YES,…There WAS a mini-sub that ENTERRED the harbor, shot a torpedo(a miss at a Cruiser), and was rammed by a Destroyer. However it did NOT fire at the USS ARIZONA or any of the other Battleships!
The book I just posted about, Attack on Pearl Harbor: Strategy, Combat, Myths, Deceptions by Alan Zimm accounts for ALL of the mini-subs, their accomplishments(if any), and their fate. It gives an analytical report coverring ALL aspects of the attack, practically down to every bomb or torpedo. It’s a real eye-opener and done through many personal interviews with IJN pilots, staff, US sailors and soldiers, and a LOT of RESEARCH ! One of the BEST books I’ve read in a long time. I wish every AMERICAN would either read this book, or have it taught to them in school. It debunks a lot of the myths concerning this very important battle.
Such As:
The attack was “brilliantly” planned and executed. A lot of information here. You will have your eyes opened.
No 3rd wave attack was ever requested by Fuchida. This is verified by the planner of the mission Genda, and several other leading pilots or ships staff that were “there” and had a large “Say” in the matter.
An attack on the Oil Tanks would NOT have forced the retreat of the fleet back to the US mainland coast. Admiral Nimitz said it would have,…but that was to “cover up” the existance of the underground oil storage facilities just coming into existance.
An attack on the Repair Shops and Facilities couldn’t have had any major effect on the fleets capabilities. For many, many reasons this attack couldn’t have been successful in even “denting” the repair capacities on Pearl Harbor.
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So much of what Americans mistakenly believe as “history” are what we see in the movies, correct or not. These movies are usually based on a book or books. Many of the historian/authors of the Pearl Harbor attack and the Battle of Midway were based on Fuchida’s book: “Midway, The Battle that Doomed Japan”(? I think I have the title correct) that has been proven by other Japanese to be a self-serving face-saver for him and his accomplishments.
To read a FANTASTIC book that really puts the record straight on these two battles, as well as many other facets of the Japanese Naval war effort, you should read:
Shatterred Sword, The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway", by Parshall and Tully
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As far as “alternate” storylines for the “Coach’s” game,…
The Carrier USS ENTERPRISE was expected to have been back at Pearl Harbor on Saturday Dec. 6, 1941 but was delayed due to heavy weather. This is what happenned in REAL LIFE. The “Coach” might say it wasn’t delayed by weather, or was “alerted” to the unfolding attack in his game.
The attack on the Japanese mini-sub just off the harbor entrance by the Destroyer USS WARD and a PBY seaplane was acted upon quickly without waiting for confirmation and the alarm was sounded(as it should have been).
The report of a large incoming air formation from the radar station on Opana Point(?) was believed and acted upon(as it should have been).
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Their are so many Ifs and Possibilities that I guess it would make for an VERY INTERESTING “what if” game. Plus, I’d love to see the A&A sized “Old” Battleships that “Coach” has proposed to make. The book mentioned above also gives several differrent possible outcomes due to changed possibilities.
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“Coach”,…Sign me up as a DEFINATE SALE ! I will buy your Pearl Harbor Game because it sounds like it would be so much FUN and have so many differrent possible outcomes.
Do we get any more hints about it,…or when you might release it for sale???
“Tall Paul”
