Original subtitles

Let us work together without ceasing.

Toho Production

Kato's Hayabusa Fighter Group

A national movie made under the aegis of the Ministry of Information

With the assistance of the Department of the Army

Produced by the Toho Group

Canton, China

April 1941

He was expected to arrive at 1700 hours.

It will be difficult in this weather.

He may have turned around.

Maybe.

Exactly 1700 hours.

Attention!

Amba, it's been a long time!

Indeed. You came directly from Taiwan? We thought you might not make it.

The clouds were very low. I had to fly just above the wavetops.

You must be very tired. Do you want to go to your house?

No, first I have to make my report to the Brigadier General.

Let me introduce myself: Tateo Kato.

I am delighted to be returning to the crack 64th fighter group as your new commander.

Fighter Group Headquarters

To your health! Nothing is more important!

Who used to live in this house?

A general in the Chinese air force.

They even have a piano.

Commander, the men have written a song that they'd like to sing for you.

With pleasure.

Kunimi?

Would you accompany us on the piano? Everyone else will sing.

I'm not very good.

Don't be shy. Go ahead.

- Go ahead. Play for us. - Why don't you want to play?

Everyone, let's sing.

With the loud sound of the engine,...

...the Hayabusas go...

...to the ends of the clouds.

The Rising Sun shining on our wings...

...and the Red Eagles drawn on our chests...

...are the symbols of our fighters.

Coldness, winds and intense heat are nothing to us.

We can bear with trials and tribulations.

Expert aircraftmen maintain the airplanes...

..and they pray their airplanes do well.

With parental feelings for their lovely airplanes.

Having many air battles,...

the roaring sounds of bullets,...

with faith in our ultimate victory...

and cooperative spirit to die together if we die.

We grab our sticks with our hearts.

After years of fighting,...

we received seven testimonials.

But there were tears in the shadows of our feats,

Ah, the samurais were gone,...

with the spirit to die with a smile.

We are proud of our tough eagles throughout the world.

Our wings go through thousands of miles.

Observing shining traditions,...

we will create the new Great Asia.

We are the fighter wing of the Imperial Army.

A few months later...

the 64th fighter group receives new Hayabusa (Falcon) fighters.

I was wondering who flew over this morning just before dawn.

Looking out the window to the right, I saw our commander. What courage!

Our commander has already mastered the Hayabusa.

He's both hard working and a natural pilot.

Both of you tend to just look admiringly at some new toy,

while our commander creates new tactics based on it's strengths.

I respect him a lot for that.

Taking off from our base at Canton,I flew over the island of Hainan and on to French Indochina

but all the airfields in this area were flooded.

So I decided to fly on to a place called Phu Quoc.

You made it all the way to Phu Quoc?

I found a place that, with some work, we can use as our new airfield.

It has some cows on it now but basically good.

You really went a long way.

Yeah, but I'm stiff all over. Just getting too old for this.

Impressive...flying solo to Phu Quoc.

He is very good at navigation. Unlike you!

Before coming back, I got a pass to Saigon where I bought this.

What is it?

What!? You really don't know? It's a coffee grinder.

Oh, right. You make coffee with it.

It's much better prepared this way.

I'll make coffee for each of you.

It is very difficult to make coffee correctly. I need to teach him.

Come here.

You...go heat up some water. Understand?

In early December, the 64th fighter group relocated to the island of Phu Quoc in southern French Indochina.

Meanwhile...

Our convoy containing General Yamashita's division is currently in the Gulf of Thailand...

...heading toward the landingsin Malaysia.

The convoy will enter enemy airspace on December 7.

The Sugai air division must protect this convoy against enemy air attacks.

Finally, the Aoto squadron must provide air cover for the convoy during the daylight hours of December 7.

I think it's impossible to fly at night on instruments in this bad weather.

I have never been in a situation like this before. We could lose everything.

Everything depends on Yamashita making a successful landing.

This campaign can influence the outcome of the entire war.

I request command of tonight's mission.

I understand why you want to replace me but you are my most senior pilot ...

... so you must remain here tonight.

If something happens to you at the very beginning of the war,the men's morale will be destroyed.

You don't trust me! I'll come back no matter what!

I would like to come with you.

But you just now got here.

That doesn't matter. If I stay behind, I cannot do my duty.

The war will be a long one. For now, rest.

I'm very rested. Please.

No need for hurrying.

As you ordered, I will remain here. But can you at least take Takada with you please?

Okay, I'll take him.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

The weather is getting worse and worse. We must be careful.

1730 hours Takeoff.

The convoy.

1910 hours On patrol above convoy.

Escort for one hour.

As night falls, return to base.

They should have been back by now.

"We climb, we will pass over the clouds.We climb, we will pass over the clouds. We climb, we will pass over the clouds."

They must have encountered some sort of trouble.

Fatigue.

Disorientation.

Sleepiness.

Nakamitsu!

Lt. Tsukiji's plane.

6000 meters altitude

Lack of oxygen.

Are the signal lights working?

Yes, sir!

Turn the searchlights on.

Turn the searchlights on!

The aircraft should be flying overland already.

But a thick layer of clouds prevents the searchlights from being seen.

Lt. Takada's plane.

Is that a searchlight?

Kato descends 1200 feet.

Lt. Oda follows him.

Do you think that could be the commander?

Lt.s Nakamitsu and Tsukiji are dead.

And the commander?

I lost sight of him.

Takada?

I don't know.

Takada! Takada! Kato here!

They'll be out of gas soon.

2300 hours

Commander, returned pilots should get some rest now.

Yes...

Returned!

Lt. Takada.

He insisted on going with us. I was too sentimental and now I feel almost...

...guilty.

I can't do this.

December 8

Attacking the enemy base to protect the Yamashita division

Penang

Three enemy aircraft set afire, three destroyed.

Alor Setar

Three aircraft set afire, three destroyed.

This morning the Yamashita division managed to land on Kota Bahru, Singora and Patani.

That's great! Excellent!

According to the radio, the Imperial Navy has attacked the U.S. Pacific Fleet in Hawaii.

They did? Incredible!

Two days later, on December 12, the 64th fighter group moved to Kota Bahru.

The Yamashita divsion is trying to occupy the bridge before the enemy can.

Our timetable for capturing Singapore depends on capturing this bridge.

Our bombers will attack the enemy to prevent them from destroying the bridge.

Enemy fighers will surely attempt to intercept our bombers so we've been ordered to escort them.

But before that, I have decided that we will completely destroy the enemy base.

We will now destroy all enemy aircraft at Kuala Lumpur.

Enemy aircraft!

The second squadron acts as bait.

The enemy caught in the trap are sent to their graves...

...because the Amba suadron provides high coverage.

This was the first air-to-air combat by the Kato group in the Greater East Asia war.

On December 24, the group returned to Thailand.

Is she Japanese?

Yoshi?

Can you bring us our refreshments outside?

Wow!

How is it that you already know her name?

Don't get all excited. She just works here.

Oh, okay. What a shame.

It is said that the air force life in Burma is very hospitable.

Unfortunately for you, tomorrow our job will not be looking for a fight but escorting bombers. Don't forget that.

In some odd way, it's as if we are expected to repel flies at long range rather than crush them one by one.

Like this.

December 25 - Attack on Rangoon.

Headquarters of Kitamura group.

Whatever happens, keep at least one element above your formation.

I'm counting on you.

Any problems?

Sir, your machine guns aren't working.

That doesn't matter.

What will you do without them?

If I don't go, who will command my squadron?

I'm going.

The day's bombing runs are being done by the Kitamura and Oyama groups.

Kitamura group.

Oyama group.

Rangoon.

Enemy fighers began attacking the Kitamura group from all sides as soon as the bombing run is finished.

The enemy is so agressive that every plane escorting the Kitamura group enters the fight.

Commander Kato.

He turns around to support the Oyama group far behind him.

Oyama group.

Commander Kato protects the Oyama group which returns without further loss.

As for the Kitamura group whichreturned earlier...

I'm sorry. We were not sufficiently prepared and so failed to protect you.

I apologize.

No need to apologize. It is because of you that our losses were so low.

You've done your duty well. Thank you and thank your men.

No, this wasn't good at all.

Assemble!

All present!

Loosen your helmets!

The bombers your were escorting suffered losses! How many times have I told you to stay with your charges!

Lack of training is no excuse. This is unacceptable!

One of us even broke off to pursue the enemy on their own leaving eveyone else behind.

For an escort mission to succeed, we do not need you to shoot down a single enemy aircraft.

In this escort mission, I find it unfortunate that we got ten victories.

We should be celebrating our victories but let's do it some other day. The commander is in a really bad mood.

Plus we lost Lt.s Okuda and Wakamatsu.

I brought you some fruit.

Come get some.

Let's have some now.

Kunimi, Enoki...come over here.

Shindo and Nili, you too.

What are you doing, Enoki? Come on over.

This is the same kind we had in China.

They must be better in Taiwan.

Enoki, I told you to come here!

Dig in, Enoki.

What now?

I'm getting my chopsticks.

Wait, I'll get you something. Sit down.

Use this.

Thanks, but I have my chopsticks.

This is much better.

If you insist.

So, is it good?

Lt. Okuda.

I was told that he had problems with his guns before take-off.

Even though only a recent addition to the squadron, he still saw to his duty - taking off with no weapons.

He was a courageous man.

What a pity.

The fighter group returns to Kota Bahru in Malaysia at the beginning of 1942.

Take over for me.

What are you doing, sir?

In January, air operations in Malyasia resume.

The destruction of the enemy's air force in Singapore begins.

In ten days, sixty missions are flown.

Forty enemy aircraft are shot down, ten destroyed on the ground.

But we suffer losses too.

The dead of the 64th fighter group.

I have been mistaken...

I had thought the commander was indifferent to the loss of pilots...

...that he thought of death as inevitable for a fighter pilot.

But that's not true at all.

I could tell that from the commander's prayer just now.

It couldn't come from someone without feelings...

...no ability to distinguish between life and death or anything else.

I finally understand the greatness of our commander.

I heard he changed as a consequence of his experiences in China.

Yes, it changed him.

It...perfected him.

In China, he could show his sadness at the loss of one of his own.

For example, when he lost Kawahara in 1937, he shaved his moustache as a sign of mourning.

He has greatly changed but to get to this point he had to overcome many things.

We have a long way to go to get to where already is.

On February 6, they are sent to Kahan.

Enoki!

Yoshida!

Respects to the commander.

It's been a long time...

You've become a paratrooper.

Why didn't you tell us you were a paratrooper? We went to school together!

Exactly why I wanted to come see you tonight.

You didn't bring anything? Not even a bottle of whiskey?

Sorry.

The food isn't so good here but there is a wide choice available.

Very unfortunate indeed.

Don't worry, we can stuff ourselves once we take Palembang.

Leave some food for us, we'll join you there as soon as possible.

How's it going over Palembang?

A lot of anti-aircraft fire. Enough to walk on.

We must be careful.

Don't worry. We're prepared.

It's not so bad once we're on the ground...

...but we're vulnerable in the air.

Count on us! We can also rely on our commander to watch over us.

Perfect. Until tomorrow then.

Is that why you've come? You're scared about tomorrow?

Nonsense! I have to go have drinks with my men now.

I'm counting on you.

Good luck!

He seems to be more nervous than usual.

Perhaps because he doesn't have wings like we do.

We pray our parachutes open correctly.

Good luck, paratroopers!

Enemy aircraft!

Follow me!

The signals man has landed.

Group 1, rally in the designated area.

Gun ready!

Attack! Advance!

Gunners, keep up your fire! Everyone, advance on the enemy position!

I am delighted that the paratroopers landed unharmed but now we have to escort a convoy up the Musi river.

Coordination between the convoy and the paratroopers is the key to our success.

As soon as all aircraft are refueled, we take off immediately.

On February 15, the white flag of surrender is raised over Singapore.

On February 17, Kato's fighter groupmoves to Palembang.

On March 9, Dutch forces in Indonesia surrender unconditionally.

That same day, Kato was promoted to Colonel.

What is that you're carrying?

Lobsters, sir.

They're really big. Wait, I want to take some pictures.

Enoki.

How do you take all these beautiful photos with such a basic camera.

It must be your personal technique.

Just the camera. Nothing else to it.

A good samurai knows how to choose his sword.

You know Shindo, it's best not to offer advice about something you have not mastered.

I used to always keep my camera near me when I was traveling on the train.

Once when the train lurched, I dropped it and then yelled "Damnit"!

Then I realized it was my own stupid fault and ashamed of my own clumsiness.

No, no Enoki! Not now.Show me some respect.

I have avenged myself from that time you photographed me with that rooster.

Get back here, Enoki.

Quite the rascal...

At the conclusion of the Java operation, they then participate in the Burma campaign.

Stationed in Thailand.

They attacked the enemy air forces in Burma...

...destroying them in a few days.

But the enemy ground forces regrouped near the Chinese border.

The Americans, the British and the Burmese prepare to counter-attack.

April 8.

Some of Kato's group attacks first.

We have a very serious situation.

What happened?

Okubara, Kuroi and Oda were all killed!

Our commander?

I don't know. We got separated.

We had just seen two enemy aircraft when we were jumped by twenty more!

A few more stragglers returning.

Wait, it's the commander!

Is our commander injured?

Good.

Oda caught fire and crashed straight into a hanger.

A magnificent sacrifice.

Hey, Enoki,

Captain Amba is...

What?

To this hard day...

What do you say we attack them at dawn tomorrow?

If we attack at sunrise, we will get our revenge.

Loiwing is just within the range of our fighters.

Also, most of the flight is over enemy territory.

If we fly during daylight, the enemy will see us.

So we must absolutely fly at night.

We get there at sunrise, destroy them and immediately return.

What do you think, Shindo?

It's a good idea. But how do we fly over all the mountains in the area at night?

In addition, the enemey base is small and located in between some mountains.

I was surprised today how small it was. So at night...

If our navigation is good, we'll get there.

Don't you think so, Maru?

Yes, absolutely!

Trust me for the navigation.

There's a moon all night.

That will allow us to see the Mekong and Salween rivers.

That's the way we'll do this.

We will avenge Ambaand all the others!

All pilots, assemble!

At ease.

Here are your orders.

First: The main enemy force was spotted near Loiwing this morning

Second: Our fighters must destroy these enemies on the ground.

After we landed, Kato told me to only count two-thirds of the claims we normally would.

No sooner that we returned from that mission then we take off again and get into a dogfight.

We didn't get surprised like before. We were shooting them down left and right.

I was hit in three places.

Three times?

I'm much better now.

Hey, Enoki.

So, it's you. You're still alive!

Don't talk nonsense. I'm not like you are; half-way to the after-life.

What are you talking about?

Tell me about the others first.

Not so bad. The commander is sick in the hospital here.

Really? He seemed so strong.

He's exhausted. He's been flying too much lately.

No matter what, he can't force himself to keep doing these things...

He should enjoy taking it easy in the hospital for a while.

Yes, but given his character...

Even in bed, he cares about his fighter group.

He always says that he's going to the doctor then demands to leave so he can return to his unit.

It's troubling.

No, I'm not staying.

Why not? We've found a place where you can relax.

It's nice and quiet here. You should stay at least two weeks.

Thank you for your concern. But I feel rested already.

Don't push so hard.

I feel most relaxed when I'm flying.

I'm leaving tomorrow.

That same day - May 17 - the unit moves to Akyab.

The commander rejoins them the following day.

What time does the commander arrive?

Sometime around noon I think.

Should be any moment then.

That must be him.

No, it doesn't sound right.

Enemy aircraft. Altitude 1500 feet.

Air-raid! Air-raid!

Bastard!

Thank you, commander!

This is embarrassing.

Let's take care of this plane.

You're too nice to me!

The next day, May 19.

Commander?

Ah, it's you Enoki.

We've been waiting for you to get back. Things will be going better now.

I shall now give you my report:

Lt. Kohei Enoki - Army Air Force, released from hospital May 15, reporting for duty, sir.

You needn't have rushed back. You could have stayed a little longer.

Yes, but I heard you were short pilots.

Some pilots have returned to Japan, others are sick.

In short, we've been below strength for the last six months.

I brought a pack of cigarettes. Would you like one?

I'm not sure I can accept such an expensive gift.

Thank you.

You don't smoke, do you?

No.

I see...Thank you.

I have another gift for you.

Good god, no! Give me the negative. I'll pay anything.

No, no. I need it as a souvenir.

No you don't. Give it to me now.

Please, no.

You are a rascal.

The base as Akyab is too close to the front.

As a consequence, the group has to move to Tongu.

I'm leaving you tomorrow at noon. Notify headquarters.

Yes, sir. I'll inform headquarters that you'll be arriving tomorrow afternoon.

Excellent.

What is that?

Start engines.

Chance! Chance!

On this day, Imizu's plane was hit and crashed into the jungle.

Lt. Imizu.

Remember that you have to take off quickly when there's an alet.

Why did you say that?

Why did you say "Chance" in english?

I said that?

And you clearly repeated it twice.

Maybe you should be fined for using an enemy language.

I did?

Damn!

A fine, a fine!

Liars! I never said such a thing!

You did too! It was exactly like that.

I have contacted the Ohba group.

What about Imizu?

We must now ask the volunteer army to continue to search.

Volunteer army?

Yes, sir. We don't know if it's in enemy territory or not.

"Volunteer Army" is what headquarters advised us to call the Burmese.

You know how to contact them?

Yes, sir. One of our officers is in their ranks.

See to it at once!

Kuroya, wait a minute. Do any of you havea pricture of Imizu?

You can take it with you?

It's amazing that I have a tent after all these enemy attacks.

They drop bombs on it every time.

This last time...

...they demolished it just after I landed.

If had I been in it, I would be crossing the river San-zu at this very moment

I've had a lot of luck.

I have returned, sir.

Let's go into my office for a moment.

Any news?

Our officer was in fact not present. I returned here after waiting for him one hour.

I understand.

What an aggravation!

No idea where he might be?

No, sir.

I'm sorry but you'll have to go back again.

Do you think you can bring him here?

Yes, I will return with him.

When I was in Germany, they showed me Hitler's new airplane.

I got to fly it after some brief instruction.

They were surprised how quickly I mastered it. This crazy Japanese pilot.

I don't like macaroni.

I'd rather have my spagetti without any holes.

Anyway, that's Italian cuisine for you...

I was told the best way to eat it is to wrap it around your fork.

In my part of the country, there are some small birds called "Cherry"...

...that were nesting on my my roof.

I always watched the nests when I was little.

I'd take the babies in my hands. They were very soft and warm.

Still they do not come.

It's 1 AM.

I have returned, sir.

They ask you wait until tomorrow. Night complicates searching.

They cannot give you anything more until tomorrow afternoon.

Very well. Sorry to put you out.

No trouble at all, sir.

Let's get some sleep.

I've kept you all up too long.

Still no news from the volunteer army.

It's not a good sign, sir.

Discouraging.

Shouldn't you be leaving now?

I'll wait a little while longer.

Shindo, what's the matter?

I caught a cold this morning.

You're ill?

Yes, a little.

You have dengue fever. You need to go back to Tongu.

Aren't you about to leave yourself?

I could go with you.

Not just yet. I'm waiting for word on Imizu.

You need to look out after yourself. I know what dengue fever is like.

That's an order!

Go take care of yourself.

Lt. Shindo returning to the base at Tengu.

Take care.

An hour later...

You're leaving soon?

In a little bit.

Two hours.

You're sure that Imizu landed in the jungle?

Not in enemy territory?

I'm sure it was in the jungle but from what I could tell...

...he must have been seriously injured.

I'm certain that by now he must be dead.

Okay.

Either way, the volunteer army doesn't have any news.

I'll be back soon...

Start engines!

On that day, May 22, 1942...

...the War God does not return.

According to records, Kato attacked the enemy over the sea...

...50 miles northwest of Akyab buthis own airplane was hit and caught fire.

The commander, probably injured, looped his plane up...

...before diving straight into the sea.

"Their wings go through thousands of miles."

"Observing shining traditions,..."

"...we will create the Great Asia."

"We are the fighter wing of the Imperial Army."

The front requires aircraft and tanks. Send them as quickly as possible.