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Kamikaze: The Desperate Suicide Weapon of the Imperial Japanese Navy

Ted Simmons

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Kamikaze Japanese Special Attack Weapons 1944 45 New Vanguard 180 Kamikaze: Japanese Special Attack Weapons 1944 45 (New Vanguard 180)

As the tide of World War II turned against Japan in 1944, the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) faced a desperate situation. Facing overwhelming Allied air and naval superiority, the IJN turned to a new and deadly tactic: the kamikaze.

Kamikaze: Japanese Special Attack Weapons 1944–45 (New Vanguard Book 180)

by Brian S. Bauer

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	88 pages

Kamikaze, meaning "divine wind," were suicide attacks carried out by Japanese pilots who flew their aircraft into Allied ships. These attacks were designed to inflict maximum damage on the enemy, even at the cost of the pilot's life.

Origins of the Kamikaze

The origins of the kamikaze can be traced back to the early days of the war. In 1943, the IJN began experimenting with using torpedo planes to carry out suicide attacks against Allied shipping. However, these early attempts were largely unsuccessful.

In October 1944, the IJN formed the Kamikaze Special Attack Corps, which was responsible for training and deploying kamikaze pilots. The first kamikaze attack was carried out on October 25, 1944, when a group of Japanese pilots attacked a U.S. Navy task force off the coast of the Philippines.

The Kamikaze Pilots

The kamikaze pilots were typically young men in their early twenties. They were volunteers who were motivated by a sense of duty to their country and a desire to avenge the deaths of their comrades.

Kamikaze pilots underwent a rigorous training program that lasted for several weeks. They were taught how to fly their aircraft, how to use their weapons, and how to carry out suicide attacks.

The Kamikaze Attacks

Kamikaze attacks were typically carried out in groups of three or four aircraft. The pilots would fly their aircraft at low altitude until they reached their target. They would then pull up into a steep dive and crash into the ship, detonating their bombs.

Kamikaze attacks were devastatingly effective. They sank or damaged over 350 Allied ships, including several aircraft carriers and battleships. However, the kamikaze also came at a high cost. Over 4,000 Japanese pilots died in kamikaze attacks.

The Impact of the Kamikaze

The kamikaze had a significant impact on the course of the war. They forced the Allies to adopt new defensive tactics and they helped to prolong the war by several months. However, the kamikaze also had a negative impact on the Japanese people. They led to the deaths of thousands of young men and they further demoralized the Japanese population.

The kamikaze were a desperate measure that was used by the IJN in an attempt to stave off defeat. They were a testament to the fanatical dedication of the Japanese people and they had a significant impact on the course of the war. However, the kamikaze also came at a high cost and they ultimately failed to achieve their objectives.