Kamikaze - a term that has become widely known in the Second World War.This word designated the Japanese pilots bombers attacked enemy planes and ships and destroy them, going to ram.
meaning of the word "kamikaze"
appearance of a word associated with the name of the Mongol Kublai Khan, who, after the conquest of China's huge fleet gathered twice to reach the shores of Japan, and win her.The Japanese are preparing for war with the army, surpassing their own strength many times.In 1281 the Mongols collected almost 4.5 thousand ships and stosorokatysyachnoe army.
But both times to a major battle is not reached.Historical sources state that the coast of Japan Mongol fleet ships were almost entirely destroyed by a sudden storm broke.These typhoons that saved Japan from conquest, and were called "divine wind" or "kamikaze".
And when during the Second World War, it became evident that the Japanese are losing US and allies appeared squads of suicide pilots.They were, if not reverse the course of military action, at least inflict the greatest possible damage to the enemy.These pilots and became known as kamikaze.
first flight of a kamikaze
From the very beginning of the war occurred single packaging executable tanned aircraft pilots.But they were forced to sacrifice.In 1944 he was first formed an official squad of suicide pilots.Five fighter pilots on "Mitsubishi Zero", led by Captain Yukio Seki flew 25 October, a Philippine airport Mabarakat.
Kamikaze became the first victim of the US aircraft carrier "of Saint Lo."It crashed plane Seki and another fighter.On the ship, a fire broke out, and soon sank.So the whole world know who the suicide bombers.
"Living Weapon" Japanese army
After the success of Yukio Seki and his colleagues in Japan began a mass hysteria about the heroic suicide.Thousands of young people dreaming to make the same feat - to die, to destroy the enemy at the cost of his life.
hastily formed "special shock troops", not only among the pilots.Teams of suicide bombers were among the paratroopers who were dropped on airfields or other technical facilities of the enemy.Sailors suicide or operated boats, bombs or torpedoes enormous power.
This was an active process of consciousness of young people, they are taught that suicide bombers - the heroes who sacrifice themselves for the sake of the motherland.They are fully subject to the code of bushido, calls for constant readiness for death.It is ideal for which to strive.
Last departures bombers heralded as a solemn ritual.Its integral part was the white bandage on his forehead, bows, last cup of sake.And almost always - flowers from the girls.And even the suicide bombers often compared with sakura flowers, hinting at the speed with which they bloom and fall.All this is surrounded by a halo of romance death.
relatives of the victims waited kamikaze honor and respect of the whole of Japanese society.
results of shock troops
Kamikaze - those who have committed almost four thousand combat missions, each of which was the last.Most of the flying leads, if not to destroy, the damage to the vehicles and other military equipment of the enemy.They were able to permanently impress American sailors terror.And only at the end of the war with suicide bombers learned how to fight.Total death toll kamikaze consists of 6418 people.
Official US data suggests about 50 sunken ships.But this figure is unlikely to reflect the true damage done to the kamikaze.It is not always the ships sank immediately after the successful Japanese attack, they managed to stay afloat sometimes for several days.Some ships could be towed to shore, where repairs were made, without which they would have been doomed.
If we consider the damage manpower and equipment, once the results are impressive.Even the giant aircraft carriers with enormous buoyancy, are not insured against fire and explosion as a result of the fiery ram.Many ships burnt out almost completely, though, and did not go to the bottom.Damages received 300 ships, killing nearly 5000 sailors and US allies.
Kamikaze - who are they?Soul
After 70 years since the appearance of the first groups of bombers, the Japanese people trying to determine for themselves how to treat them.Who are the suicide bombers?Heroes consciously choose death in the name of ideals of bushido?Or the victim drugged state propaganda?
During the war, doubts arose.But archival materials lead to reflections.Even the first kamikaze famous Yukio Seki, believed that Japan knowingly kills his best pilots.They would also benefit by continuing to fly and attack the enemy.
Lt. Hiroshi Kuroki, who became the author of the idea torpedo bomber managed sailor, thought it was only a gesture of despair, and the result of wrong decisions of the central command.
Whatever it was, the kamikaze - is part of the history of Japan.The part, which in Japanese is simple and pride for their heroism and self-denial, and sorry for the people who died in the prime of life.But it does not leave indifferent anybody.
