Takuma Naval Air Group Monument
Mitoyo City, Kagawa Prefecture
Seaplanes carried out kamikaze attacks during the Battle of Okinawa, and Type
2 Flying Boats played a key role as guide planes for the long-range kamikaze
attack by Ginga bombers on Ulithi on March 11, 1945. Takuma, located in
Kagawa Prefecture on the Inland Sea, served as a key air base during World War
II for these planes.
The Takuma Naval Air Group stone monument, erected in 2000, has the following
inscription:
Historical Spot
Takuma Naval Air Group Site
Site of Kamikaze Special Attack Corps Sorties
Although kamikaze squadrons did
make sorties from Takuma, they first proceeded to Ibusuki Air Base at the southern tip
of Kagoshima Prefecture and then made sorties from there in kamikaze attacks on
American ships around Okinawa.
The monument stands facing the Inland Sea on one side of the street. The
other side of the street directly across from the monument has three horizontal
concrete tunnels built into the hill that served as air-raid shelters during the
war and four other stone tablets that mainly show donor names for the monument.
The right side of the monument has a plaque that provides the following
history of the Takuma Naval Air Group:
The establishment of the Takuma Naval Air Group was announced in December
1941. The sudden land purchases in the areas of Koda and Wada were a matter
of vital importance to the residents. Also, the Kure Naval Munitions
Division built the Takuma Supply Center in Niihama. A total of 136 homes
were removed from these three areas. The hardships associated with moving
were difficult beyond description. The Kure Naval Facilities Division was in
charge of the construction activities, and the government and civilians
worked together with the addition of local volunteer labor. The Takuma Air
Group was formed on June 1, 1943, and took charge of seaplane instruction.
The main planes stationed here were Type 94 Reconnaissance Seaplanes and
Type 2 Flying Boats. Over two thousand servicemen from all over arrived at
their new post, and intensive training took place day after day. In
September 1944, the Yokohama Naval Air Group made offensive and defensive
preparations for the expected battle at Okinawa, and it was decided to move
its main force to Takuma. At this point in time, it became a major strategic
base for seaplanes with large-size flying boats at its command. On April 25,
1945, the 5th Air Fleet combined all flying boat units in order to make
preparations for the decisive battle and organized the Takuma Naval Air
Group as an actual fighting unit. The Takuma Air Group's Type 2 Flying Boats
had high-speed performance in addition to being equipped with large-sized
radar. While repeatedly fighting to the death with American fighters, they
played an active role as the eyes of the 5th Air Fleet. During Tan
Operations No. 2 and 3 in which Ginga bombers assaulted the American
task force at the Ulithi anchorage, Type 2 Flying Boats took part in guiding
the special attack planes and in weather observation for the long-range
attack route. In these operations, 27 Type 2 Flying Boats and 250 elite men
were lost. On February 16, 1945, orders were announced that all smaller
planes would carry out special attack training, and the Kamikaze Special
Attack Corps Kotohira Suishin Squadron was formed with reconnaissance
seaplanes. The Kamikaze Special Attack Corps Sakigake Squadrons, formed at
the same time by the Kitaura and Kashima Naval Air Groups in Ibaraki
Prefecture, advanced to Takuma Air Base. After the squadrons had intensive
training, they advanced to Ibusuki Air Base in Kagoshima Prefecture and carried out
taiatari (body-crashing) attacks against ships around Okinawa.
The maintenance men who went ahead of the crewmen to Ibusuki devoted all
their energies to preparations such as engine adjustments, fuel
replenishment, and bomb installation, and they said farewell to the crewmen
feeling as if their hearts would break. On April 28 and afterward on four
separate days, 25 planes attacked American ships, and 57 young men lost
their lives in the Okinawan skies. The Naval Arsenal's Takuma Factory
supported the Takuma Air Group's fighting strength. From October 1944, the
Takuma Supply Center was used, and a repair plant was built. Added to the
core technicians were about 800 persons called into service such as factory
workers and mobilized girl students from the Girls Technical High School,
Kanonji Commercial High School, Zentsuji High School, and the Masukawa Girls
Volunteer Unit. They exhausted their energies in the repairs of different
types of planes. With fervent desire to make shot and damaged planes fly as
soon as possible, their young strength to which they pressed on in their
work allowed Type 2 Flying Boats to continue flying for decisive air
battles. More than 50 years after the war's end, the land occupied by the
Takuma Naval Air Group has been converted into the National Radio Technical
High School and commercial factories, and the 11th Naval Arsenal area is now
occupied by Takuma Junior High School. The only remains are four slides used
to get planes in and out of the water and several horizontal tunnels used as
air-raid shelters. We remember that we owe today's prosperity for our
country to the sacrifices of these men who gave their lives in our homeland's
air defense and the sacrifices of many other persons. We designate the
remains of the Takuma Naval Air Group as a Takuma Town Historical Site with
our earnest desire for eternal world peace and with the hope that the horrors of war will
never happen again.
Photo on plaque at right side of monument.
Behind the Takuma Air Base personnel waving farewell is the Type 0
Reconnaissance Seaplane Model 11 No. 1 plane of the
Kamikaze Special Attack Corps Kotohira Suishin Squadron
Yasuda Division, which was the first to take off from the water
toward the advance base at Ibusuki in Kagoshima Prefecture.
The Kanoya Air
Base Museum has on display a restored Type 2 Flying Boat from the Takuma Naval
Air Group.
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