Kamikaze - an approach to the historical and psychological backgrounds

On October 25th 1944, two hours after sunrise the U.S.S Santee (C.V.E -29) an escort carrier lying in the Mindanao area was attacked by a single Japanese aircraft coming in lowly and – crushing into the flight deck1.
The `accident´ caused heavy damage – and proofed to be none. At the latest on the next day the American Forces in the Philippines had to realize that the Japanese were now using a new dreadful and desperate strategy to turn the tide of war. They started suicidal attacks in large numbers trying to hit enemy ships with their planes loaded with bombs. Another escort carrier the St.Lo (C.V.E.- 63) was sunk during this first attack after being hit by a suicide plane – leaving the U.S. soldiers and leaders frightened and shocked. Kamikaze – divine wind - became another Japanese word known to U.S. soldiers.
What led the prime of Japan’s youth to this last hopeless sacrifice?

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• The situation in autumn 1944
• The invention of kamikaze
• The backgrounds
• The survivors
• The results of the kamikaze attacks
• The influence of kamikaze attacks on the war
• The very end
• Causes for the process of large scale suicide tactics
• Conclusion
• About suicide (a comparison to the western point of view)
• Final announcement

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This text examines the origins, motivations, and consequences of the kamikaze attacks during World War II. It explores the historical context leading up to the use of this tactic and the psychological factors that drove Japanese pilots to make the ultimate sacrifice.

• The strategic and tactical reasons behind the kamikaze attacks.
• The motivations of the Japanese pilots who participated in kamikaze missions.
• The impact of kamikaze attacks on the course of the war in the Pacific.
• The legacy of the kamikaze attacks and their lasting impact on Japanese culture.
• A comparison between Japanese and Western perspectives on suicide.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of kamikaze attacks by recounting the sinking of the U.S.S. Santee in 1944, marking the beginning of this new and desperate Japanese strategy.
• The situation in autumn 1944: This chapter outlines the deteriorating military situation faced by Japan in 1944, highlighting the successes of the U.S. military and the growing realization that Japan's empire was becoming increasingly unsustainable.
• The invention of kamikaze: This chapter explores the genesis of the kamikaze strategy, crediting Vice-Admiral Onishi Takaijiro with the initial proposal and outlining the key elements of his plan, including the deployment of pilots and the psychological impact it was intended to have on U.S. forces.
• The backgrounds: This chapter delves deeper into the historical and cultural context of the kamikaze attacks, providing insights into the societal and ideological pressures that may have contributed to the acceptance of this tactic.
• The survivors: This chapter examines the experiences of Japanese pilots who survived kamikaze missions, highlighting their perspectives on the attacks and the emotional toll they experienced.
• The results of the kamikaze attacks: This chapter evaluates the effectiveness of the kamikaze attacks, considering both their military impact and their unintended consequences.
• The influence of kamikaze attacks on the war: This chapter analyzes the broader implications of the kamikaze attacks, exploring how they influenced the strategic and tactical decisions of both Japan and the United States in the Pacific theater.
• The very end: This chapter discusses the final stages of the war in the Pacific, focusing on the role of kamikaze attacks in the final months and days of the conflict.
• Causes for the process of large scale suicide tactics: This chapter explores the underlying factors that led to the adoption of kamikaze attacks, including the Japanese military's desperation, the cultural context of the time, and the societal pressure to defend the nation at all costs.
• About suicide (a comparison to the western point of view): This chapter examines the cultural and philosophical differences between Japanese and Western views on suicide, providing a comparative perspective on the motivations behind kamikaze attacks.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The primary keywords and focus topics of this text include World War II, kamikaze attacks, Japanese military strategy, suicide, cultural context, historical analysis, military history, Pacific theater, psychological motivations, and comparative perspectives.

Details

• College: University of Applied Sciences Ludwigshafen (Ostasieninstitut)
• Grade: 2
• Author: Thomas Marx (Author)
• Publication Year: 2001
• Pages: 18
• Catalog Number: V38208
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638373487
• ISBN (Book): 9783638956130
• Language: English
• Tags: Kamikaze