13th Hiko Sentai (13th Flying Regiment)
Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF)

Background
During 1941 established as the 13th Hiko Sentai (13th Flying Regiment) of the Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) equipped with the Type 97 Fighter / Ki-27 Nate and later operated the Type 2 Two-Seat Fighter Toryu / Ki-45 Nick and then the Type 1 Fighter / Ki-43 Oscar.

Wartime History
Operated the Ki-45 Nick in Burma. During early 1943, moved to Rapopo Airfeld near Rabaul. In early April 1943 moved to Wewak.

By September 1943, the 13th Hiko Sentai had lost all their fighters and aquired some Ki-43-I Oscars when the 1st Hiko Sentai (1st Flying Regiment) departed. Later, converted to the Ki-43-II Oscar but officially remained a Ki-45 with a few on strength from time to time.

In late November 1943 withdrew from Wewak via Wakde Airfield to the NEI and reequipped with Ki-45 Nicks. In early 1944 became a fighter unit operating the Ki-43 Oscar. By April 1944 moved to Kamiri Airfield on Noemfoor.

References
Emblems of the Rising Sun (1999) page 20 (13th Sentai)
Japanese Army Air Force Fighter Units And Their Aces 1931-1945 (2002) pages 113-115 (13th Sentai)

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