AeroNotes 5.pdf

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Iraq 30-Apr-41 Rashid Ali militia appears on plateau outside Habbinayah. Grows to 9000 man

force including artillery and motorized troops by 1-May-41. They demand British evacuate.

Air War Over Iraq

2-May-41 RAF spends 7.5 hours in air attacks with training aircraft. Trainers, all old fast became unflyable either by age or by damage. At 10:00 hrs, Iraqi aircraft com to strike, including Br.65s, SM.79s, and Northrop 8A-4s. Habbinayah: Glad vs. Breda Ba.65bis 13 Ba.65bis w/ Royal Iraqi AF Sqdn No. 5. (including 1v1) 2nd (Ftr) Sqdn was 9 Gladiator Is used vs. RAF Habbaniyah.

Air War Over Iraq Biplanes Aces: Cleaver

3-May-41 4 Blenheim IVF of No. 203 Sqdn fly into Habbinayah. Iraqis Air Force attacks again in the AM, losing 1 SM.79 and a Northrop 8A-4

Air War Over Iraq

5-May-41 Iraqis break off and flee down Baghdad road toward Fallujah. Meet reinforcing convoy, and have conference on the road. RAF send air strike of all remaining aircraft.

Air War Over Iraq

11-May-41 Twelve Bf110Cs of 76 (4/ZG.76), two Bf110Cs of ZG.26, seven Heinkel He-111H 4./KG4, and a transport contingent of 20 Junkers Ju-52/3ms and a few Ju-90s were hastily decorated in Iraqi markings. They began flying to Mosul via Greece and Syria. One He-111 was fired on by Arab tribesmen as it approached Baghdad airport, killing Major Axel von Blomberg, the Luftwaffe liaison officer to Rashid Ali.

12-May-41 On May 12 British reconnaissance planes discovered several German aircraft in Iraq.

14-May-41 A Ju90 at Palmyra airport in Syria, confirming Vichy French cooperation in violation of its nominal neutrality. British aircraft - including Curtiss Tomahawks of No. 250 Squadron in the first combat sorties ever flown by P-40s -- attacked Palmyra.It was the first round of hostilities that ultimately led to the British invasion of Syria in June.

16-May-41 A Blenheim IVF of No. 203 Sqdn strafed Mosul at 3:15 a.m. At 9:35 a.m. three He-111s bombed Habbaniya and were attacked by a Gladiator, which was shot down. 1 He111 crashed before Mosul. The Germans had done more damage to Habbaniya than all the previous Iraqi airstrikes combined.

17-May-41 Habbaniya was reinforced by the arrival of four more Gladiators of No. 94 Squadron and four modified, extra-long-range Hawker Hurricane IIC cannon-equipped fighters. 2 Gladiators over Rashid at 7:55 am attacked the two ZG.26 Me-110s just as they were taking off. One crashed, the other blew up in mid-air.

18-May-41 Habforce finally reached Habbaniyah. 20-May-41 Habbaniya's Gladiators and Hurricanes dueled with four ZG.76 Bf-110s over

Fallujah. 1 Glad damaged.

22-May-41 Peak of combat over Fallujah, Iraqis, backed by light tanks, made a determined effort that resulted in heavy casualties to both sides. Habbaniyah's planes flew 56 sorties in support of the British, attacking a column of 40 vehicles moving up to reinforce the Iraqis, but losing one Audax to return fire.

23-May-41 Another Gladiator was brought down by groundfire; pilot saved. 26-May-41 The Italians, after delays and only grudging help from the Vichy French, finally

flew 11 Fiat C.R.42 biplane fighters of the 155th Squadriglia (squadron) to Rhodes, reaching Kirkuk. They began strafing British troops, who by then were marching from Fallujah toward Baghdad.

29-May-41 Habbinayah-based planes attacked by 2 Fiats, downing 1 Audax, in turn downed by a No. 94 Sqdn Glad, pilot taken prisoner.

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30-May-41 Habforce takes Baghdad airprort. Rashid Ali flees with soldiers monthly pay, and revolt collapsed.

31-May-41 The Italians depart Kirkuk for Syria,burning two Fiats that were too damaged to fly out.

10-Jun-41 The last personnel of Sonderkommando Junck escape overland to Syria, leaving behind the wrecks of all Bf110Cs, five He-111s and two transport planes. Those losses were far less damaging than the pounding their prestige had taken in the eyes of the Arabs they had hoped to convert to the Axis side.

15-Jun-41 Habbinayah-based unit take part in Operation Exporter (the invasion of Vichy Syria).

Biplanes Aces: Cleaver

Asia: India/Burma 23-Dec-41 First big raid on Rangoon met by 1 Sqdn Flying Tigers in 20 P-40Bs and No. 67

Sqdn RAF in 20 Buffalos. 48 Ki.21 at 15000 ft escorted by 20 Ki.27. Late warning, P-40s intercept after bombs dropped on Rangoon Harbor. Buffs miss battle; P-40s claim 6 a/c at a cost of 5 P-40s & 2 pilots.

Flying Tigers (plus various), incl Roar of the Tiger by J Howard

25-Dec-41 2nd big raid on Rangoon: 60 bombers at 12000 ft escorted by 30 Ki.27 at 13,000 ft split into two formations. Met at alt by 12 P-40Bs (8 at escort, 4 vs bombers) and 16 RAF Buffalos (No. 67 Sqdn). AVG claims 15 bombers, 9 ftrs costing 2 p-40C, no pilots. RAF claimed 7 a/c, costing 9 Buff, 6 pilots.

Roar of the Tiger by J Howard

30-Dec-42 AVG 2nd Sqdn relieves 3rd Sqdn with 17 P-40s. Ding Hao: 3-Jan-42 3 P-40s fly 300 miles due east to Tak in Thailand. 24 Ki,27s there w/engines

revving- ~6 in air. 1 P-40 actually strafes, others fly cover AAA awake. Howards engine cuts out, then restarts.


4-Jan-42 Another raid over Mingaladon & Rangoon. 30 bombers at 12000 ft and a swarm of Ki.27s at 13000 ft over Mingaladon vs. 8 P40s. P-40s fly through bombers; come back from above at fighters. 8 others & Buffs hit other groups, totalling 8 bombers, 8 fighters, costing 2 Buffalo.


5-Jan-42 Rangoon: Japanese try fighter sweep first: 8 P40s vs 20 Ki.27s. P-40s make a climbing pass unopposed, then dive down into a fight. Cost 2 P-40s, no pilots. Followed by bomber flight w/ escort and a rescramble. Cost 2 P-40s, no pilots. Claim 18 a/c. RAF claims 5 bombers, 2 ftrs, costing 6 Buffalo, 2 pilots.


6-Jan-42 Another raid aimed at Mingaladon. AVG 3rd Sqdn reinforced from Kunming. Roar of the Tiger by J Howard

8-Jan-42 Tak strafed again by 4 P-40s. One shot down by AAA; pilot became POW. AVG claims 8 a/c; 77th Sentai lists 4 destroyed. Downed pilot spoke over radio ina week to say he was POW and was receiving good treatment.

Ding Hao: Sino-Japanese Air War

9-Jan-42 Tak: Airfield strafed again by 4 AVG P-40s lead by S/Ldr Newkirk and six No. 67 Sqdn Buffaloes in the afternoon.. The Americans reported observing "seven Buffaloes that the Japanese had evidently taken over from the Siamese" about to take-off, whilst two others circled overhead; Newkirk claimed the circlers. Newkirk then claimed two Buffaloes on the ground; Bright claimed another and F/Ldr Noel Bacon shared a fourth with Bob Layher. The No. 67 Sqdn pilots reported destroying two Type 97 bombers (by F/Lts Brandt and Pinckney) with a further four damaged. Japanese records show that one aircraft was burned, one badly damaged, and one starter trolley destroyed.

Sino-Japanese Air War

Mid-Jan 30 Hurricane IIAs added to Mingaladon, but they prove hard to keep in service. By late Jan, only 11 airworthy. By Mid Feb, only 6.


19-Jan-42 Tavoy: Early in the morning, six of l13 Squadrons newly-returned Blenheims flew down to Tavoy, escorted by two P-40s and two Buffaloes, to evacuate 30 RAF ground staff cut off there by the Japanese advance. S/Ldr Duggan Smith,


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who was leading, had been briefed to land only if a white cross could be seen on the airfield, signifying that it was still in friendly hands. No such indication was seen and, over the airfield; they encountered a number of 31st Sentai Ki-30s, escorted by seven Ki-27s of the 77th Sentai, on their way to attack the airfield in support of advancing Japanese troops. The Ki-27s engaged and S/Ldr Duggan Smiths aircraft was hit in the tailplane, and had the pilots hatch and radio aerial shot away. However all the Blenheims managed to evade their attackers by using cloud cover, and returned safely.

The escort - now down to one P-40 and the two Buffaloes - became involved in dogfights, the AVG pilot, Frank Lawlor, reporting being chased "all over the sky" by six Ki-27s. Sgt Sadler, in one of the Buffaloes, attacked one Ki-27 which easily evaded him and got on his own tail. The New Zealander gained cloud cover before any damage had been inflicted. The Blenheim crews reported that the escort had shot down one of the attackers, and Lawlor may have made a claim, but this does not appear to have been credited to him.

The Japanese pilots suffered no losses and claimed three shot down, two by Captain Kaoru Kakimi of the HQ chutai, and one by Sergeant Major Shibata of the 2nd Chutai. Before the day was out the Burma Rifies had given up Tavoy to the invaders.

20-Jan-42 Rangoon: A Japanese force had advanced through the Dawna Mountains and had taken Kawkereik by the end of the day, while 77th Sentai provided CAP.

Around midday, the 3rd chtutai - pilots from which earlier in the patrol had claimed two Buffaloes shot down at Moulmein - had escorted 31st Sentai Ki-30s to the area, and the eight Ki-27s were patrolling when six No. 113 Sqdn Blenheims escorted by six 2nd AVG Squadron P-40s approached, on their way to bomb Mesoht. Sqdn Ldr Newkirk claimed two of the Japanese aircraft shot down and another probable, and Bob Neale one probable; Moss was shot down but baled out, while Bert Christman's aircraft was badly damaged; Moss returned later and was also credited with a Ki-27 shot down (identified as an I-97), while two aircraft were claimed destroyed on the ground by Blenheim crews.

In the two engagements, the 3rd Chutai claimed four victories and one probable - two by Lt Yoshiro Kawabara, one each by Lt Shigeru Suzuki and Shimoda, and one probable by Lieutenant Jun-ichi Ogata, for the loss of Suzuki during the fight with the P-40s. Over Tavoy, the crews of one flight of 31st Sentai Ki-30s also claimed two aircraft shot down - possibly double-claiming with the Ki-27s.


23-Jan-42 Rangoon: The first three Hurricane IIAs arrived at Mingaladon, landing at 09:15. Within minutes of their arrival, an approaching Japanese raid was announced.

The first wave of the attack comprised 24 Ki-27s of the 50th Sentai but, before they arrived, 2 Buffaloes had been scrambled after a recon aircraft over Zayatkwin; before they could intercept, they ran into the Ki.27s. One Buffalo was shot down (pilot killed); the other claimed a Ki.27. A further Buffalo of No. 67 Sqdn and five P-40s then joined the battle, followed by the three Hurricanes - still with the ungainly long-range tanks underwing - in the hands of WCdr Pennington-Legh, S/Ldrs Stone and Elsdon (3 Vets!). The P-40s engaged the Ki.27s, Flight Leaders Hill and Lawlor of the 2nd AVG Squadron claiming two apiece, Hill adding a probable, while Bill Bartling of the 1st AVG Squadron claimed one and a probable. PO Cooper also reported damaging one. The Hurricanes were attacked as they attempted to reach altitude; the one flown


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by Stone returning damaged.

50th Sentai claimed two P-40s and one probable, one Buffalo, one Spitfire and one probable, and one unidentified aircraft for the loss of two Ki-27s.

About two hours later, a dozen Ki-30s of the 31st Sentai approached Rangoon alone. They missed their escorted by 24 Ki-27s of the 77th Sentai, which arrived over Mingaladon 15 minutes later, where they found the bombers hard-pressed by the AVG. They reported meeting about a dozen fighters identified as P-40 and one Spitfire. The 2nd Squadron of the AVG had engaged the Ki-30s; Percy Bartlet claimed three, while others were credited to Newkirk, Bright and Petach. Actual losses for the 31st Sentai were one shot down, three badly damaged and seven lightly damaged (virtually the whole force). The Americans, joined by a number of 1st Squadron pilots, were then heavily engaged by the 77th Sentai fighters.

After claiming one fighter shot down, Newkirk had his own aircraft badly shot-up and he crashed at the end of the runway trying to land, escaping unhurt. Bert Christman was shot down and baled out, but didnt survive;. A third P-40 was lost when Bill Bartling crash-landed his damaged aircraft in a paddy field. In return for these losses, Flight Leader Bacon claimed two Ki.27s, Flt Ldr Lawlor two more (and a probable), Vice-Sqdn Ldr Robert Neale (1st Squadron) one and one probable, and Flight Leader Bob Little (1st Squadron) two probables. Neale then force-landed at Moulmein with a burnt out engine.

In fact the 77th Sentai suffered no losses, pilots of the unit submitting claims for eight P-40s shot down and four probables. The 1st chutais Captain Toyoki Eto claimed three and one probable, Lieutenant Beppu one and Warrant Officer Kimura one probable; for the 2nd chutai, Lieutenant Yamamoto and Warrant Officer Hagiwara each claimed one and one probable, while Warrant Officer Honma and Sergeant Major Nagashima of the 3rd chutai claimed one apiece.

From Mingaladon after the raid, a Blenheim of 113 Squadron flew down to Moulmein carrying AVG groundcrew to repair Bob Neales P-40. A little later A flight of No. 113 Sqdns Blenheims headed for Raheng with a P-40 escort, but returned without attacking due to bad weather.

28-Jan-42 Another raid aimed at Mingaladon, bombers just dwadling along. Interceptors suddenly notice field being strafed. First sighting of Hyabusas (usually referred to as Zeros).


4-Feb-42 At dawn, Japanese raid Toungoo, destroying 6 Blenheims and 3 P-40s. Ding Hao: 28-Feb-42 When Mingaladon became unviable as a base, AVG Squadron & 2 RAF ftr

sqdns (25 Hurricane IIAs retreat 200 miles to Magwe) Roar of the Tiger by J Howard Ding Hao: by Cornelius and Short

19-Mar-42 2 P-40s stage through Toungoo to hit Moulmein in Thailand, hitting 15 of 20 fighters, 3 bombers and a transport.

Ding Hao: by Cornelius and Short

21-Mar-42 Japanese send 266 aircraft to bomb Magwe Ding Hao: 22-Mar-42 6 P-40Es added to AVG at Magwe Ding Hao: 23-Mar-42 10 P-40s lleave Kunming, refuel in Loi-wing and Namsang (near Thailand) and

then hit Chiengmai just as a 40 fighter and bomber strike was getting ready to leave for Magwe. .2 P-40s lost. Attack cancelled.

Ding Hao: by Cornelius and Short

3-Apr-42 Mandalay: Mandalay bombed by Japanese. 2000 dead; most of town ruined. Chronology of 20th century to present

4/6-Apr-42 Nagumos Raid on Ceylon. Sinks HMS Hermes (CVL), Cornwall (CA), Exeter Article in WW2

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(CA), 2 DDs, damages Trincomalee, Colombo harbors. Defenders in Hurricanes and

magazine

May-42 Calcutta: No. 67 Sqdn reconstitutes in Alipore with Hurri IIs, defending Calcutta.

No. 67 Sqdn

4-May-42 Rangoon: 4 B-17s of the US 10th AF attacked Mingaladon at night. They claim hitting a hangar, and damaging or destroying 40 aircraft, but no accurate report was possible through the searchlights.

WWII Combat Chronology: May 42

5-May-42 Rangoon: 3 B-17s hit Mingaladon for a second consecutive night, hitting a fuel depot.

WWII Combat Chron: May 42

8-May-42 Rangoon: 6 B-17s attack the docks at Rangooon. Myitkyina airfield falls to the Japanese. It poses a serious fighter threat to the Allied base at Dinjan.

WWII Combat Chron: May 42 WWII PTO Chron

12-May-42 Myitkyina, Burma: B-17's fly their first mission in direct defense of the air cargo line to China when 4 B-17's from Dum Dum Airfield, India heavily damage the runways and set fire to several parked aircraft at Myitkyina, Burma.

WWII PTO Chron

Sep-42 Mar-43

Arakan: No. 224 Group supports 14th Div offensive in Arakan, Burma vs. 5th Hikoshidan. RAF initially not very effective, as the units had little practice in close air support and had no available ground controllers. A/c mostly used to cover sea lanes. Base in Akyah, on the Bay of Bengal.

History of World War 2

3-Oct-42 India: Indian ATF formed in Dinjan, India to attack Japanese in Central & Southern Burma. All units initially in Karachi, arriving slowly over the month.

Combat Chronology of the US Air Forces Oct-42

19-Oct-42 India: 26th FS/51st FG moves to Dinjan airfield. 26th FS History

25-Oct-42 India: Japanese aircraft attack airfields connected with the India-China air transport route, heavily bombing Dinjan (95 a/c) and Chabua fields and scoring hits also at Mohanbari and Sookerating; 10 US aircraft are destroyed and 17 badly damaged; 9 Japanese aircraft are downed.


26-Oct-42 China: CATF B-25s move to W China to neutralize Lashio, Burma, where the Japanese have aircraft they are using against the Dinjan, India area

India: the Japanese again bit airfields in Assam connected with the India-China transport route, concentrating on Sookerating; a freight depot, containing food and medical supplies for China, is destroyed but no US aircraft are lost; due to a lack of warning, no fighters intercept the attacking force.


11-Nov-42 9 P-40s hit Shinghbwiyang, Burma, causing heavy damage. Combat Chronology of the US Air Forces Nov-42

21-Nov-42 8 B-24s hit Mandalay marsahalling yards

22-Nov-42 6 B-24s badly damage Manadalay rail center


30-Nov-42 B-24s attack shipping at Port Blair in the Andaman Islands, claiming damage to 1 vessel by near misses. Begins a series of raids on this water approach to Burma. The 9th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Tenth AF, moves from Karachi to Chakulia, India with F-4s


Dec-42 Small night raids on Calcutta, more aimed at alarming the civilian population than anything else. AAA defense not effective. Only two day squadrons available for defense, but they dont fly at night.

Air Combat at Night in World War 2

30-Dec-42 Burma: 3 P-43s (flown by AVG pilots) used as hight cover for 6 P-40s on a raid to Lashio. 6 japanese fighters encountered; one claimed by P-40s.

Republic P-43 and Chinas Air War

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by Richard Dunn Jan-43 No. 176 Sqdn formed from 8 Beau Is removed from no. 89 Sqdn (then in

Ismalia). Air Combat at Night in World War 2

Feb-43 Burma: 4 Ki.43 II were strafing targets on a road over Burma when they were jumped by 6 Hurricane IIs and 2 Mohawks (Hawk 75H).

Japanese Army Aircraft and Aces

14-Feb-43 Dakotas of No. 31 Sqn and Hudsons of No. 194 Sqn begin air supply missions to Chindit forces working behind enemy lines in Burma.

RAF History - 1943

25-Feb-43 India: 26th FS/51st FG intercepts raids on Dinjan and Chabua, stopping them from hitting the target.

26th FS History

I-Mar-43 Burma: P-40s of 25th and 26th FS/51st FG bomb Mogaung with 1000 lb bombs, first time 1000 lbrs used from P-40s.

26th FS History

May-43 No. 176 Sqdn gets a second flight of 8 Hurricane IICs w/ AI Mk IV radar. Arakan: RAF slowly gains air superiority and learns air ground. Japanese numbers thinned out as units sent to 6th Hikoshidan in New Guinea.

Air Combat at Night in World War 2 History of World War 2

Sep-43 459th FS flies P-38s with 10th AF in India. Does lots of groundwork in Chittagong in spring 1944.

Oct-43 No. 89 Sqdn moved to Ceylon for night defense. Air Combat at Night in World War 2

16-Oct-43 311th BG (Dive) performs first mission with A-36A Apaches, flying out of Dinjan, India (NE corner)

A-36 Apache

Nov-43 IJN reports finding US 10th AF B-24s escorted by P-51s, which consistently outperform Ki.43s.

Samurai! by Sakai, Caidin, Saito

5-Dec-43 Calcutta: The IJAAF and IJNAF performed their first joint operation when they made the sole daylight raid on Calcutta. 9 Navy G4M bombers escorted by 27 A6Ms, joined by 18 Army Ki-21 heavy bombers, escorted by 74 Ki-43s from 33rd, 50th and 64th Sentais. The raid hit the port area killing 350 people. During the return flight the escorting fighters were joined by more Ki-43s from the 204th Sentai. Kuroki claimed one fighter shot down during the return flight, but was himself attacked, damaged in the fuel tanks and undercarriage. He managed to get back to base and land his badly damaged Ki-43. The Japanese claimed 8 destroyed and 2 probables while losing 1 fighter and 1 bomber. One of intercepting units was 67 Squadron of which Gordon Williams (Hurricane IIc) claimed one downed and one damaged Oscar (his 3rd and last victory). U.S. freighter William Whipple is straddled and holed with fragments, but no casualties.

Japanese Biplane Aces - Kuroki US Navy History: 1943

20-Dec-43 RAF forms 3rd Tactical Air Force to support drive into Burma by 14th Army. RAF History - 1943

Jan-44 No. 89 and 176 Sqdns upgraded to Beaufighter VIs.

Air Combat at Night in World War 2

1-Jan-44 6 sqdn of Spitfires in the Far East: 2 Mk Vc and 4 Mk VIII, which was considered superior to the Zero. By March, the VCs had been replaced; total = 7 sqdn Mk VIIIs.

RAF Spitfire History

1-Feb-44 Burma: 6 B-24s bomb Mingaladon Airfield; 32 P-51s (51st FG?) and A-36s (311th F/BG) hit the main airfield at Myitkyina; some of the aircraft then strafe the Radhapur transport depot and storage area to the NW.

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19-Mar-44 Imphal: After Japanese Army attacks to isolate British troops at Imphal and Tiddim, Dakotas of No.194 Sqdn RAF and twenty USAAF C-46 Commandos airlifted a complete division to Imphal - a feat accomplished in 748 sorties

British Military Aviation: 1944

Apr-44 58th Wing brings B-29s to India 40th Bomb Group Aircraft

May-44 Imphal Plain: RAF (and ground units) surrounded, supplied by C-47s, making airstrips targets. Severe fuel rationing. Terrain limited radar range (radar deployed in the valleys). Japanese came in low to surprise transports. Typical attack: a few bombers escorted by Ki.43s. No. 607 sqdn scrambled its Spifire VIIIs trying to get above the mountains, trying to avoid tangling the Oscars in valleys, diving to attack. The Oscars would try to lure the Spitfires apart, over a hill, and into an ambush by 3-6 Oscars. During the 80-day siege of Imphal, where garrison survival depended upon resupply by air, the defending Spitfires were so successful that only three Allied transports were shot down.

Fighter vs. Fighter RAF Spitfire History

Jun-44 RAF lt bomber units replacing aging Blenheim Ivs with A-35 Vengeance IVs. US Aircraft of WW2

5-Jun-44 58th Wing's first raid: 98 B-29s attack Bangkok to knock out railways. ELINT aircraft finds 1x Mk I and 1x Tachi-6 radar. Includes 395th BS/40th BG

Weapons of Darkness by Price

15-Jun-44 58th Wing's 2nd raid: 68 B-29s attack Yawata (Imperial Iron & Steel works in northern Kyushu) from bases in Hsinching, China.

40th Bomb Group Aircraft

3-Aug-44 Burma: Myitkyina falls after 78-day attack, including suppression of only all-weather airstrip in northern Burma by 10th and 14th AF.

10-Aug-44 Operation Boomerang. 58th Wing's fifth raid: Flying from Cyelon, bombed oil refineries in Palembang, Sumatra through overcast skies. 12 SL at target.

40th Bomb Group Aircraft

20-Aug-44 58th Wing (25th & 45th BS/40th BG) raids Yawata 40th Bomb Group Aircraft

Sep-44 Burma: 10th AF units begin to stage combat missions through Myitkyina 7-Oct-44 58th Wing (25th BS/40th BG) raids Formosa 40th Bomb Group

Aircraft 16-Oct-44 58th Wing (395th BS/40th BG) raids Formosa 40th Bomb Group

Aircraft Nov-44 Burma: During the advance through Burma, Spitfire VIIICs (No. 17, 152

Sqdn) and Hurricane IICs (No. 11, 28 Sqdn) provided air cover and tactical air support. They operated out of a series of small strips duringthe advance through May-45. When Burma fell, units pulled back to Madura, India for re-arming (with Spit XIVEs).

Spitfire!

27-Nov-44 58th Wing raids Bangkok 40th Bomb Group Aircraft

7-Dec-44 58th Wing (395th BS/40th BG) raids Mukden 40th Bomb Group Aircraft

14-Dec-44 58th Wing (25th BS/40th BG) raids Formosa 40th Bomb Group Aircraft

3-Jan-45 Akyab: UK forces land on Akyab Island, finding it deserted. 21-Jan-45 Burma: 90th FS/80th FG moves to Myitkyina, only all-weather airstrip in

northern Burma, having taken it from the Japanese 90th Fighter Sqdn

24-Jan-45 Burma: Burma Road re-opened Ding Hao: 13-Feb-45 Thailand: B-24s armed with Azon bombs hit Bridge 272, the steel and concrete

replacement for the wooden bridge over the river Kwai. Secrets of the Dead on PBS

Mar-45 58th Wing leaves India for Tinian Apr-45 14th Armys tactical air support getting thin. Most losses due to a/c wearing out,

but also some combat losses. Spitfire!

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24-Apr-45 Burma: 4 Spitfire VIIICs of No. 17 Sqdn under Sqdn Ginger Lacey meet 10 Ki.43 IIs south of Toungoo. 2 Ki.43, 1 Spit shot down.

Spitfire!

29-Apr-45 Burma: 4 Spitfire VIIICs of No. 17 Sqdn meet 16 Ki.43 IIs south of Toungoo. 2 Ki.43 +700 feet over the others.

Spitfire!

May-45 Burma: Most tactical air withdrawn for refit as Burma falls. Spitfire! Jul-45 India: No. 17 Sqdn based in Madura for change to Spit F XIVEs with teardrop

canopy. Ground loops from Griffon engines torque kills 3 in take-off accidents. Sqdn Ldr Ginger lacey declares they are not Spitfires and passes on them until beast with old-style canopies appear. Meanwhile, No. 11 Sqdn upgrades from Hurricane IICs to the disdained Spits.

Spitfire!

Asia: Malaya 4-Oct-41 S/L Harper arrives in Singapore to take command of No. 453 Sqdn, equipped

with Buffalos. Sqdn has two flight leaders with some experience, the rest are all Novice. Works them (and No. 21 RAAF Sqdn) up for some 6 weeks; does well,.but no combat experience. No. 21 RAAF not that much better. Notes serious lack of fighter ops equipment or communications links.

RAAF 21/453 Sqdns: the secret report

Oct-41 Ki-46s flew from Cambodia to survey possible amphibious landing sites in Malaya. The Ki-46 was a very useful tool in their military operations. Operating from bases in Timor in what had been the Dutch East Indies, the Ki-46 flew far over northern Australia, and operating from bases in Burma the Ki-46 was able to observe British naval activities in Ceylon, 1,000 miles distant. It was too fast to be caught by most fighters.

Dec-41 2 Blen I sqdns stationed in Malaya; 1 in Burma, which was caught in Malaya for training: 1 of 12 destroyed; the remaining a/c pulled back to Magwe in Mar-42. 51 Hurricane II + 24 pilots reach the Far East. No. 488 Sqdn converts to Hurricanes. No 232 Sqdn begins to form.

7-Dec-41 In the evening RAAF Hudsons spot Japanese warships and troopships 70 miles off Singora, and 150 miles off Kota Bharu.

8-Dec-41 Khota Baru: Jap 18th Div. lands, trying to take the airfield. Additional air attacks against other airfields. British Eastern Fleet sorties at nightfall. Singora and Petani airfields in Thailand taken as Japanese 5th Division lands; Thailand effectively surrenders. Force Z heads out to intercept the Japanese. RAF Hudsons and Vildebeests operating out of Kota Bharu and Gong kedah bomb invasion shipping off Kota Bharu setting army cargo ship Awajisan Maru afire (DDs Ayanami and Shikinami and submarine chaser Ch 9 take off crew) but the Japanese are ashore. 21 Sqdn. was caught on the ground on 8 Dec, and when it retreated next day only six aircraft could be made airworthy.

Main Fleet to Singapore by Russell Grenfell Kota Bharu plus USN History: Dec-41 RAAF 21/453 Sqdns: the secret report

9-Dec-41 Blenheim I sqdn at Butterworth destroyed on the ground. More raids follow. Force Z spotted near dusk by Japanese submarine.

Japanese aircraft attack Alor Star airfield, catching its aircraft ready to launch a counter raid. Of the squadron of Blenheims based there, only one aircraft survives; its pilot, Flt Lt A S K Scarf single-handedly overcame strong enemy defences to attack Singora airfield in the North. After recovering to Alor Star, Flt Lt Scarf died from his wounds, and was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross five years later when the full facts of his heroism were established.

Butterworth

RAF History: 1941

10-Dec-41 HMS Price of Wales and HMS Repulse and two destroyers sunk off Kuantan by hordes of G3M2 Nell and G4M1 Betty bombers using bombs and torpedos, with

Main Fleet to Singapore by

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no air cover (dozen Buffalos arrive too late). Russell Grenfell 11-Dec-41 First Japanese air raid on Fortress Penang, a fortress in name only, defended

by 4 AA guns and 500 untrained troops. Penang

12-Dec-41 Major air raid (87 divebombers) from Singora on Penang. (Undefended) target is devastated.

Penang

14-Dec-41 Jitra falls. Japanese capture the intact, undefended Alor Star airfield, including waiting bombs, and 1000 barrels of aviation fuel. A squadron of Japanese light bombers immediately moved in, gassed up, and began operations against retreating British units.

Alor Star

15-Jan-42 RAF attack Japanese forces on the Gemas-Tampin road near Gemas 4 Buffalo, 10 Blenheim.

2/30th Aus Inf Btn Gemencheh Bridge History

20-Jan-42 No. 232 Sqdn, in its first combat, trades 3 Hurricane IIs for 3 Ki.43s 31-Jan-42 64th Sentai at Singapore.

1 Chutai escorts a squadron of Ki.21 vs. 12 Hurricane II (Trop) Convoy delivers 48 Hurricane IIA of No. 17, 135, 136, & 232 Sqdns to Singapore

Japanese Army Aces of WW2

8-Feb-42 Final Japanese attack begins. More dog fights; the last 10 Hurricane IIs at Kallang (No. 232 Sqdn) scramble to intercept 84 Japanese aircraft (air cover fro invasion). Had stime fro 2 sorties, pausing to refuel and rearm. Traded 6 japanese aircraft fro 1 Hurricane. AT end of the day, the last hurricanes left for Palembang..

Main Fleet to Singapore

15-Feb-42 Singapore surrenders Main Fleet to Singapore

Aug-45 Operation Zipper includes carrier-launch of Spit XIVEsa to reinforce. Spitfire! Jun-48 RAF strength in Malaya is No. 28 Sqdn, No. 60 Sqdn (each with 8 Spit XVIIIs)

at Sembawang, Singapore, plus a few Beaufighters and Sunderlands. Spitfires found inadequate for anti-guerilla ops. Recon was performed almost entirely by No 81 Sqdn, equipped with a few Spit FR.18s and PR.19s. For the first two to three months of the campaign, all tactical air reconnaissance was performed by one Spitfire and pilot who flew at least once a day on 56 consecutive days. Compared to results achieved during WW2, operations against terrorists who could not be seen and whose location was in doubt might seem to have achieved little. Yet, they were effective, if not so much in causing casualties as in forcing the enemy to move and hide and in lowering morale. Age and climate took their natural toll and, in the year before they were withdrawn, the serviceability rate could only average 50%.

Spitfire! RAF Spitfire History

6-Jul-48 The first strike of the campaign was carried out by two of 60 Sqdn Spits, nearly destroying a terrorist camp.


16-Jul-48 RAF Spits attacked a hut which was particularly difficult to reach at ground level and ten terrorists were killed.


IV-Aug-48 Old and faulty wiring leading to an accidental ground discharge of a rocket banned the carriage of rockets by Spitfires.


28-Feb-49 Spitfires carried 20lb fragmentation bombs for the first time and, in conjunction with Beaufighters, killed at least nine terrorists.


Apr-49 Six attacks in 12 days accounted for 37 terrorists. Jun-49 3 Spitfire detachment from Singapore at Kuala Lumpur.


21-Oct-49 The largest attack to date involved 62 sorties by a variety of aircraft including Spitfires and Seafires.


Mar-50 In March 1950, all were transferred to No 60 Squadron at Tengah. They returned to No 81 Squadron later in the year, bringing that unit's strength to five


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Spitfires. Jul-50 Twelve Seafires of No 800 Squadron also supplemented other aircraft between

July and September 1950. RAF Spitfire History

1-Jan-51 Last RAF Spitfire offensive sorties anywhere were flown by the FR.18s of No 60 Sqdn. No 81 Sqdn continued to operate three FR.18s and two PR.19s for recon until replaced by Meteor FR.10s in Apr-54.


Asia: China Jul-37 See initial CAF TO&E

made of 10 groups, 2-4 sqdn each: Ftrs: Hawk II (1 grp), Hawk III (1 grp), 1 Sqdn P-26C (grp w/ 2 Sqdn useless Ba.26) all at Nanchang Bombers: He111As, Northrop 2E Gammas, Martin M.139W Recon: Attack: Vought Corsair (biplane) replaced by Curtiss Shrike (A-12) 600 a/c on hand but only ~200 flyable (other numbers 500 a/c, 91 flyable). Raids w/ Gammas were self-destructive. Chinese flak was useless (used 2-gun batteries w/ little skill). All 20 Shrikes lost by the end of 1937. JAAF: in North; JNAF in South Total: 169 Ftr (Ki.27 & A5M + Bip?) 152 Bomber (BR.20 + G3M + Ki.21 + Ki.30 (late)) 103 Recon 27 Torp bombers

History of Sino Japanese War

Jul-37 Hawk II vs. A5M2 Claudes is disastrous for Hawk IIs. Hawk II vs. A4N1 biplane is not much better, mostly due to poor quality pilots.

Aircraft of the Aces #23: JAAF Aces. Osprey Books

Aug-37 Soviets send 255 aircraft: 155 I-15s & I-152s + 100 SB-2 bombers, plus 250 volunteer pilots.


11-Aug-37 Japanese land at Shanghai. A major Japanese fleet (1 CV, 4 CA, 16 DDs) enters the Whang-poo at Woosung.

Sinking of the Panay Tales of Old China

14-Aug-37 Shanghai: Bloody Saturday: Chennault organizes counter-attack vs Japanese cruiser Idzumo. Scattered by the storm, the CAF bombers reached Shanghai in flights of two or three. At 10 a.m., Idzumo's anti-aircraft guns began to fire, alerting foreign newsmen in the Cathay and Palace hotels, who saw three aircraft over the harbor. Attack misses (badly, poor quality pilots faced with bad circumstances cloud cover much lower than they were trained to deal with), hitting crowds near western hotels at sea shore, killing hundreds, mostly westerners. Some passes made vs. the misidentified USS Augusta. 6 Chinese DBs attacked a Brit cruiser off Whang-po but missed. Same day, 12 Japanese bombers from Kaga attack and destroy the flying school at Hangchow just south of Shanghai. Another View: 4th Chinese FG using Hawk IIIs shoots down several unescorted G3M1 Nells over Shanghai. A typhoon offshore made the launching of their escort from Kaga off Shanghai impossible. In retaliation, the CAF sends ~40a/c over Shanghai, including Northrop Gamma 2Es & Vought

Sinking of the Panay Tales of Old China

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Corsairs. They attack the Idzumo and the neighboring Japanese conulate, being used as a military HQ. In poor weather, and low ceiling, they released at 1500 ft while sights set for 7500 ft (as they had trained) . 2 bombs fell between the Palace and Cathay Hotels (where a crowd had gathered to watch the bombing), killing 400. Another attack on Idzumo by 3 aircraft from the west later in the afternoon kills 900 by dropping 550lb bombs short and landing in downtown Shanghai. Kanoya Air Group bombs Kuang-te and the CAF school at Hanchow. 3 G3M1 shot down, 1 damaged.

Sunburst: by M Peattie

15-Aug-37 Kanoya AG sends 14 G3M1 to Nan-chang, no losses but meager results. 20 G3M1 from Kisarazu to CAF bases at Nanking. Hit by CAF Curtiss Hawks en route and over the target; low clouds forced low runs; the fighters caught them climbing up. 4 G3M1 lost.


15-Aug-37 In the early morning, Colonel Kao Chi-Hang led 21 4th PG Hawk IIIs to intercept a dawn attack on Hangchow by twelve B4Y1 Type 89 torpedo bombers from the Kaga. In the confused action in and out of clouds, the 4th PG made 17 claims, more than the total number of Japanese planes in the action. The actual losses were six shot down and two ditched in Hangchow Bay. Kao quickly shot down one of the Type 89's on the edge of the formation and then attacked another setting it alight. A lucky shot from the starboard quarter hit Kao in the right arm before passing through the instrument panel and damaging the engine in his Hawk No. IV-1. He was forced to land at Schien-Chiao and was out of action for 2 months. 21st PS's Squadron Leader Captain Lee Kuei-Tan attacked the No. 2 Shotai, shooting down the No. 2 plane over Chao-Er. Lee then teamed up with Lt Cheng Hsiao-Yu of 22nd PS to claim another Type 89. Return fire from the tightly packed Japanese formation was heavy and Lee received slight damage to its upper wings while Cheng took a shot in one of its landing wheels. Chengs wingman, 2nd Lt Chang Kuang-Ming also claimed a victory in this combat when he attacked the leader of a group of Japanese bombers. Tracers and bullets truck his target, and the enemy plane turned into a fireball and plunged out of the sky. He broke off immediately and turned around for another strike. Kaga's CAG Cmdr Iwai was killed in this action along with his deputy.

Chinese Biplane Fighter Aces Kao

16-Aug-37 Kanoya AG loses 6 G3M1s over Yang-chow, including AG Cmdr LCdr Nitta. Crews chose not to wear parachutes tolink their fates to their aircraft.


17-Aug-37 Shanghai: 8 Japanese (carrier?) aircraft bomb a hospital in the area around the

International settlement, destroying it and killing 5 patients. Tales of Old China

19-Aug-37 Nanking: 12 A5M2 attack 20 CAF biplane fighters, shooting down 7-12. Japanese lose several bombers and recon aircraft that the fighters were escorting. After that, the CAF avoided the IJN aircraft.


20-Aug-37 Nanking: 8 P-26C vs 6 G3M2. All 6 bombers shot down. Flying Tigers 22-Aug-37 Shanghai: Ryujo fighters clash with Curtiss fighters over Pao-shan.

18 Hawk IIIs attack Japanese surface forces near Shanghai. While scouting at 3000 m, they are attacked from the rear by 4 A2N2s from Ryujo. 5 Hawks are downed.

Sunburst: Peattie Biplane Aces of WW2: Zhu Jia-Xun

8-Sep-37 Shanghai: 8 Japanese (carrier?) aircraft bomb a trainload of refugees as it leaves SHnaghais north station

Tales of Old China

18-Sep-37 Shanghai: 7 Northrop Gamma 2E + 7 Hawk escorts attack Japanese carriers in Shanghai Harbor.


19-Sep-37 Nanking: 12 A5M2 attack 20 CAF biplane fighters, shooting down 7-12. Japanese lose several bombers and recon aircraft escorted by the fighters.


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23-Sep-37 Yangtse River: While providing fire support on the Yangste, the two largest ships in the Chinese Navy (22450 t Ning Hai and Ping Hai) were attacked and sunk by IJN carrier a/c. Both vessels were later salvaged by Japan and used as escorts.

Sep-37 Ryujo and Hosho off Southern Chinese coast. (B2M2s chopped up by Curtiss Hawks and Chinese AAA.)


Late Sep-37

A5Ms flying off carriers cleared the skies near Shanghai of CAF fighters. The 2nd Combined AG moved to Shanghai.


Early Oct-37

G3Ms return to Shangai and hit Nanking. Carrier aircraft support the army; they learn CAS better than the IJAAF.


Oct-37 Russians begin to arrive, eventually giving 400 aircraft, as well as 4 ftr and 2 bomber squadrons manned by volunteers. The Kuomintang government had purchased 36 Gloster Gladiator Mk. Is, which were shipped to China an assembled. The first batch of 20 Gladiators were ready in January 1938. After retraining of the new fighter these were pressed into service with the 17th, 28th and 29th Squadrons of the 5th PG. A second batch of 16 aircraft was received in January 1938 and after assembly these were also assigned to the 28th and 29th Squadrons as a measure to replace attrition. By February the Gladiators were ready for action.

Ding Hao: Americas Air War in China by Cornelius and Short

12-Oct-37 Nine G3Ms escorted by eleven A5Ms from the 13th Kokutai led by Lt Cmdr Nakano attacked Nanking. Col Kao Chi-Hang led six Hawk IIIs, two Boeing 281s and one Fiat CR.32 to intercept. Wong Pan-Yang, in a Boeing, spotted the Japanese planes first. Diving on the tail end Shotai led by Warrant Officer Torakuma's A5M, Wong attacked the No. 3 plane flown by PO1c Mazazumi Ino (Pilot 30) and shot it down. Ino was on his first mission and may have mistaken the Boeings for friendly A5Ms. The Japanese formation broke down immediately into a melee as the Chinese fighters mixed it up with them for the first time in over a month. So surprised and confused were they that the Japanese later reported that Chinese "Breda 27s" surrounded them when in actual fact there were only two Boeings involved. One dived away after its first firing pass (pilot hit by mapcase, was dazed). Kao tangled with the A5Ms to give the others a shot at the bombers. However, the A5Ms were able to divert most of the attacks and even downed one of the Hawks killing the inexperienced sub-Lt Chao Fang-Chen of the 24th PS. Capt Liu Chui-Kang in a Hawk III was hit and lost a bracing wire as he made a pass at the G3Ms. The A5M clung to his tail like a leech. However, next to Kao and Wong, Liu was probably the most experienced Chinese pilot. He led the A5M in a dive towards Nanking and then pulled up in a series of tight loops. On the 3rd loop, the A5M overshot, ending up squarely in Lius sights. A quick burst sent the A5M crashing. Back at altitude, Kao spotted an A5M closely pursuing Lt Lo Ying-Teh, flight leader in the 24th PS. This was shotai leader WO Torakuma trying to avenge his wingman. Not spotting Kao in time, Torakuma's A5M was riddled with gunfire and had to crash land on the banks of the Yangtse. The pilot was saved by the Japanese Navy. Lt Lo also made good his escape. Three A5Ms almost cornered Kao. Handling the Hawk III masterfully, using tight turns and even the outside loop, he was able to keep out of the gun sights of the Japanese pilots. Every so often, Kao was able to get in snap shot at the Japanese planes. Finally, two of the A5Ms broke off, probably for the lack of fuel. One continued to fly in a series of loops, seemingly oblivious to the Chinese plane. Kao finally managed to pull alongside the A5M and look into the cockpit where he saw the Japanese pilot staring straight ahead and clutching the stick to his stomach. His chest had been ripped open by bullets. Somewhere during the dogfight, one of Kao's snap

Chinese Biplane Fighter Aces John Wong

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shots had scored and the A5M was flying with a dead man at the controls. Eventually, the A5M crash-landed after it ran out of fuel. Japanese records showed that three pilots from 13th Kokutai were killed - and four A5Ms were lost in this action, while claiming 5 shot down (all these claims seems to have been made by the Torakuma shotai) and 2 destroyed on the ground. It was the first time the A5M were trounced so convincingly and all the more remarkable as the Chinese were outnumbered. The critical factor here was the experience of the Chinese pilots, particularly Kao, first Chinese pilot to single-handedly score a double-kill against the formidable A5Ms.

Nov-37 Kizarazu AG launches several raids vs. Lan-chou in northern China (usually IJAAF preserve, but they had no a/c with the range), the port of entry for Russian aid to cut it off. High alt runs, mostly sans oxygen. With the fall of Nanking, the next target was Hankow, 300 miles from Shanghai.


2-Dec-37 Shanghai: Soviets bombers destroyed Japanese cruiser and damaged 6 another military ships.

(Russian) Aviation in China

9-Dec-37 Major air battle over Nan-chang. Sunburst: by M Peattie

12-Dec-37 USS Panay (Gunboat) attacked at 1330 hrs by Japanese aircraft in Yangtze about 27 miles upriver from Nanking (near Hoshien) while escorting 3 river tankers (Standard Oil). 6 D1A2, 6 G3M1 of 12th AG (plus some fighters of unknown type). DBs armed with 250 kg bomb; G3M1 w/ 6x 50 KG. G3Ms attacked first, dropping from 11,000 ft. Hit Panay, disabling fore 3 and wounding CO. DBs released at 1500 ft. Panay hit with three bombs, sinks 600 yds off shore after being abandoned. 3 dead, 11 seriously wounded, 30 others wounded. 2 of the 3 barges were also hit. Survivors picked up 2 days later by USS Oahu, HMS Ladybird, and HMS Bee.

Sinking of the Panay The Panay Incident

13-Dec-37 Nanking: Nanking falls to the Japanese. 22-Dec-37 Japanese claim 29 CAF aircraft shot down, 25 more destroyed on the ground. Sunburst: by M

Peattie Early-38 CAF buys 30 Vultee V-11s flown by International Sqdn 4 French, 3 American,

1 Dutch, 1 german, 6 Chinese), but lost on ground before anything done (in the fall). Lots of ground attack work (most of remaining AF was strafing fighters.

Flying Tigers (Ballantine Books)

18-Feb-38 12 Jap bombers (2 sqdn) + 26 ftrs (3 sqdn escort) raid Wuhan. Intercepted by 4th Group in Hankow and Hsiakan w/ 29 I-15 (2 sqdn) and I-16 (1 sqdn). The Japanese attacked Wuhan (then temp capital) with 15 G3M from the Kanoya Kokutai led by Lt Cdr Sugahisa Tuneru., escorted by 11 (reported as 26) A5M fighters from the 12th and 13th Kokutais led by Lt Takashi Kaneko of the 12th Kokutai. Japanese report low clouds over Wuhan, which caused confusion. After warning from the air raid warning net, the Chinese took off at 12:45: eight I-15bis from the 23rd PS based at Hsiao-Kan led by Captain Lu Ji-Chun;. eleven I-15bis from the 22nd PS led by Captain Lee Kuei-Tan, CO of the 4th PG, which took off from Hankou Airfield at 13:00; ten I-16s of the 21st PS led by the commander Captain Teng Ming-Teh took off from Hankou Airfield at 13:10. The first Chinese interceptors to find the Japanese were the I-15bis of 22nd PS led by Lees flight, which included Lt Cheng Hsiao-Yu in the no. 2 position, Lt Chang Kuang-Ming as no. 3 and Lt Pa Ching-Cheng as no. 4, climbed steeply at about 1500 meters south west of the airfield three minutes after take-off. Japanese planes from the upper rear intercepted them from an altitude thought to be at 4000 meters. Other Chinese accounts indicate that six A5Ms attacked the first six aircraft in the Chinese formation and another 5 attacked the two flights of five bringing up the rear. It was the 12th Kokutai A5Ms led by Lt Kaneko

History of Sino Japanese War Chinese Biplane Fighter Aces Lee

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that attacked Capt. Lee and the first two flights of the 22nd PS. Other A5Ms, including those from the 13th Kokutai, attacked the two rear flights of the 22nd PS. Caught by surprise, the 22nd PS was hard hit and the Chinese planes were badly scattered. Badly shot up in the initial attack, Lee regained control and headed back to Hankou Airfield. Unfortunately, it would appear that Lees fuel tanks had been hit and were leaking because, while on final approach, the I-15bis suddenly burst into flames and crashed. Lee was killed. Cheng and Pa were hit at the same time and spiralled down. Chang was attacked by three Japanese aircraft more than a dozen times. He damaged one of the enemy aircraft, and landed without injury to himself but counted over 210 bullet holes on his aircraft, including three rounds lodged in his parachute pack seat. Pa was killed when his aircraft crashed but Cheng landed safely. After landing he found his rudder cable severed by a Japanese bullet. At the rear of the 22nd PS formation, they engaged the Japanese at 3000m south-west of Hankou. Lt Wang Yi was shot down and killed. Captain Liu Chi-Han, 22nd PS leader, claimed to have shot down the A5M attacking him in a turning fight. However, Lius engine was also hit in the fight and it exploded, forcing Liu to bail out. Lt Li Peng-Hsiang, also in the rear of the formation, came under attack by a 13th Kokutai A5M flown by shotai leader PO1c Mitsuga Mori. Lt Wu Ting-Chun tried to intervene by attacking from above and behind Mori. Mori turned sharply away from the attack, causing Wu to collide with Li. Wu bailed out but Li was killed. Mori claimed to have downed two other I-15bis (his first 4 victories of a total of 9 4 in China). Feng Yu-Ho claimed two Japanese aircraft and Chang Ming-Sheng claimed a Japanese light bomber. Arriving from Hsiao-Kan, the 23rd PS I-15bis saw the surviving 22nd PS planes being chased all over the skies by the Japanese A5Ms. Joining the melee, the eight I-15bis of the 23rd PS took the heat off the 22nd PS, allowing the badly mauled survivors to escape. The Japanese A5Ms had their flights largely intact. The 23rd PS soon found themselves at a disadvantage. The Chinese were not able to effectively support each other in the fight. Individual Chinese fighters found themselves under attack by flights of three A5Ms. Captain Lu was isolated, shot down and killed. Lt Wang Yu-Kun, after claiming two A5Ms, came under attack by three others. Wangs controls were shot away and the I-15bis went into a long glide towards fields north east of Wuhan, eventually crash-landed in a field, Wang was knocked unconscious but he survived with only a bruised right leg. Liu Chung-Wu and Hsin Sau-Chuan each claimed a victory. Hsin was so close to the Japanese aircraft he shot down that lubricants of the Japanese aircraft splashed on his windshield and totally obstructed his vision and he had to break off action. Just as it appeared that the 23rd PS was going to suffer the fate of its sister squadron, the tables were turned with the arrival of ten I-16s from the 21st PS. Having climbed to 3500 meters north-west of the airfield, the 21st PS led by Captain Teng, saw the A5Ms dive from approximately 4000 meters altitude and attack the 22nd PS south west of Wuhan. Arriving on the scene with an advantage in altitude, the I-16s were able to surprise the Japanese tangled in a dogfight with the 23rd PS. This time, individual Japanese fighters were attacked by the Chinese in flights of three. Lt Liu Chi-Sheng scored a solo kill and then joined Captain Teng and Lt Yang Ku-Fan to attack another A5M which was engaged in a turning fight with Lt Liu Chung-Wu of the 23rd PS. Together, the four Chinese fighters shot down this A5M. Lieutenant Yang Ku-Fan then joined with Lt Li Wen-Hsiang, Lt Wang Teh-Lian and Lt Han Sen to down another A5M. Finally, Lt Huang Yuan-Po, Lt Wang Teh-Lian and Lt Kung Yeh-Ti combined to down a fourth A5M.

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The Chinese pilots totally claimed fourteen Japanese aircraft in this combat. Four Japanese pilots were lost in this combat. They include Lt Takashi Kaneko, leader of the escorting fighters and one A5M was damaged and the pilot, NAP3c Airora Sao, badly injured. The Japanese claimed 15 I-15bis (including one probable), two I-16s and one SB.

23-Feb-38 Strike to Formosa: the very risky, but very succefull mission of Soviet Volunteer Group. Captain Fyodor Polynin led 28 SB-2 bombers from Hankow to the Japanese airfield at Taibei on Formosa.- more than 1000 kms, barely within the range of a twin-engined SB-2 bomber. The Japanese airfield was ringed by mountains and hard to approach, and it was expected to be defended by fighters and AAA. The bombers flew at 13500-16500 feet to extend their range. The crews suffered from anoxia during the long flight, as no oxygen masks were available, but there was no alternative. The bombers passed the island to the north, turn south, and came down to 12000 feet with engines muffled to delude the Japanese. The bombers hit the target and ran for the coast, crossing the strait at 6000 feet, so the crews were able to catch their breath a little before climbing to 12000 feet. There were no escort figthers, but the SB was fast; Japanese fighters were not able to catch them. Over the target thre had not been any CAP; the Japanese had made no attempt at camouflage or dispersal, sure of their safety. Japanese AAA began to fire near the end, but too late. In all, the Soviet planes dropped 2080 bombs. The raid was a shock for the Japanese. The air base at Taibei was out of action for a month. According to Chinese intelligence, about 40 planes were completely destroyed on the airfield, and a number of unassembled planes were destroyed in their shipping containers. The hangars and a three-year store of fuel had burned. The Japanese government recalled the governor of Formosa, and the base commander was court-martialed and subsequently committed a suicide.


25-Feb-38 35 Jap bombers (4 sqdn) + 18 ftrs (2 sqdn escort) intercepted by 19 I-15s + 11 I-16 (3 sqdn) over Nanchan. 1 each shot down; 4 CAF ftrs crash on landing.


25-Mar-38 1st chutai of the 2nd Daitai (Ki-10s), under Captain Tateo Kato fought with Chinese I-152s over Guide. Although outnumbered 5 to 18 the Japanese pilots claimed a heavy toll of the Chinese aircraft. Captain Kato claimed four I-152s, Flight Sergeant Tanaka claimed two and Sergeant Major Hiroshi Sekiguchi claimed one. First Lieutenant Kosuke Kawahara (leading the second element) was seen to shoot down two and pursue a third to the ground, when his aircraft was hit from behind and burst into flames. He waved to his wingman, Sekiguchi, before diving into the ground. First Lieutenant Sawada shared in the destruction of a large aircraft. Tanaka was forced to make an emergency landing and Sekiguchi was badly wounded in the thigh but managed to land. The 2nd chutai of the 2nd Daitai also took part in this combat, claiming 9 more victories, one of these being claimed by Yonesuke Fukuyama. The 2nd Daitais 16 fighters claimed 19 victories for the loss of Kawahara. According to Chinese records it seems that at least the 3rd PG took part in this combat. They lost six I-15bis and got three pilots killed when attacked by 19 Kawasaki Type 95 (Ki-10) biplane fighters of the 2nd Daitai near Kwei-teh airfield (Koi-toh in Japanese).

Japanese Biplane Fighter Aces - Mitsugu Sawada

10-Apr-38 JAAF 64th Sentai uses Ki.27s in China. 18 Nates vs 30 enemy a/c; they claim 24 kills. Same combat reported as 18 I-15bis w/ bombs attack Japanese Army Field HQ in Hsunchow area; bombing quite successful. While returning, 7 I-15bis at 4500 m, 11 at 4000m intercepted by 3 Ki.27 and 11 Ki.10. High guard come down. 2 I-15bis shot down, 5 more crashed due to lack of fuel. 1 Ki.27 shot down, 2 Ki.10 crashlanded at base in Chin Chow, 2 on the way home.


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13-Apr-38 Kaga launched a launched a strike on Canton with 8 A4N and 8 A5M2 fighters escorting 18 Aichi D1A2 dive-bombers. PO1c Jiro Chono in an A5M led the fighters and Lt Nishihara led the dive-bombers. Chono took over when the original leader, Lt Teshima, had to abort w/ mech problems. At 10:10, the Chinese jingbao (intelligence) announced the approaching enemy aircraft. Gladiators of the 5th PG were on alert and were scrambled at 10:20 from Tienho airbase. Squadron Leader Wong Sun-Shui led nine Gladiators from the 29th PS and Captain Clifford Louie led nine from the 28th PS to intercept. Flying in echelon formation at 15,000ft, the 29th PS was to provide CAP above Guangzhou while 28th PS, flying at 20,000 in two formations, were to seek and destroy the enemy. At 10:50, the enemy were spotted by Wong Sun-Shui at 17,000 ft above Jiangchuan (a hamlet NW of Tienhe airbase). The Japanese were heading for the airbase. Wong wiggled his Gladiator's wings to warn his wingmen of the approaching enemy fighters and simultaneously accelerated towards the bogeys. He led his flight consisting of Lieutenants Li Yu-Rong and Huang Kwang-Ching in a diving pass on the nine lower dive-bombers, which were in their bomb run. Wong shot down one D1A1. The top cover of Japanese fighters came down to intervene. Wong got into a turning fight with one of the A4Ns and claimed to have shot it down (a wreck was found on one of the islands in the Pearl River, which might have been this aircraft). The flight of A5Ms then turned towards Wong Sun-Shui who was, unfortunately, plagued by jamming guns. After only two firing passes, he had only one of his cowl machineguns still capable of firing. Nevertheless, he managed to down one of the A5Ms before another (the lead plane in the flight flown by PO1c Chono) hit him from the left. Wong Sun-Shui was wounded in the left hand and his engine caught fire, forcing him to bail out. While parachuting down, he witnessed his wingman downing another A5M. The other two Gladiators in Wong Sun-Shuis flight also came under attack. Li Yu-Rong attacked and shot down a D1A1 but was hit from behind and killed by a pursuing A5M. Lt Huang Kwang-Ching tried to intervene but was too late. While he was dogfighting Li's assailant, two other Japanese fighters attacked him and hit him a dozen times, puncturing one of the tires on his landing gear. Then Lt Teng Chung-Kai intervened, bouncing Huang's attackers from behind and disrupting their attack, allowing Huang to escape NW. Teng claimed to have downed one of the A4Ns in flames. Continuing his chase of the Japanese planes, Teng claimed to have downed another "Type 95" over Shi-Pai. It is unclear whether Teng claimed this type (an A4N), specifically as most other pilot-reports claimed only to have engaged "biplanes" (as opposed to monoplanes - A5Ms). In the heat of combat, it may have been difficult to differentiate between the A4Ns and the dive-bombers. The remainder of the 29th PS was busy actively attacking other Japanese fighters. Xieh Chuanwo and his wingman Huang Xiaolen fought on despite being outnumbered by the Japanese fighters. Early in the action Clifford Louie and his 28th PS Gladiators also joined the combat. Louie and his wingmen Lts Wu Bo-Jun and Chen Yu-Shen dived on the D1A1s as they were dropping their bombs. Louie claimed to have hit one of the D1A1s and sent it descending north east of Tienho Airfield streaming smoke. PO1c Tanaka commanded this D1A1 and reported that he had just completed his bomb run when a Gladiator hit him from behind, damaging his engine, which spewed black smoke and sprayed oil over both crewmen. The D1A1 managed to limp out to the mouth of the Pearl River before the engine seized up. Trading height for distance, the D1A1 glided out to ditch. Tanaka and

Japanese Biplane Fighter Aces - Hidaka

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his crewman NAP1/c Katsumiha took to their dinghy after stripping the Type 89 machinegun (Japanese version of the Lewis gun) from its swivel mount. Using the gun, the two held off a number of Chinese armed junks long enough for a floatplane commanded by Lieutenant Yowahara to land alongside and picking them up. Louie then attacked another "biplane" (probably another D1A1) but his guns jammed after about a dozen rounds, forcing him to break off. As Louie pulled up to a higher altitude, his deputy Lt Kwan Yen-Sun and wingman Leong Kongyung were diving into four (?) A4Ns. Kwan fired a quick burst and the enemy fighters scattered. He managed to damage a fleeing A4N and seeing that the enemy fighter was trailing white smoke (probably from leaking fuel tank) he then attacked two other A4Ns. These returned the fire but his wingman Leong Kongyung broke off the attack from above. Leong then closed in on the tail on an A4N but he had to break off with malfunctioning machine-guns. Lt Chou Geng-Hsu followed Louie's Flight down on a firing pass at the D1A1s. Pulling up after setting one afire, Chou spotted Chono climbing up after him in his A5M. Chou Geng-Hsu dived at Chono and traded shots with the A5M forcing it to dive away. PO1c Chono and the remaining A4N flown by PO3c Hatsu-o Hidaka attacked Louie's Flight, shooting down Wu Bo-Jun who was killed when his Gladiator crashed near. Chen Yu-Shen was also shot up and badly wounded when he crash-landed his Gladiator Satoru Ono (8 victories 3 in China) flying one of the D1A1s returned claiming one enemy fighter shot down. The battle lasted for 40 minutes. The Gladiators landed at 11:40. Li Jahung returned with minor damaged to the wings. Huang Kwang-Ching returned with more than ten bullet holes and a punctured landing-gear tire. The Japanese lost at least 5 aircraft, one A5M, two A4Ns and two D1A1s.

29-Apr-38 China: For the Emperors birthday, 15 Bombers, 24 fighters from Nanking raid Hangkow, whose fighters had noisily departed earlier in the morning. Jap fighters staged through Wuhu to refuel. On the way in, the Japanese were hit by 20 Chinese pilots in Russian fighters, then by 40 Russians on way out (of Nanking?). Chinese fighters sent after Japanese fighters, mostly to separate off the escort. The Russians ambushed the bombers, claiming 12, and beating up the fighters and the rest ran out of gas on the way home. Chinese lost 4 pilots & 9 a/c; the Russians lost 2 a/c and recovered the pilots.

History of Sino Japanese War Ding Hao: Americas Air War in China by Cornelius and Short Sunburst: by M Peattie (Russian) Aviation in China

19-May-38 Japan: 2 Martin 139 WC bombers make over-water night flight for leaflet raid over Nagasaki. Due to range, nothing heavier than leaflets could be carried.

History of Sino Japanese War US Combat Aircraft of WW2

15-May-38 China: Russian fighters claim 15 Japanese aircraft downed while defending Wuhan.


31-May-38 At 13:00 nine JNAF Type 95 (E8N) aircraft were spotted by ground observers flying towards Hukou from Shu Sung in the Anhuei Province. Art Chin and four pilots of 28th PS took off in Glads from Nanchang to engage them. They sighted nine E8Ns in a 'V' formation at 6000 feet near Hukou. The Gladiators were at 7500 feet and immediately attacked. Chin Immediately he rolled his Gladiator and dived to attack the E8N formation with his wingmen in hot

Chinese Biplane Fighter Aces Art Chin

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pursuit. The less maneuvrable E8Ns resorted to abrupt rolling and banking to try to shake off the Glads. After 30 minutes, Chin shot down an E8N. Chou Ling-Hsu also shot down an E8N. The Gladiators withdrew from their attacks when they began to run low on fuel and all of them landed safely at 14:30.

IV May-38 Russians in SB-2s raid Formosa. Jun-38 CAF losses Jul-37 to Jun 38: 202 a/c lost; 112 damaged. Claimed 227 enemy a/c

(considered it a major inflate.)

16-Jun-38 John Wong, commander of the 5th PG, and eight Gladiators were dispatched from Xiaoquan airbase to search for enemy planes reported near Nan Hsiung. As they reached 13000 feet above Xixin, Teng Chung-Kai saw six heavy bombers in two 'V' formations flying 2000 feet below. These were six JNAF G3Ms from the Takao Ku. Lieutenant Yoneda led one flight of three while the second was led by Lieutenant (jg) Fumio Iwaya (author of "Chukoh"). Teng swirled his Glad slightly to notify Wong who then gave the signal to attack. Wong, Art Chin and Teng took the lead to dive into the second enemy bomber 3-plane formation (Yoneda's flight). Wong attacked the lead bomber with his favourite approach of diving from above and pulling up to shoot at the belly of the bombers. He hit the bomber's externally slung bomb-load (8 x 60kg bombs) under the belly and detonated one of the bombs, destroying the Japanese aircraft. Chin shot down the aircraft flying to the left. The Lt (jg) Iwaya reported that he saw all three G3M's from Yoneda's flight descend into the cloud cover, one of them wrapped in flames from the explosion, a second aircraft streamed fuel from its right wing tank while a third was in a 90 degree bank. All three were lost. Other Gladiators followed and attacked the remaining bombers, but none were destroyed.

Chinese Biplane Fighter Aces John Wong

Jul-38 15th AG raid on Nan-chang includes landing and shooting up ground targets with small arms.


18-Jul-38 15th Kokutai dispatched 14 carrier bombers and five carrier attack aircraft under Lt Cdr Matsumoto, escorted by six A5Ms led by Lt Mochifumi Nango to attack on Nanchang. The carrier fighter squadron, however, was unable to rendezvous with the carrier bomber squadron at the appointed place. They clashed with a reported eleven Chinese fighters in an air battle over Lake Piyang and after finishing off a damaged enemy fighter Nango turned to search for a new opponent when another burning Chinese fighter crashed into him. Both machines tumbled into a lake. The Japanese fighters returned to claim 9 victories and two probables with only one loss. Five I-15bis from the 8th PS at Xiaogang (Hubei Province) had been sent to Nanchang for early reaction to Japanese attacks. In the air battle Lieutenant Huang Qiu was first shot down, and then the Japanese surrounded and destroyed the entire group of I-15bis. According to English sources it was the Soviet volunteer V. Dadonov, which crashed into Nango, escaping by parachute. At the same time Lt (jg) Ogawa and Satoru Ono (recently posted from the Kaga, flying as number two wingman to Matsumoto) of the D1A1 unit landed on the Nanchang airfield, set enemy aircraft on the ground afire, and then took off! Totally 19 Chinese aircraft were claimed destroyed on the ground. Ono also claimed two additional enemy aircraft in the air.

Chinese Biplane Fighter Aces Art Chin

3-Aug-38 At 07:40, 18 G3Ms were seen flying over Guangde. At 09:00, more than 70 Japanese fighters were reported heading for Hankou. In response, the CAF scrambled 52 fighters (20 I-15bis, 13 I-16s, 11 Gladiators

Chinese Biplane Fighter Aces Louie

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and 7 Hawk IIIs) in four groups from Hankou to intercept. The 11 Gladiators were assigned to the 4th PG, which was divided into two subgroups. Subgroup A was led by Captain Wu Yu-Liu, Commander of the 3rd PG, who was flying an I-15bis and with four Gladiators under his leadership. Subgroup B was led by 28th PS leader Chin Shui-Tin, who was flying a Glad with six more under his leadership. Subgroup A took off from Hankou at 09:55. Because Wu Yu-Liu's I-15bis not could match the speed of the Gladiators, he was forced to fly astern of the Gladiators and he therefore passed the command to Zhu Jia-Xun, Sqdn Ldr of 32nd Squadron. As Zhu led the Gladiators to move into the forward position, Wu's I-15bis was attacked by A5Ms. Zhu and his Gladiators returned and attacked the A5Ms. Zhu and He Jermin took charge of the attack while the other Gladiators provided them with cover at a higher altitude. Zhu attacked the two A5Ms chasing Wu's I-15 and one of them abruptly turned and fled while the other was hit by Zhu, who punctured the A5Ms wing tank causing it to lose altitude rapidly. Zhu's wingman, He Jermin, shot down another A5M, which ditched into Lake Chaoping. Totally, Subgroup A was in combat with the A5Ms for more than 10 minutes and they landed at Hankou airbase at 11:30. Subgroup B was airborne just a few minutes after Subgroup A. Chin led the seven Gladiators in a wide orbit in the south-west corner of Hankou climbing to 12000 feet. The height made the Chinese pilots groggy from hypoxia when they suddenly became aware that the sky to their left was speckled with A5Ms. Chin signalled the Gladiators to climb to 21000 feet but the Japanese fighters detected them. 21 A5Ms diving from 2000 feet above engaged the seven Gladiators.Three I-16s from the 1st Air Group (probably from the 26th PS) attached to Subgroup B were lagging behind the Gladiators. The attacking A5Ms immediately cut these off. Squadron vice-commander Louie Yim-Qun was flying as the tail end Charlie and he was attacked simultaneously from different directions but he was relieved by Chin and Shen Mushiu in Gladiator. An I-16 under attack from several A5Ms was helped by Chins wingman, Fan Hsin-Min in, who dived to his rescue but he was soon himself under attack from other A5Ms. Chin went to his wingman's aid and managed to shoot the A5M off his tail. Before Chin could deliver the coup de grace to his victim, he came under attack himself. The first indication he got of the attack was bullets bouncing off the newly installed armour plate, which probably saved his life. Chin turned tightly to evade the attack but his Gladiator was already damaged. Three A5M's lined up to making firing passes, diving from above, firing and then zooming back up for altitude, taking full advantage of the A5M's better performance in the vertical plane. After a few passes, Chins aircraft was badly shot up, with a number of wing-bracing wires shot away. His aircraft was almost uncontrollable and he decided to take one of the A5M's with him. As one of them completed his firing pass and began his zoom climb, Chin reversed his turn and rammed the A5M. His right wings and nose hit the tail of the A5M and tore it off. Chins head was slapped against the side of the canopy of the wildly spinning Gladiator before he was able to bail out. Landing in a field, Chin was presented with a machine gun salvaged from his crashed Gladiator. Hitching a ride back to Hankou in a Douglas O-2MC, Chin was sent to the infirmary when Chennault came to visit him. Chin joked about the machine gun by asking Chennault if he could swap it for a new plane to fight the Japanese. A fourth A5M was claimed by Liu Ling-Yang of 28th PS. His own aircraft was however damaged and he bailed out into the Yangtze River and swam to safety. Subgroup B lost another Gladiator in this combat attributed to engine failure. The pilot, Chou Ling-Hsu, able to get out of the cockpit in time since when he

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was hanging in his parachute, the Gladiator exploded in mid-air, sending debris flying several thousand feet in all directions. In this combat claimed the commander of the 26th PS, Captain Wang Han-Hsun.. Liu Ling-Chi also shot down a Japanese aircraft. When his I-16 was set afire the pilot baled out. I-16 was shot down and another made a forced landing. The Japanese escort seems to have been 21 A5Ms, which lost of three fighters from the 15th Kokutai.

30-Aug-38 China: At 0900hrs the local commandant was alerted about a formation of D1As heading for Huizhou and Guangdong. 9 Gladiators, lead by Capt Wu Yuliu, took off to intercept, then split into two groups: one of five led by Capt Yuliu and the other four led by Sqn Ldr Zhou Jafen. The bombers beat them to Huizhou. The town took a heavy pounding and many casualties. Capt Yuliu was told two more bomber formations were in the area. 18 D1As bombed Shoaguan causing many casualties. The second formation of 11 DIAs and 11 A5Ms escort, were caught by the Gladiators over Nanxung. Zhou Jafen claimed two D1As shot down; his wingman, Deputy Sqn Ldr Wei Dingleh and Wei Chienmu each claimed one D1A shot down. Yang Yungliang and Tang Xingong each damaged one of the escorting A5Ms. Japanese officials later admitted the loss of Lt Hideo Teshima, from the Kaga, and PO2c Seizaburo Sugino. Unfortunately for the Chinese the cost of these victories was high. 6 Gladiators were lost. Capt Wu Yuliu was killed when his aircraft crashed. His wingman, Deputy Commander, Ma Yujen, was wounded in the leg and landed his damaged fighter, but later died in hospital from his wounds. Zhou Jafen was hit in the eye by shell splinters and crash-landed on his return to base. 3 baled out after being damaged. The last casualty was Yang Yungjan who crash-landed his damaged fighter. PO1c Osamu Kudo claimed two Gladiators during this combat. During this engagement Japanese pilots claimed a total of seventeen victories for the loss of two A5Ms. A total on twenty-one Chinese fighters, made up of Gladiators, Dewotines and Hawks, took part in the days fighting. This was the end of the Gladiators fighting career in the Chinese Air Force. With only three aircraft left in service they were relegated to training duties.

Chinese Gladiators

Sep-38 Sov SB-2s support the Chinese army at Lashan w/ 30% HE, 70% frag; happened to arrive over Japanese counter-attack. Escorted by 2 groups (sqdn?) of fighters. Final battle over Hankow took its toll on the Chinese Air Force, so Mdm Chiang forced Chennault to reconsider an International Sqdn to man the Vultee bombers just bought by China. He collected 4 Frenchmen, 1 Dutch, 3 Americans, and a German, plus 6 Chinese pilots. After a few successful long range missions, the Japanese attacked their airfield the night before a raid, where the aircraft were left loaded. 1 aircraft was hit, but it set off the others, destroying all.

Strike from the Skies by Richard Hallion Ding Hao: Americas Air War in China by Cornelius & Short

Oct- 38 Chennault removed from combat to start an air school in Kunming. While he sets up school, he also has airbases built east of Kunming: Liuchow, Kweilin, Lingling, and Hengyang.

Ding Hao: Americas Air War in China by Cornelius & Short

25-Oct-38 China: Hankow falls. Chinese capital moves to Chunking. IJNs next target became Chinese supply lines and terror bombing cities. (for lack of a better idea.)


Jan-39 China: Chungking bombed, with almost no fighter defenses. Early 39 saw a major bombing offensive vs cities in unoccupied China.

Ding Hao: Americas Air War

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in China by Cornelius &Short

29-Apr-39 China: For the Emperors birthday, the Japanese sent 72 bombers to Hankow without escort. Soviet pilots claimed 21 bombers shot down.


22-Jun-39 Mongolia: 125 Japanese vs 95 Soviet a/c 19, 22, 23, 56 "Ftr Divs" (Regiments)? 15 I-16/10s in threes vs. 11th 24th, and 64th Sentais: 12 Ki.27b in threes.

Red Star/Blue Sky

28-Jun-39 Mongolia: First 20 I-153s reach the area for a field test, serving with the best pilots of 70 IAP commanded by Major S Gritsevetz, already a Vet for service in Spain. Other sqdns flew I-16s. .

Aviapress I-153 book summary

Jul-39 Mongolia: In the beginning of the month Chaikas were flown to an area of the battle actions, and five machines have been shifted to 22 airregiment. In a day after arrival, the flight of new fighters confronted the Japanese bombers raid on their airfield in the vicinity of village Tamzak-Bulan.


7-Jul-39 Mongolia: Japanese start new offensive in the region of Bain-Tzagan. 9 I-153, led by Gritsevetz, were covered by a group of I-16s from 22 IAP. It was forbidden to cross the border and fight an aerial combat over enemy territory. They encountered the Japanese over Khamar-Daba mountain. Gritsevetz, after spotting Ki.27, made a half-turn. The Soviets wanted to lure the enemy planes to their territory over a ground command HQ to beat them. The trap worked. The Japanese, mistaking Tchaikas for l-15bis fighters, with which they were usually eager to fight, followed in pursuit. After a short time the nine running planes made a sudden turn and from half-roll, on the collision course, in a few minutes destroyed four Samurais. The unexpected meeting just coolled down the offensive party and Ki.27 began pulling off to their positions, followed by bursting with impatience I-16.


20-Aug-39 Manchuria: First (claimed) use of RS-82 rockets for air-to-air. 5 I-16s rigged to carry 8x RS-82s were displatched for combat testing. 2 JapaneseKi.27 ftrs were shot down by RS rockets; the next day one Ki.27 ftr and two G3M (Ki.21?) bmrs. The RS-82 were effectively used even at distances over 1km. Rocket attack had big moral effect - the Japanese usualy broke a formation and ran; they even couldn't recgognise what killed them (the Japanese expertes only supposed that the Russians used big 76mm gun). Total victories until 15th Sept.: ten Ki.27, G3M, one light bomber B-97? in 85 missions; in exchange for no losses.


25-Aug-39 Mongolia: Beginning of Soviet offensive. 13 I-153s serving with 22nd IAP. Many sorties; 2 I-153s lost. 25 Aug 6 Sep (does not include the earlier 5. I-153s.- In generalI-153 performance in combat was recognised as quite good. Seventy I-153s were flown in action by three lAPs - 22, 70 and 56. From July 28 to September 15, 1939 were lost 23 Tchaikas.


27-Aug-39 Mongolia: 33rd Sentai sent as reinforcements, flying Ki.10s. 3-Oct-39 China: Soviets attack Hankow air base (now held by the Japanese). The

Soviets claim 64 aircraft, 130 killed, 300 wounded. (Russian) Aviation in China

7-Jul-40 Indochina: An Air France D.338 is shot down by Japanese fighters over the Gulf of Tonkin.

Plane crash Info: 1940

13-Sep-40 China: Japanese bombers struck Chungking, seemingly ignored by their escort. It was a ruse to get the Chinese fighters up in the air for a combat test of the A6M1 Zero-sen. 13 Zeros attacked 25 I-15bis and 9x I-16s. 13 Chinese a/c were destroyed and 11 damaged.

27-Oct-40 China: A large scale air battle; occurred over Yunping, Kwansi on the 27th. Newly promoted Maj Chin (flying his Gladiator, one of few surviving Glads) claimed two A5Ms destroyed and shared in the destruction of a third. During

Chinese Gladiators

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this engagement a burst of fire from an A5M hit his Gladiators fuel tank and it exploded. After a struggle Chin managed to bale out, falling 3,000ft on fire. As he floated to earth he was able to beat out the flames with his bare hands. He was not safe yet, for the Japanese fighters opened fire as he hung defenceless beneath his chute. Chin recalls:

They tried to shoot me all the way to the jungle. I hurt a lot but I slumped in the parachute pretending to be dead as I sank towards the ground. I could hear the bullets whizzing past me."

Chin was eventually taken to hospital in Hong Kong where doctors performed numerous skin grafts to repair his badly burned face. When the Japanese invaded Hong Kong Chin was able to escape and eventually he reached the USA.

29-Oct-40 China: Japanese fighters shoot down (or fore-land and strafe) 2 China National Airways DC-2s, one near Kunming, the other near Changyi

Plane crash Info: 1940

12-Dec-40 China: 7 A6M1 Zeros strafe Yunnan-yi, destroying two (of 11) new Ryan trainers that had escaped destruction at Loiwing. Also destroyed were eighteen old Fleet trainers.

Vultee P-66 in Chinese Service

Jan-41 China: China receives last Soviet aircraft: 150 fighters (I-153 and I-16) and 100 SB-2bis bombers.


14-Mar-41 China: 31 newly arrived I-153s clashed with twelve Zeros. The Japanese claimed twenty-four victories and eighteen Chinese fighters were destroyed or seriously damaged with eight pilots killed. Two old Chinese fighters were destroyed on the ground. The Japanese suffered 3 lighty damaged Zeros (Ki.43s?)

Vultee P-66 in Chinese Service Changing from Donkeys to Mustangs

21-May-41 China: eight Chaikas of the 21st Squadron, led by Zhen Sheng attacked 27 Japanese bombers and shot down one of them. This was the only victory by Chinese fighters during the first half of 1941!

Changing from Donkeys to Mustangs

28-Jul-41 China: Chengdu of 10 I-153s and 10 I-16s available at the beginning of the summer, to intercept 108 Japanese aircraft, only seven I-153s were able to take off, of which four returned.


11-Aug-41 China: In the air battle over Chengdu, the last Chaikas were destroyed. 7-Nov-41 China: CAF reduced (combat aircraft in tactical and training units) to

29 I-153s, 27 I-16s, 60 SB bombers and 42 other aircraft. By the end of the year less than one hundred aircraft were in combat units and many of those were unserviceable.


20-Dec-41 China: AVGs first interception of 10 Ki.21 using 16 P-40s. 2 shot down immediately, but 7 others crashed on the way back.


8-Jan-42 China: 9 CAF 2nd Group SB-2s attack northern Hunan unsescorted. Met by 7 Ki.27. 2 shot down, 3 crash on return.

Republic P-43 and Chinas Air War by Richard Dunn

17-Jan-42 China: The 84th I F Chutai, based in Indochina, escorted three Ki-21s to attack Kunming. Due to bad weather they became separated from their charges, two of which were shot down, the third being damaged and force-landed.


22-Jan-42 China: 18 SB-2 bombers with AVG escorts attack targets in IndoChina. Similar attack repeated on 24th.

Republic P-43 and Chinas Air War by Richard Dunn

9-Mar-42 China: six DB-3s bombed Yichang at the extreme edge of their range. Their loss was one aircraft.


23-Mar-42 China: 10 P-40s leave Kunming, refuel in Loi-wing and Namsang (near Thailand) and then hit Chiengmai just as a 40 fighter and bomber strike was

Ding Hao: Americas Air War

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getting ready to leave for Magwe. .2 P-40s lost. Attack cancelled. in China by Cornelius & Short

28-Apr-42 China: 10 P-40s (+5 sent to Lashio) sent to intercept bombing raid on Loi-Wing. 5 are set as high-cover (18.0?), 5 at 12,000 ft. Bomber formation spotted, with losse-flying fighters behind and above (Japanese were not expecting opposition). P-40s hit the fighters, shooting down or damaging many enough to make up for bombers going throughtop hit Loi-Wing.


29-Apr-42 China: Loi-Wing evacuated. 2-May-42 China: Loi-Wing, at the end of a long finger of China sticking into Burma, falls

to advancing Japanese. 22 unserviceable P-40s (the CW-20 Demons almost fully built form kits) burned.


2-May-42 Vietnam: Flying Tigers raid Gia Lam air base outside Hanoi, refueling at a base in southern China.


4-May-42 China: Paoshan, just north of Salween River, had 4 AVG P-40s on its airfield posted for its defense. City swollen with refugees. 50 Japanese bombers attacked, unnoticed by watch net (holes due to Japanese advances). 1 pilot killed by bombing; 1 P-40 took off and shot down 2 bombers on the way out before getting jumped by 3 Japanese fighters and getting shot down (pilot bailed out)


5-May-42 China: Chennault sends 9 P-40s to intercept a similar attack based on good data of two bomber group launches. 8 bombers of 1st unit downed; 2nd formation pickeled bombs and headed home.


12-Jun-42 China: Flying Tigers defend Kunming: Japs are a known quantity due to Chennault's warning system. 7 P-40Es (2s @18.0, 3x @22.0, 2x @ 26.0 vs. 9 G3M2 bombers @ 15.0 w/ 9 Ki.27b + 3 Ki.45 escort. Alternative view: Took off: 5 Ki-45s from 84th chutai, 8 Nates from 54th Sentai, and 5 Lilys from 90th to attack Guilin. (Ki.45s organized in pairs). 10 P-40s in 2 groups waiting for them. Entered from southeast and bombed airport from 5,000 m (16,500 ft), then changed course. 5 P-40s came down from above and attacked bombers. Nates were to stay with bombers, Ki-45s to drive off attackers, so scrapped with them. Then 5 more P-40s arrived and were engaged by Nates. 54th Sentai reported that P-40 performance good, American pilots cooperatively used hit-and-run tactics. Battle over in two minutes. Nates claimed three enemy a/c, Lilys claimed one, and Ki-45s claimed three -- total of seven -- plus four uncertain. But lost one Nate, one Lily, and two Ki-45s piloted by 2nd Lieutenant Ieiri (gunner Sergeant Honda) and Master Sergeant Yamada. Another Ki-45 crashed on way back to Canon. So total five.

Danforth's site online Ki-45 Toryu

27-Jun-42 China: 16th FS of 51st Ftr Grp to Kunming w/ P-40s. US Mil History of PTO (online)

4-Jul-42 China: AVG contracts end. China Air Task Force and 23rd FG (under Col. Robert Scott) formed in Kunming, taking over aircraft and equipment from AVGs 3 sqdns (74th, 75th, and 76th FS). Raided by 54th Sentais Ki.27 Nates (based in Hankow).

Ding Hao: Americas Air War in China by Cornelius and Short Sharks Over China by C Molesworth

6-Jul-42 China: Tex Hill leads 4 P-40s (of 75th FS) escorting 5 B-25s over Canton. 30 miles into the return flight, they were attacked by a flight (3 Ki.27s). Tex Hill got one, Petach another (confirmed by Chinese Intelligence).

Ding Hao: Americas Air War in China

26-Jul-42 China: 62nd Sentai had detachment of Ki.21s in Wuchang that began night raids over Hengyang.

Sharks Over China by C Molesworth

30-Jul-42 China: Night Intercept: 0200 hrs: After a few night raids by the Japanese at Ding Hao:

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Hengyang, Major Alison & Lt. Baumler (& 2 others) decided to try a night intercept. Night was clear, with some moon when the warning came through. They climbed up to 12,000 ft. Visibility was not as good as Alison thought it would be. 3 bombers were reported as passing over the field (on a practice run). He still could not see them until he looked up they were at 15,000 ft, heading north over the field. He got behind them and began to close. However, he was between the bombers and the moon, and they spotted him and began to fire accurately. He hung in and got a shot at the left-hand bomber, and saw it veer out of formation one engine in flames. Just as his engine began to die, Alison got another shot at a second bomber. Meanwhile, the first bomber moved right in front of Baumler, who destroyed it. The lead bomber dropped his load on the airfield. Alison chased him down with his dying engine, and hit it. The crew bailed out. It exploded a few seconds later. Then Alisons engine seized. He landed in the river. Meanwhile, a second trio of bombers flew over the field, Baumler hitting one of them. Japanese send 120 a/c to attack Hengyang in several waves of 20-35 (more than half were fighters mix of Nates & Oscars; the Japanese expected the night attack to destroy most of the fighters), from which B-25s had flown to annoy them. P-40s of all three sqdns of the 23rd FG claimed to shoot down 17 Japs, while losing 3. They all came to help defend Hengyang.

Americas Air War in China by Cornelius & Short Flying Tiger (Ballantine Books)

10-Aug-42 China: B-25's bomb Hankow, then P-40 escorts led by Col Robert Scott, strike ammo dumps and military warehouses at Sienning, causing heavy destruction of munitions that the Japanese have accumulated to use against Hengyang.

USAAF History, Aug-42

11-Aug-42 China: P-40s strafe airfields at Yoyang and Nanchang from which the enemy has been attacking Hengyang.

USAAF History, Aug-42

Sep-42 China: US lendlease aircraft finally reach China after assembly in karachi and ferrying across China.

3-Sep-42 China: 3rd Hikoshidan ordered to engage and destroy American air units in China. 39 Japanese Ki.27 Nates in 7 waves attack Hengyang, then Kweilin, then Lingling, some high, some low, with the general intent of luring US fighters away from the airbases so they could strafe and destroy aircraft on the ground.

Sharks Over China by C Molesworth Ding

Documents

AeroNotes 5.pdf