When Kamikaze Submarines Attacked the US

Summary

In November 1944, Lieutenant Sekio Nishina embarks on a deadly mission aboard the Imperial Japanese Navy's I-47 submarine. He pilots a Kaiten, a manned torpedo he helped design, aiming to destroy U.S. Navy ships near the Ulithi atoll. As Nishina nears his target, memories of his fallen friend Hiroshi Kuroki haunt him, both of them having dreamed of using their invention to change the course of the war. Despite early setbacks, Nishina strikes the USS Mississinewa, igniting a massive explosion. This tragic mission is one of the few Kaiten successes, though such operations rarely achieved their goal.

Takeaways

• 🌊 The script is set on November 20, 1944, where a Japanese submarine, I-47, is on a mission in the Philippine Sea carrying Kaiten manned torpedoes.
• 💥 Lieutenant Sekio Nishina is one of the Kaiten pilots, determined to complete his mission in a weapon he helped design.
• 🎯 The Kaitens were designed to target US Navy ships near the Ulithi atoll, intending to deal significant damage.
• 📜 Nishina brings the ashes of his friend, Lieutenant Hiroshi Kuroki, fulfilling a promise they made to each other.
• ⚓ The Kaiten's mission faces obstacles, as some torpedoes fail due to technical issues or enemy countermeasures, but Nishina perseveres.
• 🚢 Nishina ultimately targets and successfully sinks the USS Mississinewa, a massive American oiler, in a catastrophic explosion.
• ⚰️ The script highlights the origins of the Kaiten, which were conceived as a response to Japan's increasing desperation in the war.
• 💔 Nishina's friend Kuroki dies during a training mission, which deeply affects him, pushing him forward to complete their shared vision.
• 🕊️ Despite the limited success of the Kaiten missions, the pilots, including Nishina, were highly respected and honored for their sacrifice.
• 🏛️ The script concludes with a mention of the Kaiten Memorial Museum, commemorating the 106 men who sacrificed their lives piloting these weapons.

Q & A

What is the significance of Lieutenant Sekio Nishina carrying his friend's ashes in the Kaiten?

Nishina carries the ashes of his friend, Lieutenant Hiroshi Kuroki, as a symbol of their promise to die together in battle. This act also honors their bond and the shared creation of the Kaiten, a weapon they designed together.

What was the primary objective of the Kaiten mission in the script?

The primary objective of the Kaiten mission was to test the effectiveness of the stealthy, manned torpedoes by attempting to sink anchored U.S. Navy ships near the Ulithi atoll during World War II.

Why was the Kaiten considered a significant weapon for Japan during WWII?

The Kaiten was seen as a desperate measure for Japan to regain a strategic advantage. It was developed as a manned suicide torpedo, aiming to strike American ships with precision, especially as Japan's naval power waned after devastating losses, like those at the Battle of Midway.

What challenges did Nishina face during his mission?

Nishina faced several challenges, including maneuvering in shallow waters to avoid getting stuck, maintaining stealth while being detected, and navigating nearly blind with limited use of the periscope due to the danger of being spotted by the American forces.

What was the impact of the Kaiten strike on the USS Mississinewa?

The Kaiten piloted by Nishina successfully hit the USS Mississinewa, causing a massive explosion that split the oiler in two and triggered a series of secondary explosions. This attack led to the ship sinking and the deaths of 63 American crew members.

How did the Japanese misinterpret the results of the Kaiten mission?

The submarine crew believed that all four Kaiten torpedoes had successfully hit their targets due to the explosions observed, leading to an exaggerated report of success. This false report inspired the Japanese military to pursue more Kaiten missions, despite their low actual success rate.

What were the origins of the Kaiten design?

The Kaiten was designed by Lieutenant Sekio Nishina and Lieutenant Hiroshi Kuroki, who initially proposed turning their midget submarines into manned torpedoes after realizing the inefficacy of existing submarine tactics. They submitted their plans in blood to prove their dedication.

What was the role of the Kaiten Memorial Museum?

The Kaiten Memorial Museum, located on Otsushima Island, preserves the memory of the Kaiten pilots who sacrificed their lives in these missions. The museum is housed in the buildings where the pilots, including Nishina, trained for their final missions.

Why did the Japanese Navy reject the inclusion of an escape hatch in the Kaiten design?

Although the Japanese Navy initially requested that the Kaiten include an escape hatch, Nishina and Kuroki abandoned the idea because it was too complicated to implement and unreliable. Additionally, the immense water pressure at operating depths would have made the hatch unusable.

What is the historical significance of the Battle of Midway mentioned in the script?

The Battle of Midway, fought in June 1942, was a pivotal turning point in World War II. Japan lost four out of its six best aircraft carriers and many of its elite Navy pilots. This defeat shattered Japan's naval dominance and marked the beginning of America's increasing military strength in the Pacific.