Dan Snow's History Hit
The Kamikaze Pilots
Apr 27, 2024
Dan Snow, a military historian, explores the Kamikaze pilots with guest Christopher Harding, a cultural historian of India and Japan. They discuss the ideological and tactical messages of the kamikaze, questioning if the pilots were zealots or terrified young men. The podcast delves into the impact and legacy of these suicide missions during World War II, shedding light on the emotional struggles and sacrifices of the kamikaze pilots.
28:46
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Quick takeaways
- Kamikaze pilots were a desperate tactic by Japan in late 1944 to resist Allied advancements.
- The Kamikaze missions had a low success rate but influenced Allied psychological warfare strategies.
Deep dives
Origins of Kamikaze Attacks
The podcast discusses the origins of the Kamikaze attacks, tracing back to the legendary event of the divine wind saving Japan from the Mongol invasions in 1274. The episode highlights the connection between these historical events and the Kamikaze suicide missions carried out during World War II, where young pilots were tasked with one-way suicide missions against Allied ships.
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