Kamikaze

Kamikaze, meaning "divine wind" in Japanese, refers to a World War II-era tactic in which Japanese military personnel conducted suicide attacks against Allied naval forces. The term evokes the legendary storms of the 13th century that are said to have protected Japan from Mongol invasions, and it became associated with a determined, one-way mission to inflict maximum damage on enemy ships.

Origins and organization: In 1944, Japan established Special Attack Units (Tokkōtai) within the Navy and, to a lesser extent, the Army, to carry out suicide missions. Pilots, often volunteers, were trained to press home one final assault using explosive-filled aircraft and other weapons. Common aircraft included modified fighters such as the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, and bombers like the Aichi D3A "Val" or Nakajima B5N "Kate." Some missions employed specialized weapons, such as the Ohka, a manned flying bomb, or the Kaiten, a manned torpedo. The aim was to inflict crippling damage on Allied ships and thereby slow operational momentum.

Impact and legacy: Kamikaze attacks caused significant casualties and inflicted costly damage on Allied naval units, particularly from late 1944 into 1945. While they sometimes achieved tactical successes, the strategy did not alter the overall course of the war and led to substantial Japanese losses. In the postwar period, the term Kamikaze entered global usage as a symbol of extreme self-sacrifice and has been the subject of extensive historical and ethical analysis within military history.