By Pierre Kosmidis

A mystery that lasted for 68 years has been solved thanks to the research by WW2 Aviation enthusiasts.

The charred remains of a Japanese Zero fighter were on a mountain slope in Palau, covered by grass. The aircraft turned out to belong to the 261 Navy Air Corps, piloted by 19-year old Yoshida Hisamitsu.
On March 31, 1944, an aerial attack by over 100 US fighter aircraft was met by approximately 20 Japanese fighter planes. The fight was over in a matter of minutes.

Locals witnessed the Zero crash landing and rushed to the scene, only to find the aircraft engulfed in flames and the pilot severely burned.

Yoshida Hisamitsu was buried near the aircraft by the locals, who did not forget this incident after the war. Finally in August 2012, 68 years since the death of Yoshida Hisamitsu, his relatives were notified and paid their respects to the killed airman.