Ki-45 Units and losses, 16 december 1943, Lautem, Timor

[Mustang51]

On 16 December 1943 six RAAF Beaufighters attacked the Genmei Maru in Lautem roadstead. Sqn Ldr Gordon attacked and shot down a "chocolate and bright green" Ki-45 and made another head on attack on a second Ki-45 witnessing "pieces fly off the wings". These aircraft were described as "coming from Fuiloro (?). Does anyone have any info regarding the unit/s that opersated the KI-45s involved in this action, their base/s and if the second Ki-45 attacked by Gordon crashed or survived......... wish I could find more books on this area of operations from the Japanese side.

[Nicholas]

5th Sentai from Malang, Java with small detachments scattered widely from Timor to Western New Guinea.

[Artist]

If you don't already have it buy 'Japanes Army Air Force Units and their Aces 1931-1945 '' Well worth the expense. (around $50.)The book has JAAF lose listings but Dec 16 1943 comes up with no loses. Not to say thier was none. Bob

[Mustang51]

Bob,

I have been trying to locate a copy of "Japanese Army Fighter Units and their Aces 1931 -1945" as well as "Japanese Naval Aces and Fighter Units of WWII" both by Hata and Izawa but without any success. I was given the title of another opublicvation "Japanese Air Forces in WWII" by Arms and Armour Press together with its ISBN no but despite a search with servral sources (including the Australian War Memorial's extensive library) these do not appear anywhere including ABE books search engine....... maybe I am just douinging something wrong.

Ref the Ki-45 losses..... perhaps they are detailed as having occurred on the 17th rather than 16th as they were written on the following day?
Still searching for this data for another specific RAAF/JAAF project..... as well as the data on the JNAF floatplanes and the RAAF Hudson on another thread.

Thanks

Pete

[Mustang51]

Bob,

Perhaps the entries were made on 17th and not 16th and are listed under that day? I have tried to obtain copies of the JNAF and JAAF publications by Hata and Izawa but wiithout luck. These and "Japanese Air Forces in WWII" do not come up after extensive searches (including ABE Books and the Australian War Memorial Library) and I have had a number of people tell me that these are the best available publications. So far I am out of luck trying to get them

Thanks

Pete

[Mustang51]

Guys,

The double reply is what happens when the screen says that the server ailed to respond.... I love computers.....

[Artist]

Hi Pete, Go to aeroplanebooks.com they are showing 4 in stock.(54.95 + shipping) At first glance the book looks a little dissapionting because of its size. But when you open it you will see it is money well spent.Full of info and photos. Bob