Japanese "schräge Musik"

[CJE]

Did Japanese copy the German "schräge Musik" gun installation through materiel and intelligence exchange or, facing the same problem of shooting down high-flying heavy bombers, did they come to the same conclusion on their own?

Another question: when did Japanese start to implement this device in their aircraft?

Chris

[Pilot]

Interesting that they have used this even in A6M

[Leo Etgen]

Hi guys

What little information I have been able to find would suggest that the Japanese developed this on their own. According to Imperial Japanese Navy Aces, 1937-45 by Henry Sakaida, in the spring of 1943, Commander Yasuna Kozono, the Commanding Officer of the 251st Kokutai based at Rabaul suggested that the J1N1-C would make an effective night fighter against the USAAF B-17 four-engined bombers based at Port Moresby that were constantly raiding Japanese installations in the East Indies. Despite considerable opposition from Naval Headquarters to the idea, the plan went ahead as ground crews removed all the equipment from the observer's cockpit and faired over most of the transparency that covered his position. In place of the observer they mounted two fixed 20-mm cannon firing obliquely upward at an angle of 30 degrees above the forward direction. Two similar cannon were installed in the ventral fuselage behind the wing firing 30 degrees downward. The observer was no longer needed since his position was now occupied with guns so the crew was reduced to two. The modified aircraft was designated J1N1-C KAI and arrived at Rabual on 10 May 1943. Pilot PO1/c Shigetoshi Kudo (8 confirmed and 2 probable victories) and observer Lt(jg) Akira Sugawara claimed its initial victories over two B-17 four-engined bombers on 21 May 1943. The bombers were B-17E (41-9244) flown by Major Paul Williams, claimed at 3:20, and B-17E (41-9011) flown by Captain Joseph Geddes, claimed at 4:28, both of the 46th BS, 43rd BG, USAAF. I hope this information is useful.

Horrido!

Leo

[rldunn]

The Japanese developed oblique weapons independently. One of the objections Kozono had to face was the assertion that if his idea was so good the Germans would have already thought of it.

Air Group 251 left Rabaul in Nov 42 at a time when American night bombing was inflicting damage and Japanese defenses were ineffective. Kozono was then executive officer of 251 but soon took over as commanding officer. While in Japan Dec 42 to early May 43 Kozono worked out the concept and did experimental work. Air group 251 returned to Rabaul in May 43 with one aircraft equipped with oblique weapons. After initial success additional aircraft were equipped.

Air Group 251 scored a number of night successes against B-17s and B-24s over Rabaul May-July 43. This resulted in a halt to night bombing of rabaul for several months. In July some night fighters deployed to Ballale in the Solomons where they scored some night air kills and also harrassed PT boats and other shipping.

Rick Dunn

[CJE]

Thanks to all.
It was helpful.
Is there any book on this topic?

Chris

[Pilot]

Al sources I know are in Japanese language, not much translated.

[Tony Kambic]

NASM has the J1N on display at the Udvar-Hazy Center with the upward aimed cannons.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakajima_J1N

http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/a...d=A19600338000

[rldunn]

Mikesh and Tagaya, Moonlight Interceptor, Smithsonian Inst. Press (1985), ISBN 0-87474-689-2

This book is excellent on the development of the J1N1, the reconstruction of the Smithsonian's aircraft (on display at Udvar-Hazy), and early operations at Rabaul. It is weak on subsequent operations.

Rick Dunn

[CJE]

Thanks Rick.