"爆撃荒鷲隊 Bakugeki Arawashitai" (Bombing raid of the fighter aircraft unit), 1939 July 15

Date

1939 July 15

Summary

Sawa, Makimoto, and Wakayama were good classmates and met again at an airbase. Both Sawa and Makimoto were pilots, and Wakayama was a mechanic. The three demonstrated strong friendship and support for one another through their duties. Sawa and Makimoto departed for air combat, and Makimoto landed into an enemy base after the fight. Sawa came to rescue him, and they miraculously took off from the enemy base on Sawa’s plane. The unit commander commended Sawa’s courage and well-calculated decision.

The moral of the story is to celebrate friendship and strong collaboration and emphasize respectable military duty for each.

Archival processing title

"爆撃荒鷲隊 Bakugeki Arawashitai" (Bombing raid of the fighter aircraft unit)

Creator/Contributor

Author

Hirano, Tadashi, 1902-1986

Transcription

Card 16
爆擊荒鷲隊 教材紙芝居第四輯
作 平野直先生 繪 丘みどり先生

一、(幕)空ゆかば

海ゆかば、水づく屍
山ゆかば、草むす屍
大君の邊にこそ死なめ
かへりみはせじ

(莊重に朗讀又は唄ふ)

みなさん、ご存じですか。この歌は、大伴家持といふ人が、軍人のかくあるペしといふ精神を讀んだ歌であります。
さて今は、この中に、「空ゆかば……」といふ言葉も添えなくてはなりません。それほどにこの度の支那事變での空の荒鷲の働きは目ざましいものでした。わけても、わが海軍航空隊の活躍は、みなさんもよくご存じの通りです。わが光榮ある軍艦旗に心からの敬意を表して 爆撃荒鷲隊のお話しを初めませう。

(普通に抜く)

Card 1
ニ、めぐりあひ

こゝは我海軍前線の飛行基地です。大陸にも明るい夏が きて、空にも大地にもみどりが照り輝いてゐます。
「澤！澤航空兵ぢやないか。」
「おう、若山。いつ來た、元氣だったか。」
「うん、元氣々々。卒業以來離ればなれだつたが、會へて 嬉しいぞ。しかし立派になったな、澤は……。自分はここの整備員として來た。よろしく頼む。」
澤航空兵と若山整備員は海軍航空學校の同期生だったのです。
「よかったよかった。ここには君、槇本の奴もゐるんだ。また昔の三人組の顏がそろったぞ。はは……」
二人は、この奇遇に肩を叩いて喜び合ひました。

(普通に抜く)

Card 2
三、真夜中

澤はふと、眞夜中に目をさましました。目ざめて見ると何か自分の飛行機のことが、妙に気にかかってなりません。
「さうだ。一寸、見廻って來よう。」
空の勇士にとって、飛行機は自分の手足であり、生命なのであります。傍にぐっすりと寢込んでゐる戦友の槇本をそのままに寝かして置いて澤は、闇の中で素早く軍裝をととのへると、急いで表に出ていきました。
(晋通に拔く)

Card 3
四、誰かつ！！

燈火管制のしてある前線の飛行基地はまっくらです。ま っくらな空いっぱいに、星だけが輝いてゐます。降るやうな星月夜です。
澤航空兵は、ぐんぐん自分の愛機のある方に步いていきました。すると、かすかに搖れる灯りと、人かげとを見つけて澤はぢっと立ちどまりました。それも一瞬、はっとした澤は、
「誰かっ！！」
と、激じい誰呵の聲をあげて、その方に走り出してゐました。
(素早く拔く)

Card 4
五、整備員

『若山！君だっなのか。どうして今時分、こゝに……』
『なんだ。澤か!闇から棒に、おどかすなよ。君こそ 今時分どうしたんだ。』
『うん、は……、一寸自分の飛行機が気になってな。実は見廻りにきたんだ』
「さうか。歸って、ぐっすりと寢ろよ。翼を休めてる間の飛行機には、我々整備員がついてゐる。點檢、故障修理、みな我々の仕事だ。君たちに心置きなく飛び出して貰へるやう、いつでもその用意はできでゐる。まかせて置け！澤!』
「すまん、若山！」
澤は一歩近よって若山の眉を抱き、感激こめて手を握りしめました。 『おやすみ、澤!君にはまた明日の仕事がある。』
『ありがと……。若山』
もう明日からは、心置きなくただ飛ぶだけでいいのだと、澤は、心に深く思ひました。
(普通に抜く)

Card 5
六、曉の出動命令
『命令……我が〇〇飛行隊は××に飛び〇〇の敵軍事施設竝びに、敵××の據點を爆擊すべし……』と、
佐伯少佐指揮の〇〇飛行隊に、曉の出動命令が下りました。送るものも行くものも、この一戰を賭しての固い決意の色が浮んでをりました。
澤、槇本の兩航空兵の華々しい姿も、見られました。
「行って來い。両君！」
整備員若山の聲は、轟々と起るプロペラの轟音に千切れ千切れに飛びました。
(普通に抜く)

Card 6
七、編隊陣

轟々と空を壓する爆音。
わが荒鷲隊は堂々の陣を張って大陸の山岳地帶を眼下に奥地へ奥地へと、その目的に向って進みに進んでゐます。
「戦闘隊形にうつれ!」
隊長機の命令が傳えられました。もはや目ざす目的地は近いのです。ちらっと雲間を割つて進んでくる敵機の姿が、澤航空兵の目にうつ りました。敵はE十六、E十五型の精鋭機です。
「いくぞっ！」
澤は、僚機の槇本に合図の手をあげて、高く打ち振りました。
(普通に抜く)

Card 7
八、爆擊空中戰

見る見るうちに敵味方まんじ巴の壯烈な空中戰が展開さ れました。
火を吐く機銃、プロペラの唸り、旋回する機體。しかし 最後の勝利はその精神力にあります。見る見る無數の敵機 は火焔に包まれて撃墜されていきました。澤機、槇本機はすでに敵の數機をうち落して、再び敵に喰ひ下ってゐます。
そのうちにもわが爆擊隊は、敵が死物狂ひの地上砲火、火線を突破して、眼下に浮ぶ都市の軍事施設に對し、果敢な爆擊を繰返し繰り返し行なってゐました。
(素早く抜く)

Card 8
九、敵陣混亂

ダダーン!
ダダーン!!
天地もくだけるやうな直接彈の爆音に次々と敵首都の軍事據點は爆碎されて行きます。
燃える敵陣から放々の態で、生命からがら逃げてゆく支那軍をごらんなさい。負けるものの脆さを、その慘めさを思ふとき、我々は戰ひ
はどうしても勝たなければならぬことを、はっきりと敎へられます。さうです。 戰ひはどうしても勝たなければならないのです。
(普通に抜く)

Card 9
一〇、あつ槇本機
いつの間にか戦ひは全く終ってをりました。逃げる敵機に最後のとどめをさした澤機は、あまりに長追ひをしたことに気がつきました。もう空のどこにも味方の飛行機さへ 見えません。
『おくれた。全速力!』 澤は操從桿にぐつと力を入れて方向をかへると、ぐんぐん速力を增して歸還の 途につきました。
ふと、前方の雲の中に、ガソリンをふきながら降下する一機を見つけました。報國316號!槇本の乘ってゐる僚機の記號です。
『槇本機だっ！』
地上を見下すと敵陣地が延々とつづいてゐます。
『降ろしてはいけない。降ろしては……』
しかし槇本機は、澤の方に日の丸の旗をふったと見ると、敵陣のまつ只中に降下してしまひました。
(素早く抜く)

Card 10
一一、着陸
槇本機は、着陸の際に火を發したのでせう。炎々と燃え出しました。その炎上する愛機を背に槇本は阿修羅の形相もの凄く、押しよせる敵に應戰しました。
「槇本、いま行くぞ。」
澤機はぐっと機首を下げました。そして、群がる敲兵に向って地上掃射をくり返しくり返しながら、これまた決然と敵のまつ只中に着陸を敢行しました。
素早く抜く

Card 11
一二、獅子奮迅
『槇本!救援に來たぞつ!』
着陸と同時、澤は、苦戰に苦戦を續けてゐる槇本の前に 飛び出してきました。そして槇本をかばって、彈丸のつづくかぎり銃を擊ちまくりました。流石の敵もこれにひるんだのか、『ニッポン、ヘイタイ ツヨイツヨイ。ニゲルヨロシ』とばかり逃げ出しました。 その機をはづさつ、擊ちまくり斬りないで、獅子奮迅と奮戦をつづけにつづけました。
普逋に抜く

Card 12
一三、部隊長の心配
全機無事歸還と思った今日の爆擊行に、かへらぬ二機がありました。澤機と槇本機です。
しだいと時が經ってゆきます。部隊長は、ぢいっと空を見たまま身動きもしません。
その傍に、同じ思ひで立つ若山整備員の面にも、深い憂ひの色が浮かんでゐました。
『あいつらが…。いや、斷じてそんなことはない。』
と、部隊長の確信に滿ちた言葉は、なにかしら若山の心にも同じ確信を持たせるのでした。
普通に抜く

Card 13
一四、愛機よさらば

澤は素早く愛機の彼方に急造の塔乘席を作って槇本を乘 せるや、一氣に敵陣地を强行滑走して飛び立ちました。 『愛機よ、さらば!』
炎々と燃える愛機に肅然と擧手の禮をして訣別を吿げる槇本の目には、淚が光ってをりました。 澤もまた二度 三度と燃える僚機に敬意の旋回をして、槇本の心を思ひやりました。が、それも一瞬、機首を立て直すと、一氣に基地へ基地へと夕燒空の中を全速力で飛行をつづけました。
普通に抜く

Card 14
一五、機、かへる!

夕燒が深くなってきました。喰ひ入るやうに空を睨んで 立ちつづけてゐた部隊長は、突然、
『きた!かへってきたぞ!』
と、大きく叫びました。
『あつ!澤機だつ!』 ぐんぐんと大きくなってくる機影。まさしく澤機です。
『槇本機は……』
『後方に誰か一人乘ってゐます。』
と、 若山整備員は、我を忘れて、
『ばんざあい』
と、叫びました。
(普通に抜く)

Card 15
一六、歸還報吿
『澤、槇本、よく歸ってきた。かへってきてくれた。』澤の報告をきき終った部隊長は大きくうなづきました。
『はっ、しかし自分は、大切な機を失ひました。申譯けありません。』
『槇本、適宜の處置であった。それにしても澤の果敢な行爲、沈着な行動は立派なものだったぞ。賞めて置く。』
部隊長は、澤の手を握り、槇本の肩を力強くたたきました。
「この軍人精神こそ、わが海の荒鷲をして、今日の栄誉をあらしめたのだ。」
と、部隊長の言葉を、わが身の感激と同樣に喜びきく若山整備員の晴々とした顏。あ、この友情あってこそ益々わが爆撃荒鷲隊の名は輝くことでせう。
(をはり)

Translation of transcription

Card 16
Bombing raid of the fighter aircraft unit
Educational material kamishibai #4
Script: Mr. Tadashi Hirano; Illustration: Miss Midori Oka

1, (CURTAIN) TO THE SKIES

NARRATOR
To the sea, perish in the water.
To the mountain, perish in the grass.
Dedicate your life to the emperor,
there is no turning back.

(Read or sing solemnly)
Everyone, do you know? This song was written by Otomo Yakamochi to celebrate the soldiers' exemplary spirits. To his poem, we need to add "to the skies" now. As you know, the Imperial Japanese Navy's fighter aircraft have achieved amazing accomplishments in the Second Sino-Japanese war. Let's start the story of the bombing raid of a fighter aircraft unit to show our heartfelt respect to the glorious battleship flag.

(Pull the slide regularly.)

Card 1
2, ENCOUNTERS

NARRATOR (continued)
This is the aircraft base of our Navy's frontline. Bright summer has arrived on the continent, bringing green land and blue skies, and the grounds are gloriously shining.

WAKAYAMA
Sawa! You are a military pilot Sawa, aren't you?

SAWA
Oh, Wakayama. When did you get here? How have you been?

WAKAYAMA
Oh, fine. Fine. We haven’t seen each other since graduation. You have become a fine man. Sawa, I came here to work as a mechanic. It’s nice to see you again.

NARRATOR
Military pilot Sawa and mechanic Wakayama were in the same class at the Navy aviation school.

SAWA
I'm glad you came. Makimoto is also here. Now three classmates got together here. Ha ha ha.

NARRATOR
The two patted each other’s shoulders and were delighted about this coincidental encounter.

(Pull the slide regularly.)

Card 2
3, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT

NARRATOR (continued)
Sawa woke up in the middle of the night. He couldn't help but think about his airplane.

SAWA
Okay. I’ll go take a look at it.

NARRATOR
For our sky heroes, airplanes are just like legs and arms. It's their life. He left his fellow soldier Makimoto who was deeply asleep, quickly changed into a military uniform in the dark, and went outside.

(Put the slide regularly.)

Card 3
4, SOMEBODY!

NARRATOR (continued)
The aircraft base on the frontline was dark from a blackout. Only the stars could be seen shining across the dark skies. The starry moonlit sky beamed down at them.
Military pilot Sawa started walking toward his beloved airplane. Suddenly he noticed a swinging dim light and a shadow of a man. He stopped. Without losing a moment, Sawa shouted,

SAWA
Somebody!

NARRATOR
He started running toward the man.

(Pull the slide quickly.)

Card 4
5, MECHANICS

SAWA
Wakayama! It was you. Why on earth are you here at this late hour?

WAKAYAMA
Phew. Sawa! You scared me in the darkness. What are you doing here at this late hour?

SAWA
Yeah. I got worried about my plane. So, I came to check it.

WAKAYAMA
I see. Why don't you go back to bed and sleep well? We mechanics are here to serve you while you pilots are resting. This is our work to inspect and repair planes. We are always ready to prepare you for your flights without any worries. Count on me! Sawa!

SAWA
Thank you. Wakayama!

NARRATOR
Sawa stepped forward, held Wakayama's shoulders, and shook his hand with gratitude.

WAKAYAMA
Goodnight, Sawa. You have work to do tomorrow.

SAWA
Thank you, Wakayama.

NARRATOR
Sawa was deeply impressed that he could fly tomorrow without any worries.

(Pull the slide regularly.)

Card 5
6, OPERATION ORDER AT DAWN

NARRATOR (continued)
“Order... Aircraft unit 〇〇 flies to ×× and bombs the enemy military facility at 〇〇and the target at ××.”

The aircraft unit 〇〇 under the leadership of Major Saeki received an operation order. Those who depart and send them off show their firm determination to bet on this battle.
Sawa and Makimoto gallantly appeared.
Mechanic Wakayama’s fragmented voice was heard through the roaring sound of the propellers.

WAKAYAMA
Both of you, go!

(Pull the slide regularly.)

Card 6
7, THE FORMATION UNIT

NARRATOR
The roaring sound of the airplane. Our fighter aircraft unit is proudly progressing deeper and deeper into the interior toward its target, looking down the continent's mountain area.

UNIT COMMANDER
Shift to combat formation!

NARRATOR
The unit commander's order was conveyed. The target is near.
Military pilot Sawa glanced at the enemy airplanes navigating through clouds. They were cutting-edge models E 16 and E 15.

SAWA
Let's go!

NARRATOR
Sawa raised his arm to signal to Makimoto and lowered it.

(Pull the slide regularly.)

Card 7
8, AIR BOMB COMBAT

NARRATOR (continued)
Both the enemies and our aircraft units were engaged in fierce air combat instantly. Machine guns are blasting like a flame, the propellers are roaring, and the aircraft is circulating. However, victory is ultimately decided by spirit. The enemy airplanes were bombed in a blaze in a second. After shooting down enemy airplanes, Sawa's and Makimoto's planes are again attacking the enemies.
The bomber unit is breaking through the enemy's desperate gunfire from the ground and fire lines. They repeatedly bombed the city’s military facilities on the ground.

(Pull the slide quickly.)

Card 8
9, ENEMIES IN CHAOS

NARRATOR (continued)
Bang! Bang!!

The enemy capital's military target is being bombed, making explosive sounds penetrate through the ground and the sky.
Look at the Chinese army, desperately running for their lives from the enemy base on fire. We learn that we need to win the battle when we know the losers' danger and misery. When we fight, we must win.

(Pull the slide regularly.)

Card 9
10, AH, MAKIMOTO’S PLANE

NARRATOR (continued)
Before they knew it, the battle completely ended. Sawa's aircraft destroyed the enemy planes that were fleeing. He realized that he chased after them too far and didn't see airplanes of his own unit anywhere.

SAWA
I'm late. At full speed!

NARRATOR
He pulled the gear and changed direction and accelerated to return to the base.
He noticed a plane going down in the clouds ahead of him, spitting gasoline.
Patriotic aircraft number 316. It's Makimoto's plane number!

SAWA
That's Makimoto's plane.

NARRATOR
Below his eyes, there was a procession of enemy bases.

SAWA
I cannot let him go down. I cannot…

NARRATOR
However, Makimono's plane waved a rising sun flag to Sawa and descended straight to the enemy base.

(Pull the slide quickly.)

Card 10
11, LANDING

NARRATOR (continued)
Makimoto's airplane caught on fire before landing. It was bursting into flame.
Makimoto bravely attacked while navigating the airplane on fire.

SAWA
Makimoto, I'll be right there.

NARRATOR
Sawa's airplane lowered its nose. He repeatedly shot the crowds of enemies on the ground and determinedly landed straight into the enemies.

(Pull the slide quickly.)

Card 11
12, FURIOUS VIGOR

SAWA
Makimoto! I came to rescue you!

NARRATOR
As soon as Sawa landed, he jumped ahead of Makimoto, who was fighting a fierce battle. He shot his gun as long as the bullets lasted while protecting Makimoto. The enemies became hesitant and fled, saying, "Nippon soldiers are strong. Let's escape." Without missing the opportunity, Sawa kept shooting and fought a fierce battle.

(Pull the slide regularly.)

Card 12
13, UNIT COMMANDER'S WORRY

NARRATOR (continued)
Although he had thought that all the planes would return to the base safely from today's operation, two aircrafts were missing: Sawa's and Makimoto's.
As time passed, the unit commander was staring at the sky motionlessly. Next to him, mechanic Wakayama was standing with a sign of deep worry on his face.

WAKAYAMA
Both of them... no, that couldn't happen.

NARRATOR
The unit commander's words full of conviction brought a similar assurance to Wakayama's heart.

(Pull the slide regularly.)

Card 13
14, GOODBYE TO MY BELOVED PLANE.

NARRATOR (continued)
As soon as he made a makeshift passenger seat in his beloved airplane and seated Makimoto on it, Sawa forcibly departed from the enemy base.
My beloved plane, goodbye!
Makimoto solemnly put his hands together to say goodbye to his beloved airplane burning in the fire. Tears were shining in his eyes. Sawa, sympathizing with Makimoto, circled twice and three times over his copilot’s airplane to pay respect to it. Suddenly Sawa directed the plane’s nose toward their base and departed at full speed through the evening sky.

(Pull the slide regularly.)

Card 14
15, THE PLANE RETURNS!

NARRATOR (continued)
The evening deepened. The unit commander, who was staring at the sky and standing still, suddenly shouted loudly.

UNIT COMMANDER
There! They came back!
It's Sawa's plane!

NARRATOR
The shadow of the plane is growing bigger. Indeed, it's Sawa's plane.

UNIT COMMANDER
Makimoto's plane...

WAKAYAMA
Somebody is riding in the back.

NARRATOR
Mechanic Wakayama shouted despite himself,

WAKAYAMA
Banzai!

(Pull the slide regularly.)

Card 15
16, A RETURN REPORT

UNIT COMMANDER
Sawa, Makimoto, welcome back. Welcome back.

NARRATOR
The unit commander gravely nodded after he heard the report from Sawa.

MAKIMOTO
Yes, but sir. I lost an important plane. I apologize.

UNIT COMMANDER
Makimoto, you responded to the situation right. And above all, Sawa's brave action and self-possessed behavior were splendid. I commend you.

NARRATOR
The unit commander shook Sawa's hand and patted Makimoto's shoulder firmly.

UNIT COMMANDER
This military spirit has brought us today's glory to our navy's aircraft unit.

NARRATOR
Mechanic Wakayama was smilingly listening to the unit commander with excitement and joy. This friendship makes our aircraft unit’s name shine even more gloriously.

(End)

Scope and contents

Hirano Tadashi 平野直 (author); Oka Midori 丘みどり (artist); Zenkōsha Kamishibai Kankōkai 全甲社紙芝居刊行会 (publisher). Educational material kamishibai number 4 教材紙芝居第四輯.

Language

Japanese

Script

Japanese (alias for Han + Hiragana + Katakana)

Genre/form

Drama

Collection information

Collection title

Kamishibai collection

Collection ID

2018C32.12417284

Collection abstract

Japanese illustrated paper play sheets, intended primarily for children and women at the homefront and dealing with World War II propaganda themes.

Rights

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Holding repository

Hoover Institution Library & Archives

Preferred citation

"爆撃荒鷲隊 Bakugeki Arawashitai" (Bombing raid of the fighter aircraft unit), 1939 July 15, Kamishibai collection, Hoover Institution Library & Archives, https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h38018

Identifiers

Record ID

2018C32.00023

Permalink

https://n2t.net/ark:/54723/h38018

RefID

ee795f35b0afa62c18ac961e866c57fc

EZID

ark:/54723/h38018

Digitization information

Imaging system

iXG 100MP, Phase One

Capture date

2020-11-12T11:36:05-08:00