Japan
Mitsubishi A6M Zero (1939)
Popularly known as the âZeroâ, the Mitsubishi A6M was the worldâs most capable carrier-based fighter at the time of its appearance, out-performing all land-based contemporaries. Latterly outclassed, it remained in service until the end of the war. This A6M2 was on strength with the 2nd Sentai, 1st Koku Kentai and was operating from the carrier Hiryu during the Battle of…
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Sino-Japanese War 1894-1895 Part II
Soldiers of the Japanese army. From the left: private, sergeant and captain. Comparative strength of belligerents and their war plans Japan The modern Japanese army originated from the Imperial Guard, created in April 1871 in the strength of nine infantry battalions, two cavalry units and four artillery brigades. These were…
Zeros as Kamikazes
The Kamikazes represented just one facet of the extreme Japanese measures originated to present a last-ditch defence against the American onslaught, under the overall title of Tokku (Special Attack) and the latter term is the one used by them. As in all things, the western usage of the term Kamikaze…
The Philippines 1944: Japanese Preparations and Plans I
Preparations for the defense of the Philippines did not start in earnest until March 1944, when the IGHQ issued âBattle Preparations No. 11,â aimed to bolster the strength of the Fourteenth Army. The enemy landing at Hollandia in April 1944 finally convinced the IGHQ that no time must be lost…
The Philippines 1944: Japanese Preparations and Plans II
Enemy Airfields Reported in Use, September 1944 Enemy Ground Dispositions, 30 September 1944 Army Plans On 24 July, the IGHQâs Army section issued the basic order governing Army operations defending the inner zone of defense. The order repeated almost verbatim the IGHQâs directive about the decisive battle and the anticipated…
The Philippines 1944: Japanese Preparations and Plans III
Army-Navy-Air Cooperation According to the Army-Navy Central Agreement of 24 July 1944, units of the Fourth Air Army assigned to attack enemy ships at sea would be under the tactical command of the Fifth Base Air Force. When the primary focus was on land operations, those units of the Fifth…
The Philippines 1944: Japanese Preparations and Plans IV
Japanese Operational Idea (Scheme) for Sho-1 Operation, August 1944 Air Preparations Preparations of naval and army air forces for defense of the Philippines were accelerated in the summer and early fall of 1944. The additional naval and army aircraft were redeployed to the archipelago, especially to Luzon. The construction of…