Aircraft History
Built in early April 1943. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). Assigned to either the 582 Kōkūtai or 552 Kōkūtai.

Wartime History
Crashed near Arawe. Likely shot down by anti-aircraft fire or American fighters and crashed between December 15-31, 1943 during Japanese air raids against the U. S. Army beachead and U. S. Navy vessels supporting the American landing at Arawe (Cape Merkus).

Wreckage
On March 27, 2008 this crash site was visited by Jared Reichman, son of Mark Reichman. An exterior stencil confirmed the manufacture number 3179 and tail 2???.

Mark Reichman adds:
"There is a number 2 on the tail. The rudder is gone but may be in the area as everything else seems to be there. One wing is complete and standing on the landing gear."

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

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Last Updated
January 31, 2018