Japanese aircrew bailouts, prisoners?

[Larry deZeng]

Policy was to NOT be captured! Capture bring great dishonor on self, unit, Imperial forces and most especially on ancestors. Some had a parachute, some did not. That was usually determined within the unit. If shot down or ditched in sea, try to save self. Maybe picked up by friendly vessel or rescue floatplane. If rescue ship or plane turns out to be enemy, kill self to prevent capture. Many, many, many cases of this can be found in the CINCPAC/CINCPOA Bulletins and other documents and narratives. Very difficult to capture Japanese air crew people alive. Most of those taken prisoner were severely wounded and taken before they could kill themselves. This why JN 25 was so valuable to Allies in Pacific. There were so few prisoners for interrogation.