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| IJN 343 Kōkūtai S407  IJN April 21, 1945 |
Pilot Lt. Yoshishige Hayashi C.O. S407 (KIA) Ditched April 21, 1945 Aircraft History Built by Kawanishi at Naruo. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as N1K2-J Model 21 Shiden-Kai (George) manufacture number unknown (four digits) possibly 5136. Wartime History Assigned to 343 Kōkūtai (343 Air Group), Squadron 407 (S407). Tail code 343-?-?? (letter-two digits). Mission History On April 21, 1945 in the morning, took off from Kokubu Airfield piloted by Lt. Yoshishige Hayashi (Commanding Officer S407) as one of twenty-three Shinden-Kai led by Lt Takashi Oshibuchi on a mission to intercept an air raid by B-29 Superfortresses bombing Kokubu Airfield. The formation was divided into a 1st Division and 2nd Division flying in two groups of 6 fighters and 16 fighters plus smaller elements from S301, S701 and S407. The Shinden-Kai formation climbed to high altitude flying between 8,500m to 9,000m (27,887' to 29,528'). Due to bad intelligence, they were unaware the bomber formation was approaching at a lower altitude of roughly 6,000m / 19,685'. At 7:40am Lt. Hayashi with PO1c Toshinobu Shimizu from S301 intercepted a formation of nineteen B-29s that opened fire with defensive gunfire. While attacking, both were hit in their engines. Shimizu was also hit in his engine and crashed into the sea to the west of Warabi Island and killed on impact. Damaged, Hayashi attempted to ditched into the sea off off Origuchi beach near Akune in Kagoshima Prefecture on Kyūshū. As the pane ditched in shallow water, the impact fractured the pilot's skull, killing him on impact. Lt. Hayashi was the first 343 Kōkūtai (343 Air Group) squadron leader to die in combat. Recovery of Remains After the crash, the body of Hayashi was recovered and cremated in Akune with a wooden memorial marker. Afterwards, a permanent marker formed by a large stone with a stone memorial plaque was erected at his cremation site by his squadron mates. Memorials A wooden grave was errected at the cremation site that read "Cremation site of Squadron Leader Hayashi". Afterwards, a memorial marker was established for the pilot and other deceased airmen from S407 at Wakimoto in Akune. Wreckage The Shinden-kai ditched into the sea off Akune roughly 984' / 300 meters off Origuchi beach. Afterwards, the intact plane was above the surface with one of the propeller blades and upper half of the fuselage and tail above the surface. By 2025, the plane was partially covered by sand at a depth of 9.8' / 3m. On April 18, 2025 the Shidenkai Preservation Society (Association for Preserving the War Heritage of Northern Satsuma for Future Generations) led by Himoto Eisuke conducted an underwater survey and recorded video and took photos of the wreckage. During July 2025–Augut 2025, they conducted a fundraiser to that raised 2,416,048 Yen / $14,752.73 USD from 189 individuals to fund a recovery mission. On April 8, 2026 at 10:30am the plane was recovered by the Shidenkai Preservation Society led by Himoto Eisuke with metal tubes to brace the wings then lifted using a crane and placed on a barge then to Akune where it will undergo a year of desalination in a special water tank. Ultimately, their goal is to establish the Naval Izumi Base Museum (exhibition hall) on the site of the former Izumi Naval Base, and to permanently display it as a symbol that conveys a message of peace. After recovery, live ammunition was found in the wings. The ammunition co the wing ammunition has a stenicle of manufacture number 5136 stencil. References The pilot's name is also listed as Kijū Hayashi 343 Kōkūtai (343 Air Group) Action Report, April 21, 1945 343 Kōkūtai (343 Air Group) Combat Diary, April 21, 1945 Vice Admiral Ugaki Diary, April 21, 1945 "Their dismal results are thought to have been caused by their lack of will to fight and inadequate method of interception, as well as the use of Shinden (Kais)." Genda's Blade Japan's Squadron of Aces 343 Kokutai (2003) pages 89 (April 21, 1945), 199 (Order of battle and flight organization of the 343 Ku), 205 (Appendix 343 Ku flight personnel casualties Killed In Action), 208 (index Hayashi) YouTube "阿久根市沖紫電改発見250418 (Shiden-kai discovered off the coast of Akune City, April 18, 2018) June 26, 2025 NHK "Japanese World War Two fighter 'Shidenkai' salvaged from sea after 81 years" April 8, 2026 via Wayback Machine NHK "Japanese WWII fighter lifted from sea" April 9, 2026 (video) Shidenkai Preservation Society website about the recovery and aircraft Thanks to Shidenkai Preservation Society 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 July 23, 2026 |
 Shiden-Kai  9.8' / 3m Formally |
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