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Kamikaze Dispatch Page 2

kamikazedispatch2
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Description: The second page of a naval message received by Commander, Task Force 38, providing details of kamikaze attacks against U.S. Navy ships on November 25, 1944. In addition to describing the experiences of various ships, the message highlights two elements that would become key tactics in defeating the kamikazes. The first one was the use of destroyers as radar picket ships to sooner detect incoming attacks, oftentimes at great peril for these ships endured their own horrific attacks by suicide aircraft. The second was the increase of fighter aircraft on board carriers. As the war progressed into 1945, bombing and torpedo squadrons would see their number of aircraft reduced, with F6F Hellcat and F4U Corsair equipped fighting (VF) and bombing fighting (VBF) squadrons constituting some 70% of the aircraft complement on large deck flattops.
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