Just as Germany had JV-44, its squadron of aces, so Japan had the 343 Kokutai. Actually, it would be more of a group as there were three squadrons of N1K2-J Shiden-kai and one of C5N Sauin. The analogy gets even weaker as the war record is compared, for JV-44 was not very successful in terms of destroying Allied aircraft, while the 343 Kokutai had a much greater success in that area. Of course, the 343rd also was in action for a greater period of time; from February to August of 1945, while JV-44 was only actually in combat for the last two months of the war in Europe and faced real problems with lack of fuel and constant moving.

Thanks to decades of research, the authors of this book have been able to piece together a very good historical record of the most famous of Japanese fighter units. Much of the information had to come from US combat records as the 343rd, along with many other Japanese organizations, destroyed most of its records in the days following the surrender. A great deal of assistance was given by surviving members of the 343 Kokutai through the 343 Kokutai Organization, and their families. The result is an outstanding unit history.

The book provides both the American as well as the Japanese perspective of the various combat operations. As you might expect, there is a lot of air to air combat action, and having both sides of the story offers a somewhat unique perspective that one rarely gets when dealing with the Pacific air war.

In addition to the many rare and previously unpublished photographs, there are excellent color profiles of many of the aircraft of the 343rd. There are also several appendices listing known pilots and aircraft of the various units involved. In addition, there are surviving aircraft from this unit at the NASM, Naval Aviation Museum, and perhaps also at the USAF Museum, so you can see some of the aircraft from this book.

Overall, it is undoubtedly the finest book of its type on a Japanese aviation unit and is highly recommended.

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