#29 - PEARL HARBOR raid - Shokaku's fighters

EI-101 was flown by a buntaicho - first wave. Lt. Cmdr. Tadashi Kaneko was hikotaicho of SHOKAKU’s first wave fighters during the attack at Pearl Harbor. He led 6 fighters of 6th squadron. After strafe Kaneohe NAS, Kaneko flew off and made a single strafing pass over Bellows Field, with his wingman flying high above, then rejoined his unit (11th shotai). Why he made this strafing attack is not known, because Bellows Field was not the initial target for his group.


Lt. Cmdr. Tadashi Kaneko photo #1
Tadashi Kaneko was born in Tokyo as the son of a lawyer. He attended Tokyo Municipal High School #1 and entered the Naval Academy. In 1932 he graduated from the 60th class and in July 1935 he completed the 26th Aviation Student Course and became a fighter pilot. He was hikotaicho of SHOKAKU’s first wave fighters during the attack at Pearl Harbor (6th squadron). At Midway he was aboard on AKAGI as the hikotaicho of 6th kokutai. He was assigned as the hikotaicho of HIYO during Guadalcanal campaign and was shot down by a VB-10 SBD on the afternoon of 14 November 1942 while leading 6 Zeros on a patrol from Buin to protect the Japanese convoy bound for Guadalcanal. Lt. Cmdr. Tadashi Kaneko claimed 8 aerial victories before his death.


EI-104 was flown by a buntaicho, Lt JG Masao Iizuka - CAP (Combat Air Patrol) over fleet.


EI-104 photo #1
EI-104 was flown by a buntaicho, Lt JG Masao Iizuka - CAP (Combat Air Patrol) over fleet.
PHOTO CREDIT: www.youtube.com


EI-105 was flown by a shotaicho.


EI-106 photo #1


EI-108 was flown by a wingman.


Shokaku's A6M2 photo #1
IJN Shokaku's A6M2 taking off during Pearl Harbor raid.
PHOTO CREDIT: book GOD'S SAMURAI - Lead Pilot at Pearl Harbor (The Warriors) by Katherine V. Dillon, Donald M. Goldstein and Gordon W. Prange.


EI-112 was flown by a wingman, Ens. Masao Sasakibara.


EI-113 was flown by a wingman.


EI-116 was flown by a wingman.


EI-116 photo #1


EI-120 was flown by a wingman.


EI-120 photo #1


EI-121 was flown by a buntaicho, Lt. Takumi Hoashi.


EI-122 was flown by a wingman and later an ace, PO1c Jiro Matsuda.


Shokaku's A6M2 photo #1


Shokaku's A6M2 photo #2


EI-125 was flown by a wingman - CAP.


EI-125 photo #1
EI-125 CAP's flight.


EI-125 photo #2


EI-125 photo #3


EI-127 was flown by a wingman, PO1c Ikuo Hanazawa.