703 Kōkūtai (703 Air Group)
Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN)

Background
On November 1, 1942 the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) renamed air groups with three digit identifiers and the 4th Kokutai "Ohashi Butai" named for Commanding Officer (C.O.) Captain Fujiro Ohashi operating the Type 1 Attack Bomber / G4M1 Betty based at Vunakanau Airfield near Rabaul was redesignated 703 Kokutai (703 Air Group) or abbreviated 703 Ku.

Between November 18, 1942 until November 22, 1942 the 703 Ku suffered heavy losses over Guadalcanal and later in the month the remaining eight bombers were withdrawn to Kisarazu Airfield. By December 2, 1942 the 703 Ku returned to Chitose Airfield, their prewar base. On March 15, 1943, the 703 Kokutai was disbanded.

Tail Codes
The group used different tail codes at various dates.

S-??? – November 1942–?
W1-??? – ?

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?