On 13 December 1917, the birthday of Ukrainian military aviation

 

105 years ago, on 13 December 1917, the Ukrainian Central Council created the Air Fleet of the Ukrainian People's Republic. The history of Ukrainian military aviation begun on this day.

No, he is not a kamikaze

Today I've learned, that one of the most iconic photo of kamikaze pilots shows no kamikaze :) This is 2nd class Petty Officer OISHI Hideo, assigned to the IJN 12th Kokutai (air group). The photo was taken sometime around August 1940 so he is not a kamikaze pilot. He is probably a fighter pilot - behind him is a tail of A6M fighter. Another incorrect caption of the Japanese photo :( Thank you, Tony Feredo, for the correct photo caption. 

IJN Kido Butai (“Mobile Force”) launching the striking force on Pearl Harbor on the early morning of 7 December 1941

Great artwork showing carriers of IJN Kido Butai (“Mobile Force”) launching the striking force on Pearl Harbor on the early morning of 7 December 1941. Without this force outstanding speed of early was Japanese offensives was simply impossible.

One-man “Yamato spirit”, ridiculed so often by historians…

IMHO, foundation of IJN success at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 was an unwavering belief of one man – Admiral Yamamoto – that attack could be done. Even pessimists felt obliged to work their best to make attack work. One-man “Yamato spirit”, ridiculed so often by historians…

Fuchida Mitsuo, IJN Captain and Christian missionary

On 3rd December 1902 Fuchida Mitsuo, future IJN Captain and later Christian missionary, was born.

Now in historical circles he is mostly remembered for his "war tales", that deceived Pacific War historians for years. But we shouldn't forget, that was appointed senior flying officer of the IJN Carrier Task Force not for his nice mustaches, but for his skill and experience. IJN planners could plan whatever they wanted - without Fuchida and other experts aviation could do little in combat. For example during his service as "Akagi" air Officer in 1940 Fuchida worked on mass use of aircraft carriers. His work on training of torpedo bomber squadrons before war also was a part of early war successes. I think all this should be remembered as well.