This is an original wartime diary handwritten by an officer of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force, affiliated with the 71st Flying Regiment. It covers the period from November 10, 1944 (Showa 19) to January 24, 1945 (Showa 20), just days before the presumed death of the author. The diary documents the unit's deployment from mainland Japan to the Philippines, describing harsh weather, repeated air raids, supply shortages, and preparations for sorties. The author-likely a senior pilot or commander-records the tense New Year's Day of 1945, spent under constant threat in the Philippine theater.
The pages contain detailed accounts of combat readiness, airfield relocations, mechanical difficulties, and personal observations, offering a rare and intimate perspective on the air war from Japan's side during the final months of the Pacific War. Such frontline diaries are extremely rare, especially ones that survived the chaos of the Philippines campaign.
This piece is not just a relic-it's a raw voice from the cockpit of history. Condition: Some stains and signs of aging, but the contents remain clear and readable. Please refer to the attached photos. Own a piece of history.
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