The post WWII Strategic Survey assessment of the effectiveness of air power stated that the most effective weapon that the Japanese had against the US Navy was not the battleship or even the aircraft carrier, but the kamikaze. What you had here was something relatively unknown in Western warfare; the willingness to give one's life for the good of the nation through self-sacrifice. In this case, it was the use of the piloted bomb.

By the time of the Philippines campaign, it was pretty obvious that the US was going to be unstoppable by standard means. Though initially taken out of consideration as a means of warfare, by mid 1944, it was looking more and more like a viable option. So the plan was put into motion to use volunteer pilots and their aircraft to purposely crash themselves into the most potent weapon the USN had against Japan, the aircraft carrier. It was felt that if the US carrier force could be decimated, it would postpone or perhaps prevent the invasion of the Japanese home islands. With the speed at which new aircraft carriers of all sizes were being built, this was not likely to happen, but when your back is against the wall, you think differently.

The kamikaze effort was one of the few times that the Japanese Army and Navy actually cooperated with each other. Each service raised awareness and called for volunteers. They also coordinated their attacks. What started out rather small in the beginnings in the Philippines, grew into a much large series of raids when Okinawa was invaded. It was Okinawa where the battle was the most intense. By this time, the Japanese learned that small raids accomplished little and that it required a mass of aircraft to allow some to get through. The US also learned that it was important to have advanced warning of these raids, so destroyers were set out from the reat of the fleet and transports to provide this early warning. It was these ships that bore a great deal of the destruction and many were sunk as a result.

These events also provided the US Navy fighter pilot with a target rich environment. Thanks in part to the low level of training of many Japanese pilots and the fact that many of these suicide planes were old and slow, there were a considerable number of aces made. Especially during the Okinawa campaign where it was not unusual for a pilot to be an 'ace in a day' and score nothing the rest of the war. Of course, these suicide attacks were always provided with friendly fighter escort, but many of those pilots also met their end during the operation.

In this book, author Edward M Young looks at the strategic situation during this time along with the consideration of using suicide attacks through the acceptance of the idea and the planning that was undertaken. The actual battles are broken down into the Philippines and later Okinawa campaign. For the latter, each of the massed suicide attacks is covered in some detail. In between, the US attacked those places where these units were formed to destroy the planes on the ground so they would not have the chance to be used in attacks.

This was not totally a USN show as some USAAF and a few USMC units were also involved, but for the most part, it was Corsairs and Hellcats though some FM-2 Wildcat pilots were among those who did well. Even the night fighter gang got into the act and that is covered as well.

It all makes for a very interesting read that at times, reminded this reviewer of lambs being led to the slaughter as so many of the victories were so easy. As usual, there are superb period photos of the pilots and planes involved as well as many pages of nicely done color profiles. It is a book that I know you will enjoy reading and one that covers a subject that always draws interest.

November 2012

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