Kamikaze Pilots of World War 2
I choose my topic of Kamikaze pilots because of how amazing propaganda
and certain types of government can influence children to submit to blind obedience.
The Japanese had Feudal government, which means they had to show their dedication to their emperor. Children were practically brainwashed to think military suicide is the most honorable way to die in war. The pilots had to remember the five point oath.
A soldier must make loyalty his obligation.
A soldier must make propriety his way of life.
A soldier must highly esteem military valor.
A soldier must have a high regard for righteousness.
A soldier must live a simple life.
and certain types of government can influence children to submit to blind obedience.
The Japanese had Feudal government, which means they had to show their dedication to their emperor. Children were practically brainwashed to think military suicide is the most honorable way to die in war. The pilots had to remember the five point oath.
A soldier must make loyalty his obligation.
A soldier must make propriety his way of life.
A soldier must highly esteem military valor.
A soldier must have a high regard for righteousness.
A soldier must live a simple life.
After Pearl Harbor the Japanese were in need of more weapons to use against the Allies. In a sense Kamikaze Pilots are weapons, each one can be used only once. The first Kamikaze attack was during the battle of Leyte Gulf. The first kamikaze force was composed of 24 volunteer pilots from Japan's 201st Navy Air Group. The targets were U.S. escort carriers; on of them ,the St. Lo, was struck by a A6M Zero fighter and sunk in under an hour, killing 100 Americans. More than 5,000 kamikaze pilots died in the gulf battle-taking down 34 ships.
The Japanese stopped using Kamikaze pilots after world war two.
The Japanese stopped using Kamikaze pilots after world war two.
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Kenzo Ishijima wrote before he left on a sorti;
Since my body is a shell I am going to take it off and put on a glory that will never wear out (1, pg 441) |
Admiral Onishi, who formed the first Tokko group, after asking the pilots to volunteer for the special unit, wrote this poem of his pilots.
In blossom today, Then scattered: Life is so like A delicate Flower. How can one expect The Fragrance to last forever? (1, pg124) Admiral Ugaki on the day of an attack wrote:
Flowers of the Special Attack are falling, When the spring is leaving, Gone with the spring Are young boys like cherry blossoms. Gone are the blossoms, Leaving cherry trees only with leaves. (1, Pg 442) |
Yukio Seki, before his fateful flight wrote,
It is not for the Emperor, Nor for Japan that I undertake this suicide attack, but solely for my beloved. (1, pg 124)Yukio Seki, before his fateful flight wrote, It is not for the Emperor, Nor for Japan that I undertake this suicide attack, but solely for my beloved. (1, pg 124)Yukio Seki, before his fateful flight wrote, It is not for the Emperor, Nor for Japan that I undertake this suicide attack, but solely for my beloved. (1, pg 124) Yukio Seki, before his fateful flight wrote, It is not for the Emperor, Nor for Japan that I undertake this suicide attack, but solely for my beloved. (1, pg 124) |