Hi guys,
The June 2001 issue of Aeroplane magazine had an article of the final air battle of WW2. It was an engagement on August 15th 1945 between Royal Navy Seafires, Avengers, Fireflies and Japanese Navy Air Force Zeroes. A snapshot based on that incident has just been written, it can be seen here:
http://events.simladder.com/snapshot.php?snapshot_id=44I was in contact with Rod Kirkby, the artist of who painted the "Final Combat" painting and interviewed Gerry Murphy, one of the Seafire pilots on that mission.
Mr Kirkby asked if any of the Japanese pilots that took part in the combat are still alive. Does anyone have more information on this? Japanese AH pilots, do you have any contacts to your veterans? The unit involved was apparently the 302nd Kokutai, based on Atsugi airbase southwest of Tokyo.
You can also contact me through email:
ville.pitkanen@hut.fiThanks,
Camo