World War 2

[Caroline]

Hi, everyone! It has been a few years since I've been on this forum. I hope there aren't too many surprises!

Quick question for anyone who is interested in these things:
Can anyone recommend a book/article/whatever about the faith of WW2 pilots, particularly those in the Pacific? I would be especially thrilled if I could find a collection of their diaries, journals, letters, etc addressing questions of how they dealt with the daily possibility of death, and that sort of thing.

Any ideas?

 

[RaderSDG00]

I found this lecture particularly interesting, about the faith of some of the pilots in the Doolittle raid, and their Japanese counterparts. He gives the titles of a few books regarding them in the lecture I believe.

PRH18 The Doolittle Raid, Providence, and the Kingdom of God

Bill Potter | Chalcedon Presbyterian Church

www.sermonaudio.com

 

[arapahoepark]

I only know of Unbroken.
Otherwise you could look at this: https://www.amazon.com/American-Religions-Documentary-Marie-Griffith/dp/0195170458
Documentary histories might have references.
The World War 2 Museum in New Orleans might be a good route to research.

 

[Caroline]

Thanks! I'm taking notes on it. I'm thinking of writing on Christian kamikaze pilots and wondered about including anything from the other side. There is a really common perception that all the Japanese were pagans. In fact, a surprising number of kamikaze pilots were Christians and took their Bibles on their final flight. In fact, it was so common that I'm wondering if they were short-listed for the suicide missions due to their unpopular religious beliefs. Not much is translated about it though. There is a wonderful book in Japanese called "Sun and Shield" about a Christian kamikaze pilot--very sad, but very moving.

If anyone has any more ideas about resources, please keep them coming. I would love to read up on it from both angles.

 

[PuritanCovenanter]

My mentor Roy Blackwood was a WWII Pilot on an Aircraft Carrier. He mentions how he looked at death during this discussion and coming to Christ.