Japanese Navy and Army Air Force Units in Taiwan

Japanese Navy and Army Air Forces in Taiwan with the Mitsubishi Zero

Background: Taiwan as a Strategic Hub

Taiwan, called Formosa under Japanese rule from 1895 to 1945, was a vital base in the Pacific during World War II. Its location helped Japan attack Southeast Asia, China, and the Pacific. Air bases like Tainan Air Base (now Tainan) and Taihoku (Taipei) supported the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service (IJNAS) and some Imperial Japanese Army Air Force (IJAAF) units.

The Mitsubishi Zero and Its Deployment in Taiwan

Background: Taiwan as a Strategic Hub

Taiwan’s location made it an ideal staging point for Japanese military operations in Southeast Asia, China, and the Pacific. By the late 1930s and early 1940s, Japan had established significant air bases on the island, including Tainan Air Base (modern-day Tainan), Taihoku (Taipei), and others. These bases supported both the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service (IJNAS) and, to a lesser extent, the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force (IJAAF), though the Navy’s presence was more prominent due to its dominance in air operations and the Zero’s role as its primary fighter.

The Mitsubishi Zero and Its Deployment in Taiwan

The Mitsubishi A6M Zero, introduced in 1940 (Imperial Year 2600, hence the "Zero" designation), was the IJN’s premier fighter, renowned for its exceptional range, maneuverability, and firepower. Designed by Jiro Horikoshi, it first saw combat over China in July 1940 and quickly gained a reputation for air superiority. In Taiwan, the Zero was primarily operated by IJNAS units, with the Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group) becoming the most famous due to its elite pilots and extensive combat record.

Key Units in Taiwan

Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group)

Formation and Base: Established in October 1941, the Tainan Kōkūtai was headquartered at Tainan Air Base in southern Taiwan. Initially equipped with the older Mitsubishi A5M "Claude," it transitioned to the A6M Zero by late 1941, just before the Pacific War began.

Significance: This unit became one of the most celebrated and effective air groups in the IJN, boasting aces like Saburō Sakai, Hiroyoshi Nishizawa ("The Devil of Rabaul"), and Tetsuzō Iwamoto. Its pilots honed their skills in Taiwan before deploying to forward bases like Rabaul and the Philippines.

Role: From Taiwan, the Tainan Kōkūtai conducted training, patrols, and early wartime missions, leveraging the island’s proximity to China and Southeast Asia.

Other IJNAS Units

Smaller detachments of Zero-equipped units, such as elements of the 3rd Kōkūtai and later the 253rd Kōkūtai, operated from Taiwan at various points. These units supported regional operations and defensive patrols as the war progressed.

IJAAF Presence

The IJAAF had a lesser role in Taiwan, focusing more on land-based fighters like the Nakajima Ki-43 "Oscar" and Ki-27 "Nate." However, some coordination with IJNAS Zero units occurred, particularly during joint operations in China and Southeast Asia. Taiwan-based IJAAF units were typically stationed inland and played a secondary role compared to the Navy’s carrier-capable Zeros.

Key Events and Highlights Involving the Zero in Taiwan

Pre-War Buildup and China Operations (1940–1941)

July 1940: The Zero made its combat debut over China, with pre-production A6M2 models flown by the 12th Rengo Kōkūtai from mainland bases. By late 1940, Zeros began operating from Taiwan to support the bombing of Chongqing and Chengdu, part of Japan’s strategic campaign against Chinese resistance.

September 13, 1940: In a notable engagement, 13 Zeros of the 12th Kōkūtai, possibly staging through Taiwan, escorted G3M bombers over Chongqing. They encountered 34 Chinese Polikarpov I-15 and I-16 fighters, shooting down many (claims vary from 13 to 27) without losing a single Zero, showcasing the fighter’s dominance.

Significance: Taiwan served as a rear base for these operations, providing maintenance and logistical support as the IJNAS expanded its reach.

Outbreak of the Pacific War (December 1941)

December 8, 1941: Following the Pearl Harbor attack (December 7 in Hawaii), the Tainan Kōkūtai launched Zeros from Taiwan to support Japan’s invasion of the Philippines. Operating alongside carrier-based units, these Zeros helped overwhelm American air defenses, destroying aircraft like the P-40 Warhawk on the ground and in the air.

December 1941: Zeros from Taiwan also flew missions to cover landings in Malaya and the Dutch East Indies, demonstrating their long-range capabilities (up to 1,930 miles with drop tanks). Tainan Air Base was a key staging point for these operations.

Relocation and Peak Operations (Early 1942)

January–February 1942: The Tainan Kōkūtai redeployed many of its Zeros to forward bases like Denpasar (Bali) and Rabaul (New Britain), but Taiwan remained a vital hub for reinforcements and training. Replacement pilots and aircraft were dispatched from Tainan to sustain the unit’s operations.

April 1942: Zeros from Taiwan participated in raids on Allied shipping and airfields in the region, maintaining Japan’s early dominance in the Pacific.

Defense of Taiwan and the Formosa Air Battle (1944)

Mid-1943 Onward: As the Allies advanced, Taiwan’s role shifted from offensive staging to defense. Zeros from the Tainan Kōkūtai and other units (e.g., 253rd Kōkūtai) were increasingly tasked with intercepting American reconnaissance flights and bombers.

October 12–16, 1944 – Formosa Air Battle: A pivotal event involving Taiwan-based Zeros. As part of the prelude to the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the U.S. Third Fleet launched massive air raids on Taiwan to neutralize Japanese air power. Over 1,000 American carrier aircraft (F6F Hellcats, F4U Corsairs, etc.) attacked IJNAS bases, including Tainan and Taihoku. Taiwan-based Zeros, now outnumbered and flown by less-experienced pilots, suffered heavy losses. Japan claimed inflated victories (e.g., 11 carriers sunk), but in reality, the IJNAS lost hundreds of aircraft, including many Zeros, crippling its air strength.

Significance: This battle marked a turning point, exposing the Zero’s vulnerabilities (lack of armor and self-sealing fuel tanks) against newer Allied fighters and tactics.

Kamikaze Operations (Late 1944–1945)

October 1944 Onward: With conventional air superiority lost, Taiwan became a launch point for kamikaze attacks. Zeros, including the A6M5 and later A6M7 variants (designed for dive-bombing), were converted into suicide planes. Pilots, many hastily trained Taiwanese volunteers or conscripts, flew from Taiwan to strike Allied ships off Leyte and Okinawa.

1945: Conscription of Taiwanese into the IJN intensified, with over 80,000 serving by war’s end, some flying Zeros in these desperate missions. The island’s bases supported the final gasps of Japan’s air campaign until surrender in August 1945.

Important Dates

July 1940: Zero’s combat debut over China, with Taiwan as a support base.
September 13, 1940: Zeros demonstrate superiority over Chongqing, partially staged from Taiwan.
December 8, 1941: Tainan Kōkūtai Zeros attack the Philippines from Taiwan.
October 12–16, 1944: Formosa Air Battle devastates Taiwan-based Zero forces.
May 1945: A6M7 Zero production begins; some reach Taiwan for kamikaze use.
August 15, 1945: Japan surrenders, ending Zero operations from Taiwan.

Highlights and Legacy

Elite Pilots: The Tainan Kōkūtai’s aces, like Saburō Sakai (credited with 60+ kills), epitomized the Zero’s early success. Sakai’s feats, including downing a Lockheed Hudson over Buna in July 1942, trace back to training and operations in Taiwan.

Strategic Shift: Taiwan’s role evolved from an offensive springboard to a defensive bastion, reflecting Japan’s fortunes in the war.

Taiwanese Involvement: By 1945, over 30,000 Taiwanese servicemen were killed or missing, many in late-war Zero missions, highlighting the human cost of Japan’s colonial rule.

The Mitsubishi Zero’s story in Taiwan encapsulates the rise and fall of Japanese air power. From dominating the skies in 1941–1942 to being overwhelmed by Allied advances in 1944–1945, the Zero and its units in Taiwan mirror the broader Pacific War narrative—a tale of initial triumph undone by attrition, technological lag, and strategic overreach.

 

 Zero Units in Formosa or Taiwan

 Tainan Air Group (Kōkūtai)

The Tainan Air Group (台南海軍航空隊, Tainan Kaigun Kōkūtai) was a fighter aircraft and airbase garrison unit of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during the Pacific campaign of World War II. The flying portion of the unit was heavily involved in many of the major campaigns and battles of the first year of the war. The exploits of the unit were widely publicized in the Japanese media at the time, at least in part because the unit spawned more aces than any other fighter unit in the IJN. Several of the unit's aces were among the IJN's top scorers, and included Hiroyoshi Nishizawa, Saburō Sakai, Junichi Sasai, Watari Handa, Masaaki Shimakawa, and Toshio Ōta.

Bases: Taihoku (Taipei), Formosa (for initial operations), Balikpapan, Borneo, Denpasar, Bali, Surabaya, Java
Numbers: Approximately 40-50 Zeros during the initial campaigns.
Commander:
Capt. Higuchi Hiroshi (40) - 1 October 1941 - 4 October 1941
Cdr. / Capt. Saito Masahisa (47) - 4 October 1941 - 1 November 1942 (Promoted Captain on 1 May 1942.)
Captain Masahisa Saito - Commanded during early campaigns.
Lieutenant Saburō Sakai - A famous ace from this unit, based in Denpasar, Bali.

Philippines and Dutch East Indies

The unit was formed at Tainan, Taiwan (then part of the Empire of Japan) on October 1, 1941 as part of the 23rd Air Flotilla. The unit's first commander was Captain Hiroshi Higuchi, who was relieved by Commander Masahisa Saito on 4 October 1941. Most of the unit's original pilots were veterans of aerial combat in the Second Sino-Japanese War. Just before the outbreak of war with the Allied powers, the unit consisted of 45 A6M Zero and 12 Type 96 fighter aircraft.

On 8 December 1941 forty-four Tainan aircraft escorted IJN bombers in attacks on US aircraft at Iba and Clark airfields on Luzon in the Philippines, a distance of 500 miles each way. The attacks almost completely destroyed General Douglas MacArthur's air forces. On 10 December Tainan Zeros shot down the B-17 bomber piloted by Colin Kelly. Later that month, the unit redeployed to the Philippines and continued to support Japanese forces as they overran and destroyed the territory's American and Filipino defenses.

The Tainan Naval Air Group then moved to Tarakan Island, followed by moves to Balikpapan and Denpasar, Bali to support the successful Japanese offensive into the Dutch East Indies beginning in January 1942. The unit's fighters helped inflict heavy losses on defending Allied aircraft in January and February 1942.

New Guinea

With the end of the campaign in March, the unit was integrated into the 25th Air Flotilla and redeployed to recently captured Rabaul, New Britain and Lae, Papua New Guinea in April. As of 25 April 1942, due to operational and combat losses, the Tainan Air Group, now under the command of Captain Masahisa Saitō, counted 26 Zero and six Type 96 "Claude" fighters.

The unit initially concentrated its aircraft at Lae to support an air campaign against the Australian and American forces stationed at Port Moresby. Between April and July, the Tainan Air Group flew 51 missions, totalling 602 sorties. During this time, the unit claimed to have destroyed 300 enemy aircraft. The Tainan's losses were 20 aircraft. Replacement aircraft gave the unit a total of 24 Zeros by August 1942, flown by 55 pilots. Because of the surplus in aircrew, only the most experienced pilots were allowed to fly combat missions.

Guadalcanal 1942

On August 7, United States Marines landed on Japanese-occupied Guadalcanal, initiating the Guadalcanal Campaign. In response that same day, 18 Tainan fighters escorted bombers from Rabaul for an attack on the Allied invasion fleet, the longest fighter mission of the war (556 miles each way) to that date. The Tainan claimed to have destroyed 43 enemy aircraft over Guadalcanal on that mission while losing two fighters with their pilots themselves. The Americans actually lost 10 aircraft, including nine of 18 fighters present, plus one dive bomber. The two Tainan pilots killed on this mission were Petty Officer First Class Yoshida and Petty Officer Second Class Nishiura

One significant Tainan casualty over Guadalcanal that day was Saburō Sakai, who was seriously injured and forced into a two-year recuperation. The US Marines on August 8 captured an airfield (later called Henderson Field) under construction by the Japanese on Guadalcanal which was soon operational with Allied aircraft.

Over the next several months, Tainan aircraft based at Rabaul engaged in repeated dogfights with Allied aircraft, called the Cactus Air Force, based on Guadalcanal. The extreme distances required for the Tainan pilots to fly from Rabaul to Guadalcanal severely hampered the unit's attempts to establish air superiority over the island. The unit also continued to support bombing missions against Port Moresby. Between August and November 1942, the Tainan lost 32 pilots killed in action. Junichi Sasai was killed on August 26 and Toshio Ōta on October 21.

On November 1, 1942 the Japanese naval units in the Southeast Pacific were reorganized. The Tainan was redesignated as the 251 Air Group and reconstituted with replacement aircrews. The 20 surviving pilots of the Tainan were transferred to Japan to help form new fighter units. Bergerud says only 10 pilots were left and that the new unit was not called the "251st Air Group". Each digit in "251" refers to a discrete attribute of the new organization.

Japanese Units Sent to Taiwan: A Historical Account

Pre-War Context and Early Deployments (1930s–1941)

Taiwan, under Japanese colonial rule since 1895, was a strategic outpost in the western Pacific. By the late 1930s, Japan fortified it as a staging base for operations in China and Southeast Asia. Air units began arriving to counter Chinese resistance and prepare for broader Pacific conflict.

Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service (IJNAS) Units

12th Rengo Kōkūtai (12th Combined Air Group)

Deployment: Late 1930s, with elements sent to Taiwan by 1940.
Role: Initially equipped with Mitsubishi G3M bombers and early Zero prototypes (A6M2), this unit used Taiwan as a rear base for bombing campaigns against Chongqing and Chengdu during the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Event: On September 13, 1940, 13 Zeros, possibly staging through Taiwan, escorted bombers over Chongqing, downing 13–27 Chinese fighters (Polikarpov I-15s and I-16s) without loss, marking the Zero’s dominance.

Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group)

Deployment: Formed October 1, 1941, at Tainan Air Base, southern Taiwan.
Role: Transitioned from Mitsubishi A5M "Claude" fighters to A6M Zeros by late 1941. Trained elite pilots for Pacific operations.
Significance: Home to aces like Saburō Sakai, Hiroyoshi Nishizawa, and Tetsuzō Iwamoto, who honed skills in Taiwan before deploying elsewhere.

Imperial Japanese Army Air Force (IJAAF) Units

Early Presence: Small detachments arrived in the late 1930s, stationed inland at bases like Taihoku (Taipei).

Aircraft: Nakajima Ki-27 "Nate" and later Ki-43 "Oscar" fighters.
Role: Supported IJNAS operations in China, focusing on ground support and local defense, but remained secondary to Navy units.

Outbreak of the Pacific War (1941–1942)

With the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 (December 8 in Taiwan), Taiwan became a launchpad for Japan’s southern offensives. Units stationed there or sent temporarily played critical roles.

Tainan Kōkūtai

Event: On December 8, 1941, Zeros from Tainan Air Base attacked U.S. airfields in the Philippines (e.g., Clark Field), destroying P-40 Warhawks and supporting Japan’s invasion.
Deployment Shift: By January–February 1942, many Tainan Kōkūtai pilots and Zeros redeployed to forward bases like Denpasar (Bali) and Rabaul (New Britain), but Taiwan remained a training and reinforcement hub.
April 1942: Conducted raids on Allied shipping from Taiwan, leveraging the Zero’s 1,930-mile range with drop tanks.

Other IJNAS Units

3rd Kōkūtai: Elements arrived in Taiwan in late 1941 to support early Pacific campaigns, using Zeros for patrols and escort missions.
Role: Covered landings in Malaya and the Dutch East Indies from Taiwan bases.

IJAAF Units

Reinforcements: Additional Ki-43-equipped units were sent to Taiwan in 1941–1942 to bolster defenses and coordinate with IJNAS operations, though specifics are less documented due to their secondary role.

Mid-War Transition and Defensive Buildup (1942–1943)

As Japan’s offensive momentum waned, Taiwan’s role shifted from an attack base to a logistical and defensive stronghold. New units arrived or were formed to counter growing Allied pressure.

Tainan Kōkūtai

Continued Presence: While many pilots moved to forward areas, replacements trained in Taiwan. The unit sent Zeros to Rabaul and the Philippines, maintaining Taiwan as a rear base.
Mid-1943: Began intercepting U.S. reconnaissance flights over Taiwan as Allied forces approached.

253rd Kōkūtai

Deployment: Formed in 1942, elements arrived in Taiwan by mid-1943.
Role: Equipped with Zeros, it focused on air defense as U.S. submarines and aircraft increased activity near Taiwan.

IJAAF Units

Expansion: More Ki-43 and Ki-44 "Tojo" units were deployed to inland bases like Taihoku and Kaohsiung, supporting Navy air defense efforts.

Formosa Air Battle and Defensive Crisis (1944)

By 1944, Taiwan faced direct Allied attacks, culminating in the Formosa Air Battle (October 12–16, 1944), a major engagement tied to the Leyte Gulf campaign.

Units Involved

Tainan Kōkūtai and 253rd Kōkūtai
Role: Defended Taiwan against over 1,000 U.S. carrier aircraft (F6F Hellcats, F4U Corsairs) from the Third Fleet.
Event: Suffered heavy losses—hundreds of Zeros destroyed—as less-experienced pilots faced superior Allied numbers and tactics. Japan claimed exaggerated victories (e.g., 11 carriers sunk), but the IJNAS was crippled.
New Arrivals
61st Air Flotilla: Sent to Taiwan in early 1944 under the Combined Fleet, overseeing NAGs like 261st, 263rd, and 761st.
Role: Coordinated air defense and later kamikaze operations.

IJAAF Contribution

Provided limited support with Ki-43s and Ki-61 "Tony" fighters, but remained outmatched by U.S. air power.

Kamikaze Operations and Final Units (Late 1944–1945)

With conventional air superiority lost, Taiwan became a key kamikaze launch site. New units were sent or formed locally.

Kamikaze Units

Deployment: From October 1944, Zeros (A6M5 and A6M7 variants) were converted for suicide missions, launched from Taiwan against Allied ships off Leyte and Okinawa.
Taiwan NAG: Appears under Southwest Area Fleet (March 1, 1945), likely a locally formed or reassigned unit for kamikaze and defense roles.
Other NAGs: Units like 132nd, 133rd, 165th, 634th, 765th, and 1021st NAGs (March–May 1945) were sent or stationed in Taiwan, reflecting a desperate buildup.

Taiwanese Involvement

Over 80,000 Taiwanese were conscripted into the IJN by 1945, many flying Zeros in kamikaze missions from Taiwan bases. Over 30,000 died, underscoring the human cost.

Endgame

8-May-45: Combined Fleet units (132nd, 133rd, 205th, 765th NAGs) remained in Taiwan.
15-Jun-45: Units disbanded as Japan prepared to surrender (August 15, 1945).

Key Units Sent to Taiwan
Period Units
Pre-War and Early War 12th Rengo Kōkūtai (1940), Tainan Kōkūtai (1941), 3rd Kōkūtai (1941), IJAAF detachments (Ki-27, Ki-43 units)
Mid-War 253rd Kōkūtai (1943), Additional IJAAF units (Ki-43, Ki-44)
Late War 61st Air Flotilla (1944), Taiwan NAG (1945), 132nd, 133rd, 165th, 634th, 765th, 1021st NAGs (1945)

 

Significant Dates
Date Event
July 1940 Zero debut, supported from Taiwan.
October 1, 1941 Tainan Kōkūtai formed.
December 8, 1941 Philippine attacks from Taiwan.
Mid-1943 Defensive shift begins.
October 12–16, 1944 Formosa Air Battle.
March 1, 1945 Taiwan NAG active.
August 15, 1945 Surrender ends operations.

Summary

Japanese units sent to Taiwan evolved from offensive forces (1940–1942) to defensive and kamikaze units (1943–1945). The Tainan Kōkūtai was the cornerstone early on, with later arrivals like the 253rd Kōkūtai, 61st Air Flotilla, and Taiwan NAG reflecting Japan’s desperate defense as the war turned. Taiwan’s bases, especially Tainan and Taihoku, were vital hubs until the end.

 

Imperial Japanese Aircraft Carriers
Imperial Japanese Aircraft Carriers

The Official Chronology of the U.S. Navy in World War II

Chronology of the USN in WWII

  1939   1940   1941   1942   1943   1944   1945

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    Magazine References: +

  • Airfix Magazines (English) - http://www.airfix.com/
  • Avions (French) - http://www.aerostories.org/~aerobiblio/rubrique10.html
  • FlyPast (English) - http://www.flypast.com/
  • Flugzeug Publikations GmbH (German) - http://vdmedien.com/flugzeug-publikations-gmbh-hersteller_verlag-vdm-heinz-nickel-33.html
  • Flugzeug Classic (German) - http://www.flugzeugclassic.de/
  • Klassiker (German) - http://shop.flugrevue.de/abo/klassiker-der-luftfahrt
  • Le Fana de L'Aviation (French) - http://boutique.editions-lariviere.fr/site/abonnement-le-fana-de-l-aviation-626-4-6.html
  • Le Fana de L'Aviation (French) - http://www.pdfmagazines.org/tags/Le+Fana+De+L+Aviation/
  • Osprey (English) - http://www.ospreypublishing.com/
  • Revi Magazines (Czech) - http://www.revi.cz/

      Web References: +

  • Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_air_groups_of_the_Imperial_Japanese_Navy
  • Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_A6M_Zero
  • Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_Japanese_Navy_Air_Service
  • Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Mitsubishi_A6M_Zero_operators
  • Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamikaze
  • Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetsuz%C5%8D_Iwamoto
  • http://mitsubishi_zero.tripod.com/
  • http://ww2db.com/aircraft_spec.php?aircraft_model_id=3
  • http://www.combinedfleet.com/ijna/a6m.htm
  • http://www.combinedfleet.com/ijna/a6m-k.htm
  • http://www.combinedfleet.com/ijna/a6m-n.htm
  • http://www.j-aircraft.com/research/WarPrizes.htm

 

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