Chameleons, a Novel Based Upon Actual Events Read online

  Foruno and I have been standing outside the Captain’s door for several moments without announcing our presence. After some hesitation, I take a deep breath and knock on the door. It immediately opens and we find the Captain’s aide standing before us. He immediately recognizes us and breaks into a broad smile.

  “Yes Lieutenants, can I be of assistance to you?”

  “We would very much like to speak with the Captain.” My tone of voice conveys more anxiety than I intend, which is only mildly abated by the aide’s friendly disposition.

  “One moment please, Lieutenant Iwasa is with him.”

  Lieutenant Iwasa is well known to us and is considered to be the father of our midget submarine program. We have not engaged in any casual conversations with him for each time he has approached us it has been over some manner of technical issue.

  Not more than a minute passes before the Captain’s aide returns.

  “Gentlemen, follow me, the Captain will see you both.” He directs us through an outer quarters to a large, carved wood door where he pauses and gently knocks twice before opening it.

  “Lieutenants Yokoyama and Foruno,” he announces.

  The aide makes his exit and closes the door behind us while we stand at attention, finding ourselves in the Captain’s private study. The walls are paneled with walnut and the furnishings are of mahogany and leather. All four portholes are open, allowing both fresh air and the relaxing sound of waves splashing against the steel hull to drift across the room. Two ceiling fans slowly revolve overhead.

  Harada is sitting behind a massive cherry wood desk. Seated at one of four chairs strategically placed in a semi-circle in front of the desk is Lieutenant Naoji Iwasa. Both men are drinking sake and appear quite relaxed.

  “Good evening, gentlemen,” says Harada. “You know Lieutenant Iwasa.” Iwasa smiles while remaining seated.

  “Please, relax, sit down. We do not need to worry about formalities here.” Harada motions to the empty chairs.

  “Lieutenants, I have been following both of you with great interest,” says Iwasa. “I must admit I am not surprised to see you here together.”

  “So, gentlemen, I presume you have something on your minds?” Harada asks.

  “Captain, Lieutenant, we apologize for barging in, but we have been discussing a common problem and would like to propose a somewhat different plan of action for tomorrow’s exercises.” My voice again betrays too much anxiety.

  “I like my officers to show initiative for I believe it is important you keep yourselves sharply honed and always ready to quickly address changing battle conditions. If you cannot adapt then only disaster will result; thus, in my opinion, ideas are not only needed, they are welcomed.”

  “So, Yokoyama, what is on your mind?” Harada asks.

  “But first, I have not been a good host.” Harada motions to a small pitcher and several hand- painted china cups sitting on an ornate china tray bearing a depiction of the great Japanese naval victory over the Russian fleet.

  “Please, pour yourselves some sake and have a drink. I shall grant you all the time you might need.”

  I reach across the desk and pour two cups of warm sake. Foruno decides to speak next and stands to address the Captain and Lieutenant.

  “Sirs, as you know we have all experienced difficulty striking our targets with both torpedoes.”

  “Yes, and we have noticed that you two are the only men who consistently strike the target with your initial attack. And we are aware your second shots have produced somewhat less satisfactory results,” replies Harada.

  “These torpedoes are expensive and hard to come by. It is essential they not go to waste,” adds Iwasa.

  “I speak for both of us when I say we are pleased the two of you are also concerned about the issue.” Iwasa takes a sip of sake and returns his gaze to Foruno. As if on cue, Foruno continues.

  “Lieutenant Yokoyama and I have been discussing the need to more quickly communicate our experiences to the crews awaiting their turn.”

  “Yes,” interrupts Harada, “we are keenly aware of the problem. So, Lieutenant Foruno, do you have a proposal?”

  “Yes Sir,” says Foruno, “it is our thought each crew shall carry a signal lantern with them. Our concept is that once a crew has fired its torpedoes, they will surface and signal the steps they took in attempting to put their second shot on target. Having such additional knowledge will allow the next crew to adjust accordingly and thereby not duplicate a failed effort. We think we can save significant training time in this manner.” Foruno sits down, feeling satisfied he has properly plead their case.

  We nervously scan Harada’s face for any reaction, completely unaware he is a veteran of having played many card games with Admiral Yamamoto and has learned to remain stoic at all times. Several minutes pass as Harada and Iwasa each sip some sake while they consider every aspect of the proposal. Finally, Iwasa gives a nod to Harada who breaks the silence.

  “I believe Lieutenant Iwasa would like to comment first.” Iwasa stands.

  “I am pleased to see you are thinking independently, for yourselves and for the greater good of the Empire and the Emperor. I congratulate you,” says a broadly smiling Iwasa.

  We grow noticeably relaxed at hearing Iwasa’s praise.

  “While this proposal will require a somewhat greater interval between launches, I believe it presents us with the very real possibility of actually saving time; time which is becoming ever more valuable. Gentlemen, we shall adopt your plan immediately and incorporate the results into our daily debriefing summaries.” Iwasa picks up his cup of sake.

  “I propose a toast,” he says.

  We all stand in response.

  “To a successful mission and to further glory in the name of the Emperor!”

  We all enjoy the sake.

  “Lieutenants Yokoyama and Foruno,” says Harada, “I congratulate you. You must always feel free to approach either of us should you ever feel the need to communicate an idea or observation. You may return to your quarters now and I trust you both will enjoy a good night’s sleep.”

  Ken opens his eyes and blinks a couple of times as he returns to the present day.

  “We left the Captain’s quarters but it was hours before I fell asleep that night. I was quite excited and kept reviewing everything we had tried in our efforts to put both of our torpedoes on target.”

  “The next day we incorporated our plans which did speed up each crew’s experimentation with ballast and firing angles resulting in more successful torpedo strikes. In a couple of weeks the wireless radio sets finally arrived and we were able to incorporate them into the exercises and discontinue the signal lamps. Unfortunately, the radios proved to be plagued with all manner of technical issues. The radios were, among other things, too delicate and not well suited for duty on a midget submarine. However, after much trial and error we steadily worked out many, but not all, of the radio issues while gaining confidence in ourselves and in our equipment. While our subs proved to be remarkably durable we were saddled with radio sets which were simply too easily damaged by any convulsions, even choppy seas could render them useless.”

  Ken suddenly lifts his right arm and points his right index finger directly at Gary.

  “Did you know that throughout the entire training regimen we did not lose even a single man or submarine? A few of us had our bumps and bruises, but the small subs were so well constructed we never had a serious mishap. I pushed us very hard as I felt an urgent need to know my boat’s limitations, for my intuition told me there was precious little time remaining before we would find ourselves in battle conditions.” He pauses to take a breath.

  “In early November events began to accelerate quickly. Indeed, very quickly.”

  “You mean the war with China or negotiations with the United States?” Gary asks.

  “Gary, imagine what it was like to be in Japan at the time. The United States placed an export embargo on Japan which was forcing us to make do w
ithout most of our supplies of oil, rubber, tin and many other essential imports. Shortages of materials were affecting everyday life throughout the country and even the military was not immune. As shortages in basic materials became increasingly widespread, finding a solution to the embargo became ever more pressing. Unfortunately, the Army was in defacto control of our government and its belief in brute force would plunge us into a devastating conflict.”

  “Despite the random shortages of so many products we did enjoy elite treatment. However, we were short of war items; for example it was months before the wireless sets were installed in our boats nor did we train with live torpedoes, which was most unfortunate.” Ken pauses to take a sip of tea.

  “Gary, it was a time of many pressures and it appeared to us our nation’s eyes were on the navy to find a solution. Japan was, and still is, an island nation which relies on the maritime trade to import most of its needs and the security of our maritime routes was the province of the navy.”

  “One day we were both shocked and pleased to discover we were being invited by Admiral Yamamoto to join him on the battleship Nagato for a luncheon. The invitation proved we had, indeed, been handpicked.” Ken pauses as he experiences a slight chill at the memory.

  “The Nagato was the flagship of the Japanese Navy Combined Fleet. I had once been aboard the battleship Iso, which was more of a grand old lady; however, the Nagato made a much stronger impression upon me. Once aboard we are directed into the officer’s dining room where an amazing display of food and drink line an entire wall. It is only the ten of us and a handful of our supporting officers along with Captain Harada and Lieutenant Iwasa, but there is enough food for one hundred people.”

  “A small stage is situated at the head of the room and we are told to make ourselves comfortable. After only a few moments we are called to attention as Admiral Yamamoto enters the stage. I remember his words almost as if it were yesterday…”

  “Gentlemen, it will be my honor to lead you into battle, a battle which appears to be a foregone conclusion. Only the time and place of such battle and the identification of our ultimate enemy is still to be determined. I sincerely believe Japan is truly blessed to have such dedicated and efficient servants to the Emperor and the Empire as you are proving to be.” Yamamoto pauses for effect.

  “You have been training very hard and I have a reward for you. When you are finished here you are all being sent home on ten days’ leave. Go and see your families and enjoy their company!”

  Yamamoto pauses as we congratulate each other on such good fortune. After a few moments he raises his hands and we refocus our attention on him.

  “Dangerous operations such as you are about to embark upon may well prove to yield far greater success than we might expect from conventional surface-to-surface actions. Your exploits may even outshine the actions of officers much senior to yourselves. This is a significant opportunity for you, both individually and for the greater good and glory of the Empire.” He briefly pauses.

  “I must emphasize the fact I fully expect to see each and every one of you again, right here, upon the successful completion of your mission; and I assure you even the Emperor is intently following your actions in anticipation of your success. Now let us partake in the feast which awaits us.” The recipient of much applause, Yamamoto exits the stage and assumes a seat at one of the dining tables.

  Ken suddenly sits upright, squirms a little as me makes himself more comfortable, and looks Gary directly in the eyes.

  “I take advantage of the ten days’ leave and return to my mother’s home where our family takes turns visiting with me. They are completely unaware it will the last time they see me, though we are all cognizant Japan is on a course towards an expanded war. I harbor strong feelings of dread and discover maintaining a confident façade is tiring, but I do so for their benefit. I must, however, deal with a singularly difficult problem before returning to my fleet; the problem of what to do regarding Shiori.”

  “Who is Shiori, grandfather?” Gary asks.

  “Shiori was my fiancé. Our marriage had been arranged by our families when we were very young. However, I decided to delay our marriage until such time as I attained a higher rank and could better afford to maintain a household.”

  “But I could not bring myself to keep her bound to me for the reason I harbored a belief I would never see Japan again. In fact there were moments the feeling was so strong as to almost overwhelm me. Several times I went to the grave of the great Admiral Heihachiro Togo, a hero from the Russian conflict, where I spent many hours in meditation during that final visit home.”

  “You obviously are not aware I am from the same town as Admiral Togo. Besides being a great naval tactician, he was a natural role model for me and his legacy was well preserved in my home town. I prayed for the strength and courage Admiral Togo had displayed throughout his career. More than once I would find myself calling upon him to guide me through difficult moments and it had always been my intention to model my career based on his life and beliefs. But I digress again.”

  “I met Shiori for the last time on my second day of leave. We were sitting on an ornately carved wood bench in her parent’s garden. It was a picture perfect setting, as they say. There was a waterfall in the background, a koi pond, bonsai trees, orchids; it was simply an amazing and peaceful place.”

  “Shiori was beautiful and it hurt me a great deal to break off our engagement. I took time to explain to her that I, in all good conscious could not bind her to me when I was about to embark on extremely hazardous assignments.”

  “She plead for us to marry immediately and for me to leave her with my child, but I refused. For years I was haunted by the memory of leaving her on that bench crying uncontrollably. I did not feel very honorable at the moment, but to me it was the only course of action I could take and be fair to her. Believe me, I was very tempted to marry her and consummate the marriage. Very tempted, but it would have been wrong.”

  “Did you ever make any inquiries as to what became of her?”

  “There was no point. I am certain my family offered her comfort and likely assured her I would one day return. Of course, I did not return and I can only hope she married, had a large family and was happy. And remember, it was not long afterwards the Japanese Navy declared me to have been killed in the battle at Pearl Harbor.”

  “When I returned from my ten days’ leave I discovered events would quickly escalate. The Chiyoda was anchored at Kure, which was the main base for the Combined Fleet and everyone was on edge. There was activity in every direction. Yes, I remember that first day back from leave very well.” Ken closes his eyes as he slips back into the year 1941.

  On November fifteenth we are suddenly called for an urgent meeting and upon arriving I am surprised to find Vice Admiral Mitsumi Shimizu is awaiting us. First Yamamoto and now Shimizu. This conveys to me we are, indeed, training for something important. I quickly discover Shimizu does not beat around the bush as he pulls a piece of paper from his shirt pocket and reads to us:

  “These are orders directly from the Headquarters of the General Staff of the Imperial Navy.”

  I feel a lump in my throat for I feel something critical to my life is about to transpire.

  “You are each being directed to take readiness positions for war with the United States. For now, forget about each of the possible target missions you have been studying, save one: Pearl Harbor. These are your official orders.” Shimizu hands envelopes to an ensign for distribution; each envelope bearing the name of one of the ten midget submariners.

  “Gentlemen, we will deliver you and your midget submarines as close to the mouth of Pearl Harbor as proves feasible. This will occur during the night prior to our surprise air attack, a night where there is little or no moonlight. Listen carefully to my words, for should any one of you encounter a problem with your equipment which makes an undetected entry into the harbor problematic, it is your absolute duty to reverse course and return to the prearrange
d pick-up point without hesitation or delay.”

  “Under no circumstances may any of you place the absolutely essential element of surprise at risk. I cannot over-emphasize the need for complete stealth. Should one of you be discovered, the resulting alarm could bring disaster to Sixth Fleet. It is far better, and strongly preferred, to return and fight another day than to risk early detection. I trust each of you understands me! If you are not clear on this, please raise your questions now.”

  Shimizu pauses and looks around at his quiet audience.

  “Very well. The battle plan is to penetrate the harbor in darkness, locate the battleships and aircraft carriers, then slip to the bottom of the harbor and hide. Following the air attack there will be much confusion, but you are to stay on the bottom and wait for nightfall. Then, and only then, do you move in and seek out the best targets of opportunity.”

  “Excuse me Sir,” Lieutenant Naoji Iwasa stands and awaits recognition.

  “Yes, Iwasa, you have a question?”

  “Indeed Sir, we run a greater risk if we do not strike immediately. To lie in the harbor all day while unharmed ships proceed and escape to the open sea would be to miss the best opportunities. I think it much better if once the air attack has commenced our submarines rise from their hidden positions and fire their torpedoes. They can then return to the harbor floor to await darkness and the best chance to escape that darkness brings with it.”

  “That is not the plan. We absolutely cannot risk early detection,” replies Admiral Shimizu.

  “Sir, pardon me, please, but I believe I speak for all ten of the submarine crewmen when I state that maximum results are more important than escaping the harbor.”

  Admiral Shimizu makes eye contact with each midget sub crew member and is met by stoic faces which convinces him to change his mind.

  “Very well, Iwasa, I relent. However, one mistake by any of your crews could prove fatal, not just to them, but to hundreds of pilots and thousands of sailors. I trust you and your men fully comprehend the potentially disastrous implications a premature discovery of our midget submarines could have. It is a heavy responsibility!”