Strana 18
In preparing the article and the model
kit, we were assisted by Mr. Muranishi,
Mr. Yoshino, Voytek Kubacki, and Royan Toews.
The calligraphy of the inscription 'Kamikaze
Tokkōtai' was created by Mrs. Mari Kučera.
We would like to thank all of them.
Notes:
1) An interesting issue is the transcription of
the term “divine wind,” for which “kamikaze”
has become the established term, particularly
in reference to Japanese aviators, including
in contemporary Japanese media. The name
consists of two characters (神風), pronounced
“kamikaze” in Japanese transcription and
“shinpū” in Sino-Japanese transcription. Both
variants are correct, but their usage depends
on context. For example, the Japanese Navy
had two classes of Kamikaze destroyers in
the first half of the 20th century. Veterans of
Kōkūtai 201, in a memoir published in 1958 in
collaboration with American historians, stated
that the term "Kamikaze" should be used
exclusively for naval aviators in special attack
units. This name was commonly used in the
designation of many IJN special attack units.
After the war, the word “kamikaze” took on
a slightly pejorative connotation in Japan and
was sometimes used to describe reckless
or foolish actions. For instance, a taxi driver
engaging in risky driving might be described as
operating a “kamikaze taxi.” Notably, in the Army
Air Force special attack units, the term “divine
wind” was never used. Instead, the Japanese
6th Air Army employed the term Shinbu-tai
(振武隊) for special attack units during the
defense of Okinawa. The term “shinbu” can be
loosely translated as “military might,” though
it carries additional combat-related meanings.
Occasionally, the terms shinpū and shinbu
are mistakenly used interchangeably when
referring to naval and army special attack units.
2) The identification of Ishino as the pilot of
the Zero that struck the USS Missouri is not
definitive. Another possible, though less likely,
candidate is Petty Officer 2nd Class Kenkishi
(Kanekichi) Ishii, who was a member of the
same special attack unit as Ishino. However,
Ishii is credited with an unsuccessful attack on
the USS Wisconsin (BB-64).
3) Several sources list the Seizō/Ogawa pair
as the pilots responsible for damaging the
USS Bunker Hill. However, Dan King, author
of a publication on Kōkūtai 721, attributes the
damage to other pilots. He identifies Seizō as
the pilot of the Zero that was shot down during
the attack and places him in Tenmu Unit No. 10.
4) The “(II)” in Genzan (II) Kōkūtai indicates that
it was the second unit with the same name
in sequence. The first Genzan Kōkūtai was
equipped with G3M Nell and G4M Betty bombers
and saw combat during the early phase of the
Pacific War. In November 1942, it was renamed
Kōkūtai 755. It is also possible to encounter
the designation “(2)” in the unit’s name. In such
cases, this indicates that two units with the
same name existed simultaneously, with the
numeral “2” used to distinguish them.
Main sources:
BOBEK, Jan: various articles published in magazines
REVI and INFO Eduard
FERKL, Martin: various articles published in
magazine REVI
HATA, Ikuhiko, YASUHO, Izawa, SHORES, Christopher:
Japanese Naval Air Force Fighter Units and Their
Aces, 1932–1945
HATA, Ikuhiko, YASUHO, Izawa, SHORES, Christopher:
Japanese Army Air Force Units and Their Aces, 1931–
1945
INOGUCHI, Capt. Rikihei, NAKAJIMA, Cdr. Tadashi with
PINEAU, Roger: The Divine Wind, Japan´s Kamikaze
Force in World War II
KING, Dan: Blossoms from the Sky
Model Art 458: Imperial Japanese Navy Air Force
Suicide Attack Unit “Kamikaze”
RIELLY, Robin L.: Kamikaze Attacks of World War II
STERN, Robert C.: Fire from the Sky, Surviving the
Kamikaze Threat
WARNER, Denis, WARNER, Peggy with SENO, Cdr. (ret.)
Sadao: The Sacred Warriors: Japan´s Suicide Legions
YOUNG, Edward M.: American Aces Against the
Kamikaze
https://www.kamikazeimages.net/
HISTORY
A Japanese Yokosuka MXY7 Óka ("Baka") piloted flying bomb, captured intact by Marines on Okinawa, photographed on June 26, 1945, while being studied by experts
at the Navy Air Material Unit (N.A.M.). Several dozen launching platforms for Óka aircraft were under construction in the Japanese mountains. The large number of various
aircraft prepared by Japanese forces for the defense of the home islands indicated the potential for significant losses among Allied ships and their crews during invasion.
This formidable threat was one of the factors contributing to the decision to deploy atomic bombs. Photo: US Naval Heritage Command
INFO Eduard18
April 2025