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Kamikaze Pilots of World War II
At the end of World War II, the American Navy found themselves facing a new foe on the battlefield --the Imperial Japanese kamikazes. These brave warriors from Japan were one of the most deadly enemies on the battlefield. They were also the first to use their airplanes as suicidal weapons. Navy boats and coastal forts were caught off guard by these surprising tactics (Which ultimately lead to a great deal of American causalities).
“Kamikaze Pilots of World War II” takes a comprehensive look at the world these suicidal pilots lived in. Learn about the culture of Japan, and why they ultimately made the decision to use such horrendous battlefield tactics. We also take a look at the final moments of some of the men involved in the bombings of Pearl Harbor and other naval attacks.
“Kamikaze Pilots of World War II” takes a comprehensive look at the world these suicidal pilots lived in. Learn about the culture of Japan, and why they ultimately made the decision to use such horrendous battlefield tactics. We also take a look at the final moments of some of the men involved in the bombings of Pearl Harbor and other naval attacks.
- GenresHistoryWorld War II
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 19, 2017
GR informs me that I've been reading this kindle freebie in a desultory way on and off since September 2015. Several times I asked myself "why? " "why are you reading this? " " what do you hope to learn? "
Once again we are seeing the rise of fanaticism around us. Young men and women who are willingly sacrificing themselves in the pursuit of some political or religious agenda that they have become convinced justifies these shocking actions.
In Japan in 1942 there was no shortage of volunteer kamikaze pilots, though to be sure not all were volunteers nor were all convinced of the rightness of their actions. But the overwhelming emotions .... Viz - Devotion and loyalty were extra- ordinarily powerful. The Emporer cult and strict society meant few questioned the right of the state to demand obedience to orders.
Reading about the kamikaze does help to put todays suicide bombers into some sort of perspective. Despite the colossal attempts to radicalise young people there are relatively few who actually choose to take that path. Of course in militant Islam changing your mind often comes with dire consequences. It seems that even the Japanese war machine allowed a pilot to change his mind.
Though the bulk of the book focuses on the Japanese kamikaze the author makes a brief detour into the lesser known stories of a handful of Russian and British pilots who, while not directly seeking death, nevertheless undertook missions that they were highly unlikely to survive. While the Japanese pilots were schooled to embrace death and prepare for it in solemn ways, the European pilots were prepared with an entirely different philosophy. Each, of course believed that they had right on their side.
The author ends the book rather abruptly making no attempt at summary or conclusions and there does not appear to be any bibliography or references. Nevertheless I found the whole thing very thought provoking and sobering.
When old men plan and plot war and destruction it is always the young who will be disproportionately sacrificed. We should weep for all of them.
Once again we are seeing the rise of fanaticism around us. Young men and women who are willingly sacrificing themselves in the pursuit of some political or religious agenda that they have become convinced justifies these shocking actions.
In Japan in 1942 there was no shortage of volunteer kamikaze pilots, though to be sure not all were volunteers nor were all convinced of the rightness of their actions. But the overwhelming emotions .... Viz - Devotion and loyalty were extra- ordinarily powerful. The Emporer cult and strict society meant few questioned the right of the state to demand obedience to orders.
Reading about the kamikaze does help to put todays suicide bombers into some sort of perspective. Despite the colossal attempts to radicalise young people there are relatively few who actually choose to take that path. Of course in militant Islam changing your mind often comes with dire consequences. It seems that even the Japanese war machine allowed a pilot to change his mind.
Though the bulk of the book focuses on the Japanese kamikaze the author makes a brief detour into the lesser known stories of a handful of Russian and British pilots who, while not directly seeking death, nevertheless undertook missions that they were highly unlikely to survive. While the Japanese pilots were schooled to embrace death and prepare for it in solemn ways, the European pilots were prepared with an entirely different philosophy. Each, of course believed that they had right on their side.
The author ends the book rather abruptly making no attempt at summary or conclusions and there does not appear to be any bibliography or references. Nevertheless I found the whole thing very thought provoking and sobering.
When old men plan and plot war and destruction it is always the young who will be disproportionately sacrificed. We should weep for all of them.
February 3, 2017
Not for me.
This book is full of a lot of historical facts, well documented. I'm just not a history buff, thus my three stars.
This book is full of a lot of historical facts, well documented. I'm just not a history buff, thus my three stars.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews