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| IJN 4th Kōkūtai 1st Shotai 1st Chutai |
Pilot Naonobu Tsusaki (KIA) Co-Pilot Isao morita (KIA) Observer Kazuo Okabe (KIA) Observer ? Okubo (KIA) Observer Masahiro Matsuki (KIA) Radio ? Nishiku (KIA) Radio Chiyoki Kobayashi (KIA) Engineer Tadashi Matsumoto (KIA) Crashed July 10, 1942 Aircraft History Built by Mitsubishi at Nagoya No. 3 Works. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as Type 1 Attack Bomber Hamaki / G4M1 Model 11 Betty manufacture number unknown. Wartime History Assigned to the 4th Kōkūtai (4th Air Group), 1st Chutai, 1st Shotai. Tail code F-??? (last three digits unknown). Mission History On July 10, 1942 took off from Vunakanau Airfield near Rabaul piloted by Naonobu Tsusaki leading a formation of twenty-one bombers on bombing mission against of Port Moresby. Over the target at 20,000', the bombers released their bombs but failed to cause any damage on the ground. This Betty was hit by 3.7" heavy anti-aircraft fire and crashed into the sea near Gaire. Wreckage After the crash, Australian Army soldiers located wreckage near Gaire and recovered documents, maps and papers. Two severely burned and mutilated bodies were buried at the village. A day later, other Australians found wreckage and a radio in Waigani Swamp (not associated with this aircraft). References Kodochosho, 4th Kōkūtai, July 10, 1942 Come What Will (1994) "10th July 20 Medium Bombers. Bombed Harbor from 20,000ft. No damage heavy AA credited with 2 bombers. One Gunner was found on beach below harbor." AWM File 54 control symbol 423/4/73 Location AWM Barcode 463462 NGF [HQ andAir] July 42, part 1[ 1/5/51-0144 Intelligence Resume 58 12 July "[Intelligence - Captured Documents and Translations:] Documents recovered from crashed Japanese Bomber at Gaile (near Port Moresby) 10 July 1942. Report No 14 - A Forms for reporting enemy dispositions; B Set of forms for meteorological reports, Report No 15 - Set of maps together with a bag labelled in Japanese "Reconnaissance Satchel", Report No 18 - Among documents found there was a reference chart of directions for navigations in South Sea Base Area, a photograph of this chart is reproduced in Appendix "A" of this file and translated in Appendix "B", Report No 12 - Naval comment on the table of Japanese Fleet Organization - Speed by eye - indicator." War Diary 1942 page 66 "Twenty-one heavy bombers escorted by eight Zeros over the same old target, this time against shipping. AA claimed two definite hits and one probable hit on bombers which were forced to break formation because of the accuracy of the fire." COIC Intelligence Resume No. 57 to 1100K/11/7/42 Australia Station - Sightings and Reports 10/7/42 "Raid 70. 21 Serial 51 heavy bombers escorted by possibly 8 Zeros attacked at 1013K/10. Made run at 23,000 ft. from N.E. and swung to S.E. on being engaged by A.A. bombers climbed to 26,000 ft. Station H1 fired 33 rounds and claims 2 definite hits, Station H2 fired 15 rounds and claims 2 possible hits. A.A. broke formation which continued on in two formations of 14 and 7. 2 of the 14 bombers were smoking and losing altitude. ... Nil damage or casualties. 2 bombers reported down in sea off Pyramid Point and smaller aircraft seen losing altitude over Bootless Inlet. One Japanese body found near Koki with shrapnel through back. 11 Airacobras airborne - nil interception." COIC Intelligence Resume No. 60 to 1100K/14/7/42 Australia Station - Sightings and Reports 13/7/42 "Reference Resume #58 burning bomber found after raid 71 in WAIGANI SWAMP. This aircraft crashed during a previous raid and was already reported to A.A.F. A grass fire was responsible for its being incorrectly included in report of Raid 71" Thanks to Yoji Sakaida, Edward Rogers and John Douglas 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 January 1, 2024 |
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