RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (The Black Friday!) (Full Version)

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Barb -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (The Black Friday!) (9/28/2017 6:46:17 AM)

64th Sentai war diary entry No.292
Date: September 25th, 1942 Tokyo time

Manadalay was subjected by several enemy raids by fighters – probably to test our defences.

Both 64th Sentai and its detached 3rd Chutai as well as 11th Sentai become involved in the combat. First to arrive were 14 Hurricane fighters, and they were immediately countered by 3-plane patrol from the 64th Sentai as the 3rd Chutai scrambled. 17 more Hayabusas from the 64th Sentai were quickly vectored toward enemy incursion and 11th Sentai dispatched 12 of their numbers to support the defenders.

The 3-plane Shotai of the 64th Sentai failed to contain the more numerous enemy formation up, and as the 3rd Chutai strived for altitude, they were jumped by several Hurricanes in disadvantageous position and suffered accordingly. 2nd Lt. Kagawa L. of the 2nd Shotai was killed almost immediately by enemy cannon fire and his plane plunged to the earth in a spiral. His wingman, W/O Mitsumasa O., was also attacked and his plane took hits, while he himself was injured by enemy shell fragments. But he managed to bail out successfully. 2nd Lt. Genwa K. of the 3rd Shotai was also forced to bail out from his burning plane after being repeatedly hit by enemy fire.
2nd Lt. Ishimori N. of the 4th Shotai managed to shot down one of the enemy Hurricane fighters – his victim was last seen spiraling to the ground with half of the wing missing.
12 Hayabusas of the 11th Sentai arrived on the scene of action in matter of minutes and quickly turned tables on the Hurricanes claiming 2 destroyed and 3 damaged, without loss.

The 3rd Chutai had hardly time to reform and climb when another formation of 16 Hurricanes approached. 11th Sentai had managed to climb above the enemy, and the 64th Sentai drawn down by the previous attack served as a bait. As soon as the Hurricanes started to dive on the 64th Sentai, pilots of the 11th were immediately on their tails. But the superior diving speed of the Hurricanes allowed them a deadly pass through the 64th Sentai – W/O Kabase L. of the 1st Chutai had his hand broken when he collided with the tail of his burning Hayabusa after bailing out, but nevertheless managed to land safely. W/O Izumida K. was also forced to bail out after his Hayabusa was heavily hit in the engine area and the engine seized up.

3rd Chutai was climbing when the enemy attacked and were able to divert 3 Hurricanes from the main part of the 64th Sentai. Of these one was claimed as destroyed by W/O Okamoto W. while another was claimed by 2nd Lt. Makino C. The last Hurricane of this trio was claimed as damaged.
11th Sentai speeding down now took over the enemy fighters and quickly sent 3 more to the ground while three more were claimed as probable or damaged, while losing 2 of their numbers.

But the day was not yet over and before our fighters could reform and regain altitude a well timed enemy formation appeared – containing 13 of the stubby P-43 Lancers with Chinese "Sun emblem" on their wings covered by 14 more Hurricanes above them. Both 64th and 11th Sentais were still climbing, but managed to get a few good shots on the Chinese Lancers before they were overpowered by dives from above. W/O Suzuki, H. of the 64th Sentai managed to put an accurate burst into one of the Lancers killing the pilot and sending the plane down in uncontrolled spin.

11th Sentai tried to forestall the Hurricanes and claimed 2 destroyed and 3 damaged planes. But the Lancers and Hurricanes had exacted a heavy price on the defenders with their height advantage – No less than 5 of the Hayabusas of the 11th Sentai were shot down while the remaining two were damaged. 64th Sentai was able to avoid the most severe blow, but W/O Ginowa U. was shot down and failed to escape his burning Hayabusa. W/O Gushi B. managed to bail out of his shot up plane, but his chute failed to work properly and his body plummeted to death.
Hayabusa of 2nd Lt. Nishihata V. suffered serious damage, but he was able to hide in the cloud and nursed his damaged bird home, although the plane was written off after suffering serious structural damage on landing.

3rd Chutai was also caught low and suffered heavily – W/O Higashiyama I. of the 1st Shotai got between several Lancers, but could not extricate himself quickly enough. Numerous hits from at least two different planes exploded his Hayabusa and he was killed instantly. W/O Ishimori N., who earlier shot down one Hurricane was also attacked by several planes, but managed to escape. He managed to crash-land his badly shot-up Hayabusa in a nearby swamp, but in the process was badly bruised and dig his ankle. 3 more Hayabusas of the 3rd Chutai were badly shot up, but managed to return to base safely.

The total cost of the day for the 64th Sentai was 4 Hayabusas destroyed and 1 written off, with 2 pilots KIA, one WIA and claim for 1 Lancer. 3rd Chutai was also hit heavily with 5 planes destroyed and 3 more written off, 2 killed, 2 wounded for 3 Hurricanes. 11th Sentai lost 10 fighters either shot down or written off, while 4 of their pilots were killed and 3 more wounded for 7 certain and 9 damaged.

Republic of China Air Force P-43A-1 Lancer:
[image]local://upfiles/24245/61300AB3110D4586BBE69D5FF54FF45F.jpg[/image]



Bif1961 -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (The Black Friday!) (9/28/2017 11:05:32 PM)

I use the lancers for high altitude 31K they have good maneuverability and decent guns. The best of the early Chinese fighters.



Barb -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (The Black Friday!) (9/29/2017 6:13:04 AM)

64th Sentai war diary entry No.293
Date: September 26th, 1942 Tokyo time

The enemy failed to keep the pressure and did not bother with another raid. The 64th Sentai took the offered time to get back into shape. Requests for replacements were sent to the Brigade and Division and soon they were on the way. Down to 27 effective planes from 34, the 64th Sentai was not affected much, but the 3rd Chutai was down from 12 plus 4 in reserve to just 8 planes. Nevertheless the replacements arrived and in the evening both 64th Sentai and 3rd Chutai were again in fighting trim.

Pilots 2nd Lt. Hiramoto B. and W/O. Hanazawa C. arrived to fill the reserve slots while the two supernumeraries were assigned to flying duties in the 64th Sentai.
Pilots 2nd Lt. Ayanori H., Kawahara L. and Warrant Officers Degawa O. and Kimiyama U. arrived to take places in the 3rd Chutai.



Barb -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (The Black Friday!) (9/29/2017 6:15:28 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

I use the lancers for high altitude 31K they have good maneuverability and decent guns. The best of the early Chinese fighters.


We have got a house rule about plane max altitude setting equal to 2nd best mvr rating - so probably both air-frames were set within that altitude on sweep.



larryfulkerson -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (The Black Friday!) (9/29/2017 7:19:56 AM)

did you forget the "src=" part or something? No pictures on the last two posts?



Barb -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (The Black Friday!) (9/29/2017 1:18:20 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: larryfulkerson

did you forget the "src=" part or something? No pictures on the last two posts?


Hi,
no pictures :) Last one was of the P-43A-1 Lancer ...
I am trying to include only the relevant (and if possible the correct pictures).



Bif1961 -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (The Black Friday!) (9/30/2017 12:30:44 AM)

Sounds like our HR of 2nd Mvr ban +1K



Barb -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (The Black Friday!) (10/2/2017 6:41:08 AM)

64th Sentai war diary entry No.294
Date: September 27th, 1942 Tokyo time

Both 64th Sentai and 3rd Chutai returned to the CAP and patrolling as there were indications about further enemy attacks in the area. With little rest, heavy commitment and high number of hours spent in the cockpits the pilots were beginning to feel the fatigue and started to feel discontent. There was even a fist fight among the pilots, that was quickly broken down, for the sake of discipline, and both fighters got extra duty to keep them separated.



Barb -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (The Black Friday!) (10/2/2017 6:55:23 AM)

64th Sentai war diary entry No.295
Date: September 28th, 1942 Tokyo time

The enemy did not wait long, and struck again, but this time at a more distant place and in different kind. Reports of big enemy bomber formation approaching Kalemyo arrived at the Shwebo airfield and 64th Sentai quickly dispatched Shotai of the Staff flight to investigate.

The reports were accurate and the Shotai led by Lt.Col. Chiba D. personally, soon spotted a lumbering flock of two engine bombers. After scanning the sky for probable fighter escort failed to reveal any more enemy planes the Shotai quickly attained position and dived. 31 Wellington bombers were in the middle of their bombing run without the ability to maneuver freely when the Hayabusas struck them. Two Hayabusas attacked from the front and above, while the other pair struck from the upper right rear. Before the gunners in the Wellingtons could open fire, the Hayabusas slashed by in a lightning attack – but the speed affected accuracy of shooting and not much was attained by the Hayabusas fire – only one of the big bombers started trailing some smoke.

Quickly re-positioning for another attack the Hayabusas dived again, but this time the machine gun fire was effective both ways – W/O Mitsumoto K. managed to hit another Wellington bombers and silenced its rear gunner, while W/O Notomi J. flying wingman to Lt.Col. Chiba D. was hit in the forward part of his plane and started losing oil. Disengaging instantly he retreated and safely nursed his damaged plane home.

Wellingtons dropped their bomb-loads over the positions of IJA 33rd Division and as they turned away from their target the formation loosened a bit – and at this instant Lt.Col. Chiba D. attacking for the third time fired a burst at one of the planes out of position.

The burst of explosive rounds entered the cockpit area, damaged and destroyed most of the instruments, one of the shells exploded against the skull if 23 year old RAF Flying Officer Ross, N. born 124 Kingsley Road, Hounslow at the outskirts of London. Another shell struck the chest of his co-pilot, a 22 year old Pilot Officer Markham, C., born 32A Vian Road, Purbrook, Waterloovill near Portsmouth, killing him instantly. As the bodies of both airmen slumped forward the Wellington bomber increased its dive.

Bomb-Aimer/front gunner – 22 year old Australian, Warrant Officer McKelly R. of Wallaroo, New South Wales, at the nose of the aircraft was also hit by flying shrapnel in the back and part of the shot-off fuselage pinned him against the floor. Trying to extricate himself and pull out of the emergency exit he was still only half way out when the plane hit the ground.

A 21 year old Flight Sergeant Babbige S., of Glenginnan, Lochaber, Scotland, a plane engineer, also got his share of flying steel, hit several times in the legs he was helped by the Navigator/Wireless Telegraphist Huntington, A., of Blackpool, Lancashire, England. The 20 year old navigator, seeing the calamity and sudden attitude of the aircraft was quick in his reaction and pushed the badly wounded Babbige down the escape hatch saving his live. The navigator then tried to extricate the rear gunner – a 19 year old Corporal Margrave, I. from Dalton-on-Tees, North Yorkshire. He was still trying when the plane hit the ground and killed them instantly.

But burst from one of the Wellingtons also holed the Hayabusa of 2nd Lt. Ohashi, L. The bullets penetrated the left wing fuel tank causing it to spill fuel in the air and permitted vapors into the cockpit. 2nd Lt. Ohashi was forced to abandon the fight and head for home with open cockpit to avoid passing away from the fumes.

Lt.Col. Chiba D. and W/O Mitsumoto K., were now left alone. But the Wellington bombers tightened their formation and put up a hail of defensive fire. After trying to penetrate the formation two more times and spending most of their ammo on retreating bombers they abandoned the fight and returned home.

Vickers Wellington bomber Mk.Ic of the No.215 Squadron RAF (one that probably participated on this raid) in flight over Punjab, India:

[image]local://upfiles/24245/354B6FBFDB07427E9A15B1EEFC1B9548.jpg[/image]



Barb -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (The Black Friday!) (10/3/2017 6:45:32 AM)

64th Sentai war diary entry No.296
Date: September 29th, 1942 Tokyo time

The 64th Sentai was allowed to stand down for few days – while the pilots were resting and regaining their strength and morale improved, the ground personnel was again hard pressed – performing basic maintenance as well as scheduled and delayed overhauls.



Barb -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (10/4/2017 6:26:54 AM)

I am currently out of prepared material for installments, and lacking behind in turn reply (which are at July 1943). I hope to catch up with both within week. Hope you enjoyed the AAR so far.

64th Sentai is about to enter the "Burma meat-grinder" - repeated attempts of the allies to wrestle air superiority over Burma combined with ground offensives with combined US, Australian, British and UK forces during the autumn-winter-spring period. The Air combat would be bloody as hell for both sides, but with allies suffering loses greatly depleting their pools of available aircraft. On the other hand the IJAAF is still kept in fine fighting shape (although mostly on defensive) with several new models entering the front-line (Nakajima Ki-44 "Shoki" - or Army Type 2 single-seat fighter and Kawasaki Ki-61 "Hien" - or Army Type 3 fighter)...



Barb -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (10/17/2017 6:52:36 AM)

Sorry for the delay Guys, but these are crazy times for me - I was sick and had to work from home at the same time, and this week we are finishing some things so the pressure is high. I was lucky enough to flip few turns of game, but barely enough time to dig deep into tracker and combat records year back to give, nor the time to write something up from them...

I sincerely hope to get the pressure down the next week and to get back on track, as the most furious battles for the 64th Sentai are about to happen ...



Barb -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (10/24/2017 7:12:20 AM)

Little more delay on the way guys... It is either work, family,social calls, dancing, turns, AAR ... in this order of priorities unfortunately. I am glad my opponents are flipping turns fast (I am trying to do the same), but that leaves very little time for the AAR type of datamining.
I hope you understand ... [sm=scared0018.gif]



Barb -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (11/27/2017 7:32:06 AM)

Finally back in the saddle guys:

64th Sentai war diary entry No.297-303
Date: September 30th to October 6th, 1942 Tokyo time

Both parts of the 64th Sentai (the main part at Shwebo, the 3rd Chutai at Mandalay spent quiet days – it was not nearly as quiet as the local CAP has to be kept up and the units were in general readiness, but no offensive operations were ordered. The time was well spent however for the off-duty pilots to attend several organized courses on air-tactics and the time in the air was spent usefully on exercises. In general the mood remained quite good, morale was high and as a whole unit kept its high readiness.

Orders for the move to Lashio arrived for the main part of the 64th Sentai at the end of the period, so the packing and loading the units staff was the main activity for the last day.

Nakajima Ki-43-I Hayabusa - Type I Fighter of the 2nd/64th Sentai:
[image]local://upfiles/24245/780E990761AB44218FB94EB19DD1A431.jpg[/image]



Barb -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (11/28/2017 6:28:48 AM)

64th Sentai war diary entry No.304-308
Date: October 7th,to October 10th 1942 Tokyo time

The move to Lashio went smoothly, as the well oiled organizations can manage. Sentai immediately went to higher level of readiness upon move in addition to usual settling activities of setting up at the new field. Days went by one by one, and not much has changed, only the higher tempo of CAP and readiness for alerts steadily brought fatigue to the unit. During the day an urgent message arrived requiring a quick move to Mandalay. The air echelon of the 64th Sentai moved during the late afternoon of the last day. Ground echelon remained packing and departed by train during the night.



Barb -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (11/29/2017 7:54:08 AM)

64th Sentai war diary entry No.309
Date: October 11th, 1942 Tokyo time

Part 1:
The day proved to be a busy one – at first two enemy incursions were reported – dozen fighters near Myitkyina, another dozen around Katha. Little later another dozen fighters accompanied half-dozen Mitchell bombers to Myitkyina. These were not countered, but the enemy activity was suspicious and the activity at Mandalay flared up quickly.

A large enemy formation was reported heading towards Mandalay – 60 British Blenheim bombers, 27 Wellington bombers, 17 Liberators and 3 Flying Fortresses covered by 16 Hurricanes and 25 Warhawks. But the thunderstorms closing at Mandalay were not the only one to oppose the raid. 1st Sentai sent up 29 Hayabusas, 11th Sentai sent up 29 more, 59th Sentai added 25, while 64th Sentai got 34 to the air and met 12 from the 3rd Chutai. 85th Sentai provided 18 Ki-44 Shoki interceptors.

The allied formation approaching low was attacked by waves of fighters. One by one the enemy planes plunged to the earth, exploded in the air or retreated trailing smoke. In such a gigantic battle it was impossible to distinguish units and all resemblance of order was quickly lost – pilots fought singly, in pairs, joining whatever formation was nearby mixing units. The allied fighters were soon overwhelmed and fought for their own survival while the bombers managed to finish their bombing runs, but number of them were damaged, and several were shot down.
Pals of smoke and dust rose from the Mandalay airfield, as the 64th Sentai prepared to land. But the runway was still serviceable and the mechanics quickly took hold of the planes, refueling and rearming frantically. Other fighter units participating in the battle returned to their own un-hit airfields and returned as quickly as they could. It was just in time because the enemy had thrown several more formations against Mandalay...

Curtiss P-40 Warhawk mixing it with several Ki-43 Hayabusas:
[image]local://upfiles/24245/4D388DC4B1CB498AA3D3A00FB65A8102.jpg[/image]



Barb -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (11/30/2017 7:12:42 AM)

64th Sentai war diary entry No.309
Date: October 11th, 1942 Tokyo time

Part 2:
Enemy plans didn’t went as they had planned. Be it weather, communication delays, distances involved, or whatever, the fighters planned to clear the skies over Mandalay arrived two hours late in dribs and drabs. 16 RAF Hurricanes were first, but encountered a steel wall – 97 Hayabusas backed by 16 Shoki interceptors. Again the participating Sentais were 1st with 22 planes, 11th with 20 planes, 59th with 22 planes, 64th with 28, 3rd Chutai with 5 and 85th Sentai with 16 Shoki's. Hurricanes were quickly overwhelmed and suffered severe losses before retreating into the clouds.

Formation consisting of 12 Blenheim bombers and 9 Liberators was next – met by 86 Hayabusas and 16 Shokis – only the Liberators managed to bomb – all Blenheim bombers were either shot down or fled the scene.

Another 16 Hurricanes arrived a little later and found the defenders low – after the fight with the bombers. This time only 50 Hayabusas and 9 Shoki's remained in the fight as the rest were either damaged, out of ammo or fuel. The fight was even with both sides losing equal numbers before the Hurricanes beat the retreat. But the defense was losing cohesion, units were mixed up, scattered both in altitude and direction wide around Mandalay.

Another 16 Hurricanes arrived shortly thereafter and using their superior altitude dived onto now just 34 Hayabusas and 6 Shoki's. They managed to keep their altitude advantage and in slashing attacks send at least 7 of the fighters with the rising sun to the ground while losing 1 of their own.

Meantime another formation approached Katha and 38 Hudson bombers covered by 15 Hurricanes dropped their bombs on airfield unopposed.

Our defenses in the air were seriously thinned now as most of the planes had to refuel, rearm or escape in damaged condition, but the enemy sweeps continued.
16 more Hurricanes appeared and were countered by just 21 Hayabusas nd 1 Shoki – mostly low on altitude, climbing furiously - and dealt another blow. At least 4 Japanese fighters were lost for no Hurricane. 12 more Hurricanes appeared and encountered only scattered remains of the defenders – just 9 Hayabusas of the 59th, 1st and 64th Sentai – quickly sending 3 of them to the ground.

As the morning passed slowly away the last enemy formation – 9 Flying Fortresses with 25 twin-tailed P-38 Lightning fighters as escort showed up. Single Hayabusa of the 1st Sentai offered only a token resistance threatening the formation from distance before hastily beating retreat. Flying Fortresses were not very accurate on their runs and managed to put just 3 bombs at the Mandalay airfield.

The morning closed with 12 more Mitchell bombers hitting Myitkyina airfield without escort and unopposed.

Pair of Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa fighters of the 2nd Chutai 59th Sentai:
[image]local://upfiles/24245/4347A556D7B6457490377DA5AAE22B75.jpg[/image]



Barb -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (11/30/2017 1:41:27 PM)

64th Sentai war diary entry No.309
Date: October 11th, 1942 Tokyo time
Part 3:
By midday the Mandalay airfield was out of commission – black smoke of fires, white dust of explosions, fires raging up and down, the field cratered heavily from end to end and scattered Hayabusas of the 64th Sentai being refueled, rearmed and repaired as quickly as possible. Other troops fought fires and filled in craters to provide a slim take-off path among moonscape and wreckage.

It is virtually impossible to recreate the battle of such proportions in any details, thus only some information were summarized from the after action reports of the pilots. It is therefore known:
Two pilots of the 64th Sentai were lost - 2nd Lt. Gushi, I. of the 3rd Shotai/1st Chutai and 2nd Lt. Nishihata, V. of the 1st Shotai/2nd Chutai, both killed probably in combat with the later Hurricane sweeps.

4 pilots of the 64th Sentai were wounded in combat:
W/O Ishimori W. of the 4th Shotai/2nd Chutai – was wounded and forced to bail out of his Hayabusa after combat with enemy Hurricane fighters. Nevertheless he claimed his 3rd kill on this day – a Hurricane.
2nd Lt. Hidaka J. of the 2nd Shotai/2nd Chutai – was wounded when his Hayabusa was hit by the defensive fire of the enemy bombers.
Maj. Bunkichi, R., the leader of the 2nd Shotai/2nd Chutai – was also wounded when pressing his attack on enemy bomber formation.
2nd Lt. Futagami L. of the 2nd Shotai/1st Chutai – was wounded by enemy fighters in later waves, but he also claimed one Blenheim bomber shot down in the initial combat.
3rd Chutai had only one pilot wounded – 2nd Lt. Chiba D. – leader of the 3rd Shotai had to bail out of his burning Hayabusa after desperate combat against 4 Hurricanes and suffered wounds from enemy explosive shells.

The following claims apart for the two above were submitted:
2LT Ohashi L. , deputy Staff flight credited with kill number 1 – P-40E Warhawk
MAJ Suzuki W. leading 3rd Shotai/1st Chutai credited with kill number 1 – Hurricane IIc Trop
WO Miyazaki C. of the 1st Shotai/1st Chutai credited with kill number 2 – Blenheim IV
2LT Kawai N. of the 2nd Shotai/1st Chutai credited with kill number 1 – P-40E Warhawk
2LT Inuzuka H. of 4th Shotai/2nd Chutai credited with kill number 1 – Blenheim IV, and with kill number 2 – Hurricane IIc Trop
WO Hanzawa C. flying spare aircraft today credited with kill number 1 – P-40E Warhawk, and with kill number 2 – Hurricane IIc Trop
2LT Iwaya N. of the 3rd Shotai/2nd Chutai credited with kill number 1 – Wellington Ic
WO Futagami W. of the 4th Shotai/1st Chutai credited with kill number 1 – P-40E Warhawk
2LT Oba F. leading 3rd Shotai/2nd Chutai credited with kill number 1 – Blenheim IV
WO Izumida K. flying his on his wing, credited with kill number 1 – Hurricane IIc Trop

3rd Chutai was credited with the following claims:
WO Iwashita V. of 3rd Shotai/3rd Chutai with kill number 2 – B-24D Liberator
2LT Ayanori H. temporary assigned to 4th Shotai/3rd Chutai with kill number 1 – P-40E Warhawk, and kill number 2 – P-40E Warhawk
WO Kimiyama U. temporary assigned to the 2nd Shotai/3rd Chutai with kill number 1 – Hurricane IIc Trop

From material standpoint the 64th Sentai started the day with 34 combat ready Hayabusas, but the numbers steadily diminished during the day – 2 Hayabusas were written off as result of damage sustained, 14 more were lost in combat – and only 12 remained combat ready by the end of the day, with 8 more requiring repairs. It was decided to move the main part of the Sentai back to Rangoon for replacements and rest.
3rd Chutai fared better with 16 planes at hand in the morning – 11 remained combat ready with two more requiring repairs. 3 planes were lost in combat.

Of the other Sentais involved the 59th Sentai also suffered serious losses and had to be withdrawn to the rear. 1st and 11th Sentai with their Hayabusas and 85th Sentai with Shoki were in shape good enough to continue operations.



Barb -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (12/4/2017 6:26:01 AM)

64th Sentai war diary entry No.310
Date: October 12th, 1942 Tokyo time

During the night orders were out to deal with the expected enemy assault for the following day – Navy made their Kanoya Kokutai available and army moved forward 13th Sentai with their Type 2 Two-seat Fighters. 64th Sentai successfully evacuated the Mandalay, while the 3rd Chutai remained behind to provide night CAP for the area.

Night passed quietly, without alarms, but as soon as the sun was up, so was the enemy and Japanese airplanes rose to the skies to meet them. Magwe – this time being the principal target of the morning phase was visited by 7 Hurricanes early – meeting hot reception. Following them were 50 Blenheim bombers – without cover they were easy pray for amassed fighters. 1st, 11th, 13th and 85th Sentais assisted by Kanoya Kokutai each took their toll of the enemy – only 23 bombers pressed their attacks home, rest being massacred on way in or wisely turned for home. Few minutes after their remnants disappeared beyond horizon another 16 Blenheim bombers appeared – none were allowed to bomb being scattered and massacred too.
11 Hurricanes closed the morning over Magwe – arriving late to help bombers, they picked off several scattered defenders – while losing at least one of their own.

In the afternoon the center of activity moved back to Mandalay – and again it was the main enemy bomber formation that arrived first – 17 Liberators, 12 Flying Fortresses and 31 Wellingtons covered by 29 Hurricanes and 13 Lancers. The reception for them was equally hot and encouraged by their morning actions – 13 Navy Type 0 Fighters, 34 Hayabusas of the 1st and 11th Sentai, 17 Toryus of the 13th Sentai and 18 Shokis of the 85th Sentai.
The 3rd Chutai of the 64th Sentai didn’t get the warning in time and was caught completely on the ground. Yet the enemy Hurricanes and Lancers suffered heavy losses but managed to protect most of the bombers before their bombing runs. Their bombing was excellent and they put about 90 bombs onto Mandalay air base. 3 Hayabusas of the 3rd Chutai were destroyed and 9 more damaged with only a single one available afterwards. Luckily no human losses were involved this time.
The CAP claimed at least 9 Hurricanes, 4 Lancers as certain with more probable along with about 15 bombers damaged with only minor losses.

Another enemy formation approached Mandalay much later when the CAP was refueled and rearmed – this time it consisted on combined RAF-USAAF formation – 13 Hurricanes and 25 Lightning fighters. They were met by 9 Type 0 fighters, 30 Hayabusass of the 1st and 11th Sentai, 12 Toryus of the 13th Sentai and 17 Shokis of the 85th Sentai. The fight was bloody, each side claiming heavily – our pilots claimed at least 9 enemy planes, while they lost at least 7 of their own.

Battered 3rd Chutai received orders to move to Prome for recuperation, replenishment and little rest.

One of the P-38 Lightning fighters seen victorious over Army Type 1 Fighter:
[image]local://upfiles/24245/3E56D3BFDBC942B58E669427B44D2E59.jpg[/image]



Bif1961 -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (12/5/2017 1:02:30 AM)

Sorry to tell you but the painting is not a Zero being shot down but it is a Ki-43, notice the lack of wing guns and the bumps in the wings for the wheelwells, all signs of a Ki-43 vice Zero.



Barb -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (12/5/2017 6:35:21 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bif1961
Sorry to tell you but the painting is not a Zero being shot down but it is a Ki-43, notice the lack of wing guns and the bumps in the wings for the wheelwells, all signs of a Ki-43 vice Zero.

Caption corrected - thanks, should have noticed that myself. [sm=Crazy-1271.gif]



Barb -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (12/5/2017 6:39:26 AM)

64th Sentai war diary entry No.311
Date: October 13th, 1942 Tokyo time

With 64th Sentai out of immediate combat, it is necessary to look into the personnel moves within Sentai – as some pilots were KIA, or WIA, new faces had to step in.
W/O Kabase L. wounded in fight with enemy Wellington bombers near Kalemyo on 28th September reported back for duty.
W/O Hanazawa C. after proving his skills by shooting two planes recently while flying as supernumerary was permanently assigned to the 3rd Shotai / 1sth Chutai.
Newly arrived 2nd Lt. Hirabayashi M. was assigned to the 1st Shotai / 2nd Chutai.
Newly arrived Warrant Officer Agawa C. was temporarily assigned to the 1st Chutai while Warrant Officers Ryuzaki J., Chikami I. and Suzuki P. were temporarily assigned to the 2nd Chutai to fill up slots of the pilots wounded in recent actions.

While 64th Sentai received replacement aircraft and pilots the battles in the north continued. The air battlefield moved over Meiktila – 11th Sentai and Kanoya Kokutai opposed several enemy air attacks – 16 Hurricanes first, then 25 P-40 Warhawks, 25 more P-40E Warhawks…

Large enemy bomber formations appeared over Myitkyina – mix of RAF Lysander light bombers and remnants of the Dutch Air Force – and Katha – 26 Blenheim bombers, 18 Mitchell bombers and 12 Vengeance dive bombers protected by 16 Hurricanes and 12 Warhawks.

More Lysander light bombers covered by 16 Mohawk fighters attacked Myitkyina soon after and enemy heavy bombers concentrated on Toungoo defended by 1st Sentai – 16 Liberators, 29 Wellingtons and 12 Flying Fortresses without fighter escort attacked the airfield. 1st Sentai had 15 Hayabusas in the air but managed to shot down one Wellington and damage several bombers, while losing at least 3 Hayabusas on the ground.

Final enemy air raids concentrated again on the Meiktila – 6 Hurricanes, then 8 more Hurricanes, 12 more Hurricanes and yet 25 P-40E Warhawks and then 24 more Warhawks and lastly 25 more Warhawks. That proved too much for the Kanoya Kokutai and 1st Sentai – fighting with all their skill they were cleared from the skies by lunch taking heavy toll of the attacking enemy. But the enemy unleashing his bombers in the morning on several targets was not able to mount another effective attack.



Bif1961 -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (12/6/2017 12:42:18 AM)

Looking closer at the picture I realized that is Richard Bong's plane "Marge." No wonder your loses were so high.



Barb -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (12/6/2017 6:29:55 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

Looking closer at the picture I realized that is Richard Bong's plane "Marge." No wonder your loses were so high.


Not sure if R.Bong was present in this fight, but there certainly are some groups that IRL were part of the Fifth Air Force, but now are operating from India. So it well could be. But Imperial eagles still do have claws and will take a terrible toll on the allied air forces and even stop their onslaught several times over Burma! So stay tuned...



Barb -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (12/6/2017 6:34:13 AM)

64th Sentai war diary entry No.312
Date: October 14th, 1942 Tokyo time

With 64th Sentai resting at Rangoon and 3rd Chutai at Prome, the 3rd Chutai had also its share of personnel affairs:
2nd Lt. Ishimori N. wounded on 25th September over Mandalay reported back for duty.
2nd Lt. Ayanori H. was assigned permanently to the 2nd Shotai.
2nd Lt. Kawahara L. was reassigned to the General fighter pilot reserve.
Three skilled pilots were temporarily assigned to the 3rd Chutai to cover any vacancies:
Lt.Col. Ono, M. took temporarily over 3rd Shotai, while Cpt Hazawa, I. and Warrant Officer Mune, N. were supernumerary.

The air forces of the empire abandoned central Burma temporarily to the enemy to recuperate and regain strength concentrating in the lower Burma and northern Thailand. The enemy continued to roam around the area freely opposed only by weather and AA fire.



Barb -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (12/7/2017 6:39:57 AM)

64th Sentai war diary entry No.313
Date: October 15th, 1942 Tokyo time

While the 64th Sentai is pressed again in the service – providing CAP over Rangoon while still not fully recovered is a sign that other units in the theater are in even greater need of rest and recuperation. Meanwhile the enemy continues to fling his air force against the northern and central Burma. More than 50 Mitchell and Blenheim bombers target Katha while the Meiktila is bombed by 20 Fortresses, Liberators and more than 30 Wellington bombers. Magwe experiences only a harassing raid, while Shwebo is plastered by almost 40 Hudson bombers. Myitkyina is targeted by several raids – mainly of the Lysander light bombers.



Barb -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (12/8/2017 6:02:26 AM)

64th Sentai war diary entry No.314
Date: October 16th, 1942 Tokyo time

3rd Chutai receives orders to move even more back – to Tavoy in the Southern Burma while the main part of the 64th Sentai continues to provide security for Rangoon – but the enemy keeps to his targets more to the north.

Katha is again target for the Mitchell bombers – 30 in all, Myitkyina is harassed by about 50 Lysander light bombers, Magwe becomes target for about 50 Blenheim light bombers escorted to the target by 50 Warhawks, Mandalay is harassed by 10 Blenheim bombers covered by almost 40 Warhawks and Hurricanes, while Hudson bombers re-visit the Shwebo – almost 40 covered by 14 Hurricanes.

Newsreel also reports strong enemy air attacks against imperial positions at the southern tip of New Guinea going on for several days – Port Moresby, Lae, Buna, Milne Bay – countered mainly by our Navy air forces.



Barb -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (12/20/2017 10:45:42 AM)

64th Sentai war diary entry No.315
Date: October 17th, 1942 Tokyo time

64th Sentai continues its guard duties over Rangoon during the day, while during the night the Mingaladon airfield doesn’t sleep either. Navy stages nightly harassment raids against enemy air bases in the Assam and Arakan with their Type 1 Attack Bombers. And so 64th Sentai is sent to the rear too – this time to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand – for more rest while the defense of Rangoon is taken over by another Sentai.

But in the morning the allied air force is at it again – 30+ Mitchell bombers attack Shwebo without escort, Myitkyina is again attacked by about 50 Lysander light bombers covered by 15 fighters, Magwe is targeted by almost 60 Blenheim bombers covered by 65 Warhawks and Hurricanes, Katha is harassed by a squadron of Vengeance Dive bombers and Mandalay is bombed by almost 40 Hudson bombers. But weather hinders the enemy too and for his effort he gets only a meager results.

On the ground, the ground crews, engineers, and local workforce is at the job day and night – they only seek cover while the enemy aircraft are overhead. Backbreaking job to keep the runways ready, the machine shops operational, the fuel and ammo dumps camouflaged and prepared to issue the items of war to the imperial fighters as soon as they return to the fight.



Barb -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (12/21/2017 6:27:55 AM)

64th Sentai war diary entry No.316
Date: October 18th, 1942 Tokyo time

64th Sentai rests, pilots and ground crews, the staff and cooks, machines taken over by the local shops at Chiang Mai. They got few days to make good the deficiencies and rest. Just a few days, and than back into the fight.

But the enemy keeps his relentless pressure – Lashio gets pounded by about 35 Mitchell bombers with escort of Lightnings, Myitkyina is pounded by two squadrons of Lysanders and one of Vengeance Dive bombers covered by squadron of Hurricanes, Magwe is plastered by huge raid of 60+ Blenheim bombers escorted by 50 Warhawks and 12 Hurricanes, Mandalay is harassed by 12 Hudson bombers and few Warhawks, Shwebo is also attacked by 14 Hudson bombers under cover of some 35 Hurricanes and Warhawks, Meiktila is also attacked by Hudson bombers.

The enemy planes are in the air every day without rest, their aircrews getting tired, their chiefs are forced to postpone the maintenance and all repairs are hurried in an effort to keep the maximum number ready for the next day...



Barb -> RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (12/22/2017 6:11:11 AM)

64th Sentai war diary entry No.317
Date: October 19th, 1942 Tokyo time

The day was not much different from others, while the reports continued to filter in a steady stream from around the empire – the enemy is on the offensive in the every corner. Burma is a beehive of enemy air activity while reports of enemy ground units moving through the "impassable" and "impenetrable" mountains and jungles separating Burma and India are alarming. How could they keep supplied through the jungles is beyond reach of our officers, but yet they are on the move nevertheless…

About 30 Mitchell bombers with few Lightning fighters attacks Lashio, Katha is again the target for the swarm of almost 50 Lysander light bombers with dozen Warhawks on escort. Myitkyina also receives its share from squadron of Lysanders, and another of Vengeance dive bombers – each protected by a squadron of fighters – Mohawks and Hurricanes. Magwe takes the beating from 60 Blenehim bombers covered by the same number of Warhawks and Hurricanes. Shwebo is visited by squadron of Hudson bombers covered by two squadrons of Hurricane fighters. Meiktila receives a visit from another Hudson squadron.

The enemy fleet is active on the northern edge of the empite – Kurile Islands. Reports of enemy carrier aircraft are arriving from the Paramushiro-jima and heavy air battles are reported all over New Guinea too.



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