships?

There is that danger.

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

The fleet may become confused
at the entrance to Kiska.

They may be very close to here,
just offshore...

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 speed.

Retain 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, going very close
to shore, enemy radar won't catch us.

It's too risky. We have no confirmed
information about this channel.

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

No one has gone through.

Wrong, there's 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 up line astern.

If we go around to the west, we will
surely face the dangers of the channel.

However if we keep going straight, we
may not be in danger of facing the enemy.

All ships standby at the current position.

Eh?
We're going to stop?

Let's wait and see for a while.

Commander, it's only 2 hours away.

We are almost at Kiska Bay.

Please go in!

All stop!

All stop!

All stop!

10 degrees to starboard, enemy ship!

Ready for starboard side torpedo attack.

Yes, sir!

Island.
Commander, it is an island.

What was it?
What was that sound?

If the enemy heard that sound,
they may find our location.

Commander,
that is a big possibility.

The men on the island
will have to wait 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 having forced
you to send the radio signal.

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

and were ambushed by an enemy fleet.

Now we can no longer expect
an operation to withdraw from Kiska.

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

our final battle, avoiding surrender.
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.

Chief, we got a radio
message from Kiska.

Ah, read it.

Yes, sir.

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

"the sounds of gunfire were heard
from seawards south-east of Kiska."

What?

It seems that our fleet
encountered the enemy fleet.

Is that right...

But about that time
Omura's undamaged fleet

was advancing north through the
uncharted waters west of Kiska.

The sounds of gunfire

was the enemy's blind gunnery attack
towards the misidentified phantom fleet.

It is strange that for three hours, on
Kiska, they heard the sound of gunfire.

The enemy must also be on edge.

They may have misidentified on their radar
the reflection of an island 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, move a little
further away from 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 tidal current is strong.
Don't let it overpower us.

Yes, sir.

To starboard, a reef is near!

It is coming closer.
Distance 40... 35...

Helm to starboard!

Half ahead port.

Helm to starboard!
Half ahead port.

It's veered!

Resume course!

All ahead slow!

Resume course!
All ahead slow!

Bow to the bridge.
The fog is getting heavier.

Visibility 100.

Are the other ships all right?

- Officer on watch!
- Yes, sir!

Slow ahead port!

Slow ahead port!

Starboard. Starboard!

Rudder house, starboard!

Captain, we can't control the rudder!

What... I see.
Hold course!

Hold course!

Chief engineer,
What happened?

Stern to the bridge.
The tide is strong but erratic.

Rudder house, don't let the stern
swing, keep the rudder steady!

Yes.

Captain, let me take over.

Yes, sir.

All ahead full!

Full speed, commander?

It is the only way to pass through.

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 the northeast.

How many?

From 8 to 10.

They are switching shifts.

We may sustain short range
naval gunnery attacks from them.

Yes.

Announcing the present situation.

The enemy fleet is heading
south from the east.

Each lookout post maintain
watch on high alert.

Chief,
isn't that the sound of an engine?

Yes.

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

Hah!
A bugle!

That is the bugle sound for entering port!

- The fleet!
- The fleet!

I'm ceasing radio silence.
Send this message...

"We will be entering the
bay 4 hours earlier."

Hurry! Hurry! If we are too
slow we may be too late.

You will have stomach trouble
if you eat it all at once.

Eat sparingly so that
it will last a long time.

And run away when the bombs fall.

Ah... A ship!

Ah! They have assembled.

Ah!
There's another one...

Squad leader,
there are now 4 ships.

Is that right?

Ah! 5 ships!

- Stop engines!
- Stop engines!

Drop anchor.

Each boat, start the engine!

- Go on board!
- Go on board!

Keep a careful watch for
air raids and submarines.

Hey! Hey! Hey!

Lower the ladders!

Throw away your rifles!

Hurry and get on board!

Pull them up!

Hey!
Anyone still here?

Anyone still here?

Salute!

Hey! Hey! Hey!
Hey! Hey! Hey!

You were still here!

Currently, at 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 on the island.

Thank you.

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

That is all of them?
Is that correct?

Yes, sir.

All of them with the ashes
of the 115 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 29th, 1943, THE FLEET,
INCLUDING ABUKUMA, HEADED FOR

PARAMUSHIRO AFTER RESCUING THE
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

Translation by Jiro Matsuki
THE END