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

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64th Sentai war diary entry No.326
Date: October 28th, 1942 Tokyo time

As the weary but victorious pilots rush from their planes, another quick move is planned – Moulmein. As 1/3rd of the 64th Sentai is now inoperable it was decided to move her back again for necessary repairs and maintenance. But the enemy doesn’t seem to be much worried about his losses and continued with his air assault.

Katha reported dozen Dutch light bombers accompanied by about two squadrons of fighters. Infantry near Warazup was attacked by two dozen Lysander light bombers, but suffered no losses. Similar formation appeared over Myitkyina airfield and managed to put some damage to the field.

The enemy, probably expecting the imperial fighters resting in largest base in Burma – Rangoon, staged an attack by his heavy bombers against Mingaladon. First wave composed of 40 Wellington bombers and 11 Coastal Command Liberators escorted by mere 5 Beaufighters – but our defenses were alert and the formation was intercepted by Navy Type 0 fighters of the Kanoya Kokutai, Hayabusas of the 11th Sentai and Toryu's of the 13th Sentai. Beaufighters were quickly shrugged off, and the defending fighters concentrated on the bombers. At least 3 Liberator bombers and 18 Wellington bombers were downed before reaching their target. Yet the remaining planes put a good show and put accurate pattern over the airfield and destroying some airplanes on the airfield. More enemy planes were damaged and struggled to keep their place in formation and many were not in the state to get safely home.

More enemy incursions were reported from the vicinity of Katha – by dozen Lysander light bombers – and Paoshan – by dozen Vengeance dive bombers protected by squadron of Warhawks.

Before the smoke from the first enemy attack was dispersed the enemy launched another attack of Rangoon – this time carried out by Americans. Dozen Liberators and dozen Flying Fortresses accompanied by three dozen Lightnings were opposed by 20 Navy fighters, 15 Hayabusas and 15 Toryus. This time the Lightnings were numerous and managed to keep most of the defenders out of bombers. One of the Lightnings and one of the Liberators were claimed as certainly destroyed, while several more were damaged. The defenders lost few more planes on ground and at least one Toryu in the air.

Vickers Wellington - this one belonging to the bomber command, that would not fly again:

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64th Sentai war diary entry No.327
Date: October 29th, 1942 Tokyo time

Not disturbed by his losses the enemy continued his air assault on Burma. As usual, among the targets were Katha, attacked by 9 Dutch light bombers and protected by squadron of Warhawks. Myitkyina reported two dozen Lysander light bombers and squadron of Mohawk fighters providing cover.
Prome was target for the enemy heavy bombers on this day – 18 Wellington bombers and 9 each of Liberators and Flying Fortresses covered by more than 30 Lightning fighters. The bombers scored accurately and several Type 100 Army HQ Reconnaissance planes were destroyed on the ground.

Ground troops near Katha reported dozen Lysander light bombers, while infantry at Paoshan reported attack by 10 Vengeance dive bombers.
In the afternoon the attack continued - Shwebo reported squadron each of Blenhim and Hudson bombers covered by two dozen Warhawks, Mandalay experienced two raids of Blenheim bombers – each at squadron strength.

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64th Sentai war diary entry No.328
Date: October 30th, 1942 Tokyo time

3rd Chutai of the 64th Sentai is still providing security at Chiang Mai, while the majority of the 64th Sentai is based at Moulmein.

The enemy is again within his usual lines – Katha reports 9 Dutch light bombers with handful Hurricanes for protection. Myitkyina reported two dozen Lysander light bombers along with squadron of Mohawks on escort. Infantry near Katha reported another three dozen Lysander light bombers.
Shwebo received its part of bombload from 28 Blenheim bombers covered by squadron of Hurricane fighters, while Mandalay was attacked by 12 more Blenheim bombers covered by double number of Warhawks. Meiktila was attacked too by two squadrons of Hudson bombers covered by up to 50 Warhawk fighters.

Enemy tried to took advantage of his recent strike on Rangoon and returns to Mingaladon. This time the enemy formation is a motley collection of aircraft – 4 Liberators of the RAF Coastal Command serving as bomb aimers with their radars, 19 Wellington bombers, 8 Flying Fortresses and 12 Liberators covered by 21 Lightnings.

While Mingaladon airfield is mostly empty the enemy formation is reported in time and 11th, 13th and 64th Sentai are ordered from the nearby airfields with the defense. 11th Sentai contribute 22 planes, 64th Sentai added 7 more Hayabusas while 13th Sentai committed 14 Toryus.
The ragged enemy formation is caught low and Lightnings are not within their element when down on deck protecting the bombers – caught flatfooted they suffer most trying to protect the bombers. Yet they manage to protect their big brothers from the fighters, but they pay it dearly. 2nd Chutai of the 64th is in the thick of it and avoids losses and damage. On top of that Warrant Officers Itaya V. and Kamei U. each claim one American fighter as destroyed.

Major Bunkichi R. and 2nd Lt. Futagami L., both wounded over Mandalay on 11th October reports back for duty. Three skilled pilots temporarily assigned to the 64th Sentai's 3rd Chutai received orders for Akeno Army flight school and departed Chiang Mai.

In the afternoon the 59th Sentai is dispatched to clear skies above Paoshan – it is reported that Dutch Warhawks loiter in the vicinity, and 59th Sentai finds them in the pervading rains. 6 Warhawks are pounced from above by almost two dozen Hayabusas and hardly stand a chance and at least three are certainly destroyed.

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Sorry for the lack of updates here guys.

I have everything I need to write up further at least to June 1943. But I got struck by "T-bolt disgust" and "Monsoon farce". A Group of those beasts arrived at Burma and absolutely turned tables on the so far victorious IJA fighters. Before Sept 1943 we were maintaining at least air parity at approximately double the cost to the enemy. Once these beasts showed up they burned through my fighter pools in less than two months. Low CAP got creamed by lower flying Warhawks and Hurricanes while Thunderbolts stayed safely up. High CAP gets occasional kick out of T-bolts, but they are rugged as hell. And I think that there are at least 4 US Fighter Groups present (1xearly A-36/P-51A, 1xP-38H, 1xP-47D2, 1xP-40K) with RAF and all operating from Central Burma without any supply issues (no port forward of Akyab - and add to that force of about 15 division worth sieging line Rangoon-Pegu-Chiang Mai). And they usually concentrate on single target - that makes about 300 sweeping fighters while Hurricanes provide LRCAP.

I've got 2 Sentais of Ki-61a/c, 3 Sentais of Ki-44-IIa/b/c, 2 of Ki-45-KAIa/c Nick (mostly on Night CAP), 6 Sentais of Ki-43-IIb... for a total of 500 fighters (all available free army fighter Sentais bar one) to defend area from Rangoon to Bangkok. Not nice...