Japanese A6M “Zero” fighters from the “Zuikaku” aircraft carrier of the Imperial Navy, based in Rabaul (Japanese military base in New Guinea) before the combat flight.
48 A6M fighters from the “Shokaku” and “Zuikaku” aircraft carriers were temporarily based in Rabaul with the aim of removing the US air blockade of Rabaul. The mission of the aircraft was to strike at US airfields, primarily the island of Guadalcanal.
Location: Rabaul, New Guinea
Date: November 1943