253 Kōkūtai (253 Air Group)
Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN)

Background
The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) 253 Kōkūtai (253 Air Group) operated the A6M Zero in the South Pacific (SoPAC).

On May 7, 1943 six A6M2 Zeros from 253 Kōkūtai scramble from Kavieng Airfield on New Ireland to intercept B-17F "The Reckless Mountain Boys" 41-24518 on a solo photographic reconnaissance mission over Kavieng. The Zeros made firing passes that hit the no. 2 engine setting it on fire, knocked off the ball turret door and badly wounded the gunner. The B-17 dove down to sea level to avoid being attacked from below and headed southward until the the no. 2 engine failed. Repeated attacks by the Zeros also disabled the no. 1 engine. During the attacks, three crew were hit by gunfire and killed. Three others were severely wounded. Damaged, this B-17 ditched onto a coral reef roughly 50 yards offshore from Komalu on the south coast of New Ireland. Afterwards, the six Zeros strafed the B-17 before departing for Kavieng Airfield.

During September 1943 moves to Tobera Airfield south of Rabaul.

On December 17, 1943 Zeros from 253 Kōkūtai scrambled to intercept Allied fighters over Rabaul. During the air combat, A6M Zero pilot Seaman Masajiro Kawato collided with P-40N Kittyhawk NZ3175 pilot Ft/Lt John McFarlane, his first and only confirmed aerial victory. Both pilots bailed out and were rescued by a Japanese patrol boat.

On January 14, 1944 at 9:30am 44 Zeros from 253 Kōkūtai scrambled from Tobera Airfield with some armed with aerial bombs to intercept a formation of fighters and bombers on a strike against Rabaul. During the combat, they lost 2 Zeros missing and one force landing plus four damaged with the rest returning to land at 10:20am. They intercept 23 F4U and claim 7, 9 F6F and claim 2 and 5 TBF.

On February 17, 1944 the remaining airworthy Zeros from 253 Kōkūtai took off from Tobera Airfield and are withdrawn northward to Truk.

253 Kokutai Tail Codes
The group used different tail codes at various dates.

Tail code	Dates
253-1xx	? - middle September 1943
53-1xx	middle September 1943

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