Lot 9140
A flag of a Japanese kamikaze pilot (World War II)
Orders and Military Collectibles from 1919 onwards | A109r | Live auction | 1186 Lots
Description
The white printed banner cloth featuring a red circle in the centre, with handwritten Japanese characters that display the kamikaze pilot's name, “Dewa Fukozo,” and the motto (tr.) “Die for my country”. Bloodstains – allegedly belonging to the pilot – are visible in the upper right corner. The flag originated from a Japanese Nakajima Ki-43 “Hayabusa” aircraft that, during the fighting for the “Liberation of the Philippines” on 25 November 1944, crashed into the aircraft carrier “USS Essex” while in a dive. The aircraft's cockpit canopy was torn off upon impact with the ship and the pilot, Dewa Fukozo, lost his life. The flag was recovered by a US sailor from the “USS Essex” who was on deck duty that day. He later traded the flag for four Japanese daggers. It is an extremely rare find as almost every flag carried by kamikaze pilots was destroyed during their missions. The flag is mounted in a glass frame alongside photographs of the “USS Essex” and Japanese fighter planes, as well as two brass plaques with information in English. Dimensions: 55 x 61.5 cm. Modern documents regarding the pilot's unit are also included.Condition: II - Questions about the lot?