Kofuji Naval Air Group Monument
Itoshima City, Fukuoka Prefecture
In May 1944, the Kagoshima Naval Air Group set up the Kofuji Detachment in
Kofuji Village (later merged to form Shima Village and now part of Itoshima
City) in Fukuoka Prefecture. In July 1944, responsibility for Kofuji was
transferred to become a detachment of the
Fukuoka Naval Air Group. In October 1944, Kofuji became an independent naval air
group.
Former members of the Kofuji Naval Air Group erected a monument in 1973 at
the site of the former airfield.
The right side of the monument has inscribed the following history:
As the Greater East Asia War situation became critical, the country mobilized
youths who burned with desire to protect Japan and were prepared to give their
lives for their country. In May 1944, Kofuji Naval Air Group was formed as a training base for young
eagles with the objective of supplementing air fighting strength that had been
depleted. Training was provided through
the end of the war to about 5,000 persons from the 13th Kō Class to the 16th Kō
Class of the Yokaren (Preparatory Flight Training Program).
Students in their teens in those days enthusiastically joined the Yokaren
with heroic determination, willing to give their lives for their country in time
of crisis. However, the war situation became increasingly fierce, so Yokaren training
was halted [1], and the young men were sent to various
tokkō (special attack) bases. Finally with no chance for victory, the war came to an end in August 1945,
and the mission of Kofuji Air Group also ended.
Considering this air group's history, it did not last even two years, but we
acquired the Yokaren spirit by putting our lives on the line and developing
rigorous discipline. In the postwar period, this spirit allowed us to endure
tumultuous ordeals and become the cornerstone of the development of a new Japan.
We erect here the Kofuji Naval Air Group Monument in remembrance of the past
Yokaren era.
May 27, 1973
Kofuji Naval Air Group Members and Other Supporters
The monument stands in front of Mt. Kaya, also known as Itoshima Fuji for its
conical shape similar to that of Mt. Fuji.
Note
1. Yokaren training was suspended on March 1,
1945.
Mt. Kaya
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