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Kamikaze hits USS Missouri 4/11/45

Ultradog MN

Ultradog MN

Well-known Member
Location
Twin Cities
The Mighty MO operating off of Okinawa is struck by a Japanese kamikaze.
This amazing photo was taken by a crew member from up on the flag bridge just before impact.
No one on Missouri was injured. The impact left a small dent on the ship.
Note to self: Don't try to damage giant armored battleship by direct contact with flimsy airplane.
PS, In all fairness, the bomb on the plane did not go off so the damage was miniscule. Had it exploded there would surely have been many casualties and damage to MO's upper works.
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I've often thought that loaders on a Bofors gun must have had nerves of steel. During a battle they have to concentrate on what they're doing and probably never see what is going on around them or coming at them.
 
Have a good friend that was on a ship that holds the record for shooting them down. He said you fired as fast as you could load. He has been a friend since the war was over pretty good health sit with him on a nice day and have a beer or two.
 
I didn't know the "Mighty Mo" was hit by a kamikaze, that ship like many others had lots of history including the surrender being sign on her. Great post
 
Even more amazing is the fact the Missouri armor belt is internal - the outer hull of the ship is 1/2" (?) or so STS steel. The plane that struck it barely even damaged the thin outer hull. I believe the "damage" was repaired with some paint and a brush.
 
We toured the Missouri for the second time last year. They are in a constant state of repair and additions to the museum. There is now a fairly detailed display of that occurrence including fair mention of the pilot's history and family along with some other Japanese additions. It is also mentioned on the guided tour and highlighted by plaques at the impact location. Fair mention is also given to the U.S. casualties.

Pearl Harbor is definitely worth a visit if you are near. It is a somber place full of history, national pride, and respect.
 
More than likely he intended to hit the deck somewhere but was shot and killed before he could do it.

I say a show a couple weeks ago where the Germans were doing similar. Instead of deliberately killing yourself they would cause mid-air collisions with bombers and then if they survived the impact parachute to safety.
 
Every time I see a photo or film clip from WWII, I think to myself that probably 90% or more of those in the photo are very likely no longer with us, even if they survived the war. Quite a photo ..... amazing !!
 
What a tremendous impact WWII has had on thinking/outlook on my generation. I was born roughly two and a half years after the war ended. I am not a historian - WWII was I think the last war we "won"? The war effort was so huge and significant, it seems to me that we felt the US could do anything and do it better than anyone else.
 
Amazing photo!

My father in law was on the USS Bismark Sea, and it was sunk in the waters off Iwo Jima, in 1945. It was the last aircraft carrier sunk in WW II. He survived miraculously, however, did not talk about the experience for over 40 years. These young guys were real heroes! Thanks to all veterans for their service.
 
My dad was on a fleet tug ATF 152 at Okinawa. Gunners mate 2nd class. Said the sky was so full of shells that some hit our own ships. He was at is battle station for a week. Never left it. Slept and ate at it. Bath room was over the side
 
In 1962 I spent several weeks tied up at Ford Island while playing with Operation Dominic. There was no USS Arizona Memorial then and the Mighty Mo was not there then also.
I have seen nearly a dozen fireballs down at Christmas Island though.
We also got less than 50 ft. from a foreign oceanagraphic survey ship once when she cut across in front of us. DDR-743.
 
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