World War II Database

1.  Bill says:
9 Jun 2011 07:45:24 AM

Photograph shows single-seat and two-seat Zero aircraft, trainer located in photo to left of single-seat fighter.

Genzan Kokutai operated as a training school equipped w. A6M2-K trainers and a mix of
A6M2 and A6M5 single-seat fighters. Unit was based at Genzan Chosen (North Korea) 1944.
Due to the demands of wartime pilot training training, Mitsubishi modified zero fighters
into two-seat aircraft.
Student pilot sat up front, instructor in back. The A6M2-K was used for operational training and conversion, trainers were built up to the last day of the war.

Training aircraft were painted darkgreen on
upper surfaces and gray or orange under surfaces.

2. Jose says:
25 Jun 2011 04:05:43 PM

Hello Bill. I'm trying to find information about the Zero fighters a6m5 Genza of Japanese Navy Air Group at Genza (now Wonsan), Korea. Only the a6m5. Models and I find no reference to these aircraft (exact colors, aircraft registration, names of drivers, etc.. You know where I can find more information?. We would appreciate your information. Thanks

3.  Bill says:
28 Jul 2011 08:24:11 AM

Hello Jose thank you for your interest in my comments, glad to have feedback on ww2db.

Unit was a land-based and fighter unit, that
served in China, took part in the Campaigns in French Indochina, Malaya, Singapore and the Dutch East Indies. Later deployed to Rabaul and withdrawn to Japan.

This is the information I have about the Genzan Air Group: This unit was established
November 1940 at Genzan (Wonsan),Korea unit fought in the Battle of the Coral Sea, and later renamed 252nd Air Group in September 1942 it was disbanded after the war.

You could check out Naval Institute Press,
Annapolis, Maryland. Followup under Japanese Naval air operations, Southwest Pacific and Korea WWII.
At the end of WWII aircraft that were left in Korea by both the Imperial Army and Navy, were operated by the North Koreans, into the 1950s, aircraft were a mix of KI-43 Oscars, Trainers and Transports.

4.  Bill says:
27 Nov 2014 06:21:51 PM

KURILE ISLANDS: SIDE SHOW

JAPANESE NAVY

Besides Japanese airpower in Korea the Imperial
Japanese Navy and Army maintained aircraft in the Kurile Islands. The USSR invaded the larger islands in August 1945 the Japanese abandoned its
military equipment what the Russians captured were
six Mitsubishi A6M5 Zeke/Zeros single-engine fighters. Two single-engine bombers, type unknown
Twelve Nakajima B5N Kate torpedo bombers and a few Nakajima J1N1-S Irving twin-engine night fighters.

JAPANESE ARMY

Sharing defense of the islands were army aircraft
captured were Nakajima KI-43 Oscar and KI-44 Tojo
single-engine fighters. There has been little or no added information about these Japanese aircraft
that were captured.
No additional information covering trainers and transport aircraft, no other record of them being shipped back to the USSR for evaluation and testing.

5.  Bill says:
28 Nov 2014 02:45:16 PM

LAST BATTLES OF WWII:

August 1945 soviet forces launched an amphibious operation against Japanese held Kurile Islands.
Japanese forces surrendered, by September 1945 Soviet occupation of those islands started.

POWs:

Its been estimated that Soviet forces captured about 50,000 POWs along with civilians on the islands. Many of these unfortunate people never
returned to Japan and were sent to camps in Asia

RECON MISSION: NOT SO FRIENDLY ALLY

September 1945 two B-24s of the Eleventh Air Force, USAAF flew reconnaissance mission over the North Kurile Islands to gather intelligence about
the Soviet occupation.
Soviet fighters were identified as Bell P-63 Kingcobras intercepted the bombers and forced the American aircraft away, a forecast of the Cold War...

6. Charles says:
3 Nov 2018 08:38:35 AM

On this site it was reported that two Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden fighters were recovered in Wonsan and used by the fledgling Korean Air Force. Given that aircraft such as the Ki-55, Ki-54, Spruce and other types were in service, this report appears plausible. Can anyone suggest a source or additional information on this topic? Thank you in advance for any suggestions or references.