Quote:
Originally Posted by Bilge_Rat
As I understand it, most Kamikazes were not even volunteers.
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Well that contradicts just about everything I've read about them.
The Kamikazes tended to be university students and student pilots (they don't let you fly if you are stupid after all) who volunteered for the mission. The question of whether or not they were brave or insane misses the point entirely, the prevailing Japanese culture of the time focused on worship of a god like emperor and service to the country. This culture fostered a belief in self sacrifice permeated not just the military but civilian society as well.