The Apostates (43 page)

In the end, Magellan was able to find native tribes willing to trade fresh fruit and provisions for iron ore, and Magellan’s crew was able to survive to complete their circumnavigation. However, during his visit, he had not claimed the islands for Spain and as a consequence the Chamorro people would have another forty years of isolation, to live as they always had. The feature of Guam that had most interested Burke was the native monuments that the Chamorros had constructed before the arrival of the Spaniards. These monolithic figures were called ‘latte stones’, and had much in common with the Moai figures of Easter Island, but were considerably smaller, and more abstract in nature. There were numerous latte stones located all over Guam, constructed of limestone or basalt, then they were capped with a head made from coral gathered from reefs. But, alas, he would not get a chance to see them. The thought that these stones having been destroyed by the occupying Japanese forces or the naval bombardments conducted by the Americans depressed Burke.

Much like countless other island chains in the Pacific, the people of Guam had traded one colonial master for another, first Spain, then later America. Guam had been seized from Spain during the Spanish-American War and had been a territory ever since. However, the native population had become “Americanized” and that frustrated the Japanese occupying force. So, the Chamorro people were subjected to yet another occupier who committed atrocities against them. The rumors of what the natives had experienced at the hands of the Japanese were horrifying.

Also, depressing Burke was the fact that the U.S.S. Iowa and other ships of his fleet had spent the better part of a month shelling the Mariana Islands to soften up Japanese defenses in anticipation for the amphibious landings and invasion of the islands. He had no doubt that the civilian death toll on Guam was probably staggering. Of course, Burke was almost sure that he was the only sailor in the U.S. Navy that was haunted by such things. The only thing most anybody thought about on his ship was kill-tallies. Burke stared down at the remaining, pitiful looking fries and the untouched pile of ‘slaw. He had wondered if he made the right decision joining the Navy in a combat capacity. Burke was almost certain his scholarly sensibilities could have been better utilized elsewhere. By now he had seen enough action in the Pacific to know that he did not enjoy what he did. But it was too late now. The only thing he could look forward to was fulfilling his duty and to the day when his tour of duty was up, when he could resume a civilian life. He pushed the remains of his meal away. Jones had made short work of his, consuming every crumb.

As they both got up to clear their trays, the emergency klaxon sounded and a general quarters announcement was made. The sailors in the mess immediately scrambled in every direction in an effort to get to their actions stations. The mess cleared in a relatively short period of time leaving empty trays and beverage glasses everywhere. After a short preparatory period, the Iowa’s guns flung salvos once more toward shore at another Japanese strong point. The systematic destruction of Guam continued.

⍟ ⍟ ⍟

The Musashi battleship and her escorts had weathered the intense storm that had impeded their progress back to the Japanese home islands. They had made it; land was in sight. Captain Inoguchi had congratulated his officers and crew for accomplishing the journey home, for what could be the last time. Inoguchi was also glad that the fleet was heading for Shimizu naval base at Suruga Bay. This was practically where Captain Inoguchi was from. His native city of Fujinomiya was only thirty miles inland from the Bay, which meant that he would have enough shore leave time to see his wife and family. Inoguchi had saw fit to send a message ahead to his wife to meet him at the naval base where she would be received and looked after until his arrival. The crew gave Inoguchi the news that the Shimizu naval base pier was within visual range, so he gave the order to steam into port. The helmsman skillfully maneuvered the giant battleship in alongside the pier, and personnel secured massive mooring lines onto the bollards of the pier. Once the Musashi was secure a gangplank was moved into position and fastened to the side of the weather deck, allowing the officers and crew to disembark the ship. Captain Inoguchi ordered his crew to perform final checks and then he gave them clearance for shore leave. The morale of his crew immediately skyrocketed.

Captain Inoguchi and his entourage exited the bridge, descended the gangplank and traveled down the length of the pier toward the structures of the Shimizu naval base. There were signs around the area that damage had been sustained from American air-raids. Bomb craters pockmarked the pavement around the buildings, and a burnt-out shell of a building stood silent, blackened with scorch marks. Inoguchi was taken aback with the knowledge that the Americans had carried out airstrikes so close to his home with impunity. He had heard the news of the firebombing campaigns that had been executed by the American air force. Entire cities had gone up in apocalyptic firestorms as the paper and timber cities of Japan provided easy fuel for incendiary bombs. Thousands of civilians had been burnt alive and many more had been left homeless.

Captain Inoguchi was scheduled to meet
with Vice Admiral Takeo Kurita, today. He was to receive a briefing on a new
operational plan that was developed by the Admiralty in the wake of the defeat
at the Mariana Islands. Inoguchi was skeptical about any new plan that did not
involve a functional carrier-based air force. The High Command clearly hadn’t replaced
it considering the sheer amount of airstrikes against the Home Islands. It made
Inoguchi angry that they were not considering surrender. But, once again,
Inoguchi found his thoughts drifting and he needed to focus on the tasks at
hand. Inoguchi entered the office block of the main building of the base. He
reported to an aide of Vice Admiral Kurita, and the man rushed off to inform
the Vice Admiral of Captain Inoguchi’s arrival. Captain Inoguchi took a seat in
the receiving area and stared blankly ahead of himself, trying to keep his
thoughts away from troubling subjects. After several moments the aide returned,
bowed and gestured for Inoguchi to follow him back to Kurita’s office.

The door was opened for Inoguchi and he
stepped into the Vice Admiral’s office. Admiral Kurita stood with his back
toward the entrance. It appeared he was looking over a ceremonial katana
displayed on the mantle above a stone fireplace. The office was a strange
marriage of east and west. It was filled with Japanese cultural objects but
featured antique, wooden and metal, colonial period furniture.

“Vice Admiral Kurita, sir. I have come at your behest!” Captain Inoguchi announced his presence and bowed even though Kurita did not witness it. Then he stood at attention, awaiting dismissal.

“Captain Inoguchi, I am glad that you made the trip safely back to Japan. I confess that I find it bittersweet to see home one last time,” Vice Admiral Kurita said, turning around to face Inoguchi. Kurita was a stern-faced man, with thin hair that was worn close-cropped to the head. He seemed to have not been sleeping well lately, due to the dark circles under his eyes. He looked to have the troubles of the world expressed on his face. He wore a plain, black uniform, and no matching cap.

“Vice Admiral Kurita, I don’t believe that
this will be your last time in our great country.” Inoguchi tried to console
the man. Vice Admiral Kurita gestured for Inoguchi to sit down, and he took the
cue.

“Did you know that Vice-Admiral Ozawa
tried to tenure his resignation to the High Command in Okinawa?” Kurita asked
Inoguchi.

“Yes, I was aware he was planning to do
so, in an attempt to take responsibility for the outcome of the battle at the
Mariana Islands. He had told me that much,” Inoguchi admitted.

“Right, his resignation was not accepted.
The Imperial Japanese Navy is running out of qualified admirals, and so the
High Command had deemed it necessary to retain them all.” Kurita collapsed into
the swivel chair behind his massive, oaken desk.

“Sir, so what shall be his duty?” Inoguchi
inquired.

“That is the wrong question to ask. The question is what is all of our duties? You see, a new operation has been devised. That is why I asked you here today. Myself, Admiral Ozawa, and you, Inoguchi—we are the key players in this last ditch effort,” Kurita paused, as the doubt burned brightly on his face. He lit a cigarette and he inhaled and exhaled rapidly.

“Sir, you are aware that we have virtually
no experienced pilots left. Our carrier-based aircraft are meager at this
point. Perhaps it is time for the High Command to consider surrender,” Inoguchi
boldly suggested the course to Kurita.

“That is the humor in our current plight.
Inoguchi, if I understand you had advocated the idea of surrender to
your superiors as early as last year, correct?” Kurita asked him. Inoguchi was
at a loss, as he didn’t know if he was being baited or not.

“Yes sir, Admiral. That is the case,”
Inoguchi confirmed.

“I am aware of this. So to did I advocate
for surrender, as recent as last week. Except my suggestion was met with
outright hostility. They threatened to charge me with treason and have me shot.
Now, my hands are tied. There is no other option, except defection. I admit I
cannot stomach that thought,” Kurita lamented.

“I see. The High Command expects us to
fight to the death.” Inoguchi had suspected this much.

“The Admiralty and High Command have determined that once the Americans have completed their conquest of Guam, their next objective will be an invasion of the Philippines. This has been decreed as the place where what is left of our navy will make a stand—to the last,” Kurita explained. He stared up at a portrait of Emperor Hirohito on the wall and blew cigarette smoke toward the portrait.

“Somehow, I am not surprised. The Americans
suffered an embarrassing defeat in the Philippines. MacArthur is like a god to
them now; he will want vengeance. I suppose we shall be the sacrifice that will
be offered to the conquering hero,” Inoguchi made the observation.

“Yes, unless a ‘Divine Wind’ kicks up and
saves Japan from the horde of invaders.” Inoguchi thought Kurita was making an
off-hand joke, but he was serious.

“Nice jest. That would be most miraculous.
I have prayed for something like that to appear myself,” Inoguchi confessed, but
he had secretly prayed to a Western God.

“Captain, then it appears your prayers have been answered. The Admiralty and the High Command have devised a new “special attack” core: The Kamikaze. It calls for enlisting a cadre of pilots that will make a one-way attack on enemy carriers, using their plane, along with a 250-kilogram bomb as the weapon; a human guided bomb. A number of these pilots are already in training and will take part in the upcoming battle, where ever in the Philippines the Americans strike.” Kurita introduced the new plan to Inoguchi in a somewhat pessimistic tone.

“Surely you must be joking? Has the entire
High Command gone mad?” Inoguchi was shocked and outraged at the announcement.

“I am afraid the High Command have adopted
a “fight to the last” policy for every Japanese subject of the Emperor, even
civilians,” Kurita explained.

“They would have our entire civilization die rather than to submit to a foreign foe, all for their honor. When it comes down to it the High Command will not die for what they believe. They’ll be secure in a bunker under Tokyo while you and I give our lives!” Inoguchi was furious. He shook with anger in his chair. Kurita offered up a cigarette to him. Inoguchi accepted and Kurita lit the end for him.

“I agree. There are basically two options available to us. One, we do our duty and die in the defense of our country and the High Command, or two, we use the forces that we have under our control to defect or topple our government. We have the capability.” Kurita laid it out in simple terms.

“These are all terrible choices, but the worst one to make would be to sully our honor and betray Japan itself. I will not be party to simply handing Japan over to foreigners. If we surrender, it has to be with honor.” Inoguchi still possessed a sense of Bushido, that his ancestors were proud to weild.

“I also agree. Then it’s settled. We will
carry out this ill-conceived battle-plan of desperation, and hope for a “Divine
Wind” to sweep away the enemy.” Kurita sucked down the last of his cigarette
and dashed it in an ashtray. Inoguchi also finished his.

“Captain, I suggest you go visit your
home, and your ancestors one last time. We do not have much time before the
task force assembles and sets sail May the Emperor watch over us!” Kurita saluted the Emperor’s
portrait in a mocking tone. Inoguchi bowed and took his leave from the
Admiral’s office.

Captain Inoguchi stepped out from the main office block into the daylight. One of his aides approached and told him that his wife and son awaited him in the private officer’s barracks. Inoguchi told the man to lead the way. They approached an unglamorous brick building. It stood among the craters of near misses from previous bombing raids. He walked through the threshold of the building and into the officer‘s apartments. The furnishings were modest: of a Japanese cultural decor, with sparse furniture and a matted floor. The walls were a combination of paper screen and dark wood timber framing. There was a table in the middle of the room: low to the ground, where his wife and son sat eating a mid-day meal of rice and tuna sashimi. His wife looked up and her expression turned from blankness to that of overwhelming joy. His son looked up and caught sight of his father out of one uncovered eye.

“Father!” He ran over and
jumped into Inoguchi’s arms. Inoguchi spun his son around.

“Tomo, my boy! You’ve grown so much. Don’t
be in such a hurry!” Inoguchi took notice of the bandage wrapped around the
boy’s head.

“Toshihira, dear! You’ve come back! I was
so worried.” She raced over and joined the embrace. He gave her a sustained
kiss. She buried her head in his shoulder and couldn’t help herself from
quietly sobbing.