Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto was the strategic mastermind behind some of the most audacious naval operations of World War II. Born in Nagaoka, Japan, Yamamoto’s early life saw him attend the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy, followed by studies at Harvard University and the Naval War College, giving him a unique insight into Western powers.
His career was marked by a forward-thinking vision, advocating for naval aviation and famously opposing war with the United States due to his understanding of American industrial might. Yet, when conflict became inevitable, he meticulously planned and executed the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor, aiming for a decisive blow that would secure a swift victory for Japan. We’ll explore his brilliant tactics and leadership during pivotal battles like Midway, where despite a crushing defeat, his strategic brilliance was undeniable. From his innovative approaches to naval warfare to his fateful end, assassinated by American forces, this video delves into the complexities of a man who shaped the course of the Pacific War and remains one of history’s most compelling military figures.
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If you are interested in Japanese History, please watch our related biographies below.
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Genuinely the most competent and forward looking Commander in both the IJA and IJN. The one guy in Japan that understood that war with the US meant for Japan.
Great Admiral, My salute
All we've done is waken a sleeping giant and filled him with a terrible resolve…..Adm. Yamamoto….
Birmingham Alabama USA ❤❤❤😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤
Is there a reason at 59:47 supersonic jets are pictured as if the United States Navy had supersonic aircraft at the beginning of American involvement in WW2? Is it an attempt to re-write history or is it an attempt to invoke some sort of fear or hysteria? Or is it really just a lack of content and you decide hey, lets just jam this in there because fuck history.
His emphasis on naval aviation was decades ahead of many other commanders.
The Pearl Harbor attack was both brilliant and tragic in its consequences.
The US Diplomats in Japan warned the US Government about the Japanese planned attack on USA.
at least he target military targets.
The Midway chapter really shows how even geniuses can be defeated by intelligence and luck.
It’s fascinating how he was both against the war and yet the architect of its opening strike.
This man chooses my islands truk as his headquater as the war ended my islands truk lagoon became the most hunted graveyard shipwreck on the planet. Thanks to him truk lagoon attracts divers all around the globe.
respect to Admiral Yamamoto… a good soldier and a master tactician. may war never return between us.
His foresight about America’s industrial power was chillingly accurate.
Yamamoto’s mix of Harvard education and Japanese naval tradition made him truly unique.
Really insightful video on Admiral Yamamoto's role in planning Pearl Harbor! It’s fascinating to see how his strategic brilliance shaped such a pivotal moment in history, though his foresight about the long-term risks of waking the 'sleeping giant' is equally compelling. Great breakdown of his complex legacy—would love to hear more about his perspective on the broader Pacific campaign!
I want to say something that about the admirals contribution on the building of Japan's aircraft carrier, he is a pioneer and dedicated a senior citizen also loyal for his country and the leadership. So he should have to be remembered as brave soldier, and one of the 2nd world War best generals. I am Ethiopian, we appreciate a brave man.
山本五十六 なんて何もやってないんだから。ほんと無能の人だよこの人は。神格化するなんてもう馬鹿げてる。
Unit 731
Good documentary
A brilliant military commander who had the misfortune to be commanding the underdogs in the Pacific. His biggest problem came from the failure to properly plan the diplomatic section of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The outrage over the attack occurring before the delivery of the declaration of war guaranteed that the strategic plan for a diplomatic settlement in the wake of the runaway victories prior to Midway was dead on arrival.
Japan reportedly made Pearl Harbor surprise, but the three-nation alliance restricted Japan from exporting its resources, and Truman felt a sense of crisis and went south to secure its resources. Pearl Harbor was already attacked, Pearl Harbor was weak, Japan was far away, Japan was not coming, and Truman was justified. People with drooping skin, people with protruding eyes, so indiscriminately
I killed him, Truman wanted to know the effect
It was even said that there was no radioactivity, but those who visited Japan now did not seem to know the horror of the atomic bomb from the people who saw the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Museum, and they would not allow it to be indiscriminate."
America doesn't blame us.
I just want you to know the horror of atomic bombs in war. Those who don't see the truth will not understand, Yamamoto Isoroku, Tojo Hideki, was a great person who couldn't deal with the government as a recent person and opposed the war head-on.
The fact that much of the US navy was at sea, most importantly, their aircraft carriers, and not at Pearl Harbor, doomed the Japanese to failure a mere 6 months later in the Battle of Midway, when the U.S. sank four of Japan’s aircraft carriers. They never really recovered and, although the war lasted three more agonizing years, and so many thousands died, this was the turning point. And, all because when they attacked Pearl Harbor our aircraft carriers were at sea. This was all about good intelligence.
Mastermind…the attack on PH was an unmitigated disaster for Japan.
I never knew Henderson field was on Guadalcanal. Idk why I always thought it was on Midway.
The Robert E. Lee of Japan.
Answer question at end – Of course both answers are correct.
Now that you have done Isoroku Yamamoto, please, please, please do Chester Nimitz or Douglas MacArthur. Or better yet, both of them! 🙏🙏🙏
It didn’t take a mastermind. FDR had our entire military asleep.
Thank you for this documentary. Both Isoroku Yamamoto and admiral Tamon Yamaguchi (not mentioned in this video) were brilliant Japanese naval commanders. Unfortunately they did not get critical support from their other naval commanders especially from timid, indecisive and unqualified Japanese Emperor Favorite aircraft carrier operations admiral Chuichi Nagumo.
Admiral Yamamoto understood and stressed the importance of aircraft carriers early in WW2 despite the doubts of most other Japanese naval commanders. In fact Japan had the most powerful aircraft carrier group in history at the beginning of WW2. I wish the IJN carriers Akagi, Kaga, Soryu and Hiryu may finally RIP. You are gone but never forgotten………
"The emperor giveth,, the Lockheed P-38 taketh away"…..
Worst decision a country ever made.
Thank you so much, very interesting!
Well researched
Brazilian Santos Dumont was the first person to fly solo in an airplane. This documentary is incorrect.
This man represents a big paradox. At his core, he foresaw massing naval airpower as a force multiplier but threw tantrums to get his way with the Army and Emperor and was asleep at the switch in modernizing IJN attack doctrine and strategies. He was at his best and worst at Pearl Harbor and Midway respectively
Great and inteliget Commander
He was a dumb ass.
I am learning more about Japan's history, and WWII.Thank you for the video on Admiral Yamamoto. If he didn't do what he did he would be a trader in his country. He new Japan could not win against the US. Having someone not follow through must have been fustastating. I have met people from the far east who still do not like Japan. I have met people from Japan who are friends. I am glad the war is over.
Yes i like video
If politicians who decide for war are the first to fight at the front lines, we will never have wars. Yamamoto was a soldier and followed his orders. Just as every Patton, McArthur, Rommel, Montgomery. He knew by experience that war with the U.S. was unwinnable yet he followed his orders.