The final stages of the war saw unprecedented and desperate tactics by the Japanese forces. Confronting the loss of their most experienced pilots, they launched a campaign of kamikaze attacks to stall the United States’ advance (Kamikaze). These suicide missions consisted of air attacks targeting Allied supply lines. These attacks peaked in force and damage during the Battle of Iwo Jima and the Battle of Okinawa, both of which resulted in massive casualties on both sides. Altogether, the kamikaze strikes totaled 80% of the U.S. losses during the last phase of the Pacific War (Kamikaze). The psychological effects, however, were particularly profound, because they demonstrated to the U.S. and the Allies just how far the Japanese would go before surrendering. This would be an important factor in the U.S.’s decision to use the atomic bomb (Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki).

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SOURCES:

"Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki." Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 11 Jul. 2005. Wikipedia. 11 Jul. 2005 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_bombings_of_Hiroshima_and_Nagasaki>.

"Kamikaze." Kamikaze - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 04 July 2005. Wikipedia. 09 Jul. 2005 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamikaze>.