Japanese Forces

Aichi D1A "Susie" Bombers

Asahi Graph Magazine 1942d

Aichi D1A "Susie" dive bombers in Truk Island, 1942. The D1A was primarily used in the Second Sino-Japanese War and up to the time Japan entered World War II in 1941. At the beginning of the Pacific War, all of the remaining D1A1s were decommissioned and most of the D1A2s were retired from the front lines and served primarily in training units. The exception was 68 of the D1A2 model that operated as a second-line support until being retired in 1942.