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The Kamikaze suicide missions remain one of the most chilling tactics from the Pacific theater of World War II. Derived from the 'divine wind' that saved Japan from Mongol invasions centuries ago, these pilots are often portrayed as mindless zealots who were conditioned to sacrifice their lives. However, the reality is far more complex. These pilots were just like any other, grappling with the dual struggle of loyalty to their country and the overwhelming fear of death. The story of Kamikaze missions offers a crucial history lesson we must not ignore.
10. The First Kamikaze Attack Was Unintentional
During the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Lieutenant Fusata Iida, aged 28, found himself severely wounded. His Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero was heavily damaged, but he gestured for his squadron to continue the mission without him. Pointing to the ground, he signaled his intent to crash his plane into a target. He aimed at Hangar 101, the main building on the base, with the intention to perform a suicide strike. Despite his effort, the plane was hit by American anti-aircraft fire, causing it to miss the hangar and crash instead.
Fusata Iida is often regarded as the first Kamikaze, though it wasn't his original plan. After his death, he was buried by American forces at Heleloa cemetery, with a memorial now marking the site of his crash. His remains were later repatriated to Japan.
9. The First Kamikaze Attacks Didn’t Occur Until Three Years Later
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, traditional naval and aerial tactics were unsuccessful in halting the American advance. In response, a radical new strategy emerged. Japanese naval Captain Motoharu Okamura emphasized, 'I firmly believe that the only way to turn the tide of the war in our favor is through crash-dive attacks with our aircraft... There will be plenty of volunteers willing to take part in this mission to protect our country.'
The first wave of Kamikaze pilots consisted of 24 volunteers from Japan’s 201st Air Group, who focused on attacking US escort carriers. One such carrier, the St. Lo, was hit and sunk in less than an hour, with the loss of 100 American lives.
8. Heavy Losses in the Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa was a brutal 82-day engagement that saw over 287,000 American troops and 130,000 Japanese soldiers involved. It became known as the bloodiest battle in the Pacific Theater, with over 90,000 deaths on both sides, alongside nearly 100,000 civilian casualties. Kamikazes played a significant role in this conflict, delivering the worst damage the US Navy had ever experienced in a single battle, with almost 5,000 American lives lost.
Throughout the war, Kamikazes were responsible for sinking 34 ships and causing damage to hundreds more.
7. The Emperor Personally Came to See Them
Hisao Horiyama is one of the few remaining Kamikaze pilots. At the time, he was a 21-year-old airman caught in the midst of a failing war. Horiyama recalled, 'We didn’t dwell on the thought of death. We were trained to suppress our feelings. Even if we were to perish, we believed it was for a noble cause. Death was the ultimate fulfillment of our duty, and we were instructed not to return. We understood that if we came back alive, our superiors would be disappointed.'
'When we finished our army training, the Showa emperor came to visit our unit, riding a white horse. I believed that it was a sign that he was personally asking for our service. At that moment, I knew there was no choice but to give my life for him.'
When asked why he felt compelled to volunteer, Horiyama explained, 'At that time, we believed that the emperor and the nation of Japan were one and the same.' In the end, the war ended before he was sent into battle as a Kamikaze pilot.
6. Pilots Wrote Final Letters to Their Families
Like all Kamikaze pilots, Horiyama was required to write a letter and a will, which were to be sent to his family after his death. He recalled, 'I was a disobedient child and didn’t perform well in school. I apologized to my father for being a poor student, and for crashing three planes during training. I also expressed regret that the war seemed to be turning in Japan’s favor. I wanted to make him proud, and that’s why I volunteered to join the special attack unit.'
'But my mother was heartbroken. Just before her passing, she told me she would never have forgiven my father if I had died in a Kamikaze mission. I’m thankful to the emperor for ending the war.'
Another preserved letter, written by 23-year-old Adachi Takuya to his parents before his Kamikaze death on April 28, 1945, is shared in full:
Honorable Mother and Father, The weariness from your journey to see me was clear from your disheveled hair and the hollows under your eyes—it made me want to bow down and show my respect. The lines on your faces were a testament to the efforts you made in raising me. Words can hardly express my feelings, and whatever I did say felt insufficient. Still, even though time was short, I could see in your eyes all the unspoken words you wanted to say. When you took my hand and placed it over your chilblains, I felt a profound peace I had never experienced before—like being a child again, craving the warmth of a mother's love. It is because of your deep devotion that I can give my life for you—for in death, I will rest in the warmth of your love. The sushi you made with such tenderness was like your love at my lips. Although I ate little, it was the most delicious meal of my life. Honorable Mother, though I may not have fully accepted the love you offered, I have learned so much wisdom from you. And Father, your silent words are etched deeply into my heart. With these memories, I can fight alongside you both. Even in death, my spirit will be at peace. I mean this with all my heart. In the war zone, these profound feelings are tested. If death means a return to this world of love, there is nothing to fear. All that remains is to carry out my duty. At 1600 hours, our meeting ended. As you walked out the gate, I quietly waved my goodbye.
5. Not Every Kamikaze Pilot Volunteered
Horiyama was disheartened by his survival, feeling he had failed in his duty. He shared, 'I regretted not being able to sacrifice myself for my country. My fallen comrades would be forever honored, but I missed my chance to die in the same manner. I felt like I had let everyone down.' However, not all of his fellow pilots shared the same sentiment.
Takehiko Ena, another surviving Kamikaze pilot, recalled, 'When I received my Kamikaze assignment, I felt the blood drain from my face. The other pilots and I congratulated one another when we received the orders to attack. It feels odd to think about now, as there was nothing to celebrate. On the surface, we believed we were doing it for our country. We convinced ourselves that we were chosen for this sacrifice. But deep down, I just wanted to protect the parents I loved. And we were all terrified.'
4. Kamikaze Aircraft Were Often Mechanically Defective
Takehiko Ena, now in his nineties, survived World War II thanks to ongoing mechanical failures with the aging planes that were pushed into service during the war’s final stages. Many of these aircraft were repurposed into Kamikazes. Ena’s first attempt to fly a Kamikaze ended before takeoff. His second attempt also failed when his plane’s engine malfunctioned, forcing him to make an emergency landing while still carrying the bomb meant to kill him and the enemy.
On his third and final attempt, engine failure caused another emergency landing, this time in the sea. Ena and two companions survived by swimming to a nearby island, where they were rescued two months later by a Japanese submarine. Shortly after, the war came to an end. Ena’s survival was largely due to the poor condition of the Kamikaze fleet.
3. Kamikaze Pilots Were Provided with a Manual
These manuals were kept in the cockpit, containing not only a guide for their mission but also uplifting thoughts and reassurances. One section outlined what to do in case of an aborted mission: 'In the event of poor weather or when the target cannot be found, or under any other challenging circumstances, you may choose to return to base. Don’t be discouraged. Don’t waste your life in vain. Do not succumb to trivial emotions. Think of how you can best defend the homeland. Remember the words of the wing commander. Return to base with a cheerful heart, without regret.'
The manual also described the Kamikaze mission: 'Transcend life and death. By freeing yourself from concerns about life and death, you will be able to let go of your earthly existence. This will allow you to fully focus on destroying the enemy with resolute determination, while also perfecting your flying skills.'
It also included this brief message: 'Be always pure-hearted and joyful. A true fighter is a pure-hearted, devoted son.'
2. Kamikaze Units Were Named After a Poem
'Tanka' refers to a type of short poem in Japanese. One of the most celebrated examples was composed by the scholar Motoori Norinaga during the Edo period. It reads:
Shikishima no yamato-gokoro o hito towaba asahi ni niou yamazakura-bana
If anyone inquires about the soul of Japan on these Blessed Isles, let them say it's the mountain cherry blossoms, fragrant beneath the morning sun. Shikishima (Islands of Japan), Yamato (a classical name for Japan), Asahi (the rising sun), and Yamazakura (mountain cherry) were the designations of the first four Kamikaze units.
1. Kamikaze Pilots Were Utilized for Propaganda Purposes
A notable example of this was Arima Masafumi, who commanded the 26th Air Flotilla. He was well-regarded as a personable leader, always taking the time to greet his crew each day with a cheerful “good morning” and maintaining an air of dignity, even donning his full uniform despite the sweltering tropical heat.
Masafumi personally took part in a suicide mission targeting the US fleet near the Philippine Islands, specifically aiming for the carrier Franklin. However, he was shot down before reaching his target. In spite of this, a report from Tokyo claimed that he had successfully crippled the ship, which sparked the passionate resolve of his men. He was posthumously promoted to vice admiral.
