- Author
- Thomas, Mitchell, Midshipman, RAN
- Subjects
- Biographies and personal histories, WWII operations, History - WW2
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- December 2006 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
In interviews after the war, Air Commander Genda Minoru, the architect of the plan for the air attack on Pearl Harbour, who had remained in the flagship Akagi during the attack, stated that he also recommended to Admiral Nagumo that a third wave be immediately readied, and that he would lead part of this new attack. When Admiral Nagumo rejected his advice, Genda stated that he was disappointed, but followed his orders. ((Fuchida, M & Okumiya, M. 2002, Midway, The Japanese Story. London, Cassell & Co., p 16.))
Battle of Midway
At the Battle of Midway, while he was preparing his aircraft for an additional strike on Midway Island, Admiral Nagumo’s carrier force was destroyed by aircraft from undetected American carriers. One must wonder if Nagumo had lingered to launch a third wave of attacks at Pearl Harbour, whether his vulnerable carriers might have suffered the same fate at the hands of the missing American carriers. In light of the disaster that befell his carriers at Midway, perhaps his decision to reject the recommendations of Fuchida and Genda, and withdraw his strike force seems prudent and justified.
Conclusion
Nagumo, like virtually all senior naval offices at the time, both Japanese and American, was a battleship admiral, and did not fully comprehend the power of aviation in the naval environment, as it had not yet been demonstrated conclusively in combat. However, he was aware of the vulnerability of aircraft carriers to attack and destruction. Even Yamamoto believed that the surprise attack on Pearl Harbour would be a one-off use of aircraft carriers for a decisive naval victory. It was only the junior naval aviation officers who were enthusiastic about the unproven capabilities of aircraft carriers.
Keeping this evidence in mind, I believe that Nagumo has been unfairly criticised. He was a competent naval commander who unfortunately is best remembered for his incomplete success at Pearl Harbour and his disastrous defeat at Midway. ((Stillwell, P (ed), Air Raid: Pearl Harbour! Recollections of a Day of Infamy, 1981, Annapolis, Naval Institute Press, p 16.))
About the author: Midshipman Thomas was born in August, 1987 in Armidale, NSW, but moved shortly afterwards with his family to Wollongong. He completed his secondary education there at Edmund Rice College, excelling in his final years in Modern History. He joined the RAN at the beginning of this year, undertaking the New Entry Officers’ Course (NEOC) at HMAS Creswell. He then moved to HMAS Watson for Phase One of his Seaman Officers’ Training, and is currently posted to HMAS Arunta for Phase Two. Next year, he will take up studies at the Australian Defence Force Academy, where he hopes to major in History
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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http://www.mindef.gov.sg/safti.pointer/back/journals/1998/Vol24 3/4htm
(accessed 23/3/06).
Nagumo Chuichi, 2006, Reader’s Companion to Military History. http://www.college.hmco.com/history/ readerscomp/mil/html/mh 036300 nagumochiuch.htm (accessed 23/3/06).
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Picture: Nagumo, Chuichi, 1999, http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/h63000/h63423.jpg (accessed 23/03/06, Department of the Navy – Naval Historical Centre, Washington DC.