The Fates of Pearl Harbor Pilots and the Ha.19 Midget Submarine

The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, involved several Japanese pilots from the Imperial Japanese Navy. The most notable pilots from that attack included those who participated in the first and second waves of bombings. However, not all survived the conflict. This article delves into the fates of these pilots, including stories lesser known, such as that of Kazuo Sakamaki, who piloted a unique and controversial vehicle: the Ha.19 Midget Submarine.

Survivors of the Attack on Pearl Harbor

Overall Survival: Many of the pilots who participated in the Pearl Harbor attack did survive the war. However, the exact number of those who survived both the Battle of Midway and the entirety of World War II varies. This section aims to provide a comprehensive view of those who made it through the war, including both airborne pilots and submariners like Sakamaki.

Battle of Midway

The Battle of Midway, fought in June 1942, was a significant turning point in the Pacific Theater. Many of the pilots who participated in the Pearl Harbor attack were involved in this battle. However, the Japanese suffered heavy losses, with four aircraft carriers sunk and many pilots killed.

Specific Pilots

The commander-in-chief of the Japanese Combined Fleet, Yamamoto Isoroku, was not a pilot but played a crucial role in both events. His strategic decisions and actions were pivotal in the planning and execution of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Midway.

Mitsuo Fuchida was the lead pilot in the Pearl Harbor attack and survived the war, later becoming a Christian evangelist. His survival and post-war activities highlight the personal journeys of many of these pilots.

Other pilots who flew in the Pearl Harbor attack did participate in Midway but were killed during the battle or later in the war. These pilots include Kazuo Sakamaki, who piloted the Ha.19 Midget Submarine.

Entering the Submerged World: Kazuo Sakamaki and the Ha.19 Midget Submarine

Kazuo Sakamaki is quite famous, though he might not be a household name as he is known for piloting a Midget Submarine. Few airborne pilots can say they operated a submarine during World War II. Sakamaki piloted the Ha.19, one of the relatively small, but highly symbolic vessels used in the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.

The Midget Submarine: A Unique Weapon

More precisely, the Ha.19 was the "Japanese Midget Submarine C." It could carry a crew of two in a relatively tight and uncomfortable space. There was minimal ventilation, making it a harsh environment, to say the least. Sakamaki and his partner Kiyoshi Inagaki launched from the Japanese cruiser submarine I-24 on the morning of December 7, 1941.

A Troubled Start

One of the striking oddities was that Sakamaki and Inagaki launched with a broken gyrocompass. Considering the high standard of Japanese craft, this was unusual. Inagaki attempted to repair the compass during the journey to Pearl Harbor but with little success. Reports suggest that his efforts might have worsened the problem, a fact that adds to the comic relief in this historical account.

The Arrival at Pearl Harbor

As the Ha.19 approached Pearl Harbor, the malfunctioning gyrocompass became a significant issue, guiding Sakamaki into a reef. Reefs and submarines simply do not mix, and thus the Ha.19 plowed into the reef three times, inflicting severe damage. After each impact, Sakamaki and Inagaki attempted to re-enter the harbor but failed due to a disabled torpedo tube and the submarine's battery submerged, filling the cabin with dense smoke.

Submerged Struggles and Capture

After entering the reef again and grounding the submarine, Sakamaki and Inagaki launched a final attempt, only to be attacked by the American destroyer USS Helm. The submarine was hit by shells, one of which damaged the periscope and one of the torpedoes. The crew was knocked unconscious as the submarine was caught in a current, swept out to sea.

A Lucky Escape and Final Adventure

The submarine and its crew woke up 12 hours later, beached on the shores of Waimānalo. This harrowing experience is a testament to the challenges faced by submarine crews during World War II and Sakamaki's remarkable survival story.