Yasuhiko Kuroe - Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum

mhuxt · #1 25th August 2006, 14:37

Hi:

I see posted elsewhere that Kuroe was the first Japanese pilot to shoot down a Mosquito. Anyone have details such as date, Kuroe's aircraft?

TIA

Skyraider3D · #2 25th August 2006, 16:31

Yes I have. Will post it here tonight as I don't have the books handy... Please remind me if I forget, memory of a goldfish and all...

Skyraider3D · #3 26th August 2006, 00:33

According to Henry Sakaida's "Japanese Army Air Force Aces 1937-1945" (Osprey 1997) Capt Yasuhiko Kuroe shot down the first Mosquito on 2 November 1943. His victim was PR.Mk.IX DZ697 of No 684 Sqn, which was being flown on a photo-recce mission to Rangoon by Flying Officers Fielding and Turton.

There is no mention of Kuroe's mount, but at the time he was flying as Hikotai leader of the 64th Sentai, which was equipped with Nakajima Ki-43-II Hayabusas ('Oscars'), based at Mingaladon. Info from "Japanese Army Air Force Units and their Aces" by Hata, Izawa and Shores.

Additionally, on 10 December Kuroe pursued another Mosquito (an FB.Mk.II of the same unit) for 40 minutes out over sea and damaged its left engine. Despite his Oscar's guns jamming he bluffed the Mosquito crew into turning back to land. They flew back to Kuroe's base in formation, when Kuroe instructed the Mosquito to land. Unfortunately, the Mosquito hit a tree and crashed fatally (Sgts Boot and Wilkins KIA).

I hope this answered your question?

mhuxt · #4 26th August 2006, 14:11

Hi Skyraider:

Many thanks for that. The dates appear to tie up with what I had at this end. One note - DZ697 was also an F.II, though PR.IXs were also on 684 Sqn at the time.

I was also wondering whether the "Oscars" noted in my sources was an accurate designation - apparently so, thanks again.

Cheers,

Mark

Skyraider3D · #5 26th August 2006, 15:33

Hmm odd... This site mentions it was an NF.II even, plus has a different date (slow administration?) and different squadron number:
http://www.dehavilland.ukf.net/_DH98%20prodn%20list.txt
This site also suggests it could have been an NF.II:
http://www.mossie.org/squadrons/27_squadron.htm

If you ever happen to find a picture of this machine, please let me know.

mhuxt · #6 27th August 2006, 01:15

Hi again Skyraider:

Apparently 681 Squadron was for some reason disbanded, then re-formed a few days later as 684 Squadron. So your 684 Sqn information would appear to be correct, however the Commonwealth War Graves Commission lists both Fielding and Turton as being on 681 Squadron. Will check the dates, though IIRC the number change happened before 2 November.

The PR.IXs were all in the LR and MM series.

I keep my eye peeled for a pic, but I wouldn't be too hopeful ...

Cheers,

Mark

Nicholas · #7 7th September 2006, 23:20

681 converted to Spitfires in Sep '43.

684 was formed on 29 Sep 43 from the twin-engine elements of 681 and equipped with Mitchells and various marks of Mosquito, including FII, FBVI & PRIX to begin with. At the time of the shootdown they were based at Dum Dum. DZ697 'J' was on a photo-recce of the Rangoon area when reported missing. It was a Mk II (FII). The crew were probably officially detached to 684 and still on 681 strength at the time of their loss.

More details about the equipment, fortunes and moves of these two squadrons may be found in Osprey Combat Aircraft 13 'Mosquito PR Units of WW2'. A brief account of the shootdown may be found in Air War For Burma by Christopher Shores.

DZ696 'S' was also a Mk II (FII) . Although 64th Sentai had a number of Shoki (Ki-44 'Tojo') on strength for intercept missions over Rangoon, Kuroe was actually flying a Hayabusa (Ki-43 'Oscar') when he "captured" it. On this occasion 684 were operating from Comilla in East Bengal as part of 171 PR Wing. Kuroe's own account of this encounter is most interesting - let me know if more details are needed. Shores claims that DZ696 was being flown by a FO E Cotton.

Skyraider3D · #8 8th September 2006, 00:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicholas

Kuroe's own account of this encounter is most interesting - let me know if more details are needed.

Hi Nicholas, thanks for your input. Kuroe's account would be most interesting! What is your source? Bloody Shambles? I recently bought about a dozen books on the JAAF subjects and the pacific air war. Still need to get those, though

Nicholas · #9 8th September 2006, 01:44

No, not 'Bloody Shambles' - it doesn't go that far! The source is Yasuhiko Kuroe himself from an interview with Peter Williams published in RAF Flying Review in 1959.

Both incidents are also covered briefly in 'Air War for Burma' which continues where 'Bloody Shambles' left off until the end of the war.

Nicholas · #10 8th September 2006, 12:26

I forget to mention, regarding the colour schemes of the Mosquitos involved. There is a photograph of DZ697 'J' in Geoff Thomas' 'Eyes For The Phoenix' (page 233) and it appears to be in the Night Fighter scheme of overall medium sea grey with dark green camouflage on the upper surfaces. The markings appear standard rather than SEAC although only the fin flash may be seen, and there is some impressive but indeterminate artwork on the crew hatch. The photograph is miscaptioned but shows the aircraft in India when taken on charge by 684 Sqn from 681 Sqn.

Geoff Thomas writes that all the Mk II and Mk VI "were re-finished in PRU Blue in service with 681 and 684 Squadrons" so this statement and the photograph present a conundrum as to the actual finish of this particular aircraft when it was shot down!