Battle of Okinawa

[Aviar]

I'm trying to find out just what types of warplanes were used by the Japanese during the Battle of Okinawa, 1945. Specifically, exactly what types were based on the island itself.

I've tried looking on the internet but but I couldn't find any solid information. Any links would be appreciated.

Aviar

[Pershing]

Corret me if I'm wrong, but there were no japanese airforces on Okinawa at April 1945. At that moment all airfields were bombed out by US carrier-based airforces...

[Juri_JS]

Some time ago I tried to research the same question, but without much success. According to the sources I found, the number of Japanese planes on Okinawa itself was relatively small, the majority was based on Kyushu. Nonetheless on 27, 28 and 29 March aircraft from Kadena airfield on Okinawa flew kamikaze missions and damaged some American ships.

If you want more detailed information, you should ask the people at j-aircraft:
http://www.j-aircraft.org/smf/index.php

[Aviar]

Some people may be surprised at the intensity of the battle for Okinawa. Some text from an article:

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Aircraft losses over the three-month period were 768 U.S. planes, including those bombing the Kyushu airfields launching kamikazes. Combat losses were 458, and the other 310 were operational accidents. Japanese aircraft losses were 7,830 over the same period, including 2,655 to operational accidents. Navy and Marine Corps fighters downed 3,047, while shipboard anti-aircraft fire felled 409, and B-29s destroyed 558 on the ground.[21]

At sea, 368 Allied ships—including 120 amphibious craft—were damaged while another 28—including 15 amphibious ships and 12 destroyers—were sunk during the Okinawa campaign. The U.S. Navy's dead exceeded its wounded with 4,907 killed and 4,874 wounded, primarily from kamikaze attacks.[22] Among United States casualties, neither the Army nor the Marine death toll exceeded the Navy death toll in the battle for Okinawa.[21] The Japanese lost 16 ships sunk, including the battleship Yamato.
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Source: http://wiki.ask.com/Battle_of_Okinawa


Aviar

[IceFire]

I believe the majority of air operations were coming from Kyushu bases. Chiran, Fukoka, and Ashiya. Typical types would be Ki-43, Ki-61 and Ki-100, some Ki-84s and probably a mix of Zeros and Betty's in the mix as well with some carrying the Okha flying bomb.

This might help a bit: http://members.fortunecity.com/gurney/IJAAF/IJAAF.html