Some voices from the Pacific battle zone,
World War 11


During my reading and research for the map of the Battle of the Coral Sea, I came across many quotes from participants in the battle. Some of these impressed me deeply and I have recorded a selection of them here.


"We have awakened a sleeping giant and instilled in it a terrible resolve."

Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the architect of the surprise bombing of Pearl Harbour


"The flame thrower, waiting for him, caught him in its withering stream of intense fire. As soon as it touched him, the Jap flared up like a piece of celluloid."

United States Marine on landing at Tarawa November 20th, 1943


"Apparently he wants to be killed with one stroke of the sword. Do I hear him say the word one?" The Major's face becomes tense as he replies, "Yes"."

Execution of Australian officer by the Japanese in New Guinea, March 1943 from


"Go get him!"

President Roosevelt, May 1942, upon receiving intelligence reports that the Japanese code had been accessed.

Admiral Yamamoto flew out of Rabaul to personally inspect Solomon Island defences and was ambushed and shot down by U.S. P38 fighters over Bougainville as a result of this information.

"What else could a sailor do in 1942?"

Leading stoker on board HMAS Australia, who was stabbed to death after rebuking another stoker's behaviour. (The original offense was reported to be an "unnatural act".)


"Dashing towards them a naked woman, her body greasy and purple like an eggplant. Her hair burnt and a fold of fabric on her arm. No, that is her body skin folded across her arm. Dear God, it's Mother."

Nagasaki survivor of Plutonium 239 bomb, August 1945,
from A Song for Nagasaki by Paul Glynn, Marist Fathers 1993


"The Japanese people heard their Emperor's voice for the first time. "You must bear the unbearable, and suffer the insufferable. This means unconditional surrender!"

Paul Glynn
from A Song for Nagasaki , Marist Fathers 1993


"Tearfully, 50 years later, all I can do now is pray for their souls nightly at my small Bhuddist altar."

Japanese fighter pilot ace Takeo Tanimizu, credited with over 30 Allied aircraft shot down.

from Takeo Tanimizu

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