羽切松雄

War record

1935.8 graduated from the 28th pilot trainee course (remustered to aviation from an engine-room rating) → Sōryū, 〔Yokosuka Naval Air Group〕 → 1940.8 attached to the 〔12th Naval Air Group〕 (moved up to Hankou ferrying Zeros); 8.19 the first sortie by the Zero unit (the attack on Chongqing; no enemy sighted) → 10.4 the attack on Chengdu (one shot down; he pulled off the feat of landing at Taipingsi airfield and setting it on fire, then taking off, surprising a formation of three enemy fighters and shooting down two) → 1941.3.14 the attack on Chengdu (three improved I-15s shot down) → returned to Japan that summer, was promoted Flight Warrant Officer and served with the 〔Yokosuka Naval Air Group〕 → 1943.7 transferred to the 〔204th Naval Air Group〕 (the Solomons front) → 1943.9.24 in an air battle over Buin he shot down two, was hit and severely wounded, and returned home → service trials and air defence duties with the 〔Yokosuka Naval Air Group〕 until the end of the war → 1945.4 wounded again in an interception of B-29s.