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| IJN Hiryu   RAAF 1942  1960s  Stan Gajda 1980s   Pacific Ghosts 2001  Daniel Leahy 2001  Peter Flahavin 2004  Goh Loon 2008 |
Pilot Petty Officer Hajime Toyoshima (survived, POW, died August 5, 1944) Force landed February 19, 1942 Aircraft History Built by Mitsubishi on October 4, 1941. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as Type 0 / A6M2 Model 21 Zero manufacture number 5349. Painted overall gray with a black cowling. Wartime History Assigned to Hiryu. Tail code BII-124. Mission History On February 19, 1942 took off from Hiryu piloted by Petty Officer Hajime Toyoshima as one of thirty-six Zeros on a fighter sweep over Darwin. The formation included other A6M2 Zeros from Soryu plus D3A1 Vals and B5N1 Kates from Kaga and Akagi. Over the target, this Zero was hit by anti-aircraft fire and force landed on Melville Island. During the crash, pilot Toyoshima suffered injuries to his face from hitting the gun site during the landing. Fate of the Pilot Afterwards, Toyoshima wandered far from the crash site. Located by Aboriginal Matthias Ulungura from the Snake Bay Settlement who disarmed him of his pistol and took him to the nearest Australian forces. On Bathurst Island he was turned over to Sergeant Leslie J. Powell of the 23rd Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers. Wreckage The wings and tail were recovered from the crash site, and brought to Darwin Airfield for technical evaluation. Their whereabouts today are unknown, possibly destroyed or scrapped during or after the war. The center section remained where it crashed until the late 1960s, when it was recovered, and later became part of the Australian Aviation Heritage Center near Darwin. Display Toyoshima's flag and flight suit are displayed at the RAAF Museum at Point Cook. The bugle he used during the Cowra Breakout is displayed at the Australian War Memorial (AWM). Prisoner of War Toyoshima was the first Japanese captured on Australian soil. In the hopes that no one would look for his Zero, he used the alias "Tadao Minami" born March 20, 1919 in Kanagawa-ken. Assigned prisoner number (PWJ 910.1 - later number PWJA.110.001 or PWJA.110001). During initial questioning, he tried to convince his captors that he was a Sergeant who was an aerial gunner from a bomber based at Ambon that bailed out and swam ashore. But, his uniform had the ideograph for "Hiryu" and was not stained with sea salt. Later when his Zero and parachute were found, a blood stain was tested and on April 17 Police matched it to his blood type. He was taken to Redholme Manson in South Yarra, Victoria for further interogation. On March 23, 1942 taken to Lavcony (?) 14C compound, then on April 4, 1942 arrived at Nayport Setenton (?) Barracks. Next, on April 9, 1942 he was taken to Hay Camp. Hospitalized June 6-15, then returned to Hay Camp. On January 8, 1943 transferred to Cowra POW Camp. Again hospitalized August 6-11 then returned to the camp, but again hospitalized on August 28 - September 4. Next, placed in detention, pending trial on September 19 - 23 (crime or charge unknown). Then again hospitalized as sick on October 4-11 and returned to camp. Hospitalized again May 13-15, then returned to camp. Toyoshima signaled the start of "Cowra Breakout" at 2am on August 5, 1944 with a bugle and managed to reach a storm drain ditch, but was shot in the chest when trying to move. Wounded, he lit a cigarette, then cut his own throat and was found dead the next morning. Contribute
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