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Deep Blue: From Chiran
Special Attack Air Base (1996)
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Last Diary Entries of Corporal Tsugihiko Adachi
On April 6, 1945, Corporal Tsugihiko Adachi took off from Chiran Air Base and
died in a special (suicide) attack west of Okinawa at the age of 19. He was a
member of the 44th Shinbu Special Attack Squadron and piloted an Army
Hayabusa Type 1 Fighter (Allied code name of Oscar). After his death in a
special attack, he received a promotion to Second Lieutenant. He was from Ōita
Prefecture and was a member of the 12th Class of the Army's Youth Pilot (Shōhi)
Program.
He wrote the following final diary entries on the day before and on the day of
his assignment to a special attack unit:
February 6, Tuesday
I read Japanese Army history. I learned about the Imperial Army's heroic
traditions and great spirit during the country's founding. I was filled anew
with deep emotion. When I think about it, the current Greater East Asia War
is the realization of that great ideal. Thus, the war situation now is at
its most perilous point. It is a heavy and great responsibility for us. We
must strenuously exert ourselves. We must strive with a fighting spirit
overflowing with fervor.
Corporal Tabuchi departed to Kanamaru for exercises. Depending on future
changes, we will be assigned to the OO [1] battle
that we have desired for several years. When I think that in the near future
will be the day when I am on the front line, I am filled with a feeling
where my blood tingles with excitement. I absolutely will display always a
man's spirit. And now, I will live in the great spirit of the Imperial
Army's traditions, and I offer my life for those traditions. An ancient
person said, "If there are hardships, there will be pleasure." At the
present time in the Empire, we are in the midst of those hardships. We are
in great distress. There may even be grumbling that arises. It is fine to
grumble. If there is grumbling, it will not be as one hopes. The more one
grumbles, the harder it will be. There will be great distress. In the midst
of that, certainly spring will come when flowers will bloom. That day will
be the realization of the great ideal of the country's founding. What we
enjoy today are those days of hardship. Those hardships will not disappear
during my lifetime. They will continue for untold ages.
Based on great ideal of universal brotherhood [2]
I will go smiling to southern seas
February 7, Wednesday
Ordinary days have ended.
Today I received an order to participate in the Army Special Attack
Corps. I am greatly moved by passion in my life. There is nothing that
surpasses this as a young man's long-cherished desire that he is zealous to
achieve. After this I will stop my entries.
Diary entries translated by Bill Gordon
February 2020
The diary entries and biographical information come from Chiran Kōjo Nadeshiko Kai (1996,
57-8). The biographical information in the first paragraph comes from Chiran Kōjo
Nadeshiko Kai (1996, 57), Chiran Tokkō Irei Kenshō Kai (2005, 214), and Osuo
(2005, 197).
Notes
1. OO indicates information that was a military
secret and could not be included in the diary.
2. The phase is hakkō ichiu, which
literally means "all eight corners of the world under one roof." This
phrase signified "universal brotherhood."
Sources Cited
Chiran Kōjo Nadeshiko Kai (Chiran Girls High School Nadeshiko
Association), ed. 1996. Gunjō: Chiran tokkō kichi yori
(Deep blue: From Chiran special attack air base). Originally
published in 1979. Kagoshima City: Takishobō.
Chiran Tokkō Irei Kenshō Kai (Chiran Special Attack
Memorial Society), ed. 2005. Konpaku no kiroku: Kyū rikugun tokubetsu
kōgekitai chiran kichi (Record of departed spirits: Former Army Special
Attack Corps Chiran Base). Revised edition, originally published in 2004. Chiran Town, Kagoshima
Prefecture: Chiran Tokkō Irei Kenshō Kai.
Osuo, Kazuhiko. 2005. Tokubetsu kōgekitai no kiroku (rikugun hen)
(Record of special attack corps (Army)). Tōkyō: Kōjinsha.
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