Tora! Tora! Tora!

Admiral Chuichi Nagumo: [addressing the fleet] The Commander-in-Chief has sent us a message wishing us good luck. That, plus the Imperial Proclamation, has undoubtedly stirred your loyalty to the Empire. The success of this mission depends on surprise. If we achieve it, the code words "Tora, Tora, Tora" will be sent out. Now that the battle draws near, I will not burden you with the usual pep talk. Instead I shall hoist the famous "Z Flag," beneath which, Commander-in-Chief Togo led his fleet to victory in the historic battle against the Russians. Capt. Kameto Kuroshima AKA Gandhi: [fumes at being invited to a luncheon meeting with Yamamoto and other officers] Please don't bother me! This is important matter for the Combined Fleet, so I'm not going! [slaps hand on Operation Z ops plan] Genda's plan for attacking Pearl Harbor is foolproof. It's brilliant! He stresses the importance of combat aircraft. [goes into trance as officer slips away] Just think of it, we use six aircraft carrier

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Lt Cdr Mitsuo Fuchida: I hope our new commander-in-chief isn't the coward they say he is. Officer #1: Whatever they say, Yamamoto is the kind of leader they need. He believes in the value of the airplane. Officer #2: But why a vice-Navy minister for such an important position? Officer #3: Maybe the climate in Tokyo was detrimental to Yamamoto's health. The Army is against him for opposing their policies. Fuchida: So he runs away. Now he has the entire fleet to guard him. [officers laugh]

Tora! Tora! Tora!, CC BY-SA 4.0

2nd Lt Ken Taylor: You know why we're being transferred. 2d Lt George Welch: Them poker games. Been winning too often. Taylor: Yeah. Some sucker loses his shirt, so he bitches to the general. Welch: That's it.

Tora! Tora! Tora!, CC BY-SA 4.0

Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto: It's hard to believe that the Emperor agreed to a date by which the final decision must be made between war and peace. Prince Konoe Fumimaro: His Majesty's signature is a mere formality. The Cabinet is responsible for all matters of national policy. The Emperor recently read a poem to his ministers to show how he feels. "If all people are brethren, then why are the winds and waves so restless?" Yamamoto: [repeats poem and realizes its logic] This clearly shows how much the Emperor wants to avoid a war. Konoe: Yes, he has urged us to solve our differences with Washington. Yamamoto: But sir, the deadline is October. Can't a solution be found by then? Konoe: Perhaps, but if we fail and war does come... tell me frankly, from the Navy's viewpoint, what are our chances against the Americans? Yamamoto: If we must, we can raise havoc with them for a year, after that I can guarantee nothing. Mr Prime Minister, I hope you will continue the negotiations. Please remember tha

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IJN Officer: Sir, a message! [Nagumo turns around] Admiral Nagumo: Proceed. IJN Officer: [reads message sheet] From Commander-in-Chief, Combined Fleet to Commander, Third Fleet...climb Mount Niitaka, 1208. Nagumo: Hostilities will begin on December 7th, exactly as scheduled.

Tora! Tora! Tora!, CC BY-SA 4.0

IJN Pilots: [Officer shows flashcard of battleship] Pennsylvania! [second card of battleship] Oklahoma! [a flashcard of an aircraft carrier is displayed] Single IJN Pilot: Enterprise!! IJN Officer: [in Japanese] No, you idiot! It's the Akagi, your own flagship! [Other pilots tease the quick-answering pilot]

Tora! Tora! Tora!, CC BY-SA 4.0