China-Burma-India WWII

(1904–May 22, 1942)

Japanese Army Fighter Pilot

Popularly hailed as the “War God,” Kato was the most celebrated pilot of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force in World War II. He put up formidable opposition to the famous Flying Tigers in Burma before losing his life in a minor skirmish.

Tateo Kato was born in Japan in 1904, the son of a soldier. His father, Tetsuo Kato, was killed in the Russo-Japanese War of that year, which spurred his orphan son to himself seek a military career. Accordingly, Kato graduated from the Imperial Army Military Academy in July 1925, with dreams of becoming a pilot. He next underwent flight training at Tokorozawa in May 1927 and proved so gifted a flier that he performed demonstration flights for the graduating audience. Kato was then posted with the Sixth Hiko Rentai (flight regiment) in Pyongyang, Korea. For several years thereafter, he served as a flight instructor at several fighter schools, and by 1936 he had advanced to squadron commander. The Sino-Japanese War erupted in July 1937, and Kato, flying Kawasaki Ki 10 biplanes, distinguished himself by downing four Russian-made Polikarpov I-15s on March 25, 1938. Soon after, his unit was equipped with the modern Nakajima Ki 27 monoplane fighters and Japanese air supremacy over China was complete. By May 1938, Kato’s unit had claimed 39 enemy craft for a loss of only three Ki 27s—with Kato himself claiming four more kills. He then rotated back to Japan with a final tally of nine, which made him the leading ace of the war. Kato spent the next two years attending the Army Staff School and also visited Europe to inspect the German Luftwaffe.

Prior to the Pacific War in December 1941, Major Kato became head of the 64th Sentai (fighter group), soon renowned as one of Japan’s best outfits. At this time the unit was equipped with brand-new Nakajima Ki 43 Hayabusa (Peregrine Falcon) fighters, which Allied forces later designated the “Oscar.” This was a radial-engined, lightly built craft equipped with special butterfly flaps and legendary maneuverability. Kato himself was a fearless, charismatic individual, unique among officers of his grade for accompanying his men into combat. Without exception, he always led by example and was highly prized by squadron mates. Kato began the war by escorting naval vessels to Malaysia in preparation for the conquest of Singapore.

Over the next few weeks the 64th Sentai skirmished repeatedly with Hawker Hurricanes and Brewster Buffalos of the Royal Air Force (RAF), driving them from the sky. However, Japanese aerial units were particularly hard-hit over Rangoon, Burma, defended by aircraft of the American Volunteer Group (AVG) of Gen. Claire L. Chennault, better known as the Flying Tigers.

For this reason, the 64th Sentai was transferred 2,000 miles from Malaysia to Bangkok, Thailand, as reinforcements. On December 23, 1941, he escorted several heavy bomber formations on a large raid over Rangoon—and straight into an AVG trap. In the ensuing scrape, the Flying Tigers claimed 16 bombers and two Ki 43 fighters in exchange for four British and two American craft, a stunning reversal. The secret of Chennault’s success lay with his tactics: Knowing that his heavier Curtiss P-40 Warhawks could not dogfight their more nimble adversaries, he instructed his pilots to climb high, then dive upon their intended targets. This was a tactic that the Japanese—including Kato himself—never countered. Soon after the Rangoon debacle, the 64th Sentai transferred back to the East Indies for additional fighting, but they would settle old scores with the AVG soon enough.

Throughout February 1942 Kato’s men performed sterling work eliminating British and Dutch aircraft from Sumatra and Java. He then gained a promotion to lieutenant colonel in March, and his aerial exploits caused such public adoration that Kato became hailed as the “War God.” This is a singularly unusual tribute for a culture that traditionally discounts individual acts in favor of the group—but also a good indication of his national celebrity. Kato subsequently flew back to Chang Mai, Thailand, where the AVG was still active and giving Japanese aviation fits. This was underscored on March 24, 1942, when a flight of six P-40s staged a surprise attack upon Chang Mai, destroying several aircraft. But two could play at this game, and on April 8, 1942, Kato led 11 fighters on a stately raid against Loiwing, the main AVG base. Chennault by that time had perfected an early-warning network to alert him to Japanese attacks, so several Flying Tigers were scrambled and awaiting Kato’s approach from high altitude. A sharp fight erupted over the field, and four Ki 43s were shot down without loss. Both sides then paused to receive reinforcements before renewing the struggle.

On April 10, Kato again led eight Hayabusas against Loiwing, only this time on a nighttime flight over the mountains. Arriving over the American airbase at dawn, the Japanese repeatedly strafed long rows of Allied aircraft, inflicting some damage, before flying home without loss. That same afternoon the 64th Sentai made another appearance over Loiwing, but Chennault this time was ready for them. A swirling dogfight erupted, and two Japanese craft and two RAF Hurricanes were downed. The AVG, as usual, took no losses. The final slap occurred on April 29, 1941, Emperor Hirohito’s birthday, when Chennault anticipated that the Japanese would mount a major effort against Loiwing in his honor. He guessed correctly, and that afternoon Kato led 20 Hayabusas and 24 Ki 21 heavy bombers on a run. The AVG ambushed them again, shooting down two fighters and several bombers. But the day after, Japanese ground forces captured nearby Lashio, forcing the Americans to abandon Loiwing altogether. In their repeated skirmishes with the 64th Sentai, the AVG had the better of it, shooting down 11 Ki 43s for a loss of six P-40s. It was a display of skill and sacrifice reflecting the greatest merit to both sides.

By comparison, the Japanese land campaign in Burma was startlingly successful. To stem the Japanese advance, the RAF frequently sortied light bombers from airfields in India to harass them. On May 22, 1942, a flight of three Bristol Blenheims took off to attack Akyab airfield, but mechanical problems forced two to abort. The final craft approached low over the Bay of Bengal and dropped its bombs, triggering a quick Japanese response. Several flights of the 64th Sentai were on hand to intercept this lone intruder, which pluckily beat them off. At length Kato arrived in company with two other Hayabusas. The three made raking passes at the British aircraft, but as Kato pulled up from his dive, the British tailgunner sent a long burst into his exposed belly. The Ki 43 started burning, and Kato realized that his craft would never make it back to Akyab.

Without hesitation, he quickly half-looped the stricken craft and dove directly into the ocean, killing himself. His death came as a shock to the Japanese people, who perpetuated his memory through the song “Kato Hayabusa Sentoki Tai” (Kato’s Fighter Air Group). At the time of his passing, Kato was credited with 18 kills. The “War God” was also posthumously elevated two grades to major general, a standard Japanese practice. More important, the lessons he taught the 64th Sentai allowed it to continue fighting successfully without him. It would emerge as the most famous Japanese army air force unit of World War II.

Bibliography

Busechel, Richard M. Nakajima Ki–43 Hayabusa. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Military/Aviation History, 1995; Ford, Daniel. The Flying Tigers: Claire Chennault and the American Volunteer Group. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institute Press, 1991; Izawa, Yasuo. “Japan’s Red Eagles: The 64th Flying Squadron.” Air Classics 8 (July–August 1972): 11–17, 38–47; 9 (1973): 24–29, 74–75, 82; Sakaida, Henry. Japanese Army Air Force Aces, 1937–1945. London: Osprey, 1997; Scott, Peter. Emblems of the Rising Sun: Imperial Japanese Army Air Force Unit Markings. Aldershot, Hants, UK: Hinoki, 1999; Shores, Christopher F., and Yasuho Izawa. Bloody Shambles. 2 vols. London: Grubb Street, 1992–1993; Stanaway, John. Nakajima Ki-43 “Hayabusa”: Allied Code Name Oscar. Bennington, VT: Merriam Press, 2000.