Aichi E13A1 "241-03", Battleship Yamato in Operation Ten-Gō

[Ferreira]

Hi,
Some questions about the airplanes embarked on the Battleship Yamato in Operation Ten-Gō.

In Yamato's TROM it reads:

7 April 1945:
0600: YAMATO launches her Aichi E13A1 Type 0 "Jake" reconnaissance floatplane.
0630: [...] YAMATO's "Jake" returns to Kyushu.

It seems that this Aichi E13A1 had the code "241-03". This aircraft belonged to some Kokutai? Is it possible to find the name and rank of the crew of this aircraft?

How translate in Japanese "Surface Special Attack Unit"? Something like "Tokko Kantai"?

Thank you for your help.
Top

[JYoung]

Hi Ferreira, I am very sorry for my delayed response.
I’m not a specialist on IJN or its aircraft, but no one have replied your question, I will answer as far as I know.

(1) Was it an E13A ?
According to 2nd torpedo squadron “Operation Ten-Go No.1 detailed action report” 10. April 1945, (Japan Center for Asian Historical Records https://www.jacar.go.jp/english/index.html Reference Code C08030103100, the 26th image), [7. April] 0600 hrs. “A reconnaissance floatplane of Yamato Command took off from IJN Yamato for an ASW mission.” The report does not say aircraft type.

It is said that F1Ms were embarked on IJN Yamato in Operation Ten-Go No.1, not E13As or E16As. (source: SATÔ Nobuhiko, “Taiheiyô Sensôki ni okeru Teikoku Kaigun shuyô Kantei no tôsai Suijôki no Hensen (Changes of embarked floatplanes on IJN main warships during WWII),” Model Art, (No. 1009, Mar. 2019, extra issue), p. 140.)

(2) Aircraft Code
So far as I know, there is no photo-evidence about the reconnaissance floatplane’s code embarked on IJN Yamato in Operation Ten-Go.

The aircraft embarked IJN Yamato, whose code “211-0X” was valid until Battle of Leyte Gulf. (“241-" for Yamato is misprint.) This regulation is said to have lasted until Japan’s defeat.

But after the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Japan Navy’s warships were virtually extinct, and a few could embark floatplanes. Under such condition no one can tell how the aircraft code turned out.(source: ibid.; NOHARA Shigeru, Nihon no Suijôki (Japan’s Seaplane), (Tokyo; Kôjinsya, 2007) pp. 253-254)

(3) belonging unit
The floatplane was subordinate to Yamato Command.

(4) How does ”Surface Special Attack Unit” translate in Japanese ?
“Kaijô Tokkô Tai”
(source: C08030103100, 1st image)

　Sorry for my poor English.
Best Regards,
JYoung

[JYoung]

Hi !
I find another book about the topic.

According to the book (OSUO Kazuhiko, “Simpû Tokubetsu Kôgekitai (IJN Air Force Suicide Attack Unit ‘Kamikaze')”, Model Art, (No. 458, Nov. 1995, extra issue), pp. 88-90.), my opinions of (1) and (2) in previous post No.2 are wrong.

It was E13A, embarked on IJN Yamato and its code was “212 – 01.”

Its crew on 7th April was pilot PO1c IZUMO Masashige, observer PO2c SUDÔ Sôhê, radio operator PO1c MATSUMORI Kazuo.

Best Regards,
JYoung

[Ferreira]

Hi, JYoung

Thank you very much for all the great information.

Aichi E13A1's Hasegawa kit 00277 contains this code "241-03" for the Jake used in Operation Ten-Gō.

I have also found this information in few other sources.

Like this:

附:
行动前到达大和的唯一一架装有T6探信仪的E13A1零式水侦在菊水任务舰队起航后返回,
机尾编号241-03

Once again thank you very much for your thoughtful response. I didn't answer before, because I'm in home office, working more than at work.

Best regards from Brazil,
Franklin