Aircraft History
Built by Mitsubishi at Nagoya No. 3 Works. Assigned to the 702nd Kōkūtai.

Mission History
Took off from Vunakanau Airfield near Rabaul on a night bombing mission over Port Moresby.

Over the target, this bomber was picked up on Allied radar and was presumed to be lost around 19:49. Most likely, it was intercepted and shot down by by 6th Night Fighter Squadron P-70 Havoc piloted by 2Lt Burrell W. Adams at 20:00, shot down 35 miles northwest of 7-Mile Drome (Jackson).

(US Radar Notes) Two raids this night. The first at 7:30pm against an inland airfield (possibly 17-Mile Durand), and a second raid at that same area at 7:40-5pm, with all clear sounded 8:03pm. A third raid at 8:29pm to Port Moresby area (possibly 3-Mile Drome).

Richard Dunn adds:
"Type 1 bombers of the 702nd Kokutai attack Port Moresby. According to Allied reports the Japanese mounted two separate attacks each with two SALLY bombers. In the first attack one Sally (sic) was shot down by a night fighter and in the second one bomber was probably destroyed by AA fire. According to the Japanese one bomber failed to return. Exact time of loss is uncertain but presumed to be about 1849 (JST). 6th NFS P-70 piloted by 2Lt Burrell W. Adams (with F/O Paul DiLabbio R/O) claimed a SALLY at about 2000 hours (1849 JST = 1949 K or local Port Moresby time). The AA claim for a probable came later. Thus it appears Lt. Shinshichi Sumita (Sumida) a Buntai C. O. of Air Group 702 was shot down by Adams about 35 miles NW of Jackson Field."

References
Kodochosho, 702nd Kōkūtai, May 15, 1942
Thanks to Richard Dunn and Yoji Sakaida additional information
US Army Port Moresby Radar Chart May 15, 1943

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Last Updated
February 12, 2012