The Kamikaze Pilots

The Kamikaze Pilots

Please note, this episode contains discussion of suicide.


By October 1944, the Japanese were in real trouble. The Allies had made great strides in their Pacific island-hopping campaign and were advancing on the Japanese home islands. In a desperate attempt to stem the tide, Japan created the 'Special Attack Units', which included the kamikaze - young pilots tasked with launching suicidal missions against Allied forces.


For the first episode in our three-part series on the kamikaze, Dan is joined by Christopher Harding, a cultural historian of India and Japan and author of 'The Light of Asia'. Chris explains the ideological and tactical messages of the kamikaze, and raises an important question - were these pilots enthusiastic zealots or terrified young men with nothing to lose?


Produced by James Hickmann and edited by Dougal Patmore.


Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code DANSNOW sign up at https://historyhit/subscription/


We'd love to hear from you- what do you want to hear an episode on? You can email the podcast at ds.hh@historyhit.com.


You can take part in our listener survey here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jaksot(1498)

The Rise of Putin and the 1999 Apartment Bombs

The Rise of Putin and the 1999 Apartment Bombs

In September 1999, just weeks after 46-year-old Vladimir Putin became Russia’s prime minister, a series of apartment bombings ripped through Russian cities, killing hundreds as they slept and plunging...

19 Maalis 34min

The Commanders: Eisenhower

The Commanders: Eisenhower

As Supreme Commander, Eisenhower spearheaded the successful Allied invasions of North Africa, Italy and Western Europe. He's consequently one of the most celebrated leaders of the Second World War - b...

16 Maalis 59min

The Battle of Gettysburg

The Battle of Gettysburg

In July 1863, the quiet town of Gettysburg became the site of one of the most decisive clashes of the American Civil War. Over three intense days, Union and Confederate forces fought across fields, hi...

12 Maalis 1h 5min

Can Air Power Alone Topple Governments?

Can Air Power Alone Topple Governments?

With the Iran war still unfolding, we ask the question: Can air power alone topple a government?From the First World War onward, military strategists have argued that bombing from the air could break ...

10 Maalis 45min

The Commanders: Montgomery

The Commanders: Montgomery

Celebrated for his victories in North Africa and Europe, Bernard Montgomery built a reputation for meticulous planning and caution that many soldiers admired. But his record was not without controvers...

9 Maalis 1h 19min

Edward VIII & Wallis Simpson: A Royal Scandal

Edward VIII & Wallis Simpson: A Royal Scandal

In this episode, we explore the dramatic love story between King Edward VIII and the twice-divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson - a romance that shook the British monarchy to its core. Set again...

5 Maalis 38min

The Commanders: Rommel

The Commanders: Rommel

In the sands of North Africa, Erwin Rommel became a battlefield legend. His bold manoeuvres and audacious tactics captured the imagination of friend and foe alike. But how did he become that commander...

2 Maalis 1h 7min

The Forbidden City

The Forbidden City

At the heart of Beijing sits the Forbidden City, one of the greatest architectural achievements in human history. It's the largest palace complex on Earth. Constructed in the early 15th century as the...

26 Helmi 1h 15min

Suosittua kategoriassa Historia

olipa-kerran-otsikko
gogin-ja-janin-maailmanhistoria
mayday-fi
huijarit
mystista
rss-ikiuni
totuus-vai-salaliitto
tsunami
konginkangas
rouva-diktaattori
rss-i-dont-like-mondays-2
rss-peter-peter
apinan-vuosi
rss-sattuu-sita-suomessakin
sotaa-ja-historiaa-podi
rss-kirkon-ihmeellisimmat-tarinat
rss-subjektiivinen-todistaja
rss-kalmakabinetti
tiedetta-ja-sirkushuveja-vanhojen-aikojen-podcast
maailmanpuu