64th Sentai war diary entry No.58
Date: February 3rd, 1942 Tokyo time
As the enemy forces withdrawn from the Western Java a little lull in the combat is welcomed by all members of the 64th Sentai. Of course a CAP is kept up and planes readied for scramble line up the runway, but the pace of the operations slowed down a lot.
Both men of the ground and air elements enjoy the spell under the hot tropical sun at Palembang. Mechanics are doing thorough maintenance on the planes - 2 months of combat missions took its toll on the engines, and fuselages had minor bruises here and there, but the general feeling of "Pause" is all around.
Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (Resurrected)
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (Resurrected)
64th Sentai war diary entry No.59
Date: February 4th, 1942 Tokyo time
The men enjoyed their rest period, while pilots returning from CAP duty practice aerobatics around the field. Today, Col.Kato had to reprimand a pilot who got too low and landed with some green leaves in his radiator. Ground crews often stopped their work just to watch the performance. Sometimes the aerobatics turned into a friendly battle - as the relieving Shotai climbed from the field, the returning pilots jumped on their colleagues and trained in dogfight. The mock-combat and aerobatics training can do great service in the future...
Date: February 4th, 1942 Tokyo time
The men enjoyed their rest period, while pilots returning from CAP duty practice aerobatics around the field. Today, Col.Kato had to reprimand a pilot who got too low and landed with some green leaves in his radiator. Ground crews often stopped their work just to watch the performance. Sometimes the aerobatics turned into a friendly battle - as the relieving Shotai climbed from the field, the returning pilots jumped on their colleagues and trained in dogfight. The mock-combat and aerobatics training can do great service in the future...
RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (Resurrected)
64th Sentai war diary entry No.60
Date: February 5th, 1942 Tokyo time
Another quiet day, unless for a few rain spells here and there.
Date: February 5th, 1942 Tokyo time
Another quiet day, unless for a few rain spells here and there.
RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (Resurrected)
64th Sentai war diary entry No.61
Date: February 6th, 1942 Tokyo time
Some welcomed supplies arrived from Saigon aboard ships currently riding anchor at Musi river. Several ground crews were requested to serve as unloading parties - with the help of the overnight passes to the Palembang city there was no shortage of volunteers. [:D]
Date: February 6th, 1942 Tokyo time
Some welcomed supplies arrived from Saigon aboard ships currently riding anchor at Musi river. Several ground crews were requested to serve as unloading parties - with the help of the overnight passes to the Palembang city there was no shortage of volunteers. [:D]
RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (Resurrected)
64th Sentai war diary entry No.62
Date: February 7th, 1942 Tokyo time
As campaign in Malaya was closing the 25th Army called on the 3rd Hiko Shidan for support on its final effort to eliminate the last enemy foothold in Malaya - Singapore Fortress. On this day the 64th Sentai was ordered to provide escort for Type 99 Light Bombers. 24 Hayabusas formed neatly over Palembang and smartly joined the small bomber formation on their way to the north. Heavy rains covered most of the Singapore, but the Type 99 bombers somehow found their targets - but results of the bombing were unobserved. No enemy airplane was encountered in the air as the Royal Air Force had evacuated all its planes out of the besieged fortress. Return flight was without any mishaps and all of the 64th Sentais Hayabusas landed perfectly.
Singapore burning after one of the air raids:
Meantime the 3rd Chutai of the 64th spent the day as usual for third week in a row - flying CAP and honing their skills with their new Hayabusas.
Date: February 7th, 1942 Tokyo time
As campaign in Malaya was closing the 25th Army called on the 3rd Hiko Shidan for support on its final effort to eliminate the last enemy foothold in Malaya - Singapore Fortress. On this day the 64th Sentai was ordered to provide escort for Type 99 Light Bombers. 24 Hayabusas formed neatly over Palembang and smartly joined the small bomber formation on their way to the north. Heavy rains covered most of the Singapore, but the Type 99 bombers somehow found their targets - but results of the bombing were unobserved. No enemy airplane was encountered in the air as the Royal Air Force had evacuated all its planes out of the besieged fortress. Return flight was without any mishaps and all of the 64th Sentais Hayabusas landed perfectly.
Singapore burning after one of the air raids:
Meantime the 3rd Chutai of the 64th spent the day as usual for third week in a row - flying CAP and honing their skills with their new Hayabusas.
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RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (Resurrected)
64th Sentai war diary entry No.63
Date: February 8th, 1942 Tokyo time
Another mission was flown today against Singapore. This time the charges were 11 Type 97 Heavy bombers and the target was Tengah, one of the Singapore Airfields - to keep it out of operations. Mission was similar to the one flown on the previous day with two exceptions. Nearing the target a flock of fighters was observed orbiting Singapore, but as the pilots prepared for the engagement, the fighters were identified as Type 97 Fighters of the 1st Sentai. Enemy defense were prepared and their flak accurate - in all 7 of the 11 bombers were damaged in their bombing run. All were able to return and land safely, but 2 airmen lost their life and 4 were injured aboard the bomber crews. All of the 23 Haybausas dispatched by the 64th Sentai returned safely.
The target for today - Tengah Air Base:
Date: February 8th, 1942 Tokyo time
Another mission was flown today against Singapore. This time the charges were 11 Type 97 Heavy bombers and the target was Tengah, one of the Singapore Airfields - to keep it out of operations. Mission was similar to the one flown on the previous day with two exceptions. Nearing the target a flock of fighters was observed orbiting Singapore, but as the pilots prepared for the engagement, the fighters were identified as Type 97 Fighters of the 1st Sentai. Enemy defense were prepared and their flak accurate - in all 7 of the 11 bombers were damaged in their bombing run. All were able to return and land safely, but 2 airmen lost their life and 4 were injured aboard the bomber crews. All of the 23 Haybausas dispatched by the 64th Sentai returned safely.
The target for today - Tengah Air Base:
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- TengahAirBase.jpg (72.29 KiB) Viewed 144 times
RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (Resurrected)
64th Sentai war diary entry No.64
Date: February 9th, 1942 Tokyo time
Singapore was again on the order of the day, and again the charges were Type 99 Light Bombers, and again the target was one of the Singapore Airfields - Selatar Air Base this time. Weather was better than on the previous days and bombers laid a string of bombs neatly across the runway. Two of the bombers returned slightly damaged, but of the 18 Hayabusas dispatched, the one piloted by 2Lt Ariyoshi R. was destroyed when he was forced to bail out after engine seizure not far from home. Luckily for him a flock of fishermen boats observed his descent and pulled him out of water so quickly he had hardly wetted his boots. Fishermen's were rewarded for their effort from the Sentais stocks.
Target for today - Selatar Air base:
Date: February 9th, 1942 Tokyo time
Singapore was again on the order of the day, and again the charges were Type 99 Light Bombers, and again the target was one of the Singapore Airfields - Selatar Air Base this time. Weather was better than on the previous days and bombers laid a string of bombs neatly across the runway. Two of the bombers returned slightly damaged, but of the 18 Hayabusas dispatched, the one piloted by 2Lt Ariyoshi R. was destroyed when he was forced to bail out after engine seizure not far from home. Luckily for him a flock of fishermen boats observed his descent and pulled him out of water so quickly he had hardly wetted his boots. Fishermen's were rewarded for their effort from the Sentais stocks.
Target for today - Selatar Air base:
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RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (Resurrected)
64th Sentai war diary entry No.65
Date: February 10th, 1942 Tokyo time
Another request for ground support was fulfilled on this day by escorting 19 Navy Type 96 Attackers against enemy positions within the battled city of Singapore. 12 Hayabusas were dispatched along and after meeting the Navy bombers which was not an easy task flew to Singapore. Severe storms raged over the whole area so the bombing was not very effective and one of the Navy bombers sustained some damage from enemy flak. However all planes returned to their respective bases. In the evening the fall of Singapore was announced over the radio. Banzai!
Surrender ceremony:
Date: February 10th, 1942 Tokyo time
Another request for ground support was fulfilled on this day by escorting 19 Navy Type 96 Attackers against enemy positions within the battled city of Singapore. 12 Hayabusas were dispatched along and after meeting the Navy bombers which was not an easy task flew to Singapore. Severe storms raged over the whole area so the bombing was not very effective and one of the Navy bombers sustained some damage from enemy flak. However all planes returned to their respective bases. In the evening the fall of Singapore was announced over the radio. Banzai!
Surrender ceremony:
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CaptHaggard
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RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (Resurrected)
Barb—
Hope everything is going well with you and yours.
Many Japanese war movies, including those I mentioned previously, are available at www.japanesesamuraidvd.com
To be honest, I pretty much always feel uncomfortable recommending anything, but I will say this: fast delivery (of course it's CA to CA, but they seem to process shipments quickly), inexpensive, and I got just what I paid for.
"And now we return to the program..."
Hag
Hope everything is going well with you and yours.
Many Japanese war movies, including those I mentioned previously, are available at www.japanesesamuraidvd.com
To be honest, I pretty much always feel uncomfortable recommending anything, but I will say this: fast delivery (of course it's CA to CA, but they seem to process shipments quickly), inexpensive, and I got just what I paid for.
"And now we return to the program..."
Hag
RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (Resurrected)
64th Sentai war diary entry No.66 to 74
Date: February 11th to 19th, 1942 Tokyo time
64th Sentai enjoyed ten days without any significant event. No new missions were ordered, no enemy planes showed up, just the regular Combat Air Patrol and evening and sunset readiness. Time was spent repairing planes, going through the paperwork, some physical training was also on the order of the day. But the mood of the pilots went down day after day - the price for long monotonous patrols and the time spent on the ground took its toll among the pilots. Sure Col.Kato wanted something to break the boredom, but orders from the 3rd Hikó Shidan were always the same: "Guard against enemy attacks and keep combat readiness."
Not an easy task for bunch of youngsters to keep out of troubles. Some got drank, some were brought back by Kempeitai after a brawl in the Palembang proper. Some petty theft appeared at the base and several local inhabitants filed a complaint against the men at the Air Base. But in the military, one can only endure and wait... Luckily for all the movement orders arrived...
Date: February 11th to 19th, 1942 Tokyo time
64th Sentai enjoyed ten days without any significant event. No new missions were ordered, no enemy planes showed up, just the regular Combat Air Patrol and evening and sunset readiness. Time was spent repairing planes, going through the paperwork, some physical training was also on the order of the day. But the mood of the pilots went down day after day - the price for long monotonous patrols and the time spent on the ground took its toll among the pilots. Sure Col.Kato wanted something to break the boredom, but orders from the 3rd Hikó Shidan were always the same: "Guard against enemy attacks and keep combat readiness."
Not an easy task for bunch of youngsters to keep out of troubles. Some got drank, some were brought back by Kempeitai after a brawl in the Palembang proper. Some petty theft appeared at the base and several local inhabitants filed a complaint against the men at the Air Base. But in the military, one can only endure and wait... Luckily for all the movement orders arrived...
RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (Resurrected)
64th Sentai war diary entry No.75
Date: February 20th, 1942 Tokyo time
While ground crews were packing for a short trip by sea, pilots studied maps of southern Sumatra and Java - their future area of operations. Orders were cut so that the air element should provide Combat Air Patrol over invasion convoys heading to Java. At first from Oosthaven, then from the captured airfields at Java. The ships carrying invasion troops were deep in the water and slowly passed Singapore few days earlier. Now their bows were pointed to Java coast...
With the last rays of sun over the horizon the pilots flew their planes to Oosthaven Airfield - at the southern tip of Sumatra to shorten the distance to the convoy. A crude airstrip with almost no facilities, but well positioned to help cover the invasion troops...
Date: February 20th, 1942 Tokyo time
While ground crews were packing for a short trip by sea, pilots studied maps of southern Sumatra and Java - their future area of operations. Orders were cut so that the air element should provide Combat Air Patrol over invasion convoys heading to Java. At first from Oosthaven, then from the captured airfields at Java. The ships carrying invasion troops were deep in the water and slowly passed Singapore few days earlier. Now their bows were pointed to Java coast...
With the last rays of sun over the horizon the pilots flew their planes to Oosthaven Airfield - at the southern tip of Sumatra to shorten the distance to the convoy. A crude airstrip with almost no facilities, but well positioned to help cover the invasion troops...
RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (Resurrected)
64th Sentai war diary entry No.76
Date: February 21st, 1942 Tokyo time
On this day some Japanese troops had already landed on Java, but the 64th was tasked to provide cover for reinforcement convoy steaming about 80 nautical miles east of Oosthaven, just a little north of the Batavia. From dusk till down the 64th Sentai Hayabusas roamed the sky around the slowly moving ships below them. They were so slow, that they seemed to be rocks thrown on the surface of the calm sea never to reach the Java. But they were steadily moving bringing heavy artillery, tanks, fuel, ammunition and more soldiers to the shores of Java. With the last patrol over the convoy the planes departed for the newly captured Kalidjati Airfield in Java - ground forces were so quick they captured the base against no enemy opposition as most of the allied forces retreated toward Soerabaya.
Date: February 21st, 1942 Tokyo time
On this day some Japanese troops had already landed on Java, but the 64th was tasked to provide cover for reinforcement convoy steaming about 80 nautical miles east of Oosthaven, just a little north of the Batavia. From dusk till down the 64th Sentai Hayabusas roamed the sky around the slowly moving ships below them. They were so slow, that they seemed to be rocks thrown on the surface of the calm sea never to reach the Java. But they were steadily moving bringing heavy artillery, tanks, fuel, ammunition and more soldiers to the shores of Java. With the last patrol over the convoy the planes departed for the newly captured Kalidjati Airfield in Java - ground forces were so quick they captured the base against no enemy opposition as most of the allied forces retreated toward Soerabaya.
RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (Resurrected)
64th Sentai war diary entry No.77
Date: February 22nd, 1942 Tokyo time
Operating from the forward airfield at Kalidjati the 64th was tasked to provide air cover for the beach head - and this it did to the fullest possible means. Although no enemy air opposition materialized, the pilots spent countless hours in the air, landing just for fuel, quick snack and to relieving themselves. Two Hayabusas of the 3rd Chutai got slightly damaged on the runway when they collided taxiing, pilots 2nd Lt. Ban P. and 2nd Lt. Senda R. got away uninjured.
Date: February 22nd, 1942 Tokyo time
Operating from the forward airfield at Kalidjati the 64th was tasked to provide air cover for the beach head - and this it did to the fullest possible means. Although no enemy air opposition materialized, the pilots spent countless hours in the air, landing just for fuel, quick snack and to relieving themselves. Two Hayabusas of the 3rd Chutai got slightly damaged on the runway when they collided taxiing, pilots 2nd Lt. Ban P. and 2nd Lt. Senda R. got away uninjured.
RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (Resurrected)
64th Sentai war diary entry No.78
Date: February 23rd, 1942 Tokyo time
Flying cover over invasion beaches continued on this day as troops and supplies flowed from the ships anchored near the beaches. Countless transports and cargo ships lined the shore, while patrol boats, destroyers and cruiser patrolled further offshore guarding against any surprises. The air was devoid of the enemy, but full of friendly planes. It didn't take much and several planes of the 64th could have been victims of the mistaken identity. Luckily the pilots from the 59th Sentai checked their triggers at the last moment.
Date: February 23rd, 1942 Tokyo time
Flying cover over invasion beaches continued on this day as troops and supplies flowed from the ships anchored near the beaches. Countless transports and cargo ships lined the shore, while patrol boats, destroyers and cruiser patrolled further offshore guarding against any surprises. The air was devoid of the enemy, but full of friendly planes. It didn't take much and several planes of the 64th could have been victims of the mistaken identity. Luckily the pilots from the 59th Sentai checked their triggers at the last moment.
RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (Resurrected)
64th Sentai war diary entry No.79
Date: February 24th, 1942 Tokyo time
Majority of the Japanese invasion shipping departed at night so the morning showed only a handful of them still unloading. The tempo of air operations was kept high however and continuous CAP was provided over the remaining ships.
Date: February 24th, 1942 Tokyo time
Majority of the Japanese invasion shipping departed at night so the morning showed only a handful of them still unloading. The tempo of air operations was kept high however and continuous CAP was provided over the remaining ships.
RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (Resurrected)
64th Sentai war diary entry No.79 to No.84
Date: February 25th to March 1st, 1942 Tokyo time
With the departure of the invasion shipping the tempo of air operations slowed down and 3rd Chutai was allowed two days of rest, while the rest of the Sentai continued to provide for local CAP. Enemy activity was lacking as usual, but we had to safeguard our airfield, Batavia, and our ground troops advancing quickly eastwards without much opposition. One Hayabusa was damaged in rough landing performed by W/O Okajima.
Date: February 25th to March 1st, 1942 Tokyo time
With the departure of the invasion shipping the tempo of air operations slowed down and 3rd Chutai was allowed two days of rest, while the rest of the Sentai continued to provide for local CAP. Enemy activity was lacking as usual, but we had to safeguard our airfield, Batavia, and our ground troops advancing quickly eastwards without much opposition. One Hayabusa was damaged in rough landing performed by W/O Okajima.
RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (Resurrected)
64th Sentai war diary entry No.85
Date: March 2nd, 1942 Tokyo time
Rested 3rd Chutai departed for the newly conquered Tjilitjap airfield to provide some local CAP, while the rest of the 64th Sentai continued its CAP duty from Kalidjati Airfield.
Date: March 2nd, 1942 Tokyo time
Rested 3rd Chutai departed for the newly conquered Tjilitjap airfield to provide some local CAP, while the rest of the 64th Sentai continued its CAP duty from Kalidjati Airfield.
RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (Resurrected)
64th Sentai war diary entry No.86 to 90
Date: March 3rd to 7th, 1942 Tokyo time
Some more days were spent flying CAP from Kalidjati and Tjilitjap before another change of orders arrived. With the planned air offensive against Soerabaya a minor reshuffling of units was order of the day. Thus the 3rd Chutai went from Tjilitjap back to Batavia - to provide local CAP for bomber units based in the vicinity, while the rest of the 64th Sentai went forward to Tjilitjap to close the distance to the enemy. Two Hayabusas were damaged while landing on the small Tjilitjap airfield at dusk, their repairs will take several days with the primitive conditions encountered there.
Date: March 3rd to 7th, 1942 Tokyo time
Some more days were spent flying CAP from Kalidjati and Tjilitjap before another change of orders arrived. With the planned air offensive against Soerabaya a minor reshuffling of units was order of the day. Thus the 3rd Chutai went from Tjilitjap back to Batavia - to provide local CAP for bomber units based in the vicinity, while the rest of the 64th Sentai went forward to Tjilitjap to close the distance to the enemy. Two Hayabusas were damaged while landing on the small Tjilitjap airfield at dusk, their repairs will take several days with the primitive conditions encountered there.
RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (Resurrected)
64th Sentai war diary entry No.91
Date: March 8th, 1942 Tokyo time
64th Sentai participated in the major air effort on this day by providing two Chutais to escort Type 97 Heavy bombers over Soerabaya. One Hayabusa was forced to return early with engine troubles, but the bombers were met on time and shepherded to the target. Enemy air force failed to appear again - this time thanks to the Navy Air operations clearing the skies just before the arrival of the bombers. 47 bombers laid solid pattern over enemy airfield in Moderate Rain, while enemy flak was mostly ineffective and only one of the Type 97 Heavy bombers suffered damage on the bomb run. All planes and flyers managed to return safely.
Date: March 8th, 1942 Tokyo time
64th Sentai participated in the major air effort on this day by providing two Chutais to escort Type 97 Heavy bombers over Soerabaya. One Hayabusa was forced to return early with engine troubles, but the bombers were met on time and shepherded to the target. Enemy air force failed to appear again - this time thanks to the Navy Air operations clearing the skies just before the arrival of the bombers. 47 bombers laid solid pattern over enemy airfield in Moderate Rain, while enemy flak was mostly ineffective and only one of the Type 97 Heavy bombers suffered damage on the bomb run. All planes and flyers managed to return safely.
RE: Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (Resurrected)
64th Sentai war diary entry No.92
Date: March 9th, 1942 Tokyo time
In repetition of the yesterday performance the Sentai sent 21 Hayabusas to escort 57 Type 97 Heavy bombers to Sorebaya. Two Hayabusas were forced to return early - one with leaking fuel, the other with engine troubles, while the rest continued to the enemy stronghold. With only Light cloud cover to interfere with the bombers run the bomb pattern was laid down beautifully. But also enemy AA fire was more effective then yesterday - 5 bombers incurred damage over target. All planes were able to return to base, but several crewmen from the bomber units were injured and one gunner killed by AA fire. Enemy fighter opposition was again dispersed by Navy flyers before the arrival of the bomber formation.
Date: March 9th, 1942 Tokyo time
In repetition of the yesterday performance the Sentai sent 21 Hayabusas to escort 57 Type 97 Heavy bombers to Sorebaya. Two Hayabusas were forced to return early - one with leaking fuel, the other with engine troubles, while the rest continued to the enemy stronghold. With only Light cloud cover to interfere with the bombers run the bomb pattern was laid down beautifully. But also enemy AA fire was more effective then yesterday - 5 bombers incurred damage over target. All planes were able to return to base, but several crewmen from the bomber units were injured and one gunner killed by AA fire. Enemy fighter opposition was again dispersed by Navy flyers before the arrival of the bomber formation.