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| IJN Tainan Kōkūtai |
Pilot Warrant Officer Gitaro Miyazaki (MIA / KIA) Crashed June 1, 1942 Aircraft History Built by Mitsubishi or Nakajima. At the factory, painted overall gray with a black cowling. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as A6M2 Model 21 Zero manufacture number unknown (four digits). Wartime History Assigned to the Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group). Tail code V-??? (three digits). Mission History On June 1, 1942 took off piloted by Warrant Officer Gitaro Miyazaki on an escort mission over Port Moresby. This Zero was one of twenty-one Zeros including nine from Lakunai Airfield led by Lt. Kawai Shiro and tweleve from Lae Airfield to escort G3M2 Nells from Genzan Kōkūtai (Genzan Air Group). At roughly 10:45am over Cape Ward Hunt, the bombers and escorting Zeros formed up but were observed by Australian spotters and reported. At 11:40am the Japanese formation arrived over Port Moresby and the Zeros intercepted 10-15 P-39 Airacobras while the Nells bombed from 20,000' targeting the wharf and Coast Famer anchored in Fairfax Harbor. This Zero was shot down near 30 Mile Drome (Rorona). This Zero was lost over Port Moresby. References Winged Samurai page 88 (Tainan Kōkūtai Pilot Casualties June 1, 1942 / Warrant Officer Gitaro Miyazaki / Port Moresby) Thanks to Francis Royal 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 August 18, 2024 |
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