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| IJN Tainan Kōkūtai  IJN c1942 |
Pilot NP Kihachi Ninomiya (KIA) Crashed August 27, 1942 Aircraft History Built by Mitsubishi. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as A6M3 Zero manufacture number unknown. This aircraft was either an A6M3 Model 22 or A6M3 Model 32. Wartime History Assigned to the Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group) with tail code V-??? (three digits unknown). During late August 1942 a detachment of A6M3 Zeros including this aircraft were flown from Lakunai Airfield near Rabaul to operate from Buna Airfield on the north coast of New Guinea. Mission History On August 27, 1942 took off from Buna Airfield piloted by NP Kihachi Ninomiya as one of seven Zeros including five from Tainan Kokutai (Tainan Air Group) and three from the Kokutai (2nd Air Group) on a mission to escort D3A1 Val dive bombers from the 2nd Kokutai (2nd Air Group) against Milne Bay. The Zeros did not rendezvous with the Vals until 8:20am as they were completing their dive bombing runs and departing the area. Afterwards, the five Zeros from the Tainan Kōkūtai dove to strafe No. 1 Strip (Gurney Field) firing at LB-30 "Yard Bird" AL-818 that was already destroyed and unservicable. Over the runway, two of the Zeros including Kakimoto were hit by anti-aircraft fire. From the ground, one of the Zero was photographed after strafing flying at low level. After the attack, Ninomiya was flying with A6M3 pilot Sadaô Yamashita and observed the ditching of A6M3 pilot Kakimoto and thought his Zero had ditched in very shallow water because they could see it from the air in very clear water. The pair dove and strafed the water, in an attempt to destroy it to prevent it from being salvaged by the Allies. While strafing, the were surprised by two P-40E Kittyhawks from No. 75 Squadron piloted by S/L Les Jackson and wingman Sgt Roy Riddel who shot down both Zeros. Also lost was A6M3 pilot Jôji Yamashita (KIA). References Kodochosho Tainan Kōkūtai - August 27, 1942 The Hidden Chapters (1995) by Robert Piper "Zero Hour" pages 134-143 Thanks to Osamu Tagaya 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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