Matsuyama Naval Air Group Monument
Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture
The Matsuyama Air Group was established in late 1943 in order to give preparatory
flight training for the Navy's Yokaren (Preparatory Flight Training Program) trainees.
From October 1944 to the end of the Pacific War in August 1945, many
Yokaren airmen died in special (suicide) attacks as part of the Kamikaze Special Attack
Corps.
The Matsuyama Naval Air Group Monument is just across the street from Konpira
Jinja (Shrine) near Matsuyama Airport. The monument plaque gives the following
explanation:
The Matsuyama Naval Air Group was established here at this place of
Yoshidahama in October 1943 when the war situation had become
critical. During the especially intense Pacific War, young men who were
burning with desire to provide defense during their country Japan's fateful
crisis gathered together. In order to supplement quickly air power that had
been considerably depleted, rigorous training of aircraft crewmen was
carried out.
In the short period of two years until the end of the war, a total of
15,000 men were trained including the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th classes of
the Navy Kō Hikō Yokaren (Preparatory Flight Training Program) and the 24th
class of the Navy Otsu Yokaren. The young eagles who left their nest at this
place carried out hisshi (inevitable death) attacks on enemy ships
from the air, on the seas, and through the water. Many young cherry blossoms
(men) dedicated themselves with loyal sincerity and went and died in battle
with dedication to an eternal cause.
We who survived until the end of the unfortunate war in August 1945 did not
want our comrades' deaths to be wasted and aspired for the reconstruction of
a peaceful Japan. Not forgetting the Yokaren spirit that was fostered in
this place, we overcame many postwar problems and worked towards the
country's resurgence. After seeing already 40 years pass since the war's
end, we pray that the spirits of our friends from the same Yokaren classes
who went and died in battle at a young age may rest in peace. This monument
records here that historic site to convey to future generations the history
of Matsuyama Naval Air Group that formerly existed at this place.
November 3, 1985
Former Navy Hikō Yokaren trainees at Matsuyama Naval Air Group
In 2001, about a kilometer away from the monument described on this page, the
Matsuyama Naval Air Group Site Monument was
erected by Matsuyama Air Group 14th Kō Yokaren Class Association.
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