|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| IJN 105th Naval Base Unit Former Assignment ? Kōkūtai |
Pilot Seaman 3rd Class Masajiro Kawato (POW, survived) Tango-cho, Japan Observer P. O. Tokio Shimizu (MIA / KIA March 9, 1945) Enzan City Ditched March 9, 1945 Aircraft History Built by Mitsubishi or Nakajima. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as Type 0 Carrier Fighter / A6M2 Model 21 Zero manufacture number unknown. This Zero was assigned to an unknown Kōkūtai (Air Group) and operated from Rabaul. Likely, assigned to the 253 Kōkūtai (253 Air Group). No known markings or tail code. By late February 1944, this Zero was one of about thirty aircraft damaged or grounded that remained at Rabaul after all serviceable aircraft were flown northward to Truk. Assigned to the 105th Naval Base Unit and repaired to flying condition by ground personnel. Likely, this Zero used parts from other derelict planes. During October 1944, this Zero was field modified at Rabaul into a two seat configuration conceived by Commander Tomoyoshi Hori. A rear facing seat for an observer was installed behind the pilot with a telegraph for transmitting long range communications on reconnaissance missions. Mission History On March 9, 1945 took off from Tobera Airfield piloted by Seaman 3rd Class Masajiro Kawato with observer Pilot Officer Tokio Shimizu armed with two 70kg cluster bombs on a mission to attack Australian forces off Zungen (Tol). Also participating in the mission was A6M2 Zero pilot Shimbo. Due to bad weather, Shimbo aborted the mission. Alone, Kawato flew eastward in a spontaneous attempt to attack on Green Island Airfield (Nissan) but found it covered in heavy clouds. Returning to the west he flew over Zungen Point (Tol) and Wide Bay then spotted an enemy gunboat ten miles southwest of Cape Orford. In fact, the vessel was Fairmile Motor Launch ML825. Diving to attack ML825, Kawato released one cluster bomb that exploded 30 yards away. Turning for another attack run, the vessel opened fire with anti-aircraft fire from the 40mm Bofors, 20mm cannons and .50 caliber machine guns as the Zero fired three bursts of gunfire that hit the gunboat nine times before the Zero was hit by anti-aircraft fire that exploded the right fuel tank and mortally wounded observer Shimizu. The entire attack lasted only 42 seconds. Damaged, Kawato salvoed his second bomb then ditched into the sea roughly a mile away. Pilot Kawato suffered a broken wrist and concussion during the ditching. Observer Shimizo did not escape, he was either already dead or went down with aircraft. Fates of the Crew Afterwards, ML825 searched where the Zero ditched, but did not find any trace of the crew. Kawato swam over a mile and a half before reaching East Owen Point and attempted to follow the coastline in the jungle. On March 14, 1945 at Baien he was found by local people who gave him food. The people he encountered were loyal to the Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU) and delivered him to the Australian Army, 6th Infantry Brigade where he was captured. As a Prisoner Of War (POW) he was taken to the 5th Division Provost Company. On March 17, 1945 he was transported to Jacquinot Bay. Kawato was assigned PW Number JA-161003. On March 24, 1945 interrogated by Major R. E. M. Cameron, ATIS. Afterwards, transported to Australia. On April 2, 1945 interned at Gaythorne POW Camp in Queensland. On August 6, 1945 transferred to the U.S. Army, Provost Marshal Department. In November 1945 he was repatriated to Japan. Relatives Shiro Shimizu (brother of Tokio Shimizu) "We were not notified of Tokio's death until eight months had passed. On March 9, 1946, we held a funeral service for him. His name and date of death were inscribed on the tombstone of our ancestral grave." References Sabretache: The Journal of the Military Historical Society of Australia "The Duel: Petty Officer Kawato flew in what is believed to be one of the last Zero fighter actions in the South West Pacific during World War II" by Robert Piper vol. 27 no. 3 (1986) pages 25-28 The Siege of Rabaul (1996) by Henry Sakaida pages 62-63, 73-78 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 |
|
