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| IJN 6th Kōkūtai |
Pilot PO2c Shigejiro Murakami (KIA, October 15, 1942) Ditched September 11, 1942 Aircraft History Built by Mitsubishi or Nakajima. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as A6M2 Model 21 Zero manufacture number unknown. Wartime History Assigned to the 6th Kōkūtai (6th Air Group). Tail code U-107. Mission History On September 11, 1942 took off from Lakunai Airfield near Rabaul piloted by PO2c Shigejiro Murakami on a mission to escort G4M1 Bettys from Kisarazu Kōkūtai bombing Guadalcanal. Returning from the mission alone, this Zero went off course to the west, ran low on fuel and ditched off a small island off the north coast of New Guinea. Fate of the Pilot Murakami was unhurt and swam ashore to a nearby island and befriended the local people. He convinced them to take him by canoe from island to island in an attempt to reach friendly Japanese forces. They agreed and took him to nearby Kitava island before his presence was reported to the Allies. On October 15, 1942 while hiding in a native hut on Kitava island, Murakami was located by Australian forces and ordered to surrender. Instead, he his pistol at them. In retaliation, they returned fire and shot him dead. On his body, the Australians located a diary he kept since ditching on September 11, 1942 and two photographs. Memorials Afterwards, Murakami was buried by the local people he befriended on Kitava island. To this day, his grave was still maintain and locals vividly remember him. References Diary of Shigejiro Murakami September 11th, 1942 – The Rest of the Story by Richard Dunn Diaries of Eddie Allan Stantton pages 85-86 Thanks to Harumi Sakaguchi and Richard Dunn 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 |
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