Mitsubishi G4M1 (Betty) - 705Ku: In December 1943 a part of the 705
Kokutai advanced to Tongu* in Burma (Myanmar) and on the 5th in cooperation with IJAAF aircraft bombed the Indian city of Calcutta (Kolkata).
The captions below are from a short news film of this raid offering excellent interior views of the Mitsubishi G4M1. You can see the film
HERE.
Originally called Misawa Ku with the letter "H" as their tail marking, the unit became 705 Ku on November 1st, 1942. Until about March 1943 it continued to use the "H" but at around that time and until September 1943 changed to "TI" (or T1). From September 1943 until March 1944, the time of the Calcutta raid, the unit used only numerals on the aircraft tails.
In the above series of captions notice the Army officers on board a Navy aircraft.
Rare view of the dorsal blister
A very young looking radio operator
And finally two captions of the tail gunner with the 20mm cannon.
Searching the net I located
this quite interesting site that offers some vivid descriptions of those in the receiving end, although I must admit I was not comfortable with the shortened version of the word Japanese.
*I was not able to pinpoint "Tongu" (Japanese pronunciation) in Burma but did find Tongue Island. Any help?
It is Taungoo or Toungoo. In 1940 the Royal Air Force built an airfield north of the town, which from August 1941 through February 1942 served as a training and support base for the American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers). Later it was also used by Japanese Air Forces.
Regards,
LAW
Thank you LAW
