Interesting facts you should know about the kamikaze pilots

Factsempire.com

1

• The japanese word `kamikaze` is translated as `divine wind`. This name was given to the typhoon that saved Japan from Mongol invasion fleet in the years 1284-1291

2

• The first kamikaze attack took place on 13 October 1944 in Leyte Gulf,Philippines. The target was the US aircraft carrier USS Franklin. The leader of this mission was rear admiral Masafumi Arima.

3

• The `father` of the kamikaze tactic is the japanese vice-amiral TakijirōŌnishi.

4

• During World War II, about 3860 kamikaze pilots died in these suicide missions

5

Approximately 14-19% of kamikaze pilots managed to hit the targets

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• The vast majority of the kamikaze pilots were 17-24 years old. Experienced pilots were used for training the young kamikaze

7

• The Hachimaki, the `Rising Sun` bandanas used by the kamikaze pilots is a symbol of perseverance, effort and/or courage

8

• A japanese pilot named, Kaoru Hasegawa, survived a kamikaze attack, after his failed attack, he was rescued by the crew of the US destroyer who shoot him down. He later tried to suicide because he felt dishonored for failing his mission

9

• Why the Japanese resorted to this tactic?Because they could not replace lost aircraft and due to lack of fuel

10

• The kamikaze planes usually carried smaller bombs than those used by the Navy planes. A bomb could weigh 250-500 kg

11

• During the battle of Okinawa, 1900 kamikaze pilots attacked the US Fleet. The US navy lost 30 ships during the Okinawa campaign. No aircraft carrier was sunk during the Okinawa campaign

12

• The destroyer USS Laffey earned the nickname “The Ship That Would Not Die” after surviving six kamikaze attacks, during the Okinawa campaing

13

• During the campaign for Okinawa, the japanese attacked the american fleet with Ohka, manned flying bomb. The kamikaze planes, loaded with 1200 kg of explosives were released from the wing of a bomber near an enemy ship.