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| JAAF 11th Hiko Sentai 1st Chutai  Roy Hodgkinson 1943 |
Pilot W/O Tadashi Yoshitake (KIA, BR) Crashed December 26, 1942 Aircraft History Built by Nakajima. Uncoded serial number unknown (likely three digits). Delivered to the Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) as Type 1 Fighter / Ki-43-I Oscar manufacture number unknown (likely three digits). Wartime History Assigned to the 11th Hiko Sentai (11th Flying Regiment), 1st Chutai. No known markings or tail code. Mission History On December 26, 1942 took off from Vunakanau Airfield near Rabaul on a fighter sweep over Dobodura and the north coast of New Guinea. Over Gona, intercepted by Wirraway A20-103 pilot P/O John S. Archer. This Oscar was hit by gunfire causing it to crash into the sea near shore. Yoshitake did not bail out and died on impact. This was the only incident when a Wirraway to managed to shoot down an enemy fighter, incorrectly claimed to be a "Zero". Wreckage After the crash, Australian Army soldiers reached the crashed plane and recovered the body of the pilot from the cockpit. Recovery of Remains The Australian Army recovered the remains of the pilot. On his body was found a flag, badge of rank, identity disc, cards and occupation money. He was wearing a flight helmet, microphone and flying boots. Afterwards, his body was probably buried at the Japanese Cemetery at Gona. References NAA RAAF No. 4 Squadron Operations Record Book (ORB) - January 20, 1943 (NAA: A9186, 12) (PDF page 157) "20/1/43 – P/O J. S. Archer awarded the Silver Star (U.S.A.) for 'doing the impossible - shooting down a Zero [sic Ki-43] and brining home his observer and aircraft to tell the tale.' " AWM Archer, J S (Flying Officer, RAAF) EXDOC139 Army Signal message: "1145hrs RUSSEL and CARO observed Wirraway shoot down Zero. Zero fell in flames 600 yards east of CARO and 100 yards out from shore." RAAF Combat (Fighter) Report No. 1 Wirraway A20-103 December 26, 1942 RAAF Combat (Fighter) Report No. 1, Appendix "A" Wirraway A20-103 December 26, 1942 Australian War Memorial (AWM) 2/14 Infantry Battalion War Diary December 1942 Accession Number RCDIG1023970 (AWM52 8/3/14/60) (PDF page 15-16) "26 [December 1942] 1200 hrs Caro and Capt Russell reported that a Wirraway had shot down a Zero into the sea approximately 600 yards E.N.E. of Caro position. Considerable air activity could be observed from our H.Q. and many dogfights took place over the Buna and Gona area; quite a number of Zeros were shot down in these engagements. Caro reported that an attempt would be made o beach the Zero." (PDF page 31) "Report on shooting down of Zeke by Wirraway Re Buna 1" to 1 mile. At approx 1115 hrs on 26 Dec 42, a group of 15 Zekes flew over our position from the sea." (PDF page 32) "At approximately 1145 hrs on 26 Dec 42, a Zeke was observed flying towards 137303 (Ref Buna Prov 1" to 1 mile) from direction Saananda. Height about 100'." (PDF Page 34) "Personal Effect - Japanese Airman 28 Dec 42 HQ Nani Herewith articles found on Japanese airmen: 1 Flag. 1 Badge of Rank 1 Identity Disc 9 cards 1 helmet 1 ? microphone In addition he carried several type of 'occupatiob' money including 1 Rupee, 10 Dollars, 10 Gulden (Dutch). Was also wearing flying boots. Capt. Adji 2/14 Aus Inf Bn." AWM "Extraordinary incident" by Roy Hodgkinson ART22743 Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 85 Ki-43 'Oscar' Aces of World War 2 (2009) page 73 Japanese Naval Air Force Fighter Units and Their Aces, 1932-1945 (2011) by Hata, Izawa and Shores pages 294 (Casualty List of JAAF Fighter Pilots - WO Tadashi Yoshitake 27/12/42 off Buna) Hell's Battlefield (2012) by Phil Bradley pages 150-151 (Archer mission December 26, 1942) South Pacific Air War (2024) by Richard Dunn pages 15-17 (December 26, 1942), 587 (index Tadashi Yoshitake) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated April 19, 2021 |
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