ATTACK SQUADRON!
A Japanese task force heads toward the Marianas...
to repel the advancing enemy.
400 planes took off from it's carriers.
Most of them never returned. Having lost command of the seas and...
...having lost command of the air, the Navy becomes desperate.
NAVY GENERAL STAFF IMPERIAL 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?
I ask for your frank opinions.
I think they will advance straight to Okinawa.
There, we launch all our planes and annihilate them.
How many planes do we have?
About 5,000.
Really? That many?
Only a few of them are combat ready.
Does the figure include trainers?
We've lost many ace pilots. We have no fuel for training.
But we must fight!
How? With so little?
What else can we do?
The Combined Fleet was virtually destroyed at Leyte. Senda, what do you think?
There is a way, however...
Let our 5,000 planes launch suicide attacks.
That's right. It's the only way...
...to repel the enemy.
No! We must first try to regain command of the air.
It's too late now.
No. Not if we have experienced pilots.
But where are such pilots?
They're sitting idle on islands in the Pacific.
How can they get back here?
Their routes home are cut off by the enemy.
Pilots are humans, not bombs.
I know, but they must become bombs now.
No! I am against any suicide attacks.
And I am for them!
All right, Senda.
To counter the overwhelming odds...
...we desperately need something...
...and suicide attacks seem our only choice.
What do you say, Senda?
Let me repeat.
We must regain command of the air.
That's our only chance.
We must live in order to fight to the bitter end.
All right.
I'm for suicide attacks. I'll personally lead the first wave.
Senda, I want you to do something else for us.
Build us the best fighter squadron in the world.
May we have your approval?
You may.
Good luck, Senda.
I'll do my best.
What is your plan?
We'll use the latest Shiden fighters.
They're far more capable than Zeros.
1,990 horsepower giving a maximum speed...
...over 400 miles per hour.
Armament of four 20 mm cannons.
They're equipped with automatic flaps...
...for making sharp turns in a dogfight.
Give top priority to their production.
What about pilots to fly them?
I have a list.
The 343rd Air Squadron.
We have three ace flight 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 now?
Let me explain...
600 miles south of Tokyo...
Iwo Jima was under heavy bombardment by the Americans.
Invasion seemed imminent.
Lt. Ataka was there.
They might start landing any minute.
You're a fool.
Warrant officer Inaba... a flying hero! Now in this rotten hole.
Look who's talking.
I 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.
Uh, oh! I was born when my mother was 48.
She's 72 now and very much alive.
72! That's going to be tough.
You can shoot down 72 planes easily... in your dreams.
That would be nice... even in a dream.
Enjoy your dreams...
...while they last.
Down near the equator...
Rabaul... once a major base, now ignored by everyone including the Americans.
The base lost its strategic value...
so far behind the American lines.
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 bring our wives here.
We'll be staying here for a while.
We have to be self-sufficient.
We already are.
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.
I wouldn't mind. I'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 I told the Group Commander.
And we say it to you again now.
Mutineers!
Stop! Potato thief!
Help me, skipper.
Please, punish him.
Potato thieves will be shot... by order of the Japanese Army
You'll be sorry.
We have some firewood. Let's cook the potatoes.
Come! Enjoy the sweet, steaming potatoes.
Is that all?
Have a heart. I risked my life for them.
Where's my honor? I'm the boss of the potato thieves now.
After desperate fighting...
...the Japanese in the Philippines lost their all aircraft.
All the remaining pilots went into the mountains and kept fighting.
Among them was Lt. Taki.
Hand grenades!
Yamane is down!
Yamane! You'll be all right.
No guerilla's bullets are going to kill you.
It's you, Shimizu!
The old gang!
I thought you were dead.
I'm no ghost.
So, you're alive!
I crashed on Samaal Island. When I got back to our base...
...it was deserted.
We have no planes. We're ground soldiers now.
I miss my Zero.
Do we have to bring them all here?
They're the best left in the Navy.
No other men can lead my squadrons.
Can they even get back from these isolated islands?
I know the difficulties but I need them.
Tell them to surmount all obstacles and get to Matsuyama.
This is great news!
Now you can defend our homeland again.
But Iwo Jima is surrounded by the enemy.
We can't get out.
They're sending a submarine for you.
But it can't get near this island.
It doesn't need to get near this island.
120 miles north of Iwo Jima...
One mile off Ane Jima in the Bonin Islands... 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 moon's not out.
We must hurry.
No wake!
Let's have supper now. It looks delicious.
Thanks to the quartermaster.
That's our course.
Stand by!
Rescue party! On the double!
Get down!
They're after our submarine.
We must divert their attention.
Let's split up. Spread out!
We must get them in quickly.
Stand by to surface.
Surface.
Hurry!
They're dead!
Get back!
Dive! Dive!
Why did we leave Iwo Jima?
I've changed my way of fighting this war.
How?
The enemy makes planes faster than we can destroy them.
So I gave up. I've decided to look after you instead.
It was over Bougainville...
Ten of our Zeros fought 30 P-38s.
I made up my mind there.
But you shot down three planes in that fight.
Yes. I had to shoot them down to protect you.
Funny, isn't it?
They're here! I thought they left us.
I had to come. I saw you both crying like babies.
You can relax now.
Please send a message for me.
What is it?
Our hearts are in Matsuyama.
The 343rd Air Squadron, Matsuyama Base.
Our hearts are in Matsuyama.
They're coming all right.
So are our planes.
Where will they come from next?
How? We have no planes, no ships.
But we're going home.
Our home's half-way around the world.
He's insane.
I'm not. And we're getting home at all costs.
You talk like an admiral.
You're a Flight Lieutenant, sir!
You can 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 a boat.
Matsuyama - straight ahead!
Where are we now?
Matsuyama?
No. We just crossed the equator.
We need more speed. Let's get rid of these torpedoes.
Let's change flags.
Forget that.
Are we fighting under the American flag?
Maybe. At least that's safer.
Stop mumbling and keep watch.
Enemy destroyer! One o'clock!
We'll show them, skipper.
Can you handle their torpedoes?
They're using our tactics.
An American ship flying a Japanese flag!
My God! They're Japanese!
Torpedo! 2 o'clock!
Full starboard rudder!
They missed.
Fire!
DON'T SHOOT... FRIENDS.
GO TO HELL! That means they're angry.
WE NEED HELP.
FOLLOW US, YOU FOOLS.
So, the Rabaul group is coming, 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.
It's the enemy.
Tamai!
The picture.
Tear it up.
It was my fault! It was my fault!
We're going home to fight, not for family reunions.
You were not on guard. You killed him.
I must punish you all.
Take it like soldiers.
Squad, move out.
May your soul rest in peace.
Lieutenant! Enemy aircraft!
Our truck!
Leave it to me.
Wait!
301st Navy Air Wing Base.
All accounted for, sir.
Chief paymaster, we fought the enemy to get here.
We need a place to sleep.
But we have nothing for you.
Our headquarters has moved out... leaving me behind.
We're under constant enemy bombardment.
We have 4 hours. Let's just sleep on the ground.
Yes. I guess we'd better.
You're lucky.
Why? We're going home to fight!
There's no place like home.
Let me check you against the list.
1st Lt. Taki... and Warrant Officer Mori...
Takebe...
Yamane...
Dead!
Tamai...
Murakami...
Dead!
Five dead and eight alive. We're all here.
Satisfied now?
Five dead? That leaves only seven?
Ridiculous! They're eight of us. Count.
Maybe my name's missing. I'm 2nd Lt. Shimizu.
There is no Shimizu.
Here it is.
You were reported killed on Samaal Island.
Never mind that. Come with us.
If he goes without authorization...
...that will cause a stampede.
Meaning yourself?
Don't be impertinent. I have strict orders from the commander.
Yes, they're here.
It's Headquarters.
Lt. Taki speaking.
But the fighting is over here.
The mechanics combed through a number of wrecked planes and built a flyable Zero.
We can't let the mechanics down.
We must use it.
It 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 I'm supposed to be dead.
I'll throw myself at an enemy ship...
...and show them how alive I am.
Chin up, men. Good luck!
Keep a sharp lookout until we reach Tacloban.
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!
It's a Zero!
Lt. Shimizu!
The right tank is hit. Switch to the left.
We'll be landing soon, Tamai.
Take over!
We're going straight in.
Proceed at 200 mph.
Go on and watch your fuel.
We have to lighten our load! Throw out anything that isn't nailed down!
You're forgetting something. The dead bodies.
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.
I can't. He's still warm.
Get rid of him.
Tamai! Forgive us!
We're going down.
Watch your altitude. Avoid the mountains.
3,000...
2,800...
2,600...
2,400...
2,200...
It's Tainan!
The 301st Air Unit!
The 407th Unit!
The 701st Unit!
Welcome to Matsuyama Base.
...I've been waiting for you. Take care of yourselves. You must live on.
People are beginning to think of us just as bombs. But we're not.
If we all got killed, that would be the end of the Japanese people.
Japan totally defeated.
You must fight to live. Live and fight on. Don't give up.
Don't ever let go of your control sticks. I strongly oppose any suicide attacks.
It's cowardly defeatism. I order you to live.
Officers Room.
Latest war news...
On February 21st, the Special Attack Squadron from Kyushu...
...launched an attack...
...against the enemy off Iwo Jima.
All our bombers and escorting fighters were shot down by the enemy.
The results...
One large carrier... sunk... Four transports... sunk.
Four battleships... destroyed. One small carrier... destroyed.
Five minutes to duty call.
What's wrong with suicide tactics? I don't understand.
I understand.
Live and fight on. No suicide attacks.
I 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 are killed.
Oh, cherry blossoms, they all die, Long before spring goes by...
A visitor for Lt. Taki... Warrant Officer Tamai's sister.
Be stern with your men. Be nice to their sisters.
That's our motto.
May I help you?
Let's go, Yano.
I am Tamai's sister.
I am Taki.
I understand he was killed on his way back from the Philippines.
If you don't mind, I'd like to know how he died.
Please!
Tell me how he died.
We were in a transport plane.
An enemy plane attacked us and killed your brother.
To maintain altitude, we had to get rid of everything...
...including bodies of the deceased.
You mean...?
I ordered my men to jettison four bodies.
One of them was your brother.
Condition Red. Pilots fall in.
About sixty B-29s are bombing northern Kyushu. Take off but avoid any contact with them.
What are you waiting for? Do as I say!
Take off!
Flight leaders!
That's a funny order, isn't it?
Our mission is to attack enemy fighters and regain command of our air space.
They'll come soon.
Bide your time.
We must preserve our strength until that day.
We're from the Special Attack squadron.
We have something to say to you.
Tomorrow, we're taking off for Iwo Jima to strike the enemy.
None of us will come back alive.
We've sworn to give our lives to save Japan.
Tell us, why are you here?
We're here to fight!
But you don't 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 sighted 400 enemy fighters...
...heading north over the Bungo Channel.
Calling all Eagles!
400 enemy fighter planes...
...over the Bungo Channel.
Roger.
Yano unit...
Position: Cape Sata.
Altitude: 3,800.
Ataka unit...
Position: Hiburi lsland. Altitude: 4,200.
Large formations of enemy fighters over the Bungo Channel.
Ten minutes to contact.
30 minutes since takeoff.
Our AA guns?
Guns are manned and ready.
From Uwajima...
Mixed enemy squadron of 100 planes heading toward Matsuyama.
General Quarters!
Repair crew!
Hangar 2 is on fire!
3rd formation of F6Fs now strafing.
One of our fighters on 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. Altitude: 4,000.
Where are our planes?
Five dead, eight injured at 5th AA position.
One F6F shot down by our flak.
It's just practice to them.
Messages received by all unit leaders.
All units! Commence attack!
Calling all Eagles! Commence attack!
We shot down 56.
We lost 17.
56! 17!
You depress me.
This is war, remember?
You must know how to fight in order to win.
Of course, of course.
Know thy enemy and know thyself.
Of course, of course.
What are you arguing about?
We even love to fight among ourselves.
That's why we make such a fine team.
That's right. You did a great job today.
Let me correct you...
Not 56 kills, but 63.
63? Marvelous!
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 an enemy message we intercepted...
...the number of enemy planes they lost here today...
...exceeds what they lost during the last three 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! I appreciate it.
What's the matter?
What's with 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.
Senda, well done.
I'll give your words to my men.
You have raised our spirits.
We now ask for a favor.
We need you to expand your patrol territory.
South: From Yaku lsland to Cape Tide...
North: From Tsushima to Maizuru.
You expect us to cover all this?
We need you to take the assignment.
It 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 effective squadron we have.
You must take it until we can strengthen our defences.
Senda... please.
Admiral Ito!
Congratulations.
It backfired.
I have to cover even more territory now.
The General Staff asks for the impossible.
I'm here to file a protest.
They're sending the battleship Yamato on a one-way voyage.
Ridiculous!
The Yamato is the pride of the Japanese Navy.
They can't just throw away the Yamato on a suicide attack.
I'll do what I can to prevent it.
Admiral, you must do everything possible.
By the way... one of your men...
...while flying over the Yamato...
...dropped his boot.
It nearly hit me in the head. A near miss.
I'm sorry, sir. I'll reprimand him.
Don't worry about it.
He left a note in the boot.
It said "Three cheers for the Yamato".
He's in love with my ship.
You lost a boot?
I was doing a loop and...
Where did you drop it?
I'll tell you where...
On the Yamato. It nearly hit Admiral Ito's head.
The Admiral spoke kindly of you.
Flight leaders, come here.
The enemy's on the move.
About thirty P-51s took off from Iwo 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.
Why can't we stay together?
You heard me.
We have fewer serviceable planes than before.
How many, sir?
Nine.
How many planes will come back out of the 16?
16.
Not likely. What do you think, Ataka?
I refuse to answer.
Why not? I propose a wager.
Ten is my wager. If I 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. It coughs.
Why do you have to steal mine?
We've been thieves ever since Rabaul.
Don't worry. I'll bring it back.
Promise?
Of course, you still owe me some money.
Fuel: 30 minutes more.
They're back! They're back!
What planes are those?
No. 43 coming in.
No. 33 coming in.
Look carefully. It could be No. 38.
No. 26... No. 50 coming in.
Where... is... he?
Lt. Yano! Come in.
How many planes are back?
11... including me.
11? Then I've lost the bet.
Yes, Tange?
I want my plane back.
Don't worry. Enemy bullets have made it work better.
Tange!
I've promised. I'll bring your plane back.
You just wait. Wait.
Are you all right?
Another plane coming in from the north-northeast.
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 rudder.
Push the stick.
Use your feet.
Now pull it back.
Flaps down.
Circle for landing.
Easy... easy... Not so fast.
Steady... steady... that's right.
No! Level it.
That's right.
Steady on the approach... steady!
I asked you to bring the plane back.
I didn't ask you to get yourself killed!
Lt. Yano is dead.
A plane is taking off.
Who is it?
Come on.
I'll get you.
Thank you. You saved my life.
Idiot!
Follow me!
Let me give you some advice.
You must work in teams. Lone wolves die young.
Remember that.
We're returning to base.
I acted foolishly the other day.
I'm glad you came. I had to see you...
...to tell you I was wrong.
Now I understand what it takes... to make such a decision.
I wish you didn't.
I 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 such 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 big ship left in the once mighty Combined Fleet.
She has no fuel for the voyage home.
The Yamato is on her suicide run.
Please! Let me see the Yamato for the last time.
See her off. All of you.
Orders: Launch 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.
Even if the Yamato has no other air cover?
Turn back to base.
We will have other missions besides the Yamato.
We don't believe in suicide missions.
The day is breaking. Let's get going.
We have 30 more minutes.
I can hardly wait.
Why is that? It's not like she's your wife.
Why don't you get married?
I know the perfect girl for you. She's already married though.
But her husband left her after three days.
He's your friend, too.
Who is it?
Me.
Kobayashi, Nakamura... This is going to be my last fight.
I'm going down with the Yamato.
What did you say?
Tell me.
Excuse me, skipper. You didn't hear me say anything about the Yamato.
But I did.
The Yamato... is on her last voyage... without any air support.
Someone's got to stick with the Yamato to the end.
And die with her!
Sonar contact.
Enemy submarines are all around.
Our fighter planes are approaching.
Where are they coming from?
Shidens... They're from Matsuyama.
That's unbelievable!
Three cheers for the Yamato! Banzai!
An urgent message from Tokunoshima Base.
About 100 enemy planes heading toward the Yamato.
Our guests are arriving.
Battle stations!
Men of the Yamato, good luck!
Admiral, we bid you farewell.
They're leaving us.
Battle stations.
Taki, look after the men.
You're under Lt. Taki's command from now.
Ataka! Wait.
Don't go.
Let me join them.
No. We must go back.
Wingman, take command of the squadron! I'll guard the rear.
Yamato, don't shoot at us.
Our planes are coming back.
Why?
Shall I tell them to go?
I don't think they will.
Ask for their names.
Get them on the radio.
Names and ranks.
First Lt. Nobua Ataka, Domyoji Village, Osaka.
Flying Warrant Officer, Kihei Inaba... Genkai village, Fukuoka.
Second Class Warrant Officer Taro Tange... Chojamachi, Chiba.
Northeast off Amami Oshima...
More than 400 enemy planes attacked the Yamato.
The mighty flagship went down at 1420.
And four Shidens shared its doom.
The Admiral sent me words of gratitude.
I know what you're going through.
Sir, my condolences.
May they rest in peace.
Commander! There's something inside me. It's eating my guts.
You didn't let the Yamato down.
You came back in order to fight tomorrow.
Tomorrow?
Taki!
You're the only flight leader I have left now. I'm counting on you.
Live and fight by my side.
Nobody hates war more than you do.
But war comes to an end sooner or later.
Taki, come back.
Come in, Taki. Answer me... 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 passed.
Japan is still at peace.
You've won it for us...
Taki! Ataka! Yano!
These young ones shall never know the atrocities of war.
They've set out to explore new horizons.
Let the Pacific Ocean remain peaceful... as it was meant to be.
THE END