WW2 GeneralDiscuss Sources for Japanese viewpoint/pre-Pearl Harbor in the World War II - General forums; This may be a reach. I've been doing a little snooping for a project, and I've hit a brick wall. ...
This may be a reach. I've been doing a little snooping for a project, and I've hit a brick wall. I'm trying to find original sources for the Japanese viewpoint prior to Pearl Harbor. Specifically, I'd like the view of the senior military leadership as well as newspaper accounts to get a feel for the opinion of the "man on the street."
What were the Japanese thinking about their potential enemy?
Almost forgot....My limitations are that I don't speak Japanese, and don't want to travel, so on-line translations would be a big help.
From Marco Polo to Pearl Harbor: Who Was Responsible? (The Yomiyuri Shimbun)
Hope this helps....
Good list. i would also reccomend Stanley Falk's "70 days to Singapore", it went into some depth about the beginnings of the Japanese - Allied conflict, including the role of the oil embargo and the 2 Imperial confrences held in the second half of 1941
Thanks Freebird. Can you guess the early war in the Far East is my pet area of interest? Falk is ok but he succumbs to many of the common misperceptions about the Malayan Campaign. Of recent histories, I think Warren's is the best but I still feel there's more new material to be discovered about the fall of Singapore, particularly dealing with the relationship between the intelligence services and operational decisions made by both Brooke-Popham and Percival.
Thanks Freebird. Can you guess the early war in the Far East is my pet area of interest? Falk is ok but he succumbs to many of the common misperceptions about the Malayan Campaign.
Just curious, what parts do you think Falk got wrong?
Just curious, what parts do you think Falk got wrong?
It's been a while since I read it but, IIRC, it emphasises command mistakes without mentioning the impact of intelligence on the decision-making process. I don't think it covers the air campaign at all, except to say that the RAF was wiped from the skies. Finally, and I freely admit I may be mis-remembering here, but I seem to recall Falk underplays the lack of experience within the British Army units assigned to defend the Malay peninsula. Despite these criticisms, it's still a pretty decent book on the subject, and way better than even some recent tomes (Smith's book springs to mind) on the subject.
It's been a while since I read it but, IIRC, it emphasises command mistakes without mentioning the impact of intelligence on the decision-making process. I don't think it covers the air campaign at all, except to say that the RAF was wiped from the skies. Finally, and I freely admit I may be mis-remembering here, but I seem to recall Falk underplays the lack of experience within the British Army units assigned to defend the Malay peninsula. Despite these criticisms, it's still a pretty decent book on the subject, and way better than even some recent tomes (Smith's book springs to mind) on the subject.
Actually it does cover the RAF. (Although not in as much detail as Shores)
I think he did also cover the lack of experience, especially the raw Indian troops who fared poorly against the Japanese. (One of my best buys at the used bookstore, for the magnificent sum of $3 )
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Originally Posted by buffnut453 
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