1. The Kamikaze
Literally ‘God Wind’, Common translation ‘Divine Wind’
Suicide attacks by aviated from the Empire of Japan against allied naval vessels in
the closing stages of WWII
Designed to destroy warships – more effective than conventional attacks.
At least 47 Allied vessels from PT boats to escort carriers were sunk by kamikaze
attacks, and about 300 damaged.
Kamikaze Aircraft
Pilot guided explosive missiles, purpose built or converted from conventional aircraft
No ability to deliver torpedoes or bombs or attack other aircraft or even land.
Pilots would instead attempt to crash their aircraft into enemy ships in what was call a ‘Body
Attack’
Planes were loaded with a combination of explosives, bombs, torpedoes and full fuel tanks.
Kamikaze aircraft could sustain damage which would normally disable a conventional
attacker and still achieve its objective.
The goal of destroying large numbers of allied ships, particularly aircraft carriers, was
considered to justify sacrificing pilots and aircraft.
When and why these attacks began
Began October 1944, following several critical military defeats for the Japenese.
Lost aerial dominance due to outdated aircraft and the loss of experienced pilots.
On macroeconomic scale, Japan experienced a decreasing capacity to wage war, and a
rapidly declining industrial capacity relative to the US.
Japanese government expressed a reluctance to surrender
o These factors resulted in the use of kamikaze tactics as allied forces advances
towards Japanese home islands.