Japan's Pacific war : personal accounts of the emperor's warriors /
Williams, Peter(Peter Damian),1957-author.
"'I had no qualms fighting the Australians, just as I have killed without remorse any of the Emperor's enemies: the British, the Americans and the Dutch', so admits Takahiro Sato in this ground-breaking oral history of Japan's Pacific War. Thanks to years of research and over 100 interviews with veterans, the Author has compiled a fascinating collection of personal accounts by former Japanese soldiers, sailors and airmen. Their candid views are often provocative and shocking. There are admissions of brutality, the killing of prisoners and cannibalism. Stark descriptions of appalling conditions and bitter fighting blend with descriptions of family life. Their views on the prowess of the enemy differ with some like air ace Kazuo Tsunoda who believed the Australians 'worthy'. Some remain unrepentant while others such as Hideo Abe are ashamed of his part in Japan's war of aggression. The result is a revealing insight into the minds of a ruthless and formidable enemy which provides the reader with a fresh perspective on the Second World War"--Publisher's description.
Includes bibliographical references and indexes.
Malaya, Singapore and the Dutch East Indies 1941-42 -- Rabaul 1942 -- Darwin, the Arafura Sea and Timor 1942-43 -- Kokoda -- the Japanese advance 1942 -- Milne Bay 1942 -- Kokoda -- the Japanese retreat 1942 -- The Battle of Buna 1943 -- Escape from Buna 1943 -- Air combat -- New Guinea and the Solomon Islands 1942-43 -- Wau and Salamaua 1943 -- Lae 1943 -- Finschhafen 1943 -- Shaggy Ridge 1943-44 -- The Cowra prisoner of war breakout 1944 -- The Battle of Leyte Gulf 1944 -- Wewak 1944-45 -- New Britain 1944-45 -- Bougainville 1944-45 -- Tarakan 1945 -- Philippines, Bornio and the Dutch East Indies 1944-45 -- The end of the war 1945 -- The surrender of New Guinea -- Prisoners of the Australians -- After the war -- Reflections.
"'I had no qualms fighting the Australians, just as I have killed without remorse any of the Emperor's enemies: the British, the Americans and the Dutch', so admits Takahiro Sato in this ground-breaking oral history of Japan's Pacific War. Thanks to years of research and over 100 interviews with veterans, the Author has compiled a fascinating collection of personal accounts by former Japanese soldiers, sailors and airmen. Their candid views are often provocative and shocking. There are admissions of brutality, the killing of prisoners and cannibalism. Stark descriptions of appalling conditions and bitter fighting blend with descriptions of family life. Their views on the prowess of the enemy differ with some like air ace Kazuo Tsunoda who believed the Australians 'worthy'. Some remain unrepentant while others such as Hideo Abe are ashamed of his part in Japan's war of aggression. The result is a revealing insight into the minds of a ruthless and formidable enemy which provides the reader with a fresh perspective on the Second World War"--Publisher's description.
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945