American missions against Tokorozawa and Tokorozawa Airfield
May 25, 1945–July 8, 1945
May 25, 1945
(20th AF) P-51s from Iwo Jima fly 73 effective strike sorties against Matsudo Airfield and Tokorozawa
Airfield claiming 8-0-1 Japanese aircraft in the air and 10-0-40 on
the ground.
June 11, 1945
(20th AF) P-51s from Iwo Jima
hit Tokorozawa Airfield; pilots claim 18 parked
aircraft destroyed and 30+ damaged.
July 8, 1945
(20th AF) 100+ P-51s from Iwo Jima from two fighter groups pound
targets including Tokorozawa Airfield.
August 15, 1945
(USN) F6F Hellcats from VF-88 on a strike over in Tokyo learn Japan has surrendered and abort the mission. In the vicinity of Tokorozawa Airfield intercepted by Japanese fighters with four shot down: F6F Hellcat 78065 (MIA), F6F Hellcat 77458 pilot Ensign Mandeberg (MIA), F6F Hellcat 79592 pilot Lt(jg) H. Harrison (MIA) and F6F Hellcat 78244 (MIA).
References
NARA Fighting Squadron 88 War Diary pages 7, 12
(Page 7) "15 August 1945 - The last day of the war. The Japs surrendered unconditionally. Before the announcement could reach our strikes, four of our fighters pilot were lost - presumably to enemy fighters. They were jumped by 20 Jacks and Georges [sic A6M5 Zeros]. Lt. (jg) Proctor, Lt.(jg) T. W. Hansen got two. The four pilots lost were Lt. H. M. Harrison, Lt.(jg) J. G. Sahloff, Ensign E. E. Mandeberg, and Ens. W. C. Hobbs Jr."
(Page 12) "On August 15th [1945], we lost 4 pilots to enemy fighters. Lt. Harrison, Lt. (jg) Sahloff, Ens. H. Hobbs, and Ens. E. Mandeberg. They were on a sweep over Tokozozawa Airfield [sic Tokorozawa Airfield] when the word was flashed to them by radio that the Japs had surrendered. They were ordered to return to base. Harrison acknowledge for the message and then shortly thereafter his flight of six hellcats were jumped by twenty Franks and Georges [sic A6M5 Zeros and J2M3 Jacks]. VF-88 pilots accounted for nine aircraft. Lt.(jg) Proctor and Ens. T. W. Hansen were the only two to get back alive. Their planes were badly damaged. Proctor shot down [claimed] three planes and Hansen bagged [claimed] two."
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