RAAF Liberator 24 squadron

[Fanair]

RAAF Liberator, A72-77 & 81 were shot down April 6 1945 by japanese fighters.

Do you know the type and units of these fighters ?

[RSwank]

Here is a start.

There is a write-up of the incident here:

http://www.aviationheritage.org/oldn..._on_isuzu.html

It mentions specifically A6M3 “Hamps" attacking A72-81 and an "Irving" (Nakajima J1N) attacking one of the rescue PBY Catalinas. (Some write-ups mention two Irvings). Other attacking planes are described as "fighters".

No mention of units.

Another photo here: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C290362

[Buckeye30]

Alain-Rolland. This is the target, ISUZU a "Nagara" class light cruiser; all 6 of the class were sunk in the war, 3 by subs, 3 by planes. She was damaged several times until sunk in the Java Sea serving as a fast transport.
Nick

[Edward]

One of the most amazing rescue stories in the SW Pacific.

RAAF Historian Robert Piper wrote about one of the B-24 survivors "Shilling Saved from the Sea" in his book Great Air Escapes: The Heroes Who Beat the Odds (1991).

Piper does not id the Japanese air units involved.

Edward

[Fanair]

thank you very much !

Alain