Japanese aircraft at Kuching 1945

[johnboy]

On the 8th of August 1945, four RAAF Kittyhawks from 82 Squadron (based at Labuan) destroyed 3 Japanese Tojo aircraft as they were about to take-off from Kuching airfield. I would like to know the identity of the Japanese unit. Thanks

[BruceMk11]

Hi,

If the identification of the a/c was correct, then they may have been of the 87th Sentai, which was based at Singapore by 8/45. The Japanese were
attempting-often successfully-to maintain serviceable airfields in forward areas, such as Kuching, and staging their a/c at such airfields for small attacks, usually by night.

The fighters strafed at Kuching 8/8/45 may also have been Ki-43 'Oscars'.

Hope this helps.

Bruce

[johnboy]

Thanks Bruce. Most appreciated. I'm doing the research for one of the RAAF pilots that flew the Kittyhawks to Kuching.