Kamikaze: Japanese Special Attack Weapons 1944–45

· Bloomsbury Publishing
Ebook
48
Pages

About this ebook

Following the destruction of much of the Japanese fleet and air arms in the later half of 1944, in desperation, the Imperial Japanese Navy proposed using “special attack” formations, or suicide attacks.

These initially consisted of crude improvisations of conventional aircraft fitted with high-explosive bombs that could be crashed into US warships. Called “Divine Wind” (Kamikaze), the special attack formations first saw action in 1944, and became the scourge of the US fleet in the battles for Iwo Jima and Okinawa in 1945. In view of the success of these attacks, the Japanese armed forces began to develop an entire range of new special attack weapons.

This book examines the initial kamikaze aircraft attacks, with a focus on the dedicated special attack weapons developed in 1944. It also covers specialized suicide attack weapons such as anti-tank lunge mines.
Following the destruction of much of the Japanese fleet and air arms in the later half of 1944, in desperation, the Imperial Japanese Navy proposed using “special attack” formations, or suicide attacks. These initially consisted of crude improvisations of conventional aircraft fitted with high-e...

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About the author

Steven J. Zaloga has worked as an analyst in the aerospace industry for over two decades, covering missile systems and the international arms trade, and has served with the Institute for Defense Analyses, a federal think tank. He is the author of numerous books on military technology and military history, with an accent on the US Army in World War II.

Ian Palmer is a highly experienced digital artist. A graduate in 3D Design, he has provided illustrations for many publications, from modelling James Bond's Aston Martin to recreating lunar landings.
Steven J. Zaloga has worked as an analyst in the aerospace industry for over two decades, covering missile systems and the international arms trade, and has served with the Institute for Defense Analyses, a federal think tank. He is the author of numerous books on military technology and military...

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