Little is written about Japanese units of WWII so whenever I find one, like this issue, I pick it up. It covers the 3rd Kokutai, which was in action over the Netherlands East Indies and later Rabaul and the Solomons during 1942.

The book starts out with a human interest story, as is typical for Kagero publications. It then goes into the familiar format of covering the unit's actions and interspersing the factual information with the 'I was there' sort of stories that has made this series so popular.

As was typical of the Japanese advance, the unit was most successful during the early stages of the war when operating against the Dutch in the NEI and later against the Australians during missions against Darwin and bases in the general area. One thing I didn't realize is that every JNAF unit had at least one or more C5M recce planes to lead the fighter units the long distance to the target. These planes generally flew high and away from the fighting once the objective was reached since they were unarmed.

During the fighting the unit was renamed from 3 Kokutai to 202 Kokutai and was effectively decimated in the high attrition fighting over Guadalcanal. It did go on to operate in New Guinea, Truk, the Marianas, Yap and Palau, but was really not an effective fighting force, finally being disbanded in mid 1944.

Those looking for quality profiles will not be disappointed as there are several of A6M2s as well as a C5M, Ki-46, A6M5 from the final year, and a P-40E. Every Kagero book offers a 'goodie' and this one is a sheet of plain Hinomaru's in both 1/72 and 1/48 scale. I'd have liked to have seen some tail codes added in but that was not to be.

Overall, a very good book and not rife with syntax errors as some of these dual language books can be at times. If your interest is in Japanese units or the Pacific war, then you should consider adding this one to your shelf.

Review book courtesy of me.

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