.

.

 

I know this is a bit out of the ordinary and a very big long shot, but who knows, someone somewhere might be able to help. I am hoping to find Toyoki Eto (Japanese WWII veteran who would now be 97yrs old) or one of his descendents.
Cheers
WG.

Hi Wendy, yes it is a 'long shot', but as you say 'who knows'.
I can't really help with locating Toyaki Eto other than to offer a couple of suggestions that may prove fruitful.

There's a good overview of Eto on Gustavsson's web page "Japanese Aces" if you haven't already seen it, including some references to the 9 January 1945 incident.

Japanese biplane fighter aces – Toyoki Eto

I've read previously and seen references to the "64 Sentai Association" in Japan. That's of course an English translation, so it may be difficult to track down, even if it still exists.

Christopher Shores wrote 3 books on the SE Asian air war - "Bloody Shambles" vols 1 &2 and "Air War for Burma" with input from Yasuho Izawa. Shore also co-authored with Izawa and Ikujiko Hata in translating their Japanese books, which became "Japanese Army Air Force Fighter Units and Their Aces". All books were published by Grub Street, London.
[they've published many a good book on war/military subjects] so it may pay to contact Grub and see if they could put you in touch with Shore, who inturn with either of the Japanese authors.
Grub Street

A lot of work for you but it may just work. If it doesn't lead to Toyoki Eto you might just get lucky and find some 64th Sentai records to help with your research.

Hope it leads to something, regards

Ash/airlana

 

.

 

Hi, WG,

JAAF Researcher/author Hiroshi Ichimura, the son of a 64th Sentai pilot, will definitely know if Toyoki Eto is alive. Hiroshi and I have helped one another on Burma-related air war topics over the past 10 or so years. I'll write him soon to pass along your query. My guess: Eto died years ago.

Before I write to him, can you elaborate on what, specifically, you wish to learn? I'm guessing that it has to do with the Sea Otter loss of 9 Jan 1945. Feel free to contact me privately on this site, or via my regular e-mail ( feb2944 AT aol DOT com ). Providing a bit more info now could prove advantageous.

Even if Eto is deceased, there is at least a chance that Hiroshi can help. Hiroshi has generously acted as intermediary in my communication with the kin of a JAAF Oscar ace who had teamed up to shoot down my mother's first husband's RAF 159 Sqn Liberator over Rangoon. (The date of this action is in my e-mail address.) I'd venture a guess, then, that Hiroshi would gladly help you, should he have a connection with Eto or his family, or should he have details on specific air combats for you.

Hiroshi is the author of the Osprey book "Ki-43 Oscar Aces of World War 2", plus a Japanese language-only two volume history of the air war over Burma. See the image -- a cover of the Oscar book.

I'll post an update when (hopefully) Hiroshi responds to my e-mail. Keep fingers crossed! His written English is pretty good...which is brilliant, as I know NO Japanese!

Regards,

Matt

 

,

 

Hi, Wendy,

I jumped the gun and contacted Hiroshi Ichimura, telling him more info would be on the way. I suggested that your main interest was the 9 January 1945 air combat when your Great Uncle, John Horan, was killed (as described in your 2 June 2010 entry -- posting #20 -- in the 292 Sqn Sea Otter thread, also found in the Burma & India forum). Apologies, but I was wrong in my boast that Hiroshi would definitely know if Eto is alive. From Hiroshi:

I am very sorry I never contact Mr. Toyoki Eto and I don’t know if he is alive or not. I guess he has passed away already. I will try to contact his family through the Army officers club in Tokyo, but it may be difficult.

Cpl Masahiro Ikeda of the 64th Sentai tells me he returned before the combat [9 Jan 1945] due to engine trouble. His air school classmate, Cpl Yamazaki, took his position for Major Eto’s flight. Ikeda said to me “Yamazaki was sacrifice for me”. I have no further information on the battle, just what I wrote in my book.

I am not sure of the exact meaning of Hiroshi's quote from Ikeda. Either Yamazaki was sacrificed for Ikeda, or Yamazaki chose to sacrifice himself in some way in the combat.

The only 9 Jan 1945 details from Hiroshi's book on Ki-43 Oscar aces:

The 64th carried out a series of Ta Dan bombing raids on Allied airfields in early January, and on the 9th, sentai CO Maj Toyoki Eto was forced to crash-land his Ki-43 after being shot up by a Spitfire during an attack on Akyab. He had claimed an RAF fighter moments earlier for his 12th kill.

A Ta Dan was a bomb which, when dropped, broke open in the air, releasing numerous smaller bombs. I know it was used in attacks on airfields.

Ash mentioned the works of Christopher Shores. I know Hiroshi collaborated with him on "Air War for Burma" (Grub Street, 2005). Looking at my copy, I see quite a lot about the 9 Jan 1945 air battles:

Tuesday, 9 January 1945

Following the arrival of Allied troops and naval units at Akyab, the JAAF now launched an attack on the port area. Maj. Koki Kawamoto led seven of the 50th Sentai's Ki 84s (still unidentified by Allied forces in the area) to make the unit's first attack on shipping. They were covered by 28 Ki 43s from the 64th Sentai led by Majors Miyabe and Eto.

Each Ki 84 was carrying a 250kg bomb, whilst some of the Ki 43s carried 100kg bombs as well. The 50th Sentai aircraft dived down to release their missiles from 1,500 feet, then leaving at low level, pursued by AA fire. Sgt Maj Ofusa returned to strafe a vessel which he identified as a cruiser with his 20mm cannons.

As the attack commenced at 1350 hours, five Spitfires of 67 Squadron which had arrived only the day before, were scrambled, led by the commanding officer, Sqn Ldr R.W.R. Day. As these were taking off one of 292 Squadron's E Flight Sea Otters piloted by Flt Lt T.P. Almack flew into the area, and spotting this, Maj Eto led his section of four Ki 43s down to attack, claiming the little amphibian shot down in flames. In fact the top mainplane was indeed set on fire, causing the pilot to force land south-west of Fakir Point. From there he taxied the severely damaged aircraft aground. The rear gunner, Wt Off W.J. Horam [not Horan] was killed, but the rest of the crew escaped unscathed.

Meanwhile the Spitfires had gained altitude and were spotted above the 64th Sentai's aircraft by Maj Miyabe, who radioed a warning to Eto. It was too late however, as Day's pilots dived on Eto's section over Myebon. They reported that one more Ki 43 joined the fight, and all five were claimed shot down, two each by Day (JG567) and Flt Lt C.M. Simpson (JG199), and one by Wt Off P.M. McQuarrie (JG496). In fact all Eto's wingmen were killed - Sgts Takashi Imani, Hideo Tajuzaki and Ryuzo Yamamoto, while Eto himself had to crash land his damaged aircraft at Myebon. He returned next day claiming to have shot down a Spitfire as well as the Sea Otter; in practice 67 Squadron suffered no loss, but there is no evidence to show that a fifth Ki 43 was lost either.

The remaining 64th Sentai pilots returned, reporting having seen 30 Spitfires in the area, 20 of which had dived on Eto's element! Before they withdrew however, they came upon and shot down a 27 Squadron Beaufighter.

Hiroshi's version spoke of attacks on airfields, while the Shores account mentions shipping. Shores made no mention of Cpl Yamazaki, who Hiroshi said had replaced Cpl Ikeda. The chronological casualty list of JAAF fighter pilots found at the end of "Japanese Army Air Force Fighter Units and their Aces 1931-1945" by Hata, Izawa, and Shores lists only two pilots killed on 9 Jan: Sgt Takashi Imajin and Sgt Ryuzo Yamamoto, both of the 64th Sentai, both killed in the Akyab area.

One more excerpt -- from Eto's bio in the Hata, Izawa, and Shores book:

. . .In August he was promoted Major, whilst in June 1944 he was posted back to Burma to command the 64th Sentai, arriving there in late July. By this state the Allies had gained virtual air superiority and the unit flew mainly ground attack and anti-shipping sorties. On some occasions he led attacks with Ta Dan bombs, and whilst providing escort for 50th Sentai aircraft carrying these weapons for an attack on Akyab on 9 January 1945, the formation was 'bounced' by Spitfires of 67 Squadron, RAF. Eto claimed one of these shot down but was then obliged to force-land. After burning his aircraft, he made contact with Japanese ground forces and returned.

With time and luck, maybe Hiroshi Ichimura will make contact with Eto's family. Hiroshi's standing as a JAAF historian and son of a 64th Sentai pilot could work in his favor. Hope so...

Cheers,

Matt

 

.

 

Hi, Wendy.

I'm on a break at work...so I'll be able to read your e-mail only when I'm home in a few hours.

Eto was definitely on the 9 Jan mission, claiming the destruction of your Great Uncle's Sea Otter. My confusion is in which JAAF pilots died in the attack upon the 64th Sentai Oscars by Spitfires of 67 Squadron.

---> The "Air War for Burma" book by Shores says that Eto was shot down and his wingmen died: Sgts Takashi Imani, Hideo Tajuzaki and Ryuzo Yamamoto.

---> The chrono list of JAAF pilot casualties only listed two for 9 Jan: Sgt Takashi Imajin and Sgt Ryuzo Yamamoto. That's a match to the Shores book on Yamamoto, and essentially a match to Imani/Imajin. No mention of Tajuzaki in the list, though.

---> Historian Hiroshi Ichimura was told by Cpl Masahiro Ikeda that a Cpl Yamazaki took his place on 9 Jan, and my guess Hiroshi was saying that Ikeda said Yamazaki died in the air battle. But the name Yamazaki doesn't match either of the other sources...unless Yamazaki was really Ryuzo Yamamoto. But then there's the difference in rank: Yamazaki (Corporal) versus Yamamoto (Sergeant).

Discrepancies...not unusual in air combat reports, whether they were recorded immediately after an action or many decades later!

I just checked Canadian researcher Robert Quirk's website for 292 Sqn transcribed documents...I would venture a guess that you've already been here. If not, it is well worth the time! Go to:

292 Squadron Reports

Here is an excerpt from the C.O.'s Monthly Progress Report for Jan 1945, dated 3 Feb 1945, which is Report No. 42 in Robert's pdf offerings. It refers to your Great Uncle's death, but not by name. (See the red text, below.)

Robert has not yet transcribed any of the 292 Sqn's Form 540 or 541 Operations Record Book pages beyond Dec 1944, so there is a chance the official records contain specific mention of the 9 Jan 1945 air combat & aftermath. Robert may have microfilm of these records...I'll try to remember to ask him if he has scanned any of his microfilm yet. He is as generous as they come when it comes to sharing.

OK, the 3 Feb '45 excerpt, with two illegible parts noted with question marks:

13. “E” Flight Sea Otters – General

This Flight, in spite of every kind of difficulty, has put up a very good show this month. It has rescued a Spitfire pilot, found a lost invasion barge and directed Corvette to its assistance, it has done special jobs for “E” Group, it did a 300 ft. recco. of Ramree Isle prior to the Invasion, it has carried Supreme Allied Commander in Chief to one of his ships. Amongst congratulatory messages received there is one form the Admiral in Charge of the Akyab/Ramree operations, and the flight was one of the first units to operate from Ramree Island.

The Flight’s difficulties are many. Firstly although it is generally agreed that the establishment has been increased from three to six aircraft and the Flight Commander’s rank has been up-graded to Squadron Leader; no new establishment has yet appeared. The Flight Commander has the difficulty of being one of several F/Lts. in the Flight, and the Flight is having to operate from Cox’s Bazaar, Akyab, and Ramree with an establishment sufficient to maintain three fighter aircraft plus bodies scrounged from other Flights ?????????? approaching the disorganization throughout the Squadron. I had ????????that is the new establishment allowance has been made for the fact that although it is a single engined aircraft, it is a large complicated aircraft with all the added troubles connected with a flying boat.

Another difficulty is the fact that three Sea Otters are operating from the battle area, their armament is poor, they have absolutely no armour, and the petrol tanks are not self-sealing. As a result two gunners were killed in a week, with one aircraft lost and one damaged. With the help of H.Q. No.231 Group, flak-jackets have been obtained from the Americans, and arrangements are now being made for the Flight to have three Spitfires so that it can escort itself without having to call on already overworked outside fighters -- a practice that has been used for years in U.K.

Have you been in touch with Errol Martyn, the superb RNZAF WWII history expert? If not, I'll put you in touch, or you can post a query to the message board he frequents (RAF Commands Forum). I imagine he will have a few tidbits for you about John Spencer Horan. Maybe just biographical things culled from his RNZAF file, but perhaps some things will be new to you. He is an expert in RNZAF casualties.

Cheers,

Matt

 

.