Session 13

Tora! Tora! Tora! The Japanese Aerial Experience Over Pearl Harbor

As dawn broke over the Japanese strike force, the sons of the rising sun took off in the pre-dawn darkness for their rendezvous with history. It was a rare opportunity to have two of the aviators who flew during the attack tell their version of that dramatic day. Zenji Abe had recently completed his biography titled The Emperor’s Sea Eagle which details his life as a naval aviator. Takeshi Maeda was a rear-seat gunner on a torpedo plane that made the runs against Battleship Row. Accompanying this group was the president of the Japanese naval veterans group, Jiro Yoshida, who assisted Mr. Maeda.

 

Speakers: Zenji Abe, Aircraft Carrier Akagi - Mr. Abe was a dive bomber pilot from the aircraft carrier Akagi. He made his attack on Pearl Harbor as part of the 2 nd wave that arrived over Oahu at 9:00 am. He is one of the few pilots from Japan to survive the war. He recently authored his memoirs on the attack on Pearl Harbor in a book titled The Emperor’s Sea Eagle. Mr. Abe has dedicated his life to reconciliation and peace between American and Japanese veterans.

Takeshi Maeda, Aircraft Carrier Kaga - Mr. Maeda was a warrant officer and aviator from the carrier Kaga. He saw action at Pearl Harbor as a crewmember aboard a torpedo plane that attacked Battleship Row. Later, at the Battle of Midway, he was wounded aboard his carrier by bomb fragments that struck near his ship.

Jiro Yoshida, Zero pilot (commentator and support) - Jiro Yoshida was a naval aviator who was trained towards the end of the Pacific War. He saw service in the defense of Japan. After the war, he had a successful business career and helped formulate the Japanese Naval Aviators Veterans Society.

Related Books: The Emperor's Sea Eagle (Zenji Abe, Edited by Michael Wenger)

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