Elderly Japanese woman, aged 94, shares memories of naval shelling, 80 years later
The city of Kamaishi in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, bore the brunt of a devastating naval bombardment during World War II, marking a grim milestone as the first such attack on Honshu. On July 17 and August 9, 1945, the Allied powers, including the USS South Dakota, Indiana, and Massachusetts, unleashed over 5,000 shells onto Kamaishi, targeting its significant iron mill, a crucial industrial facility for Japan's war effort.
The bombardments, which lasted approximately two hours on both days, resulted in the tragic loss of 782 lives, the majority of whom were civilians. The destruction was widespread, leaving Kamaishi in ruins with burned buildings and holes around Kamaishi Station.
Eyewitness accounts from survivors like 94-year-old Mutsuko Sano, who was 14 at the time, provide a poignant glimpse into the human suffering caused by the attacks. Sano, a resident of Kamaishi, was forced to evacuate to a school in a neighboring city due to the war. After the bombardments, many of her classmates also evacuated, leaving behind friends who had lost their relatives in the tragedy.
The attack on Kamaishi involved a massive display of firepower. For instance, within a short span of two hours, 231 16-inch shells were fired, underscoring the scale and intensity of the bombardment.
Today, Sano continues to work for the town, transforming her wartime experiences into a booklet and sharing her story through lectures. She emphasises that while people cannot resist natural disasters like tsunamis, war can be avoided.
Reflecting on the bombardment, Sano describes Kamaishi as deserted, a stark reminder of the devastation caused by the attacks. The city's recovery remains a testament to the resilience of its people, who continue to rebuild and honour the memory of those lost in the tragedy.
The destructive naval bombardment during World War II in Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture, not only marked a significant point in Japan's war history but also highlights the intersection of culture and politics in war-and-conflicts. Today, as a survivor, Mutsuko Sano emphasizes that the horrors of war are a stark reminder of the need for peaceful diplomacy in general-news and political discourse.
