The T-Buntai Radar Torpedo Bombers in the Formosa Air Battles
Re: The T-Buntai Radar Torpedo Bombers in the Formosa Air Battles
In fact Butai and Buntai is not the same. Hopefully one of our Japanese friends can explain it properly
Re: The T-Buntai Radar Torpedo Bombers in the Formosa Air Battles
Correct. The meanings vary with context, but generally:AO69 wrote:In fact Butai and Buntai is not the same.
分隊 buntai = squad, team, section
部隊 butai = unit, force, troops, organization, element, echelon, corps
γνώθι σαυτόν
Re: The T-Buntai Radar Torpedo Bombers in the Formosa Air Battles
Finally I have found Japanese aviator believed to have been responsible for torpedoing US cruiser Off Formosa.
According to OSUO Kazuhiko/NOHARA Shigeru Aviation Heroes of the IJA/IJN Army Captain SAITO Isamu pilot of 98 Sentai Ki-67 HRYU Peggy bomber plane was credited with hitting with torpedo USN cruiser on 14 Oct 1944. SAITO's co-pilot was Navy NCO CPO SATO Toshio. Navy WO SUGAYA Shinzo flew as observer in SAITO's plane. Presence of experienced naval aviators undoubtedly helped achieve SAITO's crew success. 16 HIRYUs took off from Okinawa and 12 of them were shot down by USN Hellcats and flak while three others crashed on landing. The only survivor of the air unit -- aircraft piloted by Navy CPO SATO Toshio returned to base with claim hit. While SUGAYA survived the war SATO died off Okinawa flying G4M Oka-carrier on 4 May 1945. The Army aviators of SAITO's crew were decorated with Bukosho -- the highest IJA decoration for valor.
As you know IGHQ made big claims suggesting that entire US fleet had been sunk Off Formosa. Even worse the Japanese planners believed their propaganda. Operational plans were made with the data supplied with overoptimistic claims.
According to OSUO Kazuhiko/NOHARA Shigeru Aviation Heroes of the IJA/IJN Army Captain SAITO Isamu pilot of 98 Sentai Ki-67 HRYU Peggy bomber plane was credited with hitting with torpedo USN cruiser on 14 Oct 1944. SAITO's co-pilot was Navy NCO CPO SATO Toshio. Navy WO SUGAYA Shinzo flew as observer in SAITO's plane. Presence of experienced naval aviators undoubtedly helped achieve SAITO's crew success. 16 HIRYUs took off from Okinawa and 12 of them were shot down by USN Hellcats and flak while three others crashed on landing. The only survivor of the air unit -- aircraft piloted by Navy CPO SATO Toshio returned to base with claim hit. While SUGAYA survived the war SATO died off Okinawa flying G4M Oka-carrier on 4 May 1945. The Army aviators of SAITO's crew were decorated with Bukosho -- the highest IJA decoration for valor.
As you know IGHQ made big claims suggesting that entire US fleet had been sunk Off Formosa. Even worse the Japanese planners believed their propaganda. Operational plans were made with the data supplied with overoptimistic claims.