802 Kōkūtai (802 Air Group)
Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN)

Background
On November 1, 1942 the 14th Kokutai (14th Ku) was redesignated 802 Kokutai (802 Ku). In early December 1942 to reconstitute unit from losses, a new floatplane fighter unit was formed at Yokosuka equipped with the A6M2-N Rufe seaplane fighter and deployed to the South Pacific.

Wartime History
On November 7, 1942 four F1M2 Petes from Kamikawa Maru join six A6M2-N Rufes from 802 Kōkūtai (802 Air Group) as part of the air cover for a "Tokyo Express" convoy of eleven destroyers bound for Guadalcanal. Engaged by F4F Wildcats from VMF-121 and P-39 Airacobras from 67th Fighter Squadron (67th FS). During the air combat, the Americans claim a total of ten Petes. In fact, only a single F1M2 Pete is lost.

By early December 1942, 802 Ku was operating from Shortland Harbor Seaplane Base and Rekata Bay Seaplane Base.

On December 10, 1942 802 Ku Rufes claimed claimed one P-38 shot down and a second probable over Shortland. No U.S. losses correlate to these victory claims.

By early January 1943 the 802 Kokutai had only two operative A6M2-N Rufes at Shortland Harbor Seaplane Base.

On January 5, 1943 the last two operative A6M2-N Rufes took off from Shortland Harbor Seaplane Base joining six A6M Zeros from the 204 Kokutai plus F1M2 Petes from the 11th Seaplane Tender Division on a mission to intercept a formation of B-17 Flying Fortress from the 11th BG on a bombing mission against Japanese ships off southern Bougainville escorted by six P-38G Lightnings from 339th FS. During the interception, A6M2-N Rufe piloted by Leading Airman Matsuyama shot down P-38G pilot Hiklen (MIA) and P-38G pilot Dinn (MIA).

On January 14, 1943 A6M2-N Rufe from 802 Kokutai fly a combat mission.

On January 18, 1943 nine A6M2-N Rufes took off on a mission and encountered a formation of six P-39s, claiming two shot down. Two Rufes were lost with both pilots bailing out with one killed and the other rescued.

Afterwards, 802 Ku continue to fly patrols over Shortland, but encountered no enemy planes.

On February 14, 1943 eleven A6M2-N scrambled with one aborting to intercept a formation of PB4Y-1 Liberators escorted by fighters. The ten A6M2-N Rufes claimed two "B-24s" and a "P-40" [sic] as shot down.

On March 18, 1943 transfered to Emiej Seaplane Base (Imeji) in Jaluit Atoll in the Marshall Islands and continued to fly patrols but encountered no enemy aircraft. On October 15, 1943 the floatplane fighter unit of 802 Ku was disbaned.

802 Kokutai Tail Codes
Tail code N1 used until the middle of 1943
Tail code Y4 used in Marshalls

References
Japanese Naval Air Force Fighter Units and Their Aces, 1932-1945 pages 46, 50, 238-239 (802 Ku)
(Page 50) "Next day [14 February 1943] 253 Ku intercepted a raid on Buin [Kahili], 24 A6M taking part, pilots claiming a B-24, nine P-38s, a P-39 and two new Vought F4U Corsairs, for one loss. They also shared a further B-24, a P-38, two P-39s and an F4U and four P-38s, while ten A6M2N pilots of 802 Ku claimed two more B-24s and probably a P-40 [sic], without loss."
(Page 239) "Until 14 February [1943] the unit continued to fly patrols and air defence sorties over Shortland."
Operation KE (2012) by Roger & Dennis Letourneau pages 86
"After the Forts made their run on a 'cruiser,' the 11th's Rufes and Petes, in the company of the 204th Zeros, quickly moved in. One Rufe piloted by Leading Airman Matsuyama, pounced on Lt. Ron Hiklen at the outset. A Pete quickly joined in. Before they were driven off by Lt. Betsy Holmes and Lt. Emmett Noris, they had set Hilken's right engine on fire. He was last seen going down toward Vella Lavella. Matsuyama also shot out Lt. Wally Dinn's left engine with 20-mm fire, sending Dinn spinning into the water one final, fatal time."

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?