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Kōkūtai
A ''Kōkūtai'' () was a term used by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service (IJNAS) to designate a military aviation unit, similar to the Air Groups in other air arms and services of the time. (''Group'' in the British Royal Air Force, ''Gruppe'' in the German Luftwaffe, ''Groupe'' in the French Armée de l'Air etc.) A Kōkūtai could be based at land or on board aircraft carriers and could contain up to hundreds of men and aircraft. For example, the famous 343 Kōkūtai was a land based fighter group while the 652nd Kōkūtai was a carrier-based bomber group. Kōkūtai were divided into smaller units called Hikōtai, which were the equivalent of a squadron. Kōkūtai were usually divided into three Hikōtai. In general, most pilots and aircrew in the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service were non-commissioned officers. The word Kōkūtai is abbreviated with the abbreviation "Ku" (空). 343 Ku, for example, stands for 343 Kōkūtai. In the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service (IJAA ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Organization Of The Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
The Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service was under the control of the Navy Aviation Bureau (''Kaigun Kōkū Hombu'') . Administrative Organizations ''Kōkū Kantai'' ''Kōkū Kantai'' (air fleet) contained one or more ''kōkū sentai''. The most notable ''kōkū kantai'' was the First Air Fleet containing Japan's six fleet carriers and was responsible for the attack on Pearl Harbor. IJN also maintained a land-based system of naval air fleets and area air fleets called ''homen kantai'' containing mostly twin-engine bombers and seaplanes. ''Kōkū Sentai'' ''Kōku Sentai'' (air flotillas) consisted of two or more ''Kōkūtai'', they were commanded by Rear Admirals. ''Kōkū sentai'' contained anywhere from a handful to 80 or 90 aircraft, and were dependent on both the mission and type of aircraft carrier or air station that they were located on. A ''kōku sentai'' was equivalent to a carrier division and contained all carrier aircraft within the division. The first ''kōku sentai' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
343rd Naval Air Group
The was an aircraft and airbase garrison unit of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during the Pacific campaign of World War II. Created in late 1944 due to the desperate situation of Japan in the closing stages of the war, the 343rd was composed of the best surviving ace fighter pilots the Imperial Navy had at the time, with Captain Minoru Genda in command. This unit was equipped with the best airplane Japan had left by then, the Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden-Kai, known as George by the Allies; this aircraft could compete with the best wartime Allied fighters, namely, the F6F Hellcat, the P-51 Mustang and the F4U Corsair. Operational history IJN 343rd Air Group (''343 Kōkūtai'' Naval Fighter Group), commanded by Minoru Genda, which was constituted on 25 December 1944. The new 343rd ''Kōkūtai'' consisted of the best pilots, including Kaneyoshi Muto. The unit was issued the best equipment available and was also equipped with the new Nakajima C6N ''Saiun'', codenamed "Myrt" long-ran ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
The was the Naval aviation, air arm of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). The organization was responsible for the operation of naval aircraft and the conduct of aerial warfare in the Pacific War. The Japanese military acquired their first aircraft in 1910 and followed the development of air combat during World War I with great interest. They initially procured European aircraft but quickly built their own and launched themselves onto an ambitious aircraft carrier building program. They launched the world's first purpose-built aircraft carrier, , in 1922. Afterwards they embarked on a conversion program of several excess battlecruisers and battleships into aircraft carriers. The IJN Air Service had the mission of national air defence, deep strike, naval warfare, and so forth. It retained this mission to the end. The Pilot training in the Imperial Japanese Navy, Japanese pilot training program was very selective and rigorous, producing a high-quality and long-serving pilot corps ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chitose Air Group
The Chitose Air Group (Chitose Kōkūtai) was an air group of the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service during World War II. The group was formed on 1 October 1939 at Chitose Airfield, Hokkaidō is Japan's second largest island and comprises the largest and northernmost prefecture, making up its own region. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaidō from Honshu; the two islands are connected by the undersea railway Seikan Tunnel. The la ... equipped with Mitsubishi G3M Type 96 bombers. The group was later supplemented with Mitsubishi A5M Type 96 fighters. In December 1941, it was assigned to support Japanese Navy's 4th Fleet for operations in the central Pacific as part of the 24th Air Flotilla.Bullard, p.20. It was renamed the 201 Air Group in December 1942. Not to be confused with IJN Chitose. References Notes Bibliography * {{Imperial Japanese Navy air units Groups of the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service Military units and formations established in 1939 Military ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Imperial Japanese Army Air Service
The Imperial Japanese Army Air Service (IJAAS) or Imperial Japanese Army Air Force (IJAAF; ja, 大日本帝國陸軍航空部隊, Dainippon Teikoku Rikugun Kōkūbutai, lit=Greater Japan Empire Army Air Corps) was the aviation force of the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA). Just as the IJA in general was modeled mainly on the German Army, the IJAAS initially developed along similar lines to the Imperial German Army Aviation; its primary mission was to provide tactical close air support for ground forces, as well as a limited air interdiction capability. The IJAAS also provided aerial reconnaissance to other branches of the IJA. While the IJAAS engaged in strategic bombing of cities such as Shanghai, Nanking, Canton, Chongqing, Rangoon, and Mandalay, this was not the primary mission of the IJAAS, and it lacked a heavy bomber force. It did not usually control artillery spotter/observer aircraft; artillery battalions controlled the light aircraft and balloons that operated in the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
721st Naval Air Group
The was an aircraft and airbase garrison unit of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during the Pacific campaign of World War II. This air group was organised for specializes in suicide attack. Another known as God thunder Corps (''Jinrai Butai''). Structure *Higher unit **Yokosuka Naval District (1 October 1944–14 November 1944) **Combined Fleet (15 November 1944–19 December 1944) ** 11th Air Flotilla (20 December 1944–9 February 1945) ** 5th Air Fleet (10 February 1945–21 August 1945, dissolved.) *Lower unit ** Attack bomber Squadron (1 October 1944–14 November 1944) ***Renamed ''711th Attack Squadron'' on 15 November 1944. **Ohka Squadron (1 October 1944–21 August 1945) **Suisei Squadron (15 November 1944–14 February 1945) ***Aircraft and airmen were moved to ''722nd Naval Air Group'' on 15 February 1945. **305th Fighter Squadron (1 February 1945–19 August 1945) **306th Fighter Squadron (15 November 1944–19 August 1945) **307t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
601st Naval Air Group
The was a carrier air group (later converted to airbase garrison unit) of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during the Pacific campaign of World War II. Structure *Higher unit ** 3rd Fleet (15 February 1944–9 July 1944) ** 1st Carrier Division (10 July 1944–9 February 1945) ** 3rd Air Fleet (10 February 1945–postwar.) *Lower unit **161st Fighter Squadron (10 July 1944–15 November 1944) **162nd Fighter Squadron (10 July 1944–15 November 1944) **308th Fighter Squadron (20 February 1945–postwar.) **310th Fighter Squadron (20 February 1945–postwar.) **402nd Fighter Squadron (5 March 1945–20 April 1945) **1st Attack Squadron (20 February 1945–postwar.) **161st Attack Squadron (10 July 1944–15 November 1944) **254th Attack Squadron (20 February 1945–5 March 1945) **262nd Attack Squadron (10 July 1944–14 November 1944) **61st Reconnaissance Squadron (10 July 1944–15 November 1944) Commanding officers *Cdr. / R ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tainan Air Group
was a fighter aircraft and airbase garrison unit of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during the Pacific campaign of World War II. The flying portion of the unit was heavily involved in many of the major campaigns and battles of the first year of the war. The exploits of the unit were widely publicized in the Japanese media at the time, at least in part because the unit spawned more aces than any other fighter unit in the IJN.Hata 1989, p. 132. Several of the unit's aces were among the IJN's top scorers, and included Hiroyoshi Nishizawa, Saburō Sakai, Junichi Sasai, Watari Handa, Masaaki Shimakawa, and Toshio Ōta. History Philippines and Dutch East Indies The unit was formed at Tainan, Taiwan (then part of the Empire of Japan) on October 1, 1941 as part of the 23rd Air Flotilla. The unit's first commander was Captain Hiroshi Higuchi, who was relieved by Commander Masahisa Saito on 4 October 1941. Most of the unit's original pilots were veterans of aerial combat in the Second ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sentai
In Japanese, is a military unit and may be literally translated as "squadron", " task force", " division (of ships)", "group" or "wing". The terms "regiment" and "flotilla", while sometimes used as translations of ''sentai'', are also used to refer to larger formations. Imperial Japanese aviation ''sentai'' The term was used during World War II by the military of the Empire of Japan for Imperial Japanese Army Air Service (IJAAS) and Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service (IJNAS) military aviation units equivalent to a group or wing in other air forces. However, the term had slightly different meanings in the IJAAS and the IJNAS. An IJAAS ''Sentai'' was made up of two to four squadrons (''chūtai''). In the IJAAS, two or more ''Sentai'' comprised a ''hikōdan'' (air brigade). In the later stages of World War II, the IJAAS abolished ''chūtai'' and divided its ''sentai'' into '' hikōtai'' (flying units) and ''seibitai'' (maintenance units). A ''sentai'' commander (''sentaichō'' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Yokosuka
is a city in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. , the city has a population of 409,478, and a population density of . The total area is . Yokosuka is the 11th most populous city in the Greater Tokyo Area, and the 12th in the Kantō region. The city is host to United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka. Geography Yokosuka occupies most of Miura Peninsula, and is bordered by the mouth of Tokyo Bay to the east and Sagami Bay on the Pacific Ocean on the west. Surrounding municipalities * Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama * Miura * Hayama * Zushi History Pre-modern period Archaeologists have found stone tools and shell middens from the Japanese Paleolithic period and ceramic shards from the Jōmon and Kofun periods at numerous locations in the area. During the Heian period, local warlord Muraoka Tamemichi established Kinugasa Castle in 1063. He became the ancestor of the Miura clan, which subsequently dominated eastern Sagami Province for the next several hundred years. The Miura clan supported ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Naval Units And Formations Of Imperial Japan
A navy, naval force, or maritime force is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval warfare, naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral zone, littoral, or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions. It includes anything conducted by surface Naval ship, ships, amphibious warfare, amphibious ships, submarines, and seaborne naval aviation, aviation, as well as ancillary support, communications, training, and other fields. The strategic offensive role of a navy is Power projection, projection of force into areas beyond a country's shores (for example, to protect Sea lane, sea-lanes, deter or confront piracy, ferry troops, or attack other navies, ports, or shore installations). The strategic defensive purpose of a navy is to frustrate seaborne projection-of-force by enemies. The strategic task of the navy also may incorporate nuclear deterrence by use of submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Naval operations can be broa ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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