National Museum of the U.S. Navy

Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka (Baka Bombs)

The Japanese were at a crossroads with the continued success of the Allies, which called for desperate acts to survive.   During the Okinawa Campaign, the Japanese utilized the Yokosuka MXY-7 Okha "Baka Bomb" against U.S. Navy warships.   USS West Virginia (BB-48) is believed to be the first ship damaged by a Baka Bomb on April 1.   USS Mannert L. Able (DD-733) was the first ship to be sunk by the weapon on April 12.   Other ships damaged by these weapons during Operation Ten-Go were:  USS Gayety (AM-239), USS Hugy W. Hadley (DD-744), and USS Shea (DD-750).  Usually carried and transported by a Japanese Mitsubishi G4M2 "Betty" aircraft, the "glider weapon" would be released when close enough to its target, then aimed to subsequently destroy it. 

Image:  208-MO-Box-113-Okinawa 2:  U.S. Marines Examine Japanese Suicide Rocket Bomb on Okinawa.   Official Office of War Information Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.   

The National Museum of the U.S. Navy has a trainer Ohka (Baka Bomb) suspended above the In Harm's Way: Pacific exhibit area.   To view the artifact, click here and here.