United States Strategic Bombing Survey (Pacific)

[fast.git]

I stumbled across this site while trying to confirm the number of aircraft fielded by the IJN's First Air Fleet at Midway... it's a series of interrogations of Japanese officers conducted by the Naval Analysis Division of the U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey. Here's the link (there's a ton of stuff here):

http://ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/USSBS/IJO/index.html

Here is an excerpt from the forward, giving an indication of its purpose:

"The interrogations in this volume were conducted in TOKYO during the months of October, November, and December 1945 by officers of the Naval Analysis Division of the U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey. While the original purpose of the interrogations was to gain evidence for an assessment of the role of airpower in the war with JAPAN, in the absence of any other body concerned with the conduct of this naval war, this purpose was broadened to include as wide a survey of wartime events as time and other restrictions would permit. The specific purpose of individual interrogations varied between that of obtaining comment and opinion from those very senior officers who were in a position to view the war as a whole, the discussion of specific operations and engagements with responsible commanders or other eyewitnesses, and the elaboration and clarification of documentary material."

/signed/
R.A. Ofstie
Rear Admiral, USN,
Senior Navy Member,
U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey.

[fast.git]

Here's a example of the info I've uncovered after a little reading... the following is a transcript of the interrogation of:

Captain AMAGI, Takahisa, IJN, Naval Aviator
Air Commander (observer) on CV Hiryu at PEARL HARBOR
Air Officer on CV Kaga at Battle of MIDWAY, 3, 4, 5 June 42

http://ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/USSBS/IJO/IJO-1.html

He discusses numbers and types of aircraft on board, disposition of the task group, a narrative of the attack, and casualties taken, and his opinions on the experimental radar the Japanese had a Midway.

Pretty cool.

[Teaticket]

Very interesting Chris, thanks. Just read the interview you linked. Quite an interesting view to get.