248th Hiko Sentai (248th Flying Regiment)
Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF)

Background
The 248th Hiko Sentai (248th Flying Regiment) was part of the Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF). In English sources noted as the 248th Flying Regiment (248th FR).

Wartime History
During August 1942, established at Ashiya Airfield under the command of Major Yasuo Makino with two chutai during August 1942 around a cadre from the 4th Hiko Sentai (4th Flying Regiment) equipped with the Type 97 Fighter / Ki-27 (Nate). During December 1942, the third chutai was added. During August 1942 a portion of the 248th was detached to operate from Gun-no-su Airfield until October 1943. By July 1943 equipped with the Type 1 Fighter Hayabusa / Ki-43 Oscar and prepared for combat deployment.

Wartime History
During October 1943 under the command of Major Shin-ichi Muraoka began operating from Wewak in New Guinea. The 248th Sentai also operated from forward airfields including Madang Airfield and Alexishafen Airfield (Danip Airfield).

On November 9, 1943 eighteen Ki-43 Oscars took off on a mission to escort Ki-21 Sallys from 14th Sentai on a bombing mission against Nadzab Airfield. Over Lae, intercepted by U.S. fighters including 27 P-40N Warhawks from the 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-40 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 the 35th FS. Over Alexishafen, a Ki-43 Oscar from 248th Sentai was shot down by P-38 Lightnings from 475th Fighter Group (475th FG).

On November 15, 1943 eighteen Ki-43 Oscars took off on a mission to escort Ki-48 Lily light bombers. The formation was surprised by 24 P-40N Warhawks from the 8th Fighter Squadron and 35th Fighter Squadron that caught them by surprise and shot down one Lily and six Oscars and damaged another with two P-40 lost, one due to a collision during a head on pass and the other written off from battle damage after landing. Meanwhile some of the P-40s accidentally attacked B-25 Mitchells in the same area.

On December 22, 1943 between 5:00am to 7:30am Ki-43 Oscars from 248th Sentai provided combat air patrols over the 15th Wewak Resupply Convoy (Wewak No. 15 Convoy) unloading in Wewak Harbor and were scheduled to patrol again between 10:00am to 1:00pm. Before their second patrol,B-25 Mitchells from 345th Bomb Group (345th BG) escorted by P-38 Lightings from 80th Fighter Squadron (80th FS) strike Wewak. To intercept, the 248th Sentai scrambled to join Ki-43 Oscars from the 59th Sentai plus Ki-61 Tonys from 68th Sentai and 78th Sentai to engage the Americans. During the interception, 248th fighters claim a B-25 and a P-38 shot down with the loss of four pilots.

By the middle of February 1944, the remaining planes in flyable condition were withdrawn to Tadji Airfield for maintenance but would never return to combat.

On April 22, 1944 the U.S. Army made amphibious landings at Hollandia and Aitape that bypassed Japanese further to the east including the 248th. Isolated and cut off, the 248th ceased flying and disbanded. The surviving personnel retreating inland and attempt to flee into western New Guinea.

In total, the 248th Sentai claimed 97 enemy planes shot down for the loss of 24 pilots in combat.

Markings
The unit motif with three sets of stylized "V" shapes n three rows whose upper tips form 2-4-8. The tail markings were Sentai Hombu (Headquarters) red tail with white motif, 1st Chutai white motif, 2nd Chutai red motif and 3rd Chutai yellow motif.

11th Hiko Sentai Known Aircraft
Ki-27 Nate pilot MSgt Shintaro  force landed July 25, 1939
Ki-27 Nate Aikokuki 292  crashed August 22, 1939
Ki-43 5894 abandoned Hollandia April 1944

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Major Shin-ichi Muraoka (August 1942)
Major Yasuo Makino (October 1943)

References
Japanese Army Air Force Fighter Units And Their Aces 1931–1945 (2002) pages 184-185 (248th Sentai), 122 (photo)
248th Hiko Sentai: A Japanese “Hard luck” Fighter Unit Part 1 by Richard Dunn
248th Hiko Sentai: A Japanese “Hard luck” Fighter Unit Part 2 by Richard Dunn
248th Hiko Sentai: A Japanese “Hard luck” Fighter Unit Part 3 by Richard Dunn
248th Hiko Sentai, page 3 by Richard Dunn
"After this raid [February 15, 1944] the Japanese fighter units withdrew all their flyable aircraft to rear bases to carry out maintenance and recover their operational strength. 248th [Hiko Sentai] went to Aitape (called Tadji by the Allies)"
Emblems of the Rising Sun (1999) page 39 (248th Sentai)
South Pacific Air War (2024) page 487
Thanks to Richard Dunn for additional information

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