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Post by batteryboy on May 5, 2011 12:52:19 GMT 8
Its a Ki-30 and you got that right. The 16th Sentai was the only unit that was armed with Ki-30s in the P.I. campaign of 41-42. There were only a few Ki-51 Sonias and they served the Dokuristu Chutai(s) (Independent Flying Companies) which were mostly recon and scout aircraft in the early campaign.
I have excerpts from a documentary reel of the Ki-30s (together with Ki-21 Sallys) taking off from Clark Field to bomb the USAFFE lines in Bataan. Let me try to collate and post them.
Again, good photo.
Cheers,
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Post by fireball on Sept 4, 2011 10:32:54 GMT 8
While dealing with a later date, the old Clark AFB Hospital is now on the tourist trail as a haunted place (and indeed when I was visiting there was a group of about 20 teenagers wandering around) and while little remains apart from the concrete shell (although architecturally it is a very beautiful shell) I did come across the remains of a (medical) coat of arms on one of the walls. It is peeling off and I don't suppose it will last much longer so I think it is worth recording: Attachments:
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Post by dmether on Sept 13, 2011 17:25:48 GMT 8
Was in the Clark Hospital back in the late 90's looking around my old duty station, took a picture of the same wall you did. Attachments:
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Post by Karl Welteke on Nov 12, 2011 22:29:32 GMT 8
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Post by The Phantom on Nov 13, 2011 6:35:09 GMT 8
Informative pictures Karl.
Have to wonder why "Kamikaze pilots" needed a tunnel to take shelter in during the war.
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Post by dmether on Nov 13, 2011 9:52:56 GMT 8
This looks to be about the same area as Kamikazi East. Attachments:
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Post by batteryboy on Nov 17, 2011 5:30:05 GMT 8
Dmether,
That is a strike photo of Floridablanca A/F in late 44 or early 45.
Karl, great aerial shot, the area where you pinted out was the West A/Fs command area and crew shelter. The actual runway(s) was is the current Kalamansi plantation and another small strip just parallel to the creek.
I had a discussion with Sam Tagaya, a respected author on Japanese air units and aircraft about the use of both the East and the West A/Fs. So far the what is mentioned in the marker is quite accurate.
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Post by xray on Nov 17, 2011 10:32:37 GMT 8
Great thread, as usual. I have always wondered about the status of [former] Clark. Like okla and some others, I am none too pleased about the glorification of these suicide pilots. They had guts and determination, anyone would grant them that ,,, But I'd be more inclined to spit on their memory rather than say a hypocritical prayer. I do respect however that non Americans may have a more open view on this matter, and of course it is up to the Filipinos to decide how they will remember the fighting men of this Asiatic race which brought so much death & misery to their fair land.
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Post by fireball on Nov 17, 2011 15:25:03 GMT 8
This is my personal view, and I understand others may differ, but I believe respect is due to any decent man who dies on the battlefield. The same men who were Kamikaze pilots for Japan would no doubt have been the volunteers for the tough missions if they were Americans, and those who deliberately spent the war hiding behind desks would have done so whether they were British, American or Japanese.
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Post by xray on Nov 18, 2011 6:13:19 GMT 8
I agree to an extent, fireball. Respect is due to any decent fighting man - What exactly is "decent" is really just a matter of opinion. I think that memorials such as "Say a prayer for the brave Japanese warriors who took off from this airfield in defense of their Emperor and homeland" is over the top, and I doubt if the Japanese themselves would permit such mushy glorification on their own land.
The Japanese were, as is well known, extremely brutal. In combat, and in particular, to those under their captivity, both civilian and military. The system that they fought for was ultra aggressive and expansionist, and had nothing but subjugation & conquest as their primary goals, with civilians in various vassal states working as slaves, and forced prostitutes. As such, I think any respect given, particularly in a land that was a victim of its brutal aggression, should be general and simple. No side can be accused of fighting with humanity in mind. The USA practiced devastating unrestricted submarine warfare, contrary to accepted international laws, and was unfortunately responsible for more deaths of Bataan/Corregidor survivors than the Death March itself. We mercilessly firebombed their civilian population, causing 100,000's of deaths. We had to become devils ourselves battling evil, and fighting for eventual freedom. Still, after this bitter strife, we were very cordial to the conquered population, and even left the monarchy intact. A lasting alliance was forged right off the bat ,,, I find it impossible to believe the Japanese would have done the same had they been victorious. Due to their warrior codes, the surrendered enemy would have been deserving of nothing but the utmost scorn, and even death. So no, the system that they fought for was basically criminal, and as such, I think any respect given to fallen Imperial Japanese fighting men should be done very sparingly, and without mushy theatrics.
All of this is of course not aimed at the Japanese of today, who are no more responsible for the transgressions of their ancestors as we are of ours.
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