The “EBook” and / or Paperback version are now available and can be purchased through Amazon. You can also get the audio format.
Kurofune: The Black Ships is a war story, a love story, a story of redemption and rebirth.
The Battle of Saipan saw the Pacific War’s largest Japanese Banzai attack. Over 4,000 Japanese soldiers died while about 1,000 Marines lost their lives during this harrowing nightmare of a suicide thrust by the Japanese to push the Americans back into the sea.
“Kurofune” tells the story of that tragedy against a backdrop of nationalism, military fanaticism, heroism and self sacrifice. Yet Kurofune is also a love story, a war story, a story of redemption and a story of rebirth.
An excerpt:
“The entire western seascape off of Saipan’s horizon resembled a
solid black mass of hellfire, with shell after shell expunged from the
depths of their magazines only to be fired in quick succession. It
remained a massive display of firepower—so massive that the ground
shook and the entire island seemed as if it was trapped in a never
ending battle between Numazu and the Japanese god Kashima. The
air was extremely heavy. It was difficult to breath. It was as if a ridge
of high pressure toxicity had descended on the island, covering everything
and everyone in a suffocating blanket of that gray combat dust
of fear.
Where was the Combined Imperial Japanese Navy?
Saito and Nagumo finally realized that an amphibious assault was
imminent. Saito radioed his superiors in Tokyo, as well as all theater
commanders across Micronesia, to the threat that he faced. With
limited resources on the island, especially food, water, fuel, and
ammunition, and with reinforcements highly doubtful due to American
submarine and air patrols, Saipan was cut off.
Saito and his General Staff accepted their reality that an assault
was forthcoming. But from where? There were no amphibious
assault or transport ships visible anywhere off of Saipan. His ability
to send reconnaissance aircraft out to find the amphibious fleet was
undermined by the American’s control of the airspace. Furthermore,
additional American battleships and cruisers were beginning to
bombard the east coast of Saipan: Magicienne Bay, the Kagman
Peninsula, the south coast off Naftan and Agingan Points, and to the
north and west sectors of the island north and east of Tanapag
Harbor. Even Mount Tapochau received the odd shell.
Saito felt that the beaches around Chalan Kanoa would in all
probability be the primary point of ingress by the US Marines. This is
where the Saipan Garrison had focused its defensive perimeter of
bunkers, pillboxes, and enfilading fire points. This area was considered
a strategic focal point by the Japanese General Staff in that it
provided direct access overland to Aslito, a distance of about two to
three miles from the beach. They could also take out the temporary
airstrip at Kanoa as well. With Aslito in American hands, it would
only be a matter of time before a wave of military might would roll up
and over the rest of the island, including Tanapag Harbor, another
strategic point on Saipan. With Aslito, the Americans would control
the entire airspace over the Saipan battlefront.
Saito understood the importance of the Chalan Kanoa beaches,
and he knew that the attack would invariably take place in this area.
Nevertheless, the bombardment in other parts of the island, especially
the northwest beaches, concerned him. When an amphibious
force of some strength appeared off the beaches around Makunsha
village, he was forced to send some of his troops to that area in
response. Indeed, General Saito radioed Tokyo with a report that an
invasion force was curtailed by Japanese forces in this area. Yet not a
shot was fired by either force, although the US Navy did support this
assault with gunfire. Was this a ruse on the part of the Americans?
Perhaps. Saito was not fooled even though he left some troops in this
area, just in case!
Where was the Combined Imperial Japanese Navy?
General Saito could only hope.”
“We can pray differently. We can gather in different places of worship, but all of us must come together around the values of Eid,” he said. “The values of community, of generosity and yes, of sacrifice. These are Muslim values. These are Canadian values.”
I will not tell you who said that, but you can guess!
Sacrifice, Muslim values are Canadian values? Pretty soon, sharia law will be here in Canada. Mark my words…in my flesh!
Overheard at a Muslim / Canadian Christian poker game.
“I see your one child infidel and I’ll raise you ten. My Call.”
What they couldn’t do by the sword they will accomplish demographically. Divershity is our strength. Don’t ya just love that word. Like existential. Sounds good but means nothing.
Canada’s Prime Minister or Canada’s Chief Mortician
I know the Canadian economy is dead but don’t you worry cause I’ll take care if it. The country is in good hands.
Carney, AKA…Snidely Whiplash
Violence erupted in Downtown Los Angeles Friday as angry leftists surrounded and eventually began to vandalize an ice facility and attack officers following a step up in raids and detention of illegal aliens by the federal agency.
The Los Angeles Kings were not amused.
Quote of the week:
Militancy is great…for pacifists!
Interesting song. #2 song of 1967 – the Summer of Love. It is only two minutes long and its lead singer in only 16 years old. Huge hit back then.
Shakeyjay is out of sight, out of his mind and out of here.
Have a nice day.
