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| IJN 4th Kōkūtai 2nd Chutai 1st Shotai |
Pilot Lt(jg) Nobuhiro Iwasaki Crashed March 14, 1942 Aircraft History Built by Mitsubishi in in late November 1941 or early December 1941. This aircraft was the 443rd Mitsubishi-built Zero, the 441st A6M2 assembled by Mitsubishi. At the factory painted overall gray with a black cowling and Hinomaru markings on the wings and fuselage. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as A6M2 Model 21 Zero manufacture number 4443. Wartime History Likely, this Zero was loaded aboard aboard Shōhō at Truk and ferried to Lakunai Airfield near Rabaul in the middle of February 1942 or early March 1942. Assigned to the 4th Kōkūtai at Lakunai Airfield near Rabaul. Tail number F-14? (last digit unknown, 0–9). During March 1942 flown to Lae Airfield at Lae. Mission History On March 14, 1942 took off from Lae Airfield pilot Lt(jg) Nobuhiro Iwasaki on mission to escort G4M1 Betty bombers from the 4th Kōkūtai bombing Horn Island. This Zero was leading the 2nd Chutai, 1st Shotai in a three plane formation with Lt(jg) Hiroyoshi Nishizawa and PO1c Ichirobei Yamazaki. Over the target at 11:25am, intercepted by P-40E Warhawk pilot Captain Robert L. Morrissey who opened fire from from 200 yards and scored hits damage. Morrissey observed his gunfire resulted in the "shooting off his left wing". Damaged, this Zero crashed on Hammond Island. Wreckage On March 30, 1942 the crash site was visited by Allied Technical Intelligence Unit (ATIU) on Hammond Island. During their visit, the team removed data plates and small pieces of wreckage for study. A year later, soldiers from the Australian Army 49th Garrison Battalion from Thursday Island located the remains of pilot Iwasaki were located in the mangroves. His identification tags were turned over to authorities. Jim Long adds: "Judging by the known dates of other aircraft close around the plane, No. 4443 should have been completed on or after 30 November 1941. According to records, A6M2 Zero 4438 was 30 November 1941, and if work on the assembly line had progressed more or less in a proper sequence, No. 4443 should have been completed on 30 November or in early December. This was one of those early inspection by the ATIU, and they were not too good at finding the date of manufacture in those early days. They may have taken the date of 20 November 1941 from a component nameplate that they took from the crashed plane, instead of getting the real date from the fuselage stencil or from the main maker's nameplate in the cockpit." References The Hall of Valor Project - Robert Lawrence Morrissey Distinguished Service Cross Citation "Robert Lawrence Morrissey (ASN: O-373856), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 14 March 1942, during an air mission in the Southwest Pacific Area of Operations. Commanding a flight of nine pursuit planes engaged on patrol furnishing protection for Horn Island, Captain Morrissey was warned of the approach of an enemy formation of eight bombers and nine fighters. Locating and engaging the enemy he immediately attacked, shooting down the leader of the fighter formation. He then led his flight in successful combat against the enemy, destroying a total of four fighters and one bomber. Captain Morrissey's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces." Horn Island (2002) pages 16, 19, 21 AWM "Capturing Japanese aviation history" by Shane Casey Feb 26, 2018 (photos of 4443 stencil and database) Thanks to Jim Long for manufacture details and 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 |
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