China air battle 27 or 28 october 1944

[gian paolo]

Originally Posted by Laurent Rizzotti

Oops, forgot to say thank you

I have also the names of three pilots of 25 Sentai lost, from
“Japanese Army Air Force fighter units and their aces 1931-1945”, by Ikuhiko Hata, Yasuho Izawa and Christopher Shores

Major Takeo Matsuyama, who had taken command of the 25 Sentai (Ki 43-II, based in Bailuqi, Central China) only a couple of weeks earlier (after the death of the former commander on 17 September), led a formation of 8 fighters to escort light bombers. Over Jingmen they were engaged by an intercepting force of ten plus. Matsuyama and two other pilots of this unit, Lt Itsuo Emi and Sgt Tadashi Shono (14-victory ace, bio p 256, birth date 7 August 1922) were shot down and killed; two of the light bombers were also lost.

The data about the two bombers shot down is given by the unit history, or in the biography of the killed ace, but is from the above book.

As for the date, I'm not sure of your explanation. China and Japan are on the same side of the date change line, and both sides used the same date for all other battles I know.

Laurent


Different dates aside - I hope someone else will be able to solve the question - both Japanese an American descriptions of the action match quite well , including the types and number of planes engaged:

Moreover the book " Wing to Wing -Air Combat in China 1943-1945 " describing in detail the Chinese - American Composite Group report no action on 28/10.


All the best

gian paolo

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Gian, I fully agree with you, both sides described the same action.

IMOO, the date in US documents is backed by more sources (official US claims lists, MACR, Mr Molesworth's book) than the Japanese one, for each I have only one source, that was not specialized in this area, contrary to Mr Molesworth.

So my guess is that the 27 October 1944 is the good date.

By the way, I didn't know the book "Wing to Wing", will search it on the Net, it seems very interesting to me

[shooshoobaby]

Laurent - "Wing to Wing " by Carl Molesworth is an interesting Book.
Excellent History of CACW - Rare Photos. Good Narrative of Air Battle Oct. 27 , 44
He also wrote " Sharks Over China " 23d FG , 14th AF
Mike

[gian paolo]

Originally Posted by Laurent Rizzotti

Gian, I fully agree with you, both sides described the same action.

IMOO, the date in US documents is backed by more sources (official US claims lists, MACR, Mr Molesworth's book) than the Japanese one, for each I have only one source, that was not specialized in this area, contrary to Mr Molesworth.

So my guess is that the 27 October 1944 is the good date.

By the way, I didn't know the book "Wing to Wing", will search it on the Net, it seems very interesting to me

Laurent


Hammel : Air War Pacific Chronology set US claims at 5 ki-48 + 11

fighters



Cheers

gian paolo

[Laurent Rizzotti]

You have this book ? Lucky you.... I tried to buy it this month, the best price I found was around 1500 dollars....

Best regards

Laurent