Only U.S. Mainland Bombing by Japan WW2, Brookings Oregon

A hike to the only U.S. mainland bombing site by Japan in World War II. This hike is a must for World Ward II historians. In 1942, a Japanese submarine emerged off the Oregon coast. Quickly the crew assembled a float plane to carry an incendiary bomb to be dropped on forest land above Brookings, Oregon. The intent was to start a massive forest fire that would wipe out the town of Brookings and create panic in the U.S. The bomb ignited but due to damp conditions and quick response by locals authorities damage was minimal.

[@yaboitaylor701]

Did you know that the pilot who carried the bomb gave our town a katana that runs in his family as an apology. It is up in the library

[@Seracdog]

Thank you so much for your comment. I did mention at the 4:22 mark of the video that he gave the city of Brookings his samurai sword.

[@iananderson8216]

According to an article he was unsure if the citizens would accept his apology and if they did not he intended to commit Seppuku with that sword.

[@yaboitaylor701]

@@iananderson8216 damn. He is lucky we are nice people than

[@macvadda2318]

@@yaboitaylor701 that’s not like today

[@AuRowe]

@@macvadda2318 Facts

[@martyvandatta3524]

I was born and raised not far from Brookings Oregon, and only learned of this event last year. History is such an important subject and this is a great example as to why. Nations, cultures, people connecting like this after one of the darkest times in world history shows how resilient the human spirit can be.

[@Seracdog]

I agree totally! This is one of those obscure events that if one is aware of the bombing they more than likely have only heard/read half the story... that being, the Japanese bombed the U.S. mainland. I felt the "other" half was just as important if not more!

[@h1952m]

Thank you VERY much for sharing this and I truly appreciate your meaningful job.

[@Seracdog]

The Japanese aviator was a very honorable man! It took incredible courage for him to travel to the U.S. after the war. From what I am told he did not expect the warm reception he received from the people of Brookings, Oregon and he was deeply touched.

[@CrimeFighter1943]

Great video Al, thank you for posting it. :-)

[@Seracdog]

Thank you! We had a heck of a time finding the trailhead. That's another story! When we reached the actual bomb site it was literally like walking into a church... none of us spoke a word! Knowing the full story, we were somewhat overwhelmed with emotion!

[@Seracdog]

Perhaps you have read this, if not, you may find it very interesting... www.opb.org/artsandlife/series/history/nobuo-fujita-brookings-oregon-world-war-2/

[@CrimeFighter1943]

@@Seracdog Thank you so much Al, for sending this article. I wasn't aware of the turmoil it caused at the time. I have spent a lot of time in Japan, over the years, and I'm well versed on their culture. What an incredible story. :-)

[@Seracdog]

​It's too bad that stories like this never make it to main stream news!

[@masamichikishiku3053]

Thank you for posting. This was a very unknown history among Japanese. I only recently knew about this. I know part of his ash was buried there. I wonder if the tree Mr. Fujita planted together with people before his death at the bomb site was burnt due to this fire. But I know and saw the sward displayed in the library is still there although library is under remodeling now.

[@Seracdog]

When I heard of Mr. Fujita actions it literally brought tears to my eyes. This is a story we must not forget!

[@masamichikishiku3053]

I was planning to go to the bomb site, but it was a little too unknown for me how to go alone. Thank you for showing me this place. Now I know how it looks like.

[@Seracdog]

When we made the trip three years ago, it was a bit tricky to find the trailhead and that was largely due to the fact that road signs in the forest had been removed. We drove down a couple wrong roads before we found the trailhead. If you are planning to make the trip I would check with Forest Service in Brookings regarding the signage. Hiking to the site was a surreal experience.

[@MattCookOregon]

Very awesome presentation. I was going to make a video on this last month and the road was completely closed!

[@Seracdog]

Thank you! We had a hell of a time finding the location because some one had literally cut down all of signs leading to the site.

[@MattCookOregon]

@@Seracdog oh dang. For me there was a sign saying land slide ahead road closed.

[@Seracdog]

Bummer!

[@lili_x137]

I live here in Brookings Oregon, I never knew about this when I came to live with my mom. This is actually cool and might visit there one day!

[@Seracdog]

It takes “cool” off the charts… when you approach the site it, almost feels like you are entering a church and need to be quiet… very eerie!

[@Jairo_738]

Bro it is crazy to hear this because I live in Brookings,Oregon

[@Seracdog]

I know what you are saying! The Japanese had hoped the fire bomb would create a massive forest fire scaring the hell out of the locals and all Americans. The Japanese failed to realize that the Oregon coast in the late Fall/Winter tends to be very damp so the bomb essentially fizzled out. Check this out www.brookings.or.us/291/Fujita-Sword

[@seriouslyyoujest1771]

The burned forest is from our horrific Bar Fire which nearly had us evacuate our home

[@Seracdog]

Yup, the Chetco "Bar" Fire...190,000 acres burned!

[@helenhighwater5313]

See, people can make nice and bury the hatchet after a conflict and move on to a life of peace and prosperity.

[@Seracdog]

Amen!

[@Seracdog]

Amen!