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107:
216:
171:
196:
25:
228:
803:
183:
539:), 5th Land-based Air Fleet (Formosa), and the Imperial Japanese Army 6th Aviation Army's 8th Flying Division (Formosa, commanded by Lieutenant General Kenji Yamamoto). These forces undertook preparations for Operation Kikusui (which was an Imperial Japanese Navy code name; the Imperial Japanese Army referred to it as the "total air assault"), and stationed over 3,000 various combat aircraft in Kyushu.
1025:
s inflicted severe damage, no heavy Allied ships were sunk. One reason for this is the outstanding damage control capabilities on part of the Allies, successfully preventing many ships from sinking. Another reason is the poor training and discipline of the
Japanese aircrews, which led them to attempt
1004:
In total, the
Imperial Japanese Navy deployed 940 aircraft and the Imperial Japanese Army deployed 887 aircraft, each of varying types, in Operation Kikusui. Of these, 133 planes scored hits, and 122 planes scored near misses. Casualties include 2,045 Navy aviators and 1,022 Army aviators killed (not
475:
in March 1945, the approach of the United States fleet affirmed to the
Japanese military that the Allies were in dominance in the seas around Japan, and that so-called normal tactics had little effect in the face of overwhelming Allied firepower. To counter the Allies, extremist views regarding the
1013:
aircraft are included, 2,258 aircraft were lost. On the Allied side, 36 ships were sunk (but no cruisers or larger were sunk), 218 ships were damaged (including 8 aircraft carriers, 3 battleships, 2 cruisers and 33 destroyers), and 763 carrier aircraft were lost; US Navy
596:
On 6 April 1945, the
Japanese military commenced Operation Kikusui I (referred to by the Army as the 1st total air assault), with 391 Navy planes and 133 Army planes (of which 215 Navy planes and 82 Army planes were
551:. To hold back the Allied advance, orders for the Imperial Japanese Navy's "Operation Kikusui I" and the Imperial Japanese Army's "1st total air assault" were issued on the morning of 6 April. Simultaneously, the
542:
On 1 April 1945, the
Imperial General Headquarters issued commands for "the conversion to special attack aircraft of all Army and Navy warplanes"; from then on, the vast majority of Japanese warplanes were used as
1144:
731:
first appeared in
Operation Kikusui II; this flying bomb was carried by bombers and was more difficult for US forces to shoot down due to its small size, light weight and high speed. The destroyer
471:, the Imperial Japanese Navy was close to decimation, and was no longer in a position to challenge the United States-led Allied fleet. But after Task Force 58 started to mount air raids on
838:
988:
Due to the
Japanese defeat in the Okinawa land offensive, the Imperial General Headquarters launched one final Kikusui operation between 16 and 22 June, while making preparations for a
790:
attacks in April 1945, US Navy losses in the seas around
Okinawa began to climb. With the start of Operation Kikusui V, the US Navy carrier fleet began to receive attention by the
886:
and triggered large explosions, but did not sink her as a result of improved damage control capabilities on part of US Navy personnel; however, the damage was severe enough that
535:
to defend
Okinawa against the impending Allied invasion. Air groups mobilized included Carrier Division 5, 1st Mobile Land-based Air Fleet (Kyushu, commanded by Vice Admiral
824:
s) commenced
Operation Kikusui V. Main achievements include sinking 2 destroyers, damaging 1 escort aircraft carrier, and damaging the British aircraft carrier
354:
1026:
to sink whatever ship was in sight without effectively identifying their targets; as a result, the massive number of Allied destroyers effectively diluted the
927:
Operation Kikusui VII took place between 23 and 25 May, and consisted of 387 Navy planes and 174 Army planes (of which 107 Navy planes and 61 Army planes were
645:
s as well. The US Navy claimed the loss of 3 destroyers, 1 amphibious warfare ship and 2 munitions transports, along with over 10 other ships heavily damaged.
939:
Operation Kikusui VIII took place between 28 and 29 May, and consisted of 217 Navy planes and 71 Army planes (of which 51 Navy planes and 57 Army planes were
1154:
958:
Operation Kikusui IX took place between 3 and 7 June, and consisted of 367 Navy planes and 71 Army planes (of which 23 Navy planes and 31 Army planes were
931:
s). However, the achievements were quite small compared to the previous operation, with only 1 transport sunk and 1 escort aircraft carrier damaged.
601:
s) taking part. US Navy anti-air radar picket destroyers deployed in the waters off Okinawa bore the brunt of the attack. At 12:26 pm, the destroyer
745:
Operation Kikusui III commenced on 16 April, and consisted of 415 Navy planes and 92 Army planes (of which 176 Navy planes and 52 Army planes were
713:
Operation Kikusui II commenced on 12 April, and consisted of 354 Navy planes and 124 Army planes (of which 103 Navy planes and 72 Army planes were
913:, resulting in 13 deaths and 68 people wounded. The ship withdrew from the battlefield. As a result, Mitscher transferred his flag to the carrier
106:
1080:
364:
1111:
281:
347:
68:
46:
943:
s). Due to reduced airstrike capabilities on part of the Japanese military, achievements were small, only sinking 1 destroyer, the
1149:
1030:
attacks on large Allied ships, and led to the preservation of most of the Allied naval aviation firepower despite severe losses.
683:, and 4 destroyers. The Japanese military continued air attacks between 8 and 11 April, and on 11 April the aircraft carrier
655:
516:
aircraft had caused heavy damage to 2 US Navy aircraft carriers during air battles off Kyushu. These incidents convinced the
664:, left for Okinawa to support ground defense operations there, but were repulsed by over 300 carrier aircraft belonging to
517:
671:
Task Force 58 at Bou-no-Misaki, between Kyushu and the Ryukyu Islands, on 7 April; this came to be known in Japan as the
468:
340:
524:
attacks, and that they were an effective solution to turn the deteriorating war situation around; as a result, massive
245:
1075:
Wolk, Herman S.; Hallion, Richard P. (1995-01-01). "FDR and Truman. Continuity and Context in the A-Bomb Decision".
864:
s). The most significant achievement in these attacks was major damage to Mitscher's flagship, the aircraft carrier
890:
did not return to the battlefield before the end of the war. Mitscher transferred his flag to the aircraft carrier
649:
498:
39:
33:
963:
865:
843:
970:
440:
275:
261:
255:
50:
779:
Operation Kikusui IV took place from 21 to 29 April, and consisted of 845 Navy planes (of which 126 were
684:
249:
112:
910:
944:
914:
756:
750:
732:
690:
636:
624:
614:
480:
802:
825:
807:
762:
630:
583:) belonging to the Imperial Japanese Navy participated in night attacks against the Allied fleet.
992:
on the Japanese home islands. Operation Kikusui X consisted of 271 Navy planes (of which 67 were
989:
726:
552:
456:
378:
1046:
1018:
casualties throughout the war include over 4,900 sailors killed or missing, and 4,824 wounded.
976:
on 5 June. In the Okinawa land offensive, the United States had taken the prefectural capital,
1159:
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875:
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and four bomb hits from 22 attackers, earning her the nickname "The Ship That Would Not Die".
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448:
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90:
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898:. Among the crew, 352 sailors and pilots were killed, 41 disappeared and 264 were wounded.
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During Operation Kikusui I, the Surface Special Attack Force, consisting of the battleship
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432:
201:
661:
602:
488:
188:
143:
332:
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1096:
879:
668:
266:
220:
176:
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Operation Kikusui VI commenced on 11 May, and consisted of 345 planes (including 86
1050:
1038:
1034:
577:
563:
556:
536:
452:
232:
98:
94:
725:; and at least eight other U.S. Navy warships. The human-operated flying bomb
491:
996:
s); it achieved only 1 destroyer sunk; and one escort carrier ship damaged.
980:, and the Japanese were forced into the southernmost tip of Okinawa Island.
428:
118:
737:
became the first and only US Navy ship to be sunk by this type of bomb.
717:
s). Main achievements by the operation include hits on the battleships
665:
749:
s). Main achievements by the operation include sinking the destroyer
472:
860:
s); attacks from 12 to 15 May consisted of 237 planes (including 47
837:
820:
On 3 May, 449 planes of the Okinawa Aviation Fleet (including 160
801:
977:
476:
use of weaponry started to appear among the Japanese military.
336:
531:
On 20 March 1945, the Imperial General Headquarters commenced
18:
969:
on 5 June, one escort aircraft carrier and the heavy cruiser
302:
1,827 kamikaze aircraft (often accompanied by other aircraft）
1037:, the officer in charge of Operation Kikusui, performed one
1055:, and was shot down and killed in the seas around Okinawa.
1145:
World War II operations and battles of the Pacific theatre
962:
s). Main achievements include damage to the battleship
783:
s) and 11 Army planes. Only 3 destroyers were damaged.
660:, and 8 destroyers, under the command of Vice-Admiral
1098:Kamikaze: Japanese Special Attack Weapons 1944–45
675:. The Imperial Japanese Navy lost the battleship
547:aircraft. On that same day, the Allies commenced
607:became the first warship struck. The destroyers
443:fleets in the waters around Okinawa, as part of
420:
83:
874:aircraft; the first piloted by Sub Lieutenant
414:
451:: 菊水, "Chrysanthemum Water"), comes from the
348:
8:
1102:. New Vanguard. Osprey Publishing. p.
755:, as well as damaging the aircraft carrier
528:attacks were planned against the US Navy.
355:
341:
333:
80:
641:and 10 other destroyers were targeted by
69:Learn how and when to remove this message
447:. The name of the operation, "Kikusui" (
32:This article includes a list of general
1064:
705:took hull damage below the waterline.
318:36 ships (destroyers and smaller) sunk
505:aircraft had sunk the escort carrier
7:
1081:Defense Technical Information Center
1070:
1068:
842:United States Navy aircraft carrier
366:Volcano and Ryukyu Islands campaign
16:Japanese suicidal air attacks in WW2
1155:Battles involving the United States
1129:, part 2, East Books, Taipei (1993)
699:aircraft, and the aircraft carrier
555:, consisting of new attack planes (
487:aircraft had successfully sunk the
635:took heavy damage; the battleship
38:it lacks sufficient corresponding
14:
901:On 14 May, Mitscher's flagship,
327:pilots killed throughout the war
226:
214:
194:
181:
169:
105:
23:
1:
1127:Pacific War: U.S.A. vs. Japan
905:, was heavily damaged by one
673:Naval Battle of Bou-no-Misaki
518:Imperial General Headquarters
1005:including losses other than
950:and damaging several ships.
806:Royal Navy aircraft carrier
469:Battle of the Philippine Sea
133:6 April 1945 to 22 June 1945
421:
246:United States Pacific Fleet
1176:
894:after being evacuated off
499:Invasion of Lingayen Gulf
415:
374:
306:
294:
238:
207:
162:
125:
111:US Navy aircraft carrier
104:
88:
767:, the latter taking six
520:of the effectiveness of
1150:Battles involving Japan
878:, the second by Ensign
53:more precise citations.
1094:Zaloga, Steve (2011).
935:Operation Kikusui VIII
853:
817:
276:Imperial Japanese Army
256:Imperial Japanese Navy
208:Commanders and leaders
1021:Although the Kikusui
923:Operation Kikusui VII
841:
805:
741:Operation Kikusui III
623:s and the destroyers
314:4,824 sailors wounded
307:Casualties and losses
250:British Pacific Fleet
954:Operation Kikusui IX
834:Operation Kikusui VI
775:Operation Kikusui IV
709:Operation Kikusui II
679:, the light cruiser
654:, the light cruiser
481:Battle of Leyte Gulf
320:763 carrier aircraft
312:4,907 sailors killed
984:Operation Kikusui X
798:Operation Kikusui V
689:and the battleship
592:Operation Kikusui I
286:8th Flying Division
854:
818:
457:Kusunoki Masashige
435:forces during the
262:Carrier Division 5
1047:Japan's surrender
1045:after hearing of
911:Shunsuke Tomiyasu
549:Operation Iceberg
437:Battle of Okinawa
433:Imperial Japanese
410:Operation Kikusui
406:
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331:
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316:218 ships damaged
158:
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91:Battle of Okinawa
84:Operation Kikusui
79:
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1077:Airpower Journal
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786:Due to Japanese
734:Mannert L. Abele
695:were damaged by
533:Operation Ten-Go
445:Operation Ten-Go
427:was a series of
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431:air attacks by
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876:Seizō Yasunori
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59:February 2023
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1035:Matome Ugaki
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453:hata-jirushi
409:
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282:6th Air Army
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233:Matome Ugaki
163:Belligerents
142:seas around
113:
99:World War II
89:Part of the
65:
56:
37:
1009:s). If non-
966:Mississippi
909:pilot, Lt.
896:Bunker Hill
888:Bunker Hill
884:Bunker Hill
867:Bunker Hill
845:Bunker Hill
662:Seiichi Itō
509:Ommaney Bay
483:, Japanese
479:During the
51:introducing
1139:Categories
1059:References
973:Louisville
903:Enterprise
892:Enterprise
827:Formidable
809:Formidable
686:Enterprise
669:Mitscher's
604:Haynsworth
467:After the
463:Background
117:struck by
114:Enterprise
34:references
1000:Aftermath
719:Tennessee
492:USS
1160:Kamikaze
1041:kamikaze
1028:kamikaze
1023:kamikaze
1016:kamikaze
1011:kamikaze
1007:kamikaze
994:kamikaze
960:kamikaze
941:kamikaze
929:kamikaze
916:Randolph
907:kamikaze
872:kamikaze
862:kamikaze
858:kamikaze
850:kamikaze
822:kamikaze
814:kamikaze
792:kamikaze
788:kamikaze
781:kamikaze
769:kamikaze
758:Intrepid
747:kamikaze
715:kamikaze
697:kamikaze
692:Missouri
643:kamikaze
638:Maryland
621:kamikaze
599:kamikaze
545:kamikaze
526:kamikaze
522:kamikaze
514:kamikaze
503:kamikaze
485:kamikaze
449:Japanese
439:against
429:suicidal
379:Iwo Jima
325:kamikaze
295:Strength
138:Location
121:aircraft
119:kamikaze
1043:attack"
1039:"final
947:Drexler
882:struck
852:attacks
816:attacks
752:Pringle
666:Admiral
626:Newcomb
616:Colhoun
587:Battles
390:Kikusui
384:Okinawa
323:~3,800
144:Okinawa
47:improve
1110:
1052:Suisei
764:Laffey
681:Yahagi
677:Yamato
657:Yahagi
651:Yamato
632:Leutze
579:Suisei
572:Hiryuu
558:Tenzan
494:St. Lo
473:Kyushu
441:Allied
397:Ten-Go
199:
186:
174:
151:Result
36:, but
723:Idaho
702:Essex
565:Ginga
202:Japan
1108:ISBN
1083:: 3.
978:Naha
971:USS
964:USS
945:USS
870:: 2
728:Ohka
721:and
629:and
613:and
610:Bush
576:and
507:USS
416:菊水作戦
130:Date
794:s.
1141::
1106:.
1104:12
1079:.
1067:^
919:.
830:.
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562:,
501:,
459:.
419:,
97:,
93:,
1116:.
581:s
574:s
567:s
560:s
425:)
413:(
356:e
349:t
342:v
72:)
66:(
61:)
57:(
43:.
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