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Minoru GendaOutstanding Japanese naval aviator, general, politician
Date of Birth: 16.08.1904
Country: ![]() |
Content:
- Early Life and Naval Career
- Advocate for Aircraft Carriers
- Pearl Harbor Attack
- World War II Service
- Post-War Career
- Political Involvement
- Ultra-Nationalist Views
- Death and Legacy
Minoro Genda: Japanese Military Aviator, Politician, and Architect of the Pearl Harbor Attack
Minoro Genda was a renowned Japanese naval aviator, general, and politician who played a pivotal role in the development of Japan's military strategy during World War II.
Early Life and Naval Career
Born to a farming family in 1904, Genda was the second son of an ancient lineage. He showed early promise as a pilot and joined the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy in Yokosuka, graduating first in his class in 1929. Over the next six years, he rapidly rose through the ranks, becoming a talented aviator and renowned commander of an aerobatic group known as "Genda's Flying Circus."
Advocate for Aircraft Carriers
Genda's brilliance extended beyond flying. He was among the first naval officers worldwide to recognize the potential of aircraft carriers as instruments of air superiority. In the 1930s, when aircraft carriers were still novel, Genda advocated for their mass deployment and argued for a shift in focus from battleships to aircraft carriers, submarines, and fast cruisers. He believed that aircraft carriers were essential for Japan to prevail in a potential conflict with the United States, Great Britain, and the Netherlands.
Pearl Harbor Attack
Genda played a crucial role in planning the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Appointed by Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto in 1941, he devised a daring plan to launch a carrier-borne strike force from a relatively close range. By implementing tactics such as horizontal bombing and coordinated operations between multiple carriers, Genda ensured the attack's devastating impact.
World War II Service
Throughout World War II, Genda saw extensive combat, accumulating over 3,000 flight hours. He commanded elite air units and personally participated in numerous battles, including the Battle of Midway. Towards the war's end, he established the 343rd Kokutai, an elite aviation force intended as an alternative to kamikaze units.
Post-War Career
After the war, Genda's military career was cut short with the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy. However, he received support from a wealthy businessman and avoided war crimes charges thanks to the intervention of General Douglas MacArthur. He returned to military service in 1954, joining the newly formed Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) and eventually rising to the rank of general and the post of Chief of Staff.
Political Involvement
In the late 1950s, Genda became embroiled in political machinations surrounding the procurement of aircraft for the JASDF. He played a key role in promoting the Lockheed F-104, advocating for it over the rival Grumman F-11. After retiring from the JASDF in 1962, he was elected to the parliament from the Liberal Democratic Party.
Ultra-Nationalist Views
Genda emerged as an influential figure in Japanese politics, known for his staunch nationalist views. He supported the revision of the Japanese constitution to allow for rearmament and opposed the ratification of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Death and Legacy
Minoro Genda passed away on August 15, 1989, at the age of 84. His legacy as a military strategist, politician, and advocate for Japanese air power continues to be studied and honored. He remains a prominent figure in the literature and films depicting the Pacific theater of World War II.