JAAF
3rd Dokuritsu Chutai
Emblems of Rising Sun
May 24, 1945
Aircraft History
Natural metal finish with overspray of green splotches on the upper surfaces. Tail Number 546 with three red strips on the rudder, and a vertical white band rear of the fusealge hinomaru.
Mission History
On the night of May 24, 1945 the Japanese launched
a suicide commando raid against Yontan Airfield. Several bombers dropped
sticks of bombs onto the base. Ki-21 Sally bombers of the
3rd Dokuritsu Chutai approached the base in the landing pattern and attempted to land
at the airfield. Several
were destroyed by anti-aircraft fire and USMC night fighters.
Only this aircraft, landed at the field, tearing off the left engine and the nose glass in the crash. Aproximately 8 - 10 soldiers of the Giretsu Special Attack Unit were landed to conduct commando operations until all were killed. They damaged or destroyed 32 aircraft and fuel stockpiles.
References
Emblems of the Rising Sun page 61
Sally
