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Cuttlefish -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (2/18/2009 12:22:12 AM)
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January 25, 1945
Location: Hiroshima/Kure
Course: None
Attached to: TF 43
Mission: Bombardment
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: Proceed to Kure
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Letter from Colonel Izu to his son, Ensign Izu:
Dear Tomio-San,
This seems to be the most pleasant time of year in a generally unpleasant climate. The weather here in Luzon right now is relatively cool and dry. In a couple of months the heat and rain will return, and possible the typhoons as well, but today it is relatively pleasant.
Of course, this also makes it an ideal time for the enemy to invade. We are on high alert, expecting that an attack might come at any time. So far, however, it has been quiet. No air raids, no bombardments, not even any overflights by reconnaissance planes. But this could be a deception, designed to lure us into a false sense of complacency. If that is the case, though, the enemy’s plan will not work. We are ready.
I killed a man yesterday. He was a native, one of a band of guerillas who have been plaguing our convoys and supply depots. I struck his head off myself with my sword.
I have been thinking of him ever since. Oh, not out of guilt or anything of that sort. Nor with any kind of pleasure, except from the knowledge that my blade is still sharp and my arm strong. But it has been in my thoughts that in a year or less I might be the one hiding in the jungles and hills, doing what I can to harass the enemy. If that happens I hope that I am as effective and face my end as bravely as the man I just killed.
I have told you in the past that an officer who would command respect must be deserving of that respect, that it is something that must be earned. Formal respect comes with rank, of course, but real respect comes from actions and demeanor. I killed the man myself, not because I wished to, but because a real officer faces unpleasant duty. He does not delegate it and force someone else to do it in his place.
Nor should (if you do not mind yet more fatherly advice) a man enjoy the act of killing. For those in our profession it is necessary at times, yet I find that those who come to enjoy it are almost never those who are the best qualified to lead other men in battle. The guerilla had to be killed; he and his followers had killed at least six of my men and an example of course had to be made. But I took no pleasure in it. I encourage you to hold to this same pragmatic outlook.
We have seen so much death now. It saddens me to think of the part I played in bringing all this about. Years ago, when we invaded Manchukuo, I was among the officers who led our men there against orders. Oh, to be sure I felt fully justified at the time. It was necessary for the good of Japan, we said, and we believed it. Others called it gekokujo and admired our boldness while our leaders wrung their hands helplessly and accepted our deeds. And thus we started down the path to war, our own ideals and principals leading us step by step into a realm of death and destruction.
There is nothing to do now but ride the dragon that we have created. Perhaps, if there is a future for Japan, others will do a better job of leading our people than have I and my fellow officers. All I can do now to atone for any mistakes I have made is to do my duty well and face death bravely if it comes.
I hope I die in battle. I would not like to end up kneeling in the dust while some officer raises a sword over me. Or puts a rope around my neck – I hear the Americans are more fond of hanging than of beheading. It all comes to the same in the end, I suppose.
Choose your path well, my son, and continue to live a life of virtue. I hope we will meet again after the war. If that is not to be then perhaps we will meet at Yasukuni Shrine.
Take good care of your mother, and remember that I am proud of you.
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