|
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
|