The name is translated into "Divine Wind", which refers to major typhoons in the years 1274 and 1281. These typhoons dispersed [[Mongol]] armadas on their way to an invasion of Japan. As the typhoons were believed to be gifts from the gods, they were given the name ''kamikaze'', from the words ''kami'' for "god", "spirit", and "divinity",; and ''kaze'' for "wind".
==Background==
In 1944, as Allied forces were advancing towards Japan. Japan's military aircraft, such as the [[Mitsubishi Zero]], were completely outclassed by Allied aircraft, including the [[F6F Hellcat]] and the [[F4U Corsair]]. Japan had lost most of its best pilots in air battles against the Allies. Finally, in the [[Battle of the Philippine Sea]], Japan lost a huge number of carrier-based planes, as well as their pilots. These problems, as well as shortages of fuel and spare parts, led Japan to develop kamikaze tactics, with planes full of explosives, enough fuel for a one-way trip, and a pilot psychologically prepared to die. The Kamikaze attacks worked because the pilot aimed directly at the ship, and did not worry about the trajectory of a bomb, or his escape route. Even if hit his plane continued toward the target.
==Kamikaze aircraft==
Most aircraft used in kamikaze attacks were converted obsolete fighters and dive-bombers. However, purpose-built kamikaze aircraft were also constructed. These included the Yokosuka MXY7 Ohka (桜花Cherry Blossom), nicknamed the "baka bomb" (''baka'' is Japanese for "idiot"), and the Nakajima Ki-115 Tsurugi. The Ohka, effectively a manned cruise missile, was a rocket-powered aircraft which was launched from a bomber aircraft, most commonly the [[Mitsubishi G4M]] "Betty". The Tsurugi was an extremely simple aircraft with a wooden fuselage and a reusable undercarriage, designed to use up obsolete engines. In 1945, Japan stockpiled hundreds of planes, Tsurugi, suicide boats, and Ohka for use against the Allied invasion of Japan expected in fall 1945.