Matome Ugaki

[temujin77]

When Matome Ugaki employed the use of special attack units, he was proud of it. The kamikaze pilots were said to possess "the real spirit of a Japanese warrior." But of course, any success of the special attack missions only put Japan deeper into the hole, as it depleted the already scarce supply of pilots and aircraft.

On 14 Aug 1945, against the protest of his lieutenants, he sent himself on a special attack mission. "I'm going to follow in the footsteps of those many loyal officers and men who devoted themselves to the country, and I want to live in the noble spirit of the special attack." His dive bomber last reported a dive on an American vessel, but no successful kamikaze attack was reported by Americans that day. Ugaki's plane most likely crashed into the sea, struck down by American anti-aircraft fire.

What was really intriguing about Ugaki's kamikaze attack was in the timing. Ugaki was always known to be a most loyal officer, never doubting any order from the Emperor. However, the date of his special attack was 14 Aug 1945. By that date, he had already known the Emperor's intention to surrender. Therefore, by engaging himself on this final kamikaze attack, he disobeyed a direct order from Emperor Hirohito and might had complicated the delicate political situation at the last days of the war had he succeeded.

WW2DB: Matome Ugaki

For more information on Ugaki, including the text of his final radio message before his death, please see the link above.

[Whiterook]

That was fascinating! I had not heard of this, and was intrigued. Thanks for pointing this out. I have to read more on this.

[temujin77]

Originally Posted by Whiterook

That was fascinating! I had not heard of this, and was intrigued. Thanks for pointing this out. I have to read more on this.

No problem, thanks for reading it

If you are interested in kamikaze special attacks, I might also interest you with this article:

WW2DB: Kamikaze Doctrine

It eerily details some of the tactics employed by the pilots.