Dec 7, 1941. The USN is at sea. What does IJN do now?

[Mike Wenger]

The question regarding Japanese intentions in the event that the Pacific Fleet was absent from Pearl Harbor is a fascinating one. Absence (from both Pearl Harbor and Lāhainā) was the true nightmare scenario for the Japanese.

Along with the team of co-authors Sam Tagaya, Bob Cressman, and John Di Virgilio, I am in the midst of writing portions of the fifth volume of our "Pearl Harbor Tactical Studies" series for Naval Institute Press. This fifth volume will deal with the Japanese story over Pearl Harbor proper, and will address Japanese intentions pertaining to absence of the fleet. Not wishing to be too evasive here, know that we are trying to safeguard sources, analysis, and conclusions.

However, it is safe to say the following. Although the Japanese intended to attack airfields on O'ahu in such circumstances, there also were to be thorough searches for the American fleet conducted by Kidō Butai's air groups. There are also surviving detailed contingency plans that set forth actions to be taken if units of the Pacific Fleet lay at the Lāhainā road-stead. We will be going into this in quite some detail as well.

Additionally, there has been speculation for decades regarding what was actually planned for follow-up raids against Pearl Harbor, and the supposed debate on Akagi's bridge among Fuchida, Nagumo, and the latter's staff. Rest assured that we will go into great detail regarding this issue.

Hate to leave you hanging, but... wait for the book!

 

[EwenS]

The question regarding Japanese intentions in the event that the Pacific Fleet was absent from Pearl Harbor is a fascinating one. Absence (from both Pearl Harbor and Lāhainā) was the true nightmare scenario for the Japanese.

Along with the team of co-authors Sam Tagaya, Bob Cressman, and John Di Virgilio, I am in the midst of writing portions of the fifth volume of our "Pearl Harbor Tactical Studies" series for Naval Institute Press. This fifth volume will deal with the Japanese story over Pearl Harbor proper, and will address Japanese intentions pertaining to absence of the fleet. Not wishing to be too evasive here, know that we are trying to safeguard sources, analysis, and conclusions.

However, it is safe to say the following. Although the Japanese intended to attack airfields on O'ahu in such circumstances, there also were to be thorough searches for the American fleet conducted by Kidō Butai's air groups. There are also surviving detailed contingency plans that set forth actions to be taken if units of the Pacific Fleet lay at the Lāhainā road-stead. We will be going into this in quite some detail as well.

Additionally, there has been speculation for decades regarding what was actually planned for follow-up raids against Pearl Harbor, and the supposed debate on Akagi's bridge among Fuchida, Nagumo, and the latter's staff. Rest assured that we will go into great detail regarding this issue.

Hate to leave you hanging, but... wait for the book!

How long do we have to wait with bated breath for this work?

 

[Mike Wenger]

Well, don't hold you breath too long! The drop-dead date for manuscript submission is the end of this year, with a publishing date of late 2024. One of the considerations that we (and Naval Institute Press) face is the projected book length, which will be a good bit longer than each of the previous four volumes.

As you might imagine, we face a multitude of Japanese language issues, and my admittedly "pidgin" proficiency with the language (although improving steadily) is somewhat limited. That was one of several reasons why we brought on Sam Tagaya as a co-author. He has been a great blessing.

Mike W.

 

[Peter Gunn]

You'll definitely have to let us know when it goes to press, I'll grab one in a heartbeat.

I've always been curious about this exact "what if" scenario.

 

[Mike Wenger]

The Lāhainā business is a very interesting "what-if", especially how the Japanese planned to allocate the strike groups between there and O'ahu. They were really not certain until the very last minute whether the bulk of the Pacific Fleet was at Pearl. I suspect that, en route to the target, Fuchida was jumping out of his skin.

From Japanese dispatch traffic (which is incredibly interesting) it is clear that the entire operation was done on a shoestring. There were insufficient aircrews, aircraft, ammunition, bombs, machine guns... you name it. It was no wonder that Nagumo lacked enthusiasm about the whole business. He was really the weak sister (sorry ladies!).

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

The question regarding Japanese intentions in the event that the Pacific Fleet was absent from Pearl Harbor is a fascinating one. Absence (from both Pearl Harbor and Lāhainā) was the true nightmare scenario for the Japanese.

Along with the team of co-authors Sam Tagaya, Bob Cressman, and John Di Virgilio, I am in the midst of writing portions of the fifth volume of our "Pearl Harbor Tactical Studies" series for Naval Institute Press. This fifth volume will deal with the Japanese story over Pearl Harbor proper, and will address Japanese intentions pertaining to absence of the fleet. Not wishing to be too evasive here, know that we are trying to safeguard sources, analysis, and conclusions.

However, it is safe to say the following. Although the Japanese intended to attack airfields on O'ahu in such circumstances, there also were to be thorough searches for the American fleet conducted by Kidō Butai's air groups. There are also surviving detailed contingency plans that set forth actions to be taken if units of the Pacific Fleet lay at the Lāhainā road-stead. We will be going into this in quite some detail as well.

Additionally, there has been speculation for decades regarding what was actually planned for follow-up raids against Pearl Harbor, and the supposed debate on Akagi's bridge among Fuchida, Nagumo, and the latter's staff. Rest assured that we will go into great detail regarding this issue.

Hate to leave you hanging, but... wait for the book!

Let us know where and when we can get it, it sounds interesting.