Operation Arashi's planners intended to repaint the Seirans in American colors so the kamikaze aircraft could approach more easily. The decision upset the Japanese pilots assigned to fly them. They understood themselves as proud and honorable combatants and regarded the false markings as inconsistent with that identity. The episode reveals friction between a desperate command's tactical deception and the values through which its aircrews interpreted their mission.
Notable Point · 55:59-56:39
False American markings alienated the Seiran pilots
Painting the strike aircraft in American colors was meant to ease their approach, but the deception offended pilots' sense of honor and created internal friction.