#39 - RABAUL attack - January 20 to 23, 1942

AI-157 was flown by a wingman of carrier IJN Akagi during Rabaul operation.
Admiral Nagumo's carrier force with IJN Akagi, Kaga, Shokaku and Zuikaku struck Rabaul, Kavieng and Lae
from January 20 until 23, 1942. On January 20, during the first attack on Rabaul, Lt. Cmdr. Fuchida led 109 planes
and only one B5N2 from Kaga was shot down by  Australian anti-aircraft fire. The crew PO1c Michinari Sugihara (Pilot),
PO1c Katsuo Yamamoto (observer) and PO2c Yoshikazu Tanaka (radio operator/gunner) were KIA.
On January 23, during the last raid on Rabaul, carrier Kaga lost another plane, one A6M2 fighter flown by PO2c Isao Hiraishi.
INFO CREDIT: book JAPANESE NAVAL ACES AND FIGHTER UNITS IN WORLD WAR II, by Ikuhiko Hata and Yasuho Izawa.
You can see a photo of the B5N2 shot down at:
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b5n/mother.html


AI-157 photo
This photo shows activity on Akagi's flight deck on January 20, 1942. Is possible to see Vals, Kates and Zeros on flight deck.
PHOTO CREDIT: book FAOW – FAMOUS Aircraft of the World # 55, type Zero carrier fighter model 11-21, by Bunrindo Co, Ltd., year 1995.


B5N2 photo #1
This B5N2 was taking off from a Japanese carrier carrying a 800kg bomb, probably on early 1942.
PHOTO CREDIT: book MARU MECHANIC #14: Nakajima Type 97 B5N & B6N Tenzan.


Rabaul raid photo #1
One B5N2 "Kate" from the carrier Akagi seen over Rabaul on January 20 1942.
This Kate is carrying am 800 kg bomb destined for a land target.
PHOTO CREDIT: book SAMOURAI SUR PORTE-AVIONS - Les groupes embarqués japonais et leurs porte-avions (1922-1944),
by Michel Ledet.


Rabaul raid photo #2


EI-238 was flown by a hikotaicho. The crew were Lt. Cmdr. Kakuichi Takahashi (pilot) and Lt. Seizo Koizumi (radioman/gunner). Note the three red hikotaicho horizontal stripes and "bitter orange" camo (on fuselage only)!!!
Shokaku's dive bombers hit the Norwegian freighter Herstein that was lay in the harbor burning.


EI-238 photo #1
Shokaku's dive-bomber group leader Lt.Cmdr. Kakuichi Takahashi D3A1's EI-238 flying over Rabaul, January 20, 1942.
PHOTO CREDIT: book FAOW – FAMOUS Aircraft of the World # 33, type 99 carrier diver-bomber, by Bunrindo Co, Ltd., year 1992.


EI-238 photo #2
This photo shows Lt. Cmdr. Takahashi about to launch into his dive on Rabaul.
PHOTO CREDIT: via WEB


Norwegian freighter Herstein
This ship was hit by Shokaku's dive bombers on January 20, 1942, and lay in the harbor burning.
PHOTO CREDIT: via WEB


EII-102 was flown by a shotaicho of carrier IJN Zuikaku, PO1c Tetsuo Iwamoto, a China War ace with 14 kills.


EII-106 was flown by a shotaicho of carrier IJN Zuikaku.


EII-106 photo #1.


EII-111 was flown by a wingman of carrier IJN Zuikaku.


EII-111 photo #1
EII-111 was flown by a wingman. This photo shows EII-111 taking off the Zuikaku's deck, 21 January 1942,
to attack Lae, New Guinea. PHOTO AND INFO CREDIT: via Mr. David Aiken.


EII-141 was flown by a shotaicho of carrier IJN Zuikaku.


Zuikaku's photo #1
From left are Zeros coded: EII-175 (wingman), EII-102 (shotaicho - top ace: Tetsuo Iwamoto),
EII-173 (wingman), EII-141 (shotaicho), EII-106 with Hokoku 493 (shotaicho).
PHOTO AND INFO CREDIT: Mr. David Aiken.


EII-173 was flown by a wingman of carrier IJN Zuikaku.


EII-175 was flown by a wingman of carrier IJN Zuikaku.


Zuikaku's photo #2
PHOTO CREDIT: via Mr. David Aiken.