THE UNITED STATES STRATEGIC BOMBING SURVEY (PACIEIC) JAPANESE AIR POWER ‘ } Mourrary ANALYSIS DIVISION JULY 1946FOREWORD ‘The United States Strategic Bombing Survey was established by the erdary of War on 3 Novener 114, pursuant to a Directive from the late dent Roovvelt. Its aniston wast conduc en impartial and exper dy our neta attack on Germans, to be used in exnnection with gir attacks 08 and to establish « basis for svaluating th importance ant potentialities ai: power as an instroment of military strata, for plansing the future erelspment of the United Slates armed forow: and for detenaning future ie policies with respect to the national delense. 4 sumira-y report snd _somo200 suporting reports containing the Rndirgs of the Suevy ia Germany Ahavebeen published. ‘On 15 Angust 1945, President Truman requsted that the Sereey conduct similar ety of the eects ofall types of sir attic i the war againat Japan, Submitting reports in duplicate tothe Secretary of War and to ve Seretary fof the Navy. ‘The oficers of the Survey during its Japanese phase were: Puasa D'Ois0, Chara m. Pact. H. Near, Hcy C, Auexavors, Mee Chairmen. ‘Waumen Wea Seoretary, ‘Hanar L, Bowacas, J-K. Gatanaret, Eessis Lace, Funk A YoNace, ‘Fup Stans, Jr Moxon Sescit, ‘De, Lovin Taoseron, ‘Treooome F. Wantrs, Divetors. ‘The Surmys complement provided for 300 avilans, $50 ers, and 500 “talisted nem. ‘The military segment of the orgusization was drcwn from the ny to the extent of 6D pereent,and from the Navy to the extent of 10 per Both the Army and Navy gave the Survey all powsibl asitance it fornbhing men, supplies transport and inforation. Tho Survey operated | from headquarters etabliahed in Tokyo carly in September 391, with subs c in Nogoya, Osaka, Hiroshima, snd Nagasaki, ard with mobile team operwing in other parte of Japan, the islands of the Paste, and the Te was posible to reconstit much of waritne Japmnes itary plan ing and exeston engegeoen By engagement aud campaign by campaign, io secure rasonably accurte satiny on dapan's economy and war~ com plasty plant, and industry by indastry. Tn ation, studs ited on dpa overall strategie pla andthe background of her ‘br war, he itera diensions anc negations lauding to er of moonditondl ueretder, the course of hal wd i iitACKNOWLEDGMENT Ackoowledgment js made to the Military Inteligence Servier, War De tyent General Sia! 2, the AAP Historical Offer, uid 4-2, FEAF for I of the base data upon which this repo is bow “Apprecinticn is expresed to thr Aiteraft Division of the Survey for vw figures on airerufe production; to the OF and Cherieals Division siafintics on aviation gasoline: and to the Naval Analysis Division for figures on Jupancse Navy aiteraft strength sl losses wl coin ther information, mush of which wis supplied by Commander K-ewano P, 1s, USNR. Colenel Romer H. Thaw and Colonel Raxsse D, Ports tua over-all fection of he studies whieh chis port covers. The valuable nsstance of Con. Weunm Nicuuts, USNR, Captain Dow Pankes and Ist Lt. Ricnsno L. Sxzwee, who soled as interpreters in the interrogaions from ch mich original wiaterial las bea vive is deeply appreite ‘The report itself represents the wmnbined efforts of «amber 2 aces 0 worked on Japanese Air Intelligence for the War Departinan, General f during the war and ho conducted the intertogstions. ‘how lier, in h-early days of the Survey, included Major Ronee Davee, Mujor 330 ‘Buncrss, Jr, Major Sewers S. Tacax, Major Jats C. Westy ard ist Lt, G.Pavanve. The report, in both substance sind Final form, wos prepared he flowing oficers, who sereed ith the Pacific Survey since lis activa Major Bowne Mewiwars, GSC Squadron Leer Enwann W. Hvositng, OLE, RAP Captain Cusiss A. Faokise, ME Captsin Cuataniss M. Roses, AC Pint Lt, Doxsio Msicussetsy ME2. Stage of The Pace Wee Jape Weaken “e Saldd Fence 2. Iapnene Navy Ale Force SE Iapmnem Army Air Force Stvari0y ox 7 pnomBER 01 = Iapinese ata ofthe 6 ® 0 2 1% = = = os oo ce oeJAPANESE AIR POWEI 1 SUNMARY ess ontnurbered and ovicaed the waa Aled ils tho “ao and full of Supa- Air Forenin the Far Eat atthe begining of Che iispartiscar euplasis on Japa. AR; tnd they Cerefore ere able o aitnata iil mistalee which contiboged AUIS ais eppoiion al en to provide desive Mi docs met consider the opera, SUPBOW forthe grou and se forces sdeaacing Fi AisToveecseqtehecstocs: tothesnith, Bat tha Iapates wore fore lowly Bbpreciction of Japencen air opens. onto the defensive, and they begun to aller from Beet poaninie 8 Males Semaroete cae oe ae ‘ower and mistakes im thir original planning. Moreover the high command spade a series af ‘ow mista in the deselorment and enpleyment, hes ‘i ground of the Japinese Air Fonts which Instined final ann i - but « combined seu ground ir dlefet. Th mone snfenat of thee melee mess. From the pont of view nid mistakes are a fllora This Forces ie had Uhre distinct Baie Conerpte. Bath the Japanee Army and Navy meoanized prior to the outbreak of WaF Bresea of theiapansse advance © Chsumcanty tor peniralcing! on oppo ote Fee Fecaaeat on force when attempting» ground or amphibious sdvanc, Int beyond a aie concep, tls ap Dranh to the problems of i was far was magOM aparece Anny Ai Fore nate ere sora ‘to ground force commanie- who conser the sirplae primarily tacts! weapon for the im tedinte suport of ground troops at shirt range, Pperiod daring which te Japanoso ‘Ths Japmsiee Navy ind nemertat bros oon Mtantios tothe cretion ow special &ebt Wit Navy ae units eoncentrated thronatont Bre deigaed totum backuninea- the war on atiacia on Allied warshog aad die Japan Islan support of grand and anphibiews forte Neher vg chat (sie frout cover) lt force was ever capable of making Hayy and Bethe Tacilc var ct ow inonch sumalved atacks at log r/nge on rer ares OF economic trgets, and bal ndorstnated. the opens st eocn etc cabs he lind ie Hoe os ing or the rurpost of sort ir to eure the neeaarees ofthe south aad achieve ego tinted pee the Japenese were not greatly ham pers by the range reiseions of the to wih ims But for the etal war which they omelet fight the flrs to think in aaueseeses &Biri athe Alice oon far ars crailunts stot tn Seinen an ep led i Sats thoes ‘the Solomons cam- 5,088 planes while the U eh eS ly come oa watine sone, rol sense e184, Satay the Spates raining pre Keates fo PH famed ol sou! 30 pain 19H som Guan een a ems wea Tih 1300 for Ge 0.8, Aen and TO, z ae ota vo Wowak and — Japanese snitinlly eould see only | ‘the wealmces a En er dc mnt Uh eal le Ar Foyt in Po ea ie eet ee, te Aled bans Inset ie! Uythaceryencmee ssa rol ir | es et a ho ne tC mh in of Pa eet Cai og fone ta ie ewe uc | Bun it, Onethe arn cndory ifr 10 in United Saigo ties ould fecive nainel attacks onthe plas ascompaced Witt: 16008 forthe Jpn it eo re gad be Joponese Ac nd 6874 pills compared wth 800 Jopnin = ‘Forws prevent the concentration of Altiad fovoes pilots. " Fe ie on fom ee rm-oy, Cope he Jn f se aaa delean menmorevehich Anny and Nuvy Air Forces developed spare hare ouch They oom ta in ocean Ce dre elacof leary and nutaina sr at- wd thor was alent no cooperati bei Willie izerate widened continually fashion on the pe et - Tea f F iahion on the perme de, tee Tam, ‘Te absence of enopeation was nct x0» | BE te ce tend he iil ln Jaane vere : early days of the war when it was: ‘were even further Ixhind the heart c€ assembling lrge numbers of planes, and A sete air deteme ofthe bomelsnd,the Japanese fat inthe curly duys ofthe war Wis . © ganado fhe exe their coment Chat the irs to nen «dierent misses oo fovebpment of radix. On the Abed attacks volving more thas 10) wins ere few | sce fc Bile kaxjor ctor in the high degree und far between: Dung the Ryuleyi Peialy te Aled Aie Fores. On the posite of mac sue tacks appr il the lek of fctive radar ats uve ban comprehend, but hy thenth Elime wade it imponible for he of Jepanese pilots wi : Bleesy an sient aincra warning statin Gnrcnae te tne eeepc Bibeea cee one ce Sea amet Sa | —— Beeliwtciat eect ear at Opie Ecce ception Bete a ee a Se pn eae ining 20 oor that lhe sey of lange foruations we impossible cence pk een Ren ah tence, Sanaa a os eed fe af the raintenaace, supply. ad "Sutera Cough the twoair ams wire designed "wale of thet origin highly trainee. pe. pla sopping am invasion of the tain dapooee Te ee rod to ground and nthe difliahie of ting replaconets. C- ie Tent Ek alae as ean mere ae Soe teupenee tM not fap specie the quently, they sarod fey factors i oi Seperation. Aird constriction ws unas vee mate fr sicde tacks tan so eer ee sopoee in very wo perenne they iver planned cr es ae akc Portaunplethearer: any approcing the Allied 90 0 Fenn omy We caamer of wt mci ad ey ever comdred in Tae es ental ida preicim tosses front ombateagnnen HesTtagmae, Moroes saaine sort over, whe they rail the potentials 0 sete tieJepance Sir Toncstvas Alle Air Frcs nd nga expan rs tee Retire for si ground contrat on praca ings mums of | | CEtewnttn sn heck fg ater boi vater thn w salle number of ity =k | Spratt tpport save etectie, adie a nrc qi in he ak Ps serene See permit egetisl cape me nie yan rls, Whos by tbe Aaieostisemattrcat and neferenplpel 1613 try ow of Une orignal Fee create tnt iene ciysale , cileectet pies ves os penis “uinnl topmealing Go epestons of Aled tec opps tothe Alla ir Poe meee Fetal Devebpmons. ‘Tia Sn Ingzed fr behind ths Aon thn do Hetiba ortceset goes Tes or" Sra lh ee fo wi highly aes ght woh, dete oo aonb | ita i omg he er Oo ora eee ae erect mee cat an inca Oo eee Depts hangte and major rales ere i, and many planes had to beS ‘the Navy dd not participate in 11.) “Her eng wiht Soviet Union le sein no, in is early level ele Canin the Rise Army -Air Sool was esta shed “Tokoryzava near Tokyo. Ihe Jay ‘nese Army Ais Force developed slowly wt ‘caine involved in Chim and Mfonchut Devi fom 187 through 1841. "The outbreak of fighting in China in July 197 gave the dapancee Aumy its first chancr tie ifs air forse, But io Japanese exjoyet «4 coon ie aoa nel ‘Treaty of 1980 for th rea bt sere tat, P eatriet nye some 300 planes and 100 pilots. The Jp the be- attribute their defeat to an inferiority ia num'- 4 Int they cai to have made drastic change= iaton tring, ane ttn whieh wale tinh, ny ove fete fz ju Maaeharia the Jayanoe Army bgt 0 ‘tee foc with great pity, amd by 7 De a St | the Japan rl! a esperie® HOA, the averugs fst Tine Tope Paton G00 tying hours (Appenttg pilot in the etsrier greups HL TLarbor hal over S00 hens. ‘of Jepanese Army pilots and Savy pilots ind had acu me in China or in border fighting inion in 1989. The eaevier aie ‘horoushly trained in shallow fucks for useat Pearl Huchorsthe ei Wake in the fist wel of pecially tind in over water nevi Unite fer grown support opera snd the Philippines, ‘so were conden ofthe supe. sft over inst Allied planer in hey kno thatthe British conta not Seat, the Japanese Army Aie Fees ally over Inna in Chins and Mane a longest range bomber had an radius of only abt 30 miles. The ‘on the other hand, had boon f over water and a a range of Accordingly, the Army me Tmsponsibility for the Malayan 4 mars of the wa the Jape gainer id maintained ai ue ippines, the Netherlands Fast eset Asia as Japaros ground Horses wep fora. In single ne Navy Air Fore carried ont Hovattack, putting eight bstlships anil exipplinye United States se ifiog teak the Tritish warships Wales; wl i pearly ean the umesialy” sal Unite Stee Army Air Force "The Japanese Arty Air Bore Oat it play the maior ‘campaign, which inyosed litte over water opera tion, wail the Navy vas charged with Peael Hat bor and the major baceen in the Philippines, In sadn, the Amy kept some planes in China to suppor. the ground tenps operating against the Chines, and i alzo decided to maatain a ta tively rong foren in Manchvria as tragic rnaervo ‘The Navy from the fst commitied all. fully toainod air unite and mainteined only sivall eerve of partly trained anita in Japan (On7 Decwmor 191 tle Japanese Army and Navy planned to employ thir air arts a follows: wv ‘THE JAPANESE ADVANCE part in achieving: ait superiority in. Seuthenst Aa, atl asta the Jcpanese Navy in fe Phi ippinee, Meanwhile, after carrying eat the Beart Tlarbor attack, the Japenese eaviers wept mors ‘an 7.00 mils to Caan, attacking Wey Re Tul, aod Nowth Australia on he sy: 2. Pear! Harbor ‘The Fess Harbor atsek was sponsored by Ad tniral Yamamoto, Comair i Chief of dhe Sapaness Combined: Flt, In Janiary 1941, 0 preimirary study wassade at ie ran, snd ‘he training of ale groups and other unite i the special tactics to be employe was begun in. Au- fgustof IDL. Th Septentr of 1941, Bil plans —Tt put ont to ge. On 2 De- et the mosning of 8 Devon ‘the altel nd the tak pint 200 miles ron andor 25 November ante nnn st er aqnness tie) foram at he te Jone were the Soert in tho Japanese. ie Monee, Each eas well tained even in 1040. and ‘hay wer reinforce foe this oesion with eDe ‘Gilly psket pilots from almost every groep in Sapan, Special texning was begun in AReust {OH wih the problens 02 the particular opera: tion in view. plist “sas place’ hallow ater ipa attacks in raters no deeper than Peat Tarkan, and spical horiznral and dive Tombing tactics were pracice as wa. When the ows bared in November, they were among fhe mos: dangers wns ever assembled any | tir fora. : ‘Ske ryan caries with 4 plans formed the much he Pearl Harr task foros, The te- Ital aback, Howeres was made with 260 pane [bf fighers being heb back with th caries for Alef ‘Tho pineal target was the United States Flee Int shght'y more taan hat the atten force was eaployel against Crited States Arles asa defensive asare, Th retonpect it ermkable that this wast spctacalae ard se ‘coil lack should hve been cared out with " Aestraction of the Unitel Statos air pve. ‘their prinapal concern ys that the Fay ot S ‘Fores werd postpone its defeat by ying ©" to the youth The: Japanese mission eis * aparece Army, sing 22 media and Aitacked ainilds and other instal and Tuguogarao in north sn Sho Navy was scheduled to atiace at aeator was bac. Ts finally nade gt noon. with about 73 fgh $5 on Clark and tho Fiekls. This at many Unied Stats p th ingiftar Faving attemped to inter Beis and IC fightors ere destroy About half the original hoary bouber oithinds of the fighter fore. ant days, the destruction of United Hpowel in the Philippines was sccm: ther attaccs on Clare Tied and sie Manila arse. ‘The Japanese Army lish air basos at Apart’ and Vignn ese supsor: for the main Jape sor from Lingayen Gulf. The : ir Force furnished al “oppusiton, for it had boon desde to Bh remaining Lowers to the south and Aepled fighter strength for reson is. Meanwhile the Japanese bad footed on Mindanao with air eer arson euch with about 25 anertt fall cf Monils on 3 January 1912, the fonfident envgh to withdraw tein Hunts rth about 6 planes to Thaihind Barina campaign. ‘The Nacy soon ofits strength to support an nd deim Davao into the Netherlands Del Monte Air Field on Mindanao United Sees planes for sporsdic faxd erection Mights until 29 His Jepoines id not consider a ‘hus, by « combination of supe oiganization, weight of numbers Ml goon forisne, Japan ad won the of the Prilippines Sls, when, operations against Po oe al fallen behind sehecule seh 2 Arey mmtarn Bomber waits vith about 40 aireratt replaced the er unit wich had bean left in the Phx Borman suite flew about 200 [Conrngidon, losin 9 planes to asi Navy leo flew gular mein ‘gainat Batgan and Correilor ie This 5. Advance into the Netherlands East Indies Th Junary and Fesneary of 1M2the Japanine uate en compleed to simltends as tothe uth through the Moluen Sec nl the Ma amar Sails The ceive began on 11 Janey sehen Japanese Navy partion tonk Mead i {he Caleb and an pions fore landed a ‘Taralan on the est ost of Horne. "Trerente Dalikppan, Kenda, Macaca, Ambon, and Kospang were taken i tht ons Koepang by Nevy rartroop Inn operatic, ai support wear povided by the Capmnse Nay Air Forge from Tats Bt af Oe peat abe SB ceting operation o the Japanese adrance wa al "The Aled warning syetem was very poor, and the Japanese tim» ard gyn ‘og Allied planes oa ie ground tad ats them. Moreover, che Japanese enjoyed & mumer- cal miprinity of at lent 4 to 1 at every point they che to atta, en thei plots for the moxt part were more expericed than the And pill, ‘noe of fem had hada previous canbe exper "Bren the posit cf effective ATied ie oper: sions eased about 18 February. On that day, he Sapanes landed on ‘Tinor and the ae tay took te aired at Rooparg which had teen the prin Cipal sop on the 13%Dsnile fey tue betwee Austria and Java. ao on 19 Febranry Darwin, the Atal termine of the forty ratte, was hit by tof the 6 Fapmsee ruglaeeasiers a6 ll ae by (0 medium bombers from Konda. ‘That {ores crerwhelned Ge 10 intrcopting United States fighters destrved almost al inportant si insullatons, wardousee and dos sid sunk ineuatly every vessel in Port Darwin harbor About wee ater, Japanese falas bomber sank the USS, Longley which wae attempting to ferry Ps from Australia to Juv aon Ali te operations jn the Netherlands Bary Indies fame abeapely 10 «alt “Meanie the Jayasese Tu alt penetrated into New Gina andthe Bismarck, lading at Rabaul on 22 Janney and making Wie Res aie rail on Post Money on 8 Febramry 1088. Ta this ara the Japanise enjoyed air uperiorty fom te beginning, forthe Avsteaions possessed ‘aly 30 Hudsons 16 Catalinas and 30 Bghters ‘oppose them. ‘Typiea of the disparity between ‘apanteo and Allied air power during this period Sao he interception 9 the 20 Janiary carrier“6 Molen Conpaige Tn rts of he shy copa sk th of in Stony tv send Oe cae Okara com he oe va ane opr ems ented apace ic Faro “hr te cae See ta gree icy ase se “itp sree ol nen, Bene cia incr pie ot Terao tiny tm und ate | Mey ging doe spt tc the ind Taal getty vera May, Sat se pen epscn vom pesed ino Easiness pled in “eign tn etnmer of tigen i the fal of that Sar Suse sal eae saree els | Resta stn in Frc dia at Ta ee ete a Shpsoe emp tie Foes tga moving to Hef e Ocber i, an the Beet Deer re Sah my td 0 Sy sims vee bea one San fh its ver | Same in Sorth rnc Inn nen See tr wagons thin oO Chee cr abe Rimng ms cay mre to kwp fea uteri sect om eee ae ‘ihor'§ Deane 141 el for winks fae tag Secs eae cca a poe es teayi on mera eo ee te ey eet Ere taper anime srt Pet Frees ye Petes a meer oe EB i tagis es Vdigs fpttoe heey, se ies ei cm Nh stot rps the A ron te es ee Merni ae Arie ombers (HUDSONS aid BLENTEHIMS? and fring boats. Reinforeenents were diverted’ from _ cfor Eheter, but it was o> Tae. "The mow spectacular sip operation of the Ma Jaya campaign wa the siting of the nex Bit ‘ah batleship Prince of Wles al the oeee bat te emis pve on 10 Decerber: ff th eas mat of Maya where the oyu! Navy ws st tempting to break up landing operations. ‘he fon Was vomactable as the fist in. vhich Iovien batdehip in condition of full eam rains (bt without air cover} wis aun by 0 Attack alone This feat wis accomplished iy» Aight of 88 bwin-engine depanese Navy wel ‘omer, Bt oF which eats torpedoes and 27 which were equipped for & high-lovel Louis. Aiges, "The torpedess were dropped fom frome Tow level, sont fet, andthe Hosni: tras accomplish! from atout 000 fee As: Iarkable feature of the attnok was tn: thirds ofthe sapanese planes were slow, 6°01 /LLS which bal no armor or salts, f ‘sks ant taorefore shoul! hve lee sy gts fe the spe” antiairera fre The pan Tot only four planos. The. attacks ea Singapsre in ate Desi Tasty, and February aere very Tare uns tained by Japanese seandstds, hong smal i ‘imparson eth Aled si openations inthe Er ropean thesler or later aginst Span. Tey 1 ved some 4100 sortie the course of whi! 7.50 tons of omibe mete dropped. ‘The pens targets were RAF infield, The Ttite ne Iman wis ciberstely left untouched for fut ‘se by the Japmese, ‘Another spectaeni Japanese ait operation this campmign was the parachnte drop a Ps ‘ang, Sunaina, which was launched on 1 Fe Ay 1912, The dr itself was made by 30 tr pont carrying (al of howl 430 men. Du he weak preceding tho Irop, about 6 ors Sere flow aguina Dutch ines in the: ‘nisin of the paratroops was to prevent emition ofthe el rfreries, ancl scowl: ‘he Japanese commander, Lieutenont tiene Endo, they sueewsfilly perforned tat m= vith loss of ny 20 Allied sonters eos fgnne nach gir bt th cont" ff the partraops to the prsorvation cf tb © Fetes is andoutte for the refineries ‘operation vithin a shoot tine. My ones of Japanese Inpesal Gener! 8 6f oporntions in Jas was ssith the Japanese Ary ide, pent After the fall of Palen ib ofthe Java Sea (27-28 Fete tance in Java practically essed, Of operations over whieh the fot secure air superiority at the #E the war wos Burm In the later mbes 101, the Japanese air urits Malayan cir flew abot 200 ngoon in an atempe to neutral Air Fores in their rar. But she Delite Group (rads up of nilyers in tho euploy ofthe Chi pide of April 1912, the Japanese Air Fiot sifered a siglo serious revere ter dey esjoyed sparen lon 9 and 12 April their carvers he om sla Migr, nthe Bartle of the Coral Sex Pnltad States carsier planes turzed for Japanese. amphibious force. A at Midway, Japa lost four of hi TOI2 tho United States Mavis © followed sted hs wae Mary sir a so far detero Fecmpetely ontclased daring 1944 in Paci and the Philippines and it was nly eo turn tothe suicide attack x= Ml tate. Dring 1984 and early 1844, Bir are lst almost as hous in New hat Bence it cold nok meter Ue Menaien gad medial problems inci Tn a tropa climate far from fand Navy converged on Java he Army and the Navy at the nse Government and Keown as the Firing Tigers) Tad been traning in Herma nce SepemEe, and along with the Regal Ar Fores nity, it nfleed hheaey hoses on the atucking Toyances. ‘Tho Allied ants were fully engaged deferstelyy how ven and they overe nae to mount sy effing operstias against the Tapanes rear. The arrival ff msinfoeemente from the Philippines in Feb runy Ieeweht the Japanese fore employed in Barina to about 200 planes, and by March, ad ‘rancing Japanese ground troops hei. disrupted (he sarang system an mace the Rengoon bases ‘unten. Then, on 23 Mared, 70 Japanese bomb fers ad 99 fighters eaight the main strength of {ie RA? on the grou at Magee and broke the hack of Allie air poser in Burma. The AVG retied o Chins, and the Japanese then overran ‘Burma without subettal atv opposition v ‘THE DEFEAT OF THE JAPANESE AIR FORCES its musa depts and wth is supply Hines vista ally eut by Alle submavines, Tt bo 1 co pletely oitlased in the Philippines and ford fo turn to the suicide attack. Meanwhile the ‘Tapanese high eommane had given a operons fn Chins and Burin « low prosty and in hoe theaters the Allies wor, ait superiority 1 lost by default 2, Dovlitle Raid (On 1 Aprit 1912, wen the Japancee lad aie superiority over areas nor than 8:00 mil away, ‘Tokyo telf was attacked by 16 United State Army movin bombers (B28) ying from the United states egnror Marae. Tchad ben planned to Taundh that attack lao $0 ales rom shor, Dut on the morning of the 180, when she tas force was il SO) les away, ie encountered treo Jayansce picket buat. One was sunk, but the ‘Wok foe commander believed 4 warning might Have ben sent tn Tokya. Tt was acconingly de ‘ed to nunch the planes immeiataly even though the faced at est fonoed Taming i tho rgd terrain of Fubien of Cheliang Provinew of Chim "Me picket boats ji fact sent a varn’ngy but the Japanese Navy coectuded that the panes fom tle task force wore conventions] ship-based,sad yell out of range. Th pre- tack am the (ong dey and he atc actually cams thet ery noon, bik Ray ad Nary wer tan by srprisy all et tel wasn the eat aot 3700 fet, | nce acme in Jonand ne singe Ted “Sloe ne Ta ny actin, The ape nee eco whieh wes then new Formos Ut en the ate on Cayons attempted timoveafally to fll ae sink the task for "To id ws fon mall odo saantinl phys cal lain, bss epercuns on hn pling Intel cf the high command. were consikrble Fipt in tmadineatt ad grou ofensive ince the Chinas siilds in Ching | Provice her che Japanese hn corecty sti: | tials inne to land, Send atts lon es fossa ca dn easier appronces to thee abd ditional impetae ven hepa plant ace Midway and the le tian, Ted, the Saparese gan Co implement ther pa for air defense of Japan which before | tha tne fa ested want eositeraton. Two ones army fighter gros were organized snd Tied in Japan, ak hve move ore conser fm «taining Wo deeoe sales. Atal of four Arg ter groups were eld in Japan ———thongiont 1912 wa 145 forthe defense ofthe Ihe a ne whe the Sapancar Noy wa trey mani that the Army en rene orenats to the Solo ons | 3. Cer Ses Thy frst partial viceoy for Allis at power {Eb Tei me tin Hl of ts Oi | Sex 8 May 194), te frst important ngage | nin masa tory decided etirely yale | tertions. That tn involved » Japan ane | Blips fore which ns tempt ake Pat Morey, Japanese carriers with a complement of about 150 plans a United States task force = 12 Tange earrerslikovise with about ant scringly be rida, lew uM Morty. Tat trot > tne Nneanee in Sew’ the ee eect Pon Morais m+» maj Ale MEAs hy to mane alana to Tien ese see src tig ae ae Coe taper inate aco ta Owes Sty 3 tube ling iby eae ie De. 4, Midway "the frst real vietory foe the United Stes Forces cas in the Batile of Midway (0-6 Ju 3012), For that operation the Japanese ad = ‘embted large invasion forea covered by tmijor parvot the Japanese Fle Inching es ers with sont 259 planes. ‘The opposing Ui States sutfice forons were built around 8 orc ‘with about 295 plies, and they were arp" ‘yaar than 100 Tanase planes ’As was the esse in the Coral Sea Miday « acide by aie setiom without an ehgugemen’ Imsjor surface nite. Bat this tine Jap Tins wore disetrous and decisive: the 4 par ating rear carriers «eruee-and 280 pla gains thecarsier Porton, a destroyer and | planes, ‘The sapenite caeier foreo never res fred althongh forthe nest 3 years the apa faave high prosiy to the construction 0: eure {Een to the point of converting two battesip= Inodifed carriers, ‘The Japanese Fleet acorn: ‘ould never again be ust as an offlensi» wee tin devastating raids sust as thoce on Fear! 1 hor, Raboal, Port; Darwin, and Ceylia wes thing of the pact. But a larae numer of ° superbly tine pilots whieh formed sie oe Alt groups were saved. "Those pilots Into form ‘he nucleus of the groups which provided mo! ‘th opposition (othe Allin advances inthe! f eatrirs which Ind not pir- Midway operation, ‘This foe, d the Dulk of Japan's remain tin the North Pavoni early Beeiiens 1 the Aleutians ner GS Proportions. Airfiekls were Bislmds, bu no Japanese land plane Bloneither, Twenty-four ot planes Ebovts were sent therein Jue 1942, Bf then were lost Yefore the ond of fa rele of weather hazards and oon jG hy Unite! States pline: Thee the Alia coespation of Artu and the gation of Kika in the summer of ‘aie operations in the Alentian ble propo-tioos tcommassne of Seattle haroe fing silight tothe Aleutians eam B80 Alay,» seaplane from a submarine fares and reported no earrers or entrar pect ys and Biamarchs pial During the spring of 1012, che next couth from Heabaul throu on Taide and nally landed on Gas Dine, Thi thro wae intended to pl line bntireen the United States and Fad t> counter it the United Stter) lon Guadalcanal on 7 August 1942 a serine of air opertions which Tapanese Navy Air Force 0 wi | it horas again faraished substeniat Ato the Allied advance. Re Gf the Ciucdaleanal landings, Tapa eth in the Tisnnarcks Solomons ste boat 150 slanes, based. principally UThese panes longed to bul tod Bich ad uprated with great sues BG to he soit. ‘The averages pilin Hind a Inet 0 lying hours aul experince wich topical weather el BA aifaltics encountered in the Bie ‘An attemre was made to neutralize Gi day of the Gindsleanal ding by ayaitack on the Rabaul aril, ts air power in Australis was tll nly 13 317s actually made the gains claim that very Hite dam Ons al hey were able to execute 5. Dutch Harbor and the Alena “The Japs caries ans on Dats {G24 June3903) sw bamgent expt iivand Kinks were a prt ofthe Side ‘lee dsigned to cle Alin ms the non rte Jaan, ‘he Dt 1°" tua wre me y 2 enwerted aris ‘ott complemor of about panes wf » nly Beate henge thet dag 3 od 92 oto econ ny C.F), Kiki At (FF) snore oe" ‘how sis by mhin ett amie al a series of heuyy air sttcds on Gundaeanal in the ‘hays immesiately following Japarese loses in thon tacks wers very MOLT —inore than 60 percent of their Bisarets- based Bt the three rogular United States ‘carvers whih were to provide air aupport daring the inital pluses of the action sutered opera tional ae comb loses amonnting 1020 peteent of thee igre and was thought thoy ought bot tort in stich m restricted ata wher the Sapanese had shown =) much air strength. ‘They ‘sccondingly wove forend to witheawaftor 2 Jays fof actin, and Tull seed while the Japanese Trough in reinforemonts and che Ales tried to ‘tablish land based ai strength on Guadaeanal But ever during that lal, the Fapunese ran roc lug sual-seale air ruids which adiered considar- tle ens in delaying the supply and reinfowe tment of the small fores whieh lad been lendad. ‘Tho ‘all was brokex dating the ast. week: of Auetst by the Battle of the Easter Selamons Tnatuction, have Japanese curren joined with ‘Tapani lan-based sie units in a del ith two nied States carriers std Aled lnd-tased sit units, and Japanese Tomes ere again heavy, i liding one light carer. Again rdnforcements sve fern in this te from sontheast Asi, and plans vero made fora meximam efort disig the las part of October "The dapsnecs air operations whieh took place in Oxtunt were part of coordinated air, ground ‘and naval effort to dislnige United States ground forces en Gumulalesnal For thie wetion, Cae Japa nee Inout out 2 rezular caption, 2 carriers converted from passeager ships and 1 stall ex Fer, wi a (lal complement of sbott 300 planes, ‘The pit in this fore were the best plots then rrmaining in the Jape Air Foes, any of them veterans of Peat Harbor, Ceyln, and Mi tray. It ition, the Japanese the hed about 120 fry -tne planes nt Rabu, and a speeial stall ‘fice: la been sent fom: Tokyo to ensure their Sficintemployment. This ofeer planned a 5-day Eerie of fer seep which were tobe followed boy bomber attacks, the object being to neutralize ‘United States air power on Guadalsanal and to assist in a ground offense. The earrise force tras to neatralin the United States Navy in the Tiegiaing about 20 Gtobe, the Japanese plan ‘was etried oly ands series OF snes aft attacks trove made on Guadslanal. ‘The legest single Neack involve aboot 75 planes Attstion was: a | a | oi Ue spunsce son Tos: more ‘than Talf of thei hnd-msed fores Meat, treJannese carrer ellided with United Stats fatiee in the Hattie of Santa Cons on 20 Octo~ er 142, and although the Uaitod Stats casier Hore! wos sank, te Juyanese fee euF ered Tose of ore than HD planes and pois “The tro opesatons were the climax of the sivacfon around Gondalcanal, and aftr 4 series tf minlace actions culminating inthe tte of GGunddeanal on 19-13 November, the Tapanese never api Cheatened Taited Stas postions in the scutiern Solomons. The Japanese carriers ind were not gain commndted to combat ‘one United States tsvasion of the Marianas inane of 1944. The Japanese cari air gromps ineve seriously esienel, but the most seriows nage wae done to Japanese land-based aie ft Rabaal In December of 1942 there ‘yore fs than 109 planes base there cd the ‘jot of the ples were fresh fm Japan with fu auirage of los tha 900 lying hour, only ‘Mut 150 of which hae been spent in a combat line Th the Kale of ho Fapanaee Aimy Ate Fores “ewes not nell Tenuary 1065 Uh the Japanese ‘Amur Air Forencaspe inyolved in the Salomon ‘canna the all of 192, the Navy made an Tunet ell for reinforcements, giving 88 2ne ron fom che exeosive demands of Japanese Army Thess inthe aren for gromid sport. Tn De- cumin, 2 ofthe bet Amy Higher units, ith ex wees in the Maleyan campeign, xe dis ‘oteled from Subaya to Trak by carrer with 0 lane ‘Tie units were flown dow to Ra Dal fem ‘Trak, ad cements fom them inter traning in navigation; one unit wlone lost ‘Plans, lt ite sever, a a light beeween And Rabu Army aie sength in Rabu ww exceed fighters and 20 bombers, th servic Shit of which wa so Jow that operaGoxsinv ‘ng mote han 80 planes were Fares Me Lond Basing the Onrien Groups. "we J ese Navy aon desided thi Army’ reinforenen ff ulatanial sie and qulity would not be for omg Tsao desided that despite the Toes + Ghadaleanal, the central Solomons ant Ri should be eld tall eosts in order to preter unin fleet base at Truk, Having beet chars ‘wih this dafense Navy ollests at Rabaol nse ‘hat the air groupe of the carrier force were: fonly retaining units in the Tapanese Novy ‘ore slit |y experienced to provide ans <1 stantial opoition to the Allied advance, an) ‘hey shout be employed ‘vom Tad bases. OF connected sith the caries bitterly oppeen stiezetion siting that the carrer fere> sh De kept infuct Wan the ater was int broach in Febraaty of 191, the Ligh eommand cide presente the ester force. In March thn dec's: ‘yas evens and all fly trained carries ‘rere ovlene to lanl basin the Bismards "Those gronpe arrived about the fing of Ap with about 350) planes andthe bist remsin ‘Navy pilots At that tino there wer appr ately 2M) Navy land-based planes in sie» taking total Navy foxce of 650 plate. Tn + fret 2 wel, that force attacked United: shipping concentrations Si the Solonens ‘their maximum operational strength, ad “muller aback op Milne Bay in New Gu nes ‘it on Pare Morey lad boon plans bv ‘Oven Stuiley Mountains were considered ‘tao high for tho airralt available. 2 the + ‘of 2 wos, the eater groups iad sufere! Dereent lem, and in orter to preserve hem further oparations, the Navy withdrew thot Teak. A onparative Ill followed tho with! the two carrer groups Buk it soon apyeare ‘he remaiaing Binbusel wails were Fo 3" hy femssives of stopring. the Allisl ac weatened Tn July 1445 those units bat vss ‘in opposing Ali operations around Mans. it was decided to rein‘one them wih te vou of Catrice Division, the poorer cf the ee mee ho force, That group was sent to Buin o> Boe ‘illo with wbout 150. planes, bat in the Plas and pilots Above Novenher fore y the sir group of Car But in 2 weeks ding the pion Tindings on Bousainville, that 80 pervent of te planes snd Ml By thistime only a very few of ined ils ofthe original easier fd the murvivors were vithdrewn the loss ef most ofits half-trfned Dfavianas in Juno of 194. I of Biemarcts- Solomons Cem: et past of 1949 andthe ft sud land-baced airenft fof leary air attacks on Kaboul, and interception eas enennnteed Pines of Cxrvier Division Land @ the remnants of the land ined air ie apace osses wore heavy and 10M rule itelt was attacked by fe arviors wa part of the plan for $ of the Marshalls. With Truk row a thrust from the central Paci Ss importance as an adeno ase Place Teak fromm te south See On 19 Fruary, the Japanese Novy Ayal xireraft to Truk, leaving the leventh Ais Fleet at Kaboul, where While the Solomons and Biemarls dnprouress, x series of equally Patios was ain comdicted in New groin operations inthe two com @ inden the ssme overall Army cat il the summer of 194, Tapanse (Guinea hed to look to alveratt an fof Ary arid Navy. Ae Headgour> er sir suport. But in the sun She Tupanese Army moved its ar Aros Ralranl to Weve wd there Tite relation Between air oper lampaign. Attor the Bathe of she he Span desided to take Pon Aad advice from Buna over “he |Mntinss To this end, the Jap yporsimately 500 veterans of "he ja inthe Duna-Gona ae on 22 Fin the next months that force 1 Morelli niles of Pore M the mountains to within 39 robs. But the planning for tis ‘operation was poor, Helected conplete lak of ‘operation between Ary and Nevy and an alter AL provision was tnd for uit eover air pyar. The Bapanese Anny Air F Tad not yet eo broxht into the ate, and the Army ground commas ers carly ‘OFOrho at Navy of the progres of their operations oe eled for ir assitance. In any event, the Navy Air Force was extended in the Solomons snd could Dot furnish aid, ‘The seond astempt eo take Pare Moresi7 this was dcomed to failure ftom the ‘The Allied conduct of this eampign wus just ‘he rerrsn of the Japanese. Prom ihe stare the ‘Allied. ground forces Ypbosing. the advance wes ‘supplied roa large exte by ai, and chy reoived ‘los suport to the gaeatest possible agro from ‘he oil small United States Fifth Ai> Foren Even B-lTs mere use. for clase support and for slacks on the Japanese supply ine, In Detober the Japan Line of acvasce was Hankel By an sir-lorie landing 65 nc les southeast of “unt 00 Colingswond Bay, and By the fie of November the Japanese hind ign to withdraw. "Then for ‘the first time the Jaycese Army elle for ait “suppor frun the Navy. Daring the nest mont, three or four Jopanse Nevy medium bombers Inade mhily supply doops, but acceding to the apanees Amy. 78 percent of the sappiee were Toa in dhe jane te Aftne Bey. To th mst of the Papen ea ign, the Japanese attempted to flak Port Moresby by landing ia ehe Milne Bay: are, but ‘after 4 weeks of aati Fighting, the landing force vio within In this aetion, ths Al fore bul considera air support fecm Port ‘Moresby and. ftom erly comérusted. fighter rie it the immediate area. Again, however, tho Sapanes hal neglect air support i thir pla hing. ad in any event rast of the aailable Japa fnew ples were engaged in the Solamens Motte of the Benarce Soa, Drapite the series of defeats they sored in New Guin, the dapanese browght wajor gaounl ranforce Incn’s to Rabaul itt Deernber 192 for ultimate fffensive employment ia New Guinea. Anew fervuid ary” was organized in earl 3, and Coops cimsideruble numbers began moving from Mabon! to Eastern New Guia. See of eve tops mle an absetive attack on te Ae failureto appreciate th value of sir powerBube(wntnl sir opposition to the 1 Jat Won; and call nas sent in for and, acording to the Japanese, loses ane ik "Tas sinforeaits were > 120 pues, wlio the enire operational ri Fate by consoy from Rabaul about 1 March, sit strength in the Now Guinea rea, ‘The Ju eee ee cet iichaersid sank peers ta bal wpa reg In Nov Os Bee ie convoy inthe ction devgnated the had rife severe stb: il of the Bismarck Set “t Waab to the Admireies, During het Miche tpntee Seer and henely rtrd prt of 198 al ens te following iat ull cupanese Army Ale Force Int hewity im dapinese Ary Ai Foros guve fist plier «» SAPO tiecoron The Army on. New Gain It attempt o Dud xp seo: leronthattwoenpeeced fier there t 40) planes or mere, Dut Toss or 1 aac elieh thud ee brooghcin fom Sonteart ner fery route were iy amounting © 39 p> Xun Tau 40 of thie 68 planes vere lows The cet of the planes fest Moreover, basse Sanh sno empliged some 60 plane and Fiewise te inexpesene ofthe fey pls, bad Ion abt 10. dunce ang the route, nt Ue poe comation TAT alt ofthe Bat ofthe Bismarck Sra, the forwunl feds, many sireraft were wit 6 | chedonnere Anny irteallysbusconed ofensive combat when they reac forward areas. © | gertons inact New Snea tl wont on the sequent, sr strength in New Guinea rare « Gefasve: Taemse of he Toss of Uhe convoy, esd 20 planes round treet in the Solomons ad tobe dee During his pero al rare of marten Flat iy Felnforcnents hureedly sent to New aiiclty were encountered and many pleas v1 Gunes But Ow winfoeenents were not pom- — sbauled whieh ight way Ine er rep ext muh and hair atempt to precené the in reuraras, At this point snbmarias ard + Dud-p of Allie sr stength inthe Markham attacks on convoys to. Wevak and. lber N: Maley was aboniv: Taorntter air ore land Guinen poss been inerosingty eet ngs the alley sere cnsiderel, but the iden erate more and more diel forthe Tegan ‘we decane beets 92 the nee forair apport usin an adequate suply of spare put | TatheSatrnone, Thus en the ine wis eined, thermore, “he main repair base for New Gr ‘ile Japanes aimcul,or grou fonces were was Galea on Halmatert, over 1000 lee Capalle of prowncng the comatction of the Week- This bse never functioned es elsif aelelde se Nuc and ther pints in and inorder male engine changes the apo te re Ba send ai fo Sens or fo Hal Guinea cast were Iau Sava, cach more than 1500 mile from: Wer "Teel Ae ho Ble the Hone thew cute, fei Sex, Weak Deca the princpa’Sapanse base nd none hy ‘in New Guinea, Diving the-winter and spring of 1083 he Japanese Army’ ad begun to onatrust fed Holanda, ‘The final detest Amy Air Fores in the Nev in February snd Murch 1954, Be the Japansso expected an Aint I Madang or at point « litle He es, They also considered i pur ge woul be made ditty i the Dhos were not postienlarly om ie exfty of Wollanlia, however, for of perlorit tajor repairs, and Wey ot the Cerminus of tho ferey eoxte Iilippine:, with the meule tha: ite eg replacenent plans Diinging in reinforcements fran (Netherlands Hast Indies and sea es flown in during the las week of spansse air arength in New Guinea bout 126 planes nseigned to tactical fl Tanding west of Madang nowr fad instead, on 29 Febrasts, Alind in the Aduiraltiez, The Japanee Dy badd weather betwcen Wewak i,t som Inui their mas bout 6 fighter sorties and 29 homer the fast diay and night strike oy That ws Che last major Japanee Jn Now Guinea. More rvinforw- flown in, bu: on 80 March the teh Aeerics of the larga strikes yet This thenter ul surprise the Jay anda in a repetition of the Weve Dprecding August. Foor large at- de dring the following week "The hy lost 120 planes asa result of foc wher) an amphibiows fone fallandia on 22 April 14, the bet fmasto lannel a few night bombing Sanita of 4 oF 5 planes «night ie Tn Xoremnh of 1015, {is drive across the Central Pui ho apt of the Gibors, the Mar Marianas, and then to juncture thrust fromthe south in the se ‘ampsign. By that time, how nese Air Forces Jd been badly implet repairs wera infact. Aeomplsied, Asa rea, noncombat Bess igh, serscetility was low an ope-ons ‘oling nore tha 8 soitin were rare ‘Win tn dapaneve A-my’ ata Tok Serpe agen me hn ele fre tale ir oner New Gitines or the Hisar Seif he Pipes o Werak an Teal notin ple ae pity were eri ‘he pune Army Ricans heen came MNS. This ghee and bomber unis Manel iting eeece evi echctng erage strength of that 20) planes Ios!» ‘ie Slomeme isnarces en tothe Save hy than 18K ples from tJannary 1848 te 181! ‘he idle of Aue the feat Wenak nore Try 104, Avenge ar crow stent 0! ' Geomdad with anes any of then for Rewer ig_ sme wih wos abot OB) and Toes wee sul lft witht plot The Jepanin Weed ov ATO percent. Axa rl ofthe ‘arse fang of any ane seal» Unined ove of nen ad iets ar wall ax the 7! InitonF Ault 1945, they ere terme, the Army unite in New Cine s Unite Slaten Tfth Air Fores sn excvedingly lo staf combat rea! the Navy left Hub on 10 Fubrunry HT Arn tstrongth yas nly 7 planes 1 nd wi the apanese were lass»? 13 vreakenol inthe 5 they fumed no. ver they began to emplay Philippe, b. Givers. The invasion of the Cilerts wa is and Now Guinss, and wsition ont slack ft secompaaied by cartier strikes and by AT heavy bomber attacks fromm the Ellice Tsends on the main Japanese bases in bath the illnes and Marshall, "Thoee_eper ons meaplibed i intual veuteaization ofthe ai unite then based inthe ava, Only a shall number of reinfoes: nents were brought in fom, Rabanl beens ho hain Japanese Naxy elort continiol to be di recto apuinst che Ald avai feon the outh, hich Id. just reached Bougainville, Accord Ings Jopanece ai oppoeition to the landings 5 sual ah infective Marshalls, After th loss ofthe Gilberts the Sapaness reinforced the Marshalls to sone extent ‘and ult up astro there Co about 125 plans. ‘Meunvlil, United States basse were bull inthe ‘captured Gilberts nd the continuing pressure os bast nade i inposiile for the Tapanece to aawntblea forse whe ould emmpeteon aaything, Tie ever tere with lad based irre te from the Gilberts and ith the 10 sireradtasngned tothe United Statesearrierscvering the invasion fore, om 7 Devenir LO rat the 1 Feimoary 1911 Taping sivent from the Gilberts aad thy Eien Islnd fow more than 100 sorties ina ea pal designed to mentralie ip Fnpanese Ale Fores fn the Marall. Then » days before te landinss, the eariers stuck, achieving some metsire of ‘surpris and by nae there wus mx ar oper tional aincraft east of Eniwetok, Thoretfer, ‘Tapani opposition to the landings wus nog iyi Tandings on Eniwelak: tok place on 17 Febra- sryy und were serewied by etsy bomber attacks a Bat ro Tk the mest pportant of the Carlinas) and bye Seday enreer strike on rk iiself, which destroyed some 270 tera ‘This later strike was aa sons tat the task fonce prices even fordher into Japenese waters tnd attacks the Marinas for the fst tine, de loving 120 airraft. Tae ear with which these Sitikes were accomplishes indicate the estent of ‘he serie of defeats sified by the Japanw Nuvy Air Kore sce the summer of 191%, Tt never yeovered fron these dhl fl Mavianan. In the sing of 14, the apa nese Nany ban to pose aie rinforcamerts into the Cental Pacific 15 the Rist of June i adrat thee a in ton ering fee wth ine ‘eartier and another 800 planes which had been {Seay in the Sgapors ae se early the Fan henapetenen ev of bf eted Be cener pts var erty Tow ad ‘shold Ive heen plain even to the Japanese that Date nega fring sect ote Shia an lel ara of the rane epimers Cet Pra crouly pled jot balers ie Mattes pcatn ky on sorte wieapt (0 Mea nile on Bik At the fim of etn on 27 Say 1K al the ‘Spoor eto itera i the Baran ee pte tare ak ty way of Pel, Talascong gro ef sartac nls uel Geropratog inthe Blas are. Lames of sre Sribrtntecomers opti swe ry hee, Hoge anes of be enero ofthe pl Ant ston the Unied lates ion Sot ap cel Samm or Smt i peein Mera andll lanes er cae back to {hr Cat ate Ont ma, cf thm “were cestroyed at: Pulau by the first heavy bomber listo ccches arta porte fer ace “Theat in wt. Ties bcd la whieh i son team Unt Sts et ih Sie eh ge on fe dager tay a hy 19 Jon, at fe aye eae ot Params 8 fete eit mt a es flown in part by test rete ae tn Oe coat et tt sagt ara “Mima rated, erie te Sapetnr’ fet Deck eet ne ol vars sgn i es Th Nat at bw rl Sab Plt first buttle of the Philippine Sea (1-20 td ned State Navy laden: ony. The Japenese ey 48 phe 0 entre to ar ata sealer was stouly dining by aie ers were mn hy su ro in te Cantal Pei in Jane 1408 planes boa 10 panes pint than that which it Fad renched atthe i Sf is withdewwal from Rabo. 9, Second Philippines Campaigns he Preporations for Defense. Brom ths tan tne surrendhe of Comegider until fhe Los 6 01 Tang the Fapaniseeonsilered the Phil pine. ur aro where no substantia. tr streg ne De maintained ‘The ait bases inthe Phipps neve sed slely for trang and for fering 9 raft to forward greasy 4M fhe prinige cen ‘of air forse activity was the Manila 8 Dei the largest repair and miinenance cente> outst STapan. Dar wih the fall o€ Holland, the that Army Air Force ban fo prepare for 8 fv ther advanrs to the Nort, and, for the fst inthe warsturned fo heir teat reser whi then consited of about 200 planes assigned ‘mits fn Manhusia, ‘Tho combat effestivenes= those unica boon weabene by the taster ‘any of the best pilots tc units in fora are but they were the nly ste availed 0 Gof tem tonved to the Pailppines in Tene = Tuy. Ax a rest of Cese reinforcements. Wthdraoral of sul ir srength ua could be « ood from Neve Guinea, andthe moreno Feor wits from sapan a southeast Asi, 1) fie Anup Air atrengh in the Pailipp ‘mounted to about 250 alzcrft on 16 Angst 1" ‘Moshe, aftr the les of the Manos, Angee iy aleo dieted its attention to inet advance to the north, and by A akugast i Tilt wpa fore of at £00 fanbase pl the Philipines. The Navy as who eonce: thot Forsces und the Yome isd an 1 Alt up n force of about 30 planes 1 Ky for their defense, "Pwo Japanese Army mes mbar units operated iiler Navy com mans 1 part of his fore, constituting one ef the & ‘samples af combined Anny Nasy operation Dharing Anyrst of 2048 the sapanese Are ‘he Philippines believed it ikely chat there imately ould be an AHled ineacion, mul Atnuy Ale Foree hel « series of man's ver the Purpime of sdafrinuing how heat to 1 Aransportxan the brucPhd Tot Tater in © faust Tt was thon prbable that pein Aang vould be male ws Halinaliert © ps ‘on Mort and soe 10 Japanese Arn y ‘mere useontnaly spate to Mena ist! nse ear Halmabets ty asst nope fy auck On 1 September a fake 160" ‘mevived io the effec tat an auphiliows © on Mdanao, and the plares Dvtharavn to bates in the Cn hin. asin the second we ff them war surprised by a ty carrier strike which destoyed Doth Army and Navy. Pra (fess Hees, no subetantal air Intimpted when the Allies ind 15 September 1914. No plan nd pps the simultaneous landings “that lantinzy wkimately would be h the Philipr ins, and the Japance their preparations for i= co 4 result of the Soplembor carrer the Fapanese Army and Navy Air hea new low in combat effective could possibly recover in tine “Amny wlerestinated the =pood forces cul be regrouped afer Mora cperstions, and set sore ber as treet date for ready Garren Striten, Boginning on Ui, United States eaties swept the oxnoss, snl Liszon ina serio of Losers the Leyte niings. ‘he [supported by B29 from China Inn repelr depots and air bases ‘hzough Fomost to cut the nt plane fom Japan Jap- orse unite in Kyou wore a surprise, leat on 12 October they vith a right toxpedo and dive ‘The rearing pilots reported feet site, anal thereafter, all Fabanconed and all available plans in an attempt to snk che Unit all some TO) sorties wore flow, ‘Oeinber, xd tho Japaaee puble al been rsonding victory ‘ships surk Actually, no ships tly 2 cruisers were damaged, ee Tost et Tent 400 planes and Wh very ireseriencel by Alia pits probably were tho bust r= Tepatiese Navy Air Fores, and the quality of the Navy Air ye tober 104K. AC that tine, despre Ww {he Neary loses hid they had toned, the Japane stil had 40 Gistine ieee in the Philippe, and by 1 Novenber they were able to bring in'more then 1000 reinforcements ad rp Tone planes they could opera. {rum 71 airstrips on Lasoo and $1 onthe Viaje snd Minna. On the lied se, inary Pl fee wat placed on carvierinced. piney for tho Iches nee ot of range of land-based fighters “Japan, therefar, Bad the advantages whic ncesariy acre to land bose aitfore operating nna carriers from lange nunber of felis oer an extend period of tine UC tn Japanese A Fore full to pf their advantage, ad ide shortcomings Wer @ trajor feetor in the Joganes flue to repule Ae landings By thie tine, bth Amay and Navy Air arm wore tag pot tral ot of eco} Some with lw than 10) ying hours ms of i in trains (Appendix 11), ‘The Jepanee aie craft indtzy had expe (oo tpbly cd fe tev planes were arivngin te Phila Wille out dent fight tts eine Ube take (A pendix J). New types of wireraft were rough foto servi fore bn ad. been lina ihe Ut wie eae cee ee istent inthe Philippres And communications eewsen ground suracs and air uni yers con plex and slow,” ‘Under theoe ceumstancn, the Tapanese were no tat for the highly siled United Sates carta en A Flat ction On 24 Oster, tele sti Ianown as tn Datta for Lay Gull or the Seon Balle ofthe Philippines Seu Bog, sd sin tha ehotconlngs ot ha pocee AES Sa ee tcbated graly tothe Tspanie deft. Despite the areal in the Philp the day bone the action of tin Japniioe Nery Secnd Air Peet srith some 300 land-bwed planes, the Japanese Jill to provide eleva Shier cover fo te purface ua, alos az inporant, Joga tes] reenaiance bee down completely and dha thee suede tones ane og ta Dea Galt wer very poorly forte about the where: abouts of United States Fores Atte os the United Slaten Pet wae carrie om Tn gre strengthin an afemp rove indie sapere forte Japanese Fl, and sveral United Staten ship, adding the Ig crsee Princtom, ware Thnk Bit United. Slates planes Snected. fat zoster dung onthe mnproesial and disongan ied Jnpenee Elec, sng one regula eater{hips forthe most pore by planes whieh ad been Ghat of control, Te was pot il the summer ‘OF 10H, ator the los ofthe Marinas, ower st Japanese hight command bxgan (© © ‘Sake nam uicde cash as 0 means of ring ‘ad she Allied advance. ‘The firs autbeatiated foun ef pilots manouncing before (ake-ofl on Tolono crash ame of 15 Octeber LOM when ae Adinieal Arima. (posthumaunly Vico Ad: aly made an abortive suicide atic on 9 Thiel Sates carve cree off Formosa. This 8 | speck of patriotic fervor and sticide mits be- gun b be fore fom tegular Army al Navy ‘ivr the Phipps. ‘The first iran tale yt a Oe th ‘te eet action. Considerable soto was evident carer was snk and several ‘ther resale were camaged. Later specin suicide {its ene formes in Japan, mainly from the ining 0 nd before the Japa ‘rom the Pilippives, 636 suicide “tatis were flown which scored TT hits or dam: “ging near mises on United Stats surface ese She (for « full dnession of Japanese sce “Appendix entitled “Kanjbaze") Reinforcement Operations. Toe Tape ingayen Gulf, By this tine, however, bn» | tirerft hal secured control of the air ver ‘Geatral Philippines, leary bombers fren: Pals oad bog 19 operate agnnst: Maile cna (Cake Pelé eomplex, and United States cure: ror operating with even increasing ofletiven- uinspally against Luzon and Formost, he co: ‘Barand hey bomber sties on Clark ll xy ‘Mania proven parte else by Tapting the Japanese matenance aa sp ‘jeter al, for this reason, servicetiity Sens lows Thus, even though Jupanee con! Aireraft in the Philippines atthe beginning of 0 Mindoro «peration plus aireraft flown in as © ‘aceon totaled amore sen 1,000, the «apa Jars able fy only abaut 0 sorties dete Teninst tly tro operations. AU this stoze of ‘ampaign, Inereasing race was plac! on tide attacks, and inthe Dingayen opera ot every Japance atta was sue "The nee damaging attack of the Marler or: ation cxine on 14 Desabor 1944 when shout | “Tapaneve planet attacked te convoy in tho Bar A eriser and destryer were sricely hak. “Thoreafter, ease strikes one 1 fields hold the Japanese efort. at low ve fn suocsoting days only to LST were os. {Ont and § Jamiary 1045 he Jupansse «| Acterminel attacks on He Lingayen corres. = fn escort carrioe and dil serions danmge (> ‘tee coors cartier, verse, and descrser. G Januar, they Inuuched eheie largest oa 190 sorte and hit 16 United States hips. ‘aging 10 of then badly. This was the last 1+ | ‘lore of the Japanese Air Rorces in the P'0 pines, at ei sgnlinnt that it consist 0. trey of suicide altace. “W. Recopitedation. Bron the tine of the ‘paratony carrie strikeson the Rynkyes wot Ivithdeavol ofthe Fapanese Aie Koress fro" Philppiies im January 1045, Allied sire strayed more than 400% Japanese plane Highest score achieved by any sir fore theater in x comparnble period of time. A” faator inthe Allied stmsses was the sxe! Jing of Mlle pillote and the quality of AV ‘opment But Tapanise weaknesses wee 3 ‘asmnch of «factor. "Bo wealiesees star outa part ts) “portant: poor pilot erining and the bes!" _ staan ee npaign of then shiaations atthe gan many” plots went into come Srey 100 = ing tne HL). With re=pect to the disor a iva echelon, inllgeee fs fhe Fopancse Any Air Depot ut ste fine grou oops ha this (October cartier stsikes,) The Jape Alay to cay basis, Repair shape, find mitensnce unte—all wa jn of repairs andl raintenstee ‘no organization. ie to deere the situation as ig thal everywhere is eidenee forand genoral shambles. ‘Town in the spring of 1912, Jupansae fn soathonst Asia were given s bw i The bull of th ‘and she best aeplacement pi 1d New Guinea in pet Asis end some of the est its fro moved. = reinfore ew Cluinea, AS rest, ins in Burn were sporaic in fesept foe the Arslan campaign Tnplal eaapaign in the springot ‘North Burs vere It Lait aupport. After the conquest sitcraft strength in Bama Truly exceed 100 fighters and 76 [alter the monsoon of 104 the Alles fir superiority and ater ale 8 few straws inthe wind aver 200 new ene nes, ot of then never erated, mere Sod i Mabalaeat tony ueve™ more than 3 oF 4 in ne Dice, watered dered hotses od riee mil Dublie Wiking, ithe sacks n outlying ete, and oven onsevellss nd alles, In ation, te tmendous amounts of parts sich as enrturelon, fuel pumps, generatoss propellers, gun, tne hres feo strats ete, were iso found sete ‘ ‘eried aly dug ap dos oF mone eves, Deains of cums of planes ars aatlred Over eve sty and thetotal is certainly over 00 alvady veually en by ae bog S “Why cid he Fapamese leave these planes here? (Of cone, many were frufed on the grownd and Vout, Yat there are may eich ae sil umtouell by our atteks andl appetetly” ek only ove hide part or bit of mainternce. Same are virtually fable asi. Many roe must baw tren stranded here originally and geound hen sguently stated hy om planes” vi SOUTHEAST ASIA AND CHINA D, Colutta, Potentially the mom dangerous ‘Tapanes air openition, in sonthint Asia were te attacks on Caleutta. The dorks harbo- ist: lations end shipping al Caleta so the only stategic bombing targets wit range of Sapanes aie power diving the entire wary and the Tncian popilatin, including tang "dock: workers and ather inportant labor groups, were particularly cuseeptble to! mass hysteria Tn thepring and aun-ner of 1043, the Jpanese Army: and Navy mad joint plane for rads on Caleta with a8 many a 800 planes ‘Those af- tacks wore to tae place inthe falls soon a the compen ane the Assy wae not also ensagh reed tae ope ae ae tbe gave «her prbiiy to persone ithe Solomots and New Gira and tnerec ik large aot bomber dors ond say oa txined qertionssset Ones, Tce‘nde i Ce winter 3f 1942-1983, ight rail wth about #9 Army avd Navy planes made in December of 1943, Tho git tacks di uo very reat physical damage, ‘ut ther drove lrge pertion of the Tabor foree fit he hls, teach of Dece:ber 198 also id x0 erent physica dan’ago and hud Hite lect ‘on ie labor force buena of the all aten at fe Heo Hote. Attacks on the termini of the “ap Ronte were ao petentially dangerous, bat they mee eer carr nt in great fore ors tained rier any consilerale period f time, again Decne the dapansse igh command was ving fietprority tothe Sslomenssnd New Guines. On 2h, 3, and 28 Ortolne 12, before the roe Was in qpention on a Inngy cele, threo attacks were nade seis compesing the western end of the gout in the upper Assim Valley. ‘Te fest aid iwulred abot 1 anes ail id consider- ble danage boca It achieved surprise. ‘The Seem and thied yrre sho dnaging, It. probe fly ese of inncguste replacrnents, the a= ads core not continued In 198 ond 1944, there er # few sattnst rds on airflds at Kun- fd Yumang the eastern en ofthe route, favo on the Asam Valley fdas, but these ics tid not material Interfere with Al nce potential throat was the inteeeption of tnoaport planes rine the Hump. Tis the ‘yams atenptedin the fall of 1810, wing two ‘elie: units brought dewn from Manchuria for poe A fot tensor planes vere shot fren October 243 10 Febranty 19H; the favorito ergot Tn 1044 the emphases Dy fighters tt by Cat Ci ‘ited sitsuperonty maemo pronouned thet ve Heya ampli he pan ln Changs of ai operations ic southeast AB a sola te yar hae stat tht in is opinion he opinia of oer sn fier the planes Jor ground suport night beta have bon em plosel again Caan end tho Hump Bo Tine com avaya ce overruled By Athens on the af ofthe Sothern Ay) ose suppor fantrolled sir operations in southeest Asis te Defense of Oi Targate, ‘Throughect. 10% and enrly 104 the Tapas Air Forces 0 Tigh priority to the dafeaso of oil refineries Samaten ard Borie, tying down a sstant's uinber of heir best planes and pots “The + Sponsility for most of Ce ol targets wa os tthe Japanese Army the Navy concerning ‘only with Balikpupan- "The posshility of aivatacks on Sumair ee frst to have been spprecated in Janniry 101 At Chat te, a now flying division was for for the defence of Palembang, and the als of fntaireraft artillery sad radar im th gout fea was cancentrated inthe vieinity. Thee: fun the spring of 1945 and despite the urs ed of oer areas, betwen 80 and 100 frat ‘Aimy fights sere ainianed sear Pale "Tie Palembang based fighters did. not oper very effectively In the tne attacks on the » iineres whivh actually malerialized. On 1 Aug Mt, uving a might atale by B-2 nse Ceylon, bind weather kop afl but aboat 19 tse planes on the ground. On 2¢ Janiay 1 shout 1 Bighters were airborne 10 opb%~ Trtishcxmier strike, bu: of these LL were »! oven, and G2 other aineraft- were destroyed the ground. Five days Iter, only 21 Jap planes oppose a second Pritish entree 5 od apatine lnees ugar were Beavy-—2 2 raft destioyed, two-thins of them in the "The British sufered only negligible loss 1 ‘he refineries wore badly Tamaged. ‘The Tapaneso Navy Air Foree was repo and easly 1040 it based one of its hot fs! ‘groupe there, his group with a sremgts 0 airerafiicted substantial Loses on Pur 1 ‘Air Forces B-24s and P-AZ4 which made a = Gf attacks in the fall of 1944. Tut «po he arf Oe Caml iro. for the delense of Balikoapan, and dieing 1" Seavy, and the rofneies wore of operation. 4 you before Peasl Harby ging ground for the Japs amy and Navy. By the fall of Imuny Japane:e sieratt were % ny in partion for vse in the ‘af opcrutin, and only about 320 Ring, Ores Hong Kong wns sans in Chine reverted to a tain fl ovcsionally furnished ground fe ghting with he fry of bua in Chekiany Province the Doolitle suid. There wom gt operations of soy importanve in semmer of 1912, fir Pes Force, On 10 July 1912 the ganized «flying division ut mmetintely built vp Chins based lvabint 20% panes. This move vas fr the operations of the United tAlr Task Force (euseexor to the ntser Group) which had bogan Bp i912. At dt time the China Air eungth of only about 10 B25 Osybut hiring July and August of 182 Fase of raids ranging from Tan I China to Haiphong over the borer Mindochin, During the summer of Bpaness mae several attacks on the Dues at Kecilin and Hengyang, ingleengine bombers vith isl deup a larg part ofthe Japanese the Jepanese continued to "® bas a taining ste, fenth Air Fores. To. 1083 the Chinn Air aan the Fourteenth Air Force and in sina ‘The Japanese made fnerese in thuir China bse im forthe frst time to take the serio. ‘The operations they thn forded agsinst Fourteenth Air ted (ie largest and mest ss ‘fort in Chink, but thw oper olyed moro than 60 Bghter or 40 ‘The lust Japanese planes md te be employe in the Southvst engine light bombers with fd ined “0 play a large pact in and when, in July of 191, ‘xo medium bomber unis were move to China, they wee alnod innedatly widteatn. and seit to Burma mainly forthe purpen of Pa ing the Bay of Bengal, whieh hl Neen ltt secire by wihlrswals Cf ether air ants 0 the ‘uring 194 he propa mision of ths Ja nse Ary Ait Force in Chinn wt SOppor ‘Tapanee ground top n thee operations the Pepingttankow-Cantecrllmay eorir, Aoe tanlly,towever vory oe ground supper patie srre form, an Un net Topas fea China consisted of eu on Fourteenth Ait Force fee an nteceplin cf Route Ait Force attacks on tars in ths rilway ccc, ‘he Taide were on mall snl ade moss nigh ing of ely 2 or 3. Tatercption was leo on 8 stale with nano ofa 0 gta “A Ths Teentieth Panber Oommnd. What {he Tratieth Bomber Cormmand bee rede fds inthe Chang ace in the sumer of 108, enced tedium boeber ule and rosette to conduct» few walls rats on the B-29 tos Thne lds dated 9 fin B-Bte ox tbe found sod. mriouly damaged there Mas hil, dapte the Tog overland Highs to the tangas the 8-20 nue not trial hacia by Chin baad hers Recaption. Th Fouttoenth Air Fore never defeated the Jaounee altuna i Chine the way Japanese iis in be Solemora, Bi tmacks and New Gtisen were dfeted” ‘The tren Ws to large and the lanes ad git) Support provided the Koutenth were toa small Bt fom the very Sie, Jepanese sit eile in China vere on the define, and the Japanese way ene mo mach thelr effort in tere tion and in flake on United Staten ics Ut ther col do very eel, Menthe Fauviesth Ale Fores Bit at many tage be fides aide and by atporting Chine 0 trope an harcsng ti Jopoe Hs of Is, iti nah to lagp Chim the Teens not buctse of pero in nambers thatthe United Sates Air Fores in Chica wee fo much more eet tha the Japanese In Sap to when the Clr Ale Tse Fore began Seating, the Japan hud x numerical uperic hig of stout to 3, and Se was no al ateje, che worst Tapanewe Escina wit tetanic ee 10 and 1. Gerona \ "At the withdrora of theirs ars fom the Putippiney the Japan reid Ha ther a See cee mk ee Alia it Tore | Sates gestions Bet thea Isr hey tang, one important loson from the Bir oie rr feed : Macks gain sarfae wom. Nlorrver | Suter mis eupny Tne to che sth virally ‘cut ofl, they were fuced with a fuel shortage ‘sh required an immediate rection in train- | agent sn uinate rection in wmbat opera la all Ucrrtre crcnstances, he ——Saae gaye Sn pris to hn nen ion ated fr ea hy grad rece ea i pets for | prc one gar ivston of the ain Jeans sede Gea cin io nye digs yt ven, Pi eh vir "DEFENSE OF INNER ZONE AND SOUTHERN AREA AGAINST INVASION Pilots, maintenance men, ‘otton of tse barrel end sone hat as tle « AB) oars. In 144 most of the best dapane tilts were Head, and when the Fourie" -\r Force had stmerieal as vell as qualitative 9: pevorty, i was able to operate abot a please thon Kyosho an the Fit, Tle ses rapidly expante igiven operational control of al nits operating in defense of nlendec that the principal sti Mle Fist Air Fleet and its stor ghee cover for inexjerensed susie taissance plaies Yo find the ar pp st ad «few exporioneel plats fed for orthodox bersbing and gis. They accordingly organize the Ge semsining “ilots into elite units for $of conducting oxtevlox operations in cid attacle nna campagn were very suecessfl. Ina, 0 Thou 4B saties, about half of them by svi. planes, wens flown again United. States ttackng Two dima, These attacks sank an « Gant carrer with two stieids hits dic ser» damage tow regular carrier, and hit se Saualles ships, Such sucess Tent support (1s we that tes aide acs at ower 1 ‘would he very effete, alan inerese wn tras given ty the developmunt ofthe suicide fo Finary Attack. Whon the Used Bi Hle. ital Kyasha in a sre of kes beginning on 15 March and lentng Dav Tending. was oppo lve unt A singe dive bomber hace Tuck hit onthe cater isongh a brexk in the slows Ite on othior vn. This was the 3. Ulithi ‘One of the most remaicable exploits of Japanese suicide foree ace on 11 Mareh 1! ‘when 2 Japanese Navy medium bombers too « frown Kyynsie iy an attempt to make x 1500 attack onthe Uaited States Plat base at Ut Pd malntenanee (or poor morale) sume "| planes totam. back, and poor planning su! inthe arcival ofthe remsining 16 at UB» ‘ark, ‘Twa planes thea attempted said tacks on stefuce units at anchor in the lawn = the other three made ortiodox bombing at One psn hit and seriously damaged the ex: Pendalph, and one crusted on an island i fll, but Wie ther did rt come angwhere 1° ‘he target aren, ‘Thom although the atta dons trate nan extreme degree the desperate © eter ofthe mud free it also demons faceedinglt poor quality of Japanese irr fenton unl funite by orthodox Japanese sit the Fapanese ern assembling all ide planes snd piloes in Kyust for attacks on the approaching amphi (Orthodox taining had almost cene ens earlier, aa planes nd pty fs rebaced forthe training onginizn ferme “nto units a= rapidly 6 nf these anite wore seasoned with from sega ait unit, a he ade the 11 March attack on Uli inffetivenes, wa composed exparince plots A few others ete made Before and at the time of fon Okinawa, whic took place x 1 Dulk of the suicide fore was bold ras atk. Side ttaces. ‘he fist mass suidide Dimbly te lnrgynt anid most destrusive faltack wf the entire war, come on ver 86-hour peviod the Ja 200 svivide sorties, aeompaniod seme number of cover, reconmais- thodox bombing sorties. More than Dtwers hit, at Kast 25 of them by "Thereafter, the Japanese lance 4, Okinaua | Japasese Plan, Sher the ‘heir sir forces from the Philip nese began to prepare defenses against ancl ‘on Foro or in the Ryalkyus, whieh they! ‘mated would take plnce some timo in Mare April, wy accordingly Indl plans for « =" $ other mass suc tacks spaced a interes of 2 daps to over a wok. None of thar was € Tange 8 the fst and they Decne ot Ow ee ‘ats prgvesnvely snller and furtber apr Tie periods intwoer nore tack were punctured by suallwal attack, both by exile Unite sod by torpedo and’ dve-bonbing unite Daringthe 3 months of he campaigr, 439 ee sont weve Town thi io” Alot 3 {af thet cama from Feros, despite he ruler Fifth Air Feros atadcs on the main Formosan ir baie which had ten in progres since mid Sansa ‘Tho following tabs gives the bet available figures on Japanese sede sorties during the Online sas During the Okinaws campaign, iereasing we was mide of pilots who had. never even been graduated from fying cchool. ‘The Freestago of Ins per sortie acordiely was Tet thaw ie had ten im the Philippi campaign where most pilots, ‘hough poorly trained, at last ad fn Fnhed school snd Id ba some experience with tactic unit. The folewing table compares the fisieney of the suiedls units emplyed in the Philipines and at Oka: 4, Featuation, ‘Tho Japanese plans coneived after the Philippines campaign, eallol for suicide tacks sullcent for to saurate Allied fighter find aianeraft defo, bt the forces setully ‘uployed were never safienly large oF concen‘organization of lagesale tacks caceal- TIncy lial (3) the side pio, were “ar too Inepereneed 0 pom even an attempt at the satoly of lane formals cue 1s might have iret epable of sattating the defenses “The Okinawa campegn cot the Japanese é moro at $090 plas in eonbat loses 1900 of them side planes" ‘They bad dene more dam ‘agetothe United Stats Navy in tens of tonnsge . find casualties than it Fad ever before sufered {ne sitive of a single operation. But the Japs thew forts weve fale from the fist «nee ‘was inpssble for ‘he Zapanese ith thea then ‘ate ale forces snd Say to defend Okinawa ‘auresfll. 5, Delenseof the Nain (lands agalust Invasion Gera Sto 22 Juno the Japamse in ie ied dat nt Okina and began fur Lei ttetion to cafonse agin invasion Ain was picked as oe mostly plac for Aang ad ar at et enincted Uh hey atk place in Angus, Later, theextinate ‘ras rsd and thy Sasa besa oA tone an invasion n Octo or Noemie Aee talythe Joint Chiefs of Staff Ind teeatvely ft Foveber 10 for the invain of Ry (Operntion Olympic). ‘0 Fle: The Saye Aie Forse planed, ss “thy a for Okina, te div hace the ison “ns side aus, Tay tive, howe, tat teause of the suver distal greatet ‘muni of air tases thy would be able a put mote ‘ines in the air and (0 concentrate their | ta into ctor prado ine. ‘They real and vavs of 10 40 macking plans ng | attic aloof one waver ny hoya they hope to have at least 6,000 scicide with pilots. alin by Novem, sees likely thatthe entire Japan - Fores would ulkinately have made auiite x tacks, bit athe nd of the we no dine pla ‘ha been made to cover this contingency. te Progra, Dy the en of the war the Japs ese nd ae considerable progress in. mpl tenting tha plan, he dapanese Navy i pos ‘aular bd sembled sot 2700 smal ipl. Trsinees exipped them fr suicide altneks, ‘ispersed he aajority at small grass os el tr undergeeimd Iagars. ‘The Army: al 0 Slower paneres but it Tid. moet Trombat plates ane 1750 advanced trainers i fuse atarks, and it-was beginning to {ts prinary (eainers. ‘The following table st thesatoftheeffective dapanese Air Bore: the war endel= A, Aviation Fuel ay a Ziniting Ractors ‘he main Fapanese islands ero ext of fron southern ‘ea. by the Allied capture 5° ‘Philippines, the Japanese were faced with nikimete shortage of aviation fuel. Tak © rade « maximum effort to alleviate, fast b> ‘we of cargo submarines aad major Boot waits ‘un the lla blockade, an ater by tho ‘ng use of sloobol as a subetitate for ain ‘gioline. But with the intrdiction of the = ines from the southern ares evrly ia fH cane only quistion of tm befor aceon ‘socks woul be exaust ‘The prospect of a fuel shoxtage neces a! seduction ir the number cf fying ho Sapuese iis, both in an out of Seow ‘alninge purposes. That reduetion in ur “it more then ever eppant that the o3)s for Japan Air Foxeos wap the cide s+! Tut of course oven befow fuel became « f in rsining, Japanese pilos were unable 6 « ‘pe with Ali plots in arthodox oper” “Tho Japenese everthcless would Ample wviaion fuel for ststuined suc!" ‘on any invasion force if invasion ad tals" ‘Pen Choweand sui umstion, Yould consune « max BNO Dasrels of foe. At the end Be of (uel, an amounts faiths of opecitions at the raw of eBlaining, or 2 month at the Un the secon quarter of 2048, the Be exer native istics on sapanese aviation fue etion and censumption ure to. by penis 111 cons, Obvionely, the size and Bhar eide frre opposing an actual have depended. largely on ths Bpreirracion operons which had to soatrioe them, All sf GE of Okinawa won hove been re fone of the est concentrated. ir etl ns ever sen, a all major air thin range of the Marianas, Tv Be etstes carrier would have best f Weck. “Th rail and rond net Bull ure Deen subjected to heavy i we supplies forward either to a for to ground troops, And of the nain Japanese sink a vel firmly Delievea, however, tha iispere (ie ssid planes wll ent their destruction before thy lat « high proportion of suicide Phase penetscted the Allied Fighter fie se Beaches, Tt, as bus been Ble percentage of hits oF damaging siisds sortie was lower st Ok the Philippines, and it prolubly fexen Tower at the time of ines sively poor taining tplosed. Nevertheless, ifthe Jape ly Bun ble toy say 5.000 sits Bigs by no mesne impoosble, wn if the everage of sce thoy msi Bhat he war (18 port for ship FIR penoont for hits or damaging hey would have sank about 29 ships and damaged about 90, Hower by previons experiences, only a very few of those sunk would hve heen is the battleship, cartier und cruise eases (Eh te A.A, Band OC i Appendix V) 6, Defense of Southeast Asia After Yar of 1945, athenst Asia was prac ‘cally cutoff frome Tapin and became virally independent theater sponsible fr ite own Aefersen At Cat tne, i stl had some 300 Bis Tine planes assign to nits which by the were (hs Dest retaining in Hho Tpniese Abe res bat Gist in April and later in Jone of M3 alost all thew nits were flown alorg he oast to dupa an Formom for defesse of the homeland, "However, tlene remaited in. south at Asia almost 1,000 plines of all sort, some ‘equiing major repairs and about 65 percent of them traiers. ‘To man Case planes, there were about 100 pills in te southern ane Bae Eo thirds of them were only purty trained ane were ‘apable only of sic tac i trainer aerate Following the exampl if not the diet ardare of Tmperial General Headquarees, the Socther Arniy dedded to eonseers ite ar strength. wil tn attace on Singypore or Malaya wa in prov ‘ect and hen to expand alls planes in saeide teacke on Allied transports. But i did nt bee Tievo that any invasion of Malaya would take ‘ples unt the end of Seatember at the east, fd prolably not until Yovember or Desanber fof 1246, Accordingly, when cha war ended only stall srt ad hewn re towards mowing the 00" planes in Java, Somuatra, ‘Thailand, and French Iedochina into Melaya; only 408 13 con ealedaifells for the deployment 2f suleide Sircraft had been complted; and oaly a few Planes wre actully ih readings for susie al- {ets on an invasion fre, Am invasin of Mae lage with nal landing at Port Swettenham was ctuly sheduled for 1 September 185 (Cpera: tion Zippae)s aud i see pli Oot the apa ese woul ol ve been ready and would ee fnployed hele 1000 siren in pcan fshion Srithone coing nearly => nich damage 09 was Tone at Olcnuwa ot seuld have Been dane in Ryushothe B20 was Aust 1944, when about 173 ‘unt, in. Never 1844 and Senna Tomer exon 1. Pt cont, ad ia Maye June, and dstinely or in pmctice. One fundamental matter stands a hove others asthe prinsiyal awison for He short ‘omings—the Japanese pltmors fae tos the Alger of lil air attacks and to give the der {eos aystem th requisite priorities. Tha ding ‘the Philippines campaign, the mewourees of oth aivarms we employed stp Allie! pertrstion {othe north and after the Philippines campaign, frst priority was always given to defence au tt invasion. Ass ull, ater and pilots ner con- served for ultimate ye in th ant invasin fore And the Jajanese Air Fores allowed mot ap nese citi) be burned witout ever commiting tore than 3) percent of xa Bhtors to that Aefense (Eshibit P)\ i Leth Tying Bente 19tn Pipl Brigade Cua |" Gnas) 1 1 7 t sth & aleth Flying Begte 4th & 248th Trying ‘Planes Beate 7 Flame ‘nlao dad ono Fiying Scundron for recoaralsuance,ExhibiegExhibies DEFENSE PLAN SE ARMY AiR Force. |wreRRosaTion oF JAA PERSCHNEL,ne ee RS Sia aupsonantwehe tome! oatSante cempaten. This phase ‘Str ee eto tin dle of facing on ATi sips ely as profitable to rae oe Se eee a See = ed ec atta a St soutien staat eas = ing Tapanose attack om Shans cnet Span amy ntact crite sno pri esos bangs: a rough tnd se and em Erthee Breve, A toes ereced nT 16 Smemorte i vt, Ding ths wa ee Stan ‘on at Paul arbor) offering little n°" : eas eee ‘Seg groin tope ade numerous “anv” ‘her ctanes wn this eis was Hole rem before it tecame 50, ‘The Japanese fl “main defense” against United States tank” ‘the Philipines ws the “haan bomb mn ‘pera spl eng Dros ands} Jaleo , Tho ice plan was by far the most wee tive woipon devised by the Japauew for we yaiatwrfaco vssoh. Over a peice of only 10 fronts ofthe #émonth war, snes planes ne counted for 48:1 percent of all Tnited Stator Syorsips damaged and Zor 21. peeent of tho Tipe stk, ‘But the maiide effort was expensive. During the 10-month period of the employment Gf fw suicide tactig the 2 air anne expended {00 phos to sore 471 Wits onal pes of Aled ExhibieV) EFFECTIVE AIR FORCE aaa ~_ sface vomsls for un eet rate of 18.0 peroen (exhibits X,Y, Zand AA), ‘The preparations for tho use of suit a cent in the defence of Kyarhn against OL. [FIO operation, and to & lezer degre of Ei pons szxinst ZIPPER operation, were st Thay wnguesionably would have inficted s flomage on Alli shipping atthe time of Tanding operations regandies of the momen (Mfc countermeasures planed by the AM tie fore. Eshibie W qn IDE SORTIES DURING RYUKYUS CAMPAIGN ARMY AND NAVY COMBINED MAR 1945—JUNE Is: (24 HOUR PERIoDs) 45 suicioe sta za Practical sTReWorHpee ExhibieX, EFFECTIVENESS OF JAPANESE SUICIDE ATTACKS LEGEND MEW 2000 wsnons ruow RRs wre eosnanse ean wsses YUKTUS CANPLION ENTIRE ase eeaZerreorive sausee urlerrecrive Shine azn steine 1 se wast snaZerrecrive siwcine tae ExhibieY CAUSE OF Loss OF US. WARSHIPS IN THE PaciFic 7° QZ crsen win serionExhibit Z OO CAUSE OF DAMAGE OF US. WARSHIPS IN THE PACIFIC Ys» over ain action Bshibie AA CAUSE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE ] OF US. WARSHIPS IN THE PaciFie > Eee ZZ ores vie screw estesa UNIED STATES stRATEGIC nowING sonvEY | ewe DEPLOYMENT OF JAPANESE SUICIDE PLANES AT THE END OF THE WAR Ligmrtnetotietowrcrot te wat) vwinuna Were war) ‘cea rman BEsee ponte ta te Connzn 2 Uoprvere Vreni alantnumerte AG, tone, MANcHLRLA Hos Barges (Spat te AREA STUDIES Division Eich a setae a a i re ‘Date Bot 6 tes of Ae Mtg CIVILIAN DeFaNSE DIVISION 4 Hasowr Pa tego os 44 sare Pe ope—Yol Kets Yo, Be 1 Ril rd toe ST Meeptes Ane Bw, Gemaay FQUIPMENT or¥IstoN Pei Beh ea Bieta! Bau neRt InAaaey Rooat ‘ow Hove eC eel Re, Commas a Aa 0 ruanes= aE Presi neue Bch A in nn Ean Dy Eset Geer, Um Hat sy Pca Fron Tit omet 98 Maybach Stor Veet oe IaGER Und Transport AG, Home 101 Hetachel and Sot e." oie {S Yonrenghert Pater, Cerone Pee ee TE Meee esas comer 8 Semis ace ea non. 1 CE eS ‘Aniston Bess ‘1 rete Krupp Gresnmae, Magers, Ger ‘Rubber Bea th ae we , = AncPrition onringe otuatry an. Gummi Co, Hanwa on 31a) AT ATG Maschtnentar pene ‘Subenatiog Brave 108 Kt: Mavehinenwerks 6 Sone ge ee epi! ee. 2 cane Oe ee SE ee 8 MSE Retina tome an, a = ae eee ee ee es can 2 en ee ee. = Se ie ess. ake ral, Gorn {5 Deutsche Soh vat Menenba Let, Gr joer Munich, Germany Mtstriea Structars, Hasborg, ermaay | paraay Leb Diem ee oem eee pee Fi teins tere estaba indore es Se fees Te ee Ga cca eet ener Seem ore apy ees puted vapeur Ate Opel AG, Remctein, Germacy rime Bos amy 20 Valatin SobmasinaAsunbiy Petge er Sony on edocs Santry Teg Bi) sevssenencs Team at Frlarch Rrapp Grammowrke AO, Masttut -BIMECTS Division 181 Rally Viadot sf Heft (Montes Paton in Cota Bomtadnent Ops sim patna Vera tor Gnmtntsenton 4 6 Eee Divison eer 3 Sp Yarnton ta Germany 104 tanta Stn Kassel erm é ‘whieh tortier 124 Peller ons AG, Manheim, Germany ss wa a ny Teper 1S won newt, may {te Henna cnrng Weve Bate sb starormart sr ‘locner tlumblolt Eevee Ula Germany 305 Ghortaniterie Weeden Rrapy, Baw, Germs ta ae 1H ava Vind wt dnt Germany sa ont : 7 4 Dear Sen Renee ie Gres 2 Rl ene : a aie a ei 42 ati ad er: Pats Oren Se if Te erento, ein, Goran 182 Boa Germin Ongar, Minter Rago: Te 1 Cheatsden Werke Hy Germany (cPerend, France 184 Gntng Marhaling Yar, Gocerg, Germany See 1W® Lossnotve Shops and ridge at Hann, Genauy 4 Moe Regt on Cheicin Pring Poco ean Ec oss, ‘TRANSPORTATION Divisio Be rede rece 300 ramperaon Dvaiazeyere 82 tates of omhing = Talat alton tm eginsurs,Nuase= and Mele Dione 288 Goria Lrctive tc antes During ie Wa 304 Wonrneht Trae Orr te German tray j ‘uTLmis prviston >” 86 Gen Pret Vile tndteyHapre =e ies Pl per meh Oe ne iis ee aa Ree Wosttalbsche Biektrinitatswerk AG 12 henale One Minette A 6, WE ‘te Teer ‘Coonan