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Genzan Air Group

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Genzan Air Group
Genzan A6M fighters at Genzan (Wonsan), Korea in 1940-1941.
Active15 Nov 1940 – 1 Nov 1942
CountryEmpire of Japan
AllegianceAxis Powers of World War II
BranchImperial Japanese Navy
TypeNaval aviation unit
RoleBomber and fighter support
Garrison/HQWonsan, Korea
Hankou, China
Saigon, French Indochina
Rabaul, New Britain
Engagements
Military unit

The Genzan Air Group (元山海軍航空隊, Genzan Kaigun Kōkūtai) was a land-based bomber and fighter aircraft and airbase garrison unit of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Formed at Wonsan, Korea (then part of the Empire of Japan and called Genzan by the Japanese) on 15 November 1940, the flying portion of the unit served in China during the Second Sino-Japanese War. The unit flew Mitsubishi G3M bombers and Mitsubishi A6M fighters.

In December 1941, as part of the 22nd Kōkū Sentai, the flying unit was deployed to Saigon, French Indochina. With the outbreak of the Pacific Campaign of World War II, the group was a key participant in the sinking of the British capital ships Prince of Wales and Repulse off the coast of Malaya on 10 December 1941. The unit provided air support for Japanese offensives in Malaya, Singapore, the Dutch East Indies, and Burma.

In April 1942, the Genzan's flying unit was redeployed to Rabaul, New Britain to support the Japanese campaign in New Guinea. The group participated in bombing attacks against Port Moresby and took part in the Battle of the Coral Sea. In early July 1942 the unit was withdrawn to Japan. Its fighter unit was detached and redesignated as the 252nd Kōkūtai in September. The Genzan's flying unit was disbanded by being redesignated as the 755th Kōkūtai on 1 November 1942.

References

  • Bullard, Steven (translator). Army Operations in the South Pacific Area, New Britain and Papua campaigns, 1942–43 Senshi Sōshō (translated excerpts). Canberra: Australian War Memorial, 2007. ISBN 978-0-97519-048-7.
  • Hata, Ikuhiko with Yasuho Izawa and Don Cyril Gorham (translator). Japanese Naval Aces and Fighter Units in World War II. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1975 (Japanese original) 1989 (translation). ISBN 0-87021-315-6.
  • Peattie, Mark R. Sunburst: The Rise of Japanese Naval Air Power, 1909-1941. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1999. ISBN 1-59114-664-X.
  • Tagaya, Osamu. Mitsubishi Type 1 "Rikko" 'Betty' Units of World War 2. Botley, Oxfordshire, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2001. ISBN 1-84176-082-7.

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