PO Katsuki Kiyomi wearing flight gear
On October 4, 1942 took off from Chitose piloted by PO Katsuki Kiyomi on a Combat Air Patrol (CAP) over a reinforcement convoy of Chitose, Nisshin with escorting destroyers Maikaze, Nowaki and Akitsuk bound for Guadalcanal. During the patrol, the floatplanes spotted a formation of B-17 Flying Fortresses attempting to make a bomb run against the warships and intercepted. During the combat, this Pete spotted one bomber attempting to make a bomb run against Nisshin and made a deliberate ramming attack. On impact, the right wing of the F1M2 Pete impacted the right wing of B-17E Flying Fortress 41-9118, tearing off the wing tip damaging the vertical stabilizer and immediately caused the B-17 to descend in a spiral before then crashed into the sea. Although the ramming damaged the right wing of this F1M2 Pete, pilot Katsuki and his observer were able to successfully bail out and landed in the sea. Both crew were rescued by destroyer Akitsuki. Afterwards, Kiyomi earned a commendation and gold chevron for this attack.
Credit: IJN Date: 1942
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