Anyone here an IJN Fan!!!!

[Waleed Y. Majeed]

First is:

The Japanese destroyer Akizuki burning in the battle off Cape Engaño

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Leyte_Gulf

and the officer is Captain Tameichi Hara
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tameichi_Hara

Is that as hard as they come Commissar...?




waleed

[Waleed Y. Majeed]

Here's one for you...

Who might this officer be?



and if you're wondering what plane it is behind him...
its this one





waleed

[Waleed Y. Majeed]

OK, OK! I'll reveal the mystery officer (One of the last WW2 "suicide-bombers")
and "his" plane...


It's:

Admiral Ugaki posing before his final kamikaze mission

and the plane is a Yokosuka D4Y "Judy" Susei (Comet) in post-war US TAIC colours.

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matome_Ugaki


waleed

[Commissar D, the Evil]

I didn't know that Admiral Ukagi ever posed before his final flight--doesn't seem, Waleed my friend, like his style! I'll have to check out his dairy--you know that he wrote a diary? You may well be right, as I've learned never to doubt your photo identifications, but it certainly doesn't seem right for his personality, IMHO.

I'll get back to you as soon as possible, even if it requires my apology!

Very Best,
David

[Waleed Y. Majeed]

Well Commissar, when I read it and checked up on him I found the account
of his final flight mentioned on several sites.

I agree, not very Japanese at all to strip one self of officers insignia and that of an admiral no less.
Guess he wanted to be one of his men on that final day. A simple soldier for emperor and country.

If you have the book "Fading Victory: The Diary of Admiral Matome Ugaki, 1941-1945
by Matome Ugaki"
http://wgordon.web.wesleyan.edu/kamikaz ... /index.htm
you should check p. 664 and p. 666 for confirmation. Can't check it myself as I don't have t...


Even better,
waleed

ps. Thank you very much for your trust in my photo ID's, though not perfect yet...
Will continue doing my best in helping in any limited way possible.

[Commissar D, the Evil]

Hi Waleed, you do have my apologies!

The photo section in "Fading Victories" contains two full pages of photographs showing the Admiral saying goodbye to his staff before his final flight and posing in front of and inside his airplane!!!! Including the picture you posted.

Very Well Done!!!!

You are the very best at these photo quizzes!!!!!

Bestens,
David

[kanzel]

Did any destroyers serve in both the USN and IJN during the war?
Waleed could have a field day with that question, so here we go:
http://www.magweb.com/sample/ww2/ns11phan.htm

[Commissar D, the Evil]

Yes, but which Japanese destroyer was brought into the U.S.N. after the war, albeit briefly?

Best,
David