Thomas Marx 
Kamikaze – an approach to the historical and psychological backgrounds 

Seminar paper from the year 2001 in the subject Orientalism / Sinology – Japanology, grade: 2, University of Applied Sciences Ludwigshafen (Ostasieninstitut), language: English, abstract: On October 25th 1944, two hours after sunrise the U.S.S Santee (C.V.E -29) an escort carrier lying in the Mindanao area was attacked by a single Japanese aircraft coming in lowly and – crushing into the flight deck1.
The `accident´ caused heavy damage – and proofed to be none. At the latest on the next day the American Forces in the Philippines had to realize that the Japanese were now using a new dreadful and desperate strategy to turn the tide of war. They started suicidal attacks in large numbers trying to hit enemy ships with their planes loaded with bombs. Another escort carrier the St.Lo (C.V.E.- 63) was sunk during this first attack after being hit by a suicide plane – leaving the U.S. soldiers and leaders frightened and shocked. Kamikaze – divine wind – became another Japanese word known to U.S. soldiers.
What led the prime of Japan’s youth to this last hopeless sacrifice?