"J1N1-S "Gekko" nightfighters Vs B-17s and B-24s over Rabaul" Topic

While searching for more information about the J1N1-S "Gekko"
nightfighter and its encounters with the B-29s flying over Japan I came across this bit of information,

"By 1943, Japanese forces in the Pacific War were on the defensive. The major south Pacific bastion of Rabaul was under attack night and day by allied bombers. At that time, the Japanese had no regularly-constituted night fighter force. CDR Yasua Kozono of the 251st Naval Air Group developed a cannon-armed night fighter from two derelict J1N1s and brought them to Rabaul. Significantly, and without any consultation with the Luftwaffe, Kozono had the aircraft fitted with weapons that fired at an oblique angle, like the Nachjaeger's "Schrage-musik."

The first success against a nocturnal B-17 over Rabaul came on May 21, 1943, proving Kozono's concept. During the remainder of the year, the two aircraft managed to knock down approximately 30 B-17 or B-24 night raiders over Rabaul, and the J1N1 became known to the Japanese as the "Gekko" or "Moonlight." The Allied code name was "Irving," not a name to inspire fear among bomber crews.

By September 1944, 486 Gekkos had been produced, as both the Type 11 early version and the Type 11 late version; these were visually distinguishable by the stepped rear upper fuselage of the earlier aircraft. In the Home Islands, the 302nd Naval Air Group, based at Atsugi, became the leading B-29 killers with the "Gekko" as the raids increased after November 1944.

In March, 1944, when General Curtis LeMay ordered the B-29s to attack Japan at low level at night, the "Gekko" became the Japanese first line of defense. Since the Japanese fighter had to formate below its target to shoot it down, it was fortunate indeed that LeMay had ordered the defensive turrets removed from the B-29s to save weight and in recognition of the negligible force the Japanese could counter this offensive with.

That spring of 1945, the J1N1-Ko appeared, equipped with a rudimentary airborne radar, which malfunctioned so frequently that most of the crews finally removed the heavy equipment to save weight, though the antennas remained on the nose."
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I hadn't realized that they were so successful against the B-17s and B-24s. With just 2 of them being able to shoot down "approximately 30 B-17 or B-24 night raiders over Rabaul". Not bad for starting out with just 2 derelict J1N1s in the beginnig and using a weapons system that the Germans adopted later.

Robert

Interesting. The idea of using upward angled gun(s)
to attack aircraft from below was actually pioneered
by the RFC's Albert Ball, a WWI fighter pilot who used
his topwing mounted Lewis gun in that fashion, according
to a couple of accounts.

Several governments experimented with different designs
through the '30's, with varying degrees of success.

The Japanese field mod on Rabaul is new to me, and a
great example of field expedients which the Rabaul
garrison developed.

The Japanese were very resourceful with field modifications. Really didn't have much of a choice as good maintenence facilities were rare at the front.

I always question Japanese, and all nations, kill numbers. The Japanese claimed a high number of kills over actual losses, sometimes as many as 10 to 1.

30 bombers over a 7 month period is a little under 1 a week, so for a weapon that the bomber crews were not expecting, it might not be that off.

Yes, they would fly up under the bomber and match speeds so that they could pour fire into the cockpit area.

A little more research in my books reveals that the
Luftwaffe was working on Schrage-musik in 1942, with
an experimental rig on an Me-110 claiming a kill in
May, 1943.

I hadn't realized that they were so successful against the B-17s and B-24s. With just 2 of them being able to shoot down "approximately 30 B-17 or B-24 night raiders over Rabaul".

That's, what… one success every eight days or so?
Not exactly decisive.
-Kle.

Didn't say it was decisive Kle. Just that it was successful for just 2 that were field Mods. Robert

Would anyone know how many kills were out of how many night intercepts during that period? Robert

KaosC, 'that period' is from when to when ? The 7-
month period (June-December '43) ?

Yes but from May 21, 1943 to the end of 1943. Robert

"Just as specialist night-fighter design had largely been ignored by European nations before World War II, Japan's similar failing left the country without adequate night defence when the fortunes of war began their inexorable turn against her in 1943. Fortunately, however, the Imperial Japanese Navy possessed a number of excellent heavy fighters and reconnaissance aircraft, of which the Nakajima J1N Gekko (moonlight) had been arriving in service slowly since April 1942 with reconnaissance units in the Western Pacific. When first encountered in action during the Solomons campaign the aircraft was mistakenly thought to be a fighter and codenamed 'Irving' by the Allies. As night air attacks were stepped up by the Americans it was the commanding officer of the 251st Kokutai, Commander Yasuna Kozono, then based at Rabaul, New Guinea, who first suggested adaptation of the J1N as a night-fighter by installing two 20mm cannon in the observer's cockpit, fixed to fire obliquely forward and upward at an angle of 30°, and another pair firing forward and downward. When two Consolidated B-24s were quickly destroyed, the modifications came to the attention of the Japanese naval staff and an order was placed with Nakajima to go ahead with a dedicated night-fighter version, designed and built as such from scratch."

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Should make for some interesting scenarios and perhaps a campaign. Robert

I was hoping the Pacific Wrecks site can help.
link
Robert

Looks like they took down a Navy PB4Y too. Robert

"(USN) Five PB4Ys that took off from Guadalcanal on a predawn attack on Kahilli Airfield. Two from VB-102 and three from VB-101 dropped cluster bombs from 12,000' over the airfield. On the return leg, two from VB-102 were jumped by a J1N1 Irving night fighter. "

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Japanese side of the mission
At 0225, a pair of J1N1 Irving night fighters of the 251st Kōkūtai that took off from Ballale Airfield. One piloted by Okado sighted a B-24 flying in the opposite direction and made three strafing run against the plane at 3:47, and observed it going down in flames. Both night fighters returned to base."

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And on FRIDAY, 21 MAY 1943

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-17's bomb airfields in the Rabaul area. A J1N1 Irving night fighter shoots down two: B-17E Number 41-9011 and B-17E "Honi Kuu Okole" 41-9244 B-24's hit the airfield at Gasmata, Nabire Airfield is hit by B-24's.
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From Pacific Wrecks also.

" Shigetoshi Kudo
251st Kokutai J1N1 Gekko Night Fighter Pilot
Research by Justin Taylan

The Tainan Kokutai was redesignated the 251st Kokutai on November 1, 1942. During May 1943 the unit received two J1N1 Gekko (Irving). These aircraft were field modified as night fighters armed with upward and downward firing 20mm cannons. Flying from Lakunai Airfield near Rabaul, Kudo was the first to test the aircraft in combat, flying with Lt(jg) Akira Sugawara as observer. He would become the first Pacific night fighter ace. Another night fighter pilot who also flew from Rabaul was Satoru Ono.

May 21, 1943
Took off from Lakunai Airfield on a night patrol, flying below and firing upward using his oblique firing 20mm cannons, shooting down B-17E "Honi Kuu Okole" 41-9244 (first confirmed victory with upward firing cannons) and later that same night B-17E 41-9011. Returned to base at 5:35am, having fired 178 rounds of ammunition.

June 26, 1943
Flying from below and using the Gekko's upward firing 20mm cannons, using 164 rounds ammunition, he shoot down two B-17s: B-17E "Naughty But Nice" 41-2430 and B-17F "Taxpayers Pride" 41-24448.

June 30, 1943
Kudo shoots down B-17F "Pluto" 41-24543 and observes it to crash into the mountains, his final and fifth B-17 kill. He also a probable claim for a B-24, possibly B-24D 42-40254.

During July, he flew to Ballale Airfield and operated from the island.

July 7, 1943
Click For EnlargementTook off for an evening patrol from Ballale flying with Akira Sugawara as observer. Their Gekko used its two downward pointing 20mm cannons (on other occasion he had used the guns that pointed upwards). This would have required Kudo to approach Hudson NZ2033 unseen from above and behind and then firing when in position 30 degrees above the Hudson's fore-aft axis (allowing for deflection).

Click For EnlargementLater in July he was presented with a ceremonial sword by Admiral Jinichi Kusaka (11th Air Fleet), for his air service. In total, he earned 9 credited victories and was known as 'King of the Night'.

In February 1944, he was transferred back to Japan with the Yokosuka Kokutai, and severely wounded in a landing accident in May 1945. He died in 1960.

Claims in C5M Babs
1. B-17 by aerial burst bomb (August 29, 1942)
P. B-17 by aerial burst bomb (August 29, 1942)

Claims in J1N1 Gekko
P. B-24 (June 30, 1943) possibly B-24D 42-40254 307th BG, MACR 30

Confirmed Night Fighter Victories
1 . B-17E "Honi Kuu Okole" 41-9244 (May 21, 1943 firing from below with upward firing cannons)
2 . B-17E 41-9011 (May 21, 1943)
3 . B-17E "Georgia Peach" 41-24454 (June 13, 1943 firing from below with upward firing cannons)
4 . B-17E "Naughty But Nice" 41-2430 (June 26, 1943 firing from below with upward firing cannons)
5. B-17F "Taxpayers Pride" 41-24448 (June 26, 1943 firing from below with upward firing cannons)
6. B-17F "Pluto" 41-24543 (June 30, 1943) and a probable for a B-24, possibly B-24D 42-40254
7. RNZAF Hudson NZ2033 (July 7, 1943) with observer Sugiwara

References
Moonlight Interceptor covers Kudo's victories.
Naval Night Fighters by Yoji Watanabe 28 – 45
Imperial Japanese Navy Aces 1937-45 by Henry Sakaida page 49 – 50
The Siege of Rabaul by Henry Sakaida page 38 – 41
70,000 to One by Quentin James Reynolds page 8
Thanks to Henry Sakaida, Edward Rogers for additional information"

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"IJN 251st Kōkūtai

Pilot PO2 Tokumoto (survived)
Observer WO Harukimatsuo (KIA)
Ditched July 19, 1943

Aircraft History
Built by Nakajima. Assigned to the 251st Kōkūtai.

Mission History
Took off from Ballale Airfield at 22:40 on a night patrol of the area.

At 23:15, sighted a "B-24" (likely B-17) and made three attacks, claiming it shot down. [Likely, this claim is erroneous].

At 2:15, sighted a "B-17" and made three attacks, claiming it shot down. In fact, this was B-17E "Tokyo Taxi" Serial Number 41-9153 that was hit, exploded and went down.

Diary of Captain Anthony Dean Lucas aboard B-17 "L'ill Neil":
"July 19, 1943: Nine ships of our squadron took off around midnight to bomb Kahili airfield. All my bombs hit on the target from 14,000 feet. While on the beginning of my bombing run I saw one of my best friends go down in flames. Shot down by Jap night fighters. He was Lt., soon to be Capt., Eckles, of Santa Barbara."

Justin Taylan adds:
"Confirmed by B-17 pilot Captain Anthony Dean Lucas' diary entry, this night fighter's claim for the B-17 at 2:15 is most certainly B-17E 41-9153."

After the attacks, this Gekko was shot in both engines and ditched into the sea in the patrol vicinity at 2:25am. During the crash, observer Harukimatsuo was killed."

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There appears to be also 2 20mm firing down and forward from under the fuselage on the J1N1-S. Seems to me that would be very difficult to use. I wonder if there any kills at all using it. Robert

Another attack. Robert

B-17E "Jap Happy" Serial Number 41-2520
USAAF
13th AF
5th BG
23rd BS

1943

Aircraft History
Built by Boeing at Seattle. Assigned to the 13th Air Force, 5th Bombardment Group, 23rd Bombardment Squadron. Nicknamed "Jap Happy" after the July 26-27, 1943 mission when the B-17 was damaged.

Wartime History
On July 26, 1943 this B-17 took off from Carney Field on Guadalcanal piloted by 23rd Bombardment Squadron C. O. Major Berton H. Burns with co-pilot Captain Roy Ballah, leading a night bombing mission over Kahili Airfield (Buin). Weather was clear with a quarter moon visible.

Captain Roy Ballah observed (MACR 182 page 11)
"I was co-pilot in airplane #2520 with our Squadron commander, Major Berton H. Burns as pilot leading a formation of B-17s over Kahili Airdrome… I saw our right wingman, Lt. Stubblefield in airplane #9128 [B-17E 41-9128] go down in flames. One or more enemy night fighters, unseen, attacked the formation and was last seen to be in flames going down. Our own plane was also attacked and the assistant radio operator and tail gunner were wounded. Our aerial engineer saw one night fighter and fired at him. However, we returned to base safely and [our] airplane had many holes in it."

In fact, this B-17 was damaged by Japanese J1N1 Irving night fighter.

Justin Taylan adds: "I researched the Japanese side of this mission in Japan at the Tokyo Defense Archives. According to Japanese records, a single J1N1 Irving night fighter was airborne and claimed two B-24 [actually B-17s] shot down at 03:45 JST [5:45 local time]. Likely both B-17E 41-9128 (shot down) and B-17E 41-2520 (damaged) represent these victory claims."

Steve Birdsall adds: "According to former 5th Group B-17 pilot Burrell Hudgins, Tex Burns named 41-2520 "Jap-Happy" after the July 27, 1943 mission when Lt. Karl Stubblefield was shot down. The story goes that the enemy fighters who shot down Stubblefield also shot out the complete serial number of the Burns plane by aiming at his blue formation lights. Some of the Burns crew were wounded and Burns named the plane "Jap-Happy" the next day."

References
Kodochosho, 251st Kōkūtai, July 19, 1943 thanks to Minoru Kamada for additional information
Thanks to Steve Birdsall for additional information
A History of IJN's Night-Fighters page 78
"At 0030 in July 27, a Gekko (CPO Hayashi with WO Ichikawa left Balalle. At 0319, the crew sighted smokes coming from Buin. 20 minutes after this, search lights caught B-24(s) flying from the direction of Guadalcanal, at the altitude of 4000 meters. When Japanese searchlights were not able to catch up with the bombers anymore, lights on wings were lit. The Gekko sneaked under the (#1) bomber and bursted at the root of a wing. The Liberator went down enveloped by a big flare. Now the interceptor went under another B-24 (#2) which commenced firing at the invisible Irving. The Gekko concentrated its bursts to the wing root of the second bomber and its wing was blown off from its fuselage. It fell down and exploded when it crashed on the ground."

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20 Aug 1944 the IJAAF using the Gekko with at least one veteran crew with experience against the B-17s and B-24s in the Philippines."

PDF link

Looks like it did encounter more then just B-17s,B-24s and B-29s. And a wrong Pilot at that too . Robert

"On October 10, B-24s of the FEAF attacked the Japanese oil refineries at Balikpapan, Borneo. Fourteen P-38Js of the 9th Fighter Squadron flew ahead of the bombers, and Bong, serving as an element leader, spotted a twin-engine Nakajima J1N1-S "Irving" at 5,000 feet. He did an abrupt wingover, overtook the Irving, shot it down and saw at least one of its crewmen bail out. As Bong rejoined the formation, the other P-38s were engaging a group of fighters, one of which Bong sent down in flames."

"The Story of the Gekko (Moonlight)
It was to be another long-range harassment of the Japanese outpost of Rabaul, New Britain Island. In the early hours of May 21, 1943, the B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 43d Bombardment Group moved inland, putting themselves in range of Japanese fighters. The gunners scanned the darkness of the night sky for enemy aircraft, but it seemed clear. Then, just before the bomb run could begin, enemy fire pierced the underbelly of the bomber and struck the engines, sending the B-17 crashing into the sea. The fatal shots came from the 20mm guns of fixed-angle, oblique-firing system mounted on a Japanese "Gekko" (Moonlight) night fighter, that the US would later name, "Irving". Its development goes back to 1938, when the Japanese Navy was planning a twin-engine fighter to support its long-range bombers. The aircraft was required to be capable of higher speeds and longer range than the "Zero", and equal to it in terms of maneuverability. The Nakajima Company brought forward a prototype, the 13-Shi Twin-engine Land-Based Fighter (J1N1), which used two 1000hp "Sakae" engines, one on each of its sturdy main wings. Since it proved inferior to single-engine fighters of the time, it was adopted as a Type 2 Land-based Reconnaissance Aircraft (J1N1-R). However, the need to counter the nocturnal B-17 bombers in the Southwest Pacific led to its conversion into a night-fighter. This transformation came about by positioning the armaments to fire at an oblique angle from the line of flight, allowing the fighters to swiftly strike the bombers while maintaining a parallel course and speed with a target either above or below."

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"J1N1-C Kai Irving Manufacture Number 644
IJN
251st Kōkūtai

Click For Enlargement
Jusin Taylan 2003

Aircraft History
Built by Nakajima during late February 1943 (estimated), the 44th built. Assigned to the 251st Kōkūtai.

Wartime History
Operated from Ballale Airfield, and was abandoned on the island.

Wartime History
Field modified at Vunakanau Airfield, from the suggestion of Commander Yasuna Kozono of the 251st Kōkūtai. This Irving was outfitted with a rear gun mount for a sets of upward and downward firing 2 x 20mm cannons, for use as a night fighter. Abandoned at Ballale Airfield aircraft dump area, only the rear fuselage section is present.

References
Pacific Aircraft Wrecks page 27 (middle right & lower)
The photo caption has a typo that lists it as 664. Rather, Charles Darby noted this wreck to be 644, but was a typo in the book, thanks to Jim Long for this clarification"

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"Nakajima Hikoki K. K. J1N1-S Gekkos were the first Japanese aircraft designed and built specifically to intercept and destroy other aircraft at night and in poor weather. Gekkos achieved some notable successes during three years of service with the Japanese Navy.

This design took shape in 1938 not as a night interceptor, but as a long-range fighter that could protect bombers. The Nakajima design, called the J1N1 and crafted by engineer Katsuji Nakamura, most readily met the navy's requirements and a prototype was flight-tested in May 1941. In the two years since the navy's original demand, Mitsubishi had developed and placed into service the Zero fighter (also in the NASM collection) and this superlative airplane had solved the bomber escort problem. Nakajima nonetheless forged ahead and flew a J1N1 prototype May 2. A year-and-a-half of flight tests proved beyond doubt that this aircraft was inferior to single-engine fighters. Except for range and takeoff distance, the type failed to meet any requirements in the 1938 specifications.

The Japanese Navy took an interim step, however, before testing the J1N1 in night operations. The navy authorized Nakajima engineers to convert the design into a high-speed, long-range, naval reconnaissance aircraft based on land. Sweeping changes to the airframe, engines, and armament made the aircraft more reliable and suitable for the new mission. Between April 1942 and March 1943, Nakajima delivered just fifty-four of the new model, the J1N1-C, including four prototypes. U. S. forces first encountered the aircraft during early operations in the Solomon Islands and codenamed it the IRVING. The J1N1-Cs served in limited numbers and flew primarily from the great Japanese base at Rabaul on New Britain. The base was a regular target for night-flying U. S. Army Air Forces Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses. Sometime in the spring of 1943, Commander Yasuna Kozono ordered a J1N1-C modified for night interceptor work. Maintenance crews cleaned out the observer's position behind the pilot and mounted two 20 mm cannon fixed to fire above and to the front of the new night fighter at a 30-degree angle. Two more cannons were mounted in similar fashion but fired downward. The experimental airplane was designated the J1N1-C KAI.

On the night of May 21, the modified IRVING intercepted and shot down a pair to B-17 bombers. This immediate success caught the attention of the Naval Staff and they ordered Nakajima to begin full-scale production. The new interceptor was named the J1N1-S Gekko (Moonlight). At this time, no one in Allied intelligence circles expected the Japanese to field an effective night fighter and months passed before anyone discovered what lay behind a string of regular and mysterious losses of both B-17s and Consolidated B-24 Liberator bombers. Nakajima concentrated on producing the Gekko version of the J1N for the remainder of the war."

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It does look like the 2 Irvings came up against the P-61 and lost.

In the Pacific Theater in 1945, P-61 squadrons struggled to find targets. One squadron succeeded in destroying a large number of Kawasaki Ki-48 Lily Japanese Army Air Force twin engined bombers, another shot down several G4M Bettys, while another pilot destroyed two Japanese Navy Nakajima J1N1 Irving twin engined fighters in one engagement, but most missions ended with no enemy planes sighted"

aircraft-list.com/db/Northrop_P- … idow/55/3/

and,

"Times'A'Wastin", was the plane of Maj. Carrol C. "Snuffy" Smith and his R/O, Lt Philip Porter.Maj. "Snuffy" Smith was the highest ranking American nocturnal ace in World War II with the total of 7 kills. Four of them were achieved in this plane during the course of one night, December 29, 1944, when he shot down two Irvings, one Rufe, and one Frank, expending only 382 rounds!!! "

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Correct link for above,
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Robert

"Lt. Cdr. MINOBE, Tadashi" of "Fuyo Butai"?
Kudo flew C5M and shot down two B-17s on Aug. 29, 1942. He used "3-go Bakudan (anti aircraft bomb)" on the day.
He flew J1N1-R from May 1943 and shot down (over Rabaul)…
*two B-17s on May 21,
*one B-17 on June 11,
*one B-17 on June 13,
*two B-17s on June 26,
*one B-17 on June 30.
VAdm. KUSAKA, Jin'ichi praised him and gave a sword to him.
After that, he shot down one Hudson on July 7, 1943 over Buin.
He belonged to Yokosuka Kokutai when the war ended. "

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"With assistance from the NTRI and Yoji Ito, the ONATD also developed Japan's only airborne microwave radar. Designated FD-2 (sometimes FD-3), this was a magnetron-based, 25-cm (1.2-GHz), 2-kW set weighing about 70 kg. It could detect aircraft at a range between 0.6 and 3 km, satisfactory for close-range night-fighter aircraft such as the Nakajima J1N1-S Gekko. It used four Yagi antennas mounted in the nose area; separate elements for transmit and receive were skewed for searching. Unlike in the air warfare in Europe, there were few night-fighter aircraft used by Japan; consequently, it was mid-1944 before the Type FD-2 was put into use. Some 100 sets were manufactured."

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Two Postwar reports.

Short Survey of Japanese Radar
PDF link

Japanese Airborne radar
PDF link

"B-17E "Jap Happy" Serial Number 41-2520
USAAF
13th AF
5th BG
23rd BS

PacificWrecks.com

Aircraft History
Built by Boeing at Seattle. Assigned to the 13th Air Force, 5th Bombardment Group, 23rd Bombardment Squadron. Nicknamed "Jap Happy" after the July 26-27, 1943 mission when the B-17 was damaged.

Wartime History
On July 26, 1943 this B-17 took off from Carney Field on Guadalcanal piloted by 23rd Bombardment Squadron C. O. Major Berton H. Burns with co-pilot Captain Roy Ballah, leading a night bombing mission over Kahili Airfield (Buin). Weather was clear with a quarter moon visible.

Captain Roy Ballah observed (MACR 182 page 11)
"I was co-pilot in airplane #2520 with our Squadron commander, Major Berton H. Burns as pilot leading a formation of B-17s over Kahili Airdrome… I saw our right wingman, Lt. Stubblefield in airplane #9128 [B-17E 41-9128] go down in flames. One or more enemy night fighters, unseen, attacked the formation and was last seen to be in flames going down. Our own plane was also attacked and the assistant radio operator and tail gunner were wounded. Our aerial engineer saw one night fighter and fired at him. However, we returned to base safely and [our] airplane had many holes in it."

In fact, this B-17 was damaged by Japanese J1N1 Irving night fighter.

Justin Taylan adds: "I researched the Japanese side of this mission in Japan at the Tokyo Defense Archives. According to Japanese records, a single J1N1 Irving night fighter was airborne and claimed two B-24 [actually B-17s] shot down at 03:45 JST [5:45 local time]. Likely both B-17E 41-9128 (shot down) and B-17E 41-2520 (damaged) represent these victory claims."

Steve Birdsall adds: "According to former 5th Group B-17 pilot Burrell Hudgins, Tex Burns named 41-2520 "Jap-Happy" after the July 27, 1943 mission when Lt. Karl Stubblefield was shot down. The story goes that the enemy fighters who shot down Stubblefield also shot out the complete serial number of the Burns plane by aiming at his blue formation lights. Some of the Burns crew were wounded and Burns named the plane "Jap-Happy" the next day."

References
Kodochosho, 251st Kōkūtai, July 19, 1943 thanks to Minoru Kamada for additional information
Thanks to Steve Birdsall for additional information
A History of IJN's Night-Fighters page 78
"At 0030 in July 27, a Gekko (CPO Hayashi with WO Ichikawa left Balalle. At 0319, the crew sighted smokes coming from Buin. 20 minutes after this, search lights caught B-24(s) flying from the direction of Guadalcanal, at the altitude of 4000 meters. When Japanese searchlights were not able to catch up with the bombers anymore, lights on wings were lit. The Gekko sneaked under the (#1) bomber and bursted at the root of a wing. The Liberator went down enveloped by a big flare. Now the interceptor went under another B-24 (#2) which commenced firing at the invisible Irving. The Gekko concentrated its bursts to the wing root of the second bomber and its wing was blown off from its fuselage. It fell down and exploded when it crashed on the ground." "

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SATURDAY, 17 JUNE 1944

"At about 1750 hours local, five "Kate," Carrier Torpedo Bombers, and one night fighter, a Nakajima J1N1-S Navy Type 2 Gekko, Allied Code Name "Irving," from Truk attack landing craft east of Saipan. One infantry landing craft is sunk while three "Kates" are shot down by AA fire."

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J1N1-S Irving 21-65 force landed at Peleliu Airfield
Captured photo received October 4, 1944

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FRIDAY, 21 MAY 1943

"SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-17's bomb airfields in the Rabaul area. A J1N1 Irving night fighter shoots down two: B-17E Number 41-9011 and B-17E "Honi Kuu Okole" 41-9244."

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1 Jun 45 330 BG
Target: West Osaka Urban Area
Bomber Command Mission: 187

"Many Japanese fighters; Irvings, A6M Zero, and Tojos attacked their formation, "

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330th BG
29 May 1945 Bomb Group Mission #23

Target: Yokahama Urban Area

Bomber Command Mission # 186

"Two Japanese fighters, a Tojo and an Irving, passed our formation and hit the formation behind us. The Tojo was hit and it crashed into Mt. Fujiyama. "

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