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Letters
The Kaiten not the Oka or "Cherry Blossom" Hello, I just noticed your article on human torpedoes, and you mentioned the Japanese "Kaiten" or "Heaven Shaker" torpedo, and included a picture. However, while this picture is indeed a Japanese WWII suicide weapon, it is certainly not a Kaiten. The picture you have included is a photo of an "Oka", or "cherry blossom. This was a rocket-powered kamikaze airplane, not a naval torpedo. The Oka (nicknamed "Baka", or foolish, by allied troops) was carried under the belly of a "Betty" medium bomber, was dropped about 50 miles from its target, and was flown by a human pilot into its target. Attached is a photo of a Kaiten suicide torpedo. Mark, Thank you, and of course you are quite right. When my Under Water piece was first put on my site, it was run by a friend on Vancouver Island, that picture was not in what I sent off, and John has added the one of OKA, I had not noticed it. I will remove it, and if I may, will replace it with your Kaiten picture. Here is the corrected article. Again my thanks. Mac. Gregory. Mark, The correction has been made to my Under Water Warfare piece, plus, Thanks again, Mac Gregory. No problem, and thanks for posting my letter. ---Mark Here is the "Oka" or "Cherry Blossom."  |
