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Thread: Japanese Fighter formations

  1. #1

    Default Japanese Fighter formations

    Hi Everyone

    My irregular fascination with WW2 fighter formations has returned. I've read several sources for the Japanese using a loose three plane tactical formation for their fighters with a lead pair covered by a trailing third plane astern and above. Apparently this could be quite deadly if an opponent engaged the lead pair without realising they had cover. Does anyone have any info on this?

    As a follow up I've seen it referred to as "Shotai" but I think this is a mis translation or mis appropriation as Shotai (as I understand) is more an administrative designation akin to Squadron or Flight?

    Any advice or info greatly appreciated

    Edit - maybe Shotai IS correct - some evidence that is a 3 plane group?
    Last edited by PilGrim; 03-19-2019 at 15:32.

  2. #2

    Default

    There is a piece at the beginning of this Youtube video about the Shotai, Ken.


  3. #3

    Default

    Thanks for that - useful

  4. #4

    Default

    JAAF
    Kokugun = Air Army
    Hikoshidan = Air Division
    Hikodan = Air Brigade
    Sentai = Air Group
    Chutai = Squadron or Company
    Shotai = Flight or Section (3-4 aircraft)

    IJNAF:
    Koku kantai - Air Fleet (carrier- or land-based).
    Koku sentai - Carrier Division (or Air Flotilla for land-based units).
    Koku bokan - Carrier-based Air Group
    Kokutai - Land-based Air Group
    Hikotai - Flight Echelon of Koku bokan or Kokutai
    Hiko buntai - Usually the admin equivalent of a Chutai

    Hikokitai - Carrier-based aircraft Echelon or Wing, or the Flight Echelon of a Kokutai
    Daitai - Squadron of 18 to 27 aircraft (Sentai for IJAAF)
    Chutai - 9 aircraft
    Shotai - Section, or division (3, and later in the war, 4, aircraft)
    Buntai - 2-plane element, adopted late in the war as part of a 4-plane Shotai

    Shotai = 3 aircraft (later 4)
    Chutai = 3-4 Shotai
    Daitai = 3-6 Chutai
    Hikotai/Kokutai = 2-3 Daitai



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