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Operation Hailstone (Read 875 times)

Mar 11^th, 2008 at 6:55pm

Sytse Offline
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I have a question about the Japanese aircraft defending Truk Lagoon during Operation Hailstone on 17 and 18 February 1944.

I wonder if the IJA's / IJN's fighter defense force consisted entirely out of Zeke's (A6M) or that there also were some Oscars (Ki-43) and/or Franks (Ki-84) stationed at the island. I know the first Franks were assigned to the 22nd sentai, at that time located in China, but the sentai later moved to the Philippines. Maybe later on they moved further east to Truk? Or maybe another sentai at Truk was equipped with Oscars or Franks?

My explicit question: what Japanese fighter aircraft types were defending Truk Lagoon during Operation Hailstone?

Maybe the question is a bit too specific, but I was hoping one of you would know. Thanks.

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Reply #1 - Mar 13^th, 2008 at 7:31am

H Offline
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The Japanese had about 160 operational aircraft and a couple hundred for assembly/repairs. The Zero was primarily an IJN aircraft, the army more likely with the Frank, Oscar, George or even the Tony. It should also be noted that many of the later were generically identified as the more infamous Zeke and IJN planes would obviously be the foremost employed beyond the homeland islands.
Mitsubishi G4M bombers and Kawanishi H8K1 flying boats were there but may not all have been actively involved in the Operation Hailstone engagement; more likely just recipient targets. I suggest engaging Google and sift through the websites.

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Reply #2 - Mar 14^th, 2008 at 10:24am

Sytse Offline
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Thanks for your input.

There are some records of the Japanese bombers that made counter-attacks (the USS Intrepid had to sail back to Pearl Harbor for repairs after being hit by a torpedo), but I'm interested in the fighters that went up to defend the laguna against the USN fighters. From what I've found so far, there are no indications that there were any other fighters than A6M zeros.

Interesting statment about the 'Zeke' codename. Different sources claim it was the official allied codename for the Zero. Here's what I found about that on wikipedia:

Quote:

It is universally known as Zero from its Japanese Navy designation, Type 0 Carrier Fighter (Rei shiki Kanjo sentoki, 零式艦上戦闘機), taken from the last digit of the Imperial year 2600 (1940), when it entered service. In Japan it was unofficially referred to as both Rei-sen and Zero-sen. The official Allied code name was Zeke (Hamp for the A6M3 model 32 variant); while this was in keeping with standard practice of giving boys' names to fighters, it is not definitely known if this was chosen for its similarity to "Zero."

It must be said, though, that the Japanese planes look very much alike (except for the Tony and maybe some earlier fighter types), especialy to unexperienced eyes. It's very possible that some Allied pilots called every Japanese fighter they spotted a 'Zeke'.

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Reply #3 - Mar 15^th, 2008 at 4:48pm

KDSM Offline
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I know that was how the japanese military named thier equipment

"zeke" was the allied name for the "zero" which was the japanese name for it.

I do belive the IJA used the zero also.

I know this doesnt have much to do with your ? ..and I do apologize Lips Sealed

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