JeffroK
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Joined: 1/26/2005
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On a recent holiday I was walking down the main street of Thames, New Zealand when I passed a table of books outside a Charity shop, I did a quick scan and found a gem I didnt know existed.
BYWATER - THE MAN WHO INVENTED THE PACIFIC WAR by WILLIAM H HONAN ISBN 0798848567
This is the amazing story of Hector C Bywater who wrote THE GREAT PACIFIC WAR in 1925 which predicted a war between the Japanese Empire and the United States. But Bywater was much more than that. Due to schooling in the USA he was able to pass as American and prior to and during WW1 was one of Britains best placed spies in Germany, regularly revealing unknown designs or builds. His methods of collection intelligence varied, from trawling the papers to personal investigation. One he caught a ferry past the Von der Tann and implied it was a minelayer, the ferry conductor, a Naval Reservist became annoyed and spouted out all of the specs and data on one of Germany's latest Battleships.
Bywater also began writing for US & British newspapers, becoming their Naval correspondent and wrote a few books on Naval combat in WW1.
Following the way of the era, Bywater conducted spirited "debate" through the papers with many other writers, including a small spat with Franklin D Roosevelt, always supporting the power of the Battleship & Battlecruiser though willing to acknowledge that the Aircraft Carrier had a (small) place in the Fleet.
These debates continued after the publishing of THE GREAT PACIFIC WAR, the book became recommended reading in many Navies INCLUDING the Imperial Japanese Navy. The book doesnt claim that it was the blueprint for the Pacific War, but that many involved from both sides had read it and that something must have been absorbed.
Written in 1925, Bywaters book suffers from its era, both sides are basically in WW1 fleets with only slight modernisation, a couple of carriers follow the fleets of either side. Bywater doesnt claim being the originator of some tactics but appears to be the first person to put them together in an achievable strategy. The main difference between book and real life is the attitude of the japanese to its enemy, the book shows them treating prisoners with great respect. As I said, a big difference between 1925 & 1941.
In the 30's Bywater continues his writings, becoming PNG with the British Admiralty for a time and swapping newspapers. He is one of the first to disclose the German resurgence with the build of Scharnhorst & Gniesenau and the japanese plans to arm its next BB's with 18" guns.
Sadly, throughout this Bywater becomes an alcoholic and on 16 August 1940 dies while the Battle of Britain rages over his home. While death is believed to be due to Alcohol poisioning, there is a hint that the kempeitei has its hand in it. One of Bywaters correspondents in Tokyo dies when accidently falling from the kempeitei HQ ??
A great book about an amazing man, its available on kindle and in the better Charity store bookshelves.
< Message edited by JeffK -- 4/24/2017 10:30:29 PM >
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