Storm Over the Pacific (ハワイ・ミッドウェイ大海空戦 太平洋の嵐)

STORM IN THE PACIFIC

December, 1941

Final U.S. - Japan negotiations...

...in Washington D.C.

War is imminent.

The Rising Sun Empire, emboldened by their conquests...

in China and Indochina...

expects to become the most powerful nation on Earth,

next to their great ally, Hitler's Germany.

The biggest obstacle is the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Japan decides to take the boldest gamble in the history of warfare.

Attack the U.S. Pacific Fleet Base at Pearl Harbor...

...in Hawaii, 3,500 miles from Japan.

A force of 30 warships left from Hitokapu Bay, Kurile Islands, bound for Hawaiian waters.

In the event of a political settlement, the fleet would return.

However, the code "CLIMB MT. NIITAKA"

meant the breaking off of further talks and that the attack should proceed.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet, Admiral Yamamoto, sends a message:

December 2nd.

"CLIMB MT. NIITAKA"

DECEMBER 7, 1941

230 MILES NORTH OF PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII

AIRCRAFT CARRIER HIRYU FLAGSHIP - 2ND CARRIER AIR DIVISION.

AKAGI has hoisted the "Z" flag.

It's a coded signal.

"The fate of our Empire depends on this battle."

Attention, Admiral Yamamoto, our Commander-in-Chief...

...has sent us a message.

Sailors,...

the fate of our Empire...

...depends on this battle.

Every man must fulfill his duty...

...without thinking about risks or sacrifices.

The "Z" flag was hoisted.

Time: 01:05 December 7, 1941.

All our preparations and training have been for this one battle.

Maybe the last of our lives.

We don't expect to come back from Pearl Harbor alive.

Current position is 230 miles north of Pearl Harbor.

Course 180 degrees, speed 24 knots.

Use standard formation.

Code book F-6, Frequency, 6350 KC.

Synchronize watches.

At 0115 hours,

10 seconds,

5 seconds,

Ready.

Now.

Watches synchronized, sir.

Ready, Sir.

Assembly point after attack,

340 degrees, 20 miles west of Oahu Island. Altitude 3,300 feet.

If cloudy, fly under the clouds

We will wait 10 to 15 minutes for the Zeros.

And then we return to our carriers.

Fine, that's all.

Ready!

All our training these past months has led to this moment.

Attack as you have practiced, stay calm!

Good luck.

A few words, sir?

The fate of Japan rests in your hands.

Be worthy of it.

Attention!

Let's go!

- Everything ready for take-off. - Fine.

10 degrees port.

10 degrees port.

10 degrees port.

Signal from AKAGI: Take off when ready!

Shall I give the order?

Take off!

Take off!

Drift checked, course 178 degrees.

Course is 178 degrees.

Signal "Take positions".

5th squadron, on the left.

Formation change completed!

Set the course!

Altitude, 13100

Course, 178 degrees

Yes, sir!

2nd attack group, stand by.

The Sun's rising, sir.

How many miles to go?

105... in 50 minutes, sir.

2nd group is ready.

Take off!

How many miles more?

Soon, sir.

Radio room...

Any messages from the 1st attack group?

See anything yet?

15 degrees left, an opening!

30 degrees right, coastline.

Sir! Battleships!

Nevada! Arizona! Tennessee! West Virginia!

Attack formation.

30 degrees left, target in sight.

Ready, sir.

Radio "Ready to attack".

Ready to attack.

We'll take the California.

Taking the California.

Set up for our attack run.

Angle 80 degrees, altitude 90 feet, speed 170 knots.

Ready!

Altitude 60 feet, 180 knots.

Torpedo release!

Torpedo on course!

A direct hit! Navigator!

It's sinking!

Clear out!

Tanigawa.

Yes, sir?

Radio the flagship! The attack was a success!

OK, Captain!

We succeeded!

The other planes?

Following, Sir!

Head back to the carriers!

The 2nd Attack Group is coming!

The attack was a success!

Finally, I got a 14-day leave to go back home!

You must tell us everything! - Yes, don't leave out anything!

Please, tell us! - Stop it now!

Don't ask all at once, after all, he's on vacation!

We will hold one big meeting in the school and he will tell us about his adventures!

Please no, I can't talk in front of so many people!

Thank you for everything. - Good night.

Let it be, take a rest.

It's so peaceful here.

Like the war has never happened.

Come over, meal is ready. - Coming.

Smells so delicious.

Crops were not so good this year. Frost came too early.

Wonderful!

Of course the Navy has better food. Please accept my apologies.

Don't talk nonsense, our cook pales in comparison to this!

- Anyone here? - Hello, Keiko!

You look so beautiful today. - Thank you.

Hello there. - Hello!

Come over, hand me that. You have some spare time today? - Yes!

Too bad you can't stay overnight. What do you think, son?

Father sends you his regards. He's happy for the upcoming New Year.

Have you eaten already? - Yes, thanks, on my way here.

How long is your leave? - 14 days.

Tomorrow I have to go back. Keiko was here almost every day.

You can certainly be proud of him.

Yes, but everything would be much better without a war going on.

It's our fate, no use arguing about it.

Sadly, our son is no farmer. - He can be as good as you are!

Without any help you have grown the fields and raised a good son.

Don't flatter me. - Yes, indeed, it's marvelous of you.

And you should be honored as the mother of a Lieutenant.

Now, do you think it's time to announce their engagement?

I would be very glad, they seem to be so happy together.

Luckily we got chickens, eggs are hard to get in stores.

How long will the war last? A year? - I hope not that long.

By autumn we should have beaten them. - Maybe we could marry then.

Maybe even peace then. - That would be very nice.

I wish the war would be over by then. I love Keiko but a pilot in wartime faces many uncertainties.

We are being taught to die for our Empire. But how can I die when thinking of her...

How can I be a good officer when I'm afraid to die?

JANUARY 10

Orders for the South Seas Operation

FEBRUARY 19

Raided Australia.

Results: 11 destroyers sunk; 20 fighters shot down.

Heading for Java.

MARCH 1 British-Dutch Allied Fleet attacked.

Java Sea Battle: 3 destroyers, 18 cargo ships sunk.

Well, at this time, all of Admiral Yamamoto's predictions have come true.

APRIL Fleet actions in the Indian Ocean.

APRIL 5 British Cruisers - Cornwall and Dorsetshire.

1st and 2nd carrier air divisions attack the cruisers.

Both sunk.

Our task force sailed from Hawaii to Ceylon.

We covered 50.000 miles,

destroyed many enemy craft,

and many planes.

We had virtually no losses.

Sir, 120 miles to the carrier.

OK.

- Sir... - What?

I would like your advice.

What?

I would like to get married, sir!

What?

I can't hear you!

I wish to get married, sir!

Really?

Is it permissible? Only two of my classmates did.

Love her?

- The girl? - She loves me!

- You have only a mother? - Yes, sir.

OK, get married!

- But... - But what?

I can't decide, sir!

The war's only just started! If...