The Fighter Ace who Downed 11 planes in a Single Day
TLDRWarrant Officer Hiromichi Shinohara, a pilot of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force, emerged as a flying ace during the Soviet-Japanese border conflict in 1939. At the age of 26, Shinohara achieved remarkable feats, shooting down 58 Soviet aircraft in just 93 days, a record unmatched by any other Japanese Army pilot. His combat skills were showcased in the massive aerial dogfight over Tom Sakulak, where he downed 11 enemy planes in a single day. Despite his heroic efforts, Shinohara met a tragic end when his plane was hit by Soviet fighters, leading to his death. His legacy lives on as a testament to the ferocity and skill of pilots during this largely forgotten conflict, which saw over 150 planes engaged in combat and resulted in significant casualties and aircraft losses.
Takeaways
- 🌟 Hiromichi Shinohara was a deadly warrior pilot for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force during the Soviet-Japanese Border Conflict in 1939.
- 🗓️ The massive aerial dogfight took place on June 27, 1939, involving over 150 airplanes, just before World War II began.
- 💥 The battles of Kalkangol, also known as the Namanhan Incident, resulted in over 45,000 casualties and the destruction of around 360 aircraft.
- ✈️ The conflict saw both sides fly over 12,000 sorties, fire nearly 3 million rounds of ammunition, and drop over 2,000 tons of bombs.
- 🇯🇵 The Japanese suffered a humiliating defeat with roots in the 1931 invasion of Manchuria and subsequent strained relations with Soviet-backed Mongolia.
- 🔥 The escalation began with a minor border dispute that turned into a full-scale conflict involving advanced military technology and aircraft.
- 🛫 Shinohara, a career pilot and son of a peasant farmer, flew the Nakajima Ki-27 Nate, a capable but lightly armed fighter aircraft.
- ⚔️ He achieved an incredible feat by shooting down four Soviet Polikarpov I-16 fighters and six more enemy aircraft on his first and second combat missions, respectively.
- 🐺 Shinohara's dogfighting technique was likened to that of a lone wolf, preferring to fly and hunt prey alone.
- 🎖️ By August 27, 1939, he had accumulated 55 victories, an unparalleled record for the Japanese Army pilots of that time.
- 💔 Hiromichi Shinohara was killed in action after being attacked by a pack of I-16 fighters, ending his life just after his 26th birthday.
- 🏆 Posthumously promoted to Flight Officer Second Lieutenant, Shinohara's record of 58 downed Soviet aircraft in less than 93 days was never surpassed by any other Japanese Army pilot.
Q & A
What was the date of the aerial dogfight involving Hiromichi Shinohara?
-The aerial dogfight involving Hiromichi Shinohara took place on June 27, 1939.
What was the broader conflict during which the dogfight occurred?
-The dogfight occurred during the Soviet-Japanese Border Conflict, also known as the Battles of Khalkhin Gol or the Nomonhan Incident.
How many casualties resulted from the Soviet-Japanese Border Conflict?
-The conflict resulted in over 45,000 casualties.
What was the name of the aircraft Hiromichi Shinohara flew during his first combat mission?
-Hiromichi Shinohara flew the Nakajima Ki-27, also known as the 'Nate,' during his first combat mission.
How many aircraft did Shinohara reportedly shoot down on June 27th, 1939?
-On June 27th, 1939, Shinohara reportedly shot down 11 enemy aircraft in a single day.
What was the tactic that Shinohara used to achieve his victories?
-Shinohara used a tactic of swooping down at high speeds on the enemy and then turning sharply while firing.
What was the total number of victories Shinohara had before his death?
-Hiromichi Shinohara had amassed a total of 58 victories before his death.
How did Hiromichi Shinohara die?
-Shinohara died after his plane was hit during an attack by a large pack of Polikarpov I-16 fighters. His plane spiraled downwards in flames and crashed into Lake Moherehi.
What was the significance of the air combat during the Soviet-Japanese Border Conflict?
-The air combat during the Soviet-Japanese Border Conflict was significant as it was on a scale and ferocity not seen since World War I, with large numbers of sorties and a heavy use of ammunition and bombs.
What was the outcome of the conflict for the Japanese?
-The conflict ended in a humiliating defeat for the Japanese, marking a significant setback before their entry into World War II.
What was the role of the airfield at Syenzo during the conflict?
-The airfield at Syenzo was highly important as it was the nearest Japanese airfield to the front line, playing a crucial role in supporting the Japanese offensive.
What was the rumor regarding one of the Soviet pilots that Shinohara may have encountered?
-There was a rumor that Shinohara's wingtip may have clipped the parachute of an escaping I-15 pilot, causing it to tear and the pilot to fall to his death, though it is unclear if this was intentional or accidental.
Outlines
🏴✈️ The Battle of Kalkangol and Hiromichi Shinohara's Early Combat Career
The first paragraph introduces Hiromichi Shinohara, a pilot of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force, during the Soviet-Japanese Border Conflict in 1939. The conflict, which included the pivotal Battle of Kalkangol, was a significant precursor to World War II and resulted in substantial casualties and aircraft losses. Shinohara, a 26-year-old warrant officer, was a key participant in these battles. He was a career pilot, having joined the army air force in 1932, and flew the Nakajima Ki-27 'Nate', which was a capable fighter despite being lightly armed. Shinohara's skillful dogfighting, likened to a lone wolf hunting, led to the downing of multiple Soviet aircraft, including the Polikarpov I-16 'Donkey', and he quickly gained recognition as a flying ace.
🎖️ Shinohara's Heroics and Tragic End
The second paragraph details Hiromichi Shinohara's remarkable achievements as a pilot, including his record of shooting down 55 enemy aircraft in less than 93 days, which was unparalleled among Japanese army pilots. It recounts his bravery in attempting to rescue a fellow pilot and his final mission on August 27, 1939, when he was escorting a bomber formation. Despite being outnumbered, Shinohara managed to down three Polikarpov I-16 fighters before his plane was hit and he tragically died after crashing into Lake Moherehi. His posthumous promotion to Flight Officer Second Lieutenant and the recovery of his personal items, including a German Mauser pistol, are also mentioned. The paragraph concludes with a brief mention of the limited survival rate of Japanese pilots from the border conflict who later faced the devastating events of World War II.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Hiromichi Shinohara
💡Soviet-Japanese Border Conflict
💡Imperial Japanese Army Air Force
💡Nakajima Ki-27
💡Polikarpov I-16
💡Aerial Dogfight
💡Manchuria
💡Air Power
💡Ace Pilot
💡World War II
💡Mitsubishi K21 Sally
Highlights
On June 27, 1939, a massive aerial dogfight involving over 150 airplanes took place over Tom Sakulak on the border of Manchuria and Mongolia during the Soviet-Japanese border conflict.
Warrant Officer Hiromichi Shinohara, a 26-year-old pilot of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force, was one of the key figures in this battle, which was just before the start of World War II.
The Soviet-Japanese border conflicts from May to September 1939 resulted in over 45,000 casualties and the destruction of around 360 aircraft.
It is estimated that during the four-month long border clash, both sides flew over 12,000 sorties, fired nearly 3 million rounds of ammunition, and dropped over 2,000 tons of bombs.
The conflict began with a dispute over the Manchurian-Mongolian border, escalating from a minor border dispute to a full-scale conflict involving numerous planes and tanks.
Hiromichi Shinohara, a career pilot and son of a peasant farmer, had risen through the ranks after transferring from the cavalry in 1932.
Shinohara flew the Nakajima Ki-27 Nate, a highly capable fighter aircraft, and managed to shoot down four Soviet Polikarpov I-16 fighters on his first combat mission.
His dogfighting technique was likened to that of a lone wolf hunting, preferring to fly alone and patiently stalk his prey.
On the next day after his first mission, Shinohara added six more enemy aircraft to his tally using a high-speed swooping tactic.
A rumor circulated that Shinohara may have caused an enemy pilot's parachute to tear and fall apart, resulting in the pilot's death, though it was unclear if this was intentional.
In just the first two days of combat, Shinohara became a flying ace with a record of 11 enemy aircraft shot down on June 27 alone.
Shinohara demonstrated great courage by landing his aircraft on the battlefield to rescue a fellow pilot, despite his plane being damaged in the process.
By August 27, 1939, Shinohara had accumulated an astonishing 55 victories, making him one of the most successful Japanese army pilots.
Tragically, Shinohara was killed in action on August 27, 1939, after his plane was hit by enemy fire and crashed into Lake Moherehi.
Posthumously, Shinohara was promoted to the rank of Flight Officer Second Lieutenant, and his record of 58 downed Soviet aircraft in less than 93 days was unparalleled among Japanese army pilots.
Very few Japanese pilots who lived through the border conflict survived World War II due to the intensity of the Pacific War and the near-total destruction of the Japanese air force by 1945.
A limited edition Simple History Soldier Plushie was available for purchase from September 4th to the 18th, symbolizing the historical significance of the Soviet-Japanese border conflict.
Transcripts
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