''The "Shiden Kai" were the ace-in-the-holes of the mainland's air defenses. The majority were deployed to the 343rd Air Group.<br>The mighty Shiden Kai squadron, the 701st Fighter Squadron, was a squadron from that air group that was deployed to Matsuyama in Shikoku.<br>Led by the legendary squadron commander Oshibuchi, an excellent pilot in his own right, they confronted overwhelming numbers of enemy carrier-based aircraft during the harshest times of the war. | ''The "Shiden Kai" were the ace-in-the-holes of the mainland's air defenses. The majority were deployed to the 343rd Air Group.<br>The mighty Shiden Kai squadron, the 701st Fighter Squadron, was a squadron from that air group that was deployed to Matsuyama in Shikoku.<br>Led by the legendary squadron commander Oshibuchi, an excellent pilot in his own right, they confronted overwhelming numbers of enemy carrier-based aircraft during the harshest times of the war. |