Suicide attacks have become a frightening modern day reality. An unprecedented military strategy, conceived by the Japanese in a frantic effort to avoid defeat during the final months of World War II, suicide attacks resulted in over 150 allied ships damaged and more than 4,000 U.S. soldiers killed. Although ultimately unsuccessful, this strategy was an effective and demoralizing campaign that left American troops uneasy and filled with dread.

Smithsonian Networks reveals never before seen film footage of Japanese kamikaze training, shares U.S. military footage, interviews veterans from both sides of the conflict, stages historic reenactments and shows you one of the world’s only intact Kamikaze planes on display at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

Day of the Kamikaze documents the origins of kamikaze battle and shares true, eyewitness accounts of the biggest and bloodiest suicide attack in history over two days in 1945 when the Japanese launched Operation Heaven against the allied fleet in the Pacific.

Eyewitness Kamikaze shares the personal stories of young WWII crewmen, survivors who faced an almost daily onslaught of kamikaze attacks. In their own words, it’s a story they will never forget… nor will you.