Miyakonojo Hayate Shinbu Special Attack Corps Monument
Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture
Starting in April 1945 during the Battle of Okinawa, kamikaze pilots sortied
in Type 4 Hayate fighters from the east and west airfields of Miyakonojo
Army Air Base. Between April 6 and July 1, 79 pilots in the Shinbu Corps [1]
flew Hayate fighters on kamikaze attacks. Nearly all of these pilots were
from 18 to 23 years old.
Miyakonojo City erected the Hayate Shinbu Special Attack Corps Monument in
November 1977 in Miyakojima Park. The park also has six other monuments and a
building built in 1938 at the Army Base to house the ashes of the war dead.
A plaque with the following inscription gives the origin of the Hayate Shinbu Special Attack Corps Monument:
In April 1945, the offensive and defensive battle for Okinawa, which
determined the fate of Japan, became especially grim and savage. Special
attack planes with bombs and fuel for one way took off one after another day
and night from Army and Navy air bases in southern Kyushu.
At that time an East Airfield and a West Airfield were located on the
outskirts of the city. In April 1945, Type 4 Hayate fighters serving as
special attack planes took off from this base for the first time to southern
skies toward targets near Okinawa. After that time until July 1, 17 sorties
took place. Believing in success in war and victory for the country, young
special attack corps members, about 20 years old still with faces of boys,
died for our country in far-off southern seas.
With the passing of 32 years since the end of the war, no reminders remain
of those days as the entire base has changed in appearance. Approaching the
33rd anniversary of their deaths, an opportunity arose for bereaved families
of corps members to erect a monument in remembrance of them. This year in June
a support committee was formed with the mayor serving as chairman.
Fortunately, considerable contributions were collected from near and far.
Filled with hopes for eternal peace, we here remember together the spirits of
both special attack corps members and other men related to the base who gave
their lives for our country.
A stone tablet directly to the left of the main monument has
inscribed the names, ages, Shinbu squadron numbers, and sortie dates of the 79 Hayate pilots who died.
|
