A Brief History
On October 21, 1944, Japan began their notorious kamikaze attacks during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, first striking HMAS Australia.
Digging Deeper
By 1944, World War II in the Pacific Theater had been raging for several years. While the European War is traditionally dated to have begun in 1939, the Pacific Theater arguably began two years earlier with Japan’s invasion of China. Thus, Japan had been fighting against myriad enemies for nearly seven years by the autumn of 1944.
During those seven years, Japan had rapidly established an impressive colonial empire that at its height seemed to even threaten Australia. Nevertheless, with America’s entry into the war following Japan’s sneak attack on Pearl Harbor in late 1941, the situation for Japan would eventually become increasingly desperate as the island nation attempted to fight against too many opponents simultaneously.
Supporting the American forces in the key battles of the Coral Sea (May 1942) and at Guadalcanal (August 1942 to February 1943) was Australia’s heavy cruiser HMAS Australia. With Americans and Australians having helped halt Japan’s offensive operations and now having begun the arduous task of retaking the territory previously conquered by Japan, Japan’s military turned to desperation tactics.
To that end, Japan hearkened back to one of its greatest national accomplishments achieved centuries before World War II when they, with the assistance of “divine wind” (which is what kamikaze means in English), successfully prevented the Mongols from adding Japan to their massive empire. Now, in the mid-twentieth century, Japan appealed to the memory of the brave men who resisted the Mongols in 1274 and 1281 and their “divine” aid. Japanese pilots would be asked to expend their own lives in the service of the Emperor and of Japan in suicide attacks against American and Allied ships and airplanes.
What incident technically was the first kamikaze mission is actually the subject of debate among historians. For example, on October 14, 1944, a Japanese plane crashed into the USS Reno leading some to conclude that perhaps that plane crashed deliberately. Much more generally accepted as the first kamikaze attack, however, was the one on October 21, 1944.
When the Japanese plane struck the HMAS Australia it did significant damage, killing thirty on board, including the ship’s captain, while wounding double that number. Yet, even this incident may have been the initiative of the Japanese pilot rather than an officially ordered attack. Regardless, the relatively successful assault was only the beginning and demonstrated just how willing Japanese were to sacrifice themselves in defense of what they believed a worthy cause. As the war in the Pacific wound its way to its inevitable conclusion, relentlessly tightening the noose around the neck of Japan, more and more Japanese fighting men would be asked to give their lives in suicide attacks that became more frequent and of greater magnitude as the end approached, notably at the Battle of Okinawa (April to June of 1945).
Japanese soldiers, sailors and airmen were fiercely loyal to the Emperor and to Japan, willing to not only risk their lives, but to purposely give their lives in attacks by airplane, manned torpedo, speedboats laden with explosives, or by running up to tanks with explosives in their hands. Their courage and devotion made them fearsome opponents for the Allied military that faced them, but in the end, their efforts and sacrifice was in vain. Still, Kamikaze attacks managed to sink around 57 Allied ships and damage another 368, and in the process killing about 4800 Allied sailors and wounding a similar number. Although it took 2800 Kamikaze sorties to inflict such damage, it can be argued that conventional attacks might have scored even less effective damage and lost just as many Japanese planes and men, another subject for debate.
Question for students (and subscribers): Would you be willing to spend your own life in a suicide attack for your country? Let us know in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
For further information, please read this article. For questions of whether or not this incident really deserves recognition as the first kamikaze attack, please also examine this article. We would be interested in reading in your comments whether or not you agree that the events of October 21, 1944 were in fact World War II’s first instance of a kamikaze assault on an Allied vessel or if you find the arguments in favor of another incident more convincing.
More History From Books
Palmer, Ian and Steven J. Zaloga. Kamikaze: Japanese Special Attack Weapons 1944–45. Osprey Publishing, 2011.
Rielly, Robin L. Kamikaze Attacks of World War II: A Complete History of Japanese Suicide Strikes on American Ships, by Aircraft and Other Means. McFarland, 2012.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="386 http://www.crackedhistory.com/?p=386">88 Comments
The Japanese picked too many battles. Their loss of life must have been severely high. I also can’t imagine being a kamikaze and the mindset and mental preparation that must go with being one.
I wasn’t really sure if Australia was even involved, they are pretty lucky if that’s the only incident that they happened to be involved in. And i figure it is because that’s the first I heard of them.
It is difficult for me to understand how a pilot could deliberately fly into a ship and face certain death. They must have sure felt strongly for their cause.
I definitely agree with fighting for your country and what you believe in… but… purposely committing suicide is a whole other discussion. — DAVID WARDLE
I can’t get my mind around how someone could do that purposely
The Kamikaze attacks were really effective against the Americans, but that wasn’t good enough to defeat us.
I wonder if the Allied Powers had lost the war how Japan would be different today, and if they would be considered a superpower…
It seems as if by this point Japan has bitten off a bit more than it could chew.
It’s amazing that a country of Japan’s size could have an army do what they do…they just became enemies with too many countries at the same time.
Japan seemed Pretty desperate at this point in the war.
The attacks were smart that they laid on the US but not enough to take us down in defeat.
I agree with David that purposely committing suicide was not acceptable and insane.
As I said in a previous comment, it’s crazy to me that people are willing to commit suicide for their country.
Kamikazes remind me of Samurai that would cut their own stomachs open to kill themselves if they were going to be captured by the enemy as a way to die honorably and ultimately resist giving out any information when potentially tortured. I don’t know how you convince people that it’s an acceptable thing to do to end your own life, and in the name of your country as well.
I suppose Kamikazes were the first suicide missions and I’m honestly glad it did not become more common in later wars.
I found the comment, “the situation for Japan would eventually become increasingly desperate as the island nation attempted to fight against too many opponents simultaneously,” interesting. I never before considered the difficulty in attempting to win a war while taking on so many other countries.
Committing suicide for your country is crazy.
Well they are very dedicated to there country, if they are willing to kill them self for there country. That is definitely dedicated but also crazy.
The kamikazes were just soldiers who wanted to protect and fight for their country, just like American troops. Anyone who becomes a soldier is putting their life on the line for their country. It’s just that the kamikazes were doing it a bit differently, but it was still in the name of serving their country,
I find it astonishing that the Japanese were willing to sacrifice themselves in defense of what they believed a worthy
I can’t imagine being asked to commit suicide for my country.
They must have truly believed in their nation to end their own lives for it. That’s not for me. Lol.
I think when people get asked to commit suicide for their country is really dumb. I find it really interesting on how the Japanese were just willing to do it so fast.
It’s crazy to see how many people would die for there country.
Being asked to do such a thing for your country is pretty crazy. They must have really had faith in their country if they were willing to do such a thing.
This is similar to suicide bombers today. Extremism never produces positive results. It is about manipulation and mind control.
A lot of things in WWII i think were wrong such as this
I wonder how they got enough people to sign up for suicide duty.
i would assume people are crazy to sign up for this. but if you told them its for your country and they are dumb enough to do it, apparently to them it was a smart idea
As sad as it sound I keep forgetting that Australia is close enough to Japan that they are able to attack each other. I barely remembered Australia is British territory.
This can be related to suicide bombers today.
Leadership in Japan at this time must have been very strong and influential. I wonder what type of techniques were used to pursued pilots into certain death. To get such support for your cause that individuals were willing to die for it is a weird thought, almost scary if these techniques are furthered with today’s society already having suicide bombers.
During WW2 Japan was power hungry. I wouldn’t be surprised if this went down in history as the first kamikaze.
I am not sure which was the first kamikaze attack. I don’t think it matters. The kamikaze attacks happened and people died. To do something like this would be difficult and I know I could not unless I had to for family.
Whenever I think of Japanese soldiers, I think of suicidal kamikazes in addition to Pearl Harbor.
I have only really heard about the kamikaze pilots attacking Pearl Harbor. It was interesting to learn about a little bit more of some attacks they had planned.
I was not familiar that there were many more attacks around the same time Pearl Harbor was attacked. I think Japan really dug themselves into a hole for doing that and I am sure wish they did not do what they did.
I have never heard of the Kamikazes, but Japan made many more enemies than they could handle during WWII.
It is crazy to think about these kamikaze pilots and how they risked their lives for what they thought was right. It is so easy to compare this to the terrorists of 9/11.
The fact that Japan had been fighting against myriad enemies for seven years since the autumn of 1944 is very sad. Any war to go on for more than five years is very sad considering what usually goes on before or after.
I wonder what it might have been like to be one of the kamikaze pilots who found out that they were to commit suicide by driving their plane into the enemies.
I always wonder how someone could willingly volunteer to commit suicide in missions like these.
The idea of killing oneself like the Kamikaze’s did is just unbelievable to me. The same goes for the today, suicide bombers.
Based on the events of Pearl Harbor and the Kamikaze attacks, Japan seemed to utilize their air crafts as a threat to their opponents.
many kamikaze pilots were under the first effects of a new drug called meth. it was designed to let them fear no death. thus brings us to such a terrible epidemic today
The mindset of the Kamikaze pilots reminds me a lot of the terrorists in 9/11 and the thoughts that they must have been thinking. I cannot imagine giving your life up to kill tons of others from a suicide airstrike.
The actions of Kamikaze pilots did not mean that they were brave and love their countries. Many of them were brainwashed by the government. It is a foolish behavior which fight against human nature.
My understanding is that many kamikaze pilots volunteered, while others were forced into the role. The volunteers believed that dying for Japan was honorable and saw themselves as brave warriors. I have not read anything that eludes to drugs or brainwashing.
That so interesting to hear from the reply that many Kamikaze pilots take drugs to fear no death. it is so crazy
Suicide bombings still makes no sense to me both during this time in history and today. I will never understand it.
I have never understood why people volunteer to do suicide bombings.
I wonder how they decide who will do a suicide bombing and how do they know they’ll agree? Or do they just volunteer?
It just astonishes me how many many willing walked up and asked to be suicide bombers they had more sign up than could do it.
It appalls me that how many people were willing to be suicide bombers, it also appalls me that they had more willing that what the need was for.
Kamikaze, a poor tactic. This is a last resort tactic definitely not a “I’m going to win the war” tactic.
ive heard kamikaze soo many times , as far as shoes basketball players and ships and etc in war. Like a comment said i do not understand suicide bombing its like , say bye bye but like i said in the last article guess you die for what you believe in.
How was a kamikaze attack a poor tactic? The article even references that one death with the kamikaze attack killed 30 enemy troops and injured double that? One life for 30 plus more injured. That doesn’t sound like a lousy tactic.
I just can’t wrap my head around the fact that people were so willing to kill themselves. I guess some people are so dedicated to what they believe in they’re willing to die for it.
I would go to war for my country if need be but I would never provide my life in order to kill people. I wouldn’t want the end of my life to be a planned attack.
These men were really dedicated to what they were fighting for. They did kill many quickly, but it would be hard to mentally prepare to kill yourself.
Its amazing to see men actually voluntarily flying planes into ships and killing themselves,shocking.
I never understood the idea of suicide bombings, but I guess someone has to be that brave solider to do it.
In Japan when the emperor asked for Kamikaze pilots he got almost triple the amount he originally asked for.
I cannot believe that people would just sacrifice and go head first into a building or something similar. I guess this was the way of the Japanese but to me it really makes me shake my head.
I understand the devotion one can have for their country, but willing killing yourself to do something weaponry could do is despicable in my opinion.
This was interesting to read because I feel like Australia, for the most part, minds their own business and tries to stay away from conflict and war.
The concept of kamikaze pilots has always been a baffling one for me. I cannot fathom the fact that people are willing to die just to attack others.
musst have been really brain washed to do this
It really does amaze me to think of what a person will do when they truly believe in their cause.
The beginning of suicide bomber. Same reason behind the one executing the mission. Try and talk an American into doing that and see what kind of response you get.
Brainwashing is the only explanation for kamikaze attacks. Hard to say based on the evidence exactly when the first attack occurred.
Amazing to see such dedication to your country that you would agree to sacrifice your own life. But then again, suicide bombers are an example of extreme craziness.
It is very scary think about the Japanese and how willing they were to give up their own lives during the war.
The kamikaze, the very first suicide bombers. One’s psychological intelligence must be in question, when you go into a mission, full knowing you will not return. The reality is these types believe they are losing their lives for the greater good of mankind. Seems completely ridiculous to most, but stop and think about the movie Armageddon, if one truly believed they could save the earth, wouldn’t one lay down his life for it?
The situation for Japan would eventually become increasingly desperate as the island nation attempted to fight against too many opponents. I can’t believe people are willing to give up their own lives.
It’s just insane that the Japanese pilots would give up their own lives for their country by flying a plane into a ship. They were either incredibly brave or just crazy.
This is not surprising to me as the Japanese are the ones that created bombs that contained a human to make sure it hit its mark. They had a very strong belief system and with it they were willing to sacrifice themselves for their country.
It is insane to even consider sacrificing yourself by crashing a plane into a ship for something you believe in. They did this in 1944 and men and women are still willing to do this today. I often wonder what were they thinking, why would you do this, is your life worth nothing to you? There is nothing heroic about a suicide mission.
That’s what indoctrination will do to you, The Japanese pilots were quickly the firsts to willing sacrifice their own lives for a cause. There had to have been some type of psychological stranglehold placed on those pilots by their superiors, to convince them to do that.
The kamikaze mindset is what made fighting the Japanese such a difficult task. They were so willing to die for their country, it made them hard to defeat.
This (giving your life to take others) sounds a bit like the terrorism we have faced in the United States in the last 20 years.
I don’t believe in nor like this article at all it seems like they are trying to justify terrorism to me, by sacrificing they lives for something that they believe in.
Why is this any different than what we are seeing with terrorist today? It seems Kamikaze is being glorified when it wasn’t too long ago we had the attack on the Twin Towers. I don’t see how any view on this could be honorable.
I cannot make a educated comment or suggest another Kamikaze assult other than what you have listed. I cannot for the life of me, no pun intended, understand why anyone would do this.
I didn’t know that Japan attacked an Australian ship.
It’s sad to think that people really will kill themselves along with many other innocent people just to prove their dedication to their country/leader.
that was made me learn new things, i never know HMAS Australia Struck in the First Kamikaze Attack of World War II before, amazing
I have never heard of “divine wind” and Japanese was attacking Australia ship