The Luckiest Kamikaze Pilot

Kazuo Odachi was prepared to die. As he climbed into his Zero fighter’s cockpit, his mission was clear—crash into an American ship with a 500-kg bomb. But just as he began accelerating down the runway, a truck sped in front of him, bringing news that would change his life forever.

Early Life and Training

Born outside Tokyo, Kazuo’s family opposed Japan’s military expansion but was powerless to stop his enlistment. At 16, he passed the grueling entrance exams for naval aviation training, and by 1943, he was on his first duty assignment.

Becoming a Kamikaze Pilot

After the devastating loss of Japan’s carrier-based airpower, the high command resorted to kamikaze attacks. Kazuo and his fellow pilots, expected to sacrifice themselves, had no real choice. Though not chosen for early missions, he endured bombing raids and malaria in the Philippines before being sent to Taiwan in 1945.

By April, the U.S. had invaded Okinawa with over 1,300 ships. Japan launched desperate kamikaze strikes against American carriers. Kazuo’s mission was to target one of four reported carriers near Ishigaki and Okinawa. Flying low to avoid radar, his group was intercepted by American Hellcats. A dogfight ensued, but he managed to escape and returned to base safely.

A Series of Near-Misses

Weeks later, Kazuo was sent on another attack mission after intelligence reports pinpointed U.S. ship positions. While searching, he spotted an American submarine periscope but found no surface ships. Another attempt on May 4 involved a massive strike force, yet they failed to locate their targets.

He was called up again on May 18, but bad weather forced a return. In June, kamikaze raids were temporarily halted, offering a brief sense of normalcy—until August, when Japan ordered every available plane in Taiwan to attack.

A Twist of Fate

On August 15, 1945, Kazuo and 30 other Zero pilots prepared for their final mission. Just as they accelerated down the runway, a truck swerved in front of them. A frantic officer yelled that Japan had surrendered. The war was over.

Forced to surrender their aircraft, the kamikazes were repatriated. Kazuo went on to serve 36 years in the police force, rising to commander, and became a master in Kendo. His story is a rare testament to survival—a man who was prepared to die but instead lived to tell the tale.