1980-82, when I was an Allison J-33 turbojet engine techie with the CAF’s T-33 fleet, some ghost stories about the kamikaze pilots were still widely circulated at Gangshan AFB. Under the Japanese occupation, Gangshan in southern Taiwan was one of the main IJN airfields during the WWII, and our ground crew quarter was the very kamikaze barrack. Then they used the Type-96 attack bomber and Zero Sen, while other IJN Sentais also operated in southern Taiwan, namely Tainan and Dongan. The former flew Zero, Type-2 and Type-98 land-based recon, the latter used Type-2 float fighter and Type-2 flying boat. All advanced attack bomber crewmen were trained at Xinzhu with B7A Ryusei and P1Y1 Ginga, etc.
In 1945, the IJA 8th Hikoshidan was the major Japanese air strength in Taiwan. Under the 8th, the Taipei based 10th Sentai used Type-98 attack bombers, as well Type-94, Type-97, Type-100 HQ recons, and the Xinzhu based 29th Sentai used Type-2 fighters. Both the 14th and 50th Sentais operated at Jiayi, the 14th used Type-4 and Type-97 bombers, the 50th used Type-1, Type-4, and Type-97 fighters. Pingdong airfield housed the 8th and 13th Sentais, the 8th used Type-97, Type-100 recons, and Type-99 bombers, while Type-1, Type-2, Type-4 , Type-97 fighters and Type-97, Type-100 recons flew with the 13th. September 22nd, 1945, 389 IJN aircraft stationed in Taiwan began surrendered to China, and several current CAF bases were started from then IJN and IJA airfields. These soon-to-be scrap metal received by the CAF only played a minor role, as the U.S. types did (struggled to survive off) the heavy lifting.
It’s the Communists took full advantage of few IJA trophies when they planned to slowly gain altitude in Manchuria. Right after the VJ Day, the Reds were nothing short of reform of their military might to broaden their reach. January 1, 1946, a crude air force was found, slowly but irrevocably slipping from Nationalist centre’s grasp. Two months later, 20 pilots, 24 techies, 72 mechanics, and near 200 more ground crews of the IJA 101st Training Regiment, 2nd Hikoshidan, started working for the newly-established Northeastern Aviation School. Among the 120 plus IJA aircraft received by the Reds in Manchuria, 46 units were passed onto this facility, while 36 serviceable ones became the backbone of covert training. The Reds slaughtered its way across China, declaring RPOC in 1949.
