A short video in color (not colorized) today, courtesy of our friend Patrice Fresnel, features a Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" captured by US forces on Peleliu Island. Only the rudder part of the tail marking is visible, but I believe it's the same aircraft seen in the photos below.
Therefore, the whole marking should be "1-01." It is not a common marking. Various kokutai occasionally used the "01-" as their tail marking, like the 501 Ku , the 701 Ku, and the 1001 Ku. I spotted a photo of a "Zero" on p. 62 of the book "Tatakau Zero Sen" (Fighting Zero Fighter), and on the tail, it sports the marking "1-114." The caption makes it clear that it was flown by the 201 Kokutai, and as a result, my conclusion is that the aircraft in the video most probably belonged to the same unit. The 201Ku has been recorded as using the tail markings "WI-" and "01-" by Akimoto and others, but not "1-." As you can see from the unit history below (from the Japanese Wikipedia ), Peleliu was the main base of the unit, and it fits with the time and place of the video.
Thank you Patrice for the most interesting video.
On 1 October 1939, the Chitose Kokutai was organised as a land-based attack aircraft unit, simultaneously incorporating an escort fighter squadron. From early 1941, ChitoseKu deployed to the Marshall Islands, tasked with being the first line of defence against American fleets approaching from Pearl Harbor. The fighter unit remained attached to the land-based attack squadron for an extended period, undertaking air defence duties over the Marshall Islands and the Gilbert Islands.
On November 16, 1942, the exhausted ChitoseKu land-based attack squadron was ordered to return to the home islands. However, the fighter unit, lacking replacement personnel, was decided to remain in the Marshalls. Taking this opportunity, the fighter squadron was detached from the ChitoseKu on December 1, 1942, establishing the 201st Kokutai. Operating with 45 aircraft against an authorised strength of 60, it was assigned to the 24th Koku Sentai (Air Squadron) of the 11 Koku Kantai (Air Fleet) and was deployed to Roi-Namur Island in the Kwajalein Atoll, Wake Island, and Taroa in the Maloelap Atoll, continuing air defence of the Marshals. On December 23, 1942, 26 B-24s attacked Wake Island; two were shot down.
On January 29, 1943, the Taroa detachment advanced to Nauru Island. On February 27, the 252nd Kokutai arrived at Roi-Namur and replaced the 201Ku, which was ordered to return to the home islands. Up until that time the 201Ku was equipped with Mitsubishi A5M "Claude" fighters which was deemed obsolete.
In March, the 201Ku abandoned its "Claudes" for "Zeros", personnel and equipment alone were transported aboard the Fujikawa Maru and Naruto Maru, returning to Kisarazu Airfield.
On May 18, the 201Ku was transferred to the 24 Koku Sentai (Air Squadron) of the Northern Force's 12 Koku Kantai (Air Fleet) and engaged in reorganisation work at Kisarazu. However, following the US landing on Rendova Island in the Solomon Islands on June 30, 1943, and their shift to full-scale counteroffensive operations, the unit was ordered on July 1, to advance rapidly to Rabaul. On July 15, it was incorporated into the 21 Koku Sentai of the 11 Koku Kantai and an advance party of 34 aircraft arrived at Rabaul. The next day it advanced to Bougainville. On August 1, it escorted a convoy bombing squadron towards Rendova Island, conducting 11 sorties throughout August. On August 4, encountered enemy fighter squadrons over Munda and engaged in aerial combat. Subsequently, engaged enemy fighter squadrons over Munda on three occasions. On August 25, launched a raid on the Biloa position, on Vella Lavella Island. Subsequently, conducted two sorties to bombard the Biloa position. On September 1, incorporated into the 26t Koku Sentai of the 11 Koku Kantai. On September 15, "Operation Se" (withdrawal from Kolombangara Island) commenced. During this period, resumed assault operations against Biloa positions. On September 22, the Battle of Finschhafen commenced. Assaulted enemy landing fleet. On October 12, first air raid on Rabaul. Deployed full strength for air defence. On October 22, advanced to Buka. On November 1, "Operation Ro" commenced. Engaged in air defence duties in the Buka area until its conclusion on the 12th. On December 15, enemy transport convoy attacked; sortie also launched the following day. On December 27, assaulted Cape Gloucester. By January 1944, operational aircraft had gradually dwindled to just over 30. With the defence of Rabaul deemed hopeless and the counteroffensive in the Inner South Seas commencing, the 201Ku was ordered to withdraw to the Truk Islands and Saipan for air defence of the Inner South Seas.
In January 1944, Kwajalein Atoll, the original base of the 201Ku, fell. During that month, the main force withdrew via Truk Atoll to Saipan Island, becoming part of the air defence force for Truk and the Mariana Islands. The Saipan main force comprised 29 aircraft, while the Truk detachment had 8 aircraft.
February 17, 1944: Truk Island air raid. The 8-aircraft detachment intercepted with full force, losing all aircraft. The main force of 24 aircraft advanced to Truk in preparation for the next air raid. 22 February: Mariana Islands air raid. The four aircraft left behind intercepted with full force, all were lost.
March 4: The Central Pacific Area Fleet and 14 Koku Kantai were newly formed and placed under their command. The strength was greatly increased to 96 aircraft. As the first phase, the 204 Kokutai was disbanded and incorporated.
March 10: The main force withdrew from Truk to Peleliu Airfield in the Palau Islands and engaged in reinforcement work. Withdrawal was completed by the 23rd. Some personnel were dispatched to Davao for receiving new aircraft and training. On March 29, the Palau Air Raid occurred. The remaining force intercepted with all strength, losing every aircraft. The 201Ku met with the tragic fate of its remnant forces being annihilated three times at three different bases, each time exploiting the absence of the main force. The 201Ku was finally destroyed. However, the unit was to be rebuilt by personnel dispatched to Davao and Kisarazu while Peleliu was unguarded. When the main force at Peleliu was destroyed, 99 aircrew remained at Davao, and 14 aircraft with personnel remained at Kisarazu. The unit's headquarters requested training at Kisarazu, but the Combined Fleet refused. The remnants of the 201Ku assembled at Davao and prepared for the next operation...
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