August 06, 2013
Of All The Days
As Steven reminds us in the comments of a previous post, the Japanese, earlier today, launched the latest and largest of their 'Destroyers'. We've discussed this nomenclature issue recently. However, it's important to remember that a nations warships are not just tools to be used in desperate times, they are symbols that can send messages.
Because the international dateline can lead to some confusion on dates, I just checked and yes indeed, when the vessel was launched it was Tuesday in Japan.
So. Japan launched its largest warship since WW2...on August 6.
China is not the only nation being sent messages.
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Because the international dateline can lead to some confusion on dates, I just checked and yes indeed, when the vessel was launched it was Tuesday in Japan.
So. Japan launched its largest warship since WW2...on August 6.
China is not the only nation being sent messages.
Posted by: The Brickmuppet at
12:41 PM
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1
Somehow, I think you don't mean "because it's the Feast of the Transfiguration." However, it sounds like there's also a message to the Russians and the Brits and the Chinese and us, re: Wikipedia's section on her namesake ship:
"In the Battle off Ulsan on 14 August 1904, six Japanese cruisers defeated the Russian cruiser squadron, sinking Rurik, and severely damaging Rossia and Gromoboi. During the battle, Izumo was hit more than 20 times, and suffered from two crewmen killed...During the crucial Battle of Tsushima on 26 May 1905 Izumo continued to serve as Kamimura’s flagship, taking nine hits during the battle, with 34 crewmen killed."
Izumo served honorably in WWI, but its record in WWII was a lot more memorable to certain parties:
"Designated as flagship... during the Japanese invasion of China during the Second Sino-Japanese War, Izumo was attacked during the Battle of Shanghai by a Chinese torpedo boat, which it sank. Izumo was also attacked on 14 August 1937 by Chinese Air Force aircraft led by Captain (later Major General) Claire Lee Chennault. During the attack, his floatplane was shot down.
Still in Shanghai after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor at about 0400 on 8 December 1941, Izumo opened fire on the United States Navy gunboat USS Wake, forcing its surrender, and sank the Royal Navy gunboat HMS Peterel* (whose crew refused to surrender). This was one of the first combat actions of the Pacific War following Pearl Harbor."
* "At the time she was acting as a communications station manned only by a skeleton crew." Her commanding officer was a "temporary lieutenant," even.
"In the Battle off Ulsan on 14 August 1904, six Japanese cruisers defeated the Russian cruiser squadron, sinking Rurik, and severely damaging Rossia and Gromoboi. During the battle, Izumo was hit more than 20 times, and suffered from two crewmen killed...During the crucial Battle of Tsushima on 26 May 1905 Izumo continued to serve as Kamimura’s flagship, taking nine hits during the battle, with 34 crewmen killed."
Izumo served honorably in WWI, but its record in WWII was a lot more memorable to certain parties:
"Designated as flagship... during the Japanese invasion of China during the Second Sino-Japanese War, Izumo was attacked during the Battle of Shanghai by a Chinese torpedo boat, which it sank. Izumo was also attacked on 14 August 1937 by Chinese Air Force aircraft led by Captain (later Major General) Claire Lee Chennault. During the attack, his floatplane was shot down.
Still in Shanghai after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor at about 0400 on 8 December 1941, Izumo opened fire on the United States Navy gunboat USS Wake, forcing its surrender, and sank the Royal Navy gunboat HMS Peterel* (whose crew refused to surrender). This was one of the first combat actions of the Pacific War following Pearl Harbor."
* "At the time she was acting as a communications station manned only by a skeleton crew." Her commanding officer was a "temporary lieutenant," even.
Posted by: Suburbanbanshee at Sun Aug 11 08:07:16 2013 (cvXSV)
2
Of course, the name would seem to be a reference to Izumo-taisha, possibly the most important Shinto shrine in Japan. Legend has it that it was built for Okuninushi as a sort of quid pro quo or covenantal thing, in exchange for Okuninushi giving Japan to Amaterasu's grandson who'd just come down from heaven to pacify Japan's monsters and father emperors. So basically, it's the spiritual foundation of imperial rule.
So yeah, absolutely no belligerence there. Noopers.
So yeah, absolutely no belligerence there. Noopers.
Posted by: Suburbanbanshee at Sun Aug 11 08:20:57 2013 (cvXSV)
3
Of course, if I had China and North Korea in my backyard, and if Obama were giving me the impression that allies were for ignoring or undermining, I'd be wanting a big ol' carrier/destroyer too. And I might feel like sending out some messages that I felt the old agreements to protect Japan, from after WWII, had been broken by the US.
Posted by: Suburbanbanshee at Sun Aug 11 08:24:26 2013 (cvXSV)
4
Golly.
Posted by: The Brickmuppet at Sun Aug 11 14:12:23 2013 (F7DdT)
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