Aircraft History
Built by Aichi, completed during last five days of August 1943.

Wartime History
Crashed on land near Arawe on a bombing mission against the area, most likely lost during the Japanese air raids between December 17-27, 1943 against the US Army beachead.

Wreckage
Scattered wreckage only. Tail section, one landing gear leg, no engine.

Mark Reichman adds:
"After searching the tail section and wing sections, also both undercarriage are there but no engine, we did not find any numbers or data plates.  A little kid said they had piled up some scrap aluminium so we went to find the stash.  Under a tree was a pile of pieces, the speed brakes were there and low and behold, a data plate.  Also, a piece with the stencil.  The manufacture number on the little plate may not be clear but it is: 3373 which is the same number on the stencil."

References
"Serial Number & Production Sequence D3A2 Carrier Bombers" by Jim Long. Thanks to Mark Reichman and Jim Long for additional information

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