I had published sixteen episodes of Tetsuzo Iwamoto, one of the prominent flying aces during the World War Ⅱ, in a magazine “Maru”, depicting this outstanding pilot’s life and air combat records. This book has these sixteen episodes.
Iwamoto is known for 202 kills, winning fame as an ace of aces. Sada-aki Akamatsu bragged that he shot down 350 enemy planes. Saburo Sakai claimed, “64”. Gregory Boyington was convinced that he shot down the 28th enemy plain in an areal battle over New Britain Island, but was shot down by a Zero Fighter in the same battle, and captured by the Japanese Army. Robert M. Hanson was shot down and killed in action over New Britain Island after he set a record of 25 kills. How should we comprehend these numbers of shootdowns? How did people, who directly experienced combats, report and describe them? How are the fights described in war records written immediately after the fights broke out, written by soldiers who directly experienced them?
We live in a convenient age. The primary sources for them can be obtained on the Internet. In order to obtain the materials of Imperial Japanese Army and Navy, just visit “Japan Center for Asian Historical Records”, and it is free of charge. For the US materials, I got them from Fold3, the military materials’ site on the Internet, paying their annual reading fee. I printed most of them to avoid misreading them on a computer screen. Because most of the battle-experienced people have passed away, I read episodes written by authors and writers by copying them. I actually copied enormous amount of materials for both the Japanese side written in Japanese and the US side written in English.
While writing the story, I was shaping up an idea little by little that Tetsuzo was really a good guy, kind-hearted guy. Even though Tetsuzo belonged to the Japanese Army, a Spartan Army, having Spartan educations in Spartan surroundings, he was unbelievably kind and considerate. He probably did not hit his subordinates and juniors. Several people have testified it. Kenji Takizawa, a Zero Fighter pilot, testified, “How nice he was. I noticed it when we flew in formation. He was really attentive to other fighters. No wonder he was popular among juniors.” During the war, Ichiko, a 13-year-old girl then, met Tetsuzo many times, and noticed his gentleness. Ichiko was one of daughters of an inn near Mobara Air Base in Chiba. Tetsuzo told Ichiko that his nickname, “Kotetsu”, had come from the name of his direct superior’s name, “Torajiro Haruta”, and the name, “Tetsuzo”. Torajiro’s Tora can be pronounced “Ko” in Japanese, and putting this Ko before Tetsuzo’s Tetsu makes Kotetsu. Captain T. Haruta was killed in action when Tetsuzo wasn’t in that combat. Tetsuzo said to Ichiko, “If I had been there with the commander Haruta, he wouldn’t die.”
Tetsuzo opposed irrational Kamikaze attacks, or suicide attacks. I would say he may have given up the victory of Japan when he fought a lot of battles in the air over New Britain Island.
Tetsuzo valued his friends. I believe his warm-heartedness resonates our heart.
Squadron Number 261, Summary of Events, 1942 Jan 01-1942 May 31◆Air Raid, Colombo, 5 April 1942: the Fully Expected Surprise Attack, Robert Stuart, in The Royal Canadian Air Force Journal Vol.3, No. 4, Fall 2014◆The Most Dangerous Moment of the War:Japan's Attack on the Indian Ocean, 1942, John Clancy, Casemate, 2015
The First Team – Pacific Naval Air Combat from Pearl Harbor to Midway, John B. Lundstrom, Naval Institute Press, 1984◆The Pacific War Companion: from Pearl Harbor to Hiroshima, Daniel Marston, Oxford/Osprey, 2005◆Combat Narratives, the Battle of the Coral Sea, Office of Naval Intelligence, US Navy, Jan 1943◆The Battle of the Coral Sea, May 1 to May 11 Inclusive, 1942. Strategical and Tactical Analysis, R.W. Bates, Naval War College, 1947◆Battle of Coral Sea - Task Force 11 Rep◆U.S.S. Lexington, Action Rep, the Battle of the Coral Sea, 7 and 8 May 1942◆USS Yorktown, Action Rep of the Battle of the Coral Sea◆USS Neosho Detail, the commanding officer, USS Neosho, May 25, 1942
Breaking the Bismarck’s Barrier, 22 July 1942-1 May 1944 in History of United States Naval Operations in World War II, Samuel E. Morison, Little, Brown, 1947◆Cartwheel: the reduction of Rabaul, John Miller in United States Army in World War II. The War in the Pacific, Historical Division, Dept. of the Army, 1948◆The Assault on Rabaul: Operations by the Royal New Zealand Air Force, December 1943-May 1944, J. M. S. ROSS, War History Branch, Department of Internal Affairs, 1949◆Royal New Zealand Air Force (Official history of New Zealand in the Second World War, 1939-1945), J.M.S. Ross, War History Branch, Dept. of Internal Affairs, 1955◆History Of U.S. Marine Corps Operations in World War II: Volume II, Isolation on Rabaul, Henry I. Show, Historical Branch, G-3 Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, 1963◆The Army Air Forces in World War II Volume 4 The Pacific - Guadalcanal to Saipan August 1942 to July 1944, W. F. Craven, J. L. Cate, Office of Air Force History, 1983◆Time of the Aces: Marine Pilots in the Solomons, 1942-1944, P.B. Mersky, History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, 1993◆The Jolly Rogers, The Story of Tom Blackburn and Navy Fighting Squadron VF-17, Tom Blackburn with Eric Hammel, Pacifica Military History, 1997◆Vampire Squadron, The saga of the 44th Fighter Squadron in the South and Southwest Pacific, William H. Starke, Robinson Typographics,1999◆13th Fighter Command in World War II: air combat over Guadalcanal and the Solomons, William Wolf, Schiffer Military History, 2004◆Target: Rabaul: the allied siege of Japan's most infamous stronghold, March 1943-August 1945, Bruce Gamble, Zenith Press, 2013◆South Pacific Cauldron, Alan Rems, Naval Institute Press, 2014◆Kiwis over the Pacific: the RNZAF in World War Ⅱ, Allyn Vannoy, 2015◆Kiwi Air Power: a history of the RNZAF to the end of the Cold War, Matthew Wright, 2017◆Rabaul 1943-44: reducing Japan's great island fortress, Mark Lardas and others, Osprey Publishing, 2018◆MARINE AIRCRAFT GR 14, War Diary, 10/22/43 to 11/26/43◆COMSOPAC, War Diary, 11/1/43-2/29/44◆COMSOPAC, Nav Air Combat Intelligence Publications & Act Reps◆COMSOPAC, Forwarding of Naval Air Combat Intelligence Publications and Action Reps◆STRIKE COMMAND, COMAIR, SOLOMON ISLANDS, War Diary, 11/20/43 to 3/13/44◆COMAIRSOPAC, War Diary, 11/1/43-1/19/44◆COMAIR SOLOMONS, Mission Reps for 1/1/44 to 5/31/44◆The Story of the Fifth Bomb Group◆VMF-211, War Diary, 1/1-31/44 (ACA Reps)◆VMF-212, War Diary, 2/1-29/44 (ACA Reps #14-19)◆VMF-214, War Diary, 1/1-31/44 (Act Reps)◆VMF-215, War Diary, 11/1-30/43◆VMF-215, War Diary, 12/1/43 to 1/31/44 (ACA Reps)◆VMF-215, War Diary, 2/1-29/44 (ACA Reps #18-23)◆VMF-216, War Diary, 12/1-31/43(Action Reps)◆VMF-216, War Diary, 2/1-29/44◆VMF-217, War Diary, 1/1-31/44 (ACA Rep #1)◆VMF-217, War Diary, 2/1/44 to 4/30/44◆VMF-222, War Diary, 10/1/43 to 9/30/44◆VMF-223, War Diary, 12/1-31/43(Action Reps)◆VMF-321, War Diary, 1/1-31/44 (ACA Reps #2-18)◆VF-17, War Diary, 11/1/43-2/29/44◆VF-33, War History, 8 May 1946(注:1943年12月24日~1944年1月1日の間の記述あり)◆VF-40, War Diary, 12/1/43-1/31/44◆VF-40, War History, 8 May 1946(注:1943年12月~1943年1月の記述あり)◆VMTB-134, War Diary, 2/1-29/44 (Mission Reps)◆VMTB-143, War Diary, 1/1-2/29/44 (Mission Reps)◆VMTB-232, War Diary, 1/1-31/44 (Mission Reps)◆VMTB-232, War History, 8 Apr 1946(注:1944年1月の記述あり)◆VMTB-233, War Diary, 1/1/44 to 3/14/44 (Mission Reps)◆VMSB-236, War Diary, 1/1/44 to 2/29/44 (Mission Rep)◆VMSB-244, War Diary, 2/1-29/44 (Mission Reps)◆VMSB-341, War Diary, 1/1-31/44◆VB-98, War Diary, 1/1/44 to 3/31/44 (Mission Reps)◆COMDESRON 12, Rep of anti-shipping sweep and bombardment in the Rabaul Area, New Britain, 2/17-18/44◆USS LANSDOWNE, War Diary, 2/1-29/44◆USS LANDSDOWNE, Rep of Surface Attack of Rabaul, New Britain Island, 2/17-18/44◆USS WOODWORTH, War Diary, 2/1-29/44◆USS WOODWORTH, Act Rep, Bombardment & Anti-Shipping Strike, Rabaul Area, New Britain, 2/17-18/44◆USS FARENHOLT, War Diary, 2/1-29/44◆USS FARENHOLT, Rep of Bombardment & Action, 2/17-18/44, Rabaul Area◆USS LARDNER, War Diary, 2/1/44 to 4/30/44◆USS LARDNER, Act Rep, Bombardment of Rabaul and Torpedo Firing into Keravia Bay & Simpson Harbor, 2/18/44◆USS LARDNER, War History◆USS BUCHANAN, War Diary, 2/1-29/44◆USS BUCHANAN, Act Rep, Bombardment of Rabaul, 2/17-18/44◆USS BUCHANAN, War History
Operation Hailstone - Carrier Raid on Truk Island, 17-18 February 1944, Samuel J. Cox in Naval History & Heritage Command◆COMTASK-GROUP 58.1, Rep of Operations Against Truk, 16 Feb 1944-17 Feb 1944◆COMTASK-GROUP 58.2, Action Rep of Ops Against Truk, 16 Feb 1944-17 Feb 1944◆COMTASK-GROUP 58.3, Carrier Air Attack on Truk in Support of Capture of Eniwetok Atoll & Green Is, 12 Feb 1944-19 Feb 1944◆COMTASK-GROUP 58.3, War Diary, 1 Feb 1944-29 Feb 1944◆USS ENTERPRISE, War Diary, 2/1-29/44◆USS YORKTOWN, War Diary, 1 Feb 1944-29 Feb 1944◆USS BELLEAU WOOD, War Diary, 1 Feb 1944-29 Feb 1944◆USS ESSEX, Rep of Air Ops Against Truk Atoll, 16 Feb 1944-17 Feb 1944◆USS INTREPID, War Diary, 1 Feb 1944-29 Feb 1944◆USS INTREPID, Rep of Air Ops vs TRUK Atoll, 16 Feb 1944-17 Feb 1944◆USS CABOT, Action Rep of Raid on Truk, Carolines, 16 Feb 1944-17 Feb 1944◆USS BUNKER HILL, War Diary, 5 Feb 1944-29 Feb 1944◆USS MONTEREY, War Diary, 1 Feb 1944-29 Feb 1944◆COM AIR GR 25, ACA Reps - 2/16-22/44, Truk and Marianas (VT-25, USS Cowpens)◆USS BUNKER HILL, ACA Reps of Air Gr 17, Truk - 2/16-17/44 and Marianas (VT-17, VF-18, VB-17)◆USS NEW JERSEY, Action Rep, Truk Area, 16 Feb 1944◆USS IOWA, Rep of Engagement off Truk, 16 Feb 1944◆USS NEW ORLEANS, War Diary, 1 Feb 1944-29 Feb 1944◆COMCRUDIV 6, War Diary, 1 Feb 1944-29 Feb 1944(注:重巡「ミネアポリス」戦時日誌あり)◆USS BRADFORD, War Diary, 1 Jan 1944-29 Feb 1944◆USS BURNS, Action Against Jap Forces Escaping from Truk, 16 Feb 1944◆COMSOPAC, War Diary, 1 Mar 1944-31 Mar 1944◆27 Jun 1944, General Orders, 13th Air Force◆April 1944, 307 Group Monthly Historical Record
◆COMTASKFOR 38, Summary of Task Force 38 Operations, 28 Aug 1944-30 Oct 1944◆COMTASK-GROUP 38.1, War Diary, 1 Oct 1944-31 Oct 1944◆COMTASK-GROUP 38.2, Rep of Air Operations against the Ryukyu Islands, Formosa & the Philippines, 10/10/44-11/3/44, including Attacks on the Jap Fleet, 10/24-26/44◆COMTASK-GROUP 38.3, War Dairy, 10/1-31/44◆COMTASK-GROUP 38.4, Rep of Air Ops Against the Ryukyu Is, Formosa & the Philippines, 10/7-21/44◆USS WASP, War Diary, 1 Oct 1944-31 Oct 1944◆USS HORNET, War Diary, 1 Oct 1944-31 Oct 1944◆USS COWPENS, Rep of Ops Against the Ryukyu Is, Formosa & Philippines & Aerial Attacks on Jap Fleet 10/2-15/44 & 10/21-28/44◆USS COWPENS, Rep of Ops East of the Philippine Is, 10/15-17/44◆USS INTREPID, War Diary, 10/1-31/44◆USS BUNKER HILL, War Diary, 10/1-31/44◆USS HANCOCK, War Diary, 10/1-31/44◆USS CABOT, War Diary, 10/2/44 to 11/9/44◆USS CABOT, Rep of Air Ops Southeast of Formosa, 10/14-18/44◆VF-29, War History(注:「キャボット」搭載VF-29)◆USS ESSEX, War Diary, 10/1-31/44◆USS LEXINGTON, War Diary, 10/1/44 to 11/30/44◆USS ENTERPRISE, War Diary, 10/1-31/44◆USS FRANKLIN, War Diary, 10/1-31/44◆COMCRUDIV 10, Rep of participation in the salvage operations of USS CANBERRA & USS HOUSTON from Formosa to Ulithi, Carolines, 10/14-24/44◆USS HOUSTON, Rep of Act Against Jap Aircraft off Formosa & Torpedoing of USS HOUSTON 10/16/44◆USS CANBERRA, War Diary, 10/1-31/44◆USS RENO, War Diary, 10/1-31/44
◆COMTASK-GROUP 58.2, Rep of carrier air strikes on Japan, Bonins, & the Ryukyu Is, 2/16/45-3/1/45◆COMTASK-GROUP 58.4, Rep of air ops against Japan & the Bonin Is 2/16-25/45◆USS BENNINGTON, War Diary, 2/1-28/45◆USS HANCOCK, Rep of air ops against Japan, Bonins & the Ryukyus 2/16/45-3/1/45◆USS LEXINGTON, War Diary, 2/1-28/45◆USS LEXINGTON, Rep of air ops against Japan, Bonins & Ryukyus, 2/16/45-3/1/45◆USS SAN JACINTO, War Diary, 2/1/45 to 3/31/45◆VMF-80, Aircraft Action Rep, 16 Feb 1945◆VMF-112 & VMF-123 (FORWARD ECHELONS), War Diary, 2/1-28/45◆VMF-112 & VMF-123, Aircraft Action Rep, 16 Feb 1945◆VF-9, Aircraft Action Rep, 16 Feb 1945◆VF-9, War History, 7 May 1946(注:2月16日の記述あり)◆VF-45, ACA reps, Air ops against Japan on 2/16 & 17/45◆VF-45, War History, 8 May 1946(注:2月16日の記述あり)◆VF-80, War History, 8 May 1946(注:2月16日の記述あり)
◆Carrier Air Group 82, War Diary, May and June 1945◆USS HORNET, War Diary, 1-31 May 1945◆USS BENNINGTON, War Diary, 1 May 1945 to 31 May 1945◆USS BENNINGTON, Action Rep, 9 May 1945 to 28 May 1945◆USS SAN JACINTO, War Diary, 1 May-31 May 1945◆USS SAN JACINTO, Action Rep, 8 May through 27 May 1945◆USS ESSEX, War Diary, 1 May-31 May 1945◆USS RANDOLPH, War Diary, 1 May-31 May 1945◆USS MONTEREY, War Diary, 1 May 1945 to 31 May 1945◆USS MONTEREY, Action Rep, 9 May 1945 to 1 June 1945◆USS BELLEAU WOOD, Action Rep, 10 May-27 May 1945◆VMF-312, War Diary, 25 May-30 May◆VMF-312, Aircraft Action Rep, 25 May 1945◆VMF-322, Aircraft Action Rep, 25 May 1945◆VMF-323, Aircraft Action Rep, 25 May 1945◆VMF-422, Aircraft Action Rep, 25 May 1945◆VF-30, USS BELLEAU WOOD, Aircraft Action Rep, 25 May 1945◆VF-441, Aircraft Action Rep, 25 May 1945
バーガーキングのハンバーガーを食べたら、とてもおいしかった。けっこう大きなオニオンとトマトが入っていて、バークレーの街角にあったハンバーガー・ショップを思い出した。向こうのパパ・ママ・ショップのハンバーガーには、もっと大きなオニオンとトマトが入っていて、目の前で焼いて、無造作に手渡してくれる。焼いている最中に For here, or to go? Hold onions? と必ずきいてくる。「ここで食べるのか、テイクアウトか? オニオンは入れていいか?」ときくのだ。Hold onions? ときくのは、アメリカ人は口臭をひどく嫌うからだ。今の日本人のデンタルケアはいいのでそれほどでもないが、当時、日本人差別の原因のひとつが口臭にあった。差別は、差別されるほうも悪いと考えたい。英語をしゃべらない、というのも日本人が避けられる一因になっている。