Japanese Ace
Kunio Iwashita
Kawanishi N1K2-J "George"
By Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette
Aviation Art Store
Print Size 12x18"
Limited Edition $75.00
Limited Edition prints are signed and numbered by the artist and signed by the aviator.
Open Edition $18.00
Open Edition prints are signed by the artist.
Iwashita was born on March 1, 1921. He joined the prestigious Naval Academy in 1938 and graduated in 1941. The men who went to the academy were Japan's elite, and underwent difficult training, which included intense physical exercises along with class work such as foreign language study and physics.
After successfully graduating as an aviator, Iwashita received a ceremonial silver watch from the Emperor, which was a great honor. Unfortunately, Iwashita's brother, a pilot from the carrier Zuikaku, was killed in 1942 during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. Today, he still mourns the loss of his respected older brother.
In March 1943, he was assigned as a flight instructor, and in November of that same year, he became Division Leader of the 301st Air Group. Based on Iwo Jima Island, this Air Group fought the massive American aerial armadas and suffered heavy casualties. It was during this time when he experienced his first combat melee with an F6F Hellcat. To this day, Iwashita vividly remembers the young American pilot with his white muffler going down in flames. He also recalls the help of veteran Zero pilot Iyozoh Fujita, who always protected him during these brutal air battles.
In July 1944, he transferred from the 301st Air Group and became the Squadron Commander of the 701st Air Group. After a short stint with the 701st, in November 1944 he transferred to the 401st Air Group, which was based at Clark Airbase in the Philippines. Iwashita and his men flew the New Shiden (allied code name George) against the Americans.
It was a good airplane, but unfortunately a lack of spare parts caused frequent mechanical failures. Iwashita and his men encountered a number of American planes, including the P-38, B-24 and F6F Hellcat.
The Americans pounded Clark Airbase with large-scale attacks and eventually captured it. According to Iwashita, many of his men escaped to the mountains west of the airbase after the capture. There the majority of his squadron members died due to illness and hunger. Iwashita was one of the lucky aviators to escape via a transport plane.
Iwashita's next assignment was with the elite Yokosuka Air Group, flying home defense missions against marauding American carrier fighters and the legendary B-29 Superfortress. When the Battle of Okinawa broke out, he and a group of pilots were sent to southern Kyushu. Their job was to protect the Kamikaze special attack aircraft on their flights to Okinawa.
On April 12, Iwashita led a large group of Zero fighters to attack Okinawa. During this mission, a brutal aerial melee occurred with a large group of F4U Corsairs. Iwashita found himself alone in the sky. Four F4U Corsairs then jumped him, attacking his aircraft repeatedly. He survived the dogfight by out-maneuvering them and Iwashita returned to his base. There, his comrades were surprised to see that he survived the melee. According to him, the fantastic maneuverability of the Zero saved his life. Iwashita ended the war serving with the Yokosuka Air Group. He had 1300 flight hours during the war, flying several different fighters in combat including the Zero, George (Shiden-Kai) and Jack (Raiden).
After the war ended, he returned home and retired from the military. Iwashita was lucky to survive the brutal air battles over Iwo Jima, Philippines, Okinawa and Japan. Of the thirty-five pilots in his graduating class, only four (including Iwashita) survived the war. In his post-war years he was president for a company dealing with aqua-culture feed for forty years and currently serves as a director for the firm.
Today, Iwashita is still active with his fellow veterans and serves as the President of the Zero Pilots' Association.
Text by Ron Werneth
A picture of a very confident warrior.
A more relaxed looking Iwashita at one of the many airfields he flew from.
Iwashita signs the prints.
All research, writings and artwork are by Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette.
No one is permitted to republish any part of this story with out my personal permission.
Please call or e-mail me for any use of this story.
I do not mind sharing, just call or e-mail and ask for permission.
Sir. Ernie Hamilton Boyette
904-282-4198
e-mail: aviationartstore@peoplepc.com
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2-10-07