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 Royal Australian Navy forces, 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 Royal Australian Navy forces, 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(Ohka) and -- on the ocean -- specially designed piloted torpedoes(Kaiten).  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.   
The kamikazes included not only standard aircraft but also specially designed, rocket-powered guided missiles (''ohka'') and -- on the ocean -- specially designed piloted torpedoes (''kaiten'').  Neither of these specialized suicide vehicles were particularly effective due to the vulnerability of the bombers and submarines that the weapons required to deliver them to within range of their targets.  However, whenever they were able to make a successful attack, the results were spectacular.   
 
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvO4VRpTXk8| History Channel's Dogfights Series episode on the Kamikaze.]
 
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQXSle9G1BM| History Channel's Dogfights Series episode that covers the Kaiten.]


== Kamikaze attacks in Science Fiction ==
== Kamikaze attacks in Science Fiction ==
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File:Ohka lauching.jpg|An Ohka being deployed.
File:Ohka lauching.jpg|An Ohka being deployed.
</gallery>
</gallery>
==External Links==
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvO4VRpTXk8| History Channel's ''Dogfights'' series episode on the ''kamikaze''.]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQXSle9G1BM| History Channel's ''Dogfights'' series episode that covers the ''kaiten''.]


[[Category:Military]]
[[Category:Military]]
[[Category:Strategies and Tactics]]
[[Category:Strategies and Tactics]]

Revision as of 21:28, 3 April 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 Royal Australian Navy forces, 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 (ohka) and -- on the ocean -- specially designed piloted torpedoes (kaiten). Neither of these specialized suicide vehicles were particularly effective due to the vulnerability of the bombers and submarines that the weapons required to deliver them to within range of their targets. However, whenever they were able to make a successful attack, the results were spectacular.

Kamikaze attacks in Science Fiction

Gallery

External Links