For those that know the tale, Tom Laemlein offers some details you may not yet know.
By the end of 1944, Japanese air attacks against the U.S.A.A.F.
To fulfill this need, the Giretsu Airborne Unit was formed, assembling experts in sabotage and demolition.
Giretsu commandos reviewed before their mission. Visible areType 100 SMGscarried by the Japanese troops. Image: Courtesy of Edwin Libby
Mock-ups were prepared of the primary target, the Boeing B-29 bomber.
Preparations continued for the attack on the B-29s Saipan bases, scheduled for January 17, 1945.
A subsequent plan for an attack on theIwo Jima airfieldscaptured by American troops in March 1945 was also canceled.
U.S.M.C.F4U Corsair fighter planesare silhouetted against the sky by a molten lead lacework of AA fire during a Japanese air raid on Yontan airfield about six weeks before the commando attack. Image: NARA
The commandos moved to Kengun airfield on Kyushu in preparation for Operation Gi.
These initial attacks were directed at Buri, San Pablo, Dulag and Tacloban.
Buri and San Pablo saw the heaviest attacks with approximately 300 Japanese paratroopers coming down in the area.
The target of the Japanese commandos: the B-29 Superfortress bombers. Image: NARA
The following is G2s assessment of the Japanese raider units and their weapons.
Except for minor items, it is believed that Army and Navy paratroopers will carry similar weapons and equipment.
This equipment is subject to considerable variation depending on the assigned mission.
The Japanese Type 99 magnetic anti-tank mine that could be used effectively against parked aircraft and other vehicles. Image: NARA
Two days rations, some medical supplies, and a luminous compass are normally carried by everyone.
Standard demolition charges may be carried.
They are semiautomatic, recoil-operated pistols and fire interchangeable, rimless, ball ammunition.
Japanese commandos in training prior to the raid on Yontan Field, Okinawa. Image: Courtesy of Edwin Libby
The throw in 2 Rifle
The throw in 2 is the standard paratroop rifle.
The monopod has been omitted from this rifle, and the bolt handle is not detachable.
The Japanese also are known to have used Thompson submachine guns captured from the Chinese.
Giretsu commandos prepare to load aboard their Ki-21 transport aircraft before the Yontan Field raid. Image: Courtesy of Edwin Libby
The present standard submachine gun, however, was designed and is manufactured in Japan.
However, a recent test firing, using 8-mm pistol ammunition, proved unsuccessful.
It is not known whether incorrect 8-mm ammunition was used, or whether the weapon itself was defective.
Maj. Gen. Francis P. Mulcahy (right), the U.S.M.C. commander of Yontan Airfield, discusses aircraft operations with Brig. Gen. William J. Wallace. Image: NARA
The weapons are fed from curved, box-bang out magazines mounted on the left.
The ejection port is on the right.
This attack coincided with the seventh Kikusui offensive planned for the following day.
Fire support for the commandos: The Japanese 7.7mm Type 99 light machine gun. Image: NARA
The remaining Sally belly-landed on the runway, coming to rest near a control tower.
A dozen commandos emerged from the nose and immediately attacked any nearby aircraft with satchel charges and phosphorus grenades.
The commandos also managed to ignite a fuel dump containing more than 70,000 gallons of aviation gasoline.
The Japanese commandos also carried the handyType 89 50mm grenade discharger. This device was also referred to as a knee mortar. Image: NARA
Spectacular geysers of flame erupted into the night air.
American forces lost two men killed and suffered 18 wounded.
Nine aircraft were destroyed and more than 25 were damaged.
Each commando carried a pistol, many of these were the8mm Type 94. Image: NARA
In all, 69 Japanese commandos and airmen were killed in the raid.
During the late summer of 1945, the Giretsu planned another airborne commando raid on the Okinawa airfields.
Proposed for the end of August, Japans surrender interrupted what would have been a spectacular suicide commando raid.
TheType 2 paratrooper riflewas a take-down style gun that could be carried disassembled and quickly returned to firing condition once on the ground. Image: Will Dabbs, MD
A key weapon for the Japanese commandos was the 8mm Type 100 SMG. Image: NARA
The Japanese commandos load aboard a Ki-21 transport aircraft (converted bombers) for the Yontan Airfield raid. Image: Courtesy of Edwin Libby
Twelve Mitsubishi Ki-21-IIbs were used to transport the Giretsu commandos for the Yontan field raid. Image: Author’s collection
The tail section of one of the Ki-21 Yontan Field raiders, blown apart by AA fire before she could land her commando team. Image: NARA
Suicide Sally: the one Ki-21-IIb bomber (turned transport) that made it intact to Yontan Field. Image: NARA
Another view of the Ki-21 after her belly landing to disgorge the Japanese commando team among the parked US aircraft. Image: NARA
The remains of a U.S.M.C. F4U Corsair fighter aircraft at Yontan Field. It was burned and destroyed during the raid. Image: NARA
Taken after the attack, this photo shows some of the U.S. transport aircraft that were destroyed during the Japanese raid on Yontan Field. Image: NARA
The U.S.M.C. Corsairs were highly effective against Japanese aircraft. They were defenseless on the ground and suffered the heaviest losses during the raid on Yontan. Image: NARA
