JAAF
5th Sentai
via Banzai / H. Sakaida
Pilot Major Katsushige
Takada (KIA)
Observer M/Sgt Motomiya
Crashed May 27, 1944
Pilot History
Takada graduated the Army Military Academy's 46th Term and was the commanding
officer of the 5th Sentai. According to Japanese Military
Affairds section of the Army Ministry, Major Takada was the first 'planned'
[Kamikaze] suicide attack by a Japanese plane on an enemy ship. But,
furthere research by Richard Dunn indicates this attack was made by Major
Takada's own initiative, not a higher order.
Mission History
As the American landing at Biak began,
a joint strike by JAAF and IJN got underway to attack the ships. Major
Takada's group of
four Ki-45 hastially planned to launch a mission from their base at Sorong.
Along with seven Ki-43's of the 24th Sentai. The Ki-45s aproached the
fleet at 300' and using cloud cover, their target were destroyers. Takada's
was hit by anti-aircraft fire while attempting to drop his bomb and tried
to escape on one engine. Seeing his other men crashing into the sea,
he turned to make another attack, an account of the attack is written
in The
Sacred Warriors. Takada's Ki-45 hit the water about
30' from the Sub Chaser No. 699. The wreckage tumbled into its midship,
burying its engine into the wooden hull. 16 of the crew were thrown
into the sea, and many suffererd burns. One was found burned to death,
still at his AA position. Another crew member was missing. Takada's observer
was thrown clear of the plane as it crashed, floated uncocious and later
picked up by natives on western Biak and returned to Japanese lines at
Manokwari on June 3rd.
Major Takada's Cigarette Case
A small cigarette case was recovered from the burned wreckage
impacted into the ship, and souvineered, It was silver plated
and embossed with an Imperial army star, and burned in the crash. A
faint inscrition reading "Terada" and kanji inscription reading:
"Five Admonitiions For Military Men:
1. To serve Loyally
2. To be courteous
3. To set a high value on military sucess
4. To observe your faith
5. To aim at being simple"
On the reverse side it was inscribed: "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 owner of the case a collecotor and Henry Sakaida located the relatives of Takada and offered to return the case, They were thankful, but declined the case, stating they had many other mementos of him.
References
Research & photos via Major Takada's Case (Banzai # 194 Part 1 July
1998) and (Banzai # 198 Part 2 November 1988) by Henry
Sakaida Also Richard Dunn's 'First Kamikaze" on J-Aircraft.com
Ki-45
Account of Attack
Account of Atta
