Hiroyoshi Nishizawa, Japanese lieutenant and pilot (d. 1944)

Lieutenant Junior Grade Hiroyoshi Nishizawa (西澤 広義, Nishizawa Hiroyoshi; January 27, 1920 – October 26, 1944) stands as one of the most remarkable and enigmatic figures in the annals of World War II naval aviation. An exceptionally skilled Japanese naval aviator, he achieved the distinguished status of an ace within the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service (IJNAS), a branch renowned for its rigorous pilot training and demanding combat environment. Nishizawa's extraordinary combat prowess and legendary exploits during the Pacific War continue to captivate historians and aviation enthusiasts alike, marking him as a truly formidable and iconic pilot.

To his fellow pilots and, indeed, to the Allied adversaries who witnessed his incredible aerial artistry, Nishizawa was widely known by the formidable moniker 'the Devil' (Maō). This appellation was not merely a casual nickname but a testament to his unique, breathtaking, and often unpredictable combat style. Flying the agile Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter, Nishizawa demonstrated an unparalleled command of his aircraft. His aerobatics were described as brilliant and seemingly impossible, allowing him to execute daring maneuvers with superb control even in the most chaotic dogfights. This uncanny ability to outmaneuver and surprise opponents made him an incredibly difficult adversary to counter, cementing his reputation as one of the most dangerous pilots in the Pacific theatre.

Nishizawa was an integral and celebrated member of the Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group), one of the Imperial Japanese Navy's most elite and historically significant fighter units during the war. Within this formidable group, he formed part of the legendary "Clean-Up Trio" alongside two other renowned Japanese aces: Saburō Sakai and Toshio Ōta. This triumvirate gained widespread notoriety for their aggressive and highly effective combat patrols. They were frequently tasked with achieving air superiority, clearing enemy aircraft from the skies before bombing runs, or engaging large formations of Allied fighters. Their combined skill, tactical understanding, and seamless coordination made them a fearsome and highly effective combat force in the early, dominant phases of the Pacific War, striking fear into the hearts of Allied airmen.

His combat career saw extensive and intense action across some of the most critical air campaigns of World War II in the Pacific. Nishizawa played a prominent role in the grueling and fiercely contested New Guinea campaign, where the fight for aerial supremacy was constant and brutal. He then transitioned to the pivotal aerial battles over Guadalcanal and throughout the wider Solomon Islands campaign. These theaters represented some of the most sustained and challenging air engagements of the war, characterized by continuous dogfights against increasingly well-trained and better-equipped Allied forces, particularly the American and Australian fighter pilots. His exploits during these campaigns further solidified his standing as a top-tier combat pilot and a legendary figure within the IJNAS.

Tragically, Hiroyoshi Nishizawa's remarkable and often miraculous combat career came to an end not in the fury of a dogfight, but under more mundane yet equally perilous circumstances. On October 26, 1944, during the intense and decisive Philippines Campaign, he was aboard a Mitsubishi Ki-21 "Sally" transport aircraft. This specific flight was ferrying replacement pilots from the Philippines to Clark Field. The transport, identifiable by its lack of defensive armament, was intercepted over Mindoro, Philippines, and subsequently shot down by two US Navy F6F Hellcat fighters. These Hellcats belonged to VF-14, operating from the USS Wasp (CV-18), a formidable American aircraft carrier. Nishizawa, at the young age of 24, perished in the crash, a significant and irreplaceable loss for the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service during a critical phase of the war.

The true number of aerial victories credited to Hiroyoshi Nishizawa remains a subject of considerable historical debate and ambiguity, a common challenge when assessing the combat records of Japanese aces due to their less stringent and centralized record-keeping compared to Allied forces. While he is widely considered one of Japan's most successful fighter pilots, establishing an exact, definitively verified tally is difficult. Nishizawa himself reportedly told his last commanding officer that he had achieved 86 or 87 aerial victories. Post-war analyses and various biographical accounts have linked his name to significantly higher, albeit largely unverified, scores, such as 103 or even a remarkable 147 confirmed kills. However, most reputable aviation historians widely consider both of these higher figures to be inaccurate. They often stem from unconfirmed claims, "shared" victories that were not meticulously logged, or inflated post-war estimations that lack verifiable contemporary evidence. Consequently, the figure of 86 or 87 victories represents the most commonly cited and arguably the most credible estimate of his extraordinary combat record, underscoring his phenomenal skill even without the inflated numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hiroyoshi Nishizawa

Who was Lieutenant Junior Grade Hiroyoshi Nishizawa?
Hiroyoshi Nishizawa was an elite Japanese naval aviator and one of the highest-scoring fighter aces of the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service during World War II, renowned for his aggressive and unpredictable aerial combat tactics.
Why was Nishizawa called 'the Devil'?
He earned the formidable nickname 'the Devil' (Maō) from his colleagues due to his exceptionally breathtaking, brilliant, and unpredictable aerobatics, combined with his superb control of his Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter in combat, making him an incredibly formidable opponent.
What was the 'Clean-Up Trio'?
The 'Clean-Up Trio' was a famous and highly effective group of fighter aces within the Tainan Kōkūtai, consisting of Hiroyoshi Nishizawa, Saburō Sakai, and Toshio Ōta. They were known for their aggressive combat patrols and their ability to clear skies of enemy aircraft during the early phases of the Pacific War.
Where did Nishizawa see combat during WWII?
Nishizawa saw extensive action in major Pacific War campaigns, including the grueling New Guinea campaign and the intense aerial battles over Guadalcanal and the wider Solomon Islands, before his final deployment to the Philippines Campaign.
How many aerial victories did Hiroyoshi Nishizawa achieve?
While definitive records are scarce and often debated, Hiroyoshi Nishizawa himself claimed 86 or 87 aerial victories. Post-war claims of 103 or 147 have largely been discredited by historians due to a lack of verified evidence, making the 86-87 figure the most widely accepted and credible estimate of his extraordinary combat record.
How did Hiroyoshi Nishizawa die?
Hiroyoshi Nishizawa was killed on October 26, 1944, during the Philippines Campaign. He was aboard a Mitsubishi Ki-21 transport aircraft ferrying replacement pilots when it was intercepted and shot down by US Navy F6F Hellcat fighters from VF-14 over Mindoro, Philippines.