Dramatic Stories of Japan's Kamikaze Pilots

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PART 2: KAMIKAZE STORIES CHAPTER 1

You can also watch the documentary-video version of this article, 

with Narration, musics, and sound effects, from this Youtube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Luc83G92WRc







For the PART 1, watch here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPHV3t1EZaM

This link goes to my own Youtube video, with subtitles of English & Indonesian language.

 If you like this article, please watch the video and subscribe to my channel  . 

I apologize for some wrong English pronunciation, since English is not my primary language.



For the Part 1 of this article, read here:

Heroic Stories of Japan's Kamikaze Pilots, PART 1









[FURTHER READING AT THE END OF THIS ARTICLE]

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The word Kamikaze was derived from the time of the Mongol invasion of Japan in the thirteenth century. When the huge Mongolian invasion fleet appeared at the inland sea, all hope seemed lost for the Japanese Empire. Then suddenly a furious typhoon descended from heaven, scattering and destroying the mighty ships. Miraculously, this typhoon would return 7 years later when the Mongols attempted the second invasion of Japan. This was the Kami-Kaze, or Divine Wind, that saved Japan from the brink of destruction. In the twentieth century Pacific War, when all hope seemed lost, Japan again rested its hope on the third Kamikaze miracle. This time, the heavenly wind would come in the form of warplanes coming down from the sky, and crashing themselves upon enemy ships. Inside of these planes were young and brave pilots, fully dedicated to sacrifice their lives for the Empire. They were more than happy, to serve as the embodiment of the Godly Wind that had twice saved the Empire.

The obsession that had gripped the Japanese people to die willingly for the Empire is best described in an incident involving a Lieutenant named Hajime Fujii. After serving as an infantry officer in the Army, he switched to the Air Force. In the late war, he volunteered three times to join the Kamikaze operation but was always rejected on the grounds that he was a family man, with a wive and two daughters under his care. One night when he came home, he discovered a letter from his wife. It reads: "I know that because of us, you cannot exert your utmost for the country. Therefore, allow us to take leave of this world before you join us. Please fight with nothing weighing on your mind". Astounded, he began searching high and low. The next morning, the police informed Fujii that his wife and two children had been found, and recovered from the Arakawa River. The mother had tied the two kids tightly around her, then drowned herself in the river. The depressed husband cried profusely as he wiped sands from the feet of her deceased wife. Then, five months later, his wish fulfilled, Hajime Fujii led a 9 plane Kamikaze unit, eager to join his family in the afterlife.

But ironically, the first ever Kamikaze pilot in history, was a man not even willing to sacrifice his life for such a suicide tactic. His name was Yukio Seki. A bright Naval Academy graduate whose piloting skills was beyond doubt. He's very much a blossoming man, recently married, with lots of life ahead of him. According to a war reporter, Yukio Seki is known to have said, "Japan's future is bleak if it's forced to kill one of its best pilots. I am not going on this mission for the Emperor or for the Empire. I am going for my beloved wife. I am going because I was ordered to." One night as he was ready to take a rest in a sweltering Philippines heat, he was suddenly ordered to meet his commanders. The higher command had already decided on a new and extreme tactic to turn the tide of war in Japan's favor. Yukio Seki was told, Japan's fate hinges upon the new Kamikaze operation, and for this, they need a man like him to lead the first ever Suicide planes. They see naval academy graduates as perfect candidate for leading this special unit. And they see in Yukio Seki, not only a Naval Academy graduate, but also a man who possessed great piloting skill and unwavering dedication to duty. Stunned with the news, Yukio Seki braced himself for quite a minute, thinking about his wife and family and careers that he would leave behind. But typical of the Japanese man, his was an unswerving loyalty to duty. With a straight tone, he answered that he was willing to lead the unit, despite his inner feelings saying otherwise.

For the next few days he would spend his time planning and organizing the Kamikaze unit under his command, evident that he's about to die. Not waiting for long, on October 21, 1944, an order finally came for them to take on the huge American fleet off the Philippines coast. At last their time had come. But upon hours of long flights and searches, none of the enemy was spotted. So they returned to base. This must have been very painful to these men already committed to die, not even harboring hope for a slight chance of living another day. Unfortunately this had to continue for three more times: they would take off, believing it is their time eventually, but forced to return either due to bad weather or non-existent enemy ships. But on October 25th, their wish was finally granted. After 3 hours 25 minutes of searching the enemy, they finally found a huge American fleet sailing proudly on the distance. Without further ado, Yukio Seki, at the lead of his unit, charged on toward the American vessels. After designating their own target ships, each dived gallantly for their deaths.

An American and Japanese observer reports said that one single Zero plane dived steeply and furiously despite heavy anti-aircraft fire, and then leveled off 30 meters above the water. It kept charging on a deadly course toward the Aircraft Carrier St. Lo. Eventually it released its 500 Kg bomb and crashed itself on the deck. The resulting damage was so huge that St. Lo was pounded by 8 more internal explosions from ammo and fuel storage inside the ship. St. Lo eventually sank to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Looking at the skill and deadly determination of this Zero pilot, it would be safe to say that the pilot is none other than Yukio Seki himself. His entire unit successfully sunk 1 Aircraft Carrier with thousands of people in it, and many other Carriers were badly damaged. This was a complete success for the new Kamikaze operation. Higher command in Japan were overjoyed by this news of victory. But for Yukio Seki's family, it's a mixed feeling. His lock of hair and letters were received, his mother cried profusely on her knees. But she can be proud of her son, who did his duty so incredibly that it gave new hope for the Japanese Empire to turn the tide of the war.

Glimpses of the lives of Kamikaze pilots could be seen from the diary of one Shouko Maeda. She was one of the many high-school girls tasked with helping and cleaning the billets of Kamikaze pilots. She described: The cockpits of Kamikaze planes were full of Sakura flowers. High school girls would forage the countryside for Sakura and stuffed these on the cockpits. When the pilots took off, the girls would wave Sakura branches frantically at the departing planes. After they took off, these planes would circle above the airfield, bidding farewell. Family members, high school girls, and townspeople, all stood at the airfield even long after the planes had disappeared from sight. Then, Sakura petals fell down from the sky, one by one, as if snowing. These flowers had been blown out of the cockpits by the departing Kamikazes. Back at the barracks, she remembered how humble these men lived; in a confined space, sleeping on mere straw beds and a single sheet of blanket. At first she thought these men were aloof and very dignified, yet once she started conversation with them, they turned out to be very gentle and friendly. The girls would stroll with the pilots, singing songs and laugh together. They were treated as little sisters by these Kamikaze men.

She would often stuff the cockpit with snacks and foods, and made a mascot doll for the pilots. She remembered giving a branch of Sakura to a kamikaze pilot as he got inside the cockpit. He kept saying thank you, thank you, profusely in extreme gratitude. When the time for departure comes, the pilots would shave and look neat, saying it was a special day so they had to look the best. Sometimes the men would do a show of determination just before departing. She witnessed a young lieutenant ripped off his insignia of rank and happily threw it to the girls. When it was the eleventh hour for take off, the men would line up in front of the command post.

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A short speech was given by the airbase commander, then they would face in the direction of Imperial Palace in Tokyo and bow deeply. A simple toast of sake in white cups was served. Then, they broke formation and dispersed sitting on the ground, chatting or singing songs, waiting for takeoff. When the time came, they pat each other on the back, wishing good luck, and head for the planes hidden in concrete shelters. As enemy air raid intensified, all Kamikaze planes were hidden and scattered around the airbase.

She remembered clearly, when these planes taxied from their hiding positions toward the airstrip for takeoff. There was an elderly couple watching intently as each plane passed by them. The woman bowed deeply for each plane. Suddenly one of the pilots opened the cockpit and waved a long red ribbon. Seeing this, the old woman raised her umbrella and waved it for the pilot to see. Then the plane took off in a southerly direction and vanished. The old woman kept waving her umbrella. It turned out that the pilot was their son. The elderly couple had come all the way from Tokyo, a 24-hour train ride despite enemy raids on railroads. They had come to see their son off when he had promised he would throw a red ribbon so they can identify him. It was a very sad scene for her.

Once these pilots vanished in the southern sky, it was not always a glorious story when they're heading toward the enemy vessels. Lieutenant Takashige Sakamoto was a guide and escort pilot for Kamikaze Missions. His tasks include leading the Kamikazes toward their targets and provide cover for them if attacked by enemy aircraft. Since inexperienced pilots weren't able to make long flights toward the targets, experienced pilots were used for this role and exempted from volunteering for suicide missions. One time late in the war, an order came to him to guide a Kamikaze flight. Four pilots were under his command, they were inexperienced, being mere graduate from Teacher's College. Upon meeting his men, he was at a loss as to what to say to these men bound to die. They appeared calm, though certainly there's a tinge of burden on their faces. Sakamoto simply ordered the men to believe in his leadership and follow his instructions at all times. Then all five planes were readied for battle, the Kamikaze planes being stripped of their cannons and radios. Due to extreme fuel shortage, all Kamikaze planes were fueled only enough for a one way mission, never to return. Once the ground crew lowered the red flag, immediately they took off and head for the Okinawan waters.

It was a long 2,5 hours flight above the ocean. The first one hour of the flight was spent cruising on very high altitude, then suddenly they dropped for an extremely low flight above the surface to avoid enemy RADARs. The air was pleasant here near the surface. Nevertheless, it was the most demanding flight, since they need to exercise extreme precision, being so close to the surface. Sakamoto felt his muscles completely stiffened. Sensing they had nearly reached the target, Sakamoto waved his hand. His men understood what it meant and removed the safety pin on their bombs. Brass particles were flying in the air, their bombs now active. All four men waved their hands at Sakamoto, signalling good bye. Suddenly they climbed steeply in the air to gain altitude. It was already dark by then, but they could see hundreds of American ships dotting the silver ocean below. Sakamoto shuddered at the sight. At once they broke formation and each Kamikaze pilot started diving toward the ship of their choosing. 

Sakamoto was astounded. In an instant, there erupted glows of red, blue, and purple on the dark horizon. It was a very heavy anti-aircraft fire from the ships. At once he started heading back for the base. When he turned his view, he could see only three planes remaining being enveloped by three pillars of fire. One of them had been shot down. Soon after, an orange fireball erupted, another plane was caught and disintegrated mid air. Sakamoto gritted his teeth: these two had failed to snatch their last wishes of crashing into enemy ships. The remaining two planes kept charging like a bull, smiling at their fortune. A few seconds later, a huge white flash exploded on a far away ship. A perfect hit by one of the planes! Then followed a second explosion. Another successful hit by the last Kamikaze! These two pilots must be proud in their deaths! Feeling grim but satisfied, he sped toward home. He broke radio silence and sent a morse code "Chi-Gu-Go" signalling the mission was completed. On the long flight home, the scene of destruction flashed on his head. He could not comprehend the bravery of these doomed pilots. Despite having flown a straight 7 hours before, this Kamikaze mission had virtually sapped all his physical and emotional strength. Arriving at the base, he grimly reported that two enemy medium cruisers had been succesfully hit. Finally he retired for a long but fitful sleep.

TO BE CONTINUED ON 

Heroic Stories of Japan's Kamikaze Pilots

PART 3: KAMIKAZE STORIES CHAPTER 2

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FURTHER READING:

• Even though the first official Kamikaze operation was launched in the Philippines in October 1944, but long before that some Japanese pilots had already committed themselves for such body-crashing attacks, either crashing against American bombers, or toward airbases and ships.

• Many people, especially those "Conformist historians", are saying that these pilots were forced brutally to join the Kamikaze operation. But this is a blatant lie. Kamikaze recruitment especially in the year 1944 and early 1945 were based on volunteers. Many veteran pilots and soldiers believe that the conventional method of attacks toward American war machines are just a waste of lives, since they're more likely not to cause any damage against the enemy yet these pilots wouldn't return all the same, due to overwhelming American superiority in the battlefield. They believe, with Kamikaze tactics, the chances of hitting and destroying enemy war machines were greatly increased though the pilots too won't return.

• Their willingness to die voluntarily has its roots on the Bushido culture passed down from the ages of the medieval Samurai. It is deeply planted on their souls, that better die than living a shameful and humiliated life. Even in this modern age, such philosophy is still visible, seen as the high suicide rates among the Japanese people compared to other countries; they'd rather die than shouldering a shameful life either to failure, disaster, etc. On the other hand, these pilots are willing to die because they believe in the effectiveness of the Kamikaze tactic; they sacrificed their lives on the Philippines and Okinawan waters so that their wifes and children would not have to fight the Americans on the homelands, with sharpened bamboo spears. But it must also be noted, that there were some "volunteer" pilots who did it half-heartedly. They are "officially volunteering" for Kamikaze operations, but deep down in their hearts, it is their fear of being looked down, disdained, ridiculed for being a coward or unpatriotic that compelled them to join. But one thing is clear, even though they were registered on the roster, when the time comes for a mission, each and every pilot would be checked for their willingness, their mental state, and physical health. If they're found to be not ready, they wouldn't be sent.

• But the facts on the field is that, these Japanese pilots were very enthusiastic to crash themselves upon the "hated" Americans. It was not a rare sight to see them sulking, despondent, and cursing, if they encountered bad weather or engine troubles. In contrast, they'd be very happy and cheerful once it is their turn to die. This is not a Japanese propaganda myth, but a real analysis done from either Japanese or Western historians. As an example, look at the book: The Divine Wind - Japan's Kamikaze Force in World War II, a post war alysis of interview by the armed forces of the United States, against top Japanese officials who gave birth to the Kamikaze.

• Yukio said the words as stated in the article, because he didn't believe in the effectiveness of the Kamikaze tactic. As an extremely able pilot, he firmly believed that even without crashing himself, he could still deliver a 500 Kg bomb effectively against an Aircraft Carrier, destroying it, and then return to base safely. And this is indeed proven in his Kamikaze mission. Before he crashed himself against the Aircraft Carrier St. Lo, he had successfully delivered his 500 Kg bomb that caused massive damage on the ship. Only after doing that, did he crash his own plane. This had become a controversy. But it can be understood, since Yukio Seki was a professional pilot, while at this late stage in the war, Japan no longer had pools of professional pilots. Only green pilots abound. Admiral Ohnishi deliberately chose Yukio Seki because this was the first ever Kamikaze Operation, an inaugural ceremony so to speak. Had it failed in the opening ceremony (due to inexperienced pilots), higher command in Japan (and even the Emperor himself) would not approve of any other Kamikaze operations. 

BOOK REFERENCES:



1.   Kamikaze: Japan's Suicide Gods (Albert Axell & Hideaki Kase)

2. Bankrupting the Enemy: The US Financial Siege of Japan Before Pearl Harbor (Edward S. Miller)

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You can also watch the documentary-video version of this article, 

with Narration, musics, and sound effects, from this Youtube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Luc83G92WRc





For the PART 1, watch here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPHV3t1EZaM

This link goes to my own Youtube video, with subtitles of English & Indonesian language.

 If you like this article, please watch the video and subscribe to my channel  . 

I apologize for some wrong English pronunciation, since English is not my primary language.


For the Part 1 of this article, read here:

Heroic Stories of Japan's Kamikaze Pilots, PART 1

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