Kato Hayabusa Sentotai - War diary of 64th Sentai (Resurrected)

[adarbrauner]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

If the Hurricanes, which happened here had a speed advantage diving and of course a height advantage they "JUMPED," the formation. and kept going. An escort flying above and behind the bombers at the bombers cruising speed would not have time to react or catch the Hurricanes as they dove through both formations at high speed.

Even if reasonable and sound, I cannot recall it by memory in my experience not even once...well..

[Barb]

Thanks for your appearance here... I would try to put some answers:

a - nope, not automatically, but usually in few weeks you can find up the list of pilots in TRACOM and reserve with pilots in MGEN/LGEN rank - and they surely were not that before. Once in a time there is a message in Combat_Events that particular pilot is promoted - but I think this is related to pilot being in unit.
Usually the pilots that got promoted in TRACOM/Reserve have high count of missions being flown. But so far I had not discovered any pattern. I think it is more of chrome and some random rolls here and there.

b - If there is a an air unit leader/pilot casualty, the game usually picks up another pilot from the unit to be a new commander. But where his stats are from I am not sure. It can be he is in the leader database, or the game "creates" a new leader from a pilot with some random skills thrown in.
Best practice within game is to have a non-flying CO (who thus cannot be killed, and saves PPs) - either put the pilot (and leader) into reserve within unit, or pick up CO who is not a pilot himself.

c - as said the game database contain different entities - pilots and air unit leaders. Sometimes the designers made them related (probably based on IRL, like Boyington, Fuchida, etc.), sometime the game creates the relation on its own.

This particular engagement: It is a work of artistic license, but how else can you explain fighter destroyed, and heavy bomber destroyed, another damaged, and light bomber destroyed and another damaged by just 3 hurricanes? I am a year away from this particular combat, so I had to improvise a little.

As to the plausability - a loaded Hurricane weights almost a 1000 kg more than Oscar. Diving from above it leaves two options to the pilots of Oscars - up nose to head on (if they have time), or dive after them.... Dive would be probably not effective. And with the surprise, you wouldn't have a chance to nose up with and Oscar.

[Bif1961]

There are a lot of dead Germans who could tell you otherwise from the Battle of Britain when their formations were jumped out of the sun by Hurricanes, which shot down more German planes during it then any other fighter.

An excerpt from an Osprey Publication, "Ki-43 "Oscar" Aces of WWII," Page 19 On April 8th 1942 LtCol Kato of the 64Th Sentai led a raid against an Allied airfield. The Allies were warned by Radar and were flying at 21,000 feet with 4 Hurricanes and 9 P-40Es. The Japanese fighters were "JUMPED'" as they commenced their strafing runs on the airfield, Kato had decided against leaving 2 Ki-43s for top cover as he usually did. The result was that though the Allies claimed 12 Zeros for no loss, the 64th Sentai losses were actually 4 Ki-43s and their pilots including the 3rd Chutai leader Capt Katsumi Anma, a 12 victory ace.

It was rare that the Japanese were surprised in most attacks at this time, since the allied aircraft need time to climb high enough to bounce them, but Radar allowed it this time and LtCol Kato broke one of his own rules to cause as much damage to the airfield by strafing with all the Ki-43s on the mission. So you see it did happen, even in early 1942.

[Barb]

64th Sentai war diary entry No.196
Date: June 21st, 1942 Tokyo time

Mandalay airfield got its share of rain during the night and the morning precluding any operations. Paperwork got slowed down during our campaigns in the Southern area, but several promotions got approved by higher authorities.

To: 64th Sentai
From: AOC 3rd Hiko Shidan
RE: Promotions - Air officers of the 64th Sentai
2nd Lt. Ariyoshi N. of the 2nd Chutai is promoted to 1st Lieutenant backdated 1.2.1942, Captain backdated 14.4.1942 and Major backdated 27.5.1942 for his leadership of his flight
2nd Lt. Ariyoshi R. of the Staff Shotai is promoted to 1st Lieutenant backdated 11.3.1942, Captain backdated 30.3.1942 and Major backdated 15.6.1942.
2nd Lt. Chiba D. of the 2nd Chutai is promoted to 1st Lieutenant backdated 18.1.1942, Captain backdated 12.3.1942, Major backdated 12.5.1942 and Lieutenant Colonel backdated 20.6.1942 for his actions and leadership as leader of the 2nd Chutai.
2nd Lt. Daigo P. of the 1st Chutai is promoted to 1st Lietenant backdated 28.1.1942, Captain backdated 31.3.1942, Major backdated 18.5.1942 and Lieutenant Colonel backdated 21.6.1942 for his actions and support as member of the 1st Chutai.

Tennōheika Banzai!

Another Field order from the 3rd Air Division arrived clarifying the situation with the Commanding officer.

To: 64th Sentai
From: AOC 3rd Hiko Shidan
RE: New CO 64th Sentai
Lt.Col. Torigoe, U. is to report as a new CO of the 64th Sentai at Mandalay immediately upon his arrival from his present posting.

Tennōheika Banzai!

However men were not in the mood to celebrate after recent losses. And the new CO was an unknown entity raising more questions than answers at the moment. Only time will tell.

3rd Chutai, for now untouched by the changes and losses experienced by the rest of the Sentai went for a sweep of allied lines near Katha – encountering no enemy but heavy clouds.

P.S.: As the game found that the Sentai have just 2nd Lieutenants and Warrant Officers in its ranks, it somehow promoted several hands from within by 3-4 ranks on its own! And two more promotions are to arrive within days. I wish this was a little bit more methodical within game. As we have both officer and Warrant officers, the W/Os should probably be promoted by being posted out of the unit (to attend Officer school), while Officers should be promoted on the spot after say a number of missions is reached (subject to random).

[Barb]

64th Sentai war diary entry No.197
Date: June 22nd, 1942 Tokyo time

A quiet day for the Sentai. Lt.Col. Torigoe, U. arrived today – 28 years of age, tall and thin, strict – stepping out of the Type 97 Transporter stiffly took salutes, moved along the line of men without any sign of emotion or sound. At the end of the line he stopped, turned around and simply ordered "Chutai and Shotai leaders with me!" and was gone.

Most of the day was spent over the organizational charts and by the newly promoted men to assume their new roles within organization.
Lt.Col. Chiba D. moved to command Staff flight leaving 2nd Chutai under command of the Major Ariyoshi N.
Lt.Col. Daigo P. took over the command of the 1st Chutai
Major Ariyoshi R. was appointed to the 1st Chutai as deputy for Lt.Col Daigo P.

So now the 64th Sentai personnel organization was like this:

[Barb]

From the material side it was not so good. 11 operational Hayabusas and 1 in workshop – all of the well worn out -I "Otsu" mark with one Ho-103 and Type 89 machine guns - for the Staff, 1st and 2nd Chutai. 3rd Chutai had 12 operational Hayabusas and 1 in workshop - all of the -I "Hei" variant with two Ho-103 machine guns. Sentai was exhausted and barely operational with half of its establishment in planes, yet it was kept in the front!

[Barb]

64th Sentai war diary entry No.198
Date: June 23rd, 1942 Tokyo time

3rd Chutai was sent to sweep the skies near Katha where enemy positions were located by reconnaissance. No enemy opposition was encountered and sporadic, light and inaccurate fire from the ground was noticed. No losses, no damage.

Rest of the Sentai was again sent to escort bombers near Magwe. Just 10 Hayabusas took to the skies. As there were not enough planes it was decided that 8 pilots of 2nd Chutai will fly today with 2 more from Staff flight. 17 of the Type 99 Light bombers were safely escorted to their target, dropped bombs accurately, although results remained unobserved. One of the bombers sustained light damage from ground fire, but that was it. A milk run – yet W/O Hoshikura, E. failed to return. No trace was found of him, or his plane – quickly swallowed by jungles below.

[Barb]

64th Sentai war diary entry No.199
Date: June 24th, 1942 Tokyo time

3rd Chutai again went to check skies near Katha, and with the same results as yesterday.

Rest of the Sentai moved back to Prome, a neat little airfield about 150 miles northwest of Rangoon in preparation for being relieved on the frontline. When Lt.Col. Torigoe brought up the news, the spirits were raised through the unit considerably. No offensive missions were flown, just a local air patrol.

Two more promotions arrived and confirmed the positions already assigned – now Lt.Col. Ariyoshi, N. as CO, 2nd Chutai and now Major Bunkichi, R. as his Deputy. However these news were not taken easily – most of the requests for promotions were requested by Lt.Col. Kato before being Missing in Action on the "Black Friday" less than a week ago.

[Barb]

64th Sentai war diary entry No.200
Date: June 25th, 1942 Tokyo time

3rd Chutai went again to check the situation around Katha and again found nothing of mention. Yet on landing back at the Shwebo airfield, W/O Senda, U. (an experienced hand with 103 missions, 1 kill) died when his plane bounced off the ground, loop-sided and crashed.

Sentai was ordered to perform few more mission before retiring – actually a double escort mission on this day. One mission was to be flown in the morning, another in the afternoon – both to the same target in vicinity of Magwe. It was decided that 1st Chutai pilots would fly the planes in the morning and 2nd Chutai in the afternoon.
10 Hayabusas escorted 20 of the Type 99 Light Bombers to target and back, without encountering enemy in the air, or fire from the ground. Bombing was through jungle canopy so no results could be observed. All planes returned safely.

In the afternoon another formation of 19 Type 99 Light Bombers were escorted to the same target. Another Sentai of Hayabusas was also present in the target area – their sweep scheduled for the morning was delayed due to weather, but they were able to take off in the afternoon – and arrived over target area at about the same time 64th Sentai arrived with their charges. Bombing was accurate – as some delayed explosions and dark smoke indicated that something was hit.

But even this last mission before being relieved didn’t came without cost – W/O Uchida, S. – another veteran with 105 missions and 3 kills was killed, when engine of the plane he was flying sized up upon landing. Unable to keep it in the air, the plane smashed trees just short of the runway and was totally destroyed.

[adarbrauner]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

There are a lot of dead Germans who could tell you otherwise from the Battle of Britain when their formations were jumped out of the sun by Hurricanes, which shot down more German planes during it then any other fighter.

An excerpt from an Osprey Publication, "Ki-43 "Oscar" Aces of WWII," Page 19 On April 8th 1942 LtCol Kato of the 64Th Sentai led a raid against an Allied airfield. The Allies were warned by Radar and were flying at 21,000 feet with 4 Hurricanes and 9 P-40Es. The Japanese fighters were "JUMPED'" as they commenced their strafing runs on the airfield, Kato had decided against leaving 2 Ki-43s for top cover as he usually did. The result was that though the Allies claimed 12 Zeros for no loss, the 64th Sentai losses were actually 4 Ki-43s and their pilots including the 3rd Chutai leader Capt Katsumi Anma, a 12 victory ace.

It was rare that the Japanese were surprised in most attacks at this time, since the allied aircraft need time to climb high enough to bounce them, but Radar allowed it this time and LtCol Kato broke one of his own rules to cause as much damage to the airfield by strafing with all the Ki-43s on the mission. So you see it did happen, even in early 1942.

Yeah, in game but I haven't seen it, not that I can recall.

[Barb]

64th Sentai war diary entry No.201
Date: June 26th, 1942 Tokyo time

While 3rd Chutai got some rest from sweeping, the badly battered 64th Sentai was to perform another bomber escort – with just 9 serviceable planes it seemed more like joke, but orders are orders.
Thus 9 Hayabusas took off early in the morning and joined a stream of bombers heading towards Akyab – their target – airfield. Formation of 17 Type 97 Heavy bombers was leading the way and two formations of 19 and 20 Type 99 Light bombers followed. Weather was bad along the route and the trailing formation fell well behind.

Anyway, what protection could be provided just 9 Hayabusas? Luckily, no enemy was encountered in the air, and severe storms raging over the area also reduced accuracy of enemy AA fire, as well as hindered our bombing.
Just 8 bombs hit within airfield perimeter, 2 hit and destroyed nearby huts and at least 3 bombs exploded in the nearby jungle – yet starting significant fires and explosions – probably destroying some fuel/supply dump.
Soon after departing from the target the formation fell apart completely due to weather – and all semblance of military order was gone. Each pilot or crew has to find his own way home. With luck, no pilots or planes were lost – although most were scattered through lower Burma at what airfield they could find.

[Barb]

64th Sentai war diary entry No.202
Date: June 27th, 1942 Tokyo time

No offensive missions were flown today, and most of the time was spent preparing for the long awaited move. 3rd Chutai welcomed a replacement pilot – 2nd Lt. Genwa, K. – fresh from flight school. Also three new Hayabusas arrived at Shwebo – indicating that 3rd Chutai will remain in the field.

[Barb]

64th Sentai war diary entry No.203
Date: June 28th, 1942 Tokyo time

3rd Chutai was kept at the front – in fact flying another fighter sweep around Magwe, but again failed to find any enemy.
64th Sentai at Prome was finishing their movement preparations.

[Barb]

64th Sentai war diary entry No.204
Date: June 29th, 1942 Tokyo time

3rd Chutai got orders to quickly move to Meiktila on the evening of the day and be prepared for mission for tomorrow.

64th Sentai, or what was left of it, just 10 planes strong, 30 pilots, and about 60 ground personnel crammed on board twelve Type 100 Transporters and departed for Bangkok, Thailand.

[Barb]

64th Sentai war diary entry No.205
Date: June 30th, 1942 Tokyo time

64th Sentai arrived in the late afternoon and men were quickly dispatched to barracks – showers, razors, new uniforms and flight suits, cigarettes, food – aplenty. They were ordered to report back at the airfield in the morning.
As the men stood at attention in the early morning, Lt.Col. Torigoe read the Field order:

"… his majesty, proudly approved award of the Order of the Golden Kite to the Lt.Col. Kato, commanding officer of the 64th Sentai, for his skill and bravery while commanding said unit since the outbreak of the Great Pacific War up to his loss on 19th June 1942. His courage and leadership materially contributed to the success of his unit during the opening stages of this new war."

With his last words a buzz of aero engines was closing. Right above their heads a shiny new Hayabusas – 34 of them passed the airfield at low level, climbed, turned around and came in for the landing. The men flying them gathered in a group in front of the planes and one of them went forward. Swift salutes, few words, slight bow and letter passed to the hands of Lt.Col Torigoe. Opening the envelope reading the first lines – no it couldn’t be – it was just glimmer, but it was there! Expression of surprise on the face of Lt.Col Torigoe!

"Men of the 64th Sentai!" his voice faltered a little. "Men of the Kato Hayabusa Sentotai!" he continued, with regained balance and firmness of his voice. "As a gratitude for your services up to this point, the Lt.Gen. Sugawara, Michio, commanding 3rd Hiko Shidan sends his many thanks and would like to present to you these new planes, these Hayabusas – Peregrine Falcons – may they bring death to our enemies!" Men silently absorbed the news, yet not one moved – discipline in his majesty Army is hard-beaten to them. "Dismiss" – only this order broke the orderly formation into a rejoicing mob.

Planes, brand new from the factory, their guns still covered with tapes, color still untouched by the southern sun and monsoon rains. It is just the same –I "Hei" model the 3rd Chutai is flying and very similar to the –I "Otsu" they were flying. But half a year of flying without overhaul left their old birds in deplorable conditions. Engines worn out, cowlings darkened with exhaust smoke, color mostly gone, fabric tattered, patches everywhere, each plane in different state they were hardly able to fly straight together in formation. Now these old birds sat there, on the other side of the airfield, seemingly abandoned. Yet they would be taken over by the ferry pilots and flown thousands of miles back to the factory – completely overhauled, painted anew, re-engined and then they would serve a little bit longer – as a training planes for the new pupils.

Of course the new planes required some tweeks and alterations to conform to the standards of the Burma – so while mechanics had hands tied up to the new planes, the pilots got leaves – 3 days and nights in Bangkok. Whatever happened during those three days is not to be part of this diary – however the boys enjoyed the time throughout.
At the same time the 3rd Chutai flying from the Meiktila spend the day flying Long Range CAP over Ramree Island – protecting several ships unloading troops and equipment.

[Barb]

64th Sentai war diary entry No.206
Date: July 1st, 1942 Tokyo time

While majority of the Sentai were enjoying their stay at Bangkok, the 3rd Chutai flew from Meiktila back to Prome for a short, but deserved rest. One of the 3rd Chutai Hayabusas was lost on landing accident, pilot escaped without injury.

[Barb]

64th Sentai war diary entry No.207
Date: July 2nd, 1942 Tokyo time

Whole Sentai was enjoying rest – the majority of pilots were on leave in Bangkok, while the 3rd Chutai kept light CAP duties around Prome. Meanwhile the technicians and mechanics of the 3rd Hiko Shidan were working furiously to put the new planes of the 64th Sentai into working order.

[Barb]

64th Sentai war diary entry No.208
Date: July 3rd, 1942 Tokyo time

In the late morning a mob of 30 weary men arrived in three trucks at the Bangkok airfield – ragged, red eyed, half-asleep, some a little stinky – a sign of a good run. Lt.Col. Torigoe was looking at them from his office, a bare smile flashed through his face – his boys are back…. Although only short time with them, they are "his" – at least till the command got another idea. "Boys" – well they are, young, some of them damn too young. Most of them should be going to high school or university this time in the morning. Yet they are here. And many will remain here too – for eternity.

Turning around from the look he ponders over the faces in front of him. Ten new faces, eight young pilots, fresh from the schools. They are barely 20! These youngsters, what are their skills, what they were thought? Are they initiative? Are they good shots? What are their flying skils? Two of them a little older - one a Colonel and one Major! Actually the Colonel is outranking him, yet he is there, under his command, to gain combat experience – probably some protége. But the Major seems to be worth something. Young, but enthusiastic, from the staff college, had been flying a little in China during the incident.

"How many hours in Hayabusas?" – the answers were disappointing: "25","4","7","14",…. God, what I am supposed to do with them? He picks up a phone and wait for the clerk outside to pick it up. "Get me someone from the old hands here – but make sure he is sober enough to fly!"
Few hours later the new pilots are checked on their new planes by Lt.Col. Daigo (CO, 1st Chutai). One by one they take off and form up. Well at least they know to keep formation and do not bump one into another!

Lt.Col. Torigoe spent the afternoon and evening over the organization charts with Lt.Col. Chiba, D. (his Deputy and Staff flight leader) and Lt.Col. Ariyoshi, N. (CO, 2nd Chutai) while Lt.Col Daigo runs the flying circus outside.

"Where do I put this damned Colonel? Who would babysit him? I do not want him to get killed while here. If he has some friends up there, it could get us into trouble." Reply came from Lt.Col. Chiba, D. - "I'll do that, sir! Give him the 2nd Shotai of the Staff Chutai. Thus we can keep an eye on him."
"And what of this Major Suzuki?" Now Ariyoshi came forward with the idea: "What about putting him to lead 3rd Shotai of the 1st Chutai? W/O Hanazawa can keep an eye on him as his wingmen." Torigoe raised his eyebrow a little (another sign he is not without emotions, but sure can control them), picked the name scribed on a little slice of paper and pinned it to the table.

Table full of names. Table full of men. Men he will lead to battle - not personally unfortunately because of that damned bullet fired by a Chinese soldier somewhere in the Shanghai few years ago – she was still there, that damned bullet, a part of it, or parts of his skull – wandering inside his head. He barely landed his Type 95 Fighter (Kawasaki Ki-10) cabin full of debris and blood trickling down his neck. Doctors were surprised he was still alive, and put him together, but a piece of something got embedded inside his brains. Too risky to extricate, they monitored him for months, but finally they released him – but medical committee assessing his ability to fly denied it to him. That dumb thing can start to move during aerobatics and do anything from paralyzing to outright killing him – they said. So here he is, pinning names to the table. Men that could be dead by tomorrow – and he can do only so much to help them survive….

And so It went, up to the midnight and early morning, moving little slices of paper across the table...

[Barb]

64th Sentai war diary entry No.209
Date: July 4th, 1942 Tokyo time

Rumble of 30 aero engines filled the field very early in the morning, green flare, throttle forward, disengage breaks, a little correction to the left, gaining speed – 20, 30, 50, 70, 90, and you are in the air, gear up, climb steadily, … wait for a wingman, join formation – 64th Sentai is heading back to war, ordered back to Mandalay airfield, plane chiefs and staff to follow by air as soon as transport aircrafts can be provided. 4 planes awaiting the alterations done to the rest of their kind will follow as the work is finished
The whole 64th Sentai is being concentrated at Mandalay – Staff flight, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Chutai – 45 planes at all, with 4 more to follow.

P.S.: I better to start up writing again, I am down to a single pre-written update

[Barb]

64th Sentai war diary entry No.210
Date: July 5th, 1942 Tokyo time

While the 3rd Chutai is tasked to guard the Mandalay airfield during the day and flying CAP, the newly arrived 64th Sentai is tasked to provide both morning and afternoon escort for bombers attacking Akyab airfield. First to arrive over target are sweeping Hayabusas from the 11th Sentai – 37 of them.

64th Sentai had to find the bomber formation she was supposed to cover, but after circling for almost 15 minutes over rendezvous point they joined another formation. The original bombers – 20 of the Type 97 Heavy bombers actually flew past the point several minutes early, but no harm was done to them. The formation our Hayabusas formed with contained 14 of the Type 97 Heavy bombers and 19 of the Type 99 Light bombers.

The weather over target was nothing to envy, severe storms all around, but at least the bomb pattern was dropped on the airfield and some hits were scored. Only light and ineffective AA fire was encountered and all the planes managed to return.

The pilots had hardly time to relieve themselves and eat some quick snack and they were on their way again – this time shepherding a formation of 16 Type 99 Light bombers to the same target. Weather didn’t get improved either, so it was another bumpy road to Akyab. Target was well hidden by clouds and storms and only few bombs landed anywhere close enough to cause some damage. One light bomber was lightly damaged by ground fire, yet all planes and crews managed to return safely.