Author Topic: Looking for Japanese airmen (Read 374 times)

LLv34_Camouflage · « **on:** December 06, 2002, 10:21:40 AM »

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=44

I 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.fi

Thanks,

Camo

LLv34_Camouflage · « **Reply #1 on:** December 06, 2002, 08:17:50 PM »

Thanks Oed, I kinda wondered if I forgot something from the post.

Camo

LLv34_Camouflage · « **Reply #2 on:** December 07, 2002, 06:27:20 AM »

Any Japanese AH players with connections to war time pilots?

Camo

FDutchmn · « **Reply #3 on:** December 07, 2002, 10:04:07 AM »

I wish I had one myself but I do not... I will try some other players online...

Grendel · « **Reply #4 on:** December 07, 2002, 03:42:12 PM »

Camo, we got Japanese guys at WarBirds who are in contact with their vets.

I took freedom to copy your message to AGW.

Keep eye there:

http://agw.warbirdsiii.com/bbs/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13822

LLv34_Camouflage · « **Reply #5 on:** December 10, 2002, 05:43:37 AM »

Thanks guys.

Camo

LLv34_Camouflage · « **Reply #6 on:** December 10, 2002, 06:02:51 AM »

Thanks G, interesting stuff!

Quote

Randon:

We flew this mission about 18 months ago as an SL. You can compare the WB Scenario Lite with the AH Snapshot here

http://www.users.nwark.com/~rrosbor...L216/index.html

I saw the article in The Aeroplane and even wrote to The Aeroplane about the event we ran. The article gave the Japanese as including some J2M3 "Raiden" as well as A6M5.

I wonder if Rod Kirkby would share some information with us about the Seafire schemes as the PDC were looking for sources of PTO Seafire skins.

I can't help with Japanese vets but will post the story on one of the Japanese research forums.

randn+

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13 V RAF
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Quote

qweqwe:

Some of them may still alive.

8 A6M5cs of 252nd kuu took off the Mobara airbase are considered
to be those who engaged the seafires on the day off shore Tokyo.

Lt(JG) Honma Tadahiko, who then led 4 zekes, was shot down by a
Seafire which he thought "spitfire", wounded, but bailed and survived.
I thought he has visited Britain and has contact with WW2 vets there
but not very sure. What I'm quite sure is that he is still alive
and even socially active(known as a ham radio man) so souldn't be
hard to talk to him.

P.S. Go to this page and scroll down to see the photo of standing IJN airman...that's Lt Honma.

http://www.yokohamaradiomuseum.com/navy3.html

hehe found his ham radio station :JA1UE