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 1943, moved to Rapopo Airfeld near Rabaul. By September 1943, the 13th Hiko Sentai lost all their fighters and aquired some Ki-43-I Oscars when the 1st Sentai departed and later converted to the Ki-43-II Oscar but remained a Ki-45 uni until early 1944 with a few on strength from time to time. Operated from Wewak until late November 1943 then withdrew via Wakde Airfield then to the NEI and were reequipped with Ki-45 Nicks. By April 1944 when they moved to Kamiri Airfield on Noemfoor they had officially become a Type 1 fighter unit.

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

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?