|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
Dai Nippon Airlines  380th BG August 21, 1943 |
Pilot Yoshio Yamada (Dai Nippon Airlines) (KIA) Engineer Tsutomu Yamagata (Dai Nippon Airlines) Radio Shigeharu Imano (Kon'no) (Dai Nippon Airlines) Navigator Minoru Takahashi (Dai Nippon Airlines) Passenger LtCdr Hirohide Fushimi (WIA, died August 26, 1943) Passenger ? (others unknown) Crashed August 21, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Tabby-Showa/Nakajima as a L2D license-built version of Douglas DC-3. Owned and operated by Dai Nippon Airlines (Greater Japan Airlines). Nicknamed "Cedar Tree". Wartime History This L2D was being used by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as a contracted transport aircraft. All of the aircraft were civilian employees of Dai Nippon Airlines (Imperial Japanese Airways). Mission History On August 21, 1943 this L2D was scheduled to take off from Kendari Airfield on Celebes (Sulawesi) on a flight westward bound for Maccasar Airfield. Before take off, passenger LtCdr Hirohide Fushimi requested the flight be delayed to use the bathroom and took off ten minutes late. While flying over Bono Bay (Gulf of Boni) in cumulus clouds spotted by B-24D "Juarez Whistle" 42-40496 piloted by Captain Gus Cannery on a bombing mission against Pomalaa. The bomber crew identified the plane as a Japanese "Tabby" and saw the Japanese rising sun (Hinomaru) insignia on the plane. Immediately, the top turret gunner opened fire aiming at the engines, fuselage windows and down to the tail causing the plane to catch fire and nose down. As the burning plane descended, the bomber crew photographed this Tabby on fire and smoking over Bono Bay and observed it to crash. In fact, the burning L2D made a controlled landing in Bono Bay. Aboard, pilot Yoshio Yamada was killed in the crash and passenger LtCdr Hirohide Fushimi was wounded. Fates of the Crew After the crash, the surviving crew and passengers were rescued. On August 26, 1943, Lt. Kushimi died from the injuries he sustained. The photograph of this Tabby on fire and smoking over Bono Bay is well known as a famous World War II photograph. Yet, the Japanese side was a mystery. Researcher Minoru Kamada was the first to identify the Japanese plane and crew. Memorials Fushimi is buried at Aoyama Cemetery in Tokyo. References The Flying Circus 380th Bomb Group (1945) page 53 (photo) "Right: A flaming Tess, shot down by 380th gunners at Pomelaa, Celebes, is headed for Davey Jones locker in the photo at left." Thanks to Minoru Kamada for additional research and analysis Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated August 26, 2022 |
 LD2  Photo Archive |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
