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Japanese Naval Aces and Fighter Units in World War II
A useful reference tool for everyone interested in the Pacific War - aviators, buffs, modelers, historians - this book provides information on Japan's naval fighter pilots, their aircraft, and their war that is simply not available elsewhere in English.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 1, 2026
A fine reference book on Japanese naval units and aces. The book has a large assortment of photographs of unit members, the aces, and aircraft (in flight, in action, and on land). It also includes nice aircraft drawings with color labels of the fuselage, undercarriage, tail, and letters. It's too bad there are no color drawings.
Each aviation unit is given short, clear, and concise summary. The summary notes the unit origin, stations, commanders, major/notable engagements, significant individual exploits, and disbanding.
The aces (pilots with 8+ kills) section provides a high level synopsis of each pilot. The kill for each ace is a combination the individual's official unit documentation and personal records. Somewhere in 1943 Navy units stopped recording kills by individual pilots. One also must take into account over reporting of downed aircraft. However, the authors made a good faith effort to make an honest account. They even compare IJN reports with allied air force's accounts.
This book is a good brief history of the Japanese Naval Air Force's contribution to the Pacific war.
Each aviation unit is given short, clear, and concise summary. The summary notes the unit origin, stations, commanders, major/notable engagements, significant individual exploits, and disbanding.
The aces (pilots with 8+ kills) section provides a high level synopsis of each pilot. The kill for each ace is a combination the individual's official unit documentation and personal records. Somewhere in 1943 Navy units stopped recording kills by individual pilots. One also must take into account over reporting of downed aircraft. However, the authors made a good faith effort to make an honest account. They even compare IJN reports with allied air force's accounts.
This book is a good brief history of the Japanese Naval Air Force's contribution to the Pacific war.
January 20, 2016
This is more of a reference book than a book that is read from cover to cover. It's a unique book in that it details Japanese naval air units and fighter aces.
It's a must have for any serious reader of the war in the Pacific. Some of the numbers of enemy planes shot down cited are amazingly high. I am not saying pilots deliberately exaggerated their results but when one is in combat with one having to constantly be on the lookout for an enemy plane, it is hard to verify kill numbers. Both the Allies and the Japanese did this.
It's a must have for any serious reader of the war in the Pacific. Some of the numbers of enemy planes shot down cited are amazingly high. I am not saying pilots deliberately exaggerated their results but when one is in combat with one having to constantly be on the lookout for an enemy plane, it is hard to verify kill numbers. Both the Allies and the Japanese did this.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews