In a 2004 book , World War II , the historians Wilmott , Cross & Messenger say that more than 70 U.S. ships were `` sunk or damaged beyond repair '' by kamikazes . In a 2004 book , World War II , the historians Wilmott , Cross and Messenger stated that more than 70 U.S. vessels were `` sunk or damaged beyond repair '' by kamikazes .