Date: September 25th, 1942 Tokyo time
Manadalay was subjected by several enemy raids by fighters – probably to test our defences.
Both 64th Sentai and its detached 3rd Chutai as well as 11th Sentai become involved in the combat. First to arrive were 14 Hurricane fighters, and they were immediately countered by 3-plane patrol from the 64th Sentai as the 3rd Chutai scrambled. 17 more Hayabusas from the 64th Sentai were quickly vectored toward enemy incursion and 11th Sentai dispatched 12 of their numbers to support the defenders.
The 3-plane Shotai of the 64th Sentai failed to contain the more numerous enemy formation up, and as the 3rd Chutai strived for altitude, they were jumped by several Hurricanes in disadvantageous position and suffered accordingly. 2nd Lt. Kagawa L. of the 2nd Shotai was killed almost immediately by enemy cannon fire and his plane plunged to the earth in a spiral. His wingman, W/O Mitsumasa O., was also attacked and his plane took hits, while he himself was injured by enemy shell fragments. But he managed to bail out successfully. 2nd Lt. Genwa K. of the 3rd Shotai was also forced to bail out from his burning plane after being repeatedly hit by enemy fire.
2nd Lt. Ishimori N. of the 4th Shotai managed to shot down one of the enemy Hurricane fighters – his victim was last seen spiraling to the ground with half of the wing missing.
12 Hayabusas of the 11th Sentai arrived on the scene of action in matter of minutes and quickly turned tables on the Hurricanes claiming 2 destroyed and 3 damaged, without loss.
The 3rd Chutai had hardly time to reform and climb when another formation of 16 Hurricanes approached. 11th Sentai had managed to climb above the enemy, and the 64th Sentai drawn down by the previous attack served as a bait. As soon as the Hurricanes started to dive on the 64th Sentai, pilots of the 11th were immediately on their tails. But the superior diving speed of the Hurricanes allowed them a deadly pass through the 64th Sentai – W/O Kabase L. of the 1st Chutai had his hand broken when he collided with the tail of his burning Hayabusa after bailing out, but nevertheless managed to land safely. W/O Izumida K. was also forced to bail out after his Hayabusa was heavily hit in the engine area and the engine seized up.
3rd Chutai was climbing when the enemy attacked and were able to divert 3 Hurricanes from the main part of the 64th Sentai. Of these one was claimed as destroyed by W/O Okamoto W. while another was claimed by 2nd Lt. Makino C. The last Hurricane of this trio was claimed as damaged.
11th Sentai speeding down now took over the enemy fighters and quickly sent 3 more to the ground while three more were claimed as probable or damaged, while losing 2 of their numbers.
But the day was not yet over and before our fighters could reform and regain altitude a well timed enemy formation appeared – containing 13 of the stubby P-43 Lancers with Chinese "Sun emblem" on their wings covered by 14 more Hurricanes above them. Both 64th and 11th Sentais were still climbing, but managed to get a few good shots on the Chinese Lancers before they were overpowered by dives from above. W/O Suzuki, H. of the 64th Sentai managed to put an accurate burst into one of the Lancers killing the pilot and sending the plane down in uncontrolled spin.
11th Sentai tried to forestall the Hurricanes and claimed 2 destroyed and 3 damaged planes. But the Lancers and Hurricanes had exacted a heavy price on the defenders with their height advantage – No less than 5 of the Hayabusas of the 11th Sentai were shot down while the remaining two were damaged. 64th Sentai was able to avoid the most severe blow, but W/O Ginowa U. was shot down and failed to escape his burning Hayabusa. W/O Gushi B. managed to bail out of his shot up plane, but his chute failed to work properly and his body plummeted to death.
Hayabusa of 2nd Lt. Nishihata V. suffered serious damage, but he was able to hide in the cloud and nursed his damaged bird home, although the plane was written off after suffering serious structural damage on landing.
3rd Chutai was also caught low and suffered heavily – W/O Higashiyama I. of the 1st Shotai got between several Lancers, but could not extricate himself quickly enough. Numerous hits from at least two different planes exploded his Hayabusa and he was killed instantly. W/O Ishimori N., who earlier shot down one Hurricane was also attacked by several planes, but managed to escape. He managed to crash-land his badly shot-up Hayabusa in a nearby swamp, but in the process was badly bruised and dig his ankle. 3 more Hayabusas of the 3rd Chutai were badly shot up, but managed to return to base safely.
The total cost of the day for the 64th Sentai was 4 Hayabusas destroyed and 1 written off, with 2 pilots KIA, one WIA and claim for 1 Lancer. 3rd Chutai was also hit heavily with 5 planes destroyed and 3 more written off, 2 killed, 2 wounded for 3 Hurricanes. 11th Sentai lost 10 fighters either shot down or written off, while 4 of their pilots were killed and 3 more wounded for 7 certain and 9 damaged.
Republic of China Air Force P-43A-1 Lancer:
Last one was of the P-43A-1 Lancer ...
