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Kamikaze
Kamikaze: A Japanese Pilot's Own Spectacular Story of the Famous Suicide Squadrons | Yasuo Kuwahara, Gordon T. Allred
3 posts | 1 read
The classic World War II autobiography describes the horrors of war and the author's brutal training and experiences as a kamikaze pilot.
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stretchkev
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Billed as autobiographical, I'm not entirely sure if it isn't embellishments render it fictional. But I wasn't interested in the history, I wanted what drove them? How they justified their actions with themselves, their peers, their families?

So much learned with this book. The brutal training to destroy sense of self. The constant propaganda to build the fighting spirit. 👇

stretchkev The conflicting feelings of fear and trepidation but the overhelming desire to preserve the honor of their country, their people, their Emperor, and their family. The pressures they felt were overhelming as they became more and more disillusioned with the war. To give up one's own life for abstract ideas like honor and glory, but when it's wrapped in all those external pressures is hard to fathom. 3y
stretchkev @Milara It does not include that section, but I have looked up info on the historical discrepancies. I'm not entirely sure of the veracity of all the details, even if the debate of those details appears to be quite vigorous. I still come down on the side that the experience, feelings, and thoughts are true. And I'm okay with that, I wasn't looking for a history more an examination of the suicidal attacks from a personal perspective. 3y
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stretchkev
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How the religious culture of Japan that holds these two thoughts at the same time is so so interesting to me!

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stretchkev
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A beginning to understanding the fanticism of a Japanese soilder's mindset towards the end of WW2.