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| JAAF 5th Hiko Sentai   1944 via Henry Sakaida  USN May 27, 1944 |
Pilot Major Katsushige Takada C.O. 5th Hiko Sentai (KIA) Observer MSgt Toshio Motomiya (survived) Crashed May 27, 1944 Aircraft History Built by Kawasaki. Delivered to the Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) as Type 2 Two-Seat Fighter / Ki-45 Toryu (Nick) manufacture number unknown (likely four digits). Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Hiko Sentai (5th Flying Regiment). No known markings or tail code. Mission History On May 27, 1944 took off from Jefman Airfield (Efman) piloted by Major Katsushige Takada armed with bombs leading the Takada Unit" of four Ki-45 Nicks from 5th Hiko Sentai on a strike mission against the U.S. amphibious force landing on southern Biak. The formation included seven Ki-43 Oscars from 24th Hiko Sentai (24th Sentai) led by Lt. Oshima plus Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) aircraft including at least three A6M2 Zeros. At 5:15pm, Japanese planes were spotted and immediately targeted by anti-aircraft fire from U.S. Army ashore and warships off Bosnik (Bosnek) on Biak. From above, they were intercepted by P-47D Thunderbolts from 342nd Fighter Squadron (342nd FS). Leading the attack, this Nick was hit by anti-aircraft fire that damaged one engine. Turning to escape, Major Takada saw the rest of his shot down and on his own initiative, decided to turn back to make another attack and attempted to crash into USS SC-699 and hit the sea 30' away and the wreckage tumbled and impacted amidship with an engine embedded into the wooden hull at roughly Lat 1°12'S Long 136°13'E. Aboard, USS SC-699 sixteen of the crew were thrown overboard into the sea,and many suffered burns. One crew member was killed and another missing. Fate of the Crew Major Takada was killed in the crash. Miraculously, observer Motomiya was thrown clear of the plane and floated unconscious. Later, he was rescued by locals on western Biak and returned to the Japanese at Manokwari on June 3, 1944. For their actions, the eight Ki-45 pilots and observers on the May 27, 1944 mission were cited for bravery and their actions brought to the attention of the Emperor by the War Ministry. According to Japanese Military Affairs section of the Army Ministry, Major Takada was the first "planned" [Kamikaze] suicide attack by a Japanese plane on an enemy ship. But, research by Richard Dunn indicates his attack was made by Major Takada's own initiative, not a higher order. Major Takada's Cigarette Case A silver plated cigarette case embossed with an Imperial Army star was recovered from the burned wreckage impacted into the ship and kept by one of the crew members as a souvenir. A faint inscription reading "Terada" and kanji inscription reading: "Five Admonitions For Military Men: 1. To serve loyally 2. To be courteous 3. To set a high value on military success 4. To observe your faith 5. To aim at being simple" On the reverse side it was inscribed in English: "This case taken from Major Tarada Japanese Imperial Air Force May 26, 1944, after he had joined his imperial ancestors on Biak." In February 1998, the owners of the case a collector and Henry Sakaida found the relatives of Takada and offered to return the case, They were thankful, but declined the offer, stating they had many other mementos of him. References Nippon Times "Exploits of Takada Fighter Unit Brought to Attention of Throne" July 26, 1944 "The heroic exploits of Major Katsushige Takada and seven other Army airmen who sank [sic] two enemy cruisers and damaged two others by deliberately crashing their planes into the enemy warships on May 27 this year when the anti-Axis forces commenced landing on Wiak [sic Biak] Island, have been brought to the gracious attention of His Majesty the Emperor, the War Ministry announced on Tuesday." NARA SRF 49234-5 7th Hiko Shidan Staff Message #3111, parts 1-7, June 5, 1944 via Richard Dunn "5th Hiko Sentai, Cho [C.O.] Yoshioka [sic Major Takada], who took off on his own initiative upon receiving reports of the enmy landing at Biak on the 27th, and his passenger Sergeant Major Motomiya, were forced down and were [was] thrown clear of the plane just before it crashed. After floating around in an unconcious condition, they were rescued by the natives on the western tip of Biak and returned today. According to these men the attack was as follows..." NARA SRF 49233 7th Hiko Shidan Staff Message #3158 parts 1,3, June 8, 1944 via Richard Dunn NARA USS SC-688 War Diary May 1944 pages 2-4, 11 (map) (Page 2) "In the late afternoon, approximately 1715, five enemy planes were sighted bearing 000 T from beach on course 180 T elevation 2,000 ft., two planes, probably Vals, dropped bombs on beaching area although engaged by heavy gun fire from beach and ship guns. One of these planes... The three addtional planes (two engined [Ki-45 Nicks] but smaller appearing than Bettys, possibly a new type similar to Me 110s) passed over beaching area and were met with heavy gun fire. One plane..." NARA History of the U.S.S. LST-452 page 3 (Page 3) "In the Biak Island landings on 27 May 1944 the LST 452 for the second time encountered serious opposition from the enemy. The Jap air force made numerous strafing and bombing runs on the LSTs unloading on the beach. The IST 452 was strafed several times, but fortunately only three light casualties resulted. One plane dropped three bombs on the deck of the ship unloading next to the LST 452, but none of the bombs exploded. These bombs were quickly disposed of by three alert and courageous seamen who dropped them over the side into the water." Banzai No. 194 July 1998 "Major Takada's Case Part 1" by Henry Sakaida Banzai No. 198 November 1988 "Major Takada's Case Part 2" by Henry Sakaida J-Aircraft "First Kamikaze" by Richard Dunn The Sacred Warriors - Japan's Suicide Legions (1982) page 63 Thanks to Henry Sakaida, Richard Dunn 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 November 14, 2023 |
 Ki-45  Map May 27, 1944 |
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