Tsuzuku Monument
Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture
Three Japanese two-man midget submarines tried to enter Sydney Harbor in
Australia during the late evening of May 31, 1942. This was Japan's Second Special
Attack Unit of midget submarines with the first one being the five midget
submarines that attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The two torpedoes of
the submarine piloted by Lieutenant Keiu Matsuo and Petty Officer Second Class
Masao Tsuzuku did not fire. They both took their lives by pistol in order to
avoid capture by the enemy.
Lieutenant Keiu Matsuo, who commanded the group of three midget submarines
that attacked Sydney Harbor, included the following comment about Masao Tsuzuku
in his last letter to his parents:
My fellow crewman Petty Officer Masao Tsuzuku is a truly outstanding
person who has my utmost trust. Please tell his parents that I am sorry and
give them my best regards when you visit them.
The six midget submarine crewmen were promoted two ranks after their death in
a special attack where they had almost no hope of survival. Tsuzuku received a
promotion from Petty Officer Second Class to Chief Warrant Officer.
Tsuzuku's hometown of Kokufu Village (now part of Takayama City) in Gifu
Prefecture erected a monument in 1946 in remembrance of his heroic deeds in
Australia. The monument stands on the grounds of Nishinomiya Jinja (Shrine).
An information sign next to Tsuzuku Monument has the following explanation
(translated from Japanese):
The ground where this tombstone has been erected in this sacred place
with a view of Araki Sanzengoku was owned by Kazuo Ushimaru, a
descendant of the lord of Hakumai Castle and head of the Anegakoji Clan of
Hida Province. This was erected with inspiration regarding the feat of valor
when Chief Warrant Officer Masao Tsuzuku piloted a
midget submarine that attacked in Australia's Sydney Harbor during the
Pacific War. The fame for his bravery became known in the world as he had
died honorably in battle. The leveling of the ground for the monument was
completed by service of individuals from various organizations in the
village including everyone in Minowa Hamlet. Thus, this monument was erected in April 1946.
Here now on the 31st
anniversary of the war's end as we recall that time, we express our
appreciation for the contributions and cooperation of the Ushimaru Family
and for the service of everyone. We pray that many people will visit and
that it will communicate forever his great achievement.
August 15, 1976
Kenjiro Komaya, Chief Warrant Officer Masao Tsuzuku Honor Society Chairman
Another sign next to a cypress tree near the Tsuzuku Monument provides the
following information:
Cypress Tree Origin
This cypress tree is a treasured reminder of Chief Warrant Officer
Tsuzuku, who during the Greater East Asia War piloted a special submarine as
a member of the Second Special Attack Unit and died in battle when he
attacked a volunteer reserve Allied Forces naval base in Sydney Harbor in
Australia.
This feat of valor by Chief Warrant Officer Masao Tsuzuku was known by
many in the public. Rear Admiral Muirhead-Gould, Australian Commanding
Officer at that time, was impressed by this courageous spirit and "the
warriors' example despite being the enemy." He officiated at an Australian
Navy funeral with full honors for him [and three other midget submarine
crewmen whose bodies also were recovered after the attack]. Their ashes were
graciously returned to Japan by Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary Tatsuo Kawai in Melbourne at that time. Minister Kawai made
an altar and held an all-night vigil for Chief Warrant Officer Tsuzuku and
the three others. When ashes of the war dead were returned to the homeland,
some inside Chief Warrant Officer Tsuzuku's container that was offered by
Minister Kawai on the altar were put with the cypress tree, planted beside
the monument, to serve as a reminder of the war dead.
We want this tree to carefully watch over us for many years to come in
order to honor our town's brave warrior, Chief Warrant Officer Tsuzuku, who
is remembered as a war hero, and to express our appreciation for Minister
Kawai's kindness.
June 1997, Chief Warrant Officer Masao Tsuzuku Memorial Association
View of Kokufu from hill where
Masao Tsuzuku Monument is located
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