Japanese Army Air Force Units and Their Aces, 1931–1945

Ikuhiko Hata, Yasuho Izawa, Christopher Shores

• Publisher: Grub Street Publishing
• Year: 2021
• eBook ISBN: 9781909166288
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: 20th Century History
• Index: History

An extensive guide to Japan's Army Air Force Units and their ace pilots during conflicts in the 1930s and '40s, now in English.
Commencing with a detailed study of the development, equipment, and operations flown by this force since its inception immediately after the end of World War I, until the catastrophic conclusion of World War II, the initial section deals with the wars in China and Manchuria, as well as the Pacific War of 1941-1945.
The second section explores the history of each unit, listing the types of aircraft used, the bases from which they flew, and the unit and formation commanders. Notable mission details are also included.
Finally, the third section offers biographical notes for notable fighter pilots and features supporting listings and a glossary of Japanese terms. Photographs of pilots and aircraft are also included, along with line drawings indicating the unit markings carried.
This revised edition is a companion volume to Japanese Naval Air Force Fighter Units and Their Aces, 1932–1945.

SECTION TWO

THE UNITS

1ST HIKO SENTAI

This unit was formed in October 1915 as the Koku Daitai (Air Battalion), including an aeroplane chutai, a balloon chutai and a depot. As such it was the first aviation unit of the Japanese Army. Commander of the 1st aeroplane chutai was Capt Yoshitoshi Tokugawa, famous as the first Japanese formally to have flown an aeroplane. In December 1917 it was redesignated as the 1st Koku Daitai with two aeroplane chutais and a balloon chutai. The latter was separated from the unit in December 1919, and in May 1920 the Daitai became the first fighter unit of the Army. It was again redesignated in August 1922 as the 1st Hiko Daitai. In October 1926 it was reorganised as the 1st Hiko Rentai (the 1st Daitai with two reconnaissance chutais, the 2nd Daitai with two fighter chutais). During 1927 it was again reorganised, this time to include two fighter Daitais (four chutais). In June 1932 two chutais were sent to Manchuria, where they formed part of a new 11th Hiko Daitai. In 1933 the original unit was reduced in size to three chutais, but in 1935 was brought back up to four. It was yet again reorganised in July 1938 as the 1st Hiko Sentai with two chutais and the 59th Hiko Sentai with the other two. However on 1 September 1939 the 4th chutai of the 11th Sentai was redesignated as the 3rd chutai of the 1st Sentai. In April 1944 the unit was reorganised internally to form a hikotai and a seibitai.

Ki 84 of the 1st Sentai. Autumn 1944, Philippines

Aircraft

91 Fighter	– autumn 1931 – 1939
Ki 27	– 1939 – May 1942
Ki 43-I	– July 1942 – August 1943
Ki 43-II	– September 1943 – April 1944
Ki 84	– April 1944 – end of war
Bases
Tokorozawa	– October 1915 – May 1920
Ka...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Introduction
• Glossary of Japanese Terminology
• Section One: Background to the JAAF Fighter Force
• Section Two: The Units
• Section Three: The Aces – Biographical Notes
• Numerical Listing of the Aces (8 or more victories)
• Birthplaces of The Aces of the JAAF by Prefecture
• Major Air Combats involving Fighter Units of the JAAF
• Casualty List of JAAF Fighter Pilots
• Map Section
• Airfield Names of JAFU
• Photo Credits for Aces Section
• Index