Original subtitles

ATTACK SQUADRON

A Japanese task force headed toward the Marianas...

To repel the advancing enemy.

400 planes took off from the carriers

Most of them never to return.

Having lost the air, the Japanese Navy is doomed.

NAVYGENERAL STAFF lMPERlAL HEADQUARTERS

Unless something is done, the enemy will soon invade the mainland.

We must do everything in our power to turn the tide.

Where... when... and how?

l ask for your frank opinions.

l think they will advance straight Okinawa.

There, we launch all our planes and annihilate them.

How many planes do we have?

About 5.000.

Oh? That many?

Few of them are combat ready.

Does the figure include trainers?

We've lost many ace pilots. We have no fuel for training.

We must fight!

With our weak air force?

What else do we have?

Our combined fleets went down off Leite.

There is a way, however...

Let our 5.000 planes launch suicide attacks.

That's right. lt s the only way...

To repel the enemy.

No! We must first try to regain the air locally.

lt's too late now.

No. Not if we have strong attack squadrons.

But, where are the pilots?

They're sitting idle on the islands in the Pacific.

Can they come?

Their routes home are cut off by the enemy.

Pilots are human, not bombs.

l know, but they must become bombs now.

No! l am against a suicide attack.

All right, Senda.

To counter the overwhelming odds,

we desperately need something...

...and a suicide attack is the answer.

What do you say, Senda?

Let me repeat...

We must regain command of the air.

That's our only chance.

We must live to fight to the bitter end.

All right.

l'm for suicide attack. l'll personally lead the first wave.

Senda, l want you to do something else for us.

Give us the best fighter squadron in the world.

May we have your approval?

You may.

Good luck, Senda.

l'll do my best.

What is your plan?

We'll use the remodelled Rurple Lightning fighters.

They're far more powerful than Zeros.

1.990 horsepower...

Speed: 315 mph.

Armament: Four 20 mm cannons.

They're equipped with automatic flaps...

For making sharp turns in a dogfight.

Give top priority to their production.

How about the crew?

Here is the list.

The 343rd Air Squadron.

We have 3 ace leaders.

Lt. Taki for the 301st Air Unit...

Lt. Yano for the 407th...

Lt. Ataka to lead the 701st.

They must be seasoned flight lieutenants. Where are they?

Let me explain...

600 miles south of Tokyo...

lwo Jima was under heavy bombardment by the Americans.

The invasion was imminent.

Lt. Ataka was there.

They might start landing any minute.

You're a fool.

Warrant officer lnaba... a flying hero! Now in a rotten hole.

Look who's talking.

l told you to fly home.

And leave my men?

So we all stayed.

You shouldn't have.

You're a stubborn lieutenant.

Leave them alone.

They love to argue.

You're supposed to be fighter pilots.

The number of planes you bag should equal your mothers age.

Oh, no! l was born when my mother was 48.

She's 72 now and very much alive.

72! That's rough.

You can shoot down 72 planes easily... in your dreams.

That will be nice... even in dreams.

Enjoy your dreams...

While they last.

Down the equator...

Rabaul... once a big base, now is ignored even by the Americans.

The base has lost its strategic values...

Left far behind the American line.

Lt. Yano and his men were marooned there.

Nice weather.

What will become of us, Lieutenant?

There won't be any action for a while.

Let's call our wives here.

We'll be staying here for a while.

We have to be self-sufficient.

That's enough.

We're fighter pilots.

We Don't grow potatoes.

We've got to compromise.

Everybody s growing potatoes now.

We aren't stopping you lieutenant.

l wouldn't mind. l'm a farmer's son.

Please don't.

You're the hero of the Rabaul Air Group.

Let s be farmers.

That's an order.

Give us airplanes.

Funny. That's exactly what l told the Group Commander.

And we tell it to you now.

You mutineers!

Stop! You potato thief!

Help me, skipper.

Please, punish him.

Potato thieves willl be shot to death... Japanese Army

You'll be sorry.

Thank you, sir.

We have firewood. Let's cook the potatoes.

Come! Enjoy the sweet, steaming potatoes.

ls that all?

Have a heart. l risked my life for them.

Where's my honour? l'm the boss of the potato thieves now.

After desperate fighting...

The Japanese in the Philippines lost their air power.

All the men went into the mountains and kept fighting.

Among them was Lt. Taki

Hand grenades!

Yamane is down!

Yamane! You'll be all right.

No partisan bullets are going to kill you.

lt's you, Shimizu!

The old gang!

l thought you were dead.

l'm no ghost.

So You're alive!

l crashed on Samaal lsland, when l came back to our base...

lt was deserted.

We have no planes. We're ground soldiers now.

l miss my airplane.

Do we have to bring them here?

They're the best in the Navy.

No other men can lead my units.

Can they get home from these isolated islands?

l know the risk, but l need them.

Tell them to surmount all odds and come to Matsuyama.

This is great!

Now you can defend our homeland.

But lwo Jima is surrounded by the enemy.

We can't get out.

They're sending a submarine for you.

But it can't come near this island.

Not near this island.

120 miles north of lwo Jima...

One mile off Ane Jima of The Bonin lsland... that's the rendezvous.

Leave after sundown.

Down periscope. How far is it from here?

About 200 miles, sir.

We can make it by 0800 tomorrow.

We'll remember you as long as we live.

No, forget us.

We can't.

That's enough.

Good luck!

Fight well.

Good. The moors not out.

We must hurry.

Kill the wake.

Let's have supper now. lt looks delicious.

Thanks to the quartermaster.

We can't see lwo Jima.

That's our course.

Stand by!

Rescue squad! Fall in.

Dive to forty!

They're after our submarine.

We must divert their attention.

Let's split up. Deploy!

We must take them in quickly.

Stand by to surface.

Surface.

Hurry!

They're dead!

Get back!

Dive! Dive!

Why did we leave lwo Jima?

l've changed my way of fighting this war.

Changed? How?

They make planes faster than we destroy them.

So l gave up. l've decided to look after you instead.

lt was over Bougainville...

Ten of our Zeros fought 30 R38s

l made up my mind there.

But you shot down 3 enemy planes in that fight.

Yes. l had to shoot them down to protect you.

Funny, isn't it.

They're safe. l thought they got you.

l had to wait. l saw you both crying like babies.

Relax.

Please send my message first.

What is it?

Our hearts are in Matsuyama.

The 343rd Air Squadron, Matsuyama Base.

Our hearts are in Matsuyama.

They're coming in all right.

So are our planes.

Where will they come from next?

But how? We have no planes, no ships.

But we're going home.

Our home's half way around the world.

He's insane.

l'm not. And we're going home at all costs.

You talk like an admiral.

You're a flight lieutenant, sir!

You stay.

No! Take me with you... please.

We need a boat.

Look! There's our boat.

That's an American PT boat.

A boat is a boat.

You stole potatoes.

Now we're stealing boat.

Matsuyama straight ahead.

Where are we now?

Matsuyama?

No. We just crossed the equator.

We need more speed, throw out these torpedoes.

Let's change flags.

Never mind.

Are we fighting under the American flag?

Maybe. At least, that's safer.

Stop mumbling and look about.

Enemy destroyer! One o'clock!

We'll show them, skipper.

Can you handle their torpedoes?

They're using our tactics.

An American ship hoisting a Japanese flag!

My god! They're Japanese!

Torpedo! 2 o'clock!

Full rudder starboard!

They missed.

Fire!

DON'T SHOOT FRlENDS.

GO TO HELL! That means They're angry.

WE NEED HELP

FOLLOW US. FOOLS

So, the Rabaul group is arriving, too.

Not so fast.

No. That's bad luck.

What about the Philippines group?

Well make it by sundown.

The plane takes off at 0700. That's our last chance.

Your sister?

You can see her soon.

We're orphans.

She's pretty.

lt's the enemy.

Tamai!

The picture.

Tear it up.

lt was my fault.

We're going home to fight, not for family reunions.

You were not on your guard. You killed him.

l must punish you all.

May your souls rest in peace.

Take it like soldiers. Move out.

Lieutenant! Enemy!

Our truck!

Leave it to me.

Wait!

The 301st Navy Air Wing, Echague Base.

All accounted for, sir.

Chief paymaster, we fought the enemy to get here.

We need rest.

But we have nothing for you.

Our headquarters have moved out, leaving me behind.

We're under enemy bombardment.

We have 4 hours. Let's sleep on the ground.

Yes. l guess we'd better.

You're lucky.

Why? We're going home to fight.

There s no place like home. Let me check you with the list.

1st Lt. Taki... and Warrant Officer Mori...

Takebe...

Yamane...

Dead!

Tamai...

Murakami...

Dead!

Five dead and eight alive. We're all here.

Aren't you satisfied?

5 dead? That leaves only?

Ridiculous! We're 8. Count us.

Maybe my name's missing. l'm 2nd Lt. Shimizu.

There is no Shimizu.

Here it is.

You were reported killed on Samaal lsland.

Never mind. Come with us.

lf he goes without orders.

That will cause a stampede.

Meaning yourself?

Don't be impertinent. l have strict orders from the commander.

Yes. They're here.

From Headquarters.

Lt. Taki speaking.

But the campaign is finished here.

They raked through damaged planes and built a Zero.

We can't let the engineers down.

We must use it.

lt is scheduled for our last Kamikaze attack tomorrow.

One of your men must go. The selection is yours.

Skipper... let me go.

They won't mind if l'm supposed to be dead.

l'll throw myself at an enemy ship...

And show them how much alive. l am.

Chins up, men. Good luck!

Keep a sharp lookout until We reach Tainan.

We'll head due east...

Turn north off Palanan...

And Approach Formosa from the east.

We're short of fuel.

But we must avoid enemy planes.

Enemy! 2 o' clock!

Morishita's hit.

Lose them.

We can't.

Tamai! Hang on!

lt's a Zero!

Lt. Shimizu!

The right tank is hit. Switch the cock.

We'll be landing soon, Tamai.

Take over. - Yes.

We're going in straight.

Go on 200 mph.

Go on and save fuel.

We have to lose weight now! Throw anything that isn't nailed!

You're forgetting something. The dead bodies.

But...

We're going down.

This is war. Go ahead. Throw them out.

Hurry up.

Your souls are flying home with us.

Sister!

Lieutenant! Tamai's dead.

Get rid of his body.

l can't. He's still warm.

Get rid of him.

Tamai! Forgive us!

We're going down.

Watch the altitude. Avoid the mountains.

3,000...

2,800...

2,600...

2,400...

2,200...

lt's Tainan!

The 301st Air Unit!

The 407th Unit!

The 701st Unit!

Welcome to Matsuyama Base.

...l've been waiting for you. Watch your health. You must live on.

...People are beginning to think of us as bombs. But We're not...

...lf we all got killed. That would be the end of the Japanese race...

...Total defeat.

You must fight to live. Live on and fight on. Don't give up.

...Don't ever let go of your control sticks. l strongly oppose suicide attacks.

...l strongly oppose suicide attacks. lt's cowardly defeatism. l order you to live.

Officers Room.

Latest war news...

On February 21st, the Kamikaze Attack Squadron from Kyushu...

Launched a desperate, suicide attack on the enemy off.

lwo Jima.

All bomber and escorting fighters crashed into the enemy.

The results...

One large carrier... sunk... Four transports... sunk.

Four battleship... destroyed. One carrier... destroyed.

Five minutes to duty call.

What s wrong with our crash tactics? l don't understand.

l understand him all right.

Live on and fight on. No suicide attacks.

l understand.

You do? How?

What's the difference? We all die sooner or later.

The war won't come to an end until all of us here get killed.

Oh, cherry blossoms they all die, Long before Spring goes by...

A visitor for Lt. Taki warrants Officer Tamai's sister.

Be stern with your men. Be nice to their sisters.

That's our motto.

May l help you?

Let's go, Yano.

l am Tamai's sister.

l am Taki.

l understand he was killed on his way home from the Philippines.

lf you don't mind, l'd like to know how he died.

Please!

Tell me how he died.

We got out on a transport plane.

An enemy plane attacked us and killed your brother.

To maintain altitude, we had to get rid of everything...

lncluding bodies of the deceased.

You mean...?

l forced my men to jettison four bodies...

One of them was your brother.

Condition Red. Pilots fall in.

l'll brief you on the situation.

About sixty B29s are bombing northern Kyushu. Take off but avoid any contact.

What are you waiting for? Do as l say.

Take off!

Take off!

Flight leaders!

lt s a funny order, isn't it?

Our mission is to strike fighters and regain command of their air space.

They'll come soon.

Bide your time.

We must preserve our strength until that day.

We're from the Kamikaze.

Squadron. We have one thing to say to you.

Tomorrow, We're taking off for lwo Jima to hit the enemy.

None of us will come back alive.

We've sworn to dedicate our lives to save Japan.

Tell us, what are you doing here?

We're here to fight!

We'll follow you soon. Let's part as comrades.

MARCH 18, 1945

A mighty American task force came within 100 miles of Japan

They launched fighters to attack Kyushu and Shikoku.

The time has come. Do your best.

Good luck! Launch all planes.

The patrol ship Yahata sighted many enemy fighters heading north.

Air raid alarm for Western Japan

Patrol squadron sighted 400 enemy fighters...

...heading north over the Bungo Channel.

Calling Eagles!

400 enemy fighter planes...

...heading over the Bungo Channel.

Roger.

Yano unit...

Position: Cape Sata.

Altitude: 3.800.

Ataka unit...

Position: Hiburi lsland. Altitude: 4.200.

Big ladder formations of enemy fighters over the Bungo Channel.

Ten minutes to contact.

30 minutes after take off.

Engines are primed up.

From Uwajima...

Enemy mixed squadron of 100 heading toward Matsuyama.

General Quarters!

Maintenance!

Hangar 2 is on fire!

3rd formation of F6fs now strafing.

One of our fighters set a fire.

SBD diving.

5th AA position bombed.

Calling Taki Unit.

Enemy formation over our base. Altitude::4.000.

Hangars 1 and 2 destroyed, sir.

Yano Unit...

Enemy formation over our base.

Where are our planes?

5 dead, 8 injured at 5th AA position.

One F6f shot down by our flak.

lt s just manoeuvres to them.

Messages received by all unit leaders.

All units! Commence attack!

Calling Eagles! Commence attack!

We shot down 56.

We lost 17.

56! 17!

You depress me.

This is war, remember?

You must know yourself to win.

Know thy enemy and know thyself

What are you arguing about?

We even love to fight among ourselves.

That's why we make a fine team.

That's right. You did a nice job today.

Let me correct you...

Not 56 kills, but 63.

63? Marvellous!

We lost 17.

Now You're getting depressed.

Another thing...

We didn't lose 17. Two of them are safe.

Yoshino and Kishida will be back in no time.

They're both your men. Congratulations!

Now You're getting friendly.

According to enemy message we intercepted...

...the number of enemy planes they lost here today...

...exceeds what they lost during these 3 months in the Pacific.

Now you know you didn't come here for nothing.

And the enemy knows there's still a Japanese Naval Air Force.

Well done! l appreciate it.

What s the matter?

What about you? Are you crying?

To Guadalcanal... To the Solomons...

...we swarm and attack the enemy...

...our 20 mm roar in anger.

Shooting them down like flies.

Well done, Senda.

l'll tell your words to my men.

You have raised our morale.

We ask you a favour.

Please expand your defence territory.

South: From Yaku lsland to Cape Tide...

North: From Tsushima to Maizuru.

You expect us to cover it all?

Please take the assignment.

lt is true my squadron can outfight the enemy...

...by ten to one with an equal number of planes...

...and we can hold our own with half their planes.

But, with a third of theirs we lose by ten to one.

We can't divide our force.

Yours is the only dependable squadron.

Please take it until we strengthen our defence.

Please... Senda.

Admiral lto!

Congratulations.

But it has backfired.

l have to cover more territory.

The General Staff asks for the impossible.

l'm here to file a protect.

They're sending the Yamato on one-way fuel.

Ridiculous!

The Yamato is the symbol of the Japanese Navy.

They can't send her on a suicide attack.

l'll do what l can to prevent it.

Please do.

By the way... one of your men...

...while flying over the Yamato...

...dropped his boot.

lt fell beside me. A near miss.

l'm sorry, sir. l'll reprimand him.

No. Never mind.

He left a note in the boot.

lt said, Three cheers for the Yamato.

He's in love with my ship.

You lost a boot?

l did a somersault and...

Where did you drop it?

l'll tell you.

lt landed on Admiral ltos head.

He spoke kindly of you.

Flight leaders...

The Enemy s on the move.

About thirty R51s took off from lwo Jima on their way north.

They'll probably raid Osaka and Kobe at about 1430.

We'll intercept them.

Yano will go.

Taki and Ataka will stand by to cover Kyushu.

Can't we fight together?

You heard me.

We have less serviceable planes than before.

Whose order is it, sir?

Nine.

How many planes will come back out of the 16?

16.

Not likely. What do you think, Ataka?

l refuse to answer.

Why not? l propose a wager.

Ten is my best. lf l win, give me two bottles of sake.

We're taking off, sir.

Who are you? This is my plane.

Skipper!

First come, first served.

What s wrong with yours?

The engine has a cold. lt coughs.

Do you have to steal mine?

We've been thieves since Rabaul.

Don't worry l'll be back.

Promise?

You still owe me some money.

Fuel: 30 minutes more.

They're back!

What planes are they?

N° 43 coming in.

N° 33 coming in.

Look sharply. lt could be N° 38.

N° 26... N° 50 coming in.

Where is he?

Lt. Yano! Come in.

How many planes are back?

11... including you.

11? Then l've lost the bet.

Yes, Tange?

l want my plane back.

Don't worry. Enemy bullets have made it work better.

Tange!

l' vet promised. l'll take this plane back.

You just wait. Wait.

Are you all right?

Another plane coming in from north north east.

Tange!

This plane...

...it reminds me of you...

...crooked... hard to handle...

...irresponsible... it s getting out of hand.

Help me bring this damn plane in.

Go down a little.

Throttle down. Down!

Push the stick. Easy.

Right turn.

Kick the bar.

Push the stick.

Use your feet.

No! Pull it back.

Flaps down.

Circle for landing.

Easy. Not so fast.

Steady.

No! Level it.

That's right.

Steady on the approach.

l asked you to bring the plane back.

l didn't ask you to get killed.

Lt. Yano is dead.

A plane is taking off.

Who is it?

Come on.

l'll get you.

ldiot!

Forward!

l'll give you a pointer.

You must work in teams. Lone wolves die young.

Remember that.

We're returning to base.

l acted foolishly the other day.

l'm glad you came. l had to see you...

To tell you l was wrong.

Now l understand what it takes... to make such a decision.

l wish you didn't.

l hope you keep on hating me.

By hating me, you can hate war.

And you have every right to loathe me.

And your hatred...

...will help me fight more desperately.

This is a beautiful country with beautiful girls like you...

...We're fighting...

...to protect the beauty.

Don't forgive me. Hate me.

Please Don't die. Please!

Five minutes to go. Pilots, fall in for briefing.

Yesterday, at 1600...

The Yamato, with an escorting flotilla...

...left Mitajiri and headed south to Okinawa.

She's through the Bungo Channel and passing off Cape Toi now.

The last of the Combined Fleets.

She has no fuel for the voyage home.

Yes. The Yamato is on her suicide run.

Please! Let me see the Yamato for the last time.

See her off. All of you.

Orders: Away all planes to escort the Yamato.

Take off at 0500.

Listen carefully. You must turn back at 0800...

No matter what the circumstances.

What if the Yamato was under attack?

Turn back to base.

You must come back. We have other missions.

We don't believe in suicide attacks.

The day is breaking. Let's get going.

We have 30 more minutes.

l can hardly wait.

Why not? She's not your wife.

Why Don't you get married?

l know the right girl for you. She's married, though.

But her husband left her after 3 days.

He's your friend, too.

Who is he?

Me.

Kobayashi. Nakamura. This is going to be my last fight.

l'll go with the Yamato.

What did you say?

Tell me.

Please, skipper. You didn't hear anything.

But l did.

The Yamato is on her last voyage... without air support.

Someone's got to stick to her to the last.

And die with her!

Sonar contact.

Enemy submarines are around.

Our fighter planes are approaching.

Where are they from?

They're the Purple Lightnings. From Matsuyama.

That's nice.

Three cheers for the Yamato!

An urgent message from Tokunoshima Base.

About 100 enemy planes heading toward the Yamato.

The guests are arriving.

Battle stations!

Men aboard the Yamato. Good luck!

We bid you goodbye.

They're leaving us.

Battle stations.

Look after my men, Taki.

You're under Lt. Taki's command from now.

Ataka! Wait.

Don't go.

Let me join him.

No. We must go back.

Assistant leader. Head to the squadron. l'll guard the rear.

Don't struggle, or l'll shoot.

Our planes are turning back.

Shall l tell them to go?

l Don't think they will.

Ask for their names.

Get them on the radio.

Your name and rank.

1st Lt. Nobua Ataka, Domyoji Village, Osaka.

Flying W. O, Kihei lnaba... Genkai village, Fukuoka.

Second W.O. Taro Tange... Chojamachi, Chiba.

Northeast off Amami Oshima...

More than 400 enemy planes attacked the Yamato.

The mighty flagship went down in the sea at 1420.

And four Purple Lightnings shared its doom.

The Admiral sent me words of gratitude.

l know what you're going through.

Give them a good rest.

Commander! There's something inside me. lt's eating my guts.

You didn't let the Yamato down.

You came back to fight tomorrow.

Tomorrow?

Taki!

You're the only flight leader now. l m counting on you.

Live and fight by my side.

Nobody hates war more than you do.

But the war comes to an end sooner or later.

Come back, Taki.

Come in, Taki. Answer me.

Please don't die. Please.

Taki! Don't kill yourself.

Come back!

Answer me, Taki! Are you there?

Get out! Get out of our sky!

He's cut the radio off.

Murderers!

17 years have past.

Peace is here to stay.

You've won it for us...

Taki! Ataka! Yano!

These youngsters shall never know the atrocities of war.

They set out to explore new horizons.

Let the Pacific Ocean remain peaceful, as it was meant to be.

THE END