Quote:
Originally Posted by keith A
I have often wondered why a single Tony is mentioned among a group of Zekes, Tojos or Oscars, especially in attacks on the BPF in 1945. Is it not more probable that the "Tony" is in fact a Judy, with a fighter escort.
Likewise are the "Kates" encountered in 1945 more likelt to be "Jills"
regards
Keith
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It's been some years since I was looking into this, so from memory...
Tokkotai aircraft sent against the BPF mostly (if not completely) originated from Formosa, staging up through the Sakishima Islands. Most were JNAF but a few were JAAF (I recall one specific incident in which Sonias were sent against the BPF without success) so a Tony is a possibility. Another aircraft type that may have been misidentified is the C6N Myrt, which was used to guide the tokkotai and report on results (what the BPF called "Gestapo" aircraft). A Myrt from 762 Kokutai was definitely present during the attack on Formidable on 4 May for example.
Kates were most definitely used as kamikazes during the Okinawa operations as well as Judys. Can't remember offhand if any Kates were sent against the BPF though.