FRIENDS AND FOES
1942
As the German war machine continues to devastate Russia and, in North Africa, the British, the Japanese begin a systematic conquest of the south Pacific. In May an indecisive battle is fought in the Coral Sea between a small portion of the Imperial Japanese Navy and the USS Yorktown and USS Wasp, which had passed through the Panama Canal to give the U.S. Pacific Fleet some needed muscle.
After the Coral Sea battle, as part of their buildup towards a planned invasion of Hawaii, the Japanese fleet converges on Midway Island in early June.
Lt. Hiro Watanabe, attached to Captain Toda's fighter wing aboard the IJN Hiryu, takes part in the massive Battle of Midway. Watanabe downs a pair of TBD Devastators in the battle, which is won by the Japanese who sink both the Yorktown and Wasp, losing two of their own carriers. The difference is that the Japanese can afford the losses - the US Navy can not. The Japanese fleet successfully lands troops who occupy Midway Island after defeating the small Marine garrison. The next step is the invasion of Hawaii itself.
At Wheeler Field on Oahu, Lt. Hiram Rosen pilots his P-36 into battle against the Japanese invasion fleet which converges on Hawaii in August. He makes his first kill - a Val dive bomber - but is shot up (by Hiro Watanabe) and has to crash land his Hawk at Wheeler. Watanabe makes ace with three additional kills. The Japanese diversion works and the fleet which appeared to be headed for Oahu, instead lands forces on the big island of Hawaii. The Japanese have a foothold in the islands.
1943
Lt. Hiro Watanabe is shot down over Oahu escorting a flight of bombers from Hawaii as the Japanese continue to try to reduce the US garrison on Oahu.
With the US Army Air Corps down to a handful of serviceable fighters, Lt. Hiram Rosen is detailed to work at a makeshift POW camp (Camp Charlie) containing Japanese pilots. He meets Lt. Watanabe there and the two strike up a strange friendship. Both accomplished baseball players, they find common ground and a friendly game is arranged between the Americans and some of the Japanese prisoners.
Meanwhile, back in San Francisco, 17-year-old John Carey Jr. becomes a member of the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League.
During a game between the prisoners and their American captors on May 8, the Japanese launch the second stage of their "Eastern Operation" and conquer Oahu. Lts. Rosen and Watanabe find their roles reversed - Rosen is now the prisoner and is eventually shipped off to a POW camp in Japan. Watanabe is nearly demoted for "consorting with the enemy" by playing baseball with the Americans but Captain Toda realizes what a superb pilot he has and intervenes on Watanabe's behalf.
John Carey Sr, back in San Francisco, is pointedly asked to join the US Army - which he does, being given the rank of Major and a job in the Presidio.
As his eighteenth birthday nears, and fresh off his first (partial) season as a pro ballplayer, John Carey Jr joins the Navy.
At Camp Matsushima #2 in Tokyo, Lt. Hiram Rosen contemplates using baseball to improve the horrid conditions in the camp.
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