Lt Hayashi Yoshishige.
(Photo from here)
Since the 1990s, when I first came across an issue of Model Art devoted to the N1K “Rex” and “George” fighters, one detail has remained firmly in my memory: the distinctive markings of the personal aircraft of one of the commanding officers of the Kōkūtai 343 (II), along with his name- Lt. Yoshishige Hayashi.
This officer was killed in April 1945 during an emergency landing on the seashore. Today, news has been published of the recovery of the wreckage of his aircraft. For me, this represents one of the most symbolic moments in my long-standing interest in Japanese military aviation.
Details of Hayashi’s career are not widely known even in Japan, and I would therefore like to share this information with you.
"Shiden-kai" Model 21 from the 301st Fighter Hikotai of the 343rd Kokutai (II) stationed at the snow-laden Matsuyama Air Base in Ehime Prefecture in February 1945.
The aircraft in the foreground is No. “343-A 17” with the "17" repeat in yellow inside the fuselage hinomaru. The 343rd Kokutai was the sole combat unit that was consistently equipped with and operated the "Shiden-kai".
Hayashi Yoshishige (林喜重; the given name is also sometimes read Kijū) was born in Kanagawa Prefecture and attended Shōnan Middle School (湘南中). In March 1941 he graduated from the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy, Class 69 (ranked 90th of 342).
On 25 March 1941, Hayashi was appointed Midshipman. On 1 November 1941, he was commissioned as Ensign and entered Flight Training Course, Class 37. Promoted to Lieutenant (junior grade) on 1 November 1942, he was assigned to the Kōkūtai 251 in the Rabaul–Solomon Islands area. From September 1943, he continued his service in the same theater as a Buntaichō with the Kōkūtai 253.
Hayashi was promoted to Lieutenant on 15 March 1944 and assigned to the Kōkūtai 361 as commander of Fighter Hikōtai 407. Both units were newly formed at Kagoshima. Although originally scheduled to be equipped with Shiden interceptors, the unit instead received Zero fighters. Due to shortages of aircraft, pilots, and officers, the Kōkūtai 361 was disbanded after four months without seeing combat.
On 10 July 1944, Hayashi transferred with Fighter Hikōtai 407 to the Kōkūtai 221, his Hikōtai intended to operate 48 fighter aircraft. After training at Kagoshima, it was deployed to Angeles, Luzon. In December 1944, Fighter Hikōtai 407 returned to Japan and, together with its commander Lt. Hayashi, was reassigned to the Kōkūtai 343 (II) and re-equipped with Shiden-kai fighters.
The Kōkūtai 343 (II) was tasked with patrol, interception, and escort missions for Special Attack units. In addition, it engaged B-29 bombers. Hayashi reportedly had a heated discussion with the commander of another Hikōtai within the Kōkūtai 343 (II), the well-known fighter ace Lt. Naoshi Kanno, regarding the proper method of attacking high-altitude B-29s.
On 21 April 1945, after intercepting a B-29, Hayashi was killed during a forced landing at Orikuchi Beach, Akune City, Kagoshima Prefecture. He was posthumously promoted to Lieutenant Commander. He is credited with five aerial victories, including one achieved in a Shiden-kai fighter.
- Jan Bobek -
No comments:
Post a Comment