Chapter 121: 121
December 2, 1941
Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, who was heading to Pearl Harbor with the elite unit of the Combined Fleet, received a short coded message.
- Climb Mt. Nitaka 1208
Mt. Nitaka was the Japanese name for Mt. Yu, the highest mountain in Taiwan.
The ciphertext means one thing.
The attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
At 10:30 on December 6, Isoroku Yamamoto sent a telegram to Nagumo.
-The rise and fall of the empire depends on this war, so break up and renew yourselves and complete your duties.
"Raise the flag."
"I understand, Your Excellency."
The Z flag was hoisted on the masts of all ships that participated in the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Under international law, fishing by warships is prohibited, but in unavoidable circumstances such as food shortages, the Z flag was the flag used to catch fish and procure food for the ship.
It was the moment when the Z flag was hoisted 36 years after the Battle of Tsushima during the Russo-Japanese War.
***
December 7, 1941
Japanese Embassy in Washington DC, USA
"Not yet?"
"Not yet."
Phew. Nomura sighed heavily in response to First Secretary Katsuzo Okumura's answer.
A top-secret message from their home country just arrived to them.
The declaration of war, with the grandiose name of 'Propaganda against the United States and Britain', was a long text of 5,000 characters, and the most important content, the declaration of war against the United States, was included in the last line of the document. Only after the encryption was completely decrypted did Nomura realize that this was a declaration of war.
In the end, the war broke out.
The problem was that this had to be delivered to the U.S. government on time, but there was no staff skilled at using a typewriter to write the declaration of war.
Originally, the employee who knew how to use a typewriter was an American working at the Japanese Embassy, and since he could not share top secret information with an American, he was sent out and Okumura, who received security clearance, typed up the declaration of war.
However, Okumura did not know how to use a typewriter properly, and had no choice but to type the declaration of war using the eagle typing method.
Of course, there was no way there was speed.
"Can't you do it a little faster?"
"I'm really sorry, but this is for the best."
"… .I understand."
Besides Okumura, there were other embassy employees, but today was the weekend and there were few people left at the embassy because there was a farewell party for an employee who was being transferred to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
A war broke out between Japan and the United States, and just having to inform the U.S. government about it was dizzying, but even writing a declaration of war took time.
The home country instructed Nomura to deliver the declaration of war to the U.S. government before an attack on the United States.
But at my current speed, I couldn't make it on time.
While Nomura's insides were burning black, Okumura was typing furiously at the typewriter.
By spending an inordinate amount of time and effort on just one word.
But there was one thing Nomura didn't know.
The United States, which had already deciphered Japan's code Purple, intercepted Japan's radio and obtained the memorandum against the U.S. and succeeded in deciphering it before the Japanese embassy.
However, the U.S. military code-breaking team that cracked the code could only tilt their heads.
That's because there were no words like war or declaration of war, and at most it only said that it was regretful to announce that negotiation was impossible.
"What does this mean?"
"I don't get it either, Major."
"Jimmy, what do you think?"
"In my opinion, it can only be interpreted as a declaration of severance of diplomatic relations."
"is it?"
The codebreaking team had no idea that the cable they obtained was a declaration of war sent from Japan to the United States.
As I say over and over again, the word war was nowhere to be found, so there was no room for anyone to think it was a declaration of war.
So disaster was approaching.
***
The sky of Pearl Harbor was as clear and clear as spring water without any impurities.
There was no sign of an air battle.
The only objects flying in the sky were Japanese flags with red circles drawn on the fuselage and wings. There was not a single American plane in sight.
The surprise attack was a great success.
"Send it to the main unit. "The surprise attack was a huge success."
"All right!"
Lieutenant Mitsuo Fuchida, commander of the Pearl Harbor attack squadron, instructed First Class Tokushinichi Mizuki (Sergeant), who was sitting in the rear seat, to ensure the success of the surprise attack.
Mizuki immediately sent a pre-determined code message to the main unit.
Dora, Dora, Dora.
"Come on, now's the start! Hold on tight!"
"yes!!!"
As soon as the code message was sent, the Type 97 ship-based attack aircraft piloted by Fuchida dived towards the target.
At the same time, numerous Type 97 and Type 99 carrier bombers rushed at full speed toward the battleships anchored in the port.
"Hey, hey. "Look at that."
"Seal pups, let's make a lot of noise during training."
American soldiers on the ground thought that the Japanese flags flying across the clear sky were naval planes.
No one knew that the planes in the sky were Japanese planes that had come to attack them.
What I noticed was strange was after a bomb dropped into the sea created a huge water column and what I thought were naval planes started firing guns out of nowhere.
"Huh?"
"What the fuck!?"
"Hey, those bastards are dropping bombs, right?"
By the time we realized something was wrong, the full-scale attack by Japanese aircraft had already begun.
An air raid alarm sounded a little too late, and the officers, who had been leisurely looking up at the sky like soldiers, burst into shouts and the soldiers began to run.
"emergency! Bisaaaaaang!!!"
"It's an enemy airstrike! "Fuck, it's an air raid!"
"Prepare anti-aircraft fire!"
Soldiers who were running to the anti-aircraft gun positions installed here and there to protect the port and ships were covered in blood and sprawled on the ground as Zerosen swept past them, firing machine guns.
"Aaaahhh!!!"
"Frank!"
"It's already too late! "Just run fast!"
The lucky soldiers, who missed the enemy's strafing attack, hurriedly fired their M2 heavy machine guns and M1 anti-aircraft guns.
At that moment, there was a huge explosion sound and vibration that seemed to shake the earth.
The soldiers, who were startled by the sudden roar and sat down clutching their ears, witnessed their country's battleship slowly sinking, emitting a black mushroom cloud.
"Battleship Nevada, hit! "It's sinking!"
The USS Nevada, hit by bombs dropped by Types 97 and 99, exploded and sank.
The ammunition depot exploded, causing the soldiers in the depot to evaporate without a trace, breaking the ship's balance and causing it to tilt.
"Battleship Oklahoma, hit!"
"West Virginia is also a hit!"
The massive battleships were heavy due to their large size, making them easy targets.
Especially in a situation where the enemy was ambushed, even that powerful firepower was of no use.
USS West Virginia was luckier.
This is because the damage to the ship was not that severe, and the sailors put all their effort into damage control and succeeded in preventing flooding.
But the USS Oklahoma was not so lucky. Oklahoma was struck repeatedly by her oxygen torpedoes on the left side of the ship, causing her ship to tilt.
When the 250kg bomb dropped by Type 99 hit the ship while it was heeling, the sinking was further exacerbated.
Oklahoma's sailors struggled to escape the sinking ship.
However, escape was not easy as the ship continued to tilt and the water rose.
"No no!"
"help me!"
"mom!!!"
The battleships that travel across the ocean and make enemies tremble with their immense firepower have turned into giant coffins, motionless.
Many sailors were unable to escape the sinking ship and were swallowed by the cold sea water, sharing the ship's fate.
"sally! Hurry!"
"quickly!"
However, they were not treated as if they were US soldiers.
While anti-aircraft machine guns and anti-aircraft guns were struggling, spewing fierce fire at the Japanese planes, a very small number of aircraft with pilots on board ran down the runway and succeeded in taking off.
"You damn short-legged bastards!"
Second Lieutenant Harry Brown of the U.S. Army Air Corps rode a P-36 Hawk and fought against Japanese planes that were turning Pearl Harbor into a sea of fire.
His eyes rolling in anger, he took aim at a Zero Sen that was busy attacking targets on the ground and opened fire.
"You got it right!"
Zero Sen, covered in 12.7mm bullets and 7.62mm bullets, fell to the ground engulfed in flames.
It was the first US military shootdown in the Pacific War.
In addition to Second Lieutenant Harry Brown, several P-36 Hawks and P-40 Warhawks were sortied and engaged in fierce combat with the Japanese.
But there were too many enemy planes, and the American planes fighting them were too few in number.
Many aircraft were destroyed on the ground by bombs dropped by the Japanese military without even having a chance to fight.
The air raid lasted about 30 minutes and Pearl Harbor was devastated.
After completing its mission, the first attack force turned around and left Pearl Harbor.
Although the survivors were angry at the enemy's air raid, they were relieved that they were now alive.
However, I froze when I saw the second attack party that appeared soon after.
"Well, I… .!"
"Oh my god, oh my god."
With the advent of the second attack force, Pearl Harbor once again turned into a hell of chaos.
The anti-aircraft artillerymen turned the handle so that their biceps exploded and delivered ammunition.
Doctors and nurses rushed around frantically to treat patients pouring in from all directions.
"I need gauze!"
"Bandages, don't you have any more bandages!?"
"Ahh! Argh!!"
"Hold on tight!"
Patients who were pierced by bullets and whose flesh was torn by shrapnel screamed like people who had lost consciousness.
The hospital's hallways were stained red with the blood spilled by patients, and doctors and nurses strained their legs to avoid slipping in the blood-stained hallways.
The sounds of explosions and machine guns continued amidst the urgent cries of the wounded soldiers looking for doctors and morphine.
***
Following the first attack group, the second attack group also succeeded in returning without significant damage.
The American troops, who had not expected the Japanese military's surprise attack, were completely caught off guard.
Hawaii, known as the pearl of the Pacific and an island of paradise, is hell itself.
But Nagumo's expression was still shaken.
Although the surprise attack was successful and two enemy battleships were clearly sunk and six battleships were damaged, it was not enough.
The mission could only be considered accomplished if at least all eight battleships were destroyed and even the aircraft carriers were destroyed.
However, there were no enemy aircraft carriers at Pearl Harbor. All the pilots said they did not see any aircraft carriers at Pearl Harbor.
"There are still six unsunken battleships remaining in Pearl Harbor."
"Other facilities such as fuel storage, dry dock, and naval yard are all in good condition. "Unless we completely destroy these things, this mission can never be called a success."
"Your Excellency, please make a decision."
Nagumo's advisors raised their voices calling for a third attack force to be sent to completely destroy what was left of Pearl Harbor.
Nagumo had no different thoughts from them. The only moment to attack Pearl Harbor is now.
If we retreat from here, there will never be an opportunity to attack Pearl Harbor again. It may take at least two or three years.
At that time, Pearl Harbor will be on full alert, completely opposite to today.
"good night. "Launch the third attack force immediately."
"Yes, Your Excellency!"
After Nagumo's instructions were given, the third attack force launched toward Pearl Harbor.
The aircraft carrier's crew took off their military caps and waved them in unison, praying for good luck for the pilots taking off toward the enemy lines.
When the third attack party arrived in the sky over Pearl Harbor, the ruined land and harbor came into view.
The pilots of Types 97, 99, and Zero Sen smiled softly when they saw the scene created by their comrades who had sortied earlier.
But there was a problem. Smoke rising from the destroyed battleship and ground base obstructed visibility.
To make matters worse, the enemy's anti-aircraft fire was more intense than ever.
The pilots of the 3rd attack group flinched from the fierce anti-aircraft fire.
How did the comrades in front carry out their mission despite such fierce anti-aircraft fire?
In fact, the anti-aircraft fire was not intense when the 1st and 2nd attack corps were moving around Pearl Harbor, but the 3rd attack corps, which launched later, did not know that.
U.S. aircraft in anger attacked the Japanese pilots, who had difficulty finding their targets: battleships, fuel depots, and dry docks due to anti-aircraft fire and smoke.
"Kill the bastards! "Don't let anyone live!"
"You bastards!"
A dogfight began when a Type 97, preoccupied with finding a target and neglecting its vigilance, was attacked and shot down by a P-40.
The Zero Sens, which gave up defense in favor of mobility and range, overwhelmed American aircraft with overwhelming speed and turning ability.
Soon, three P-36s were shot down one after another and fell into the sea.
But the U.S. military did not back down.
Despite the inferiority of their aircraft, American pilots fought steadfastly against enemies who attacked their homeland and killed people indiscriminately.
One Type 97 and one Type 99 each crashed with their gray tails biting their tails after being attacked by two P-40s.
The P-40 that shot down the Type 99 also shot down an additional Zero-Cen, but as soon as it shot down the Zero-Cen, it was shot down by another Zero-Cen.
The Japanese and U.S. troops also fired machine guns at enemy pilots who were escaping.
There could be no mercy for the enemies who invaded the homeland.
Kill more enemies than just one. They are demons, not humans, and should not be treated as the same people.
The Types 97 and 99, which entrusted the US military aircraft to the Zero Sens, targeted the battleships that the first and second attack groups were unable to deal with.
One Type 97 took the risk of flying close to the water and attempted to drop a torpedo, but it was hit head-on by an anti-aircraft gun and crashed just before dropping the torpedo.
Another Type 97 flew in and dropped torpedoes, but this time it narrowly missed the battleship.
Only when the third Type 97 arrived was the torpedo barely able to hit the battleship.
"California hits!"
The USS California, hit by a torpedo, was hit by a couple of bombs dropped by Type 99, which was rushing from the sky.
Finally, after the Type 97 flew in and put one more torpedo into the side, the California exploded.
The ship quickly tilted and sank, and hundreds of sailors still on board were trapped and drowned in the sinking ship without even having a chance to escape.
"Jump off!"
"Aaaah-!"
Sailors on a sinking ship jumped into the sea to survive. However, many of the sailors who threw themselves into the sea died writhing in pain after drinking water mixed with heavy oil that had flowed from the sinking ship.
There were many sailors who were caught in oil, struggling, and then being engulfed in fire.
Fuel storage and dry docks were also attacked by Japanese planes, but the damage was minimal.
This was because the majority of Japanese planes were preoccupied with attacking battleships that had not yet been sunk, and smoke and anti-aircraft fire interfered with aiming, so bombs often missed.
"Hey, look at that!"
"Those… ."
As the 3rd assault corps' attack neared its end, something caught the eye of the U.S. soldiers guarding the coastal battery.
"Enemy battleship appears! "There are four generations in all!"
Four Japanese battleships appeared in the waters off Pearl Harbor.
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