Saburo Sakai

[Juha]

Japanese suffered great losses during the long transfer flights. According to the interrogations of Admiral Kusaka, Admiral Irifune, Commander Hori and Lt Commander Watabe, appr. 40 % of the planes meant to Rabaul were lost during transfer, mostly because bad weather and poor pilot training. If long over-sea flights were so difficult to JNAF pilots sure they were a great challenge to JAAF pilots flying to e.g. New Guinea.

Juha

[Luftwaffle8]

Originally Posted by Juha

Japanese suffered great losses during the long transfer flights. According to the interrogations of Admiral Kusaka, Admiral Irifune, Commander Hori and Lt Commander Watabe, appr. 40 % of the planes meant to Rabaul were lost during transfer, mostly because bad weather and poor pilot training. If long over-sea flights were so difficult to JNAF pilots sure they were a great challenge to JAAF pilots flying to e.g. New Guinea.

Juha

You are absolutely correct! Also, pilots were lost on ill-planned missions. There were also losses due to tropical illnesses, mostly malaria. You have to be in tip top shape to fly and fight.

[knusel]

Good evening,

can anybody tell me where I can acquire that article about Nishizawa?:

• Bobek, Jan - Vějíř a meč, in Revi, No. 08, 1995.

It is cited on this website:
http://www.aces.safarikovi.org/victories/japan-ww2.html

Cheers,

Michael

[knusel]

Good morning Gentlemen,

this website features a Nishizawa citation that reveals his official final total of 36+29sh.
http://ww2awartobewon.com/featured-a...ruth-revealed/
Is there any chance to get a list of these claims ?

Kind regards,

Michael

[Jan Bobek]

A question to FocusFocus, JYoung and others working with primary sources.
Have you been able to verify from Yokosuka Ko. Kodochosho or other primary documents Sakai´s missions and claims during June 1944?


I have not found in Yokosuka Ko. Kodochosho records of their fighter squadron.


Thanks for feedback

[Jan Bobek]

Originally Posted by knusel

Good evening,

can anybody tell me where I can acquire that article about Nishizawa?:

• Bobek, Jan - Vějíř a meč, in Revi, No. 08, 1995.

It is cited on this website:
http://www.aces.safarikovi.org/victories/japan-ww2.html

Cheers,

Michael

Hi Knusel, if you have not been able to get REVI Nr. 8 in the meantime, try to contact REVI magazine directly via redakce AT revi.cz. That issues is sold out, but they might be able to help you.


MFG

[knusel]

Good evening Mr Bobek,

thanks for the hint.
I have written an inquiry to that journal.

Best greetings from Brandenburg, Germany,

Michael

[JYoung]

Hi Jan! Sorry for my delayed response. There is a following document.
Japan Center for Asian Historical Records (https://www.jacar.archives.go.jp/aj/meta/default-en )
reference code C13120487500
“Sentô Shôhô (Detailed Combat Report)” Yokosuka Kaigun Kôkûtai Iwo Tô Haken Tai Sentôki Tai (Fighter Sq., Iwo Jima Detachment Unit, Yokosuka Naval Air Group), from 24 June 1944 to 3 July 1944.

The report says Warrant Officer Sabro SAKAI got in an interception mission of US Naval aircraft on 24 June in the morning, and an escort mission for torpedo bombers on the same day in the afternoon. The report says victories of the Sq. (17 F6Fs including 6 probable in the morning, 1 F6F in the afternoon) but not individual ones.

Best regards
JY

[Jan Bobek]

Thanks a lot JYoung!

This is really helpful.
I did not get to this part (dated late July) yet. The Sentó Shóhó Yokosuka Kókútai entries that exist especially for June 24 seems to be done again for two-seater operations.
From your message I understand that relevant documents of Kódóchóshó for fighter unit of Yokosuka Kókútai simply do not exist.
Correct?

Best wishes

[knusel]

Originally Posted by Jan Bobek

Hi Knusel, if you have not been able to get REVI Nr. 8 in the meantime, try to contact REVI magazine directly via redakce AT revi.cz. That issues is sold out, but they might be able to help you.


MFG

Good evening dear Jan Bobek,

currently, I'm working through your brilliant Heinz Bär biography.
I like your vivid description of his character and his tribulations very much.

Still I received no answer from REVI regarding your Nishizawa article.
Can you tell me how many of Nishizawa's kills were scored in the A5M ?

Have a nice weekend,

Michael