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Monthly magazine about history and scale plastic modeling.

Strana 11

TASK FORCE 58 OFF THE COAST OF JAPAN
3 probables, 7 damaged – all airborne. Two of
our planes had been slightly damaged.
Lt. Hopp‘s division, on RAPCAP, had in the
meantime contributed a Jill and a Tony to the
day‘s score. The final results were: airborne
– 21 destroyed, 6 probables, 10 damaged; and
on the ground – 15 destroyed, 5 probables,
28 damaged. We had lost no planes or pilots,
had minor damage to two planes.
To that total one more item must be added.
Lt(jg) Jones, loaned from the squadron
to fly in the Group Commander‘s division,
turned in a brilliant solo performance by
shooting down 3 Zekes on a single hop. The
mission was target coordination and the
division was launched with a flight from VF-3.
But VBF-3 proudly claims its own and modestly
adds Jone‘s Zekes to the total, making the
airborne kills 24.
If the operations had been continued
throughout the (whole) 17th, the second day‘s
score would probably have surpassed the first
in all categories. As it was, VBF-3 flew only
two hops and boosted the totals impressively.
The first flight was a sweep in to Ishioka
and Tsukuba Airfields, led by Lt.Comdr. Wolf.
On this mission Lt.(jg) Jones, again flying with
the target co-ordinator‘s division, again turned
in a multiple kill, this time getting a Hamp and
a Oscar. Ens. Stroder, a photo pilot, flying wing
on Jones, matched this exactly, even to the
identities of his victims. Lt. Williams led the
second sweep and bored farther inland than
any of his predecessors had gone, attacking
Utsonomiya Airfield and reaping heavy damage
there. Airborne opposition was about what it
had been on previous flights, and the sweep
shot down 7 with 3 probables and 3 damaged.
All later flights were canceled and the force
retired. The second day‘s score, then was: in
the air: 13 shot down, 3 probables, 3 damaged;
an the ground: 5 destroyed, 4 probables,
28 damaged. And, for the second day, our
losses were none.
We should add that the only aircraft lost by
USS Yorktown’s air group during the two-day
operation was an F6F-5 from VF-3, but its pilot,
Ens. J. T. Graham, was rescued.
e Battle over Tsukuba
A unique insight into the Japanese side
comes from the war diary of the Tsukuba
Kōkūtai operational training unit, held at the
Japan Center for Asian Historical Records.
I covered the brief history of Tsukuba Kōkūtai
in the July 2025 issue of INFO Eduard.
Its ranks included veterans of combat
against American air forces. At the time
of the American attack, Tsukuba Kōkūtai
was undergoing two changes beyond its
usual activities. At the end of 1944, a fighter
squadron equipped with A6M and N1K Shiden
(George 11) aircraft was formed within the unit.
From February 1945, Tsukuba Kōkūtai was
preparing detachments to train and deploy
kamikaze airmen.
On 15 February, Tsukuba Kōkūtai received
a report of an American task force about
180 nautical miles west of Truk, steering
a course of 320 degrees. It was unclear
whether aircraft carriers were among its
ships. The threat was serious enough, however,
for the highest state of alert to be declared
in the Ogasawara Islands and the Japanese
home islands from 16 February.
Intensive aircraft maintenance began on
15 February, with the aim of making as many
Zeros combat-ready as possible. In addition,
13 Model 52 Zeros were brought to Tsukuba
from Koizumi air base, bringing the number of
operational aircraft to 24. A command post for
combat operations was also established within
the training unit. Standard fighter aircraft
were assigned to engage the Americans;
trainees, training aircraft and other equipment
were to be kept out of combat.
From 16 February, the training aircraft
were ready for evacuation to the air bases at
Kōriyama or Matsushima. Training at Tsukuba
continued only in part. Instruction for students
in the 42nd aviation course continued, but
advanced training and preparation for future
members of special attack units were
suspended.
On 16 February, Tsukuba Kōkūtai had four
Shiden fighters and 24 Zeros available for
combat operations; on 17 February, it had
21 Zeros.
A Mitsubishi A6M5 Type 52a of Tsukuba Kōkūtai, photographed during the final year of the war. The 20 mm
cannon have been removed from the wings. This aircraft was license-built by Nakajima. Photo: SDASM
Damage to the Tachikawa aircraft-engine factory following one of the US Navy’s attacks near Tokyo
on 17 February 1945. Photo: US Naval Heritage Command
INFO Eduard
11
November 2026

TASK FORCE 58 OFF THE COAST OF JAPAN

3 probables, 7 damaged – all airborne. Two of our planes had been slightly damaged.

Lt. Hopp‘s division, on RAPCAP, had in the meantime contributed a Jill and a Tony to the day‘s score. The final results were: airborne – 21 destroyed, 6 probables, 10 damaged; and on the ground – 15 destroyed, 5 probables, 28 damaged. We had lost no planes or pilots, had minor damage to two planes.

To that total one more item must be added. Lt(jg) Jones, loaned from the squadron to fly in the Group Commander‘s division, turned in a brilliant solo performance by shooting down 3 Zekes on a single hop. The mission was target coordination and the division was launched with a flight from VF-3. But VBF-3 proudly claims its own and modestly adds Jone‘s Zekes to the total, making the airborne kills 24.

If the operations had been continued throughout the (whole) 17th, the second day‘s score would probably have surpassed the first in all categories. As it was, VBF-3 flew only two hops and boosted the totals impressively. The first flight was a sweep in to Ishioka and Tsukuba Airfields, led by Lt.Comdr. Wolf. On this mission Lt.(jg) Jones, again flying with the target co-ordinator‘s division, again turned in a multiple kill, this time getting a Hamp and a Oscar. Ens. Stroder, a photo pilot, flying wing on Jones, matched this exactly, even to the identities of his victims. Lt. Williams led the second sweep and bored farther inland than any of his predecessors had gone, attacking Utsonomiya Airfield and reaping heavy damage there. Airborne opposition was about what it had been on previous flights, and the sweep shot down 7 with 3 probables and 3 damaged. All later flights were canceled and the force retired. The second day‘s score, then was: in the air: 13 shot down, 3 probables, 3 damaged; an the ground: 5 destroyed, 4 probables, 28 damaged. And, for the second day, our losses were none.

We should add that the only aircraft lost by USS Yorktown’s air group during the two-day operation was an F6F-5 from VF-3, but its pilot, Ens. J. T. Graham, was rescued.

The Battle over Tsukuba

A unique insight into the Japanese side comes from the war diary of the Tsukuba Kōkūtai operational training unit, held at the Japan Center for Asian Historical Records. I covered the brief history of Tsukuba Kōkūtai

in the July 2025 issue of INFO Eduard.

Its ranks included veterans of combat against American air forces. At the time of the American attack, Tsukuba Kōkūtai was undergoing two changes beyond its usual activities. At the end of 1944, a fighter squadron equipped with A6M and N1K Shiden

A Mitsubishi A6M5 Type 52a of Tsukuba Kōkūtai, photographed during the final year of the war. The 20 mm cannon have been removed from the wings. This aircraft was license-built by Nakajima. Photo: SDASM

Damage to the Tachikawa aircraft-engine factory following one of the US Navy’s attacks near Tokyo on 17 February 1945. Photo: US Naval Heritage Command

(George 11) aircraft was formed within the unit. From February 1945, Tsukuba Kōkūtai was preparing detachments to train and deploy kamikaze airmen.

On 15 February, Tsukuba Kōkūtai received a report of an American task force about 180 nautical miles west of Truk, steering a course of 320 degrees. It was unclear whether aircraft carriers were among its ships. The threat was serious enough, however, for the highest state of alert to be declared in the Ogasawara Islands and the Japanese home islands from 16 February.

Intensive aircraft maintenance began on 15 February, with the aim of making as many Zeros combat-ready as possible. In addition, 13 Model 52 Zeros were brought to Tsukuba from Koizumi air base, bringing the number of

operational aircraft to 24. A command post for combat operations was also established within the training unit. Standard fighter aircraft were assigned to engage the Americans; trainees, training aircraft and other equipment were to be kept out of combat.

From 16 February, the training aircraft were ready for evacuation to the air bases at Kōriyama or Matsushima. Training at Tsukuba continued only in part. Instruction for students in the 42nd aviation course continued, but advanced training and preparation for future members of special attack units were suspended.

On 16 February, Tsukuba Kōkūtai had four Shiden fighters and 24 Zeros available for combat operations; on 17 February, it had 21 Zeros.

November 2026

INFO Eduard

11

Info EDUARD