601st Naval Air Group
Active	February 15, 1944 – postwar.
Country	Empire of Japan
Allegiance	Empire of Japan
Branch	Imperial Japanese Navy
Type	Naval aviation unit
Role	Fighter, interceptor fighter, bomber, torpedo bomber, reconnaissance
Size	225 aircraft (initial)
Part of	3rd Fleet 1st Carrier Division 3rd Air Fleet
Garrison/HQ	Atsugi, Japan Seletar, Singapore Aircraft carrier Taihō Katori, Japan Hyakuri, Japan Kokubu, Japan
Aircraft flown	A6M Type 0 "Zeke" N1K1-J Shiden "George" D4Y Suisei "Judy" B6N Tenzan "Jill"
Engagements	World War II Battle of the Philippine Sea Battle of Iwo Jima Battle of Okinawa Air raids on Japan
Insignia
Identification symbol	Until 9 July 1944 311 or 11; Aircraft carrier Taihō 312 or 12; Aircraft carrier Zuikaku 313 or 13; Aircraft carrier Shōkaku
Identification symbol	And after 10 July 1944 601

The 601st Naval Air Group (第六〇一海軍航空隊, Dai Roku-Maru-Hito Kaigun Kōkūtai) was a carrier air group (later converted to airbase garrison unit) of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during the Pacific campaign of World War II.

Structure

• Higher unit
  • 3rd Fleet (15 February 1944–9 July 1944)
  • 1st Carrier Division (10 July 1944–9 February 1945)
  • 3rd Air Fleet (10 February 1945–postwar.)
• Lower unit
  • 161st Fighter Squadron (10 July 1944–15 November 1944)
  • 162nd Fighter Squadron (10 July 1944–15 November 1944)
  • 308th Fighter Squadron (20 February 1945–postwar.)
  • 310th Fighter Squadron (20 February 1945–postwar.)
  • 402nd Fighter Squadron (5 March 1945–20 April 1945)
  • 1st Attack Squadron (20 February 1945–postwar.)
  • 161st Attack Squadron (10 July 1944–15 November 1944)
  • 254th Attack Squadron (20 February 1945–5 March 1945)
  • 262nd Attack Squadron (10 July 1944–14 November 1944)
  • 61st Reconnaissance Squadron (10 July 1944–15 November 1944)

Commanding officers

• Cdr. / RADM* Irisa Toshiie (52) - 15 February 1944 - 19 June 1944 (KIA; posthumous two-rank promotion.)
  • Cdr. Irisa was jointly Air Officer of CV Taiho, and was KIA in her sinking.
• VACANT - 19 June 1944 - 10 July 1944
• Cdr. / Capt. Suzuki Masakazu (52) - 10 July 1944 - 10 February 1945 (Captain on 15 October 1944.)
• Cdr. / Capt. Sugiyama Toshikazu (51) - 10 February 1945 - 15 August 1945 (Captain on 1 May 1945.)

Bibliography

• Shin-Jinbutsuoraisha Co., Ltd., Tōkyō, Japan.
  • Kingendaishi Hensankai, Military history of the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Groups and Imperial Japanese Army Flying Regiments, 2001, ISBN 4-404-02945-4.
  • Rekishi Dokuhon, Document of the war No. 48 Overview of Imperial Japanese Navy Admirals, 1999, ISBN 4-404-02733-8.
• The Japanese Modern Historical Manuscripts Association, Organizations, structures and personnel affairs of the Imperial Japanese Army & Navy, University of Tokyo Press, Tōkyō, Japan, 1971, ISBN 978-4-13-036009-8.
• Rekishi Gunzō, History of Pacific War, Gakken, Tōkyō, Japan.
  • Vol. 13, Shōkaku class aircraft carrier, 1997, ISBN 4-05-601426-4.
  • Vol. 22, Aircraft carrier Taihō / Shinano, 1999, ISBN 4-05-602062-0.
  • Extra, Perfect guide, The aircraft carriers of the Imperial Japanese Navy & Army, 2003, ISBN 4-05-603055-3.
• Bunrin-Dō Co., Ltd., Tōkyō, Japan.
  • Famous airplanes of the world No. 69, Navy Carrier Dive-Bomber "Suisei", 1998, ISBN 4-89319-066-0.
  • Koku-Fan Illustrated No. 42, Japanese Imperial Army & Navy Aircraft Color, Markig, 1988.
  • Koku-Fan Illustrated Special, Japanese Military Aircraft Illustrated Vol. 2, "Bombers", 1982.
• Model Art, Model Art Co. Ltd., Tōkyō, Japan.
  • No. 406, Special issue Camouflage & Markings of Imperial Japanese Navy Bombers in W.W.II, 1993.
  • No. 458, Special issue Imperial Japanese Navy Air Force Suicide Attack Unit "Kamikaze", 1995.
  • No. 553, Special issue I.J.N. Carrier Attack Bomber, 2000.
• Japan Center for Asian Historical Records (http://www.jacar.go.jp/english/index.html)%5B%5D, National Archives of Japan, Tōkyō, Japan.
  • Reference Code: C08051771200, Transition table of formation of Imperial Japan Navy Air Units (special establishment) during Pacific War, Japan Demobilization Agency, 1949.