Warplanes of Japan: Kamikaze strikes

Kamikaze strikes‍‍

(Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force Photo)

Mitsubishi Zero A6M5 Model 52c are sent back from Korea to Kyushû island, to take part in a Kamikaze attack (early 1945).

Approximately 2,800 Kamikaze attackers sank 34 Navy ships, damaged 368 others, killed 4,900 sailors, and wounded over 4,800. Despite radar detection and cuing, airborne interception, attrition, and massive anti-aircraft barrages, 14 per cent of Kamikazes survived to score a hit on a ship; nearly 8.5 percent of all ships hit by Kamikazes sank. (USAF)

Kamikaze (神風, pronounced [kamiꜜkaze]; 'divine wind'[1] or 'spirit wind'), officially Shinpū Tokubetsu Kōgekitai (神風特別攻撃隊, 'Divine Wind Special Attack Unit'), were a part of the Japanese Special Attack Units of military aviators who flew suicide attacks for the Empire of Japan against Allied naval vessels in the closing stages of the Pacific campaign of the Second World War, intending to destroy warships more effectively than with conventional air attacks. About 3,800 kamikaze pilots died during the war in attacks that killed more than 7,000 Allied naval personnel, sank several dozen warships, and damaged scores more.

Kamikaze aircraft were pilot-guided explosive missiles, either purpose-built or converted from conventional aircraft. Pilots would attempt to crash their aircraft into enemy ships in what was called a "body attack" (tai-atari) in aircraft loaded with bombs, torpedoes, and/or other explosives. About 19 percent of kamikaze attacks were successful.[2] The Japanese considered the goal of damaging or sinking large numbers of Allied ships to be a just reason for suicide attacks. By late 1944, Allied qualitative and quantitative superiority over the Japanese in both aircrew and aircraft meant that kamikaze attacks were more accurate than conventional airstrikes, and often caused more damage. Some kamikazes hit their targets even after their aircraft had been crippled.

The attacks began in October 1944, at a time when the war was looking increasingly bleak for the Japanese. They had lost several decisive battles; many of their best pilots had been killed, and skilled replacements could not be trained fast enough; their aircraft were becoming outdated; and they had lost command of the air and sea. These factors, along with Japan's unwillingness to surrender, led to the institutionalization of kamikaze tactics as a core aspect of Japanese air warfare strategy as Allied forces advanced towards the home islands.

A tradition of death instead of defeat, capture, and shame was deeply entrenched in Japanese military culture; one of the primary values in the samurai way of life and the Bushido code was loyalty and honor until death. In addition to kamikazes, the Japanese military also used or made plans for non-aerial Japanese Special Attack Units, including those involving Kairyu (submarines), Kaiten (human torpedoes), Shinyo speedboats, and Fukuryu divers. (Wikipedia)

(USN Photo)

A Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero towards the end of its run at the escort carrier USS White Plains on 25 October 1944. The aircraft exploded in mid-air moments after the picture was taken, scattering debris across the deck.

(USN Photo)

The U.S. Navy light aircraft carrier USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) burning aft after she was hit by a Kamikaze, while operating off Luzon, Philippines, on 30 October 1944. Flight deck crewmen are moving undamaged Grumman TBM Avenger planes of Torpedo Squadron 21 (VT-21) away from the flames as others fight the fires. USS Franklin (CV-13), also hit during this Kamikaze attack, is afire in the distance.

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(USN Photo)

The U.S. Navy light aircraft carrier USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) burning aft after she was hit by a Kamikaze, while operating off Luzon, Philippines, on 30 October 1944. Flight deck crewmen are moving undamaged Grumman TBM Avenger planes of Torpedo Squadron 21 (VT-21) away from the flames as others fight the fires.

(USN Photo)

The USS Missouri (BB-63) just as it is about to be hit by a Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero kamikaze, while operating off Okinawa on 11 April 1945. The plane hit the ship's side below the main deck, causing minor damage and no casualties on board the battleship. A 40-mm quad gun mount's crew is in action in the lower foreground. The kamikaze on the photo has been identified as either Flight Petty Officer 2nd Class Setsuo Ishino or Flight Petty Officer 2nd Class Kenkichi Ishii.

(USN Photo)

A kamikaze suicide plane splashes near the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) underway off the Philippines. Three USN task groups of TF 38 conducted attacks on South Japanese islands on 21 January. As their aircraft struck airfields on Formosa, in the Pescadores, and at Sakishima Gunto, the fair weather also allowed for Japanese kamikaze operations. Just after noon, a single-engine Japanese aircraft scored a hit on Langley with a glide-bombing attack. Seconds later, a kamikaze swooped out of the clouds and plunged toward Ticonderoga. The aircraft crashed through the ship's flight deck abreast of the No. 2 5 in (127mm) mount, and its bomb exploded just above her hangar deck. Several aircraft stowed nearby erupted into flames and men were killed. While the crew were ordered into action to save the endangered carrier, Captain Kiefer conned his ship skillfully. First, he changed course to keep the wind from fanning the blaze. Then, he ordered magazines and other compartments flooded to prevent further explosions and to correct a 10° starboard list. Finally, he instructed the damage control party to continue flooding compartments on Ticonderoga's port side which induced a 10° port list which dumped the fire overboard.

Firefighters and aircraft handlers completed the dangerous job of dousing the flames and jettisoning burning aircraft.Other kamikaze then assailed the carrier. Her antiaircraft gunners shot down three which all crashed into the sea, but a fourth aircraft struck the carrier's starboard side near the island. Its bomb set more aircraft on fire, riddled her flight deck, and injured or killed another 100 sailors, with Captain Kiefer one of the wounded. Ticonderoga's crew continued their efforts and were spared further attacks. They brought her fires completely under control not long after 1400, and Ticonderoga retired.The stricken carrier arrived at Ulithi on 24 January but remained there only long enough to move her wounded to hospital ship Samaritan, to transfer her air group to Hancock, and to embark passengers bound for home. Ticonderoga cleared the lagoon on 28 January and headed for the U.S. The warship stopped briefly at Pearl Harbor en route to the Puget Sound Navy Yard where she arrived on 15 February. Captain William Sinton assumed command in February 1945. (Wikipedia)

(USN Photo)

The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) lists to port in the aftermath of a kamikaze attack in which four suicide planes hit the ship, 21 January 1945. Note her camouflage scheme measure 33/10A and the Fletcher-class destroyer in the background.

(USN Photo)

A kamikaze suicide plane splashes near the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) underway off the Philippines.

(USN Photo)

USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) hit by two Kamikazes in 30 seconds on 11 May 1945 off Kyushu. 372 KIA, 264 wounded.

(USN Photo)

Mitsubishi A6M Zero Kamikaze diving on USS Lexington (CV-16) 5 November 1944.

On 5 November 1944, the USS Lexington (CV 16) was introduced to the kamikaze as a flaming Japanese aircraft crashed near her island, destroying most of the island structure and spraying fire in all directions. Within 20 minutes, major blazes were under control, and she was able to continue normal flight actions, as well as shooting down a kamikaze heading for Ticonderoga. On 9 November, Lexington arrived in Ulithi to repair battle damage while hearing that Tokyo once again claimed her sunk. Lexington suffered 50 killed and 132 wounded in this attack. (Wikipedia)

(USN Photo)

The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Essex (CV-9) about to be hit by a Japanese Yokosuka D4Y "Judy" aircraft during Kamikaze attacks off Luzon, 25 November 1944. The plane, afire from anti-aircraft gun hits, struck near the carrier's forward elevator. Note the Cleveland-class light cruiser in the left distance.

(USN Photo)

The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Essex (CV-9) is hit on the flight deck amidships by a Japanese Kamikaze, during operations off the Philippines, 25 November 1944.

(USN Photo)

The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Hancock (CV-19) afire after being hit by a kamikaze off Okinawa, 7 April 1945. Antiaircraft fire had exploded the plane some 90 m above the ship, but a section of its fuselage landed amidships, and a part of the wing hit the flight deck and burst into flames. Prompt and skillful damage control quickly extinguished the blaze and prevented serious damage. Note, although not identified in the description, the only long hull Essex-class carrier of Cabot's TG 38.2 hit on 25 November 1944 was Hancock. The other carriers hit on that day were Cabot, Essex and Intrepid.

(USN Photo)

A Japanese "Kamikaze" suicide plane disintegrates in flames after hitting USS Intrepid (CV-11), during operations off the Philippines on 25 November 1944.

(USN Photo)

The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CV-11) burning after the ship was hit by two Japanese kamikaze aircraft, 16 April 1945.

(USN Photo)

The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CV-11) pictured in the Pacific after being hit by kamikaze aircraft, 16 April 1945.

(USN Photo)

USS Intrepid (CV-11) after being hit by Japanese plane in suicide dive in the Pacific. Taken from USS New Jersey.

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(USN Photo)

The crew of the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) fighting fires after a kamikaze hit the forward elevator on 14 May 1945.

(USN Photo)

The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) being hit by a Japanese bomb-laden kamikaze on 14 May 1945. The ship's forward elevator was blown approximately 400 feet into the air from the force of the explosion six decks below.

(USN Photo)

The forward elevator of the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) is blown circa 120 m into the air after a kamikaze hit on 14 May 1945.

(USN Photo)

Explosion on USS St. Lo (CVE-63) after she was hit be a Kamikaze of Samar During the Battle of Leyte Gulf, 25 October 1944.

(U.S. Naval Academy Photo)

Part of the anti-aircraft gun crew of the Battleship New Jersey (BB-62), watching helplessly, as a Japanese kamikaze plane prepares to strike the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CV-11) on 25 November 1944.

(USN Photo)

The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CV-11) afire, after she was hit by a Kamikaze off Okinawa on 16 April 1945. A Fletcher-class destroyer steams by in the foreground.

(USN Photo)

Crewmembers of the USS Intrepid (CV-11) clearing away wreckage in the hangar deck after the ship was hit by Kamikaze's off the Philippines, 25 November 1944.

(USN Photo)

A Japanese Mitsubishi A6M kamikaze suicide plane hits the U.S. Navy escort carrier USS Suwannee (CVE-27) on 25 October 1944. Note the Grumman F6F Hellcat completing pullout after chasing the kamikaze plane. The photo was taken by the USS Petrof Bay (CVE-80) Air Department.

(USN Photo)

USS Enterprise (CV-6) after being hit by a Mitsubishi A6M Zero Kamikaze on 14 May 1945.

(USN Photo)

View of a large explosion on board the U.S. Navy escort carrier USS Bismarck Sea (CVE-95), after she was hit by a Kamikaze during the night of 21-22 February 1945, while she was taking part in the Iwo Jima operation. She sank as a result of her damage with the loss of 318 crewmen.

(USN Photo)

The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Abner Read (DD-526) afire and sinking in Leyte Gulf on 1 November 1944 after being hit by a Aichi D3A kamikaze. A second Japanese suicide plane (circled) is attempting to crash on USS Claxton (DD-571). However, this one was shot down short of its target.

(USN Photo)

A Japanese plane crashes near the stern of a U.S. Navy light aircraft carrier, during an unsuccessful kamikaze attack, 17 April 1945. As the photo was taken from the battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57) the carrier is most probably USS Bataan (CVL-29), as South Dakota and Bataan were assigned to Task Group 58.3 (and Bataan was the only CVL assigned to TG 58.3).

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy escort carriers pictured at sea during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The photograph was probably taken from USS Petrof Bay (CVE-80), which was part of Task Unit 77.4.1 (Taffy I), together with the USS Sangamon (CVE-26), USS Suwannee (CVE-27), USS Chenango (CVE-28), and USS Santee (CVE-29). The carrier burning in the background is most probably Suwannee, which was hit by two kamikazes, Santee by one amidships.

(IWM Photo, A 29717)

The Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Formidable (R67) on fire after being struck by a Kamikaze off Sakishima Gunto. Formidable was hit at 1130 hrs, the kamikaze making a massive dent about 3 m long, 0.6 m wide and deep in the armoured flight deck. A large steel splinter speared down through the hangar deck and the centre boiler-room, where it ruptured a steam line, and came to rest in a fuel tank, starting a major fire in the aircraft park. Eight crew members were killed and forty-seven were wounded. One Vought Corsair and ten Grumman Avengers were destroyed.

(USN Photo)

SS Hobbs Victory sank in battle April 6, 1945 Kerama Islands, Okinawa after Ammunition explodes in cargo hold from kamikaze.

(USN Photo)

A Japanese Kamikaze aircraft diving on the U.S. Navy light cruiser USS Columbia (CL-56) at 1729 hrs on 6 January 1945, during the Lingayen Gulf operation. This plane hit the main deck by the after gun turret, causing extensive damage and casualties. The plane and its bomb penetrated two decks before exploding, killing 13 and wounding 44.

(USN Photo)

The U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS Louisville (CA-28) is hit by a kamikaze in Lingayen Gulf, Philippine Islands, 6 January 1945. The aircraft was a Mitsubishi Ki-51. 43 men were killed and at least 125 were wounded. Rear Admiral Theodore E. Chandler, commander of Cruiser Division 4 (CruDiv 4) was among the killed, as he was fatally injured helping sailors man handle the fire hoses to put out the massive flames during the attack.

(USN Photo)

An illustration of the determination of the IJNAF: A Japanese Type 99 Aichi D3A1 dive bomber (Allied codename "Val") trails smoke as it dives toward the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-8), during the morning of 26 October 1942. This plane struck the ship's stack and then her flight deck. A Type 97 Nakajima B5N2 torpedo plane ("Kate") is flying over Hornet after dropping its torpedo, and another "Val" is off her bow. Note anti-aircraft shell burst between Hornet and the camera, with its fragments striking the water nearby.

Gunnery

Allied gunners had begun to develop techniques to negate kamikaze attacks. Light rapid-fire anti-aircraft weapons such as the 20 mm Oerlikon autocannons were still useful though the 40 mm Bofors was preferred; their high rate of fire and quick training remained advantageous, but they lacked the punch to take down a kamikaze bearing down on the ship they defended. It was found that heavy anti-aircraft guns such as the 5"/38 caliber gun (127 mm) were the most effective as they had sufficient firepower to destroy aircraft at a safe range from the ship, which was preferable since even a heavily damaged kamikaze could reach its target. The speedy Ohkas presented a very difficult problem for anti-aircraft fire, since their velocity made fire control extremely difficult. By 1945, large numbers of anti-aircraft shells with radiofrequency proximity fuzes, on average seven times more effective than regular shells, became available, and the US Navy recommended their use against kamikaze attacks. (Wikipedia)

Australian journalists Denis and Peggy Warner, in a 1982 book with Japanese naval historian Sadao Seno (The Sacred Warriors: Japan's Suicide Legions), arrived at a total of 57 ships sunk by kamikazes. Bill Gordon, an American Japanologist who specializes in kamikazes, lists in a 2007 article 47 ships known to have been sunk by kamikaze aircraft. Gordon says that the Warners and Seno included ten ships that did not sink. He lists:three escort carriers: USS St. Lo, USS Ommaney Bay, and USS Bismarck Sea, fourteen destroyers, including the last ship to be sunk, USS Callaghan on 29 July 1945, off Okinawa, three high-speed transport ships, five Landing Ship, Tank, four Landing Ship Medium, three Landing Ship Medium (Rocket), one auxiliary tanker, three Victory ships, three Liberty ships, two high-speed minesweepers, one Auk-class minesweeper, one submarine chaser, two PT boats, and two Landing Craft Support. (Wikipedia)

(Imperial Japanese Army Air Force Photo)

Chiran high school girls are waving farewell with cherry blossom branches to a taking-off kamikaze pilot. The pilot is Second Lieutenant Toshio Anazawa of Army Special Attack Unit (20th Shinbu party). The aircraft, an Army Type 1 fighter "Hayabusa" III- type-Ko holding a 250kg bomb, is departing towards Okinawa on 12 April 1945.