The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia: Toyoda Soemu (original) (raw)
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The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia | |
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Toyoda Soemu (1885-1957)
Toyoda Soemu was born in Oita prefecture and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1905 and the Naval Staff College. He became a specialist in gunneryand served as naval attaché in London from 1919 to 1922. Hecommanded a cruiser and a battleship and held a number of important staff posts, reaching the rank of vice admiral by 1935.
Toyoda had a reputation as a brilliant staff officer who had a habit of driving subordinates to nervous breakdowns. He was also famous for his sarcastic manner. He shared Yamamoto'sattitudes towards war with the United Statesand despised the Army clique that ruled Japan. He made these views public in 1943. However, Toyoda was also an extreme nationalist and xenophobe, which may have influenced his behavior in the final days of the war.
Commander of 2 Naval District at Kure when war broke out, Toyoda became the penultimate commander of Combined Fleet on 3 May 1944, shortly before the Battle of the Philippine Sea, which he hoped could reverse the course of the war. When this battle was lost, it was clear to many Japanese leaders that the war was lost as well.
Shortly after the battle, Navy minister Yonaiasked Toyoda whether the fleet could hold out through the end of the year. Toyoda, understanding that this was a veiled request for support in ending the war, replied that it would be extremely difficult to do so. However, Yonai failed to persuade the other Japanese cabinet members. Toyoda therefore resigned himself to the probable destruction of the Japanese fleet in attempting to defend the Philippines, which was essentially the outcome of the Leytecampaign. Toyoda himself was caught on Formosaduring Halsey'spreparatory airstrikes, and the early stages of the campaign were largely directed by his chief of staff, Kusaka. Toyoda believed the reports of huge American warship losses off Formosa were greatly exaggerated, but apparently felt obligated to launch Sho-go anyway.
In May 1945, Toyoda relieved Oikawa as chief of the Navy General Staff and served in this post to the end of the war. To the disappointment of Yonai, Toyoda joined the two most powerful officers in the Army, Army Minister Anami and Chief of Staff Umezu, in their stand against any surrender. This split the Navy and deadlocked the Cabinet, leading to the Emperor's intervention to force the decision to capitulate.
Toyoda was cleared of war crimes charges after the war and had his sword returned to him by U.S. Fleet Admiral Nimitz in 1952.
Service record
| 1885-5-22 | Born in Oita prefecture | |
|---|---|---|
| 1905-11-28 | Midshipman | Graduates from Naval Academy, standing 26th in a class of 171. Assigned to CL Hashidate |
| 1906-8-30 | CL Nisshin | |
| 1906-12-20 | Ensign | |
| 1907-9-28 | DD Asatsuyu | |
| 1908-7-31 | GunnerySchool Basic Course | |
| 1908-9-25 | Lieutenant junior grade | |
| 1909-1-20 | Torpedo School Basic Course | |
| 1909-4-30 | Torpedo Boat Division 14 | |
| 1910-12-1 | Naval College B-Course | |
| 1911-5-22 | Gunnery School Advanced Course | |
| 1911-12-1 | Lieutenant | BC Kurama |
| 1913-12-1 | Instructor, Gunnery School | |
| 1915-12-13 | Naval College A-Course | |
| 1917-4-1 | Lieutenant commander | |
| 1917-12-1 | Aide-de-campe to Yoshimatsu Motaro | |
| 1919-12-1 | Resident in United Kingdom | |
| 1921-12-1 | Commander | |
| 1922-12-1 | Executive officer, CL Kuma | |
| 1923-4-1 | 1 Naval District | |
| 1923-6-1 | Staff, Bureau of Naval Affairs, Navy Ministry | |
| 1925-12-1 | Captain | Instructor, Naval College |
| 1926-7-15 | 1 Naval District | |
| 1926-11-1 | Commander, CL Yura | |
| 1927-11-15 | Commander, Submarine Division 7 | |
| 1928-12-10 | Chief, S1, Bureau of Education, Navy Ministry | |
| 1930-12-1 | Commander, BB Hyuga | |
| 1931-12-1 | Rear admiral | Chief, N2, Navy General Staff |
| 1933-9-15 | Chief of staff, Combined Fleet | |
| 1935-3-15 | Director, Bureau of Education, Navy Ministry | |
| 1935-11-15 | Vice admiral | |
| 1937-10-20 | Commander, 4 Fleet | |
| 1938-11-15 | Commander, 2 Fleet | |
| 1939-10-21 | Director, Naval Shipbuilding Command | |
| 1941-9-18 | Admiral | Commander, 2 Naval District |
| 1942-11-10 | Supreme War Council | |
| 1943-4-21 | Commander, 1 Naval District | |
| 1944-5-3 | Commander, Combined Fleet | |
| 1945-5-29 | Chief, Navy General Staff | |
| 1945-10-15 | Navy Department | |
| 1945-11-30 | Retires | |
| 1957-9-22 | Dies |
References
Materials of IJN (accessed 2008-4-2)
The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia © 2007-2008, 2010, 2014 by Kent G. Budge. Index
