×
Home Intro People Events Equipment Places Maps Books Photos Videos Other Reference FAQ About
     

World War II Database

Michio Kobayashi file photo [798]

Michio Kobayashi

SurnameKobayashi
Given NameMichio
Born28 Oct 1914
Died4 Jun 1942
CountryJapan
CategoryMilitary-Air
GenderMale

Contributor:

ww2dbaseMichio Kobayashi was born in Fuirukawa, Sasebo, Japan. He attended the Navy Academy at Etajima, Japan between 1934 and 1937. In 1938, he began flight training, and by the start of the Pacific War he was a commander of a dive bomber unit aboard carrier Hiryu at the rank of lieutenant. He was commented as a "well-respected veteran" by historian Jonathan Parshall. During the Battle of Midway on 4 Jun 1942, at 1057, Kobayashi and his 18-dive bomber force took off from Hiryu to attack American carrier Yorktown, escorted by 6 fighters. Two-thirds of his attack force carried 250-kilogram semi armor-piercing bombs against Yorktown while the others carried high explosive bombs against the ship's crew. The force found Yorktown and commenced to attack, disabling Yorktown. A high cost was paid, however. Out of the 24 aircraft sent on the attack, 18 of them were lost, and of the 6 that returned only 2 were in undamaged condition. Kobayashi was among those killed, shot down by Enterprise VF-6 pilots Thomas Clinton Provost and James Alex Halford who arrived too late to save Yorktown from becoming disabled but in time to intercept the attackers. His possible last words were in the form of a radio message, "Number Two. Fire break out on carrier. 0901." The time, of course, was a mistake committed in the heat of battle; it should had been 0911 Tokyo Time when he or his subordinate sent the message.

ww2dbaseSources: Midway Dauntless Victory, Shattered Sword.

Last Major Revision: Aug 2008

Photographs

Portrait of Michio Kobayashi, date unknown

Michio Kobayashi Timeline

28 Oct 1914 Michio Kobayashi was born.
4 Jun 1942 Michio Kobayashi passed away.




Did you enjoy this article or find this article helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you.

Share this article with your friends:

 Facebook
 Reddit
 Twitter

Stay updated with WW2DB:

 RSS Feeds




Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Peter Smith says:
13 Nov 2006 11:34:53 AM

What is the date of BIRTH and location of this officer please?

All visitor submitted comments are opinions of those making the submissions and do not reflect views of WW2DB.

Posting Your Comments on this Topic

Your Name
Your Email
 Your email will not be published
Comment Type
Your Comments
 

Notes:

1. We hope that visitor conversations at WW2DB will be constructive and thought-provoking. Please refrain from using strong language. HTML tags are not allowed. Your IP address will be tracked even if you remain anonymous. WW2DB site administrators reserve the right to moderate, censor, and/or remove any comment. All comment submissions will become the property of WW2DB.

2. For inquiries about military records for members of the World War II armed forces, please see our FAQ.

Change View
Desktop View

Search WW2DB
More on Michio Kobayashi
Event(s) Participated:
» Battle of Midway and the Aleutian Islands

Associated Aircraft:
» D3A

Michio Kobayashi Photo Gallery
Portrait of Michio Kobayashi, date unknown


Famous WW2 Quote
"You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word. It is victory. Victory at all costs. Victory in spite of all terrors. Victory, however long and hard the road may be, for without victory there is no survival."

Winston Churchill


Support Us

Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!

Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!