751 Kōkūtai (751 Air Group)
Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN)

Background
On November 1, 1942 Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) Kanoya Kōkūtai (Kanoya Air Group) was redesignated 751 Kōkūtai (751 Air Group, 751 Kokutai, 751 Ku) under the 26 Kōku Sentai (26 Air Flotilla) operating the Type 1 Attack Bomber Hamaki / G4M1 Betty from Kavieng Airfield and Vunakanau Airfield near Rabaul.

On March 8, 1943 a formation of G4M1 Bettys from 751 Kōkūtai and 705 Kōkūtai attack an Allied convoy off New Guinea. One group targets an AK (transport) and corvette HMAS Bendigo (J187), but scored only near misses. The second group targets s'Jacob and scores a bomb hit on the number 3 hatch causing major structural damage, listed to starboard then rolled over sinking bow first with the loss of five aboard.

On July 2, 1943 751 Kokutai sends a detachment of twelve G4M1 Betty bombers led by Lt. Motozu from Tinian to Rabaul as reinforcements to defend the central Solomons.

On July 15, 1943 the 751 Kokutai detachment of nine G4M1 Bettys flew a bombing mission against Rendova Island and U.S. shipping in Roviana Lagoon. Defending American fighters shot down six including G4M1 Betty piloted by Lt. Motozu.

On December 11, 1943 the 702 Kōkūtai (702 Air Group) disbands and their surviving air crews were absorbed into the 751 Kokutai.

On February 17, 1944 maintenance personnel from 751 Ku are embarked aboard Kokai Maru. On February 20, 1944 departs Rabaul with Convoy O-003 bound for Palau. On February 21, 1944 at 1:30pm off New Hanover and north of New Ireland attacked by B-25 Mitchells from 345th Bombardment Group (345th BG) "Air Apaches", 500th Bombardment Squadron (500th BS) and 501st Bombardment Squadron (501st BS) that bomb and strafe the convoy. The B-25s sink Kokai Mau with the loss of 7 passengers and 19 crew at roughly Lat 2° 30' S, Long 150° 15'E. The survivors were rescued by the other ships in the convoy.

Tail Codes
K-XXX (three digits)  used prewar and at the start of the Pacific War.
XXX (three digits) used in the South Seas combat area and as 751 Ku.

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