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ORGANIZATION AN D RAN K OF JAPANESE ARMY AND NAVY AI R SERVICES
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Prepared II
AI R INFORMATION DIVISION OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS NAVY DEPARTMENT WASHINGTON DC
v ) AID A2 Algtlllt lS43
Op-35
ORGANIZATiON AND Bampl-lK IN IH JAPANESE
Revision of Air Information RepOl~ 2 ~~b1i8hed by ttA Air Infornation Branch
of the BillEgt8U or Aercnautics id yenarch 1943
Prepar6d by
Am INlc()WATI CoN J)IVISION CFFICE OF THE CHllltl OF NAVL OPERATiorlS
nAVY D]PiRTMENT WASHINGTCN
DC
SteJul8ld Air Infolration Division List
Air ID1ormatiOlll Reports Previously Prepared by
Air Intormat10D Branch Bure8l1 of Aeronautics
R No 1 27 JaJnl817 1943 A1rcrtlft EneiDea and Arm8meDt of the Genaan Air Foree
C
Superseded by Air Information Report No ~ (l6P Report 2) and Supp1eJII8Dt I to Air Information Report No ~
No 2 ~iarch 1943 OrganizatioD and Rank in the Japanese ArrJq and NaTY Air Services
Superseded by AID A2 August 1943
C No3 (6P 2) 20 Air Force
~ 1943 Operational Aircrat of the Germen
C No (MJ 2) Supplement I of the German Air Force
6 July 1943 Operational Aircrat
C No4 1 JUDe 1943 Jap8Ilese Engines
U - Unclassified R - Restricted C - Confidential S - Secret
ORGArlIZATlvN AN) RAWl IN TIlE JAPMCSE ARIfi AND fiAVY AIR ~iRVICES
PREFACE bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull Page v
1 OPERATIONAL AIR UNIT tERMS EMPLOYEr BY BOTH THE ARMY AND NA VY bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull Page 1
1 SHOTAI (Section) 2 CHUTAI (Squadron) bull 3 DAITAI (Type Wing) 4 BUTAI (Force) bull
II NAVAL AIR FORCE bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull Page 3
1 Naval Aviation IIdqts (KAIGUN KOKU HOMBU) 2 The Combined Fleet (ReNGO KANTAI) 3 Third Fleet (DAI SAN KANTAI)
A Ship-Borne Air Flotillas (Ship-Borne KOKUSENTAI) B Ship-Borne Air Groups and Squadrons (CHUTAI)
4 Eleventh (Shore-Based) Air Fleet (DAI JUICHI KOKU KANTAI) and Twelth (Shore-Based) Air Fleet (DAI JUNI KOKU KANTAI) A Shore-Based Air Flotillas middot(Shore-Based KOKUSENTAI) B Air Attack Forces (KUSHUBUTAI) C Base Air Force (KICHI KOKU BUTAI) D Shore-Based Air Groups (KOKUTAI) E DAITAI (Type Wines) Squadrons (CHUTAI) Sections (SHOTAI)
I I I bull ARMY AIR FORCE bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull Page 10
1 Army Aviation Hdqts (RIKUGUll KOKU HOMBU) 2 Air Commands (KOKU HEIDAN) and Flying Divisions (HIKO SPIDAN) 3 Flying Brigades (HIKODAN) and Flying Regiments (HIKO SENTAI) 4 Type Wines (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI) Section (SROTAI) 5 Task Forces (BUTAI) 6 AQ~inistrative Units 7 Training Units
IV FLYING RANK - ARMY AND NAVY bullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbull Page 1
1 Officers bull 2 Enlisted Personnel 3 Illustrations
SUMMARY bull bullbull PfI8e 18
Naval Air Service bull bull bull Table A Part I
Ar~ Air Service Table A Part 2
GLOOSAIrl bull bull bull bull bullbull Feee 21
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PREFACE
The Preface to the llarch 1943 edition of this Report s tattd I This paper should not be considered in any sense a final disposition of the subject matter On the contrary it reshypresents rnerel~r a tentative approach to the subject Not only is further data concerning Japanese air organization likely to become available) but that organization is itself subject to constant chanee
Since that ~eport IU S issued more cata has come to light and further changes have taken place in the or~anization of the Japanese air forces As a result this revised version of Air Infornation Report to 2 is heine issued Again it is necessary to caution the reader that Japanese air organization is extremely complex and extremely flexible almost any statement made in this paper may have to be re-examined in the light of new evidence or of changes which may take place in the Japanese air forces
This paper has placed considerable emphasis on Japanese terms in order to facilitate their handline by US personnel The confusion which has hitherto surrounded the subject of Japanese air organization hus resulted in large part from the Japanese language itself
It is obvious that the Japanese will write air unit terms such as section in the pictorshyial characters of their own language Japanese phonetic renderings of these characters when written in Roman letters are termed Romaji For example the phonetic rendering of the characshyters meaning section is SHOTA Such a Japanese Romaji term may be translated by a variety of Enrlish equivalents It is therefore desirable to use insofar as possible the original Romaji ter~ and not their En~lish equivalents
A further important source of the confusion surrounding the subject of Japanese air organishyzation has been the too literal acceptance of statements concerning that organization made by Japanese sources
In particular the loose use of various organizational terms such as BUTAI which has both general and specific meanings and such as SENTI which describes ground and surface as well as air units should be not6d Also the tendency of Japanese sources to identify Japanese units in a variety of we - by the name of the CO (this is especially frequent) the name of the current station the name of the parent unit or a numerical deSignation must be taken into account The possibility of misunderstandings arising from the above practices should be borne in mind by US personnel when confronted by seemingly contradictory evidence concerning Japanese air organizntion
This paper does not attempt any detailed description of the strength and composition of specific units except insofar as such description may serve to illustrate general Japanese pracshytice
The composition of any air unit may change radically from time to time as losses are exshyperienced and as its component elements are re-assigned or re-inforced For this reason the identification of a yiven unit should not be taken as a necessary indication of that units strength the units middotcomposition ~y have been changed since its strength was last ascertained Because of the frequency of such changes any analysis of the stren~th and disposition of all but the very lar~est Japanese air units would serve no useful purpose in a paper of this type and classification
Any analysiS of J panese air organization should be based on a knowledge cf Japanese naval orbanization Readers desirine to pursue this latter subject further are referred to confidential Serial 69-43 or the lates t revis ion thereof issued by the Office of Naval Intelligence
NOTE A clear understanding of this paper will be more easily secured if constant reference is made to Parts 1 and 2 of Table A while reading Chapters I - III of the text
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OPCHT1CIL U~H T ThIS t -LCY BY Be THE
AR~ AND ~VY
1 SEOTI (Section)
The snallest Japanese air unit is the ~H()1iI which is co~posed of 01 C f I l Jlt I three) aircraft SHO means small AI is a suffix maa ni n unit n-us S 10 1 m~8n B IT1lt 1 un i t lhe nearest u S equivalent is the section The Still II I exists CI ~y 8S a unit ampn n fli ht
2 CHl~I (Squ~dron)
Two to four (usually three) SHOTAI make up a Ch~ThI which t hus contains an approximate total of 6-12 aircraft CHU means center or middle more r rely mean or Medium Thus CHUlAI would _an medium sized unit he nearest US eauivalent is the squadron In Ar _ squadron both as an administrativtl and is a tactical unit is termed 8 C~~TAI In the Navy 8
squadron is known tactically as a Ch~TI but administratively 85 a B I AI
3 DAITAI (~pe jine)
Two to three CIIUTAI (squadrons) when in flieht may form a JITi- Dai means -Yamp-eness or rreatness hence DAITAI is Ii terally laree unt t LA 1TA1 is transla ed as liT 1
it is the largest air unit necessarily made up of exclusively one type of aircraft
This SHOTAI-ClmTAI-DA1TAI pattern is extremely flexible dependine on the i nmiddot 1vidual opershya tine requirements of the units in question One edium bonber DA1TAI orera tine in northeast Australia is believed to have been composed as follows
1st CHUTAl - 1 SHOTAl of three aircrcft
2 SHOTA1 of four aircraft each
TOTAL 11 aircraft
2nd CHUTAI - 1 SHOTAI of two aircraft
3 SHOTAI of three aircraft each
TOTALs 11 aircraft
3rd CHUTAI - 1 SHOTAI of one aircraf+
4 SPOTAI of three airc r
TOTAL 13 aircraft
GRAND TOTAL 35 aircraft
It is evidently the Japanese intent to organ1te these lower operational echelons in pyrashymids of threes this intent is reflected in their flying formations
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4 BUTAla
BUTAI meaning force ill a term used alone or in conjunc tion wi th other terms by both the Japanese Army and Navy to describe rather lar~e air task forces Army BUTAI and Navy BUTAI KUSHUBUTAI (r Attack Forces) and KICHI KOKU BUTAI (Base Air Forces) will be fully described in Chapters II ~d III of this paper
In addition to the above lIIBanin~s BUTAI is often used in a rather general sense to refer to any llir unit In this sense BUTAI is gene rally prefaced by the name of the units commander eg WAtANABE BUTAI (the Wa tanabe air unit) ~en used in this way BUTAI contains no implications as to the size and type of the unit in que s ti on - it is r ather vague and non-descriptive term This emphasizes again the necessity for referring to Japanese air unit terms in Romaji unless an authoritati~e translation for such Romaji has alr ady been disseminated
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NAVAL AIR FORCE
(KAIGUN KOKU HOMBU) and the Combined Naval Air Cor s ( RENGO1
The Naval Air Service is an inte~al part of the Navy its particular problems being hanshydled by the Naval Aviation Headquarters (KAlGUN KOKU HOMBU) which are headed by a Vice-Admiral KAIGUN is Navy KOKU is aviation and HOMBU is Headquarters
These Headquarters were reorganized during October 1942 to give the Vice-Admiral Commandshying authority over air operations as well as over aviation personnel and materiel This followed a similar reorganization of the Army Air Force Headquarters which had taken place in Yay 1942 The head of the Naval Aviation Headquarters may be compared to our own Deputy Chief of Naval Opershyations for Air
The head of the Naval Aviation Headquarters is co-equal in authority to the Navy Minister and the Chief of the Naval General Staff Each of these three officers is directly responsible to the Emperor Together they constitute the High Command of the Japanese Navy
Naval air training is carried on by the Combined NaTal Air Corps (KAIGUN RENGO KOKU SCTAI) located in Japan proper and now headed by a Prince of the Imperial Family This Corps answers directly to the Naval Aviation Headquarters It consists of Combined Air Groups (RENGO KOKUTAI) which are the units through which its training program is executed
2 The Combined Fleet (RENGO KANTAI)
Under these three officers Comel (a) The C-in-C Combined Fleet (b) the C-in-C Southwest Area F (Burma Malaya IndO-China NEI Philippines) (c) the C-in-C China Seas Fleet (d) the ~nders of Home Defense Forces in Japan proper
Airflot 23 (KOKUSENtAI 23) known tactically as the East Indies Air Force (East Indies KOKU BUTAI) is attached to the 2nd Southern Expeditionary Fleet of the Southwest Area Fleet Airflot 23 consists of one XCVS and two shore-based Air Groups (KOKUtAI)
With this exception the majori~ of Japanese naval aviation li~e the majori~ of Japanese naval surface strength comes under the Combined Fleet RENGO is Combined KANTAI il Fleet This fleet is broken down administratively into six surface Fleets two Air Fleeta and one subshymarine Fleet and tactically into various task forces and task organizati~ns
Among the surface Fleets is the Third Fleet (DAI SAN KANtAI) which includes all Japanese carriers and henCd most Japanese naval ship-borne air strength
The two Air Fleets are the 11 th (DAI JUICHI KOKU KANTAI) and the 12th (DAlJUNI KOKU KANtAI) These two Air Fleets together contain most of the Japanese Navys shore-based air strength The Eleventh Air Fleet functions in the South and Southwest Pacific the Twelfth Air Fleet which is considerably smaller was recently created to meet the growing American threat to the Kur1les
These Fleets and Air Fleets are commanded by Vice-Admirals (KAIGUN CHUSHO) TheBe same officers exercise tactical command over the task forces whioh parallel to a large extent the orshyganization of these administrative Fleets
KOKU stands for air DAI SAN is third DAI JUICHI 11 eleventh DAI JUNI 11 twelfth
3 Third Fleet (DAI SAN KANTAI)
The Third Fleet contains all Japanese carriers as well as one Batdiv two Crudivs and five Desdivs It also includes Airflot 50 containing two shore-based Air Groups and one aircraft
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r rrier which are devoted to ASW and to the trainine of carrier squadrons and three ACVs which re probably used as aircraft transports The continued existence of Airflot 50 is currently in
10ubt
In addition to the aircraft carriers which make up the Third Fleet and to the seaplane carriers to be described later Japanese naval ship-borne air strength includes observation pl~es on various classes of warships as followsl
NUMBER CARRIED NO TYPE PLANE TYPE BY EACH TOTAL
10 BattlB1hips YOS 3 30 1 Heavy Cruiser (AOEU CLAS ) VOS 2 2 2 Heavy Cruisers (TONE CLhSe vos 6 12 9 Heavy Cruisers VOS 4 36 2 Heavy Cruisers VOS 6 12
14 Li jht Crv i -err VOS 1 14 1 Li t ht Cruiser NONE 0 C 3 Sub~~rine Tenders vos 5
33 Submar lnes VOS 1 33 3 Armed Lo rchant Cruiserb VOS 2 6
It was t one time su ~~eB ted that these planes came under the adminiBtrative cognizance of the Third Fleet There is no evidence to support this view
A Ship-borne Air Flotillas (Ship-borne KOKUSENTAI)
The Third Fleet the Eleventh Air Fleet and probably the Twelfth Air Flee t are divided administratively into KOKUSENTAI each cOlllllaJlded by a Rear Admiral (KAIGUlI SHOSHO) KOKU means
aviation and SENTAI means division iOKUSENTAI is translated Air Flotilla or Airflot
It is b~lieved that KOKUSENTAI 1-10 are reserved for Cardivs KOKUSENTAI 11-20 for seaplane d training cocmands KO~JSENTAI 21-30 for shore-based Air Flotillas Currently only KOKUSENTAI and 2 (Cardivs) 14 and 18 (Training) 21 22 23 24 25 and 26 (Shore Based Airflots) are
1 erational
Two or three carriers (one Cardiv) make up one ship-borne KOKUSENTAI The total air complement of two or three Japanese carriers would range from about 100 to 200 plane~depending on
he carriers involved Thus a carrier KOKUSENTAI is about the same size as a shore-based Il KUS m1TAI There is some evidence that Cardivs (Carrier KOKUSENTAI) actually operate as tactical 1i ts
The Third Fleet contains Two Cardivseach containine 2-3 carriers The number of carriers ~ n any given Cardiv varies over a period of time occasionally one carrier will operate alone dishyectly under the Third Fleet w thout being a part of either of its Cardi vs
There were until recently two Seaplane KOKUSENTAI each made up of 4-6 seaplane carriers dach carrying 10-14 planes) These Seaplatendivs have recently been disbanded and their comshyne~t vessels re-assigned as elements of other Japanese ~leets The largest seaplane concentrashy
n (CVS and 5 XCVS) is now to be found in the train of the Combined Fleet
The complements of Japanese seaplane carriers are as followsl
SEAPLhtJ1 CARRIERS
Cvsr NAME NOTORO
AIRCRAFT 10-V05 1 Catapult
TOTAL -lO
CV~-2 K llOI 10-VOS 10 CVS-3 lt ITOSE l4-VOS 4 Catapults 14 CVS-4 CI TYOD 14-VOS 4 Catapults 14 cvs-e ta ss 14shy VOS 4 Ca tepu l ts 14 CVSshy 1 AKITS II 14-VOS 4 Ca u p 1 ts 14
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CONVERTED SEAPLANE CARRIERS
TYPE NAME AIRCRAFTb TOTAL
XCVS-l KAM KAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-2 YA8UKAWA MAIm 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-3 KmlIKAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-S VOS 13 XCVS-4 SANUKI MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-S VOS 13 XCVS-5 SANYO VARU 8 SeaplEJ9 Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-6 OKITSU MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 vas 13 XCVS-7 KIll KAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Firhters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-8 SAGARA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-9 KIYOKAWA lIARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 vas 13
b - Estimated
B Ship-borne Air Groups and Squadrons (CHUTAI)
A shore-based KOKUSENTAI (Airflot) breaks down into several shore-based KOKUTAI (Air Groups~ It has been suggested that the air complement of a ship-borne KOKUSENTAI (Cardiv) is similarly broken down into several ship-based KOKUTAI (Air Groups) each comprising the air complement of one aircraft carrier
However there is no evidence of the existenoe of any Air Groups other than the named and numbered Groups referred to later in this text Certain of these Air Groups based in Japan are training units and some of these latter serve exclusively to replenish carrier strengths Units of operational naval Air Groups might also be emparked on carriers if the tactical situation so demanded Thus the air complement of one carrier might b8 made up of Squadrons drawn from several different Air Groups
The Squadrons embarked on one carrier regardless of their original administrative affiliashytions will form one tactical unit while on that carrier This tactical unit will be designated by the name of its carrier and may be roughly compared to a US carrier air group Unlike the regular Japanese Air Group (KOKUTAI) it is not a permanent administrative unit
The air complement of a Japanese carrier will vary (36-72 planes) according to the size of the carrier Thus as will be seen later a carrier-borne air unit varies within roughly the same limits as a shore-based KOKUTAI (Air Group)
NAME VF VSB VTB TOTAL
ROSRO (Training-Airflot 50) SHOKAKU (Cardiv 2) ZUIKAKU (CardivI) ZUIHO (Third Fleet or Cardiv 1) HITAKA (Cardiv 2) HAYATAKA (Cardiv 2) RYUHO (Airflot 50 or Cardiv 2) OTAKA (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying) UNTO (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying) CHUYO (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying)
12 27 27 27 24 24
9 9 9
18 18
18 18
18 18 18
24 27 27
9 9 9
9 9 9
36 72 72 36 51 51 36 36 36 36
4 JUICHI KOKU KANTAI) and the Twelfth (Shore-based
The Eleventh Air Fleet as previously indicated includes most of the Navys shore-based planes It consists of shore-based Airflots 21 22 25 and 26 3 APVs and 2 DDls are also attached to this Air Fleet
The Eleventh Air Fleet functions in the Melanesia - New Guinea ares Also in this area is the 8th Fleet composed of cr~isers anc destroyers These two fleets combine to form the Southshy
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ealt Area Fleet whi~h is commanded by the C-in-C Eleventh Air Fleet In the train of the Southshyeast Area Fleet are 2 XCVS It should be remembered that this organization is administrative not tactical
Adminiatrative headquarte ~ middote Eleventh Air Fleet are at Tenian a small island south at Saipan but C-in-C Eleventh Air Fleet has maintain d his operational staff at Rabaul since August 1942
Recently the Twelfth (shore-based) Air Fleet has been created to meet the menace arising froM the US seizure of Attu Island The Twelfth Ai r Fleet is based in the Kuriles it probably is made up of Airflot 24
A Shore-based Air Flotillas (Shore-based KOKUNSENTAI)
An Air Fleet is broken down administratively into KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotillas)
One Air Flotilla (abbreviated to Airflot)is made up of combat detachments from two to four Air Groups The strength of the Airflot will depend on the fluctuating size of these detachments it will generally total an~~ere from 50 to 150 (more usually 75 to 125) planes
Air Flotillas have auxiliary surface vessels such as aircraft transports attached to them for supply purposes Thus Airflots 22-26 each contain one APV Airflots 23 and 26 each contaiOl ne CVS in addition
B Air Attack iurcel (KUSHUBUtAI)
The Eleventh and TWelfth Air Fleets planes are organized administratively into five Airflots they are alao organized tactically into five Air Attack Forces (KUSHUBUTAI) KUSHU ia attaCk BUTAI is torce Each Airflot is related to one Air Attack Force
Airtlot 21 - 1st Air Attack Force Airflot 22 - 2nd Air Attack Force Airflot 24 - 4th Air Attack Force Airflot 25 - 5th Air Attack Force Airflot 26 - 6th Air Attack Force
The Rear Adndral commanding each Airflot is also the head of the corresponding Air Attack Force and it is believed that each Air Flotilla serves as the administrative foun~in-head for the Air Attack Force to which it is related ~Vhile the Air Flotillas are administrative units the Air Attack Forces are exclusively tactical in function Like all task forces they are exshytremely flexible inmiddot size and composition Each Air-Attack Force is made up in the main of units drawn from its corresponding (administrative) Air Flotilla
Airflot 23 it will be remembered is a part of the Southwest Area Fleet and is known tactically as the East Indies Force (DUT~I) or Air Force (KOKU BU~I) It would appear that the East Indies BUtAI is an air task force type on roughly the same level as the Air Attack -Forces though probably less mobile beine rather permanently stationed in the area from which it takes its name The appearance of other such BUTAI (or KOKU BUTAI) is possible
C Base Air Force (KIeHl KOKU BUTAI)
It is believed that the Base Air Force (KICHI KOKU BUTAI) is a task force type quite disshytinct from the above-mentioned BUtAI or KOKU ~UtAI
In a recent South Pacific operation the C-in-C Eleventh (shore-based) Air Fleet functionshyed tactically aa Commander Base Air Force which was a task force embracing those of the Eleventh Air Fleets Air Attack Forces taking part in this particular operation
Evidently when a cOlsiderable number of naval land-based airplanes are called on to partici shypate in an operation under one unified command they may be organized into a lar~e air task force termed the Base Air Force (KICHI KOKU SUTAI) This task force will be of considerably greater
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scope than either a Force (BU~I) or an Air Attack Force (KUSHUBU~I) either or both of which lllieht be among its component elements The Base Air Force might be tenned the tac-tical equivalent of the administrative Air Fleet
It is possible however that during a future operation the ~rm Base Air Force may be used with a very different meaning
It should be re-emphasized that the KOKU KAHTAI (Air Fleet) and the KOKUSENTAI (Airflot)are permanent elements in the administrative organization of the Japanese naval air service whereas the KUSh~BUAI (Air Attack Force) the KOKU BUTAI (Air Force) and the KICHI KOKU BU~I (Base Air Force) are task forces types created temporarily to meet the needs of the current Pacifio struggle
The above Base Air Force should not be confused with the Bnse Groups - which are units mainly composed of seaplanes assigned to variou9 Japanese b~se 3 in the Pacific Their exact status is obscure their role is believed lar~ely defensive It is possible that they have some operational relationship to the 11th Air Fleet
D Shore-based Air Groups (Shore-bnsed KOKUTAI)
One KOKUSENThI (Airflot) breaks down into two or three KOKUThI (Air Groups) or detachments shyusually Type Tongs - thereof KOKU is air A I is unit the Japanese sometines abbreviate KOKUThI to KU
Air Groups are o~ded by Naval Captains (KAIGUN ~ ISA) and are the basi c admi nistrative units of the Japanese navnl air service Air Groups (K KUTA I) are of two typos
(1) middotThose wh ich have permanent horne st uns in the Japanese Empire and which are sometimes known by the names of these stations
(2) Specially Mobilized Air Groups ( TOhUSETSU KOKUTAI) whi ch are numbered and are known by their numerical designations It is believed th ~ these Groups may h ve been establi 3hed at air stations ou~side the Empireas the Japanese h~ve shown some inclination to n ame ai r stations within the Empire and to number those outside the Empire
Recentlythe Japanese have introduced very high numeral designations for both named and numbered Air Groups named Air Groups are pp rently now irnown by boh t he ir ori inal lIIIO S and their new numbers
These new hi~ numbers serve ns II fa i r l re_i~bl~ uide t o the o Do-i tion of the Air Groups i ol ved thus observati on roups are usual ly nUD r e the 100 s flgh ter Groups in the 200s mixed figh ter-bomber Groups in the 500s bovbmiddot r Gro~ ln t e 700s flyi n boat Groups in the 800s fl oat plane Groups in the 900s But re are lots of 81Cceptions ti le composition of many Air Groups is rather mixed
This system like all matters pertaininr to the de s middotnation ot 1 ir un~8 1s ot coursej
subject to constant chan(~ Th J apanese ar ~ns ly secur ity nd d nominal and ~umerical chan~e s are continuallY i r To uced in the ore nl zs t l on o~ hei r nava _ 1r Qrce to concsa i ts r eal 8 tUB
The to 1 numbe r of Air Groups in active status wil l -~ ac ord n eng th of thebull v
Japanese air force I f heavy losses are experi~nce c Iteln Groups t 01 if production and training out-run casual ~ e Ie l r urO may be e p seldom nctio s II c na t un t in i ts eI ~i re the total 11 S1I1 ald fluctu t ons trerei a~ t te s O~ I _llst t + r ti
Air GroupE do - t n ceasaril cl)1Siat of only 00 tIP of aircraf bull Uld ther S i L~ 1 ry t hin wide li r I aIB run aa hi ~ lampv othera 10 s 18 (ton th contain
tr nmiddot~ort planes 10 dd ian to o or or type t pl noa
A fur ~er uonru~1nv 6 the t c a - ltInts may be d
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Some of an Air Groups stren~th may be maintained at its home station particularly if that station is in the Japanese Empire These aircraft will have duties in connection with air raid defense and anti-submarine warfare they will probably also engage in advanced operational trainshying As the Air Groups home strengt middot is increased by the addition of planes and air crews reshyceived from Japanese factories nnd training centers that home strength will in turn be reduced by the despatch of the Air Groups combat detachments to various Air Flotillas
It is sometimes difficult when confronted with documentary evidence that a certain Air Group is a part of a given Airflot to decide whether the entire Air Group or merely one of its combat detachments is involved It is ~enerally believed however that these are references to combat d~tachments of Air Groups not to the total original establishmeuts of the Air Groups conshycerned These combat detachments may PA made up of one or more Type Wings or of lesser units shysuch as Squadrons
One Airflot for example is thought to have been made up as follows 3 bomber Type Wings (DAITAI) of 27-30 planes each 5 fighter Type Win~s and one observation squadron (CHUTAI) of ten planes
One Air Group had the following of its units attached to an Airflot three fighter squadrons (15 planes each) and two torpedo squadrons (9 planes each)
Both these examples suggest that Air Flotillas are made up of Type Win~s andor Squadrons taken from several different Air Groups
Certain Air Groups by the way do not seem to have any combat functions they are merely training units serving as replacement pools for other combat Air Groups or for aircraft carriers Training Air Groups are believed to diverge somewhat in strength and composition form other Air Groups
In considering lists of shore-based Air Groups and their aircraft strengths one must thereshyforemiddotconsider whether the Air Group in question is a trainin~ or a combat unit and if the latter whether its ~iven aircraft stren~th represents the total original establishment of the Air Group at its home base or the present operating strength of one of its overseas detachments
Often the operating detachment of an Air Group will be referred to in such d manner as to lead one to believe that it comprises the entire Air Group At other times the original establishshyment of the enbire Air Group may be given without any clear indication that its operating detach~ ments can claim but a fraction of that strength
Of course there must always be borne in mind the possibility that an Air Group will function its entirety as a combat unit of an Air Flotilla This is probably ~ore often true of Specially Mobilized Air Groups than of those which have bases within the Japanese Empire
It has been suggested that operational detachments of Air Groups will appFoximate the followshying figures A flying boat detachment 12 aircraft a floatplane detachment 12-18 planes a fighter detachment I 45 fighters with 6 reccos occasionally added Medium bomber detachments will sometimes come as high as 45 planes 27 is however the more normal fi~ure while dive bomber deshytachments usually have about 18 planes
An enemy source indicates that these combat detach~ents of Air Groups are known as RONTAI which means main unit The home detachments are known as ZAURYUTAI which means remaining units These terms indicate the overseas detachments to be lorger than the home units
E Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI BUNTAI) Sectiqns (SHOTAI)
As indicated in Part I of this text the DAlTAI (Type Wing) exists as a unit only when in flight It does not exist as an administrative unit on the ground Thus organizationally the Ai Group brea~s down into a variable nunber of Squadrons cf 9 planes each
lhree quadrons flying together as a unit ar~ called a )IAI Such a Type Wing wil be ~( -aJlled hy the seni~r Squadron leader r esent
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The Squadron in fli~ht is known as a Cl~TAI as an administrative unit on the ground it is known as a BUNTAI The iquadrol breaks dORl into 3 Sections (SHOTAI) of three planes each
As an exa~ple of the administrative break-down of an Air Group into Squadrons the following make-up one KCKUTAI is cited
9lNTAI ifl amp jf2 Fighter squadrons (total 22 planea) BljNTAI TflJ amp 1f4 Fighter maintenance unit BUNTAI ff5 amp ttfgt Bomber squadrons (total 18 planes)
BUUTAI ff7 30ccer n~irtenance unit EUIITJI ff8 Communications unit
BVN7hI if9 amp tlO Adcinistrative units
It is stated that wi thin this KOKUTAI the two fighter BUNTAI were treated as one unit and th9 two bomber DUNTAI were treated as one unit The total fighter uni t when in flight was probably called a DhITAI the sarns beinE true of the total bomber unit
It 6ppears that a KOKUTAI may sometimes have plflne strength in reserve in addition to the complement of its DAITAI The above KOKUTAI had two DAITAI of 30 planes each plus a Group reshyserve of 10 planes making a total KOKUTAI strength of 70 planes
Its interesting to note that this Air Group apparently functioned as one unit instead of being broken up into a home detachment and a combat detachment
The above maintenance BUNTAI break down into maintenance HAN (Platoons) of 50-60 men each attached to one aircraft Squndron
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ARMY AIR FORCE
It is felt that naval personnel should be familiar with Jap~nese Army air organization because of the increasinL use of Japanese Ar~J air units in the Pacific Their assignment to this theater has been brought about both by a desire to afford close air support to Army ~round troops in New Guinea and New Bri tain and by the need to make good drastic air losses suffered in the Pacific by t ~ naval air force
1 Army Aviation Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU H01ABU)
The administration of Army aviation was reorganized in Amy 1942 in order to give the Army Air Force a degree of power and autonomy not unlike that of our own AAF At that time the Army Aviatior Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU HOMIlU) were set up to be headed by a Lieutenant General (RIKUGIDt CHUSHO) or a full General (RIKUGUN TAISHO) RIKUGUU means Army amps distinct from KAIGUN Navy
The Commandi ng General Army Aviation Headquarters is directly responsible to the Emperor instead of to the Uinister of War or the Chief of the General Staff who are his equa l s in rank and who also enjoy direct accebullbull to the Emperor These three officers constitute the High Command of the Japanese Army the head of Army Aviamptio~ HeadqUarters havine cognizance of Army air operashytions training and materiel
It is obvious however that this officer much like the Commanding General of our own Army Air Forces is not in a position to exercise direct tactical command over the wide spr ad air forces which he heado This tactical command must rest with heads of the various Air Commands in differshyent theaters of war
2 Air COll1lllllnds (KOKU EEIDAll) and Flying Divisions (EIKO SHIDMl)
HIKO is flyine SHIDAN is diviSion hence HIKO SHIDAU is Flying DiV1 sion The Flying Division is the largest unit of the Japanese Army Air Service Commanded by a Lieutenant-General it includes anywhere from 200 to 400 planes and the mit lecessary to servicing thereof
Seven Flying Divisions have been identified the 1st in Japan proper the 2nd ~n Manchuria the 3rd in China the 4th in Manchuria and the North China the 5th in Burma and adjacent regions the 6th in the Southwest Pacific and the 7t h in the UE I Headquarters of the 5th are a t Rangoon of the 6th at Rabaul and of the 7th at Ambon
The 6th and 7th Flying Divisions were very recent y activated It is believed that they were organized out of units taken from other Flying Divi slons for this purpo se
A flying Division does not maintain any fixed a_ze or composition i t ~y shrink or expand as the military situation requires Air units are shif teci free y from Oru Flyine Division to anshyother the Divisions themselves are rarely moved a bout as llnl t S
One step above the Flying Division is the KOICU IibluAU KOKU i8 a ir -rrI N is Corps KOKU HEIDAN is translated Air Command nlree Air COUlllllds have been i dentified e ach headed by a Lieutenant General the 1st in Japan proper t he 2ncr i n Planohuria an i) e 3rd at Si ll ep0re
These Air Commands are staffs not uni ts They con 1 11 r~ ai r 0
areas under th~ir cogni zance Thus the 1s t Plying Dv1sion a swe s ~h I s 2nd 3rd and 4th lyint lVlSlon to tht 2nd Ai r CODllampnd the 5th 6tl 11 bull
pr ohably to the 3rd Ai Commands
ThA Air Co~de are not mobIle they are pe~1ently ~ ~b~ d in d rferen war tJ exe r C1se st r tei c COllllOllUl ( ltn er Army air units i n t hose r4 Taotical nth tho F vin D1 i si n or me - unit is too W1atl ~ y middotat ter ~o un n fi B Q body lliith the PlYinG 3ri ada
co 0 remains
Units may be freely shifted ROOut from one Air Commnnd to another the Command itself reshymains unaffected Air COllnands are crec ted or abolished aR the ter1po and location f air operashytions seem to require
It is interesting to speculate on the relation between these commands of the Japanese Army air forces and the equivalent commands of the ~apanese Army fround f orces
The Japanese armies which might be co pared to Flying Divisions are co-orcinated by staffs which might be co pared to the Air Commands These staffs are C-in-C National Defense Forces in Japan proper C-in-C Kwantunr Army in Manchuria C-in-C Forces in China C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces with headquarters at Sin~apore It is not certain whether the 8th Army Grou~ controlling gr ound forces in the south and southwest Pacific with headquarters at Rabampul answers to C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces or directly to the Army High Command in TOkyo
It will be seen that C-in-C National Defense Forces corresponds to the 1st Air Command C-in-C Kw~tun~ Army and C-in-C Forces in China to the 2nd Air Command and the C-in-C Southshyern Expeditionary forces to the 3rd Air Command
It is not known whether in these cases the Air Command is subordinated to the equivalent grpund command or whether each of the two commands answers i ndividually to the Army High Command in Tokyo In the latter case the ground and air ccmmand r s are pres~~bly expected to effect coshyordination on a voluntary basis The Japanese ~mphasis on unity of commans and on the use of airshypower in support of ground operations -takes the former course middotmiddot more likely than the latter however
3 Flying Brigades (EIKODA n and Flying Regiments (EIKO SENTAI)
The Flying Division breaks down into about 3 Flyinr Bri~ades each with about 70-120 planes The Flying Brigade is generally commanded by a ~ajor General (RIKUGUN SEOSHO) though eometimes by a Colonel (RIKUGUN TAISA) It may be roulhly compared to a Navy KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotilla)
HI middot bull is an abbrevia t ioe for HIKO which II ans flying and RYODAN which leans Brirade The r are very mobile being divorced from servicing and administrative responsibilities They are _ee ly shifted from one Flying Division to another thus for example a riven Flying Brigade might fight in Burma during the dry season as part of the 5th Flying Brigade and might be transferred to the lffiI as part of the 7th Flying Di~sion during the Monsoon
A Flying Brigade breaks down into 3 Flying Regiments each of about 27 planes HIKO is flying SENTAI is battle uni til Flying Regiments ware called HIKO RENTAl before the war RENTAl being the ground forces term for regiment Iately the more dynamic term SENTAI has been substituted
The Flying Regiments like the Flying Brigades are divorced from administrative and servicshying duties and hence are extremely mobile However they generally function within the framework of the Flying Brigade - Flying Regiments are not shifted fram one Brigade to another al freely al Brigades are shifted from one Flying Division to another Flying Regiments are generally commanded by Majors (RIKUGUN SHOSA) or Lieutenant Colonelb (RlKUGUN CHUSA)
A Flying Brigade does not necessarily consist of only type of aircraft a Flying Regiment generally does
4 Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI) Sections (SHOTAI)
A Flying Regiment breaks down into three Squadrons (C~TAI)Jf 9 planes each The Japane~e Army Squadron is the same as the Navy squadron breaking down into three sections (SEOTAI) ~f three planes each A squadron will generally be commanded by a Captain (HlKUGUN TAIl) TIhen in flight three squadrons are te r med a DAITAI This is exclusively a tactical term
Certain S u drons operate independently usually as obse(vation units attached to ground forces These are terced DOKIRITSU t A I (Independent Squadrons)
5 Task Forces (BUTAI)
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We have noted the Navy use of BL AI XSHUBUTAI and KIlII J OIIT BU rBI Th also createsy
tactical air ~8k fo rces - though 1 (I fr Dllent l y in t lar l y ttUl the Nl n ir ta k forces are termed BU AI ti r siLl and oo~po8i tio~ II vary accor in to heir mi on TJo- ir exi5ten~e probably does not outlast t he f ul f ll~n ~ s mission
6 Administrative lnl t Air Dictric Hl RE BU) DAfTAI) Airfield C mp~ JAo~rrt~TI~~~~----~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1~i~e~s~(~n~IUK7G~
Scatte ~ throughc1t Greater East As ia are panese Air District Hedquort 118 are staffs eac If ich ccut l)ls all a r dlti n groun uncti oDs ( ser - i ng and adminill in he area under gn ~za~c It will be r e campl l d that the Fly i n Di vis i n is or-kDl ze ~ ~ athe permanent toIr n tonal basis it is bel i ad thllt all h a divie on will break ltlown tac t lc lly u-to Flying Brigad5 8 ald administratively int o Ai Dis tri ct Headquarters
The Flying Dri~ades are mobile comba t Ilvia t i on uni ts the Air District Headquarters are imshymobile ground housekeeplng units Bo th answer to tIe Commanding General of thei r parent Flying Division who thus controls all aviation matters wi~hin the zone under his command Comparatively little is known of the organization and content of the Air District Headquarters
A lower adrninistrative and servicing echelon is the HIKOJO DAITAI HIKOJO means airfield DAITAI is 1aree unit The Airfield Battalion is generally attached directly to a Flying Regishyment whose administrative and servicing functions it assumes
On the following page is a chart reproduced from ATIS SnFA Serial 159 showi ng the organishyzation of an Airfield Battalionas described by an ene~J source It will be seen that the Battalshyion breaks down into a guard company a eupply company and a servicing company this latter conshysisting of three servicing platoons each attached to one aircraft squadron
The Airfield Battalion is a mobile urlit It doe s not necessarily move with the Flying Regishyment but will generally move closely after or effeet a rendeJvous with such I parent unit as the latter will be heavily dependent on it for 6er~clng It is believed t t an Airfield Batalion will come under cognizamprlce of the Air District Headquarters in whose area it functions
The HIKOJO CHUTAI or Airfield Company is a miniature version of the Airfield Battalion It will be attached to squadrons operating independently or to small advanced airfields
7 Air Trainin (KYOIKU
Advanced operational training il conducted by Flying Divisions - articularly those in quiet areas such as Japan and Manchuria
Primary and intermediate training was formerly the function of the First Flying Division in Japan proper Lately it is believed that this division has been relieved of prtmary and intermedishyate training so as to free it for the defense of Japan and the Kuriles Those of its units which carried on training activities have been assigned to the newly created 51st Air Training Division also located in Japan proper
So far no other Air Training Division has been identified The 51st Air Training Division breaks down into Air Trainine Brigades a~d Air Training Regiments much like any other Flying DiTt sion The wora KYOlKU which will be noted in the above titles means training
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FLYING RANK - ARMY AND NAVY
1 Officers
Officers of the Japanese ~ and Navy air services have - like US flyers - the same titles and badBes of rank as other line officers of the service to which they belOIlS These titles and insignia are reproduced on pages 15 and 16
In the case of naval officers oollar and shoulder tab insignia the cherry b10SsomB are silver the areas shaded in the illustrations on pBBe 15 UtI black and the WlSl d areas are gold In the case of flying officers the cherry blossom ~ be bluej in cese of air ground staff officers it may be green These insignia are worn as collar tabe on blu uniforms and as shoulder-boards on white uniforms The cuif bands are black on t lue unifClIIllB ~ld lace being used for ceremonial dress On fly1ng dress officers wear a c l oth PI tcll on tlI l e 1t 8I1I bbove the elbow bearing a design in gold lace similar to that of e curt b llds
In the case of the army offioers insignia the stars ex ~ gold the eretiB sruWed on page 15 are red and the unshaded areas are gold
It vill be noted that ArrIly and Navy Officers have the amt t1t~e3 of r mk Tj wor KAIGUN (Navy) and RIKtnUN (nArrIly) aro prefixed to avoid confusio In tJe Navr fl-mg o ~ icars put the tern KOKU between KAIGUN ani their title of rank while g o 8 Gai ~t l e e r use t- gt tert SEIBI in the same w~ Thus a KAIGUN KOKIJ SHOOA is a flying Li8lteDlJlt Q1JDnjer hile a KAIGm~ SEIBI SHooA is a Lieutenant Commander A-V(S)
The SHO which is used in SHooHO (rear Admiral) SHU3HO (Vice Admiral) ani ASnO (Admiral) means COIllllBDding officer and may on occasion be used as follows SHOTAISRO (CamtlI8J1der of a SHOTAI) CHUlAISHO (Commander of a CID1lAI) and so on This is 50 w~ of referr1JJg to ~be units CO withoUt des1goating his aotual rank
2 EDlisted PersODDel
Both Japanese air services make great use of enlisted men as pil l) a an 9 members of elrshycrews Even as pilots enlisted men ortnumber officers by as much as four to Oll
With respect to naval enlisted ranks it shoJld be noted that the HIKO SOCHO (USN Warshyrant Officer) vears a sleeve cuff band collar tabs and shoulder boards j the JOTO HEISO (USN Chief Petty Officer) has three cherry blossons on the sleeve but no collar tabs or shouder boards while the other six enlisted ratings wear their insignia an the right arm just above the elbow
The vord BIKO which vill be noted in the titles of all eight ratings means fly1ng In the oase of the grouni air staff SEIBI is substituted for HIKO in the title and a spealtl 1 airshyplane seen from a side view is substituted for the solid airplane seen from above in their inshysignia The personnel of both the Fly1ng ani Ground Crew branches are divided into specialist oategories each categor1 being dietingui shed b its own badge and title These categories are as follOWS
1 Flying (lIIKO) BrEUch A 110~a ( lJUINbullbull
1 gbter ilots (0 ITOKI 0JtlT) bull 2 Bo bull Hot f ~ J2lI SOJUJ
B on-Pllota (~urn) 1 abee at1cm n-rt tlan photo 0 hy eto
(TEIBAiSU) bull 2 Rad1 lin gwm X7 ( AlmKrn)
II Ground Crew (SEIBI) Branch A Ground Mechanics (SEIBIIN) B Armament Specialists (HEIIIIN) c Flying mechIJaics (TOJOllf) who maintain and
inspect equipment in flight These men constitute less than 5 of the ground crew branch
In the case of Ar~ enlisted ratings the same use of BIKO will be noted For the ground crews SEIBI is substituted Enlisted men down through the grade of corporal may act as pilots all enlisted men may be members of aircrews There are no U S A~ equivalents for the HIKO GOCBO and the BIKO JOTO HEI these terma have therefore been literally translated
3 Illustrations
The charts showing Japanese Army and Ifavy flying ranks are given on the following two pages In these charts certain Japanese Navy enlisted titles are given in parentheses These reshypresent abbreviations which are frequently used by the Japanese instead of the full title of the rank in question
-~-
NEAREST NEAREST U S NAVY U S ARMY COLLAR INSIGNIA EQU I VALENT EQIJ I VALENT
bull ral General ~ Lt J~ ire-A 11 ~ 1 CHI middotll tKUSHO B tt ltgt
SHOSHO ~ajor-en
TA ISA Colonel ~ CHUSA Lt -Col (gt SHOSA Major
i ra1 SHO HO
csp tain TA l
Comnander CI A
LtComdr SHOS ~
yen(~- UH~
~
~h
The JOTO HEISO wears sleeve cuff insignia but no coller or shoulder teb insignia
) (
- ADDENDA TO PART IV (f1 YING RMoiK)
Rpcpnt information Indlcatps that effpctive July 1 1K2 ttP tltlps ann arm insllnla of till sixmiddot 10wPFt Japanpsp naval ratines of tllp sparran hranctl wprp chan)middotltI to bp as follows
PS Equivalent Japanpse
(Flyine) Petty Offl pr 1st Class JafO HIKO HE ISO (JOHISO)
(Flylni) Petty Offlcpr 2nd Class ITIO ItIKO HEISO (III ISO)
(Flyln~) Pptty Offlcpr 3rd Class tilTCI IIIKO HEISO (~IHISO)
(Fly ing) Non-ratprl IMn 1st Class HI KO HE ICIIC) (HICHO) (H~IIII
(Fly Ing) Son-rated man 2nd Class JaIO HIKOHEI (JOH I)
(Flyln~) ~on-rated man 3rd Class IHO HIKOHEI (IPPI)
Ground aviation staffs substitute SEIBI for HIKO In the easp of flylne persolU) ttP chprry blossom Is blue In the ca of ~round aviation staffs it is jl reen Thes inSijDli a 111re the old markings Irp worn on thp right sl ve Rcmiddotlh old and npw insignia 1Ill be encolUltered in cOItbat arlas deshype nd lh on r o w re c p tlr the personnel 1 question hav arrived from Japan
-
ir-- -shy
11ilil
I shy - -bull - ~ ~p~ II ~ - II ~
I I
r-z--------IL==shy
j ~ i
L
-~-
I I
- ~ ~ - 3 r - - ~
~
-2
g = ~ ~ ~~ ~ shy
-- -
V
~ Q
~
~-= shy0
~~4
---- ~ ~ ~
S
l
I [
8 I [
~ I - ~ ~
I
I ~-
I
- 1
~
x- lt
GLOSSARY OF JlAVAL ABBREVIATIONS EMPLOYED IN TillS PAPER
BD CA CL DD SS SA
CVS XCVS
CV ACV APV
VF VB
SB VTB VOS
-------
---
-----
SHIPS
battleship h~avy cruiser light cruiser destroyer submarine submarine tender seaplane carrier converted seaplane carrier aircraft carrier Auxiliary aircraft carrier aircraft transport
PLANS
fighter horizontal bQmbe r dive bomber torpedo plane observation plane
v ) AID A2 Algtlllt lS43
Op-35
ORGANIZATiON AND Bampl-lK IN IH JAPANESE
Revision of Air Information RepOl~ 2 ~~b1i8hed by ttA Air Infornation Branch
of the BillEgt8U or Aercnautics id yenarch 1943
Prepar6d by
Am INlc()WATI CoN J)IVISION CFFICE OF THE CHllltl OF NAVL OPERATiorlS
nAVY D]PiRTMENT WASHINGTCN
DC
SteJul8ld Air Infolration Division List
Air ID1ormatiOlll Reports Previously Prepared by
Air Intormat10D Branch Bure8l1 of Aeronautics
R No 1 27 JaJnl817 1943 A1rcrtlft EneiDea and Arm8meDt of the Genaan Air Foree
C
Superseded by Air Information Report No ~ (l6P Report 2) and Supp1eJII8Dt I to Air Information Report No ~
No 2 ~iarch 1943 OrganizatioD and Rank in the Japanese ArrJq and NaTY Air Services
Superseded by AID A2 August 1943
C No3 (6P 2) 20 Air Force
~ 1943 Operational Aircrat of the Germen
C No (MJ 2) Supplement I of the German Air Force
6 July 1943 Operational Aircrat
C No4 1 JUDe 1943 Jap8Ilese Engines
U - Unclassified R - Restricted C - Confidential S - Secret
ORGArlIZATlvN AN) RAWl IN TIlE JAPMCSE ARIfi AND fiAVY AIR ~iRVICES
PREFACE bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull Page v
1 OPERATIONAL AIR UNIT tERMS EMPLOYEr BY BOTH THE ARMY AND NA VY bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull Page 1
1 SHOTAI (Section) 2 CHUTAI (Squadron) bull 3 DAITAI (Type Wing) 4 BUTAI (Force) bull
II NAVAL AIR FORCE bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull Page 3
1 Naval Aviation IIdqts (KAIGUN KOKU HOMBU) 2 The Combined Fleet (ReNGO KANTAI) 3 Third Fleet (DAI SAN KANTAI)
A Ship-Borne Air Flotillas (Ship-Borne KOKUSENTAI) B Ship-Borne Air Groups and Squadrons (CHUTAI)
4 Eleventh (Shore-Based) Air Fleet (DAI JUICHI KOKU KANTAI) and Twelth (Shore-Based) Air Fleet (DAI JUNI KOKU KANTAI) A Shore-Based Air Flotillas middot(Shore-Based KOKUSENTAI) B Air Attack Forces (KUSHUBUTAI) C Base Air Force (KICHI KOKU BUTAI) D Shore-Based Air Groups (KOKUTAI) E DAITAI (Type Wines) Squadrons (CHUTAI) Sections (SHOTAI)
I I I bull ARMY AIR FORCE bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull Page 10
1 Army Aviation Hdqts (RIKUGUll KOKU HOMBU) 2 Air Commands (KOKU HEIDAN) and Flying Divisions (HIKO SPIDAN) 3 Flying Brigades (HIKODAN) and Flying Regiments (HIKO SENTAI) 4 Type Wines (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI) Section (SROTAI) 5 Task Forces (BUTAI) 6 AQ~inistrative Units 7 Training Units
IV FLYING RANK - ARMY AND NAVY bullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbull Page 1
1 Officers bull 2 Enlisted Personnel 3 Illustrations
SUMMARY bull bullbull PfI8e 18
Naval Air Service bull bull bull Table A Part I
Ar~ Air Service Table A Part 2
GLOOSAIrl bull bull bull bull bullbull Feee 21
111
PREFACE
The Preface to the llarch 1943 edition of this Report s tattd I This paper should not be considered in any sense a final disposition of the subject matter On the contrary it reshypresents rnerel~r a tentative approach to the subject Not only is further data concerning Japanese air organization likely to become available) but that organization is itself subject to constant chanee
Since that ~eport IU S issued more cata has come to light and further changes have taken place in the or~anization of the Japanese air forces As a result this revised version of Air Infornation Report to 2 is heine issued Again it is necessary to caution the reader that Japanese air organization is extremely complex and extremely flexible almost any statement made in this paper may have to be re-examined in the light of new evidence or of changes which may take place in the Japanese air forces
This paper has placed considerable emphasis on Japanese terms in order to facilitate their handline by US personnel The confusion which has hitherto surrounded the subject of Japanese air organization hus resulted in large part from the Japanese language itself
It is obvious that the Japanese will write air unit terms such as section in the pictorshyial characters of their own language Japanese phonetic renderings of these characters when written in Roman letters are termed Romaji For example the phonetic rendering of the characshyters meaning section is SHOTA Such a Japanese Romaji term may be translated by a variety of Enrlish equivalents It is therefore desirable to use insofar as possible the original Romaji ter~ and not their En~lish equivalents
A further important source of the confusion surrounding the subject of Japanese air organishyzation has been the too literal acceptance of statements concerning that organization made by Japanese sources
In particular the loose use of various organizational terms such as BUTAI which has both general and specific meanings and such as SENTI which describes ground and surface as well as air units should be not6d Also the tendency of Japanese sources to identify Japanese units in a variety of we - by the name of the CO (this is especially frequent) the name of the current station the name of the parent unit or a numerical deSignation must be taken into account The possibility of misunderstandings arising from the above practices should be borne in mind by US personnel when confronted by seemingly contradictory evidence concerning Japanese air organizntion
This paper does not attempt any detailed description of the strength and composition of specific units except insofar as such description may serve to illustrate general Japanese pracshytice
The composition of any air unit may change radically from time to time as losses are exshyperienced and as its component elements are re-assigned or re-inforced For this reason the identification of a yiven unit should not be taken as a necessary indication of that units strength the units middotcomposition ~y have been changed since its strength was last ascertained Because of the frequency of such changes any analysis of the stren~th and disposition of all but the very lar~est Japanese air units would serve no useful purpose in a paper of this type and classification
Any analysiS of J panese air organization should be based on a knowledge cf Japanese naval orbanization Readers desirine to pursue this latter subject further are referred to confidential Serial 69-43 or the lates t revis ion thereof issued by the Office of Naval Intelligence
NOTE A clear understanding of this paper will be more easily secured if constant reference is made to Parts 1 and 2 of Table A while reading Chapters I - III of the text
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OPCHT1CIL U~H T ThIS t -LCY BY Be THE
AR~ AND ~VY
1 SEOTI (Section)
The snallest Japanese air unit is the ~H()1iI which is co~posed of 01 C f I l Jlt I three) aircraft SHO means small AI is a suffix maa ni n unit n-us S 10 1 m~8n B IT1lt 1 un i t lhe nearest u S equivalent is the section The Still II I exists CI ~y 8S a unit ampn n fli ht
2 CHl~I (Squ~dron)
Two to four (usually three) SHOTAI make up a Ch~ThI which t hus contains an approximate total of 6-12 aircraft CHU means center or middle more r rely mean or Medium Thus CHUlAI would _an medium sized unit he nearest US eauivalent is the squadron In Ar _ squadron both as an administrativtl and is a tactical unit is termed 8 C~~TAI In the Navy 8
squadron is known tactically as a Ch~TI but administratively 85 a B I AI
3 DAITAI (~pe jine)
Two to three CIIUTAI (squadrons) when in flieht may form a JITi- Dai means -Yamp-eness or rreatness hence DAITAI is Ii terally laree unt t LA 1TA1 is transla ed as liT 1
it is the largest air unit necessarily made up of exclusively one type of aircraft
This SHOTAI-ClmTAI-DA1TAI pattern is extremely flexible dependine on the i nmiddot 1vidual opershya tine requirements of the units in question One edium bonber DA1TAI orera tine in northeast Australia is believed to have been composed as follows
1st CHUTAl - 1 SHOTAl of three aircrcft
2 SHOTA1 of four aircraft each
TOTAL 11 aircraft
2nd CHUTAI - 1 SHOTAI of two aircraft
3 SHOTAI of three aircraft each
TOTALs 11 aircraft
3rd CHUTAI - 1 SHOTAI of one aircraf+
4 SPOTAI of three airc r
TOTAL 13 aircraft
GRAND TOTAL 35 aircraft
It is evidently the Japanese intent to organ1te these lower operational echelons in pyrashymids of threes this intent is reflected in their flying formations
- 1 shy
4 BUTAla
BUTAI meaning force ill a term used alone or in conjunc tion wi th other terms by both the Japanese Army and Navy to describe rather lar~e air task forces Army BUTAI and Navy BUTAI KUSHUBUTAI (r Attack Forces) and KICHI KOKU BUTAI (Base Air Forces) will be fully described in Chapters II ~d III of this paper
In addition to the above lIIBanin~s BUTAI is often used in a rather general sense to refer to any llir unit In this sense BUTAI is gene rally prefaced by the name of the units commander eg WAtANABE BUTAI (the Wa tanabe air unit) ~en used in this way BUTAI contains no implications as to the size and type of the unit in que s ti on - it is r ather vague and non-descriptive term This emphasizes again the necessity for referring to Japanese air unit terms in Romaji unless an authoritati~e translation for such Romaji has alr ady been disseminated
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-
- II shy
NAVAL AIR FORCE
(KAIGUN KOKU HOMBU) and the Combined Naval Air Cor s ( RENGO1
The Naval Air Service is an inte~al part of the Navy its particular problems being hanshydled by the Naval Aviation Headquarters (KAlGUN KOKU HOMBU) which are headed by a Vice-Admiral KAIGUN is Navy KOKU is aviation and HOMBU is Headquarters
These Headquarters were reorganized during October 1942 to give the Vice-Admiral Commandshying authority over air operations as well as over aviation personnel and materiel This followed a similar reorganization of the Army Air Force Headquarters which had taken place in Yay 1942 The head of the Naval Aviation Headquarters may be compared to our own Deputy Chief of Naval Opershyations for Air
The head of the Naval Aviation Headquarters is co-equal in authority to the Navy Minister and the Chief of the Naval General Staff Each of these three officers is directly responsible to the Emperor Together they constitute the High Command of the Japanese Navy
Naval air training is carried on by the Combined NaTal Air Corps (KAIGUN RENGO KOKU SCTAI) located in Japan proper and now headed by a Prince of the Imperial Family This Corps answers directly to the Naval Aviation Headquarters It consists of Combined Air Groups (RENGO KOKUTAI) which are the units through which its training program is executed
2 The Combined Fleet (RENGO KANTAI)
Under these three officers Comel (a) The C-in-C Combined Fleet (b) the C-in-C Southwest Area F (Burma Malaya IndO-China NEI Philippines) (c) the C-in-C China Seas Fleet (d) the ~nders of Home Defense Forces in Japan proper
Airflot 23 (KOKUSENtAI 23) known tactically as the East Indies Air Force (East Indies KOKU BUTAI) is attached to the 2nd Southern Expeditionary Fleet of the Southwest Area Fleet Airflot 23 consists of one XCVS and two shore-based Air Groups (KOKUtAI)
With this exception the majori~ of Japanese naval aviation li~e the majori~ of Japanese naval surface strength comes under the Combined Fleet RENGO is Combined KANTAI il Fleet This fleet is broken down administratively into six surface Fleets two Air Fleeta and one subshymarine Fleet and tactically into various task forces and task organizati~ns
Among the surface Fleets is the Third Fleet (DAI SAN KANtAI) which includes all Japanese carriers and henCd most Japanese naval ship-borne air strength
The two Air Fleets are the 11 th (DAI JUICHI KOKU KANTAI) and the 12th (DAlJUNI KOKU KANtAI) These two Air Fleets together contain most of the Japanese Navys shore-based air strength The Eleventh Air Fleet functions in the South and Southwest Pacific the Twelfth Air Fleet which is considerably smaller was recently created to meet the growing American threat to the Kur1les
These Fleets and Air Fleets are commanded by Vice-Admirals (KAIGUN CHUSHO) TheBe same officers exercise tactical command over the task forces whioh parallel to a large extent the orshyganization of these administrative Fleets
KOKU stands for air DAI SAN is third DAI JUICHI 11 eleventh DAI JUNI 11 twelfth
3 Third Fleet (DAI SAN KANTAI)
The Third Fleet contains all Japanese carriers as well as one Batdiv two Crudivs and five Desdivs It also includes Airflot 50 containing two shore-based Air Groups and one aircraft
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middot -shy
r rrier which are devoted to ASW and to the trainine of carrier squadrons and three ACVs which re probably used as aircraft transports The continued existence of Airflot 50 is currently in
10ubt
In addition to the aircraft carriers which make up the Third Fleet and to the seaplane carriers to be described later Japanese naval ship-borne air strength includes observation pl~es on various classes of warships as followsl
NUMBER CARRIED NO TYPE PLANE TYPE BY EACH TOTAL
10 BattlB1hips YOS 3 30 1 Heavy Cruiser (AOEU CLAS ) VOS 2 2 2 Heavy Cruisers (TONE CLhSe vos 6 12 9 Heavy Cruisers VOS 4 36 2 Heavy Cruisers VOS 6 12
14 Li jht Crv i -err VOS 1 14 1 Li t ht Cruiser NONE 0 C 3 Sub~~rine Tenders vos 5
33 Submar lnes VOS 1 33 3 Armed Lo rchant Cruiserb VOS 2 6
It was t one time su ~~eB ted that these planes came under the adminiBtrative cognizance of the Third Fleet There is no evidence to support this view
A Ship-borne Air Flotillas (Ship-borne KOKUSENTAI)
The Third Fleet the Eleventh Air Fleet and probably the Twelfth Air Flee t are divided administratively into KOKUSENTAI each cOlllllaJlded by a Rear Admiral (KAIGUlI SHOSHO) KOKU means
aviation and SENTAI means division iOKUSENTAI is translated Air Flotilla or Airflot
It is b~lieved that KOKUSENTAI 1-10 are reserved for Cardivs KOKUSENTAI 11-20 for seaplane d training cocmands KO~JSENTAI 21-30 for shore-based Air Flotillas Currently only KOKUSENTAI and 2 (Cardivs) 14 and 18 (Training) 21 22 23 24 25 and 26 (Shore Based Airflots) are
1 erational
Two or three carriers (one Cardiv) make up one ship-borne KOKUSENTAI The total air complement of two or three Japanese carriers would range from about 100 to 200 plane~depending on
he carriers involved Thus a carrier KOKUSENTAI is about the same size as a shore-based Il KUS m1TAI There is some evidence that Cardivs (Carrier KOKUSENTAI) actually operate as tactical 1i ts
The Third Fleet contains Two Cardivseach containine 2-3 carriers The number of carriers ~ n any given Cardiv varies over a period of time occasionally one carrier will operate alone dishyectly under the Third Fleet w thout being a part of either of its Cardi vs
There were until recently two Seaplane KOKUSENTAI each made up of 4-6 seaplane carriers dach carrying 10-14 planes) These Seaplatendivs have recently been disbanded and their comshyne~t vessels re-assigned as elements of other Japanese ~leets The largest seaplane concentrashy
n (CVS and 5 XCVS) is now to be found in the train of the Combined Fleet
The complements of Japanese seaplane carriers are as followsl
SEAPLhtJ1 CARRIERS
Cvsr NAME NOTORO
AIRCRAFT 10-V05 1 Catapult
TOTAL -lO
CV~-2 K llOI 10-VOS 10 CVS-3 lt ITOSE l4-VOS 4 Catapults 14 CVS-4 CI TYOD 14-VOS 4 Catapults 14 cvs-e ta ss 14shy VOS 4 Ca tepu l ts 14 CVSshy 1 AKITS II 14-VOS 4 Ca u p 1 ts 14
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CONVERTED SEAPLANE CARRIERS
TYPE NAME AIRCRAFTb TOTAL
XCVS-l KAM KAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-2 YA8UKAWA MAIm 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-3 KmlIKAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-S VOS 13 XCVS-4 SANUKI MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-S VOS 13 XCVS-5 SANYO VARU 8 SeaplEJ9 Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-6 OKITSU MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 vas 13 XCVS-7 KIll KAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Firhters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-8 SAGARA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-9 KIYOKAWA lIARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 vas 13
b - Estimated
B Ship-borne Air Groups and Squadrons (CHUTAI)
A shore-based KOKUSENTAI (Airflot) breaks down into several shore-based KOKUTAI (Air Groups~ It has been suggested that the air complement of a ship-borne KOKUSENTAI (Cardiv) is similarly broken down into several ship-based KOKUTAI (Air Groups) each comprising the air complement of one aircraft carrier
However there is no evidence of the existenoe of any Air Groups other than the named and numbered Groups referred to later in this text Certain of these Air Groups based in Japan are training units and some of these latter serve exclusively to replenish carrier strengths Units of operational naval Air Groups might also be emparked on carriers if the tactical situation so demanded Thus the air complement of one carrier might b8 made up of Squadrons drawn from several different Air Groups
The Squadrons embarked on one carrier regardless of their original administrative affiliashytions will form one tactical unit while on that carrier This tactical unit will be designated by the name of its carrier and may be roughly compared to a US carrier air group Unlike the regular Japanese Air Group (KOKUTAI) it is not a permanent administrative unit
The air complement of a Japanese carrier will vary (36-72 planes) according to the size of the carrier Thus as will be seen later a carrier-borne air unit varies within roughly the same limits as a shore-based KOKUTAI (Air Group)
NAME VF VSB VTB TOTAL
ROSRO (Training-Airflot 50) SHOKAKU (Cardiv 2) ZUIKAKU (CardivI) ZUIHO (Third Fleet or Cardiv 1) HITAKA (Cardiv 2) HAYATAKA (Cardiv 2) RYUHO (Airflot 50 or Cardiv 2) OTAKA (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying) UNTO (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying) CHUYO (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying)
12 27 27 27 24 24
9 9 9
18 18
18 18
18 18 18
24 27 27
9 9 9
9 9 9
36 72 72 36 51 51 36 36 36 36
4 JUICHI KOKU KANTAI) and the Twelfth (Shore-based
The Eleventh Air Fleet as previously indicated includes most of the Navys shore-based planes It consists of shore-based Airflots 21 22 25 and 26 3 APVs and 2 DDls are also attached to this Air Fleet
The Eleventh Air Fleet functions in the Melanesia - New Guinea ares Also in this area is the 8th Fleet composed of cr~isers anc destroyers These two fleets combine to form the Southshy
_ i _
ealt Area Fleet whi~h is commanded by the C-in-C Eleventh Air Fleet In the train of the Southshyeast Area Fleet are 2 XCVS It should be remembered that this organization is administrative not tactical
Adminiatrative headquarte ~ middote Eleventh Air Fleet are at Tenian a small island south at Saipan but C-in-C Eleventh Air Fleet has maintain d his operational staff at Rabaul since August 1942
Recently the Twelfth (shore-based) Air Fleet has been created to meet the menace arising froM the US seizure of Attu Island The Twelfth Ai r Fleet is based in the Kuriles it probably is made up of Airflot 24
A Shore-based Air Flotillas (Shore-based KOKUNSENTAI)
An Air Fleet is broken down administratively into KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotillas)
One Air Flotilla (abbreviated to Airflot)is made up of combat detachments from two to four Air Groups The strength of the Airflot will depend on the fluctuating size of these detachments it will generally total an~~ere from 50 to 150 (more usually 75 to 125) planes
Air Flotillas have auxiliary surface vessels such as aircraft transports attached to them for supply purposes Thus Airflots 22-26 each contain one APV Airflots 23 and 26 each contaiOl ne CVS in addition
B Air Attack iurcel (KUSHUBUtAI)
The Eleventh and TWelfth Air Fleets planes are organized administratively into five Airflots they are alao organized tactically into five Air Attack Forces (KUSHUBUTAI) KUSHU ia attaCk BUTAI is torce Each Airflot is related to one Air Attack Force
Airtlot 21 - 1st Air Attack Force Airflot 22 - 2nd Air Attack Force Airflot 24 - 4th Air Attack Force Airflot 25 - 5th Air Attack Force Airflot 26 - 6th Air Attack Force
The Rear Adndral commanding each Airflot is also the head of the corresponding Air Attack Force and it is believed that each Air Flotilla serves as the administrative foun~in-head for the Air Attack Force to which it is related ~Vhile the Air Flotillas are administrative units the Air Attack Forces are exclusively tactical in function Like all task forces they are exshytremely flexible inmiddot size and composition Each Air-Attack Force is made up in the main of units drawn from its corresponding (administrative) Air Flotilla
Airflot 23 it will be remembered is a part of the Southwest Area Fleet and is known tactically as the East Indies Force (DUT~I) or Air Force (KOKU BU~I) It would appear that the East Indies BUtAI is an air task force type on roughly the same level as the Air Attack -Forces though probably less mobile beine rather permanently stationed in the area from which it takes its name The appearance of other such BUTAI (or KOKU BUTAI) is possible
C Base Air Force (KIeHl KOKU BUTAI)
It is believed that the Base Air Force (KICHI KOKU BUTAI) is a task force type quite disshytinct from the above-mentioned BUtAI or KOKU ~UtAI
In a recent South Pacific operation the C-in-C Eleventh (shore-based) Air Fleet functionshyed tactically aa Commander Base Air Force which was a task force embracing those of the Eleventh Air Fleets Air Attack Forces taking part in this particular operation
Evidently when a cOlsiderable number of naval land-based airplanes are called on to partici shypate in an operation under one unified command they may be organized into a lar~e air task force termed the Base Air Force (KICHI KOKU SUTAI) This task force will be of considerably greater
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scope than either a Force (BU~I) or an Air Attack Force (KUSHUBU~I) either or both of which lllieht be among its component elements The Base Air Force might be tenned the tac-tical equivalent of the administrative Air Fleet
It is possible however that during a future operation the ~rm Base Air Force may be used with a very different meaning
It should be re-emphasized that the KOKU KAHTAI (Air Fleet) and the KOKUSENTAI (Airflot)are permanent elements in the administrative organization of the Japanese naval air service whereas the KUSh~BUAI (Air Attack Force) the KOKU BUTAI (Air Force) and the KICHI KOKU BU~I (Base Air Force) are task forces types created temporarily to meet the needs of the current Pacifio struggle
The above Base Air Force should not be confused with the Bnse Groups - which are units mainly composed of seaplanes assigned to variou9 Japanese b~se 3 in the Pacific Their exact status is obscure their role is believed lar~ely defensive It is possible that they have some operational relationship to the 11th Air Fleet
D Shore-based Air Groups (Shore-bnsed KOKUTAI)
One KOKUSENThI (Airflot) breaks down into two or three KOKUThI (Air Groups) or detachments shyusually Type Tongs - thereof KOKU is air A I is unit the Japanese sometines abbreviate KOKUThI to KU
Air Groups are o~ded by Naval Captains (KAIGUN ~ ISA) and are the basi c admi nistrative units of the Japanese navnl air service Air Groups (K KUTA I) are of two typos
(1) middotThose wh ich have permanent horne st uns in the Japanese Empire and which are sometimes known by the names of these stations
(2) Specially Mobilized Air Groups ( TOhUSETSU KOKUTAI) whi ch are numbered and are known by their numerical designations It is believed th ~ these Groups may h ve been establi 3hed at air stations ou~side the Empireas the Japanese h~ve shown some inclination to n ame ai r stations within the Empire and to number those outside the Empire
Recentlythe Japanese have introduced very high numeral designations for both named and numbered Air Groups named Air Groups are pp rently now irnown by boh t he ir ori inal lIIIO S and their new numbers
These new hi~ numbers serve ns II fa i r l re_i~bl~ uide t o the o Do-i tion of the Air Groups i ol ved thus observati on roups are usual ly nUD r e the 100 s flgh ter Groups in the 200s mixed figh ter-bomber Groups in the 500s bovbmiddot r Gro~ ln t e 700s flyi n boat Groups in the 800s fl oat plane Groups in the 900s But re are lots of 81Cceptions ti le composition of many Air Groups is rather mixed
This system like all matters pertaininr to the de s middotnation ot 1 ir un~8 1s ot coursej
subject to constant chan(~ Th J apanese ar ~ns ly secur ity nd d nominal and ~umerical chan~e s are continuallY i r To uced in the ore nl zs t l on o~ hei r nava _ 1r Qrce to concsa i ts r eal 8 tUB
The to 1 numbe r of Air Groups in active status wil l -~ ac ord n eng th of thebull v
Japanese air force I f heavy losses are experi~nce c Iteln Groups t 01 if production and training out-run casual ~ e Ie l r urO may be e p seldom nctio s II c na t un t in i ts eI ~i re the total 11 S1I1 ald fluctu t ons trerei a~ t te s O~ I _llst t + r ti
Air GroupE do - t n ceasaril cl)1Siat of only 00 tIP of aircraf bull Uld ther S i L~ 1 ry t hin wide li r I aIB run aa hi ~ lampv othera 10 s 18 (ton th contain
tr nmiddot~ort planes 10 dd ian to o or or type t pl noa
A fur ~er uonru~1nv 6 the t c a - ltInts may be d
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Some of an Air Groups stren~th may be maintained at its home station particularly if that station is in the Japanese Empire These aircraft will have duties in connection with air raid defense and anti-submarine warfare they will probably also engage in advanced operational trainshying As the Air Groups home strengt middot is increased by the addition of planes and air crews reshyceived from Japanese factories nnd training centers that home strength will in turn be reduced by the despatch of the Air Groups combat detachments to various Air Flotillas
It is sometimes difficult when confronted with documentary evidence that a certain Air Group is a part of a given Airflot to decide whether the entire Air Group or merely one of its combat detachments is involved It is ~enerally believed however that these are references to combat d~tachments of Air Groups not to the total original establishmeuts of the Air Groups conshycerned These combat detachments may PA made up of one or more Type Wings or of lesser units shysuch as Squadrons
One Airflot for example is thought to have been made up as follows 3 bomber Type Wings (DAITAI) of 27-30 planes each 5 fighter Type Win~s and one observation squadron (CHUTAI) of ten planes
One Air Group had the following of its units attached to an Airflot three fighter squadrons (15 planes each) and two torpedo squadrons (9 planes each)
Both these examples suggest that Air Flotillas are made up of Type Win~s andor Squadrons taken from several different Air Groups
Certain Air Groups by the way do not seem to have any combat functions they are merely training units serving as replacement pools for other combat Air Groups or for aircraft carriers Training Air Groups are believed to diverge somewhat in strength and composition form other Air Groups
In considering lists of shore-based Air Groups and their aircraft strengths one must thereshyforemiddotconsider whether the Air Group in question is a trainin~ or a combat unit and if the latter whether its ~iven aircraft stren~th represents the total original establishment of the Air Group at its home base or the present operating strength of one of its overseas detachments
Often the operating detachment of an Air Group will be referred to in such d manner as to lead one to believe that it comprises the entire Air Group At other times the original establishshyment of the enbire Air Group may be given without any clear indication that its operating detach~ ments can claim but a fraction of that strength
Of course there must always be borne in mind the possibility that an Air Group will function its entirety as a combat unit of an Air Flotilla This is probably ~ore often true of Specially Mobilized Air Groups than of those which have bases within the Japanese Empire
It has been suggested that operational detachments of Air Groups will appFoximate the followshying figures A flying boat detachment 12 aircraft a floatplane detachment 12-18 planes a fighter detachment I 45 fighters with 6 reccos occasionally added Medium bomber detachments will sometimes come as high as 45 planes 27 is however the more normal fi~ure while dive bomber deshytachments usually have about 18 planes
An enemy source indicates that these combat detach~ents of Air Groups are known as RONTAI which means main unit The home detachments are known as ZAURYUTAI which means remaining units These terms indicate the overseas detachments to be lorger than the home units
E Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI BUNTAI) Sectiqns (SHOTAI)
As indicated in Part I of this text the DAlTAI (Type Wing) exists as a unit only when in flight It does not exist as an administrative unit on the ground Thus organizationally the Ai Group brea~s down into a variable nunber of Squadrons cf 9 planes each
lhree quadrons flying together as a unit ar~ called a )IAI Such a Type Wing wil be ~( -aJlled hy the seni~r Squadron leader r esent
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The Squadron in fli~ht is known as a Cl~TAI as an administrative unit on the ground it is known as a BUNTAI The iquadrol breaks dORl into 3 Sections (SHOTAI) of three planes each
As an exa~ple of the administrative break-down of an Air Group into Squadrons the following make-up one KCKUTAI is cited
9lNTAI ifl amp jf2 Fighter squadrons (total 22 planea) BljNTAI TflJ amp 1f4 Fighter maintenance unit BUNTAI ff5 amp ttfgt Bomber squadrons (total 18 planes)
BUUTAI ff7 30ccer n~irtenance unit EUIITJI ff8 Communications unit
BVN7hI if9 amp tlO Adcinistrative units
It is stated that wi thin this KOKUTAI the two fighter BUNTAI were treated as one unit and th9 two bomber DUNTAI were treated as one unit The total fighter uni t when in flight was probably called a DhITAI the sarns beinE true of the total bomber unit
It 6ppears that a KOKUTAI may sometimes have plflne strength in reserve in addition to the complement of its DAITAI The above KOKUTAI had two DAITAI of 30 planes each plus a Group reshyserve of 10 planes making a total KOKUTAI strength of 70 planes
Its interesting to note that this Air Group apparently functioned as one unit instead of being broken up into a home detachment and a combat detachment
The above maintenance BUNTAI break down into maintenance HAN (Platoons) of 50-60 men each attached to one aircraft Squndron
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ARMY AIR FORCE
It is felt that naval personnel should be familiar with Jap~nese Army air organization because of the increasinL use of Japanese Ar~J air units in the Pacific Their assignment to this theater has been brought about both by a desire to afford close air support to Army ~round troops in New Guinea and New Bri tain and by the need to make good drastic air losses suffered in the Pacific by t ~ naval air force
1 Army Aviation Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU H01ABU)
The administration of Army aviation was reorganized in Amy 1942 in order to give the Army Air Force a degree of power and autonomy not unlike that of our own AAF At that time the Army Aviatior Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU HOMIlU) were set up to be headed by a Lieutenant General (RIKUGIDt CHUSHO) or a full General (RIKUGUN TAISHO) RIKUGUU means Army amps distinct from KAIGUN Navy
The Commandi ng General Army Aviation Headquarters is directly responsible to the Emperor instead of to the Uinister of War or the Chief of the General Staff who are his equa l s in rank and who also enjoy direct accebullbull to the Emperor These three officers constitute the High Command of the Japanese Army the head of Army Aviamptio~ HeadqUarters havine cognizance of Army air operashytions training and materiel
It is obvious however that this officer much like the Commanding General of our own Army Air Forces is not in a position to exercise direct tactical command over the wide spr ad air forces which he heado This tactical command must rest with heads of the various Air Commands in differshyent theaters of war
2 Air COll1lllllnds (KOKU EEIDAll) and Flying Divisions (EIKO SHIDMl)
HIKO is flyine SHIDAN is diviSion hence HIKO SHIDAU is Flying DiV1 sion The Flying Division is the largest unit of the Japanese Army Air Service Commanded by a Lieutenant-General it includes anywhere from 200 to 400 planes and the mit lecessary to servicing thereof
Seven Flying Divisions have been identified the 1st in Japan proper the 2nd ~n Manchuria the 3rd in China the 4th in Manchuria and the North China the 5th in Burma and adjacent regions the 6th in the Southwest Pacific and the 7t h in the UE I Headquarters of the 5th are a t Rangoon of the 6th at Rabaul and of the 7th at Ambon
The 6th and 7th Flying Divisions were very recent y activated It is believed that they were organized out of units taken from other Flying Divi slons for this purpo se
A flying Division does not maintain any fixed a_ze or composition i t ~y shrink or expand as the military situation requires Air units are shif teci free y from Oru Flyine Division to anshyother the Divisions themselves are rarely moved a bout as llnl t S
One step above the Flying Division is the KOICU IibluAU KOKU i8 a ir -rrI N is Corps KOKU HEIDAN is translated Air Command nlree Air COUlllllds have been i dentified e ach headed by a Lieutenant General the 1st in Japan proper t he 2ncr i n Planohuria an i) e 3rd at Si ll ep0re
These Air Commands are staffs not uni ts They con 1 11 r~ ai r 0
areas under th~ir cogni zance Thus the 1s t Plying Dv1sion a swe s ~h I s 2nd 3rd and 4th lyint lVlSlon to tht 2nd Ai r CODllampnd the 5th 6tl 11 bull
pr ohably to the 3rd Ai Commands
ThA Air Co~de are not mobIle they are pe~1ently ~ ~b~ d in d rferen war tJ exe r C1se st r tei c COllllOllUl ( ltn er Army air units i n t hose r4 Taotical nth tho F vin D1 i si n or me - unit is too W1atl ~ y middotat ter ~o un n fi B Q body lliith the PlYinG 3ri ada
co 0 remains
Units may be freely shifted ROOut from one Air Commnnd to another the Command itself reshymains unaffected Air COllnands are crec ted or abolished aR the ter1po and location f air operashytions seem to require
It is interesting to speculate on the relation between these commands of the Japanese Army air forces and the equivalent commands of the ~apanese Army fround f orces
The Japanese armies which might be co pared to Flying Divisions are co-orcinated by staffs which might be co pared to the Air Commands These staffs are C-in-C National Defense Forces in Japan proper C-in-C Kwantunr Army in Manchuria C-in-C Forces in China C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces with headquarters at Sin~apore It is not certain whether the 8th Army Grou~ controlling gr ound forces in the south and southwest Pacific with headquarters at Rabampul answers to C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces or directly to the Army High Command in TOkyo
It will be seen that C-in-C National Defense Forces corresponds to the 1st Air Command C-in-C Kw~tun~ Army and C-in-C Forces in China to the 2nd Air Command and the C-in-C Southshyern Expeditionary forces to the 3rd Air Command
It is not known whether in these cases the Air Command is subordinated to the equivalent grpund command or whether each of the two commands answers i ndividually to the Army High Command in Tokyo In the latter case the ground and air ccmmand r s are pres~~bly expected to effect coshyordination on a voluntary basis The Japanese ~mphasis on unity of commans and on the use of airshypower in support of ground operations -takes the former course middotmiddot more likely than the latter however
3 Flying Brigades (EIKODA n and Flying Regiments (EIKO SENTAI)
The Flying Division breaks down into about 3 Flyinr Bri~ades each with about 70-120 planes The Flying Brigade is generally commanded by a ~ajor General (RIKUGUN SEOSHO) though eometimes by a Colonel (RIKUGUN TAISA) It may be roulhly compared to a Navy KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotilla)
HI middot bull is an abbrevia t ioe for HIKO which II ans flying and RYODAN which leans Brirade The r are very mobile being divorced from servicing and administrative responsibilities They are _ee ly shifted from one Flying Division to another thus for example a riven Flying Brigade might fight in Burma during the dry season as part of the 5th Flying Brigade and might be transferred to the lffiI as part of the 7th Flying Di~sion during the Monsoon
A Flying Brigade breaks down into 3 Flying Regiments each of about 27 planes HIKO is flying SENTAI is battle uni til Flying Regiments ware called HIKO RENTAl before the war RENTAl being the ground forces term for regiment Iately the more dynamic term SENTAI has been substituted
The Flying Regiments like the Flying Brigades are divorced from administrative and servicshying duties and hence are extremely mobile However they generally function within the framework of the Flying Brigade - Flying Regiments are not shifted fram one Brigade to another al freely al Brigades are shifted from one Flying Division to another Flying Regiments are generally commanded by Majors (RIKUGUN SHOSA) or Lieutenant Colonelb (RlKUGUN CHUSA)
A Flying Brigade does not necessarily consist of only type of aircraft a Flying Regiment generally does
4 Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI) Sections (SHOTAI)
A Flying Regiment breaks down into three Squadrons (C~TAI)Jf 9 planes each The Japane~e Army Squadron is the same as the Navy squadron breaking down into three sections (SEOTAI) ~f three planes each A squadron will generally be commanded by a Captain (HlKUGUN TAIl) TIhen in flight three squadrons are te r med a DAITAI This is exclusively a tactical term
Certain S u drons operate independently usually as obse(vation units attached to ground forces These are terced DOKIRITSU t A I (Independent Squadrons)
5 Task Forces (BUTAI)
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We have noted the Navy use of BL AI XSHUBUTAI and KIlII J OIIT BU rBI Th also createsy
tactical air ~8k fo rces - though 1 (I fr Dllent l y in t lar l y ttUl the Nl n ir ta k forces are termed BU AI ti r siLl and oo~po8i tio~ II vary accor in to heir mi on TJo- ir exi5ten~e probably does not outlast t he f ul f ll~n ~ s mission
6 Administrative lnl t Air Dictric Hl RE BU) DAfTAI) Airfield C mp~ JAo~rrt~TI~~~~----~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1~i~e~s~(~n~IUK7G~
Scatte ~ throughc1t Greater East As ia are panese Air District Hedquort 118 are staffs eac If ich ccut l)ls all a r dlti n groun uncti oDs ( ser - i ng and adminill in he area under gn ~za~c It will be r e campl l d that the Fly i n Di vis i n is or-kDl ze ~ ~ athe permanent toIr n tonal basis it is bel i ad thllt all h a divie on will break ltlown tac t lc lly u-to Flying Brigad5 8 ald administratively int o Ai Dis tri ct Headquarters
The Flying Dri~ades are mobile comba t Ilvia t i on uni ts the Air District Headquarters are imshymobile ground housekeeplng units Bo th answer to tIe Commanding General of thei r parent Flying Division who thus controls all aviation matters wi~hin the zone under his command Comparatively little is known of the organization and content of the Air District Headquarters
A lower adrninistrative and servicing echelon is the HIKOJO DAITAI HIKOJO means airfield DAITAI is 1aree unit The Airfield Battalion is generally attached directly to a Flying Regishyment whose administrative and servicing functions it assumes
On the following page is a chart reproduced from ATIS SnFA Serial 159 showi ng the organishyzation of an Airfield Battalionas described by an ene~J source It will be seen that the Battalshyion breaks down into a guard company a eupply company and a servicing company this latter conshysisting of three servicing platoons each attached to one aircraft squadron
The Airfield Battalion is a mobile urlit It doe s not necessarily move with the Flying Regishyment but will generally move closely after or effeet a rendeJvous with such I parent unit as the latter will be heavily dependent on it for 6er~clng It is believed t t an Airfield Batalion will come under cognizamprlce of the Air District Headquarters in whose area it functions
The HIKOJO CHUTAI or Airfield Company is a miniature version of the Airfield Battalion It will be attached to squadrons operating independently or to small advanced airfields
7 Air Trainin (KYOIKU
Advanced operational training il conducted by Flying Divisions - articularly those in quiet areas such as Japan and Manchuria
Primary and intermediate training was formerly the function of the First Flying Division in Japan proper Lately it is believed that this division has been relieved of prtmary and intermedishyate training so as to free it for the defense of Japan and the Kuriles Those of its units which carried on training activities have been assigned to the newly created 51st Air Training Division also located in Japan proper
So far no other Air Training Division has been identified The 51st Air Training Division breaks down into Air Trainine Brigades a~d Air Training Regiments much like any other Flying DiTt sion The wora KYOlKU which will be noted in the above titles means training
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FLYING RANK - ARMY AND NAVY
1 Officers
Officers of the Japanese ~ and Navy air services have - like US flyers - the same titles and badBes of rank as other line officers of the service to which they belOIlS These titles and insignia are reproduced on pages 15 and 16
In the case of naval officers oollar and shoulder tab insignia the cherry b10SsomB are silver the areas shaded in the illustrations on pBBe 15 UtI black and the WlSl d areas are gold In the case of flying officers the cherry blossom ~ be bluej in cese of air ground staff officers it may be green These insignia are worn as collar tabe on blu uniforms and as shoulder-boards on white uniforms The cuif bands are black on t lue unifClIIllB ~ld lace being used for ceremonial dress On fly1ng dress officers wear a c l oth PI tcll on tlI l e 1t 8I1I bbove the elbow bearing a design in gold lace similar to that of e curt b llds
In the case of the army offioers insignia the stars ex ~ gold the eretiB sruWed on page 15 are red and the unshaded areas are gold
It vill be noted that ArrIly and Navy Officers have the amt t1t~e3 of r mk Tj wor KAIGUN (Navy) and RIKtnUN (nArrIly) aro prefixed to avoid confusio In tJe Navr fl-mg o ~ icars put the tern KOKU between KAIGUN ani their title of rank while g o 8 Gai ~t l e e r use t- gt tert SEIBI in the same w~ Thus a KAIGUN KOKIJ SHOOA is a flying Li8lteDlJlt Q1JDnjer hile a KAIGm~ SEIBI SHooA is a Lieutenant Commander A-V(S)
The SHO which is used in SHooHO (rear Admiral) SHU3HO (Vice Admiral) ani ASnO (Admiral) means COIllllBDding officer and may on occasion be used as follows SHOTAISRO (CamtlI8J1der of a SHOTAI) CHUlAISHO (Commander of a CID1lAI) and so on This is 50 w~ of referr1JJg to ~be units CO withoUt des1goating his aotual rank
2 EDlisted PersODDel
Both Japanese air services make great use of enlisted men as pil l) a an 9 members of elrshycrews Even as pilots enlisted men ortnumber officers by as much as four to Oll
With respect to naval enlisted ranks it shoJld be noted that the HIKO SOCHO (USN Warshyrant Officer) vears a sleeve cuff band collar tabs and shoulder boards j the JOTO HEISO (USN Chief Petty Officer) has three cherry blossons on the sleeve but no collar tabs or shouder boards while the other six enlisted ratings wear their insignia an the right arm just above the elbow
The vord BIKO which vill be noted in the titles of all eight ratings means fly1ng In the oase of the grouni air staff SEIBI is substituted for HIKO in the title and a spealtl 1 airshyplane seen from a side view is substituted for the solid airplane seen from above in their inshysignia The personnel of both the Fly1ng ani Ground Crew branches are divided into specialist oategories each categor1 being dietingui shed b its own badge and title These categories are as follOWS
1 Flying (lIIKO) BrEUch A 110~a ( lJUINbullbull
1 gbter ilots (0 ITOKI 0JtlT) bull 2 Bo bull Hot f ~ J2lI SOJUJ
B on-Pllota (~urn) 1 abee at1cm n-rt tlan photo 0 hy eto
(TEIBAiSU) bull 2 Rad1 lin gwm X7 ( AlmKrn)
II Ground Crew (SEIBI) Branch A Ground Mechanics (SEIBIIN) B Armament Specialists (HEIIIIN) c Flying mechIJaics (TOJOllf) who maintain and
inspect equipment in flight These men constitute less than 5 of the ground crew branch
In the case of Ar~ enlisted ratings the same use of BIKO will be noted For the ground crews SEIBI is substituted Enlisted men down through the grade of corporal may act as pilots all enlisted men may be members of aircrews There are no U S A~ equivalents for the HIKO GOCBO and the BIKO JOTO HEI these terma have therefore been literally translated
3 Illustrations
The charts showing Japanese Army and Ifavy flying ranks are given on the following two pages In these charts certain Japanese Navy enlisted titles are given in parentheses These reshypresent abbreviations which are frequently used by the Japanese instead of the full title of the rank in question
-~-
NEAREST NEAREST U S NAVY U S ARMY COLLAR INSIGNIA EQU I VALENT EQIJ I VALENT
bull ral General ~ Lt J~ ire-A 11 ~ 1 CHI middotll tKUSHO B tt ltgt
SHOSHO ~ajor-en
TA ISA Colonel ~ CHUSA Lt -Col (gt SHOSA Major
i ra1 SHO HO
csp tain TA l
Comnander CI A
LtComdr SHOS ~
yen(~- UH~
~
~h
The JOTO HEISO wears sleeve cuff insignia but no coller or shoulder teb insignia
) (
- ADDENDA TO PART IV (f1 YING RMoiK)
Rpcpnt information Indlcatps that effpctive July 1 1K2 ttP tltlps ann arm insllnla of till sixmiddot 10wPFt Japanpsp naval ratines of tllp sparran hranctl wprp chan)middotltI to bp as follows
PS Equivalent Japanpse
(Flyine) Petty Offl pr 1st Class JafO HIKO HE ISO (JOHISO)
(Flylni) Petty Offlcpr 2nd Class ITIO ItIKO HEISO (III ISO)
(Flyln~) Pptty Offlcpr 3rd Class tilTCI IIIKO HEISO (~IHISO)
(Fly ing) Non-ratprl IMn 1st Class HI KO HE ICIIC) (HICHO) (H~IIII
(Fly Ing) Son-rated man 2nd Class JaIO HIKOHEI (JOH I)
(Flyln~) ~on-rated man 3rd Class IHO HIKOHEI (IPPI)
Ground aviation staffs substitute SEIBI for HIKO In the easp of flylne persolU) ttP chprry blossom Is blue In the ca of ~round aviation staffs it is jl reen Thes inSijDli a 111re the old markings Irp worn on thp right sl ve Rcmiddotlh old and npw insignia 1Ill be encolUltered in cOItbat arlas deshype nd lh on r o w re c p tlr the personnel 1 question hav arrived from Japan
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I I
r-z--------IL==shy
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g = ~ ~ ~~ ~ shy
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V
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8 I [
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GLOSSARY OF JlAVAL ABBREVIATIONS EMPLOYED IN TillS PAPER
BD CA CL DD SS SA
CVS XCVS
CV ACV APV
VF VB
SB VTB VOS
-------
---
-----
SHIPS
battleship h~avy cruiser light cruiser destroyer submarine submarine tender seaplane carrier converted seaplane carrier aircraft carrier Auxiliary aircraft carrier aircraft transport
PLANS
fighter horizontal bQmbe r dive bomber torpedo plane observation plane
Air ID1ormatiOlll Reports Previously Prepared by
Air Intormat10D Branch Bure8l1 of Aeronautics
R No 1 27 JaJnl817 1943 A1rcrtlft EneiDea and Arm8meDt of the Genaan Air Foree
C
Superseded by Air Information Report No ~ (l6P Report 2) and Supp1eJII8Dt I to Air Information Report No ~
No 2 ~iarch 1943 OrganizatioD and Rank in the Japanese ArrJq and NaTY Air Services
Superseded by AID A2 August 1943
C No3 (6P 2) 20 Air Force
~ 1943 Operational Aircrat of the Germen
C No (MJ 2) Supplement I of the German Air Force
6 July 1943 Operational Aircrat
C No4 1 JUDe 1943 Jap8Ilese Engines
U - Unclassified R - Restricted C - Confidential S - Secret
ORGArlIZATlvN AN) RAWl IN TIlE JAPMCSE ARIfi AND fiAVY AIR ~iRVICES
PREFACE bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull Page v
1 OPERATIONAL AIR UNIT tERMS EMPLOYEr BY BOTH THE ARMY AND NA VY bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull Page 1
1 SHOTAI (Section) 2 CHUTAI (Squadron) bull 3 DAITAI (Type Wing) 4 BUTAI (Force) bull
II NAVAL AIR FORCE bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull Page 3
1 Naval Aviation IIdqts (KAIGUN KOKU HOMBU) 2 The Combined Fleet (ReNGO KANTAI) 3 Third Fleet (DAI SAN KANTAI)
A Ship-Borne Air Flotillas (Ship-Borne KOKUSENTAI) B Ship-Borne Air Groups and Squadrons (CHUTAI)
4 Eleventh (Shore-Based) Air Fleet (DAI JUICHI KOKU KANTAI) and Twelth (Shore-Based) Air Fleet (DAI JUNI KOKU KANTAI) A Shore-Based Air Flotillas middot(Shore-Based KOKUSENTAI) B Air Attack Forces (KUSHUBUTAI) C Base Air Force (KICHI KOKU BUTAI) D Shore-Based Air Groups (KOKUTAI) E DAITAI (Type Wines) Squadrons (CHUTAI) Sections (SHOTAI)
I I I bull ARMY AIR FORCE bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull Page 10
1 Army Aviation Hdqts (RIKUGUll KOKU HOMBU) 2 Air Commands (KOKU HEIDAN) and Flying Divisions (HIKO SPIDAN) 3 Flying Brigades (HIKODAN) and Flying Regiments (HIKO SENTAI) 4 Type Wines (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI) Section (SROTAI) 5 Task Forces (BUTAI) 6 AQ~inistrative Units 7 Training Units
IV FLYING RANK - ARMY AND NAVY bullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbull Page 1
1 Officers bull 2 Enlisted Personnel 3 Illustrations
SUMMARY bull bullbull PfI8e 18
Naval Air Service bull bull bull Table A Part I
Ar~ Air Service Table A Part 2
GLOOSAIrl bull bull bull bull bullbull Feee 21
111
PREFACE
The Preface to the llarch 1943 edition of this Report s tattd I This paper should not be considered in any sense a final disposition of the subject matter On the contrary it reshypresents rnerel~r a tentative approach to the subject Not only is further data concerning Japanese air organization likely to become available) but that organization is itself subject to constant chanee
Since that ~eport IU S issued more cata has come to light and further changes have taken place in the or~anization of the Japanese air forces As a result this revised version of Air Infornation Report to 2 is heine issued Again it is necessary to caution the reader that Japanese air organization is extremely complex and extremely flexible almost any statement made in this paper may have to be re-examined in the light of new evidence or of changes which may take place in the Japanese air forces
This paper has placed considerable emphasis on Japanese terms in order to facilitate their handline by US personnel The confusion which has hitherto surrounded the subject of Japanese air organization hus resulted in large part from the Japanese language itself
It is obvious that the Japanese will write air unit terms such as section in the pictorshyial characters of their own language Japanese phonetic renderings of these characters when written in Roman letters are termed Romaji For example the phonetic rendering of the characshyters meaning section is SHOTA Such a Japanese Romaji term may be translated by a variety of Enrlish equivalents It is therefore desirable to use insofar as possible the original Romaji ter~ and not their En~lish equivalents
A further important source of the confusion surrounding the subject of Japanese air organishyzation has been the too literal acceptance of statements concerning that organization made by Japanese sources
In particular the loose use of various organizational terms such as BUTAI which has both general and specific meanings and such as SENTI which describes ground and surface as well as air units should be not6d Also the tendency of Japanese sources to identify Japanese units in a variety of we - by the name of the CO (this is especially frequent) the name of the current station the name of the parent unit or a numerical deSignation must be taken into account The possibility of misunderstandings arising from the above practices should be borne in mind by US personnel when confronted by seemingly contradictory evidence concerning Japanese air organizntion
This paper does not attempt any detailed description of the strength and composition of specific units except insofar as such description may serve to illustrate general Japanese pracshytice
The composition of any air unit may change radically from time to time as losses are exshyperienced and as its component elements are re-assigned or re-inforced For this reason the identification of a yiven unit should not be taken as a necessary indication of that units strength the units middotcomposition ~y have been changed since its strength was last ascertained Because of the frequency of such changes any analysis of the stren~th and disposition of all but the very lar~est Japanese air units would serve no useful purpose in a paper of this type and classification
Any analysiS of J panese air organization should be based on a knowledge cf Japanese naval orbanization Readers desirine to pursue this latter subject further are referred to confidential Serial 69-43 or the lates t revis ion thereof issued by the Office of Naval Intelligence
NOTE A clear understanding of this paper will be more easily secured if constant reference is made to Parts 1 and 2 of Table A while reading Chapters I - III of the text
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OPCHT1CIL U~H T ThIS t -LCY BY Be THE
AR~ AND ~VY
1 SEOTI (Section)
The snallest Japanese air unit is the ~H()1iI which is co~posed of 01 C f I l Jlt I three) aircraft SHO means small AI is a suffix maa ni n unit n-us S 10 1 m~8n B IT1lt 1 un i t lhe nearest u S equivalent is the section The Still II I exists CI ~y 8S a unit ampn n fli ht
2 CHl~I (Squ~dron)
Two to four (usually three) SHOTAI make up a Ch~ThI which t hus contains an approximate total of 6-12 aircraft CHU means center or middle more r rely mean or Medium Thus CHUlAI would _an medium sized unit he nearest US eauivalent is the squadron In Ar _ squadron both as an administrativtl and is a tactical unit is termed 8 C~~TAI In the Navy 8
squadron is known tactically as a Ch~TI but administratively 85 a B I AI
3 DAITAI (~pe jine)
Two to three CIIUTAI (squadrons) when in flieht may form a JITi- Dai means -Yamp-eness or rreatness hence DAITAI is Ii terally laree unt t LA 1TA1 is transla ed as liT 1
it is the largest air unit necessarily made up of exclusively one type of aircraft
This SHOTAI-ClmTAI-DA1TAI pattern is extremely flexible dependine on the i nmiddot 1vidual opershya tine requirements of the units in question One edium bonber DA1TAI orera tine in northeast Australia is believed to have been composed as follows
1st CHUTAl - 1 SHOTAl of three aircrcft
2 SHOTA1 of four aircraft each
TOTAL 11 aircraft
2nd CHUTAI - 1 SHOTAI of two aircraft
3 SHOTAI of three aircraft each
TOTALs 11 aircraft
3rd CHUTAI - 1 SHOTAI of one aircraf+
4 SPOTAI of three airc r
TOTAL 13 aircraft
GRAND TOTAL 35 aircraft
It is evidently the Japanese intent to organ1te these lower operational echelons in pyrashymids of threes this intent is reflected in their flying formations
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4 BUTAla
BUTAI meaning force ill a term used alone or in conjunc tion wi th other terms by both the Japanese Army and Navy to describe rather lar~e air task forces Army BUTAI and Navy BUTAI KUSHUBUTAI (r Attack Forces) and KICHI KOKU BUTAI (Base Air Forces) will be fully described in Chapters II ~d III of this paper
In addition to the above lIIBanin~s BUTAI is often used in a rather general sense to refer to any llir unit In this sense BUTAI is gene rally prefaced by the name of the units commander eg WAtANABE BUTAI (the Wa tanabe air unit) ~en used in this way BUTAI contains no implications as to the size and type of the unit in que s ti on - it is r ather vague and non-descriptive term This emphasizes again the necessity for referring to Japanese air unit terms in Romaji unless an authoritati~e translation for such Romaji has alr ady been disseminated
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-
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NAVAL AIR FORCE
(KAIGUN KOKU HOMBU) and the Combined Naval Air Cor s ( RENGO1
The Naval Air Service is an inte~al part of the Navy its particular problems being hanshydled by the Naval Aviation Headquarters (KAlGUN KOKU HOMBU) which are headed by a Vice-Admiral KAIGUN is Navy KOKU is aviation and HOMBU is Headquarters
These Headquarters were reorganized during October 1942 to give the Vice-Admiral Commandshying authority over air operations as well as over aviation personnel and materiel This followed a similar reorganization of the Army Air Force Headquarters which had taken place in Yay 1942 The head of the Naval Aviation Headquarters may be compared to our own Deputy Chief of Naval Opershyations for Air
The head of the Naval Aviation Headquarters is co-equal in authority to the Navy Minister and the Chief of the Naval General Staff Each of these three officers is directly responsible to the Emperor Together they constitute the High Command of the Japanese Navy
Naval air training is carried on by the Combined NaTal Air Corps (KAIGUN RENGO KOKU SCTAI) located in Japan proper and now headed by a Prince of the Imperial Family This Corps answers directly to the Naval Aviation Headquarters It consists of Combined Air Groups (RENGO KOKUTAI) which are the units through which its training program is executed
2 The Combined Fleet (RENGO KANTAI)
Under these three officers Comel (a) The C-in-C Combined Fleet (b) the C-in-C Southwest Area F (Burma Malaya IndO-China NEI Philippines) (c) the C-in-C China Seas Fleet (d) the ~nders of Home Defense Forces in Japan proper
Airflot 23 (KOKUSENtAI 23) known tactically as the East Indies Air Force (East Indies KOKU BUTAI) is attached to the 2nd Southern Expeditionary Fleet of the Southwest Area Fleet Airflot 23 consists of one XCVS and two shore-based Air Groups (KOKUtAI)
With this exception the majori~ of Japanese naval aviation li~e the majori~ of Japanese naval surface strength comes under the Combined Fleet RENGO is Combined KANTAI il Fleet This fleet is broken down administratively into six surface Fleets two Air Fleeta and one subshymarine Fleet and tactically into various task forces and task organizati~ns
Among the surface Fleets is the Third Fleet (DAI SAN KANtAI) which includes all Japanese carriers and henCd most Japanese naval ship-borne air strength
The two Air Fleets are the 11 th (DAI JUICHI KOKU KANTAI) and the 12th (DAlJUNI KOKU KANtAI) These two Air Fleets together contain most of the Japanese Navys shore-based air strength The Eleventh Air Fleet functions in the South and Southwest Pacific the Twelfth Air Fleet which is considerably smaller was recently created to meet the growing American threat to the Kur1les
These Fleets and Air Fleets are commanded by Vice-Admirals (KAIGUN CHUSHO) TheBe same officers exercise tactical command over the task forces whioh parallel to a large extent the orshyganization of these administrative Fleets
KOKU stands for air DAI SAN is third DAI JUICHI 11 eleventh DAI JUNI 11 twelfth
3 Third Fleet (DAI SAN KANTAI)
The Third Fleet contains all Japanese carriers as well as one Batdiv two Crudivs and five Desdivs It also includes Airflot 50 containing two shore-based Air Groups and one aircraft
- shy
middot -shy
r rrier which are devoted to ASW and to the trainine of carrier squadrons and three ACVs which re probably used as aircraft transports The continued existence of Airflot 50 is currently in
10ubt
In addition to the aircraft carriers which make up the Third Fleet and to the seaplane carriers to be described later Japanese naval ship-borne air strength includes observation pl~es on various classes of warships as followsl
NUMBER CARRIED NO TYPE PLANE TYPE BY EACH TOTAL
10 BattlB1hips YOS 3 30 1 Heavy Cruiser (AOEU CLAS ) VOS 2 2 2 Heavy Cruisers (TONE CLhSe vos 6 12 9 Heavy Cruisers VOS 4 36 2 Heavy Cruisers VOS 6 12
14 Li jht Crv i -err VOS 1 14 1 Li t ht Cruiser NONE 0 C 3 Sub~~rine Tenders vos 5
33 Submar lnes VOS 1 33 3 Armed Lo rchant Cruiserb VOS 2 6
It was t one time su ~~eB ted that these planes came under the adminiBtrative cognizance of the Third Fleet There is no evidence to support this view
A Ship-borne Air Flotillas (Ship-borne KOKUSENTAI)
The Third Fleet the Eleventh Air Fleet and probably the Twelfth Air Flee t are divided administratively into KOKUSENTAI each cOlllllaJlded by a Rear Admiral (KAIGUlI SHOSHO) KOKU means
aviation and SENTAI means division iOKUSENTAI is translated Air Flotilla or Airflot
It is b~lieved that KOKUSENTAI 1-10 are reserved for Cardivs KOKUSENTAI 11-20 for seaplane d training cocmands KO~JSENTAI 21-30 for shore-based Air Flotillas Currently only KOKUSENTAI and 2 (Cardivs) 14 and 18 (Training) 21 22 23 24 25 and 26 (Shore Based Airflots) are
1 erational
Two or three carriers (one Cardiv) make up one ship-borne KOKUSENTAI The total air complement of two or three Japanese carriers would range from about 100 to 200 plane~depending on
he carriers involved Thus a carrier KOKUSENTAI is about the same size as a shore-based Il KUS m1TAI There is some evidence that Cardivs (Carrier KOKUSENTAI) actually operate as tactical 1i ts
The Third Fleet contains Two Cardivseach containine 2-3 carriers The number of carriers ~ n any given Cardiv varies over a period of time occasionally one carrier will operate alone dishyectly under the Third Fleet w thout being a part of either of its Cardi vs
There were until recently two Seaplane KOKUSENTAI each made up of 4-6 seaplane carriers dach carrying 10-14 planes) These Seaplatendivs have recently been disbanded and their comshyne~t vessels re-assigned as elements of other Japanese ~leets The largest seaplane concentrashy
n (CVS and 5 XCVS) is now to be found in the train of the Combined Fleet
The complements of Japanese seaplane carriers are as followsl
SEAPLhtJ1 CARRIERS
Cvsr NAME NOTORO
AIRCRAFT 10-V05 1 Catapult
TOTAL -lO
CV~-2 K llOI 10-VOS 10 CVS-3 lt ITOSE l4-VOS 4 Catapults 14 CVS-4 CI TYOD 14-VOS 4 Catapults 14 cvs-e ta ss 14shy VOS 4 Ca tepu l ts 14 CVSshy 1 AKITS II 14-VOS 4 Ca u p 1 ts 14
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CONVERTED SEAPLANE CARRIERS
TYPE NAME AIRCRAFTb TOTAL
XCVS-l KAM KAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-2 YA8UKAWA MAIm 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-3 KmlIKAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-S VOS 13 XCVS-4 SANUKI MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-S VOS 13 XCVS-5 SANYO VARU 8 SeaplEJ9 Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-6 OKITSU MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 vas 13 XCVS-7 KIll KAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Firhters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-8 SAGARA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-9 KIYOKAWA lIARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 vas 13
b - Estimated
B Ship-borne Air Groups and Squadrons (CHUTAI)
A shore-based KOKUSENTAI (Airflot) breaks down into several shore-based KOKUTAI (Air Groups~ It has been suggested that the air complement of a ship-borne KOKUSENTAI (Cardiv) is similarly broken down into several ship-based KOKUTAI (Air Groups) each comprising the air complement of one aircraft carrier
However there is no evidence of the existenoe of any Air Groups other than the named and numbered Groups referred to later in this text Certain of these Air Groups based in Japan are training units and some of these latter serve exclusively to replenish carrier strengths Units of operational naval Air Groups might also be emparked on carriers if the tactical situation so demanded Thus the air complement of one carrier might b8 made up of Squadrons drawn from several different Air Groups
The Squadrons embarked on one carrier regardless of their original administrative affiliashytions will form one tactical unit while on that carrier This tactical unit will be designated by the name of its carrier and may be roughly compared to a US carrier air group Unlike the regular Japanese Air Group (KOKUTAI) it is not a permanent administrative unit
The air complement of a Japanese carrier will vary (36-72 planes) according to the size of the carrier Thus as will be seen later a carrier-borne air unit varies within roughly the same limits as a shore-based KOKUTAI (Air Group)
NAME VF VSB VTB TOTAL
ROSRO (Training-Airflot 50) SHOKAKU (Cardiv 2) ZUIKAKU (CardivI) ZUIHO (Third Fleet or Cardiv 1) HITAKA (Cardiv 2) HAYATAKA (Cardiv 2) RYUHO (Airflot 50 or Cardiv 2) OTAKA (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying) UNTO (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying) CHUYO (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying)
12 27 27 27 24 24
9 9 9
18 18
18 18
18 18 18
24 27 27
9 9 9
9 9 9
36 72 72 36 51 51 36 36 36 36
4 JUICHI KOKU KANTAI) and the Twelfth (Shore-based
The Eleventh Air Fleet as previously indicated includes most of the Navys shore-based planes It consists of shore-based Airflots 21 22 25 and 26 3 APVs and 2 DDls are also attached to this Air Fleet
The Eleventh Air Fleet functions in the Melanesia - New Guinea ares Also in this area is the 8th Fleet composed of cr~isers anc destroyers These two fleets combine to form the Southshy
_ i _
ealt Area Fleet whi~h is commanded by the C-in-C Eleventh Air Fleet In the train of the Southshyeast Area Fleet are 2 XCVS It should be remembered that this organization is administrative not tactical
Adminiatrative headquarte ~ middote Eleventh Air Fleet are at Tenian a small island south at Saipan but C-in-C Eleventh Air Fleet has maintain d his operational staff at Rabaul since August 1942
Recently the Twelfth (shore-based) Air Fleet has been created to meet the menace arising froM the US seizure of Attu Island The Twelfth Ai r Fleet is based in the Kuriles it probably is made up of Airflot 24
A Shore-based Air Flotillas (Shore-based KOKUNSENTAI)
An Air Fleet is broken down administratively into KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotillas)
One Air Flotilla (abbreviated to Airflot)is made up of combat detachments from two to four Air Groups The strength of the Airflot will depend on the fluctuating size of these detachments it will generally total an~~ere from 50 to 150 (more usually 75 to 125) planes
Air Flotillas have auxiliary surface vessels such as aircraft transports attached to them for supply purposes Thus Airflots 22-26 each contain one APV Airflots 23 and 26 each contaiOl ne CVS in addition
B Air Attack iurcel (KUSHUBUtAI)
The Eleventh and TWelfth Air Fleets planes are organized administratively into five Airflots they are alao organized tactically into five Air Attack Forces (KUSHUBUTAI) KUSHU ia attaCk BUTAI is torce Each Airflot is related to one Air Attack Force
Airtlot 21 - 1st Air Attack Force Airflot 22 - 2nd Air Attack Force Airflot 24 - 4th Air Attack Force Airflot 25 - 5th Air Attack Force Airflot 26 - 6th Air Attack Force
The Rear Adndral commanding each Airflot is also the head of the corresponding Air Attack Force and it is believed that each Air Flotilla serves as the administrative foun~in-head for the Air Attack Force to which it is related ~Vhile the Air Flotillas are administrative units the Air Attack Forces are exclusively tactical in function Like all task forces they are exshytremely flexible inmiddot size and composition Each Air-Attack Force is made up in the main of units drawn from its corresponding (administrative) Air Flotilla
Airflot 23 it will be remembered is a part of the Southwest Area Fleet and is known tactically as the East Indies Force (DUT~I) or Air Force (KOKU BU~I) It would appear that the East Indies BUtAI is an air task force type on roughly the same level as the Air Attack -Forces though probably less mobile beine rather permanently stationed in the area from which it takes its name The appearance of other such BUTAI (or KOKU BUTAI) is possible
C Base Air Force (KIeHl KOKU BUTAI)
It is believed that the Base Air Force (KICHI KOKU BUTAI) is a task force type quite disshytinct from the above-mentioned BUtAI or KOKU ~UtAI
In a recent South Pacific operation the C-in-C Eleventh (shore-based) Air Fleet functionshyed tactically aa Commander Base Air Force which was a task force embracing those of the Eleventh Air Fleets Air Attack Forces taking part in this particular operation
Evidently when a cOlsiderable number of naval land-based airplanes are called on to partici shypate in an operation under one unified command they may be organized into a lar~e air task force termed the Base Air Force (KICHI KOKU SUTAI) This task force will be of considerably greater
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scope than either a Force (BU~I) or an Air Attack Force (KUSHUBU~I) either or both of which lllieht be among its component elements The Base Air Force might be tenned the tac-tical equivalent of the administrative Air Fleet
It is possible however that during a future operation the ~rm Base Air Force may be used with a very different meaning
It should be re-emphasized that the KOKU KAHTAI (Air Fleet) and the KOKUSENTAI (Airflot)are permanent elements in the administrative organization of the Japanese naval air service whereas the KUSh~BUAI (Air Attack Force) the KOKU BUTAI (Air Force) and the KICHI KOKU BU~I (Base Air Force) are task forces types created temporarily to meet the needs of the current Pacifio struggle
The above Base Air Force should not be confused with the Bnse Groups - which are units mainly composed of seaplanes assigned to variou9 Japanese b~se 3 in the Pacific Their exact status is obscure their role is believed lar~ely defensive It is possible that they have some operational relationship to the 11th Air Fleet
D Shore-based Air Groups (Shore-bnsed KOKUTAI)
One KOKUSENThI (Airflot) breaks down into two or three KOKUThI (Air Groups) or detachments shyusually Type Tongs - thereof KOKU is air A I is unit the Japanese sometines abbreviate KOKUThI to KU
Air Groups are o~ded by Naval Captains (KAIGUN ~ ISA) and are the basi c admi nistrative units of the Japanese navnl air service Air Groups (K KUTA I) are of two typos
(1) middotThose wh ich have permanent horne st uns in the Japanese Empire and which are sometimes known by the names of these stations
(2) Specially Mobilized Air Groups ( TOhUSETSU KOKUTAI) whi ch are numbered and are known by their numerical designations It is believed th ~ these Groups may h ve been establi 3hed at air stations ou~side the Empireas the Japanese h~ve shown some inclination to n ame ai r stations within the Empire and to number those outside the Empire
Recentlythe Japanese have introduced very high numeral designations for both named and numbered Air Groups named Air Groups are pp rently now irnown by boh t he ir ori inal lIIIO S and their new numbers
These new hi~ numbers serve ns II fa i r l re_i~bl~ uide t o the o Do-i tion of the Air Groups i ol ved thus observati on roups are usual ly nUD r e the 100 s flgh ter Groups in the 200s mixed figh ter-bomber Groups in the 500s bovbmiddot r Gro~ ln t e 700s flyi n boat Groups in the 800s fl oat plane Groups in the 900s But re are lots of 81Cceptions ti le composition of many Air Groups is rather mixed
This system like all matters pertaininr to the de s middotnation ot 1 ir un~8 1s ot coursej
subject to constant chan(~ Th J apanese ar ~ns ly secur ity nd d nominal and ~umerical chan~e s are continuallY i r To uced in the ore nl zs t l on o~ hei r nava _ 1r Qrce to concsa i ts r eal 8 tUB
The to 1 numbe r of Air Groups in active status wil l -~ ac ord n eng th of thebull v
Japanese air force I f heavy losses are experi~nce c Iteln Groups t 01 if production and training out-run casual ~ e Ie l r urO may be e p seldom nctio s II c na t un t in i ts eI ~i re the total 11 S1I1 ald fluctu t ons trerei a~ t te s O~ I _llst t + r ti
Air GroupE do - t n ceasaril cl)1Siat of only 00 tIP of aircraf bull Uld ther S i L~ 1 ry t hin wide li r I aIB run aa hi ~ lampv othera 10 s 18 (ton th contain
tr nmiddot~ort planes 10 dd ian to o or or type t pl noa
A fur ~er uonru~1nv 6 the t c a - ltInts may be d
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Some of an Air Groups stren~th may be maintained at its home station particularly if that station is in the Japanese Empire These aircraft will have duties in connection with air raid defense and anti-submarine warfare they will probably also engage in advanced operational trainshying As the Air Groups home strengt middot is increased by the addition of planes and air crews reshyceived from Japanese factories nnd training centers that home strength will in turn be reduced by the despatch of the Air Groups combat detachments to various Air Flotillas
It is sometimes difficult when confronted with documentary evidence that a certain Air Group is a part of a given Airflot to decide whether the entire Air Group or merely one of its combat detachments is involved It is ~enerally believed however that these are references to combat d~tachments of Air Groups not to the total original establishmeuts of the Air Groups conshycerned These combat detachments may PA made up of one or more Type Wings or of lesser units shysuch as Squadrons
One Airflot for example is thought to have been made up as follows 3 bomber Type Wings (DAITAI) of 27-30 planes each 5 fighter Type Win~s and one observation squadron (CHUTAI) of ten planes
One Air Group had the following of its units attached to an Airflot three fighter squadrons (15 planes each) and two torpedo squadrons (9 planes each)
Both these examples suggest that Air Flotillas are made up of Type Win~s andor Squadrons taken from several different Air Groups
Certain Air Groups by the way do not seem to have any combat functions they are merely training units serving as replacement pools for other combat Air Groups or for aircraft carriers Training Air Groups are believed to diverge somewhat in strength and composition form other Air Groups
In considering lists of shore-based Air Groups and their aircraft strengths one must thereshyforemiddotconsider whether the Air Group in question is a trainin~ or a combat unit and if the latter whether its ~iven aircraft stren~th represents the total original establishment of the Air Group at its home base or the present operating strength of one of its overseas detachments
Often the operating detachment of an Air Group will be referred to in such d manner as to lead one to believe that it comprises the entire Air Group At other times the original establishshyment of the enbire Air Group may be given without any clear indication that its operating detach~ ments can claim but a fraction of that strength
Of course there must always be borne in mind the possibility that an Air Group will function its entirety as a combat unit of an Air Flotilla This is probably ~ore often true of Specially Mobilized Air Groups than of those which have bases within the Japanese Empire
It has been suggested that operational detachments of Air Groups will appFoximate the followshying figures A flying boat detachment 12 aircraft a floatplane detachment 12-18 planes a fighter detachment I 45 fighters with 6 reccos occasionally added Medium bomber detachments will sometimes come as high as 45 planes 27 is however the more normal fi~ure while dive bomber deshytachments usually have about 18 planes
An enemy source indicates that these combat detach~ents of Air Groups are known as RONTAI which means main unit The home detachments are known as ZAURYUTAI which means remaining units These terms indicate the overseas detachments to be lorger than the home units
E Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI BUNTAI) Sectiqns (SHOTAI)
As indicated in Part I of this text the DAlTAI (Type Wing) exists as a unit only when in flight It does not exist as an administrative unit on the ground Thus organizationally the Ai Group brea~s down into a variable nunber of Squadrons cf 9 planes each
lhree quadrons flying together as a unit ar~ called a )IAI Such a Type Wing wil be ~( -aJlled hy the seni~r Squadron leader r esent
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The Squadron in fli~ht is known as a Cl~TAI as an administrative unit on the ground it is known as a BUNTAI The iquadrol breaks dORl into 3 Sections (SHOTAI) of three planes each
As an exa~ple of the administrative break-down of an Air Group into Squadrons the following make-up one KCKUTAI is cited
9lNTAI ifl amp jf2 Fighter squadrons (total 22 planea) BljNTAI TflJ amp 1f4 Fighter maintenance unit BUNTAI ff5 amp ttfgt Bomber squadrons (total 18 planes)
BUUTAI ff7 30ccer n~irtenance unit EUIITJI ff8 Communications unit
BVN7hI if9 amp tlO Adcinistrative units
It is stated that wi thin this KOKUTAI the two fighter BUNTAI were treated as one unit and th9 two bomber DUNTAI were treated as one unit The total fighter uni t when in flight was probably called a DhITAI the sarns beinE true of the total bomber unit
It 6ppears that a KOKUTAI may sometimes have plflne strength in reserve in addition to the complement of its DAITAI The above KOKUTAI had two DAITAI of 30 planes each plus a Group reshyserve of 10 planes making a total KOKUTAI strength of 70 planes
Its interesting to note that this Air Group apparently functioned as one unit instead of being broken up into a home detachment and a combat detachment
The above maintenance BUNTAI break down into maintenance HAN (Platoons) of 50-60 men each attached to one aircraft Squndron
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ARMY AIR FORCE
It is felt that naval personnel should be familiar with Jap~nese Army air organization because of the increasinL use of Japanese Ar~J air units in the Pacific Their assignment to this theater has been brought about both by a desire to afford close air support to Army ~round troops in New Guinea and New Bri tain and by the need to make good drastic air losses suffered in the Pacific by t ~ naval air force
1 Army Aviation Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU H01ABU)
The administration of Army aviation was reorganized in Amy 1942 in order to give the Army Air Force a degree of power and autonomy not unlike that of our own AAF At that time the Army Aviatior Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU HOMIlU) were set up to be headed by a Lieutenant General (RIKUGIDt CHUSHO) or a full General (RIKUGUN TAISHO) RIKUGUU means Army amps distinct from KAIGUN Navy
The Commandi ng General Army Aviation Headquarters is directly responsible to the Emperor instead of to the Uinister of War or the Chief of the General Staff who are his equa l s in rank and who also enjoy direct accebullbull to the Emperor These three officers constitute the High Command of the Japanese Army the head of Army Aviamptio~ HeadqUarters havine cognizance of Army air operashytions training and materiel
It is obvious however that this officer much like the Commanding General of our own Army Air Forces is not in a position to exercise direct tactical command over the wide spr ad air forces which he heado This tactical command must rest with heads of the various Air Commands in differshyent theaters of war
2 Air COll1lllllnds (KOKU EEIDAll) and Flying Divisions (EIKO SHIDMl)
HIKO is flyine SHIDAN is diviSion hence HIKO SHIDAU is Flying DiV1 sion The Flying Division is the largest unit of the Japanese Army Air Service Commanded by a Lieutenant-General it includes anywhere from 200 to 400 planes and the mit lecessary to servicing thereof
Seven Flying Divisions have been identified the 1st in Japan proper the 2nd ~n Manchuria the 3rd in China the 4th in Manchuria and the North China the 5th in Burma and adjacent regions the 6th in the Southwest Pacific and the 7t h in the UE I Headquarters of the 5th are a t Rangoon of the 6th at Rabaul and of the 7th at Ambon
The 6th and 7th Flying Divisions were very recent y activated It is believed that they were organized out of units taken from other Flying Divi slons for this purpo se
A flying Division does not maintain any fixed a_ze or composition i t ~y shrink or expand as the military situation requires Air units are shif teci free y from Oru Flyine Division to anshyother the Divisions themselves are rarely moved a bout as llnl t S
One step above the Flying Division is the KOICU IibluAU KOKU i8 a ir -rrI N is Corps KOKU HEIDAN is translated Air Command nlree Air COUlllllds have been i dentified e ach headed by a Lieutenant General the 1st in Japan proper t he 2ncr i n Planohuria an i) e 3rd at Si ll ep0re
These Air Commands are staffs not uni ts They con 1 11 r~ ai r 0
areas under th~ir cogni zance Thus the 1s t Plying Dv1sion a swe s ~h I s 2nd 3rd and 4th lyint lVlSlon to tht 2nd Ai r CODllampnd the 5th 6tl 11 bull
pr ohably to the 3rd Ai Commands
ThA Air Co~de are not mobIle they are pe~1ently ~ ~b~ d in d rferen war tJ exe r C1se st r tei c COllllOllUl ( ltn er Army air units i n t hose r4 Taotical nth tho F vin D1 i si n or me - unit is too W1atl ~ y middotat ter ~o un n fi B Q body lliith the PlYinG 3ri ada
co 0 remains
Units may be freely shifted ROOut from one Air Commnnd to another the Command itself reshymains unaffected Air COllnands are crec ted or abolished aR the ter1po and location f air operashytions seem to require
It is interesting to speculate on the relation between these commands of the Japanese Army air forces and the equivalent commands of the ~apanese Army fround f orces
The Japanese armies which might be co pared to Flying Divisions are co-orcinated by staffs which might be co pared to the Air Commands These staffs are C-in-C National Defense Forces in Japan proper C-in-C Kwantunr Army in Manchuria C-in-C Forces in China C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces with headquarters at Sin~apore It is not certain whether the 8th Army Grou~ controlling gr ound forces in the south and southwest Pacific with headquarters at Rabampul answers to C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces or directly to the Army High Command in TOkyo
It will be seen that C-in-C National Defense Forces corresponds to the 1st Air Command C-in-C Kw~tun~ Army and C-in-C Forces in China to the 2nd Air Command and the C-in-C Southshyern Expeditionary forces to the 3rd Air Command
It is not known whether in these cases the Air Command is subordinated to the equivalent grpund command or whether each of the two commands answers i ndividually to the Army High Command in Tokyo In the latter case the ground and air ccmmand r s are pres~~bly expected to effect coshyordination on a voluntary basis The Japanese ~mphasis on unity of commans and on the use of airshypower in support of ground operations -takes the former course middotmiddot more likely than the latter however
3 Flying Brigades (EIKODA n and Flying Regiments (EIKO SENTAI)
The Flying Division breaks down into about 3 Flyinr Bri~ades each with about 70-120 planes The Flying Brigade is generally commanded by a ~ajor General (RIKUGUN SEOSHO) though eometimes by a Colonel (RIKUGUN TAISA) It may be roulhly compared to a Navy KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotilla)
HI middot bull is an abbrevia t ioe for HIKO which II ans flying and RYODAN which leans Brirade The r are very mobile being divorced from servicing and administrative responsibilities They are _ee ly shifted from one Flying Division to another thus for example a riven Flying Brigade might fight in Burma during the dry season as part of the 5th Flying Brigade and might be transferred to the lffiI as part of the 7th Flying Di~sion during the Monsoon
A Flying Brigade breaks down into 3 Flying Regiments each of about 27 planes HIKO is flying SENTAI is battle uni til Flying Regiments ware called HIKO RENTAl before the war RENTAl being the ground forces term for regiment Iately the more dynamic term SENTAI has been substituted
The Flying Regiments like the Flying Brigades are divorced from administrative and servicshying duties and hence are extremely mobile However they generally function within the framework of the Flying Brigade - Flying Regiments are not shifted fram one Brigade to another al freely al Brigades are shifted from one Flying Division to another Flying Regiments are generally commanded by Majors (RIKUGUN SHOSA) or Lieutenant Colonelb (RlKUGUN CHUSA)
A Flying Brigade does not necessarily consist of only type of aircraft a Flying Regiment generally does
4 Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI) Sections (SHOTAI)
A Flying Regiment breaks down into three Squadrons (C~TAI)Jf 9 planes each The Japane~e Army Squadron is the same as the Navy squadron breaking down into three sections (SEOTAI) ~f three planes each A squadron will generally be commanded by a Captain (HlKUGUN TAIl) TIhen in flight three squadrons are te r med a DAITAI This is exclusively a tactical term
Certain S u drons operate independently usually as obse(vation units attached to ground forces These are terced DOKIRITSU t A I (Independent Squadrons)
5 Task Forces (BUTAI)
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We have noted the Navy use of BL AI XSHUBUTAI and KIlII J OIIT BU rBI Th also createsy
tactical air ~8k fo rces - though 1 (I fr Dllent l y in t lar l y ttUl the Nl n ir ta k forces are termed BU AI ti r siLl and oo~po8i tio~ II vary accor in to heir mi on TJo- ir exi5ten~e probably does not outlast t he f ul f ll~n ~ s mission
6 Administrative lnl t Air Dictric Hl RE BU) DAfTAI) Airfield C mp~ JAo~rrt~TI~~~~----~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1~i~e~s~(~n~IUK7G~
Scatte ~ throughc1t Greater East As ia are panese Air District Hedquort 118 are staffs eac If ich ccut l)ls all a r dlti n groun uncti oDs ( ser - i ng and adminill in he area under gn ~za~c It will be r e campl l d that the Fly i n Di vis i n is or-kDl ze ~ ~ athe permanent toIr n tonal basis it is bel i ad thllt all h a divie on will break ltlown tac t lc lly u-to Flying Brigad5 8 ald administratively int o Ai Dis tri ct Headquarters
The Flying Dri~ades are mobile comba t Ilvia t i on uni ts the Air District Headquarters are imshymobile ground housekeeplng units Bo th answer to tIe Commanding General of thei r parent Flying Division who thus controls all aviation matters wi~hin the zone under his command Comparatively little is known of the organization and content of the Air District Headquarters
A lower adrninistrative and servicing echelon is the HIKOJO DAITAI HIKOJO means airfield DAITAI is 1aree unit The Airfield Battalion is generally attached directly to a Flying Regishyment whose administrative and servicing functions it assumes
On the following page is a chart reproduced from ATIS SnFA Serial 159 showi ng the organishyzation of an Airfield Battalionas described by an ene~J source It will be seen that the Battalshyion breaks down into a guard company a eupply company and a servicing company this latter conshysisting of three servicing platoons each attached to one aircraft squadron
The Airfield Battalion is a mobile urlit It doe s not necessarily move with the Flying Regishyment but will generally move closely after or effeet a rendeJvous with such I parent unit as the latter will be heavily dependent on it for 6er~clng It is believed t t an Airfield Batalion will come under cognizamprlce of the Air District Headquarters in whose area it functions
The HIKOJO CHUTAI or Airfield Company is a miniature version of the Airfield Battalion It will be attached to squadrons operating independently or to small advanced airfields
7 Air Trainin (KYOIKU
Advanced operational training il conducted by Flying Divisions - articularly those in quiet areas such as Japan and Manchuria
Primary and intermediate training was formerly the function of the First Flying Division in Japan proper Lately it is believed that this division has been relieved of prtmary and intermedishyate training so as to free it for the defense of Japan and the Kuriles Those of its units which carried on training activities have been assigned to the newly created 51st Air Training Division also located in Japan proper
So far no other Air Training Division has been identified The 51st Air Training Division breaks down into Air Trainine Brigades a~d Air Training Regiments much like any other Flying DiTt sion The wora KYOlKU which will be noted in the above titles means training
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FLYING RANK - ARMY AND NAVY
1 Officers
Officers of the Japanese ~ and Navy air services have - like US flyers - the same titles and badBes of rank as other line officers of the service to which they belOIlS These titles and insignia are reproduced on pages 15 and 16
In the case of naval officers oollar and shoulder tab insignia the cherry b10SsomB are silver the areas shaded in the illustrations on pBBe 15 UtI black and the WlSl d areas are gold In the case of flying officers the cherry blossom ~ be bluej in cese of air ground staff officers it may be green These insignia are worn as collar tabe on blu uniforms and as shoulder-boards on white uniforms The cuif bands are black on t lue unifClIIllB ~ld lace being used for ceremonial dress On fly1ng dress officers wear a c l oth PI tcll on tlI l e 1t 8I1I bbove the elbow bearing a design in gold lace similar to that of e curt b llds
In the case of the army offioers insignia the stars ex ~ gold the eretiB sruWed on page 15 are red and the unshaded areas are gold
It vill be noted that ArrIly and Navy Officers have the amt t1t~e3 of r mk Tj wor KAIGUN (Navy) and RIKtnUN (nArrIly) aro prefixed to avoid confusio In tJe Navr fl-mg o ~ icars put the tern KOKU between KAIGUN ani their title of rank while g o 8 Gai ~t l e e r use t- gt tert SEIBI in the same w~ Thus a KAIGUN KOKIJ SHOOA is a flying Li8lteDlJlt Q1JDnjer hile a KAIGm~ SEIBI SHooA is a Lieutenant Commander A-V(S)
The SHO which is used in SHooHO (rear Admiral) SHU3HO (Vice Admiral) ani ASnO (Admiral) means COIllllBDding officer and may on occasion be used as follows SHOTAISRO (CamtlI8J1der of a SHOTAI) CHUlAISHO (Commander of a CID1lAI) and so on This is 50 w~ of referr1JJg to ~be units CO withoUt des1goating his aotual rank
2 EDlisted PersODDel
Both Japanese air services make great use of enlisted men as pil l) a an 9 members of elrshycrews Even as pilots enlisted men ortnumber officers by as much as four to Oll
With respect to naval enlisted ranks it shoJld be noted that the HIKO SOCHO (USN Warshyrant Officer) vears a sleeve cuff band collar tabs and shoulder boards j the JOTO HEISO (USN Chief Petty Officer) has three cherry blossons on the sleeve but no collar tabs or shouder boards while the other six enlisted ratings wear their insignia an the right arm just above the elbow
The vord BIKO which vill be noted in the titles of all eight ratings means fly1ng In the oase of the grouni air staff SEIBI is substituted for HIKO in the title and a spealtl 1 airshyplane seen from a side view is substituted for the solid airplane seen from above in their inshysignia The personnel of both the Fly1ng ani Ground Crew branches are divided into specialist oategories each categor1 being dietingui shed b its own badge and title These categories are as follOWS
1 Flying (lIIKO) BrEUch A 110~a ( lJUINbullbull
1 gbter ilots (0 ITOKI 0JtlT) bull 2 Bo bull Hot f ~ J2lI SOJUJ
B on-Pllota (~urn) 1 abee at1cm n-rt tlan photo 0 hy eto
(TEIBAiSU) bull 2 Rad1 lin gwm X7 ( AlmKrn)
II Ground Crew (SEIBI) Branch A Ground Mechanics (SEIBIIN) B Armament Specialists (HEIIIIN) c Flying mechIJaics (TOJOllf) who maintain and
inspect equipment in flight These men constitute less than 5 of the ground crew branch
In the case of Ar~ enlisted ratings the same use of BIKO will be noted For the ground crews SEIBI is substituted Enlisted men down through the grade of corporal may act as pilots all enlisted men may be members of aircrews There are no U S A~ equivalents for the HIKO GOCBO and the BIKO JOTO HEI these terma have therefore been literally translated
3 Illustrations
The charts showing Japanese Army and Ifavy flying ranks are given on the following two pages In these charts certain Japanese Navy enlisted titles are given in parentheses These reshypresent abbreviations which are frequently used by the Japanese instead of the full title of the rank in question
-~-
NEAREST NEAREST U S NAVY U S ARMY COLLAR INSIGNIA EQU I VALENT EQIJ I VALENT
bull ral General ~ Lt J~ ire-A 11 ~ 1 CHI middotll tKUSHO B tt ltgt
SHOSHO ~ajor-en
TA ISA Colonel ~ CHUSA Lt -Col (gt SHOSA Major
i ra1 SHO HO
csp tain TA l
Comnander CI A
LtComdr SHOS ~
yen(~- UH~
~
~h
The JOTO HEISO wears sleeve cuff insignia but no coller or shoulder teb insignia
) (
- ADDENDA TO PART IV (f1 YING RMoiK)
Rpcpnt information Indlcatps that effpctive July 1 1K2 ttP tltlps ann arm insllnla of till sixmiddot 10wPFt Japanpsp naval ratines of tllp sparran hranctl wprp chan)middotltI to bp as follows
PS Equivalent Japanpse
(Flyine) Petty Offl pr 1st Class JafO HIKO HE ISO (JOHISO)
(Flylni) Petty Offlcpr 2nd Class ITIO ItIKO HEISO (III ISO)
(Flyln~) Pptty Offlcpr 3rd Class tilTCI IIIKO HEISO (~IHISO)
(Fly ing) Non-ratprl IMn 1st Class HI KO HE ICIIC) (HICHO) (H~IIII
(Fly Ing) Son-rated man 2nd Class JaIO HIKOHEI (JOH I)
(Flyln~) ~on-rated man 3rd Class IHO HIKOHEI (IPPI)
Ground aviation staffs substitute SEIBI for HIKO In the easp of flylne persolU) ttP chprry blossom Is blue In the ca of ~round aviation staffs it is jl reen Thes inSijDli a 111re the old markings Irp worn on thp right sl ve Rcmiddotlh old and npw insignia 1Ill be encolUltered in cOItbat arlas deshype nd lh on r o w re c p tlr the personnel 1 question hav arrived from Japan
-
ir-- -shy
11ilil
I shy - -bull - ~ ~p~ II ~ - II ~
I I
r-z--------IL==shy
j ~ i
L
-~-
I I
- ~ ~ - 3 r - - ~
~
-2
g = ~ ~ ~~ ~ shy
-- -
V
~ Q
~
~-= shy0
~~4
---- ~ ~ ~
S
l
I [
8 I [
~ I - ~ ~
I
I ~-
I
- 1
~
x- lt
GLOSSARY OF JlAVAL ABBREVIATIONS EMPLOYED IN TillS PAPER
BD CA CL DD SS SA
CVS XCVS
CV ACV APV
VF VB
SB VTB VOS
-------
---
-----
SHIPS
battleship h~avy cruiser light cruiser destroyer submarine submarine tender seaplane carrier converted seaplane carrier aircraft carrier Auxiliary aircraft carrier aircraft transport
PLANS
fighter horizontal bQmbe r dive bomber torpedo plane observation plane
ORGArlIZATlvN AN) RAWl IN TIlE JAPMCSE ARIfi AND fiAVY AIR ~iRVICES
PREFACE bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull Page v
1 OPERATIONAL AIR UNIT tERMS EMPLOYEr BY BOTH THE ARMY AND NA VY bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull Page 1
1 SHOTAI (Section) 2 CHUTAI (Squadron) bull 3 DAITAI (Type Wing) 4 BUTAI (Force) bull
II NAVAL AIR FORCE bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull Page 3
1 Naval Aviation IIdqts (KAIGUN KOKU HOMBU) 2 The Combined Fleet (ReNGO KANTAI) 3 Third Fleet (DAI SAN KANTAI)
A Ship-Borne Air Flotillas (Ship-Borne KOKUSENTAI) B Ship-Borne Air Groups and Squadrons (CHUTAI)
4 Eleventh (Shore-Based) Air Fleet (DAI JUICHI KOKU KANTAI) and Twelth (Shore-Based) Air Fleet (DAI JUNI KOKU KANTAI) A Shore-Based Air Flotillas middot(Shore-Based KOKUSENTAI) B Air Attack Forces (KUSHUBUTAI) C Base Air Force (KICHI KOKU BUTAI) D Shore-Based Air Groups (KOKUTAI) E DAITAI (Type Wines) Squadrons (CHUTAI) Sections (SHOTAI)
I I I bull ARMY AIR FORCE bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull Page 10
1 Army Aviation Hdqts (RIKUGUll KOKU HOMBU) 2 Air Commands (KOKU HEIDAN) and Flying Divisions (HIKO SPIDAN) 3 Flying Brigades (HIKODAN) and Flying Regiments (HIKO SENTAI) 4 Type Wines (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI) Section (SROTAI) 5 Task Forces (BUTAI) 6 AQ~inistrative Units 7 Training Units
IV FLYING RANK - ARMY AND NAVY bullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbullbull Page 1
1 Officers bull 2 Enlisted Personnel 3 Illustrations
SUMMARY bull bullbull PfI8e 18
Naval Air Service bull bull bull Table A Part I
Ar~ Air Service Table A Part 2
GLOOSAIrl bull bull bull bull bullbull Feee 21
111
PREFACE
The Preface to the llarch 1943 edition of this Report s tattd I This paper should not be considered in any sense a final disposition of the subject matter On the contrary it reshypresents rnerel~r a tentative approach to the subject Not only is further data concerning Japanese air organization likely to become available) but that organization is itself subject to constant chanee
Since that ~eport IU S issued more cata has come to light and further changes have taken place in the or~anization of the Japanese air forces As a result this revised version of Air Infornation Report to 2 is heine issued Again it is necessary to caution the reader that Japanese air organization is extremely complex and extremely flexible almost any statement made in this paper may have to be re-examined in the light of new evidence or of changes which may take place in the Japanese air forces
This paper has placed considerable emphasis on Japanese terms in order to facilitate their handline by US personnel The confusion which has hitherto surrounded the subject of Japanese air organization hus resulted in large part from the Japanese language itself
It is obvious that the Japanese will write air unit terms such as section in the pictorshyial characters of their own language Japanese phonetic renderings of these characters when written in Roman letters are termed Romaji For example the phonetic rendering of the characshyters meaning section is SHOTA Such a Japanese Romaji term may be translated by a variety of Enrlish equivalents It is therefore desirable to use insofar as possible the original Romaji ter~ and not their En~lish equivalents
A further important source of the confusion surrounding the subject of Japanese air organishyzation has been the too literal acceptance of statements concerning that organization made by Japanese sources
In particular the loose use of various organizational terms such as BUTAI which has both general and specific meanings and such as SENTI which describes ground and surface as well as air units should be not6d Also the tendency of Japanese sources to identify Japanese units in a variety of we - by the name of the CO (this is especially frequent) the name of the current station the name of the parent unit or a numerical deSignation must be taken into account The possibility of misunderstandings arising from the above practices should be borne in mind by US personnel when confronted by seemingly contradictory evidence concerning Japanese air organizntion
This paper does not attempt any detailed description of the strength and composition of specific units except insofar as such description may serve to illustrate general Japanese pracshytice
The composition of any air unit may change radically from time to time as losses are exshyperienced and as its component elements are re-assigned or re-inforced For this reason the identification of a yiven unit should not be taken as a necessary indication of that units strength the units middotcomposition ~y have been changed since its strength was last ascertained Because of the frequency of such changes any analysis of the stren~th and disposition of all but the very lar~est Japanese air units would serve no useful purpose in a paper of this type and classification
Any analysiS of J panese air organization should be based on a knowledge cf Japanese naval orbanization Readers desirine to pursue this latter subject further are referred to confidential Serial 69-43 or the lates t revis ion thereof issued by the Office of Naval Intelligence
NOTE A clear understanding of this paper will be more easily secured if constant reference is made to Parts 1 and 2 of Table A while reading Chapters I - III of the text
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OPCHT1CIL U~H T ThIS t -LCY BY Be THE
AR~ AND ~VY
1 SEOTI (Section)
The snallest Japanese air unit is the ~H()1iI which is co~posed of 01 C f I l Jlt I three) aircraft SHO means small AI is a suffix maa ni n unit n-us S 10 1 m~8n B IT1lt 1 un i t lhe nearest u S equivalent is the section The Still II I exists CI ~y 8S a unit ampn n fli ht
2 CHl~I (Squ~dron)
Two to four (usually three) SHOTAI make up a Ch~ThI which t hus contains an approximate total of 6-12 aircraft CHU means center or middle more r rely mean or Medium Thus CHUlAI would _an medium sized unit he nearest US eauivalent is the squadron In Ar _ squadron both as an administrativtl and is a tactical unit is termed 8 C~~TAI In the Navy 8
squadron is known tactically as a Ch~TI but administratively 85 a B I AI
3 DAITAI (~pe jine)
Two to three CIIUTAI (squadrons) when in flieht may form a JITi- Dai means -Yamp-eness or rreatness hence DAITAI is Ii terally laree unt t LA 1TA1 is transla ed as liT 1
it is the largest air unit necessarily made up of exclusively one type of aircraft
This SHOTAI-ClmTAI-DA1TAI pattern is extremely flexible dependine on the i nmiddot 1vidual opershya tine requirements of the units in question One edium bonber DA1TAI orera tine in northeast Australia is believed to have been composed as follows
1st CHUTAl - 1 SHOTAl of three aircrcft
2 SHOTA1 of four aircraft each
TOTAL 11 aircraft
2nd CHUTAI - 1 SHOTAI of two aircraft
3 SHOTAI of three aircraft each
TOTALs 11 aircraft
3rd CHUTAI - 1 SHOTAI of one aircraf+
4 SPOTAI of three airc r
TOTAL 13 aircraft
GRAND TOTAL 35 aircraft
It is evidently the Japanese intent to organ1te these lower operational echelons in pyrashymids of threes this intent is reflected in their flying formations
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4 BUTAla
BUTAI meaning force ill a term used alone or in conjunc tion wi th other terms by both the Japanese Army and Navy to describe rather lar~e air task forces Army BUTAI and Navy BUTAI KUSHUBUTAI (r Attack Forces) and KICHI KOKU BUTAI (Base Air Forces) will be fully described in Chapters II ~d III of this paper
In addition to the above lIIBanin~s BUTAI is often used in a rather general sense to refer to any llir unit In this sense BUTAI is gene rally prefaced by the name of the units commander eg WAtANABE BUTAI (the Wa tanabe air unit) ~en used in this way BUTAI contains no implications as to the size and type of the unit in que s ti on - it is r ather vague and non-descriptive term This emphasizes again the necessity for referring to Japanese air unit terms in Romaji unless an authoritati~e translation for such Romaji has alr ady been disseminated
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NAVAL AIR FORCE
(KAIGUN KOKU HOMBU) and the Combined Naval Air Cor s ( RENGO1
The Naval Air Service is an inte~al part of the Navy its particular problems being hanshydled by the Naval Aviation Headquarters (KAlGUN KOKU HOMBU) which are headed by a Vice-Admiral KAIGUN is Navy KOKU is aviation and HOMBU is Headquarters
These Headquarters were reorganized during October 1942 to give the Vice-Admiral Commandshying authority over air operations as well as over aviation personnel and materiel This followed a similar reorganization of the Army Air Force Headquarters which had taken place in Yay 1942 The head of the Naval Aviation Headquarters may be compared to our own Deputy Chief of Naval Opershyations for Air
The head of the Naval Aviation Headquarters is co-equal in authority to the Navy Minister and the Chief of the Naval General Staff Each of these three officers is directly responsible to the Emperor Together they constitute the High Command of the Japanese Navy
Naval air training is carried on by the Combined NaTal Air Corps (KAIGUN RENGO KOKU SCTAI) located in Japan proper and now headed by a Prince of the Imperial Family This Corps answers directly to the Naval Aviation Headquarters It consists of Combined Air Groups (RENGO KOKUTAI) which are the units through which its training program is executed
2 The Combined Fleet (RENGO KANTAI)
Under these three officers Comel (a) The C-in-C Combined Fleet (b) the C-in-C Southwest Area F (Burma Malaya IndO-China NEI Philippines) (c) the C-in-C China Seas Fleet (d) the ~nders of Home Defense Forces in Japan proper
Airflot 23 (KOKUSENtAI 23) known tactically as the East Indies Air Force (East Indies KOKU BUTAI) is attached to the 2nd Southern Expeditionary Fleet of the Southwest Area Fleet Airflot 23 consists of one XCVS and two shore-based Air Groups (KOKUtAI)
With this exception the majori~ of Japanese naval aviation li~e the majori~ of Japanese naval surface strength comes under the Combined Fleet RENGO is Combined KANTAI il Fleet This fleet is broken down administratively into six surface Fleets two Air Fleeta and one subshymarine Fleet and tactically into various task forces and task organizati~ns
Among the surface Fleets is the Third Fleet (DAI SAN KANtAI) which includes all Japanese carriers and henCd most Japanese naval ship-borne air strength
The two Air Fleets are the 11 th (DAI JUICHI KOKU KANTAI) and the 12th (DAlJUNI KOKU KANtAI) These two Air Fleets together contain most of the Japanese Navys shore-based air strength The Eleventh Air Fleet functions in the South and Southwest Pacific the Twelfth Air Fleet which is considerably smaller was recently created to meet the growing American threat to the Kur1les
These Fleets and Air Fleets are commanded by Vice-Admirals (KAIGUN CHUSHO) TheBe same officers exercise tactical command over the task forces whioh parallel to a large extent the orshyganization of these administrative Fleets
KOKU stands for air DAI SAN is third DAI JUICHI 11 eleventh DAI JUNI 11 twelfth
3 Third Fleet (DAI SAN KANTAI)
The Third Fleet contains all Japanese carriers as well as one Batdiv two Crudivs and five Desdivs It also includes Airflot 50 containing two shore-based Air Groups and one aircraft
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middot -shy
r rrier which are devoted to ASW and to the trainine of carrier squadrons and three ACVs which re probably used as aircraft transports The continued existence of Airflot 50 is currently in
10ubt
In addition to the aircraft carriers which make up the Third Fleet and to the seaplane carriers to be described later Japanese naval ship-borne air strength includes observation pl~es on various classes of warships as followsl
NUMBER CARRIED NO TYPE PLANE TYPE BY EACH TOTAL
10 BattlB1hips YOS 3 30 1 Heavy Cruiser (AOEU CLAS ) VOS 2 2 2 Heavy Cruisers (TONE CLhSe vos 6 12 9 Heavy Cruisers VOS 4 36 2 Heavy Cruisers VOS 6 12
14 Li jht Crv i -err VOS 1 14 1 Li t ht Cruiser NONE 0 C 3 Sub~~rine Tenders vos 5
33 Submar lnes VOS 1 33 3 Armed Lo rchant Cruiserb VOS 2 6
It was t one time su ~~eB ted that these planes came under the adminiBtrative cognizance of the Third Fleet There is no evidence to support this view
A Ship-borne Air Flotillas (Ship-borne KOKUSENTAI)
The Third Fleet the Eleventh Air Fleet and probably the Twelfth Air Flee t are divided administratively into KOKUSENTAI each cOlllllaJlded by a Rear Admiral (KAIGUlI SHOSHO) KOKU means
aviation and SENTAI means division iOKUSENTAI is translated Air Flotilla or Airflot
It is b~lieved that KOKUSENTAI 1-10 are reserved for Cardivs KOKUSENTAI 11-20 for seaplane d training cocmands KO~JSENTAI 21-30 for shore-based Air Flotillas Currently only KOKUSENTAI and 2 (Cardivs) 14 and 18 (Training) 21 22 23 24 25 and 26 (Shore Based Airflots) are
1 erational
Two or three carriers (one Cardiv) make up one ship-borne KOKUSENTAI The total air complement of two or three Japanese carriers would range from about 100 to 200 plane~depending on
he carriers involved Thus a carrier KOKUSENTAI is about the same size as a shore-based Il KUS m1TAI There is some evidence that Cardivs (Carrier KOKUSENTAI) actually operate as tactical 1i ts
The Third Fleet contains Two Cardivseach containine 2-3 carriers The number of carriers ~ n any given Cardiv varies over a period of time occasionally one carrier will operate alone dishyectly under the Third Fleet w thout being a part of either of its Cardi vs
There were until recently two Seaplane KOKUSENTAI each made up of 4-6 seaplane carriers dach carrying 10-14 planes) These Seaplatendivs have recently been disbanded and their comshyne~t vessels re-assigned as elements of other Japanese ~leets The largest seaplane concentrashy
n (CVS and 5 XCVS) is now to be found in the train of the Combined Fleet
The complements of Japanese seaplane carriers are as followsl
SEAPLhtJ1 CARRIERS
Cvsr NAME NOTORO
AIRCRAFT 10-V05 1 Catapult
TOTAL -lO
CV~-2 K llOI 10-VOS 10 CVS-3 lt ITOSE l4-VOS 4 Catapults 14 CVS-4 CI TYOD 14-VOS 4 Catapults 14 cvs-e ta ss 14shy VOS 4 Ca tepu l ts 14 CVSshy 1 AKITS II 14-VOS 4 Ca u p 1 ts 14
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CONVERTED SEAPLANE CARRIERS
TYPE NAME AIRCRAFTb TOTAL
XCVS-l KAM KAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-2 YA8UKAWA MAIm 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-3 KmlIKAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-S VOS 13 XCVS-4 SANUKI MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-S VOS 13 XCVS-5 SANYO VARU 8 SeaplEJ9 Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-6 OKITSU MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 vas 13 XCVS-7 KIll KAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Firhters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-8 SAGARA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-9 KIYOKAWA lIARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 vas 13
b - Estimated
B Ship-borne Air Groups and Squadrons (CHUTAI)
A shore-based KOKUSENTAI (Airflot) breaks down into several shore-based KOKUTAI (Air Groups~ It has been suggested that the air complement of a ship-borne KOKUSENTAI (Cardiv) is similarly broken down into several ship-based KOKUTAI (Air Groups) each comprising the air complement of one aircraft carrier
However there is no evidence of the existenoe of any Air Groups other than the named and numbered Groups referred to later in this text Certain of these Air Groups based in Japan are training units and some of these latter serve exclusively to replenish carrier strengths Units of operational naval Air Groups might also be emparked on carriers if the tactical situation so demanded Thus the air complement of one carrier might b8 made up of Squadrons drawn from several different Air Groups
The Squadrons embarked on one carrier regardless of their original administrative affiliashytions will form one tactical unit while on that carrier This tactical unit will be designated by the name of its carrier and may be roughly compared to a US carrier air group Unlike the regular Japanese Air Group (KOKUTAI) it is not a permanent administrative unit
The air complement of a Japanese carrier will vary (36-72 planes) according to the size of the carrier Thus as will be seen later a carrier-borne air unit varies within roughly the same limits as a shore-based KOKUTAI (Air Group)
NAME VF VSB VTB TOTAL
ROSRO (Training-Airflot 50) SHOKAKU (Cardiv 2) ZUIKAKU (CardivI) ZUIHO (Third Fleet or Cardiv 1) HITAKA (Cardiv 2) HAYATAKA (Cardiv 2) RYUHO (Airflot 50 or Cardiv 2) OTAKA (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying) UNTO (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying) CHUYO (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying)
12 27 27 27 24 24
9 9 9
18 18
18 18
18 18 18
24 27 27
9 9 9
9 9 9
36 72 72 36 51 51 36 36 36 36
4 JUICHI KOKU KANTAI) and the Twelfth (Shore-based
The Eleventh Air Fleet as previously indicated includes most of the Navys shore-based planes It consists of shore-based Airflots 21 22 25 and 26 3 APVs and 2 DDls are also attached to this Air Fleet
The Eleventh Air Fleet functions in the Melanesia - New Guinea ares Also in this area is the 8th Fleet composed of cr~isers anc destroyers These two fleets combine to form the Southshy
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ealt Area Fleet whi~h is commanded by the C-in-C Eleventh Air Fleet In the train of the Southshyeast Area Fleet are 2 XCVS It should be remembered that this organization is administrative not tactical
Adminiatrative headquarte ~ middote Eleventh Air Fleet are at Tenian a small island south at Saipan but C-in-C Eleventh Air Fleet has maintain d his operational staff at Rabaul since August 1942
Recently the Twelfth (shore-based) Air Fleet has been created to meet the menace arising froM the US seizure of Attu Island The Twelfth Ai r Fleet is based in the Kuriles it probably is made up of Airflot 24
A Shore-based Air Flotillas (Shore-based KOKUNSENTAI)
An Air Fleet is broken down administratively into KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotillas)
One Air Flotilla (abbreviated to Airflot)is made up of combat detachments from two to four Air Groups The strength of the Airflot will depend on the fluctuating size of these detachments it will generally total an~~ere from 50 to 150 (more usually 75 to 125) planes
Air Flotillas have auxiliary surface vessels such as aircraft transports attached to them for supply purposes Thus Airflots 22-26 each contain one APV Airflots 23 and 26 each contaiOl ne CVS in addition
B Air Attack iurcel (KUSHUBUtAI)
The Eleventh and TWelfth Air Fleets planes are organized administratively into five Airflots they are alao organized tactically into five Air Attack Forces (KUSHUBUTAI) KUSHU ia attaCk BUTAI is torce Each Airflot is related to one Air Attack Force
Airtlot 21 - 1st Air Attack Force Airflot 22 - 2nd Air Attack Force Airflot 24 - 4th Air Attack Force Airflot 25 - 5th Air Attack Force Airflot 26 - 6th Air Attack Force
The Rear Adndral commanding each Airflot is also the head of the corresponding Air Attack Force and it is believed that each Air Flotilla serves as the administrative foun~in-head for the Air Attack Force to which it is related ~Vhile the Air Flotillas are administrative units the Air Attack Forces are exclusively tactical in function Like all task forces they are exshytremely flexible inmiddot size and composition Each Air-Attack Force is made up in the main of units drawn from its corresponding (administrative) Air Flotilla
Airflot 23 it will be remembered is a part of the Southwest Area Fleet and is known tactically as the East Indies Force (DUT~I) or Air Force (KOKU BU~I) It would appear that the East Indies BUtAI is an air task force type on roughly the same level as the Air Attack -Forces though probably less mobile beine rather permanently stationed in the area from which it takes its name The appearance of other such BUTAI (or KOKU BUTAI) is possible
C Base Air Force (KIeHl KOKU BUTAI)
It is believed that the Base Air Force (KICHI KOKU BUTAI) is a task force type quite disshytinct from the above-mentioned BUtAI or KOKU ~UtAI
In a recent South Pacific operation the C-in-C Eleventh (shore-based) Air Fleet functionshyed tactically aa Commander Base Air Force which was a task force embracing those of the Eleventh Air Fleets Air Attack Forces taking part in this particular operation
Evidently when a cOlsiderable number of naval land-based airplanes are called on to partici shypate in an operation under one unified command they may be organized into a lar~e air task force termed the Base Air Force (KICHI KOKU SUTAI) This task force will be of considerably greater
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scope than either a Force (BU~I) or an Air Attack Force (KUSHUBU~I) either or both of which lllieht be among its component elements The Base Air Force might be tenned the tac-tical equivalent of the administrative Air Fleet
It is possible however that during a future operation the ~rm Base Air Force may be used with a very different meaning
It should be re-emphasized that the KOKU KAHTAI (Air Fleet) and the KOKUSENTAI (Airflot)are permanent elements in the administrative organization of the Japanese naval air service whereas the KUSh~BUAI (Air Attack Force) the KOKU BUTAI (Air Force) and the KICHI KOKU BU~I (Base Air Force) are task forces types created temporarily to meet the needs of the current Pacifio struggle
The above Base Air Force should not be confused with the Bnse Groups - which are units mainly composed of seaplanes assigned to variou9 Japanese b~se 3 in the Pacific Their exact status is obscure their role is believed lar~ely defensive It is possible that they have some operational relationship to the 11th Air Fleet
D Shore-based Air Groups (Shore-bnsed KOKUTAI)
One KOKUSENThI (Airflot) breaks down into two or three KOKUThI (Air Groups) or detachments shyusually Type Tongs - thereof KOKU is air A I is unit the Japanese sometines abbreviate KOKUThI to KU
Air Groups are o~ded by Naval Captains (KAIGUN ~ ISA) and are the basi c admi nistrative units of the Japanese navnl air service Air Groups (K KUTA I) are of two typos
(1) middotThose wh ich have permanent horne st uns in the Japanese Empire and which are sometimes known by the names of these stations
(2) Specially Mobilized Air Groups ( TOhUSETSU KOKUTAI) whi ch are numbered and are known by their numerical designations It is believed th ~ these Groups may h ve been establi 3hed at air stations ou~side the Empireas the Japanese h~ve shown some inclination to n ame ai r stations within the Empire and to number those outside the Empire
Recentlythe Japanese have introduced very high numeral designations for both named and numbered Air Groups named Air Groups are pp rently now irnown by boh t he ir ori inal lIIIO S and their new numbers
These new hi~ numbers serve ns II fa i r l re_i~bl~ uide t o the o Do-i tion of the Air Groups i ol ved thus observati on roups are usual ly nUD r e the 100 s flgh ter Groups in the 200s mixed figh ter-bomber Groups in the 500s bovbmiddot r Gro~ ln t e 700s flyi n boat Groups in the 800s fl oat plane Groups in the 900s But re are lots of 81Cceptions ti le composition of many Air Groups is rather mixed
This system like all matters pertaininr to the de s middotnation ot 1 ir un~8 1s ot coursej
subject to constant chan(~ Th J apanese ar ~ns ly secur ity nd d nominal and ~umerical chan~e s are continuallY i r To uced in the ore nl zs t l on o~ hei r nava _ 1r Qrce to concsa i ts r eal 8 tUB
The to 1 numbe r of Air Groups in active status wil l -~ ac ord n eng th of thebull v
Japanese air force I f heavy losses are experi~nce c Iteln Groups t 01 if production and training out-run casual ~ e Ie l r urO may be e p seldom nctio s II c na t un t in i ts eI ~i re the total 11 S1I1 ald fluctu t ons trerei a~ t te s O~ I _llst t + r ti
Air GroupE do - t n ceasaril cl)1Siat of only 00 tIP of aircraf bull Uld ther S i L~ 1 ry t hin wide li r I aIB run aa hi ~ lampv othera 10 s 18 (ton th contain
tr nmiddot~ort planes 10 dd ian to o or or type t pl noa
A fur ~er uonru~1nv 6 the t c a - ltInts may be d
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Some of an Air Groups stren~th may be maintained at its home station particularly if that station is in the Japanese Empire These aircraft will have duties in connection with air raid defense and anti-submarine warfare they will probably also engage in advanced operational trainshying As the Air Groups home strengt middot is increased by the addition of planes and air crews reshyceived from Japanese factories nnd training centers that home strength will in turn be reduced by the despatch of the Air Groups combat detachments to various Air Flotillas
It is sometimes difficult when confronted with documentary evidence that a certain Air Group is a part of a given Airflot to decide whether the entire Air Group or merely one of its combat detachments is involved It is ~enerally believed however that these are references to combat d~tachments of Air Groups not to the total original establishmeuts of the Air Groups conshycerned These combat detachments may PA made up of one or more Type Wings or of lesser units shysuch as Squadrons
One Airflot for example is thought to have been made up as follows 3 bomber Type Wings (DAITAI) of 27-30 planes each 5 fighter Type Win~s and one observation squadron (CHUTAI) of ten planes
One Air Group had the following of its units attached to an Airflot three fighter squadrons (15 planes each) and two torpedo squadrons (9 planes each)
Both these examples suggest that Air Flotillas are made up of Type Win~s andor Squadrons taken from several different Air Groups
Certain Air Groups by the way do not seem to have any combat functions they are merely training units serving as replacement pools for other combat Air Groups or for aircraft carriers Training Air Groups are believed to diverge somewhat in strength and composition form other Air Groups
In considering lists of shore-based Air Groups and their aircraft strengths one must thereshyforemiddotconsider whether the Air Group in question is a trainin~ or a combat unit and if the latter whether its ~iven aircraft stren~th represents the total original establishment of the Air Group at its home base or the present operating strength of one of its overseas detachments
Often the operating detachment of an Air Group will be referred to in such d manner as to lead one to believe that it comprises the entire Air Group At other times the original establishshyment of the enbire Air Group may be given without any clear indication that its operating detach~ ments can claim but a fraction of that strength
Of course there must always be borne in mind the possibility that an Air Group will function its entirety as a combat unit of an Air Flotilla This is probably ~ore often true of Specially Mobilized Air Groups than of those which have bases within the Japanese Empire
It has been suggested that operational detachments of Air Groups will appFoximate the followshying figures A flying boat detachment 12 aircraft a floatplane detachment 12-18 planes a fighter detachment I 45 fighters with 6 reccos occasionally added Medium bomber detachments will sometimes come as high as 45 planes 27 is however the more normal fi~ure while dive bomber deshytachments usually have about 18 planes
An enemy source indicates that these combat detach~ents of Air Groups are known as RONTAI which means main unit The home detachments are known as ZAURYUTAI which means remaining units These terms indicate the overseas detachments to be lorger than the home units
E Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI BUNTAI) Sectiqns (SHOTAI)
As indicated in Part I of this text the DAlTAI (Type Wing) exists as a unit only when in flight It does not exist as an administrative unit on the ground Thus organizationally the Ai Group brea~s down into a variable nunber of Squadrons cf 9 planes each
lhree quadrons flying together as a unit ar~ called a )IAI Such a Type Wing wil be ~( -aJlled hy the seni~r Squadron leader r esent
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The Squadron in fli~ht is known as a Cl~TAI as an administrative unit on the ground it is known as a BUNTAI The iquadrol breaks dORl into 3 Sections (SHOTAI) of three planes each
As an exa~ple of the administrative break-down of an Air Group into Squadrons the following make-up one KCKUTAI is cited
9lNTAI ifl amp jf2 Fighter squadrons (total 22 planea) BljNTAI TflJ amp 1f4 Fighter maintenance unit BUNTAI ff5 amp ttfgt Bomber squadrons (total 18 planes)
BUUTAI ff7 30ccer n~irtenance unit EUIITJI ff8 Communications unit
BVN7hI if9 amp tlO Adcinistrative units
It is stated that wi thin this KOKUTAI the two fighter BUNTAI were treated as one unit and th9 two bomber DUNTAI were treated as one unit The total fighter uni t when in flight was probably called a DhITAI the sarns beinE true of the total bomber unit
It 6ppears that a KOKUTAI may sometimes have plflne strength in reserve in addition to the complement of its DAITAI The above KOKUTAI had two DAITAI of 30 planes each plus a Group reshyserve of 10 planes making a total KOKUTAI strength of 70 planes
Its interesting to note that this Air Group apparently functioned as one unit instead of being broken up into a home detachment and a combat detachment
The above maintenance BUNTAI break down into maintenance HAN (Platoons) of 50-60 men each attached to one aircraft Squndron
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ARMY AIR FORCE
It is felt that naval personnel should be familiar with Jap~nese Army air organization because of the increasinL use of Japanese Ar~J air units in the Pacific Their assignment to this theater has been brought about both by a desire to afford close air support to Army ~round troops in New Guinea and New Bri tain and by the need to make good drastic air losses suffered in the Pacific by t ~ naval air force
1 Army Aviation Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU H01ABU)
The administration of Army aviation was reorganized in Amy 1942 in order to give the Army Air Force a degree of power and autonomy not unlike that of our own AAF At that time the Army Aviatior Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU HOMIlU) were set up to be headed by a Lieutenant General (RIKUGIDt CHUSHO) or a full General (RIKUGUN TAISHO) RIKUGUU means Army amps distinct from KAIGUN Navy
The Commandi ng General Army Aviation Headquarters is directly responsible to the Emperor instead of to the Uinister of War or the Chief of the General Staff who are his equa l s in rank and who also enjoy direct accebullbull to the Emperor These three officers constitute the High Command of the Japanese Army the head of Army Aviamptio~ HeadqUarters havine cognizance of Army air operashytions training and materiel
It is obvious however that this officer much like the Commanding General of our own Army Air Forces is not in a position to exercise direct tactical command over the wide spr ad air forces which he heado This tactical command must rest with heads of the various Air Commands in differshyent theaters of war
2 Air COll1lllllnds (KOKU EEIDAll) and Flying Divisions (EIKO SHIDMl)
HIKO is flyine SHIDAN is diviSion hence HIKO SHIDAU is Flying DiV1 sion The Flying Division is the largest unit of the Japanese Army Air Service Commanded by a Lieutenant-General it includes anywhere from 200 to 400 planes and the mit lecessary to servicing thereof
Seven Flying Divisions have been identified the 1st in Japan proper the 2nd ~n Manchuria the 3rd in China the 4th in Manchuria and the North China the 5th in Burma and adjacent regions the 6th in the Southwest Pacific and the 7t h in the UE I Headquarters of the 5th are a t Rangoon of the 6th at Rabaul and of the 7th at Ambon
The 6th and 7th Flying Divisions were very recent y activated It is believed that they were organized out of units taken from other Flying Divi slons for this purpo se
A flying Division does not maintain any fixed a_ze or composition i t ~y shrink or expand as the military situation requires Air units are shif teci free y from Oru Flyine Division to anshyother the Divisions themselves are rarely moved a bout as llnl t S
One step above the Flying Division is the KOICU IibluAU KOKU i8 a ir -rrI N is Corps KOKU HEIDAN is translated Air Command nlree Air COUlllllds have been i dentified e ach headed by a Lieutenant General the 1st in Japan proper t he 2ncr i n Planohuria an i) e 3rd at Si ll ep0re
These Air Commands are staffs not uni ts They con 1 11 r~ ai r 0
areas under th~ir cogni zance Thus the 1s t Plying Dv1sion a swe s ~h I s 2nd 3rd and 4th lyint lVlSlon to tht 2nd Ai r CODllampnd the 5th 6tl 11 bull
pr ohably to the 3rd Ai Commands
ThA Air Co~de are not mobIle they are pe~1ently ~ ~b~ d in d rferen war tJ exe r C1se st r tei c COllllOllUl ( ltn er Army air units i n t hose r4 Taotical nth tho F vin D1 i si n or me - unit is too W1atl ~ y middotat ter ~o un n fi B Q body lliith the PlYinG 3ri ada
co 0 remains
Units may be freely shifted ROOut from one Air Commnnd to another the Command itself reshymains unaffected Air COllnands are crec ted or abolished aR the ter1po and location f air operashytions seem to require
It is interesting to speculate on the relation between these commands of the Japanese Army air forces and the equivalent commands of the ~apanese Army fround f orces
The Japanese armies which might be co pared to Flying Divisions are co-orcinated by staffs which might be co pared to the Air Commands These staffs are C-in-C National Defense Forces in Japan proper C-in-C Kwantunr Army in Manchuria C-in-C Forces in China C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces with headquarters at Sin~apore It is not certain whether the 8th Army Grou~ controlling gr ound forces in the south and southwest Pacific with headquarters at Rabampul answers to C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces or directly to the Army High Command in TOkyo
It will be seen that C-in-C National Defense Forces corresponds to the 1st Air Command C-in-C Kw~tun~ Army and C-in-C Forces in China to the 2nd Air Command and the C-in-C Southshyern Expeditionary forces to the 3rd Air Command
It is not known whether in these cases the Air Command is subordinated to the equivalent grpund command or whether each of the two commands answers i ndividually to the Army High Command in Tokyo In the latter case the ground and air ccmmand r s are pres~~bly expected to effect coshyordination on a voluntary basis The Japanese ~mphasis on unity of commans and on the use of airshypower in support of ground operations -takes the former course middotmiddot more likely than the latter however
3 Flying Brigades (EIKODA n and Flying Regiments (EIKO SENTAI)
The Flying Division breaks down into about 3 Flyinr Bri~ades each with about 70-120 planes The Flying Brigade is generally commanded by a ~ajor General (RIKUGUN SEOSHO) though eometimes by a Colonel (RIKUGUN TAISA) It may be roulhly compared to a Navy KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotilla)
HI middot bull is an abbrevia t ioe for HIKO which II ans flying and RYODAN which leans Brirade The r are very mobile being divorced from servicing and administrative responsibilities They are _ee ly shifted from one Flying Division to another thus for example a riven Flying Brigade might fight in Burma during the dry season as part of the 5th Flying Brigade and might be transferred to the lffiI as part of the 7th Flying Di~sion during the Monsoon
A Flying Brigade breaks down into 3 Flying Regiments each of about 27 planes HIKO is flying SENTAI is battle uni til Flying Regiments ware called HIKO RENTAl before the war RENTAl being the ground forces term for regiment Iately the more dynamic term SENTAI has been substituted
The Flying Regiments like the Flying Brigades are divorced from administrative and servicshying duties and hence are extremely mobile However they generally function within the framework of the Flying Brigade - Flying Regiments are not shifted fram one Brigade to another al freely al Brigades are shifted from one Flying Division to another Flying Regiments are generally commanded by Majors (RIKUGUN SHOSA) or Lieutenant Colonelb (RlKUGUN CHUSA)
A Flying Brigade does not necessarily consist of only type of aircraft a Flying Regiment generally does
4 Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI) Sections (SHOTAI)
A Flying Regiment breaks down into three Squadrons (C~TAI)Jf 9 planes each The Japane~e Army Squadron is the same as the Navy squadron breaking down into three sections (SEOTAI) ~f three planes each A squadron will generally be commanded by a Captain (HlKUGUN TAIl) TIhen in flight three squadrons are te r med a DAITAI This is exclusively a tactical term
Certain S u drons operate independently usually as obse(vation units attached to ground forces These are terced DOKIRITSU t A I (Independent Squadrons)
5 Task Forces (BUTAI)
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We have noted the Navy use of BL AI XSHUBUTAI and KIlII J OIIT BU rBI Th also createsy
tactical air ~8k fo rces - though 1 (I fr Dllent l y in t lar l y ttUl the Nl n ir ta k forces are termed BU AI ti r siLl and oo~po8i tio~ II vary accor in to heir mi on TJo- ir exi5ten~e probably does not outlast t he f ul f ll~n ~ s mission
6 Administrative lnl t Air Dictric Hl RE BU) DAfTAI) Airfield C mp~ JAo~rrt~TI~~~~----~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1~i~e~s~(~n~IUK7G~
Scatte ~ throughc1t Greater East As ia are panese Air District Hedquort 118 are staffs eac If ich ccut l)ls all a r dlti n groun uncti oDs ( ser - i ng and adminill in he area under gn ~za~c It will be r e campl l d that the Fly i n Di vis i n is or-kDl ze ~ ~ athe permanent toIr n tonal basis it is bel i ad thllt all h a divie on will break ltlown tac t lc lly u-to Flying Brigad5 8 ald administratively int o Ai Dis tri ct Headquarters
The Flying Dri~ades are mobile comba t Ilvia t i on uni ts the Air District Headquarters are imshymobile ground housekeeplng units Bo th answer to tIe Commanding General of thei r parent Flying Division who thus controls all aviation matters wi~hin the zone under his command Comparatively little is known of the organization and content of the Air District Headquarters
A lower adrninistrative and servicing echelon is the HIKOJO DAITAI HIKOJO means airfield DAITAI is 1aree unit The Airfield Battalion is generally attached directly to a Flying Regishyment whose administrative and servicing functions it assumes
On the following page is a chart reproduced from ATIS SnFA Serial 159 showi ng the organishyzation of an Airfield Battalionas described by an ene~J source It will be seen that the Battalshyion breaks down into a guard company a eupply company and a servicing company this latter conshysisting of three servicing platoons each attached to one aircraft squadron
The Airfield Battalion is a mobile urlit It doe s not necessarily move with the Flying Regishyment but will generally move closely after or effeet a rendeJvous with such I parent unit as the latter will be heavily dependent on it for 6er~clng It is believed t t an Airfield Batalion will come under cognizamprlce of the Air District Headquarters in whose area it functions
The HIKOJO CHUTAI or Airfield Company is a miniature version of the Airfield Battalion It will be attached to squadrons operating independently or to small advanced airfields
7 Air Trainin (KYOIKU
Advanced operational training il conducted by Flying Divisions - articularly those in quiet areas such as Japan and Manchuria
Primary and intermediate training was formerly the function of the First Flying Division in Japan proper Lately it is believed that this division has been relieved of prtmary and intermedishyate training so as to free it for the defense of Japan and the Kuriles Those of its units which carried on training activities have been assigned to the newly created 51st Air Training Division also located in Japan proper
So far no other Air Training Division has been identified The 51st Air Training Division breaks down into Air Trainine Brigades a~d Air Training Regiments much like any other Flying DiTt sion The wora KYOlKU which will be noted in the above titles means training
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FLYING RANK - ARMY AND NAVY
1 Officers
Officers of the Japanese ~ and Navy air services have - like US flyers - the same titles and badBes of rank as other line officers of the service to which they belOIlS These titles and insignia are reproduced on pages 15 and 16
In the case of naval officers oollar and shoulder tab insignia the cherry b10SsomB are silver the areas shaded in the illustrations on pBBe 15 UtI black and the WlSl d areas are gold In the case of flying officers the cherry blossom ~ be bluej in cese of air ground staff officers it may be green These insignia are worn as collar tabe on blu uniforms and as shoulder-boards on white uniforms The cuif bands are black on t lue unifClIIllB ~ld lace being used for ceremonial dress On fly1ng dress officers wear a c l oth PI tcll on tlI l e 1t 8I1I bbove the elbow bearing a design in gold lace similar to that of e curt b llds
In the case of the army offioers insignia the stars ex ~ gold the eretiB sruWed on page 15 are red and the unshaded areas are gold
It vill be noted that ArrIly and Navy Officers have the amt t1t~e3 of r mk Tj wor KAIGUN (Navy) and RIKtnUN (nArrIly) aro prefixed to avoid confusio In tJe Navr fl-mg o ~ icars put the tern KOKU between KAIGUN ani their title of rank while g o 8 Gai ~t l e e r use t- gt tert SEIBI in the same w~ Thus a KAIGUN KOKIJ SHOOA is a flying Li8lteDlJlt Q1JDnjer hile a KAIGm~ SEIBI SHooA is a Lieutenant Commander A-V(S)
The SHO which is used in SHooHO (rear Admiral) SHU3HO (Vice Admiral) ani ASnO (Admiral) means COIllllBDding officer and may on occasion be used as follows SHOTAISRO (CamtlI8J1der of a SHOTAI) CHUlAISHO (Commander of a CID1lAI) and so on This is 50 w~ of referr1JJg to ~be units CO withoUt des1goating his aotual rank
2 EDlisted PersODDel
Both Japanese air services make great use of enlisted men as pil l) a an 9 members of elrshycrews Even as pilots enlisted men ortnumber officers by as much as four to Oll
With respect to naval enlisted ranks it shoJld be noted that the HIKO SOCHO (USN Warshyrant Officer) vears a sleeve cuff band collar tabs and shoulder boards j the JOTO HEISO (USN Chief Petty Officer) has three cherry blossons on the sleeve but no collar tabs or shouder boards while the other six enlisted ratings wear their insignia an the right arm just above the elbow
The vord BIKO which vill be noted in the titles of all eight ratings means fly1ng In the oase of the grouni air staff SEIBI is substituted for HIKO in the title and a spealtl 1 airshyplane seen from a side view is substituted for the solid airplane seen from above in their inshysignia The personnel of both the Fly1ng ani Ground Crew branches are divided into specialist oategories each categor1 being dietingui shed b its own badge and title These categories are as follOWS
1 Flying (lIIKO) BrEUch A 110~a ( lJUINbullbull
1 gbter ilots (0 ITOKI 0JtlT) bull 2 Bo bull Hot f ~ J2lI SOJUJ
B on-Pllota (~urn) 1 abee at1cm n-rt tlan photo 0 hy eto
(TEIBAiSU) bull 2 Rad1 lin gwm X7 ( AlmKrn)
II Ground Crew (SEIBI) Branch A Ground Mechanics (SEIBIIN) B Armament Specialists (HEIIIIN) c Flying mechIJaics (TOJOllf) who maintain and
inspect equipment in flight These men constitute less than 5 of the ground crew branch
In the case of Ar~ enlisted ratings the same use of BIKO will be noted For the ground crews SEIBI is substituted Enlisted men down through the grade of corporal may act as pilots all enlisted men may be members of aircrews There are no U S A~ equivalents for the HIKO GOCBO and the BIKO JOTO HEI these terma have therefore been literally translated
3 Illustrations
The charts showing Japanese Army and Ifavy flying ranks are given on the following two pages In these charts certain Japanese Navy enlisted titles are given in parentheses These reshypresent abbreviations which are frequently used by the Japanese instead of the full title of the rank in question
-~-
NEAREST NEAREST U S NAVY U S ARMY COLLAR INSIGNIA EQU I VALENT EQIJ I VALENT
bull ral General ~ Lt J~ ire-A 11 ~ 1 CHI middotll tKUSHO B tt ltgt
SHOSHO ~ajor-en
TA ISA Colonel ~ CHUSA Lt -Col (gt SHOSA Major
i ra1 SHO HO
csp tain TA l
Comnander CI A
LtComdr SHOS ~
yen(~- UH~
~
~h
The JOTO HEISO wears sleeve cuff insignia but no coller or shoulder teb insignia
) (
- ADDENDA TO PART IV (f1 YING RMoiK)
Rpcpnt information Indlcatps that effpctive July 1 1K2 ttP tltlps ann arm insllnla of till sixmiddot 10wPFt Japanpsp naval ratines of tllp sparran hranctl wprp chan)middotltI to bp as follows
PS Equivalent Japanpse
(Flyine) Petty Offl pr 1st Class JafO HIKO HE ISO (JOHISO)
(Flylni) Petty Offlcpr 2nd Class ITIO ItIKO HEISO (III ISO)
(Flyln~) Pptty Offlcpr 3rd Class tilTCI IIIKO HEISO (~IHISO)
(Fly ing) Non-ratprl IMn 1st Class HI KO HE ICIIC) (HICHO) (H~IIII
(Fly Ing) Son-rated man 2nd Class JaIO HIKOHEI (JOH I)
(Flyln~) ~on-rated man 3rd Class IHO HIKOHEI (IPPI)
Ground aviation staffs substitute SEIBI for HIKO In the easp of flylne persolU) ttP chprry blossom Is blue In the ca of ~round aviation staffs it is jl reen Thes inSijDli a 111re the old markings Irp worn on thp right sl ve Rcmiddotlh old and npw insignia 1Ill be encolUltered in cOItbat arlas deshype nd lh on r o w re c p tlr the personnel 1 question hav arrived from Japan
-
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11ilil
I shy - -bull - ~ ~p~ II ~ - II ~
I I
r-z--------IL==shy
j ~ i
L
-~-
I I
- ~ ~ - 3 r - - ~
~
-2
g = ~ ~ ~~ ~ shy
-- -
V
~ Q
~
~-= shy0
~~4
---- ~ ~ ~
S
l
I [
8 I [
~ I - ~ ~
I
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GLOSSARY OF JlAVAL ABBREVIATIONS EMPLOYED IN TillS PAPER
BD CA CL DD SS SA
CVS XCVS
CV ACV APV
VF VB
SB VTB VOS
-------
---
-----
SHIPS
battleship h~avy cruiser light cruiser destroyer submarine submarine tender seaplane carrier converted seaplane carrier aircraft carrier Auxiliary aircraft carrier aircraft transport
PLANS
fighter horizontal bQmbe r dive bomber torpedo plane observation plane
PREFACE
The Preface to the llarch 1943 edition of this Report s tattd I This paper should not be considered in any sense a final disposition of the subject matter On the contrary it reshypresents rnerel~r a tentative approach to the subject Not only is further data concerning Japanese air organization likely to become available) but that organization is itself subject to constant chanee
Since that ~eport IU S issued more cata has come to light and further changes have taken place in the or~anization of the Japanese air forces As a result this revised version of Air Infornation Report to 2 is heine issued Again it is necessary to caution the reader that Japanese air organization is extremely complex and extremely flexible almost any statement made in this paper may have to be re-examined in the light of new evidence or of changes which may take place in the Japanese air forces
This paper has placed considerable emphasis on Japanese terms in order to facilitate their handline by US personnel The confusion which has hitherto surrounded the subject of Japanese air organization hus resulted in large part from the Japanese language itself
It is obvious that the Japanese will write air unit terms such as section in the pictorshyial characters of their own language Japanese phonetic renderings of these characters when written in Roman letters are termed Romaji For example the phonetic rendering of the characshyters meaning section is SHOTA Such a Japanese Romaji term may be translated by a variety of Enrlish equivalents It is therefore desirable to use insofar as possible the original Romaji ter~ and not their En~lish equivalents
A further important source of the confusion surrounding the subject of Japanese air organishyzation has been the too literal acceptance of statements concerning that organization made by Japanese sources
In particular the loose use of various organizational terms such as BUTAI which has both general and specific meanings and such as SENTI which describes ground and surface as well as air units should be not6d Also the tendency of Japanese sources to identify Japanese units in a variety of we - by the name of the CO (this is especially frequent) the name of the current station the name of the parent unit or a numerical deSignation must be taken into account The possibility of misunderstandings arising from the above practices should be borne in mind by US personnel when confronted by seemingly contradictory evidence concerning Japanese air organizntion
This paper does not attempt any detailed description of the strength and composition of specific units except insofar as such description may serve to illustrate general Japanese pracshytice
The composition of any air unit may change radically from time to time as losses are exshyperienced and as its component elements are re-assigned or re-inforced For this reason the identification of a yiven unit should not be taken as a necessary indication of that units strength the units middotcomposition ~y have been changed since its strength was last ascertained Because of the frequency of such changes any analysis of the stren~th and disposition of all but the very lar~est Japanese air units would serve no useful purpose in a paper of this type and classification
Any analysiS of J panese air organization should be based on a knowledge cf Japanese naval orbanization Readers desirine to pursue this latter subject further are referred to confidential Serial 69-43 or the lates t revis ion thereof issued by the Office of Naval Intelligence
NOTE A clear understanding of this paper will be more easily secured if constant reference is made to Parts 1 and 2 of Table A while reading Chapters I - III of the text
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OPCHT1CIL U~H T ThIS t -LCY BY Be THE
AR~ AND ~VY
1 SEOTI (Section)
The snallest Japanese air unit is the ~H()1iI which is co~posed of 01 C f I l Jlt I three) aircraft SHO means small AI is a suffix maa ni n unit n-us S 10 1 m~8n B IT1lt 1 un i t lhe nearest u S equivalent is the section The Still II I exists CI ~y 8S a unit ampn n fli ht
2 CHl~I (Squ~dron)
Two to four (usually three) SHOTAI make up a Ch~ThI which t hus contains an approximate total of 6-12 aircraft CHU means center or middle more r rely mean or Medium Thus CHUlAI would _an medium sized unit he nearest US eauivalent is the squadron In Ar _ squadron both as an administrativtl and is a tactical unit is termed 8 C~~TAI In the Navy 8
squadron is known tactically as a Ch~TI but administratively 85 a B I AI
3 DAITAI (~pe jine)
Two to three CIIUTAI (squadrons) when in flieht may form a JITi- Dai means -Yamp-eness or rreatness hence DAITAI is Ii terally laree unt t LA 1TA1 is transla ed as liT 1
it is the largest air unit necessarily made up of exclusively one type of aircraft
This SHOTAI-ClmTAI-DA1TAI pattern is extremely flexible dependine on the i nmiddot 1vidual opershya tine requirements of the units in question One edium bonber DA1TAI orera tine in northeast Australia is believed to have been composed as follows
1st CHUTAl - 1 SHOTAl of three aircrcft
2 SHOTA1 of four aircraft each
TOTAL 11 aircraft
2nd CHUTAI - 1 SHOTAI of two aircraft
3 SHOTAI of three aircraft each
TOTALs 11 aircraft
3rd CHUTAI - 1 SHOTAI of one aircraf+
4 SPOTAI of three airc r
TOTAL 13 aircraft
GRAND TOTAL 35 aircraft
It is evidently the Japanese intent to organ1te these lower operational echelons in pyrashymids of threes this intent is reflected in their flying formations
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4 BUTAla
BUTAI meaning force ill a term used alone or in conjunc tion wi th other terms by both the Japanese Army and Navy to describe rather lar~e air task forces Army BUTAI and Navy BUTAI KUSHUBUTAI (r Attack Forces) and KICHI KOKU BUTAI (Base Air Forces) will be fully described in Chapters II ~d III of this paper
In addition to the above lIIBanin~s BUTAI is often used in a rather general sense to refer to any llir unit In this sense BUTAI is gene rally prefaced by the name of the units commander eg WAtANABE BUTAI (the Wa tanabe air unit) ~en used in this way BUTAI contains no implications as to the size and type of the unit in que s ti on - it is r ather vague and non-descriptive term This emphasizes again the necessity for referring to Japanese air unit terms in Romaji unless an authoritati~e translation for such Romaji has alr ady been disseminated
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NAVAL AIR FORCE
(KAIGUN KOKU HOMBU) and the Combined Naval Air Cor s ( RENGO1
The Naval Air Service is an inte~al part of the Navy its particular problems being hanshydled by the Naval Aviation Headquarters (KAlGUN KOKU HOMBU) which are headed by a Vice-Admiral KAIGUN is Navy KOKU is aviation and HOMBU is Headquarters
These Headquarters were reorganized during October 1942 to give the Vice-Admiral Commandshying authority over air operations as well as over aviation personnel and materiel This followed a similar reorganization of the Army Air Force Headquarters which had taken place in Yay 1942 The head of the Naval Aviation Headquarters may be compared to our own Deputy Chief of Naval Opershyations for Air
The head of the Naval Aviation Headquarters is co-equal in authority to the Navy Minister and the Chief of the Naval General Staff Each of these three officers is directly responsible to the Emperor Together they constitute the High Command of the Japanese Navy
Naval air training is carried on by the Combined NaTal Air Corps (KAIGUN RENGO KOKU SCTAI) located in Japan proper and now headed by a Prince of the Imperial Family This Corps answers directly to the Naval Aviation Headquarters It consists of Combined Air Groups (RENGO KOKUTAI) which are the units through which its training program is executed
2 The Combined Fleet (RENGO KANTAI)
Under these three officers Comel (a) The C-in-C Combined Fleet (b) the C-in-C Southwest Area F (Burma Malaya IndO-China NEI Philippines) (c) the C-in-C China Seas Fleet (d) the ~nders of Home Defense Forces in Japan proper
Airflot 23 (KOKUSENtAI 23) known tactically as the East Indies Air Force (East Indies KOKU BUTAI) is attached to the 2nd Southern Expeditionary Fleet of the Southwest Area Fleet Airflot 23 consists of one XCVS and two shore-based Air Groups (KOKUtAI)
With this exception the majori~ of Japanese naval aviation li~e the majori~ of Japanese naval surface strength comes under the Combined Fleet RENGO is Combined KANTAI il Fleet This fleet is broken down administratively into six surface Fleets two Air Fleeta and one subshymarine Fleet and tactically into various task forces and task organizati~ns
Among the surface Fleets is the Third Fleet (DAI SAN KANtAI) which includes all Japanese carriers and henCd most Japanese naval ship-borne air strength
The two Air Fleets are the 11 th (DAI JUICHI KOKU KANTAI) and the 12th (DAlJUNI KOKU KANtAI) These two Air Fleets together contain most of the Japanese Navys shore-based air strength The Eleventh Air Fleet functions in the South and Southwest Pacific the Twelfth Air Fleet which is considerably smaller was recently created to meet the growing American threat to the Kur1les
These Fleets and Air Fleets are commanded by Vice-Admirals (KAIGUN CHUSHO) TheBe same officers exercise tactical command over the task forces whioh parallel to a large extent the orshyganization of these administrative Fleets
KOKU stands for air DAI SAN is third DAI JUICHI 11 eleventh DAI JUNI 11 twelfth
3 Third Fleet (DAI SAN KANTAI)
The Third Fleet contains all Japanese carriers as well as one Batdiv two Crudivs and five Desdivs It also includes Airflot 50 containing two shore-based Air Groups and one aircraft
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middot -shy
r rrier which are devoted to ASW and to the trainine of carrier squadrons and three ACVs which re probably used as aircraft transports The continued existence of Airflot 50 is currently in
10ubt
In addition to the aircraft carriers which make up the Third Fleet and to the seaplane carriers to be described later Japanese naval ship-borne air strength includes observation pl~es on various classes of warships as followsl
NUMBER CARRIED NO TYPE PLANE TYPE BY EACH TOTAL
10 BattlB1hips YOS 3 30 1 Heavy Cruiser (AOEU CLAS ) VOS 2 2 2 Heavy Cruisers (TONE CLhSe vos 6 12 9 Heavy Cruisers VOS 4 36 2 Heavy Cruisers VOS 6 12
14 Li jht Crv i -err VOS 1 14 1 Li t ht Cruiser NONE 0 C 3 Sub~~rine Tenders vos 5
33 Submar lnes VOS 1 33 3 Armed Lo rchant Cruiserb VOS 2 6
It was t one time su ~~eB ted that these planes came under the adminiBtrative cognizance of the Third Fleet There is no evidence to support this view
A Ship-borne Air Flotillas (Ship-borne KOKUSENTAI)
The Third Fleet the Eleventh Air Fleet and probably the Twelfth Air Flee t are divided administratively into KOKUSENTAI each cOlllllaJlded by a Rear Admiral (KAIGUlI SHOSHO) KOKU means
aviation and SENTAI means division iOKUSENTAI is translated Air Flotilla or Airflot
It is b~lieved that KOKUSENTAI 1-10 are reserved for Cardivs KOKUSENTAI 11-20 for seaplane d training cocmands KO~JSENTAI 21-30 for shore-based Air Flotillas Currently only KOKUSENTAI and 2 (Cardivs) 14 and 18 (Training) 21 22 23 24 25 and 26 (Shore Based Airflots) are
1 erational
Two or three carriers (one Cardiv) make up one ship-borne KOKUSENTAI The total air complement of two or three Japanese carriers would range from about 100 to 200 plane~depending on
he carriers involved Thus a carrier KOKUSENTAI is about the same size as a shore-based Il KUS m1TAI There is some evidence that Cardivs (Carrier KOKUSENTAI) actually operate as tactical 1i ts
The Third Fleet contains Two Cardivseach containine 2-3 carriers The number of carriers ~ n any given Cardiv varies over a period of time occasionally one carrier will operate alone dishyectly under the Third Fleet w thout being a part of either of its Cardi vs
There were until recently two Seaplane KOKUSENTAI each made up of 4-6 seaplane carriers dach carrying 10-14 planes) These Seaplatendivs have recently been disbanded and their comshyne~t vessels re-assigned as elements of other Japanese ~leets The largest seaplane concentrashy
n (CVS and 5 XCVS) is now to be found in the train of the Combined Fleet
The complements of Japanese seaplane carriers are as followsl
SEAPLhtJ1 CARRIERS
Cvsr NAME NOTORO
AIRCRAFT 10-V05 1 Catapult
TOTAL -lO
CV~-2 K llOI 10-VOS 10 CVS-3 lt ITOSE l4-VOS 4 Catapults 14 CVS-4 CI TYOD 14-VOS 4 Catapults 14 cvs-e ta ss 14shy VOS 4 Ca tepu l ts 14 CVSshy 1 AKITS II 14-VOS 4 Ca u p 1 ts 14
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CONVERTED SEAPLANE CARRIERS
TYPE NAME AIRCRAFTb TOTAL
XCVS-l KAM KAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-2 YA8UKAWA MAIm 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-3 KmlIKAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-S VOS 13 XCVS-4 SANUKI MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-S VOS 13 XCVS-5 SANYO VARU 8 SeaplEJ9 Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-6 OKITSU MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 vas 13 XCVS-7 KIll KAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Firhters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-8 SAGARA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-9 KIYOKAWA lIARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 vas 13
b - Estimated
B Ship-borne Air Groups and Squadrons (CHUTAI)
A shore-based KOKUSENTAI (Airflot) breaks down into several shore-based KOKUTAI (Air Groups~ It has been suggested that the air complement of a ship-borne KOKUSENTAI (Cardiv) is similarly broken down into several ship-based KOKUTAI (Air Groups) each comprising the air complement of one aircraft carrier
However there is no evidence of the existenoe of any Air Groups other than the named and numbered Groups referred to later in this text Certain of these Air Groups based in Japan are training units and some of these latter serve exclusively to replenish carrier strengths Units of operational naval Air Groups might also be emparked on carriers if the tactical situation so demanded Thus the air complement of one carrier might b8 made up of Squadrons drawn from several different Air Groups
The Squadrons embarked on one carrier regardless of their original administrative affiliashytions will form one tactical unit while on that carrier This tactical unit will be designated by the name of its carrier and may be roughly compared to a US carrier air group Unlike the regular Japanese Air Group (KOKUTAI) it is not a permanent administrative unit
The air complement of a Japanese carrier will vary (36-72 planes) according to the size of the carrier Thus as will be seen later a carrier-borne air unit varies within roughly the same limits as a shore-based KOKUTAI (Air Group)
NAME VF VSB VTB TOTAL
ROSRO (Training-Airflot 50) SHOKAKU (Cardiv 2) ZUIKAKU (CardivI) ZUIHO (Third Fleet or Cardiv 1) HITAKA (Cardiv 2) HAYATAKA (Cardiv 2) RYUHO (Airflot 50 or Cardiv 2) OTAKA (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying) UNTO (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying) CHUYO (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying)
12 27 27 27 24 24
9 9 9
18 18
18 18
18 18 18
24 27 27
9 9 9
9 9 9
36 72 72 36 51 51 36 36 36 36
4 JUICHI KOKU KANTAI) and the Twelfth (Shore-based
The Eleventh Air Fleet as previously indicated includes most of the Navys shore-based planes It consists of shore-based Airflots 21 22 25 and 26 3 APVs and 2 DDls are also attached to this Air Fleet
The Eleventh Air Fleet functions in the Melanesia - New Guinea ares Also in this area is the 8th Fleet composed of cr~isers anc destroyers These two fleets combine to form the Southshy
_ i _
ealt Area Fleet whi~h is commanded by the C-in-C Eleventh Air Fleet In the train of the Southshyeast Area Fleet are 2 XCVS It should be remembered that this organization is administrative not tactical
Adminiatrative headquarte ~ middote Eleventh Air Fleet are at Tenian a small island south at Saipan but C-in-C Eleventh Air Fleet has maintain d his operational staff at Rabaul since August 1942
Recently the Twelfth (shore-based) Air Fleet has been created to meet the menace arising froM the US seizure of Attu Island The Twelfth Ai r Fleet is based in the Kuriles it probably is made up of Airflot 24
A Shore-based Air Flotillas (Shore-based KOKUNSENTAI)
An Air Fleet is broken down administratively into KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotillas)
One Air Flotilla (abbreviated to Airflot)is made up of combat detachments from two to four Air Groups The strength of the Airflot will depend on the fluctuating size of these detachments it will generally total an~~ere from 50 to 150 (more usually 75 to 125) planes
Air Flotillas have auxiliary surface vessels such as aircraft transports attached to them for supply purposes Thus Airflots 22-26 each contain one APV Airflots 23 and 26 each contaiOl ne CVS in addition
B Air Attack iurcel (KUSHUBUtAI)
The Eleventh and TWelfth Air Fleets planes are organized administratively into five Airflots they are alao organized tactically into five Air Attack Forces (KUSHUBUTAI) KUSHU ia attaCk BUTAI is torce Each Airflot is related to one Air Attack Force
Airtlot 21 - 1st Air Attack Force Airflot 22 - 2nd Air Attack Force Airflot 24 - 4th Air Attack Force Airflot 25 - 5th Air Attack Force Airflot 26 - 6th Air Attack Force
The Rear Adndral commanding each Airflot is also the head of the corresponding Air Attack Force and it is believed that each Air Flotilla serves as the administrative foun~in-head for the Air Attack Force to which it is related ~Vhile the Air Flotillas are administrative units the Air Attack Forces are exclusively tactical in function Like all task forces they are exshytremely flexible inmiddot size and composition Each Air-Attack Force is made up in the main of units drawn from its corresponding (administrative) Air Flotilla
Airflot 23 it will be remembered is a part of the Southwest Area Fleet and is known tactically as the East Indies Force (DUT~I) or Air Force (KOKU BU~I) It would appear that the East Indies BUtAI is an air task force type on roughly the same level as the Air Attack -Forces though probably less mobile beine rather permanently stationed in the area from which it takes its name The appearance of other such BUTAI (or KOKU BUTAI) is possible
C Base Air Force (KIeHl KOKU BUTAI)
It is believed that the Base Air Force (KICHI KOKU BUTAI) is a task force type quite disshytinct from the above-mentioned BUtAI or KOKU ~UtAI
In a recent South Pacific operation the C-in-C Eleventh (shore-based) Air Fleet functionshyed tactically aa Commander Base Air Force which was a task force embracing those of the Eleventh Air Fleets Air Attack Forces taking part in this particular operation
Evidently when a cOlsiderable number of naval land-based airplanes are called on to partici shypate in an operation under one unified command they may be organized into a lar~e air task force termed the Base Air Force (KICHI KOKU SUTAI) This task force will be of considerably greater
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scope than either a Force (BU~I) or an Air Attack Force (KUSHUBU~I) either or both of which lllieht be among its component elements The Base Air Force might be tenned the tac-tical equivalent of the administrative Air Fleet
It is possible however that during a future operation the ~rm Base Air Force may be used with a very different meaning
It should be re-emphasized that the KOKU KAHTAI (Air Fleet) and the KOKUSENTAI (Airflot)are permanent elements in the administrative organization of the Japanese naval air service whereas the KUSh~BUAI (Air Attack Force) the KOKU BUTAI (Air Force) and the KICHI KOKU BU~I (Base Air Force) are task forces types created temporarily to meet the needs of the current Pacifio struggle
The above Base Air Force should not be confused with the Bnse Groups - which are units mainly composed of seaplanes assigned to variou9 Japanese b~se 3 in the Pacific Their exact status is obscure their role is believed lar~ely defensive It is possible that they have some operational relationship to the 11th Air Fleet
D Shore-based Air Groups (Shore-bnsed KOKUTAI)
One KOKUSENThI (Airflot) breaks down into two or three KOKUThI (Air Groups) or detachments shyusually Type Tongs - thereof KOKU is air A I is unit the Japanese sometines abbreviate KOKUThI to KU
Air Groups are o~ded by Naval Captains (KAIGUN ~ ISA) and are the basi c admi nistrative units of the Japanese navnl air service Air Groups (K KUTA I) are of two typos
(1) middotThose wh ich have permanent horne st uns in the Japanese Empire and which are sometimes known by the names of these stations
(2) Specially Mobilized Air Groups ( TOhUSETSU KOKUTAI) whi ch are numbered and are known by their numerical designations It is believed th ~ these Groups may h ve been establi 3hed at air stations ou~side the Empireas the Japanese h~ve shown some inclination to n ame ai r stations within the Empire and to number those outside the Empire
Recentlythe Japanese have introduced very high numeral designations for both named and numbered Air Groups named Air Groups are pp rently now irnown by boh t he ir ori inal lIIIO S and their new numbers
These new hi~ numbers serve ns II fa i r l re_i~bl~ uide t o the o Do-i tion of the Air Groups i ol ved thus observati on roups are usual ly nUD r e the 100 s flgh ter Groups in the 200s mixed figh ter-bomber Groups in the 500s bovbmiddot r Gro~ ln t e 700s flyi n boat Groups in the 800s fl oat plane Groups in the 900s But re are lots of 81Cceptions ti le composition of many Air Groups is rather mixed
This system like all matters pertaininr to the de s middotnation ot 1 ir un~8 1s ot coursej
subject to constant chan(~ Th J apanese ar ~ns ly secur ity nd d nominal and ~umerical chan~e s are continuallY i r To uced in the ore nl zs t l on o~ hei r nava _ 1r Qrce to concsa i ts r eal 8 tUB
The to 1 numbe r of Air Groups in active status wil l -~ ac ord n eng th of thebull v
Japanese air force I f heavy losses are experi~nce c Iteln Groups t 01 if production and training out-run casual ~ e Ie l r urO may be e p seldom nctio s II c na t un t in i ts eI ~i re the total 11 S1I1 ald fluctu t ons trerei a~ t te s O~ I _llst t + r ti
Air GroupE do - t n ceasaril cl)1Siat of only 00 tIP of aircraf bull Uld ther S i L~ 1 ry t hin wide li r I aIB run aa hi ~ lampv othera 10 s 18 (ton th contain
tr nmiddot~ort planes 10 dd ian to o or or type t pl noa
A fur ~er uonru~1nv 6 the t c a - ltInts may be d
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Some of an Air Groups stren~th may be maintained at its home station particularly if that station is in the Japanese Empire These aircraft will have duties in connection with air raid defense and anti-submarine warfare they will probably also engage in advanced operational trainshying As the Air Groups home strengt middot is increased by the addition of planes and air crews reshyceived from Japanese factories nnd training centers that home strength will in turn be reduced by the despatch of the Air Groups combat detachments to various Air Flotillas
It is sometimes difficult when confronted with documentary evidence that a certain Air Group is a part of a given Airflot to decide whether the entire Air Group or merely one of its combat detachments is involved It is ~enerally believed however that these are references to combat d~tachments of Air Groups not to the total original establishmeuts of the Air Groups conshycerned These combat detachments may PA made up of one or more Type Wings or of lesser units shysuch as Squadrons
One Airflot for example is thought to have been made up as follows 3 bomber Type Wings (DAITAI) of 27-30 planes each 5 fighter Type Win~s and one observation squadron (CHUTAI) of ten planes
One Air Group had the following of its units attached to an Airflot three fighter squadrons (15 planes each) and two torpedo squadrons (9 planes each)
Both these examples suggest that Air Flotillas are made up of Type Win~s andor Squadrons taken from several different Air Groups
Certain Air Groups by the way do not seem to have any combat functions they are merely training units serving as replacement pools for other combat Air Groups or for aircraft carriers Training Air Groups are believed to diverge somewhat in strength and composition form other Air Groups
In considering lists of shore-based Air Groups and their aircraft strengths one must thereshyforemiddotconsider whether the Air Group in question is a trainin~ or a combat unit and if the latter whether its ~iven aircraft stren~th represents the total original establishment of the Air Group at its home base or the present operating strength of one of its overseas detachments
Often the operating detachment of an Air Group will be referred to in such d manner as to lead one to believe that it comprises the entire Air Group At other times the original establishshyment of the enbire Air Group may be given without any clear indication that its operating detach~ ments can claim but a fraction of that strength
Of course there must always be borne in mind the possibility that an Air Group will function its entirety as a combat unit of an Air Flotilla This is probably ~ore often true of Specially Mobilized Air Groups than of those which have bases within the Japanese Empire
It has been suggested that operational detachments of Air Groups will appFoximate the followshying figures A flying boat detachment 12 aircraft a floatplane detachment 12-18 planes a fighter detachment I 45 fighters with 6 reccos occasionally added Medium bomber detachments will sometimes come as high as 45 planes 27 is however the more normal fi~ure while dive bomber deshytachments usually have about 18 planes
An enemy source indicates that these combat detach~ents of Air Groups are known as RONTAI which means main unit The home detachments are known as ZAURYUTAI which means remaining units These terms indicate the overseas detachments to be lorger than the home units
E Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI BUNTAI) Sectiqns (SHOTAI)
As indicated in Part I of this text the DAlTAI (Type Wing) exists as a unit only when in flight It does not exist as an administrative unit on the ground Thus organizationally the Ai Group brea~s down into a variable nunber of Squadrons cf 9 planes each
lhree quadrons flying together as a unit ar~ called a )IAI Such a Type Wing wil be ~( -aJlled hy the seni~r Squadron leader r esent
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The Squadron in fli~ht is known as a Cl~TAI as an administrative unit on the ground it is known as a BUNTAI The iquadrol breaks dORl into 3 Sections (SHOTAI) of three planes each
As an exa~ple of the administrative break-down of an Air Group into Squadrons the following make-up one KCKUTAI is cited
9lNTAI ifl amp jf2 Fighter squadrons (total 22 planea) BljNTAI TflJ amp 1f4 Fighter maintenance unit BUNTAI ff5 amp ttfgt Bomber squadrons (total 18 planes)
BUUTAI ff7 30ccer n~irtenance unit EUIITJI ff8 Communications unit
BVN7hI if9 amp tlO Adcinistrative units
It is stated that wi thin this KOKUTAI the two fighter BUNTAI were treated as one unit and th9 two bomber DUNTAI were treated as one unit The total fighter uni t when in flight was probably called a DhITAI the sarns beinE true of the total bomber unit
It 6ppears that a KOKUTAI may sometimes have plflne strength in reserve in addition to the complement of its DAITAI The above KOKUTAI had two DAITAI of 30 planes each plus a Group reshyserve of 10 planes making a total KOKUTAI strength of 70 planes
Its interesting to note that this Air Group apparently functioned as one unit instead of being broken up into a home detachment and a combat detachment
The above maintenance BUNTAI break down into maintenance HAN (Platoons) of 50-60 men each attached to one aircraft Squndron
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ARMY AIR FORCE
It is felt that naval personnel should be familiar with Jap~nese Army air organization because of the increasinL use of Japanese Ar~J air units in the Pacific Their assignment to this theater has been brought about both by a desire to afford close air support to Army ~round troops in New Guinea and New Bri tain and by the need to make good drastic air losses suffered in the Pacific by t ~ naval air force
1 Army Aviation Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU H01ABU)
The administration of Army aviation was reorganized in Amy 1942 in order to give the Army Air Force a degree of power and autonomy not unlike that of our own AAF At that time the Army Aviatior Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU HOMIlU) were set up to be headed by a Lieutenant General (RIKUGIDt CHUSHO) or a full General (RIKUGUN TAISHO) RIKUGUU means Army amps distinct from KAIGUN Navy
The Commandi ng General Army Aviation Headquarters is directly responsible to the Emperor instead of to the Uinister of War or the Chief of the General Staff who are his equa l s in rank and who also enjoy direct accebullbull to the Emperor These three officers constitute the High Command of the Japanese Army the head of Army Aviamptio~ HeadqUarters havine cognizance of Army air operashytions training and materiel
It is obvious however that this officer much like the Commanding General of our own Army Air Forces is not in a position to exercise direct tactical command over the wide spr ad air forces which he heado This tactical command must rest with heads of the various Air Commands in differshyent theaters of war
2 Air COll1lllllnds (KOKU EEIDAll) and Flying Divisions (EIKO SHIDMl)
HIKO is flyine SHIDAN is diviSion hence HIKO SHIDAU is Flying DiV1 sion The Flying Division is the largest unit of the Japanese Army Air Service Commanded by a Lieutenant-General it includes anywhere from 200 to 400 planes and the mit lecessary to servicing thereof
Seven Flying Divisions have been identified the 1st in Japan proper the 2nd ~n Manchuria the 3rd in China the 4th in Manchuria and the North China the 5th in Burma and adjacent regions the 6th in the Southwest Pacific and the 7t h in the UE I Headquarters of the 5th are a t Rangoon of the 6th at Rabaul and of the 7th at Ambon
The 6th and 7th Flying Divisions were very recent y activated It is believed that they were organized out of units taken from other Flying Divi slons for this purpo se
A flying Division does not maintain any fixed a_ze or composition i t ~y shrink or expand as the military situation requires Air units are shif teci free y from Oru Flyine Division to anshyother the Divisions themselves are rarely moved a bout as llnl t S
One step above the Flying Division is the KOICU IibluAU KOKU i8 a ir -rrI N is Corps KOKU HEIDAN is translated Air Command nlree Air COUlllllds have been i dentified e ach headed by a Lieutenant General the 1st in Japan proper t he 2ncr i n Planohuria an i) e 3rd at Si ll ep0re
These Air Commands are staffs not uni ts They con 1 11 r~ ai r 0
areas under th~ir cogni zance Thus the 1s t Plying Dv1sion a swe s ~h I s 2nd 3rd and 4th lyint lVlSlon to tht 2nd Ai r CODllampnd the 5th 6tl 11 bull
pr ohably to the 3rd Ai Commands
ThA Air Co~de are not mobIle they are pe~1ently ~ ~b~ d in d rferen war tJ exe r C1se st r tei c COllllOllUl ( ltn er Army air units i n t hose r4 Taotical nth tho F vin D1 i si n or me - unit is too W1atl ~ y middotat ter ~o un n fi B Q body lliith the PlYinG 3ri ada
co 0 remains
Units may be freely shifted ROOut from one Air Commnnd to another the Command itself reshymains unaffected Air COllnands are crec ted or abolished aR the ter1po and location f air operashytions seem to require
It is interesting to speculate on the relation between these commands of the Japanese Army air forces and the equivalent commands of the ~apanese Army fround f orces
The Japanese armies which might be co pared to Flying Divisions are co-orcinated by staffs which might be co pared to the Air Commands These staffs are C-in-C National Defense Forces in Japan proper C-in-C Kwantunr Army in Manchuria C-in-C Forces in China C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces with headquarters at Sin~apore It is not certain whether the 8th Army Grou~ controlling gr ound forces in the south and southwest Pacific with headquarters at Rabampul answers to C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces or directly to the Army High Command in TOkyo
It will be seen that C-in-C National Defense Forces corresponds to the 1st Air Command C-in-C Kw~tun~ Army and C-in-C Forces in China to the 2nd Air Command and the C-in-C Southshyern Expeditionary forces to the 3rd Air Command
It is not known whether in these cases the Air Command is subordinated to the equivalent grpund command or whether each of the two commands answers i ndividually to the Army High Command in Tokyo In the latter case the ground and air ccmmand r s are pres~~bly expected to effect coshyordination on a voluntary basis The Japanese ~mphasis on unity of commans and on the use of airshypower in support of ground operations -takes the former course middotmiddot more likely than the latter however
3 Flying Brigades (EIKODA n and Flying Regiments (EIKO SENTAI)
The Flying Division breaks down into about 3 Flyinr Bri~ades each with about 70-120 planes The Flying Brigade is generally commanded by a ~ajor General (RIKUGUN SEOSHO) though eometimes by a Colonel (RIKUGUN TAISA) It may be roulhly compared to a Navy KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotilla)
HI middot bull is an abbrevia t ioe for HIKO which II ans flying and RYODAN which leans Brirade The r are very mobile being divorced from servicing and administrative responsibilities They are _ee ly shifted from one Flying Division to another thus for example a riven Flying Brigade might fight in Burma during the dry season as part of the 5th Flying Brigade and might be transferred to the lffiI as part of the 7th Flying Di~sion during the Monsoon
A Flying Brigade breaks down into 3 Flying Regiments each of about 27 planes HIKO is flying SENTAI is battle uni til Flying Regiments ware called HIKO RENTAl before the war RENTAl being the ground forces term for regiment Iately the more dynamic term SENTAI has been substituted
The Flying Regiments like the Flying Brigades are divorced from administrative and servicshying duties and hence are extremely mobile However they generally function within the framework of the Flying Brigade - Flying Regiments are not shifted fram one Brigade to another al freely al Brigades are shifted from one Flying Division to another Flying Regiments are generally commanded by Majors (RIKUGUN SHOSA) or Lieutenant Colonelb (RlKUGUN CHUSA)
A Flying Brigade does not necessarily consist of only type of aircraft a Flying Regiment generally does
4 Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI) Sections (SHOTAI)
A Flying Regiment breaks down into three Squadrons (C~TAI)Jf 9 planes each The Japane~e Army Squadron is the same as the Navy squadron breaking down into three sections (SEOTAI) ~f three planes each A squadron will generally be commanded by a Captain (HlKUGUN TAIl) TIhen in flight three squadrons are te r med a DAITAI This is exclusively a tactical term
Certain S u drons operate independently usually as obse(vation units attached to ground forces These are terced DOKIRITSU t A I (Independent Squadrons)
5 Task Forces (BUTAI)
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We have noted the Navy use of BL AI XSHUBUTAI and KIlII J OIIT BU rBI Th also createsy
tactical air ~8k fo rces - though 1 (I fr Dllent l y in t lar l y ttUl the Nl n ir ta k forces are termed BU AI ti r siLl and oo~po8i tio~ II vary accor in to heir mi on TJo- ir exi5ten~e probably does not outlast t he f ul f ll~n ~ s mission
6 Administrative lnl t Air Dictric Hl RE BU) DAfTAI) Airfield C mp~ JAo~rrt~TI~~~~----~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1~i~e~s~(~n~IUK7G~
Scatte ~ throughc1t Greater East As ia are panese Air District Hedquort 118 are staffs eac If ich ccut l)ls all a r dlti n groun uncti oDs ( ser - i ng and adminill in he area under gn ~za~c It will be r e campl l d that the Fly i n Di vis i n is or-kDl ze ~ ~ athe permanent toIr n tonal basis it is bel i ad thllt all h a divie on will break ltlown tac t lc lly u-to Flying Brigad5 8 ald administratively int o Ai Dis tri ct Headquarters
The Flying Dri~ades are mobile comba t Ilvia t i on uni ts the Air District Headquarters are imshymobile ground housekeeplng units Bo th answer to tIe Commanding General of thei r parent Flying Division who thus controls all aviation matters wi~hin the zone under his command Comparatively little is known of the organization and content of the Air District Headquarters
A lower adrninistrative and servicing echelon is the HIKOJO DAITAI HIKOJO means airfield DAITAI is 1aree unit The Airfield Battalion is generally attached directly to a Flying Regishyment whose administrative and servicing functions it assumes
On the following page is a chart reproduced from ATIS SnFA Serial 159 showi ng the organishyzation of an Airfield Battalionas described by an ene~J source It will be seen that the Battalshyion breaks down into a guard company a eupply company and a servicing company this latter conshysisting of three servicing platoons each attached to one aircraft squadron
The Airfield Battalion is a mobile urlit It doe s not necessarily move with the Flying Regishyment but will generally move closely after or effeet a rendeJvous with such I parent unit as the latter will be heavily dependent on it for 6er~clng It is believed t t an Airfield Batalion will come under cognizamprlce of the Air District Headquarters in whose area it functions
The HIKOJO CHUTAI or Airfield Company is a miniature version of the Airfield Battalion It will be attached to squadrons operating independently or to small advanced airfields
7 Air Trainin (KYOIKU
Advanced operational training il conducted by Flying Divisions - articularly those in quiet areas such as Japan and Manchuria
Primary and intermediate training was formerly the function of the First Flying Division in Japan proper Lately it is believed that this division has been relieved of prtmary and intermedishyate training so as to free it for the defense of Japan and the Kuriles Those of its units which carried on training activities have been assigned to the newly created 51st Air Training Division also located in Japan proper
So far no other Air Training Division has been identified The 51st Air Training Division breaks down into Air Trainine Brigades a~d Air Training Regiments much like any other Flying DiTt sion The wora KYOlKU which will be noted in the above titles means training
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FLYING RANK - ARMY AND NAVY
1 Officers
Officers of the Japanese ~ and Navy air services have - like US flyers - the same titles and badBes of rank as other line officers of the service to which they belOIlS These titles and insignia are reproduced on pages 15 and 16
In the case of naval officers oollar and shoulder tab insignia the cherry b10SsomB are silver the areas shaded in the illustrations on pBBe 15 UtI black and the WlSl d areas are gold In the case of flying officers the cherry blossom ~ be bluej in cese of air ground staff officers it may be green These insignia are worn as collar tabe on blu uniforms and as shoulder-boards on white uniforms The cuif bands are black on t lue unifClIIllB ~ld lace being used for ceremonial dress On fly1ng dress officers wear a c l oth PI tcll on tlI l e 1t 8I1I bbove the elbow bearing a design in gold lace similar to that of e curt b llds
In the case of the army offioers insignia the stars ex ~ gold the eretiB sruWed on page 15 are red and the unshaded areas are gold
It vill be noted that ArrIly and Navy Officers have the amt t1t~e3 of r mk Tj wor KAIGUN (Navy) and RIKtnUN (nArrIly) aro prefixed to avoid confusio In tJe Navr fl-mg o ~ icars put the tern KOKU between KAIGUN ani their title of rank while g o 8 Gai ~t l e e r use t- gt tert SEIBI in the same w~ Thus a KAIGUN KOKIJ SHOOA is a flying Li8lteDlJlt Q1JDnjer hile a KAIGm~ SEIBI SHooA is a Lieutenant Commander A-V(S)
The SHO which is used in SHooHO (rear Admiral) SHU3HO (Vice Admiral) ani ASnO (Admiral) means COIllllBDding officer and may on occasion be used as follows SHOTAISRO (CamtlI8J1der of a SHOTAI) CHUlAISHO (Commander of a CID1lAI) and so on This is 50 w~ of referr1JJg to ~be units CO withoUt des1goating his aotual rank
2 EDlisted PersODDel
Both Japanese air services make great use of enlisted men as pil l) a an 9 members of elrshycrews Even as pilots enlisted men ortnumber officers by as much as four to Oll
With respect to naval enlisted ranks it shoJld be noted that the HIKO SOCHO (USN Warshyrant Officer) vears a sleeve cuff band collar tabs and shoulder boards j the JOTO HEISO (USN Chief Petty Officer) has three cherry blossons on the sleeve but no collar tabs or shouder boards while the other six enlisted ratings wear their insignia an the right arm just above the elbow
The vord BIKO which vill be noted in the titles of all eight ratings means fly1ng In the oase of the grouni air staff SEIBI is substituted for HIKO in the title and a spealtl 1 airshyplane seen from a side view is substituted for the solid airplane seen from above in their inshysignia The personnel of both the Fly1ng ani Ground Crew branches are divided into specialist oategories each categor1 being dietingui shed b its own badge and title These categories are as follOWS
1 Flying (lIIKO) BrEUch A 110~a ( lJUINbullbull
1 gbter ilots (0 ITOKI 0JtlT) bull 2 Bo bull Hot f ~ J2lI SOJUJ
B on-Pllota (~urn) 1 abee at1cm n-rt tlan photo 0 hy eto
(TEIBAiSU) bull 2 Rad1 lin gwm X7 ( AlmKrn)
II Ground Crew (SEIBI) Branch A Ground Mechanics (SEIBIIN) B Armament Specialists (HEIIIIN) c Flying mechIJaics (TOJOllf) who maintain and
inspect equipment in flight These men constitute less than 5 of the ground crew branch
In the case of Ar~ enlisted ratings the same use of BIKO will be noted For the ground crews SEIBI is substituted Enlisted men down through the grade of corporal may act as pilots all enlisted men may be members of aircrews There are no U S A~ equivalents for the HIKO GOCBO and the BIKO JOTO HEI these terma have therefore been literally translated
3 Illustrations
The charts showing Japanese Army and Ifavy flying ranks are given on the following two pages In these charts certain Japanese Navy enlisted titles are given in parentheses These reshypresent abbreviations which are frequently used by the Japanese instead of the full title of the rank in question
-~-
NEAREST NEAREST U S NAVY U S ARMY COLLAR INSIGNIA EQU I VALENT EQIJ I VALENT
bull ral General ~ Lt J~ ire-A 11 ~ 1 CHI middotll tKUSHO B tt ltgt
SHOSHO ~ajor-en
TA ISA Colonel ~ CHUSA Lt -Col (gt SHOSA Major
i ra1 SHO HO
csp tain TA l
Comnander CI A
LtComdr SHOS ~
yen(~- UH~
~
~h
The JOTO HEISO wears sleeve cuff insignia but no coller or shoulder teb insignia
) (
- ADDENDA TO PART IV (f1 YING RMoiK)
Rpcpnt information Indlcatps that effpctive July 1 1K2 ttP tltlps ann arm insllnla of till sixmiddot 10wPFt Japanpsp naval ratines of tllp sparran hranctl wprp chan)middotltI to bp as follows
PS Equivalent Japanpse
(Flyine) Petty Offl pr 1st Class JafO HIKO HE ISO (JOHISO)
(Flylni) Petty Offlcpr 2nd Class ITIO ItIKO HEISO (III ISO)
(Flyln~) Pptty Offlcpr 3rd Class tilTCI IIIKO HEISO (~IHISO)
(Fly ing) Non-ratprl IMn 1st Class HI KO HE ICIIC) (HICHO) (H~IIII
(Fly Ing) Son-rated man 2nd Class JaIO HIKOHEI (JOH I)
(Flyln~) ~on-rated man 3rd Class IHO HIKOHEI (IPPI)
Ground aviation staffs substitute SEIBI for HIKO In the easp of flylne persolU) ttP chprry blossom Is blue In the ca of ~round aviation staffs it is jl reen Thes inSijDli a 111re the old markings Irp worn on thp right sl ve Rcmiddotlh old and npw insignia 1Ill be encolUltered in cOItbat arlas deshype nd lh on r o w re c p tlr the personnel 1 question hav arrived from Japan
-
ir-- -shy
11ilil
I shy - -bull - ~ ~p~ II ~ - II ~
I I
r-z--------IL==shy
j ~ i
L
-~-
I I
- ~ ~ - 3 r - - ~
~
-2
g = ~ ~ ~~ ~ shy
-- -
V
~ Q
~
~-= shy0
~~4
---- ~ ~ ~
S
l
I [
8 I [
~ I - ~ ~
I
I ~-
I
- 1
~
x- lt
GLOSSARY OF JlAVAL ABBREVIATIONS EMPLOYED IN TillS PAPER
BD CA CL DD SS SA
CVS XCVS
CV ACV APV
VF VB
SB VTB VOS
-------
---
-----
SHIPS
battleship h~avy cruiser light cruiser destroyer submarine submarine tender seaplane carrier converted seaplane carrier aircraft carrier Auxiliary aircraft carrier aircraft transport
PLANS
fighter horizontal bQmbe r dive bomber torpedo plane observation plane
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OPCHT1CIL U~H T ThIS t -LCY BY Be THE
AR~ AND ~VY
1 SEOTI (Section)
The snallest Japanese air unit is the ~H()1iI which is co~posed of 01 C f I l Jlt I three) aircraft SHO means small AI is a suffix maa ni n unit n-us S 10 1 m~8n B IT1lt 1 un i t lhe nearest u S equivalent is the section The Still II I exists CI ~y 8S a unit ampn n fli ht
2 CHl~I (Squ~dron)
Two to four (usually three) SHOTAI make up a Ch~ThI which t hus contains an approximate total of 6-12 aircraft CHU means center or middle more r rely mean or Medium Thus CHUlAI would _an medium sized unit he nearest US eauivalent is the squadron In Ar _ squadron both as an administrativtl and is a tactical unit is termed 8 C~~TAI In the Navy 8
squadron is known tactically as a Ch~TI but administratively 85 a B I AI
3 DAITAI (~pe jine)
Two to three CIIUTAI (squadrons) when in flieht may form a JITi- Dai means -Yamp-eness or rreatness hence DAITAI is Ii terally laree unt t LA 1TA1 is transla ed as liT 1
it is the largest air unit necessarily made up of exclusively one type of aircraft
This SHOTAI-ClmTAI-DA1TAI pattern is extremely flexible dependine on the i nmiddot 1vidual opershya tine requirements of the units in question One edium bonber DA1TAI orera tine in northeast Australia is believed to have been composed as follows
1st CHUTAl - 1 SHOTAl of three aircrcft
2 SHOTA1 of four aircraft each
TOTAL 11 aircraft
2nd CHUTAI - 1 SHOTAI of two aircraft
3 SHOTAI of three aircraft each
TOTALs 11 aircraft
3rd CHUTAI - 1 SHOTAI of one aircraf+
4 SPOTAI of three airc r
TOTAL 13 aircraft
GRAND TOTAL 35 aircraft
It is evidently the Japanese intent to organ1te these lower operational echelons in pyrashymids of threes this intent is reflected in their flying formations
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4 BUTAla
BUTAI meaning force ill a term used alone or in conjunc tion wi th other terms by both the Japanese Army and Navy to describe rather lar~e air task forces Army BUTAI and Navy BUTAI KUSHUBUTAI (r Attack Forces) and KICHI KOKU BUTAI (Base Air Forces) will be fully described in Chapters II ~d III of this paper
In addition to the above lIIBanin~s BUTAI is often used in a rather general sense to refer to any llir unit In this sense BUTAI is gene rally prefaced by the name of the units commander eg WAtANABE BUTAI (the Wa tanabe air unit) ~en used in this way BUTAI contains no implications as to the size and type of the unit in que s ti on - it is r ather vague and non-descriptive term This emphasizes again the necessity for referring to Japanese air unit terms in Romaji unless an authoritati~e translation for such Romaji has alr ady been disseminated
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-
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NAVAL AIR FORCE
(KAIGUN KOKU HOMBU) and the Combined Naval Air Cor s ( RENGO1
The Naval Air Service is an inte~al part of the Navy its particular problems being hanshydled by the Naval Aviation Headquarters (KAlGUN KOKU HOMBU) which are headed by a Vice-Admiral KAIGUN is Navy KOKU is aviation and HOMBU is Headquarters
These Headquarters were reorganized during October 1942 to give the Vice-Admiral Commandshying authority over air operations as well as over aviation personnel and materiel This followed a similar reorganization of the Army Air Force Headquarters which had taken place in Yay 1942 The head of the Naval Aviation Headquarters may be compared to our own Deputy Chief of Naval Opershyations for Air
The head of the Naval Aviation Headquarters is co-equal in authority to the Navy Minister and the Chief of the Naval General Staff Each of these three officers is directly responsible to the Emperor Together they constitute the High Command of the Japanese Navy
Naval air training is carried on by the Combined NaTal Air Corps (KAIGUN RENGO KOKU SCTAI) located in Japan proper and now headed by a Prince of the Imperial Family This Corps answers directly to the Naval Aviation Headquarters It consists of Combined Air Groups (RENGO KOKUTAI) which are the units through which its training program is executed
2 The Combined Fleet (RENGO KANTAI)
Under these three officers Comel (a) The C-in-C Combined Fleet (b) the C-in-C Southwest Area F (Burma Malaya IndO-China NEI Philippines) (c) the C-in-C China Seas Fleet (d) the ~nders of Home Defense Forces in Japan proper
Airflot 23 (KOKUSENtAI 23) known tactically as the East Indies Air Force (East Indies KOKU BUTAI) is attached to the 2nd Southern Expeditionary Fleet of the Southwest Area Fleet Airflot 23 consists of one XCVS and two shore-based Air Groups (KOKUtAI)
With this exception the majori~ of Japanese naval aviation li~e the majori~ of Japanese naval surface strength comes under the Combined Fleet RENGO is Combined KANTAI il Fleet This fleet is broken down administratively into six surface Fleets two Air Fleeta and one subshymarine Fleet and tactically into various task forces and task organizati~ns
Among the surface Fleets is the Third Fleet (DAI SAN KANtAI) which includes all Japanese carriers and henCd most Japanese naval ship-borne air strength
The two Air Fleets are the 11 th (DAI JUICHI KOKU KANTAI) and the 12th (DAlJUNI KOKU KANtAI) These two Air Fleets together contain most of the Japanese Navys shore-based air strength The Eleventh Air Fleet functions in the South and Southwest Pacific the Twelfth Air Fleet which is considerably smaller was recently created to meet the growing American threat to the Kur1les
These Fleets and Air Fleets are commanded by Vice-Admirals (KAIGUN CHUSHO) TheBe same officers exercise tactical command over the task forces whioh parallel to a large extent the orshyganization of these administrative Fleets
KOKU stands for air DAI SAN is third DAI JUICHI 11 eleventh DAI JUNI 11 twelfth
3 Third Fleet (DAI SAN KANTAI)
The Third Fleet contains all Japanese carriers as well as one Batdiv two Crudivs and five Desdivs It also includes Airflot 50 containing two shore-based Air Groups and one aircraft
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middot -shy
r rrier which are devoted to ASW and to the trainine of carrier squadrons and three ACVs which re probably used as aircraft transports The continued existence of Airflot 50 is currently in
10ubt
In addition to the aircraft carriers which make up the Third Fleet and to the seaplane carriers to be described later Japanese naval ship-borne air strength includes observation pl~es on various classes of warships as followsl
NUMBER CARRIED NO TYPE PLANE TYPE BY EACH TOTAL
10 BattlB1hips YOS 3 30 1 Heavy Cruiser (AOEU CLAS ) VOS 2 2 2 Heavy Cruisers (TONE CLhSe vos 6 12 9 Heavy Cruisers VOS 4 36 2 Heavy Cruisers VOS 6 12
14 Li jht Crv i -err VOS 1 14 1 Li t ht Cruiser NONE 0 C 3 Sub~~rine Tenders vos 5
33 Submar lnes VOS 1 33 3 Armed Lo rchant Cruiserb VOS 2 6
It was t one time su ~~eB ted that these planes came under the adminiBtrative cognizance of the Third Fleet There is no evidence to support this view
A Ship-borne Air Flotillas (Ship-borne KOKUSENTAI)
The Third Fleet the Eleventh Air Fleet and probably the Twelfth Air Flee t are divided administratively into KOKUSENTAI each cOlllllaJlded by a Rear Admiral (KAIGUlI SHOSHO) KOKU means
aviation and SENTAI means division iOKUSENTAI is translated Air Flotilla or Airflot
It is b~lieved that KOKUSENTAI 1-10 are reserved for Cardivs KOKUSENTAI 11-20 for seaplane d training cocmands KO~JSENTAI 21-30 for shore-based Air Flotillas Currently only KOKUSENTAI and 2 (Cardivs) 14 and 18 (Training) 21 22 23 24 25 and 26 (Shore Based Airflots) are
1 erational
Two or three carriers (one Cardiv) make up one ship-borne KOKUSENTAI The total air complement of two or three Japanese carriers would range from about 100 to 200 plane~depending on
he carriers involved Thus a carrier KOKUSENTAI is about the same size as a shore-based Il KUS m1TAI There is some evidence that Cardivs (Carrier KOKUSENTAI) actually operate as tactical 1i ts
The Third Fleet contains Two Cardivseach containine 2-3 carriers The number of carriers ~ n any given Cardiv varies over a period of time occasionally one carrier will operate alone dishyectly under the Third Fleet w thout being a part of either of its Cardi vs
There were until recently two Seaplane KOKUSENTAI each made up of 4-6 seaplane carriers dach carrying 10-14 planes) These Seaplatendivs have recently been disbanded and their comshyne~t vessels re-assigned as elements of other Japanese ~leets The largest seaplane concentrashy
n (CVS and 5 XCVS) is now to be found in the train of the Combined Fleet
The complements of Japanese seaplane carriers are as followsl
SEAPLhtJ1 CARRIERS
Cvsr NAME NOTORO
AIRCRAFT 10-V05 1 Catapult
TOTAL -lO
CV~-2 K llOI 10-VOS 10 CVS-3 lt ITOSE l4-VOS 4 Catapults 14 CVS-4 CI TYOD 14-VOS 4 Catapults 14 cvs-e ta ss 14shy VOS 4 Ca tepu l ts 14 CVSshy 1 AKITS II 14-VOS 4 Ca u p 1 ts 14
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CONVERTED SEAPLANE CARRIERS
TYPE NAME AIRCRAFTb TOTAL
XCVS-l KAM KAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-2 YA8UKAWA MAIm 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-3 KmlIKAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-S VOS 13 XCVS-4 SANUKI MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-S VOS 13 XCVS-5 SANYO VARU 8 SeaplEJ9 Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-6 OKITSU MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 vas 13 XCVS-7 KIll KAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Firhters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-8 SAGARA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-9 KIYOKAWA lIARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 vas 13
b - Estimated
B Ship-borne Air Groups and Squadrons (CHUTAI)
A shore-based KOKUSENTAI (Airflot) breaks down into several shore-based KOKUTAI (Air Groups~ It has been suggested that the air complement of a ship-borne KOKUSENTAI (Cardiv) is similarly broken down into several ship-based KOKUTAI (Air Groups) each comprising the air complement of one aircraft carrier
However there is no evidence of the existenoe of any Air Groups other than the named and numbered Groups referred to later in this text Certain of these Air Groups based in Japan are training units and some of these latter serve exclusively to replenish carrier strengths Units of operational naval Air Groups might also be emparked on carriers if the tactical situation so demanded Thus the air complement of one carrier might b8 made up of Squadrons drawn from several different Air Groups
The Squadrons embarked on one carrier regardless of their original administrative affiliashytions will form one tactical unit while on that carrier This tactical unit will be designated by the name of its carrier and may be roughly compared to a US carrier air group Unlike the regular Japanese Air Group (KOKUTAI) it is not a permanent administrative unit
The air complement of a Japanese carrier will vary (36-72 planes) according to the size of the carrier Thus as will be seen later a carrier-borne air unit varies within roughly the same limits as a shore-based KOKUTAI (Air Group)
NAME VF VSB VTB TOTAL
ROSRO (Training-Airflot 50) SHOKAKU (Cardiv 2) ZUIKAKU (CardivI) ZUIHO (Third Fleet or Cardiv 1) HITAKA (Cardiv 2) HAYATAKA (Cardiv 2) RYUHO (Airflot 50 or Cardiv 2) OTAKA (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying) UNTO (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying) CHUYO (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying)
12 27 27 27 24 24
9 9 9
18 18
18 18
18 18 18
24 27 27
9 9 9
9 9 9
36 72 72 36 51 51 36 36 36 36
4 JUICHI KOKU KANTAI) and the Twelfth (Shore-based
The Eleventh Air Fleet as previously indicated includes most of the Navys shore-based planes It consists of shore-based Airflots 21 22 25 and 26 3 APVs and 2 DDls are also attached to this Air Fleet
The Eleventh Air Fleet functions in the Melanesia - New Guinea ares Also in this area is the 8th Fleet composed of cr~isers anc destroyers These two fleets combine to form the Southshy
_ i _
ealt Area Fleet whi~h is commanded by the C-in-C Eleventh Air Fleet In the train of the Southshyeast Area Fleet are 2 XCVS It should be remembered that this organization is administrative not tactical
Adminiatrative headquarte ~ middote Eleventh Air Fleet are at Tenian a small island south at Saipan but C-in-C Eleventh Air Fleet has maintain d his operational staff at Rabaul since August 1942
Recently the Twelfth (shore-based) Air Fleet has been created to meet the menace arising froM the US seizure of Attu Island The Twelfth Ai r Fleet is based in the Kuriles it probably is made up of Airflot 24
A Shore-based Air Flotillas (Shore-based KOKUNSENTAI)
An Air Fleet is broken down administratively into KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotillas)
One Air Flotilla (abbreviated to Airflot)is made up of combat detachments from two to four Air Groups The strength of the Airflot will depend on the fluctuating size of these detachments it will generally total an~~ere from 50 to 150 (more usually 75 to 125) planes
Air Flotillas have auxiliary surface vessels such as aircraft transports attached to them for supply purposes Thus Airflots 22-26 each contain one APV Airflots 23 and 26 each contaiOl ne CVS in addition
B Air Attack iurcel (KUSHUBUtAI)
The Eleventh and TWelfth Air Fleets planes are organized administratively into five Airflots they are alao organized tactically into five Air Attack Forces (KUSHUBUTAI) KUSHU ia attaCk BUTAI is torce Each Airflot is related to one Air Attack Force
Airtlot 21 - 1st Air Attack Force Airflot 22 - 2nd Air Attack Force Airflot 24 - 4th Air Attack Force Airflot 25 - 5th Air Attack Force Airflot 26 - 6th Air Attack Force
The Rear Adndral commanding each Airflot is also the head of the corresponding Air Attack Force and it is believed that each Air Flotilla serves as the administrative foun~in-head for the Air Attack Force to which it is related ~Vhile the Air Flotillas are administrative units the Air Attack Forces are exclusively tactical in function Like all task forces they are exshytremely flexible inmiddot size and composition Each Air-Attack Force is made up in the main of units drawn from its corresponding (administrative) Air Flotilla
Airflot 23 it will be remembered is a part of the Southwest Area Fleet and is known tactically as the East Indies Force (DUT~I) or Air Force (KOKU BU~I) It would appear that the East Indies BUtAI is an air task force type on roughly the same level as the Air Attack -Forces though probably less mobile beine rather permanently stationed in the area from which it takes its name The appearance of other such BUTAI (or KOKU BUTAI) is possible
C Base Air Force (KIeHl KOKU BUTAI)
It is believed that the Base Air Force (KICHI KOKU BUTAI) is a task force type quite disshytinct from the above-mentioned BUtAI or KOKU ~UtAI
In a recent South Pacific operation the C-in-C Eleventh (shore-based) Air Fleet functionshyed tactically aa Commander Base Air Force which was a task force embracing those of the Eleventh Air Fleets Air Attack Forces taking part in this particular operation
Evidently when a cOlsiderable number of naval land-based airplanes are called on to partici shypate in an operation under one unified command they may be organized into a lar~e air task force termed the Base Air Force (KICHI KOKU SUTAI) This task force will be of considerably greater
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scope than either a Force (BU~I) or an Air Attack Force (KUSHUBU~I) either or both of which lllieht be among its component elements The Base Air Force might be tenned the tac-tical equivalent of the administrative Air Fleet
It is possible however that during a future operation the ~rm Base Air Force may be used with a very different meaning
It should be re-emphasized that the KOKU KAHTAI (Air Fleet) and the KOKUSENTAI (Airflot)are permanent elements in the administrative organization of the Japanese naval air service whereas the KUSh~BUAI (Air Attack Force) the KOKU BUTAI (Air Force) and the KICHI KOKU BU~I (Base Air Force) are task forces types created temporarily to meet the needs of the current Pacifio struggle
The above Base Air Force should not be confused with the Bnse Groups - which are units mainly composed of seaplanes assigned to variou9 Japanese b~se 3 in the Pacific Their exact status is obscure their role is believed lar~ely defensive It is possible that they have some operational relationship to the 11th Air Fleet
D Shore-based Air Groups (Shore-bnsed KOKUTAI)
One KOKUSENThI (Airflot) breaks down into two or three KOKUThI (Air Groups) or detachments shyusually Type Tongs - thereof KOKU is air A I is unit the Japanese sometines abbreviate KOKUThI to KU
Air Groups are o~ded by Naval Captains (KAIGUN ~ ISA) and are the basi c admi nistrative units of the Japanese navnl air service Air Groups (K KUTA I) are of two typos
(1) middotThose wh ich have permanent horne st uns in the Japanese Empire and which are sometimes known by the names of these stations
(2) Specially Mobilized Air Groups ( TOhUSETSU KOKUTAI) whi ch are numbered and are known by their numerical designations It is believed th ~ these Groups may h ve been establi 3hed at air stations ou~side the Empireas the Japanese h~ve shown some inclination to n ame ai r stations within the Empire and to number those outside the Empire
Recentlythe Japanese have introduced very high numeral designations for both named and numbered Air Groups named Air Groups are pp rently now irnown by boh t he ir ori inal lIIIO S and their new numbers
These new hi~ numbers serve ns II fa i r l re_i~bl~ uide t o the o Do-i tion of the Air Groups i ol ved thus observati on roups are usual ly nUD r e the 100 s flgh ter Groups in the 200s mixed figh ter-bomber Groups in the 500s bovbmiddot r Gro~ ln t e 700s flyi n boat Groups in the 800s fl oat plane Groups in the 900s But re are lots of 81Cceptions ti le composition of many Air Groups is rather mixed
This system like all matters pertaininr to the de s middotnation ot 1 ir un~8 1s ot coursej
subject to constant chan(~ Th J apanese ar ~ns ly secur ity nd d nominal and ~umerical chan~e s are continuallY i r To uced in the ore nl zs t l on o~ hei r nava _ 1r Qrce to concsa i ts r eal 8 tUB
The to 1 numbe r of Air Groups in active status wil l -~ ac ord n eng th of thebull v
Japanese air force I f heavy losses are experi~nce c Iteln Groups t 01 if production and training out-run casual ~ e Ie l r urO may be e p seldom nctio s II c na t un t in i ts eI ~i re the total 11 S1I1 ald fluctu t ons trerei a~ t te s O~ I _llst t + r ti
Air GroupE do - t n ceasaril cl)1Siat of only 00 tIP of aircraf bull Uld ther S i L~ 1 ry t hin wide li r I aIB run aa hi ~ lampv othera 10 s 18 (ton th contain
tr nmiddot~ort planes 10 dd ian to o or or type t pl noa
A fur ~er uonru~1nv 6 the t c a - ltInts may be d
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Some of an Air Groups stren~th may be maintained at its home station particularly if that station is in the Japanese Empire These aircraft will have duties in connection with air raid defense and anti-submarine warfare they will probably also engage in advanced operational trainshying As the Air Groups home strengt middot is increased by the addition of planes and air crews reshyceived from Japanese factories nnd training centers that home strength will in turn be reduced by the despatch of the Air Groups combat detachments to various Air Flotillas
It is sometimes difficult when confronted with documentary evidence that a certain Air Group is a part of a given Airflot to decide whether the entire Air Group or merely one of its combat detachments is involved It is ~enerally believed however that these are references to combat d~tachments of Air Groups not to the total original establishmeuts of the Air Groups conshycerned These combat detachments may PA made up of one or more Type Wings or of lesser units shysuch as Squadrons
One Airflot for example is thought to have been made up as follows 3 bomber Type Wings (DAITAI) of 27-30 planes each 5 fighter Type Win~s and one observation squadron (CHUTAI) of ten planes
One Air Group had the following of its units attached to an Airflot three fighter squadrons (15 planes each) and two torpedo squadrons (9 planes each)
Both these examples suggest that Air Flotillas are made up of Type Win~s andor Squadrons taken from several different Air Groups
Certain Air Groups by the way do not seem to have any combat functions they are merely training units serving as replacement pools for other combat Air Groups or for aircraft carriers Training Air Groups are believed to diverge somewhat in strength and composition form other Air Groups
In considering lists of shore-based Air Groups and their aircraft strengths one must thereshyforemiddotconsider whether the Air Group in question is a trainin~ or a combat unit and if the latter whether its ~iven aircraft stren~th represents the total original establishment of the Air Group at its home base or the present operating strength of one of its overseas detachments
Often the operating detachment of an Air Group will be referred to in such d manner as to lead one to believe that it comprises the entire Air Group At other times the original establishshyment of the enbire Air Group may be given without any clear indication that its operating detach~ ments can claim but a fraction of that strength
Of course there must always be borne in mind the possibility that an Air Group will function its entirety as a combat unit of an Air Flotilla This is probably ~ore often true of Specially Mobilized Air Groups than of those which have bases within the Japanese Empire
It has been suggested that operational detachments of Air Groups will appFoximate the followshying figures A flying boat detachment 12 aircraft a floatplane detachment 12-18 planes a fighter detachment I 45 fighters with 6 reccos occasionally added Medium bomber detachments will sometimes come as high as 45 planes 27 is however the more normal fi~ure while dive bomber deshytachments usually have about 18 planes
An enemy source indicates that these combat detach~ents of Air Groups are known as RONTAI which means main unit The home detachments are known as ZAURYUTAI which means remaining units These terms indicate the overseas detachments to be lorger than the home units
E Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI BUNTAI) Sectiqns (SHOTAI)
As indicated in Part I of this text the DAlTAI (Type Wing) exists as a unit only when in flight It does not exist as an administrative unit on the ground Thus organizationally the Ai Group brea~s down into a variable nunber of Squadrons cf 9 planes each
lhree quadrons flying together as a unit ar~ called a )IAI Such a Type Wing wil be ~( -aJlled hy the seni~r Squadron leader r esent
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The Squadron in fli~ht is known as a Cl~TAI as an administrative unit on the ground it is known as a BUNTAI The iquadrol breaks dORl into 3 Sections (SHOTAI) of three planes each
As an exa~ple of the administrative break-down of an Air Group into Squadrons the following make-up one KCKUTAI is cited
9lNTAI ifl amp jf2 Fighter squadrons (total 22 planea) BljNTAI TflJ amp 1f4 Fighter maintenance unit BUNTAI ff5 amp ttfgt Bomber squadrons (total 18 planes)
BUUTAI ff7 30ccer n~irtenance unit EUIITJI ff8 Communications unit
BVN7hI if9 amp tlO Adcinistrative units
It is stated that wi thin this KOKUTAI the two fighter BUNTAI were treated as one unit and th9 two bomber DUNTAI were treated as one unit The total fighter uni t when in flight was probably called a DhITAI the sarns beinE true of the total bomber unit
It 6ppears that a KOKUTAI may sometimes have plflne strength in reserve in addition to the complement of its DAITAI The above KOKUTAI had two DAITAI of 30 planes each plus a Group reshyserve of 10 planes making a total KOKUTAI strength of 70 planes
Its interesting to note that this Air Group apparently functioned as one unit instead of being broken up into a home detachment and a combat detachment
The above maintenance BUNTAI break down into maintenance HAN (Platoons) of 50-60 men each attached to one aircraft Squndron
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ARMY AIR FORCE
It is felt that naval personnel should be familiar with Jap~nese Army air organization because of the increasinL use of Japanese Ar~J air units in the Pacific Their assignment to this theater has been brought about both by a desire to afford close air support to Army ~round troops in New Guinea and New Bri tain and by the need to make good drastic air losses suffered in the Pacific by t ~ naval air force
1 Army Aviation Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU H01ABU)
The administration of Army aviation was reorganized in Amy 1942 in order to give the Army Air Force a degree of power and autonomy not unlike that of our own AAF At that time the Army Aviatior Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU HOMIlU) were set up to be headed by a Lieutenant General (RIKUGIDt CHUSHO) or a full General (RIKUGUN TAISHO) RIKUGUU means Army amps distinct from KAIGUN Navy
The Commandi ng General Army Aviation Headquarters is directly responsible to the Emperor instead of to the Uinister of War or the Chief of the General Staff who are his equa l s in rank and who also enjoy direct accebullbull to the Emperor These three officers constitute the High Command of the Japanese Army the head of Army Aviamptio~ HeadqUarters havine cognizance of Army air operashytions training and materiel
It is obvious however that this officer much like the Commanding General of our own Army Air Forces is not in a position to exercise direct tactical command over the wide spr ad air forces which he heado This tactical command must rest with heads of the various Air Commands in differshyent theaters of war
2 Air COll1lllllnds (KOKU EEIDAll) and Flying Divisions (EIKO SHIDMl)
HIKO is flyine SHIDAN is diviSion hence HIKO SHIDAU is Flying DiV1 sion The Flying Division is the largest unit of the Japanese Army Air Service Commanded by a Lieutenant-General it includes anywhere from 200 to 400 planes and the mit lecessary to servicing thereof
Seven Flying Divisions have been identified the 1st in Japan proper the 2nd ~n Manchuria the 3rd in China the 4th in Manchuria and the North China the 5th in Burma and adjacent regions the 6th in the Southwest Pacific and the 7t h in the UE I Headquarters of the 5th are a t Rangoon of the 6th at Rabaul and of the 7th at Ambon
The 6th and 7th Flying Divisions were very recent y activated It is believed that they were organized out of units taken from other Flying Divi slons for this purpo se
A flying Division does not maintain any fixed a_ze or composition i t ~y shrink or expand as the military situation requires Air units are shif teci free y from Oru Flyine Division to anshyother the Divisions themselves are rarely moved a bout as llnl t S
One step above the Flying Division is the KOICU IibluAU KOKU i8 a ir -rrI N is Corps KOKU HEIDAN is translated Air Command nlree Air COUlllllds have been i dentified e ach headed by a Lieutenant General the 1st in Japan proper t he 2ncr i n Planohuria an i) e 3rd at Si ll ep0re
These Air Commands are staffs not uni ts They con 1 11 r~ ai r 0
areas under th~ir cogni zance Thus the 1s t Plying Dv1sion a swe s ~h I s 2nd 3rd and 4th lyint lVlSlon to tht 2nd Ai r CODllampnd the 5th 6tl 11 bull
pr ohably to the 3rd Ai Commands
ThA Air Co~de are not mobIle they are pe~1ently ~ ~b~ d in d rferen war tJ exe r C1se st r tei c COllllOllUl ( ltn er Army air units i n t hose r4 Taotical nth tho F vin D1 i si n or me - unit is too W1atl ~ y middotat ter ~o un n fi B Q body lliith the PlYinG 3ri ada
co 0 remains
Units may be freely shifted ROOut from one Air Commnnd to another the Command itself reshymains unaffected Air COllnands are crec ted or abolished aR the ter1po and location f air operashytions seem to require
It is interesting to speculate on the relation between these commands of the Japanese Army air forces and the equivalent commands of the ~apanese Army fround f orces
The Japanese armies which might be co pared to Flying Divisions are co-orcinated by staffs which might be co pared to the Air Commands These staffs are C-in-C National Defense Forces in Japan proper C-in-C Kwantunr Army in Manchuria C-in-C Forces in China C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces with headquarters at Sin~apore It is not certain whether the 8th Army Grou~ controlling gr ound forces in the south and southwest Pacific with headquarters at Rabampul answers to C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces or directly to the Army High Command in TOkyo
It will be seen that C-in-C National Defense Forces corresponds to the 1st Air Command C-in-C Kw~tun~ Army and C-in-C Forces in China to the 2nd Air Command and the C-in-C Southshyern Expeditionary forces to the 3rd Air Command
It is not known whether in these cases the Air Command is subordinated to the equivalent grpund command or whether each of the two commands answers i ndividually to the Army High Command in Tokyo In the latter case the ground and air ccmmand r s are pres~~bly expected to effect coshyordination on a voluntary basis The Japanese ~mphasis on unity of commans and on the use of airshypower in support of ground operations -takes the former course middotmiddot more likely than the latter however
3 Flying Brigades (EIKODA n and Flying Regiments (EIKO SENTAI)
The Flying Division breaks down into about 3 Flyinr Bri~ades each with about 70-120 planes The Flying Brigade is generally commanded by a ~ajor General (RIKUGUN SEOSHO) though eometimes by a Colonel (RIKUGUN TAISA) It may be roulhly compared to a Navy KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotilla)
HI middot bull is an abbrevia t ioe for HIKO which II ans flying and RYODAN which leans Brirade The r are very mobile being divorced from servicing and administrative responsibilities They are _ee ly shifted from one Flying Division to another thus for example a riven Flying Brigade might fight in Burma during the dry season as part of the 5th Flying Brigade and might be transferred to the lffiI as part of the 7th Flying Di~sion during the Monsoon
A Flying Brigade breaks down into 3 Flying Regiments each of about 27 planes HIKO is flying SENTAI is battle uni til Flying Regiments ware called HIKO RENTAl before the war RENTAl being the ground forces term for regiment Iately the more dynamic term SENTAI has been substituted
The Flying Regiments like the Flying Brigades are divorced from administrative and servicshying duties and hence are extremely mobile However they generally function within the framework of the Flying Brigade - Flying Regiments are not shifted fram one Brigade to another al freely al Brigades are shifted from one Flying Division to another Flying Regiments are generally commanded by Majors (RIKUGUN SHOSA) or Lieutenant Colonelb (RlKUGUN CHUSA)
A Flying Brigade does not necessarily consist of only type of aircraft a Flying Regiment generally does
4 Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI) Sections (SHOTAI)
A Flying Regiment breaks down into three Squadrons (C~TAI)Jf 9 planes each The Japane~e Army Squadron is the same as the Navy squadron breaking down into three sections (SEOTAI) ~f three planes each A squadron will generally be commanded by a Captain (HlKUGUN TAIl) TIhen in flight three squadrons are te r med a DAITAI This is exclusively a tactical term
Certain S u drons operate independently usually as obse(vation units attached to ground forces These are terced DOKIRITSU t A I (Independent Squadrons)
5 Task Forces (BUTAI)
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We have noted the Navy use of BL AI XSHUBUTAI and KIlII J OIIT BU rBI Th also createsy
tactical air ~8k fo rces - though 1 (I fr Dllent l y in t lar l y ttUl the Nl n ir ta k forces are termed BU AI ti r siLl and oo~po8i tio~ II vary accor in to heir mi on TJo- ir exi5ten~e probably does not outlast t he f ul f ll~n ~ s mission
6 Administrative lnl t Air Dictric Hl RE BU) DAfTAI) Airfield C mp~ JAo~rrt~TI~~~~----~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1~i~e~s~(~n~IUK7G~
Scatte ~ throughc1t Greater East As ia are panese Air District Hedquort 118 are staffs eac If ich ccut l)ls all a r dlti n groun uncti oDs ( ser - i ng and adminill in he area under gn ~za~c It will be r e campl l d that the Fly i n Di vis i n is or-kDl ze ~ ~ athe permanent toIr n tonal basis it is bel i ad thllt all h a divie on will break ltlown tac t lc lly u-to Flying Brigad5 8 ald administratively int o Ai Dis tri ct Headquarters
The Flying Dri~ades are mobile comba t Ilvia t i on uni ts the Air District Headquarters are imshymobile ground housekeeplng units Bo th answer to tIe Commanding General of thei r parent Flying Division who thus controls all aviation matters wi~hin the zone under his command Comparatively little is known of the organization and content of the Air District Headquarters
A lower adrninistrative and servicing echelon is the HIKOJO DAITAI HIKOJO means airfield DAITAI is 1aree unit The Airfield Battalion is generally attached directly to a Flying Regishyment whose administrative and servicing functions it assumes
On the following page is a chart reproduced from ATIS SnFA Serial 159 showi ng the organishyzation of an Airfield Battalionas described by an ene~J source It will be seen that the Battalshyion breaks down into a guard company a eupply company and a servicing company this latter conshysisting of three servicing platoons each attached to one aircraft squadron
The Airfield Battalion is a mobile urlit It doe s not necessarily move with the Flying Regishyment but will generally move closely after or effeet a rendeJvous with such I parent unit as the latter will be heavily dependent on it for 6er~clng It is believed t t an Airfield Batalion will come under cognizamprlce of the Air District Headquarters in whose area it functions
The HIKOJO CHUTAI or Airfield Company is a miniature version of the Airfield Battalion It will be attached to squadrons operating independently or to small advanced airfields
7 Air Trainin (KYOIKU
Advanced operational training il conducted by Flying Divisions - articularly those in quiet areas such as Japan and Manchuria
Primary and intermediate training was formerly the function of the First Flying Division in Japan proper Lately it is believed that this division has been relieved of prtmary and intermedishyate training so as to free it for the defense of Japan and the Kuriles Those of its units which carried on training activities have been assigned to the newly created 51st Air Training Division also located in Japan proper
So far no other Air Training Division has been identified The 51st Air Training Division breaks down into Air Trainine Brigades a~d Air Training Regiments much like any other Flying DiTt sion The wora KYOlKU which will be noted in the above titles means training
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FLYING RANK - ARMY AND NAVY
1 Officers
Officers of the Japanese ~ and Navy air services have - like US flyers - the same titles and badBes of rank as other line officers of the service to which they belOIlS These titles and insignia are reproduced on pages 15 and 16
In the case of naval officers oollar and shoulder tab insignia the cherry b10SsomB are silver the areas shaded in the illustrations on pBBe 15 UtI black and the WlSl d areas are gold In the case of flying officers the cherry blossom ~ be bluej in cese of air ground staff officers it may be green These insignia are worn as collar tabe on blu uniforms and as shoulder-boards on white uniforms The cuif bands are black on t lue unifClIIllB ~ld lace being used for ceremonial dress On fly1ng dress officers wear a c l oth PI tcll on tlI l e 1t 8I1I bbove the elbow bearing a design in gold lace similar to that of e curt b llds
In the case of the army offioers insignia the stars ex ~ gold the eretiB sruWed on page 15 are red and the unshaded areas are gold
It vill be noted that ArrIly and Navy Officers have the amt t1t~e3 of r mk Tj wor KAIGUN (Navy) and RIKtnUN (nArrIly) aro prefixed to avoid confusio In tJe Navr fl-mg o ~ icars put the tern KOKU between KAIGUN ani their title of rank while g o 8 Gai ~t l e e r use t- gt tert SEIBI in the same w~ Thus a KAIGUN KOKIJ SHOOA is a flying Li8lteDlJlt Q1JDnjer hile a KAIGm~ SEIBI SHooA is a Lieutenant Commander A-V(S)
The SHO which is used in SHooHO (rear Admiral) SHU3HO (Vice Admiral) ani ASnO (Admiral) means COIllllBDding officer and may on occasion be used as follows SHOTAISRO (CamtlI8J1der of a SHOTAI) CHUlAISHO (Commander of a CID1lAI) and so on This is 50 w~ of referr1JJg to ~be units CO withoUt des1goating his aotual rank
2 EDlisted PersODDel
Both Japanese air services make great use of enlisted men as pil l) a an 9 members of elrshycrews Even as pilots enlisted men ortnumber officers by as much as four to Oll
With respect to naval enlisted ranks it shoJld be noted that the HIKO SOCHO (USN Warshyrant Officer) vears a sleeve cuff band collar tabs and shoulder boards j the JOTO HEISO (USN Chief Petty Officer) has three cherry blossons on the sleeve but no collar tabs or shouder boards while the other six enlisted ratings wear their insignia an the right arm just above the elbow
The vord BIKO which vill be noted in the titles of all eight ratings means fly1ng In the oase of the grouni air staff SEIBI is substituted for HIKO in the title and a spealtl 1 airshyplane seen from a side view is substituted for the solid airplane seen from above in their inshysignia The personnel of both the Fly1ng ani Ground Crew branches are divided into specialist oategories each categor1 being dietingui shed b its own badge and title These categories are as follOWS
1 Flying (lIIKO) BrEUch A 110~a ( lJUINbullbull
1 gbter ilots (0 ITOKI 0JtlT) bull 2 Bo bull Hot f ~ J2lI SOJUJ
B on-Pllota (~urn) 1 abee at1cm n-rt tlan photo 0 hy eto
(TEIBAiSU) bull 2 Rad1 lin gwm X7 ( AlmKrn)
II Ground Crew (SEIBI) Branch A Ground Mechanics (SEIBIIN) B Armament Specialists (HEIIIIN) c Flying mechIJaics (TOJOllf) who maintain and
inspect equipment in flight These men constitute less than 5 of the ground crew branch
In the case of Ar~ enlisted ratings the same use of BIKO will be noted For the ground crews SEIBI is substituted Enlisted men down through the grade of corporal may act as pilots all enlisted men may be members of aircrews There are no U S A~ equivalents for the HIKO GOCBO and the BIKO JOTO HEI these terma have therefore been literally translated
3 Illustrations
The charts showing Japanese Army and Ifavy flying ranks are given on the following two pages In these charts certain Japanese Navy enlisted titles are given in parentheses These reshypresent abbreviations which are frequently used by the Japanese instead of the full title of the rank in question
-~-
NEAREST NEAREST U S NAVY U S ARMY COLLAR INSIGNIA EQU I VALENT EQIJ I VALENT
bull ral General ~ Lt J~ ire-A 11 ~ 1 CHI middotll tKUSHO B tt ltgt
SHOSHO ~ajor-en
TA ISA Colonel ~ CHUSA Lt -Col (gt SHOSA Major
i ra1 SHO HO
csp tain TA l
Comnander CI A
LtComdr SHOS ~
yen(~- UH~
~
~h
The JOTO HEISO wears sleeve cuff insignia but no coller or shoulder teb insignia
) (
- ADDENDA TO PART IV (f1 YING RMoiK)
Rpcpnt information Indlcatps that effpctive July 1 1K2 ttP tltlps ann arm insllnla of till sixmiddot 10wPFt Japanpsp naval ratines of tllp sparran hranctl wprp chan)middotltI to bp as follows
PS Equivalent Japanpse
(Flyine) Petty Offl pr 1st Class JafO HIKO HE ISO (JOHISO)
(Flylni) Petty Offlcpr 2nd Class ITIO ItIKO HEISO (III ISO)
(Flyln~) Pptty Offlcpr 3rd Class tilTCI IIIKO HEISO (~IHISO)
(Fly ing) Non-ratprl IMn 1st Class HI KO HE ICIIC) (HICHO) (H~IIII
(Fly Ing) Son-rated man 2nd Class JaIO HIKOHEI (JOH I)
(Flyln~) ~on-rated man 3rd Class IHO HIKOHEI (IPPI)
Ground aviation staffs substitute SEIBI for HIKO In the easp of flylne persolU) ttP chprry blossom Is blue In the ca of ~round aviation staffs it is jl reen Thes inSijDli a 111re the old markings Irp worn on thp right sl ve Rcmiddotlh old and npw insignia 1Ill be encolUltered in cOItbat arlas deshype nd lh on r o w re c p tlr the personnel 1 question hav arrived from Japan
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I shy - -bull - ~ ~p~ II ~ - II ~
I I
r-z--------IL==shy
j ~ i
L
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I I
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~
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g = ~ ~ ~~ ~ shy
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V
~ Q
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---- ~ ~ ~
S
l
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8 I [
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GLOSSARY OF JlAVAL ABBREVIATIONS EMPLOYED IN TillS PAPER
BD CA CL DD SS SA
CVS XCVS
CV ACV APV
VF VB
SB VTB VOS
-------
---
-----
SHIPS
battleship h~avy cruiser light cruiser destroyer submarine submarine tender seaplane carrier converted seaplane carrier aircraft carrier Auxiliary aircraft carrier aircraft transport
PLANS
fighter horizontal bQmbe r dive bomber torpedo plane observation plane
4 BUTAla
BUTAI meaning force ill a term used alone or in conjunc tion wi th other terms by both the Japanese Army and Navy to describe rather lar~e air task forces Army BUTAI and Navy BUTAI KUSHUBUTAI (r Attack Forces) and KICHI KOKU BUTAI (Base Air Forces) will be fully described in Chapters II ~d III of this paper
In addition to the above lIIBanin~s BUTAI is often used in a rather general sense to refer to any llir unit In this sense BUTAI is gene rally prefaced by the name of the units commander eg WAtANABE BUTAI (the Wa tanabe air unit) ~en used in this way BUTAI contains no implications as to the size and type of the unit in que s ti on - it is r ather vague and non-descriptive term This emphasizes again the necessity for referring to Japanese air unit terms in Romaji unless an authoritati~e translation for such Romaji has alr ady been disseminated
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NAVAL AIR FORCE
(KAIGUN KOKU HOMBU) and the Combined Naval Air Cor s ( RENGO1
The Naval Air Service is an inte~al part of the Navy its particular problems being hanshydled by the Naval Aviation Headquarters (KAlGUN KOKU HOMBU) which are headed by a Vice-Admiral KAIGUN is Navy KOKU is aviation and HOMBU is Headquarters
These Headquarters were reorganized during October 1942 to give the Vice-Admiral Commandshying authority over air operations as well as over aviation personnel and materiel This followed a similar reorganization of the Army Air Force Headquarters which had taken place in Yay 1942 The head of the Naval Aviation Headquarters may be compared to our own Deputy Chief of Naval Opershyations for Air
The head of the Naval Aviation Headquarters is co-equal in authority to the Navy Minister and the Chief of the Naval General Staff Each of these three officers is directly responsible to the Emperor Together they constitute the High Command of the Japanese Navy
Naval air training is carried on by the Combined NaTal Air Corps (KAIGUN RENGO KOKU SCTAI) located in Japan proper and now headed by a Prince of the Imperial Family This Corps answers directly to the Naval Aviation Headquarters It consists of Combined Air Groups (RENGO KOKUTAI) which are the units through which its training program is executed
2 The Combined Fleet (RENGO KANTAI)
Under these three officers Comel (a) The C-in-C Combined Fleet (b) the C-in-C Southwest Area F (Burma Malaya IndO-China NEI Philippines) (c) the C-in-C China Seas Fleet (d) the ~nders of Home Defense Forces in Japan proper
Airflot 23 (KOKUSENtAI 23) known tactically as the East Indies Air Force (East Indies KOKU BUTAI) is attached to the 2nd Southern Expeditionary Fleet of the Southwest Area Fleet Airflot 23 consists of one XCVS and two shore-based Air Groups (KOKUtAI)
With this exception the majori~ of Japanese naval aviation li~e the majori~ of Japanese naval surface strength comes under the Combined Fleet RENGO is Combined KANTAI il Fleet This fleet is broken down administratively into six surface Fleets two Air Fleeta and one subshymarine Fleet and tactically into various task forces and task organizati~ns
Among the surface Fleets is the Third Fleet (DAI SAN KANtAI) which includes all Japanese carriers and henCd most Japanese naval ship-borne air strength
The two Air Fleets are the 11 th (DAI JUICHI KOKU KANTAI) and the 12th (DAlJUNI KOKU KANtAI) These two Air Fleets together contain most of the Japanese Navys shore-based air strength The Eleventh Air Fleet functions in the South and Southwest Pacific the Twelfth Air Fleet which is considerably smaller was recently created to meet the growing American threat to the Kur1les
These Fleets and Air Fleets are commanded by Vice-Admirals (KAIGUN CHUSHO) TheBe same officers exercise tactical command over the task forces whioh parallel to a large extent the orshyganization of these administrative Fleets
KOKU stands for air DAI SAN is third DAI JUICHI 11 eleventh DAI JUNI 11 twelfth
3 Third Fleet (DAI SAN KANTAI)
The Third Fleet contains all Japanese carriers as well as one Batdiv two Crudivs and five Desdivs It also includes Airflot 50 containing two shore-based Air Groups and one aircraft
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middot -shy
r rrier which are devoted to ASW and to the trainine of carrier squadrons and three ACVs which re probably used as aircraft transports The continued existence of Airflot 50 is currently in
10ubt
In addition to the aircraft carriers which make up the Third Fleet and to the seaplane carriers to be described later Japanese naval ship-borne air strength includes observation pl~es on various classes of warships as followsl
NUMBER CARRIED NO TYPE PLANE TYPE BY EACH TOTAL
10 BattlB1hips YOS 3 30 1 Heavy Cruiser (AOEU CLAS ) VOS 2 2 2 Heavy Cruisers (TONE CLhSe vos 6 12 9 Heavy Cruisers VOS 4 36 2 Heavy Cruisers VOS 6 12
14 Li jht Crv i -err VOS 1 14 1 Li t ht Cruiser NONE 0 C 3 Sub~~rine Tenders vos 5
33 Submar lnes VOS 1 33 3 Armed Lo rchant Cruiserb VOS 2 6
It was t one time su ~~eB ted that these planes came under the adminiBtrative cognizance of the Third Fleet There is no evidence to support this view
A Ship-borne Air Flotillas (Ship-borne KOKUSENTAI)
The Third Fleet the Eleventh Air Fleet and probably the Twelfth Air Flee t are divided administratively into KOKUSENTAI each cOlllllaJlded by a Rear Admiral (KAIGUlI SHOSHO) KOKU means
aviation and SENTAI means division iOKUSENTAI is translated Air Flotilla or Airflot
It is b~lieved that KOKUSENTAI 1-10 are reserved for Cardivs KOKUSENTAI 11-20 for seaplane d training cocmands KO~JSENTAI 21-30 for shore-based Air Flotillas Currently only KOKUSENTAI and 2 (Cardivs) 14 and 18 (Training) 21 22 23 24 25 and 26 (Shore Based Airflots) are
1 erational
Two or three carriers (one Cardiv) make up one ship-borne KOKUSENTAI The total air complement of two or three Japanese carriers would range from about 100 to 200 plane~depending on
he carriers involved Thus a carrier KOKUSENTAI is about the same size as a shore-based Il KUS m1TAI There is some evidence that Cardivs (Carrier KOKUSENTAI) actually operate as tactical 1i ts
The Third Fleet contains Two Cardivseach containine 2-3 carriers The number of carriers ~ n any given Cardiv varies over a period of time occasionally one carrier will operate alone dishyectly under the Third Fleet w thout being a part of either of its Cardi vs
There were until recently two Seaplane KOKUSENTAI each made up of 4-6 seaplane carriers dach carrying 10-14 planes) These Seaplatendivs have recently been disbanded and their comshyne~t vessels re-assigned as elements of other Japanese ~leets The largest seaplane concentrashy
n (CVS and 5 XCVS) is now to be found in the train of the Combined Fleet
The complements of Japanese seaplane carriers are as followsl
SEAPLhtJ1 CARRIERS
Cvsr NAME NOTORO
AIRCRAFT 10-V05 1 Catapult
TOTAL -lO
CV~-2 K llOI 10-VOS 10 CVS-3 lt ITOSE l4-VOS 4 Catapults 14 CVS-4 CI TYOD 14-VOS 4 Catapults 14 cvs-e ta ss 14shy VOS 4 Ca tepu l ts 14 CVSshy 1 AKITS II 14-VOS 4 Ca u p 1 ts 14
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CONVERTED SEAPLANE CARRIERS
TYPE NAME AIRCRAFTb TOTAL
XCVS-l KAM KAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-2 YA8UKAWA MAIm 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-3 KmlIKAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-S VOS 13 XCVS-4 SANUKI MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-S VOS 13 XCVS-5 SANYO VARU 8 SeaplEJ9 Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-6 OKITSU MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 vas 13 XCVS-7 KIll KAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Firhters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-8 SAGARA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-9 KIYOKAWA lIARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 vas 13
b - Estimated
B Ship-borne Air Groups and Squadrons (CHUTAI)
A shore-based KOKUSENTAI (Airflot) breaks down into several shore-based KOKUTAI (Air Groups~ It has been suggested that the air complement of a ship-borne KOKUSENTAI (Cardiv) is similarly broken down into several ship-based KOKUTAI (Air Groups) each comprising the air complement of one aircraft carrier
However there is no evidence of the existenoe of any Air Groups other than the named and numbered Groups referred to later in this text Certain of these Air Groups based in Japan are training units and some of these latter serve exclusively to replenish carrier strengths Units of operational naval Air Groups might also be emparked on carriers if the tactical situation so demanded Thus the air complement of one carrier might b8 made up of Squadrons drawn from several different Air Groups
The Squadrons embarked on one carrier regardless of their original administrative affiliashytions will form one tactical unit while on that carrier This tactical unit will be designated by the name of its carrier and may be roughly compared to a US carrier air group Unlike the regular Japanese Air Group (KOKUTAI) it is not a permanent administrative unit
The air complement of a Japanese carrier will vary (36-72 planes) according to the size of the carrier Thus as will be seen later a carrier-borne air unit varies within roughly the same limits as a shore-based KOKUTAI (Air Group)
NAME VF VSB VTB TOTAL
ROSRO (Training-Airflot 50) SHOKAKU (Cardiv 2) ZUIKAKU (CardivI) ZUIHO (Third Fleet or Cardiv 1) HITAKA (Cardiv 2) HAYATAKA (Cardiv 2) RYUHO (Airflot 50 or Cardiv 2) OTAKA (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying) UNTO (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying) CHUYO (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying)
12 27 27 27 24 24
9 9 9
18 18
18 18
18 18 18
24 27 27
9 9 9
9 9 9
36 72 72 36 51 51 36 36 36 36
4 JUICHI KOKU KANTAI) and the Twelfth (Shore-based
The Eleventh Air Fleet as previously indicated includes most of the Navys shore-based planes It consists of shore-based Airflots 21 22 25 and 26 3 APVs and 2 DDls are also attached to this Air Fleet
The Eleventh Air Fleet functions in the Melanesia - New Guinea ares Also in this area is the 8th Fleet composed of cr~isers anc destroyers These two fleets combine to form the Southshy
_ i _
ealt Area Fleet whi~h is commanded by the C-in-C Eleventh Air Fleet In the train of the Southshyeast Area Fleet are 2 XCVS It should be remembered that this organization is administrative not tactical
Adminiatrative headquarte ~ middote Eleventh Air Fleet are at Tenian a small island south at Saipan but C-in-C Eleventh Air Fleet has maintain d his operational staff at Rabaul since August 1942
Recently the Twelfth (shore-based) Air Fleet has been created to meet the menace arising froM the US seizure of Attu Island The Twelfth Ai r Fleet is based in the Kuriles it probably is made up of Airflot 24
A Shore-based Air Flotillas (Shore-based KOKUNSENTAI)
An Air Fleet is broken down administratively into KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotillas)
One Air Flotilla (abbreviated to Airflot)is made up of combat detachments from two to four Air Groups The strength of the Airflot will depend on the fluctuating size of these detachments it will generally total an~~ere from 50 to 150 (more usually 75 to 125) planes
Air Flotillas have auxiliary surface vessels such as aircraft transports attached to them for supply purposes Thus Airflots 22-26 each contain one APV Airflots 23 and 26 each contaiOl ne CVS in addition
B Air Attack iurcel (KUSHUBUtAI)
The Eleventh and TWelfth Air Fleets planes are organized administratively into five Airflots they are alao organized tactically into five Air Attack Forces (KUSHUBUTAI) KUSHU ia attaCk BUTAI is torce Each Airflot is related to one Air Attack Force
Airtlot 21 - 1st Air Attack Force Airflot 22 - 2nd Air Attack Force Airflot 24 - 4th Air Attack Force Airflot 25 - 5th Air Attack Force Airflot 26 - 6th Air Attack Force
The Rear Adndral commanding each Airflot is also the head of the corresponding Air Attack Force and it is believed that each Air Flotilla serves as the administrative foun~in-head for the Air Attack Force to which it is related ~Vhile the Air Flotillas are administrative units the Air Attack Forces are exclusively tactical in function Like all task forces they are exshytremely flexible inmiddot size and composition Each Air-Attack Force is made up in the main of units drawn from its corresponding (administrative) Air Flotilla
Airflot 23 it will be remembered is a part of the Southwest Area Fleet and is known tactically as the East Indies Force (DUT~I) or Air Force (KOKU BU~I) It would appear that the East Indies BUtAI is an air task force type on roughly the same level as the Air Attack -Forces though probably less mobile beine rather permanently stationed in the area from which it takes its name The appearance of other such BUTAI (or KOKU BUTAI) is possible
C Base Air Force (KIeHl KOKU BUTAI)
It is believed that the Base Air Force (KICHI KOKU BUTAI) is a task force type quite disshytinct from the above-mentioned BUtAI or KOKU ~UtAI
In a recent South Pacific operation the C-in-C Eleventh (shore-based) Air Fleet functionshyed tactically aa Commander Base Air Force which was a task force embracing those of the Eleventh Air Fleets Air Attack Forces taking part in this particular operation
Evidently when a cOlsiderable number of naval land-based airplanes are called on to partici shypate in an operation under one unified command they may be organized into a lar~e air task force termed the Base Air Force (KICHI KOKU SUTAI) This task force will be of considerably greater
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scope than either a Force (BU~I) or an Air Attack Force (KUSHUBU~I) either or both of which lllieht be among its component elements The Base Air Force might be tenned the tac-tical equivalent of the administrative Air Fleet
It is possible however that during a future operation the ~rm Base Air Force may be used with a very different meaning
It should be re-emphasized that the KOKU KAHTAI (Air Fleet) and the KOKUSENTAI (Airflot)are permanent elements in the administrative organization of the Japanese naval air service whereas the KUSh~BUAI (Air Attack Force) the KOKU BUTAI (Air Force) and the KICHI KOKU BU~I (Base Air Force) are task forces types created temporarily to meet the needs of the current Pacifio struggle
The above Base Air Force should not be confused with the Bnse Groups - which are units mainly composed of seaplanes assigned to variou9 Japanese b~se 3 in the Pacific Their exact status is obscure their role is believed lar~ely defensive It is possible that they have some operational relationship to the 11th Air Fleet
D Shore-based Air Groups (Shore-bnsed KOKUTAI)
One KOKUSENThI (Airflot) breaks down into two or three KOKUThI (Air Groups) or detachments shyusually Type Tongs - thereof KOKU is air A I is unit the Japanese sometines abbreviate KOKUThI to KU
Air Groups are o~ded by Naval Captains (KAIGUN ~ ISA) and are the basi c admi nistrative units of the Japanese navnl air service Air Groups (K KUTA I) are of two typos
(1) middotThose wh ich have permanent horne st uns in the Japanese Empire and which are sometimes known by the names of these stations
(2) Specially Mobilized Air Groups ( TOhUSETSU KOKUTAI) whi ch are numbered and are known by their numerical designations It is believed th ~ these Groups may h ve been establi 3hed at air stations ou~side the Empireas the Japanese h~ve shown some inclination to n ame ai r stations within the Empire and to number those outside the Empire
Recentlythe Japanese have introduced very high numeral designations for both named and numbered Air Groups named Air Groups are pp rently now irnown by boh t he ir ori inal lIIIO S and their new numbers
These new hi~ numbers serve ns II fa i r l re_i~bl~ uide t o the o Do-i tion of the Air Groups i ol ved thus observati on roups are usual ly nUD r e the 100 s flgh ter Groups in the 200s mixed figh ter-bomber Groups in the 500s bovbmiddot r Gro~ ln t e 700s flyi n boat Groups in the 800s fl oat plane Groups in the 900s But re are lots of 81Cceptions ti le composition of many Air Groups is rather mixed
This system like all matters pertaininr to the de s middotnation ot 1 ir un~8 1s ot coursej
subject to constant chan(~ Th J apanese ar ~ns ly secur ity nd d nominal and ~umerical chan~e s are continuallY i r To uced in the ore nl zs t l on o~ hei r nava _ 1r Qrce to concsa i ts r eal 8 tUB
The to 1 numbe r of Air Groups in active status wil l -~ ac ord n eng th of thebull v
Japanese air force I f heavy losses are experi~nce c Iteln Groups t 01 if production and training out-run casual ~ e Ie l r urO may be e p seldom nctio s II c na t un t in i ts eI ~i re the total 11 S1I1 ald fluctu t ons trerei a~ t te s O~ I _llst t + r ti
Air GroupE do - t n ceasaril cl)1Siat of only 00 tIP of aircraf bull Uld ther S i L~ 1 ry t hin wide li r I aIB run aa hi ~ lampv othera 10 s 18 (ton th contain
tr nmiddot~ort planes 10 dd ian to o or or type t pl noa
A fur ~er uonru~1nv 6 the t c a - ltInts may be d
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Some of an Air Groups stren~th may be maintained at its home station particularly if that station is in the Japanese Empire These aircraft will have duties in connection with air raid defense and anti-submarine warfare they will probably also engage in advanced operational trainshying As the Air Groups home strengt middot is increased by the addition of planes and air crews reshyceived from Japanese factories nnd training centers that home strength will in turn be reduced by the despatch of the Air Groups combat detachments to various Air Flotillas
It is sometimes difficult when confronted with documentary evidence that a certain Air Group is a part of a given Airflot to decide whether the entire Air Group or merely one of its combat detachments is involved It is ~enerally believed however that these are references to combat d~tachments of Air Groups not to the total original establishmeuts of the Air Groups conshycerned These combat detachments may PA made up of one or more Type Wings or of lesser units shysuch as Squadrons
One Airflot for example is thought to have been made up as follows 3 bomber Type Wings (DAITAI) of 27-30 planes each 5 fighter Type Win~s and one observation squadron (CHUTAI) of ten planes
One Air Group had the following of its units attached to an Airflot three fighter squadrons (15 planes each) and two torpedo squadrons (9 planes each)
Both these examples suggest that Air Flotillas are made up of Type Win~s andor Squadrons taken from several different Air Groups
Certain Air Groups by the way do not seem to have any combat functions they are merely training units serving as replacement pools for other combat Air Groups or for aircraft carriers Training Air Groups are believed to diverge somewhat in strength and composition form other Air Groups
In considering lists of shore-based Air Groups and their aircraft strengths one must thereshyforemiddotconsider whether the Air Group in question is a trainin~ or a combat unit and if the latter whether its ~iven aircraft stren~th represents the total original establishment of the Air Group at its home base or the present operating strength of one of its overseas detachments
Often the operating detachment of an Air Group will be referred to in such d manner as to lead one to believe that it comprises the entire Air Group At other times the original establishshyment of the enbire Air Group may be given without any clear indication that its operating detach~ ments can claim but a fraction of that strength
Of course there must always be borne in mind the possibility that an Air Group will function its entirety as a combat unit of an Air Flotilla This is probably ~ore often true of Specially Mobilized Air Groups than of those which have bases within the Japanese Empire
It has been suggested that operational detachments of Air Groups will appFoximate the followshying figures A flying boat detachment 12 aircraft a floatplane detachment 12-18 planes a fighter detachment I 45 fighters with 6 reccos occasionally added Medium bomber detachments will sometimes come as high as 45 planes 27 is however the more normal fi~ure while dive bomber deshytachments usually have about 18 planes
An enemy source indicates that these combat detach~ents of Air Groups are known as RONTAI which means main unit The home detachments are known as ZAURYUTAI which means remaining units These terms indicate the overseas detachments to be lorger than the home units
E Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI BUNTAI) Sectiqns (SHOTAI)
As indicated in Part I of this text the DAlTAI (Type Wing) exists as a unit only when in flight It does not exist as an administrative unit on the ground Thus organizationally the Ai Group brea~s down into a variable nunber of Squadrons cf 9 planes each
lhree quadrons flying together as a unit ar~ called a )IAI Such a Type Wing wil be ~( -aJlled hy the seni~r Squadron leader r esent
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The Squadron in fli~ht is known as a Cl~TAI as an administrative unit on the ground it is known as a BUNTAI The iquadrol breaks dORl into 3 Sections (SHOTAI) of three planes each
As an exa~ple of the administrative break-down of an Air Group into Squadrons the following make-up one KCKUTAI is cited
9lNTAI ifl amp jf2 Fighter squadrons (total 22 planea) BljNTAI TflJ amp 1f4 Fighter maintenance unit BUNTAI ff5 amp ttfgt Bomber squadrons (total 18 planes)
BUUTAI ff7 30ccer n~irtenance unit EUIITJI ff8 Communications unit
BVN7hI if9 amp tlO Adcinistrative units
It is stated that wi thin this KOKUTAI the two fighter BUNTAI were treated as one unit and th9 two bomber DUNTAI were treated as one unit The total fighter uni t when in flight was probably called a DhITAI the sarns beinE true of the total bomber unit
It 6ppears that a KOKUTAI may sometimes have plflne strength in reserve in addition to the complement of its DAITAI The above KOKUTAI had two DAITAI of 30 planes each plus a Group reshyserve of 10 planes making a total KOKUTAI strength of 70 planes
Its interesting to note that this Air Group apparently functioned as one unit instead of being broken up into a home detachment and a combat detachment
The above maintenance BUNTAI break down into maintenance HAN (Platoons) of 50-60 men each attached to one aircraft Squndron
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ARMY AIR FORCE
It is felt that naval personnel should be familiar with Jap~nese Army air organization because of the increasinL use of Japanese Ar~J air units in the Pacific Their assignment to this theater has been brought about both by a desire to afford close air support to Army ~round troops in New Guinea and New Bri tain and by the need to make good drastic air losses suffered in the Pacific by t ~ naval air force
1 Army Aviation Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU H01ABU)
The administration of Army aviation was reorganized in Amy 1942 in order to give the Army Air Force a degree of power and autonomy not unlike that of our own AAF At that time the Army Aviatior Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU HOMIlU) were set up to be headed by a Lieutenant General (RIKUGIDt CHUSHO) or a full General (RIKUGUN TAISHO) RIKUGUU means Army amps distinct from KAIGUN Navy
The Commandi ng General Army Aviation Headquarters is directly responsible to the Emperor instead of to the Uinister of War or the Chief of the General Staff who are his equa l s in rank and who also enjoy direct accebullbull to the Emperor These three officers constitute the High Command of the Japanese Army the head of Army Aviamptio~ HeadqUarters havine cognizance of Army air operashytions training and materiel
It is obvious however that this officer much like the Commanding General of our own Army Air Forces is not in a position to exercise direct tactical command over the wide spr ad air forces which he heado This tactical command must rest with heads of the various Air Commands in differshyent theaters of war
2 Air COll1lllllnds (KOKU EEIDAll) and Flying Divisions (EIKO SHIDMl)
HIKO is flyine SHIDAN is diviSion hence HIKO SHIDAU is Flying DiV1 sion The Flying Division is the largest unit of the Japanese Army Air Service Commanded by a Lieutenant-General it includes anywhere from 200 to 400 planes and the mit lecessary to servicing thereof
Seven Flying Divisions have been identified the 1st in Japan proper the 2nd ~n Manchuria the 3rd in China the 4th in Manchuria and the North China the 5th in Burma and adjacent regions the 6th in the Southwest Pacific and the 7t h in the UE I Headquarters of the 5th are a t Rangoon of the 6th at Rabaul and of the 7th at Ambon
The 6th and 7th Flying Divisions were very recent y activated It is believed that they were organized out of units taken from other Flying Divi slons for this purpo se
A flying Division does not maintain any fixed a_ze or composition i t ~y shrink or expand as the military situation requires Air units are shif teci free y from Oru Flyine Division to anshyother the Divisions themselves are rarely moved a bout as llnl t S
One step above the Flying Division is the KOICU IibluAU KOKU i8 a ir -rrI N is Corps KOKU HEIDAN is translated Air Command nlree Air COUlllllds have been i dentified e ach headed by a Lieutenant General the 1st in Japan proper t he 2ncr i n Planohuria an i) e 3rd at Si ll ep0re
These Air Commands are staffs not uni ts They con 1 11 r~ ai r 0
areas under th~ir cogni zance Thus the 1s t Plying Dv1sion a swe s ~h I s 2nd 3rd and 4th lyint lVlSlon to tht 2nd Ai r CODllampnd the 5th 6tl 11 bull
pr ohably to the 3rd Ai Commands
ThA Air Co~de are not mobIle they are pe~1ently ~ ~b~ d in d rferen war tJ exe r C1se st r tei c COllllOllUl ( ltn er Army air units i n t hose r4 Taotical nth tho F vin D1 i si n or me - unit is too W1atl ~ y middotat ter ~o un n fi B Q body lliith the PlYinG 3ri ada
co 0 remains
Units may be freely shifted ROOut from one Air Commnnd to another the Command itself reshymains unaffected Air COllnands are crec ted or abolished aR the ter1po and location f air operashytions seem to require
It is interesting to speculate on the relation between these commands of the Japanese Army air forces and the equivalent commands of the ~apanese Army fround f orces
The Japanese armies which might be co pared to Flying Divisions are co-orcinated by staffs which might be co pared to the Air Commands These staffs are C-in-C National Defense Forces in Japan proper C-in-C Kwantunr Army in Manchuria C-in-C Forces in China C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces with headquarters at Sin~apore It is not certain whether the 8th Army Grou~ controlling gr ound forces in the south and southwest Pacific with headquarters at Rabampul answers to C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces or directly to the Army High Command in TOkyo
It will be seen that C-in-C National Defense Forces corresponds to the 1st Air Command C-in-C Kw~tun~ Army and C-in-C Forces in China to the 2nd Air Command and the C-in-C Southshyern Expeditionary forces to the 3rd Air Command
It is not known whether in these cases the Air Command is subordinated to the equivalent grpund command or whether each of the two commands answers i ndividually to the Army High Command in Tokyo In the latter case the ground and air ccmmand r s are pres~~bly expected to effect coshyordination on a voluntary basis The Japanese ~mphasis on unity of commans and on the use of airshypower in support of ground operations -takes the former course middotmiddot more likely than the latter however
3 Flying Brigades (EIKODA n and Flying Regiments (EIKO SENTAI)
The Flying Division breaks down into about 3 Flyinr Bri~ades each with about 70-120 planes The Flying Brigade is generally commanded by a ~ajor General (RIKUGUN SEOSHO) though eometimes by a Colonel (RIKUGUN TAISA) It may be roulhly compared to a Navy KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotilla)
HI middot bull is an abbrevia t ioe for HIKO which II ans flying and RYODAN which leans Brirade The r are very mobile being divorced from servicing and administrative responsibilities They are _ee ly shifted from one Flying Division to another thus for example a riven Flying Brigade might fight in Burma during the dry season as part of the 5th Flying Brigade and might be transferred to the lffiI as part of the 7th Flying Di~sion during the Monsoon
A Flying Brigade breaks down into 3 Flying Regiments each of about 27 planes HIKO is flying SENTAI is battle uni til Flying Regiments ware called HIKO RENTAl before the war RENTAl being the ground forces term for regiment Iately the more dynamic term SENTAI has been substituted
The Flying Regiments like the Flying Brigades are divorced from administrative and servicshying duties and hence are extremely mobile However they generally function within the framework of the Flying Brigade - Flying Regiments are not shifted fram one Brigade to another al freely al Brigades are shifted from one Flying Division to another Flying Regiments are generally commanded by Majors (RIKUGUN SHOSA) or Lieutenant Colonelb (RlKUGUN CHUSA)
A Flying Brigade does not necessarily consist of only type of aircraft a Flying Regiment generally does
4 Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI) Sections (SHOTAI)
A Flying Regiment breaks down into three Squadrons (C~TAI)Jf 9 planes each The Japane~e Army Squadron is the same as the Navy squadron breaking down into three sections (SEOTAI) ~f three planes each A squadron will generally be commanded by a Captain (HlKUGUN TAIl) TIhen in flight three squadrons are te r med a DAITAI This is exclusively a tactical term
Certain S u drons operate independently usually as obse(vation units attached to ground forces These are terced DOKIRITSU t A I (Independent Squadrons)
5 Task Forces (BUTAI)
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We have noted the Navy use of BL AI XSHUBUTAI and KIlII J OIIT BU rBI Th also createsy
tactical air ~8k fo rces - though 1 (I fr Dllent l y in t lar l y ttUl the Nl n ir ta k forces are termed BU AI ti r siLl and oo~po8i tio~ II vary accor in to heir mi on TJo- ir exi5ten~e probably does not outlast t he f ul f ll~n ~ s mission
6 Administrative lnl t Air Dictric Hl RE BU) DAfTAI) Airfield C mp~ JAo~rrt~TI~~~~----~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1~i~e~s~(~n~IUK7G~
Scatte ~ throughc1t Greater East As ia are panese Air District Hedquort 118 are staffs eac If ich ccut l)ls all a r dlti n groun uncti oDs ( ser - i ng and adminill in he area under gn ~za~c It will be r e campl l d that the Fly i n Di vis i n is or-kDl ze ~ ~ athe permanent toIr n tonal basis it is bel i ad thllt all h a divie on will break ltlown tac t lc lly u-to Flying Brigad5 8 ald administratively int o Ai Dis tri ct Headquarters
The Flying Dri~ades are mobile comba t Ilvia t i on uni ts the Air District Headquarters are imshymobile ground housekeeplng units Bo th answer to tIe Commanding General of thei r parent Flying Division who thus controls all aviation matters wi~hin the zone under his command Comparatively little is known of the organization and content of the Air District Headquarters
A lower adrninistrative and servicing echelon is the HIKOJO DAITAI HIKOJO means airfield DAITAI is 1aree unit The Airfield Battalion is generally attached directly to a Flying Regishyment whose administrative and servicing functions it assumes
On the following page is a chart reproduced from ATIS SnFA Serial 159 showi ng the organishyzation of an Airfield Battalionas described by an ene~J source It will be seen that the Battalshyion breaks down into a guard company a eupply company and a servicing company this latter conshysisting of three servicing platoons each attached to one aircraft squadron
The Airfield Battalion is a mobile urlit It doe s not necessarily move with the Flying Regishyment but will generally move closely after or effeet a rendeJvous with such I parent unit as the latter will be heavily dependent on it for 6er~clng It is believed t t an Airfield Batalion will come under cognizamprlce of the Air District Headquarters in whose area it functions
The HIKOJO CHUTAI or Airfield Company is a miniature version of the Airfield Battalion It will be attached to squadrons operating independently or to small advanced airfields
7 Air Trainin (KYOIKU
Advanced operational training il conducted by Flying Divisions - articularly those in quiet areas such as Japan and Manchuria
Primary and intermediate training was formerly the function of the First Flying Division in Japan proper Lately it is believed that this division has been relieved of prtmary and intermedishyate training so as to free it for the defense of Japan and the Kuriles Those of its units which carried on training activities have been assigned to the newly created 51st Air Training Division also located in Japan proper
So far no other Air Training Division has been identified The 51st Air Training Division breaks down into Air Trainine Brigades a~d Air Training Regiments much like any other Flying DiTt sion The wora KYOlKU which will be noted in the above titles means training
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FLYING RANK - ARMY AND NAVY
1 Officers
Officers of the Japanese ~ and Navy air services have - like US flyers - the same titles and badBes of rank as other line officers of the service to which they belOIlS These titles and insignia are reproduced on pages 15 and 16
In the case of naval officers oollar and shoulder tab insignia the cherry b10SsomB are silver the areas shaded in the illustrations on pBBe 15 UtI black and the WlSl d areas are gold In the case of flying officers the cherry blossom ~ be bluej in cese of air ground staff officers it may be green These insignia are worn as collar tabe on blu uniforms and as shoulder-boards on white uniforms The cuif bands are black on t lue unifClIIllB ~ld lace being used for ceremonial dress On fly1ng dress officers wear a c l oth PI tcll on tlI l e 1t 8I1I bbove the elbow bearing a design in gold lace similar to that of e curt b llds
In the case of the army offioers insignia the stars ex ~ gold the eretiB sruWed on page 15 are red and the unshaded areas are gold
It vill be noted that ArrIly and Navy Officers have the amt t1t~e3 of r mk Tj wor KAIGUN (Navy) and RIKtnUN (nArrIly) aro prefixed to avoid confusio In tJe Navr fl-mg o ~ icars put the tern KOKU between KAIGUN ani their title of rank while g o 8 Gai ~t l e e r use t- gt tert SEIBI in the same w~ Thus a KAIGUN KOKIJ SHOOA is a flying Li8lteDlJlt Q1JDnjer hile a KAIGm~ SEIBI SHooA is a Lieutenant Commander A-V(S)
The SHO which is used in SHooHO (rear Admiral) SHU3HO (Vice Admiral) ani ASnO (Admiral) means COIllllBDding officer and may on occasion be used as follows SHOTAISRO (CamtlI8J1der of a SHOTAI) CHUlAISHO (Commander of a CID1lAI) and so on This is 50 w~ of referr1JJg to ~be units CO withoUt des1goating his aotual rank
2 EDlisted PersODDel
Both Japanese air services make great use of enlisted men as pil l) a an 9 members of elrshycrews Even as pilots enlisted men ortnumber officers by as much as four to Oll
With respect to naval enlisted ranks it shoJld be noted that the HIKO SOCHO (USN Warshyrant Officer) vears a sleeve cuff band collar tabs and shoulder boards j the JOTO HEISO (USN Chief Petty Officer) has three cherry blossons on the sleeve but no collar tabs or shouder boards while the other six enlisted ratings wear their insignia an the right arm just above the elbow
The vord BIKO which vill be noted in the titles of all eight ratings means fly1ng In the oase of the grouni air staff SEIBI is substituted for HIKO in the title and a spealtl 1 airshyplane seen from a side view is substituted for the solid airplane seen from above in their inshysignia The personnel of both the Fly1ng ani Ground Crew branches are divided into specialist oategories each categor1 being dietingui shed b its own badge and title These categories are as follOWS
1 Flying (lIIKO) BrEUch A 110~a ( lJUINbullbull
1 gbter ilots (0 ITOKI 0JtlT) bull 2 Bo bull Hot f ~ J2lI SOJUJ
B on-Pllota (~urn) 1 abee at1cm n-rt tlan photo 0 hy eto
(TEIBAiSU) bull 2 Rad1 lin gwm X7 ( AlmKrn)
II Ground Crew (SEIBI) Branch A Ground Mechanics (SEIBIIN) B Armament Specialists (HEIIIIN) c Flying mechIJaics (TOJOllf) who maintain and
inspect equipment in flight These men constitute less than 5 of the ground crew branch
In the case of Ar~ enlisted ratings the same use of BIKO will be noted For the ground crews SEIBI is substituted Enlisted men down through the grade of corporal may act as pilots all enlisted men may be members of aircrews There are no U S A~ equivalents for the HIKO GOCBO and the BIKO JOTO HEI these terma have therefore been literally translated
3 Illustrations
The charts showing Japanese Army and Ifavy flying ranks are given on the following two pages In these charts certain Japanese Navy enlisted titles are given in parentheses These reshypresent abbreviations which are frequently used by the Japanese instead of the full title of the rank in question
-~-
NEAREST NEAREST U S NAVY U S ARMY COLLAR INSIGNIA EQU I VALENT EQIJ I VALENT
bull ral General ~ Lt J~ ire-A 11 ~ 1 CHI middotll tKUSHO B tt ltgt
SHOSHO ~ajor-en
TA ISA Colonel ~ CHUSA Lt -Col (gt SHOSA Major
i ra1 SHO HO
csp tain TA l
Comnander CI A
LtComdr SHOS ~
yen(~- UH~
~
~h
The JOTO HEISO wears sleeve cuff insignia but no coller or shoulder teb insignia
) (
- ADDENDA TO PART IV (f1 YING RMoiK)
Rpcpnt information Indlcatps that effpctive July 1 1K2 ttP tltlps ann arm insllnla of till sixmiddot 10wPFt Japanpsp naval ratines of tllp sparran hranctl wprp chan)middotltI to bp as follows
PS Equivalent Japanpse
(Flyine) Petty Offl pr 1st Class JafO HIKO HE ISO (JOHISO)
(Flylni) Petty Offlcpr 2nd Class ITIO ItIKO HEISO (III ISO)
(Flyln~) Pptty Offlcpr 3rd Class tilTCI IIIKO HEISO (~IHISO)
(Fly ing) Non-ratprl IMn 1st Class HI KO HE ICIIC) (HICHO) (H~IIII
(Fly Ing) Son-rated man 2nd Class JaIO HIKOHEI (JOH I)
(Flyln~) ~on-rated man 3rd Class IHO HIKOHEI (IPPI)
Ground aviation staffs substitute SEIBI for HIKO In the easp of flylne persolU) ttP chprry blossom Is blue In the ca of ~round aviation staffs it is jl reen Thes inSijDli a 111re the old markings Irp worn on thp right sl ve Rcmiddotlh old and npw insignia 1Ill be encolUltered in cOItbat arlas deshype nd lh on r o w re c p tlr the personnel 1 question hav arrived from Japan
-
ir-- -shy
11ilil
I shy - -bull - ~ ~p~ II ~ - II ~
I I
r-z--------IL==shy
j ~ i
L
-~-
I I
- ~ ~ - 3 r - - ~
~
-2
g = ~ ~ ~~ ~ shy
-- -
V
~ Q
~
~-= shy0
~~4
---- ~ ~ ~
S
l
I [
8 I [
~ I - ~ ~
I
I ~-
I
- 1
~
x- lt
GLOSSARY OF JlAVAL ABBREVIATIONS EMPLOYED IN TillS PAPER
BD CA CL DD SS SA
CVS XCVS
CV ACV APV
VF VB
SB VTB VOS
-------
---
-----
SHIPS
battleship h~avy cruiser light cruiser destroyer submarine submarine tender seaplane carrier converted seaplane carrier aircraft carrier Auxiliary aircraft carrier aircraft transport
PLANS
fighter horizontal bQmbe r dive bomber torpedo plane observation plane
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NAVAL AIR FORCE
(KAIGUN KOKU HOMBU) and the Combined Naval Air Cor s ( RENGO1
The Naval Air Service is an inte~al part of the Navy its particular problems being hanshydled by the Naval Aviation Headquarters (KAlGUN KOKU HOMBU) which are headed by a Vice-Admiral KAIGUN is Navy KOKU is aviation and HOMBU is Headquarters
These Headquarters were reorganized during October 1942 to give the Vice-Admiral Commandshying authority over air operations as well as over aviation personnel and materiel This followed a similar reorganization of the Army Air Force Headquarters which had taken place in Yay 1942 The head of the Naval Aviation Headquarters may be compared to our own Deputy Chief of Naval Opershyations for Air
The head of the Naval Aviation Headquarters is co-equal in authority to the Navy Minister and the Chief of the Naval General Staff Each of these three officers is directly responsible to the Emperor Together they constitute the High Command of the Japanese Navy
Naval air training is carried on by the Combined NaTal Air Corps (KAIGUN RENGO KOKU SCTAI) located in Japan proper and now headed by a Prince of the Imperial Family This Corps answers directly to the Naval Aviation Headquarters It consists of Combined Air Groups (RENGO KOKUTAI) which are the units through which its training program is executed
2 The Combined Fleet (RENGO KANTAI)
Under these three officers Comel (a) The C-in-C Combined Fleet (b) the C-in-C Southwest Area F (Burma Malaya IndO-China NEI Philippines) (c) the C-in-C China Seas Fleet (d) the ~nders of Home Defense Forces in Japan proper
Airflot 23 (KOKUSENtAI 23) known tactically as the East Indies Air Force (East Indies KOKU BUTAI) is attached to the 2nd Southern Expeditionary Fleet of the Southwest Area Fleet Airflot 23 consists of one XCVS and two shore-based Air Groups (KOKUtAI)
With this exception the majori~ of Japanese naval aviation li~e the majori~ of Japanese naval surface strength comes under the Combined Fleet RENGO is Combined KANTAI il Fleet This fleet is broken down administratively into six surface Fleets two Air Fleeta and one subshymarine Fleet and tactically into various task forces and task organizati~ns
Among the surface Fleets is the Third Fleet (DAI SAN KANtAI) which includes all Japanese carriers and henCd most Japanese naval ship-borne air strength
The two Air Fleets are the 11 th (DAI JUICHI KOKU KANTAI) and the 12th (DAlJUNI KOKU KANtAI) These two Air Fleets together contain most of the Japanese Navys shore-based air strength The Eleventh Air Fleet functions in the South and Southwest Pacific the Twelfth Air Fleet which is considerably smaller was recently created to meet the growing American threat to the Kur1les
These Fleets and Air Fleets are commanded by Vice-Admirals (KAIGUN CHUSHO) TheBe same officers exercise tactical command over the task forces whioh parallel to a large extent the orshyganization of these administrative Fleets
KOKU stands for air DAI SAN is third DAI JUICHI 11 eleventh DAI JUNI 11 twelfth
3 Third Fleet (DAI SAN KANTAI)
The Third Fleet contains all Japanese carriers as well as one Batdiv two Crudivs and five Desdivs It also includes Airflot 50 containing two shore-based Air Groups and one aircraft
- shy
middot -shy
r rrier which are devoted to ASW and to the trainine of carrier squadrons and three ACVs which re probably used as aircraft transports The continued existence of Airflot 50 is currently in
10ubt
In addition to the aircraft carriers which make up the Third Fleet and to the seaplane carriers to be described later Japanese naval ship-borne air strength includes observation pl~es on various classes of warships as followsl
NUMBER CARRIED NO TYPE PLANE TYPE BY EACH TOTAL
10 BattlB1hips YOS 3 30 1 Heavy Cruiser (AOEU CLAS ) VOS 2 2 2 Heavy Cruisers (TONE CLhSe vos 6 12 9 Heavy Cruisers VOS 4 36 2 Heavy Cruisers VOS 6 12
14 Li jht Crv i -err VOS 1 14 1 Li t ht Cruiser NONE 0 C 3 Sub~~rine Tenders vos 5
33 Submar lnes VOS 1 33 3 Armed Lo rchant Cruiserb VOS 2 6
It was t one time su ~~eB ted that these planes came under the adminiBtrative cognizance of the Third Fleet There is no evidence to support this view
A Ship-borne Air Flotillas (Ship-borne KOKUSENTAI)
The Third Fleet the Eleventh Air Fleet and probably the Twelfth Air Flee t are divided administratively into KOKUSENTAI each cOlllllaJlded by a Rear Admiral (KAIGUlI SHOSHO) KOKU means
aviation and SENTAI means division iOKUSENTAI is translated Air Flotilla or Airflot
It is b~lieved that KOKUSENTAI 1-10 are reserved for Cardivs KOKUSENTAI 11-20 for seaplane d training cocmands KO~JSENTAI 21-30 for shore-based Air Flotillas Currently only KOKUSENTAI and 2 (Cardivs) 14 and 18 (Training) 21 22 23 24 25 and 26 (Shore Based Airflots) are
1 erational
Two or three carriers (one Cardiv) make up one ship-borne KOKUSENTAI The total air complement of two or three Japanese carriers would range from about 100 to 200 plane~depending on
he carriers involved Thus a carrier KOKUSENTAI is about the same size as a shore-based Il KUS m1TAI There is some evidence that Cardivs (Carrier KOKUSENTAI) actually operate as tactical 1i ts
The Third Fleet contains Two Cardivseach containine 2-3 carriers The number of carriers ~ n any given Cardiv varies over a period of time occasionally one carrier will operate alone dishyectly under the Third Fleet w thout being a part of either of its Cardi vs
There were until recently two Seaplane KOKUSENTAI each made up of 4-6 seaplane carriers dach carrying 10-14 planes) These Seaplatendivs have recently been disbanded and their comshyne~t vessels re-assigned as elements of other Japanese ~leets The largest seaplane concentrashy
n (CVS and 5 XCVS) is now to be found in the train of the Combined Fleet
The complements of Japanese seaplane carriers are as followsl
SEAPLhtJ1 CARRIERS
Cvsr NAME NOTORO
AIRCRAFT 10-V05 1 Catapult
TOTAL -lO
CV~-2 K llOI 10-VOS 10 CVS-3 lt ITOSE l4-VOS 4 Catapults 14 CVS-4 CI TYOD 14-VOS 4 Catapults 14 cvs-e ta ss 14shy VOS 4 Ca tepu l ts 14 CVSshy 1 AKITS II 14-VOS 4 Ca u p 1 ts 14
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CONVERTED SEAPLANE CARRIERS
TYPE NAME AIRCRAFTb TOTAL
XCVS-l KAM KAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-2 YA8UKAWA MAIm 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-3 KmlIKAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-S VOS 13 XCVS-4 SANUKI MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-S VOS 13 XCVS-5 SANYO VARU 8 SeaplEJ9 Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-6 OKITSU MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 vas 13 XCVS-7 KIll KAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Firhters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-8 SAGARA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-9 KIYOKAWA lIARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 vas 13
b - Estimated
B Ship-borne Air Groups and Squadrons (CHUTAI)
A shore-based KOKUSENTAI (Airflot) breaks down into several shore-based KOKUTAI (Air Groups~ It has been suggested that the air complement of a ship-borne KOKUSENTAI (Cardiv) is similarly broken down into several ship-based KOKUTAI (Air Groups) each comprising the air complement of one aircraft carrier
However there is no evidence of the existenoe of any Air Groups other than the named and numbered Groups referred to later in this text Certain of these Air Groups based in Japan are training units and some of these latter serve exclusively to replenish carrier strengths Units of operational naval Air Groups might also be emparked on carriers if the tactical situation so demanded Thus the air complement of one carrier might b8 made up of Squadrons drawn from several different Air Groups
The Squadrons embarked on one carrier regardless of their original administrative affiliashytions will form one tactical unit while on that carrier This tactical unit will be designated by the name of its carrier and may be roughly compared to a US carrier air group Unlike the regular Japanese Air Group (KOKUTAI) it is not a permanent administrative unit
The air complement of a Japanese carrier will vary (36-72 planes) according to the size of the carrier Thus as will be seen later a carrier-borne air unit varies within roughly the same limits as a shore-based KOKUTAI (Air Group)
NAME VF VSB VTB TOTAL
ROSRO (Training-Airflot 50) SHOKAKU (Cardiv 2) ZUIKAKU (CardivI) ZUIHO (Third Fleet or Cardiv 1) HITAKA (Cardiv 2) HAYATAKA (Cardiv 2) RYUHO (Airflot 50 or Cardiv 2) OTAKA (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying) UNTO (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying) CHUYO (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying)
12 27 27 27 24 24
9 9 9
18 18
18 18
18 18 18
24 27 27
9 9 9
9 9 9
36 72 72 36 51 51 36 36 36 36
4 JUICHI KOKU KANTAI) and the Twelfth (Shore-based
The Eleventh Air Fleet as previously indicated includes most of the Navys shore-based planes It consists of shore-based Airflots 21 22 25 and 26 3 APVs and 2 DDls are also attached to this Air Fleet
The Eleventh Air Fleet functions in the Melanesia - New Guinea ares Also in this area is the 8th Fleet composed of cr~isers anc destroyers These two fleets combine to form the Southshy
_ i _
ealt Area Fleet whi~h is commanded by the C-in-C Eleventh Air Fleet In the train of the Southshyeast Area Fleet are 2 XCVS It should be remembered that this organization is administrative not tactical
Adminiatrative headquarte ~ middote Eleventh Air Fleet are at Tenian a small island south at Saipan but C-in-C Eleventh Air Fleet has maintain d his operational staff at Rabaul since August 1942
Recently the Twelfth (shore-based) Air Fleet has been created to meet the menace arising froM the US seizure of Attu Island The Twelfth Ai r Fleet is based in the Kuriles it probably is made up of Airflot 24
A Shore-based Air Flotillas (Shore-based KOKUNSENTAI)
An Air Fleet is broken down administratively into KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotillas)
One Air Flotilla (abbreviated to Airflot)is made up of combat detachments from two to four Air Groups The strength of the Airflot will depend on the fluctuating size of these detachments it will generally total an~~ere from 50 to 150 (more usually 75 to 125) planes
Air Flotillas have auxiliary surface vessels such as aircraft transports attached to them for supply purposes Thus Airflots 22-26 each contain one APV Airflots 23 and 26 each contaiOl ne CVS in addition
B Air Attack iurcel (KUSHUBUtAI)
The Eleventh and TWelfth Air Fleets planes are organized administratively into five Airflots they are alao organized tactically into five Air Attack Forces (KUSHUBUTAI) KUSHU ia attaCk BUTAI is torce Each Airflot is related to one Air Attack Force
Airtlot 21 - 1st Air Attack Force Airflot 22 - 2nd Air Attack Force Airflot 24 - 4th Air Attack Force Airflot 25 - 5th Air Attack Force Airflot 26 - 6th Air Attack Force
The Rear Adndral commanding each Airflot is also the head of the corresponding Air Attack Force and it is believed that each Air Flotilla serves as the administrative foun~in-head for the Air Attack Force to which it is related ~Vhile the Air Flotillas are administrative units the Air Attack Forces are exclusively tactical in function Like all task forces they are exshytremely flexible inmiddot size and composition Each Air-Attack Force is made up in the main of units drawn from its corresponding (administrative) Air Flotilla
Airflot 23 it will be remembered is a part of the Southwest Area Fleet and is known tactically as the East Indies Force (DUT~I) or Air Force (KOKU BU~I) It would appear that the East Indies BUtAI is an air task force type on roughly the same level as the Air Attack -Forces though probably less mobile beine rather permanently stationed in the area from which it takes its name The appearance of other such BUTAI (or KOKU BUTAI) is possible
C Base Air Force (KIeHl KOKU BUTAI)
It is believed that the Base Air Force (KICHI KOKU BUTAI) is a task force type quite disshytinct from the above-mentioned BUtAI or KOKU ~UtAI
In a recent South Pacific operation the C-in-C Eleventh (shore-based) Air Fleet functionshyed tactically aa Commander Base Air Force which was a task force embracing those of the Eleventh Air Fleets Air Attack Forces taking part in this particular operation
Evidently when a cOlsiderable number of naval land-based airplanes are called on to partici shypate in an operation under one unified command they may be organized into a lar~e air task force termed the Base Air Force (KICHI KOKU SUTAI) This task force will be of considerably greater
bull 6 shy
scope than either a Force (BU~I) or an Air Attack Force (KUSHUBU~I) either or both of which lllieht be among its component elements The Base Air Force might be tenned the tac-tical equivalent of the administrative Air Fleet
It is possible however that during a future operation the ~rm Base Air Force may be used with a very different meaning
It should be re-emphasized that the KOKU KAHTAI (Air Fleet) and the KOKUSENTAI (Airflot)are permanent elements in the administrative organization of the Japanese naval air service whereas the KUSh~BUAI (Air Attack Force) the KOKU BUTAI (Air Force) and the KICHI KOKU BU~I (Base Air Force) are task forces types created temporarily to meet the needs of the current Pacifio struggle
The above Base Air Force should not be confused with the Bnse Groups - which are units mainly composed of seaplanes assigned to variou9 Japanese b~se 3 in the Pacific Their exact status is obscure their role is believed lar~ely defensive It is possible that they have some operational relationship to the 11th Air Fleet
D Shore-based Air Groups (Shore-bnsed KOKUTAI)
One KOKUSENThI (Airflot) breaks down into two or three KOKUThI (Air Groups) or detachments shyusually Type Tongs - thereof KOKU is air A I is unit the Japanese sometines abbreviate KOKUThI to KU
Air Groups are o~ded by Naval Captains (KAIGUN ~ ISA) and are the basi c admi nistrative units of the Japanese navnl air service Air Groups (K KUTA I) are of two typos
(1) middotThose wh ich have permanent horne st uns in the Japanese Empire and which are sometimes known by the names of these stations
(2) Specially Mobilized Air Groups ( TOhUSETSU KOKUTAI) whi ch are numbered and are known by their numerical designations It is believed th ~ these Groups may h ve been establi 3hed at air stations ou~side the Empireas the Japanese h~ve shown some inclination to n ame ai r stations within the Empire and to number those outside the Empire
Recentlythe Japanese have introduced very high numeral designations for both named and numbered Air Groups named Air Groups are pp rently now irnown by boh t he ir ori inal lIIIO S and their new numbers
These new hi~ numbers serve ns II fa i r l re_i~bl~ uide t o the o Do-i tion of the Air Groups i ol ved thus observati on roups are usual ly nUD r e the 100 s flgh ter Groups in the 200s mixed figh ter-bomber Groups in the 500s bovbmiddot r Gro~ ln t e 700s flyi n boat Groups in the 800s fl oat plane Groups in the 900s But re are lots of 81Cceptions ti le composition of many Air Groups is rather mixed
This system like all matters pertaininr to the de s middotnation ot 1 ir un~8 1s ot coursej
subject to constant chan(~ Th J apanese ar ~ns ly secur ity nd d nominal and ~umerical chan~e s are continuallY i r To uced in the ore nl zs t l on o~ hei r nava _ 1r Qrce to concsa i ts r eal 8 tUB
The to 1 numbe r of Air Groups in active status wil l -~ ac ord n eng th of thebull v
Japanese air force I f heavy losses are experi~nce c Iteln Groups t 01 if production and training out-run casual ~ e Ie l r urO may be e p seldom nctio s II c na t un t in i ts eI ~i re the total 11 S1I1 ald fluctu t ons trerei a~ t te s O~ I _llst t + r ti
Air GroupE do - t n ceasaril cl)1Siat of only 00 tIP of aircraf bull Uld ther S i L~ 1 ry t hin wide li r I aIB run aa hi ~ lampv othera 10 s 18 (ton th contain
tr nmiddot~ort planes 10 dd ian to o or or type t pl noa
A fur ~er uonru~1nv 6 the t c a - ltInts may be d
- 7 shy
Some of an Air Groups stren~th may be maintained at its home station particularly if that station is in the Japanese Empire These aircraft will have duties in connection with air raid defense and anti-submarine warfare they will probably also engage in advanced operational trainshying As the Air Groups home strengt middot is increased by the addition of planes and air crews reshyceived from Japanese factories nnd training centers that home strength will in turn be reduced by the despatch of the Air Groups combat detachments to various Air Flotillas
It is sometimes difficult when confronted with documentary evidence that a certain Air Group is a part of a given Airflot to decide whether the entire Air Group or merely one of its combat detachments is involved It is ~enerally believed however that these are references to combat d~tachments of Air Groups not to the total original establishmeuts of the Air Groups conshycerned These combat detachments may PA made up of one or more Type Wings or of lesser units shysuch as Squadrons
One Airflot for example is thought to have been made up as follows 3 bomber Type Wings (DAITAI) of 27-30 planes each 5 fighter Type Win~s and one observation squadron (CHUTAI) of ten planes
One Air Group had the following of its units attached to an Airflot three fighter squadrons (15 planes each) and two torpedo squadrons (9 planes each)
Both these examples suggest that Air Flotillas are made up of Type Win~s andor Squadrons taken from several different Air Groups
Certain Air Groups by the way do not seem to have any combat functions they are merely training units serving as replacement pools for other combat Air Groups or for aircraft carriers Training Air Groups are believed to diverge somewhat in strength and composition form other Air Groups
In considering lists of shore-based Air Groups and their aircraft strengths one must thereshyforemiddotconsider whether the Air Group in question is a trainin~ or a combat unit and if the latter whether its ~iven aircraft stren~th represents the total original establishment of the Air Group at its home base or the present operating strength of one of its overseas detachments
Often the operating detachment of an Air Group will be referred to in such d manner as to lead one to believe that it comprises the entire Air Group At other times the original establishshyment of the enbire Air Group may be given without any clear indication that its operating detach~ ments can claim but a fraction of that strength
Of course there must always be borne in mind the possibility that an Air Group will function its entirety as a combat unit of an Air Flotilla This is probably ~ore often true of Specially Mobilized Air Groups than of those which have bases within the Japanese Empire
It has been suggested that operational detachments of Air Groups will appFoximate the followshying figures A flying boat detachment 12 aircraft a floatplane detachment 12-18 planes a fighter detachment I 45 fighters with 6 reccos occasionally added Medium bomber detachments will sometimes come as high as 45 planes 27 is however the more normal fi~ure while dive bomber deshytachments usually have about 18 planes
An enemy source indicates that these combat detach~ents of Air Groups are known as RONTAI which means main unit The home detachments are known as ZAURYUTAI which means remaining units These terms indicate the overseas detachments to be lorger than the home units
E Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI BUNTAI) Sectiqns (SHOTAI)
As indicated in Part I of this text the DAlTAI (Type Wing) exists as a unit only when in flight It does not exist as an administrative unit on the ground Thus organizationally the Ai Group brea~s down into a variable nunber of Squadrons cf 9 planes each
lhree quadrons flying together as a unit ar~ called a )IAI Such a Type Wing wil be ~( -aJlled hy the seni~r Squadron leader r esent
- 8 shy
The Squadron in fli~ht is known as a Cl~TAI as an administrative unit on the ground it is known as a BUNTAI The iquadrol breaks dORl into 3 Sections (SHOTAI) of three planes each
As an exa~ple of the administrative break-down of an Air Group into Squadrons the following make-up one KCKUTAI is cited
9lNTAI ifl amp jf2 Fighter squadrons (total 22 planea) BljNTAI TflJ amp 1f4 Fighter maintenance unit BUNTAI ff5 amp ttfgt Bomber squadrons (total 18 planes)
BUUTAI ff7 30ccer n~irtenance unit EUIITJI ff8 Communications unit
BVN7hI if9 amp tlO Adcinistrative units
It is stated that wi thin this KOKUTAI the two fighter BUNTAI were treated as one unit and th9 two bomber DUNTAI were treated as one unit The total fighter uni t when in flight was probably called a DhITAI the sarns beinE true of the total bomber unit
It 6ppears that a KOKUTAI may sometimes have plflne strength in reserve in addition to the complement of its DAITAI The above KOKUTAI had two DAITAI of 30 planes each plus a Group reshyserve of 10 planes making a total KOKUTAI strength of 70 planes
Its interesting to note that this Air Group apparently functioned as one unit instead of being broken up into a home detachment and a combat detachment
The above maintenance BUNTAI break down into maintenance HAN (Platoons) of 50-60 men each attached to one aircraft Squndron
- III shy
ARMY AIR FORCE
It is felt that naval personnel should be familiar with Jap~nese Army air organization because of the increasinL use of Japanese Ar~J air units in the Pacific Their assignment to this theater has been brought about both by a desire to afford close air support to Army ~round troops in New Guinea and New Bri tain and by the need to make good drastic air losses suffered in the Pacific by t ~ naval air force
1 Army Aviation Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU H01ABU)
The administration of Army aviation was reorganized in Amy 1942 in order to give the Army Air Force a degree of power and autonomy not unlike that of our own AAF At that time the Army Aviatior Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU HOMIlU) were set up to be headed by a Lieutenant General (RIKUGIDt CHUSHO) or a full General (RIKUGUN TAISHO) RIKUGUU means Army amps distinct from KAIGUN Navy
The Commandi ng General Army Aviation Headquarters is directly responsible to the Emperor instead of to the Uinister of War or the Chief of the General Staff who are his equa l s in rank and who also enjoy direct accebullbull to the Emperor These three officers constitute the High Command of the Japanese Army the head of Army Aviamptio~ HeadqUarters havine cognizance of Army air operashytions training and materiel
It is obvious however that this officer much like the Commanding General of our own Army Air Forces is not in a position to exercise direct tactical command over the wide spr ad air forces which he heado This tactical command must rest with heads of the various Air Commands in differshyent theaters of war
2 Air COll1lllllnds (KOKU EEIDAll) and Flying Divisions (EIKO SHIDMl)
HIKO is flyine SHIDAN is diviSion hence HIKO SHIDAU is Flying DiV1 sion The Flying Division is the largest unit of the Japanese Army Air Service Commanded by a Lieutenant-General it includes anywhere from 200 to 400 planes and the mit lecessary to servicing thereof
Seven Flying Divisions have been identified the 1st in Japan proper the 2nd ~n Manchuria the 3rd in China the 4th in Manchuria and the North China the 5th in Burma and adjacent regions the 6th in the Southwest Pacific and the 7t h in the UE I Headquarters of the 5th are a t Rangoon of the 6th at Rabaul and of the 7th at Ambon
The 6th and 7th Flying Divisions were very recent y activated It is believed that they were organized out of units taken from other Flying Divi slons for this purpo se
A flying Division does not maintain any fixed a_ze or composition i t ~y shrink or expand as the military situation requires Air units are shif teci free y from Oru Flyine Division to anshyother the Divisions themselves are rarely moved a bout as llnl t S
One step above the Flying Division is the KOICU IibluAU KOKU i8 a ir -rrI N is Corps KOKU HEIDAN is translated Air Command nlree Air COUlllllds have been i dentified e ach headed by a Lieutenant General the 1st in Japan proper t he 2ncr i n Planohuria an i) e 3rd at Si ll ep0re
These Air Commands are staffs not uni ts They con 1 11 r~ ai r 0
areas under th~ir cogni zance Thus the 1s t Plying Dv1sion a swe s ~h I s 2nd 3rd and 4th lyint lVlSlon to tht 2nd Ai r CODllampnd the 5th 6tl 11 bull
pr ohably to the 3rd Ai Commands
ThA Air Co~de are not mobIle they are pe~1ently ~ ~b~ d in d rferen war tJ exe r C1se st r tei c COllllOllUl ( ltn er Army air units i n t hose r4 Taotical nth tho F vin D1 i si n or me - unit is too W1atl ~ y middotat ter ~o un n fi B Q body lliith the PlYinG 3ri ada
co 0 remains
Units may be freely shifted ROOut from one Air Commnnd to another the Command itself reshymains unaffected Air COllnands are crec ted or abolished aR the ter1po and location f air operashytions seem to require
It is interesting to speculate on the relation between these commands of the Japanese Army air forces and the equivalent commands of the ~apanese Army fround f orces
The Japanese armies which might be co pared to Flying Divisions are co-orcinated by staffs which might be co pared to the Air Commands These staffs are C-in-C National Defense Forces in Japan proper C-in-C Kwantunr Army in Manchuria C-in-C Forces in China C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces with headquarters at Sin~apore It is not certain whether the 8th Army Grou~ controlling gr ound forces in the south and southwest Pacific with headquarters at Rabampul answers to C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces or directly to the Army High Command in TOkyo
It will be seen that C-in-C National Defense Forces corresponds to the 1st Air Command C-in-C Kw~tun~ Army and C-in-C Forces in China to the 2nd Air Command and the C-in-C Southshyern Expeditionary forces to the 3rd Air Command
It is not known whether in these cases the Air Command is subordinated to the equivalent grpund command or whether each of the two commands answers i ndividually to the Army High Command in Tokyo In the latter case the ground and air ccmmand r s are pres~~bly expected to effect coshyordination on a voluntary basis The Japanese ~mphasis on unity of commans and on the use of airshypower in support of ground operations -takes the former course middotmiddot more likely than the latter however
3 Flying Brigades (EIKODA n and Flying Regiments (EIKO SENTAI)
The Flying Division breaks down into about 3 Flyinr Bri~ades each with about 70-120 planes The Flying Brigade is generally commanded by a ~ajor General (RIKUGUN SEOSHO) though eometimes by a Colonel (RIKUGUN TAISA) It may be roulhly compared to a Navy KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotilla)
HI middot bull is an abbrevia t ioe for HIKO which II ans flying and RYODAN which leans Brirade The r are very mobile being divorced from servicing and administrative responsibilities They are _ee ly shifted from one Flying Division to another thus for example a riven Flying Brigade might fight in Burma during the dry season as part of the 5th Flying Brigade and might be transferred to the lffiI as part of the 7th Flying Di~sion during the Monsoon
A Flying Brigade breaks down into 3 Flying Regiments each of about 27 planes HIKO is flying SENTAI is battle uni til Flying Regiments ware called HIKO RENTAl before the war RENTAl being the ground forces term for regiment Iately the more dynamic term SENTAI has been substituted
The Flying Regiments like the Flying Brigades are divorced from administrative and servicshying duties and hence are extremely mobile However they generally function within the framework of the Flying Brigade - Flying Regiments are not shifted fram one Brigade to another al freely al Brigades are shifted from one Flying Division to another Flying Regiments are generally commanded by Majors (RIKUGUN SHOSA) or Lieutenant Colonelb (RlKUGUN CHUSA)
A Flying Brigade does not necessarily consist of only type of aircraft a Flying Regiment generally does
4 Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI) Sections (SHOTAI)
A Flying Regiment breaks down into three Squadrons (C~TAI)Jf 9 planes each The Japane~e Army Squadron is the same as the Navy squadron breaking down into three sections (SEOTAI) ~f three planes each A squadron will generally be commanded by a Captain (HlKUGUN TAIl) TIhen in flight three squadrons are te r med a DAITAI This is exclusively a tactical term
Certain S u drons operate independently usually as obse(vation units attached to ground forces These are terced DOKIRITSU t A I (Independent Squadrons)
5 Task Forces (BUTAI)
- 11 shy
We have noted the Navy use of BL AI XSHUBUTAI and KIlII J OIIT BU rBI Th also createsy
tactical air ~8k fo rces - though 1 (I fr Dllent l y in t lar l y ttUl the Nl n ir ta k forces are termed BU AI ti r siLl and oo~po8i tio~ II vary accor in to heir mi on TJo- ir exi5ten~e probably does not outlast t he f ul f ll~n ~ s mission
6 Administrative lnl t Air Dictric Hl RE BU) DAfTAI) Airfield C mp~ JAo~rrt~TI~~~~----~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1~i~e~s~(~n~IUK7G~
Scatte ~ throughc1t Greater East As ia are panese Air District Hedquort 118 are staffs eac If ich ccut l)ls all a r dlti n groun uncti oDs ( ser - i ng and adminill in he area under gn ~za~c It will be r e campl l d that the Fly i n Di vis i n is or-kDl ze ~ ~ athe permanent toIr n tonal basis it is bel i ad thllt all h a divie on will break ltlown tac t lc lly u-to Flying Brigad5 8 ald administratively int o Ai Dis tri ct Headquarters
The Flying Dri~ades are mobile comba t Ilvia t i on uni ts the Air District Headquarters are imshymobile ground housekeeplng units Bo th answer to tIe Commanding General of thei r parent Flying Division who thus controls all aviation matters wi~hin the zone under his command Comparatively little is known of the organization and content of the Air District Headquarters
A lower adrninistrative and servicing echelon is the HIKOJO DAITAI HIKOJO means airfield DAITAI is 1aree unit The Airfield Battalion is generally attached directly to a Flying Regishyment whose administrative and servicing functions it assumes
On the following page is a chart reproduced from ATIS SnFA Serial 159 showi ng the organishyzation of an Airfield Battalionas described by an ene~J source It will be seen that the Battalshyion breaks down into a guard company a eupply company and a servicing company this latter conshysisting of three servicing platoons each attached to one aircraft squadron
The Airfield Battalion is a mobile urlit It doe s not necessarily move with the Flying Regishyment but will generally move closely after or effeet a rendeJvous with such I parent unit as the latter will be heavily dependent on it for 6er~clng It is believed t t an Airfield Batalion will come under cognizamprlce of the Air District Headquarters in whose area it functions
The HIKOJO CHUTAI or Airfield Company is a miniature version of the Airfield Battalion It will be attached to squadrons operating independently or to small advanced airfields
7 Air Trainin (KYOIKU
Advanced operational training il conducted by Flying Divisions - articularly those in quiet areas such as Japan and Manchuria
Primary and intermediate training was formerly the function of the First Flying Division in Japan proper Lately it is believed that this division has been relieved of prtmary and intermedishyate training so as to free it for the defense of Japan and the Kuriles Those of its units which carried on training activities have been assigned to the newly created 51st Air Training Division also located in Japan proper
So far no other Air Training Division has been identified The 51st Air Training Division breaks down into Air Trainine Brigades a~d Air Training Regiments much like any other Flying DiTt sion The wora KYOlKU which will be noted in the above titles means training
- IV shy
FLYING RANK - ARMY AND NAVY
1 Officers
Officers of the Japanese ~ and Navy air services have - like US flyers - the same titles and badBes of rank as other line officers of the service to which they belOIlS These titles and insignia are reproduced on pages 15 and 16
In the case of naval officers oollar and shoulder tab insignia the cherry b10SsomB are silver the areas shaded in the illustrations on pBBe 15 UtI black and the WlSl d areas are gold In the case of flying officers the cherry blossom ~ be bluej in cese of air ground staff officers it may be green These insignia are worn as collar tabe on blu uniforms and as shoulder-boards on white uniforms The cuif bands are black on t lue unifClIIllB ~ld lace being used for ceremonial dress On fly1ng dress officers wear a c l oth PI tcll on tlI l e 1t 8I1I bbove the elbow bearing a design in gold lace similar to that of e curt b llds
In the case of the army offioers insignia the stars ex ~ gold the eretiB sruWed on page 15 are red and the unshaded areas are gold
It vill be noted that ArrIly and Navy Officers have the amt t1t~e3 of r mk Tj wor KAIGUN (Navy) and RIKtnUN (nArrIly) aro prefixed to avoid confusio In tJe Navr fl-mg o ~ icars put the tern KOKU between KAIGUN ani their title of rank while g o 8 Gai ~t l e e r use t- gt tert SEIBI in the same w~ Thus a KAIGUN KOKIJ SHOOA is a flying Li8lteDlJlt Q1JDnjer hile a KAIGm~ SEIBI SHooA is a Lieutenant Commander A-V(S)
The SHO which is used in SHooHO (rear Admiral) SHU3HO (Vice Admiral) ani ASnO (Admiral) means COIllllBDding officer and may on occasion be used as follows SHOTAISRO (CamtlI8J1der of a SHOTAI) CHUlAISHO (Commander of a CID1lAI) and so on This is 50 w~ of referr1JJg to ~be units CO withoUt des1goating his aotual rank
2 EDlisted PersODDel
Both Japanese air services make great use of enlisted men as pil l) a an 9 members of elrshycrews Even as pilots enlisted men ortnumber officers by as much as four to Oll
With respect to naval enlisted ranks it shoJld be noted that the HIKO SOCHO (USN Warshyrant Officer) vears a sleeve cuff band collar tabs and shoulder boards j the JOTO HEISO (USN Chief Petty Officer) has three cherry blossons on the sleeve but no collar tabs or shouder boards while the other six enlisted ratings wear their insignia an the right arm just above the elbow
The vord BIKO which vill be noted in the titles of all eight ratings means fly1ng In the oase of the grouni air staff SEIBI is substituted for HIKO in the title and a spealtl 1 airshyplane seen from a side view is substituted for the solid airplane seen from above in their inshysignia The personnel of both the Fly1ng ani Ground Crew branches are divided into specialist oategories each categor1 being dietingui shed b its own badge and title These categories are as follOWS
1 Flying (lIIKO) BrEUch A 110~a ( lJUINbullbull
1 gbter ilots (0 ITOKI 0JtlT) bull 2 Bo bull Hot f ~ J2lI SOJUJ
B on-Pllota (~urn) 1 abee at1cm n-rt tlan photo 0 hy eto
(TEIBAiSU) bull 2 Rad1 lin gwm X7 ( AlmKrn)
II Ground Crew (SEIBI) Branch A Ground Mechanics (SEIBIIN) B Armament Specialists (HEIIIIN) c Flying mechIJaics (TOJOllf) who maintain and
inspect equipment in flight These men constitute less than 5 of the ground crew branch
In the case of Ar~ enlisted ratings the same use of BIKO will be noted For the ground crews SEIBI is substituted Enlisted men down through the grade of corporal may act as pilots all enlisted men may be members of aircrews There are no U S A~ equivalents for the HIKO GOCBO and the BIKO JOTO HEI these terma have therefore been literally translated
3 Illustrations
The charts showing Japanese Army and Ifavy flying ranks are given on the following two pages In these charts certain Japanese Navy enlisted titles are given in parentheses These reshypresent abbreviations which are frequently used by the Japanese instead of the full title of the rank in question
-~-
NEAREST NEAREST U S NAVY U S ARMY COLLAR INSIGNIA EQU I VALENT EQIJ I VALENT
bull ral General ~ Lt J~ ire-A 11 ~ 1 CHI middotll tKUSHO B tt ltgt
SHOSHO ~ajor-en
TA ISA Colonel ~ CHUSA Lt -Col (gt SHOSA Major
i ra1 SHO HO
csp tain TA l
Comnander CI A
LtComdr SHOS ~
yen(~- UH~
~
~h
The JOTO HEISO wears sleeve cuff insignia but no coller or shoulder teb insignia
) (
- ADDENDA TO PART IV (f1 YING RMoiK)
Rpcpnt information Indlcatps that effpctive July 1 1K2 ttP tltlps ann arm insllnla of till sixmiddot 10wPFt Japanpsp naval ratines of tllp sparran hranctl wprp chan)middotltI to bp as follows
PS Equivalent Japanpse
(Flyine) Petty Offl pr 1st Class JafO HIKO HE ISO (JOHISO)
(Flylni) Petty Offlcpr 2nd Class ITIO ItIKO HEISO (III ISO)
(Flyln~) Pptty Offlcpr 3rd Class tilTCI IIIKO HEISO (~IHISO)
(Fly ing) Non-ratprl IMn 1st Class HI KO HE ICIIC) (HICHO) (H~IIII
(Fly Ing) Son-rated man 2nd Class JaIO HIKOHEI (JOH I)
(Flyln~) ~on-rated man 3rd Class IHO HIKOHEI (IPPI)
Ground aviation staffs substitute SEIBI for HIKO In the easp of flylne persolU) ttP chprry blossom Is blue In the ca of ~round aviation staffs it is jl reen Thes inSijDli a 111re the old markings Irp worn on thp right sl ve Rcmiddotlh old and npw insignia 1Ill be encolUltered in cOItbat arlas deshype nd lh on r o w re c p tlr the personnel 1 question hav arrived from Japan
-
ir-- -shy
11ilil
I shy - -bull - ~ ~p~ II ~ - II ~
I I
r-z--------IL==shy
j ~ i
L
-~-
I I
- ~ ~ - 3 r - - ~
~
-2
g = ~ ~ ~~ ~ shy
-- -
V
~ Q
~
~-= shy0
~~4
---- ~ ~ ~
S
l
I [
8 I [
~ I - ~ ~
I
I ~-
I
- 1
~
x- lt
GLOSSARY OF JlAVAL ABBREVIATIONS EMPLOYED IN TillS PAPER
BD CA CL DD SS SA
CVS XCVS
CV ACV APV
VF VB
SB VTB VOS
-------
---
-----
SHIPS
battleship h~avy cruiser light cruiser destroyer submarine submarine tender seaplane carrier converted seaplane carrier aircraft carrier Auxiliary aircraft carrier aircraft transport
PLANS
fighter horizontal bQmbe r dive bomber torpedo plane observation plane
middot -shy
r rrier which are devoted to ASW and to the trainine of carrier squadrons and three ACVs which re probably used as aircraft transports The continued existence of Airflot 50 is currently in
10ubt
In addition to the aircraft carriers which make up the Third Fleet and to the seaplane carriers to be described later Japanese naval ship-borne air strength includes observation pl~es on various classes of warships as followsl
NUMBER CARRIED NO TYPE PLANE TYPE BY EACH TOTAL
10 BattlB1hips YOS 3 30 1 Heavy Cruiser (AOEU CLAS ) VOS 2 2 2 Heavy Cruisers (TONE CLhSe vos 6 12 9 Heavy Cruisers VOS 4 36 2 Heavy Cruisers VOS 6 12
14 Li jht Crv i -err VOS 1 14 1 Li t ht Cruiser NONE 0 C 3 Sub~~rine Tenders vos 5
33 Submar lnes VOS 1 33 3 Armed Lo rchant Cruiserb VOS 2 6
It was t one time su ~~eB ted that these planes came under the adminiBtrative cognizance of the Third Fleet There is no evidence to support this view
A Ship-borne Air Flotillas (Ship-borne KOKUSENTAI)
The Third Fleet the Eleventh Air Fleet and probably the Twelfth Air Flee t are divided administratively into KOKUSENTAI each cOlllllaJlded by a Rear Admiral (KAIGUlI SHOSHO) KOKU means
aviation and SENTAI means division iOKUSENTAI is translated Air Flotilla or Airflot
It is b~lieved that KOKUSENTAI 1-10 are reserved for Cardivs KOKUSENTAI 11-20 for seaplane d training cocmands KO~JSENTAI 21-30 for shore-based Air Flotillas Currently only KOKUSENTAI and 2 (Cardivs) 14 and 18 (Training) 21 22 23 24 25 and 26 (Shore Based Airflots) are
1 erational
Two or three carriers (one Cardiv) make up one ship-borne KOKUSENTAI The total air complement of two or three Japanese carriers would range from about 100 to 200 plane~depending on
he carriers involved Thus a carrier KOKUSENTAI is about the same size as a shore-based Il KUS m1TAI There is some evidence that Cardivs (Carrier KOKUSENTAI) actually operate as tactical 1i ts
The Third Fleet contains Two Cardivseach containine 2-3 carriers The number of carriers ~ n any given Cardiv varies over a period of time occasionally one carrier will operate alone dishyectly under the Third Fleet w thout being a part of either of its Cardi vs
There were until recently two Seaplane KOKUSENTAI each made up of 4-6 seaplane carriers dach carrying 10-14 planes) These Seaplatendivs have recently been disbanded and their comshyne~t vessels re-assigned as elements of other Japanese ~leets The largest seaplane concentrashy
n (CVS and 5 XCVS) is now to be found in the train of the Combined Fleet
The complements of Japanese seaplane carriers are as followsl
SEAPLhtJ1 CARRIERS
Cvsr NAME NOTORO
AIRCRAFT 10-V05 1 Catapult
TOTAL -lO
CV~-2 K llOI 10-VOS 10 CVS-3 lt ITOSE l4-VOS 4 Catapults 14 CVS-4 CI TYOD 14-VOS 4 Catapults 14 cvs-e ta ss 14shy VOS 4 Ca tepu l ts 14 CVSshy 1 AKITS II 14-VOS 4 Ca u p 1 ts 14
- 4 shy
CONVERTED SEAPLANE CARRIERS
TYPE NAME AIRCRAFTb TOTAL
XCVS-l KAM KAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-2 YA8UKAWA MAIm 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-3 KmlIKAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-S VOS 13 XCVS-4 SANUKI MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-S VOS 13 XCVS-5 SANYO VARU 8 SeaplEJ9 Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-6 OKITSU MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 vas 13 XCVS-7 KIll KAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Firhters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-8 SAGARA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-9 KIYOKAWA lIARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 vas 13
b - Estimated
B Ship-borne Air Groups and Squadrons (CHUTAI)
A shore-based KOKUSENTAI (Airflot) breaks down into several shore-based KOKUTAI (Air Groups~ It has been suggested that the air complement of a ship-borne KOKUSENTAI (Cardiv) is similarly broken down into several ship-based KOKUTAI (Air Groups) each comprising the air complement of one aircraft carrier
However there is no evidence of the existenoe of any Air Groups other than the named and numbered Groups referred to later in this text Certain of these Air Groups based in Japan are training units and some of these latter serve exclusively to replenish carrier strengths Units of operational naval Air Groups might also be emparked on carriers if the tactical situation so demanded Thus the air complement of one carrier might b8 made up of Squadrons drawn from several different Air Groups
The Squadrons embarked on one carrier regardless of their original administrative affiliashytions will form one tactical unit while on that carrier This tactical unit will be designated by the name of its carrier and may be roughly compared to a US carrier air group Unlike the regular Japanese Air Group (KOKUTAI) it is not a permanent administrative unit
The air complement of a Japanese carrier will vary (36-72 planes) according to the size of the carrier Thus as will be seen later a carrier-borne air unit varies within roughly the same limits as a shore-based KOKUTAI (Air Group)
NAME VF VSB VTB TOTAL
ROSRO (Training-Airflot 50) SHOKAKU (Cardiv 2) ZUIKAKU (CardivI) ZUIHO (Third Fleet or Cardiv 1) HITAKA (Cardiv 2) HAYATAKA (Cardiv 2) RYUHO (Airflot 50 or Cardiv 2) OTAKA (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying) UNTO (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying) CHUYO (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying)
12 27 27 27 24 24
9 9 9
18 18
18 18
18 18 18
24 27 27
9 9 9
9 9 9
36 72 72 36 51 51 36 36 36 36
4 JUICHI KOKU KANTAI) and the Twelfth (Shore-based
The Eleventh Air Fleet as previously indicated includes most of the Navys shore-based planes It consists of shore-based Airflots 21 22 25 and 26 3 APVs and 2 DDls are also attached to this Air Fleet
The Eleventh Air Fleet functions in the Melanesia - New Guinea ares Also in this area is the 8th Fleet composed of cr~isers anc destroyers These two fleets combine to form the Southshy
_ i _
ealt Area Fleet whi~h is commanded by the C-in-C Eleventh Air Fleet In the train of the Southshyeast Area Fleet are 2 XCVS It should be remembered that this organization is administrative not tactical
Adminiatrative headquarte ~ middote Eleventh Air Fleet are at Tenian a small island south at Saipan but C-in-C Eleventh Air Fleet has maintain d his operational staff at Rabaul since August 1942
Recently the Twelfth (shore-based) Air Fleet has been created to meet the menace arising froM the US seizure of Attu Island The Twelfth Ai r Fleet is based in the Kuriles it probably is made up of Airflot 24
A Shore-based Air Flotillas (Shore-based KOKUNSENTAI)
An Air Fleet is broken down administratively into KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotillas)
One Air Flotilla (abbreviated to Airflot)is made up of combat detachments from two to four Air Groups The strength of the Airflot will depend on the fluctuating size of these detachments it will generally total an~~ere from 50 to 150 (more usually 75 to 125) planes
Air Flotillas have auxiliary surface vessels such as aircraft transports attached to them for supply purposes Thus Airflots 22-26 each contain one APV Airflots 23 and 26 each contaiOl ne CVS in addition
B Air Attack iurcel (KUSHUBUtAI)
The Eleventh and TWelfth Air Fleets planes are organized administratively into five Airflots they are alao organized tactically into five Air Attack Forces (KUSHUBUTAI) KUSHU ia attaCk BUTAI is torce Each Airflot is related to one Air Attack Force
Airtlot 21 - 1st Air Attack Force Airflot 22 - 2nd Air Attack Force Airflot 24 - 4th Air Attack Force Airflot 25 - 5th Air Attack Force Airflot 26 - 6th Air Attack Force
The Rear Adndral commanding each Airflot is also the head of the corresponding Air Attack Force and it is believed that each Air Flotilla serves as the administrative foun~in-head for the Air Attack Force to which it is related ~Vhile the Air Flotillas are administrative units the Air Attack Forces are exclusively tactical in function Like all task forces they are exshytremely flexible inmiddot size and composition Each Air-Attack Force is made up in the main of units drawn from its corresponding (administrative) Air Flotilla
Airflot 23 it will be remembered is a part of the Southwest Area Fleet and is known tactically as the East Indies Force (DUT~I) or Air Force (KOKU BU~I) It would appear that the East Indies BUtAI is an air task force type on roughly the same level as the Air Attack -Forces though probably less mobile beine rather permanently stationed in the area from which it takes its name The appearance of other such BUTAI (or KOKU BUTAI) is possible
C Base Air Force (KIeHl KOKU BUTAI)
It is believed that the Base Air Force (KICHI KOKU BUTAI) is a task force type quite disshytinct from the above-mentioned BUtAI or KOKU ~UtAI
In a recent South Pacific operation the C-in-C Eleventh (shore-based) Air Fleet functionshyed tactically aa Commander Base Air Force which was a task force embracing those of the Eleventh Air Fleets Air Attack Forces taking part in this particular operation
Evidently when a cOlsiderable number of naval land-based airplanes are called on to partici shypate in an operation under one unified command they may be organized into a lar~e air task force termed the Base Air Force (KICHI KOKU SUTAI) This task force will be of considerably greater
bull 6 shy
scope than either a Force (BU~I) or an Air Attack Force (KUSHUBU~I) either or both of which lllieht be among its component elements The Base Air Force might be tenned the tac-tical equivalent of the administrative Air Fleet
It is possible however that during a future operation the ~rm Base Air Force may be used with a very different meaning
It should be re-emphasized that the KOKU KAHTAI (Air Fleet) and the KOKUSENTAI (Airflot)are permanent elements in the administrative organization of the Japanese naval air service whereas the KUSh~BUAI (Air Attack Force) the KOKU BUTAI (Air Force) and the KICHI KOKU BU~I (Base Air Force) are task forces types created temporarily to meet the needs of the current Pacifio struggle
The above Base Air Force should not be confused with the Bnse Groups - which are units mainly composed of seaplanes assigned to variou9 Japanese b~se 3 in the Pacific Their exact status is obscure their role is believed lar~ely defensive It is possible that they have some operational relationship to the 11th Air Fleet
D Shore-based Air Groups (Shore-bnsed KOKUTAI)
One KOKUSENThI (Airflot) breaks down into two or three KOKUThI (Air Groups) or detachments shyusually Type Tongs - thereof KOKU is air A I is unit the Japanese sometines abbreviate KOKUThI to KU
Air Groups are o~ded by Naval Captains (KAIGUN ~ ISA) and are the basi c admi nistrative units of the Japanese navnl air service Air Groups (K KUTA I) are of two typos
(1) middotThose wh ich have permanent horne st uns in the Japanese Empire and which are sometimes known by the names of these stations
(2) Specially Mobilized Air Groups ( TOhUSETSU KOKUTAI) whi ch are numbered and are known by their numerical designations It is believed th ~ these Groups may h ve been establi 3hed at air stations ou~side the Empireas the Japanese h~ve shown some inclination to n ame ai r stations within the Empire and to number those outside the Empire
Recentlythe Japanese have introduced very high numeral designations for both named and numbered Air Groups named Air Groups are pp rently now irnown by boh t he ir ori inal lIIIO S and their new numbers
These new hi~ numbers serve ns II fa i r l re_i~bl~ uide t o the o Do-i tion of the Air Groups i ol ved thus observati on roups are usual ly nUD r e the 100 s flgh ter Groups in the 200s mixed figh ter-bomber Groups in the 500s bovbmiddot r Gro~ ln t e 700s flyi n boat Groups in the 800s fl oat plane Groups in the 900s But re are lots of 81Cceptions ti le composition of many Air Groups is rather mixed
This system like all matters pertaininr to the de s middotnation ot 1 ir un~8 1s ot coursej
subject to constant chan(~ Th J apanese ar ~ns ly secur ity nd d nominal and ~umerical chan~e s are continuallY i r To uced in the ore nl zs t l on o~ hei r nava _ 1r Qrce to concsa i ts r eal 8 tUB
The to 1 numbe r of Air Groups in active status wil l -~ ac ord n eng th of thebull v
Japanese air force I f heavy losses are experi~nce c Iteln Groups t 01 if production and training out-run casual ~ e Ie l r urO may be e p seldom nctio s II c na t un t in i ts eI ~i re the total 11 S1I1 ald fluctu t ons trerei a~ t te s O~ I _llst t + r ti
Air GroupE do - t n ceasaril cl)1Siat of only 00 tIP of aircraf bull Uld ther S i L~ 1 ry t hin wide li r I aIB run aa hi ~ lampv othera 10 s 18 (ton th contain
tr nmiddot~ort planes 10 dd ian to o or or type t pl noa
A fur ~er uonru~1nv 6 the t c a - ltInts may be d
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Some of an Air Groups stren~th may be maintained at its home station particularly if that station is in the Japanese Empire These aircraft will have duties in connection with air raid defense and anti-submarine warfare they will probably also engage in advanced operational trainshying As the Air Groups home strengt middot is increased by the addition of planes and air crews reshyceived from Japanese factories nnd training centers that home strength will in turn be reduced by the despatch of the Air Groups combat detachments to various Air Flotillas
It is sometimes difficult when confronted with documentary evidence that a certain Air Group is a part of a given Airflot to decide whether the entire Air Group or merely one of its combat detachments is involved It is ~enerally believed however that these are references to combat d~tachments of Air Groups not to the total original establishmeuts of the Air Groups conshycerned These combat detachments may PA made up of one or more Type Wings or of lesser units shysuch as Squadrons
One Airflot for example is thought to have been made up as follows 3 bomber Type Wings (DAITAI) of 27-30 planes each 5 fighter Type Win~s and one observation squadron (CHUTAI) of ten planes
One Air Group had the following of its units attached to an Airflot three fighter squadrons (15 planes each) and two torpedo squadrons (9 planes each)
Both these examples suggest that Air Flotillas are made up of Type Win~s andor Squadrons taken from several different Air Groups
Certain Air Groups by the way do not seem to have any combat functions they are merely training units serving as replacement pools for other combat Air Groups or for aircraft carriers Training Air Groups are believed to diverge somewhat in strength and composition form other Air Groups
In considering lists of shore-based Air Groups and their aircraft strengths one must thereshyforemiddotconsider whether the Air Group in question is a trainin~ or a combat unit and if the latter whether its ~iven aircraft stren~th represents the total original establishment of the Air Group at its home base or the present operating strength of one of its overseas detachments
Often the operating detachment of an Air Group will be referred to in such d manner as to lead one to believe that it comprises the entire Air Group At other times the original establishshyment of the enbire Air Group may be given without any clear indication that its operating detach~ ments can claim but a fraction of that strength
Of course there must always be borne in mind the possibility that an Air Group will function its entirety as a combat unit of an Air Flotilla This is probably ~ore often true of Specially Mobilized Air Groups than of those which have bases within the Japanese Empire
It has been suggested that operational detachments of Air Groups will appFoximate the followshying figures A flying boat detachment 12 aircraft a floatplane detachment 12-18 planes a fighter detachment I 45 fighters with 6 reccos occasionally added Medium bomber detachments will sometimes come as high as 45 planes 27 is however the more normal fi~ure while dive bomber deshytachments usually have about 18 planes
An enemy source indicates that these combat detach~ents of Air Groups are known as RONTAI which means main unit The home detachments are known as ZAURYUTAI which means remaining units These terms indicate the overseas detachments to be lorger than the home units
E Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI BUNTAI) Sectiqns (SHOTAI)
As indicated in Part I of this text the DAlTAI (Type Wing) exists as a unit only when in flight It does not exist as an administrative unit on the ground Thus organizationally the Ai Group brea~s down into a variable nunber of Squadrons cf 9 planes each
lhree quadrons flying together as a unit ar~ called a )IAI Such a Type Wing wil be ~( -aJlled hy the seni~r Squadron leader r esent
- 8 shy
The Squadron in fli~ht is known as a Cl~TAI as an administrative unit on the ground it is known as a BUNTAI The iquadrol breaks dORl into 3 Sections (SHOTAI) of three planes each
As an exa~ple of the administrative break-down of an Air Group into Squadrons the following make-up one KCKUTAI is cited
9lNTAI ifl amp jf2 Fighter squadrons (total 22 planea) BljNTAI TflJ amp 1f4 Fighter maintenance unit BUNTAI ff5 amp ttfgt Bomber squadrons (total 18 planes)
BUUTAI ff7 30ccer n~irtenance unit EUIITJI ff8 Communications unit
BVN7hI if9 amp tlO Adcinistrative units
It is stated that wi thin this KOKUTAI the two fighter BUNTAI were treated as one unit and th9 two bomber DUNTAI were treated as one unit The total fighter uni t when in flight was probably called a DhITAI the sarns beinE true of the total bomber unit
It 6ppears that a KOKUTAI may sometimes have plflne strength in reserve in addition to the complement of its DAITAI The above KOKUTAI had two DAITAI of 30 planes each plus a Group reshyserve of 10 planes making a total KOKUTAI strength of 70 planes
Its interesting to note that this Air Group apparently functioned as one unit instead of being broken up into a home detachment and a combat detachment
The above maintenance BUNTAI break down into maintenance HAN (Platoons) of 50-60 men each attached to one aircraft Squndron
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ARMY AIR FORCE
It is felt that naval personnel should be familiar with Jap~nese Army air organization because of the increasinL use of Japanese Ar~J air units in the Pacific Their assignment to this theater has been brought about both by a desire to afford close air support to Army ~round troops in New Guinea and New Bri tain and by the need to make good drastic air losses suffered in the Pacific by t ~ naval air force
1 Army Aviation Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU H01ABU)
The administration of Army aviation was reorganized in Amy 1942 in order to give the Army Air Force a degree of power and autonomy not unlike that of our own AAF At that time the Army Aviatior Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU HOMIlU) were set up to be headed by a Lieutenant General (RIKUGIDt CHUSHO) or a full General (RIKUGUN TAISHO) RIKUGUU means Army amps distinct from KAIGUN Navy
The Commandi ng General Army Aviation Headquarters is directly responsible to the Emperor instead of to the Uinister of War or the Chief of the General Staff who are his equa l s in rank and who also enjoy direct accebullbull to the Emperor These three officers constitute the High Command of the Japanese Army the head of Army Aviamptio~ HeadqUarters havine cognizance of Army air operashytions training and materiel
It is obvious however that this officer much like the Commanding General of our own Army Air Forces is not in a position to exercise direct tactical command over the wide spr ad air forces which he heado This tactical command must rest with heads of the various Air Commands in differshyent theaters of war
2 Air COll1lllllnds (KOKU EEIDAll) and Flying Divisions (EIKO SHIDMl)
HIKO is flyine SHIDAN is diviSion hence HIKO SHIDAU is Flying DiV1 sion The Flying Division is the largest unit of the Japanese Army Air Service Commanded by a Lieutenant-General it includes anywhere from 200 to 400 planes and the mit lecessary to servicing thereof
Seven Flying Divisions have been identified the 1st in Japan proper the 2nd ~n Manchuria the 3rd in China the 4th in Manchuria and the North China the 5th in Burma and adjacent regions the 6th in the Southwest Pacific and the 7t h in the UE I Headquarters of the 5th are a t Rangoon of the 6th at Rabaul and of the 7th at Ambon
The 6th and 7th Flying Divisions were very recent y activated It is believed that they were organized out of units taken from other Flying Divi slons for this purpo se
A flying Division does not maintain any fixed a_ze or composition i t ~y shrink or expand as the military situation requires Air units are shif teci free y from Oru Flyine Division to anshyother the Divisions themselves are rarely moved a bout as llnl t S
One step above the Flying Division is the KOICU IibluAU KOKU i8 a ir -rrI N is Corps KOKU HEIDAN is translated Air Command nlree Air COUlllllds have been i dentified e ach headed by a Lieutenant General the 1st in Japan proper t he 2ncr i n Planohuria an i) e 3rd at Si ll ep0re
These Air Commands are staffs not uni ts They con 1 11 r~ ai r 0
areas under th~ir cogni zance Thus the 1s t Plying Dv1sion a swe s ~h I s 2nd 3rd and 4th lyint lVlSlon to tht 2nd Ai r CODllampnd the 5th 6tl 11 bull
pr ohably to the 3rd Ai Commands
ThA Air Co~de are not mobIle they are pe~1ently ~ ~b~ d in d rferen war tJ exe r C1se st r tei c COllllOllUl ( ltn er Army air units i n t hose r4 Taotical nth tho F vin D1 i si n or me - unit is too W1atl ~ y middotat ter ~o un n fi B Q body lliith the PlYinG 3ri ada
co 0 remains
Units may be freely shifted ROOut from one Air Commnnd to another the Command itself reshymains unaffected Air COllnands are crec ted or abolished aR the ter1po and location f air operashytions seem to require
It is interesting to speculate on the relation between these commands of the Japanese Army air forces and the equivalent commands of the ~apanese Army fround f orces
The Japanese armies which might be co pared to Flying Divisions are co-orcinated by staffs which might be co pared to the Air Commands These staffs are C-in-C National Defense Forces in Japan proper C-in-C Kwantunr Army in Manchuria C-in-C Forces in China C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces with headquarters at Sin~apore It is not certain whether the 8th Army Grou~ controlling gr ound forces in the south and southwest Pacific with headquarters at Rabampul answers to C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces or directly to the Army High Command in TOkyo
It will be seen that C-in-C National Defense Forces corresponds to the 1st Air Command C-in-C Kw~tun~ Army and C-in-C Forces in China to the 2nd Air Command and the C-in-C Southshyern Expeditionary forces to the 3rd Air Command
It is not known whether in these cases the Air Command is subordinated to the equivalent grpund command or whether each of the two commands answers i ndividually to the Army High Command in Tokyo In the latter case the ground and air ccmmand r s are pres~~bly expected to effect coshyordination on a voluntary basis The Japanese ~mphasis on unity of commans and on the use of airshypower in support of ground operations -takes the former course middotmiddot more likely than the latter however
3 Flying Brigades (EIKODA n and Flying Regiments (EIKO SENTAI)
The Flying Division breaks down into about 3 Flyinr Bri~ades each with about 70-120 planes The Flying Brigade is generally commanded by a ~ajor General (RIKUGUN SEOSHO) though eometimes by a Colonel (RIKUGUN TAISA) It may be roulhly compared to a Navy KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotilla)
HI middot bull is an abbrevia t ioe for HIKO which II ans flying and RYODAN which leans Brirade The r are very mobile being divorced from servicing and administrative responsibilities They are _ee ly shifted from one Flying Division to another thus for example a riven Flying Brigade might fight in Burma during the dry season as part of the 5th Flying Brigade and might be transferred to the lffiI as part of the 7th Flying Di~sion during the Monsoon
A Flying Brigade breaks down into 3 Flying Regiments each of about 27 planes HIKO is flying SENTAI is battle uni til Flying Regiments ware called HIKO RENTAl before the war RENTAl being the ground forces term for regiment Iately the more dynamic term SENTAI has been substituted
The Flying Regiments like the Flying Brigades are divorced from administrative and servicshying duties and hence are extremely mobile However they generally function within the framework of the Flying Brigade - Flying Regiments are not shifted fram one Brigade to another al freely al Brigades are shifted from one Flying Division to another Flying Regiments are generally commanded by Majors (RIKUGUN SHOSA) or Lieutenant Colonelb (RlKUGUN CHUSA)
A Flying Brigade does not necessarily consist of only type of aircraft a Flying Regiment generally does
4 Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI) Sections (SHOTAI)
A Flying Regiment breaks down into three Squadrons (C~TAI)Jf 9 planes each The Japane~e Army Squadron is the same as the Navy squadron breaking down into three sections (SEOTAI) ~f three planes each A squadron will generally be commanded by a Captain (HlKUGUN TAIl) TIhen in flight three squadrons are te r med a DAITAI This is exclusively a tactical term
Certain S u drons operate independently usually as obse(vation units attached to ground forces These are terced DOKIRITSU t A I (Independent Squadrons)
5 Task Forces (BUTAI)
- 11 shy
We have noted the Navy use of BL AI XSHUBUTAI and KIlII J OIIT BU rBI Th also createsy
tactical air ~8k fo rces - though 1 (I fr Dllent l y in t lar l y ttUl the Nl n ir ta k forces are termed BU AI ti r siLl and oo~po8i tio~ II vary accor in to heir mi on TJo- ir exi5ten~e probably does not outlast t he f ul f ll~n ~ s mission
6 Administrative lnl t Air Dictric Hl RE BU) DAfTAI) Airfield C mp~ JAo~rrt~TI~~~~----~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1~i~e~s~(~n~IUK7G~
Scatte ~ throughc1t Greater East As ia are panese Air District Hedquort 118 are staffs eac If ich ccut l)ls all a r dlti n groun uncti oDs ( ser - i ng and adminill in he area under gn ~za~c It will be r e campl l d that the Fly i n Di vis i n is or-kDl ze ~ ~ athe permanent toIr n tonal basis it is bel i ad thllt all h a divie on will break ltlown tac t lc lly u-to Flying Brigad5 8 ald administratively int o Ai Dis tri ct Headquarters
The Flying Dri~ades are mobile comba t Ilvia t i on uni ts the Air District Headquarters are imshymobile ground housekeeplng units Bo th answer to tIe Commanding General of thei r parent Flying Division who thus controls all aviation matters wi~hin the zone under his command Comparatively little is known of the organization and content of the Air District Headquarters
A lower adrninistrative and servicing echelon is the HIKOJO DAITAI HIKOJO means airfield DAITAI is 1aree unit The Airfield Battalion is generally attached directly to a Flying Regishyment whose administrative and servicing functions it assumes
On the following page is a chart reproduced from ATIS SnFA Serial 159 showi ng the organishyzation of an Airfield Battalionas described by an ene~J source It will be seen that the Battalshyion breaks down into a guard company a eupply company and a servicing company this latter conshysisting of three servicing platoons each attached to one aircraft squadron
The Airfield Battalion is a mobile urlit It doe s not necessarily move with the Flying Regishyment but will generally move closely after or effeet a rendeJvous with such I parent unit as the latter will be heavily dependent on it for 6er~clng It is believed t t an Airfield Batalion will come under cognizamprlce of the Air District Headquarters in whose area it functions
The HIKOJO CHUTAI or Airfield Company is a miniature version of the Airfield Battalion It will be attached to squadrons operating independently or to small advanced airfields
7 Air Trainin (KYOIKU
Advanced operational training il conducted by Flying Divisions - articularly those in quiet areas such as Japan and Manchuria
Primary and intermediate training was formerly the function of the First Flying Division in Japan proper Lately it is believed that this division has been relieved of prtmary and intermedishyate training so as to free it for the defense of Japan and the Kuriles Those of its units which carried on training activities have been assigned to the newly created 51st Air Training Division also located in Japan proper
So far no other Air Training Division has been identified The 51st Air Training Division breaks down into Air Trainine Brigades a~d Air Training Regiments much like any other Flying DiTt sion The wora KYOlKU which will be noted in the above titles means training
- IV shy
FLYING RANK - ARMY AND NAVY
1 Officers
Officers of the Japanese ~ and Navy air services have - like US flyers - the same titles and badBes of rank as other line officers of the service to which they belOIlS These titles and insignia are reproduced on pages 15 and 16
In the case of naval officers oollar and shoulder tab insignia the cherry b10SsomB are silver the areas shaded in the illustrations on pBBe 15 UtI black and the WlSl d areas are gold In the case of flying officers the cherry blossom ~ be bluej in cese of air ground staff officers it may be green These insignia are worn as collar tabe on blu uniforms and as shoulder-boards on white uniforms The cuif bands are black on t lue unifClIIllB ~ld lace being used for ceremonial dress On fly1ng dress officers wear a c l oth PI tcll on tlI l e 1t 8I1I bbove the elbow bearing a design in gold lace similar to that of e curt b llds
In the case of the army offioers insignia the stars ex ~ gold the eretiB sruWed on page 15 are red and the unshaded areas are gold
It vill be noted that ArrIly and Navy Officers have the amt t1t~e3 of r mk Tj wor KAIGUN (Navy) and RIKtnUN (nArrIly) aro prefixed to avoid confusio In tJe Navr fl-mg o ~ icars put the tern KOKU between KAIGUN ani their title of rank while g o 8 Gai ~t l e e r use t- gt tert SEIBI in the same w~ Thus a KAIGUN KOKIJ SHOOA is a flying Li8lteDlJlt Q1JDnjer hile a KAIGm~ SEIBI SHooA is a Lieutenant Commander A-V(S)
The SHO which is used in SHooHO (rear Admiral) SHU3HO (Vice Admiral) ani ASnO (Admiral) means COIllllBDding officer and may on occasion be used as follows SHOTAISRO (CamtlI8J1der of a SHOTAI) CHUlAISHO (Commander of a CID1lAI) and so on This is 50 w~ of referr1JJg to ~be units CO withoUt des1goating his aotual rank
2 EDlisted PersODDel
Both Japanese air services make great use of enlisted men as pil l) a an 9 members of elrshycrews Even as pilots enlisted men ortnumber officers by as much as four to Oll
With respect to naval enlisted ranks it shoJld be noted that the HIKO SOCHO (USN Warshyrant Officer) vears a sleeve cuff band collar tabs and shoulder boards j the JOTO HEISO (USN Chief Petty Officer) has three cherry blossons on the sleeve but no collar tabs or shouder boards while the other six enlisted ratings wear their insignia an the right arm just above the elbow
The vord BIKO which vill be noted in the titles of all eight ratings means fly1ng In the oase of the grouni air staff SEIBI is substituted for HIKO in the title and a spealtl 1 airshyplane seen from a side view is substituted for the solid airplane seen from above in their inshysignia The personnel of both the Fly1ng ani Ground Crew branches are divided into specialist oategories each categor1 being dietingui shed b its own badge and title These categories are as follOWS
1 Flying (lIIKO) BrEUch A 110~a ( lJUINbullbull
1 gbter ilots (0 ITOKI 0JtlT) bull 2 Bo bull Hot f ~ J2lI SOJUJ
B on-Pllota (~urn) 1 abee at1cm n-rt tlan photo 0 hy eto
(TEIBAiSU) bull 2 Rad1 lin gwm X7 ( AlmKrn)
II Ground Crew (SEIBI) Branch A Ground Mechanics (SEIBIIN) B Armament Specialists (HEIIIIN) c Flying mechIJaics (TOJOllf) who maintain and
inspect equipment in flight These men constitute less than 5 of the ground crew branch
In the case of Ar~ enlisted ratings the same use of BIKO will be noted For the ground crews SEIBI is substituted Enlisted men down through the grade of corporal may act as pilots all enlisted men may be members of aircrews There are no U S A~ equivalents for the HIKO GOCBO and the BIKO JOTO HEI these terma have therefore been literally translated
3 Illustrations
The charts showing Japanese Army and Ifavy flying ranks are given on the following two pages In these charts certain Japanese Navy enlisted titles are given in parentheses These reshypresent abbreviations which are frequently used by the Japanese instead of the full title of the rank in question
-~-
NEAREST NEAREST U S NAVY U S ARMY COLLAR INSIGNIA EQU I VALENT EQIJ I VALENT
bull ral General ~ Lt J~ ire-A 11 ~ 1 CHI middotll tKUSHO B tt ltgt
SHOSHO ~ajor-en
TA ISA Colonel ~ CHUSA Lt -Col (gt SHOSA Major
i ra1 SHO HO
csp tain TA l
Comnander CI A
LtComdr SHOS ~
yen(~- UH~
~
~h
The JOTO HEISO wears sleeve cuff insignia but no coller or shoulder teb insignia
) (
- ADDENDA TO PART IV (f1 YING RMoiK)
Rpcpnt information Indlcatps that effpctive July 1 1K2 ttP tltlps ann arm insllnla of till sixmiddot 10wPFt Japanpsp naval ratines of tllp sparran hranctl wprp chan)middotltI to bp as follows
PS Equivalent Japanpse
(Flyine) Petty Offl pr 1st Class JafO HIKO HE ISO (JOHISO)
(Flylni) Petty Offlcpr 2nd Class ITIO ItIKO HEISO (III ISO)
(Flyln~) Pptty Offlcpr 3rd Class tilTCI IIIKO HEISO (~IHISO)
(Fly ing) Non-ratprl IMn 1st Class HI KO HE ICIIC) (HICHO) (H~IIII
(Fly Ing) Son-rated man 2nd Class JaIO HIKOHEI (JOH I)
(Flyln~) ~on-rated man 3rd Class IHO HIKOHEI (IPPI)
Ground aviation staffs substitute SEIBI for HIKO In the easp of flylne persolU) ttP chprry blossom Is blue In the ca of ~round aviation staffs it is jl reen Thes inSijDli a 111re the old markings Irp worn on thp right sl ve Rcmiddotlh old and npw insignia 1Ill be encolUltered in cOItbat arlas deshype nd lh on r o w re c p tlr the personnel 1 question hav arrived from Japan
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GLOSSARY OF JlAVAL ABBREVIATIONS EMPLOYED IN TillS PAPER
BD CA CL DD SS SA
CVS XCVS
CV ACV APV
VF VB
SB VTB VOS
-------
---
-----
SHIPS
battleship h~avy cruiser light cruiser destroyer submarine submarine tender seaplane carrier converted seaplane carrier aircraft carrier Auxiliary aircraft carrier aircraft transport
PLANS
fighter horizontal bQmbe r dive bomber torpedo plane observation plane
CONVERTED SEAPLANE CARRIERS
TYPE NAME AIRCRAFTb TOTAL
XCVS-l KAM KAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-2 YA8UKAWA MAIm 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-3 KmlIKAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-S VOS 13 XCVS-4 SANUKI MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-S VOS 13 XCVS-5 SANYO VARU 8 SeaplEJ9 Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-6 OKITSU MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 vas 13 XCVS-7 KIll KAWA MARU 8 Seaplane Firhters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-8 SAGARA MARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 VOS 13 XCVS-9 KIYOKAWA lIARU 8 Seaplane Fighters-5 vas 13
b - Estimated
B Ship-borne Air Groups and Squadrons (CHUTAI)
A shore-based KOKUSENTAI (Airflot) breaks down into several shore-based KOKUTAI (Air Groups~ It has been suggested that the air complement of a ship-borne KOKUSENTAI (Cardiv) is similarly broken down into several ship-based KOKUTAI (Air Groups) each comprising the air complement of one aircraft carrier
However there is no evidence of the existenoe of any Air Groups other than the named and numbered Groups referred to later in this text Certain of these Air Groups based in Japan are training units and some of these latter serve exclusively to replenish carrier strengths Units of operational naval Air Groups might also be emparked on carriers if the tactical situation so demanded Thus the air complement of one carrier might b8 made up of Squadrons drawn from several different Air Groups
The Squadrons embarked on one carrier regardless of their original administrative affiliashytions will form one tactical unit while on that carrier This tactical unit will be designated by the name of its carrier and may be roughly compared to a US carrier air group Unlike the regular Japanese Air Group (KOKUTAI) it is not a permanent administrative unit
The air complement of a Japanese carrier will vary (36-72 planes) according to the size of the carrier Thus as will be seen later a carrier-borne air unit varies within roughly the same limits as a shore-based KOKUTAI (Air Group)
NAME VF VSB VTB TOTAL
ROSRO (Training-Airflot 50) SHOKAKU (Cardiv 2) ZUIKAKU (CardivI) ZUIHO (Third Fleet or Cardiv 1) HITAKA (Cardiv 2) HAYATAKA (Cardiv 2) RYUHO (Airflot 50 or Cardiv 2) OTAKA (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying) UNTO (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying) CHUYO (ACV - Third Fleet - ferrying)
12 27 27 27 24 24
9 9 9
18 18
18 18
18 18 18
24 27 27
9 9 9
9 9 9
36 72 72 36 51 51 36 36 36 36
4 JUICHI KOKU KANTAI) and the Twelfth (Shore-based
The Eleventh Air Fleet as previously indicated includes most of the Navys shore-based planes It consists of shore-based Airflots 21 22 25 and 26 3 APVs and 2 DDls are also attached to this Air Fleet
The Eleventh Air Fleet functions in the Melanesia - New Guinea ares Also in this area is the 8th Fleet composed of cr~isers anc destroyers These two fleets combine to form the Southshy
_ i _
ealt Area Fleet whi~h is commanded by the C-in-C Eleventh Air Fleet In the train of the Southshyeast Area Fleet are 2 XCVS It should be remembered that this organization is administrative not tactical
Adminiatrative headquarte ~ middote Eleventh Air Fleet are at Tenian a small island south at Saipan but C-in-C Eleventh Air Fleet has maintain d his operational staff at Rabaul since August 1942
Recently the Twelfth (shore-based) Air Fleet has been created to meet the menace arising froM the US seizure of Attu Island The Twelfth Ai r Fleet is based in the Kuriles it probably is made up of Airflot 24
A Shore-based Air Flotillas (Shore-based KOKUNSENTAI)
An Air Fleet is broken down administratively into KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotillas)
One Air Flotilla (abbreviated to Airflot)is made up of combat detachments from two to four Air Groups The strength of the Airflot will depend on the fluctuating size of these detachments it will generally total an~~ere from 50 to 150 (more usually 75 to 125) planes
Air Flotillas have auxiliary surface vessels such as aircraft transports attached to them for supply purposes Thus Airflots 22-26 each contain one APV Airflots 23 and 26 each contaiOl ne CVS in addition
B Air Attack iurcel (KUSHUBUtAI)
The Eleventh and TWelfth Air Fleets planes are organized administratively into five Airflots they are alao organized tactically into five Air Attack Forces (KUSHUBUTAI) KUSHU ia attaCk BUTAI is torce Each Airflot is related to one Air Attack Force
Airtlot 21 - 1st Air Attack Force Airflot 22 - 2nd Air Attack Force Airflot 24 - 4th Air Attack Force Airflot 25 - 5th Air Attack Force Airflot 26 - 6th Air Attack Force
The Rear Adndral commanding each Airflot is also the head of the corresponding Air Attack Force and it is believed that each Air Flotilla serves as the administrative foun~in-head for the Air Attack Force to which it is related ~Vhile the Air Flotillas are administrative units the Air Attack Forces are exclusively tactical in function Like all task forces they are exshytremely flexible inmiddot size and composition Each Air-Attack Force is made up in the main of units drawn from its corresponding (administrative) Air Flotilla
Airflot 23 it will be remembered is a part of the Southwest Area Fleet and is known tactically as the East Indies Force (DUT~I) or Air Force (KOKU BU~I) It would appear that the East Indies BUtAI is an air task force type on roughly the same level as the Air Attack -Forces though probably less mobile beine rather permanently stationed in the area from which it takes its name The appearance of other such BUTAI (or KOKU BUTAI) is possible
C Base Air Force (KIeHl KOKU BUTAI)
It is believed that the Base Air Force (KICHI KOKU BUTAI) is a task force type quite disshytinct from the above-mentioned BUtAI or KOKU ~UtAI
In a recent South Pacific operation the C-in-C Eleventh (shore-based) Air Fleet functionshyed tactically aa Commander Base Air Force which was a task force embracing those of the Eleventh Air Fleets Air Attack Forces taking part in this particular operation
Evidently when a cOlsiderable number of naval land-based airplanes are called on to partici shypate in an operation under one unified command they may be organized into a lar~e air task force termed the Base Air Force (KICHI KOKU SUTAI) This task force will be of considerably greater
bull 6 shy
scope than either a Force (BU~I) or an Air Attack Force (KUSHUBU~I) either or both of which lllieht be among its component elements The Base Air Force might be tenned the tac-tical equivalent of the administrative Air Fleet
It is possible however that during a future operation the ~rm Base Air Force may be used with a very different meaning
It should be re-emphasized that the KOKU KAHTAI (Air Fleet) and the KOKUSENTAI (Airflot)are permanent elements in the administrative organization of the Japanese naval air service whereas the KUSh~BUAI (Air Attack Force) the KOKU BUTAI (Air Force) and the KICHI KOKU BU~I (Base Air Force) are task forces types created temporarily to meet the needs of the current Pacifio struggle
The above Base Air Force should not be confused with the Bnse Groups - which are units mainly composed of seaplanes assigned to variou9 Japanese b~se 3 in the Pacific Their exact status is obscure their role is believed lar~ely defensive It is possible that they have some operational relationship to the 11th Air Fleet
D Shore-based Air Groups (Shore-bnsed KOKUTAI)
One KOKUSENThI (Airflot) breaks down into two or three KOKUThI (Air Groups) or detachments shyusually Type Tongs - thereof KOKU is air A I is unit the Japanese sometines abbreviate KOKUThI to KU
Air Groups are o~ded by Naval Captains (KAIGUN ~ ISA) and are the basi c admi nistrative units of the Japanese navnl air service Air Groups (K KUTA I) are of two typos
(1) middotThose wh ich have permanent horne st uns in the Japanese Empire and which are sometimes known by the names of these stations
(2) Specially Mobilized Air Groups ( TOhUSETSU KOKUTAI) whi ch are numbered and are known by their numerical designations It is believed th ~ these Groups may h ve been establi 3hed at air stations ou~side the Empireas the Japanese h~ve shown some inclination to n ame ai r stations within the Empire and to number those outside the Empire
Recentlythe Japanese have introduced very high numeral designations for both named and numbered Air Groups named Air Groups are pp rently now irnown by boh t he ir ori inal lIIIO S and their new numbers
These new hi~ numbers serve ns II fa i r l re_i~bl~ uide t o the o Do-i tion of the Air Groups i ol ved thus observati on roups are usual ly nUD r e the 100 s flgh ter Groups in the 200s mixed figh ter-bomber Groups in the 500s bovbmiddot r Gro~ ln t e 700s flyi n boat Groups in the 800s fl oat plane Groups in the 900s But re are lots of 81Cceptions ti le composition of many Air Groups is rather mixed
This system like all matters pertaininr to the de s middotnation ot 1 ir un~8 1s ot coursej
subject to constant chan(~ Th J apanese ar ~ns ly secur ity nd d nominal and ~umerical chan~e s are continuallY i r To uced in the ore nl zs t l on o~ hei r nava _ 1r Qrce to concsa i ts r eal 8 tUB
The to 1 numbe r of Air Groups in active status wil l -~ ac ord n eng th of thebull v
Japanese air force I f heavy losses are experi~nce c Iteln Groups t 01 if production and training out-run casual ~ e Ie l r urO may be e p seldom nctio s II c na t un t in i ts eI ~i re the total 11 S1I1 ald fluctu t ons trerei a~ t te s O~ I _llst t + r ti
Air GroupE do - t n ceasaril cl)1Siat of only 00 tIP of aircraf bull Uld ther S i L~ 1 ry t hin wide li r I aIB run aa hi ~ lampv othera 10 s 18 (ton th contain
tr nmiddot~ort planes 10 dd ian to o or or type t pl noa
A fur ~er uonru~1nv 6 the t c a - ltInts may be d
- 7 shy
Some of an Air Groups stren~th may be maintained at its home station particularly if that station is in the Japanese Empire These aircraft will have duties in connection with air raid defense and anti-submarine warfare they will probably also engage in advanced operational trainshying As the Air Groups home strengt middot is increased by the addition of planes and air crews reshyceived from Japanese factories nnd training centers that home strength will in turn be reduced by the despatch of the Air Groups combat detachments to various Air Flotillas
It is sometimes difficult when confronted with documentary evidence that a certain Air Group is a part of a given Airflot to decide whether the entire Air Group or merely one of its combat detachments is involved It is ~enerally believed however that these are references to combat d~tachments of Air Groups not to the total original establishmeuts of the Air Groups conshycerned These combat detachments may PA made up of one or more Type Wings or of lesser units shysuch as Squadrons
One Airflot for example is thought to have been made up as follows 3 bomber Type Wings (DAITAI) of 27-30 planes each 5 fighter Type Win~s and one observation squadron (CHUTAI) of ten planes
One Air Group had the following of its units attached to an Airflot three fighter squadrons (15 planes each) and two torpedo squadrons (9 planes each)
Both these examples suggest that Air Flotillas are made up of Type Win~s andor Squadrons taken from several different Air Groups
Certain Air Groups by the way do not seem to have any combat functions they are merely training units serving as replacement pools for other combat Air Groups or for aircraft carriers Training Air Groups are believed to diverge somewhat in strength and composition form other Air Groups
In considering lists of shore-based Air Groups and their aircraft strengths one must thereshyforemiddotconsider whether the Air Group in question is a trainin~ or a combat unit and if the latter whether its ~iven aircraft stren~th represents the total original establishment of the Air Group at its home base or the present operating strength of one of its overseas detachments
Often the operating detachment of an Air Group will be referred to in such d manner as to lead one to believe that it comprises the entire Air Group At other times the original establishshyment of the enbire Air Group may be given without any clear indication that its operating detach~ ments can claim but a fraction of that strength
Of course there must always be borne in mind the possibility that an Air Group will function its entirety as a combat unit of an Air Flotilla This is probably ~ore often true of Specially Mobilized Air Groups than of those which have bases within the Japanese Empire
It has been suggested that operational detachments of Air Groups will appFoximate the followshying figures A flying boat detachment 12 aircraft a floatplane detachment 12-18 planes a fighter detachment I 45 fighters with 6 reccos occasionally added Medium bomber detachments will sometimes come as high as 45 planes 27 is however the more normal fi~ure while dive bomber deshytachments usually have about 18 planes
An enemy source indicates that these combat detach~ents of Air Groups are known as RONTAI which means main unit The home detachments are known as ZAURYUTAI which means remaining units These terms indicate the overseas detachments to be lorger than the home units
E Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI BUNTAI) Sectiqns (SHOTAI)
As indicated in Part I of this text the DAlTAI (Type Wing) exists as a unit only when in flight It does not exist as an administrative unit on the ground Thus organizationally the Ai Group brea~s down into a variable nunber of Squadrons cf 9 planes each
lhree quadrons flying together as a unit ar~ called a )IAI Such a Type Wing wil be ~( -aJlled hy the seni~r Squadron leader r esent
- 8 shy
The Squadron in fli~ht is known as a Cl~TAI as an administrative unit on the ground it is known as a BUNTAI The iquadrol breaks dORl into 3 Sections (SHOTAI) of three planes each
As an exa~ple of the administrative break-down of an Air Group into Squadrons the following make-up one KCKUTAI is cited
9lNTAI ifl amp jf2 Fighter squadrons (total 22 planea) BljNTAI TflJ amp 1f4 Fighter maintenance unit BUNTAI ff5 amp ttfgt Bomber squadrons (total 18 planes)
BUUTAI ff7 30ccer n~irtenance unit EUIITJI ff8 Communications unit
BVN7hI if9 amp tlO Adcinistrative units
It is stated that wi thin this KOKUTAI the two fighter BUNTAI were treated as one unit and th9 two bomber DUNTAI were treated as one unit The total fighter uni t when in flight was probably called a DhITAI the sarns beinE true of the total bomber unit
It 6ppears that a KOKUTAI may sometimes have plflne strength in reserve in addition to the complement of its DAITAI The above KOKUTAI had two DAITAI of 30 planes each plus a Group reshyserve of 10 planes making a total KOKUTAI strength of 70 planes
Its interesting to note that this Air Group apparently functioned as one unit instead of being broken up into a home detachment and a combat detachment
The above maintenance BUNTAI break down into maintenance HAN (Platoons) of 50-60 men each attached to one aircraft Squndron
- III shy
ARMY AIR FORCE
It is felt that naval personnel should be familiar with Jap~nese Army air organization because of the increasinL use of Japanese Ar~J air units in the Pacific Their assignment to this theater has been brought about both by a desire to afford close air support to Army ~round troops in New Guinea and New Bri tain and by the need to make good drastic air losses suffered in the Pacific by t ~ naval air force
1 Army Aviation Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU H01ABU)
The administration of Army aviation was reorganized in Amy 1942 in order to give the Army Air Force a degree of power and autonomy not unlike that of our own AAF At that time the Army Aviatior Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU HOMIlU) were set up to be headed by a Lieutenant General (RIKUGIDt CHUSHO) or a full General (RIKUGUN TAISHO) RIKUGUU means Army amps distinct from KAIGUN Navy
The Commandi ng General Army Aviation Headquarters is directly responsible to the Emperor instead of to the Uinister of War or the Chief of the General Staff who are his equa l s in rank and who also enjoy direct accebullbull to the Emperor These three officers constitute the High Command of the Japanese Army the head of Army Aviamptio~ HeadqUarters havine cognizance of Army air operashytions training and materiel
It is obvious however that this officer much like the Commanding General of our own Army Air Forces is not in a position to exercise direct tactical command over the wide spr ad air forces which he heado This tactical command must rest with heads of the various Air Commands in differshyent theaters of war
2 Air COll1lllllnds (KOKU EEIDAll) and Flying Divisions (EIKO SHIDMl)
HIKO is flyine SHIDAN is diviSion hence HIKO SHIDAU is Flying DiV1 sion The Flying Division is the largest unit of the Japanese Army Air Service Commanded by a Lieutenant-General it includes anywhere from 200 to 400 planes and the mit lecessary to servicing thereof
Seven Flying Divisions have been identified the 1st in Japan proper the 2nd ~n Manchuria the 3rd in China the 4th in Manchuria and the North China the 5th in Burma and adjacent regions the 6th in the Southwest Pacific and the 7t h in the UE I Headquarters of the 5th are a t Rangoon of the 6th at Rabaul and of the 7th at Ambon
The 6th and 7th Flying Divisions were very recent y activated It is believed that they were organized out of units taken from other Flying Divi slons for this purpo se
A flying Division does not maintain any fixed a_ze or composition i t ~y shrink or expand as the military situation requires Air units are shif teci free y from Oru Flyine Division to anshyother the Divisions themselves are rarely moved a bout as llnl t S
One step above the Flying Division is the KOICU IibluAU KOKU i8 a ir -rrI N is Corps KOKU HEIDAN is translated Air Command nlree Air COUlllllds have been i dentified e ach headed by a Lieutenant General the 1st in Japan proper t he 2ncr i n Planohuria an i) e 3rd at Si ll ep0re
These Air Commands are staffs not uni ts They con 1 11 r~ ai r 0
areas under th~ir cogni zance Thus the 1s t Plying Dv1sion a swe s ~h I s 2nd 3rd and 4th lyint lVlSlon to tht 2nd Ai r CODllampnd the 5th 6tl 11 bull
pr ohably to the 3rd Ai Commands
ThA Air Co~de are not mobIle they are pe~1ently ~ ~b~ d in d rferen war tJ exe r C1se st r tei c COllllOllUl ( ltn er Army air units i n t hose r4 Taotical nth tho F vin D1 i si n or me - unit is too W1atl ~ y middotat ter ~o un n fi B Q body lliith the PlYinG 3ri ada
co 0 remains
Units may be freely shifted ROOut from one Air Commnnd to another the Command itself reshymains unaffected Air COllnands are crec ted or abolished aR the ter1po and location f air operashytions seem to require
It is interesting to speculate on the relation between these commands of the Japanese Army air forces and the equivalent commands of the ~apanese Army fround f orces
The Japanese armies which might be co pared to Flying Divisions are co-orcinated by staffs which might be co pared to the Air Commands These staffs are C-in-C National Defense Forces in Japan proper C-in-C Kwantunr Army in Manchuria C-in-C Forces in China C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces with headquarters at Sin~apore It is not certain whether the 8th Army Grou~ controlling gr ound forces in the south and southwest Pacific with headquarters at Rabampul answers to C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces or directly to the Army High Command in TOkyo
It will be seen that C-in-C National Defense Forces corresponds to the 1st Air Command C-in-C Kw~tun~ Army and C-in-C Forces in China to the 2nd Air Command and the C-in-C Southshyern Expeditionary forces to the 3rd Air Command
It is not known whether in these cases the Air Command is subordinated to the equivalent grpund command or whether each of the two commands answers i ndividually to the Army High Command in Tokyo In the latter case the ground and air ccmmand r s are pres~~bly expected to effect coshyordination on a voluntary basis The Japanese ~mphasis on unity of commans and on the use of airshypower in support of ground operations -takes the former course middotmiddot more likely than the latter however
3 Flying Brigades (EIKODA n and Flying Regiments (EIKO SENTAI)
The Flying Division breaks down into about 3 Flyinr Bri~ades each with about 70-120 planes The Flying Brigade is generally commanded by a ~ajor General (RIKUGUN SEOSHO) though eometimes by a Colonel (RIKUGUN TAISA) It may be roulhly compared to a Navy KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotilla)
HI middot bull is an abbrevia t ioe for HIKO which II ans flying and RYODAN which leans Brirade The r are very mobile being divorced from servicing and administrative responsibilities They are _ee ly shifted from one Flying Division to another thus for example a riven Flying Brigade might fight in Burma during the dry season as part of the 5th Flying Brigade and might be transferred to the lffiI as part of the 7th Flying Di~sion during the Monsoon
A Flying Brigade breaks down into 3 Flying Regiments each of about 27 planes HIKO is flying SENTAI is battle uni til Flying Regiments ware called HIKO RENTAl before the war RENTAl being the ground forces term for regiment Iately the more dynamic term SENTAI has been substituted
The Flying Regiments like the Flying Brigades are divorced from administrative and servicshying duties and hence are extremely mobile However they generally function within the framework of the Flying Brigade - Flying Regiments are not shifted fram one Brigade to another al freely al Brigades are shifted from one Flying Division to another Flying Regiments are generally commanded by Majors (RIKUGUN SHOSA) or Lieutenant Colonelb (RlKUGUN CHUSA)
A Flying Brigade does not necessarily consist of only type of aircraft a Flying Regiment generally does
4 Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI) Sections (SHOTAI)
A Flying Regiment breaks down into three Squadrons (C~TAI)Jf 9 planes each The Japane~e Army Squadron is the same as the Navy squadron breaking down into three sections (SEOTAI) ~f three planes each A squadron will generally be commanded by a Captain (HlKUGUN TAIl) TIhen in flight three squadrons are te r med a DAITAI This is exclusively a tactical term
Certain S u drons operate independently usually as obse(vation units attached to ground forces These are terced DOKIRITSU t A I (Independent Squadrons)
5 Task Forces (BUTAI)
- 11 shy
We have noted the Navy use of BL AI XSHUBUTAI and KIlII J OIIT BU rBI Th also createsy
tactical air ~8k fo rces - though 1 (I fr Dllent l y in t lar l y ttUl the Nl n ir ta k forces are termed BU AI ti r siLl and oo~po8i tio~ II vary accor in to heir mi on TJo- ir exi5ten~e probably does not outlast t he f ul f ll~n ~ s mission
6 Administrative lnl t Air Dictric Hl RE BU) DAfTAI) Airfield C mp~ JAo~rrt~TI~~~~----~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1~i~e~s~(~n~IUK7G~
Scatte ~ throughc1t Greater East As ia are panese Air District Hedquort 118 are staffs eac If ich ccut l)ls all a r dlti n groun uncti oDs ( ser - i ng and adminill in he area under gn ~za~c It will be r e campl l d that the Fly i n Di vis i n is or-kDl ze ~ ~ athe permanent toIr n tonal basis it is bel i ad thllt all h a divie on will break ltlown tac t lc lly u-to Flying Brigad5 8 ald administratively int o Ai Dis tri ct Headquarters
The Flying Dri~ades are mobile comba t Ilvia t i on uni ts the Air District Headquarters are imshymobile ground housekeeplng units Bo th answer to tIe Commanding General of thei r parent Flying Division who thus controls all aviation matters wi~hin the zone under his command Comparatively little is known of the organization and content of the Air District Headquarters
A lower adrninistrative and servicing echelon is the HIKOJO DAITAI HIKOJO means airfield DAITAI is 1aree unit The Airfield Battalion is generally attached directly to a Flying Regishyment whose administrative and servicing functions it assumes
On the following page is a chart reproduced from ATIS SnFA Serial 159 showi ng the organishyzation of an Airfield Battalionas described by an ene~J source It will be seen that the Battalshyion breaks down into a guard company a eupply company and a servicing company this latter conshysisting of three servicing platoons each attached to one aircraft squadron
The Airfield Battalion is a mobile urlit It doe s not necessarily move with the Flying Regishyment but will generally move closely after or effeet a rendeJvous with such I parent unit as the latter will be heavily dependent on it for 6er~clng It is believed t t an Airfield Batalion will come under cognizamprlce of the Air District Headquarters in whose area it functions
The HIKOJO CHUTAI or Airfield Company is a miniature version of the Airfield Battalion It will be attached to squadrons operating independently or to small advanced airfields
7 Air Trainin (KYOIKU
Advanced operational training il conducted by Flying Divisions - articularly those in quiet areas such as Japan and Manchuria
Primary and intermediate training was formerly the function of the First Flying Division in Japan proper Lately it is believed that this division has been relieved of prtmary and intermedishyate training so as to free it for the defense of Japan and the Kuriles Those of its units which carried on training activities have been assigned to the newly created 51st Air Training Division also located in Japan proper
So far no other Air Training Division has been identified The 51st Air Training Division breaks down into Air Trainine Brigades a~d Air Training Regiments much like any other Flying DiTt sion The wora KYOlKU which will be noted in the above titles means training
- IV shy
FLYING RANK - ARMY AND NAVY
1 Officers
Officers of the Japanese ~ and Navy air services have - like US flyers - the same titles and badBes of rank as other line officers of the service to which they belOIlS These titles and insignia are reproduced on pages 15 and 16
In the case of naval officers oollar and shoulder tab insignia the cherry b10SsomB are silver the areas shaded in the illustrations on pBBe 15 UtI black and the WlSl d areas are gold In the case of flying officers the cherry blossom ~ be bluej in cese of air ground staff officers it may be green These insignia are worn as collar tabe on blu uniforms and as shoulder-boards on white uniforms The cuif bands are black on t lue unifClIIllB ~ld lace being used for ceremonial dress On fly1ng dress officers wear a c l oth PI tcll on tlI l e 1t 8I1I bbove the elbow bearing a design in gold lace similar to that of e curt b llds
In the case of the army offioers insignia the stars ex ~ gold the eretiB sruWed on page 15 are red and the unshaded areas are gold
It vill be noted that ArrIly and Navy Officers have the amt t1t~e3 of r mk Tj wor KAIGUN (Navy) and RIKtnUN (nArrIly) aro prefixed to avoid confusio In tJe Navr fl-mg o ~ icars put the tern KOKU between KAIGUN ani their title of rank while g o 8 Gai ~t l e e r use t- gt tert SEIBI in the same w~ Thus a KAIGUN KOKIJ SHOOA is a flying Li8lteDlJlt Q1JDnjer hile a KAIGm~ SEIBI SHooA is a Lieutenant Commander A-V(S)
The SHO which is used in SHooHO (rear Admiral) SHU3HO (Vice Admiral) ani ASnO (Admiral) means COIllllBDding officer and may on occasion be used as follows SHOTAISRO (CamtlI8J1der of a SHOTAI) CHUlAISHO (Commander of a CID1lAI) and so on This is 50 w~ of referr1JJg to ~be units CO withoUt des1goating his aotual rank
2 EDlisted PersODDel
Both Japanese air services make great use of enlisted men as pil l) a an 9 members of elrshycrews Even as pilots enlisted men ortnumber officers by as much as four to Oll
With respect to naval enlisted ranks it shoJld be noted that the HIKO SOCHO (USN Warshyrant Officer) vears a sleeve cuff band collar tabs and shoulder boards j the JOTO HEISO (USN Chief Petty Officer) has three cherry blossons on the sleeve but no collar tabs or shouder boards while the other six enlisted ratings wear their insignia an the right arm just above the elbow
The vord BIKO which vill be noted in the titles of all eight ratings means fly1ng In the oase of the grouni air staff SEIBI is substituted for HIKO in the title and a spealtl 1 airshyplane seen from a side view is substituted for the solid airplane seen from above in their inshysignia The personnel of both the Fly1ng ani Ground Crew branches are divided into specialist oategories each categor1 being dietingui shed b its own badge and title These categories are as follOWS
1 Flying (lIIKO) BrEUch A 110~a ( lJUINbullbull
1 gbter ilots (0 ITOKI 0JtlT) bull 2 Bo bull Hot f ~ J2lI SOJUJ
B on-Pllota (~urn) 1 abee at1cm n-rt tlan photo 0 hy eto
(TEIBAiSU) bull 2 Rad1 lin gwm X7 ( AlmKrn)
II Ground Crew (SEIBI) Branch A Ground Mechanics (SEIBIIN) B Armament Specialists (HEIIIIN) c Flying mechIJaics (TOJOllf) who maintain and
inspect equipment in flight These men constitute less than 5 of the ground crew branch
In the case of Ar~ enlisted ratings the same use of BIKO will be noted For the ground crews SEIBI is substituted Enlisted men down through the grade of corporal may act as pilots all enlisted men may be members of aircrews There are no U S A~ equivalents for the HIKO GOCBO and the BIKO JOTO HEI these terma have therefore been literally translated
3 Illustrations
The charts showing Japanese Army and Ifavy flying ranks are given on the following two pages In these charts certain Japanese Navy enlisted titles are given in parentheses These reshypresent abbreviations which are frequently used by the Japanese instead of the full title of the rank in question
-~-
NEAREST NEAREST U S NAVY U S ARMY COLLAR INSIGNIA EQU I VALENT EQIJ I VALENT
bull ral General ~ Lt J~ ire-A 11 ~ 1 CHI middotll tKUSHO B tt ltgt
SHOSHO ~ajor-en
TA ISA Colonel ~ CHUSA Lt -Col (gt SHOSA Major
i ra1 SHO HO
csp tain TA l
Comnander CI A
LtComdr SHOS ~
yen(~- UH~
~
~h
The JOTO HEISO wears sleeve cuff insignia but no coller or shoulder teb insignia
) (
- ADDENDA TO PART IV (f1 YING RMoiK)
Rpcpnt information Indlcatps that effpctive July 1 1K2 ttP tltlps ann arm insllnla of till sixmiddot 10wPFt Japanpsp naval ratines of tllp sparran hranctl wprp chan)middotltI to bp as follows
PS Equivalent Japanpse
(Flyine) Petty Offl pr 1st Class JafO HIKO HE ISO (JOHISO)
(Flylni) Petty Offlcpr 2nd Class ITIO ItIKO HEISO (III ISO)
(Flyln~) Pptty Offlcpr 3rd Class tilTCI IIIKO HEISO (~IHISO)
(Fly ing) Non-ratprl IMn 1st Class HI KO HE ICIIC) (HICHO) (H~IIII
(Fly Ing) Son-rated man 2nd Class JaIO HIKOHEI (JOH I)
(Flyln~) ~on-rated man 3rd Class IHO HIKOHEI (IPPI)
Ground aviation staffs substitute SEIBI for HIKO In the easp of flylne persolU) ttP chprry blossom Is blue In the ca of ~round aviation staffs it is jl reen Thes inSijDli a 111re the old markings Irp worn on thp right sl ve Rcmiddotlh old and npw insignia 1Ill be encolUltered in cOItbat arlas deshype nd lh on r o w re c p tlr the personnel 1 question hav arrived from Japan
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11ilil
I shy - -bull - ~ ~p~ II ~ - II ~
I I
r-z--------IL==shy
j ~ i
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- ~ ~ - 3 r - - ~
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g = ~ ~ ~~ ~ shy
-- -
V
~ Q
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~-= shy0
~~4
---- ~ ~ ~
S
l
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8 I [
~ I - ~ ~
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x- lt
GLOSSARY OF JlAVAL ABBREVIATIONS EMPLOYED IN TillS PAPER
BD CA CL DD SS SA
CVS XCVS
CV ACV APV
VF VB
SB VTB VOS
-------
---
-----
SHIPS
battleship h~avy cruiser light cruiser destroyer submarine submarine tender seaplane carrier converted seaplane carrier aircraft carrier Auxiliary aircraft carrier aircraft transport
PLANS
fighter horizontal bQmbe r dive bomber torpedo plane observation plane
ealt Area Fleet whi~h is commanded by the C-in-C Eleventh Air Fleet In the train of the Southshyeast Area Fleet are 2 XCVS It should be remembered that this organization is administrative not tactical
Adminiatrative headquarte ~ middote Eleventh Air Fleet are at Tenian a small island south at Saipan but C-in-C Eleventh Air Fleet has maintain d his operational staff at Rabaul since August 1942
Recently the Twelfth (shore-based) Air Fleet has been created to meet the menace arising froM the US seizure of Attu Island The Twelfth Ai r Fleet is based in the Kuriles it probably is made up of Airflot 24
A Shore-based Air Flotillas (Shore-based KOKUNSENTAI)
An Air Fleet is broken down administratively into KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotillas)
One Air Flotilla (abbreviated to Airflot)is made up of combat detachments from two to four Air Groups The strength of the Airflot will depend on the fluctuating size of these detachments it will generally total an~~ere from 50 to 150 (more usually 75 to 125) planes
Air Flotillas have auxiliary surface vessels such as aircraft transports attached to them for supply purposes Thus Airflots 22-26 each contain one APV Airflots 23 and 26 each contaiOl ne CVS in addition
B Air Attack iurcel (KUSHUBUtAI)
The Eleventh and TWelfth Air Fleets planes are organized administratively into five Airflots they are alao organized tactically into five Air Attack Forces (KUSHUBUTAI) KUSHU ia attaCk BUTAI is torce Each Airflot is related to one Air Attack Force
Airtlot 21 - 1st Air Attack Force Airflot 22 - 2nd Air Attack Force Airflot 24 - 4th Air Attack Force Airflot 25 - 5th Air Attack Force Airflot 26 - 6th Air Attack Force
The Rear Adndral commanding each Airflot is also the head of the corresponding Air Attack Force and it is believed that each Air Flotilla serves as the administrative foun~in-head for the Air Attack Force to which it is related ~Vhile the Air Flotillas are administrative units the Air Attack Forces are exclusively tactical in function Like all task forces they are exshytremely flexible inmiddot size and composition Each Air-Attack Force is made up in the main of units drawn from its corresponding (administrative) Air Flotilla
Airflot 23 it will be remembered is a part of the Southwest Area Fleet and is known tactically as the East Indies Force (DUT~I) or Air Force (KOKU BU~I) It would appear that the East Indies BUtAI is an air task force type on roughly the same level as the Air Attack -Forces though probably less mobile beine rather permanently stationed in the area from which it takes its name The appearance of other such BUTAI (or KOKU BUTAI) is possible
C Base Air Force (KIeHl KOKU BUTAI)
It is believed that the Base Air Force (KICHI KOKU BUTAI) is a task force type quite disshytinct from the above-mentioned BUtAI or KOKU ~UtAI
In a recent South Pacific operation the C-in-C Eleventh (shore-based) Air Fleet functionshyed tactically aa Commander Base Air Force which was a task force embracing those of the Eleventh Air Fleets Air Attack Forces taking part in this particular operation
Evidently when a cOlsiderable number of naval land-based airplanes are called on to partici shypate in an operation under one unified command they may be organized into a lar~e air task force termed the Base Air Force (KICHI KOKU SUTAI) This task force will be of considerably greater
bull 6 shy
scope than either a Force (BU~I) or an Air Attack Force (KUSHUBU~I) either or both of which lllieht be among its component elements The Base Air Force might be tenned the tac-tical equivalent of the administrative Air Fleet
It is possible however that during a future operation the ~rm Base Air Force may be used with a very different meaning
It should be re-emphasized that the KOKU KAHTAI (Air Fleet) and the KOKUSENTAI (Airflot)are permanent elements in the administrative organization of the Japanese naval air service whereas the KUSh~BUAI (Air Attack Force) the KOKU BUTAI (Air Force) and the KICHI KOKU BU~I (Base Air Force) are task forces types created temporarily to meet the needs of the current Pacifio struggle
The above Base Air Force should not be confused with the Bnse Groups - which are units mainly composed of seaplanes assigned to variou9 Japanese b~se 3 in the Pacific Their exact status is obscure their role is believed lar~ely defensive It is possible that they have some operational relationship to the 11th Air Fleet
D Shore-based Air Groups (Shore-bnsed KOKUTAI)
One KOKUSENThI (Airflot) breaks down into two or three KOKUThI (Air Groups) or detachments shyusually Type Tongs - thereof KOKU is air A I is unit the Japanese sometines abbreviate KOKUThI to KU
Air Groups are o~ded by Naval Captains (KAIGUN ~ ISA) and are the basi c admi nistrative units of the Japanese navnl air service Air Groups (K KUTA I) are of two typos
(1) middotThose wh ich have permanent horne st uns in the Japanese Empire and which are sometimes known by the names of these stations
(2) Specially Mobilized Air Groups ( TOhUSETSU KOKUTAI) whi ch are numbered and are known by their numerical designations It is believed th ~ these Groups may h ve been establi 3hed at air stations ou~side the Empireas the Japanese h~ve shown some inclination to n ame ai r stations within the Empire and to number those outside the Empire
Recentlythe Japanese have introduced very high numeral designations for both named and numbered Air Groups named Air Groups are pp rently now irnown by boh t he ir ori inal lIIIO S and their new numbers
These new hi~ numbers serve ns II fa i r l re_i~bl~ uide t o the o Do-i tion of the Air Groups i ol ved thus observati on roups are usual ly nUD r e the 100 s flgh ter Groups in the 200s mixed figh ter-bomber Groups in the 500s bovbmiddot r Gro~ ln t e 700s flyi n boat Groups in the 800s fl oat plane Groups in the 900s But re are lots of 81Cceptions ti le composition of many Air Groups is rather mixed
This system like all matters pertaininr to the de s middotnation ot 1 ir un~8 1s ot coursej
subject to constant chan(~ Th J apanese ar ~ns ly secur ity nd d nominal and ~umerical chan~e s are continuallY i r To uced in the ore nl zs t l on o~ hei r nava _ 1r Qrce to concsa i ts r eal 8 tUB
The to 1 numbe r of Air Groups in active status wil l -~ ac ord n eng th of thebull v
Japanese air force I f heavy losses are experi~nce c Iteln Groups t 01 if production and training out-run casual ~ e Ie l r urO may be e p seldom nctio s II c na t un t in i ts eI ~i re the total 11 S1I1 ald fluctu t ons trerei a~ t te s O~ I _llst t + r ti
Air GroupE do - t n ceasaril cl)1Siat of only 00 tIP of aircraf bull Uld ther S i L~ 1 ry t hin wide li r I aIB run aa hi ~ lampv othera 10 s 18 (ton th contain
tr nmiddot~ort planes 10 dd ian to o or or type t pl noa
A fur ~er uonru~1nv 6 the t c a - ltInts may be d
- 7 shy
Some of an Air Groups stren~th may be maintained at its home station particularly if that station is in the Japanese Empire These aircraft will have duties in connection with air raid defense and anti-submarine warfare they will probably also engage in advanced operational trainshying As the Air Groups home strengt middot is increased by the addition of planes and air crews reshyceived from Japanese factories nnd training centers that home strength will in turn be reduced by the despatch of the Air Groups combat detachments to various Air Flotillas
It is sometimes difficult when confronted with documentary evidence that a certain Air Group is a part of a given Airflot to decide whether the entire Air Group or merely one of its combat detachments is involved It is ~enerally believed however that these are references to combat d~tachments of Air Groups not to the total original establishmeuts of the Air Groups conshycerned These combat detachments may PA made up of one or more Type Wings or of lesser units shysuch as Squadrons
One Airflot for example is thought to have been made up as follows 3 bomber Type Wings (DAITAI) of 27-30 planes each 5 fighter Type Win~s and one observation squadron (CHUTAI) of ten planes
One Air Group had the following of its units attached to an Airflot three fighter squadrons (15 planes each) and two torpedo squadrons (9 planes each)
Both these examples suggest that Air Flotillas are made up of Type Win~s andor Squadrons taken from several different Air Groups
Certain Air Groups by the way do not seem to have any combat functions they are merely training units serving as replacement pools for other combat Air Groups or for aircraft carriers Training Air Groups are believed to diverge somewhat in strength and composition form other Air Groups
In considering lists of shore-based Air Groups and their aircraft strengths one must thereshyforemiddotconsider whether the Air Group in question is a trainin~ or a combat unit and if the latter whether its ~iven aircraft stren~th represents the total original establishment of the Air Group at its home base or the present operating strength of one of its overseas detachments
Often the operating detachment of an Air Group will be referred to in such d manner as to lead one to believe that it comprises the entire Air Group At other times the original establishshyment of the enbire Air Group may be given without any clear indication that its operating detach~ ments can claim but a fraction of that strength
Of course there must always be borne in mind the possibility that an Air Group will function its entirety as a combat unit of an Air Flotilla This is probably ~ore often true of Specially Mobilized Air Groups than of those which have bases within the Japanese Empire
It has been suggested that operational detachments of Air Groups will appFoximate the followshying figures A flying boat detachment 12 aircraft a floatplane detachment 12-18 planes a fighter detachment I 45 fighters with 6 reccos occasionally added Medium bomber detachments will sometimes come as high as 45 planes 27 is however the more normal fi~ure while dive bomber deshytachments usually have about 18 planes
An enemy source indicates that these combat detach~ents of Air Groups are known as RONTAI which means main unit The home detachments are known as ZAURYUTAI which means remaining units These terms indicate the overseas detachments to be lorger than the home units
E Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI BUNTAI) Sectiqns (SHOTAI)
As indicated in Part I of this text the DAlTAI (Type Wing) exists as a unit only when in flight It does not exist as an administrative unit on the ground Thus organizationally the Ai Group brea~s down into a variable nunber of Squadrons cf 9 planes each
lhree quadrons flying together as a unit ar~ called a )IAI Such a Type Wing wil be ~( -aJlled hy the seni~r Squadron leader r esent
- 8 shy
The Squadron in fli~ht is known as a Cl~TAI as an administrative unit on the ground it is known as a BUNTAI The iquadrol breaks dORl into 3 Sections (SHOTAI) of three planes each
As an exa~ple of the administrative break-down of an Air Group into Squadrons the following make-up one KCKUTAI is cited
9lNTAI ifl amp jf2 Fighter squadrons (total 22 planea) BljNTAI TflJ amp 1f4 Fighter maintenance unit BUNTAI ff5 amp ttfgt Bomber squadrons (total 18 planes)
BUUTAI ff7 30ccer n~irtenance unit EUIITJI ff8 Communications unit
BVN7hI if9 amp tlO Adcinistrative units
It is stated that wi thin this KOKUTAI the two fighter BUNTAI were treated as one unit and th9 two bomber DUNTAI were treated as one unit The total fighter uni t when in flight was probably called a DhITAI the sarns beinE true of the total bomber unit
It 6ppears that a KOKUTAI may sometimes have plflne strength in reserve in addition to the complement of its DAITAI The above KOKUTAI had two DAITAI of 30 planes each plus a Group reshyserve of 10 planes making a total KOKUTAI strength of 70 planes
Its interesting to note that this Air Group apparently functioned as one unit instead of being broken up into a home detachment and a combat detachment
The above maintenance BUNTAI break down into maintenance HAN (Platoons) of 50-60 men each attached to one aircraft Squndron
- III shy
ARMY AIR FORCE
It is felt that naval personnel should be familiar with Jap~nese Army air organization because of the increasinL use of Japanese Ar~J air units in the Pacific Their assignment to this theater has been brought about both by a desire to afford close air support to Army ~round troops in New Guinea and New Bri tain and by the need to make good drastic air losses suffered in the Pacific by t ~ naval air force
1 Army Aviation Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU H01ABU)
The administration of Army aviation was reorganized in Amy 1942 in order to give the Army Air Force a degree of power and autonomy not unlike that of our own AAF At that time the Army Aviatior Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU HOMIlU) were set up to be headed by a Lieutenant General (RIKUGIDt CHUSHO) or a full General (RIKUGUN TAISHO) RIKUGUU means Army amps distinct from KAIGUN Navy
The Commandi ng General Army Aviation Headquarters is directly responsible to the Emperor instead of to the Uinister of War or the Chief of the General Staff who are his equa l s in rank and who also enjoy direct accebullbull to the Emperor These three officers constitute the High Command of the Japanese Army the head of Army Aviamptio~ HeadqUarters havine cognizance of Army air operashytions training and materiel
It is obvious however that this officer much like the Commanding General of our own Army Air Forces is not in a position to exercise direct tactical command over the wide spr ad air forces which he heado This tactical command must rest with heads of the various Air Commands in differshyent theaters of war
2 Air COll1lllllnds (KOKU EEIDAll) and Flying Divisions (EIKO SHIDMl)
HIKO is flyine SHIDAN is diviSion hence HIKO SHIDAU is Flying DiV1 sion The Flying Division is the largest unit of the Japanese Army Air Service Commanded by a Lieutenant-General it includes anywhere from 200 to 400 planes and the mit lecessary to servicing thereof
Seven Flying Divisions have been identified the 1st in Japan proper the 2nd ~n Manchuria the 3rd in China the 4th in Manchuria and the North China the 5th in Burma and adjacent regions the 6th in the Southwest Pacific and the 7t h in the UE I Headquarters of the 5th are a t Rangoon of the 6th at Rabaul and of the 7th at Ambon
The 6th and 7th Flying Divisions were very recent y activated It is believed that they were organized out of units taken from other Flying Divi slons for this purpo se
A flying Division does not maintain any fixed a_ze or composition i t ~y shrink or expand as the military situation requires Air units are shif teci free y from Oru Flyine Division to anshyother the Divisions themselves are rarely moved a bout as llnl t S
One step above the Flying Division is the KOICU IibluAU KOKU i8 a ir -rrI N is Corps KOKU HEIDAN is translated Air Command nlree Air COUlllllds have been i dentified e ach headed by a Lieutenant General the 1st in Japan proper t he 2ncr i n Planohuria an i) e 3rd at Si ll ep0re
These Air Commands are staffs not uni ts They con 1 11 r~ ai r 0
areas under th~ir cogni zance Thus the 1s t Plying Dv1sion a swe s ~h I s 2nd 3rd and 4th lyint lVlSlon to tht 2nd Ai r CODllampnd the 5th 6tl 11 bull
pr ohably to the 3rd Ai Commands
ThA Air Co~de are not mobIle they are pe~1ently ~ ~b~ d in d rferen war tJ exe r C1se st r tei c COllllOllUl ( ltn er Army air units i n t hose r4 Taotical nth tho F vin D1 i si n or me - unit is too W1atl ~ y middotat ter ~o un n fi B Q body lliith the PlYinG 3ri ada
co 0 remains
Units may be freely shifted ROOut from one Air Commnnd to another the Command itself reshymains unaffected Air COllnands are crec ted or abolished aR the ter1po and location f air operashytions seem to require
It is interesting to speculate on the relation between these commands of the Japanese Army air forces and the equivalent commands of the ~apanese Army fround f orces
The Japanese armies which might be co pared to Flying Divisions are co-orcinated by staffs which might be co pared to the Air Commands These staffs are C-in-C National Defense Forces in Japan proper C-in-C Kwantunr Army in Manchuria C-in-C Forces in China C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces with headquarters at Sin~apore It is not certain whether the 8th Army Grou~ controlling gr ound forces in the south and southwest Pacific with headquarters at Rabampul answers to C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces or directly to the Army High Command in TOkyo
It will be seen that C-in-C National Defense Forces corresponds to the 1st Air Command C-in-C Kw~tun~ Army and C-in-C Forces in China to the 2nd Air Command and the C-in-C Southshyern Expeditionary forces to the 3rd Air Command
It is not known whether in these cases the Air Command is subordinated to the equivalent grpund command or whether each of the two commands answers i ndividually to the Army High Command in Tokyo In the latter case the ground and air ccmmand r s are pres~~bly expected to effect coshyordination on a voluntary basis The Japanese ~mphasis on unity of commans and on the use of airshypower in support of ground operations -takes the former course middotmiddot more likely than the latter however
3 Flying Brigades (EIKODA n and Flying Regiments (EIKO SENTAI)
The Flying Division breaks down into about 3 Flyinr Bri~ades each with about 70-120 planes The Flying Brigade is generally commanded by a ~ajor General (RIKUGUN SEOSHO) though eometimes by a Colonel (RIKUGUN TAISA) It may be roulhly compared to a Navy KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotilla)
HI middot bull is an abbrevia t ioe for HIKO which II ans flying and RYODAN which leans Brirade The r are very mobile being divorced from servicing and administrative responsibilities They are _ee ly shifted from one Flying Division to another thus for example a riven Flying Brigade might fight in Burma during the dry season as part of the 5th Flying Brigade and might be transferred to the lffiI as part of the 7th Flying Di~sion during the Monsoon
A Flying Brigade breaks down into 3 Flying Regiments each of about 27 planes HIKO is flying SENTAI is battle uni til Flying Regiments ware called HIKO RENTAl before the war RENTAl being the ground forces term for regiment Iately the more dynamic term SENTAI has been substituted
The Flying Regiments like the Flying Brigades are divorced from administrative and servicshying duties and hence are extremely mobile However they generally function within the framework of the Flying Brigade - Flying Regiments are not shifted fram one Brigade to another al freely al Brigades are shifted from one Flying Division to another Flying Regiments are generally commanded by Majors (RIKUGUN SHOSA) or Lieutenant Colonelb (RlKUGUN CHUSA)
A Flying Brigade does not necessarily consist of only type of aircraft a Flying Regiment generally does
4 Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI) Sections (SHOTAI)
A Flying Regiment breaks down into three Squadrons (C~TAI)Jf 9 planes each The Japane~e Army Squadron is the same as the Navy squadron breaking down into three sections (SEOTAI) ~f three planes each A squadron will generally be commanded by a Captain (HlKUGUN TAIl) TIhen in flight three squadrons are te r med a DAITAI This is exclusively a tactical term
Certain S u drons operate independently usually as obse(vation units attached to ground forces These are terced DOKIRITSU t A I (Independent Squadrons)
5 Task Forces (BUTAI)
- 11 shy
We have noted the Navy use of BL AI XSHUBUTAI and KIlII J OIIT BU rBI Th also createsy
tactical air ~8k fo rces - though 1 (I fr Dllent l y in t lar l y ttUl the Nl n ir ta k forces are termed BU AI ti r siLl and oo~po8i tio~ II vary accor in to heir mi on TJo- ir exi5ten~e probably does not outlast t he f ul f ll~n ~ s mission
6 Administrative lnl t Air Dictric Hl RE BU) DAfTAI) Airfield C mp~ JAo~rrt~TI~~~~----~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1~i~e~s~(~n~IUK7G~
Scatte ~ throughc1t Greater East As ia are panese Air District Hedquort 118 are staffs eac If ich ccut l)ls all a r dlti n groun uncti oDs ( ser - i ng and adminill in he area under gn ~za~c It will be r e campl l d that the Fly i n Di vis i n is or-kDl ze ~ ~ athe permanent toIr n tonal basis it is bel i ad thllt all h a divie on will break ltlown tac t lc lly u-to Flying Brigad5 8 ald administratively int o Ai Dis tri ct Headquarters
The Flying Dri~ades are mobile comba t Ilvia t i on uni ts the Air District Headquarters are imshymobile ground housekeeplng units Bo th answer to tIe Commanding General of thei r parent Flying Division who thus controls all aviation matters wi~hin the zone under his command Comparatively little is known of the organization and content of the Air District Headquarters
A lower adrninistrative and servicing echelon is the HIKOJO DAITAI HIKOJO means airfield DAITAI is 1aree unit The Airfield Battalion is generally attached directly to a Flying Regishyment whose administrative and servicing functions it assumes
On the following page is a chart reproduced from ATIS SnFA Serial 159 showi ng the organishyzation of an Airfield Battalionas described by an ene~J source It will be seen that the Battalshyion breaks down into a guard company a eupply company and a servicing company this latter conshysisting of three servicing platoons each attached to one aircraft squadron
The Airfield Battalion is a mobile urlit It doe s not necessarily move with the Flying Regishyment but will generally move closely after or effeet a rendeJvous with such I parent unit as the latter will be heavily dependent on it for 6er~clng It is believed t t an Airfield Batalion will come under cognizamprlce of the Air District Headquarters in whose area it functions
The HIKOJO CHUTAI or Airfield Company is a miniature version of the Airfield Battalion It will be attached to squadrons operating independently or to small advanced airfields
7 Air Trainin (KYOIKU
Advanced operational training il conducted by Flying Divisions - articularly those in quiet areas such as Japan and Manchuria
Primary and intermediate training was formerly the function of the First Flying Division in Japan proper Lately it is believed that this division has been relieved of prtmary and intermedishyate training so as to free it for the defense of Japan and the Kuriles Those of its units which carried on training activities have been assigned to the newly created 51st Air Training Division also located in Japan proper
So far no other Air Training Division has been identified The 51st Air Training Division breaks down into Air Trainine Brigades a~d Air Training Regiments much like any other Flying DiTt sion The wora KYOlKU which will be noted in the above titles means training
- IV shy
FLYING RANK - ARMY AND NAVY
1 Officers
Officers of the Japanese ~ and Navy air services have - like US flyers - the same titles and badBes of rank as other line officers of the service to which they belOIlS These titles and insignia are reproduced on pages 15 and 16
In the case of naval officers oollar and shoulder tab insignia the cherry b10SsomB are silver the areas shaded in the illustrations on pBBe 15 UtI black and the WlSl d areas are gold In the case of flying officers the cherry blossom ~ be bluej in cese of air ground staff officers it may be green These insignia are worn as collar tabe on blu uniforms and as shoulder-boards on white uniforms The cuif bands are black on t lue unifClIIllB ~ld lace being used for ceremonial dress On fly1ng dress officers wear a c l oth PI tcll on tlI l e 1t 8I1I bbove the elbow bearing a design in gold lace similar to that of e curt b llds
In the case of the army offioers insignia the stars ex ~ gold the eretiB sruWed on page 15 are red and the unshaded areas are gold
It vill be noted that ArrIly and Navy Officers have the amt t1t~e3 of r mk Tj wor KAIGUN (Navy) and RIKtnUN (nArrIly) aro prefixed to avoid confusio In tJe Navr fl-mg o ~ icars put the tern KOKU between KAIGUN ani their title of rank while g o 8 Gai ~t l e e r use t- gt tert SEIBI in the same w~ Thus a KAIGUN KOKIJ SHOOA is a flying Li8lteDlJlt Q1JDnjer hile a KAIGm~ SEIBI SHooA is a Lieutenant Commander A-V(S)
The SHO which is used in SHooHO (rear Admiral) SHU3HO (Vice Admiral) ani ASnO (Admiral) means COIllllBDding officer and may on occasion be used as follows SHOTAISRO (CamtlI8J1der of a SHOTAI) CHUlAISHO (Commander of a CID1lAI) and so on This is 50 w~ of referr1JJg to ~be units CO withoUt des1goating his aotual rank
2 EDlisted PersODDel
Both Japanese air services make great use of enlisted men as pil l) a an 9 members of elrshycrews Even as pilots enlisted men ortnumber officers by as much as four to Oll
With respect to naval enlisted ranks it shoJld be noted that the HIKO SOCHO (USN Warshyrant Officer) vears a sleeve cuff band collar tabs and shoulder boards j the JOTO HEISO (USN Chief Petty Officer) has three cherry blossons on the sleeve but no collar tabs or shouder boards while the other six enlisted ratings wear their insignia an the right arm just above the elbow
The vord BIKO which vill be noted in the titles of all eight ratings means fly1ng In the oase of the grouni air staff SEIBI is substituted for HIKO in the title and a spealtl 1 airshyplane seen from a side view is substituted for the solid airplane seen from above in their inshysignia The personnel of both the Fly1ng ani Ground Crew branches are divided into specialist oategories each categor1 being dietingui shed b its own badge and title These categories are as follOWS
1 Flying (lIIKO) BrEUch A 110~a ( lJUINbullbull
1 gbter ilots (0 ITOKI 0JtlT) bull 2 Bo bull Hot f ~ J2lI SOJUJ
B on-Pllota (~urn) 1 abee at1cm n-rt tlan photo 0 hy eto
(TEIBAiSU) bull 2 Rad1 lin gwm X7 ( AlmKrn)
II Ground Crew (SEIBI) Branch A Ground Mechanics (SEIBIIN) B Armament Specialists (HEIIIIN) c Flying mechIJaics (TOJOllf) who maintain and
inspect equipment in flight These men constitute less than 5 of the ground crew branch
In the case of Ar~ enlisted ratings the same use of BIKO will be noted For the ground crews SEIBI is substituted Enlisted men down through the grade of corporal may act as pilots all enlisted men may be members of aircrews There are no U S A~ equivalents for the HIKO GOCBO and the BIKO JOTO HEI these terma have therefore been literally translated
3 Illustrations
The charts showing Japanese Army and Ifavy flying ranks are given on the following two pages In these charts certain Japanese Navy enlisted titles are given in parentheses These reshypresent abbreviations which are frequently used by the Japanese instead of the full title of the rank in question
-~-
NEAREST NEAREST U S NAVY U S ARMY COLLAR INSIGNIA EQU I VALENT EQIJ I VALENT
bull ral General ~ Lt J~ ire-A 11 ~ 1 CHI middotll tKUSHO B tt ltgt
SHOSHO ~ajor-en
TA ISA Colonel ~ CHUSA Lt -Col (gt SHOSA Major
i ra1 SHO HO
csp tain TA l
Comnander CI A
LtComdr SHOS ~
yen(~- UH~
~
~h
The JOTO HEISO wears sleeve cuff insignia but no coller or shoulder teb insignia
) (
- ADDENDA TO PART IV (f1 YING RMoiK)
Rpcpnt information Indlcatps that effpctive July 1 1K2 ttP tltlps ann arm insllnla of till sixmiddot 10wPFt Japanpsp naval ratines of tllp sparran hranctl wprp chan)middotltI to bp as follows
PS Equivalent Japanpse
(Flyine) Petty Offl pr 1st Class JafO HIKO HE ISO (JOHISO)
(Flylni) Petty Offlcpr 2nd Class ITIO ItIKO HEISO (III ISO)
(Flyln~) Pptty Offlcpr 3rd Class tilTCI IIIKO HEISO (~IHISO)
(Fly ing) Non-ratprl IMn 1st Class HI KO HE ICIIC) (HICHO) (H~IIII
(Fly Ing) Son-rated man 2nd Class JaIO HIKOHEI (JOH I)
(Flyln~) ~on-rated man 3rd Class IHO HIKOHEI (IPPI)
Ground aviation staffs substitute SEIBI for HIKO In the easp of flylne persolU) ttP chprry blossom Is blue In the ca of ~round aviation staffs it is jl reen Thes inSijDli a 111re the old markings Irp worn on thp right sl ve Rcmiddotlh old and npw insignia 1Ill be encolUltered in cOItbat arlas deshype nd lh on r o w re c p tlr the personnel 1 question hav arrived from Japan
-
ir-- -shy
11ilil
I shy - -bull - ~ ~p~ II ~ - II ~
I I
r-z--------IL==shy
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- ~ ~ - 3 r - - ~
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g = ~ ~ ~~ ~ shy
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---- ~ ~ ~
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l
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- 1
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x- lt
GLOSSARY OF JlAVAL ABBREVIATIONS EMPLOYED IN TillS PAPER
BD CA CL DD SS SA
CVS XCVS
CV ACV APV
VF VB
SB VTB VOS
-------
---
-----
SHIPS
battleship h~avy cruiser light cruiser destroyer submarine submarine tender seaplane carrier converted seaplane carrier aircraft carrier Auxiliary aircraft carrier aircraft transport
PLANS
fighter horizontal bQmbe r dive bomber torpedo plane observation plane
scope than either a Force (BU~I) or an Air Attack Force (KUSHUBU~I) either or both of which lllieht be among its component elements The Base Air Force might be tenned the tac-tical equivalent of the administrative Air Fleet
It is possible however that during a future operation the ~rm Base Air Force may be used with a very different meaning
It should be re-emphasized that the KOKU KAHTAI (Air Fleet) and the KOKUSENTAI (Airflot)are permanent elements in the administrative organization of the Japanese naval air service whereas the KUSh~BUAI (Air Attack Force) the KOKU BUTAI (Air Force) and the KICHI KOKU BU~I (Base Air Force) are task forces types created temporarily to meet the needs of the current Pacifio struggle
The above Base Air Force should not be confused with the Bnse Groups - which are units mainly composed of seaplanes assigned to variou9 Japanese b~se 3 in the Pacific Their exact status is obscure their role is believed lar~ely defensive It is possible that they have some operational relationship to the 11th Air Fleet
D Shore-based Air Groups (Shore-bnsed KOKUTAI)
One KOKUSENThI (Airflot) breaks down into two or three KOKUThI (Air Groups) or detachments shyusually Type Tongs - thereof KOKU is air A I is unit the Japanese sometines abbreviate KOKUThI to KU
Air Groups are o~ded by Naval Captains (KAIGUN ~ ISA) and are the basi c admi nistrative units of the Japanese navnl air service Air Groups (K KUTA I) are of two typos
(1) middotThose wh ich have permanent horne st uns in the Japanese Empire and which are sometimes known by the names of these stations
(2) Specially Mobilized Air Groups ( TOhUSETSU KOKUTAI) whi ch are numbered and are known by their numerical designations It is believed th ~ these Groups may h ve been establi 3hed at air stations ou~side the Empireas the Japanese h~ve shown some inclination to n ame ai r stations within the Empire and to number those outside the Empire
Recentlythe Japanese have introduced very high numeral designations for both named and numbered Air Groups named Air Groups are pp rently now irnown by boh t he ir ori inal lIIIO S and their new numbers
These new hi~ numbers serve ns II fa i r l re_i~bl~ uide t o the o Do-i tion of the Air Groups i ol ved thus observati on roups are usual ly nUD r e the 100 s flgh ter Groups in the 200s mixed figh ter-bomber Groups in the 500s bovbmiddot r Gro~ ln t e 700s flyi n boat Groups in the 800s fl oat plane Groups in the 900s But re are lots of 81Cceptions ti le composition of many Air Groups is rather mixed
This system like all matters pertaininr to the de s middotnation ot 1 ir un~8 1s ot coursej
subject to constant chan(~ Th J apanese ar ~ns ly secur ity nd d nominal and ~umerical chan~e s are continuallY i r To uced in the ore nl zs t l on o~ hei r nava _ 1r Qrce to concsa i ts r eal 8 tUB
The to 1 numbe r of Air Groups in active status wil l -~ ac ord n eng th of thebull v
Japanese air force I f heavy losses are experi~nce c Iteln Groups t 01 if production and training out-run casual ~ e Ie l r urO may be e p seldom nctio s II c na t un t in i ts eI ~i re the total 11 S1I1 ald fluctu t ons trerei a~ t te s O~ I _llst t + r ti
Air GroupE do - t n ceasaril cl)1Siat of only 00 tIP of aircraf bull Uld ther S i L~ 1 ry t hin wide li r I aIB run aa hi ~ lampv othera 10 s 18 (ton th contain
tr nmiddot~ort planes 10 dd ian to o or or type t pl noa
A fur ~er uonru~1nv 6 the t c a - ltInts may be d
- 7 shy
Some of an Air Groups stren~th may be maintained at its home station particularly if that station is in the Japanese Empire These aircraft will have duties in connection with air raid defense and anti-submarine warfare they will probably also engage in advanced operational trainshying As the Air Groups home strengt middot is increased by the addition of planes and air crews reshyceived from Japanese factories nnd training centers that home strength will in turn be reduced by the despatch of the Air Groups combat detachments to various Air Flotillas
It is sometimes difficult when confronted with documentary evidence that a certain Air Group is a part of a given Airflot to decide whether the entire Air Group or merely one of its combat detachments is involved It is ~enerally believed however that these are references to combat d~tachments of Air Groups not to the total original establishmeuts of the Air Groups conshycerned These combat detachments may PA made up of one or more Type Wings or of lesser units shysuch as Squadrons
One Airflot for example is thought to have been made up as follows 3 bomber Type Wings (DAITAI) of 27-30 planes each 5 fighter Type Win~s and one observation squadron (CHUTAI) of ten planes
One Air Group had the following of its units attached to an Airflot three fighter squadrons (15 planes each) and two torpedo squadrons (9 planes each)
Both these examples suggest that Air Flotillas are made up of Type Win~s andor Squadrons taken from several different Air Groups
Certain Air Groups by the way do not seem to have any combat functions they are merely training units serving as replacement pools for other combat Air Groups or for aircraft carriers Training Air Groups are believed to diverge somewhat in strength and composition form other Air Groups
In considering lists of shore-based Air Groups and their aircraft strengths one must thereshyforemiddotconsider whether the Air Group in question is a trainin~ or a combat unit and if the latter whether its ~iven aircraft stren~th represents the total original establishment of the Air Group at its home base or the present operating strength of one of its overseas detachments
Often the operating detachment of an Air Group will be referred to in such d manner as to lead one to believe that it comprises the entire Air Group At other times the original establishshyment of the enbire Air Group may be given without any clear indication that its operating detach~ ments can claim but a fraction of that strength
Of course there must always be borne in mind the possibility that an Air Group will function its entirety as a combat unit of an Air Flotilla This is probably ~ore often true of Specially Mobilized Air Groups than of those which have bases within the Japanese Empire
It has been suggested that operational detachments of Air Groups will appFoximate the followshying figures A flying boat detachment 12 aircraft a floatplane detachment 12-18 planes a fighter detachment I 45 fighters with 6 reccos occasionally added Medium bomber detachments will sometimes come as high as 45 planes 27 is however the more normal fi~ure while dive bomber deshytachments usually have about 18 planes
An enemy source indicates that these combat detach~ents of Air Groups are known as RONTAI which means main unit The home detachments are known as ZAURYUTAI which means remaining units These terms indicate the overseas detachments to be lorger than the home units
E Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI BUNTAI) Sectiqns (SHOTAI)
As indicated in Part I of this text the DAlTAI (Type Wing) exists as a unit only when in flight It does not exist as an administrative unit on the ground Thus organizationally the Ai Group brea~s down into a variable nunber of Squadrons cf 9 planes each
lhree quadrons flying together as a unit ar~ called a )IAI Such a Type Wing wil be ~( -aJlled hy the seni~r Squadron leader r esent
- 8 shy
The Squadron in fli~ht is known as a Cl~TAI as an administrative unit on the ground it is known as a BUNTAI The iquadrol breaks dORl into 3 Sections (SHOTAI) of three planes each
As an exa~ple of the administrative break-down of an Air Group into Squadrons the following make-up one KCKUTAI is cited
9lNTAI ifl amp jf2 Fighter squadrons (total 22 planea) BljNTAI TflJ amp 1f4 Fighter maintenance unit BUNTAI ff5 amp ttfgt Bomber squadrons (total 18 planes)
BUUTAI ff7 30ccer n~irtenance unit EUIITJI ff8 Communications unit
BVN7hI if9 amp tlO Adcinistrative units
It is stated that wi thin this KOKUTAI the two fighter BUNTAI were treated as one unit and th9 two bomber DUNTAI were treated as one unit The total fighter uni t when in flight was probably called a DhITAI the sarns beinE true of the total bomber unit
It 6ppears that a KOKUTAI may sometimes have plflne strength in reserve in addition to the complement of its DAITAI The above KOKUTAI had two DAITAI of 30 planes each plus a Group reshyserve of 10 planes making a total KOKUTAI strength of 70 planes
Its interesting to note that this Air Group apparently functioned as one unit instead of being broken up into a home detachment and a combat detachment
The above maintenance BUNTAI break down into maintenance HAN (Platoons) of 50-60 men each attached to one aircraft Squndron
- III shy
ARMY AIR FORCE
It is felt that naval personnel should be familiar with Jap~nese Army air organization because of the increasinL use of Japanese Ar~J air units in the Pacific Their assignment to this theater has been brought about both by a desire to afford close air support to Army ~round troops in New Guinea and New Bri tain and by the need to make good drastic air losses suffered in the Pacific by t ~ naval air force
1 Army Aviation Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU H01ABU)
The administration of Army aviation was reorganized in Amy 1942 in order to give the Army Air Force a degree of power and autonomy not unlike that of our own AAF At that time the Army Aviatior Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU HOMIlU) were set up to be headed by a Lieutenant General (RIKUGIDt CHUSHO) or a full General (RIKUGUN TAISHO) RIKUGUU means Army amps distinct from KAIGUN Navy
The Commandi ng General Army Aviation Headquarters is directly responsible to the Emperor instead of to the Uinister of War or the Chief of the General Staff who are his equa l s in rank and who also enjoy direct accebullbull to the Emperor These three officers constitute the High Command of the Japanese Army the head of Army Aviamptio~ HeadqUarters havine cognizance of Army air operashytions training and materiel
It is obvious however that this officer much like the Commanding General of our own Army Air Forces is not in a position to exercise direct tactical command over the wide spr ad air forces which he heado This tactical command must rest with heads of the various Air Commands in differshyent theaters of war
2 Air COll1lllllnds (KOKU EEIDAll) and Flying Divisions (EIKO SHIDMl)
HIKO is flyine SHIDAN is diviSion hence HIKO SHIDAU is Flying DiV1 sion The Flying Division is the largest unit of the Japanese Army Air Service Commanded by a Lieutenant-General it includes anywhere from 200 to 400 planes and the mit lecessary to servicing thereof
Seven Flying Divisions have been identified the 1st in Japan proper the 2nd ~n Manchuria the 3rd in China the 4th in Manchuria and the North China the 5th in Burma and adjacent regions the 6th in the Southwest Pacific and the 7t h in the UE I Headquarters of the 5th are a t Rangoon of the 6th at Rabaul and of the 7th at Ambon
The 6th and 7th Flying Divisions were very recent y activated It is believed that they were organized out of units taken from other Flying Divi slons for this purpo se
A flying Division does not maintain any fixed a_ze or composition i t ~y shrink or expand as the military situation requires Air units are shif teci free y from Oru Flyine Division to anshyother the Divisions themselves are rarely moved a bout as llnl t S
One step above the Flying Division is the KOICU IibluAU KOKU i8 a ir -rrI N is Corps KOKU HEIDAN is translated Air Command nlree Air COUlllllds have been i dentified e ach headed by a Lieutenant General the 1st in Japan proper t he 2ncr i n Planohuria an i) e 3rd at Si ll ep0re
These Air Commands are staffs not uni ts They con 1 11 r~ ai r 0
areas under th~ir cogni zance Thus the 1s t Plying Dv1sion a swe s ~h I s 2nd 3rd and 4th lyint lVlSlon to tht 2nd Ai r CODllampnd the 5th 6tl 11 bull
pr ohably to the 3rd Ai Commands
ThA Air Co~de are not mobIle they are pe~1ently ~ ~b~ d in d rferen war tJ exe r C1se st r tei c COllllOllUl ( ltn er Army air units i n t hose r4 Taotical nth tho F vin D1 i si n or me - unit is too W1atl ~ y middotat ter ~o un n fi B Q body lliith the PlYinG 3ri ada
co 0 remains
Units may be freely shifted ROOut from one Air Commnnd to another the Command itself reshymains unaffected Air COllnands are crec ted or abolished aR the ter1po and location f air operashytions seem to require
It is interesting to speculate on the relation between these commands of the Japanese Army air forces and the equivalent commands of the ~apanese Army fround f orces
The Japanese armies which might be co pared to Flying Divisions are co-orcinated by staffs which might be co pared to the Air Commands These staffs are C-in-C National Defense Forces in Japan proper C-in-C Kwantunr Army in Manchuria C-in-C Forces in China C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces with headquarters at Sin~apore It is not certain whether the 8th Army Grou~ controlling gr ound forces in the south and southwest Pacific with headquarters at Rabampul answers to C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces or directly to the Army High Command in TOkyo
It will be seen that C-in-C National Defense Forces corresponds to the 1st Air Command C-in-C Kw~tun~ Army and C-in-C Forces in China to the 2nd Air Command and the C-in-C Southshyern Expeditionary forces to the 3rd Air Command
It is not known whether in these cases the Air Command is subordinated to the equivalent grpund command or whether each of the two commands answers i ndividually to the Army High Command in Tokyo In the latter case the ground and air ccmmand r s are pres~~bly expected to effect coshyordination on a voluntary basis The Japanese ~mphasis on unity of commans and on the use of airshypower in support of ground operations -takes the former course middotmiddot more likely than the latter however
3 Flying Brigades (EIKODA n and Flying Regiments (EIKO SENTAI)
The Flying Division breaks down into about 3 Flyinr Bri~ades each with about 70-120 planes The Flying Brigade is generally commanded by a ~ajor General (RIKUGUN SEOSHO) though eometimes by a Colonel (RIKUGUN TAISA) It may be roulhly compared to a Navy KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotilla)
HI middot bull is an abbrevia t ioe for HIKO which II ans flying and RYODAN which leans Brirade The r are very mobile being divorced from servicing and administrative responsibilities They are _ee ly shifted from one Flying Division to another thus for example a riven Flying Brigade might fight in Burma during the dry season as part of the 5th Flying Brigade and might be transferred to the lffiI as part of the 7th Flying Di~sion during the Monsoon
A Flying Brigade breaks down into 3 Flying Regiments each of about 27 planes HIKO is flying SENTAI is battle uni til Flying Regiments ware called HIKO RENTAl before the war RENTAl being the ground forces term for regiment Iately the more dynamic term SENTAI has been substituted
The Flying Regiments like the Flying Brigades are divorced from administrative and servicshying duties and hence are extremely mobile However they generally function within the framework of the Flying Brigade - Flying Regiments are not shifted fram one Brigade to another al freely al Brigades are shifted from one Flying Division to another Flying Regiments are generally commanded by Majors (RIKUGUN SHOSA) or Lieutenant Colonelb (RlKUGUN CHUSA)
A Flying Brigade does not necessarily consist of only type of aircraft a Flying Regiment generally does
4 Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI) Sections (SHOTAI)
A Flying Regiment breaks down into three Squadrons (C~TAI)Jf 9 planes each The Japane~e Army Squadron is the same as the Navy squadron breaking down into three sections (SEOTAI) ~f three planes each A squadron will generally be commanded by a Captain (HlKUGUN TAIl) TIhen in flight three squadrons are te r med a DAITAI This is exclusively a tactical term
Certain S u drons operate independently usually as obse(vation units attached to ground forces These are terced DOKIRITSU t A I (Independent Squadrons)
5 Task Forces (BUTAI)
- 11 shy
We have noted the Navy use of BL AI XSHUBUTAI and KIlII J OIIT BU rBI Th also createsy
tactical air ~8k fo rces - though 1 (I fr Dllent l y in t lar l y ttUl the Nl n ir ta k forces are termed BU AI ti r siLl and oo~po8i tio~ II vary accor in to heir mi on TJo- ir exi5ten~e probably does not outlast t he f ul f ll~n ~ s mission
6 Administrative lnl t Air Dictric Hl RE BU) DAfTAI) Airfield C mp~ JAo~rrt~TI~~~~----~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1~i~e~s~(~n~IUK7G~
Scatte ~ throughc1t Greater East As ia are panese Air District Hedquort 118 are staffs eac If ich ccut l)ls all a r dlti n groun uncti oDs ( ser - i ng and adminill in he area under gn ~za~c It will be r e campl l d that the Fly i n Di vis i n is or-kDl ze ~ ~ athe permanent toIr n tonal basis it is bel i ad thllt all h a divie on will break ltlown tac t lc lly u-to Flying Brigad5 8 ald administratively int o Ai Dis tri ct Headquarters
The Flying Dri~ades are mobile comba t Ilvia t i on uni ts the Air District Headquarters are imshymobile ground housekeeplng units Bo th answer to tIe Commanding General of thei r parent Flying Division who thus controls all aviation matters wi~hin the zone under his command Comparatively little is known of the organization and content of the Air District Headquarters
A lower adrninistrative and servicing echelon is the HIKOJO DAITAI HIKOJO means airfield DAITAI is 1aree unit The Airfield Battalion is generally attached directly to a Flying Regishyment whose administrative and servicing functions it assumes
On the following page is a chart reproduced from ATIS SnFA Serial 159 showi ng the organishyzation of an Airfield Battalionas described by an ene~J source It will be seen that the Battalshyion breaks down into a guard company a eupply company and a servicing company this latter conshysisting of three servicing platoons each attached to one aircraft squadron
The Airfield Battalion is a mobile urlit It doe s not necessarily move with the Flying Regishyment but will generally move closely after or effeet a rendeJvous with such I parent unit as the latter will be heavily dependent on it for 6er~clng It is believed t t an Airfield Batalion will come under cognizamprlce of the Air District Headquarters in whose area it functions
The HIKOJO CHUTAI or Airfield Company is a miniature version of the Airfield Battalion It will be attached to squadrons operating independently or to small advanced airfields
7 Air Trainin (KYOIKU
Advanced operational training il conducted by Flying Divisions - articularly those in quiet areas such as Japan and Manchuria
Primary and intermediate training was formerly the function of the First Flying Division in Japan proper Lately it is believed that this division has been relieved of prtmary and intermedishyate training so as to free it for the defense of Japan and the Kuriles Those of its units which carried on training activities have been assigned to the newly created 51st Air Training Division also located in Japan proper
So far no other Air Training Division has been identified The 51st Air Training Division breaks down into Air Trainine Brigades a~d Air Training Regiments much like any other Flying DiTt sion The wora KYOlKU which will be noted in the above titles means training
- IV shy
FLYING RANK - ARMY AND NAVY
1 Officers
Officers of the Japanese ~ and Navy air services have - like US flyers - the same titles and badBes of rank as other line officers of the service to which they belOIlS These titles and insignia are reproduced on pages 15 and 16
In the case of naval officers oollar and shoulder tab insignia the cherry b10SsomB are silver the areas shaded in the illustrations on pBBe 15 UtI black and the WlSl d areas are gold In the case of flying officers the cherry blossom ~ be bluej in cese of air ground staff officers it may be green These insignia are worn as collar tabe on blu uniforms and as shoulder-boards on white uniforms The cuif bands are black on t lue unifClIIllB ~ld lace being used for ceremonial dress On fly1ng dress officers wear a c l oth PI tcll on tlI l e 1t 8I1I bbove the elbow bearing a design in gold lace similar to that of e curt b llds
In the case of the army offioers insignia the stars ex ~ gold the eretiB sruWed on page 15 are red and the unshaded areas are gold
It vill be noted that ArrIly and Navy Officers have the amt t1t~e3 of r mk Tj wor KAIGUN (Navy) and RIKtnUN (nArrIly) aro prefixed to avoid confusio In tJe Navr fl-mg o ~ icars put the tern KOKU between KAIGUN ani their title of rank while g o 8 Gai ~t l e e r use t- gt tert SEIBI in the same w~ Thus a KAIGUN KOKIJ SHOOA is a flying Li8lteDlJlt Q1JDnjer hile a KAIGm~ SEIBI SHooA is a Lieutenant Commander A-V(S)
The SHO which is used in SHooHO (rear Admiral) SHU3HO (Vice Admiral) ani ASnO (Admiral) means COIllllBDding officer and may on occasion be used as follows SHOTAISRO (CamtlI8J1der of a SHOTAI) CHUlAISHO (Commander of a CID1lAI) and so on This is 50 w~ of referr1JJg to ~be units CO withoUt des1goating his aotual rank
2 EDlisted PersODDel
Both Japanese air services make great use of enlisted men as pil l) a an 9 members of elrshycrews Even as pilots enlisted men ortnumber officers by as much as four to Oll
With respect to naval enlisted ranks it shoJld be noted that the HIKO SOCHO (USN Warshyrant Officer) vears a sleeve cuff band collar tabs and shoulder boards j the JOTO HEISO (USN Chief Petty Officer) has three cherry blossons on the sleeve but no collar tabs or shouder boards while the other six enlisted ratings wear their insignia an the right arm just above the elbow
The vord BIKO which vill be noted in the titles of all eight ratings means fly1ng In the oase of the grouni air staff SEIBI is substituted for HIKO in the title and a spealtl 1 airshyplane seen from a side view is substituted for the solid airplane seen from above in their inshysignia The personnel of both the Fly1ng ani Ground Crew branches are divided into specialist oategories each categor1 being dietingui shed b its own badge and title These categories are as follOWS
1 Flying (lIIKO) BrEUch A 110~a ( lJUINbullbull
1 gbter ilots (0 ITOKI 0JtlT) bull 2 Bo bull Hot f ~ J2lI SOJUJ
B on-Pllota (~urn) 1 abee at1cm n-rt tlan photo 0 hy eto
(TEIBAiSU) bull 2 Rad1 lin gwm X7 ( AlmKrn)
II Ground Crew (SEIBI) Branch A Ground Mechanics (SEIBIIN) B Armament Specialists (HEIIIIN) c Flying mechIJaics (TOJOllf) who maintain and
inspect equipment in flight These men constitute less than 5 of the ground crew branch
In the case of Ar~ enlisted ratings the same use of BIKO will be noted For the ground crews SEIBI is substituted Enlisted men down through the grade of corporal may act as pilots all enlisted men may be members of aircrews There are no U S A~ equivalents for the HIKO GOCBO and the BIKO JOTO HEI these terma have therefore been literally translated
3 Illustrations
The charts showing Japanese Army and Ifavy flying ranks are given on the following two pages In these charts certain Japanese Navy enlisted titles are given in parentheses These reshypresent abbreviations which are frequently used by the Japanese instead of the full title of the rank in question
-~-
NEAREST NEAREST U S NAVY U S ARMY COLLAR INSIGNIA EQU I VALENT EQIJ I VALENT
bull ral General ~ Lt J~ ire-A 11 ~ 1 CHI middotll tKUSHO B tt ltgt
SHOSHO ~ajor-en
TA ISA Colonel ~ CHUSA Lt -Col (gt SHOSA Major
i ra1 SHO HO
csp tain TA l
Comnander CI A
LtComdr SHOS ~
yen(~- UH~
~
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The JOTO HEISO wears sleeve cuff insignia but no coller or shoulder teb insignia
) (
- ADDENDA TO PART IV (f1 YING RMoiK)
Rpcpnt information Indlcatps that effpctive July 1 1K2 ttP tltlps ann arm insllnla of till sixmiddot 10wPFt Japanpsp naval ratines of tllp sparran hranctl wprp chan)middotltI to bp as follows
PS Equivalent Japanpse
(Flyine) Petty Offl pr 1st Class JafO HIKO HE ISO (JOHISO)
(Flylni) Petty Offlcpr 2nd Class ITIO ItIKO HEISO (III ISO)
(Flyln~) Pptty Offlcpr 3rd Class tilTCI IIIKO HEISO (~IHISO)
(Fly ing) Non-ratprl IMn 1st Class HI KO HE ICIIC) (HICHO) (H~IIII
(Fly Ing) Son-rated man 2nd Class JaIO HIKOHEI (JOH I)
(Flyln~) ~on-rated man 3rd Class IHO HIKOHEI (IPPI)
Ground aviation staffs substitute SEIBI for HIKO In the easp of flylne persolU) ttP chprry blossom Is blue In the ca of ~round aviation staffs it is jl reen Thes inSijDli a 111re the old markings Irp worn on thp right sl ve Rcmiddotlh old and npw insignia 1Ill be encolUltered in cOItbat arlas deshype nd lh on r o w re c p tlr the personnel 1 question hav arrived from Japan
-
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11ilil
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~
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---- ~ ~ ~
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GLOSSARY OF JlAVAL ABBREVIATIONS EMPLOYED IN TillS PAPER
BD CA CL DD SS SA
CVS XCVS
CV ACV APV
VF VB
SB VTB VOS
-------
---
-----
SHIPS
battleship h~avy cruiser light cruiser destroyer submarine submarine tender seaplane carrier converted seaplane carrier aircraft carrier Auxiliary aircraft carrier aircraft transport
PLANS
fighter horizontal bQmbe r dive bomber torpedo plane observation plane
Some of an Air Groups stren~th may be maintained at its home station particularly if that station is in the Japanese Empire These aircraft will have duties in connection with air raid defense and anti-submarine warfare they will probably also engage in advanced operational trainshying As the Air Groups home strengt middot is increased by the addition of planes and air crews reshyceived from Japanese factories nnd training centers that home strength will in turn be reduced by the despatch of the Air Groups combat detachments to various Air Flotillas
It is sometimes difficult when confronted with documentary evidence that a certain Air Group is a part of a given Airflot to decide whether the entire Air Group or merely one of its combat detachments is involved It is ~enerally believed however that these are references to combat d~tachments of Air Groups not to the total original establishmeuts of the Air Groups conshycerned These combat detachments may PA made up of one or more Type Wings or of lesser units shysuch as Squadrons
One Airflot for example is thought to have been made up as follows 3 bomber Type Wings (DAITAI) of 27-30 planes each 5 fighter Type Win~s and one observation squadron (CHUTAI) of ten planes
One Air Group had the following of its units attached to an Airflot three fighter squadrons (15 planes each) and two torpedo squadrons (9 planes each)
Both these examples suggest that Air Flotillas are made up of Type Win~s andor Squadrons taken from several different Air Groups
Certain Air Groups by the way do not seem to have any combat functions they are merely training units serving as replacement pools for other combat Air Groups or for aircraft carriers Training Air Groups are believed to diverge somewhat in strength and composition form other Air Groups
In considering lists of shore-based Air Groups and their aircraft strengths one must thereshyforemiddotconsider whether the Air Group in question is a trainin~ or a combat unit and if the latter whether its ~iven aircraft stren~th represents the total original establishment of the Air Group at its home base or the present operating strength of one of its overseas detachments
Often the operating detachment of an Air Group will be referred to in such d manner as to lead one to believe that it comprises the entire Air Group At other times the original establishshyment of the enbire Air Group may be given without any clear indication that its operating detach~ ments can claim but a fraction of that strength
Of course there must always be borne in mind the possibility that an Air Group will function its entirety as a combat unit of an Air Flotilla This is probably ~ore often true of Specially Mobilized Air Groups than of those which have bases within the Japanese Empire
It has been suggested that operational detachments of Air Groups will appFoximate the followshying figures A flying boat detachment 12 aircraft a floatplane detachment 12-18 planes a fighter detachment I 45 fighters with 6 reccos occasionally added Medium bomber detachments will sometimes come as high as 45 planes 27 is however the more normal fi~ure while dive bomber deshytachments usually have about 18 planes
An enemy source indicates that these combat detach~ents of Air Groups are known as RONTAI which means main unit The home detachments are known as ZAURYUTAI which means remaining units These terms indicate the overseas detachments to be lorger than the home units
E Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI BUNTAI) Sectiqns (SHOTAI)
As indicated in Part I of this text the DAlTAI (Type Wing) exists as a unit only when in flight It does not exist as an administrative unit on the ground Thus organizationally the Ai Group brea~s down into a variable nunber of Squadrons cf 9 planes each
lhree quadrons flying together as a unit ar~ called a )IAI Such a Type Wing wil be ~( -aJlled hy the seni~r Squadron leader r esent
- 8 shy
The Squadron in fli~ht is known as a Cl~TAI as an administrative unit on the ground it is known as a BUNTAI The iquadrol breaks dORl into 3 Sections (SHOTAI) of three planes each
As an exa~ple of the administrative break-down of an Air Group into Squadrons the following make-up one KCKUTAI is cited
9lNTAI ifl amp jf2 Fighter squadrons (total 22 planea) BljNTAI TflJ amp 1f4 Fighter maintenance unit BUNTAI ff5 amp ttfgt Bomber squadrons (total 18 planes)
BUUTAI ff7 30ccer n~irtenance unit EUIITJI ff8 Communications unit
BVN7hI if9 amp tlO Adcinistrative units
It is stated that wi thin this KOKUTAI the two fighter BUNTAI were treated as one unit and th9 two bomber DUNTAI were treated as one unit The total fighter uni t when in flight was probably called a DhITAI the sarns beinE true of the total bomber unit
It 6ppears that a KOKUTAI may sometimes have plflne strength in reserve in addition to the complement of its DAITAI The above KOKUTAI had two DAITAI of 30 planes each plus a Group reshyserve of 10 planes making a total KOKUTAI strength of 70 planes
Its interesting to note that this Air Group apparently functioned as one unit instead of being broken up into a home detachment and a combat detachment
The above maintenance BUNTAI break down into maintenance HAN (Platoons) of 50-60 men each attached to one aircraft Squndron
- III shy
ARMY AIR FORCE
It is felt that naval personnel should be familiar with Jap~nese Army air organization because of the increasinL use of Japanese Ar~J air units in the Pacific Their assignment to this theater has been brought about both by a desire to afford close air support to Army ~round troops in New Guinea and New Bri tain and by the need to make good drastic air losses suffered in the Pacific by t ~ naval air force
1 Army Aviation Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU H01ABU)
The administration of Army aviation was reorganized in Amy 1942 in order to give the Army Air Force a degree of power and autonomy not unlike that of our own AAF At that time the Army Aviatior Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU HOMIlU) were set up to be headed by a Lieutenant General (RIKUGIDt CHUSHO) or a full General (RIKUGUN TAISHO) RIKUGUU means Army amps distinct from KAIGUN Navy
The Commandi ng General Army Aviation Headquarters is directly responsible to the Emperor instead of to the Uinister of War or the Chief of the General Staff who are his equa l s in rank and who also enjoy direct accebullbull to the Emperor These three officers constitute the High Command of the Japanese Army the head of Army Aviamptio~ HeadqUarters havine cognizance of Army air operashytions training and materiel
It is obvious however that this officer much like the Commanding General of our own Army Air Forces is not in a position to exercise direct tactical command over the wide spr ad air forces which he heado This tactical command must rest with heads of the various Air Commands in differshyent theaters of war
2 Air COll1lllllnds (KOKU EEIDAll) and Flying Divisions (EIKO SHIDMl)
HIKO is flyine SHIDAN is diviSion hence HIKO SHIDAU is Flying DiV1 sion The Flying Division is the largest unit of the Japanese Army Air Service Commanded by a Lieutenant-General it includes anywhere from 200 to 400 planes and the mit lecessary to servicing thereof
Seven Flying Divisions have been identified the 1st in Japan proper the 2nd ~n Manchuria the 3rd in China the 4th in Manchuria and the North China the 5th in Burma and adjacent regions the 6th in the Southwest Pacific and the 7t h in the UE I Headquarters of the 5th are a t Rangoon of the 6th at Rabaul and of the 7th at Ambon
The 6th and 7th Flying Divisions were very recent y activated It is believed that they were organized out of units taken from other Flying Divi slons for this purpo se
A flying Division does not maintain any fixed a_ze or composition i t ~y shrink or expand as the military situation requires Air units are shif teci free y from Oru Flyine Division to anshyother the Divisions themselves are rarely moved a bout as llnl t S
One step above the Flying Division is the KOICU IibluAU KOKU i8 a ir -rrI N is Corps KOKU HEIDAN is translated Air Command nlree Air COUlllllds have been i dentified e ach headed by a Lieutenant General the 1st in Japan proper t he 2ncr i n Planohuria an i) e 3rd at Si ll ep0re
These Air Commands are staffs not uni ts They con 1 11 r~ ai r 0
areas under th~ir cogni zance Thus the 1s t Plying Dv1sion a swe s ~h I s 2nd 3rd and 4th lyint lVlSlon to tht 2nd Ai r CODllampnd the 5th 6tl 11 bull
pr ohably to the 3rd Ai Commands
ThA Air Co~de are not mobIle they are pe~1ently ~ ~b~ d in d rferen war tJ exe r C1se st r tei c COllllOllUl ( ltn er Army air units i n t hose r4 Taotical nth tho F vin D1 i si n or me - unit is too W1atl ~ y middotat ter ~o un n fi B Q body lliith the PlYinG 3ri ada
co 0 remains
Units may be freely shifted ROOut from one Air Commnnd to another the Command itself reshymains unaffected Air COllnands are crec ted or abolished aR the ter1po and location f air operashytions seem to require
It is interesting to speculate on the relation between these commands of the Japanese Army air forces and the equivalent commands of the ~apanese Army fround f orces
The Japanese armies which might be co pared to Flying Divisions are co-orcinated by staffs which might be co pared to the Air Commands These staffs are C-in-C National Defense Forces in Japan proper C-in-C Kwantunr Army in Manchuria C-in-C Forces in China C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces with headquarters at Sin~apore It is not certain whether the 8th Army Grou~ controlling gr ound forces in the south and southwest Pacific with headquarters at Rabampul answers to C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces or directly to the Army High Command in TOkyo
It will be seen that C-in-C National Defense Forces corresponds to the 1st Air Command C-in-C Kw~tun~ Army and C-in-C Forces in China to the 2nd Air Command and the C-in-C Southshyern Expeditionary forces to the 3rd Air Command
It is not known whether in these cases the Air Command is subordinated to the equivalent grpund command or whether each of the two commands answers i ndividually to the Army High Command in Tokyo In the latter case the ground and air ccmmand r s are pres~~bly expected to effect coshyordination on a voluntary basis The Japanese ~mphasis on unity of commans and on the use of airshypower in support of ground operations -takes the former course middotmiddot more likely than the latter however
3 Flying Brigades (EIKODA n and Flying Regiments (EIKO SENTAI)
The Flying Division breaks down into about 3 Flyinr Bri~ades each with about 70-120 planes The Flying Brigade is generally commanded by a ~ajor General (RIKUGUN SEOSHO) though eometimes by a Colonel (RIKUGUN TAISA) It may be roulhly compared to a Navy KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotilla)
HI middot bull is an abbrevia t ioe for HIKO which II ans flying and RYODAN which leans Brirade The r are very mobile being divorced from servicing and administrative responsibilities They are _ee ly shifted from one Flying Division to another thus for example a riven Flying Brigade might fight in Burma during the dry season as part of the 5th Flying Brigade and might be transferred to the lffiI as part of the 7th Flying Di~sion during the Monsoon
A Flying Brigade breaks down into 3 Flying Regiments each of about 27 planes HIKO is flying SENTAI is battle uni til Flying Regiments ware called HIKO RENTAl before the war RENTAl being the ground forces term for regiment Iately the more dynamic term SENTAI has been substituted
The Flying Regiments like the Flying Brigades are divorced from administrative and servicshying duties and hence are extremely mobile However they generally function within the framework of the Flying Brigade - Flying Regiments are not shifted fram one Brigade to another al freely al Brigades are shifted from one Flying Division to another Flying Regiments are generally commanded by Majors (RIKUGUN SHOSA) or Lieutenant Colonelb (RlKUGUN CHUSA)
A Flying Brigade does not necessarily consist of only type of aircraft a Flying Regiment generally does
4 Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI) Sections (SHOTAI)
A Flying Regiment breaks down into three Squadrons (C~TAI)Jf 9 planes each The Japane~e Army Squadron is the same as the Navy squadron breaking down into three sections (SEOTAI) ~f three planes each A squadron will generally be commanded by a Captain (HlKUGUN TAIl) TIhen in flight three squadrons are te r med a DAITAI This is exclusively a tactical term
Certain S u drons operate independently usually as obse(vation units attached to ground forces These are terced DOKIRITSU t A I (Independent Squadrons)
5 Task Forces (BUTAI)
- 11 shy
We have noted the Navy use of BL AI XSHUBUTAI and KIlII J OIIT BU rBI Th also createsy
tactical air ~8k fo rces - though 1 (I fr Dllent l y in t lar l y ttUl the Nl n ir ta k forces are termed BU AI ti r siLl and oo~po8i tio~ II vary accor in to heir mi on TJo- ir exi5ten~e probably does not outlast t he f ul f ll~n ~ s mission
6 Administrative lnl t Air Dictric Hl RE BU) DAfTAI) Airfield C mp~ JAo~rrt~TI~~~~----~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1~i~e~s~(~n~IUK7G~
Scatte ~ throughc1t Greater East As ia are panese Air District Hedquort 118 are staffs eac If ich ccut l)ls all a r dlti n groun uncti oDs ( ser - i ng and adminill in he area under gn ~za~c It will be r e campl l d that the Fly i n Di vis i n is or-kDl ze ~ ~ athe permanent toIr n tonal basis it is bel i ad thllt all h a divie on will break ltlown tac t lc lly u-to Flying Brigad5 8 ald administratively int o Ai Dis tri ct Headquarters
The Flying Dri~ades are mobile comba t Ilvia t i on uni ts the Air District Headquarters are imshymobile ground housekeeplng units Bo th answer to tIe Commanding General of thei r parent Flying Division who thus controls all aviation matters wi~hin the zone under his command Comparatively little is known of the organization and content of the Air District Headquarters
A lower adrninistrative and servicing echelon is the HIKOJO DAITAI HIKOJO means airfield DAITAI is 1aree unit The Airfield Battalion is generally attached directly to a Flying Regishyment whose administrative and servicing functions it assumes
On the following page is a chart reproduced from ATIS SnFA Serial 159 showi ng the organishyzation of an Airfield Battalionas described by an ene~J source It will be seen that the Battalshyion breaks down into a guard company a eupply company and a servicing company this latter conshysisting of three servicing platoons each attached to one aircraft squadron
The Airfield Battalion is a mobile urlit It doe s not necessarily move with the Flying Regishyment but will generally move closely after or effeet a rendeJvous with such I parent unit as the latter will be heavily dependent on it for 6er~clng It is believed t t an Airfield Batalion will come under cognizamprlce of the Air District Headquarters in whose area it functions
The HIKOJO CHUTAI or Airfield Company is a miniature version of the Airfield Battalion It will be attached to squadrons operating independently or to small advanced airfields
7 Air Trainin (KYOIKU
Advanced operational training il conducted by Flying Divisions - articularly those in quiet areas such as Japan and Manchuria
Primary and intermediate training was formerly the function of the First Flying Division in Japan proper Lately it is believed that this division has been relieved of prtmary and intermedishyate training so as to free it for the defense of Japan and the Kuriles Those of its units which carried on training activities have been assigned to the newly created 51st Air Training Division also located in Japan proper
So far no other Air Training Division has been identified The 51st Air Training Division breaks down into Air Trainine Brigades a~d Air Training Regiments much like any other Flying DiTt sion The wora KYOlKU which will be noted in the above titles means training
- IV shy
FLYING RANK - ARMY AND NAVY
1 Officers
Officers of the Japanese ~ and Navy air services have - like US flyers - the same titles and badBes of rank as other line officers of the service to which they belOIlS These titles and insignia are reproduced on pages 15 and 16
In the case of naval officers oollar and shoulder tab insignia the cherry b10SsomB are silver the areas shaded in the illustrations on pBBe 15 UtI black and the WlSl d areas are gold In the case of flying officers the cherry blossom ~ be bluej in cese of air ground staff officers it may be green These insignia are worn as collar tabe on blu uniforms and as shoulder-boards on white uniforms The cuif bands are black on t lue unifClIIllB ~ld lace being used for ceremonial dress On fly1ng dress officers wear a c l oth PI tcll on tlI l e 1t 8I1I bbove the elbow bearing a design in gold lace similar to that of e curt b llds
In the case of the army offioers insignia the stars ex ~ gold the eretiB sruWed on page 15 are red and the unshaded areas are gold
It vill be noted that ArrIly and Navy Officers have the amt t1t~e3 of r mk Tj wor KAIGUN (Navy) and RIKtnUN (nArrIly) aro prefixed to avoid confusio In tJe Navr fl-mg o ~ icars put the tern KOKU between KAIGUN ani their title of rank while g o 8 Gai ~t l e e r use t- gt tert SEIBI in the same w~ Thus a KAIGUN KOKIJ SHOOA is a flying Li8lteDlJlt Q1JDnjer hile a KAIGm~ SEIBI SHooA is a Lieutenant Commander A-V(S)
The SHO which is used in SHooHO (rear Admiral) SHU3HO (Vice Admiral) ani ASnO (Admiral) means COIllllBDding officer and may on occasion be used as follows SHOTAISRO (CamtlI8J1der of a SHOTAI) CHUlAISHO (Commander of a CID1lAI) and so on This is 50 w~ of referr1JJg to ~be units CO withoUt des1goating his aotual rank
2 EDlisted PersODDel
Both Japanese air services make great use of enlisted men as pil l) a an 9 members of elrshycrews Even as pilots enlisted men ortnumber officers by as much as four to Oll
With respect to naval enlisted ranks it shoJld be noted that the HIKO SOCHO (USN Warshyrant Officer) vears a sleeve cuff band collar tabs and shoulder boards j the JOTO HEISO (USN Chief Petty Officer) has three cherry blossons on the sleeve but no collar tabs or shouder boards while the other six enlisted ratings wear their insignia an the right arm just above the elbow
The vord BIKO which vill be noted in the titles of all eight ratings means fly1ng In the oase of the grouni air staff SEIBI is substituted for HIKO in the title and a spealtl 1 airshyplane seen from a side view is substituted for the solid airplane seen from above in their inshysignia The personnel of both the Fly1ng ani Ground Crew branches are divided into specialist oategories each categor1 being dietingui shed b its own badge and title These categories are as follOWS
1 Flying (lIIKO) BrEUch A 110~a ( lJUINbullbull
1 gbter ilots (0 ITOKI 0JtlT) bull 2 Bo bull Hot f ~ J2lI SOJUJ
B on-Pllota (~urn) 1 abee at1cm n-rt tlan photo 0 hy eto
(TEIBAiSU) bull 2 Rad1 lin gwm X7 ( AlmKrn)
II Ground Crew (SEIBI) Branch A Ground Mechanics (SEIBIIN) B Armament Specialists (HEIIIIN) c Flying mechIJaics (TOJOllf) who maintain and
inspect equipment in flight These men constitute less than 5 of the ground crew branch
In the case of Ar~ enlisted ratings the same use of BIKO will be noted For the ground crews SEIBI is substituted Enlisted men down through the grade of corporal may act as pilots all enlisted men may be members of aircrews There are no U S A~ equivalents for the HIKO GOCBO and the BIKO JOTO HEI these terma have therefore been literally translated
3 Illustrations
The charts showing Japanese Army and Ifavy flying ranks are given on the following two pages In these charts certain Japanese Navy enlisted titles are given in parentheses These reshypresent abbreviations which are frequently used by the Japanese instead of the full title of the rank in question
-~-
NEAREST NEAREST U S NAVY U S ARMY COLLAR INSIGNIA EQU I VALENT EQIJ I VALENT
bull ral General ~ Lt J~ ire-A 11 ~ 1 CHI middotll tKUSHO B tt ltgt
SHOSHO ~ajor-en
TA ISA Colonel ~ CHUSA Lt -Col (gt SHOSA Major
i ra1 SHO HO
csp tain TA l
Comnander CI A
LtComdr SHOS ~
yen(~- UH~
~
~h
The JOTO HEISO wears sleeve cuff insignia but no coller or shoulder teb insignia
) (
- ADDENDA TO PART IV (f1 YING RMoiK)
Rpcpnt information Indlcatps that effpctive July 1 1K2 ttP tltlps ann arm insllnla of till sixmiddot 10wPFt Japanpsp naval ratines of tllp sparran hranctl wprp chan)middotltI to bp as follows
PS Equivalent Japanpse
(Flyine) Petty Offl pr 1st Class JafO HIKO HE ISO (JOHISO)
(Flylni) Petty Offlcpr 2nd Class ITIO ItIKO HEISO (III ISO)
(Flyln~) Pptty Offlcpr 3rd Class tilTCI IIIKO HEISO (~IHISO)
(Fly ing) Non-ratprl IMn 1st Class HI KO HE ICIIC) (HICHO) (H~IIII
(Fly Ing) Son-rated man 2nd Class JaIO HIKOHEI (JOH I)
(Flyln~) ~on-rated man 3rd Class IHO HIKOHEI (IPPI)
Ground aviation staffs substitute SEIBI for HIKO In the easp of flylne persolU) ttP chprry blossom Is blue In the ca of ~round aviation staffs it is jl reen Thes inSijDli a 111re the old markings Irp worn on thp right sl ve Rcmiddotlh old and npw insignia 1Ill be encolUltered in cOItbat arlas deshype nd lh on r o w re c p tlr the personnel 1 question hav arrived from Japan
-
ir-- -shy
11ilil
I shy - -bull - ~ ~p~ II ~ - II ~
I I
r-z--------IL==shy
j ~ i
L
-~-
I I
- ~ ~ - 3 r - - ~
~
-2
g = ~ ~ ~~ ~ shy
-- -
V
~ Q
~
~-= shy0
~~4
---- ~ ~ ~
S
l
I [
8 I [
~ I - ~ ~
I
I ~-
I
- 1
~
x- lt
GLOSSARY OF JlAVAL ABBREVIATIONS EMPLOYED IN TillS PAPER
BD CA CL DD SS SA
CVS XCVS
CV ACV APV
VF VB
SB VTB VOS
-------
---
-----
SHIPS
battleship h~avy cruiser light cruiser destroyer submarine submarine tender seaplane carrier converted seaplane carrier aircraft carrier Auxiliary aircraft carrier aircraft transport
PLANS
fighter horizontal bQmbe r dive bomber torpedo plane observation plane
The Squadron in fli~ht is known as a Cl~TAI as an administrative unit on the ground it is known as a BUNTAI The iquadrol breaks dORl into 3 Sections (SHOTAI) of three planes each
As an exa~ple of the administrative break-down of an Air Group into Squadrons the following make-up one KCKUTAI is cited
9lNTAI ifl amp jf2 Fighter squadrons (total 22 planea) BljNTAI TflJ amp 1f4 Fighter maintenance unit BUNTAI ff5 amp ttfgt Bomber squadrons (total 18 planes)
BUUTAI ff7 30ccer n~irtenance unit EUIITJI ff8 Communications unit
BVN7hI if9 amp tlO Adcinistrative units
It is stated that wi thin this KOKUTAI the two fighter BUNTAI were treated as one unit and th9 two bomber DUNTAI were treated as one unit The total fighter uni t when in flight was probably called a DhITAI the sarns beinE true of the total bomber unit
It 6ppears that a KOKUTAI may sometimes have plflne strength in reserve in addition to the complement of its DAITAI The above KOKUTAI had two DAITAI of 30 planes each plus a Group reshyserve of 10 planes making a total KOKUTAI strength of 70 planes
Its interesting to note that this Air Group apparently functioned as one unit instead of being broken up into a home detachment and a combat detachment
The above maintenance BUNTAI break down into maintenance HAN (Platoons) of 50-60 men each attached to one aircraft Squndron
- III shy
ARMY AIR FORCE
It is felt that naval personnel should be familiar with Jap~nese Army air organization because of the increasinL use of Japanese Ar~J air units in the Pacific Their assignment to this theater has been brought about both by a desire to afford close air support to Army ~round troops in New Guinea and New Bri tain and by the need to make good drastic air losses suffered in the Pacific by t ~ naval air force
1 Army Aviation Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU H01ABU)
The administration of Army aviation was reorganized in Amy 1942 in order to give the Army Air Force a degree of power and autonomy not unlike that of our own AAF At that time the Army Aviatior Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU HOMIlU) were set up to be headed by a Lieutenant General (RIKUGIDt CHUSHO) or a full General (RIKUGUN TAISHO) RIKUGUU means Army amps distinct from KAIGUN Navy
The Commandi ng General Army Aviation Headquarters is directly responsible to the Emperor instead of to the Uinister of War or the Chief of the General Staff who are his equa l s in rank and who also enjoy direct accebullbull to the Emperor These three officers constitute the High Command of the Japanese Army the head of Army Aviamptio~ HeadqUarters havine cognizance of Army air operashytions training and materiel
It is obvious however that this officer much like the Commanding General of our own Army Air Forces is not in a position to exercise direct tactical command over the wide spr ad air forces which he heado This tactical command must rest with heads of the various Air Commands in differshyent theaters of war
2 Air COll1lllllnds (KOKU EEIDAll) and Flying Divisions (EIKO SHIDMl)
HIKO is flyine SHIDAN is diviSion hence HIKO SHIDAU is Flying DiV1 sion The Flying Division is the largest unit of the Japanese Army Air Service Commanded by a Lieutenant-General it includes anywhere from 200 to 400 planes and the mit lecessary to servicing thereof
Seven Flying Divisions have been identified the 1st in Japan proper the 2nd ~n Manchuria the 3rd in China the 4th in Manchuria and the North China the 5th in Burma and adjacent regions the 6th in the Southwest Pacific and the 7t h in the UE I Headquarters of the 5th are a t Rangoon of the 6th at Rabaul and of the 7th at Ambon
The 6th and 7th Flying Divisions were very recent y activated It is believed that they were organized out of units taken from other Flying Divi slons for this purpo se
A flying Division does not maintain any fixed a_ze or composition i t ~y shrink or expand as the military situation requires Air units are shif teci free y from Oru Flyine Division to anshyother the Divisions themselves are rarely moved a bout as llnl t S
One step above the Flying Division is the KOICU IibluAU KOKU i8 a ir -rrI N is Corps KOKU HEIDAN is translated Air Command nlree Air COUlllllds have been i dentified e ach headed by a Lieutenant General the 1st in Japan proper t he 2ncr i n Planohuria an i) e 3rd at Si ll ep0re
These Air Commands are staffs not uni ts They con 1 11 r~ ai r 0
areas under th~ir cogni zance Thus the 1s t Plying Dv1sion a swe s ~h I s 2nd 3rd and 4th lyint lVlSlon to tht 2nd Ai r CODllampnd the 5th 6tl 11 bull
pr ohably to the 3rd Ai Commands
ThA Air Co~de are not mobIle they are pe~1ently ~ ~b~ d in d rferen war tJ exe r C1se st r tei c COllllOllUl ( ltn er Army air units i n t hose r4 Taotical nth tho F vin D1 i si n or me - unit is too W1atl ~ y middotat ter ~o un n fi B Q body lliith the PlYinG 3ri ada
co 0 remains
Units may be freely shifted ROOut from one Air Commnnd to another the Command itself reshymains unaffected Air COllnands are crec ted or abolished aR the ter1po and location f air operashytions seem to require
It is interesting to speculate on the relation between these commands of the Japanese Army air forces and the equivalent commands of the ~apanese Army fround f orces
The Japanese armies which might be co pared to Flying Divisions are co-orcinated by staffs which might be co pared to the Air Commands These staffs are C-in-C National Defense Forces in Japan proper C-in-C Kwantunr Army in Manchuria C-in-C Forces in China C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces with headquarters at Sin~apore It is not certain whether the 8th Army Grou~ controlling gr ound forces in the south and southwest Pacific with headquarters at Rabampul answers to C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces or directly to the Army High Command in TOkyo
It will be seen that C-in-C National Defense Forces corresponds to the 1st Air Command C-in-C Kw~tun~ Army and C-in-C Forces in China to the 2nd Air Command and the C-in-C Southshyern Expeditionary forces to the 3rd Air Command
It is not known whether in these cases the Air Command is subordinated to the equivalent grpund command or whether each of the two commands answers i ndividually to the Army High Command in Tokyo In the latter case the ground and air ccmmand r s are pres~~bly expected to effect coshyordination on a voluntary basis The Japanese ~mphasis on unity of commans and on the use of airshypower in support of ground operations -takes the former course middotmiddot more likely than the latter however
3 Flying Brigades (EIKODA n and Flying Regiments (EIKO SENTAI)
The Flying Division breaks down into about 3 Flyinr Bri~ades each with about 70-120 planes The Flying Brigade is generally commanded by a ~ajor General (RIKUGUN SEOSHO) though eometimes by a Colonel (RIKUGUN TAISA) It may be roulhly compared to a Navy KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotilla)
HI middot bull is an abbrevia t ioe for HIKO which II ans flying and RYODAN which leans Brirade The r are very mobile being divorced from servicing and administrative responsibilities They are _ee ly shifted from one Flying Division to another thus for example a riven Flying Brigade might fight in Burma during the dry season as part of the 5th Flying Brigade and might be transferred to the lffiI as part of the 7th Flying Di~sion during the Monsoon
A Flying Brigade breaks down into 3 Flying Regiments each of about 27 planes HIKO is flying SENTAI is battle uni til Flying Regiments ware called HIKO RENTAl before the war RENTAl being the ground forces term for regiment Iately the more dynamic term SENTAI has been substituted
The Flying Regiments like the Flying Brigades are divorced from administrative and servicshying duties and hence are extremely mobile However they generally function within the framework of the Flying Brigade - Flying Regiments are not shifted fram one Brigade to another al freely al Brigades are shifted from one Flying Division to another Flying Regiments are generally commanded by Majors (RIKUGUN SHOSA) or Lieutenant Colonelb (RlKUGUN CHUSA)
A Flying Brigade does not necessarily consist of only type of aircraft a Flying Regiment generally does
4 Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI) Sections (SHOTAI)
A Flying Regiment breaks down into three Squadrons (C~TAI)Jf 9 planes each The Japane~e Army Squadron is the same as the Navy squadron breaking down into three sections (SEOTAI) ~f three planes each A squadron will generally be commanded by a Captain (HlKUGUN TAIl) TIhen in flight three squadrons are te r med a DAITAI This is exclusively a tactical term
Certain S u drons operate independently usually as obse(vation units attached to ground forces These are terced DOKIRITSU t A I (Independent Squadrons)
5 Task Forces (BUTAI)
- 11 shy
We have noted the Navy use of BL AI XSHUBUTAI and KIlII J OIIT BU rBI Th also createsy
tactical air ~8k fo rces - though 1 (I fr Dllent l y in t lar l y ttUl the Nl n ir ta k forces are termed BU AI ti r siLl and oo~po8i tio~ II vary accor in to heir mi on TJo- ir exi5ten~e probably does not outlast t he f ul f ll~n ~ s mission
6 Administrative lnl t Air Dictric Hl RE BU) DAfTAI) Airfield C mp~ JAo~rrt~TI~~~~----~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1~i~e~s~(~n~IUK7G~
Scatte ~ throughc1t Greater East As ia are panese Air District Hedquort 118 are staffs eac If ich ccut l)ls all a r dlti n groun uncti oDs ( ser - i ng and adminill in he area under gn ~za~c It will be r e campl l d that the Fly i n Di vis i n is or-kDl ze ~ ~ athe permanent toIr n tonal basis it is bel i ad thllt all h a divie on will break ltlown tac t lc lly u-to Flying Brigad5 8 ald administratively int o Ai Dis tri ct Headquarters
The Flying Dri~ades are mobile comba t Ilvia t i on uni ts the Air District Headquarters are imshymobile ground housekeeplng units Bo th answer to tIe Commanding General of thei r parent Flying Division who thus controls all aviation matters wi~hin the zone under his command Comparatively little is known of the organization and content of the Air District Headquarters
A lower adrninistrative and servicing echelon is the HIKOJO DAITAI HIKOJO means airfield DAITAI is 1aree unit The Airfield Battalion is generally attached directly to a Flying Regishyment whose administrative and servicing functions it assumes
On the following page is a chart reproduced from ATIS SnFA Serial 159 showi ng the organishyzation of an Airfield Battalionas described by an ene~J source It will be seen that the Battalshyion breaks down into a guard company a eupply company and a servicing company this latter conshysisting of three servicing platoons each attached to one aircraft squadron
The Airfield Battalion is a mobile urlit It doe s not necessarily move with the Flying Regishyment but will generally move closely after or effeet a rendeJvous with such I parent unit as the latter will be heavily dependent on it for 6er~clng It is believed t t an Airfield Batalion will come under cognizamprlce of the Air District Headquarters in whose area it functions
The HIKOJO CHUTAI or Airfield Company is a miniature version of the Airfield Battalion It will be attached to squadrons operating independently or to small advanced airfields
7 Air Trainin (KYOIKU
Advanced operational training il conducted by Flying Divisions - articularly those in quiet areas such as Japan and Manchuria
Primary and intermediate training was formerly the function of the First Flying Division in Japan proper Lately it is believed that this division has been relieved of prtmary and intermedishyate training so as to free it for the defense of Japan and the Kuriles Those of its units which carried on training activities have been assigned to the newly created 51st Air Training Division also located in Japan proper
So far no other Air Training Division has been identified The 51st Air Training Division breaks down into Air Trainine Brigades a~d Air Training Regiments much like any other Flying DiTt sion The wora KYOlKU which will be noted in the above titles means training
- IV shy
FLYING RANK - ARMY AND NAVY
1 Officers
Officers of the Japanese ~ and Navy air services have - like US flyers - the same titles and badBes of rank as other line officers of the service to which they belOIlS These titles and insignia are reproduced on pages 15 and 16
In the case of naval officers oollar and shoulder tab insignia the cherry b10SsomB are silver the areas shaded in the illustrations on pBBe 15 UtI black and the WlSl d areas are gold In the case of flying officers the cherry blossom ~ be bluej in cese of air ground staff officers it may be green These insignia are worn as collar tabe on blu uniforms and as shoulder-boards on white uniforms The cuif bands are black on t lue unifClIIllB ~ld lace being used for ceremonial dress On fly1ng dress officers wear a c l oth PI tcll on tlI l e 1t 8I1I bbove the elbow bearing a design in gold lace similar to that of e curt b llds
In the case of the army offioers insignia the stars ex ~ gold the eretiB sruWed on page 15 are red and the unshaded areas are gold
It vill be noted that ArrIly and Navy Officers have the amt t1t~e3 of r mk Tj wor KAIGUN (Navy) and RIKtnUN (nArrIly) aro prefixed to avoid confusio In tJe Navr fl-mg o ~ icars put the tern KOKU between KAIGUN ani their title of rank while g o 8 Gai ~t l e e r use t- gt tert SEIBI in the same w~ Thus a KAIGUN KOKIJ SHOOA is a flying Li8lteDlJlt Q1JDnjer hile a KAIGm~ SEIBI SHooA is a Lieutenant Commander A-V(S)
The SHO which is used in SHooHO (rear Admiral) SHU3HO (Vice Admiral) ani ASnO (Admiral) means COIllllBDding officer and may on occasion be used as follows SHOTAISRO (CamtlI8J1der of a SHOTAI) CHUlAISHO (Commander of a CID1lAI) and so on This is 50 w~ of referr1JJg to ~be units CO withoUt des1goating his aotual rank
2 EDlisted PersODDel
Both Japanese air services make great use of enlisted men as pil l) a an 9 members of elrshycrews Even as pilots enlisted men ortnumber officers by as much as four to Oll
With respect to naval enlisted ranks it shoJld be noted that the HIKO SOCHO (USN Warshyrant Officer) vears a sleeve cuff band collar tabs and shoulder boards j the JOTO HEISO (USN Chief Petty Officer) has three cherry blossons on the sleeve but no collar tabs or shouder boards while the other six enlisted ratings wear their insignia an the right arm just above the elbow
The vord BIKO which vill be noted in the titles of all eight ratings means fly1ng In the oase of the grouni air staff SEIBI is substituted for HIKO in the title and a spealtl 1 airshyplane seen from a side view is substituted for the solid airplane seen from above in their inshysignia The personnel of both the Fly1ng ani Ground Crew branches are divided into specialist oategories each categor1 being dietingui shed b its own badge and title These categories are as follOWS
1 Flying (lIIKO) BrEUch A 110~a ( lJUINbullbull
1 gbter ilots (0 ITOKI 0JtlT) bull 2 Bo bull Hot f ~ J2lI SOJUJ
B on-Pllota (~urn) 1 abee at1cm n-rt tlan photo 0 hy eto
(TEIBAiSU) bull 2 Rad1 lin gwm X7 ( AlmKrn)
II Ground Crew (SEIBI) Branch A Ground Mechanics (SEIBIIN) B Armament Specialists (HEIIIIN) c Flying mechIJaics (TOJOllf) who maintain and
inspect equipment in flight These men constitute less than 5 of the ground crew branch
In the case of Ar~ enlisted ratings the same use of BIKO will be noted For the ground crews SEIBI is substituted Enlisted men down through the grade of corporal may act as pilots all enlisted men may be members of aircrews There are no U S A~ equivalents for the HIKO GOCBO and the BIKO JOTO HEI these terma have therefore been literally translated
3 Illustrations
The charts showing Japanese Army and Ifavy flying ranks are given on the following two pages In these charts certain Japanese Navy enlisted titles are given in parentheses These reshypresent abbreviations which are frequently used by the Japanese instead of the full title of the rank in question
-~-
NEAREST NEAREST U S NAVY U S ARMY COLLAR INSIGNIA EQU I VALENT EQIJ I VALENT
bull ral General ~ Lt J~ ire-A 11 ~ 1 CHI middotll tKUSHO B tt ltgt
SHOSHO ~ajor-en
TA ISA Colonel ~ CHUSA Lt -Col (gt SHOSA Major
i ra1 SHO HO
csp tain TA l
Comnander CI A
LtComdr SHOS ~
yen(~- UH~
~
~h
The JOTO HEISO wears sleeve cuff insignia but no coller or shoulder teb insignia
) (
- ADDENDA TO PART IV (f1 YING RMoiK)
Rpcpnt information Indlcatps that effpctive July 1 1K2 ttP tltlps ann arm insllnla of till sixmiddot 10wPFt Japanpsp naval ratines of tllp sparran hranctl wprp chan)middotltI to bp as follows
PS Equivalent Japanpse
(Flyine) Petty Offl pr 1st Class JafO HIKO HE ISO (JOHISO)
(Flylni) Petty Offlcpr 2nd Class ITIO ItIKO HEISO (III ISO)
(Flyln~) Pptty Offlcpr 3rd Class tilTCI IIIKO HEISO (~IHISO)
(Fly ing) Non-ratprl IMn 1st Class HI KO HE ICIIC) (HICHO) (H~IIII
(Fly Ing) Son-rated man 2nd Class JaIO HIKOHEI (JOH I)
(Flyln~) ~on-rated man 3rd Class IHO HIKOHEI (IPPI)
Ground aviation staffs substitute SEIBI for HIKO In the easp of flylne persolU) ttP chprry blossom Is blue In the ca of ~round aviation staffs it is jl reen Thes inSijDli a 111re the old markings Irp worn on thp right sl ve Rcmiddotlh old and npw insignia 1Ill be encolUltered in cOItbat arlas deshype nd lh on r o w re c p tlr the personnel 1 question hav arrived from Japan
-
ir-- -shy
11ilil
I shy - -bull - ~ ~p~ II ~ - II ~
I I
r-z--------IL==shy
j ~ i
L
-~-
I I
- ~ ~ - 3 r - - ~
~
-2
g = ~ ~ ~~ ~ shy
-- -
V
~ Q
~
~-= shy0
~~4
---- ~ ~ ~
S
l
I [
8 I [
~ I - ~ ~
I
I ~-
I
- 1
~
x- lt
GLOSSARY OF JlAVAL ABBREVIATIONS EMPLOYED IN TillS PAPER
BD CA CL DD SS SA
CVS XCVS
CV ACV APV
VF VB
SB VTB VOS
-------
---
-----
SHIPS
battleship h~avy cruiser light cruiser destroyer submarine submarine tender seaplane carrier converted seaplane carrier aircraft carrier Auxiliary aircraft carrier aircraft transport
PLANS
fighter horizontal bQmbe r dive bomber torpedo plane observation plane
- III shy
ARMY AIR FORCE
It is felt that naval personnel should be familiar with Jap~nese Army air organization because of the increasinL use of Japanese Ar~J air units in the Pacific Their assignment to this theater has been brought about both by a desire to afford close air support to Army ~round troops in New Guinea and New Bri tain and by the need to make good drastic air losses suffered in the Pacific by t ~ naval air force
1 Army Aviation Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU H01ABU)
The administration of Army aviation was reorganized in Amy 1942 in order to give the Army Air Force a degree of power and autonomy not unlike that of our own AAF At that time the Army Aviatior Headquarters (RIKUGUN KOKU HOMIlU) were set up to be headed by a Lieutenant General (RIKUGIDt CHUSHO) or a full General (RIKUGUN TAISHO) RIKUGUU means Army amps distinct from KAIGUN Navy
The Commandi ng General Army Aviation Headquarters is directly responsible to the Emperor instead of to the Uinister of War or the Chief of the General Staff who are his equa l s in rank and who also enjoy direct accebullbull to the Emperor These three officers constitute the High Command of the Japanese Army the head of Army Aviamptio~ HeadqUarters havine cognizance of Army air operashytions training and materiel
It is obvious however that this officer much like the Commanding General of our own Army Air Forces is not in a position to exercise direct tactical command over the wide spr ad air forces which he heado This tactical command must rest with heads of the various Air Commands in differshyent theaters of war
2 Air COll1lllllnds (KOKU EEIDAll) and Flying Divisions (EIKO SHIDMl)
HIKO is flyine SHIDAN is diviSion hence HIKO SHIDAU is Flying DiV1 sion The Flying Division is the largest unit of the Japanese Army Air Service Commanded by a Lieutenant-General it includes anywhere from 200 to 400 planes and the mit lecessary to servicing thereof
Seven Flying Divisions have been identified the 1st in Japan proper the 2nd ~n Manchuria the 3rd in China the 4th in Manchuria and the North China the 5th in Burma and adjacent regions the 6th in the Southwest Pacific and the 7t h in the UE I Headquarters of the 5th are a t Rangoon of the 6th at Rabaul and of the 7th at Ambon
The 6th and 7th Flying Divisions were very recent y activated It is believed that they were organized out of units taken from other Flying Divi slons for this purpo se
A flying Division does not maintain any fixed a_ze or composition i t ~y shrink or expand as the military situation requires Air units are shif teci free y from Oru Flyine Division to anshyother the Divisions themselves are rarely moved a bout as llnl t S
One step above the Flying Division is the KOICU IibluAU KOKU i8 a ir -rrI N is Corps KOKU HEIDAN is translated Air Command nlree Air COUlllllds have been i dentified e ach headed by a Lieutenant General the 1st in Japan proper t he 2ncr i n Planohuria an i) e 3rd at Si ll ep0re
These Air Commands are staffs not uni ts They con 1 11 r~ ai r 0
areas under th~ir cogni zance Thus the 1s t Plying Dv1sion a swe s ~h I s 2nd 3rd and 4th lyint lVlSlon to tht 2nd Ai r CODllampnd the 5th 6tl 11 bull
pr ohably to the 3rd Ai Commands
ThA Air Co~de are not mobIle they are pe~1ently ~ ~b~ d in d rferen war tJ exe r C1se st r tei c COllllOllUl ( ltn er Army air units i n t hose r4 Taotical nth tho F vin D1 i si n or me - unit is too W1atl ~ y middotat ter ~o un n fi B Q body lliith the PlYinG 3ri ada
co 0 remains
Units may be freely shifted ROOut from one Air Commnnd to another the Command itself reshymains unaffected Air COllnands are crec ted or abolished aR the ter1po and location f air operashytions seem to require
It is interesting to speculate on the relation between these commands of the Japanese Army air forces and the equivalent commands of the ~apanese Army fround f orces
The Japanese armies which might be co pared to Flying Divisions are co-orcinated by staffs which might be co pared to the Air Commands These staffs are C-in-C National Defense Forces in Japan proper C-in-C Kwantunr Army in Manchuria C-in-C Forces in China C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces with headquarters at Sin~apore It is not certain whether the 8th Army Grou~ controlling gr ound forces in the south and southwest Pacific with headquarters at Rabampul answers to C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces or directly to the Army High Command in TOkyo
It will be seen that C-in-C National Defense Forces corresponds to the 1st Air Command C-in-C Kw~tun~ Army and C-in-C Forces in China to the 2nd Air Command and the C-in-C Southshyern Expeditionary forces to the 3rd Air Command
It is not known whether in these cases the Air Command is subordinated to the equivalent grpund command or whether each of the two commands answers i ndividually to the Army High Command in Tokyo In the latter case the ground and air ccmmand r s are pres~~bly expected to effect coshyordination on a voluntary basis The Japanese ~mphasis on unity of commans and on the use of airshypower in support of ground operations -takes the former course middotmiddot more likely than the latter however
3 Flying Brigades (EIKODA n and Flying Regiments (EIKO SENTAI)
The Flying Division breaks down into about 3 Flyinr Bri~ades each with about 70-120 planes The Flying Brigade is generally commanded by a ~ajor General (RIKUGUN SEOSHO) though eometimes by a Colonel (RIKUGUN TAISA) It may be roulhly compared to a Navy KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotilla)
HI middot bull is an abbrevia t ioe for HIKO which II ans flying and RYODAN which leans Brirade The r are very mobile being divorced from servicing and administrative responsibilities They are _ee ly shifted from one Flying Division to another thus for example a riven Flying Brigade might fight in Burma during the dry season as part of the 5th Flying Brigade and might be transferred to the lffiI as part of the 7th Flying Di~sion during the Monsoon
A Flying Brigade breaks down into 3 Flying Regiments each of about 27 planes HIKO is flying SENTAI is battle uni til Flying Regiments ware called HIKO RENTAl before the war RENTAl being the ground forces term for regiment Iately the more dynamic term SENTAI has been substituted
The Flying Regiments like the Flying Brigades are divorced from administrative and servicshying duties and hence are extremely mobile However they generally function within the framework of the Flying Brigade - Flying Regiments are not shifted fram one Brigade to another al freely al Brigades are shifted from one Flying Division to another Flying Regiments are generally commanded by Majors (RIKUGUN SHOSA) or Lieutenant Colonelb (RlKUGUN CHUSA)
A Flying Brigade does not necessarily consist of only type of aircraft a Flying Regiment generally does
4 Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI) Sections (SHOTAI)
A Flying Regiment breaks down into three Squadrons (C~TAI)Jf 9 planes each The Japane~e Army Squadron is the same as the Navy squadron breaking down into three sections (SEOTAI) ~f three planes each A squadron will generally be commanded by a Captain (HlKUGUN TAIl) TIhen in flight three squadrons are te r med a DAITAI This is exclusively a tactical term
Certain S u drons operate independently usually as obse(vation units attached to ground forces These are terced DOKIRITSU t A I (Independent Squadrons)
5 Task Forces (BUTAI)
- 11 shy
We have noted the Navy use of BL AI XSHUBUTAI and KIlII J OIIT BU rBI Th also createsy
tactical air ~8k fo rces - though 1 (I fr Dllent l y in t lar l y ttUl the Nl n ir ta k forces are termed BU AI ti r siLl and oo~po8i tio~ II vary accor in to heir mi on TJo- ir exi5ten~e probably does not outlast t he f ul f ll~n ~ s mission
6 Administrative lnl t Air Dictric Hl RE BU) DAfTAI) Airfield C mp~ JAo~rrt~TI~~~~----~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1~i~e~s~(~n~IUK7G~
Scatte ~ throughc1t Greater East As ia are panese Air District Hedquort 118 are staffs eac If ich ccut l)ls all a r dlti n groun uncti oDs ( ser - i ng and adminill in he area under gn ~za~c It will be r e campl l d that the Fly i n Di vis i n is or-kDl ze ~ ~ athe permanent toIr n tonal basis it is bel i ad thllt all h a divie on will break ltlown tac t lc lly u-to Flying Brigad5 8 ald administratively int o Ai Dis tri ct Headquarters
The Flying Dri~ades are mobile comba t Ilvia t i on uni ts the Air District Headquarters are imshymobile ground housekeeplng units Bo th answer to tIe Commanding General of thei r parent Flying Division who thus controls all aviation matters wi~hin the zone under his command Comparatively little is known of the organization and content of the Air District Headquarters
A lower adrninistrative and servicing echelon is the HIKOJO DAITAI HIKOJO means airfield DAITAI is 1aree unit The Airfield Battalion is generally attached directly to a Flying Regishyment whose administrative and servicing functions it assumes
On the following page is a chart reproduced from ATIS SnFA Serial 159 showi ng the organishyzation of an Airfield Battalionas described by an ene~J source It will be seen that the Battalshyion breaks down into a guard company a eupply company and a servicing company this latter conshysisting of three servicing platoons each attached to one aircraft squadron
The Airfield Battalion is a mobile urlit It doe s not necessarily move with the Flying Regishyment but will generally move closely after or effeet a rendeJvous with such I parent unit as the latter will be heavily dependent on it for 6er~clng It is believed t t an Airfield Batalion will come under cognizamprlce of the Air District Headquarters in whose area it functions
The HIKOJO CHUTAI or Airfield Company is a miniature version of the Airfield Battalion It will be attached to squadrons operating independently or to small advanced airfields
7 Air Trainin (KYOIKU
Advanced operational training il conducted by Flying Divisions - articularly those in quiet areas such as Japan and Manchuria
Primary and intermediate training was formerly the function of the First Flying Division in Japan proper Lately it is believed that this division has been relieved of prtmary and intermedishyate training so as to free it for the defense of Japan and the Kuriles Those of its units which carried on training activities have been assigned to the newly created 51st Air Training Division also located in Japan proper
So far no other Air Training Division has been identified The 51st Air Training Division breaks down into Air Trainine Brigades a~d Air Training Regiments much like any other Flying DiTt sion The wora KYOlKU which will be noted in the above titles means training
- IV shy
FLYING RANK - ARMY AND NAVY
1 Officers
Officers of the Japanese ~ and Navy air services have - like US flyers - the same titles and badBes of rank as other line officers of the service to which they belOIlS These titles and insignia are reproduced on pages 15 and 16
In the case of naval officers oollar and shoulder tab insignia the cherry b10SsomB are silver the areas shaded in the illustrations on pBBe 15 UtI black and the WlSl d areas are gold In the case of flying officers the cherry blossom ~ be bluej in cese of air ground staff officers it may be green These insignia are worn as collar tabe on blu uniforms and as shoulder-boards on white uniforms The cuif bands are black on t lue unifClIIllB ~ld lace being used for ceremonial dress On fly1ng dress officers wear a c l oth PI tcll on tlI l e 1t 8I1I bbove the elbow bearing a design in gold lace similar to that of e curt b llds
In the case of the army offioers insignia the stars ex ~ gold the eretiB sruWed on page 15 are red and the unshaded areas are gold
It vill be noted that ArrIly and Navy Officers have the amt t1t~e3 of r mk Tj wor KAIGUN (Navy) and RIKtnUN (nArrIly) aro prefixed to avoid confusio In tJe Navr fl-mg o ~ icars put the tern KOKU between KAIGUN ani their title of rank while g o 8 Gai ~t l e e r use t- gt tert SEIBI in the same w~ Thus a KAIGUN KOKIJ SHOOA is a flying Li8lteDlJlt Q1JDnjer hile a KAIGm~ SEIBI SHooA is a Lieutenant Commander A-V(S)
The SHO which is used in SHooHO (rear Admiral) SHU3HO (Vice Admiral) ani ASnO (Admiral) means COIllllBDding officer and may on occasion be used as follows SHOTAISRO (CamtlI8J1der of a SHOTAI) CHUlAISHO (Commander of a CID1lAI) and so on This is 50 w~ of referr1JJg to ~be units CO withoUt des1goating his aotual rank
2 EDlisted PersODDel
Both Japanese air services make great use of enlisted men as pil l) a an 9 members of elrshycrews Even as pilots enlisted men ortnumber officers by as much as four to Oll
With respect to naval enlisted ranks it shoJld be noted that the HIKO SOCHO (USN Warshyrant Officer) vears a sleeve cuff band collar tabs and shoulder boards j the JOTO HEISO (USN Chief Petty Officer) has three cherry blossons on the sleeve but no collar tabs or shouder boards while the other six enlisted ratings wear their insignia an the right arm just above the elbow
The vord BIKO which vill be noted in the titles of all eight ratings means fly1ng In the oase of the grouni air staff SEIBI is substituted for HIKO in the title and a spealtl 1 airshyplane seen from a side view is substituted for the solid airplane seen from above in their inshysignia The personnel of both the Fly1ng ani Ground Crew branches are divided into specialist oategories each categor1 being dietingui shed b its own badge and title These categories are as follOWS
1 Flying (lIIKO) BrEUch A 110~a ( lJUINbullbull
1 gbter ilots (0 ITOKI 0JtlT) bull 2 Bo bull Hot f ~ J2lI SOJUJ
B on-Pllota (~urn) 1 abee at1cm n-rt tlan photo 0 hy eto
(TEIBAiSU) bull 2 Rad1 lin gwm X7 ( AlmKrn)
II Ground Crew (SEIBI) Branch A Ground Mechanics (SEIBIIN) B Armament Specialists (HEIIIIN) c Flying mechIJaics (TOJOllf) who maintain and
inspect equipment in flight These men constitute less than 5 of the ground crew branch
In the case of Ar~ enlisted ratings the same use of BIKO will be noted For the ground crews SEIBI is substituted Enlisted men down through the grade of corporal may act as pilots all enlisted men may be members of aircrews There are no U S A~ equivalents for the HIKO GOCBO and the BIKO JOTO HEI these terma have therefore been literally translated
3 Illustrations
The charts showing Japanese Army and Ifavy flying ranks are given on the following two pages In these charts certain Japanese Navy enlisted titles are given in parentheses These reshypresent abbreviations which are frequently used by the Japanese instead of the full title of the rank in question
-~-
NEAREST NEAREST U S NAVY U S ARMY COLLAR INSIGNIA EQU I VALENT EQIJ I VALENT
bull ral General ~ Lt J~ ire-A 11 ~ 1 CHI middotll tKUSHO B tt ltgt
SHOSHO ~ajor-en
TA ISA Colonel ~ CHUSA Lt -Col (gt SHOSA Major
i ra1 SHO HO
csp tain TA l
Comnander CI A
LtComdr SHOS ~
yen(~- UH~
~
~h
The JOTO HEISO wears sleeve cuff insignia but no coller or shoulder teb insignia
) (
- ADDENDA TO PART IV (f1 YING RMoiK)
Rpcpnt information Indlcatps that effpctive July 1 1K2 ttP tltlps ann arm insllnla of till sixmiddot 10wPFt Japanpsp naval ratines of tllp sparran hranctl wprp chan)middotltI to bp as follows
PS Equivalent Japanpse
(Flyine) Petty Offl pr 1st Class JafO HIKO HE ISO (JOHISO)
(Flylni) Petty Offlcpr 2nd Class ITIO ItIKO HEISO (III ISO)
(Flyln~) Pptty Offlcpr 3rd Class tilTCI IIIKO HEISO (~IHISO)
(Fly ing) Non-ratprl IMn 1st Class HI KO HE ICIIC) (HICHO) (H~IIII
(Fly Ing) Son-rated man 2nd Class JaIO HIKOHEI (JOH I)
(Flyln~) ~on-rated man 3rd Class IHO HIKOHEI (IPPI)
Ground aviation staffs substitute SEIBI for HIKO In the easp of flylne persolU) ttP chprry blossom Is blue In the ca of ~round aviation staffs it is jl reen Thes inSijDli a 111re the old markings Irp worn on thp right sl ve Rcmiddotlh old and npw insignia 1Ill be encolUltered in cOItbat arlas deshype nd lh on r o w re c p tlr the personnel 1 question hav arrived from Japan
-
ir-- -shy
11ilil
I shy - -bull - ~ ~p~ II ~ - II ~
I I
r-z--------IL==shy
j ~ i
L
-~-
I I
- ~ ~ - 3 r - - ~
~
-2
g = ~ ~ ~~ ~ shy
-- -
V
~ Q
~
~-= shy0
~~4
---- ~ ~ ~
S
l
I [
8 I [
~ I - ~ ~
I
I ~-
I
- 1
~
x- lt
GLOSSARY OF JlAVAL ABBREVIATIONS EMPLOYED IN TillS PAPER
BD CA CL DD SS SA
CVS XCVS
CV ACV APV
VF VB
SB VTB VOS
-------
---
-----
SHIPS
battleship h~avy cruiser light cruiser destroyer submarine submarine tender seaplane carrier converted seaplane carrier aircraft carrier Auxiliary aircraft carrier aircraft transport
PLANS
fighter horizontal bQmbe r dive bomber torpedo plane observation plane
Units may be freely shifted ROOut from one Air Commnnd to another the Command itself reshymains unaffected Air COllnands are crec ted or abolished aR the ter1po and location f air operashytions seem to require
It is interesting to speculate on the relation between these commands of the Japanese Army air forces and the equivalent commands of the ~apanese Army fround f orces
The Japanese armies which might be co pared to Flying Divisions are co-orcinated by staffs which might be co pared to the Air Commands These staffs are C-in-C National Defense Forces in Japan proper C-in-C Kwantunr Army in Manchuria C-in-C Forces in China C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces with headquarters at Sin~apore It is not certain whether the 8th Army Grou~ controlling gr ound forces in the south and southwest Pacific with headquarters at Rabampul answers to C-in-C Southern Expeditionary Forces or directly to the Army High Command in TOkyo
It will be seen that C-in-C National Defense Forces corresponds to the 1st Air Command C-in-C Kw~tun~ Army and C-in-C Forces in China to the 2nd Air Command and the C-in-C Southshyern Expeditionary forces to the 3rd Air Command
It is not known whether in these cases the Air Command is subordinated to the equivalent grpund command or whether each of the two commands answers i ndividually to the Army High Command in Tokyo In the latter case the ground and air ccmmand r s are pres~~bly expected to effect coshyordination on a voluntary basis The Japanese ~mphasis on unity of commans and on the use of airshypower in support of ground operations -takes the former course middotmiddot more likely than the latter however
3 Flying Brigades (EIKODA n and Flying Regiments (EIKO SENTAI)
The Flying Division breaks down into about 3 Flyinr Bri~ades each with about 70-120 planes The Flying Brigade is generally commanded by a ~ajor General (RIKUGUN SEOSHO) though eometimes by a Colonel (RIKUGUN TAISA) It may be roulhly compared to a Navy KOKUSENTAI (Air Flotilla)
HI middot bull is an abbrevia t ioe for HIKO which II ans flying and RYODAN which leans Brirade The r are very mobile being divorced from servicing and administrative responsibilities They are _ee ly shifted from one Flying Division to another thus for example a riven Flying Brigade might fight in Burma during the dry season as part of the 5th Flying Brigade and might be transferred to the lffiI as part of the 7th Flying Di~sion during the Monsoon
A Flying Brigade breaks down into 3 Flying Regiments each of about 27 planes HIKO is flying SENTAI is battle uni til Flying Regiments ware called HIKO RENTAl before the war RENTAl being the ground forces term for regiment Iately the more dynamic term SENTAI has been substituted
The Flying Regiments like the Flying Brigades are divorced from administrative and servicshying duties and hence are extremely mobile However they generally function within the framework of the Flying Brigade - Flying Regiments are not shifted fram one Brigade to another al freely al Brigades are shifted from one Flying Division to another Flying Regiments are generally commanded by Majors (RIKUGUN SHOSA) or Lieutenant Colonelb (RlKUGUN CHUSA)
A Flying Brigade does not necessarily consist of only type of aircraft a Flying Regiment generally does
4 Type Wings (DAITAI) Squadrons (CHUTAI) Sections (SHOTAI)
A Flying Regiment breaks down into three Squadrons (C~TAI)Jf 9 planes each The Japane~e Army Squadron is the same as the Navy squadron breaking down into three sections (SEOTAI) ~f three planes each A squadron will generally be commanded by a Captain (HlKUGUN TAIl) TIhen in flight three squadrons are te r med a DAITAI This is exclusively a tactical term
Certain S u drons operate independently usually as obse(vation units attached to ground forces These are terced DOKIRITSU t A I (Independent Squadrons)
5 Task Forces (BUTAI)
- 11 shy
We have noted the Navy use of BL AI XSHUBUTAI and KIlII J OIIT BU rBI Th also createsy
tactical air ~8k fo rces - though 1 (I fr Dllent l y in t lar l y ttUl the Nl n ir ta k forces are termed BU AI ti r siLl and oo~po8i tio~ II vary accor in to heir mi on TJo- ir exi5ten~e probably does not outlast t he f ul f ll~n ~ s mission
6 Administrative lnl t Air Dictric Hl RE BU) DAfTAI) Airfield C mp~ JAo~rrt~TI~~~~----~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1~i~e~s~(~n~IUK7G~
Scatte ~ throughc1t Greater East As ia are panese Air District Hedquort 118 are staffs eac If ich ccut l)ls all a r dlti n groun uncti oDs ( ser - i ng and adminill in he area under gn ~za~c It will be r e campl l d that the Fly i n Di vis i n is or-kDl ze ~ ~ athe permanent toIr n tonal basis it is bel i ad thllt all h a divie on will break ltlown tac t lc lly u-to Flying Brigad5 8 ald administratively int o Ai Dis tri ct Headquarters
The Flying Dri~ades are mobile comba t Ilvia t i on uni ts the Air District Headquarters are imshymobile ground housekeeplng units Bo th answer to tIe Commanding General of thei r parent Flying Division who thus controls all aviation matters wi~hin the zone under his command Comparatively little is known of the organization and content of the Air District Headquarters
A lower adrninistrative and servicing echelon is the HIKOJO DAITAI HIKOJO means airfield DAITAI is 1aree unit The Airfield Battalion is generally attached directly to a Flying Regishyment whose administrative and servicing functions it assumes
On the following page is a chart reproduced from ATIS SnFA Serial 159 showi ng the organishyzation of an Airfield Battalionas described by an ene~J source It will be seen that the Battalshyion breaks down into a guard company a eupply company and a servicing company this latter conshysisting of three servicing platoons each attached to one aircraft squadron
The Airfield Battalion is a mobile urlit It doe s not necessarily move with the Flying Regishyment but will generally move closely after or effeet a rendeJvous with such I parent unit as the latter will be heavily dependent on it for 6er~clng It is believed t t an Airfield Batalion will come under cognizamprlce of the Air District Headquarters in whose area it functions
The HIKOJO CHUTAI or Airfield Company is a miniature version of the Airfield Battalion It will be attached to squadrons operating independently or to small advanced airfields
7 Air Trainin (KYOIKU
Advanced operational training il conducted by Flying Divisions - articularly those in quiet areas such as Japan and Manchuria
Primary and intermediate training was formerly the function of the First Flying Division in Japan proper Lately it is believed that this division has been relieved of prtmary and intermedishyate training so as to free it for the defense of Japan and the Kuriles Those of its units which carried on training activities have been assigned to the newly created 51st Air Training Division also located in Japan proper
So far no other Air Training Division has been identified The 51st Air Training Division breaks down into Air Trainine Brigades a~d Air Training Regiments much like any other Flying DiTt sion The wora KYOlKU which will be noted in the above titles means training
- IV shy
FLYING RANK - ARMY AND NAVY
1 Officers
Officers of the Japanese ~ and Navy air services have - like US flyers - the same titles and badBes of rank as other line officers of the service to which they belOIlS These titles and insignia are reproduced on pages 15 and 16
In the case of naval officers oollar and shoulder tab insignia the cherry b10SsomB are silver the areas shaded in the illustrations on pBBe 15 UtI black and the WlSl d areas are gold In the case of flying officers the cherry blossom ~ be bluej in cese of air ground staff officers it may be green These insignia are worn as collar tabe on blu uniforms and as shoulder-boards on white uniforms The cuif bands are black on t lue unifClIIllB ~ld lace being used for ceremonial dress On fly1ng dress officers wear a c l oth PI tcll on tlI l e 1t 8I1I bbove the elbow bearing a design in gold lace similar to that of e curt b llds
In the case of the army offioers insignia the stars ex ~ gold the eretiB sruWed on page 15 are red and the unshaded areas are gold
It vill be noted that ArrIly and Navy Officers have the amt t1t~e3 of r mk Tj wor KAIGUN (Navy) and RIKtnUN (nArrIly) aro prefixed to avoid confusio In tJe Navr fl-mg o ~ icars put the tern KOKU between KAIGUN ani their title of rank while g o 8 Gai ~t l e e r use t- gt tert SEIBI in the same w~ Thus a KAIGUN KOKIJ SHOOA is a flying Li8lteDlJlt Q1JDnjer hile a KAIGm~ SEIBI SHooA is a Lieutenant Commander A-V(S)
The SHO which is used in SHooHO (rear Admiral) SHU3HO (Vice Admiral) ani ASnO (Admiral) means COIllllBDding officer and may on occasion be used as follows SHOTAISRO (CamtlI8J1der of a SHOTAI) CHUlAISHO (Commander of a CID1lAI) and so on This is 50 w~ of referr1JJg to ~be units CO withoUt des1goating his aotual rank
2 EDlisted PersODDel
Both Japanese air services make great use of enlisted men as pil l) a an 9 members of elrshycrews Even as pilots enlisted men ortnumber officers by as much as four to Oll
With respect to naval enlisted ranks it shoJld be noted that the HIKO SOCHO (USN Warshyrant Officer) vears a sleeve cuff band collar tabs and shoulder boards j the JOTO HEISO (USN Chief Petty Officer) has three cherry blossons on the sleeve but no collar tabs or shouder boards while the other six enlisted ratings wear their insignia an the right arm just above the elbow
The vord BIKO which vill be noted in the titles of all eight ratings means fly1ng In the oase of the grouni air staff SEIBI is substituted for HIKO in the title and a spealtl 1 airshyplane seen from a side view is substituted for the solid airplane seen from above in their inshysignia The personnel of both the Fly1ng ani Ground Crew branches are divided into specialist oategories each categor1 being dietingui shed b its own badge and title These categories are as follOWS
1 Flying (lIIKO) BrEUch A 110~a ( lJUINbullbull
1 gbter ilots (0 ITOKI 0JtlT) bull 2 Bo bull Hot f ~ J2lI SOJUJ
B on-Pllota (~urn) 1 abee at1cm n-rt tlan photo 0 hy eto
(TEIBAiSU) bull 2 Rad1 lin gwm X7 ( AlmKrn)
II Ground Crew (SEIBI) Branch A Ground Mechanics (SEIBIIN) B Armament Specialists (HEIIIIN) c Flying mechIJaics (TOJOllf) who maintain and
inspect equipment in flight These men constitute less than 5 of the ground crew branch
In the case of Ar~ enlisted ratings the same use of BIKO will be noted For the ground crews SEIBI is substituted Enlisted men down through the grade of corporal may act as pilots all enlisted men may be members of aircrews There are no U S A~ equivalents for the HIKO GOCBO and the BIKO JOTO HEI these terma have therefore been literally translated
3 Illustrations
The charts showing Japanese Army and Ifavy flying ranks are given on the following two pages In these charts certain Japanese Navy enlisted titles are given in parentheses These reshypresent abbreviations which are frequently used by the Japanese instead of the full title of the rank in question
-~-
NEAREST NEAREST U S NAVY U S ARMY COLLAR INSIGNIA EQU I VALENT EQIJ I VALENT
bull ral General ~ Lt J~ ire-A 11 ~ 1 CHI middotll tKUSHO B tt ltgt
SHOSHO ~ajor-en
TA ISA Colonel ~ CHUSA Lt -Col (gt SHOSA Major
i ra1 SHO HO
csp tain TA l
Comnander CI A
LtComdr SHOS ~
yen(~- UH~
~
~h
The JOTO HEISO wears sleeve cuff insignia but no coller or shoulder teb insignia
) (
- ADDENDA TO PART IV (f1 YING RMoiK)
Rpcpnt information Indlcatps that effpctive July 1 1K2 ttP tltlps ann arm insllnla of till sixmiddot 10wPFt Japanpsp naval ratines of tllp sparran hranctl wprp chan)middotltI to bp as follows
PS Equivalent Japanpse
(Flyine) Petty Offl pr 1st Class JafO HIKO HE ISO (JOHISO)
(Flylni) Petty Offlcpr 2nd Class ITIO ItIKO HEISO (III ISO)
(Flyln~) Pptty Offlcpr 3rd Class tilTCI IIIKO HEISO (~IHISO)
(Fly ing) Non-ratprl IMn 1st Class HI KO HE ICIIC) (HICHO) (H~IIII
(Fly Ing) Son-rated man 2nd Class JaIO HIKOHEI (JOH I)
(Flyln~) ~on-rated man 3rd Class IHO HIKOHEI (IPPI)
Ground aviation staffs substitute SEIBI for HIKO In the easp of flylne persolU) ttP chprry blossom Is blue In the ca of ~round aviation staffs it is jl reen Thes inSijDli a 111re the old markings Irp worn on thp right sl ve Rcmiddotlh old and npw insignia 1Ill be encolUltered in cOItbat arlas deshype nd lh on r o w re c p tlr the personnel 1 question hav arrived from Japan
-
ir-- -shy
11ilil
I shy - -bull - ~ ~p~ II ~ - II ~
I I
r-z--------IL==shy
j ~ i
L
-~-
I I
- ~ ~ - 3 r - - ~
~
-2
g = ~ ~ ~~ ~ shy
-- -
V
~ Q
~
~-= shy0
~~4
---- ~ ~ ~
S
l
I [
8 I [
~ I - ~ ~
I
I ~-
I
- 1
~
x- lt
GLOSSARY OF JlAVAL ABBREVIATIONS EMPLOYED IN TillS PAPER
BD CA CL DD SS SA
CVS XCVS
CV ACV APV
VF VB
SB VTB VOS
-------
---
-----
SHIPS
battleship h~avy cruiser light cruiser destroyer submarine submarine tender seaplane carrier converted seaplane carrier aircraft carrier Auxiliary aircraft carrier aircraft transport
PLANS
fighter horizontal bQmbe r dive bomber torpedo plane observation plane
We have noted the Navy use of BL AI XSHUBUTAI and KIlII J OIIT BU rBI Th also createsy
tactical air ~8k fo rces - though 1 (I fr Dllent l y in t lar l y ttUl the Nl n ir ta k forces are termed BU AI ti r siLl and oo~po8i tio~ II vary accor in to heir mi on TJo- ir exi5ten~e probably does not outlast t he f ul f ll~n ~ s mission
6 Administrative lnl t Air Dictric Hl RE BU) DAfTAI) Airfield C mp~ JAo~rrt~TI~~~~----~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1~i~e~s~(~n~IUK7G~
Scatte ~ throughc1t Greater East As ia are panese Air District Hedquort 118 are staffs eac If ich ccut l)ls all a r dlti n groun uncti oDs ( ser - i ng and adminill in he area under gn ~za~c It will be r e campl l d that the Fly i n Di vis i n is or-kDl ze ~ ~ athe permanent toIr n tonal basis it is bel i ad thllt all h a divie on will break ltlown tac t lc lly u-to Flying Brigad5 8 ald administratively int o Ai Dis tri ct Headquarters
The Flying Dri~ades are mobile comba t Ilvia t i on uni ts the Air District Headquarters are imshymobile ground housekeeplng units Bo th answer to tIe Commanding General of thei r parent Flying Division who thus controls all aviation matters wi~hin the zone under his command Comparatively little is known of the organization and content of the Air District Headquarters
A lower adrninistrative and servicing echelon is the HIKOJO DAITAI HIKOJO means airfield DAITAI is 1aree unit The Airfield Battalion is generally attached directly to a Flying Regishyment whose administrative and servicing functions it assumes
On the following page is a chart reproduced from ATIS SnFA Serial 159 showi ng the organishyzation of an Airfield Battalionas described by an ene~J source It will be seen that the Battalshyion breaks down into a guard company a eupply company and a servicing company this latter conshysisting of three servicing platoons each attached to one aircraft squadron
The Airfield Battalion is a mobile urlit It doe s not necessarily move with the Flying Regishyment but will generally move closely after or effeet a rendeJvous with such I parent unit as the latter will be heavily dependent on it for 6er~clng It is believed t t an Airfield Batalion will come under cognizamprlce of the Air District Headquarters in whose area it functions
The HIKOJO CHUTAI or Airfield Company is a miniature version of the Airfield Battalion It will be attached to squadrons operating independently or to small advanced airfields
7 Air Trainin (KYOIKU
Advanced operational training il conducted by Flying Divisions - articularly those in quiet areas such as Japan and Manchuria
Primary and intermediate training was formerly the function of the First Flying Division in Japan proper Lately it is believed that this division has been relieved of prtmary and intermedishyate training so as to free it for the defense of Japan and the Kuriles Those of its units which carried on training activities have been assigned to the newly created 51st Air Training Division also located in Japan proper
So far no other Air Training Division has been identified The 51st Air Training Division breaks down into Air Trainine Brigades a~d Air Training Regiments much like any other Flying DiTt sion The wora KYOlKU which will be noted in the above titles means training
- IV shy
FLYING RANK - ARMY AND NAVY
1 Officers
Officers of the Japanese ~ and Navy air services have - like US flyers - the same titles and badBes of rank as other line officers of the service to which they belOIlS These titles and insignia are reproduced on pages 15 and 16
In the case of naval officers oollar and shoulder tab insignia the cherry b10SsomB are silver the areas shaded in the illustrations on pBBe 15 UtI black and the WlSl d areas are gold In the case of flying officers the cherry blossom ~ be bluej in cese of air ground staff officers it may be green These insignia are worn as collar tabe on blu uniforms and as shoulder-boards on white uniforms The cuif bands are black on t lue unifClIIllB ~ld lace being used for ceremonial dress On fly1ng dress officers wear a c l oth PI tcll on tlI l e 1t 8I1I bbove the elbow bearing a design in gold lace similar to that of e curt b llds
In the case of the army offioers insignia the stars ex ~ gold the eretiB sruWed on page 15 are red and the unshaded areas are gold
It vill be noted that ArrIly and Navy Officers have the amt t1t~e3 of r mk Tj wor KAIGUN (Navy) and RIKtnUN (nArrIly) aro prefixed to avoid confusio In tJe Navr fl-mg o ~ icars put the tern KOKU between KAIGUN ani their title of rank while g o 8 Gai ~t l e e r use t- gt tert SEIBI in the same w~ Thus a KAIGUN KOKIJ SHOOA is a flying Li8lteDlJlt Q1JDnjer hile a KAIGm~ SEIBI SHooA is a Lieutenant Commander A-V(S)
The SHO which is used in SHooHO (rear Admiral) SHU3HO (Vice Admiral) ani ASnO (Admiral) means COIllllBDding officer and may on occasion be used as follows SHOTAISRO (CamtlI8J1der of a SHOTAI) CHUlAISHO (Commander of a CID1lAI) and so on This is 50 w~ of referr1JJg to ~be units CO withoUt des1goating his aotual rank
2 EDlisted PersODDel
Both Japanese air services make great use of enlisted men as pil l) a an 9 members of elrshycrews Even as pilots enlisted men ortnumber officers by as much as four to Oll
With respect to naval enlisted ranks it shoJld be noted that the HIKO SOCHO (USN Warshyrant Officer) vears a sleeve cuff band collar tabs and shoulder boards j the JOTO HEISO (USN Chief Petty Officer) has three cherry blossons on the sleeve but no collar tabs or shouder boards while the other six enlisted ratings wear their insignia an the right arm just above the elbow
The vord BIKO which vill be noted in the titles of all eight ratings means fly1ng In the oase of the grouni air staff SEIBI is substituted for HIKO in the title and a spealtl 1 airshyplane seen from a side view is substituted for the solid airplane seen from above in their inshysignia The personnel of both the Fly1ng ani Ground Crew branches are divided into specialist oategories each categor1 being dietingui shed b its own badge and title These categories are as follOWS
1 Flying (lIIKO) BrEUch A 110~a ( lJUINbullbull
1 gbter ilots (0 ITOKI 0JtlT) bull 2 Bo bull Hot f ~ J2lI SOJUJ
B on-Pllota (~urn) 1 abee at1cm n-rt tlan photo 0 hy eto
(TEIBAiSU) bull 2 Rad1 lin gwm X7 ( AlmKrn)
II Ground Crew (SEIBI) Branch A Ground Mechanics (SEIBIIN) B Armament Specialists (HEIIIIN) c Flying mechIJaics (TOJOllf) who maintain and
inspect equipment in flight These men constitute less than 5 of the ground crew branch
In the case of Ar~ enlisted ratings the same use of BIKO will be noted For the ground crews SEIBI is substituted Enlisted men down through the grade of corporal may act as pilots all enlisted men may be members of aircrews There are no U S A~ equivalents for the HIKO GOCBO and the BIKO JOTO HEI these terma have therefore been literally translated
3 Illustrations
The charts showing Japanese Army and Ifavy flying ranks are given on the following two pages In these charts certain Japanese Navy enlisted titles are given in parentheses These reshypresent abbreviations which are frequently used by the Japanese instead of the full title of the rank in question
-~-
NEAREST NEAREST U S NAVY U S ARMY COLLAR INSIGNIA EQU I VALENT EQIJ I VALENT
bull ral General ~ Lt J~ ire-A 11 ~ 1 CHI middotll tKUSHO B tt ltgt
SHOSHO ~ajor-en
TA ISA Colonel ~ CHUSA Lt -Col (gt SHOSA Major
i ra1 SHO HO
csp tain TA l
Comnander CI A
LtComdr SHOS ~
yen(~- UH~
~
~h
The JOTO HEISO wears sleeve cuff insignia but no coller or shoulder teb insignia
) (
- ADDENDA TO PART IV (f1 YING RMoiK)
Rpcpnt information Indlcatps that effpctive July 1 1K2 ttP tltlps ann arm insllnla of till sixmiddot 10wPFt Japanpsp naval ratines of tllp sparran hranctl wprp chan)middotltI to bp as follows
PS Equivalent Japanpse
(Flyine) Petty Offl pr 1st Class JafO HIKO HE ISO (JOHISO)
(Flylni) Petty Offlcpr 2nd Class ITIO ItIKO HEISO (III ISO)
(Flyln~) Pptty Offlcpr 3rd Class tilTCI IIIKO HEISO (~IHISO)
(Fly ing) Non-ratprl IMn 1st Class HI KO HE ICIIC) (HICHO) (H~IIII
(Fly Ing) Son-rated man 2nd Class JaIO HIKOHEI (JOH I)
(Flyln~) ~on-rated man 3rd Class IHO HIKOHEI (IPPI)
Ground aviation staffs substitute SEIBI for HIKO In the easp of flylne persolU) ttP chprry blossom Is blue In the ca of ~round aviation staffs it is jl reen Thes inSijDli a 111re the old markings Irp worn on thp right sl ve Rcmiddotlh old and npw insignia 1Ill be encolUltered in cOItbat arlas deshype nd lh on r o w re c p tlr the personnel 1 question hav arrived from Japan
-
ir-- -shy
11ilil
I shy - -bull - ~ ~p~ II ~ - II ~
I I
r-z--------IL==shy
j ~ i
L
-~-
I I
- ~ ~ - 3 r - - ~
~
-2
g = ~ ~ ~~ ~ shy
-- -
V
~ Q
~
~-= shy0
~~4
---- ~ ~ ~
S
l
I [
8 I [
~ I - ~ ~
I
I ~-
I
- 1
~
x- lt
GLOSSARY OF JlAVAL ABBREVIATIONS EMPLOYED IN TillS PAPER
BD CA CL DD SS SA
CVS XCVS
CV ACV APV
VF VB
SB VTB VOS
-------
---
-----
SHIPS
battleship h~avy cruiser light cruiser destroyer submarine submarine tender seaplane carrier converted seaplane carrier aircraft carrier Auxiliary aircraft carrier aircraft transport
PLANS
fighter horizontal bQmbe r dive bomber torpedo plane observation plane
- IV shy
FLYING RANK - ARMY AND NAVY
1 Officers
Officers of the Japanese ~ and Navy air services have - like US flyers - the same titles and badBes of rank as other line officers of the service to which they belOIlS These titles and insignia are reproduced on pages 15 and 16
In the case of naval officers oollar and shoulder tab insignia the cherry b10SsomB are silver the areas shaded in the illustrations on pBBe 15 UtI black and the WlSl d areas are gold In the case of flying officers the cherry blossom ~ be bluej in cese of air ground staff officers it may be green These insignia are worn as collar tabe on blu uniforms and as shoulder-boards on white uniforms The cuif bands are black on t lue unifClIIllB ~ld lace being used for ceremonial dress On fly1ng dress officers wear a c l oth PI tcll on tlI l e 1t 8I1I bbove the elbow bearing a design in gold lace similar to that of e curt b llds
In the case of the army offioers insignia the stars ex ~ gold the eretiB sruWed on page 15 are red and the unshaded areas are gold
It vill be noted that ArrIly and Navy Officers have the amt t1t~e3 of r mk Tj wor KAIGUN (Navy) and RIKtnUN (nArrIly) aro prefixed to avoid confusio In tJe Navr fl-mg o ~ icars put the tern KOKU between KAIGUN ani their title of rank while g o 8 Gai ~t l e e r use t- gt tert SEIBI in the same w~ Thus a KAIGUN KOKIJ SHOOA is a flying Li8lteDlJlt Q1JDnjer hile a KAIGm~ SEIBI SHooA is a Lieutenant Commander A-V(S)
The SHO which is used in SHooHO (rear Admiral) SHU3HO (Vice Admiral) ani ASnO (Admiral) means COIllllBDding officer and may on occasion be used as follows SHOTAISRO (CamtlI8J1der of a SHOTAI) CHUlAISHO (Commander of a CID1lAI) and so on This is 50 w~ of referr1JJg to ~be units CO withoUt des1goating his aotual rank
2 EDlisted PersODDel
Both Japanese air services make great use of enlisted men as pil l) a an 9 members of elrshycrews Even as pilots enlisted men ortnumber officers by as much as four to Oll
With respect to naval enlisted ranks it shoJld be noted that the HIKO SOCHO (USN Warshyrant Officer) vears a sleeve cuff band collar tabs and shoulder boards j the JOTO HEISO (USN Chief Petty Officer) has three cherry blossons on the sleeve but no collar tabs or shouder boards while the other six enlisted ratings wear their insignia an the right arm just above the elbow
The vord BIKO which vill be noted in the titles of all eight ratings means fly1ng In the oase of the grouni air staff SEIBI is substituted for HIKO in the title and a spealtl 1 airshyplane seen from a side view is substituted for the solid airplane seen from above in their inshysignia The personnel of both the Fly1ng ani Ground Crew branches are divided into specialist oategories each categor1 being dietingui shed b its own badge and title These categories are as follOWS
1 Flying (lIIKO) BrEUch A 110~a ( lJUINbullbull
1 gbter ilots (0 ITOKI 0JtlT) bull 2 Bo bull Hot f ~ J2lI SOJUJ
B on-Pllota (~urn) 1 abee at1cm n-rt tlan photo 0 hy eto
(TEIBAiSU) bull 2 Rad1 lin gwm X7 ( AlmKrn)
II Ground Crew (SEIBI) Branch A Ground Mechanics (SEIBIIN) B Armament Specialists (HEIIIIN) c Flying mechIJaics (TOJOllf) who maintain and
inspect equipment in flight These men constitute less than 5 of the ground crew branch
In the case of Ar~ enlisted ratings the same use of BIKO will be noted For the ground crews SEIBI is substituted Enlisted men down through the grade of corporal may act as pilots all enlisted men may be members of aircrews There are no U S A~ equivalents for the HIKO GOCBO and the BIKO JOTO HEI these terma have therefore been literally translated
3 Illustrations
The charts showing Japanese Army and Ifavy flying ranks are given on the following two pages In these charts certain Japanese Navy enlisted titles are given in parentheses These reshypresent abbreviations which are frequently used by the Japanese instead of the full title of the rank in question
-~-
NEAREST NEAREST U S NAVY U S ARMY COLLAR INSIGNIA EQU I VALENT EQIJ I VALENT
bull ral General ~ Lt J~ ire-A 11 ~ 1 CHI middotll tKUSHO B tt ltgt
SHOSHO ~ajor-en
TA ISA Colonel ~ CHUSA Lt -Col (gt SHOSA Major
i ra1 SHO HO
csp tain TA l
Comnander CI A
LtComdr SHOS ~
yen(~- UH~
~
~h
The JOTO HEISO wears sleeve cuff insignia but no coller or shoulder teb insignia
) (
- ADDENDA TO PART IV (f1 YING RMoiK)
Rpcpnt information Indlcatps that effpctive July 1 1K2 ttP tltlps ann arm insllnla of till sixmiddot 10wPFt Japanpsp naval ratines of tllp sparran hranctl wprp chan)middotltI to bp as follows
PS Equivalent Japanpse
(Flyine) Petty Offl pr 1st Class JafO HIKO HE ISO (JOHISO)
(Flylni) Petty Offlcpr 2nd Class ITIO ItIKO HEISO (III ISO)
(Flyln~) Pptty Offlcpr 3rd Class tilTCI IIIKO HEISO (~IHISO)
(Fly ing) Non-ratprl IMn 1st Class HI KO HE ICIIC) (HICHO) (H~IIII
(Fly Ing) Son-rated man 2nd Class JaIO HIKOHEI (JOH I)
(Flyln~) ~on-rated man 3rd Class IHO HIKOHEI (IPPI)
Ground aviation staffs substitute SEIBI for HIKO In the easp of flylne persolU) ttP chprry blossom Is blue In the ca of ~round aviation staffs it is jl reen Thes inSijDli a 111re the old markings Irp worn on thp right sl ve Rcmiddotlh old and npw insignia 1Ill be encolUltered in cOItbat arlas deshype nd lh on r o w re c p tlr the personnel 1 question hav arrived from Japan
-
ir-- -shy
11ilil
I shy - -bull - ~ ~p~ II ~ - II ~
I I
r-z--------IL==shy
j ~ i
L
-~-
I I
- ~ ~ - 3 r - - ~
~
-2
g = ~ ~ ~~ ~ shy
-- -
V
~ Q
~
~-= shy0
~~4
---- ~ ~ ~
S
l
I [
8 I [
~ I - ~ ~
I
I ~-
I
- 1
~
x- lt
GLOSSARY OF JlAVAL ABBREVIATIONS EMPLOYED IN TillS PAPER
BD CA CL DD SS SA
CVS XCVS
CV ACV APV
VF VB
SB VTB VOS
-------
---
-----
SHIPS
battleship h~avy cruiser light cruiser destroyer submarine submarine tender seaplane carrier converted seaplane carrier aircraft carrier Auxiliary aircraft carrier aircraft transport
PLANS
fighter horizontal bQmbe r dive bomber torpedo plane observation plane
II Ground Crew (SEIBI) Branch A Ground Mechanics (SEIBIIN) B Armament Specialists (HEIIIIN) c Flying mechIJaics (TOJOllf) who maintain and
inspect equipment in flight These men constitute less than 5 of the ground crew branch
In the case of Ar~ enlisted ratings the same use of BIKO will be noted For the ground crews SEIBI is substituted Enlisted men down through the grade of corporal may act as pilots all enlisted men may be members of aircrews There are no U S A~ equivalents for the HIKO GOCBO and the BIKO JOTO HEI these terma have therefore been literally translated
3 Illustrations
The charts showing Japanese Army and Ifavy flying ranks are given on the following two pages In these charts certain Japanese Navy enlisted titles are given in parentheses These reshypresent abbreviations which are frequently used by the Japanese instead of the full title of the rank in question
-~-
NEAREST NEAREST U S NAVY U S ARMY COLLAR INSIGNIA EQU I VALENT EQIJ I VALENT
bull ral General ~ Lt J~ ire-A 11 ~ 1 CHI middotll tKUSHO B tt ltgt
SHOSHO ~ajor-en
TA ISA Colonel ~ CHUSA Lt -Col (gt SHOSA Major
i ra1 SHO HO
csp tain TA l
Comnander CI A
LtComdr SHOS ~
yen(~- UH~
~
~h
The JOTO HEISO wears sleeve cuff insignia but no coller or shoulder teb insignia
) (
- ADDENDA TO PART IV (f1 YING RMoiK)
Rpcpnt information Indlcatps that effpctive July 1 1K2 ttP tltlps ann arm insllnla of till sixmiddot 10wPFt Japanpsp naval ratines of tllp sparran hranctl wprp chan)middotltI to bp as follows
PS Equivalent Japanpse
(Flyine) Petty Offl pr 1st Class JafO HIKO HE ISO (JOHISO)
(Flylni) Petty Offlcpr 2nd Class ITIO ItIKO HEISO (III ISO)
(Flyln~) Pptty Offlcpr 3rd Class tilTCI IIIKO HEISO (~IHISO)
(Fly ing) Non-ratprl IMn 1st Class HI KO HE ICIIC) (HICHO) (H~IIII
(Fly Ing) Son-rated man 2nd Class JaIO HIKOHEI (JOH I)
(Flyln~) ~on-rated man 3rd Class IHO HIKOHEI (IPPI)
Ground aviation staffs substitute SEIBI for HIKO In the easp of flylne persolU) ttP chprry blossom Is blue In the ca of ~round aviation staffs it is jl reen Thes inSijDli a 111re the old markings Irp worn on thp right sl ve Rcmiddotlh old and npw insignia 1Ill be encolUltered in cOItbat arlas deshype nd lh on r o w re c p tlr the personnel 1 question hav arrived from Japan
-
ir-- -shy
11ilil
I shy - -bull - ~ ~p~ II ~ - II ~
I I
r-z--------IL==shy
j ~ i
L
-~-
I I
- ~ ~ - 3 r - - ~
~
-2
g = ~ ~ ~~ ~ shy
-- -
V
~ Q
~
~-= shy0
~~4
---- ~ ~ ~
S
l
I [
8 I [
~ I - ~ ~
I
I ~-
I
- 1
~
x- lt
GLOSSARY OF JlAVAL ABBREVIATIONS EMPLOYED IN TillS PAPER
BD CA CL DD SS SA
CVS XCVS
CV ACV APV
VF VB
SB VTB VOS
-------
---
-----
SHIPS
battleship h~avy cruiser light cruiser destroyer submarine submarine tender seaplane carrier converted seaplane carrier aircraft carrier Auxiliary aircraft carrier aircraft transport
PLANS
fighter horizontal bQmbe r dive bomber torpedo plane observation plane
NEAREST NEAREST U S NAVY U S ARMY COLLAR INSIGNIA EQU I VALENT EQIJ I VALENT
bull ral General ~ Lt J~ ire-A 11 ~ 1 CHI middotll tKUSHO B tt ltgt
SHOSHO ~ajor-en
TA ISA Colonel ~ CHUSA Lt -Col (gt SHOSA Major
i ra1 SHO HO
csp tain TA l
Comnander CI A
LtComdr SHOS ~
yen(~- UH~
~
~h
The JOTO HEISO wears sleeve cuff insignia but no coller or shoulder teb insignia
) (
- ADDENDA TO PART IV (f1 YING RMoiK)
Rpcpnt information Indlcatps that effpctive July 1 1K2 ttP tltlps ann arm insllnla of till sixmiddot 10wPFt Japanpsp naval ratines of tllp sparran hranctl wprp chan)middotltI to bp as follows
PS Equivalent Japanpse
(Flyine) Petty Offl pr 1st Class JafO HIKO HE ISO (JOHISO)
(Flylni) Petty Offlcpr 2nd Class ITIO ItIKO HEISO (III ISO)
(Flyln~) Pptty Offlcpr 3rd Class tilTCI IIIKO HEISO (~IHISO)
(Fly ing) Non-ratprl IMn 1st Class HI KO HE ICIIC) (HICHO) (H~IIII
(Fly Ing) Son-rated man 2nd Class JaIO HIKOHEI (JOH I)
(Flyln~) ~on-rated man 3rd Class IHO HIKOHEI (IPPI)
Ground aviation staffs substitute SEIBI for HIKO In the easp of flylne persolU) ttP chprry blossom Is blue In the ca of ~round aviation staffs it is jl reen Thes inSijDli a 111re the old markings Irp worn on thp right sl ve Rcmiddotlh old and npw insignia 1Ill be encolUltered in cOItbat arlas deshype nd lh on r o w re c p tlr the personnel 1 question hav arrived from Japan
-
ir-- -shy
11ilil
I shy - -bull - ~ ~p~ II ~ - II ~
I I
r-z--------IL==shy
j ~ i
L
-~-
I I
- ~ ~ - 3 r - - ~
~
-2
g = ~ ~ ~~ ~ shy
-- -
V
~ Q
~
~-= shy0
~~4
---- ~ ~ ~
S
l
I [
8 I [
~ I - ~ ~
I
I ~-
I
- 1
~
x- lt
GLOSSARY OF JlAVAL ABBREVIATIONS EMPLOYED IN TillS PAPER
BD CA CL DD SS SA
CVS XCVS
CV ACV APV
VF VB
SB VTB VOS
-------
---
-----
SHIPS
battleship h~avy cruiser light cruiser destroyer submarine submarine tender seaplane carrier converted seaplane carrier aircraft carrier Auxiliary aircraft carrier aircraft transport
PLANS
fighter horizontal bQmbe r dive bomber torpedo plane observation plane
- ADDENDA TO PART IV (f1 YING RMoiK)
Rpcpnt information Indlcatps that effpctive July 1 1K2 ttP tltlps ann arm insllnla of till sixmiddot 10wPFt Japanpsp naval ratines of tllp sparran hranctl wprp chan)middotltI to bp as follows
PS Equivalent Japanpse
(Flyine) Petty Offl pr 1st Class JafO HIKO HE ISO (JOHISO)
(Flylni) Petty Offlcpr 2nd Class ITIO ItIKO HEISO (III ISO)
(Flyln~) Pptty Offlcpr 3rd Class tilTCI IIIKO HEISO (~IHISO)
(Fly ing) Non-ratprl IMn 1st Class HI KO HE ICIIC) (HICHO) (H~IIII
(Fly Ing) Son-rated man 2nd Class JaIO HIKOHEI (JOH I)
(Flyln~) ~on-rated man 3rd Class IHO HIKOHEI (IPPI)
Ground aviation staffs substitute SEIBI for HIKO In the easp of flylne persolU) ttP chprry blossom Is blue In the ca of ~round aviation staffs it is jl reen Thes inSijDli a 111re the old markings Irp worn on thp right sl ve Rcmiddotlh old and npw insignia 1Ill be encolUltered in cOItbat arlas deshype nd lh on r o w re c p tlr the personnel 1 question hav arrived from Japan
-
ir-- -shy
11ilil
I shy - -bull - ~ ~p~ II ~ - II ~
I I
r-z--------IL==shy
j ~ i
L
-~-
I I
- ~ ~ - 3 r - - ~
~
-2
g = ~ ~ ~~ ~ shy
-- -
V
~ Q
~
~-= shy0
~~4
---- ~ ~ ~
S
l
I [
8 I [
~ I - ~ ~
I
I ~-
I
- 1
~
x- lt
GLOSSARY OF JlAVAL ABBREVIATIONS EMPLOYED IN TillS PAPER
BD CA CL DD SS SA
CVS XCVS
CV ACV APV
VF VB
SB VTB VOS
-------
---
-----
SHIPS
battleship h~avy cruiser light cruiser destroyer submarine submarine tender seaplane carrier converted seaplane carrier aircraft carrier Auxiliary aircraft carrier aircraft transport
PLANS
fighter horizontal bQmbe r dive bomber torpedo plane observation plane
ir-- -shy
11ilil
I shy - -bull - ~ ~p~ II ~ - II ~
I I
r-z--------IL==shy
j ~ i
L
-~-
I I
- ~ ~ - 3 r - - ~
~
-2
g = ~ ~ ~~ ~ shy
-- -
V
~ Q
~
~-= shy0
~~4
---- ~ ~ ~
S
l
I [
8 I [
~ I - ~ ~
I
I ~-
I
- 1
~
x- lt
GLOSSARY OF JlAVAL ABBREVIATIONS EMPLOYED IN TillS PAPER
BD CA CL DD SS SA
CVS XCVS
CV ACV APV
VF VB
SB VTB VOS
-------
---
-----
SHIPS
battleship h~avy cruiser light cruiser destroyer submarine submarine tender seaplane carrier converted seaplane carrier aircraft carrier Auxiliary aircraft carrier aircraft transport
PLANS
fighter horizontal bQmbe r dive bomber torpedo plane observation plane
r-z--------IL==shy
j ~ i
L
-~-
I I
- ~ ~ - 3 r - - ~
~
-2
g = ~ ~ ~~ ~ shy
-- -
V
~ Q
~
~-= shy0
~~4
---- ~ ~ ~
S
l
I [
8 I [
~ I - ~ ~
I
I ~-
I
- 1
~
x- lt
GLOSSARY OF JlAVAL ABBREVIATIONS EMPLOYED IN TillS PAPER
BD CA CL DD SS SA
CVS XCVS
CV ACV APV
VF VB
SB VTB VOS
-------
---
-----
SHIPS
battleship h~avy cruiser light cruiser destroyer submarine submarine tender seaplane carrier converted seaplane carrier aircraft carrier Auxiliary aircraft carrier aircraft transport
PLANS
fighter horizontal bQmbe r dive bomber torpedo plane observation plane
GLOSSARY OF JlAVAL ABBREVIATIONS EMPLOYED IN TillS PAPER
BD CA CL DD SS SA
CVS XCVS
CV ACV APV
VF VB
SB VTB VOS
-------
---
-----
SHIPS
battleship h~avy cruiser light cruiser destroyer submarine submarine tender seaplane carrier converted seaplane carrier aircraft carrier Auxiliary aircraft carrier aircraft transport
PLANS
fighter horizontal bQmbe r dive bomber torpedo plane observation plane