Gene Valencia and Kamikazes 4 May 1945

[keith A]

I have been trying to match up aircraft types with his claims on several dates and came across an unusual possibility for this combat. I can only find one kamikaze attack by a single Val dive bomber, and initially believed he may have encoutered Ki-51 Sonias but they made no sorties that I can find on 4 May. However there were several attacks by Nates of the Special Attack units. Given he also claims two Franks in this combat it seems he may have misidentifed the D3a dive bombers and in fact shot down a couple of Ki-27 single seat fighters. I understand that Army and Navy units did not fly in mixed formations,

Just a thought.

regards

Keith