Difference between revisions of "Kamikaze"

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'''Kamikaze''' ([[Japan|Japanese]] for "Divine Wind") refers to a kind of attack in which a pilot crashes the vehicle he is operating at high speed into an enemy ship or position. Kamikaze attacks were used by the Empire of Japan during the last phase of the [[World War II|Second World War]] as a desperation move against the numerically superior [[United States Navy]], and they were essentially the first guided missiles. While these attacks were somewhat successful in destroying ships, it was not enough to stop allied efforts.
'''Kamikaze''' ([[Japan|Japanese]] for "Divine Wind") refers to a kind of attack in which a pilot crashes the vehicle he is operating at high speed into an enemy ship or position. Kamikaze attacks were used by the Empire of Japan during the last phase of the [[World War II|Second World War]] as a desperation move against the numerically superior [[United States Navy]], and they were essentially the first guided missiles. While these attacks were somewhat successful in destroying ships, it was not enough to stop allied efforts.


The kamikazes included not only standard aircraft but also specially designed, rocket-powered guided missiles and -- on the ocean -- specially designed piloted torpedoes.
The kamikazes included not only standard aircraft but also specially designed, rocket-powered guided missiles and -- on the ocean -- specially designed piloted torpedoes. Neither of these specialized suicide vehicles were too particularly effective due to the vulnerability of the bombers and submarines that the weapons required to allow them to be carried within range of their targets.  However whenever they were able to make a successful attack the results were spectacular. 


== Kamikaze attacks in Science Fiction ==
== Kamikaze attacks in Science Fiction ==

Revision as of 17:24, 27 March 2013

Kamikaze (Japanese for "Divine Wind") refers to a kind of attack in which a pilot crashes the vehicle he is operating at high speed into an enemy ship or position. Kamikaze attacks were used by the Empire of Japan during the last phase of the Second World War as a desperation move against the numerically superior United States Navy, and they were essentially the first guided missiles. While these attacks were somewhat successful in destroying ships, it was not enough to stop allied efforts.

The kamikazes included not only standard aircraft but also specially designed, rocket-powered guided missiles and -- on the ocean -- specially designed piloted torpedoes. Neither of these specialized suicide vehicles were too particularly effective due to the vulnerability of the bombers and submarines that the weapons required to allow them to be carried within range of their targets. However whenever they were able to make a successful attack the results were spectacular.

Kamikaze attacks in Science Fiction