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. / RADM* Irisa Toshiie (52) - 15 February 1944 - 19 June 1944 (KIA; posthumous two-rank promotion.)
**Cdr. Irisa was jointly Air Officer of CV ''Taiho'', and was KIA in her sinking.
*VACANT - 19 June 1944 - 10 July 1944
*Cdr. / Capt. Suzuki Masakazu (52) - 10 July 1944 - 10 February 1945 (Captain on 15 October 1944.)
*Cdr. / Capt. Sugiyama Toshikazu (51) - 10 February 1945 - 15 August 1945 (Captain on 1 May 1945.)

Bibliography

*Shin-Jinbutsuoraisha Co., Ltd., Tōkyō, Japan.
**Kingendaishi Hensankai, ''Military history of the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Groups and Imperial Japanese Army Flying Regiments'', 2001, .
**''Rekishi Dokuhon'', Document of the war No. 48 ''Overview of Imperial Japanese Navy Admirals'', 1999, .
*The Japanese Modern Historical Manuscripts Association, ''Organizations, structures and personnel affairs of the Imperial Japanese Army & Navy'', University of Tokyo Press, Tōkyō, Japan, 1971, .
*''Rekishi Gunzō, History of Pacific War'', Gakken, Tōkyō, Japan.
**Vol. 13, ''Shōkaku class aircraft carrier'', 1997, .
**Vol. 22, ''Aircraft carrier Taihō / Shinano'', 1999, .
**Extra, ''Perfect guide, The aircraft carriers of the Imperial Japanese Navy & Army'', 2003, .
*Bunrin-Dō Co., Ltd., Tōkyō, Japan.
**''Famous airplanes of the world'' No. 69, ''Navy Carrier Dive-Bomber "Suisei"'', 1998, .
**''Koku-Fan Illustrated'' No. 42, ''Japanese Imperial Army & Navy Aircraft Color, Markig'', 1988.
**''Koku-Fan Illustrated Special'', ''Japanese Military Aircraft Illustrated Vol. 2, "Bombers"'', 1982.
*''Model Art'', Model Art Co. Ltd., Tōkyō, Japan.
**No. 406, Special issue ''Camouflage & Markings of Imperial Japanese Navy Bombers in W.W.II'', 1993.
**No. 458, Special issue ''Imperial Japanese Navy Air Force Suicide Attack Unit "Kamikaze"'', 1995.
**No. 553, Special issue ''I.J.N. Carrier Attack Bomber'', 2000.
*Japan Center for Asian Historical Records (http://www.jacar.go.jp/english/index.html), National Archives of Japan, Tōkyō, Japan.
**Reference Code: C08051771200, ''Transition table of formation of Imperial Japan Navy Air Units (special establishment) during Pacific War'', Japan Demobilization Agency, 1949.

{{Imperial Japanese Navy air units

Groups of the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
Military units and formations established in 1944