List of A6M Zero operators

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Mitsubishi Zero Model 52 (A6M5)
Mitsubishi Zero Model 52 (A6M5)

This is a list of units which operated the Mitsubishi A6M, more commonly known as the Mitsubishi Zero, the most celebrated Japanese warplane of World War II. Zeros were predominantly used by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), both on aircraft carriers and land-based fighter units. At the start of the Pacific War in 1941, the A6M constituted about 60% of the IJN fighter force. It took part in carrier operations throughout much of the Pacific Ocean, as well as over the north east Indian Ocean.

Contents

[edit] China

The Republic of China Air Force operated a small number of captured aircraft (A6M2,A6M3,A6M5s,etc) provided after the conflict from ancient Japanese Naval units 12th,13th,14th,15th and Shanghai Kokutai as part of China Air Fleet in China Mainland among others from Formosan Navy units how Toko,Takao,Tetshu,Kagi,Toki and Tainan Kokutai;the People's Liberation Army Air Force as possibly provided for Soviets with A6M5 Zeros captured from 252 and Genzan Kokutai in Korea and Shumushu Detachment of 203 Kokutai in Kuriles. Such planes were used by both sides in the Chinese Civil War[citation needed]

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[edit] Indonesia

In 1945, Indonesian pro-independence guerrillas captured a small number of Zero aircraft at numerous Japanese air bases, including Bugis Air Base in Malang (repatriated 18 September 1945). Most aircraft were destroyed in military conflicts between the newly proclaimed-Republic of Indonesia and the Netherlands, during the Indonesian National Revolution of 1945-1949. Small numbers of surviving aircraft were saved in Kalijati Air Base, near Subang, West Java and Museum Dirgantara Udara, Yogyakarta (near Adi Sucipto Airport).[citation needed]

[edit] Thailand

Exist some reports over use of various examples of Mitsubishi A6M2, model 21 and A6M5s for Royal Thailand Air Force, among others Japanese aircraft how interceptors after the conflict during 1946-47 period according with John & Elke Weal in "Combat Aircraft of World War Two" Book.[citation needed][1]

[edit] Empire of Japan

[edit] Aircraft carriers

[edit] Land Air Corps

[edit] By airbase name

  • Chitose - Unit that operated from Chitose, in the metropolitan areas of Wake Island, Kwajalein (South Pacific Mandate), and Solomon Islands, with A6M2, A6M3 and A6M5 Zero fighters. Later merged with 653rd Air Corps.
  • Genzan - Famous unit known as "the Protector of Chosen", for its principal airbase; they operated from Genzan, Saigon (French Indochina), Malaca, Rabaul base and Admiralty Islands, using A6M2 and A6M3 along G4M Bombers; on return to main base they acted as operational trainers with A6M5b, A6M5-K and served as interceptors with J2M3, N1K2 and A6M5c against the Soviets and Americans
  • Kanoya - Mixed group which operated with Reisen and G4M "Betty", from Kanoya, Kagoshima, Kyūshū, Malaysia and returned to metropolitan area equipped with A6M5c
  • Konoike - Operative Trainer Unit, equipped with A6M2, A6M3 and A6M5a, later enter in Kamikaze operations with A6M2 and A6M5
  • Ōita - Operative Trainer Unit as previous section, form part of Second striking line in front, with Base in Ōita and Kyūshū, with A6M5
  • Ominato - Mixed unit with A6M3 and A6M5, along B5N2 "Kate and E13A1 "Jake", with bases in Ominato, Aomori and Honshū
  • Ohmura - At first was a Combat unit, later converted to an Operative Trainer Unit, including instructor Saburo Sakai. Its bases were Ohmura (Sasebo), Nagasaki, Hiroshima and Kyūshū. Later converted to an interceptor unit with A6M5c
  • Saeki - Unit began with E13A1 "Jake", later equipped with A6M5 and A6M5c
  • Tainan - The most famous air corps of the Japanese Navy Air Force, with many principal Air aces. Operated from Tainan, Rabaul (where they acquired their fame and triumphs), over the Philippines, Taihoku, Dutch Indies, Lae, New Guinea, Admiralty Islands and finally as interceptors over mainland Japan against USAAF. Equipped with A6M2, A6M3, A6M5 and A6M5c
  • Takao - Mixed unit equipped C5M2 "Babs", G3M bomber and A6M2, later returned to base in Takao with A6M3 and A6M5, to convert to interceptors with A6M5c
  • Toko - Mixed unit with H6K4 "Mavis", E13A1 "Jake" and A6M2 later converted to interceptor with A6M5c
  • Tokushima - Operative Trainer Unit, with bases in Tokushima, Shikoku and Okinawa, equipped with A6M2, A6M2-K and A6M5
  • Tsukuba - Operative Trainer Unit, with bases in Tsukuba, Ibaraki and Honshū with A6M2 and A6M2-K. In 1945 was equipped with A6M5c as part of Metropolitan defense
  • Yabate - Operative Trainer Unit, with bases in Yabate, Honshū and Metropolitan area; latterly in process of converting to interceptors with A6M6c
  • Yokosuka - Additionally of Naval Air Technical Institute, Flight Test Department and Naval administrative service, this unit was known for its principal base. They operated also from Kanagawa and Honshū; Hiroyoshi Nishisawa acted as an instructor in the detachment from December 1942 to January 1943. The unit was converted to interceptors equipped with A6M5c, A6M6c, J2M5 and N1K2-Ja in 1944-45
  • Mihoro - Mixed unit equipped with G3M and G4M bombers along with A6M2. They operated from Mihoro, Okinawa, Hainan, and French Indochina, and participated in seeking and sinking of British vessels HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse
  • Iwakuni - Combat unit, which participated in metropolitan defense equipped with A6M5c
  • Naruo - Combat unit which acted in defense of Japan with A6M5c
  • Kokubu - Interceptor unit equipped with A6M5c
  • Kagoshima - Combat unit with A6M5c
  • Atsugi - One of the most important bases, its unit participated in actions in overseas, returning as interceptors with A6M5c and A6M6c
  • Kanoya - Another mixed unit equipped with G3M, G4M bombers and A6M2 fighters. They participated in Kamikaze operations with G4M equipped with Ohka glider bomb, and were interceptors equipped with A6M5c
  • Usa - Fighter air unit equipped with A6M, based in Usa, Ōita, Japan. This unit provided some fighters that participated in the Pearl Harbor Attack.
  • Kasumigaura - Operative Trainer Unit, equipped with A6M3 and A6M5. Later converted to interceptor with A6M5c
  • Yokohama - Combat unit equipped with A6M2, along A6M2-N "Rufe" hydro fighters, later operated with A6M5c as interceptors in mainland Japan
  • Aomori - A combat unit, which returned to Japanese skies as interceptors with A6M5c and A6M6c
  • Hyakuri - Operative Trainer Unit, later converted as interceptor with A6M5c
  • Tsuikui - Operative Trainer Unit, later in process of conversion to interceptor with A6M6c
  • Otsu - Combat unit with A6M2, A6M2-N "Rufe" and N1K1 "Rex" Hydrofighters. Later returned as interceptor with their hydrofighters and A6M5c from the Biwa Lake area.
  • Kisarazu - Combat unit from Kisarazu, equipped with A6M and G4M
  • Misawa - Combat unit from Misawa, equipped with A6M and G4M
  • Chichijima - Air group based in Chichijima, equipped with twin engined bombers and Reisens
  • Sasebo - As Navy arsenal and other Air unit equipped with land-based torpedo bomber and fighters
  • Himeji - Air group organized in Himeji, equipped with bombers and A6Ms
  • Amakusa - Unit created from Amakusa, with trainer group and fighter operative units
  • Fukuyama - Combat group equipped with hydroplanes, bombers and fighters
  • Tateyama - Unit with base in Tateyama, equipped with twin engined bombers and fighters.
  • Takuma - Combat group with base in Takuma, equipped with twin engined bombers and fighters
  • Kisarazu - Unit with base in Kisarazu, equipped with land based torpedo-bombers and fighters
  • Matsushima - Group with base in Matsushima, equipped with twin engined bombers and fighters
  • Kashima - Operative Training group with base in Kashima, later converted to a Combat unit.
  • Shanghai - Air group based in Shanghai, occupied Chinese land, equipped with twin engined bombers and fighters, also possessed an operative training unit. The unit participated in Kamikaze actions
  • Suzuka - Operative training unit, later converted to a combat group
  • Shumushu - Special detachment based in Kataoka,Shumushu and Kashibawara, Paramushiro (Kuriles)as part of 203 Air Group and North Sea Fleet;equiped with A6M5s and J1N1-S Gekkos.theirs figthing against Americans and Russians air incursions over islands.
  • Hokuto - Operative unit equiped with B5N Kate,B6N Jill and A6Ms based in Kataoka,Shumushu (Kurils),later merged into 553rd Air Corps.
  • Tsuchiura - Air Group, based in Tsuchiura, equipped with A6M and Hydroplanes, later served with interceptor squadron over Japan
  • Nan-Yo - Air Unit based in the Southern Mandate, equipped with Transports, Bombers, Hydroplanes and A6Ms. Same unit fighting against US Navy in same area and Philippines
  • Southern Philippines Air Group - Air Group based in Davao, Philippines and equipped with Nakajima L2D "Tabby" transports and fighters.
  • Okinawa - Air Group based in Yontan and Kadena airfields, Okinawa, conformed by Fighters and Torpedo bombers, acted during Okinawa Campaigning against US forces.
  • Oppama - Unit with base in Oppama, originally equipped with Torpedo bombers, later converted to defensive squadron with Zeros.
  • Tinian - Squadron based in Tinian,Marianas and Lae equiped with A6Ms
  • Other minor aircorps was provided from bases of Tetshu, Kagi and Toki in Formosa. The units also used A6M fighters and light and medium bombers

[edit] By unit number

  • 1 (equipped with A6M2, A6M5)
  • 2 (equipped with A6M2, A6M3 and A6M5)
  • 3 (with A6M2, and A6M3)
  • 4 (equipped with A6M2)
  • 5 (with A6M)
  • 6 (with A6M2, A6M3)
  • 11 (equipped with A6M2, A6M3 and A6M5)
  • 12 (mixed)(with A6M2, A6M3 and A6M5)
  • 33 (mixed)(with A6Ms of diverse type)
  • 201 (equiped with A6M2/5)
  • 202 (equipped with A6M3 and A6M5)
  • 203 (with A6M5c and A6M6c)
  • 204 (equipped with A6M3)
  • 251 (equipped with A6M2 and A6M3)
  • 252 (with A6M5c)
  • 253 (equipped with A6M2 and A6M3)
  • 261 (with A6M2 and A6M5)
  • 302 (equipped with A6M5c and A6M5d-S (night fighter version))
  • 303 (equipped with A6M5c)
  • 309 (with A6M5)
  • 316 (with A6M5c and A6M6c)
  • 332 (equipped with A6M5c)
  • 341 (with A6M5, A6M5c and A6M7)
  • 501 (with A6M2 and A6M3)
  • 552 (with A6M and G4M)
  • 582 (with A6M and D3A)
  • 653 (with A6M5c)
  • 702nd
  • 705th
  • 706
  • 707
  • 721
  • 722
  • 751
  • 752
  • 753
  • 755t
  • 761
  • 762
  • 763
  • 765
  • 931
  • 951
  • 1021

[edit] Seaplane fighter units

Units with standard use of the seaplane Nakajima A6M2-N "Rufe"

  • 11th Air Flotilla (Seaplane Tender Kamikawa Maru)
  • Yokosuka Air Fleet
  • 5th Air Fleet
  • 36th Air Fleet
  • 452nd Air Fleet (Seaplane Tender Kimikawa Maru)
  • 934th Air Fleet
  • Toko Air Corps
  • Yokosuka Air Corps (technical evaluation)
  • Yokohama Air Corps
  • Otsu Air Corps

[edit] United States

  • One Mitsubishi A6M2 type Zero carrier fighter,Model 11 s/n 3372 originally marked "V-172" and belonging to the "Tainan Kokutai",part of "22nd Koku Sentai"; piloted by Tainan buntaicho Lt.Kikuichi Inano, departed from Tainan airfield(Taiwan) in route to Saigon (French Indochina) and crashed in Leichou Pantao (also known as Leizhou or Luichow Peninsula), near the town of Qian Shan (Teitsan),China among your pilot was captured by Chinese forces during November 26,1941 and later sent by AVG to United States was the very first intact Japanese Zero fighter captured as a prize of war,also known as the "Mystery Zero","China Zero"or "Tiger Zeke"[citation needed][2]
  • After Pearl Harbor Attack, occurred in December 7, 1941, Americans recovered some remains of downed IJN "Zeroes" in the area: the A6M2 Model 21,s/n 5289,marked "AI-154" (piloted by PO Takeshi Hirano) provided from CV Akagi, A6M2 Model 21 marked "B11-120" (operated for 1PO Shigenori Nishikaishi) provided from CV Hiryu and A6M2 Model 21,s/n 3277 marked "B1-151" (managed by Lt.Fusata Iida) provided from CV Soryu,among other reported fighter,(uhknowed markings) (opered for PO.Mimori Suzuki) intentionally crashed in figths.[3][4]
  • Another "Zero" carrier fighter had been recovered from its crash site in the Aleutians by the United States Navy;the A6M2 model 21 marked "DI-108" of "Ryujo Kokutai", aboard of Light CV Ryujo and operated by PO Takayoshi Koga,part of "4th Koku Sentai",during Alaskan Campaign;was crashed in Akutan Island,Alaska during June 4 1942,later recovered intact by American Naval personnel; such plane as later known how the "Akutan Zero".[5]

[edit] France

  • L Armee d'Air (French A.F.) used the Mitsubishi A6M2 Model 21 "Zeke" and Nakajima A6M2-N "Rufes" against rebels in Indochina during 1945-46,according with Harvey Low in "Japanese Aircraft in foreign service (WWII and Post WWII)" research.[citation needed] [6] The Aéronautique Naval also impressed a single Nakajima A6M2-N into service, but the aircraft crashed shortly after being overhauled.[1]

[edit] North Korea

  • If possibly why North Korean Air Force as receiving from Soviets or retaining certain examples of Mitsubishi A6M5s Reisen and J2Ms Raiden captured from Japanese Navy with defensive pourposes during post war period during 1945-46.[citation needed]

[edit] References

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Dorr and Bishop 1996, p.249.

[edit] Bibliography

  • Dorr, Robert F. and Bishop, Chris. Vietnam Air War Debrief. London:Aerospace, 1996. ISBN 1 874023 78 6.