Mitsubishi G4M-1 "BETTY" Early

The Mitsubishi G4M1 "Betty" early model first saw combat in Mainland China on September 13, 1940. It was subsequently deployed for major operations in the Philippines and Malaya in December 1941, notably sinking the HMS Prince of Wales and Repulse off Malaya. The bomber operated throughout the South Pacific, including bases in Formosa and Rabaul. 
 
Key Early Operational Details:
Initial Action: 27 aircraft from the 1st Rengo Kōkūtai attacked Hankow, China, in September 1940.
Key 1941 Operations: In December 1941, 107 G4Ms from Formosa attacked the Philippines.
Sinking of Force Z: On December 10, 1941, G4M1s attacked and sank the HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse, the first capital ships sunk at sea by air power alone.
Deployment Locations: Early units were based in Formosa, French Indochina, and later Rabaul in 1942.
Target Types: They were primarily used for long-range, land-based bombing against ships and land targets, often escorting by A6M Zeros.