Location
Lat 33° 28' 46N Long 131° 44' 14E  Ōita Airfield is located at Ōita in Ōita Prefecture on Kyūshū in Japan. Also known as Oita Naval Airfield.

Wartime History
Used by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). During December 1938, the Ōita Kokutai (Ōita Naval Air Group) was formed at this location and operated here until March 1944 moving to Tsukuba Airfield.

American missions against Oita
March 27, 1945–August 10, 1945

On August 15, 1945 after the radio broadcast by Emperor Hirohito announcing the official surrender of Japan, a final Kamikaze mission was planned from Oita Airfield, personally led by Vice-Admiral Matome Ugaki who commanded D4Y Judy Tail 701-122. A total of ten aircraft took off, with three aborting due to engine problems. At 7:24pm, Ugaki's final radio message reported that the plane had begun its dive onto an American vessel. This aircraft failed to return but did not manage to hit any American ship. In fact, he was shot down and crashed.

Today
Still in use today as Oita Airport. The single runway is oriented 19/01 measuring 9,840' x 150' surfaced with asphalt. Airport codes: ICAO: RJFO, IATA: OIT.

Ōita Kamikaze Special Attack Corps Takeoff Site Monument
Built during October 1976 at Ōsu Athletic Park in Ōita City. The back of the memorial reads: "At 4:30 p.m. on August 15, 1945, the Pacific War's last kamikaze attack corps sortied from this site. The names of these men who died when they dove into American ships near Okinawa are listed at left." At left are the names Kamikaze pilots and crews, the first name is Matome Ugaki, 55 years, from Okayama Prefecture. Plus, seventeen others aged 19 to 24.

References
Ōita Kamikaze Special Attack Corps Takeoff Site Monument (photos)

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Last Updated
July 19, 2024