On Oct. 21, 1944, during the Battle of Leyte, a Japanese plane hit the HMAS Australia in what is believed to be the first kamikaze attack.
Just a day into the fighting, the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia suffered what is believed to be the first attack in a series of suicide dive-bombings by the Japanese. As a warship, the Australia had "distinguished itself in combat throughout World War Two," fighting in the Battle of the Coral Sea and in the Battle of Savo Island.
On Oct. 21, in the early morning, a badly damaged Japanese plane set itself on a collision course with the Australia. "Just look at this. She's aiming for us," one gunnery officer reportedly said.
The plane was carrying a 441-pound bomb. Although the bomb did not explode, the plane inflicted serious damage to the ship and its crew. In total, 30 crewmen died. An additional 64 men were wounded, 26 critically.
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October 21 is also the birthday of novelist, poet and translator Ursula Le Guin.
In some of the thousands of "Beyond the Headlines" we've published, we explore interesting psychological syndromes. Read our about people who, literally, remember everything - Hyperthymesia: Total Recall, Totally Overwhelming.
We also examine the body of science and history of autopsies.
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