Uzurano runway & Kate

 Writing about "Kate and Mabel".

Though female's names as they are, so are US Mil. code names of Imperial Japanese aircraft carrier Attacker produced over 70 years ago.

Strictly speaking, though the burdened motor is the same as Zero AM-5, Kate's wing area is so made wider as to carry heavy bomb or torpedo, cruising range is as long as 1,900 km. 

There are two type of 97 attacker, one is manufactured by Nakajima Aircraft Company and another was Mitsubishi made, former was done 1,400 and the latter was 150 in number promptly. 

Though the names were same as 97, they are different each other except the classification as Attacker. Mitsubishi 97 was liked by some of the pilot because of less motor vibration.

Uzurano air run way is situated at Kasai-City Hyogo Pef. near Himeji. This broad, wide and huge place has miserably sad history of the "Dai-toa War", US Pacific Front of WWⅡ over 70 years ago.

It was a airplane runway for the former Navy of Imperial Japan.

Once we had a manufacturing factory of war birds here by Kawanishi Aircraft Company and George (Shidenkai), Kate and Mabel(97 Attacker) and etc. were manufactured there.

But, not a few Kates were applied as the method of  "Kamikaze Bombing", so 3 pilots were killed per a plane as a matter of fact.

This is why the Pilot's number exceeds the plane sorties in number. So sadly, a tombstone with engraving all the victims is exhibited beside the main statue.

Our Navy flag is fluttering beside of them in the deep blue sky all the time.

Whenever I look it up, I'm full of chest.

I make it a rule to visit there once a month taking two hours drive in order to pray for the souls of the spirits with the best gratitude. Because we who are living this generation in peace owe to the sublimated ancestors as substitutes.