war. Kato spent the next two years attending
the Army Staff School and also visited Europe
to inspect the German Luftwaffe.
Prior to the Pacific War in December 1941,
Major Kato became head of the 64th Sentai
(fighter group), soon renowned as one of
Japan’s best outfits. At this time the unit was
equipped with brand-new Nakajima Ki 43
Hayabusa(Peregrine Falcon) fighters, which
Allied forces later designated the “Oscar.”
This was a radial-engined, lightly built craft
equipped with special butterfly flaps and leg-
endary maneuverability. Kato himself was a
fearless, charismatic individual, unique
among officers of his grade for accompanying
his men into combat. Without exception, he
always led by example and was highly prized
by squadron mates. Kato began the war by es-
corting naval vessels to Malaysia in prepara-
tion for the conquest of Singapore. Over the
next few weeks the 64th Sentai skirmished re-
peatedly with Hawker Hurricanesand Brew-
ster Buffalosof the Royal Air Force (RAF),
driving them from the sky. However, Japanese
aerial units were particularly hard-hit over
Rangoon, Burma, defended by aircraft of the
American Volunteer Group (AVG) of Gen.
Claire L. Chennault, better known as the Fly-
ing Tigers. For this reason, the 64th Sentai
was transferred 2,000 miles from Malaysia to
Bangkok, Thailand, as reinforcements. On De-
cember 23, 1941, he escorted several heavy
bomber formations on a large raid over Ran-
goon—and straight into an AVG trap. In the
ensuing scrape, the Flying Tigers claimed 16
bombers and two Ki 43 fighters in exchange
for four British and two American craft, a
stunning reversal. The secret of Chennault’s
success lay with his tactics: Knowing that his
heavier Curtiss P-40 Warhawkscould not dog-
fight their more nimble adversaries, he in-
structed his pilots to climb high, then dive
upon their intended targets. This was a tactic
that the Japanese—including Kato himself—
never countered. Soon after the Rangoon de-
bacle, the 64th Sentai transferred back to the
East Indies for additional fighting, but they
would settle old scores with the AVG soon
enough.
Throughout February 1942 Kato’s men per-
formed sterling work eliminating British and
Dutch aircraft from Sumatra and Java. He
then gained a promotion to lieutenant colonel
in March, and his aerial exploits caused such
public adoration that Kato became hailed as
the “War God.” This is a singularly unusual
tribute for a culture that traditionally dis-
counts individual acts in favor of the group—
but also a good indication of his national
celebrity. Kato subsequently flew back to
Chang Mai, Thailand, where the AVG was still
active and giving Japanese aviation fits. This
was underscored on March 24, 1942, when a
flight of six P-40s staged a surprise attack
upon Chang Mai, destroying several aircraft.
But two could play at this game, and on April
8, 1942, Kato led 11 fighters on a stately raid
against Loiwing, the main AVG base. Chen-
nault by that time had perfected an early-
warning network to alert him to Japanese
attacks, so several Flying Tigers were scram-
bled and awaiting Kato’s approach from high
altitude. A sharp fight erupted over the field,
and four Ki43s were shot down without loss.
Both sides then paused to receive reinforce-
ments before renewing the struggle.
On April 10, Kato again led eight Hayabusas
against Loiwing, only this time on a nighttime
flight over the mountains. Arriving over the
American airbase at dawn, the Japanese re-
peatedly strafed long rows of Allied aircraft, in-
flicting some damage, before flying home with-
out loss. That same afternoon the 64th Sentai
made another appearance over Loiwing, but
Chennault this time was ready for them. A
swirling dogfight erupted, and two Japanese
craft and two RAF Hurricaneswere downed.
The AVG, as usual, took no losses. The final
slap occurred on April 29, 1941, Emperor Hiro-
hito’s birthday, when Chennault anticipated
that the Japanese would mount a major effort
against Loiwing in his honor. He guessed cor-
rectly, and that afternoon Kato led 20
Hayabusas and 24 Ki 21 heavy bombers on aKATO, TATEO