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IJN Tainan Kōkūtai |
Pilot F1c Masao Watanabe (MIA / KIA) Crashed May 25, 1942 Aircraft History Built by Mitsubishi or Nakajima. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as Type 0 Carrier Fighter Reisen / A6M2 Model 21 Zero manufacture number unknown. Wartime History Assigned to the Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group). Tail code V-1?? (last two digits unknown). No known markings. Mission History On May 25, 1942 one of thirteen A6M2 Zeros that took off from Lae Airfield piloted by F1c Masao Watanabe on a Combat Air Patrol (CAP) and mission to intercept eight B-25s attacking Lae. During the interception, this Zero was either shot down by defensive fire from one of the B-25s or miscalculated a gunner approach while attacking the B-25 and crashed into the sea off Salamaua. This was the only Zero loss. References Kodochosho, Tainan Kōkūtai, June 9, 1942 Eagles of the Southern Sky (2012) pages 144, 146, 168-169, 310 (Losses by date), 332 (victories), 352 (index, Lowrey) 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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