Blood Red Skies - Japanese Ace Pilot Yukiyoshi Wakamatsu

Wakamatsu joined the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force in 1939, first serving in China. His flying career was unremarkable until in 1943 when he shot down two Curtiss P-40 Warhawks. Wakamatsu went on to dispatch 11 more Allied aircraft before converting to the Nakajima Ki-84 in October 1944. He became a Chutaicho (squadron leader) in the 85th Sentai. In addition to his obvious flying skills, Wakamatsu was also renowned as an inspirational leader and several of his understudies went on to become aces themselves. He met his end in December 1944 when his unit was scrambled to intercept a B-29 raid on Hankou. Yukiyoshi Wakamatsu’s final tally was 18 victories, half of them being USAAF P-51 Mustangs.