Note: All naval aircraft, naval aviation development, organizations, units, and weapons are presumed to be Japanese unless otherwise indicated.
aerial bombing. See air-to-surface attack systems
aerial “circus” flying teams. See “circus” acrobatic flying teams
aerial communications: air-to-air communications, 113, 135, 195; air-to-ground communications, 6–7, 48; radio telegraph and telephone, 135, 137, 154, 181–82; telepathic communications alleged, 135, 184
aerial ordnance. See ordnance
aerial radar. See radar
aerial reconnaissance: aircraft used for, 47–50; navy’s problems in, 74, 324n. 74; Pacific War record of, 153–54, 176, 334n. 70; terminology, 319n. 77
aerial weapons. See ordnance
Aichi aircraft: D1A1 (Type 94) carrier bomber, 42, 102; D1A2 (Type 96) carrier bomber, 42; D3A1 (Type 99) carrier bomber (“Val”), 94–95, 120–21, 140–41, 172, 183; E13A1 (Type 0) reconnaissance seaplane (“Jake”), 98
Aichi Watch and Electric Machinery Company, 24, 41, 94, 98
Aikō Fumio, 144
air base construction, 127–28, 178, 195
air combat performance. See fighter performance
air combat tactics. See fighter tactics
aircraft carrier design and construction: after Midway, 176; design flaws illustrated by loss of Taihō, 158; hangar deck/strength deck arrangements, 322n. 41; implications of, 63–67; in post-treaty era, 60–63; in treaty era, 53–60
aircraft carrier doctrine. See carrier doctrine
aircraft design and manufacture: controversy over fighter design priorities, 46–47, 90; dependence on foreign imports in 1920s, 18–20, 28; design priorities as a disadvantage in Pacific War, 191–92, 200; heavy bomber, failure to produce, 197; independence initiated in 1930s, 28–29, 89; interservice friction hampers, 197; prototypes system, 27–28. See also aircraft engines; aircraft industry
aircraft engines: 90, 91, 94–97, 199–200
aircraft industry: limitations in relation to U.S. counterpart, 198–200; 1920–36, 23–29; 1937–41, 98–101. See also aircraft design and manufacture
air defense. See fleet air defense
air fleets, 124, 151–52. See also First Air Fleet; Eleventh Air Fleet
air flotillas: system established, 151; Twenty-first, 161, 178; Twenty-second, 166, 169; Twenty-third, 161, 178; Twenty-fourth, 166; Twenty-fifth, 16, 181; Twenty-sixth, 178, 181
air groups. See carrier air groups; land-based air groups
“air power omnipotence,” theory of. See naval thought and doctrine in relation to aviation
Air Power Research Committee, 148
air reconnaissance. See aerial reconnaissance
air-to-surface attack systems: attacks by massed aircraft, 42, 74, 146–47, 188, 199; dive bombing, 39–42, 140–41, 176, 333nn. 27, 34; horizontal bombing, 34–35, 138–40, 333n. 27; skip bombing, 334n. 37; tests of, 22, 34, 37, 40; torpedo bombing, 35–39, 143–46, 333n. 27
air transport, 114, 194, 336n. 91
Akagi (carrier): aircraft types embarked aboard, 94; design, construction, and modernization of, 54–55, 57; destruction of, 70, 159
Amagai Takahisa, 322n. 51
Amami Ōhshima, aerial torpedo practice off, 37
Andō Masataka, 40
annual naval maneuvers. See naval maneuvers
anti-aircraft defense. See fleet air defense; ordnance
Aoki Taijirō, 322n. 51
“A” Operation, 187
Arizona (U.S. battleship), destruction of, 169
army air service: air groups, 331n. 66; friction with navy, 4, 28–29, 100–101, 197–98; in China air campaign, 124, 331n. 66; in Manchuria, 332n. 14; in Solomon Islands air campaign, 180, 198
arresting gear and crash barriers, 65, 67, 322n. 48, 323nn. 61, 62
aviation fuels, 187, 194–95, 336–37n. 93
aviation technology. See aircraft design and manufacture; aircraft industry
Baba Atsumaro, 20
Battle Instructions, 73, 147, 323n. 70
“Betty” bomber. See Mitsubishi aircraft
Bismarck’s archipelago and barrier, 176, 185
Bismarck Sea, Battle of, 185, 334n. 37
“Box Formation.” See also carrier doctrine; tactical formations
British naval aviation mission. See Sempill Mission
British navy. See Royal Navy
Burma Road, attacks on, 121–22
Callan, Lansing, 314n. 10
Canton, air raid on, 116
carrier air groups, composition of, 61, 75–76, 156, 176, 333n. 12
carrier divisions, 149, 176, 335n. 60
carrier doctrine: air group complements and composition, 338n. 21; air fleet concept, 151–52; “box formation,” 148; carriers and decisive battle scenarios, 22, 196; dispersal vs. concentration issue, 75, 147–49, 175–76, 322n. 51; emergence of, 72–76; “outranging,” 75, 79; preemptive strike concept, 22–23, 73–74, 87, 147, 324n. 72; target priorities, doctrinal dispute over, 22, 73. See also carrier air groups; fleet air defense
carrier flight operations, 67–72
China air campaign: attacks on Chinese communications and supply routes, 121; fighter tactics developed during, 125–27, 135; fighter escort as an issue during, 110, 119, 124, 127; aircraft and air crew losses in, 106–8, 122–23; dive bombing in, 140; first phase operations, 103–15; influence on fighter design, 89–90; meaning and legacy, 122–28, 131; strategic high altitude bombing operations, 115–22, 138
Chinese Nationalist Air Force, 112, 114, 115, 121, 124, 127
Chinkai (Chinhae): air base, 29; naval base, 47
Chitose (seaplane tender), 62
Chiyoda (seaplane tender), 62
Chungking, aerial bombardment of, 97, 116, 118–21
chūkō. See naval aircraft by categories: medium bombers
chūtai. See tactical formations
Chūyō (carrier), 63
“circle” plans. See naval expansion plans
“circus” acrobatic flying teams, 43–44, 46, 88, 319n. 69
“Claude” fighter. See Mitsubishi aircraft: A5M (Type 96) carrier fighter
combat air patrols. See fleet air defense
combined air groups. See land-based air groups
Combined Attack Force, 118, 120
construction units. See air base construction
Coral Sea, Battle of, 154, 174, 321n. 34, 335n. 63, 336n. 81
Curtiss aviation schools, 4, 314n. 8
daitai. See fighter tactics; tactical formations
damage control, 158–59
Davao naval base, attack on, 170
decisive fleet engagement concept. See naval thought and doctrine in relation to aviation
dive-bombing. See air-to-surface attack systems
Eastern Solomons, Battle of, 180
Egusa Takashige, 41, 333–34n. 34
Eleventh Air Fleet, 151, 161, 167, 178, 336n. 91
expansion programs. See naval expansion programs
Fifth Carrier Division, 151
fighter performance: in China air campaign, 113, 115, 120, 125–27; in Pacific War, 172, 174, 181–84, 340n. 42
fighter tactics: anti-fighter sentiment, 43–46, 87; China war’s impact on, 87, 89, 91–92, 95, 124–27, 135; dogfighting, Japanese propensity for, 46, 113, 135, 329n. 28; escort tactics, 127, 182; formation tactics, 135, 184; high-speed hit-and-run tactics, 127, 135, 329n. 28; hineri-komi (“turning-in”) maneuver, 44, 111, 127, 183; Manchuria air campaign contribution to, 329n. 28; shōtai as prime tactical formation, 113, 125, 135, 156, 184, 329n. 29; speed vs. maneuverability debate among fighter pilots, 46–47; telepathic communications between fighter pilots alleged, 44, 111, 135, 184
First Air Fleet, 145, 151–52, 154, 175, 200, 335n. 63
First Air Group, 170
First Carrier Division, 33, 37, 40–42, 72, 83, 84, 147, 151, 323n. 67
First Combined Air Group, 103, 106, 118
First Mobile Fleet, 186–88, 200
First Technical Arsenal. See Naval Air Arsenal (Kugishō)
fleet air defense, 75, 87, 138, 155–59, 198, 335n. 75, 336n. 81
fleet air exercises. See naval air exercises and practice flights
fleet maneuvers. See naval maneuvers
fleet problems, U.S., 320n. 12
Flight Reserve Enlisted Training Program, 31, 131–32, 331n. 1. See also naval air recruitment and training
flying boats. See naval aircraft by categories
force structure. See naval force structure
Fourteenth Air Group, 121–22
Fourth Air Group, 176
Fourth Fleet Incident, 58
Fujise Masaru, 7–8
Fukuda Keiji, 84
Furukawa Izumi, 139
Genda Minoru: as air power advocate, 83, 85; and carrier doctrine, 148–49, 335n. 57; as fighter pilot, 43–45, 309, 312; as staff officer in China War, 114, 125; as staff officer in Pacific War, 138; views on fighter design, 90
Genzan Air Group, 169, 334n. 37
Goake Tokuichirō, 94
ground crews, base personnel, 181–82
Guadalcanal air campaign, 178, 180
Hammondsport. See Curtiss aviation schools
Hankow: air battles over, 114, 115; as Japanese advanced air base, 118–20
Hanoi, Japan, air bases at, 122
Hasegawa Kiyoshi, 104
Hawai’i strike force. See Mobile Task Force (kidō butai)
Hawai’i operation: air fleet concept essential to, 152; horizontal bombardment practiced for, 138–39; nonaviator in command of, 196; ordnance used in, 140, 143–45; Pearl Harbor attack, 140, 168; shallow water aerial torpedo attacks perfected for, 144–45
Henderson Airfield, 178, 180, 197
high-altitude bombing. See air-to-surface attack systems: horizontal bombing
hineri-komi (“turning-in”) maneuver. See fighter tactics
Hirō Branch Arsenal, 23, 27, 49, 80. See also Hirō Naval Arsenal (Hirōshō); Kure: naval arsenal
Hirō Naval Arsenal (Hirōshō), 23
Hirōshō aircraft: G2H1 (Type 95) land-based attack aircraft, 80; H1H3 (Type 15) flying boat, 49
Hiryū (carrier): design and construction, 59; mentioned, 61, 149, 322nn. 41, 51; sunk, 174–75, 338n. 17
Hiyō (carrier), 62
Horikoshi Jirō, 88, 90–93, 100
horizontal bombing. See air-to-surface attack systems
Hōshō (carrier): design and construction, 17, 53–54; operations of, 50, 108
Hosokawa Hajime, 106
IGHQ. See Imperial General Headquarters (IGHQ)
Iida Hisatsune, 3
Ikegami Tsuguo, 46
Imperial General Headquarters (IGHQ), 115
independent air force issue, 85
Indian Ocean, operations in, 1942
Inoue Shigeyoshi: air power theories, 159–61; mentioned, 166, 195, 196, 197
interservice friction, 4, 28–29, 100–101, 197
“I” Operation, 186
Isobe Tetsukichi, 11
Jolo Island, Japanese long-range flight to, 170
Jun’yō (carrier), 62
Kaga (carrier): aircraft types embarked on, 37, 91, 94; design, construction, and modernization of, 54–57, 60; destruction of, 174, 388n. 17
Kagamigahara Airfield, 88, 91, 95
Kagoshima Bay, Japanese aerial torpedo practice at, 145
Kaiya Masaru, 9
kamikaze aircraft and attacks, 189, 335n. 75
Kaneko Yōzō, 4–7, 9, 11, 14, 35
Kanoya Air Group, 86, 103, 104, 118, 146, 169–170, 188, 329n. 34
Kasanohara, dive-bombing training at, 333–34n. 34
Kashima Bombing Range, 41
Kashimura Kan’ichi, 111
Kasumigaura: air base, 14, 18, 79, 80, 131; air group, 14, 29, 31, 32
“Kate” torpedo bomber. See Nakajima aircraft
Kawanishi aircraft: E7K1/2 (Type 94) reconnaissance seaplane (“Alf”), 48; H6K1 (Type 97) flying boat (“Mavis”), 49, 97; H8K (Type 2) flying boat (“Emily”), 97, 327n. 47; N1K2-J (Shiden) interceptor fighter, 93
Kawanishi Aircraft Company, 25, 98
Kawazoe Takuo, 35
Kikuchi Tomozō, 37
Kira Shun’ichi, 20
Kisarazu: air base, 29; air group, 86, 103, 106, 178, 329n. 34
Kobayashi Yoshito, 42
Kofukuda Mitsugu, 197
Kohama Fumihiko, 4
Kōno Sankichi, 4–7
Kugishō. See Naval Air Arsenal (Kugishō)
Kunda airfield, Shanghai, 108
Kunming-Hanoi railway, Japanese air attacks on, 121
Kure: air base, 29; naval arsenal, 23
Kusaka Ryūnosuke, 79, 335n. 57
Kuwabara Torao, 10, 37, 316n. 45
Lanchou and Lanchou Road, Japanese air attacks on, 113, 121
land-based air groups: as training units, 31; China War operations of assessed, 125–26; combined air groups, 124, 151; development of to 1937, 14, 29–31. See also air flotillas
lighter-than-air aviation, 15–16, 315n. 38
logistics issues (maintenance, supply, and transport), 167, 193–95
London Naval Conference and Treaty of 1930. See naval arms limitation conferences and treaties
losses in aircraft and aircrews through accidents, 187, 192–93, 323n. 66
losses in aircraft and aircrews from combat: in China War combat, 108–10, 114–15, 122–23; at Coral Sea, 174–75, 339n. 30; at Eastern Solomons and Santa Cruz, 180; at Midway, 338n. 17; in Solomons campaign, 180–81, 339n. 28
maintenance and repair issues. See logistics issues (maintenance, supply, and transport)
Maeda Kōsei (Takanari), 37
Magoshi Kishichi, 7
Maizuru: air base, 27; branch arsenal, 24
maneuvers. See naval maneuvers
Matsumura Kikuo, 3
Matsunaga Toshio, 79
“Mavis” Flying Boat. See Kawanishi aircraft
medium bombers. See naval aircraft by categories: medium bombers
mid-air refueling proposed, 75
Midway, Battle of: and aerial reconnaissance problem, 154, 335n. 70; analyzed, 175–78; and fighter role issue, 138; and fleet air defense issue, 158; losses in calculated, 338n. 10
Misawa Air Group
Mitsubishi Aircraft Company, 24, 80, 89, 98
Mitsubishi aircraft: 1MF (Type 10) carrier fighter, 24–25, 53; 1MT1N (Type 10) carrier attack aircraft, 24, 36, 320n. 6; A5M (Type 96) carrier Fighter (“Claude”), 88–89, 110, 111, 114, 116, 117; A7M1/A7M3 (Reppu) experimental carrier fighter, 93; B1M3 (Type 13) carrier attack aircraft, 36–37, 47–48, 50, 53; B2M2 (Type 89) carrier attack aircraft, 102, 108; C1M1/C1M2 (Type 10) reconnaissance aircraft, 47; 2MR (Type 10) reconnaissance aircraft, 24; F1M1/2 (Type 0) observation seaplane, 97–98; G1M1 attack aircraft, 81; G4M (Type 1) attack bomber (“Betty”), 95–97, 183; G6M1 (Type 1) wingtip escort aircraft, 96, 327n. 45; J2M1/M7 (Raiden) interceptor fighter, 93, 187; Ki-21 (Type 97) heavy bomber (army), 116
Mitsubishi A6M (Type 0) carrier fighter (“Zeke” or “Zero”): assessed, 91–92, 200–201; captured by U.S. and evaluated, 330n. 51, 337–38n. 14, 339–40n. 42; design and manufacture, 89–93, 110; disadvantages of in combat air patrols, 15; fighter tactics related to, 135, 137, 312; introduced in China air campaign, 119–20; long distance operations in Pacific combat, 166, 170, 180; spearhead aircraft in early phase of Pacific War, 161, 166, 170–72; vulnerabilities exploited in Pacific War, 174, 183
Mitsubishi G3M (Type 96) Attack Bomber (“Nell”): design and manufacture, 86–87; operational range demonstrated in China War, 104, 110; strategic bombing role in China air campaign, 116–22, 126; strategic role in early Pacific War, 161, 166, 183; vulnerabilities exposed in air combat, 87, 106–7, 183
Miwa Yoshitake, 335n. 57
Mobile Task Force (kidō butai), 131, 152, 161, 166
Musashi, Mitsubishi engine factory at, 98
Musashi (battleship), 159
N2 law, 23
Nagumo Chūichi, 151, 158, 168, 196
Nakajima aircraft: A1N1 (Type 3) carrier fighter, 25, 46, 50, 51, 102, 319n. 86; A2N1 (Type 90) carrier fighter, 25, 45, 46, 110, 319n. 69; A4N (Type 95) carrier fighter, 45, 87, 102, 110, 319n. 69; B5N (Type 97) carrier attack aircraft (“Kate”), 67, 63, 95, 120, 127, 183; B6N (Tenzan) carrier attack bomber, 95, 98, 187; C3N1 (Type 97) shipboard reconnaissance aircraft, 48; C6N1 (Saiun) carrier reconnaissance aircraft, 48; E4N1 (Type 90-3) reconnaissance seaplane, 41, 48; E8N (Type 95) reconnaissance seaplane, 48; G8N (Renzan) heavy bomber, 341n. 79
Nakajima Aircraft Manufacturing Works, 25, 89–90, 98
Nakajima Chikuhei: as air power extremist, 11–13, 79; as aviation student, 4; founds aircraft company, 24–25; mentioned, 35, 82 84
Nakamura Ryōzō, 84
Nakano Chūjirō, 43
Nan-ch’ang, Japanese air attacks on, 106, 111, 112, 115
Nangō Mochifumi, 112
Nanking: air attacks on, 106; air battle over, 111–12
Nan-ning—Kue-lin railway, attacks on, 122
Naruse Seiji, 35
Naval Affairs Bureau, 14–15, 26
Naval Air Arsenal (Kugishō), 27–28, 40, 125, 317n. 19, 341n. 84
naval aircraft by categories: dive bombers, 94, 98, 197; fighters, 24–25, 45–46, 88–93; flying boats, 49, 97; heavy bomber, 341n. 79; medium bombers (chūkō, rikkō), 80–81, 95–97; reconnaissance aircraft, 41, 47–48; seaplanes, floatplanes, 48, 97–98; torpedo bombers, 24, 36, 67, 94–95, 102; transport aircraft, 114, 336n. 91
naval air doctrine, world trends of, 21–23
naval air exercises and practice flights, 16, 44, 86, 141
naval air groups. See carrier air groups; land-based air groups
Naval Air Headquarters. See Naval Aviation Department
naval air personnel: aircrew quality assessed, 173–74, 182–84, 338n. 14, 339n. 29; policies during Pacific War assessed, 192, 196–97; shortages in on eve of the Pacific War, 332n. 13; seniority system limits carrier and air group commands, 196–97. See also losses in aircraft and aircrews from combat; naval air recruitment and training
naval air recruitment and training: 1909–14, 3–7, 13–14; 1920–37, 26, 31–33, 43–44; 1937–41, 131–34; air combat training, 43–44; contrasted with U.S. naval air training, 191–92; degraded during Pacific War, 181–84, 187, 191–92, 331n. 14; foreign training of aircrews, 3–6, 43; inadequate status on eve of Pacific War, 134, 166–67; reconnaissance, training in, 154; specific training programs instituted, 31–32; Sempill Mission, 18–20; sengi (“combat skills”), 132–33
naval air strength (aircraft and aircrews): at end of 1937, 29; on eve of Pacific War, 134, 332n. 13
Naval Air Technical Arsenal. See Naval Air Arsenal
naval air training. See naval air recruitment and training
naval arms limitations conferences and treaties: 129; London Naval Conference, 83; London Naval Treaty, 27; treaty era, 59, 60; Washington Naval Conference, 17; Washington Naval Treaty, 17, 58, 60
naval aviation, administration of, 26–28
naval aviation controversies: “air power omnipotence” theory vs. battleship orthodoxy, 10–13, 72–73, 78–85, 195–96; carrier deployment issue, 75, 147–49, 175–76, 322n. 51; fighter design priorities debate, 46–47; fighter role issue, 44–45, 138; fighter vs. long-range bomber debate, 45, 87; independent, unified air force, argument for, 85; target priorities for naval aviation, contested, 22, 73. See also carrier doctrine
Naval Aviation Department, 26, 125
naval aviation technology. See aircraft design and manufacture; aircraft industry
naval expansion programs, 60, 62, 83, 102
naval force structure, 195, 336n. 91
naval maneuvers, 6, 7, 14, 58, 72, 75, 153. See also naval air exercises and practice flights
Naval Staff College, studies on naval aviation, 58, 75, 147, 324n. 72
naval thought and doctrine in relation to aviation: air fleet concept, 124, 151–52; air power omnipotence dogma, 10–13, 83–85; battleship dogma, 10, 21–23, 72–73, 159, 195–96; decisive fleet engagement concept, 22, 152; fleet air defense, 157–58; force structure as an issue, 195; nikuhaku-hitchū (“press closely strike home”) doctrine, 143; offensive operations, navy’s preference for, 44–45, 153; official statements concerning, 147; “outranging” concept, 75, 79; preemptive strike concept, 22–23, 73–74, 87, 147, 153, 190, 324n. 72; role of aviation as an issue, 78–85, 175, 195; strike force concept, 152, 200. See also carrier doctrine
Navy Technical Department, 14, 25–27, 57, 341n. 54
“Nell” bomber. See Mitsubishi G3M (Type 96) attack bomber
nikuhaku-hitchū doctrine. See naval thought and doctrine
Notoro (seaplane carrier), 50
Odawara Toshihiko, 46
Ogikubo Mitsubishi engine factory, 25
Ohta, Nakajima air frame plant at, 98
Oita Branch Arsenal, 24
Okada Heiichirō, 57
Okumiya Masatake, 40–42, 139, 181, 192, 197
Ōnishi Takijirō: as air power radical, 81–83, 85; on fighter issue, 88; as commander of Second Combined Air Group in China; 118; proposes air power study group, 148; as staff officer during Shanghai fighting, 1932, 51
Operations One Hundred, One Hundred One, One Hundred Two, 118–21, 123. See also China air campaign: strategic high-altitude bombing operations
ordnance: aircraft cannon, 92, 137, 157; ammunition, 166, 194; Type 91 aerial torpedo, 35–36, 143–45, 166, 194; Type 89 anti-aircraft gun and Type 96 anti-aircraft machine gun, 157; Type 99 No. 80 Mk-5 aerial bomb, 140, 169, 331n. 21
“outranging,” See naval thought and doctrine
Ozawa Jisaburō, 151, 155, 188, 335n. 57
Pacific War, naval aviation in: as a war of attrition, 190; conquest of southeast Asia, 1941–42, 170; Japanese naval air power, 189–201; Hawai’i operation, 140, 144–45, 162, 168, 196; strategic mistakes relating to, 66, 195–96
personnel. See naval air personnel
Philippines, 161, 170, 180, 188
Philippine Sea, Battle of, 153–54, 188–89
Pilot Trainee Program (sōren), 31, 331n. 1 See also naval air recruitment and training
Port Darwin, attack on, 97, 138, 152, 172
Port Moresby, 176–77
preemptive strike concept. See naval thought and doctrine
Prince of Wales (British battle cruiser), 168–70
prototypes system, 27–28. See also aircraft design and manufacture
proximity fuse. See VT fuse
Rabaul: Allied air attacks on, 181, 185–86; occupation of, 178; as a principal air base, 178, 180, 193
radar, 156, 188, 198, 341n. 84
reconnaissance. See aerial reconnaissance
Repulse, sinking of by medium bombers, 168–70
rikkō, 86, 108, 325n. 16. See also naval aircraft by categories: medium bombers
“RO” Operation, 185–86
Royal Navy, 16, 18, 20; Eastern Fleet, 172; Fleet Air Arm, 130
Rutland, Frederick, 24
Ryūhō (carrier), 62
Ryūjō (carrier): design and construction, 58; operations in Pacific War, 166, 170; sunk, 180
Saeki: air base, 29; air group, 29
Saeki Bay, Japanese aerial torpedo practice at, 144
Saigon, air bases at, 169
Saitō Masahisa, 3
Santa Cruz Islands, Battle of, 180
Sasebo: air base, 49; air group, 14, 29; naval base and dockyard, 45, 56
Second Carrier Division, 147, 151, 181
Second Combined Air Group, 105, 115
Second Fleet, 7
Sempill Mission, 18–20, 32, 34, 35, 43
Sengi (“combat skills”). See naval air recruitment and training
“shadow fleet”, 61–63
Shanghai fighting: 1932, involvement of naval air units in, 37, 50–51; 1937, involvement of naval air units in, 104, 108, 111
Shimamura Hayao, 314n. 12
Shinano (carrier), 322n. 49
Shindō Saburō, 120
shipboard anti-aircraft weapons, 157
Shirane Ayao, 120
Shōhō (carrier), 62, 174, 336n. 81
Shōkaku (carrier), 60–61, 65, 151, 167, 175, 186, 321n. 34, 322n. 41
shōtai. See tactical formations
Sixth Air Group, 197
skip bombing. See air-to-surface attack systems
Solomon Islands air campaign, 177–86, 200, 339n. 28
Sōryō (carrier): design and construction, 59, 149, 321 nn. 25, 26; sunk, 174, 338n. 17
Special Flight Training, 132. See also naval air recruitment and training
Student Aviation Reserve Program, 32. See also naval air recruitment and training
tactical formations: chūtai and daitai, 135; shōtai, 113, 125, 135, 136, 184, 329n. 29
Taigei (submarine tender). See Ryūhō
Taihō (carrier), 62, 65; sinking reveals flaws in carrier design and damage control systems, 158, 187, 322 nn. 41, 49
Tainan Air Group, 170, 176, 180–81
T’ai-ping-ssu airfield, air attack on, 107
Taiwan, air units based on, 161, 180
Takahashi Sadamu, 140
Takahashi Sankichi, 84, 323n. 67
Takao Air Group, 96, 118, 121–22 Takasaki (submarine tender). See Zuihō (carrier)
Takeda Hachirō, 107
Taranto attack, questioned as inspiration for Pearl Harbor tactics, 130, 144
Tarawa, Japanese unable to defend with air units, 186
task force concept. See U.S. Navy
Tateyama: air base, 29; air group, 86
Third Air Group, 170
Third Carrier Division, 151
Third Fleet, 175, 185, 186, 196, 338n. 21
Thirteenth Air Group, 104, 111, 329n. 34
Tomozuru Incident, 58
Torisu Tamaki, 10
torpedo bombing. See air-to-surface attack systems
treaty era and treaty system. See naval arms limitations conferences and treaties
Tsingtao, Japanese naval air operations over, 7–9, 14
Tsuchiura Air Base, 132
Tsunoda Hitoshi, 324n. 72
Tsurugizaki (submarine tender). See Shōhō (carrier)
Twelfth Air Group, 91, 104, 111, 119, 122
Umekita Kanehiko, 4
Unryū (carrier), 322nn. 41, 49
Un’yō (carrier), 63
U.S. aircraft design and manufacture, 98, 100, 319n. 68; superiority to Japanese aircraft in Pacific War, 183, 188
U.S. naval aviation: carrier design and construction compared to Japanese, 63–67; bombing developed by, 39–40; early development of, 2, 21–23; fighter aircraft superior to by 1943, 199–200; heavy bomber advantage, 197; reconnaissance arrangements compared to Japanese navy, 48–49; task force system superior to Japanese strike force, 200; training policies compared to Japanese, 192; technological advantages available to, 198–99; U.S. Navy as focus for Japanese naval plans and preparations, 80, 125
“Val” dive bomber. See Aichi aircraft
VT (proximity) fuse, 198–99
Wakamiya (seaplane carrier), 6–8, 81, 314n. 15
Wakamiya–maru. See Wakamiya (seaplane carrier)
Washington Naval Conference and Treaty. See naval arms limitations conferences and treaties
Wildman, Francis, 314n. 10
World War I, air operations and Japan, 7–10, 43
Yamaguchi Tamon, 118
Yamato (battleship), 61, 81, 85, 152, 159
Yamamoto Isoroku: backs long-range capability for Japanese naval aviation, 80; battleship dogma, 83, 86; as executive officer, Kasumigaura Air Group, 32; killed, 182, 185; Midway battle and, 196
Yokosuka: air arsenal, 27, 90, 98, 99; air base, 39, 45, 49, 132, 139
Yokosuka aircraft: B3Y1 (Type 92) carrier attack aircraft, 102; B4Y1 (Type 96) carrier attack bomber, 95; D4Y (Suisei) carrier bomber, 98, 187; E5Y1 (Type 90–3) reconnaissance seaplane, 48
Yokosuka Air Group: established as first land-based air group, 14; as testing unit, 46, 47, 125, 334n. 47; as training unit, 27, 143, 145
Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, 23
Yokosuka Naval Base and Dockyard, 27
Yoshioka Chūichi, 338n. 18
“Zeke/”Zero”” fighter. See Mitsubishi A6M (Type 0) carrier fighter
Zauikaku (carrier), 60–61, 151, 167, 174, 175, 186, 321n. 34