I LED THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOUR

By CAPTAIN MITSUO FUCHIDA

(Of the Japanese Air Force)

I am Mitsuo Fuchida. As chief commander of the whole air squadron, I led the attack on Pearl Harbour on December 8, 1941 (Japan time), which actually opened up the Pacific War.

On that morning, seating myself in the first plane, I led the squadron of 360 planes into Pearl Harbour. Having ascertained that the main force of the American Pacific Fleet, comprising eight warships, was at anchor in Pearl Harbour, I gave the cursed order, “Whole squadron, plunge into attack.” It was 3.19 a.m. according to Japan time, which was December 7, 7.49 a.m. Hawaii time.

My heart blazed with joy over success in getting the main force of American Pacific Fleet in hand, and I put my whole effort into the war that followed.

Why were we aviators filled with such strong hatred against America? Of course, we had no enmity towards American people as individuals, but the Board of Supreme War Command in Japan was strongly convinced that the success or failure of our war effort depended upon the Pearl Harbour attack. Hence, in order to secure unfailing success in that strategy, the military leaders accused America with such strong words as “Brutal and proud America, the long-time enemy.” We were trained to hate. I devoted myself to conducting warfare during the following four years, presenting myself as a patriotic and faithful soldier to the mother country.

During these four years, I faced death several times, including six crashes into the sea, but was saved to see the war’s termination.

After the war I retired and took myself to farming, but it was indeed a path of thorns for me. During these years, I came to realise the unreliability of other men. I adopted the philosophy that one’s own ability was all upon which a man could rely. I worked diligently in silence, giving a cold glance to the world affairs.

The new career which I started from nothing, as it were, was so insignificant and slow as to resemble an ant’s progress. Nevertheless, as time passed I built my house and digged a well; but my life seemed nothing other than a re-enactment of the story of Robinson Crusoe.

I was, however, living in closer relation to the earth, through contact with plants, cattle and nature. My mind was gradually led to think of the presence of God, the Creator of all these things. I found myself giving up the idea that a man is complete in himself. I had never been an atheist. But I was brought up in circumstances where little or no religious atmosphere existed. Consequently, I reached manhood without any religion. This was my condition when I enlisted in the Japanese Navy. Thence forth I held the former “War Catechism” as my only faith.

With the termination of war, the national aspect was transformed and Japan entered upon a period of reconstruction. Four years have elapsed and during this time I have been watching social changes with cold eyes. Nevertheless, I love the mother-country with her mountains and rivers, irrespective of the good or bad. My mind has been set on the problem of Japan’s future. I arrived at the conclusion that the only way for the Japanese to survive and prosper, is for them to be made thoroughly peaceful, regardless of what prevails in other nations.

But my militarily specialised mind saw in prevailing world conditions a possible danger of another war and a second Pearl Harbour. Therefore, with a sincere desire to warn the people, I determined to send out a book entitled “No More Pearl Harbour,” no matter how insignificant my work might be. As the writing progressed, I came to realise that in my appeal there should be an effort to transform hatred among people into brotherly love. So long as mankind remains in a state of hate, civilization will be threatened.

In the midst of these thoughts, one day in Tokyo at the Shibuya Railroad station, I paused where a Pocket Testament League street meeting was being held. I received a Christian pamphlet. It contained the testimony of Dr. Jacob DeShazer entitled, “I was a war prisoner of Japan.” My mind was captivated and I read it through with great enthusiasm. One portion interested me particularly, and that was the confession of the Author that during his imprisonment, he one day came to feel a strong desire to read the Bible. He recalled having heard before about Christianity being able to change human hatred to brotherly love. I immediately purchased a Bible and started reading. Before covering the first thirty pages, I received a new outlook upon life and began to see the world through different eyes.

“This is it!” I was strongly convinced. I concluded that the true realisation of “No More Peril Harbour” was nothing other than to expect Christ’s Second Coming and to try to prepare men from all over the world for the event. As an approach towards this, I was convinced that I should first of all become a good Christian. Thus, I contacted Pocket Testament League representatives who showed me from the Bible how to accept Christ as my Saviour. I then opened my heart and accepted Him on April 14, 1950.

Today is just one month since I was saved. Naturally, I am still in the early stage of Christian growth, but feel great joy in my daily Bible reading. My heart is filled with peace as I kneel down to pray. Moreover I think I can say today without hesitation that the God of Mercy blessed and guided me even before I became a Christian. God has revealed to me the way of salvation through the atoning blood of Calvary. I have decided to believe whatever is revealed in the Bible, and stand as His witness, telling others these wonderful truths.

- The Indian Christian.