Last Cry of Youth Destined to Die

Kamikaze Suicide Squadi

The year of 2005 marks 60 years since the end of World War II. Among the many stories about the war, the one that still moves people to tears even today is about the tragedy of the approximately 4,600 soldiers of the Kamikaze Suicide Squad.

In October 1944, American troops landed in the Philippines. At the time, Japanese troops were seriously short of fighting equipment and defeat was looming. In that situation, a human bombing strategy was created. After loading bombs onto a plane, the pilot would then ram his aircraft into enemy ships. This squad of men was called the "Kamikaze Suicide Squad." They would become the prototype of modern day terrorists' suicide attacks.

The honorable duty was assigned to young soldiers of around 20 years of age. What thoughts did these men have when they obeyed their orders and accepted these suicidal missions? Pilots of the "Kamikaze Suicide Squad" flew from Chiran airport in Kagoshima prefecture. The Chiran Peace Museum has been built on the site of the airport and inside pictures and articles left by the 1,036 Kamikaze pilots are displayed together with their wills, letters and diaries, which were written just before they departed on their one-way flights. Some of them are shown below:

Will: Dear Mother
Dear Mother, how are you?
I sincerely thank you for taking care of me for such a long time.
You have raised me since I was a 6-year-old boy.
Though you are my stepmother, different from a woman of this kind
You have never made trouble
And raised me with love.
You are a great mother. You are a respectable mother.

I have been happy.
Until now I have not called you "Mom."
I dare tried to call you "Mom," but I couldn't.
How I had a weak will.
Mother, forgive me.
You must have been lonely. Now let me call you in a loud voice.
"Mom," "Mom," "Mom."

AIHANA Nobuo. 18 years old. Died on May 4, 1945

Will: Addressed to Mother on April 11, 1945
Mom, finally I have to write you a sad letter. A poem keenly reminds me, "More than children think of their parents, how deeply your parents think of you. How do they hear this news?" I have been really happy. I have been selfish, but forgive me as it was also an expression of my sweet love for you;

It is my honor to be selected as an attacker and depart, but I cry when I think of Mom. It is painful to die when I think of the fact that my life gave you life and you depended on my future, and I haven't done anything that pleased you nor have I given you peace of mind ...

I am writing this letter as I depart tomorrow. By chance I may fly over Hakata. It is my pleasure. I want to say goodbye from a distance ... I feel I can see you any time. It is really sad when I think I cannot see you anymore.

HAYASHI Ichizo, 23 years old. Died at Okinawa in April 12, 1945

Kamikaze pilots were being drafted to fight at the time and, absurdly, had to give up their young lives for their motherland, Most of them were shot by antiaircraft guns and crashed to death before fulfilling their duties. Their souls have been enshrined in Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine. Prime Minister KOIZUMI visited Chiran and was very moved by those who sacrificed themselves to defend their country. Since then, the Prime Minister started to visit and pay his respects at Yasukuni shrine to console their souls.

"Kamikaze Suicide Squad soldiers who sacrificed themselves believing Japanese military authorities will live forever as a warning of the foolishness of militarism."

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