Japanese Naval Air Force Fighter Units And Their Aces, 1932-1945 by Christopher Shores & Ikuhiko Hata

Author:Christopher Shores & Ikuhiko Hata [Shores, Christopher]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: HIS027100
ISBN: 9781909166783
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
Published: 2012-09-20T04:00:00+00:00

Gekko of 210 Ku at Meiji.

A Shiden 11a of 210 Ku.

221st Kokutai (221 Ku)

The kokutai was formed on 15 January 1944 at Kasanbara with a planned establishment of 54 fighters plus 18 spares. By the end of February it had just ten Zeros on strength, but more aircraft arrived in gradual stages until by the end of June it had 14 Zero 21s and 24 Model 52s. With the reorganistation of 10 July, the unit took under its wing S308, S312, S313 and S407, each due to have a strength of 48 aircraft, and the kokutai became part of 2nd Air Fleet. In mid August 51 Zeros of S312 moved to Hsinchu in three waves, there taking part in interceptions and convoy patrols. On 12 October US carrier aircraft raided Formosa, Lt Keiji Kataki leading 43 S312 aircraft to intercept. 16 American aircraft were claimed shot down plus seven probables, but 15 Zeros were lost. 11 out of 15 available Zeros escorted Rikkos on 15 October, but the major part of the formation turned back when no target was found. Some Zeros continued, but these were attacked by F6Fs and lost two of their number.

With the start of the ‘Sho-go’ operation, 221 Ku departed Kyushu on 14 October for Taichung and Hsinchu, while on 23rd 60 aircraft from all four hikotais moved to the Philippines, flying in to Angeles, Luzon. Next day these aircraft took part in the attacks on the US carrier forces east of Luzon, then undertaking attacks on targets on Leyte, and interceptions there. Some pilots were then selected for Tokko units, and gradually the unit was worn down. In December 221 Ku was selected to remain as the main fighter unit in Luzon, having added to it S303, S304, S315 and S317, but all these units were exhausted, and on 20 December 20 Zeros of S308 flew in as the final reinforcements. Many of these were lost during an interception on 24th, including Lt Cdr Kawai, the remnants then being lost over the next two days. On 8 January the remaining pilots were ordered to return to Formosa, the ground crews remaining to take part in the land fighting where many were to be killed before the war ended.

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