14th Hiko Sentai (14th Flying Regiment)
Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF)

Background
The Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) 14th Hiko Sentai (14th Flying Regiment) operated the Type 97 Heavy Bomber / Ki-21-II Sally.

Wartime History
The 14th Sentai operated in Burma. During the night of December 24-25, 1942 flew a bombing mission against Calcutta. Afterwards, transfered from Burma to the Neatherlands East Indies (NEI) for two months of rest, recouperation and refit.

On February 24, 1943 departed for the South Pacific flying via Kendari then Babo and westward to Wewak then onward to Rabaul. On March 2, 1943 arrives Rapopo Airfield with thirty-six Type 97 heavy bombers / Ki-21-II Sallys.

On March 9, 1943 twenty-six Ki-21 Sallys from 14th Sentai bomb Wau escorted by Oscars on their first combat mission over New Guinea.

On March 11, 1943 Ki-21 Sallys bomb Buna escorted by 40 Zeros.

On March 16, 1943 U.S. heavy bombers target Rapopo Airfield and destroy or damage 24 Sallys from the 14th Sentai. leaving only 12 servicable.

During the nights of March 16-17, 1943 and March 23-24, 1943 B-24 Liberators bomb Rabaul and damage or destroy more of their bombers. By March 24, 1943 the 14th Sentai was reduced to a strength of only 8 bombers. Afterwards, the 14th Sentai switched to night bombing missions and flying cargo as transport aircraft.

During April 1943 when the Navy launched Operation I-Go, the 14 Sentai was not utilized in the operation. In May and June, they flew bombing missions to Wau, Buna, Bena Bena escorted by Ki-43 Oscars.

On May 15, 1943 in the morning, Ki-21 Sallys from 14th Sentai took off from Rapopo Airfield escorted by fighters on a mission to attack Wau and release their bombs over Wau Creek but fail to cause any damage.

On July 2, 1943 eighteen Ki-21 Sallys took off from Rapopo Airfield under the command of Sentai leader Major Misao Endo on a bombing mission against the U.S. beachheads at Zanana on New Georgia and northern Rendova and achieve unusually accurate bombing results and return without loss. Over the target, misidentified as Bettys by the U.S. forces.

On July 4, 1943 sixteen Ki-21 Sallys and one Siki-sen and Zero fly to Buin on southern Bougainville where they rendezvous with a A6M Zero escort then continue on a bombing mission against Rendova. Over the target, they are hit by anti-aircraft fire and intercepted by U.S. fighters and suffer the loss of 8 Sallys. Returning, damaged Ki-21 Sally 4335 force lands at Ballale Airfield.

On November 9, 1943 Ki-21 Sallys from 14th Sentai bomb Nadzab Airfield escorted by Ki-43 Oscars from 248th Sentai. Over Lae, intercepted by U.S. fighters including 27 P-40N Warhawks from 35th Fighter Squadron (35th FS) and 36th Fighter Squadron (36th FS) plus P-39Q Airacobras from 40th Fighter Squadron (40th FS) who claimed six Oscars and one P-40N crash landed and two P-39s were damaged. Three Ki-43s were shot down over Lae including Sgt. Major Hiroshi Yoshida shot down by P-40s and successfully bailed out but was captured and became a Prisoner Of War (POW), likely shot down by P-40N Warhawk pilot Carl Weaver from 35th FS.

During late 1943, withdrawn from New Guinea to the Philippines.

Markings
The unit motif was a stylized 14 in the shape of the letter "A". Sentai Hombu (Headquarters) blue, 1st Chutai white, 2nd Chutai red and 3rd Chutai yellow.

References
Emblems of the Rising Sun (1999) page 20 (14th Sentai 1938-1945)

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