Suicide Squads of World War II by Richard O'Neill

Suicide Squads of World War II by Richard O'Neill, I really wanted to like this book but I can't. The topic is interesting particularly considering the author deals not only with Japanese suicide weapons but British, Italian and German as well. The descriptions of the actual details are good but the authors often bizarre statements make the book lack credibility.

I knew I was in for rough ride when the author starts out the book by saying that he wishes the Japanese government would start funding the Yasukuni Shrine. Apparently O'Neill believes that honoring war criminals is important. Next the Fenians are described as "Irish nationalists" yes so is the IRA but they're both terrorists. Apparently only "some" Westerners believe the Japanese military was involved in "excesses" i.e. crimes against humanity. Wonder if O'Neill is one of these.

Lots of pictures which is probably a good thing because who knows what nonsense he would come up with if he had to write another 30,000 words of text.

Is available through Abebooks.



For more WWII book reviews take a look at My World War II bookshelf.