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| IJN 14th Kōkūtai  Jack Fellows 2016 |
Observer PO2c Takeshi Shimoyamada (MIA / KIA) Crashed October 23, 1942 Aircraft History Built by Kawanishi Kokuki K. K. at Naruo. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as Type 97 Large Flying Boat / H6K Mavis manufacture number unknown. This flying boat was either model H6K4 or H6K5. Wartime History Assigned to 14th Kōkūtai (14th Air Group). Likely, this flying boat had a tail number. Mission History On October 23, 1942 at 5:30am took off from Shortland Harbor Seaplane Base under the command of observer PO2c Takeshi Shimoyamada, the highest ranking officer aboard on a patrol mission over R2 area of the Solomon Sea. When this flying boat failed to return it was listed as Mssing In Action (MIA). In fact, this flying boat encountered B-17E "Miss Fit" 41-2433 and engaged in an air-to-air combat with the enemy bomber over the Solomon Sea. After a battle that lasted forty-four minutes, the Mavis was shot down and crashed into the sea. The B-17 was damaged with several wounded aboard but managed to return to Espiritu Santo. References 乙７～９期 静岡県出身者集合写真 (Group photo of people from Shizuoka Prefecture in the 7th to 9th periods) "下山田武さん (Shimoyamada Takeshi) Flying boat 14th Air Group KIA October 23, 1942 Solomons" Kodochosho 14th Kōkūtai - October 23, 1942 page 137 Clash of Titans by Jack Fellows (B-17 vs H6K combat October 23, 1942) Aviation History Magazine "Pacific Tramps" (May 2016) cover art Clash of Titans by Jack Fellows article by Steve Birdsall pages 21-27 (Four-Engine Bombers Dogfight) HistoryNet "Pacific Tramps" artwork Clash of Titans by Jack Fellows article by Steve Birdsall (reprint of Aviation History Magazine) Thanks to Minoru Kamada 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 May 27, 2023 |
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