The start of kamikazes was from an observation made by a Vice Admiral. Kamikaze originally meant “divine wind”. Japanese Vice Admiral Takashiro Ohnishi noticed that one plane crashing into a ship did more damage than 10 guns combined. It was then decided that pilots would purposely crash into ships and those planes would be filled with explosives. Planes used for kamikazes usually weren’t in the best conditions. The normal planes the kamikazes used were the Mitsubishi A6M2. They could reach speeds up to about 332 mph and could carry a 300 pound bomb. Pilots would also use junk planes called Ohka. The U.S called them Baka, which stood for fool. The Japanese Emperor was viewed as a god in Japan during WW2. Japanese pilots were prepared to die for him at any cost. The Emperor was told that 2 suicide submarines sank 3 airship carriers, but that was false.…show more content… Pearl harbor was one of the first kamikaze attacks ever. The USS Cabot fought off many planes, but eventually one hit their target and killed 62 men. The rest of the main ships that were sunk are the USS Hancock, USS Enterprise, and the USS Intrepid. On the date 10/21/44, the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia was hit by a kamikaze carrying a 400 pound bomb. Overall 120 ships were sunk with many more damaged. About 4000 pilots were so young they were called boy-soldiers. Firstborn sons were allowed to return home to carry on the family name. Pilots were forced to take a five point oath. The oath was, a soldier must make loyalty to his obligation, must make propriety of his life, high esteem for valor, high regard of righteousness, and the pilot must live a simple life. Older applicants were turned down because they had to teach the younger ones how to fly to their deaths. Pilots spent the remaining amount of their time doing something meaningful instead of waiting to
