Japanese Naval Aces and Fighter Units in World War II

Japanese Naval Aces and Fighter Units in World War II
Author: Ikuhiko Hata
Publisher: US Naval Institute Press
Total Pages: 472
Release: 1989
Genre: History
ISBN:

Divided into three parts, this book includes rare photos of the principal Japanese aircraft, concise histories of each air group, and photos and biographies of Japan's leading aces.

Japanese Naval Air Force Fighter Units and Their Aces, 1932–1945

Japanese Naval Air Force Fighter Units and Their Aces, 1932–1945
Author: Ikuhiko Hata
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
Total Pages: 651
Release: 2012-09-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1909166782

An extensive guide to Japan’s Naval Air Force Fighter Units and their ace pilots during conflicts in the 1930s and ‘40s, now in English. The book begins by looking at the land- and aircraft carrier-based navy fighter units and their operations from 1932 to 1945, as well as their history and achievements. This is followed with biographical details for all pilots who claimed eight or more aerial victories. The thorough appendix provides detailed listings of all pilots known to have claimed five or more victories (and thus considered to be “aces”), listings of the graduation from training of all Japanese Navy fighter pilots, and of fighter pilot casualties. Photographs, maps, and artist’s side-view drawings and paintings of aircraft relevant to each of the units are also included. This revised edition is a companion volume to Japanese Army Air Force Fighter Units and Their Aces, 1931–1945.

Japanese Naval Fighter Aces

Japanese Naval Fighter Aces
Author: Ikuhiko Hata
Publisher: Stackpole Books
Total Pages: 466
Release: 2013
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 0811711676

This book is as good as we are likely to get on the subject in English. For Pacific Theater aerophiles, it's a must-have. --Barrett Tillman, author of WhirlwindVivid account of Japanese navy fighter units in combatContains biographies of all pilots claiming ace statusIncludes photos of planes like the Zero fighter and the pilots who flew them

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

Japanese Army Air Force Units and Their Aces, 1931–1945
Author: Ikuhiko Hata
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
Total Pages: 433
Release: 2009-04-21
Genre: History
ISBN: 1909166286

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

Japanese Army Air Force Aces 1937–45

Japanese Army Air Force Aces 1937–45
Author: Henry Sakaida
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 176
Release: 2012-10-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1782005382

Little has been published in English on the Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF), let alone its most successful fighter pilots no less than 150 of them achieved ace status during eight years of near-constant war. They are all listed in this volume. From the arid plains of the Mongolian border region to the lush jungles of New Guinea, the JAAF was more than a match for the many opponents it fought against for control of the skies. Indeed, even when the mighty Allied war machine proved almost overwhelming from early 1944 onwards, the elite fighter pilots of the various sentais within the JAAF fought on with near-fanatical loyalty in defence of the Home Islands.

Wings of the Rising Sun

Wings of the Rising Sun
Author: Mark Chambers
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 338
Release: 2018-11-29
Genre: History
ISBN: 1472823710

A fascinating insight into how the Allies learned about the capabilities and limitations of the Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force and Japanese Army Air Force through flight testing and evaluation of enemy equipment. In the Pacific War's early years, Japanese air power was dominant. The only way for the Allies to defeat their enemy was to know it. This made the task of maintaining productive intelligence gathering efforts on Japan imperative. Establishing Technical Air Intelligence Units in the Pacific Theatre and the Technical Air Intelligence Center in Washington DC, the Allies were able to begin to reveal the secrets of Japanese air power through extensive flight testing and evaluation of captured enemy aircraft and equipment. These provided an illuminating perspective on Japanese aircraft and aerial weapon design philosophy and manufacturing practice. Fully illustrated throughout with a wealth of previously unpublished photographs, Mark Chambers explores Allied efforts to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of Japanese air power during the war years, and how this intelligence helped them achieve victory in the Pacific.

Imperial Japanese Navy Aces 1937–45

Imperial Japanese Navy Aces 1937–45
Author: Henry Sakaida
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 198
Release: 2012-10-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1782005390

The outcome of the Pacific War was heavily influenced by the results of naval battles between the Imperial Japanese fleet and the US Navy. One of the key elements was Japan's large fighter component, which had gained experience over Manchuria, China and Mongolia in the late 1930s. Flying A5Ms, at least 21 pilots achieved 'acedom' securing air superiority for the invaders. Manufacturer Mitsubishi derived much from these campaigns, producing one of the best fighters of the War, the A6M Zero-Sen. Navy pilots proved to be highly skilled when engaged by the Allied forces. This volume tells the story of pilots like Nishizawa, Sagita and Sakai, scoring more than 60 kills apiece.

The U.S. Navy's "Interim" LSM(R)s in World War II

The U.S. Navy's
Author: Ron MacKay, Jr.
Publisher: McFarland
Total Pages: 353
Release: 2016-05-03
Genre: History
ISBN: 1476623287

The "Interim" LSM(R) or Landing Ship, Medium (Rocket) was a revolutionary development in rocket warfare in World War II and the U.S. Navy's first true rocket ship. An entirely new class of commissioned warship and the forerunners of today's missile-firing naval combatants, these ships began as improvised conversions of conventional amphibious landing craft in South Carolina's Charleston Navy Yard during late 1944. They were rushed to the Pacific Theatre to support the U.S. Army and Marines with heavy rocket bombardments that devastated Japanese forces on Okinawa in 1945. Their primary mission was to deliver maximum firepower to enemy targets ashore. Yet LSM(R)s also repulsed explosive Japanese speed boats, rescued crippled warships, recovered hundreds of survivors at sea and were deployed as antisubmarine hunter-killers. Casualties were staggering: enemy gunfire blasted one, while kamikaze attacks sank three, crippled a fourth and grazed two more. This book provides a comprehensive operational history of the Navy's 12 original "Interim" LSM(R)s.