01 Bell Ringer Kamikaze Pilots in WW II

Name:______Date:______Class:______

Bell Ringer: Kamikaze Pilots in WW II

Instructions: Examine the picture. Read the background information. Answer the questions.

Background: Japan had conquered many areas in the Pacific at the start of World War II. However, the Allies were able to initiate island hopping tactics to push the Japanese out of these various areas. This led to many defeats for Japan. In 1944, as an act of desperation, the Japenese started using drastic tactics. Japan had over 3,000 aviators crash their planes into Allied vessesls. These pilots were called Kamikaze Pilots. It is estimated that around 50 Allied vessels were sunk in these attacks. Radical nationalism rooted in an extreme devotion to the Emperor of Japan, Hirohito, along with the cultural pressure to drastically obey one’s leaders fueled the motivation of many to go through with these missions guaranteed to lead to their deaths. Above are pictures of Kamikaze attacks and below are quotes from two Kamikazi Pilots.

It is easy to talk about death in the abstract, as the ancient philosophers discussed. But it is real death I fear, and I don’t know if I can overcome the fear….For someone who had a good life, it is very difficult to part with it. But I reached a point of no return. I must plunge into an enemy vessel. To be honest, I cannot say that the wish to die for the emperor is genuine, coming from my heart. However, it is decided for me that I die for the emperor…

I am pleased to have the honor of having been chosen as a member of a Special Attack Force that is on its way into battle, but I cannot help crying when I think of you, Mom. When I reflect on the hopes you had for my future…I feel so sad that I am going to die without doing anything to bring you joy. -Ichizo Hayashi (Japanese Kamikaze Pilot)

1. Why did Japan start using Kamikaze Pilots during World War II? ______

2. What motivated the Kamikaze Pilots to follow through with orders that would end in their deaths? ______

3. Read the words above from the quotes of a Kamikaze Pilot. What emotions was he feeling? How did he view his mission? ______

Copyright, USHistoryTeachers.com All Rights Reserved. Answers: 1. Why did Japan start using Kamikaze Pilots during World War II? Japan had conquered many areas in the Pacific at the start of World War II. However, the Allies were able to initiate island hopping tactics to push the Japanese out of these various areas. This led to many defeats for Japan. In 1944, as an act of desperation, the Japenese started using drastic tactics. Japan had over 3,000 aviators crash their planes into Allied vessesls.

2. What motivated the Kamikaze Pilots to follow through with orders that would end in their deaths? Radical nationalsim rooted in a religious like devotion to the Emperor of Japan, Hirohito, along with the cultural pressure to drastically obey one’s leaders fueled the motivation of many to go through with these missions guaranteed to lead to their deaths.

3. Read the words above from the quotes of the Kamikaze Pilot. What emotions was he feeling? How did he view his mission? The pilot seems nervous and sad that he will lose his life. Yet, he also seems determined to go through with his mission. Despite the fear and sadness for what he will lose, he seems like he will go through with the assignment.