Williams, Peter Japan's Pacific War. Personal Accounts of the Emperor's Warriors

"I had no qualms fighting the Australians, just as I have killed without remorse any of the Emperor's enemies: the British, the Americans and the Dutch", so admits Takahiro Sato in this ground-breaking oral history of "Japan's Pacific War". Thanks to years of research and over 100 interviews with veterans, the Author has compiled a fascinating collection of personal accounts by former Japanese soldiers, sailors and airmen. Their candid views are often provocative and shocking. There are admissions of brutality, the killing of prisoners and cannibalism. Stark descriptions of appalling conditions and bitter fighting blend with descriptions of family life. Their views on the prowess of the enemy differ with some like air ace Kazuo Tsunoda who believed the Australians "worthy". Some remain unrepentant while others such as Hideo Abe are ashamed of his part in Japan's war of aggression. The result is a revealing insight into the minds of a ruthless and formidable enemy which provides the reader with a fresh perspective on the Second World War.

Their outspoken views are often provocative and shocking. There are admissions of brutality, killings of prisoners and cannibalism. Drastic descriptions of appalling conditions and fierce battles are intermingled with descriptions of family life. Their views on the enemy's capabilities differ widely in some cases. Some remain unrepentant, while others, like Hideo Abe, are ashamed of their role in the Japanese war of aggression. The result is a revealing insight into the mind of a ruthless and fearsome enemy, offering the reader a new perspective on the Second World War.