Cub Driver writes:
The article is interesting because it is the only (to me) known
instance of the IJAAF doing a long-distance overwater attack
They bombed the Philippines from Taiwan, a pretty impressive feat for
the time.
Later, the same sentai flew from Taiwan to Hanoi, en route to the
Burma campaign, and took time out to attempt an attack on Kunming.
That was the late Erik Shilling's day in the sun.
It's true of course that the JAAF tradition was short-range combat
over land, generally in northern climates. But they were nothing if
not versatile. The 64th Sentai transitioned from short-legged Ki-27
"Nates" to long-legged Ki-43 "Oscars" in the late summer of 1941, and
on December 7-8 was flying cover over the invasion fleet in the Gulf
of Siam, in a typhoon, with radios that essentially didn't work and no
navigation equipment that I know of.
Fascinating stuff. Sorry, I have virtually no references here in
Kyoto, except magazine articles. I assumed it was the Navy bombing
from the Philippines. Thanks for putting that straight.
--
G Hassenpflug * IJN & JMSDF equipment/history fan
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