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| IJN ? Kōkūtai |
Pilot ? (KIA) Ditched January 14, 1944 Aircraft History Built by Mitsubishi at Nagoya No. 3 Works during late November 1943. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as G4M1 Model 11 Betty manufacture number 6107. Wartime History Assigned to an unknown Kōkūtai (Air Group) possibly 751 Kokutai (751 Air Group). No known markings or tail code. Mission History On January 14, 1944 took off on night mission and ditched south of Tetepare Island (Tutipari) at roughly 8 54' S - 157 35' E. The cause of the crash was unknown. After the crash, the forward section remained afloat. The crew of six survived and were able to deploy their life raft. Fates of the Crew The next morning, a search made by two SBD Dauntless failed to locate the bomber. Later, U.S. Navy APC 728 located the bomber and the crew in their life raft. The crew was "said to have been killed resisting capture, and an attempt was made by the APC to sink the bomber." Wreckage On January 16, 1944 a South Pacific Combat Air Transport (SCAT) transport from Guadalcanal spotted the wreckage of this Betty at 8 55' S - 157 40' E, but weather prevented a further search. On January 17 1944 a PV-1 Ventura searched for the bomber, but failed to locate it. Later, that day, spotted by an SBD Dauntless roughly 25 miles from the Russell Islands. Two nearby APC unsuccessfully attempted to tow the bomber, which was still afloat. Their observations, filed an ATIS report include: "(1) Airplane appeared to be very new (2) Tail section torn away in rear of fuselage roundel. (3) Both engines missing (4) Four to six foot of port wing tip missing. (b) Fuselage nameplate was not removed from airplane however the following data was taken from the nameplate [Manufacture Number 6107]." On January 18, 1944 Allied inspectors were flown to the Russell Island and a squadron of aircraft searched for the floating bomber all day without result. It was believed to have sunk during the night of July 17-18. References ATIS Report "Betty No. 6107" January 14, 1944 Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated June 9, 2024 |
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