Can anyone help me find out any information on Japanese reconnaissance aircraft, cameras or squadrons.
Any bit of information would be grateful
Thank you
Welcome!
First of all please change your avatar with a WW2 related one. Thanks!
Matzos:
I’m afraid I can’t help too much in your quest for information regarding Japanese reconnaissance aircraft. However, here are a few – without too much information:
The Japanese Mitsubishi Ki-46-11, a two-engine “Dinah” was a recon airplane. One 7.7mm gun – 375 mph., 1500 mi. range – Crew of two.
There was a scout-observation seaplane called Type 90. Crew of two. Single engine. Could be launched from a ship.
Another recon plane was the “Jake”
“Pete” was an observation plane.
The Nakajima C6N1 Saiun “Myrt” was a reconnaissance aircraft. Crew of two – single engine. I had a personal experience connected with a “Myrt” that conducted a rather important reconnaissance mission from Truk island to Ulithi March 9, 1945 – but it falls within the catagory of a “war story” and I’m not sure how I feel about that. Let me think about it.
Since you’re involved in WWII air reconnaissance, would you by any chance have info on, or aerial photos of, B-17 bombings over Oranienburg, Germany? (See below) The B-17’s flew from an air base at Nuthempstead England.
Thanks for the Info
With referenece to above, I will do some research for you, as I know of some sites that do have B17 bombing imagery, will get back to you soon.
It look like the 398th Bomber Group was based at Nuthempstead, I have not found any imagery of their raids yet (will keep looking). However, I have founf some excellent links to other B17 bomber groups hich do have imagery.
http://www.381st.org/missions/mission_041844.html
http://457thbombgroup.org/Incoming/Morton/Oranienburg.jpg
http://staff.jccc.net/bgustaf/34th_Bomb/strkimgs/Oran1(l).jpg
I hope they are of some use to you.
MATZOS:
BINGO !!! Look no further! You hit gold on the first try.
Lt. Donald Jones was a member of the 600th Bombardment Squadaron – 398th Bombardment Group. He was shot down and killed on April 10, 1945 during a bombing mission over Oranienburg, Germany. Two of the areial photos on the sites you directed me to seem to be of that actual bombing raid. One photo shows the bombing of the site and indicates that it was taken April 10, 1945. The second photo seems to have been taken directly before the bombing. If so, it could have been taken from Lt. Jones’ bomber, since his was the lead bomber of the mission. He was a pilot on B-17 that was designated to lead a flight of 1,300 B-17’s on an operational bombing mission over the Heinkel Aircraft Works in Oranienburg.
The flight took off from Nuthemstead, England and headed across the English Channel. As the formation approached the target at an altitude of 24,500 feet it encountered a hail of enemy antiaircraft fire. At 2:50 p.m., and simultaneous with “bombs away”, Lt. Jones’ bomber was hit by enemy fire between engines three and four on the right side of the airplane.
Extensive damage caused the B-17 to drop behind the formation and gradually lose altitude, although it appeared to be under control.
German ME-262 jet fighters were then encountered in the area. They shot down five B-17’s, including Lt. Jonses’ crippled bomber. The bomber burned and exploded as it plunged earthward. Four crew members were able to successfully parachute from the stricken plane and were taken as prisoners of war. At the end of the war the four, upon being liberated, stated that Lt. Jones and five crew members failed to parachute to safety.
Lt. Jones is buried in the United States Cemetary at Neuville-en-Condrox, Belgium, where 5,200 of his fellow U.S. servicemen are also interred.
Lt. Donald Jones was my brother-in-law. My wife cried when she looked at the aerial photos you referred to me. We can’t thank you enough. God bless you. vcs-ww2
Glad to help, from one serving member to one hero vet!
MATZOS:
Thanks again for the information you sent me. In return here’s the experience I alluded to in my first post to you. Actually the Myrt’s reconnaissance mission was just the first action in a chain of actions that led to the story I have to tell.
Following the invasion of Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945 (sixty one years ago today!) the United States started assembling warships at Ulithi atoll in preparation for the invasion of Okinawa.
On March 9, 1945 a Japanese “Myrt” reconnaissance aircraft, flying from Truk Island, discovered the gathering fleet. Upon learning of the large collection of U.S. warships the Japanese decided to launch a long-planned major operation called “TAN” – the destruction of U.S. warwhips at their base. The operation was to be carried out by kamikaze aircraft from the by-passed Japanese-held island of Truk.
The suicide attack took place on March 11, 1945.
On March 11, 1945 I was at Ulithi atoll. I had recently arrived there following the invasion of Iwo Jima. I was scheduled to participate in the same duty for the invasion of Okinawa. (How lucky can you get !!!)
I was a very minor “grunt-type” member on the staff of a major officer involved in both of the above operations. The officer and his staff made up of USN, USMC and Army personnel were headquartered on a command ship (AGC). I was involved in air support (ALP, ASCU) – coordinating bombings, strafings, napalming, etc. on the front lines providing close air support for front line troops.
At Ulithi the ship I was on was anchored amid a hugh armada of BB’s, CV’s, CVE’s, CA’s. CL’s, DD’s, etc. Anchored on our starboard side – a couple hundred yards or so away – was the aircraft carrier USS Randolph (CV-15)
It was just beginning to get dark. The weather was warm and pleasant, as it generally was in that part of the Pacific. The ship’s crew and members of our staff were assembled outside on deck on the ship’s stern to watch a movie. Lights on all the ships were ablaze. The anchorage was considered to be safe enough that there were no blackouts at night.
By the time the movie started it was dark. The film hadn’t run very long before a commotion of airplane roars were suddenly heard overhead. Assuming the planes to be our own – buzzing the fleet – everybody started cursing “those damned show-off fly-boys” for interupting and drowning out the sound of the movie. Suddenly general quarters sounded over the ship’s address system. Everybody started running to their battle stations. Not being a member of the crew I had no battle station, so I just stayed up on deck to determine what was happening.
Suddenly there was a terrific roar coming from the right! Those of us still on deck turned to see what it was. What we saw was the black silhouette of an airplane coming in at high speed – just above the water – directly toward us. Before anybody could react the plane zoomed over our heads with a deafening roar – just missing our ship’s superstructure by feet. Then there was a loud explosion. We turned to discover that the airplane had crashed into the Randolph – it’s intended target – right beside us. It was only then that we realized that the plane was a Jap kamikaze. The Randolph was on fire. Sailors were rushing about on her.
And then the sounds of the enemy aircraft slowly faded into the east.
The Randolph was the only ship damaged in the raid (that I’m aware of). She suffered relatively minor damage and was repaired in time to participate (although late) in the Okinawa campaign.
Besides hitting the carrier the Japanese kamikaze raid was a complete failure due to a number of reasons. Some of the old planes had to turn back for Truk because of engine troubles (a couple had to ditch in the ocean) – others experienced navigational errors – and, finally, the remainder had to fly into a brisk headwind all the way from Truk to Ulithi, causing them to to arrive late – after dark – when they weren’t able to pick out targets.
That was my first experience with kamikaze attacks – but there were one hell of a lot more to come at Okinawa.
Incidently – the bad news – the movie for the evening was cancelled !!!
vcs-ww2
Thank you very much for the information.
Last November my family and I went on holiday to New York, my daughter (who’s 21) and I visited the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum, during the visit we both watched the film presentation “Kamikaze: Day of Darkness, Day of Light”, after which my daughter, who had never see imagery of a Kamikaze attack, had tears in her eyes and stated that she would not like to go through anything like that in her like-time.
greatest regards
Matzos
I dont know if this is what you are looking for but here goes:
Every japanese Air division involved in the fight against the b-29s during the last part of the war had a recon Chutai (squadron) attached to it, These aircraft, mostly Ki-46-III-KAI Dinah with a top speed of 630 kmh and 10500 m service ceiling would make high-altitude patrols searching for enemy bombers. Some where eguipped with 20 mm cannon since they could reach the B-29s but enjoyed little success as fighters.
So, the 16th Independant Chutai based at Taisho airfield, Osaka supported the 18th Figther division.
The 17th Independant Chutai based at Chofu airfield supported the 10th Figther Division (which protected the capital)
The Japanese also had recon seaplanes like
Aichi E16A Zuiun “Paul” top speed 448kmh, max range 2540 km
Aichi E13A “Jake” top speed 385 kmh, max range 2600 km
Mitsubishi F1M “Pete” top speed 370 kmh max range 1070 km, this strange little aircraft was used for alll kinds of things like area defence fighter, bomber, convoy escort, anti-submarine, ocean patrol, rescue etc
The big four engine recon flying boats like
Kawanishi H6K “Mavis” top speed 385kmh max range 6775 km
Kawanishi H8K “Emily” top speed 454kmh max range 7200 km
Kyushu Q1W Tokai “Lorna” max speed 322kmh max range 3240 km was Japans only dedicated ASW aircraft, flying low and slow over the waves looking for subs.
Nakajima J1N1 “Irving” max speed 507 kmh max range 3750 km was a 3 seat photo recon aircraft, the type was also used as night fighter.
Nakajima C6N saiun “Myrt” max speed 609 kmh max range 5300 km was a carrier based reconnaisance aircraft, also used for attack and night fighter.
Tachikawa Ki-36 “Ida” max speed 349kmh max range 1235km was a army co-operation aircraft carrying camera and radio with a very good wiev for both pilot and observer who had windows in the floor. Very effective in China, but suffered heavy casualties against allied forces.
Yokusuka D4Y Suisei “Judy” Max speed 580 kmh max range 1520 km was a carrier based dive bomber and reconnaisance aircraft, also used as night fighter.
Hi Grishnak
Thanks for the information
Hi.
A little late but there is a nice report on japanese naval photography made by the post-war U. S. NAVAL TECHNICAL MISSION TO JAPAN:
Yours
tom! 
Thanks Tom
Excellent, just what I was after.