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| IJN Tainan Kōkūtai |
Pilot Sea1c Haruo Kawanishi (KIA, BR) Crashed May 2, 1942 Pilot History Sea1c Haruo Kawanishi was a graduate of class 56. Aircraft History Built by Mitsubishi likely during early January 1942. At the factory, painted overall gray with a black cowling. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as Type 0 Carrier Fighter / A6M2 Model 21 Zero manufacture number unknown. Wartime History Assigned to the Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group). Tail number V-??? (last three digits unknown) in black on both sides of the tail. No other known markings. Mission History On May 2, 1942 took off from Lae Airfield piloted by Sea1c Haruo Kawanishi as one of nine Zeros on a fighter sweep over Port Moresby. This Zero was flying in the 1st Shōtai led by Lt(jg) Sasai Jun’ichi with PO1c Nishizawa Hiroyoshi. Inbound, one Zero aborted due to mechanical problems. Over the target area at 7:25am and were intercepted by Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-40E Kittyhawks from 75 Squadron and American P-39 Airacobras from the 8th Fighter Group. During the air combat, P-40E A29-48 was shot down. During the air combat, this Zero was shot down and crashed roughly 16 miles from Port Moresby. This Zero was claimed by P-39 Airacobra pilot Don McGee of the 8th Fighter Group, 36th Fighter Squadron. According to COIC Logs NGF HQ and Intelligence Reports, this Zero was "shot down about 16 miles from Moresby". A 16 mile radius circle from Port Moresby encompasses a wide area going from Porebada (West) to Waigani Swamp (North) and Dokuna (East). Wreckage The wreckage of an A6M2 Zero 36_2 crashed into the hills behind Porebada (Borebada) is possibly this aircraft. References COIC Logs NGF HQ and Intelligence Reports Winged Samurai "Tainan Kōkūtai Pilot Casualties" page 88 J-Aircraft "Crash Site of Tainan Zero near Port Moresby" by Edward Rogers March 3, 2011 Eagles of the Southern Sky page 56-57 Thanks to John Douglas and Edward Rogers for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated July 21, 2022 |
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