3rd Air Group
Prior to the outbreak of Pacific War, a small detachment was sent to operate over Malaya, while the majority of the group was stationed at Kaohsiung on Taiwan to participate in the invasion of Philippines.From there, Lieutenant Yokoyama led 27 Zero fighters to escort a major raid of 72 Mitsubishi G3M and G4M medium bombers against Surabaya and Denpasar, which cost the Allies around ten aircraft.On 2 March, Buntaichō Lieutenant Zenjirō Miyano led nine Zero fighters in the Attack on Broome that destroyed seven enemy land aircraft and 15 flying boats.The first escort mission for medium bombers against Darwin occurred on 16 March, where Lieutenant (jg) Kawazoe Toshitada led only four Zero fighters.On 30 March, Lieutenant Takeo Kurosawa led 12 Zero fighters to escort nine G4M medium bombers of Takao Air Group to Darwin.[1][3][2][4] On 13 June, the raids against Darwin resumed and Lieutenant Aioi led a strong force of 45 Zero fighters to escort 27 G4M medium bombers.The final day-time raid on Darwin occurred on 23 August when 27 G4M medium bombers were escorted by 27 Zeros of the 3rd Air Group led by Lieutenant Tokaji.[2][5] Their first mission against Guadalcanal was flown on 27 September, when Lieutenant Aioi led 26 Zeros to escort 18 G4M medium bombers from Kisarazu and Takao Air Groups.The first mission took place on 2 March, when Lieutenant Commander Aioi led 21 Zeros in a low-level approach and strafed the airfield, destroying one Bristol Beaufighter on the ground.A major raid targeting Fenton Airfield south of Darwin took place on 30 June, when Lieutenant Commander Suzuki led 27 Zero fighters to escort 23 G4M medium bombers.