By mid-1943, the new Essex-class aircraft carriers were rolling out of American shipyards and into the Pacific to fight against the Japanese. These magnificent ships were almost 900 feet long and carried upwards of 90 aircraft. Bristling with guns, these great ships seemed almost indestructible. However, as author Maxwell Taylor Kennedy points out, these ships were not indestructible and, in fact, if hit in the most vulnerable of places, could prove to be death traps for the crew.
In late 1944 and into 1945, the Japanese had resorted to kamikaze attacks on American vessels. Japanese planes literally crash-dived themselves into an American warship. The goal of the Japanese was one plane for one ship. One of the Essex-class carriers was the USS Bunker Hill, and she faced the full fury of a kamikaze attack on May 11, 1945.
The Bunker Hill was stationed approximately 70 miles off Okinawa, supporting the American land forces. At 10:00 in the morning, the ship was hit by two kamikazes, both carrying 500lb. bombs. Almost instantaneously, the ship became engulfed in smoke and flames. Many men, especially the pilots in the ready rooms, were killed instantly. Others suffered severe burns. Still others were severely wounded or blown completely overboard. A flaw in the carrier's design caused thick, poisonous black smoke to be pumped throughout the ship's ventilation system, causing many men to die from smoke inhalation. All of the carrier's aircraft were destroyed; many melting in their spots.
Despite this terrific initial shock, the survivors began to immediately fight the fires and rescue wounded comrades. Thanks to the strong construction of the Bunker Hill, the ship managed to survive, but never fought in the war again. 393 Americans lost their lives, while another 200+ were injured.
This is an excellent book. Author Maxwell Taylor Kennedy does a superb job of describing not only the horror of the kamikaze attack, but he also describes the early battles in which the Bunker Hill fought. He gives the reader a glimpse into the lives of the two Japanese kamikaze pilots who struck the Bunker Hill. Both pilots were young university students who were "drafted" into the kamikaze corps. The book reads like an action novel, and the author's careful attention to detail makes it a very informative and enjoyable read.
I give this fine book my highest recommendation. I've read naval history for years, and this is one of the best books I've read. This book is a must-read for naval history fans.
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A Story That Leaves One Speechless
In researching an uncle, I found his brother had served and died on the USS Bunker Hill (probably blown off the ship from the first kamikaze attack). I never knew the story, from both sides -- which was extremely helpful to read. A must read for those seeking other WWII history stories.
Top reviews from other countries
Darth Maciek
"Noblesse oblige" - and here this obligation was NOT fullfilled!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 13, 2013