The experiences of the Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) in the campaigns in Papua New Guinea 1942-44 also typify those of the Japanese Navy Air Force (JNAF) in World War 2. Both air forces enjoyed a period of success at the beginning of the war against the Allies, but then were overtaken by their opponents’ developments in operational procedures, tactics, technology and training.
While the Allies created large training programs for their air forces as soon as the war began, Japan did not do so until 1943. The Allies designed, tested and produced many new aircraft of all types and provided adequate logistical support for air operations. The Japanese air forces were not supported in this way by their government, industry or highest level commanders.
The Japanese air force commanders in Papua New Guinea lacked the understanding of the concept and use of air power which was possessed by their Allied opponents. Though the Japanese aircrews and ground crews performed to the best of their ability, the balance of power turned against them in late 1943 and they had no hope of reversing this situation.
Japanese Army Air:
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