Mission to Yokahama, Japan, June 1944 by David Pentland Boeing B29 Superfortresses of the
USAAF 40th Bomb Group come under attack from a Kawasaki Ki61 Hein (Tony)
of the Japanese Army Airforces 244th Sentai.
Lance of the Samurai by Stan Stokes.
As
the war in the Pacific continued to intensify in 1943 and 1944, the
naval air forces of Japan began to suffer from both quantitative and
qualitative shortcomings in both aircraft and pilots that contributed to
American domination of the air. The once dominant Japanese naval air arm
was decimated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, the defense of the
Philippines, and other lesser battles. With American bombing forces now
capable of reaching the Japanese islands with B-29 Superfortresses, the
Japanese lacked any effective fighter defenses. In an effort to improve
the situation and provide some semblance of air superiority, Captain
Minoru Genda, the architect of the air operations for the attack on
Pearl Harbor, formed a new elite fighter air group, the 343rd Kokutai,
at Matsuyama in December of 1944. This group contained the best of
Japans remaining fighter pilots which were personally selected for
participation. Consisting of three squadrons, the 301st, 407th, and
701st hikotai, this fighter unit was Japans most proficient during the
latter months of the war. The effectiveness of this unit was not solely
attributable to the skill of its pilots, but also resulted from the
aircraft which it flew. All three squadrons were equipped with the
Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden-kai (violet lightning) model 21 fighter. These
were fast, highly maneuverable, and heavily armed fighters. Unlike most
earlier Japanese designs, these aircraft also provided better armor
protection for the pilot. Nicknamed the George by the Allies, the N1K2-J
was derived from an earlier float plane the N1K1 Kyofu. Entering service
in late 1944 the George was capable of 365-MPH armed with its four 20-mm
wing mounted cannon. In the hands of experienced combat pilots, the
N1K2-J was the equal to the American-made Hellcats and Corsairs it
faced, and was vastly superior to the aging Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero. About
400 N1K2-Js would be produced before the end of the war. The efficacy of
Gendas idea was demonstrated on March 19, 1945 when fifty-four aircraft
from the 343rd attacked an unsuspecting and overconfident carrier strike
group of F6Fs, F4Us, and SB2-Cs in the Kure area. In a matter of minutes
the American force was shredded by Gendas elite group. The Japanese
claimed the destruction of forty-eight U.S. fighters and four dive
bombers vs. the loss of only sixteen of its own aircraft. On June 2,
1945 a force of twenty-one N1K2-Js attacked a similarly-sized force of
Corsairs. In this battle the Japanese claimed 18 victories. It was
estimated that during the six month period in which the 343rd operated
that a total of 170 American aircraft were downed compared to the loss
of 74 Japanese pilots. Pictured in Stan Stokes painting, entitled Lance
of the Samurai, is the Shiden-kai flown by Chief Petty Officer Shoichi
Sugita of the 301st hikotai. During the March 19th combat Sugita claimed
four F6Fs and three probables. He was later killed in action on April
15, 1945.
Battleship Row by Stan Stokes.
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto attended Harvard University
where he gained a good understanding of American culture and developed
an avid interest in the game of poker. Yamamoto played his cards when he
outlined a plan to attack Pearl Harbor in January 1941. In April the
Japanese organized a First Air Fleet with Vice Admiral Nagumo as its
Commander in Chief. Commander Minoru Genda was appointed air staff
officer, and because Nagumo was unfamiliar with air tactics,
Genda was given responsibility for planning the attack on Pearl
Harbor. Cdr. Genda immediately began perfecting the Pearl Harbor plan,
and few details were overlooked. The Imperial Navys First Air Fleet
consisted of six carriers. The Akagi,
flagship of the strike force, was a converted cruiser which carried 63
aircraft. The Kaga also
carried 63 aircraft, and was a converted battleship. The
Soryu was the first carrier built from the ground up and was similar
to the Hiryu. Each carrier
had a compliment of 54 aircraft. With two additional carriers, the Zuikaku
and the Shokaku,
the fleet had a total of 378 aircraft. Three different types of
aircraft were utilized for the attack. Mitsubishi A6M2 Zeros, a highly
maneuverable single seat fighter, was responsible for obtaining air
control and for strafing aircraft and ground installations. Aichi D3A1
Vals, with two-man crews, were utilized for dive bombing. Nakajima B5N2
Kates were responsible for horizontal bombing and torpedo bombing. The
Kate carried a crew of three and had a cruising speed of only 160 MPH.
During the first wave of the attack 183 aircraft were deployed. Torpedo
aircraft from the Akagi, the Hiryu,
and the Kaga targeted
battleship row during this first wave. As portrayed in Stan Stokes
life-like painting, a Japanese Kate from the Akagi
launches its torpedo from very low altitude. Not far in the distance
looms the USS West Virginia
and Tennessee, virtual
sitting ducks. The Japanese had trained carefully, and had modified
their Kai Model 2 torpedoes to accommodate the shallow waters of Pearl
Harbor. While caught by surprise, the USN was fortunate that its
carriers were not in port, and that the Japanese had failed to destroy
many of the support and repair facilities. This stroke of good luck
permitted the USN to repair many of the ships damaged in the attack
quite quickly. The devastating blow Yamamoto had planned for December 7,
1941 backfired by infuriating American public opinion, and eventually
lead to Imperial Japans defeat and unconditional surrender.
Final Assault by Stan Stokes.
The
largest and most powerful bomber of WW II, the Boeing B-29 Super
Fortress, played a major role in bringing about the defeat of Japan. In
addition to accelerating Japans surrender following the bombing of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki with atomic bombs, thousands of B-29 crews flew
tens of thousands of bombing missions against Japan from bases in China,
India, and later in the War from recaptured islands in the Pacific.
B-29s entered service in 1943 following a lengthy, problem-filled,
development process of three years in response to the governments
request for a long range strategic bomber. Only Boeing and Douglas (the
B-32 Dominator) responded to the governments requests, and the B-32 had
even greater development problems than the B-29. Powered by four giant
Wright R-3350-23 radial engines generating a total horsepower of 8,924,
the Super Fortresses typically carried crews of ten. They were capable
of a top speed of 357-MPH, and at slower cruising speeds had a range of
more than 3,200 miles. The B-29 was a large aircraft for its time with a
wingspan in excess of 140 feet and a length of just under 100 feet. The
Super Forts also had pressurized forward and aft hulls, which made the
long distance missions a bit more comfortable for the flight crews.
B-29s typically carried defensive armament which included ten machine
guns and a single tail-mounted canon. Because of the pressurized hull,
the guns were operated by remote control. The first operational B-29
wing was the 58th which flew out of the China-Burma-India
theater. On March 9, 1945 General Curtis LeMay ordered an unusual low
altitude attack on Tokyo by hundreds of B-29s carrying incendiary bombs.
Five such low level missions were scheduled over a ten-day period, and
the combined destruction of these missions exceeded that of either of
the atomic bomb missions. B-29s were also effectively used to mine
Japanese ports and shipping lanes. The Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu heavy
fighter, which is depicted attacking the B-29 in Stan Stokes painting,
entered production in 1941 following a lengthy four year development.
About 1,700 of these aircraft, code named Nick by the allies, were
produced. The Ki-45 never proved effective as a long range daylight
interceptor. It was, however, used effectively in ground attack and
night fighter roles. It was one of only a few Japanese aircraft that had
some success against the onslaught of B-29s because it was able to
attain the high altitudes necessary to intercept the high-flying Super
Fortresses. This print is dedicated to the thousands of B-29 officers
and crewmen who hastened the end of the Pacific War.
Birth of a Legend by Stan Stokes.
Colin P. Kelly, Americas first hero of WW II, was born
in Florida in 1915. He was accepted to the U.S. Military Academy at West
Point, and following graduation Kelly married the former Marian Wick.
Kelly received his primary flight instruction at Randolph Field in San
Antonio, and after earning his wings he moved across town to Kelly Field
for advanced pilot training. Unlike many would-be fighter pilots, Kelly
was not disappointed with being assigned as a bomber pilot. Kelly
received a letter of commendation from The Secretary of War when he
crash landed a Northrop A-17A he was ferrying to Mitchel field in a
vacant street in Brooklyn. In September of 1940 Kelly was promoted to
Captain, and was assigned to the 42nd Bomb Squadron as commander of a
B-17. Kelly trained in Hawaii, and was later made Operations Officer for
the 14th Bomb Squadron. In September of 1941 Kelly and his crew flew
from Hawaii to Clark Field in the Philippines. The B-17s were an
important addition to the woefully inadequate and obsolete air forces
which America had in the Philippines. The Japanese Imperial forces
attacked the Philippines only hours following the attack on Pearl
Harbor. Mitsubishi Zero fighters, flying to maximize their range, were
able to accompany Japanese bombers from bases in Formosa. The initial
attack on Clark Field damaged or destroyed many American aircraft.
Kellys squadron had been moved south to another field and had escaped
damage. On December 10, Kellys squadron was ordered to fly north to
Clark Field where they would refuel and arm their aircraft for attacks
on the Japanese invasion fleet. Kellys regular B-17D was out of service,
so his crew was assigned a B-17C. At Clark Field three 600-pound armor
piercing bombs were loaded on Kellys B-17 when an air raid hastened
their departure. Kelly flew northward to the northern most tip of the
island of Luzon. Kelly spotted a number of Japanese ships which were
supporting an amphibious landing. The young Captain dropped his three
bombs hoping to destroy the largest of the Japanese ships. One bomb
struck the vessel, igniting a tremendous blaze. On returning to Clark
Field, the B-17 was attacked by a number of Japanese fighters, including
a Zero flown by Saburo Sakai. Sakai would become the highest scoring
Japanese ace to survive the War with 64 victories. Amazed by the speed
of the Flying Fortress, the Zeros needed full throttle to make passes at
the B-17. Kellys B-17 was
eventually hit and set afire. Captain Kelly ordered his crew to abandon
ship. Kelly remained with the aircraft, and he did not survive the crash
landing. With America desperate for any good news on the war front, and
with Army brass in the Philippines anxious to claim some positive
results, Colin Kellys exploits became exaggerated in many news accounts.
By the time the story was publicized stateside, many believed he had
dived his B-17 down the funnel of a Japanese battleship. While Kelly was
indeed an American hero, the
unfortunate gross exaggeration of his exploits, should not tarnish the
fact that Kelly, like many that would follow him in the years ahead, had
made the ultimate sacrifice for his country in the line of duty.
An Interesting Dog Fight by Stan Stokes.
October 23,
1942 was a typical day for American troops at Esprito Santo, but for the
crew of a B-17 Flying Fortress it would become a most memorable day.
Early that morning the Japanese began shelling the field. Lt. Ed Loberg,
a former farm boy from Wisconsin, was ordered to take his B-17 up for a
reconnaissance mission to determine where the Japanese guns may be
located. Not finding anything they returned to the field. The brakes
failed on the B-17 upon landing, and they hit several parked Navy
aircraft. Fortunately for Lobergs crew a 100 pound bomb dislodged in the
crash did not explode. Later that day the crew boarded another B-17 and
went hunting out to sea. Around mid-day the crew noticed a PBY being
attacked by a Kawanishi H6K Mavis flying boat. Diving the B-17 straight
down, the Mavis and the Flying Fortress soon entered a rain squall. The
windows were black with clouds and rain, and the plane was buffeted by
strong winds. Emerging from the squall at low altitude into blinding
sunlight the B-17 emerged only fifty feet from their adversary.
Immediately every gun on both aircraft began firing in a broadside
exchange reminiscent of age old sailing ship battles. Thousands of
bullets criss-crossed the narrow spread of air, and the Fortress
shuddered from the impact. Tracer bullets from the B-17 pelted the Mavis
like darts with many ricocheting off its armor. The Mavis made a tight
turn, and Loberg turned inside him to avoid the mortal sting from the
Mavis tail guns. In and out of rain squalls this interesting dogfight
continued for 45 minutes. The Mavis kept very close to the wave tops to
protect is vulnerable under belly. Several times during the fight the
Mavis disappeared for three or four minutes into clouds, but each time
as it reemerged Lobergs B-17 resumed the attack. Twice the B-17 passed
over the H6K so close that the jagged bullet holes in the Mavis and the
round glasses on its two pilots could be seen clearly. Finally, the
Mavis began smoking, and the Japanese plane dropped into the sea and
exploded in a large ball of flame. In the words of Ira Wolfert, a war
correspondent, who was on the flight; During the duel, the Fort that I
was on, with a bullet in one of its motors, and two holes as big as
Derby hats in its wings, made tight turns with half-rolls and banks past
vertical. That is, it frequently stood against the sea on one wing like
a ballet dancer balancing on one point, and occasionally it went over
even farther than that and started lifting its belly toward the sky in
desperate effort to keep the Jap from turning inside it… Throughout
the entire forty-four minutes, the plane, one of the oldest being used
in the war, ran at top speed, shaking and rippling all over like a skirt
in a gale, so many inches of mercury being blown into its motors by the
superchargers that the pilot and co-pilot, in addition to their other
worries, had to keep an eye on the cowlings to watch for cylinder heads
popping up through them. Others on Lobergs crew that day were B.
Thurston the co-pilot, R Spitzer the navigator,
R. Mitchell the bombadier and
E. Gustafson , E. Jung, G. Holbert , E. Smith, and P. Butterbaugh
who manned the guns during this unusual dogfight. Both Mitchell and
Spitzer were wounded during the battle.
Legend of Colin Kelly by Robert Taylor December 10th 1941, Just three days after the Japanese attack on
Pearl harbor, captain Colin Kelly's 19th BG B-17C is heavily outnumbered
by Zeros as it returns to Clark Field after completing a successful
bombing attack. With his aircraft on fire. Kelly remained at the controls
whilst his crew bailed out. Seconds later the B-17 exploded. Colin Kelly
gave his life and was posthumously awarded the DFC. A legend was born.
Signed by Robert Altman, James Halkyard
Remember Pearl Harbor! by Robert Taylor December 7, 1941. Japanese Aichi dive-bombers make a final attempt
to destroy the USS Nevada as she lay beached at Hospital Point. Behind her
the destroyer USS Shaw is on fire, moments later she will explode. In the
docks beyond, the battleship Pennsylvania, the cruiser Helena and the
flagship Argonne can all be seen in the swirling palls of dense smoke.
Morning Thunder by Robert Taylor A Japanese Zero passes over one of the battleships set alight during
the Pearl Harbor attack.
