Toyoshima took part of the 19 February 1942, Japanese air-raid on Darwin, Australia.
His Zero, tail code BII-124, was launched from the Japanese aircraft carrier Hiryū.
His Zero crash-landed on Melville Island, where he was taken prisoner by local islander Matthias Ulungura.
Toyoshima was the first Japanese prisoner of war to be captured in Australian territorial jurisdiction.
Toyoshima suffered only superficial injuries in the crash-landing.
He strove to move as far away from his Zero on foot, understanding that the aircraft would aid Allied Military intelligence.
Before Toyoshima's crash, only nine Zeros had been shot down in the Pearl Harbor attack, 74 days before the first air raid on Darwin; their pilots had died, and the badly damaged wrecks were of little use.
Toyoshima took part of the 19 February 1942, Japanese air-raid on Darwin, Australia. His Zero, tail code BII-124, was launched from the Japanese aircraft carrier Hiryū. His Zero crash-landed on Melville Island, where he was taken prisoner by local islander Matthias Ulungura. Toyoshima was the first Japanese prisoner of war to be captured in Australian territorial jurisdiction. Toyoshima suffered only superficial injuries in the crash-landing. He strove to move as far away from his Zero on foot, understanding that the aircraft would aid Allied Military intelligence. Before Toyoshima's crash, only nine Zeros had been shot down in the Pearl Harbor attack, 74 days before the first air raid on Darwin; their pilots had died, and the badly damaged wrecks were of little use.
Hajime Toyoshima