The Battle for Survival: HMS Formidable Struck by Kamikaze on May 4, 1945

The HMS Formidable, an illustrious-class aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy, was one of the stalwart vessels that played a crucial role in the Pacific Theater during the final months of World War II. On May 4, 1945, as the war neared its end, the carrier faced a terrifying moment of survival when it was struck by a Japanese kamikaze. This tragic event is a stark reminder of the desperation and determination of the Japanese forces in the later stages of the war, as well as the bravery and resilience of the crew aboard the British carrier.

The HMS Formidable: A Stalwart of the Royal Navy

The HMS Formidable was one of the Illustrious-class aircraft carriers that formed the backbone of the Royal Navy’s aircraft carrier fleet during World War II. Commissioned in 1940, Formidable had a distinguished career, participating in numerous engagements across both the European and Pacific theaters of war.

As a carrier, the Formidable was tasked with supporting naval operations by providing air cover, reconnaissance, and offensive strikes. During the war, it launched air raids on key targets in the Mediterranean, including the Italian Navy and German positions in North Africa, and later saw action in the Indian Ocean and Pacific regions.

By 1945, the tide of the war was turning in favor of the Allies. However, the conflict was far from over. Japan, although weakening, had begun employing kamikaze tactics—desperate suicide attacks using aircraft loaded with explosives, aimed at causing maximum damage to enemy ships. This new form of attack would strike at the very heart of Allied naval forces, including those like the HMS Formidable.

The Kamikaze Threat

The term kamikaze, which translates to “divine wind,” refers to the suicide pilots who deliberately crashed their planes into enemy ships, causing massive destruction. These pilots were often young men with limited flying experience, but the fearlessness and fanaticism with which they carried out their missions made them a significant threat to Allied naval forces.

In the closing months of the war, Japan’s military command turned to kamikaze attacks as a last-ditch effort to slow the overwhelming advances of the Allies, especially in the Pacific. Ships like the HMS Formidable, operating close to Japan’s home islands and major battle zones, were prime targets for these suicidal assaults.

May 4, 1945: A Day of Devastation

On May 4, 1945, HMS Formidable was part of the British Pacific Fleet, supporting operations against Japanese positions in the Okinawa area. This was a critical time for the Allies as the invasion of Okinawa was in full swing, and British forces were tasked with providing air support and protecting Allied shipping routes from Japanese counterattacks.

The ship had already been under heavy threat from air strikes and the constant possibility of kamikaze assaults. However, that day would bring an attack that would forever mark the history of the Formidable.

In the early afternoon, as the carrier launched air operations and its crew manned defensive positions, a Japanese kamikaze plane—a Yokosuka D4Y “Judy” dive bomber—attacked the vessel. The pilot of the bomber, likely determined to die in his mission, crashed directly into the ship’s flight deck.

The explosion caused a massive fire, engulfing the ship’s upper decks and triggering chaos. The HMS Formidable was now on fire, and the damage was catastrophic. The explosion created intense heat and widespread fires that threatened to tear the ship apart. For a ship built to launch aircraft and carry vital military assets, being struck by a kamikaze was one of the deadliest challenges it could face.

The Fire and Aftermath

Following the strike, the crew of the HMS Formidable responded with incredible professionalism and bravery. Fire-fighting teams worked tirelessly to contain the flames, which had engulfed the flight deck and started to spread below the ship’s main decks. The fire raged for hours, with the crew battling both the fires and the possibility of further kamikaze attacks.

Despite the devastating damage, the Formidable’s damage control teams, composed of both sailors and aircrew, managed to contain the fires. Though the ship was heavily damaged, she did not sink, a testament to the ship’s resilience and the crew’s dedication to saving their vessel.

In the aftermath, 13 men were killed, and more than 40 others were injured during the attack. Many of those killed were in the flight deck crew who were on deck when the kamikaze struck, or those working below the deck in the aircraft storage areas. Yet, despite the loss of life and the severity of the damage, the ship remained afloat and operational.

A Remarkable Recovery

The damage inflicted on HMS Formidable that day was significant, but it was far from a death sentence for the ship. Thanks to the swift and heroic efforts of her crew, she was able to return to port for repairs in Sydney, Australia, shortly after the incident.

The British Admiralty, realizing the importance of keeping ships in operational condition during the Pacific campaign, spared no effort to restore the Formidable to full fighting capacity. Her repairs would take several months, but the carrier was ultimately ready for action once more.

The Kamikaze Legacy

The attack on HMS Formidable was far from an isolated incident. Throughout the war, kamikaze attacks inflicted significant damage on Allied vessels, especially during the battle for Okinawa. The sheer unpredictability and intensity of the attacks forced naval planners to reconsider the vulnerabilities of large ships like aircraft carriers.

The formidability of the HMS Formidable in surviving this attack became a symbol of British resolve and naval resilience, but the damage done to her also highlighted the deadly effectiveness of the kamikaze tactic. The horror of these attacks continued to haunt the Allied forces, especially as they entered the final stages of the war in the Pacific.

The kamikaze attacks were a desperate attempt by the Japanese military to slow the inevitable Allied victory. While they were successful in damaging many ships and causing significant loss of life, they were ultimately ineffective in changing the course of the war. The HMS Formidable’s survival after being struck by a kamikaze was one of the many examples of Allied strength and determination in the face of adversity.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Courage and Resilience

The attack on HMS Formidable on May 4, 1945, was a harrowing chapter in the Royal Navy’s history, but it also exemplifies the courage and resilience of those who served aboard the ship. While the kamikaze attacks were an undeniably terrifying aspect of the war in the Pacific, they also showcased the human spirit, with sailors risking their lives to save their ship from near destruction.

The HMS Formidable would continue to serve in the Royal Navy until she was finally retired in 1955, after a distinguished career. The attack on May 4 was one of the defining moments of her wartime service, a reminder of the brutal and unforgiving nature of naval warfare during World War II. Even after sustaining severe damage, she stood as a testament to the bravery of her crew and the undying determination of those who fought to protect her.

The kamikaze attack on HMS Formidable remains one of the many lessons in the cost of war and the incredible sacrifices made by naval forces during World War II.