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Description of  The Kamikazes: The History of Japan's World War II Suicide Pilots

*Includes pictures *Includes diary entries and other accounts written by kamikaze pilots *Includes a bibliography for further reading One of the most fascinating aspects of World War II was Japans use of suicide pilots known around the globe as kamikazes, though the Japanese referred to them as Tokubetsu kogekitai (Special Attack Units). Translated as God Wind, Divine Wind and God Spirit, kamikazes would sink 47 Allied vessels and damage over 300 by the end of the war, but the rise in the use of kamikaze attacks was evidence of the loss of Japans air superiority and its waning industrial might. This method of fighting would become more common by the time Iwo Jima was fought over in early 1945, and it was especially prevalent during the invasion of Okinawa in April 1945. The privilege of being selected as a kamikaze pilot played directly into the deep-seated Japanese mindset of death before defeat. The pilot training manual assured each kamikaze candidate that when they eliminated all thoughts of life and death, fear of losing the earthly life can be easily overcome. Read more