posted 09-16- 10:23 PM               

However, a month or two back, I saw a lecture on CSPAN dealing with depictions of Pearl Harbor in the movies. Among the guests was a man who wrote a book about the subject of the discussion, and he said that Yamamoto had in fact never said the line. None of the other historians or a Pearl Harbor vet questioned the man's statement. Therefore, I'm inclined to believe Yamamoto did not say it. Checks through my library do not have it cropping up anywhere.

Before I write my very visible (as a guest on every network since he's chairman of the Senate Armed Service Committee) Senator, Joe Biden, Democrat from Delaware, to tell him not to use it since it's false, I'd like some back up. Can anyone help? I think Bush used it as well. If he didn't say it, where did it come from, or did the movie makers just make it up?

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Be seeing you,
3dp
Visit RAF Harkness!

posted 09-17- 01:18 AM               

It is enough, though, that it is close, and has some bearing in fact. The exact wording may not even have originated with him, but he was involved and likely did not disagree.

One must remember that in these times, it is nearly as popular for 'historians' to debunk certain historical occurrences as it is to verify them. The older the occasion the better, as there is less chance of anyone still alive to actively argue the point. It is best left as is, I think.

After all, the only history we can actually verify is that we have lived, and even then, if 2 people were there, you will get 4 different views of what happened....the 2 that were there, and 2 who weren't but know exactly what the 2 who were actually experienced.

posted 09-17- 06:25 PM               

http://www.pearlharborattacked.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard/topic.cgi?forum=4&topic=48

It reads:

"Aloha All,
A short roster in "Other Films" Category spoke briefly of the Admiral's quote and I responded thus:

"In the American press shortly after the announcement of Admiral Yamamoto's death...they said that he told his Emperor in late December 1941 'America may have had a Full House, but Japan had a Royal Flush'...what did he REALLY say?

And don't give me that "Sleeping Giant" stuff from the movie."

After a while of no responces, let me resolve the quote situation:

The 21 May 1943 Rochester Times-Union cited the quote as:
"America held a Full House but we had a Royal Flush"...

The 23 Dec 1941 Japan Times-Advertiser says he told his Emperor, "The small but sprightly Japan, when armed with a 'Full House' is not easily 'bluffed' by the US-British combination holding only a 'Pair' in their hands."

As to the actual quotation that Admiral Yamamoto said upon hearing that the attack had occurred prior to delivery of the diplomatic message...it was:

"Nekubi o kaite was ikenai"
["It does not do to slit the throat of a sleeping man."]

Cheers,
David Aiken

-----
Cheers,
David Aiken, a Director
Pearl Harbor History Associates, Inc. "

posted 09-17- 07:17 PM            

I find people don't object to history being altered when it points towards a point they are making but like it less when it shows those points unfavourably.

posted 09-17- 10:02 PM               

While I'm always skeptical of those who would rewrite history for their own agendas, in this case I don't see that as an issue. No one, including the autor I saw, was trying to score any major points with the info, it was an off hand remark if I recall correctly. It's not like someone was trying to re-interpret the mood of the nation in 1945 to win points for their view on whether the A-bomb should have been used or some other controvercial subject like Dresden for instance.

Therefore, in my mind at least, I'll be saying he didn't say it from now on, with the caveat that he did say several things which are open to interpretation.

Thanks again!