Saburo Sakai

[Boomerang]

Not my area at all, but what about losses from operational causes in Japan's war against China, which ran from 1937 until 1945? An enormous area of operations and years and years of combat.

AFAIK opposition in the air and from ground defences was slight (other than 14th Air Force?), but surely attrition from all the usual operational causes?

Perhaps some of the 'missing' aircraft can be accounted for via Chinese theatre?

[Stig1207]

Without a breakdown of the losses by cause, something which is probably unlikely to happen, it's only going to be speculation. There were many ways to lose aircraft, even without interference from the enemy.

[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

[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