Recent content by smilefan

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    Anybody have info on IJN ace Shigeo Fukumoto?

    Do you have any info on where 302-Ku was based in '45? Home islands? At least this suggests he made it thru to '45.
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    Anybody have info on IJN ace Shigeo Fukumoto?

    Five more sites listing him as a 72 kill ace. I wonder where this information is originating from? AVIA - Aces of World War II WWII Aces of the Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force Axis History Factbook: Japanese Fighter Aces OLD | Historical and Current Conflicts | World's Armed...
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    Anybody have info on IJN ace Shigeo Fukumoto?

    Listed as a 72 kill ace in both these compilations: List of World War II flying aces - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Japanese Aces of WWII
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    Bravest Large Group of WWII participants?

    I see many take issue with the subject matter. I have reworded the poll post to put the thread in a more positive light. The intention was to offer, for the sake of discussion, which large group you feel gave a particularly valiant performance in the war, at least within your personal...
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    Bravest Large Group of WWII participants?

    I also voted for the Poles on the basis, not only of the armed forces participating from beginning to end in the ETO, but the brass balls of Warsaw partisans who staged two armed uprisings during occupation by the world's most well-armed, well-trained Army.
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    Bravest Large Group of WWII participants?

    In your opinion, which large group of people during WWII gave a particulatly galant performance in the war. One which may be inspiring to you personally. I have included some civilian populations as well. Detail and define what bravery by that group captured your imagination. USAAF –...
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    Poll: Most significant death of WWII?

    You think he could have lobbied with the other Allies with any success against Stalin? Stalin was planning Poland's occupation and subjegation as early as the Warsaw Uprising of '44, where he deliberately let the Wehrmacht slaughter the Polish Resistance despite having a huge Army camped...
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    Poll: Most significant death of WWII?

    Hitler certainly could have gotten out of Berlin. Hanna Riech tried to fly him out. It would have lenghtened the war's mopup a bit, but never put the end in any doubt. Most of the General Staff wanted him dead at that point, even Himmler had deserted him, and his health and spirit were...
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    Poll: Most significant death of WWII?

    In your opinion, the individual whose death during WWII had the most significant impact on the course of the war. Adolf Hitler – Died 04/30/45 (?) His death pretty much marked the end of the ETO struggle. An obvious choice, or is it? Chuikov’s men were within firing range of the bunker...
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    A TOUGH OLD BIRD

    Seems to have been a hallmark of American WWII designs to build them 10 times stronger than they needed to be. So many stories of American birds taking impossible damage, getting home held together by no more than the control wires and paint. Sakai's quote from his well known duel with...
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    The Forum's Favorite WW2 Aircraft?

    From Wikipedia, "There are reports that during one of these test flights, the H.IX V2 undertook a simulated "dog-fight" with a Messerschmitt Me 262, the first operational jet fighter and that the H.IX V2 outperformed the Me 262." I guess there is no concrete evidence to prove it. But I'm...
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    The Most Awesome Looking WWII Aircraft Ever

    Pure space age. Even today, the Arado's lines don't look dated.
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    The Forum's Favorite WW2 Aircraft?

    Me-262 for me. IMHO the single most game-changing airplane of the war. Its too bad they couldn't get any Horton's into action before the war's end. Just one mock combat against the Swallow (the Horton won) to hint at its potential.
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    The Greatest Fighter Pilot of WWII... Finalized....

    Voting for Sakai based on the 24 June 1944 incident over Iwo Jima where he fought off 15 U.S. Navy Grumman F6F Hellcats singlehandedly, in a chase that lasted over 20 minutes. Landed unharmed, without a single bullet hole in his Zero. Plus, he performed this airborne miracle with only ONE...
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    Anybody have info on IJN ace Shigeo Fukumoto?

    This guy is a total enigma. Supposedly, he was one of the great Zero aces of the South Pacific with 72 kills. I find almost no information on this pilot other than he held the rank of Warrant Officer in 253 Ku, and wound up staying behind in Rabaul, with fellow ace Sekizen Shibayama, to...
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