Soon after, suicide methods were introduced by the Japanese infantry, most notably in anti-tank defense.
The crowded anchorages just offshore the landing beaches offered a target-rich environment for the Shinyo pilots.
Once they were among the many transport ships there were few defenses specifically prepared to stop them.
The Shinyo were intended to strike shipping in the crowded anchorages off the coasts of invasion beaches. Image: NARA
The U.S. Navy first encountered the explosive boats during the invasion of the Philippines.
It is considered probable that boats attacking our shipping around Mariveles last week came from Corregidor.
Shinyo Identified and Described
Navy units soon learned how to respond to the new threat.
A small fleet of Shinyo suicide craft, seen in a harbor in the Japanese home islands after WWII. Image: NARA
Even so, the small Shinyo-class motorboats had certain advantages as they stalked USN warships at night.
SHINYO boats were manned by middle school boys about 15 to 16 years old.
Special booms lifted off two SHINYO boats at a time and special fenders separated them while being lowered.
U.S. servicemen located a camouflaged Shinyo-class boat near the beach on Okinawa. Image: NARA
The SHINYO attack procedure was to crash the side of the target.
of jot down 98 explosive) to attack other surface vessels in a suicide attack.
Bow impact would force the spikes through the rubber, end the electric circuit, and fire the charge.
A Japanese Shinyo explosive motorboat captured on Okinawa by U.S. Marines during World War II. The trolley used to launch the boat is also seen in this photo. Image: NARA
charge would split open most merchant ships and lightly constructed warships like destroyers and minesweepers.
January 31, 1945: The sub chaser USS PC-1129 sunk off Nasugbu, Luzon, Philippines.
April 9, 1945: The destroyer USS Charles J. Badger (DD-657) was damaged off Okinawa.
The cockpit of a captured Japanese Shinyo. A 120mm rocket is mounted on the right side of the boat, while the left mount is empty. Image: NARA
Countermeasures
I searched through a wide selection of U.S. Navy reports to identify details about Shinyo attacks.
The ships and sailors were quick to react and develop new tactics to counter the small boat threat.
On 16 April 1945, this ship contacted and sank two Japanese small suicide craft.
The Shinyo saw significant service during the Okinawa campaign. Fortunately, this one was captured before it could be used against American forces. Image: NARA
The first was detected by a cruiser initially and shortly afterwards by this vessel.
50-caliber guns were particularly effective because of their ability to depress at very close range.
Small boat swerved and headed up port side of ship, in close.
This captured Shinyo boat was hiding inside its beachside bunker when it was found on Okinawa during World War II. Image: NARA
Unable to bring the 40mm or 20mm to bear on target.
As small boat proceeded up port side, two explosions occurred on port quarter which rocked the ship violently.
Results of firing not observed due to darkness.
One of the prime Shinyo targets was the U.S. Navy’s Landing Craft, Tank (LCT). This one was photographed off the coast of Okinawa during the Second World War. Image: NARA
A double explosion resulted, tearing a large hole in the side of the ship.
The explosion knocked out all the ships lights and ship immediately heeled to starboard.
The life rafts were launched and loaded with the wounded.
A Shinyo-class motorboat is stranded on the beach during the invasion of Okinawa in World War II. A first-generationU.S. Marine Corps LVT(aka: Amtrac) rests in the background. Image: NARA
The fire enveloped the forward section of the ship and started to spread aft.
Ammunition began to explode forward and the ship was abandoned approximately fifteen minutes after the attack.
A Shinyo motorboat was found outside of its cave lair when the area was taken by U.S. Marines on Okinawa. Rocket launchers are seen mounted aft. Image: NARA
A good condition example of the Shinyo preserved on Okinawa after the Second World War. Image: NARA
