Japanese floatplane fighters in Aru Islands
 

Does anyone have any information regarding the Japanese floatplane fighter units that operated around the Aru Islands northwest of Australia? Are there any publications about these units and if so what are their titles? I am researching to complete a history of RAAF Hudson bomber A16-211 "The Tojo Busters". All help greatly appreciated.

Re: Japanese floatplane fighters in Aru Islands
 

Hi Mustang51

I have some information regarding the floatplane fighter unit, 902 Hikotai, attached to 934 Kokutai, flying the A6M2N Rufe, based at Aru in 1943. I am not a specialist re Japanese units but will help if I can. Over to you!

Cheers
Brian

Re: Japanese floatplane fighters in Aru Islands
 

Brian,

Thanks for your reply.

Any help with this would be appreciated. As mentioned I am seeking these details to complete a history of A16-211. With four other Hudsons it attacked bases in the Aru Islands and during one operation it received damage and one Hudson was shot down. I have been unable to find out anything on the units that operated in this area, their aircraft, any "aces" and the eventual fate of the unit and its aircraft.

Look forward to hearing from you again

Cheers

Pete

Re: Japanese floatplane fighters in Aru Islands
 

Hi Pete

What date are we talking about?

Cheers
Brian

Re: Japanese floatplane fighters in Aru Islands
 

The incident occurred on 8th May 1943. The aircraft was one of five patrolling, amongst other places, the Aru Islands.

Re: Japanese floatplane fighters in Aru Islands
 

Hi Pete

I have the date as 7 May 1943 but obviously the same action. NAP 3/c Mamoru Irio and NAP 1/c Takaomi Ohyama flying A6M2Ns of the Float Fighter Buntai attached to 934th Kokutai claimed two Hudsons over Meikol, Kei. No losses suffered by the A6M2Ns.

Hope this helps

Cheers
Brian

Re: Japanese floatplane fighters in Aru Islands
 

Brian, Thanks for that. I rechecked the history card and it was on 7th May. A16-171 piloted by Warrant Officer Jackman was shot down. Interestingly A16-199 piloted by Pilot Officer Cameron was on that same mission and that aircraft is now preserved as part of the RAF Museum at Hendon.Can you give me any further details regarding that unit and the two pilots in question? Do you have information on the serials of the aircraft that they were flying? I am not a student of the Japanese forces and am unfamiliar with the ranks etc. Do you have any detailed information on the history of the unit. You may wish to go to the Temora Aviation Museum site at www.aviationmuseum.com.au to see the Hudson as it is painted now. We have not completed a full air-to-air photo shoot as yet but you will get the idea of its new scheme as A16-211.

Will be away for the next two weeks but look forward to hearing more about the pilots, their aircraft and the unit's history.

Pete

Re: Japanese floatplane fighters in Aru Islands
 

Hi Pete

I will see what I can find for you - don't forget I am also not a student of Japanese forces. There must be someone out there who is and who can put some flesh on the bones! Japanese Navy rank NAP 1/c is Naval Air Pilot 1st Class, and so forth (although I believe it also appears as POA 1/c - Petty Officer Air 1st Class - I don't really know). Buntai means pair. I don't know the fate of the two Japanese pilots in question.

The floatplane pilots had been transferred from 934 Kokutai which had been at Ambon but was currently at Surabaya. Later the unit received JN1 Gekko night fighters (known as Irving to the Allies), which were also used for day patrols. Towards the end of the the war 902 was operating from Bali, and involved in shipping protection duites.

That's about all I can find, Pete, hope it helps. Over to the Japanese experts!

Cheers
Brian

Re: Japanese floatplane fighters in Aru Islands
 

Brian,

ASgain my thanks. Just returned from the Warbirds airshow in Wanaka NZ. Will try to post something in more detail early next week but you have given me a great deal to go on with.

Thanks

Pete

Re: Japanese floatplane fighters in Aru Islands
 

Hi Pete

It's a pity no one else has responded!

Good luck

Brian

Re: Japanese floatplane fighters in Aru Islands
 

Brian,

Thanks anyway. I have a heap more information now than I did before I entered this site. Maybe someone in Future will be able to add more. Thanks again

Pete

Re: Japanese floatplane fighters in Aru Islands
 

Aloha All,
When it comes time to write the Japanese airmen's ranks...please check the Japanese rank title...and the British or US equivalents. Here is some help:
http://www.pearlharborattacked.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard312a/ikonboard.cgi?;act=ST;f=11;t=288

NAP or Naval Aviation Pilot is NOT the Japanese rank...and NAP has been applied by misled translators to gunners, radiomen, bombardiers, and more...and they are not "pilots".

Oh, yes, here are some sources which may help your appetite on IJN topics:

To gain some insight into Japanese aviation check into Japan's TOP WWII aviation URL and their BBS is English friendly, too: http://www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~cocoro/index2.htm basic index

http://www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~cocoro/sub202.htm aircraft illustrations in color (look carefully at the D3A1 tiny markings!)

http://www.plays.jp/bbs/zero22/index.html message board (English friendly)

check out the Zero data at:

http://www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~cocoro/index2.htm

Note all the A6M2 varients at: http://www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~cocoro/sub47.htm

Note the markings at: http://www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~cocoro/sub202.htm

http://www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~cocoro/sub108.htm

http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~ku3n-kym/heiki6/eisen/eisen.html

http://rwebs.net/avhistory/history/Zeke32.htm#Cockpit

http://www10.ocn.ne.jp/~a6m232/index.html

http://www.zero-fighter.com/bilingual/index.htm

http://www.hubuki.jp/museum/kawaguti2004/a6m2004.html

http://www.biwa.ne.jp/~yamato/zeke.htm

http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~la3k-kmt/

http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~la3k-kmt/kanoya/kanoya.html


Now for my own interest...on Japanese aviation [in English] check out:
http://www.pearlharborattacked.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard4/ikonboard.cgi?s=42226a89b0b6ffff;act=SF;f=11 BE SURE to click on the underlined items to view supportive photos and illustrations.

Japanese PEARL HARBOR aircraft markings:
http://groups.msn.com/japanesemodelaircraft/replicajan1990.msnwhttp://groups.msn.com/japanesemodelaircraft/pearlharboraircraft.msnw

COLOR CHIP INFO:
http://www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~cocoro/subw117-2.htm
COLOR CHIPS and FS595 equivilants

http://groups.msn.com/japanesemodelaircraft/colorsamples.msnw COLOR CHIPS and relics of Japanese aircraft

MITSUO FUCHIDA's B5N AI-301:
http://www.pearlharborattacked.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard4/ikonboard.cgi?s=42310c263c72ffff;act=ST;f=11;t=310

Command stripe data:
http://groups.msn.com/japanesemodelaircraft/replicajan1990.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=46

under wing numbers:
http://groups.msn.com/japanesemodelaircraft/replicajan1990.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=60

Zero and Kate cowling stencil:
http://www.pearlharborattacked.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard4/ikonboard.cgi?s=42310c263c72ffff;act=ST;f=11;t=308

red tail patterns:
http://groups.msn.com/japanesemodelaircraft/replicajan1990.msnw?Page=4

lower fuselage color:
http://www.pearlharborattacked.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard4/ikonboard.cgi?s=42310c263c72ffff;act=ST;f=11;t=342

The new 1/32 Tamiya Zero is to be shown at the four day 45th Shizuoka Hobby Show 2006 opening May 18. See Tamiya's released information:


MITSUBISHI A6M2b ZERO FIGHTER MODEL 21 (ZEKE) 1/32 Scale
source URL:
http://tamiya.com/japan/news/news0606/news2.htm#60317

It is about 80 dollars in Japan.
It is a sale on June 24.

Hairyokushoku Gray-Green color (IJN)
Source URL:
http://tamiya.com/japan/news/news0606/news2.htm#86529

It is about 5 dollars in Japan.
It is a sale on June 24.

Hope that these URLs guide you to a deeper study.
Cheers,
David Aiken, a Director: Pearl Harbor History Associates, Inc http://www.pearlharbor-history.org/ [largest WWII URL on the blue marble]

Re: Japanese floatplane fighters in Aru Islands
 

OK Guys... back again.......... were the Mitsubushi Pete and Aichji Jake floatplanes based at Taberfane attached to the 934th Kokutai or to other units? Looked up a quick reference to the Pete and the 934th did not show up. Am waiting for snail mail to deliver my reference books on the Naval Units but thought I would ask now so I can do some work on the weekend on my research project.

Cheers

Pete

Re: Japanese floatplane fighters in Aru Islands
 

David,

I thank you profusely for your assistance. I have spent so much time researching specific allied aircraft that the "Big Picture" of the Japanese aircraft in the NW area from Australia has eluded me completely. I am now in for a crash course on their operations/bases etc that can dovetail into my current projects.

Favourite Japanese fighter............ KI-61 without doubt

Cheers

Pete

Re: Japanese floatplane fighters in Aru Islands
 

OK Guys, something has gone wrong in the order of question and answer on the thread so I shall submit this again.In the absence of my recently ordered reference text from the USA, can anyone advise me if F1M Petes and E13A1 Jakes at Taberfane were attached to the 934 Kokutai or were they separate units (If so which ones?). A look through data on the F1M did not reveal 934th as a unit assigned the Pete.

Re: Japanese floatplane fighters in Aru Islands
 

Although not a student of the JNAF, I too have an interest in that topic. Regarding A6M2-Ns operating from Aru, you might want to look at a booklet published by Kagero (if you haven't already) entitled "A6M2-N Rufe" ( ISBN 83-89088-42-8 ). It provides a good summary of the development and use of Rufes in the Pacific, including an account of the 934 Kokutai at Taberfane in the Aru Islands flying against RAAF Hudsons and Beaufighters (there's even a photo of a Rufe off a beach near the shore there).

Re: Japanese floatplane fighters in Aru Islands
 

Thanks for the info on the book. I have managed to obtain a copy and it is on its way to me now. Funny how two simple questions result in a change in ideas regarding a topic. Does anyone out there have a photocopy of the article in Air Enthusiast that I may be able to obtain?

Thanks again

Pete

Re: Japanese floatplane fighters in Aru Islands
 

The islands in the Arafura Sea were definitely the area of responsibility of Air Group 934 with headquarters in Ambon. The other escort units in the Japanese Southwestern Area (932, 936, and 954) had different areas of responsibility and it seems very doubtful they would have operated at the extreme eastern end of 934's area.

As originally formed in 1942 the unit that became Air Group 934 had only one unit of Type Zero Recce seaplanes (Allied name JAKE) in its T/O. By the end of 1942 it had reorganized. It began receiving Type 2 seaplane fighters (RUFE) at least by early 1943. It was assigned 10 from new production in Feb and Mar 1943. Its T/O as of 1 Oct 43 (and probably for much of 1943) was: 12 seaplane fighters, 16 3-seat recce planes, 8 2-seat observation seaplanes (PETE).

Rick

Re: Japanese floatplane fighters in Aru Islands
 

Rick,

Thanks for the additional information. I have not as yet received the books that I have ordered on this subject and it is difficult to find out more than a few sporadic references to the operations in this area. I have seen some references in the "Air War Against Japan 1943 - 1945": by Odgers but the level of detail is just not there.

I have seen references to the Maru Class seaplane carriers Sanyo Maru and Sanuki Maru being in the area of Ambon and have also seen an old magazine with a photo of a Pete with the letter/number combination P3 on the fin. The caption said that the photo was taken at a base to the north of Australia..... thats a pretty big area to be operating in....

I really do need to get more reference texts on Japanese Navy and Army Units and their dispositions.

Again, thanks for the help with this

Pete

Re: Japanese floatplane fighters in Aru Islands
 

Pete

Don't know about P3 (and question it) but as from 1 Dec42 the tail code of 934 was P6 (changed to 34 in Sep 43). The other SW escort units were P4 (936), P5 (932), and P7 (954). CO of 934 in early 43 was Cdr. Kenji Kimura.

Good luck with your search,

Rick

Re: Japanese floatplane fighters in Aru Islands
 

Rick,

Just completed some more work on the seaplane carriers on the net.

Part of the site dealing with the SANUKI MARU quotes its aircraft in November 1942 as having the tail code P3-xx. The SANUKI MARU departed from Yokosuka on 5th November bound for the Solomon Islands. The "North of Australia" is a very broad sweep for the Solomons but it does fit the bill.

If Brian is still out there in the ether can you advise me where you obtained the names of the two Rufe pilots involved in the engagement with the RAAF Hudson A16-211?

Thanks guys

Pete

Re: Japanese floatplane fighters in Aru Islands
 

G'day Pete,

I know its been over a year since this thread went anywhere - I have a personal interest in A16-171 and A16-211 'Tojo Busters'. One of my relatives was involved in this action. I have done some personal research, but from an RAAF perspective, I believe that one of the best accounts is 'Highest Traditions - The history of No 2 Sqadron RAAF' by John Bennett and from the Beaufighter side of the house, 'Coomalie Charlie's Commandos' by Kenneth Neal McDonald, DFC.

I believe that NAP Hidenori Matsunaga was a member of 934 Ku at Taberfane in 1943 - he was the most successful Japanese Navy Floatplane Ace of the war. I hadn't heard of the other two 934 Ku pilots - very interesting however.

Regards, Stu

Re: Japanese floatplane fighters in Aru Islands
 

hey guys.... you could also try whispering death and beaufighters in the pacific from the beaufighter side of things.... details all the action in that area agianst rufes and petes also has some great pics of them caught in the water!