Kamikaze Pilots

Paper Summary:

As the Second World War progressed, the Japanese hopes for a global empire were dashed and eventually, the imminent fall of Japan itself became apparent. The Americans could not be stopped by any conventional means--they were poised on the outskirts of the empire, waiting to come ashore. The paper shows that from a strictly military perspective, the only chance for the Japanese to halt American advancement was to employ some new and unexpected form of attack. Over time, the willingness of many Japanese soldiers to sacrifice themselves for the larger cause presented itself as, perhaps, the best possible way to gain an edge against the invaders. This paper examines the driving force of the young men who would become kamikaze pilots. It was a desperate tactic, utilized in a cultural setting that saw defeat as an apocalyptic outcome. The paper follows the story of a university student called Minoru who eventually became a Kamikaze pilot.

From the Paper:

"Having had absolutely no flight experience, Minoru's relegation to the Ohkas was predetermined. Additionally, as his crash course in flight began it became quickly apparent that he was one of the least talented in his squad. By December 10, 1944 Minoru had been classified as a D level pilot. Still, he was less concerned with his ranking as a pilot than he was with his newly-found importance in the war. The most interesting parts of his days were the hour-long lectures on philosophy and history fed to him by his superiors. Though the general notions regarding honor and bravery had been what spurred him to join six weeks earlier, the new perspectives he gained during his training helped him to see a more broad historical context for his actions."

More papers on Kamikaze Pilots:

• Term Paper # 122744 : "Japan and Kamikaze"
• Argumentative Essay # 9528 : "Should Pilots Carry Guns?"
• Analytical Essay # 90332 : "Arming Pilots"

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