Yokosuka K4Y, Tsuchiura Kokutai, "Kessen no Ozora e" - video

A video excerpt today from the movie "Kessen no Ozora e" (Into the Skies for the Decisive Battle), produced by Toho and released on September 16, 1943.

It was shot with the full cooperation of the Tsuchiura Kokutai and it features, in the beginning, Yokosuka K4Y trainer seaplanes and later, from 02:52, the very rarely seen Watanabe K8W1 seaplane trainer in flight (note the cowling ring and the shape of the tail fin).

We can also sense the training regimen of these young pilots, initially introducing themselves to the commanding officer of the training course and subsequently to the advisor positioned in the front cockpit. Those who completed their training flight write their names and activities for the day on the board.

Here's what we were able to translate of the dialogue:

(Name) Trainee, No. 1 [the number indicated the seaplane]

Airborne operation, co-pilot

[Introducing himself to the instructor]

Trainee Akimoto, co-piloting

Departure preparations complete

Instructor: What about your glasses?

What's in [inaudible, probably instrument pannel]?

Trainee: It's a photograph of my mother.

Instructor: I can see exactly what you're doing over there, you know

Instructor: To your left is the Tone River

To your right front is Mount Tsukuba

Mind your left

Trainee: Yes

Instructor: Pull the control column right and the aircraft banks right

Push it left and it banks left

Push the control column forward and the nose rises

Instructor: Straight right flight, towards Mount Tsukuba, "Yōsorō"*

Trainee: Straight right flight, towards Mount Tsukuba, "Yōsorō"

* "Yōsorō" is used to mean ‘proceed as directed,’ ‘understood,’ or ‘no problem.’ Within the Imperial Japanese Navy, it was used not only aboard ships but also within the air squadrons. While there are various theories regarding the origin of the term, the most widely accepted explanation is that it evolved from ‘yoroshiku sō’ during the late Edo period when ship handling techniques were learned from the West. There is also a theory that it dates back to the era of traditional Japanese sailing vessels.