First Shot The Untold Story of the Japanese Minisubs That Attacked Pearl Harbor

by Craddock, John

• ISBN13: 9780071479110
• ISBN10: 0071479112
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-10-25
• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press

Summary

When the U.S.S. Ward detected a tiny unidentified submarine within U.S. territorial waters, the captain did his duty. He fired upon and destroyed the intruder, then radioed news of the engagement to Pearl Harbor command. The message was transmitted at 6:53 a.m. on December 7, 1941-a full hour before the surprise attack that left 2,400 people dead, thousands wounded, and more than 100 American warships destroyed or seriously damaged. What became of the Ward's message? Why didn't Pearl Harbor command sound a general alarm and rush its "indomitable" fleet out to sea and its planes into the air? What was the mission of the midget submarine and four others that accompanied it? First Shot answers these questions in this compelling examination of a missed opportunity and the role of midget submarines in Japan's Pacific war strategy. Book jacket.

Author Biography

John Craddock, an author of several books and a journalist, helped launch a series of guidebooks for The History Channel.

Table of Contents

Prologue	1	(8)
1 The Samurai's Son	9	(24)
2 The Smallest Subs	33	(16)
3 The First Shot	49	(26)
4 The First Prisoner of War	75	(24)
5 Deadly Distractions and the Battle of Midway	99	(24)
6 The Assassination	123	(26)
7 The Suicide Squads	149	(22)
8 The War without End	171	(12)
9 The Puzzle	183	(12)
Epilogue	195	(16)
Notes	211	(16)
Bibliography	227	(6)
Acknowledgments	233	(2)
Index	235