Kamikaze!

[pampa14]

The following link shows a complete and extensive reporting a collection of photos, some known and others, rare and dramatic, about this iconic group of pilots who flew and fought in WW2:



aviacaoemfloripa.blogspot.com.br/2011/02/kamikaze.html


Hope you enjoy and I count on your visit!

[Dave Homewood]

Stunning photos. I have met a few people that were on British carriers that were hit by Kamikazes. The steel decks of the fleet carriers handled it far better than the US carriers did of course.

One chap I interviewed was a 16 year old Royal Marine bugler, who was on the deck when the Kamikaze hit. He got flash burned and knocked out. He said he was picked up by a big burly Petty Officer who checked he was ok. He said to the petty officer, "I'm sorry sir, but I think I pissed myself." The Petty Officer replied, "Don't worry about it son, between you and me, so did I." He was transferred to a hospital ship and sent to Aussie to have his burns treated. He said he had black spots on his face and body for decades from the burns but now they're gone after the skin finally regenerated with age.

Another of the guys I met was in the hangar deck when the plane hit. The ship began to list and all the doors were locked shut. Water was pouring in and the hangar was filling fast. he was there with two seamen, both of whom panicked and were trying to get a door open. He resigned himself to the fact he was doomed and so sat down, lit a cigarette and awaited death as they all thought the ship was sinking. However suddenly the ship began to right itself and eventually the doors reopened and the water drained out and they were freed. A very scary moment. He said the dent on the deck was filled with concrete and an hour later it was in use again, not something these US ships would ever have been able to do.