Thomas F. (hardtack) -
A fascinating story of a Japanese plan to bomb east coast American cities, or, failing that, the Panama Canal. It required a massive undertaking to develop a new submarine design, new aircraft and train personnel, all the while Japan was experiencing increasing shortages of material, fuel and experienced personnel.
Told mainly from the Japanese side, mostly through interviews with the Japanese officers and crews involved, this story is one you don't read about in other World War II histories. The author makes the case that the U.S. Navy later disparaged these submarines and planes "because they weren't invented here," but that a number of the design aspects of these huge Japanese submarines were incorporated into post-World War II American submarine designs.
I especially liked the author's intensive portrayal of the personalities of the many Japanese characters involved, including their differing attitudes to obeying orders and their personal concepts of honor and practicality.
If you are looking for something different to read in World War II history, this might be it.
Told mainly from the Japanese side, mostly through interviews with the Japanese officers and crews involved, this story is one you don't read about in other World War II histories. The author makes the case that the U.S. Navy later disparaged these submarines and planes "because they weren't invented here," but that a number of the design aspects of these huge Japanese submarines were incorporated into post-World War II American submarine designs.
I especially liked the author's intensive portrayal of the personalities of the many Japanese characters involved, including their differing attitudes to obeying orders and their personal concepts of honor and practicality.
If you are looking for something different to read in World War II history, this might be it.
