|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| IJN 204 Kōkūtai  USMC c1943 |
Pilot WO Kan-ichi Kashimura (MIA / KIA) Ditched March 6, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Nakajima, estimated date of assembly August 1942. At the factory, painted overall gray with a black cowl and a 75mm white border around the fuselage Hinomaru markings. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as Type 0 Carrier Fighter Reisen / A6M2 Model 21 Zero manufacture number 1503. Wartime History Assigned to the 204 Kōkūtai (204 Air Group). Tail code 21?? (last two digits unknown, possibly 2185 or 2158). This Zero had a white horizontal stripe on both sides of the cowling. Ryan Toews adds: "There may be some additional evidence that the tail code was 2185. I have circled what appears to be the top of an '8' on the lower lip of the Pavuvu Zero. Note that this '8' is slightly offset to the left, which would leave room for a '5' to its right." Mission History On March 6, 1943 took off from Kahili Airfield (Buin) on southern Bougainville piloted by WO Kan-ichi Kashimura as one of eighteen Zeros escorting D3A Val dive bombers over the Russell Islands. Over the target area, intercepted by American aircraft and a dogfight ensued and Kashimura failed to return and was listed as Missing In Action (MIA). In fact, this Zero ditched into shallow water off Pavuvu Island in the Russell Islands. Fate of the Pilot The fate of the pilot is unknown. Wreckage This Zero ditched into shallow water off Pavuvu Island. The upper portion was above the surface and might have landed on the beach or into shallow water at the surf line. On February 21, 1943 the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), 3rd Marine Raider Battalion landed on Pavuvu Island. Soon afterwards, this largely intact Zero was discovered by American personnel. Salvage Sometime after it was discovered, this Zero was dragged ashore onto Pavuvu Island and placed in a camp area with coconut palms and quickly stripped for souvenirs by U.S. personnel stationed in the area. The first known photograph of this Zero shows the right side center section with some of the engine access panels missing and the right machine gun panel removed. The lower cowling shows evidence of being in the sea and the lower propeller blade is bent from ditching into the sea. The fuselage Hinomaru had a 75mm white outline. In the background Americans are looking at the Zero. Later, a U.S. Navy (USN) officer commandeered the wreckage and removed it from Pavuvu Island. Likely, the Zero was loaded onto a barge then loaded as cargo into a ship and transported across the Pacific Ocean to San Diego. By the time this Zero arrived in the United States, both wings were cut at the edge of the fuselage, likely to facilitate transport. tail stabalizers were missing or removed. The cockpit was heavily souvineered with many parts missing including the canopy, access panels and many pieces of the fuselage skin were cut out including most of the Hinomaru, likley as souvineers. Afterwards, the wreckage was tunred over to Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in San Diego for restoration for static display. This Zero was used as an exhibit as part of a U.S. War Bond Tours. The ultimate fate is unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. References Note, this Zero is incorrectly listed as 8220 in some sources Kodochosho, 582 Kokutai, February 1, 1943 Production figures of the Mitsubishi/Nakajima A6M Zero by Jim Long Japanese Aircraft Makers Plates and Markings: Report No. 68 (JAMP&M No. 68) - A6M2 Zero 1503 J-Aircraft "The First & Last KanSen Flown By KASHIMURA Kan-ichi" by Jim Lansdale September 10, 2015 Japanese Naval Air Force Fighter Units and Their Aces, 1932-1945 pages 50, (March 6, 1943), 392 (WO Kan-ichi Kashimura, 582 Ku, Mar/6/43, Russell" Thanks to Jim Lansdale and Ryan Toews for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated October 10, 2024 |
 Zero |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
