Li Kwei-Tan

[Flak Magnet]

I found a source that attributes this Chinese pilot with 12 kills against the Japanese in 1937-1938. I have been unable to verify this score.

This is what I have on him.

1. Shared destruction of a Mitsubishi G3M2 "Nell" twin-engine medium bomber on 8/14/1937.

2. Shooting down a Mitsubishi B2M2 torpedo bomber on 8/15/1937.

3. Shared destruction of a Mitsubishi B2M2 torpedo bomber on 8/15/1937.

4. Shared destruction of a Mitsubishi G3M2 "Nell" twin-engine medium bomber on 8/15/1937.

He was reported Killed In Action on 2/18/1938.


Anybody have anything different?

Thanks,

Billy

[mars]

That was interesting, according to the Chinese records, the highest scored chinese ace in WWII was Liu Chuigang, betwween August and October 1937, he claimed 12 or 13 kills(depended on different source) before he died in a crash in bad wether, the second high scored ace was Liu ZheSheng, he claimed 11 and 1/3 kills and survied the war. Li Kwei-Tan was command officer of the 4th figher group, as far as I know, before he was KIA, he scored between 5 -10 kills

[Flak Magnet]

Confirmation seems to be the issue here.....case in point. On 8/15/37 the Chinese claimed 17 kills of Japanese B2M2 torpedo bombers. Japanese records agree there was combat on this day, however they stipulate that only twelve aircraft were on this raid. Of these four returned, leaving an actual victory count of no greater than eight. Of these eight, six were outright kills, and two crashed on the return flight.
I don't believe the discrepancy to be of any wide scale dishonesty on the part of R.O.C.A.F. pilots but in the heat of battle with many twisting and turning aircraft pilots simply shooting at other aircraft in melee and later seeing that aircraft burning or spinning out of control simply claimed it as their kill, not realizing that another pilot may have provided the fatal volley. This wasn't unique in China.....it was an issue face by every air service.

Billy

[RCheung]

Li, Kwei-tan was officially credited with 3 kills (awarded ROCAF Medal of Stars [3]).

During the August 15th action, the ROCAF records indicated that Li claimed to have shot down the No.2 aircraft of the 3-plane flight on the left of the Japanese formation over the mouth of the Chao-Er River and seeing two of the crew bailing out. This was the No.2 Shotai led by Lt. Tanaka. Tanaka's aircraft was the only one from the No.1 Chutai to survive this action. The observer on this aircraft, PO1c Mitsui, reported seeing the No.2 aircraft (tail code R374 of PO3c Takahashi) crashing into Hangchow Bay near the mouth of the Chao-Er River.

While the accounts on both sides match on the fate of this particular aircraft, it is unclear whether Li was the only one to shoot at it. Others, including Lt. Yue, Yi-Chin, flight leader from the 22nd Pursuit Squadron may also have shot at this aircraft and claimed it as one of his four kills.

The second claim for Li was shared with Lt. Cheng, Shao-yu, another 22nd PS flight leader. This particular aircraft had turned back and was headed away from Schien Chiao Airfield with Cheng in hot pursuit. Li joined the pursuit and helped shoot it down near the same spot of his first claim; mouth of the Chao-Er River.

Because the action in low clouds is so confused, it is very difficult to ascertain the identity of this aircraft. We know that Li's wingman, Lt. Wang, Wen-hua went after a flight of two B2M2 and claimed to have shot one down in flames near the southern perimeter of the Schien Chiao Airfield. The wreckage of the JNAF deputy commander Lt. Yasu was found near this location. Yasu was the lead aircraft of the No.3 shotai which had only two B2M2. The remaining B2M2 from this shotai may have been the one attacked by Cheng and Li. However, this is only speculation based on a process of elimination.

Other ROCAF pilots from the 21st PS, may have have attacked and accounted for the three B2M2 of the No.1 Shotai. Lt Yuan, Chin-han (aircraft 2108) may have downed the lead plane flown by Lt Cdr Iwai south east of Schien Chiao. Lt. Tan, Wen (aircraft 2104) of the 21st PS claimed to have downed another B2M2 from the No.1 shotai after chasing it back towards Chiao Si. Lt. Liu, Chi-sheng (aircraft 2102) reported seeing a lone B2M2 flying away from Schien Chiao and gave chase. He also claimed to have shot down his quarry near Chiao Si.

Assuming that Liu's claim was also from No.1 shotai, that would leave the one Cheng and Li shared as the remaining aircraft from No.2 shotai ... Of course, it could have just as easily been the other way around ... Based on the available information, it is impossible to say for certain.