Pacific Wrecks
Pacific Wrecks    
  Missing In Action (MIA) Prisoners Of War (POW) Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)  
Chronology Locations Aircraft Ships Submit Info How You Can Help Donate
 
  B5N2 Kate  
IJN
Junyō

Pilot  Sub-Lt. Setsuo Kuno, 67th Class (1939) Eta Jima (KIA)
Reconnaissance  Petty Officer Tadao Maruyama (WIA / KIA)
Radio/Gunner  Warrant Officer Hisao Sato (survived)
Crashed  October 17, 1942

Aircraft History
Built by Nakajima. True serial number unknown. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as Type 97 Carrier Attack Bomber Kanko / B5N2 Kate manufacture number unknown.

Wartime History
Assigned to the Junyō. No known markings.

Mission History
On October 17, 1942 at 7:15am took off from Junyō piloted by Sub-Lt. Setsuo Kuno armed with a 800kg bomb escorted by nine A6M2 Zeros on a mission to attack American shipping offshore Lunga Point on Guadalcanal. They are joined nine B5N2 Kates armed with bombs escorted by nine A6M2 Zeros by Hiyo.

Over the target, this aircraft was intercepted and shot down by F4F Wildcats from Marine Fighter Squadron 121 (VMF-121) and crashed on land near Cape Esperance.

One crew member escaped the crash, and met downed pilot Lt(jg) Kaname Harada in the jungle who was on the same mission and crash landed his A6M2 Zero. Together, the two tried to save Maruyama, trapped in the wreckage but were unsucessful. They stayed with the bodies for one night before leaving.

Rescue
They were rescued by a group of Japanese engineers building a submarine base Kamimbo Bay (Tambea).

References
The First Team pages 317-319
Beyond Pearl Harbor: The Untold stories of Japan's Navy Airmen
Beyond Pearl Harbor "Head-on Duel Over Guadalcanal"
Thanks to Ron Werneth 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
November 19, 2021

Tech Info
Kate

Click For Enlargement
October 17, 1942

Link
Search for Zero
  Discussion Forum Daily Updates Reviews Museums Interviews & Oral Histories  
 
Pacific Wrecks Inc. All rights reserved.
Donate Now Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram