Here in Arawasi headquarters, we are always looking forward to new publications dedicated to the history of the Japanese aviation, and we feel a sense of excitement whenever new works are published.
As you may be aware, Dai Nippon Kaiga is a Japanese publishing company that has produced a collection of books of decent to high quality. Their finest work to date focuses on the "244 Sentai" and a new one came out this month. Regrettably, it's not good and a huge disapointment to us.
It's an excessively large publication focused on one of the lesser-known units of the IJAAF, the 7th Sentai.
The unit was organized on August 31, 1938, in Hamamatsu, changing its name from 7 Rentai to 7 Sentai. At that time, the unit was equipped with Mitsubishi Ki-1 bombers. In the summer of 1939, it changed to "Sallys" and relocated to Gonzhuling, Jilin Province, in Manchuria in July 1941. The unit spent time there training, and in the summer of 1942, it changed to "Donryu" and was assigned to Java Island, then to New Guinea. Following a disastrous period there, the unit returned to Hamamatsu and changed to "Hiryu" in the spring of 1944, taking part in the Battle for Okinawa.
The book opens with a lengthy first chapter of 23 pages detailing the history and evolution of the "jubakutai" (heavy bomber units) within the IJAAF and the establishment of the unit. Just two pages focus on the time when the 7 Sentai used Mitsubishi Ki-21 "Sally" bombers; it was primarily a rear guard training unit and includes the sole new and intriguing photo in the book, showcasing the, supposedly, early unit marking of Fuji-san. Regrettably, the unit never formally embraced the marking. Only a few photos depict "Sally" bombers from the unit, with the majority of the planes lacking a tail insignia. The Fuji-san marking appears on just one bomber in the flight formation, suggesting that it was utilized by either a single chutai or more possibly by the lead aircraft piloted by a skilled instructor in each shotai or chutai. Regardless, it was not a marking displayed on every aircraft in the unit, and the book's author somewhat references it in the illustrations.
The second chapter, approximately 50 pages long, focuses on the "Donryu" era of the unit and its experiences on the Papua/New Guinea front. Although the text is mostly correct, the author mistakenly identifies the unit tail marking from that time; thus, in my opinion, all the photos featuring that marking and the artwork are historically incorrect. In my 2023 work, "Nakajima Ki-49 'Helen' Units", published by Osprey, I disclosed and clarified the tail markings employed by the 7 Sentai during that period and described what the 61 Sentai's "Helen" bombers displayed on their tails. Regrettably, the DNK author missed the update and opted to repeat the inaccurate information first presented in Model Art #533.
The third chapter, also 50 pages, is about the "Hiryu" equipped 7 Sentai with some fairly interesting photos, most of which have been published before.
The final chapter of 100(!!!) pages features no photos and elaborates on the combat missions of the torpedo-equipped "Hiryu" bombers from the unit, supplemented solely by maps depicting the paths to their target and return. For us aviation historians, it is the only genuinely interesting section of the book, but certainly not for typical readers or modelers.
Considering the book is ALL IN JAPANESE without any English whatsoever, I fail to see how this section will attract the attention of non-Japanese readers.
The book comprises 272 pages, weighs nearly 1 kg, and is listed at over 6000 Yen (!!!), exceeding $US 45, establishing it as the priciest DNK release to date. Include $20 for shipping, and bid farewell to 70 smackeroos. Worth it? Absolutely not! If the book focused only on the "Hiryu" and was effectively reduced to half the pages at half the cost, I would say, "why not?!" FAOW #98 on the "Hiryu" is a superior choice, showcasing the same aircraft photos (plus additional ones from other units) for just $US 9! Unfortunately, the DNK release is, I regret to say, a total disaster. It feels more like a self-indulgent effort than a project with readers and sales in mind. Pity. And since we like to keep it real here at Arawasi, we don't simply support and sell every publication that comes out...
NOT RECOMMENDED!
Title: "Imperial Japanese Army 7th Flying Regiment, called "NANA-sentai" (what a ridiculous title. "NANA" is supposed to be the number seven in Japanese and, at first glance, the cover ends up looking like a book dedicated to Nana Mouskouri).
Author: Yoshino Yashutaka
Size: 21X25cm
Pages: 272
Photos: Yes (don't care to count them. The well known color "Hiryu" photos from the Ethell Collection are not included! Why?)
Artwork: Yes, but I'm afraid I can't see the point in including 35(!) full side views of "Hiryus" with exactly the same camo and overall finish, and only the tail number changing.
The book is NOT available from Arawasi because we are not comfortable selling inaccurate garbage. Masochistically purchase at your own risk.