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| IJN Tainan Kōkūtai Former Assignments 4th Kōkūtai |
Pilot FPO2c Takurō Yoshi’e (bailed out, fate unknown likely died) Crashed April 5, 1942 Pilot History Yoshi’e began flight training during October 1938 with Kō 3 class and graduated in April 1941. Before the start of the Pacific War, assigned to Chitose Kōkūtai, Sentōki-tai flying the A5M4 Claude in the Marshall Islands and transfered to Truk as part of the Okamoto-tai. On January 2, 1942 he flew several Combat Air Patrol (CAP) missions as a section leader before transferring via Kavieng and made a carrier landing before arriving at Rabaul. On February 10, 1942 assigned to the 4th Kōkūtai (4th Air Group) and began flying a A6M2 Model 21 Zero at Lakunai Airfield near Rabaul. On March 11, 1942 flown to Lae Airfield and flew a combat mission that same day against RAAF Hudson A16-136. On March 13, 1942 flew as Shōtaichō (Flight Leader) on a fighter sweep over Port Moresby. On March 14, 1942 he flew as Lt Shirō Kawai's wingman on a fighter sweep over Horn Island. Afterwards, grounded for two weeks. On April 1, 1942 Yoshi’e was assigned to the Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group) and began flying Combat Air Patrol (CAP) from Lae Airfield over the Lae area. Aircraft History Built by Mitsubishi or Nakajima. At the factory painted overall gray with a black cowling and Hinomaru markings on the wings and fuselage. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as A6M2 Model 21 Zero manufacture number unknown. Likely, this Zero was one of the nineteen A6M2 Model 21 Zeros loaded aboard Shōhō at Truk flown to Lakunai Airfield near Rabaul arriving March 9, 1942. Wartime History During early March 1942 assigned to the 4th Kōkūtai (4th Air Group) at Lakunai Airfield near Rabaul. It is unknown if this aircraft was assigned a tail code of F-??? (three digit number in the range of F-151 to F-169). On April 1, 1942 transferred to the Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group). This Zero did not yet have a tail code assigned. During March 1942 or April 1942, flown to Lae Airfield at Lae. Mission History On April 5, 1942 took off from Lae Airfield at Lae piloted by FPO2c Takurō Yoshi’e as one of four Zeros led by Buntaichō Lt Kawai Shirō and rendezvoused with nine G4M1 Bettys from the 4th Kōkūtai to escort them on a bombing 7-Mile Drome near Port Moresby. Over Bulolo, two Bettys abort the mission and returned to base Over the target, intercepted by RAAF No. 75 Squadron P-40E Kittyhawks. This Zero was shot down in flames by P-40E Kittyhawk A29-9 piloted by Leslie "Les" D. Jackson. This was the first Zero shot down by a P-40 Kittyhawk from No. 75 Squadron over Port Moresby. Vanished without a trace: The First Tainan Kū Loss in New Guinea, 5 April 1942: "F/Lt L.D. Jackson made a head-on attack from slightly below observing “tracers hit several bombers in both formations” then he sighted one Type 0 attacking one P-40E which was diving and gave chase: “I dived on a Zero and gave it long burst after which it immediately burst into flames & a number of pieces flew off”. He had probably hit the unprotected wing tanks of the Japanese aircraft. F/O J. Woods upon landing reported he “saw one E/A going down in flames on S.W. side of aerodrome” [this aircraft]." Damaged, with flaming wing tanks, pilot Yoshi’e managed to bail out and successfully deployed his parachute and landed safely. His damaged Zero impacted the ground into a small creek. The crash was observed by Australian troops stationed in the vicinity, but the precise location was unknown. This Zero is a notable loss because produced a series of firsts: This Zero was the first Tainan Kokutai combat loss in the South East Area. Pilot Yoshi’e was the first (and only) Tainan Kokutai pilot who parachuted out over enemy territory. This Zero was the first confirmed Zero shot down by a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) fighter in the North Eastern Area. Also, the first Japanese fighter shot down in air combat by 75 Squadron and finally the first confirmed aerial victory "kill" for F/Lt Leslie “Les” Douglas Jackson. Fate of the Pilot Yoshi’e survived landing in the jungle near the crash site of his Zero. Possibly, his parachute became stuck or torn near the top of a tree or he attempted to hide it, and discarded his parachute harness at the base of the tree and lit a fire and possibly camped at the same location. On April 6, 1942 a person, believed to be Yoshi’e was observed by a native in the vicinity of Sapphire Creek Mine and ran away when spotted. Afterwards, he was not spotted again although Australian soldiers were told to look for him. Yoshi’e precise fate is unknown, likely he wandered in the area for several days or weeks before expiring from wounds or exposure or otherwise went Missing In Action (MIA) and died. His remains have never been located. Wreckage The wreckage of this Zero remains in a small creek gully and burned on impact. Later the same day as the crash, an Australian Army 30th Infantry Brigade, 39th Battalion, C Company patrol located the crash site sometime between April 5-11, 1942 and recovered pieces of parachute and eight metal plates from the wreckage. Afterwards, the creek where this Zero crashed was dubbed "'Zero Creek" by Australian troops stationed in the area. Sometime later, RAAF intelligence visited the crash site and salvaged some additional items including two 20mm cannons with three 20mm rounds, one 7.7mm machine gun, portions of landing gear, engine cylinders, wing and instrument. Also, a drop tank from A6M2 Zero pilot Nagatomo. Today, only the engine, main landing gear leg and other small pieces of wreckage remain. John Douglas visited the site in the early 1991: "After a day of bush walking, I follow up up this story about 'Zero Creek' and found the engine and a twisted 7.7mm machine gun at the site." References Kōdōchōsho Tainan Kōkūtai April 5, 1942 IJN "5th Air Attack Force Detailed Combat Report No. 10" WDC161729, page 5 Australian Army 30th Infantry Brigade War Diary, April 6, 1942 “[...] 2130. C.M.C. report that a native had seen someone suspected to be a Jap pilot, vicinity SAPPHIRE CK. MINE. Suspect had run away on being seen. May have reached there from scene of crash along track of ‘flying fox’ rope ry. from SMELTERS area. P.A.U. Offr. had interrogated native and believed his story was reliable. – Advised 39 Bn and suggested SMELTERS and Tk. be watched in case suspect doubled back [...]”. Australian Army 30th Infantry Brigade War Diary, April 8, 1942 “[...] 1540. 39 Bn. report smoke sighted from Post C. to left of posn. of Jap plane crashed 5 Apr. C.O.I.C. informed 39 Bn sent out patrol from Dokuna to investigate. – Later D Coy (DOKUNA) 39 Bn. made nil report on investigating patrol [...]”. Australian Army 30th Infantry Brigade War Diary, April 11, 1942 “[...] 1030. A piece of silk from Jap parachute and eight metal plates from different parts of wreckage all having Jap characters forwarded by 39 Bn. Picked up by C Coy patrol sent out after Raid 22. – Material forwarded 8 MD with SitRep 36 [see below]. 39 Bn were asked for more material. Explained that plane fell and burnt out in an unaccessible gully. Chute was torn on tree top. Pilot had lit a fire near base of tree. Near this a piece of chute harness was found slightly cleaved. Forwarded 8 M.D. by B.I.D. 13 Apr [...]”. SitRep No. 36 of 1725K/11 from 30 Inf. Brig. to 8 M.D.: “[...] Portion of Jap parachute and metal plate from type 0 crashed vicinity MERRIGEDDA are forwarded [...]”. 30th Infantry Brigade HQ IntSum No. 29, 5 Apr 42: “[...] Reported that one Type “0” probably crashed about six miles N.E. MERRIGEDDA Mission. “C” Coy. 39 Bn. has sent out a patrol. A parachute was seen to leave plane but so far no reports are to hand [...]”. 30th Infantry Brigade HQ IntSum No. 30, 6 Apr 42: “[...] C Coy patrol discovered late 5 Apr one crashed type “0” fighter and a Jap parachute, which was in a tree top. Pilot had evidently endeavoured to pull parachute out of sight before climbing down and escaping. All units have been warned to be on lookout for pilot and 39 Bn patrol together with P.A.U. patrol Offrs. are combing likely areas particularly concentrating on native villages, where pilot may soon be forced to seek food. He will probably be wearing a white singlet with navy blue neckband, khaki ‘Singapore’ type shorts and sandalhoes [sic]. Probably carries pistol [...]”. 8MD IntRep No. 22: “[...] Following Raid 22 (PORT MORESBY) a patrol from C Coy 39 Bn. late on 5 April discovered a crashed Zero fighter and parachute in the vicinity of MERRIGEDDA (S.D.A.) MISSION which is 13 miles from PORT MORESBY. The pilot is apparently alive and still at large [...]”. War Diary 1942 (1984) page 49 "5 Sunday Twenty-third raid After a week the Japs bombed Moresby at noon with seven bombers escorted by four Zeros. In a spectacular dogfight one Zero [A6M2 Zero pilot Yoshi] was shot down in flames and another badly damaged." Kaigun Sentoki Tai Shi (Japanese Naval Air Force History) by the Zero Fighter Pilots Association 1987 page 51 Eagles of the Southern Sky (2012) pages 13-16 (Chapter Three - First Moves) J-Aircraft "Vanished without a trace: The First Tainan Kū Loss in New Guinea, 5 April 1942" by Luca Ruffato, January 25, 2013 Kokoda Air Strikes (2014) pages 138-139 Thanks to Luca Ruffato, Minoru Kamada and Edward Rogers 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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