The most effective Japanese weapon of WWII was not a tank, a ship, a gun, a torpedo or an aircraft. It was the human directed suicide weapon known as the Kamikaze. Named after the storm that saved Japan from a Mongol invasion, the Kamikaze or 'Divine Wind' was rarely called that by the Japanese forces, preferring the term 'Tokku' or Special Attack. This was as much due to the emperor's ambivalence regarding human sacrifice on a large scale as a way to fight a war.

Though it was not at all rare for Japanese military men to sacrifice their lives when the going got desperate, it wasn't until the shellacking at the Battle of the Philippine Sea that there was serious thought given to using Tokku on a widespread basis. Both the Army and the Navy were involved and initially, it was the air forces that were involved. Though other methods were tried, it was the aircraft that caused the greatest amount of damage. These were directed against invading ships and while the number that actually hit ships was only a small percentage of those that were sent out, their mere presence caused changes in US force procedures.

If the aircraft had a major fault, it was that the bombs they carried were rarely enough to cause major damage to the ship they hit. It isn't to say that ships were not sunk or very badly damaged, but most of this was the fire following the hit as a half load of aviation fuel was spread over the area. Yes, these planes had enough to get back to base in case they couldn't find a target so those stories about having enough fuel for a one way mission are just urban legend.

In addition to outfitting planes with bombs, some were specially developed for the task. None of these were particularly successful, though the rocket powered Ohka had the best record. In addition to special aircraft, there were manned torpedoes, special submarines, special attack tanks, frogmen, speed boats and a variety of other methods that were developed. Many of these later weapons and methods were held in reserve for what was seen as the inevitable invasion and so never really used.

In this book, author Steven J. Zaloga covers all of the various equipment and methods that were seriously considered and developed in the last year or so of the Pacific War. The missions they carried out and their success or lack thereof is closely evaluated. In all, it makes for a fascinating book on the subject that is not only full of period photos but includes the fine art work of Ian Palmer. It is a book I found a delight to read and I know you will as well.

July 2011

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