Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

Answer 1

Because their radios and oxygen masks were in them. Despite all the hype about Kamikaze pilots most of the rubbish that is spouted originates from Hollywood. Here's a bit of truth.

The Japanese government was very worried about the possibility of attacks on Japan. They were aware that the only way this could be done was by a sea fleet big enough to carry sufficient troops and materials fro a sustain invasion. Such an invasion would involve aircraft, bombers, fighters, transporters and troop planes. A sea invasion would be repulsed as the Japanese until Medway, had a strong navy and sufficient bombers to sink slow moving troop ships together with a large submarine fleet. The danger was therefore from the air. Japan was too far away to be attacked from the air by land based aircraft so seaborne aircraft carriers would be the main threat. Bombing was erratic and torpedoes of limited use due to the range of submarines and their need to surface to charge their batteries and thus be vulnerable. Their answer 'Kamikaze' or 'Divine Wind', suicide pilots. Pilots were chosen from university students as they were bright enough to learn how to fly a plane in six weeks and by using them valuable trained pilots need not be wasted. Around 3,000 were chosen and forced into flying. None were willing but were threatened with being sent to the worst of the land based fighting where they would be sent in first and their families shamed and possibly executed. Standard airforce pilots looked down on them and they had a miserable existence. When undertaking an attack they were told to only attack aircraft carriers or large warships and if there were no suitable targets to return to base with their valuable plane for future use. On board bombs could be dropped on other ships. Many pilots escaped by fleeing and landing in allied occupied territory and some crash landed near to allied ships to be picked up as prisoners. As the pilots were inexperienced many were shot down as easy targets. About 300 eventually made suicide attacks and of these around 30 were effective. Unfortunately due to the spectacular way the attacks took place many myths appeared and Hollywood loved it making Kamikaze pilots modern day Bushidos and creating lots of rubbish, far from the truth.

All this I learned from seeing live interviews with surviving Kamikaze pilots all of whom admitted fear and revulsion at their government's act. Had they been allowed to progress naturally they would have made fine pilots and officers and could have had a bigger and better effect on the Japanese war effort than any Kamikaze attack could ever have.

Answer 2

Come on guys, when you are in a fighter plane, yes even during WWII, you are gonna require a certain amount of oxygen. Where do you think they get it. Especially when you start pulling G's on the way down, If they pass out in the middle of a dive, there is no telling where their plane might end up, or in how many peices. Even a dive requires presicion piloting or you could rip yourself to shreds in mid air. What good would that do you.

Answer 3

My guess is that it was make sure they didn't go unconscious by hitting their head against the plane before they completed their mission.

Answer 4

They didn't always kill themselves - there had to be a point. If you couldn't find a target you could return ( I believe that it was rare).

Answer 5

because deciding to kill others in your suicide is proof positive of needing protective head gear(IE the stupid helmet)

Answer 6

To keep their goggles on in the wind so that they could see their targets properly.

Answer 7

To hold their headsets/oxygen masks for while they are flying to their destination.

Answer 8

Don't want to hurt yourself on the way to your big date now do you?

Answer 9

So thier hair doesn't get all messed up.

Answer 10

Because their radio is attached.