Pilot  Lt. Cdr Shinya Ozaki (WIA / KIA)
Force landed  June 19, 1944

Aircraft History
Built by Mitsubishi, estimated date of assembly March 1944.

Assigned to Atsugi Airfield. Transferred to Tinian around June 3, 1944. Lt. Ozaki and the rest of 343rd Kokutai were transferred to Agana Airfield on Guam.

Mission History
This aircraft flew its last mission on June 19, 1944, the first day of the "Marianas Turkey Shoot". The battle lasted two days and was the greatest Naval Air Battle in history.

Two Zeros, one piloted by Shimazu Ozaki strafed a Navy SOC seaplane attempting a rescue of a downed American flyer. US Navy VF-10 F6F Hellcat piloted by Clem joined the battle, but was shot down by Ozaki flying A6M5 Zero 43-188.

In turn, a F4U-2 night fighter on temporary day duty, flown by Lt.Cdr. R.E. Harmer of VF(N)-101 pursued Ozaki's Zero and damaged it. It escaped back towards Guam streaming smoke. Ozoaki crashed landed just off Agana Airfield, and later died of his wounds.

Wreckage
Discovered by a Government of Guam worker while doing work near Agana Airfield, in March 1962. The aircraft was rediscovered and recovered by the American military. Returned to Japan in January 1964, it was fully restored and is displayed at Hamamatsu-Minami AFB.

References
Pacific Aircraft Wrecks page 53 (lower)
Thanks to Roy Wiggs for information on this aircraft

Contribute Information

Zero

Roy Wiggs Discovery Recovery

Photo Archive