16 Isoroku Yamamoto Quotes

Isoroku Yamamoto quotes

1. A military man can scarcely pride himself on having 'smitten a sleeping enemy'; it is more a matter of shame, simply, for the one smitten. I would rather you made your appraisal after seeing what the enemy does, since it is certain that, angered and outraged, he will soon launch a determined counterattack.

2. In the first six to twelve months of a war with the United States and Great Britain I will run wild and win victory upon victory. But then, if the war continues after that, I have no expectation of success.

3. I would never invade the United States, there would be a gun behind every blade of grass.

4. I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.

1. I sincerely desire to be appointed Commander in Chief of the air fleet to attack Pearl Harbor so that I may personally command that attack force.

2. The fate of the Empire rests on this enterprise. Every man must devote himself totally to the task in hand.

3. Even though there wasn't much damage, it's a disgrace that the skies over the imperial capital should have been defiled without a single enemy plane being shot down. It provides a regrettably graphic illustration of the saying that a bungling attack is better than the most skillful defense.

4. Japan has always regarded the aircraft carrier as one of the most offensive of armaments.

5. I entered the navy with the great ambition of becoming a naval soldier and going to war. Either I die from this festering wound - because I refuse to have my arm amputated - or I recover from it and continue being a soldier. I have a one-in-two chance, and I shall bet my life on it!

6. A military man can scarcely pride himself on having smitten a sleeping enemy; it is more a matter of shame, simply, for the one smitten.

7. Although a precise outlook on the international situation is hard for anyone to make, it is needless to say that now the time has come for the Navy, especially the Combined Fleet, to devote itself seriously to war preparations, training, and operational plans with a firm determination that a conflict with the U.S. and Great Britain is inevitable.

8. You cannot invade mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass.

9. I was once the captain of Akagi, and it is with heartfelt regret that I must now order that she be sunk.

10. Today, as chief Of the guardians of the seas Of the land of the dawn, I gaze up with awe At the rising sun!

11. A man of real purpose puts his faith in himself always. Sometimes he refuses even to put his faith in the gods. So from time to time, he falls into error.

12. I'm against war with the United States. But I am an officer of the Imperial Navy and a subject of His Majesty the Emperor.