
Stories

Stories

A-K

A-K
Amakusa Air Group Association
Amakusa Air Group Association
Amakusa Two-seat Reconnaissance Seaplane Squadron
Amakusa Two-seat Reconnaissance Seaplane Squadron
Among the Remnants of the Suicide Subs
Among the Remnants of the Suicide Subs
Assorted Thoughts During War
Assorted Thoughts During War
Continued Commitment: Main Force for Mainland Decisive Battle
Continued Commitment: Main Force for Mainland Decisive Battle
Crash Attack With New Wife On Board
Crash Attack With New Wife On Board
Drop Training: Hard-to-use Spear, Observed Reality
Drop Training: Hard-to-use Spear, Observed Reality
Final Settlement of Accounts of Life
Final Settlement of Accounts of Life
First Battle Results: Change in Tactics, Only Sinking
First Battle Results: Change in Tactics, Only Sinking
For Five Seconds, A Gunner
For Five Seconds, A Gunner
Human Bomb Corps: 160 Men Annihilated in First Battle
Human Bomb Corps: 160 Men Annihilated in First Battle
Kamikaze Pilots Visit Ritsu Tsurumaru’s Home
Kamikaze Pilots Visit Ritsu Tsurumaru’s Home
Kamikaze, the Ultimate Sacrifice
Kamikaze, the Ultimate Sacrifice

L-N

L-N
Lack of Experience: Hard 600-km Flight over the Sea
Lack of Experience: Hard 600-km Flight over the Sea
Last Letters: Collection of Final Writings Published, Testimony Preserved
Last Letters: Collection of Final Writings Published, Testimony Preserved
Last Writings: Hero, Dying in Vain, Reality That Cannot Be Expressed by Dualism
Last Writings: Hero, Dying in Vain, Reality That Cannot Be Expressed by Dualism
LCS 118: A Radar Picket Patrol
LCS 118: A Radar Picket Patrol
Magnificent Comrades of Tsukuba Unit
Magnificent Comrades of Tsukuba Unit
Man Killed In Action Who Returned
Man Killed In Action Who Returned
May 28, 1945—Another Day of Infamy
May 28, 1945—Another Day of Infamy
Mighty Midgets 2007 Reunion
Mighty Midgets 2007 Reunion
My Personal History: Two Lives
My Personal History: Two Lives

O-R

O-R
Observer Training Aircraft: Mobilization of Plane Not Fit for Battle
Observer Training Aircraft: Mobilization of Plane Not Fit for Battle
Perilous Full Moon: I Survived Due to Old Airframe
Perilous Full Moon: I Survived Due to Old Airframe
Phantom Daytime Attack (Part 1): Squadron Members With No Wish to Volunteer
Phantom Daytime Attack (Part 1): Squadron Members With No Wish to Volunteer
Phantom Daytime Attack (Part 2): Sudden Cancellation, Not Even Any Record
Phantom Daytime Attack (Part 2): Sudden Cancellation, Not Even Any Record
Phantom Kenmu Squadron: Cancelled Just Before Takeoff
Phantom Kenmu Squadron: Cancelled Just Before Takeoff
Preparing to Sortie and Waiting for Orders Every Day for Two Weeks
Preparing to Sortie and Waiting for Orders Every Day for Two Weeks
Puzzle Left for Couple: Journey of Seven Years to Search for Date of Death
Puzzle Left for Couple: Journey of Seven Years to Search for Date of Death
Remembering Times Past from 34 Years Ago
Remembering Times Past from 34 Years Ago
Rescued Kamikaze Pilot Also Callaghan Survivor
Rescued Kamikaze Pilot Also Callaghan Survivor
Resentment: Tradition of Commanding Officer’s Taking Lead Disappeared
Resentment: Tradition of Commanding Officer’s Taking Lead Disappeared

S-Z

S-Z
Shin’yō Special Attack Squadron
Shin’yō Special Attack Squadron
Sinking of USS Drexler DD-741
Sinking of USS Drexler DD-741
Sorties Cancelled Twice: Enjoyment of Long Life Due To Small Difference
Sorties Cancelled Twice: Enjoyment of Long Life Due To Small Difference
Special Attack Corps Waiting Room at Tomitaka Base
Special Attack Corps Waiting Room at Tomitaka Base
Special Mission: Symbolic of "Irresponsibility" in Upper Ranks
Special Mission: Symbolic of "Irresponsibility" in Upper Ranks
Spiritual Foundation of Kamikaze Special Attack Corps Members
Spiritual Foundation of Kamikaze Special Attack Corps Members
Survival of Drexler Survivors Reunion Association
Survival of Drexler Survivors Reunion Association
Two Days Before War’s End, Jinrai Butai’s Last Sortie
Two Days Before War’s End, Jinrai Butai’s Last Sortie
2007 USS Callaghan (DD-792) Reunion
2007 USS Callaghan (DD-792) Reunion
2007 USS Morrison (DD-560) Reunion
2007 USS Morrison (DD-560) Reunion
2010 USS Drexler (DD-741) Reunion
2010 USS Drexler (DD-741) Reunion
2012 USS Callaghan (DD-792) Reunion
2012 USS Callaghan (DD-792) Reunion
Who Sank the Destroyer Drexler?
Who Sank the Destroyer Drexler?
Without Telegraph: No Way to Communicate Battle Results
Without Telegraph: No Way to Communicate Battle Results
Young Ski Jumper Who Was Olympic Contender
Young Ski Jumper Who Was Olympic Contender

Books

Books

Personal Narratives

Personal Narratives
Imamura, Shig: The True Story of an American Kamikaze
Imamura, Shig: The True Story of an American Kamikaze
Inoguchi and Nakajima, The Divine Wind
Inoguchi and Nakajima, The Divine Wind
Nagatsuka, I Was a Kamikaze
Nagatsuka, I Was a Kamikaze
Sakamaki, I Attacked Pearl Harbor
Sakamaki, I Attacked Pearl Harbor
Yokota and Harrington, Kamikaze Submarine
Yokota and Harrington, Kamikaze Submarine
Yoshida, Requiem for Battleship Yamato
Yoshida, Requiem for Battleship Yamato

General (A-H)

General (A-H)
Aeronautical Staff of Aero Publishers, Kamikaze
Aeronautical Staff of Aero Publishers, Kamikaze
Axell and Kase, Kamikaze: Japan’s Suicide Gods
Axell and Kase, Kamikaze: Japan’s Suicide Gods
Burlingame, Advance Force Pearl Harbor
Burlingame, Advance Force Pearl Harbor
Carruthers, Australia Under Siege
Carruthers, Australia Under Siege
Cea, Tokubetsu Kogeki Tai. Special Attack Units
Cea, Tokubetsu Kogeki Tai. Special Attack Units
Charles River Editors, The Kamikazes
Charles River Editors, The Kamikazes
Cortesi, Valor at Okinawa
Cortesi, Valor at Okinawa
Delgado et al., The Lost Submarines of Pearl Harbor
Delgado et al., The Lost Submarines of Pearl Harbor
Grose, A Very Rude Awakening
Grose, A Very Rude Awakening
Hagoromo Society, The Cherry Blossom Squadrons
Hagoromo Society, The Cherry Blossom Squadrons

General (I-R)

General (I-R)
Ishiguro and Januszewski, Japanese Special Attack Aircraft
Ishiguro and Januszewski, Japanese Special Attack Aircraft
Jenkins, Hitting Home: The Japanese Attack on Sydney 1942
Jenkins, Hitting Home: The Japanese Attack on Sydney 1942
Lambert, Bombs, Torpedoes and Kamikazes
Lambert, Bombs, Torpedoes and Kamikazes
Lamont-Brown, Kamikaze: Japan’s Suicide Samurai
Lamont-Brown, Kamikaze: Japan’s Suicide Samurai
Lardas, The Kamikaze Campaign 1944-45
Lardas, The Kamikaze Campaign 1944-45
Lind, Toku-tai: Japanese Submarine Operations in Australian Waters
Lind, Toku-tai: Japanese Submarine Operations in Australian Waters
Morris, Battleship Yamato
Morris, Battleship Yamato
Mortensen, Divine Wind: Kamikaze Attacks Against the US Navy
Mortensen, Divine Wind: Kamikaze Attacks Against the US Navy
Ohnuki-Tierney, Kamikaze, Cherry Blossoms, and Nationalisms
Ohnuki-Tierney, Kamikaze, Cherry Blossoms, and Nationalisms
Rielly, Kamikazes, Corsairs, and Picket Ships
Rielly, Kamikazes, Corsairs, and Picket Ships

General (S-Z)

General (S-Z)
Sears, At War with the Wind
Sears, At War with the Wind
Sholin, The Kamikaze Nightmare
Sholin, The Kamikaze Nightmare
Sholin, The Sacrificial Lambs
Sholin, The Sacrificial Lambs
Sholin, Truman’s Decision
Sholin, Truman’s Decision
Smith, Kamikaze: To Die for the Emperor
Smith, Kamikaze: To Die for the Emperor
Spurr, A Glorious Way to Die
Spurr, A Glorious Way to Die
Stewart, Kamikaze: Japan’s Last Bid for Victory
Stewart, Kamikaze: Japan’s Last Bid for Victory
Stille, US Navy Ships vs Kamikazes 1944-45
Stille, US Navy Ships vs Kamikazes 1944-45
Takaki and Sakaida, B-29 Hunters of the JAAF
Takaki and Sakaida, B-29 Hunters of the JAAF
Thurman, Picket Ships at Okinawa
Thurman, Picket Ships at Okinawa
Veesenmeyer, Kamikaze Terror
Veesenmeyer, Kamikaze Terror
Warner and Seno, The Coffin Boats
Warner and Seno, The Coffin Boats
Warner and Warner, The Sacred Warriors
Warner and Warner, The Sacred Warriors
Zaloga, Kamikaze: Japanese Special Attack Weapons 1944-45
Zaloga, Kamikaze: Japanese Special Attack Weapons 1944-45
Zimmerman, Battleship Yamato: Why She Matters Today
Zimmerman, Battleship Yamato: Why She Matters Today

Ship Histories (A-C)

Ship Histories (A-C)
Acord and Holbrook, Hell and High Water in the Pacific
Acord and Holbrook, Hell and High Water in the Pacific
Andersen, Three Minutes Off Okinawa
Andersen, Three Minutes Off Okinawa
Ball, Fighting Amphibs: The LCS(L) in World War II
Ball, Fighting Amphibs: The LCS(L) in World War II
Becton, The Ship That Would Not Die
Becton, The Ship That Would Not Die
Billingsley, The Emmons Saga
Billingsley, The Emmons Saga
Blanton, Boston——to Jacksonville (41,000 Miles by Sea)
Blanton, Boston——to Jacksonville (41,000 Miles by Sea)
Bonner and Bonner, USS Missouri at War
Bonner and Bonner, USS Missouri at War
Brown and Anteau, Historical Review: U.S.S. Drexler DD-741
Brown and Anteau, Historical Review: U.S.S. Drexler DD-741
Bustin, Humble Heroes: How the USS Nashville CL43 Fought WWII
Bustin, Humble Heroes: How the USS Nashville CL43 Fought WWII
Calhoun, Tin Can Sailor: Life Aboard the USS Sterett, 1939-1945
Calhoun, Tin Can Sailor: Life Aboard the USS Sterett, 1939-1945
Charney, USS Ingraham DD694: 1944-1945
Charney, USS Ingraham DD694: 1944-1945
Cline, Escort Carrier WWII
Cline, Escort Carrier WWII
Craig, USS Cassin Young: Fletcher Class Destroyer DD793
Craig, USS Cassin Young: Fletcher Class Destroyer DD793
Craighead, All Ahead Full
Craighead, All Ahead Full
Crew, Combat Loaded: Across the Pacific on the USS Tate
Crew, Combat Loaded: Across the Pacific on the USS Tate

Ship Histories (D-J)

Ship Histories (D-J)
Dennis, The Destroyer U.S.S. Flusser DD368: Her Life of Service
Dennis, The Destroyer U.S.S. Flusser DD368: Her Life of Service
Dennis, U.S.S. Frustrate: "The Luckiest Ship in the Navy"
Dennis, U.S.S. Frustrate: "The Luckiest Ship in the Navy"
Duffy, The Wonderful World of John Duffy: An Autobiography)
Duffy, The Wonderful World of John Duffy: An Autobiography)
Fillmore, War History of USS Leutze (DD-481)
Fillmore, War History of USS Leutze (DD-481)
Foster, The Last Destroyer: The Story of the USS Callaghan
Foster, The Last Destroyer: The Story of the USS Callaghan
Graves, Men of Poseidon: Life at Sea Aboard the USS Rall
Graves, Men of Poseidon: Life at Sea Aboard the USS Rall
Griggs, Preludes to Victory: The Battle of Ormoc Bay in WWII
Griggs, Preludes to Victory: The Battle of Ormoc Bay in WWII
Harmon, U.S.S. Cassin Young (DD-793)
Harmon, U.S.S. Cassin Young (DD-793)
Harper, Too Close for Comfort
Harper, Too Close for Comfort
Irons, Phalanx Against the Divine Wind
Irons, Phalanx Against the Divine Wind
Jones, Days of Steel Rain
Jones, Days of Steel Rain

Ship Histories (K-N)

Ship Histories (K-N)
Kalosky, Harm’s Way—Every Day
Kalosky, Harm’s Way—Every Day
LCS(L) Landing Craft Support (Large)
LCS(L) Landing Craft Support (Large)
Lott, Brave Ship Brave Men
Lott, Brave Ship Brave Men
Lott and Sumrall, USS Ward—The First Shot
Lott and Sumrall, USS Ward—The First Shot
MacKay, The U.S. Navy’s "Interim" LSR(R)s in World War II
MacKay, The U.S. Navy’s "Interim" LSR(R)s in World War II
Mair, Oil, Fire, and Fate
Mair, Oil, Fire, and Fate
Malott, "If We Save But One"
Malott, "If We Save But One"
McBride, ed., Good Night Officially
McBride, ed., Good Night Officially
Monsarrat, Angel on the Yardarm
Monsarrat, Angel on the Yardarm
Novotny, In the Wake of Jellybean
Novotny, In the Wake of Jellybean

Ship Histories (O-Sk)

Ship Histories (O-Sk)
Olson, Tales from a Tin Can
Olson, Tales from a Tin Can
Payne, H.M.A.S. Australia 1928-1955
Payne, H.M.A.S. Australia 1928-1955
Rielly, Mighty Midgets At War
Rielly, Mighty Midgets At War
Ronck, Battleship Missouri
Ronck, Battleship Missouri
Rooney, Mighty Midget U.S.S. LCS 82
Rooney, Mighty Midget U.S.S. LCS 82
Samuels, War Patrol of the PCE(R)852
Samuels, War Patrol of the PCE(R)852
Simmons, USS Tennessee in World War II
Simmons, USS Tennessee in World War II
Skeldon, USS Kadashan Bay VC-20
Skeldon, USS Kadashan Bay VC-20

Ship Histories (Sl-Z)

Ship Histories (Sl-Z)
Stafford, Little Ship, Big War: The Saga of DE343
Stafford, Little Ship, Big War: The Saga of DE343
Stafford, The Big E: The Story of the USS Enterprise
Stafford, The Big E: The Story of the USS Enterprise
Stillwell, Battleship Missouri: An Illustrated History
Stillwell, Battleship Missouri: An Illustrated History
Stone, "My Ship!" The U.S.S. Intrepid
Stone, "My Ship!" The U.S.S. Intrepid
Streb, Life and Death Aboard the U.S.S. Essex
Streb, Life and Death Aboard the U.S.S. Essex
Sumrall, USS Kidd (DD-661)
Sumrall, USS Kidd (DD-661)
Surels, DD 522: Diary of a Destroyer
Surels, DD 522: Diary of a Destroyer
Veesenmeyer, Kamikaze Destroyer
Veesenmeyer, Kamikaze Destroyer
White and Gandt, Intrepid
White and Gandt, Intrepid
Wolfe, Wole, and O’Hara, History of the USS Kidd (DD661)
Wolfe, Wole, and O’Hara, History of the USS Kidd (DD661)
Wukovits, Hell from the Heavens
Wukovits, Hell from the Heavens
Y’Blood, The Little Giants: U.S. Escort Carriers Against Japan
Y’Blood, The Little Giants: U.S. Escort Carriers Against Japan

Fiction (A-L)

Fiction (A-L)
Deutermann, Sentinels of Fire
Deutermann, Sentinels of Fire
Fowler, The Astrological Diary of God
Fowler, The Astrological Diary of God
Freedman, The Seventh Stone
Freedman, The Seventh Stone
Grant, Attack from the sun
Grant, Attack from the sun
Grant, Night Flying Avenger
Grant, Night Flying Avenger
Kaga, Riding the East Wind
Kaga, Riding the East Wind
Kuwahara and Allred, Kamikaze
Kuwahara and Allred, Kamikaze

Fiction (M-Z)

Fiction (M-Z)
Mannock, The Sen-Toku Raid
Mannock, The Sen-Toku Raid
Meade, The Dignity of Danger
Meade, The Dignity of Danger
Morris, The Last Kamikaze
Morris, The Last Kamikaze
Nicole, The Ship with No Name
Nicole, The Ship with No Name
O’Keefe, A Thousand Stitches
O’Keefe, A Thousand Stitches
Park, When My Name Was Keoko
Park, When My Name Was Keoko
Sakamoto, One Hundred Million Hearts
Sakamoto, One Hundred Million Hearts
Somma, Midori and the 1000 Stitch Belt
Somma, Midori and the 1000 Stitch Belt
Wheatcroft, Answering Fire
Wheatcroft, Answering Fire

Writings

Writings
Gordon, Facing Death: Last Writings of Japanese Special Attack Corps Members
Gordon, Facing Death: Last Writings of Japanese Special Attack Corps Members
Kawatoko, The Mind of the Kamikaze
Kawatoko, The Mind of the Kamikaze
Lartéguy, The Sun Goes Down
Lartéguy, The Sun Goes Down
Nihon Senbotsu Gakusei Kinen-Kai, Listen to the Voices from the Sea
Nihon Senbotsu Gakusei Kinen-Kai, Listen to the Voices from the Sea
Ohnuki-Tierney, Kamikaze Diaries
Ohnuki-Tierney, Kamikaze Diaries
Todai Gakusei Jichi-kai, In the Faraway Mountains and Rivers
Todai Gakusei Jichi-kai, In the Faraway Mountains and Rivers
Yamashita, Leaves from an Autumn of Emergencies
Yamashita, Leaves from an Autumn of Emergencies

Related Topics (A-M)

Related Topics (A-M)
Bawal, Jr., Titans of the Rising Sun
Bawal, Jr., Titans of the Rising Sun
Delgado, Kamikaze: History’s Greatest Naval Disaster
Delgado, Kamikaze: History’s Greatest Naval Disaster
Eadon, Kamikaze: The Story of the British Pacific Fleet
Eadon, Kamikaze: The Story of the British Pacific Fleet
Evans, The Japanese Navy in World War II
Evans, The Japanese Navy in World War II
Gandt, The Twilight Warriors
Gandt, The Twilight Warriors
Grossberg, Last Letter Home
Grossberg, Last Letter Home
Hara, Japanese Destroyer Captain
Hara, Japanese Destroyer Captain
Kemp, Underwater Warriors
Kemp, Underwater Warriors
King, The Last Zero Fighter
King, The Last Zero Fighter
Klinkowitz, Pacific Skies
Klinkowitz, Pacific Skies
Lubeski, Linebackers of the Sea
Lubeski, Linebackers of the Sea

Related Topics (N-Z)

Related Topics (N-Z)
Sakaida and Takaki, Genda’s Blade
Sakaida and Takaki, Genda’s Blade
Samples, Wings over Sakishima
Samples, Wings over Sakishima
Shibusawa, America’s Geisha Ally
Shibusawa, America’s Geisha Ally
Thompson, Why Do Kamikaze Pilots Wear Helmets?
Thompson, Why Do Kamikaze Pilots Wear Helmets?
Tsouras, Rising Sun Victorious
Tsouras, Rising Sun Victorious
Vernon, The Hostile Sky: A Hellcat Flier in World War II
Vernon, The Hostile Sky: A Hellcat Flier in World War II
Werstein, Okinawa: The Last Ordeal
Werstein, Okinawa: The Last Ordeal
Westheimer, Death is Lighter than a Feather
Westheimer, Death is Lighter than a Feather
Young, American Aces Against the Kamikaze
Young, American Aces Against the Kamikaze

Comics (A-J)

Comics (A-J)
Air War Stories - Kamikaze!
Air War Stories - Kamikaze!
Authentic War Stories - The Kamikaze
Authentic War Stories - The Kamikaze
Battle - Kamikaze! (July 1954)
Battle - Kamikaze! (July 1954)
Battle - Kamikaze! (April 1959)
Battle - Kamikaze! (April 1959)
Blackhawk - The Red Kamikaze Terror
Blackhawk - The Red Kamikaze Terror
Fightin’ Air Force - Kamikaze Pilot
Fightin’ Air Force - Kamikaze Pilot
Fightin’ Marines - Kamikaze
Fightin’ Marines - Kamikaze
Fightin’ Navy - Kamikaze Killer
Fightin’ Navy - Kamikaze Killer
Fubar 2: Empire of the Rising Dead
Fubar 2: Empire of the Rising Dead
Ghostly Tales - The Last Kamikaze!
Ghostly Tales - The Last Kamikaze!

Comics (K-Z)

Comics (K-Z)
Navy Task Force - Kamikaze!
Navy Task Force - Kamikaze!
Our Fighting Forces - Battle Album: Kamikaze
Our Fighting Forces - Battle Album: Kamikaze
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! - The Last Kamikaze
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! - The Last Kamikaze
A Sailor’s Story and A Sailor’s Story, Book Two
A Sailor’s Story and A Sailor’s Story, Book Two
Star Spangled War Stories - I Was a Kamikaze Pilot!
Star Spangled War Stories - I Was a Kamikaze Pilot!
True Comics - Name to Remember
True Comics - Name to Remember
USS Stevens: Ride the Baka
USS Stevens: Ride the Baka
Wings Comics (August 1946)
Wings Comics (August 1946)
Wings Comics - Kamikaze (Fall 1952)
Wings Comics - Kamikaze (Fall 1952)

Films

Films

Documentaries (A-G)

Documentaries (A-G)
Day of the Kamikaze: November 25, 1944
Day of the Kamikaze: November 25, 1944
The Fleet That Came to Stay
The Fleet That Came to Stay
Gladiators of World War II: The Kamikazes
Gladiators of World War II: The Kamikazes
Great Blunders of World War II
Great Blunders of World War II

Documentaries (H-K)

Documentaries (H-K)
Kamikaze: Death From the Sky
Kamikaze: Death From the Sky
Kamikaze: Mission of Death
Kamikaze: Mission of Death
Kamikaze: To Die for the Emperor
Kamikaze: To Die for the Emperor
Kamikaze / War in the Pacific
Kamikaze / War in the Pacific

Documentaries (L-Z)

Documentaries (L-Z)
No Surrender: Japanese and German Kamikazes
No Surrender: Japanese and German Kamikazes
S.O.S. Catastrophe: Typhoons and Kamikaze
S.O.S. Catastrophe: Typhoons and Kamikaze
War Stories wtih Oliver North: Attack of the Japanese Midget Subs!
War Stories wtih Oliver North: Attack of the Japanese Midget Subs!
The Cockpit: Kamikaze Stories
The Cockpit: Kamikaze Stories
USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage
USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage

Japanese

Japanese
Aa tokubetsu kougekitai (Ah, Special Attack Corps)
Aa tokubetsu kougekitai (Ah, Special Attack Corps)
Deguchi no nai umi (Sea without exit)
Deguchi no nai umi (Sea without exit)
Gekkou no Natsu (Summer of the Moonlight Sonata)
Gekkou no Natsu (Summer of the Moonlight Sonata)
Hokui 15° no Dyuo (15 Degrees North Latitude Duo)
Hokui 15° no Dyuo (15 Degrees North Latitude Duo)
Lorelei: The Witch of the Pacific Ocean
Lorelei: The Witch of the Pacific Ocean
Matsuo Keiu to sono haha (Keiu Matsuo and his mother)
Matsuo Keiu to sono haha (Keiu Matsuo and his mother)
Nijūroku ya mairi (A Moon Twenty-six Days Old)
Nijūroku ya mairi (A Moon Twenty-six Days Old)
Ningen no Tsubasa (Wings of a Man)
Ningen no Tsubasa (Wings of a Man)
Taiheiyou no Tsubasa (Wings of the Pacific)
Taiheiyou no Tsubasa (Wings of the Pacific)

Museums

Museums
Bansei Tokkō Peace Museum
Bansei Tokkō Peace Museum
Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots
Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots
Etajima Museum of Naval History
Etajima Museum of Naval History

Hotaru Museum

Hotaru Museum
Cherry Blossoms of Same Class
Cherry Blossoms of Same Class
Kamikaze Special Attack Museum
Kamikaze Special Attack Museum
Kanoya Naval Air Base Museum
Kanoya Naval Air Base Museum
Tokushima Air Base Museum
Tokushima Air Base Museum
Tsukuba Naval Air Base Museum
Tsukuba Naval Air Base Museum
Yokaren Museum - Tsuchiura
Yokaren Museum - Tsuchiura

US Museums

US Museums
Battleship Missouri Memorial
Battleship Missouri Memorial
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
National Museum of the Pacific War
National Museum of the Pacific War
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
USS Cassin Young (DD-793)
USS Cassin Young (DD-793)

Monuments

Monuments

A-B

A-B
Aichi Gokoku Jinja Battleship Yamato Monument
Aichi Gokoku Jinja Battleship Yamato Monument
Akita Special Attack Corps Monument
Akita Special Attack Corps Monument
Amakusa Naval Air Group Monument
Amakusa Naval Air Group Monument
Arari Never Forget Monument
Arari Never Forget Monument
Army Command Reconnaissance Units Monument
Army Command Reconnaissance Units Monument
Army Special Cadet Pilots Monument
Army Special Cadet Pilots Monument
Bansei Special Attack Monument
Bansei Special Attack Monument
Battleship Yamato Memorial Tower
Battleship Yamato Memorial Tower
Battleship Yamato Monument (Kure)
Battleship Yamato Monument (Kure)
Battleship Yamato War Dead Monument
Battleship Yamato War Dead Monument
Bōnotsu Shin’yō Corps Monument
Bōnotsu Shin’yō Corps Monument

C-F

C-F
Chiba Special Attack Corps Monument
Chiba Special Attack Corps Monument
Chikugo Pilot Training School Monument
Chikugo Pilot Training School Monument
Chiran Special Attack Peace Kannon Shrine
Chiran Special Attack Peace Kannon Shrine
Chiran Triangular Barracks Site Monument
Chiran Triangular Barracks Site Monument
Donryu Jizo Great Bodhisattva
Donryu Jizo Great Bodhisattva
Ehime Gokoku Jinja Yokaren Monument
Ehime Gokoku Jinja Yokaren Monument
Ehime Pilot Training School War Monument
Ehime Pilot Training School War Monument
Ehime Special Attack Corps Monument
Ehime Special Attack Corps Monument
56th Shin’yō Special Attack Squadron Iwadate Unit Monument
56th Shin’yō Special Attack Squadron Iwadate Unit Monument
Flight Reserve Students 13th Class Monument
Flight Reserve Students 13th Class Monument
41st Shin’yō Special Attack Squadron Monument
41st Shin’yō Special Attack Squadron Monument
44th Shin’yō Squadron Accident Victims Monument
44th Shin’yō Squadron Accident Victims Monument
Fukui Special Attack Corps Monument
Fukui Special Attack Corps Monument
Fukuoka Special Attack Corps Monument
Fukuoka Special Attack Corps Monument

G-Ha

G-Ha
Genkai 118th Shin’yō Special Attack Squadron Monument
Genkai 118th Shin’yō Special Attack Squadron Monument
Giretsu Airborne Unit Monument
Giretsu Airborne Unit Monument
Gunma Special Attack Corps Monument
Gunma Special Attack Corps Monument
Hachijojima Shin’yō Monument
Hachijojima Shin’yō Monument
Hachimanyama Jinja Special Submarine Monument
Hachimanyama Jinja Special Submarine Monument
Hakata Naval Air Group Monument
Hakata Naval Air Group Monument
Hakkō Sekichō Squadron Monument
Hakkō Sekichō Squadron Monument
Haramachi Airfield Monument
Haramachi Airfield Monument

Hi-J

Hi-J
Hijirigaura Shin’yō Monument
Hijirigaura Shin’yō Monument
Himeji Naval Air Group Monument
Himeji Naval Air Group Monument
Hokota Army Flight School Monument
Hokota Army Flight School Monument
Hososhima Shin’yō Monument
Hososhima Shin’yō Monument
Hyakurihara Naval Air Corps Monument (Hyakuri Air Base)
Hyakurihara Naval Air Corps Monument (Hyakuri Air Base)
Hyakurihara Naval Air Corps Monument (Kushira)
Hyakurihara Naval Air Corps Monument (Kushira)
Ibusuki Naval Air Base Remembrance Monument
Ibusuki Naval Air Base Remembrance Monument
Isahaya Naval Air Base Monument
Isahaya Naval Air Base Monument
Iwakuni Yokaren 2nd Toku Otsu Class Monument
Iwakuni Yokaren 2nd Toku Otsu Class Monument
Iwate Army Airfield Monument
Iwate Army Airfield Monument
Iwo Jima 1st and 2nd Mitate Special Attack Squadrons Monument
Iwo Jima 1st and 2nd Mitate Special Attack Squadrons Monument
Izumi Special Attack Monument
Izumi Special Attack Monument

Kab-Kam

Kab-Kam
Kabira Bay Shin’yō Peace Monument
Kabira Bay Shin’yō Peace Monument
Kagawa Gokoku Jinja Yokaren Monument
Kagawa Gokoku Jinja Yokaren Monument
Kagoshima Gokoku Jinja Yokaren Monument
Kagoshima Gokoku Jinja Yokaren Monument
Kagoshima Naval Air Group Monument
Kagoshima Naval Air Group Monument
Kagoshima Naval Air Group Sekishin Monument
Kagoshima Naval Air Group Sekishin Monument
Kakogawa Airfield Site Monument
Kakogawa Airfield Site Monument
Kakogawa Special Attack Corps Monument
Kakogawa Special Attack Corps Monument
Kamikaze Pilot Statue (Chiran)
Kamikaze Pilot Statue (Chiran)
Kamikaze Pilot Statue (Izumi Tokkō Jinja)
Kamikaze Pilot Statue (Izumi Tokkō Jinja)
Kamikaze Pilot Statue (Mabalacat)
Kamikaze Pilot Statue (Mabalacat)
Kamikaze Pilot Statue (Yasukuni Jinja Yūshūkan)
Kamikaze Pilot Statue (Yasukuni Jinja Yūshūkan)
Kamikaze Special Attack Corps 3rd Ryūko Squadron Monument
Kamikaze Special Attack Corps 3rd Ryūko Squadron Monument

Kan-Ki

Kan-Ki
Kanoya Special Attack Corps War Dead Memorial Tower
Kanoya Special Attack Corps War Dead Memorial Tower
Kashihara Shrine 13th Kō Class Navy Yokaren Monument
Kashihara Shrine 13th Kō Class Navy Yokaren Monument
Kashima Naval Air Group Monument
Kashima Naval Air Group Monument
Kashiwajima Special Attack Shin’yō Base Monument
Kashiwajima Special Attack Shin’yō Base Monument
Kataura Shin’yō Base Monument
Kataura Shin’yō Base Monument
Kawatana Special Attack War Monument
Kawatana Special Attack War Monument
Kikaijima Naval Air Group Monument
Kikaijima Naval Air Group Monument
Kikaijima Shin’yō Storage Tunnel
Kikaijima Shin’yō Storage Tunnel
Kitaura Naval Air Group Monument
Kitaura Naval Air Group Monument

Ko-Ky

Ko-Ky
Kōchi Gokoku Jinja Yokaren Monument
Kōchi Gokoku Jinja Yokaren Monument
Kōchi Naval Air Group Monument
Kōchi Naval Air Group Monument
Kofuji Naval Air Group Monument
Kofuji Naval Air Group Monument
Kohama Island Shin’yō Boat Tunnels
Kohama Island Shin’yō Boat Tunnels
Kokubu No. 2 Air Base Special Attack Corps Monument (Barrel Valley)
Kokubu No. 2 Air Base Special Attack Corps Monument (Barrel Valley)
Kokubu No. 2 Air Base Special Attack Corps Monument (Uwatoko Park)
Kokubu No. 2 Air Base Special Attack Corps Monument (Uwatoko Park)
Kokubu Special Attack Base Monument
Kokubu Special Attack Base Monument
Koniya Naval Air Group Monument
Koniya Naval Air Group Monument
Kōyasan Naval Air Group Monument
Kōyasan Naval Air Group Monument
Kuroshima Battleship Yamato Monument
Kuroshima Battleship Yamato Monument
Kuroshima Special Attack Peace Kannon
Kuroshima Special Attack Peace Kannon
Kushira Naval Air Base War Dead Memorial Tower
Kushira Naval Air Base War Dead Memorial Tower
Kyōdomari Shin’yō Special Attack Base Monument
Kyōdomari Shin’yō Special Attack Base Monument

L-Me

L-Me
Mabalacat West Airfield Monument
Mabalacat West Airfield Monument
Makurazaki Battleship Yamato Monument
Makurazaki Battleship Yamato Monument
Matsuo Monument (Kikuchi Jinja)
Matsuo Monument (Kikuchi Jinja)
Matsuo Monument (Yamaga City)
Matsuo Monument (Yamaga City)
Matsuyama Naval Air Group Monument
Matsuyama Naval Air Group Monument
Matsuyama Naval Air Group Site Monument
Matsuyama Naval Air Group Site Monument
Metabaru Airfield Monument
Metabaru Airfield Monument

Mi-Mu

Mi-Mu
Mie Special Attack Corps Monument
Mie Special Attack Corps Monument
Miyagi Special Attack Corps Monument
Miyagi Special Attack Corps Monument
Miyakonojō East Airfield Monument
Miyakonojō East Airfield Monument
Miyakonojō Hayate Shinbu Special Attack Corps Monument
Miyakonojō Hayate Shinbu Special Attack Corps Monument
Miyakonojō Pilot Training School Monument
Miyakonojō Pilot Training School Monument
Miyakonojō West Airfield Monument
Miyakonojō West Airfield Monument
Miyara Bay Shin’yō Boat Tunnels
Miyara Bay Shin’yō Boat Tunnels
Miyazaki Special Attack Base Monument
Miyazaki Special Attack Base Monument

N

N
Nagamine Farewell Poem Monuments
Nagamine Farewell Poem Monuments
Nagano Special Attack Corps Monument
Nagano Special Attack Corps Monument
Nagasaki Pilot Training School Monument
Nagasaki Pilot Training School Monument
Nagasaki Prefecture Yokaren Monument
Nagasaki Prefecture Yokaren Monument
Nagoya Kamikaze Special Attack Corps Kusanagi Unit Monument
Nagoya Kamikaze Special Attack Corps Kusanagi Unit Monument
Nangō Human Torpedo Kaiten Training Site Monument
Nangō Human Torpedo Kaiten Training Site Monument
Naramoto Jinja Battleship Yamato Monument
Naramoto Jinja Battleship Yamato Monument
Navy Flight Reserve Students Monument
Navy Flight Reserve Students Monument
Niigata Gokoku Jinja Yokaren Monument
Niigata Gokoku Jinja Yokaren Monument
19th Hikō Sentai Special Attack Monument
19th Hikō Sentai Special Attack Monument
Noshiro Hachiman Jinja Special Attack Corps Monument
Noshiro Hachiman Jinja Special Attack Corps Monument

O-R

O-R
Ōdōtsu 117th Shin’yō Special Attack Squadron Monument
Ōdōtsu 117th Shin’yō Special Attack Squadron Monument
Ōi Naval Air Group Monument
Ōi Naval Air Group Monument
Ōita Gokoku Jinja Yokaren Monument
Ōita Gokoku Jinja Yokaren Monument
Ōita Kamikaze Special Attack Corps Takeoff Site Monument
Ōita Kamikaze Special Attack Corps Takeoff Site Monument
Ōita Special Attack Corps Monument
Ōita Special Attack Corps Monument
Okazaki Naval Air Group Monument
Okazaki Naval Air Group Monument
Ōsaka Gokoku Jinja Yokaren Monument
Ōsaka Gokoku Jinja Yokaren Monument
Ōtsushima Kaiten Monument
Ōtsushima Kaiten Monument
Ōurasaki Special Attack Base (P Base) Monument
Ōurasaki Special Attack Base (P Base) Monument
Ozuki Air Base Foundation of Peace Monument
Ozuki Air Base Foundation of Peace Monument

S

S
Saitama Special Attack Corps Monument
Saitama Special Attack Corps Monument
Sakudari Kannon Temple Wakazakura Kanzeon Bosatsu
Sakudari Kannon Temple Wakazakura Kanzeon Bosatsu
Sekiguchi Tokko Brothers Monument
Sekiguchi Tokko Brothers Monument
Sendai Pilot Training School Monument
Sendai Pilot Training School Monument
Seseraginoyu Ōka Monument
Seseraginoyu Ōka Monument
Setagaya Special Attack Peace Kannon
Setagaya Special Attack Peace Kannon
Shiga Naval Air Group Monument
Shiga Naval Air Group Monument
Shimizu Naval Air Group Monument
Shimizu Naval Air Group Monument
Shimoda Shin’yō and Kairyu Monument
Shimoda Shin’yō and Kairyu Monument
Shōdoshima Special Submarine Monument
Shōdoshima Special Submarine Monument
Shinshū Fumetsu Special Attack Squadron Monument
Shinshū Fumetsu Special Attack Squadron Monument
Special Attack Fleet Ryukon Monument
Special Attack Fleet Ryukon Monument
Special Submarine Base (Q Base) Monument
Special Submarine Base (Q Base) Monument
Submarine Crewmen Who Gave Lives for Country Monument
Submarine Crewmen Who Gave Lives for Country Monument

T

T
Takuma Naval Air Group Monument
Takuma Naval Air Group Monument
Tochigi Special Attack Corps Monument
Tochigi Special Attack Corps Monument
Tokunoshima Special Attack Peace Monument
Tokunoshima Special Attack Peace Monument
Tomitaka Kamikaze Special Attack Corps Sortie Site Monument
Tomitaka Kamikaze Special Attack Corps Sortie Site Monument
Tosashimizu 132nd Shin’yō Special Attack Squadron Monument
Tosashimizu 132nd Shin’yō Special Attack Squadron Monument
Toshio Shimao Literature Monument
Toshio Shimao Literature Monument
Tsuiki Kamikaze Ginga Squadron Sortie Site Monument
Tsuiki Kamikaze Ginga Squadron Sortie Site Monument
Tsukuba Naval Air Group Monument
Tsukuba Naval Air Group Monument
Tsukuba Naval Air Group Peace Monument
Tsukuba Naval Air Group Peace Monument

U-Z

U-Z
Urato Naval Air Group Monument
Urato Naval Air Group Monument
Usa Naval Air Group Kamikaze Special Attack Corps Monument
Usa Naval Air Group Kamikaze Special Attack Corps Monument
Usa Special Attack Monument
Usa Special Attack Monument
Wakayama Gokoku Jinja Yokaren Monument
Wakayama Gokoku Jinja Yokaren Monument
Yamaguchi Special Attack Corps Monument
Yamaguchi Special Attack Corps Monument
Yamanashi Gokoku Jinja Yokaren Monument
Yamanashi Gokoku Jinja Yokaren Monument
Yatabe Naval Air Group Monument
Yatabe Naval Air Group Monument
Yatabe Naval Air Group Pilot Statue and Guard Gate
Yatabe Naval Air Group Pilot Statue and Guard Gate
Yonago Pilot Training School Monument
Yonago Pilot Training School Monument
Youth Pilots’ Memorial Column
Youth Pilots’ Memorial Column
Yudonosan Kaiten Patriotism Monument
Yudonosan Kaiten Patriotism Monument
Zenkōji Kamikaze Special Attack Corps Monument
Zenkōji Kamikaze Special Attack Corps Monument
Zen’yōji Special Cadet Pilots Monument
Zen’yōji Special Cadet Pilots Monument

Lists

Lists
Type of Special Attack Corps
Type of Special Attack Corps

Internet

Internet
Air Group 4 - "Casablanca to Tokyo"
Air Group 4 - "Casablanca to Tokyo"
Aozora no hateni (To the blue sky’s end)
Aozora no hateni (To the blue sky’s end)
Junkoku no ishibumi (War Memorials)
Junkoku no ishibumi (War Memorials)
Kaiten Tokkōtai (Kaiten Special Attack Corps)
Kaiten Tokkōtai (Kaiten Special Attack Corps)
Tokkō (Special Attack Forces)
Tokkō (Special Attack Forces)
Yokaren Shiryoukan (Yokaren Museum)
Yokaren Shiryoukan (Yokaren Museum)

Other Forms

Other Forms

Chiran Speech Contest

Chiran Speech Contest
Junior High School Division
Junior High School Division
Special Attack Picture Postcards
Special Attack Picture Postcards
Tokkōbana (Kamikaze Flower)
Tokkōbana (Kamikaze Flower)

Writings

Writings

A-J

A-J

Ab-Ar

Ab-Ar

As-Fuj

As-Fuj

Fuk-G

Fuk-G

Ha

Ha

Hi-Ho

Hi-Ho

Ic-In

Ic-In

Is

Is

It-J

It-J

K-N

K-N

Ka-Kas

Ka-Kas

Kat-Ki

Kat-Ki

Koa-Kon

Koa-Kon

Kos-Ku

Kos-Ku

Ma-Mas

Ma-Mas

Mat-Min

Mat-Min

Mio-Miz

Mio-Miz

Mo-Mu

Mo-Mu

Nag

Nag

Nak

Nak

Nam-No

Nam-No

O-Z

O-Z

Og-Oi

Og-Oi

Ok-On

Ok-On

Os-Ot

Os-Ot

Sa

Sa

Se-Shim

Se-Shim

Shin-Su

Shin-Su

Tab-Tak

Tab-Tak

Tan-Tsu

Tan-Tsu

U

U

W

W

Yab-Yamag

Yab-Yamag

Yamam-Yamaw

Yamam-Yamaw

Yan-Yu

Yan-Yu

Books

Books
Gordon, Facing Death: Last Writings of Japanese Special Attack Corps Members
Gordon, Facing Death: Last Writings of Japanese Special Attack Corps Members
Kawatoko, The Mind of the Kamikaze
Kawatoko, The Mind of the Kamikaze
Lartéguy, The Sun Goes Down
Lartéguy, The Sun Goes Down
Nihon Senbotsu Gakusei Kinen-Kai, Listen to the Voices from the Sea
Nihon Senbotsu Gakusei Kinen-Kai, Listen to the Voices from the Sea
Ohnuki-Tierney, Kamikaze Diaries
Ohnuki-Tierney, Kamikaze Diaries
Todai Gakusei Jichi-kai, In the Faraway Mountains and Rivers
Todai Gakusei Jichi-kai, In the Faraway Mountains and Rivers
Yamashita, Leaves from an Autumn of Emergencies
Yamashita, Leaves from an Autumn of Emergencies

Thesis

Thesis
Excel file that supports thesis
Excel file that supports thesis

Links

Links

About Project

About Project
Kamikaze Images and Friendship Dolls
Kamikaze Images and Friendship Dolls
Final Project Paper (PDF file)
Final Project Paper (PDF file)

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Shin'yō Type 1 test run
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Shin'yō Production
by Shigeru Makino, former Navy Technical Captain
Shigeru Makino was Team Leader of the team
responsible for design and production of the shin'yō explosive motorboat.
1. Origin of Maru Yon (Shin'yō)
At the end of March 1944, the Chief of the Naval General Staff issued two
secret military resolutions to the Minister of the Navy. The first resolution
strongly requested the realization of production of nine types of special
(suicide) attack weapons. If these could be accomplished, Japan certainly would
be able to win. These nine weapon types were the following:
Maru Ichi (①) Kanamono - midget submarine to attack conventional submarine
Maru Ni (②) Kanamono - weapon to attack antiaircraft installation
Maru San (③)
Kanamono - kairyū midget submarine
Maru Yon (④) Kanamono - shin'yō
explosive motorboat
Maru Go (⑤) Kanamono - self-propelled depth charge
Maru Roku
(⑥) Kanamono - kaiten human torpedo
Maru Nana (⑦) Kanamono - radio wave weapon
Maru Hachi (⑧) Kanamono - radio wave jammer
Maru Kyū (⑨) Kanamono - shinkai
midget submarine
The nine weapon types were given code names to keep the information secret.
For example, the literal translation of Maru Yon (④) Kanamono is Circle 4 Metal
Fitting, which gives no indication of its true purpose. The other resolution
issued to the Minister of the Navy had 26 or 27 ideas that would be extremely
advantageous to the war situation if they were possible, but many of these were
farfetched notions similar to dreams.
The first resolution was studied carefully and seriously by each department
of the Navy Technical Department, but the only ideas accepted as possible to
realize were items 4, 6, and 9. At the start there were given temporary names of
Maru Yon (④) Boat, Maru Roku (⑥) Kanamono, and Maru Kyū (⑨) Kanamono, and we
started trial manufacture for them. Maru Roku was the later kaiten. As
for Maru Kyū, there was a trial manufacture and was named shinkai, but it did
not reach practical use. The Maru Yon Boat was named shin'yō.
2. Basic Construction of Maru Yon
The Naval General Staff's original concept for the Maru Yon Boat was a vessel
that would carry out a special attack with the objective of sinking a landing
craft. The boat would be an extremely light collapsible type with an outboard
motor attached that would carry out the attack with a small amount of
explosives. However, the production number goal had to be achieved.
When this concept was investigated, the request for something lightweight and
small was reasonable, but there was a large inconsistency between the results of
the loaded explosives and the goal of sinking immediately a ship of several
thousand tons. Also, in addition to the power of domestically-produced engines
being small, the possibility to achieve such production volume was nil.
Because of the goals requested by the Naval General Staff, we thought that
about 300 kilograms of explosives would be needed along with a speed of above 20
knots, and if possible about 30 knots would be desirable. On the other hand, as
for an engine that actually could be produced, we thought that there was nothing
other than an automobile engine, and we estimated that between 70 and 80
horsepower could be achieved if its generating power were increased. We
considered production of the hull and arrived at the conclusion that wooden
construction was most appropriate since the materials and production workers for
this would not compete with other production items. If we went with this
proposal, on the whole a boat of about one ton with a speed of 25 knots was
possible, but the handling of this extremely light boat had a long way to go.
Based on this concept, overall agreement with the Naval General Staff was
obtained as a result of discussions, and trial production started immediately.
3. Design Concept for Maru Yon Boat
As for a domestically-produced automobile engine capable of use as the main
propulsion for a small highspeed boat of one ton, there was only the gasoline
engine produced by Nissan and Toyota for a four-ton truck. Since this engine was
heavy, it was apparent that this would be unfavorable. If this disadvantage were
not compensated for by a lightweight design for the hull, then the boat would
not be realized. In other words, as for the lightweight design, we were
determined that we must proceed based in the belief in the basic design concept
for the Maru Yon Boat. We also strongly demanded that an engine be installed on
the boat. Also, as for demonstration of speed, we could not give up on efforts
to do whatever it took regarding the important point of responsibility to
achieve it. On the other hand, we thought that we would need to remove
everything else in the boat. Because of this, Section 4 (Shipbuilding Section)
leaders felt deeply the necessity of having the Yon Maru Boat designated as a
special attack weapon, and this was able to be realized by going through various
procedures. Based on this, the Yon Maru Boat did not fall under jurisdiction of
general warships, and the aims of the production designers had the possibility
of being realized completely as each department provided cooperation with their
requests. This was a very necessary and reasonable step to realize quickly
performance improvements for the Maru Yon Boat. Through this step it was quickly
possible to have tests for increased power generation for the engine, and also a
drastic reduction of propeller shaft diameter was realized with the goal of
minimizing drag caused by additions. With regards to realization of weight and
speed, this arrangement resulted in much advantageous guidance.
It was not that we could always play our trump card. Afterward, our request
for cooperation from Section 5 (Engine Production Section) was gladly accepted,
and they shared in the work according to their regular jurisdiction. Our
gratitude cannot be expressed enough for their extraordinary efforts made on our
behalf for the boat's realization.
4. Basic Testing
One test was to increase the engine's power generation as previously
mentioned. Section 4 personnel themselves went to the Nissan and Toyota
factories and emphasized the test's necessity to those men directly involved and
requested cooperation. The result was that tests were completed in an extremely
short period. It was concluded that it would be possible to realize about 80
horsepower with the Nissan engine and about 70 horsepower with the Toyota
engine. It cannot be forgotten that Dr. Kazuo Sumibe, Tōkyō University Professor
who was resident as a consultant at the Toyota factory in a suburb of Okazaki
City, gave various relevant suggestions and also achieved success by
recommending them to company leaders.
Another test was concerning the effectiveness of the explosives. In an
experiment with a conventional underwater explosion, there was nothing that took
place on the surface. There was an opinion that in a surface explosion the
pressure produced by the explosion would disperse into the air and would not be
able to cause great damage under the surface. Without delay a test was carried
out at Yokosuka Armory with a box model of a large merchant ship at a reduced
scale of 1/3. This result was a small opening created on the surface and a large
opening produced below the surface. In other words, it was proved that even with
a surface explosion, then the large pressure from the explosion if near the
surface would be transmitted from the surface to under the surface. It was
clarified that the blast opening on the plating below the surface for a large
merchant ship caused by the Maru Yon Boat explosives would be between three and
five meters, and it led to the belief that the boat's power would be sufficient.
With completion of these tests in the middle of April, we looked for
opportunities on ways that progress could be made quickly. Needless to say,
these tests brought about a tremendous effect to heighten motivation of men
involved in the program.

Frame production
5. Basic Design and Trial Production
In April we quickly started on the design, and we set a schedule to carry out
a test run on the auspicious date of May 27, Navy Commemoration Day. We promptly
completed the basic design, and the detailed design was prepared at Yokosuka
Arsenal. We immediately started on production.
For trial production, five wooden boat hulls were ordered from the Nihon
Shipbuilding Tsurumi Factory, and Yokosuka Armory took responsibility for
outfitting the boats. The wooden boats were based on the boat design for a Type
5 Hydroplane Torpedo Boat, but in order to reduce weight the bow was cut and
shortened, which resulted in the sacrifice of lower cruising speed. That is to
say, it was reduced to a total length of five meters from a normal length of
about seven meters. Based on this, the center of gravity when loaded with
explosives was appropriate, the hydroplaning capability was favorable, and the
realization of speed was optimal. The hull, deck, and traverse bulkhead used
waterproof plywood for everything. The framework used Chinese red ash wood, and
a small amount of zelkova (Japanese elm) wood was used for the primary longeron.
It was decided that the assembly would be with urea resin in its entirety, but
there was joint use of rivets where there was compression bonding at adhesive
joints.
There was not sufficient confidence regarding the plywood, so a
countermeasure was put in place for the worst case scenario. It was decided that
there would be a trial production of a boat with very thin steel plate and with
a stepped hull having a length of seven feet. The outside plating on the boat's
bottom was normal plating, but corrugated plating was used for the sides and the
deck with thicknesses of 0.8 cm and 0.5 cm, respectively. The hulls for the two
metal boats were made by the fittings factory of the Yokosuka Armory
Shipbuilding Section, and the factory completed the boat outfitting in parallel
with the main production.
The Yon Maru Boat trial production progressed extremely smoothly, and a trial
run was carried out according to schedule on May 27. While the steel boat did
not achieve the desired speed in the beginning, the wooden boat, which was what
was really desired, was confirmed to display capabilities according to plan, and
we decided to mass produce it.
Durability tests and wave endurance tests were carried out promptly by
Yokosuka Armory with the trial production boats. Accidents occurred twice where
both sides of the bow's exterior plating experienced fatigue and broke apart and
then the boats sank. Furthermore, based on drop tests that also were carried
out, it was decided to improve wave endurance capability by shrinking the frame
weld spacing only on the bow, strengthening the outer plating with a two-ply
application, and using a clipper model for the bow tip. Based on these changes,
the boat's overall length was increased to 5.1 meters.
The Yon Maru Boat was essentially a special attack boat, but from the
beginning design there was a mechanism to fix the rudder wheel that was
installed, and a pilot wearing a life jacket could escape out the boat's stern.
Afterward, the Torpedo School training unit carried out this escape, and it was
confirmed to be simple and safe.
6. Hull Construction
The biggest problem regarding the hull was the quality of the beech plywood,
which was the main material. If beech tree raw timber is cut down and left as
is, a rot called fuke will develop. Since plywood that used layers taken
from such raw timber had a considerable percentage that escaped inspection and
were contaminated, it was brought to the attention of production workers that
they should not use such boards.
Next there was technical guidance regarding the framing of the wooden
framework. For close adhesion work, urea resin exhibited an extremely high level
of adhesion strength, but when applied with a certain thickness, a phenomenon of
rapid aging occurred, and the adhesion strength was lost. Therefore, it was a
priority that everyone in the adhesive department perform their work without
leaving any space, but to maintain this during production was exceedingly
difficult. Since the majority of Maru Yon Boat production factories were
handling lightweight wooden highspeed boats for the first time, groups were
formed that made a tour of factories around the country. First, they were made
aware of the importance of this boat, and they were provided guidance to fulfill
manufacturing technical requirements. Also, measures were taken to point out
defects in actual boats.

Boat framework (keel)
7. Cooperation on Training
Tactical training was carried out at the Torpedo School, and the initial
manufactured boats were assigned entirely for training use. Later a torpedo
training facility was established at Kawatana on Ōmura Bay as a Torpedo School
branch school, which was designated solely for training of Maru Yon Boat pilots.
Boat pilots came primarily from the Yokaren (Naval Preparatory Flight Training
Program).
We frequently competed even in training, and we worked out steps to address
problems of boat performance improvement. These steps were thought out based on
training. In tests carried out near the breakwater of Yokosuka Naval Port, there
was research on (1) how to clear different types of navigational barriers if the
boats attempted to enter a harbor and (2) the relationship between the
detonation device structure and the angle limits when setting off a detonation
in a diagonal ramming during a taiatari (body-crashing) attack. Also, it was a
quite late period when a test was carried out where a specially-made balloon was
produced as a training target to be towed by a torpedo boat. Besides these,
there was an experiment to load the boat with a larger fuel tank to extend its
cruising range and experiments to equip the boat with a machine gun and a rocket
launcher, and these were later implemented.
There was a large-scale general staged maneuver carried out at Sasebo
Arsenal. The boats were carried by transport trucks from air-raid shelters on
land to the place on shore where they would be launched. Several dozen boats
maneuvered to the place where they would attack enemy ships. It was an amazing
event.
Those men who had been involved with training were invited to a farewell
party for the Chichijima Special Attack Squadron, which was the first
operational unit. The Torpedo School's somber party was held the night before
departure at Komatsu Restaurant in Yokosuka, and the following morning there was
a huge sendoff when the squadron departed from Yokosuka Harbor. An SB craft
(second-class transport ship) was responsible to carry the boats and men to the
island of Chichijima.
8. Engine Problems
When rigorous training began with boats produced for actual use, engine
problems appeared one after another. Causes of the problems included no gasket
countermeasures had been implemented to take into account that cool seawater was
used directly with the engine that was originally designed for cool fresh water,
seawater vulnerability of electrical parts such as the starter motor and dynamo,
no appropriate measure for exertion of continuous power output at an extremely
high level, and inexperienced handling by pilots. Based on enthusiastic
investigations by General Staff Section 5, Yokosuka Armory, and Sasebo Armory to
address these problems, at a later stage appropriate items went into limited
operational use. The strenuous efforts of those involved with this were
extraordinary. Although we can say that from the beginning we were resolutely
thorough in producing a marine boat that would not have accidents, since it
would not be used for a long duration and since there was an urgent situation
with regards to material and production, actually we made certain decisions so
long as they were not unreasonable.
The shaft bracket was a highspeed boat single support. The installation unit
cut it and did a highspeed wave endurance test while it hung down from the
shaft. From consideration of the fact that the occurrence of even the slightest
vibration was not noticed and that a shaft accident was not seen even once, it
seemed that the Yon Maru Boat's shaft had more than enough strength for the
short time that the boat would be used.
9. Production Results
With regards to Maru Yon Boat production results, 75 boats were produced in
July 1944, and afterwards in many months the production volume rose to between
500 and 700 boats. By the end of the war, 6,200 boats had been manufactured.
Just by looking at the 20% to 30% allotted to Maru Yon Boats of the Navy's
small number of truck engines at that time, it can be seen that the Navy had
high expectations for them. The Navy Technical Department responded well to
these expectations and produced actual results up to 85% of demand. These were
remarkably good results not seen with other engine types.
Excellent production results could be achieved so long as there was a
sufficient allotment of engines. Also, there was little competition from other
programs for other materials and manpower, and the boat was a simple structure
to assemble with few departments that were involved. Probably the primary reason
for these favorable results was that production went forward until the end
without any significant changes in the original design.

Shin'yō Type 1 assembly work
at Yokohama Yacht Chōshi Factory
10. Technology Level of Maru Yon
At the initial training by the implementation unit at the Torpedo School,
various deficiencies and improvement points were pointed out. However, with
regards to the basic design, it was thought that there was no room whatsoever
for these to be incorporated. It was because we believed strongly that from a
technological standpoint the best design had been produced and it was the
highest-level product technologically at that point in time. That belief was
shaken, and I heard at some point that some wanted to challenge the men in
charge, but there was no compromise in principles. Based on continued testing,
finally its real value was understood. Later this led to obtaining cooperation
for improvements in performance and production.
Looking technologically, the men involved with the Maru Yon Boat considered
it their pride as a lightweight high-performance boat.
11. Persons Responsible for Design
The Section 4 men involved in the basic design at that time were Section 4
Director Vice Admiral Iwakichi Ezaki, Planning Chief Rear Admiral Yūki Katayama,
Design Chief Rear Admiral Masatsune Yagasaki, Team Leader Captain Shigeru
Makino, and the following design personnel: Engineer Shō [1] Koyama, Technical
Lieutenant Eiichi Watanabe, Engineer Torao Ōno, Technical Lieutenant Junior
Grade Ryō Hayase, Technical Lieutenant Junior Grade Keitarō Takagi, and others.
Design skills based on Engineer Koyama's deep knowledge and proficiency
concerning highspeed boats produced excellent results without equal in the basic
plan for the Maru Yon Boat. Afterward, he established detailed technical
guidelines for manufacturing operations. His contributions to production of the
Maru Yon Boat were tremendous. I as the Personnel Leader, other than carry out
my duties to communicate the technical knowledge of my competent staff members,
did nothing more than only provide encouragement. When I look back, it is
embarrassing.
Note
1. The given name of Shō is uncertain since his
given name of Japanese (捷) has several possible readings, and the correct
reading could not be confirmed. Shō is one of the more likely readings.
Source
This article comes from pages 22 to 27 of Volume 1 of the following book:
Shin'yō Association (Shin'yōkai), ed. 1990. Ningen heiki: Shin'yō
tokubetsu kōgekitai (Human weapon: Shin'yō Special Attack Corps). Shirō
Arai, general editor. Two volumes. Tōkyō: Kokushokankōkai.

Shin'yō Type 1 Boats
Translated by Bill Gordon
July 2025
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