The kamikaze Japanese paras in Yontan

[Korbius]

Does anybody have any detailed info on this operation that happened late in the war and I also think it failed? It was supposed to be somewhere in Okinawa but I don't know any specific details. Anyone that can enlighten us?

[Octavianus]

Ave Korbius,

Asked a friend about this operation and he gave me the following reply based on Richard O'Neill's "Suicide Squads":

The most spectacular and successful suicidal airborne operation was launched against Yontan airfield, Okinawa, on the night of 24-25 May 1945, during the seventh kikusui offensive. Five Mitsubishi Ki-21-IIb ("Sally") bombers of the 3rd Dokuritsu Hikotai ("Independent Wing"), each carrying circa 14 men of the Giretsu ("Heroic") Airborne Raiding Unit , arrived over Yontan at circa 2230, in the wake of six waves of conventional bombers. Nine Sally's had taken off, but four had been shot down by US interceptors, and as the five remaining approached at low altitude, AA guns ringing Yontan brought down four. The survivor touched down with wheels up, skidding along the runway on its belly. From its nose and hatches, 10 Japanese armed with sub-machine guns tumbled out and rushed in among parked US aircraft, clamping on hakobakurai charges and hurling phosphorus grenades. Believing that the Japanese had landed in force, US pilots and groundcrews temporarily panicked, taking cover and firing wildly. By dawn, when Marines arrived to deal with the raiders, the Japanese had destroyed a fuel depot containing 70,000 US gallons (265,000 litres) of aviation gasoline and had completely wrecked 9 aircraft and damaged 26. Two Americans had been killed and 18 wounded.

Apparently the Japanese also planned a major airborne suicidal operation codenamed "Ultra", but the pre-emptive action on 9-10 August 1945 prevented that. The story goes that the Japanese had assembled arounf 200 transport aircraft at Misawa, Honsu, to carry some 2,000 suicide commandos to crash-landings at the 21st Bomber Command's bases on Saipan, Tinian and Guam, whence the B-29s flew to destroy Japan's cities.

In a way too bad the operation was canceled, as otherwise it would indeed be quite a spectacular action, don't you think so too? hehe

Gratiam,

Octavianus

[davethelight]

Well, some might say "too bad", but I wouldn't personaly. Though it would have been interesting. The Yontan incidenet sounds very intuiging.

[Octavianus]

Ave DavetheLight,

Well, some might say "too bad", but I wouldn't personaly. Though it would have been interesting. The Yontan incidenet sounds very intuiging.

Of course, I was speaking this uprely theoretically, so that you won't think here of me being a sick person who enjoys in seeing people getting killed. But as I have said it sure would be an impressive look at two hundred transport aircraft hurling down to the Marianas. Fiiiijuuuuu!

Gratiam,

Octavianus

[Korbius]

Thanks for the info Octavianus, I have a friend who is going to show me some images of these japanese paras as they are getting ready for the operation. I'll scan the images and post them. Thanks again.

[Korbius]

1. Paratroopers meeting the pilots of a Ki-57 before the raid to Yontan.

2. Paratroopers being loaded in the planes before the suicidal mission.

[Octavianus]

Korbius, the photographs are awesome!!!!!! THANKS FOR SHARING THEM WITH US!

Gratiam,

Octavianus

[Korbius]

The survivor touched down with wheels up, skidding along the runway on its belly. From its nose and hatches, 10 Japanese armed with sub-machine guns tumbled out and rushed in among parked US aircraft, clamping on hakobakurai charges and hurling phosphorus grenades. Believing that the Japanese had landed in force,

The aircraft in question:

[Korbius]

One of the unlucky Ki-57IIs that didn't have a chance: being inspected by U.S soldiers, wondering what the japs will invent next time. 8)

[Dr.Jackel]

Hi Gents,
My Dad was there Stationed at Yontan, he don’t speak that much about that night, he breaks down on the discussion. But what he has told me is that he was working on a F4U when they saw a plane land at the end of the runway. The night and distance from the landing was far enough to see the plane and men, but not enough to id anything. The first thing they noticed was the men mustered outside the plane. At that point he knew they were not Marines. This night is the hardest subject for him to speak of.
One of the Japanese ran down the row of F4Us and shredded the rudders of the Corsairs.
One enemy soldier ran into one of the tents clutching two grenades in his hands and smashing them on his helmet to activate them. Fortunately there weren’t any marines in there in the tent Unfortunate for the soldier. I have conflicting stories on the net that I have read on the amount of the Japanese invaders. My Dad states there were greater number then the 8. He also has a pic of one of the Japanese that landed on a deuce and a halfs hood with the horn blowing (dad states)
Oh by the was he was there the day the KI-61 flew in and involved....

[Peter H]

"The Giretsu Airborne Unit On Okinawa"

http://www.war44.com/forum/1977-post1.html

Japanese bombing of the Marianas airfields was insufficient to delay the construction of USAAF bomber bases; the IGHQ planned to send airborne commandos to crash-land on the Saipan airfields and destroy the B-29s. Captain Michiro Okuvama was selected to lead the special unit; he was the commander of the 1st Raiding Regt's Engineer Co, trained in sabotage and demolition techniques. Other soldiers of the regiment who had missed earlier operations were also eager for action. Captain Okuyama had been the first member of the original IJA parachute training unit; this outstanding and highly respected officer was entrusted by brigade HQ with choosing the 126 men for what he knew was a suicide mission. He selected most of them from his own company; later, the special team was named Giretsu Airborne Unit (Giretsu Kuteitai) Giretsu means "respect for faith." It was organized as a command section (Capt Okuvama) and five platoons 1st Plt (Lt Utsuki), 2nd (Lt Sugata), 3rd (Capt Watabe), 4th (Lt Murakami) and 5th (Lieutenant Yamada.)On December 5 the unit moved to the IJA air academy at Saitama, Kanto. There ten intelligence officers, experts in sabotage, joined them from the Nakano intelligence school; two were assigned to each platoon, bringing total strength to 136. The unit was placed under the direct command of the Leading Air .Army. At Saitama a mock-up of a B-29 was prepared. Type 99 magnetic charges could not clamp to the aircraft's aluminium skin, so two types of special weapons were developed. One had a 2kg (4.41b) explosive charge at the end of a pole; a rubber suction cup was attached on the top of the charge. Gripping the pole, the raider pushed it up under the B-29's wing, and pulled a cord to ignite the delay fuse. The other weapon was the chain charge, a 13-16ft rope with explosive charges attached along its length; a small sandbag weight was attached to one end, to aid throwing it over the aircraft's fuselage or wing.

The Giretsu commandos began intense training; Capt Okuyama stressed that each man must destroy two or three planes at least, even if he was mortally wounded in the process. On December 22 the Giretsu Unit conducted a demonstration for senior staff; the commandos ran swiftly through the darkness as though it were daylight, and skilfully attached their explosives to planes. The observers were impressed by a performance worthy of .Ninjas. Although the Giretsu commandos were ready, the preparation of the air transport unit was delayed. The 3rd Independent Flying Unit (Capt Suwabe) was assigned to deliver the Giretsu Unit, converting from their previous Type 100 scout aircraft on to Mitsubishi Type 97 "Sally" bombers. The pilots were inexperienced with these new aircraft and not yet able to conduct long range flights over water. The attack was nevertheless scheduled for January 17th, 1945, and the commandos moved to Hamamatsu airbase on Honshu. However, American raids damaged the planned refuelling airfields on Iwo Jima (Type 97 bombers had insufficient range to fly to the Marianas direct from Japan), and the operation was cancelled. The disappointed Giretsu commandos returned to Nyutabaru and the 1st Raiding Brigade. After the Marianas raid was cancelled plans were made to attack airfields on Iwo Jima captured by the US Marines in March, but these too were cancelled when the Iwo Jima garrison fell. The Giretsu Airborne Unit was not disbanded, however, and the commandos remained willing and ready. This period was difficult for them: as a suicide unit they were especially well treated, but these privileges were a burden for the waiting commandos. On April 1st, US forces landed on Okinawa, and American fighters deployed to the captured Yontan (Japanese, Yomitan) and Kadena airfields on Okinawa's west coast intercepted and shot down many kamikaze planes attacking the American fleet. On May 15th, 6th Air Army (former Leading Air Army) requested that IGHQ allow the use of the Giretsu Unit to neutralize these airfields. The commandos and the 3rd Independent Flying Unit moved to Kengun airfield on Kyushu to prepare for what was designated the Gi Operation. The flying unit provided 16 x Type 97 bombers and four in reserve, stripped of guns to save weight. Eight would carry Capt Okuyama with his 1st, 2nd & 5th Pits to Yontan; another four were assigned to take Capt Watabe and 3rd & 4th Pits to Kadena. The plan was for the force to take off from Kengun in the evening, and crash-land on the US airfields before midnight. The raiders would destroy aircraft and facilities, and then take up positions nearby to prevent enemy use of the airfields with automatic weapons fire. Almost 50 IJA and IJN bombers and fighters would attack the target airfields before the commandos landed, in hope of distracting the Americans from the approach of the raiders' aircraft. Next day, with the US fighter fields neutralized, some 180 IJN and IJA kamikazes and over 30 conventional attack aircraft (some bearing Ohka piloted flying bombs) would attack US shipping. The detailed organization of the Giretsu Unit was as follows; besides the listed weapons, each commando carried HE and WP grenades plus a pistol:

Command section (l0 men)
LMG team (lx LMG)
Messenger team
Signal team
1st-5th Platoons, each of two Sections, each of.
1st Team (4 men including section leader): lx Type 99 rifle, 2x Type
100 SMGs, 2x pole charges, 4x Type 99 AT charges
2nd Team (3 men): lx rifle, lx Type 99 LMG, lx pole charge, 4x Type
99 AT charges
3rd Team (3 men): Ix rifle, lx S11G, lx pole charge, 4x Type 99 AT charges
4th Team (3 men): Ix rifle, lx SMG, Ix Type 89 grenade discharger,
lx pole charge, 4x Type 99 AT charges.

The attack was planned for May 23, but bad weather over Okinawa forced its postponement by a day. When the commandos assembled on the airfield their spirits were high, although they did not expect to return. After a brief ceremony they boarded the planes, and at 1850hrs on May 24th the 12 bombers took off and headed southwest on the 480-mile flight to Okinawa; four of them aborted, however, returning to base with engine problems. On the departure airbase men waited around a speaker connected to the radio room. At 2210hrs they heard a message from the Giretsu Unit "Now, I land!' - and they shouted with joy. About a half-hour later US radio traffic indicated an emergency at Yontan airfield, where Japanese aircraft reported a huge fire. As kamikazes attacked radar picket ships, attack aircraft made their runs on the airfields beginning at 2000hrs, and in their wake the bombers carrying the Giretsu commandos roared in at low level. US Marine and Army AA battalions opened fire, downing 11 twin-engine aircraft. Bombs intended for Yontan, the base for Marine Air Group 31, missed the airfield. At 2125 a “Sally” made a run much lower than previous attacks, and was shot down. At 2230 three more approached, apparently thing to land; then too were brought down, crashing near the field, but a small number of the Japanese commandos survived and rushed to accomplish their mission. One bomber’s wing struck an AA gun position, burying the crew and killing two of them. A fifth “Sally” belly-landed on the NW/SE runway, sliding to a halt 80 yards from the control tower; an estimated 12 commandos dashed from this plane, throwing grenades and demolition charges and firing their weapons. Two fuel dumps were set alight, with the loss of 70,000 gallons. Pandemonium reigned as Marine ground crewmen, AA gunners and security troops opened fire in all directions; this indiscriminate firing caused most of the Americans’ 18 wounded and one killed, and some of the aircraft damage. All of the commandos were killed; the last being discovered at 1255hrs the next day hiding in the brush. In all, 69 Japanese commandos and airmen were buried; some had committed suicide. US aircraft losses were three F4U Corsair fighters, two four-engine PB4Y Privateer patrol bombers, and four R4D ((C-47) transports. Another 22 F4U's, three F6F Hellcat fighters, two PB4Y's and two R4D's were damaged. Japanese kamikaze attacks were launched on May 25 and 27, but it could not be determined by the Japanese if the Yontan attack had had a significant effect on the numbers of American fighters defending the fleet, large numbers of which were still available. Yontan was operational again on the afternoon of the 25th, and most damaged aircraft were repaired within days.

[Peter H]

"The last of Japan's paratroopers"

http://www.war44.com/forum/battle-pacif ... opers.html

I hope this is not taken directly from Taki's book.Any objections to these posts about copyright and I will delete/modify.

Some months later another airborne raid on the Okinawa airfields was planned. This time it was intended to airlift 12 Type 95 light trucks armed with 2cm Type 98 machine cannons, by bomber-towed Ku-8 gliders. The drivers were selected from the 1st Raiding Tank Unit and gunners from other 1st Raiding Bde units, and Capt Toshio Hirota of the tank unit was chosen to command. Early in August 1945 they moved to Fussa airfield near Tokyo; the attack was to be carried out at the end of August, but on the 15th of that month Japan announced its intention to surrender. The IJN planned an attack similar to the Giretsu Unit's aborted raid on the Marianas B-29 airfields, designated the Ken Operation. Some 300 sailors of Lt Cdr Daiji Yamaoka's Kure 101st SNLF began preparations at the end of June; this unit was formed as a "submarine SNLF" intended to land on enemy-held islands, but on this occasion they would be carried aboard 30 Type 1 "Betty" bombers, whose long range (3,750 miles) allowed a one-way mission to the Marianas. The raid was initially planned for July 24th, but on July 14th American carrier planes raided Misawa naval airbase, Honshu, where the operation's bombers were destroyed or damaged. The raid was postponed until August 19th. Although the plan was conceived by the IJN, at the end of July the IGHQ ordered that 300 Ist Raiding Regt paratroopers under Capt Sunao Sonoda be included and 60 bombers readied. Again, Japan's surrender cancelled the operation.

[Akira Takizawa]

I don't mind if my book is quoted. But, that contributor doctored the caption of above photo in my book. These paratroopers on the photo were not for Okinawa, but for Leyte. I am unpleasant with such a deceit.

Taki

[Peter H]

Thanks Taki.The detailed information made me realise it was from you.Its a pity that some people don't give acknowledgement on text when they post on the internet.

You mentioned the Leyte Operation as well:

While the advance on Ormoc continued events both alarming and reassuring occurred at other locations on Leyte. In early December, elements of the Japanese 16th and 26th Divisions in the central mountains combined with the 3d and 4th Airborne Raiding Regiments from Luzon to attack the airfields in the Burauen area, which the 7th Division had taken in October. Some 350 Japanese paratroopers dropped at dusk on 6 December, most of them near the San Pablo airstrip. Although the Japanese attacks were poorly coordinated, the enemy was able to seize some abandoned weapons and use them against the Americans over the next four days. Hastily mustered groups of support and service troops held off the Japanese until the 11th Airborne Division, reinforced by the 1st Battalion, 382d Infantry, and the 1st and 2d Battalions, 149th Infantry, 38th Infantry Division, concentrated enough strength to contain and defeat the enemy paratroops by nightfall of 11 December. Although the Japanese destroyed a few American supply dumps and aircraft on the ground and delayed construction projects, their attacks on the airfields failed to have any effect on the overall Leyte Campaign..

Leyte:The US Army Campaigns of World War II


http://www.pacificwrecks.com/airfields/ ... index.html

After the airstrip fell to the Americans, Japanese General Yamashita ordered the entire First Airborne Brigade with two regiments to jump on San Pabalo and Buri Airstrips at 1800 hours.

Although the paratroopers caught the Americans by surprise, the first plane load of paratroopers began leaving their aircraft direct over the Div. Hdqs. some 600 feet short of their objective. Others were strung out well beyond the airstrip in an area of tall trees, where many were entangled. One entire plane load jumped to their deaths when the anchor line which pulls the rip chord failed to open. Those who did reach the airfields were ineffective. The attack proved to be disorganized and an abortive effort.

More here as well:

http://www.thedropzone.org/pacific/muller.html



http://www.ww2-airborne.us/units/187/187.html

During the battle the 1st Battalion of the 187th captured the Japanese paratroopers flag which hangs today in the West Point Museum.

[colchekov19]

I read about the Giretsu attack from this book.
operation iceberg by gerald astor.
http://www.amazon.com/Operation-Iceberg ... 099&sr=8-1