14th Kōkūtai (14 Air Group)
Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN)

Background
On April 1, 1938 the 14th Kōkūtai (14th Air Group) was established in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). Abbreviated as 14th Ku. In English, often spelled 14th Kokutai.

Second Sino-Japanese War
During the Second Sino-Japanese War, operated in China flying the A5M4 Claude and later the A6M2 Zero. One pilot was Warrant Officer Katsuma Shigemi who claimed three aerial victories against Chinese planes. On September 15, 1941 disbanded.

Pacific War
Established April 1, 1938 during the Second Sino-Japanese War flying the A5M4 Claudes in China.

On April 1, 1942 the The 14th Kōkūtai (14th Air Group) was reestablished with flying boats and seaplanes. During the Guadalcanal campaign became part of the R-Area Air Force (Homen Koku Butai) and operated from Shortland Harbor Seaplane Base flying patrol missions over the Solomon Islands.

On October 23, 1942 lost is H6K Mavis observer PO2c Shimoyamada on a patrol mission over the Solomon Sea and went missing. In fact, this flying boat encountered B-17E "Miss Fit" 41-2433 and engaged in an air-to-air combat with the enemy bomber over the Solomon Sea. After a battle that lasted forty-four minutes, the Mavis was shot down and crashed into the sea. The B-17 was damaged with several wounded aboard but managed to return to Espiritu Santo.

On November 1, 1942 the 14th Kokutai (14th Ku) was redesignated 802 Kokutai (802 Ku).

14th Kokutai Tail Codes
2-XXX (three digits)
9-XXX (three digits)
6-XXX (three digits)

References
Kodochosho 14th Kōkūtai - October 23, 1942 page 137
Japanese Naval AIr Force And Their Aces 1932–1945 (X) pages X
Zeros Over Southern China: Japan’s Forgotten Air War of 1943–1944 by Richard L. Dunn
Thanks to Minoru Kamada for additional information

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