Mitsubishi A6M "Zero", 201 Kokutai, Peleliu - video

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...

Aichi M6A1 "Seiran" in color!

A color (not colorized) photo of an Aichi M6A1 "Seiran" found at the end of the war by U.S. forces. It has been circulating on the net for quite some time but without any further information. 

If you have the publication "Toraware no Nihongunki Hiroku," I believe it's the same "Seiran" featured on p. 167, seen in the photo below.

According to the book, that seaplane was found at Aichi's Eitoku factory in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. It was damaged by an air raid and, until the end of the war, it was undergoing repairs. 

As you can see in the color photo, it was in overall experimental orange, and then it had green applied as camouflage on the top surfaces. Note that the ID plate near the tail still has its orange background. 

The orange paint can be seen best on the underside of the floats. Personally, if I want to go straight out of the bottle, I prefer Tamiya's X-6 orange. No muss, no fuss. 

I also use AMMO's "orange," "light rust," and "candy red" in the "Shader" series to break the uniformity of the overall orange. 

Note also the presence of IFF stripes at the wing's edge. They are very similar to the underside orange but not exactly the same. My favorite, again out-of-the-bottle, paint is Mr. Color #58 "orange yellow," or Acrysion #24 "orange yellow," or Mr. Color #109 "character yellow." They are all a bit bright, and if I want to be more accurate, I airbrush a coat of Tamiya X-26 "clear orange" to darken them.

Note that the propeller blades are "brown." Tamiya says XF-9 "Hull Red"; okay, why not? Tamiya's XF-64 "red brown" is also good. XF-9 is darker but also a bit red for my taste; XF-64 is too light but could work if I didn't have any other paint around. Personally, I prefer Mr. Color's #131 "propeller color." One coat and you're done.

As for the top color... well, Tamiya says AS-1 "Dark Green (IJN)," but based on the photo, I don't see anything wrong with XF-70 "Dark Green 2 (IJN)." 

Note that the spinner is the same color with the green of the top surfaces; not brown. 

Last but not least, note the exhausts. XF-9 or rust? The rusty pipe in the foreground is a good reference, right?

And also, let's not forget, having a quick look at the wheel cover, the "Zero?" behind the "Seiran" with the weird, at least to me, top color. Is it green? Is it gray-green? Who can tell? 

Wait, does it have a solid rear canopy? Could it actually be a Yokosuka D4Y "Suisei" (Judy)? What do you think?

Nakajima B6N "Tenzan" (Jill), Okinawa Kokutai

A NARA set of photos today features a very badly wrecked Nakajima B6N "Tenzan" (Jill) belonging to the Okinawa Kokutai, as indicated by the katakana "オキ-" (OKI-) on the tail. This rather obscure naval escort IJNAF unit was established on April 15, 1944, with 40 Aichi E13A "Jake" seaplanes and 24 torpedo bombers, and primarily conducted maritime escort duties between Kagoshima and Okinawa. It was integrated into the 951st Kokutai on December 15, 1944.

It was deployed across various locations in the Ryukyu Islands, but its main base was IJN's Oroku Airfield (小禄飛行場) on Okinawa, which opened in 1933 as a civilian airfield. It took its name from the village with the same name in the area but changed at least three times from "Oroku" to "Naha" and back. During WWII, it was known as "Naha Airfield." In January 1943, the "Ryukyu Islands Area Kokutai" (Nanseishoto Homen Kokutai) was designated as the administrative unit for air bases in the Ryukyu Islands. Its headquarters was established at this base, and the Oroku Detachment of the 3rd Reconnaissance Hikotai, 25th Koku Sentai (Air Fleet), was permanently stationed there. However, following air raids from October 1944, the base lost all its aircraft and ceased functioning as an airfield. It was subsequently occupied by US forces during the invasion in April 1945.

Nakajima B6N2 "Tenzan" (Jill) of the Okinawa Kokutai. The aircraft was found in dilapitated condition under a wrecked hangar at Oroku/Naha Airfield. According to the original caption:

"A view of the devastated hangar at Naha Airfield. A wrecked Jill is the only plane in the hangar; an M2A1 is visible in the background"

A closeup of the same aircraft.

The same Nakajima B6N2 "Tenzan" (Jill) of the Okinawa Kokutai, found at Oroku/Naha Airfield from a different angle confirms the unit's marking "オキ-" (OKI-).

One last photo of the same aircraft.

It is not easy to tell the difference between a Nakajima B6N2 "Tenzan" (Jill) and a Nakajima C6N1 "Saiun" (Myrt), especially if the aircraft in question is in really bad condition. The photos of the particular aircraft help us out by showing the small fuselage windows present in the "Tenzan" but absent in the "Saiun," and the peculiarly angled radio antenna mast of the "Tenzan." Note also the position of the horizontal tail surfaces.

Another photo of an OkinawaKu aircraft, this time it's the tail of a Nakajima B5N "Kate".

Nohara Shigeru created artwork for the Nakajima B5N "Kate" seen in the previous photo, and was featured in FAOW #32.

"East China Sea Anti-Submarine Attack" - February 27, 1944
The "Tamo 05 Convoy" consisting of Nippon Maru (former Swedish ship Nimpu), San Luis Maru, Chihaya Maru, France Maru, Shunten Maru, Bokuyo Maru and Aso Maru, escorted by Patrol Boat 38 (ex-destroyer Yomogi), Auxiliary Gunboat Chojusan Maru and Auxiliary Subchaser/Minesweeper Tama Maru No. 7, came under attack by a US submarine.

According to "combinedfleet" :
"CEYLON MARU is carrying 148 military passenger, 4,000-tons of bauxite and 300-tons of general cargo.
27 February 1944:
East China Sea. At 2058, LtCdr (later KIA) John A. Moore's (USNA ’32) USS GRAYBACK (SS-208) uses her last two torpedoes on CEYLON MARU. Hit aft in the No. 3 hold, she floods and at 2103 sinks by the stern off Ojika Island, NE Kyushu at 31-35N, 127-47E. 95 troops and 46 crewmen are KIA."

According to Wikipedia:
"Grayback's tenth patrol, her most successful in terms of tonnage sunk, was also her last. She sailed from Pearl Harbor on 28 January 1944 for the East China Sea. On 24 February, Grayback radioed that she had sunk two cargo ships on 19 February and had damaged two others (Taikei Maru and Toshin Maru sunk). On 25 February, she transmitted her second and final report. That morning, she had sunk tanker Nanho Maru and severely damaged Asama Maru. With only two torpedoes remaining, she was ordered home from patrol. Due to reach Midway on 7 March, Grayback did not arrive. On 30 March, ComSubPac listed her as missing and presumed lost with all hands.
From captured Japanese records, the submarine's last few days were pieced together after World War II. Heading home through the East China Sea after attacking convoy Hi-40 on 24 February, Grayback used her last two torpedoes to sink the freighter Ceylon Maru on 27 February. Later that same day, a Japanese aircraft carrier-based Nakajima B5N (Allied reporting name "Kate") torpedo bombers, probably launched from the aircraft carrier Zuikaku spotted Grayback on the surface in the East China Sea and attacked, hitting her with a 250-kilogram (551 lb) aerial bomb. According to Japanese reports, the submarine "exploded and sank immediately," but antisubmarine craft were called in to depth-charge the area, clearly marked by a trail of air bubbles, until at last a heavy oil slick swelled to the surface."

So, Wiki says that a "Kate" from Zuikaku sunk the submarine, but combinedfleet mentions: "GRAYBACK is later sunk by Nakajima B5N2 "Kates" of the Okinawa Naval Air Group."
Japanese sources mention that one "Kate" that took off from Oroku Airfield "spotted a surfaced submarine attacking the convoy, bombed it with an anti-submarine bomb No. 25, and scored a direct hit."
Other Japanese sources mention:
"On February 26, 1944, the Greyback was damaged by an attack from Japanese Navy aircraft in the East China Sea. However, the following day the Greyback is presumed to have sunk the Japanese transport ship Ceylon Maru. Records indicate that on the same day, Japanese naval carrier-based attack aircraft spotted and attacked a surfaced submarine in the East China Sea. Reports state this submarine ‘exploded and sank with a great roar.’ The Japanese forces then dispatched anti-submarine patrol vessels to conduct depth charge attacks on an area where a distinct trail of bubbles remained, resulting in a vast amount of oil spilling onto the sea surface."

So, the conclusion from the above is that two attacks on the submarine took place: one from a "Kate" that took off from Oroku/Naha Airfield and damaged the sub and then a second attack by Zuikaku(?) "Kates" that finished(?) it. Followed by depth charge attacks.

As mentioned above, Akimoto and other Japanese sources state that OkinawaKu was established in April 1944, after the incident, nevertheless some Japanese sources mention: "Its status as a kokutai in terms of organisation is questioned due to the absence of documents such as establishment tables or personnel registers. However, personnel orders were actually issued in the Naval Appointment Gazette". 
So, if Akimoto's date is correct, then it can't be a "Kate" from OkinawaKu. Perhaps an aircraft from the "Oroku Detachment of the 3rd Reconnaissance Hikotai, 25th Koku Sentai (Air Fleet)"? 

On November 11, 2019, the wreck of USS Grayback (SS-208) was discovered off the coast of Japan by veteran ocean explorer Tim Taylor, CEO of Tiburon Subsea, and his ‘Lost 52 Project’ team. This discovery that occurred on 5 June 2019 at a depth of 1,427 feet (435 metres), has been officially confirmed by the United States Navy.
According to the press release:
"In preparing for this expedition, Japanese historical researcher Mr Yutaka Iwasaki, a member of the team, re-translated primary sources and pinpointed locations. He noticed discrepancies in the longitude information within documents written in 1946 after the war. This original error remained uncorrected for 75 years, until the discovery by the “Lost 52 Team”. Mr Iwasaki newly identified and translated Japanese military attack records, enabling the expedition team to reset the search area to the waters southwest of Okinawa. Then, on 5 June 2019, in waters 100 miles (160 km) away from the location indicated by conventional WWII historical records, the team found the Grayback on the final survey line of their last survey area." 
Check the video here.

Kawasaki Ki-45 "Toryu" (Nick), 13 Sentai

Today's set of photos feature a Kawasaki Ki-45 "Toryu" (Nick) found by US forces at Cape Gloucester Airfield (Tuluvu) belonging to the 13th Sentai. Some of the photos were contributed by our friend Patrice Fresnel, others are from NARA and the net.

Kawasaki Ki-45 "Toryu" (Nick) flown by the 13 Sentai found at Cape Gloucester (Tuluvu) in January 1944. The aircraft had made an emergency landing, note the bent propeller blades, and then was straffed but otherwise it was in fairly good condition.

As with most, if not all, "Nicks" the rather complicated top camouflage was applied at the Kawasaki factory and therefore it was very neatly painted and was less prone to flaking than those applied at the depots. Note that unlike the fuselage hinomaru, the wing hinomaru do not have a white ring and the camouflage is painted around them. On the fuselage, the hinomaru have white ring and they were painted over the camouflage. 

In this and the previous photo we can see that the port engine is missing but the landing gear is still keeping the plane upright. 

In the belly of the "Nick" a Type 98 37mm Tank Gun, standard equippment of the Type 95 "Ha-Go" Light Tank, was installed. This was a special modification for only a small number of aircraft to give the aircraft some punch against the heavier US bombers. All Japanese sources agree that the particular aircraft was a Ki-45 Kai-Ko.

Unfortunately the Type 98 37mm Tank Gun was hand loaded by the rear observer and therefore its rate of fire was approximately one round every 30 seconds, making it virtually useless during aerial combat. It could deliver a devastating blow against a bomber though. In the photo we can see the gun breech in the observer's position.

The unit's tail marking at the time consisted of a stylized representation of the unit's number "13" comprised number "1" and three bars. The serial number of the aircraft was "1023" and the last two digits were repeated on the tail above the unit marking. In the previous photos the part of the tail marking on the rudder looks darker than the rest of the marking and some artists have depicted it in red, suggesting that perhaps it was a replacement? Nevertheless the camouflage pattern on the rudder matches the rest of the tail and the number "23", from the aircraft's serial number, is painted on the rudder; if the rudder was from a different aircraft it would have a number not matching the serial number. There are many reasons why the canvas covered rudder would look darker than the metal covered parts of the tail.

Artwork by Devlin Chouinard.

A depiction of the Tuluvu "Nick" from War Thunder. Not bad at all except for the innacurate wing hinomaru.

The formation ceremony of the 13 Sentai was held on March 15, 1938, at Kakogawa Airfield, Hyogo Prefecture.

At that time the unit was equipped with Kawasaki Ki-10 "Perry" fighters but these were soon replaced with Nakajima Ki-27 "Nates". 

In September 1941, relocated to Taisho Airfield in Osaka and in December moved to Kashiwa Airfield, Chiba Prefecture, assigned to Tokyo air defence

In August 1942, changed its aircraft to Kawasaki Ki-45 "Toryu" (Nick).

In April 1943, commenced advance into the South Pacific. Concentrated at Rabaul by late June. Relocated to the Eastern New Guinea/Wewak front in July.

August 16: Air raid engulfed most aircraft on the ground in flames, causing severe difficulties for air defence. (Operational aircraft numbered only eight by late September). Retreated through Wakde Island, Ambon, and Kendari.

April 1944: Transferred to Halmahera Island. Reorganised with the Nakajima Ki-43 "Hayabusa" (Oscar) as the primary aircraft type. Engaged in combat across various sectors of the New Guinea front.

October 1944: Reorganised at Itami Airfield with the Nakajima Ki-43  "Hayabusa" Model III.

Continued combat operations across various sectors of the New Guinea front until November of the same year. In New Guinea, the squadron was reconfigured with the "Hayabusa" as the primary aircraft.

December 3: Transferred to the Porac (Philippines) area and reorganized again with the Kawasaki Ki-45 "Toryu" as the primary aircraft.

December 6: Supported the Burauen Paratrooper Raid.

December 14: Squadron commander killed in action while supporting the "Kikusui Special Attack Unit" (9 heavy bombers), combat strength halved. Subsequently recovered strength at Saigon, reorganising with 10 Nakajima Ki-84 "Hayate" (Frank) and 20 Nakajima Ki-43 "Hayabusa" fighters.

March 1945: Transferred to Singapore. Participated in "Operation Meigo" and other operations.

July of the same year, withdrew to Pingtung Airfield, Taiwan, where the end of the war found it.

Hasegawa has released two 13 Sentai "Toryu" kits. The one depicted here is in 1/72, number #00810. It includes decals for the Tuluvu "Nick".  

The other kit is number #09925 and is in 1/48. It too includes decals for the Tuluvu "Nick". 

"Betty's War History" by "Sato Nobuhiko "

The finest historical book on the kokutai that operated the Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" is named "Betty's War History," authored by "Sato Nobuhiko" and released by Kojinsha. Even though it’s entirely in Japanese, this hardcover is filled with valuable information and includes numerous photos not available elsewhere.

Not ideal for modellers looking for illustrations and technical details, but if you genuinely wish to learn more about the Japanese perspective during the Pacific War, this book is indeed priceless.

It serves as our main source for all content related to "Betty" units.

Can't reccomend it enough!

Title: "Betty's War History - The Navy Attack Land Bomber from the birth to the end" (一式陸攻戦史, 海軍陸上攻撃機の誕生から終焉まで)

Author: "Sato Nobuhiko"

Published by: Ushio Shobo / Kojinsha 2015 h/b

Pages: 480

Photos: 262 b/w

Illustrations: 14

Size: 14X20cm

The publication is in print and available.

Price: $US 20.00 (Postage NOT included)

Send over an email if interested with your name and delivery address (to calculate postage): arawasiorder@gmail.com

Mitsubishi G4M "Betty", 732Kokutai - video

The source of today's video is the Facebook. It's a beautiful and very clear video but unfortunately no details regarding the date and place were included. Nevertheless, the featured Mitsubishi G4M "Bettys" all belong to the 732 Kokutai as indicated by the number "32-" on the tail.

Leading "Betty" expert Kobayashi-san commented:

"The video shows early torpedo attack training scenes from the 732nd Kokutai. The 732nd was the unit responsible for the southwestern theatre. They were based at Ayer Tawar airfield on the Malay Peninsula. A collection of photos appears in DNK's “Sea Eagles of the South Seas”. But these are remarkably clear images. The interesting thing is the serial numbers, like “732-202”. Attack aircraft usually have serial numbers starting with “3” in the lower section [i.e. "-302"]. The aircraft itself is a late-model Type 11, recognisable by the tail gunner's position being cut away."

The 732 Kokutai was primarily focused on defending the Dutch East Indies, and, as a land-based attack aircraft unit, engaged in bombing, assault, and reconnaissance operations during the latter stages of the Pacific War.

The 753 Kokutai, which had been tasked with bombing missions from the Eastern Dutch East Indies towards the strategic Darwin area in Australia, found itself confined to the Kendari airfield on Celebes Island since the start of the war, with no time for reorganisation. However, by the latter half of 1943, its combat strength had diminished, making its replacement necessary. Consequently, the newly formed unit was the 732 Kokutai. Adequate training time was secured, with deployment to active duty planned for the spring of 1944. However, to counter the reinforcement of the Royal Navy's Eastern Fleet, the unit was deployed to the Western Indian Ocean theatre before training was complete. 

1943

October 1: Formed at Toyohashi Airfield, with Oita Airfield as its parent unit (authorised strength: 36 Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" Land-Based Attack Aircraft). Placed under the direct command of the Southwest Area Fleet's 13th Air Fleet; training commenced immediately.

November 19: Advance base personnel dispatched to Singapore.

December 1: Advance detachment of 31 aircraft departed Toyohashi for Ayer Tawar Airfield, Malay Peninsula. Arrived 12th, continuing training. [Probably the place and date of the video]

1944

Late February: Commenced preparations for mine laying operations targeting British naval ports along the Bay of Bengal coast.

March 26: Enemy carrier fleet approaches Palau Islands. Advances to Kendari for interception. Bengal Bay mine-laying operation cancelled.

March 31: Following the previous day's Palau air raid, receives order to move to Davao airfield, Mindanao Island.

April 9: Advance destination changed from Davao to Degos airfield; movement to Degos completed on the 12th.

April 23: Following the commencement of the Hollandia ground battle the previous day, undertook three consecutive days of relief bombing with 10 aircraft (Operation Z1). Eight aircraft lost.

April 27: "Operation Z1" suspended; returned to Degos.

May 10: Left 12 aircraft at Degos and advanced to Sorong Airfield at the western tip of New Guinea Island.

May 11: Sorong Detachment bombed Hollandia with 8 aircraft; 5 reached target.

May 13: Six aircraft headed for the second Hollandia bombing but all turned back.

May 14: Hollandia relief operation cancelled. Sorong detachment returned to Degos.

May 17: "Operation A" ordered ["Operation A", a defensive strategy for the Mariana Islands area]; deployment preparations commenced.

May 27: "First Operation Kon" launched ["Operation Kon" was a three-phase Pacific War operation to support the Battle of Biak Island]. Advanced to Wasile Airfield, Halmahera Island.

May 29: 10 aircraft launched anti-ship attack; no results achieved, four aircraft lost.

May 31: Seven aircraft launched anti-ship attack, no results achieved, one aircraft lost.

June 3: Three aircraft bombed enemy camp on Owi Island. "First Operation Kon" suspended.

June 5: "Second Operation Kon" launched. Two aircraft conducted night bombing raid on Wakde Island (732nd Air Group's final sortie). Operational aircraft depleted.

July 10: Unit disbanded.

Unable to recover from incomplete training, the unit was committed in full to "Operation Kon" and annihilated. After disbandment, personnel were absorbed into the ground staff of the Hohoku Naval Air Group, which itself did not survive until the end of the war, disbanding in May 1945. Personnel undergoing training in Toyohashi were subsequently reassigned to units such as the newly formed 763rd Kokutai.

Two ships can be seen in the video. The first, is either cruiser Kitakami or Oi, Kuma-class light cruisers. In my opinion it's Oi.

Between mid December 1943 and March 26, the time period we believe the video was shot, both Kitakami and Oi are in the area, based in Singapore and are training at Lingga Islands just south of Singapore. So, time and place fit the whole set up of the video. Kitakami was hit by the submarine HMS Templar on 27 January 1944, and returned to Japan. So the video had to be shot either before January 1944 or the cruiser in the video is not Kitakami.

I believe the second ship seen in the video is the Cruiser Aoba. As with the other two cruisers, she is in the area, based in Singapore and spent some time training in the area. Aoba arrived at Singapore on December 24, 1943. Until January 23, she is ferrying troops to Malaya and Burma without either Oi or Kitakami. The only time she is with them is during the troop transport to Adamand Islands starting from January 23, when Kitakami is torpedoed. Personally, I don't think there was any time for training during that trip. 

After that date Aoba is with Oi from March 1, 1944, during Operation "SA No. 1" that involves commerce raiding in the Indian Ocean. As we saw in the history of the 732Ku in "Late February: Commenced preparations for mine laying operations targeting British naval ports along the Bay of Bengal coast." The setting fits, the ships are going for a raid in the Indian Ocean and the 732Ku is training for missions in the same area. Therefore, my conclusion is that the most probable date for the video is some time between March 1 and 9, 1944, when the ships were on their way to the Indian Ocean and passed in front of Ayer Tawar; after that date,  Aoba reaches Jakarta, Java Island on March 15.

Diving in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - WWII Japanese Bi-plane & Zero

 Diving in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - WWII Japanese Bi-plane & Zero

HEADS UP! - NEW - Kawasaki Ki-28 "Rob" by "SABRE KITS"

"Sabre Kits" recently released a limited edition kit of the Kawasaki Ki-28 "Rob" in 1/72. Can't wait to build it!

Very special thanks to best our friend Jan Kaňov for the photos (and the kit!)

Mitsubishi F1M "Pete", 958 Kokutai

A little known photo from the Photograph Collection of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand features a number of destroyed Japanese aircraft. 

According to the caption:

"Wrecked Japanese aircraft at Keravia Bay, Rabaul.

Aircraft types: Pete, Betty and Emily at rear."

The Mitsubishi F1M "Pete" in the foreground belonged to the 958 Kokutai as indicated by the numbers "58-" on its tail.

This seaplane reconnaissance unit was formed at Rabaul on December 1, 1942,  with 16 seaplanes in its strength. It operated from Rabaul and Kavieng until the war's end, conducting patrols and reconnaissance in the Solomon Islands area. On May 1, 1944, it had no less than 24 seaplanes.

Its principal aircraft were the "Pete" and the Aichi E13A "Jake" Seaplane Reconnaissance Aircraft.

The tail markings it used were "58" and "958".

Yokosho (Yokosuka) E1Y, Battleship "Nagato" - video

An extremely rare and absolutely beautiful video, features the second  Yokosho (Yokosuka) E1Y (probably an E1Y1) of the battleship "Nagato" being hoisted on the water and taking off. Note that the seaplane is a three-seater and the "ナガト-2" (Nagato-2) on the tail.

The exact date is not known but the video is thought to have been recorded during the 1927 "海軍大演習" ("Kaigun Daienshu" Naval Grand Maneuvers).  

Leave a comment if you have any ideas as to why the hinomaru look white.

Here's more about the type from Wiki.

In 1921, the Japanese Naval Arsenal at Yokosuka started design of a single-engined reconnaissance floatplane to replace the Navy's Yokosuka Ro-go Ko-gata floatplanes. The resulting aircraft, the Type 10 Reconnaissance Seaplane, was designed by a team led by a member of a visiting delegation from Short Brothers of the United Kingdom. It was a single-engined, two-bay, two-seat biplane powered by a 400 hp (298 kW) Lorraine-Dietrich engine. Two were completed in 1923 but showed poor performance due to being overweight. A modified aircraft, the Type 10 Model A flew in 1924, showing only slight improvement, while a further revised prototype, the Model B, flew in 1925 - this curing the aircraft's weight problems while demonstrating better stability and control. As a result, several pre-production Type Bs were built.

Although the Type 10 was not adopted by the Japanese Navy, it was again redesigned, reducing the wingspan from 16.16 m (53 ft 0¼ in) to 13.99 m (45 ft 11 in) and reducing the empty weight from 1,912 kg (4,215 lb) to 1,660 kg (3,659 lb). In this form, the revised design was accepted in January 1926 as the Type 14 Reconnaissance Seaplane, later receiving the short designation E1Y.

Two versions entered service in 1926, a two-seater powered by a 400 hp (300 kW) Lorraine-Dietrich 1 V-12 engine, the Type 14-1 or E1Y1, and a three-seater with all-metal floats and a more powerful Lorraine-Dietrich 2 W engine. In 1928, the Type 14-2 was used as the basis for the Type 90-3 Reconnaissance Seaplane, of which about twenty were built as the Yokosuka E5Y1 and Kawanishi E5K1.

As the Type 90-3 showed little improvement over the Type 14-2 from which it was developed, in 1931, Yokosuka developed the further refined Type 14-3 Reconnaissance aircraft with a new tail, a geared Lorraine-Dietrich 3 engine, and significantly improved performance.

A total of 218 E1Y1 and E1Y2s were built by Yokosuka (23), Nakajima Aircraft Company (47), and Aichi (148). 102 E1Y3s were built by Aichi.

Operational history

The E1Y1 and E1Y2 entered service in 1926, replacing Yokosuka Ro-Go Ko-Gata and Hansa-Brandenburg W.33 seaplanes, with the E1Y3 following them into service from 1931. The E1Ys formed the main reconnaissance seaplane equipment of the fleet, operating from battleships and seaplane tenders. E1Ys were operated from the seaplane tender Notoro during the Shanghai Incident of early 1932. The E1Y remained in use until the early part of the Second Sino-Japanese War.

Many E1Ys were sold as civil aircraft from 1932, usually converted with a cabin for three or four passengers. Some were fitted with Napier Lion engines.

General characteristics

Crew: 3

Length: 10.59 m (34 ft 9 in)

Wingspan: 14.22 m (46 ft 8 in)

Height: 4.15 m (13 ft 7 in)

Wing area: 54.2 m2 (583 sq ft)

Empty weight: 1,889 kg (4,165 lb)

Gross weight: 2,750 kg (6,063 lb)

Powerplant: 1 × Lorraine 2 W-12 water-cooled piston engine, 336 kW (451 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 178 km/h (111 mph, 96 kn)

Cruise speed: 130 km/h (81 mph, 70 kn)

Range: 1,156 km (718 mi, 624 nmi)

Endurance: 9 hours

Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,000 ft)

Time to altitude: 3,000 m (9,800 ft) in 28 minutes 13 seconds

Wing loading: 50.7 kg/m2 (10.4 lb/sq ft)

Power/mass: 0.1226 kW/kg (0.0746 hp/lb)

Armament

Guns: 1× flexibly mounted 7.7 mm machine gun

Bombs: 2× 110 kg (240 lb) or 4× 30 kg (66 lb) bombs