Kamikaze Attack in World War 2

A kamikaze hit the USS Randolph on March 12, 1945. This photo shows the resulting hole in her flight deck.




Again, post-war research provides more information on this last Kamikaze attack. Initially, 24 Ginga twin-engine bombers took off from Minami Daito Shima headed for the US Task Force at Ulithi—a distance of some 800 miles. Due to fuel shortage, navigation errors, and other problems, only two of the original 24 reached their target. The other planes were lost at sea.

As we were returning to the States in May 1945, we were ordered not to mention the word "Kamikaze" or to mention damage caused by these suicide tactics. The Navy did not want US citizens to know the extent of damage, nor did the Navy want the Japanese to know how effective these tactics were. We have similar challenges today.

An interesting aspect of the Kamikaze story, particularly as it relates to "motivation to commit suicide" is in the following post-war report by Higher Flight Officer Motoji Ichikawa:

"Suddenly the voice of the Officer of the Day broke through the perpetual static of the barracks public address system. All pilots line up in front of headquarters.'

As soon as they were in formation, the Wing Commander without preamble shouted, All those men who are only children raise your hands.' Puzzled, these men were ordered to return to the barracks. First sons also break ranks and return to your quarters.'

The Wing Commander ordered the remaining men to form a circle in front of him. He stated that the war news was very bad. We must, therefore, somehow mount an offense that will bring excruciating pain to the enemy. To achieve this, we have developed a new and special instrument of certain death. But, in order for this kind of special attack to succeed, the weapon has been designed as a one-way trip.'

The Wing Commander then told the pilots they had to choose to take a one-way flight by writing Yes' or No' on their ID card and dropping them in a special box."

Ichikawa was tempted to write No,' but he knew he could not. He knew he would be condemned as unmilitary, as unmanly, if he were to refuse. So he wrote the Yes' on his ID card.

Through a combination of circumstances, Ichikawa survived to tell his story. A logical conclusion to this article is to pose the question, "What can we learn from the Kamikaze experiences of WWII that will help us face the potential for more suicide attacks as a terrorist strategy?"

References

Hatsuho Naito. "Thunder Gods: The Kamikaze Pilots Tell Their Story."
Richard W. Streb. "Life and Death Aboard the Essex."
Gerald W. Thomas. "Torpedo Squadron Four: A Cockpit View of World War II."
Jennifer Wilding. "Kamikaze Submarines," Articles On War, Volume 4, 2001.
US Navy Archives

Modelkasten 1/48 WW2 Japanese Pilot, Hasegawa and Tamiya.

Fiaroma Vollecion Chase Assemble and painting guide

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[reiAYANAMI1992]

this pilots were so young, most of them were like 18 and 24 they were very young, and decided to take their life away just to honor their country. they were very brave. i love the japs. rest in peace.

[b0rdrgrl]

My Dad was on this ship and was one of the first officers on the scene. It is written down in his diary but says it happend March 11 at night.

[SMGJohn]

Die in hell America! You fuckers dropping nuke on Japan! Should just let the USSR swarm the whole fucking place

[manuellcamelo]

very sad =,(

[neo91787]

The Japanese fought bravely and so did the Americans. I praise both for their brave fight. And I'm proud that the Japanese fought back against the western nations and accelerated the independence of Asia.

[reiAYANAMI1992]

@321jordanb hey i´m not a traitor! in fact i would never be against my beautiful country (u.s) calm down hottie.

[321jordanb]

@reiAYANAMI1992 u traitor

[RkoWrestlingfan228]

@carloko08 Umm most(if not all) of those ended up COSTING the U.S money. especially Vietnam. And the U.S new something bad was going to happen months before, not necessarily the Japs bombing us.

[carloko08]

@RkoWrestlingfan228 yeaaah dude!! you are right!!every wars united states,not America,because America is all the continent,united states go for money,to vietnam lie about the tonkin gulf, a bomb in a ship, an go to war, in war againt Spain in 19 century bomb a ship "Maine", and go to war, in 1 WW, send Lusitania, was sunk whit thousand of tons in weapons, and go to war, in 2 WW japs bombing pearl harbour ( government know this months before) and go to war, Lincoln was murdered for money, ehehhe

[RkoWrestlingfan228]

@carloko08 Well I'm not talking about now, I'm talking about WWII. And the Japanese are like "yankes" today. Ever hear of the Nanjing(Naking) massacre? Japanese are monsters....at least were. So all the wars the U.S goes for is for money? Yes, because we started the Vietnam war, got into WWII, Revolutionary War, Civil War, War of 1812, etc. for money. >.>

[carloko08]

@RkoWrestlingfan228 wow, dude, you dont understand a big tony about this, at less, japanese soldiers and pilots die for they country and emperor, a son of god to they eyes, directly, and dont die like a fucking united state's soldiers in Irak, Afganistan and other places than kill innocent people for money, all of they are a fucking mercenary, all wars US go for money, my friend in Nicaragua kill so many yankis mercenarys, all of them drunks, junkies, rapers, thieves, hahaha, "soldiers" hahahah

[theTerranEmpire3]

@TheTwoRandoms You are talking about Zondercommando Elbe. But the Leonidas Squadron flew "Self-sacrifice missions" (Selbstopfereinsatz) against Soviet held bridges over the Oder River.