Rescue tactics to President Laurel.
   　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 　SAKAI, Yasuaki

I received training of a middle training plane by the Yatabe flight corps. Next, 
training of a medium size attack plane was received by the Toyohashi flight corps.
The units who graduated from the trainee and were attached first were 721 flight 
corps. Next, it was transferred to 1001 flight corps. my duty was copilot of 
medium attack model 1.

We were engaged in the air transport duty between the Kanoya air base and each air
base in Taiwan. From the inside, seven sets were brought together in the Takao air 
base, and the special duty was given. It was early in March, 1945.
Moreover, eight sets participated in this strategy also from the army Biyoto air 
base. The purpose of strategy was escorting VIP from the Philippines.

The air control of the Philippines had become the thing of the U.S. Forces 
completely those days. Therefore, the rescue of a crew left by the Philippines was 
the already interrupted situation.

Moreover, the situation of the Tsugegarao air base in northern Luzon which is 
a destination was also completely unknown. Therefore, take action in order that an 
army airplane might reconnoiter one set and a situation from a Biyoto air base. It 
was 6:00 p.m. on March 10. However, this airplane has refused connection, after 
passing through the Abari bay at the northernmost end of Luzon. One army airplane 
left again on the evening of following the eleventh. However, this airplane did not 
return, either.

The next 12 day, a naval airplane leaves. This airplane was also un-returning 
although pigeon expectation was carried out this time. In such a situation, the 
situation that radio contact could not be taken with a Tsugegarao air force base, 
either continued.

At last, our airplane will leave. It was March 19. It took off from the Takao air 
base at 6:30 p.m. It arrived over the Abari bay around 8:00. When it sees, the thing 
like an enemy ship is in the inside of the bay. It is a picket warship. Action of my 
direction will surely be supervised.

It went to south, acting as watch hard by all the members. Then, tracer grazed the 
body suddenly. However, the figure of an enemy plane is not in sight. it dived and 
got down until sea surface close by a shave And it decided to return. Then, the naval 
airplane left also on the 21 day. However, this airplane was also un-returning.

Our pair will leave again. It was 23 days. However, shooting was received suddenly 
this time as well as last time. And it returned confusedly. When checked on the next 
day, the Bullet had hit engine. However, it seemed to be convenient for flying.
　
It became on the 28 day, there was a long-awaited connection from a Tsugegarao base. 
It is a notice that the President party arrived at the base. There were six airplanes 
which remained those days. An army plane and a navy plane are totaled. However, next 
time is the last opportunity and redo is impossible.

It is the commander of strategy, and First Lieutenant Sato who is also our captain 
assembled and gave instruction in all the members. "Returning, no matter there may be 
what situation this time does not allow !" All the members heard it by pathetic 
preparedness. And it got into each one of airplanes. In the army, in order to guard 
these, it is a talk that a fighter is made to participate.

All airplanes took off by p.m. 6:30. However, engine broke down only within why or 
next time. It may be the cause that the bullet hit in the last sortie. It landed 
immediately, the maintenance man was called and repair was hastened. It has still 
been late for other airplanes about 20 minutes.

The inside of a pitch-black moonless night was arrived at the Abari bay at the 
northernmost end of Luzon. Kagayan River It went to south further, looking at the 
right. The light was ahead visible when it progressed for a while. The shot-down 
airplane seems to be in flames.

The captain shouted. "next time is the last what will land at Tsugegarao anything !"
However, it was attacked by an enemy's night fighter again. However, an enemy's 
fighter cannot be recognized. It is the attack using a radar. The altitude was 
lowered to near the ground. But, returning shortly is not allowed. Then, it goes at 
a super-low altitude to a south direction. Only a Kagayan river is a target.

The place in character with an airfield was found. However, there is no signal from 
the ground. Do they think the enemy plane? The navigation light was switched on, 
circling at a low altitude. Directions of a main operation member a Ogawa second 
lieutenant.

Then, a small red light lit up on the ground. It seems to be the light of a flashlight.
It is a Tsugegarao airfield rightly. However, probably, it will be useless even if it 
requires "Equipment of night landing" like an inland. The flame of the airplane which 
crashed from previously is the only light.

It cannot but depend on the skill of a veteran operation member and a Ogawa second 
lieutenant. Although it thought that it has landed well, it bounded greatly. They are 
the marks of bombing probably. Before the airplane stopped, I stood the seat. And the 
canopy was opened. And the airplane was guided to the position from which it can 
depart immediately. Most holes of a bomb remained as it is, without being buried.

Many people have surrounded the airplane. And it cried. "WATSU!"  The engine has been 
started so that it can take off at any time. And First Lieutenant Sato shouted in a 
loud voice. "It is a naval airplane! Isn't there any naval commander? "

"A commander is here! It was expected that a navy plane came by such situation! "
"Was the President rescued?" "It is still here. The airplane which landed at others 
is not! "  Where did five airplanes left previously go? Were all shot down? 
Continuing burning from previously will be one in it.

The captain talked with the ground commander and decided the taking-advantage person. 
Priority was given to the President family according to the command document.
A suitcaseful of a bill was brought and there were those who say, "Put since this 
money is given" in those who were not able to ride. Moreover, there were also those 
who say "Let me surely return since it has important information." They looked at 
signs that it requested hard, and felt the sadness of the military man who lost 
fighting.

 "Petty Officer Sakai. Lunch should remain. Pass a ground commander! " The captain 
directed. Nobody had still eaten lunch. However, in only seven pieces, it is too 
few. The food for emergencies with which the emergency landing was loaded was also 
passed by my judgment. If shot down, it will be an article without necessity. It is 
the slight consideration to people left.

However, there is no spare time absorbed in sentimentality. It does not know when 
an enemy plane attacks. It waited impatiently, and it was in a great hurry and took 
off from a taking-advantage person finishing riding. It was ago 10:00 p.m. It thinks 
that it was time not to fill in no less than 30 minutes. But, it was felt very long.

Crawl on the low altitude which took off and went north. The President sat on the 
central commander seat. The wife clung to his leg and had sat down on the floor.
Captain Sato stood on the President side. And the island of darkness is pointed at
and some are explained. The tear was full of the both eyes of the President who is 
looking down intently.
　
Way home was able to approach the Takao air base, without also receiving the attack
of an enemy plane also fortunately. However, fog came out and the ground completely 
disappeared this time.

Since it was unavoidable, it once came out on the western sea. And the altitude was 
lowered and it advanced at a low altitude again. The coastline emerged white, 
geographical feature was seen and the position has been checked. It was good at 
landing of a main operation member Ogawa second lieutenant.
 
The important duty was also ended with no problems. I came down on the ground in the 
fresh feeling. However, it could not be glad from real intention. It is because it 
thought of left-behind people.

I am proud of it having participated in this significant strategy. Although this 
was a difficult duty, it is pleased with it having been blessed with an excellent 
senior's pair, the duty having been carried out, and it having returned safely.

Mr. Sakai and a medium attack model 1. A bullet mark can be seen.

(Translation May 18, 2003)