Table of Contents

Origins of the Kamikaze Force /Importance of Okinawa /The April Battles /Desperation - The May Battles /The Final Battles /VC Squadrons and the Fleet Air Arm /APPENDICES

Promotional Information

The clashes over between the US Navy, Marine Corps and US Army Air Force fighters against the hastily created Kamikaze units of the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy Air Forces were some of the last large scale aerial engagements of the Pacific War. Kamikaze attacks came to the fore during the Okinawa campaign in April-May 1945, when mass attacks were made. Japanese Special Attack Units had first been introduced during the retaking of Philippines in late 1944. Overall, Japanese Army and Navy Special Attack Units flew some 1900 suicide sorties, losing some 900 aircraft in the process.

About the Author

Edward M. Young is a retired financial executive with degrees in Political Science from Harvard University and the University of Washington. During his career he held assignments in New York, London, Tokyo and Hong Kong. He has written a number of books and numerous articles on aviation and military history. He is the author of Osprey Campaign series number 136 Meiktila, Warrior series number 141 Merrill’s Marauders and Osprey Combat Aircraft series number 87 - B-24 Liberators of the Tenth and Fourteenth Air Forces. He lives with his wife in Seattle, Washington. Mark Styling has illustrated many titles for Osprey including Aircraft of the Aces, Combat Aircraft and Elite Units series books since 1994. Now based in Bridport, Dorset, he produces accurate illustrations of any chosen aircraft type. He has created some of the best artwork available to Osprey, and his nose art panels are legendary.

Reviews

"This is another winner from Osprey Publishing, recounting the story of Japan's most shocking weapon of the conflict--human suicide bombers." --WWII History Magazine (June 2013) "Military collections in general and aviation libraries in particular will welcome this specific survey." --James A. Cox, The Midwest Book Review (January 2013) "Color profiles by Mark Styling vividly season this study. And evocative archival photos enhance Young's exciting account." --Rachel E. Veres, www.cybermodeler.com (December 2012) "As usual, there are superb period photos of the pilots and planes involved as well as many pages of nicely done color profiles. It is a book that I know you will enjoy reading and one that covers a subject that always draws interest." --Scott Van Aken, Modeling Madness (November 2012)