藤田怡与蔵

War record

Born in Shandong, China; Kitsuki Middle School, Ōita Prefecture → 1938.9 graduated with 〔the 66th class of the Naval Academy〕 → 1940.6 completed 〔the 33rd flight training course〕 → 1941.9 joined Sōryū → 1941.12.8 his first action was Pearl Harbor, as a section leader of the air-superiority unit of the second wave → on the way to the rendezvous for the return flight he fought a formation of P-35s, shot one down and got back to the carrier though hit → promoted Lieutenant after returning home → took part in the Darwin and Indian Ocean attacks → 1942.6 sortied for the Battle of Midway; flying combat air patrol over the carrier he charged a formation of B-26s and shot down three, then landed, refuelled, took off again and shot down four torpedo bombers and three fighters → hit by anti-aircraft fire, he took to his parachute and was picked up by the destroyer Nowaki → appointed division leader aboard Hiyō → 1942.10 sortied to the Solomons (moved up to Rabaul and Buin) → 1943.4 moved up to Rabaul again for Operation "I" → 1943.6 transferred to the Tsuiki Naval Air Group → 1943.11 squadron leader of the newly formed 〔301st Naval Air Group〕 → air defence fighting over Iwo Jima → transferred as squadron leader of Fighter Squadron 402, formed with the Shiden → attached to the 〔341st Naval Air Group〕 and sortied for the air battle off Taiwan in 1944.10 → hard fighting on the Philippine front; pulled back to the home islands in 1945.1 and ended the war at Fukuchiyama.