Original subtitles

Some of the aerial combat scenes shown in the film

are provided by the US Air Force Far East Command Headquarters.

We're grateful for their courtesy.

AN ENTRY FOR 1953 ARTS FESTIVAL

TOHO

EAGLE OF THE PACIFIC

Produced by Sojiro Motoki

Written by Shinobu Hashimoto

Photographed by Kazuo Yamada

Music by Yuuji Koseki

Edited by Koichi Iwashita

Special Effects by Eiji Tsuburaya, Akira Watanabe, Hiroshi Mukoyama

Starring

Denjiro Okochi as Isoroku Yamamoto

Hiroshi Nihonyanagi, Masao Shimizu

Jiro Yanagiei, Minoru Takada

Ichiro Sugai, Minosuke Yamada

Takamaru Sasaki, Soji Kiyokawa

Rentaro Mikuni, Keiju Kobayashi

Toshiro Mifune, Takashi Shimura

Directed by Ishiro Honda

The dead do not return.

There is no way to return to the old days.

However, think quietly about history.

In order not to repeat our mistakes,

we must calmly evaluate our past

and confirm every single historical fact.

The one who should be stabbed first is

Minister of the Court, Tsuneo Matsudaira. He deceives His Majesty.

Tsuneo Matsudaira...

Next, the symbol of monetary power,

Toyotaro Yuki, Governor of the Bank of Japan.

Toyotaro Yuki...

Next, the embodiment of capitalism.

The bulwark of the financial world, Seihin Ikeda.

Seihin Ikeda...

And the next one after Seihin Ikeda,

Isoroku Yamamoto, Deputy Minister of Navy.

Isoroku Yamamoto?

That's why I say that you do not understand the situation.

Yamamoto is a major figure in the pro-Anglo-American faction.

Don't you know that he is their figure head?

Just look at the inaction of the navy.

He is chiefly responsible for the non-success

of the Chinese War and the Tripartite Pact.

Until he is done away with, the navy... no,

until he is eliminated, Japan itself can't move forward!

NAVY MINISTRY

Connect me with Yamamoto, he's in Yokosuka.

Yokosuka Aviation Detachment?

Deputy Minister Yamamoto, please. Deputy Minister Yamamoto.

An urgent call from the Minister.

The Minister called.

Please return to the Ministry as soon as you can.

In the air the ailerons were not that responsive.

This was especially so at low speeds.

The the elevators and rudder are heavy but also overly sensitive.

And if I tried to climb sharply the plane would snap into a spin.

The Admiral is so busy, with an extra post at Headquarters.

I think he should quit the deputy post and focus on the air force.

The naval aircraft were once like sparrows.

He raised us into the eagles we are today.

It seems to have ended.

He should quit his ministerial duties and become an eagle again.

Attention!

Salute!

NAVY MINISTER

This is the second attempt

on your life.

Threatening letters

come in practically every week.

Frankly, you are my right hand man.

No, even more than that.

Frankly, without you as deputy

I couldn't carry on as Minister.

But recently,

we find it hard to guarantee your safety.

In my opinion,

you need to leave this position.

Minister.

Thank you for your concern about my safety.

But what would happen with the Tripartite Pact?

This senseless pact must be avoided at all costs.

Even at the sacrifice of our own lives.

But...

Minister,

I have served in the Navy for 33 years.

Whether I die at sea or on land, I'd still be serving my country.

That's how I see it.

THE PRIVATE RESIDENCE OF PRIME MINISTER FUMIMARO KONOE

It's taking so long.

The Deputy Minister is as stubborn as ever.

- Admiral Yamamoto? - Yes.

I just don't understand.

Why is he so against the Tripartite Pact?

He thinks that if we sign it,

we will certainly enter into a war with America.

Isn't the Soviet Union the only target?

Actually, Admiral Yamamoto...

thinks that Germany will clash with Britain and France.

If that happens, America would side with them.

So an alliance with Germany and Italy...

will inevitably result in Japan having to fight America.

Such consideration is over-cautious.

Our ass is on fire...

Right, we're about to have our ass set on fire.

The war with China is devouring our military power.

That's why the Manchuria-Soviet borders are undermanned.

If the Russians invade, Manchuria would fall swiftly.

If we are not careful now, all our previous efforts may be wasted.

Why didn't the army leadership explain that to the navy?

We must resist the Soviet threat by using Germany.

There's no other way but to join forces with Germany and Italy.

That's so easy to understand,

but they've still discussed it endlessly for over a year!

Exactly...

this is a critical time for Japan.

America has stepped up the economic pressure

with the British, Chinese and Dutch.

If we don't react we'll be choked to death.

The navy, the cabinet, the army...

each has its agenda.

The rank and file of the army have to be more united.

Then...public opinion.

To promote the pact,

the army, government and civilians,

that is,

all 100 million Japanese have to be of one voice.

PATRIOTIC MOBILIZATION MOVEMENT

The morning cabinet meeting has still not finished.

They seem to be deadlocked.

What if Konoe dismisses the cabinet?

No, that has been thought of.

The army and the navy have their own agendas.

Regarding this pact, I'm not in favour of the army.

To build a new world with Germany and Italy,

for our resource-scarce country, that is very tempting.

But, if Japan goes through with this pact,

we'll be clashing with

Britain, America and France as Yamamoto predicted.

Recently people has been talking on such matters rashly.

The recent crackdown on free speech was too much.

Mr. Sekine, you and I...

no, the entire Japanese nation will be held responsible,

if we let the soldiers do what they like.

The corruption of party politics has led to overzealous soldiers.

We turned a blind eye to the corruption of party politics,

which has led to the rise of warmongers.

Wouldn't you agree?

What kind of person is this Yamamoto?

What kind of person?

It is already six months since Prime Minister Hiranuma formed a new cabinet,

and the five ministries have now met 70 times to debate the pact.

70 times!

But Yonai and Yamamoto still refuses to yield.

Call it stubbornness or faith,

we could never understand that.

The navy's opinion that the Tripartite Pact will lead to war with America

is too hypothetical.

Yes. Right.

The army wants the pact to solve the current situation.

The navy's concerns are too far-fetched.

They worry too much about the future, being careful...

being prudent.

Ambassador Oshima has reported on the latest attitude

of the German government regarding the Tripartite Pact.

Germany thought it meaningless to just strengthen the Anti-Comintern Pact,

given the current situation in Europe.

Italy and Germany are planning

to encroach on the power of Britain and France.

So any military alliance that is solely anti-Soviet

is worthless at the moment.

"If that's what Germany wants," the army said,

"wouldn't it be better to include America and Britain as well?"

Britain and America have been against us in regard to Manchuria,

there's no need to consider them any different to the Soviet Union.

What!

Extra! Extra! Extra!

Extra! Extra! Extra!

What is it? Show me.

A German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact? What is that?

What does that mean?

Germany reconciled with the USSR? That can't be right?

What will be our relationship be now with Germany?

After Germany and the USSR have shaken hands?

What a betrayal from Germany.

"Our government protests Germany's non-adherence to our agreement."

Thus, the Hiranuma cabinet,

which had been pushing for the Tripartite Pact as requested by the army,

collapsed as a result.

"Britain and France declare war on Germany."

"Unbelievable! Our government shouldn't have become involved in European politics!"

I heard that you're going to be

commanding the Combined Fleet.

Everybody is upset.

Everyone thought you'd be Minister of the Navy.

Now I can put to sea with peace of mind.

We're both finally off the hook.

All that's left

is how to resolve the China war.

This time, the army has made up its mind.

They'll stop intervening in Europe

and win the war in China as soon as possible.

Now the goal is clear.

I will be working very hard at sea

for the next year to year and a half.

A year and a half?

In a year's time,

I'll have been in service for 35 years.

Hopefully, after a stint commanding the Combined Fleet,

I'll go into retirement.

I'll go back...

to my hometown Nagaoka, and live a quiet life, reading.

I know you. Once you've decided then nothing will stop you.

So we're now bidding each other farewell. A pity you don't drink.

In lieu of a drink, I'll sing you a song.

Sing?

I'm the 19th generation descendant of

one of Kenshin Uesugi's men.

So a battle like the one at Kawanakajima is my forte.

♫ The sound of a whip in solemn silence

♫ Crossing the river at night

The Combined Fleet, now under the command of Admiral Yamamoto,

blockades the entire coast of China with a view to ending the war.

They also trained very hard in the Pacific for a year.

Back in Japan,

the Abe cabinet that had succeeded the Hiranuma cabinet, also collapsed.

Mitsumasa Yonai became Prime Minister

and worked hard to end the war in China.

In Europe, Hitler ignored the anti-Comintern pact,

as if it was a piece of waste paper.

And German troops invaded Poland.

They then swept through the Netherlands, Belgium and France.

And were about to invade Britain.

THE SETOUCHI INLAND SEA THE NAVAL PORT OF KURE

Thanks for coming from Tokyo in such hot weather.

By the way, what's this about?

The telegram mentioned nothing of official business.

- A Navy cabinet? - Yes.

No one from the army or navy inside the cabinet?

Yes.

A faction in the army is for such an arrangement.

The Yonai cabinet wishes America to help mediately end the war in China.

If they succeed, the cabinet would be very popular.

Then that cabinet would hold onto power...

If it ends the China war,

that cabinet solidifies itself and stays in power.

Isn't that very good news for the Japanese people?

Yes.

The army got into a quagmire in China.

I have no reason to object to ending it as soon as possible.

Please sit down.

But to the army,

as long as the Yonai cabinet is in power, the Tripartite Pact...

- The Tripartite Pact? - Yes.

Germany has been winning in Europe,

so some army people have been urging to sign the pact.

They're trying to overthrow Yonai to make way for Prince Konoe.

The army is openly aiming to overthrow the current government.

But you, Minister of Army, did nothing about it.

Tell me why.

I'm a soldier, like you.

Soldier to soldier, please be frank with me.

"Shunroku Hata"

"I hereby resign the post of Minister of Army."

Your request is accepted. Our gratitude for your service.

Please recommend your successor.

Procedure dictates that I inform the Imperial Palace.

The next minister

has not yet been decided.

Given the present situation with the army,

nominating a successor

to the present cabinet

would face a lot of complexities.

It'd be extremely difficult.

Though, I wouldn't say it's impossible.

You are resigning as minister,

but you can't suggest a successor.

Do you think the cabinet can function without a Minister of Army?

No... you want the cabinet to resign.

Prime Minister.

The Cabinet Secretary just contacted us.

All ministers have tendered their resignations.

The second Konoe cabinet was formed.

And it was also the start of the so called new political system.

Political parties disbanded, one after another.

Under the guise of unity, the Diet existed in name only.

Within the navy,

a discussion was started on how to cope with the situation.

Admiral Zengo Yoshida resigned as Minister of Navy.

He was replaced by Admiral Koshiro Oikawa.

As Navy Minister,

I just told you why I'm in favour of the Tripartite Pact.

If the navy were to oppose it,

the Konoe cabinet would fall, causing political mayhem.

At such an important time, the navy must not bear such a responsibility.

We have to unite the national opinion on this.

A resolution is possible, provided we're determined.

Please do as I say.

I am...

absolutely obedient to your

command of the navy.

I have no intention of opposing your decision.

However, there is one sticking point.

Something that I am very concerned about.

Please hear me out.

While I was Deputy Minister,

there's a reason why the navy was so opposed to the pact.

A war with America must happen someday

but given Japan's condition back then,

it was imperative that we avoided it.

But after a year,

the navy is now not so opposed

to signing the pact.

And have you now

become confident that a war with America can be avoided?

Please clarify this point.

I went to Prince Fushimi to discuss the pact,

All the military councillors agreed.

CELEBRATION OF THE CONCLUSION OF THE TRIPARTITE PACT

Our fate has already been decided?

How are we going to fight America? How do we win?

What are our chances?

What are the plans of our military leadership?

- Captain Kajima. - Yes?

Make a comparison chart of Japanese and American industrial capacity.

Yes sir.

Gather as much data as possible. As comprehensive as possible.

Yes.

Tough work.

The difference is huge.

The comparative capacity is 10 to 3.

Perhaps even 10 to 1.

The figures are correct.

The Admiral will understand.

However, a war doesn't depend on numbers alone.

In the past, we defeated China and Russia against all odds.

It's different in modern warfare.

In all our simulated wars against the US, we only won once.

We'll never know for sure.

The industry on the home front will determine the outcome.

That's just theory.

We'll just have to do the best we can.

The precious spirit of the homeland,

what happens if we use it all up in this war?

Win or lose,

why do we have to fight this war no matter what?

I don't understand.

Against America...

How are we going to fight America? How do we win?

But I'm a soldier.

Once...

important matters were decided at the court assembly.

I'm now convinced we're now in the worst possible situation.

Like it or not, it's destiny.

It's now useless to discuss who's right or wrong.

I've decided to do precisely the opposite to my personal opinion.

I'm resolved to pursue it with full dedication.

I know this is strange.

Perhaps this is my fate.

This is my resolution.

After much deliberation, I have concluded that, as we unleash this war,

there's no alternative other than to start by

striking their home base with our planes.

Giving them such a huge blow that they're unable

to strike back at that moment.

Such is my well-considered conclusion.

PEARL HARBOUR - PLAN OF ATTACK

Two aircraft carriers are damaged, and out of action.

The second team captured the enemy's flagship,

sank two battleships,

But our planes destroyed two-thirds of their planes, 120.

This operation is impossible.

The simulation is concluded. Please tell us your opinion.

Thank you.

The question here isn't whether to perform this operation or not.

If we go to war with America,

this operation on Pearl Harbour will happen.

It must happen.

Please work it out further with this in mind.

As I mentioned before...

after reviewing our ability to maintain secrecy, resupply across the ocean,

troop strength and all other aspects,

I have concluded that this operation has no chance of success.

No matter how many times it is repeated, the result will be the same.

Also, substantial forces are involved.

Six aircraft carriers, two battleships and three cruisers.

Plus destroyers and supply ships,

it's a large fleet of over 30 ships.

Our navy's irreplaceable elite, the best of the best.

If this fleet was decimated,

no further operations would be possible.

So the harsh conclusion is,

if we start this war, we'll lose it.

A very logical argument.

First, I understand your emphasis

on securing the vital resources that lie on the southern front.

But...

as we proceed on the south, the enemy will surely

try to capture the strategic spots in the Marianas.

They then will place naval and air bases there,

and raid the Japanese homeland from the air.

What if they launch large scale air raids on Tokyo or Osaka?

While Tokyo and Osaka become rubble,

will you just ignore that,

and go on to capture Malaysia and the Philippines?

To fight America which has a huge industrial capacity,

we must first destroy their present core forces

to maintain our advantage and force them into peace talks.

A quick defeat. There is no alternative.

Kill or be killed.

If we fail in this battle,

we will lose the war, at its very beginning.

Isn't this also unavoidable?

Apart from you,

I suppose Headquarters and the navy ministry

would be strongly against this battle.

But...

I will implement this plan, regardless of any opposition.

But, to those who believe in me,

I will lead those who are willing to follow me in striking Hawaii.

I personally...

will sit in the first fighter plane and sally into the enemy.

The subsequent battles

will be decided in the air.

I urge all our pilots,

to begin intensive training, in adherence to this

attack plan.

I will personally meet with the American President.

If we talk man to man,

a compromise wouldn't be impossible.

That's how I see it.

That's very good. Please try as hard as you can.

To prepare myself,

I'd like to know the state of the fleet directly from you.

That's why...

I asked you to come to Tokyo despite your tight schedule.

Give me your honest opinion.

If we can't reach an agreement,

how long can the navy hold out?

I will vouch for one year.

One year?

And after that?

I guarantee success over that one year.

Leave the matter of the fleet to me.

A COMPARISON OF THE INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH OF JAPAN AND AMERICA

Prime Minister.

If we must go to war,

I am ready to sit in a plane, or sail in a submarine,

I'll go back and forth over the Pacific,

and fight to the death.

I have...

no intentions to interfere with politics.

But I urge you to take this seriously

and try your absolute best to negotiate.

If the talks don't go smoothly

don't give up easily.

Don't forego any possibility of reaching an agreement.

In diplomacy, there are no boundaries.

Prime Minister.

No matter how hard,

please reach an agreement with the Americans.

On behalf of the Combined Fleet...

No, on behalf of the entire Japanese nation! I beg of you.

The meeting between

Roosevelt and Konoe never took place.

In October, the Konoe cabinet collapsed.

General Hideki Tojo became Prime Minister and formed a new cabinet.

To war, to war.

Like a mighty river that can't be stopped, Japan edged towards its destiny.

Yamamoto's secret plan to attack Pearl Harbour

was approved by the High Command.

To carry out the plan,

30 submarines of the sixth fleet were given sailing orders.

Five of them carried midget submarines,

and were now heading for the eastern Pacific.

Three days before attack.

If we receive the telegram "Climb Mt. Niitaka",

we attack as planned.

However, if negotiations are successful,

the message "Negotiations successful. Turn around."

will be sent before 1 AM, December 8th.

In that case, the fleet shall return.

That's impossible...

That's a little...

The battle formation would be already formed...

Technically...

That would destroy morale.

Right, impossible.

Like holding back your piss when it has already started.

For the past 100 years,

our army was kept to guard our peace.

If there are officers intending to disobey,

I'll now ask them to stop deploying their troops immediately.

Left rudder!

Left rudder!

Left rudder, 10 degrees.

To maintain secrecy, the ships of the main attack force

left port one at a time.

They left their respective bases separately

and approached the assembly point in the Pacific.

The aircraft carrier Kaga reached Kasatka Bay on November 22nd,

the last of a total of over 30 vessels.

In Kasatka Bay, Commander-in-Chief

informed everyone of Yamamoto's operational orders.

Operation orders! Operation orders!

1. Our force is directed to sail

with the objective to attack and destroy

the American Pacific Fleet stationed in Hawaii.

2. The date of operation is

an unknown day in December, 1941.

8 AM, November 26th.

All of the task force set sail for the eastern Pacific.

In the meantime on Hiroshima Bay, aboard the battleship Nagato.

- Chief of Staff. - Yes sir.

The declaration of war...

will definitely be given to the Americans before our attack begins?

- Yes. - Yes.

The High Command has repeatedly requested the Foreign Ministry to do so.

So there's no problem with that.

But I'm...

worried about that one thing.

Striking the enemy without a declaration of war

will leave our navy in eternal shame.

Ask the High Command to contact the Foreign Ministry again.

Yes.

Further negotiations,

or "Climb Mt. Niitaka"?

HAWAII

Reduce speed!

Reduce speed!

Steady on course!

Steady on course!

Still nothing?

Yes.

Any word yet from the Commander-in-Chief?

We have received no orders.

Ships in Pearl Harbour as of December 6th:

Nine battleships, three cruisers,

nine seaplane tenders and 17 destroyers.

Docked: Four cruisers, three destroyers.

All their aircraft carriers and heavy cruisers are at sea.

Nothing unusual in their fleet disposition.

Oahu Island is quiet, no blackouts.

The High Command is confident that our mission will succeed.

So we must do it?

Steady on course 065 degrees!

Steady on course 065 degrees!

"Climb Mount Niitaka"

Operation orders! Operation orders!

Attack Hawaii on December 8th.

Repeat: Attack Hawaii on December 8th.

Next: To all officers and men of the task force

from the Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto.

The fate of the Empire rests on the outcome of this battle.

Let each man do his utmost. Even to his death.

1:30 AM, DECEMBER 8TH, 1941, JAPAN TIME

230 NAUTICAL MILES TO THE NORTH OF PEARL HARBOUR

AIR PLATOONS, DEPART!

Beginning the attack.

Admiral?

Tokyo and Osaka are celebrating our victory.

Shall we toast as well?

There's no time to toast.

We must form the next battle plans at once.

Yes!

INDIA AND SRI LANKA

Well?

To ensure the success of the second phase of fighting,

we in the navy must know the details of this operation.

We, the army, believe it's essential

to invade India,

and we've tried hard to convince the High Command.

But they are completely occupied with the southern front.

Besides...

Minister Tojo,

for the upcoming election,

ordered us not to engage in

battles that require large amounts of military expenditure.

The invasion of Hawaii.

And then New Caledonia, to cut off the ties between Australia and America...

This area is important to both sides.

We fully understand and would like to help in any way we can.

But the question is the number of troops.

The Navy would like to use six to seven divisions.

We'd like to carry on in the southern front.

We'll leave a minimal force in the occupied territories.

Then shift the troops to

the Chinese front or the Manchurian-Soviet border.

That's the army's plans.

I'm sorry.

Yamamoto said he'd be responsible for only the first year.

Meaning we should have a settlement

when we're in absolute advantage.

I see.

However, the cabinet and the High Command...

are overjoyed by the early successes,

and consider those wanting a peace settlement now, to be traitors.

That's right.

So there's nothing in preparation for the second phase of operations.

There's nothing in preparation.

Admiral Yamamoto is furious.

His hopes for a settlement have vanished.

He's facing a growing list of problems.

I'll be dispatched to the Combined Fleet and I'll meet with him.

I see.

Tell Yamamoto to take good care of himself.

Yes.

The American Navy delivers a counter-attack, using

the aircraft carriers Enterprise and Hornet, under Admiral Halsey,

they approached Japan covertly.

The first air raids on the Japanese homeland

were made by B-25 bombers.

This was on April 18th, 1942.

Meanwhile, aboard the new flagship Yamato.

These air raids...

shouldn't be viewed simply as shock tactics.

In less than a year,

the difference in military power has become obvious.

We must use our present advantage

to win this war as soon as possible.

But without the help of the army...

Forget about the army.

No use crying over spilled milk.

The navy shall do it.

After winning this battle,

I'll shut the mouths

of those who oppose a peace settlement.

Tell that to Admiral Yonai.

Yes.

The person in charge of operations

shouldn't meddle in politics.

But...

to fully achieve the goals of the upcoming battle,

I want to be given a free hand, if only just once.

MIDWAY PLAN OF ATTACK

The objectives of the Midway battle.

Firstly, attack Midway Island,

and set up our base there.

Capture or destroy the attacking American fleet.

The majority of the Combined Fleet will take part.

Namely, 350 warships totalling 1.5 million tons,

1,000 aircraft and 100,000 men.

The largest naval action in history.

The overall plan.

The First Carrier Strike Force,

led by carriers Akagi, Kaga, Soryu and Hiryu,

departs the West Setouchi Sea on the morning of May 27th,

and sails to 250 nautical miles north-west of Midway,

then conducts an air strike on Midway from there.

They are to destroy the enemy's air force and base,

in preparation for our attack.

They're also to capture or destroy the enemy fleet.

The Northern Area Force force,

led by carriers Ryujo and Junyo, would proceed to the Aleutian Islands.

The the First Fleet Main Force, commanded by Admiral Yamamoto,

with its 32 ships including the battleships Yamato, Mutsu and Nagato,

leaves the West Setouchi Sea on May 29th

and sails to 400 nautical miles from Midway.

June 5th, the arrival of all the fleet at their respective destinations.

The task force with the first attack team of

36 fighters,

36 dive bombers,

and 36 high-level bombers.

A total of 108 aircraft.

The main aim of this operation

is to destroy the enemy's task force.

No matter the circumstances,

more than half of our aircraft

will be attacking the enemy fleet.

Don't forget the need to be equipped with anti-warship weaponry.

The first attack team flies towards Midway.

1:45 AM, June 5th, 1942.

Sergeant Matsumoto!

Send a message to the task force: "Second strike necessary."

Message to the task force: "Second strike necessary."

Right!

Radio message from the first Midway attack team.

Although the first attack was successful, we need a second strike.

We need a second strike.

Radio message from the first Midway attack team.

Second attack team, once you finish preparations,

report to the flight deck at once.

Second attack team, once you finish preparations...

I'm against it.

Our first priority was to destroy the enemy task force,

assisting the landing operations is secondary.

Scout planes left 2 hours and 40 minutes ago.

They should have gone far enough but no reports so far.

It's obvious that there's no enemy fleet in range.

No enemy task force has appeared.

So the second attack force should attack Midway.

The first strike wasn't enough.

A landing wouldn't be possible.

But where's the enemy task force?

- Communications Officer? - Yes?

No signs of an attack from the enemy?

Right. So far no information on that.

Send the second attack team to Midway.

Second attack team to attack Midway.

Replace the torpedoes with land attack bombs.

Attention.

To all ships. Replace the torpedoes with land attack bombs.

All units to go to the flight deck.

To help with loading the bombs.

All units to go to the flight deck.

Alright. One, two... three!

Damn it!

Message from scout plane no.4, from cruiser Tone.

Ten enemy ships sighted. Ten enemy ships sighted.

They're here.

The second attack team is ready to attack the enemy ships?

It'd be before breakfast time.

Wait, wasn't it reported that they needed a second strike on Midway?

Don't you think the second attack team

has received orders to attack the base on Midway?

Damn!

Has the second attack team launched an air attack on Midway?

No, not yet.

It hasn't yet left for Midway.

It'll soon take off to attack the enemy fleet.

They're waiting, loaded with torpedoes.

The enemy is 200 nautical miles from us.

It doesn't make sense. What are those ten enemy ships?

- Who sent this message? - Scout plane no.4 from Tone.

- When was it launched? - 4:28 AM.

That's a long time.

The message was picked up by Tone.

Might be carriers. Ask what types of ships they were.

Urgent message to Tone's scout plane no.4. Ask for the types of ships it spotted.

Message from scout plane no.4:

Enemy force is five cruisers and five destroyers.

Repeat: Enemy force is five cruisers and five destroyers.

Over.

There is no carrier after all.

They're replacing all the torpedoes with land attack bombs, right?

So they've come without a carrier?

Just 200 nautical miles, our aircraft can smash them in the blink of an eye!

Yes, everything should go well.

The second attack team can attack Midway.

In the meantime the first team returns and gets ready to attack their fleet.

Something's not right.

Coming all that way without a carrier.

- No.312 ready! - Good!

- No.321 ready! - Good!

- No.317 ready! - Good!

Five cruisers and five destroyers.

No carrier? That's strange.

Carrier! Carrier!

"An enemy aircraft carrier is bringing up the rear..."

We must hurry and attack the enemy's task force.

Let's send Soryu and Hiryu and their 36 dive bombers!

Then the attack planes from Akagi and Kaga...

But all their torpedoes have been replaced with land attack bombs.

It's impossible to attack effectively.

Five cruisers and five destroyers.

And at their rear,

the long awaited carrier.

Plus two cruisers.

What we've been waiting for?

Sir, the operation is going well.

Chief of Staff, it's a carrier. Bombing its flight deck is enough.

We can attack with land attack bombs.

There's no fighter cover.

The fighters are either heading to Midway or protecting our task force.

A small sacrifice for big gains. Sir, we must hurry.

Just send three or five fighters to cover the dive bombers.

Sir!!

There's no need...

to order Akagi to attack?

The attack team standing by should be dispatched.

The second team must have already taken off to attack the enemy fleet.

It'll be done.

We'll soon hear about them sinking an enemy carrier.

If so, the planes wouldn't have received the commander's

message to attack at once?

It's been 30 minutes now.

Within 30 minutes

we'll definitely receive the radio message of having sunk the enemy fleet.

We should send the dive bombers

and the conventional bombers, even with land attack bombs.

But without fighter support, sending an attack team

will make them easy prey for the enemy fighters.

Admiral Yamaguchi on Hiryu requesting instructions.

Strongly urge we launch all available aircraft now.

Strongly urge we launch all available aircraft now.

We can't send the bombers without any fighter cover.

We can't send His Majesty's soldiers to a senseless death.

With an unbalanced attack team, there won't be a successful outcome.

What then?

Frontal attack.

Make room for the escorting fighters and the

first attack team coming back from Midway.

We'll attack the enemy task force with our full strength.

Switch the land attack bombs of the second team to torpedoes.

Urgent message to all ships.

Switch the land attack bombs to torpedoes.

Second attack team to get ready for fleet attack.

Flight chief, how long until we're ready to attack?

7 AM? 7 AM?

7:30 AM.

By 7:30, right? Then hurry please!

Urgent message from the scout plane:

The enemy carrier is launching its aircraft

and they're heading towards you.

- Get ready to launch! - Yes sir!

Get ready to launch.

OK, OK.

Get ready to launch.

Attack team, get ready to launch.

Hurry, hurry, hurry!

Loading team two, assemble at the ammo storage.

Attack team, get ready to launch!

Get ready to launch.

Hurry. Get ready to launch.

Hurry up! What're you doing?

Hurry up!

Hurry, hurry!

Attack team, launch if you're ready.

Launch if you're ready.

All aircraft will be launched in five minutes.

Five minutes. Just five more minutes.

Launch! Launch if you're ready.

Attack team, launch if you're ready.

Three enemy planes! Diving! Diving!

Repair squad into position.

Engine room! Engine room!

What? No response? No response?

Deploy the fire-fighting team. Aft hangars destroyed.

Second machine gun position destroyed.

First reserve team in position. First reserve team in position.

What happened to Soryu? What? No response?

What about Kaga? Hiryu?

You can't make contact? Keep trying!

What!?

Rear deck heavily damaged? Propeller disabled? Can't you fix it?

We're in deep trouble.

The torpedoes in the hangars will explode!

This is an emergency report. It reads:

0725: Attacked by enemy aircraft.

Kaga, Soryu, and Akagi in flames.

What?

The remaining carrier, Hiryu, will engage the enemy carrier.

We're retreating to the north to concentrate our forces there. Over.

The Combined Fleet is mustering its strength to destroy the enemy fleet.

1. The main force to go to the battlefield at once.

2. The task force is to attack with their remaining fleet at night.

3. Ryujo, Junyo and the second team

to detach from the Aleutians team,

and go south at once.

Meanwhile, on the deck of the last remaining carrier, Hiryu,

16 planes of the last attack team

are ready to launch at any time.

Captain,

the repairs on the left wing fuel tank aren't completed.

That's OK, forget the left wing. Just fill up the right wing tank.

Then it won't be enough to get back.

I know.

Hurry up.

Later, the second attack team from the Enterprise arrived.

HIRYU

Finally, Hiryu, the last remaining carrier of the task force,

met the same fate after a fierce struggle.

Senior Staff Officer, it seems that Ryujo and Junyo

will arrive too late.

Any further news?

The enemy's location is still unknown.

I'll have the Senior Staff Officer talk to you. The Chief of Staff.

Yes?

We can't fight any longer.

We need to withdraw, OK?

No, we won't retreat!

We'll never retreat in such shame! Never! Never!

Senior Staff Officer, it's too early to give up.

At dawn, we can send ships to Midway.

We'll smash them with heavy fire.

We can definitely take Midway.

Time is ticking away.

Even if we advance to attack enemy fleet,

they have all retreated eastwards.

- Senior staff officer. - Yes?

I'm calling off the operation.

Tomorrow morning at 5:00 AM, the flagship will be...

450 nautical miles north of Midway.

Heading west.

Speed: 24 knots.

Battle formation no.5.

Admiral?

How can we retreat like this?

Akagi hasn't sunk yet.

Our ship has to be sunk by our own torpedoes!

If we retreat, how can we ever

apologise to His Majesty?

I'll apologise to him personally.

The battle for Midway was over.

With it, Yamamoto's hopes for an early peace settlement

were now dashed.

The American counter-offensive began,

approaching the Japanese homeland step by step.

A massive battle commenced in the South Pacific near the island of Guadalcanal.

The situation on Guadalcanal has taken a sudden turn for the worse.

The difference in power was inescapable.

One by one, our defensive positions suffered irreparable damage.

Yamamoto fought hard to resist the enemy's advance.

In order to hold on to the current front-line,

the fleet headquarters was moved to Rabaul.

With 185 land based aircraft

and 160 shipboard aircraft,

Yamamoto assumed command of this air battle against all odds.

RABAUL

Attention!

Salute!

At ease!

Do your best. Do your best.

Salute!

At ease!

- Dismiss. - Dismiss.

Can it be fixed?

Yes! It'll be ready the day after tomorrow.

- Work hard. - Yes, sir!

- I'm counting on you. - Yes sir!

As I reported,

the current state of aircraft production is very bleak.

To those units at the front. I'm very sorry.

You can't make enough aircraft but you want us to win this war?

Such easy talk!

For the upcoming mission the Combined Fleet only managed to gather 300 aircraft.

That's less than one air squad at the beginning of the war.

Do the High Command and the current cabinet have the will to win this war?

Do you feel any responsibility at all?

LIST OF PILOTS, RABAUL COMMAND

Over the course of this year,

death has taken countless friends.

I'll be commanding the third group again tomorrow.

Let's avenge today's loss.

Come on, let's hear it from you. 1, 2, 3, 4.

♫ The southern front lines where silver wings line up

♫ The Sea-Eagles, an unshakable defence,

♫ Smash the enemy forces with us as bullets

♫ We are the glorious Rabaul Naval Air Corps

♫ The enemy ships we sank, the enemy planes we shot down

♫ In a daze, we stare at the midnight stars

♫ The spirit of a dead friend is talking to me

♫ We are the successful Rabaul Naval Air Corps

Yes.

A message.

Yes. Yes.

OK. Got it.

An air attack alert has been issued on Guadalcanal.

Again?

Do the Americans have a superior radar,

or was there a leak from our side?

We don't know why,

but every day, before our attack, the Americans

on Guadalcanal have issued an air attack alert.

Our men were getting caught in a snare

set by the Americans.

Every day...

Ah. They're back.

One... two.

Look. Over there.

Their advantage over us is becoming more and more obvious.

We've entered a situation that could be best described as terminal.

I have 100 days of life left.

During this period, I'm going to work until I'm broken.

When a man is ordered to die,

and when he considered himself already dead,

it doesn't matter if the order is carried out or not.

The Admiral is going to inspect the remaining units.

Our mission here is over.

We leave tomorrow morning at 6:00.

After he finishes inspecting all the south-eastern bases, he'll return

to the Yamato at Truk Island.

All the bases?

It's not an inspection,

but his farewell.

Right. Those remaining...

will all die.

The Admiral wants to see every one of them eye to eye.

No... he wants to be seen by each and every one of them.

Salute!

At ease!

Salute the commander!

The messages detailing Yamamoto's inspection itinerary

were all decoded by the Americans.

Secretary of the Navy, Frank Knox, directly ordered

a fighter squadron in the area to attack him.

From Secretary of the Navy, Washington, to Henderson Front Line Command.

Admiral Yamamoto, accompanied by his chief of staff and seven other naval officers

will leave Rabaul at 6 AM to inspect the base on Bougainville.

They will be on two bombers escorted by nine Zero fighters.

His arrival is to be at 7:45.

The P38's of 339 Squadron are to

destroy them by whatever means.

Yamamoto is known to be extremely punctual.

The President considers this mission to be of the utmost importance.

Report results immediately to Washington.

I've decided to do precisely the opposite to my personal opinion.

I'm resolved to pursue it with full dedication.

I know this is strange.

Perhaps this is my fate.

7:40 AM, APRIL 18TH, 1943

IN THE SKIES ABOVE BOUGAINVILLE ISLAND, IN THE SOLOMONS,

FLEET ADMIRAL ISOROKU YAMAMOTO,

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE COMBINED FLEET, WAS KILLED IN ACTION.

MANY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF MEN STILL HAVEN'T RETURNED.

THEY FOUGHT VALIANTLY AGAINST MANY COUNTRIES.

WHAT HAS THIS WAR BROUGHT ABOUT?

NOTHING BUT DESTRUCTION.

THE END