77th Hiko Sentai (77th Flying Regiment)
Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF)

Background
During July 1937 organized from the 4th Hiko Rentai (4th Air Regiment) as the 8th Hiko Daitai (8th Air Battalion) in the Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF). On July 24, 1937 transfered from Tachiarai Airfield in Japan to Fengtian Airfield in Manchuria under the command of Col. Makoto Sasa equipped with Type 95 / Ki-10 (Pery) fighter.

China
During late July 1937 operated from Tianjin Airfield. On July 27, 1937 flew their first patrol over Peking to support ground forces. On October 1, 1937 claimed their first aerial victory a Curtis Hawk over Taiyuan Airfield (Yang Chu). On October 15, 1937 claimed two more Curtis Hawks. On October 31, 1937 another victory was claimed.

On July 27, 1938 the 8th Hiko Daitai (8th Air Battalion) was reorganized as the 77th Hiko Sentai (77th Flying Regiment) with two chutai at Nanking in China operating the Type 95 Fighter / Ki-10 (Perry).

Wartime History
During 1940, operates from Thailand and northern Burma flying the Ki-27 Nate.

During 1942 converts to Ki-43 Oscar.

During February 1944 moves to Hollandia. On February 27, 1944 five Oscars from the 2nd Chutai patrol over But Airfield. On February 28, 1944 five Oscars from 1st Chutai and 3rd Chutai patrol over But Airfield. Both missions were likely familiarization flights. On February 29, 1944 equipped with replaecement aircraft incuding Ki-43-II Oscars 6221, 6386, 6428, 6442 and 6453.

During March 1944 moves to Wewak.

On March 5, 1944 Ki-43 Oscars from 77th Sentai scramble to intercept American fighters on three occasions. First, at 7:00am twelve Oscars scrambled on a false alarm. Second, at 9:40am nine Oscars scrambled and at 9:55am rendevoused with Oscars from 33rd Sentai over Tarawai Island (Tendanye) and began landing by 11:10am due to fuel shortage with three Oscars of the Kuwahara formation still patrolling were intercepted by a pair of P-38 piloted by Lynch and Bong with one shot down and the other two damaged that landed at 11:45am. Third, to intercept three P-47D Thunderbolts. Ki-43 Oscar shoots down P-47D "Fiery Ginger IV" 42-22668 piloted by Col. Neel E. Kearby.

On March 11, 1944 Captain Yoshiro Kuwabara claimed a P-47 Thunderbolt shot down, possibly P-47D Thunderbolt pilot Gerrity.

On March 14, 1944 Captain Yoshiro went missing.

Later, moves to Galela Airfield on Halmahera. By July 25, 1944 disbanded due to losses. No pilots are known to have survived the Pacific War.

Aces
Captain Yoshiro Kuwabara, 3rd Chutai flight leader with 12 victory claims.

Commanding officers (C.O.)
Col. Makoto Sasa (1937)
Maj. Kunio Matsumoto (October 1943 - April 1944 KIA)
Maj. Shigetoshi Inoue (April 1944–August 1944)

References
Allied Translation and Intelligence Service (ATIS) Bulletin No. 1299 Report of 77th Flying Regiment engagements March 5, 1944
Allied Translation and Intelligence Service (ATIS) Bulletin No. 1375 77 Flying Regiment Operation Order No. 9
Emblems of the Rising Sun page 33-34 (77th Sentai)
Japanese Army Air Force Fighter Units And Their Aces 1931-1945 (2002) pages 165-167 (77th Sentai)
Double Lucky? The Campaigns of the 77th Hiko Sentai by Richard L. Dunn (2005)
Double Lucky? The Campaigns of the 77th Hiko Sentai Part 2 by Richard L. Dunn (2005)
Double Lucky? The Campaigns of the 77th Hiko Sentai Part 3 by Richard L. Dunn (2005)
Thanks to Richard L. Dunn for additional information

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