Nakajima B5N Kate KEB-306 of the 931st hikotai Saipan 1944

The aircraft from the 931st Kokutai was captured on Saipan’s Aslito airfield in July 1944, following intense fighting during the Battle of Saipan. This battle was part of the larger Marianas campaign during World War II, where U.S. forces captured strategic islands in the Pacific, including Saipan, to cut off Japan’s air and sea routes.

This particular aircraft was likely a Japanese Navy reconnaissance or attack aircraft, notable for being equipped with air-to-surface vessel radar. The radar antenna arrays, used for anti-shipping operations, were mounted at various points on the plane, marking it as part of the Japanese effort to counter U.S. naval forces in the Pacific.

Built in December 1943, this aircraft was among the many found at Aslito Airfield, which became a focal point after the island was captured. Following the seizure of Saipan, the aircraft was prepared for transport back to the United States, specifically to San Diego, California, aboard the USS Copahee (CVE-12), an escort carrier. Along with the aircraft, 13 Mitsubishi A6M Zeros (referred to as “Zero-sens”) and 37 Japanese aero engines were also shipped for examination and study by U.S. military intelligence and engineers.

The capture of enemy aircraft, particularly those equipped with advanced technology like radar, was a significant intelligence gain for the Allies during the war.