Okinawa Kamikaze story
This is an odd story that involves a flight instructor, his family, and a single-minded request. The whole thing was so strange, in fact, that the Japanese government censored it at the time.
Hajime Fujii was born on August 30, 1915, in Ibaraki Prefecture as the oldest of seven children. He joined the army and proved to be such a skilled machine gunner that they sent him to China.
The Chinese weren’t too happy about that, which is why Fujii got hit by a mortar shell that wounded his left hand. Sent to the hospital, he was tended to by Fukuko – a beautiful field nurse from Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture.
It was love at first sight. Back then, arranged marriages were the norm, but the two were having none of it. So they returned to Japan, got married, and had two adorable daughters – Kazuko and Chieko.
Instead of sending him back to China, the Army kept Fujii in Japan and sent him to the Army Air Corps Academy where he graduated in 1943. Becoming a company commander with the Kumagaya Army Aviation School in Kaitama, Fujii was tasked with teaching his students character and mental discipline.
This included inculcating them with a deep sense of loyalty and patriotism and the value of crashing one’s plane into enemy ships and camps. According to his few surviving students, he frequently told them that he would die with them if he could.
But he couldn’t. The mortar shell didn’t take out his left hand, but it left him unable to grip a plane’s control stick. So the more he expressed his desire to die with his students (many of whom went on to do just that), the more the whole thing bothered him.
Japan didn’t enter WWII with any intention of creating kamikaze pilots and sending them on suicide missions. But it had expected a quick victory. By 1944, Japan knew it was in serious trouble. Many of its veterans were gone, and many of those sent out never made it back. Desperate, the Army created Special Attack Force Units called tokkōtai or shimbu-tai – suicide squads made up of the Army and Navy.
Fujii’s favorite motto was: “words and deeds should be consistent.” So after months of telling his students to kill themselves by crashing into the enemy, he wanted to do the same by joining the kamikaze. Unfortunately for him, he was a victim of his own success. Popular with his students and staff, and having proven his worth in China, the Army refused his request. They also cited the fact that he was a family man, while most of those they sent on one-way missions were single.
Fukuko also pleaded with him to stay out of the war. He had two young daughters, after all. If he died, what would happen to them? But as more and more of his students left on suicide missions never to return, Fujii couldn’t shake off the idea that he was betraying his wards. He felt like a hypocrite, which is why he again appealed to the Army to let him die. They refused his second request.
So now Fukuko was trapped. If Fujii stayed in Japan, she’d have her husband, while her daughters would have a father. But he would forever be haunted by his self-perceived betrayal of his students and his country. He would become a ghost (“dim spirit” in Japanese), only half alive. At best, he’d just fade away. At worst, he’d eventually blame his wife and children for his dishonor.
So on the morning of December 14, 1944, while her husband was away at Kumagaya, Fukuko dressed herself up in her finest kimono. She did the same with three-year-old Kazuko and one-year-old Chieko. Finally, she wrote her husband a letter, urging him to do his duty to the country and not to worry about his family. They’d wait for him.
Then she wrapped Chieko up in a cloth backpack and strapped the baby to her back. Taking Kazuko by the hand, she walked toward the Arakawa River near the school where her husband taught. Taking a rope, she tied Kazuko’s wrist to her own and jumped into the freezing waters.
The police found the bodies later that morning, and Fujii was brought to the spot as they were being laid out. The following evening, he painted a letter to his oldest daughter, begging her to take care of her mother and younger sister till he could join them.
Then he performed yubitsume (cut off his pinky finger). With his own blood, he painted his third appeal to the Army.
On February 8, 1945, Fujii became the commander of the 45th Shinbu Squadron – which he named Kaishin (cheerful spirit). Just before dawn on May 28, the nine planes headed to Okinawa, each carrying a pilot and gunner. To their delight, they came upon the USS Drexler and USS Lowry.
Two slammed into the Drexler, sinking her within minutes and taking out 158 of its crew. Fuji was in one of them. He was reunited with his family.
Click on images to enlarge.
############################################################################################
Military Humor –
############################################################################################
Farewell Salutes –
Helen Boling – KS & CO; US Army nurse, WWII
Donald Goodbrand – W.Palm Beach, FL; USMC
Wayne ‘Bubba’ Harland – Washington, DC; USMC, Korea & Vietnam
Richard ‘Old Man’ Harrison – Danville, VA; US Navy, Petty Officer 1st Class, USS Chowanoc (Ret. 20 y.) / “Pawn Stars”
Charlene Kvapil – Middletown, OH; civilian employee US Navy Bureau of Ships, WWII
Stanley Maizey – Cornubia, AUS; Australian Army
Robert Sykes – Rochester, NY; US Navy, WWII / Korea, Chief Engineer, USS Ingraham
Newton Sloat – Concho, OK; US Army, 503rd/11th Airborne Division
Leo ‘Fox’ Stewart – Menagha, MN; US Army Air Corps, WWII
Jane Tomala – Toronto, CAN; RC Navy WREN, WWII
############################################################################################
Posted on June 28, 2018, in Uncategorized, WWII and tagged 1940's, Airborne, Army, History, Japan, Kamikaze, Military, Military History, Pacific War, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 245 Comments.
Omg so tragic! Unnecessarily so, I might add. 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Too much in war is tragic and unnecessary I’m afraid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hate re-reading this story … I can and do identify with these people.
Sadly, “A man cannot make you love him. He can’t make you like him. But he CAN make you fight him …”
LikeLike
Understood.
LikeLike
What I did not understand was the photos of Private Benjamin aka Goldie Hahn. Maybe the icon of Private Benjamin represented the military Karma upon the wife…Those are my takes
LikeLiked by 2 people
Private Benjamin was a comedy film, but it also showed how tough the women had to train.
LikeLike
Ha ha haha! What a show and a great link to the finale of Okinawa story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLike
Referencing private Benjamin, I really meant “film” not show.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Understood.
LikeLike
Well the training that He was involved in with the choice to show patriotism to his country became his wife’s Karma..no?
LikeLiked by 2 people
She responded to his love of country. She wanted to keep him and honor his wishes at the same time. This was her solution.
LikeLike
But she undertook her husband’s training and responsibility. In her suicide, I saw all of these including his fears. Basically, I am seeing the irony that resulted from his work, choices and fear. She was honorable militarily.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing connects of duty and devotion. Karma?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Could be…..
LikeLike
What a tragic story! 😥
LikeLiked by 2 people
Indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a story, and how perfectly indicative of Japanese national character!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Back then, yes. Kamikaze, meaning “Divine Wind”, was named after a storm that saved Japan from invasion by the Mongols centuries before.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, I am aware of that, but it’s his wife’s act that makes it both unbelievable and so Japanese.
LikeLiked by 2 people
True.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fab story. Very inspiring.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you very much.
LikeLike
What a fanatical enemy were the Japanese. During my time as a U.S. Marine in Vietnam (1967-68) things turned nasty between us grunts and the NVA along the DMZ where my battalion operated. It became a “take no prisoners” type warfare practiced by both sides. After so many weeks/months of almost constant contact, we became animals, although still Marines. I believe now the “kill or be killed” attitude was a defense mechanism to help us keep what little sanity we had left. Looking back over the years I wonder and marvel at the brutality it came down to. We were basically “automotons” not really caring whether we lived or died, because in reality we never expected to get out of there alive anyway. I mention all this to show how combat can degrade decent young men into basic savages. It’s a wonder any of us have retained our sanity, or at least a portion of it. Sorry for rambling, but this post triggered something in me, and I felt compelled to try and express it.
–Michael
(Former 0311 (Rifleman), PFC/LCPL, Echo Co., 4th Marines, 3rdMarDiv, 1967-68)
LikeLiked by 3 people
You can ramble anytime, Michael. Having a first-hand account of what combat can do to a person is valid – no matter what war it is.
LikeLike
This is a stunning story, the stuff of Shakespearean tragedy. Thank you for posting.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m glad you found it interesting. I seem to have depressed a few people by posting it.
LikeLike
Zo’n tragisch verhaal blijft hangen,dit krijg je niet zo maar uit je systeem
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, Mary Lou, it will be hard to forget!
LikeLike
It is a story well-worth the telling; I admire your research and dedication in digging deep to elicit the truth above all; it is the only way for a writer of history. You have proved again and again, to be one of the best.
War tears apart more than places and human bodies; the scars it leaves may remain throughout eternity and become the stuff of legend.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you very much for such a fine compliment. Let’s hope in some small way we were able to make this world a little better.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on History That Interests Me and commented:
Personal story of a Kamikaze…very interesting.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m glad you found this interesting. It certainly shows the mindset in that era.
LikeLike
Unfortunately, war puts a person in completely unpredictable situations and leads to unexpected acts. It is difficult to judge such actions. When you read such stories, you even more understand how ugly the war is, how it distorts human destinies.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Exactly, Alexander, thank you very much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This story is more tragic than Shakespear! And yet, I can’t help but admire the loyalty and dedication!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Isn’t that amazing?! I know exactly how you feel.
LikeLike
Beautiful, yet sad and tragic story.
LikeLiked by 3 people
My thoughts as well.
LikeLike
I have read many stories about the culture and mentality of the Japanese so I do understand how it happened
But I still get upset when I read stories like the way a mother and daughters died.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I understand that.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on depolreablesunite.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you very much.
LikeLike
A tragedy. Plain and simple. And as with most tragedies we find people destroyed from within – by their own hand and convictions.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sad but true.
LikeLike
Such a terrible horrible waste of life, murdering your own children. So is wrong of me to on some level admire their commitment?
LikeLiked by 3 people
No really, Lloyd. You recognize it not only with your 21st Century eyes, but by knowing that other world had a culture totally different than ours and for them, the decision was inevitable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear friend! This ;year has been a tad crazy for me. I have a little memento for you from my trip to Normandy last 4th of July. I am fairly certain I didn’t mail you something last summer did I? It is a gift that is both priceless and also sacred! Can you email me your address, please? anne.t.bell@gmail.com
LikeLiked by 3 people
I have been thinking about you lately. Not only because we have had so few posts from you, but I finally went through, “Polio to Paratrooper”. Outstanding!!
LikeLike
It’s my opinion the reason stories such as this, and the utter cruelty and atrocities the Japanese met out to millions was kept from the Japanese people because it was thought that many thousands of Japanese people would have committed suicide out of shame for what their soldiers were certainly guilty of…and the revisionist history being told is completely wrong…
LikeLiked by 3 people
The “literature” that is the basis of the academic research paper, that is the forge. That is propaganda and brainwashing.
Disadvantageous to China is deleted and remake “a history Forgery”, again and again.Everyone knows that the Tiananmen incident is deleted. For a history forgery, China do propaganda using a book, a movie, a museum, the media, education etc..For a history forgery, China do propaganda using a book, a movie, a museum, the media, education etc.
LikeLike
And I think this conversation should be ended by both parties at this point. Neither one of you is going to convince the other of their point of view. Let’s all part friends – after all – the war is over.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sure thing!
Thank you for your precious time and place!:D
LikeLiked by 1 person
No problem. Feel free to talk to other readers at any time, my friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
that’s such a sad story!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m afraid it is, for us. For them, it was their only choice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, but the children. Not all love stories get that happily ever after. Sigh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
True.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a moving and timeless story of people who did their duty as they saw it. To attempt further comment from a modern western perspective really adds nothing. Thanks for writing it.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you for that perspective, Simon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a powerful story – I’ve been thinking about it all day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope it didn’t depress you too much. It’s a hard one to wrap your head around, I know.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My old blog has been hijacked.Please do not go there any more.
My new blog address
https://deplorablesunite.wordpress.com
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you.
LikeLike
What an amazing – and tragic – story …
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for coming by.
LikeLike
Tragic that fanatic loyalty to a cause can override family values and plain common sense. The undoubted heroism has a basis of folly and futility.
LikeLike
In hindsight.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a sad story…of honor. One that only war can bring about.
LikeLiked by 2 people
So true.
LikeLiked by 1 person
if only that energy
& commitment
was put into
supporting beauty & life
rather than destroying
oneself & others 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Entirely unrelated to this post: I just finished Raptor Red which you recommended. What a great book. It really brought to light how smart raptors were for their time.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I thought you might like it. Kind of sad.
LikeLike
Thank you for connecting, Michael.
LikeLike
Pingback: Okinawa Kamikaze story — Pacific Paratrooper – Michael D. Turashoff