Decision Season 1, Episode 15: Rabaul Air Squadron

Surprise Attack on Pearl Harbor

At 6:05 on December 8, 1941, the first attack squadron, a total of 350 aircraft, 765 men, departed for Pearl Harbor, ushering in a new phase of the war. Vice Admiral Nagumo, commander of the First Task Force, and Admiral Kimmel, commander-in-chief of the US Pacific Fleet. How do mutual goals and changing circumstances affect their decisions? Was this decision correct?

25 min

Battle of Midway (Part 1)

As the Japanese military continues to advance in the Indian Ocean, they draw up the Midway operation plan with the goal of blocking the US Navy's mobile operations and destroying the US Pacific task force. However, the U.S. Pacific Fleet was aware of the movements of the Japanese military through espionage activities. A battle where split-second decisions determine fate has begun. Will Commander Spruance, the US 16th Launch Fleet, seize the golden opportunity?

25 min

The Battle of Midway (Part 2)

The Japanese Navy lost three main aircraft carriers, Akagi, Kaga, and Soryu. The remaining Hiryu launches a final battle against three US aircraft carriers. Japanese aircraft also attack a US aircraft carrier in a torpedo battle. The deadly battle between Japan and the United States reaches its final stage. What separates winners from losers?

25 min

Malay Blitz Operation

The Japanese army, advancing south to secure resources, landed on the Malay Peninsula with the aim of taking Singapore, the base of the British army, by land. In the early hours of December 8, the vanguard forces landed at Singapore. At long last, the assault on the Malay Peninsula begins. Japanese army attacking, British army defending. Will the British army be able to protect the defense line?

25 min

Singapore Attack

Japanese soldiers are exhausted from the rush from the Malay Peninsula landing, and the Japanese army does not have enough ammunition. How will General Yamashita take Singapore? The British army defends Singapore while being completely isolated after losing control of the air and sea to Japan. Can Singapore hold out for three months awaiting British reinforcements to counterattack? What is Lieutenant General Percival's way of fighting as a defender, and what is his decision?

25 min

Raid on Hong Kong

Under the banner of Lieutenant General Sakai, commander of the 23rd Army, following the landing on the Malay Peninsula, 12,000 troops will attack the defended British territory of Hong Kong. British, Indian, and Australian forces defending at the Gin Drinkers Line. Will the Japanese be able to break through?

25 min

Battle of Malaya

The British Eastern Fleet joins the battleship Prince of Wales and the battlecruiser Repulse, and the British forces in Singapore enter an impregnable defense. After receiving information on the movement of the British Eastern Fleet from reconnaissance planes and submarines, the Japanese military sent a torpedo unit from the land base and a fleet including Shimaumi from the sea to destroy the British Eastern Fleet. How will the two armies make decisions in the face of bad weather, changes in the war situation, and various changes in the situation? What should I do to lead my allies to victory?

25 min

Coral Sea Battle

The first battle between aircraft carriers in naval history. One-on-one battle between Zero Fighter and Grumman, which are each carrier-based aircraft. In support of the Port Morespie operation, a task force led by Lieutenant General Inoue aims to destroy the US riot police. How was that decision made? And what was the result? What leads to victory and what leads to defeat. Finding the enemy aircraft carrier as quickly as possible will decide the battle.

25 min

Episode 9

25 min

Naval Parachute Corps

Operation Celebes Island capture. Operation by the Japanese army's first parachute unit. An unknown strategy for the Japanese army. A parachutist who was praised as a hero in the sky. But heroes are not alone. At first glance, it looks like a gorgeous stage, but the background and foundation of it is the individual soldiers who are human beings with emotions. What should the commander decide between those emotions and the battlefield?

25 min

Bataan and Corregidor Attack

The Japanese army goes to capture the Philippines, which is under the control of the United States. Judging the results of the Japanese army, General MacArthur abandoned the Philippines as a defenseless city. He escapes to the Bataan Peninsula and launches a strategy to besiege. He withdrew to Corregidor Island on the Bataan Peninsula to await American support from the mainland. Do you see the withdrawal of American forces as a strategic retreat or as a rout? How to judge and decide What is true victory on the battlefield?

25 min

Submarine I-168

I-168 sortieed to finish off Yorktown, which was severely damaged in the Battle of Midway. Can you really discover Yorktown in the wide ocean and sink it? The sinking of Yorktown is necessary in the immediate Pacific theater. Will Captain I-168's calm, calm and bold strategy succeed? How do you dodge the American counterattack? A battle begins at sea.

25 min

First Battle of the Solomons

With the momentum of the victory in the Battle of Midway, the American forces raised the signal of a counterattack against the Japanese forces. However, the US military is also undeniably lacking in strength. The newly organized 8th Fleet launches its first night battle against the American forces that have stormed Guadalcanal. What will happen to this first night battle in the history of fleet warfare? Immediate results and future results.

25 min

Colonel Kato's Falcon Air Squadron

A military fighter "Hayabusa" (falcon) was developed to keep up with fighters from other countries. It was Major Takeo Kato who led the "Hayabusa Fighter Corps" with high-performance fighters. After escorting the landing forces of the Malay Peninsula capture force, he flies away every day to gain air superiority over the Malay Peninsula. However, they are unable to encounter the friendly bombing formations that they should support, and the bombing formations are attacked by enemy planes.

25 min

Withdraw from Kiska Island

In order to stop the US task force's advance from the north, the Japanese army carried out Operation Aleutian and marched to Attu and Kiska islands. However, the U.S. forces counterattacked and captured Attu Island, planning to advance to Kiska Island. What kind of strategy will the Japanese army plan to withdraw the Kiska Island garrison? A total of 14 withdrawal fleets, led by Rear Admiral Kimura, who is a naval officer, will set sail. What is the decision to win or lose?

25 min

Birth of Kamikaze

Sea control of the western Pacific was completely transferred to the U.S. military. In the early hours of October 18, 1944, Operation Sho Ichigo was launched to attack the US fleet in the Leyte Sea area with all-out efforts. Form a special attack unit that is a desperate squad to destroy one ship with a zero fighter carrying a 250 kg bomb. Why did you form this special attack unit? What is the wish of a soldier who volunteers for a kamikaze as a living human being? What must the person who makes the decision carry?

25 min

Death of Isoroku Yamamoto

Isoroku Yamamoto, Commander of the Combined Fleet, goes to Bougainville to inspect the front lines in order to boost the morale of the Southern Army, which is repeatedly fighting fierce battles. Encrypted telegrams sent by the Japanese military intercepted by the U.S. military. What is the strategy of the US military to shoot down Director Yamamoto's plane? Director Yamamoto's plane takes off even if he dares to expose himself to danger. Time ticks by until the moment of destiny.

25 min

Battle of Lunga

In order to supply Guadalcanal as well, the Japanese army carries out a drum can operation with destroyers. As the U.S. forces furiously intercept the fleet, Rear Admiral Raizou Tanaka, commander of the 2nd Torpedo Squadron, is forced to decide whether to continue Operation Drums or fight the U.S. Fleet. Will the destroyer unit be able to safely deliver supplies to the front line?

25 min

Battle of the Mariana Islands

After the withdrawal of Japanese forces from Guadalcanal, the completion of the B29 enabled the US military to carry out air raids on the mainland of Japan. It was necessary to capture Saipan Island to make it an air raid base. This is the reason why the US military invaded the Mariana Islands. All-out war between the two navies was to take place off the coast of Mariana. Japanese planes with a long cruising range and a large number of US military planes clash. Both armies deploy tactics that take advantage of their own strengths. How to take advantage of the momentary chance to win. What is a split-second decision?

25 min

Battle of Leyte Gulf (Part 1)

Battleship Musashi sorties as a ship in charge of damage. Each commander was obsessed with the specter of a decisive fleet battle, and Captain Musashi, who received a decisive air battle that followed the trend of the times. Considering the whole battle, what should be done to produce the maximum effect? What kind of decision did the commander make when the loss was confirmed?

25 min

Battle of Leyte Gulf (Part 2)

In order to destroy the landing force and the transport fleet led by Gen. MacArthur, the Japanese army carries out a large-scale revival operation. Using the riot squad led by Lieutenant General Ozawa as decoys, the U.S. riot squad was lured away, and the main force attacked the main enemy force in Leyte. Both armies encounter enemy fleets, and in the ever-changing weather and battle situation, it becomes a great naval battle in which multiple fleets of both armies are confused. Where are the enemies and where are the allies? Did you win or lose?

25 min

Operation Iwo Jima

The US military was considering dispatching fighter planes to support the bombing of the Japanese mainland by B-29s. Iwo Jima was the only fighter base. When the mainland bombing of B29 with support fighters is carried out, Japan's ashes will progress at once. Lieutenant General Kuribayashi went to Iwo Jima as the last line of defense for the mainland or to delay the advance of the U.S. forces as much as possible. On February 19, 1945, a landing force of 75,144 U.S. forces, 495 ships, including 17 large aircraft carriers, and a support force of 111,300 personnel arrived at Iwo Jima.

25 min

The End of the Combined Fleet

"Aiming to become a divine machine commander, the empire's rise to prosperity is here in one fell swoop. Each member must fight valiantly to destroy all enemies, and demonstrate the true strength of the maritime special attack unit." The 2nd Fleet makes a sea attack sortie. Fleet battles are already a thing of the past, and why did the 2nd Fleet have to sortie with the organization of fleet battles when the victory is decided by aircraft? In such a distorted situation, what will the commanders of both armies think about when making decisions?

25 min

The Last Decision

On July 27, 1945, the Potsdam Declaration was announced. Atomic bombs are dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki against Japan, which is at the end of the war. What kind of determination and action did Minister Shimomura, Minister of State and President of the Intelligence Bureau, do to "protect the country"? How is it different from soldiers, or is it the same? What is the decision that carries the life, future, and happiness of many people?

25 min