Banzai charge

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Banzai charge is a term derived from the Japanese samurai spirit and ideology of not accepting the shame of defeat. Instead, it is considered honourable to do a last desperate charge at the enemy and perish together with them instead of dying in cowardice.

Banzai is literally translated as "Ten thousand years" but more accurately "Long Live" and was a Japanese motto during the war. They honour their emperor by shouting "Banzai", meaning "Long live the emperor".

The Kamikaze strategy used in World War II is a good exemplification of the banzai charge, although the banzai charge is used mainly for infantry troopers. It was used during the Cowra breakout, the largest known POW escape in history.

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