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    Kataoka Airfield (Imaizaki Airfield, No. 1 Shumshu) Shumshu | Kurile Islands Russia

11th AF June 1944


circa 1980s


circa 2000
Location
Kataoka Airfield was located in the southwest corner of Shumshu Island in the Kurilepr Islands (Chishima-Rettō) in Russia. Also known as "No. 1 Shumshu Airfield", "Imaizaki Airfield" or "Kataoka Naval Base". Borders Kataoka Harbor to the north of Kataoka. To the west is Paramashuru Strait. Prewar and during World War II, Kataoka was part of Japan. Postwar, part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Today located in Sakhalin Oblast in Russia.

Construction
Built by the Japanese with two runway. The first runways measured 5,000' x 250' surfaced with concrete. The second runway measured 4,000' x 250'. Facilities included large 130' x 165' hanger with 13 covered revetments and 34 uncovered revetments, three 60' oil storage tanks and other barracks and supply buildings. The base also had a seaplane facility at the edge of Kataoka Harbor to allow H6K2 Mavis flying boats to operate at the base.

Wartime History
During the Pacific War, both Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) and Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) aircraft operated from this airfield.

Japanese units based at Kataoka
Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN)

553 Kokutai "Hokuto Kokutai" (B5N Kate, B6N Jill)
203 Kokutai "Shumshu Detachment" (19 x A6M Zero, J1N1 Irving) Hokkaido April 25, 44 - October 23, 45 Japan
Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF)
54th Air Regiment (4 x Ki-43, K-44)

Starting in August 1943 attacked by American bombers from the Aleutian Islands until August 1945.

American missions against Kataoka Airfield
August 11, 1943–August 12, 1945

B5N Kate 5353 Tail 53-305
Recovered in 2003 by Daniel Hunt

A6M2 Model 21 Zero Tail 03-08

Center section / partial wings only. Recovered by Daniel Hunt in 2003

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Last Updated
March 16, 2023

 

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