Aircraft History
Built by Mitsubishi at Nagoya No. 3 Works. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as G4M1 Model 11 Betty manufacture number unknown. Assigned to the 705 Kokutai. No known markings or tail code likely 3?? (last two digits numbers) painted in white.

Wartime History
On April 14, 1943 took off from Vunakanau Airfield near Rabaul on a bombing mission against Milne Bay led by Lt. Commander Miyauchi Shichiso (Hikocho, 705 Kokutai) including 26 from the 705 Kokutai and 17 from the 751 Kokutai armed with 250kg and 60kg bombs targeting Allied shipping in Milne Bay with a secondary target of airfields.

Over the target, the bombers encountered anti-aircraft fire and were intercepted by P-40 Kittyhawks from 75 Squadron and 77 Squadron before escorting A6M Zeros intervened to intercept the attackers. The aerial attacks caused the bombers to switch to their secondary target and bombed Gurney Airfield (No. 1 Strip). This bomber sustained damage from the Kittyhawks and jettisoned its bomb load before crashing into the mountains.

Fates of the Crew
One of the crew survived the crash. He was later captured by the Allies and became a Prisoners Of War (POW). Afterwards, he was interrogated by Allied intelligence.

References
Operation A by Richard Dunn

Contribute Information
Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned?
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
November 9, 2019