20th
Air Force
XXI
Bomber CommandProvided by Sparky Corradina,
Historian 40th Bomb Group
Mission
# 1
Date: 27 October 1944
Code Name: Truk
Target: Submarine Pens, Dublon Island, Truk
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 18
% A/C Bombing Primary: 78% ( 14 )
Time Over Primary: 280855K - 280900K
Altitude of Attack: 25,900 - 27,450
Weather Over Target: CAVU
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of
poor to fair. Four aircraft non-effective. There were
2 attacks
by E/A. AA heavy, meager to inaccurate. Average bomb load:
6,000 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 1,812 gallons.
____________________________________________________
Date:
Code Name: Truk
Target: Submarine pens,
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 18
% A/C Bombing Primary: 44% ( 8 )
Time Over Primary: 301100K - 301103K
Altitude of Attack: 25,500 - 27,450
Weather Over Target: 5/10 cumulus
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of
poor, Ten aircraft noneffective. No enemy air
opposition. AA
meager to nil. Nine aircraft dropped bombs by radar two miles
beyond target. Assembly made as planned. Average bomb
load: 6,000 lbs. Average bomb load 6,000 lbs. Average gas
reserve 2011 gallons.
____________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 3
Date: 2 November 1944
Code Name: Truk
Target: Submarine pens, Dublon Island, Truk Atoll
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number of A/C Airborne: 20
% A/C Bombing Primary: 85% ( 17 )
Time Over Primary: 021034K - 021135K
Altitude of Attack: 25,900 - 27,300
Weather Over Target: 7/10 - 8/10
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Shakedown mission. Bombing results
poor. Three aircraft non-effective. No enemy
opposition. Mis-
sion planned to afford practice in using radar bombing proce-
dure. AA heavy. meager to
inaccurate. Assemblies made
according to plan. Average bomb load: 5,000 lbs. Average
bomb load: 5,000 lbs. Average gas reserve 2053 gallons.
______________________________________________________
Date:
Code Name:
Target: Two airfields at
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 36
% A/C Bombing Primary: 67% ( 24 )
Time Over Primary: 051623K - 051639K
Altitude of Attack: 26,750 - 27,500
Weather Over Target: 9/10 - 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of
give training in daylight visual bombing and test of night landing
facilities at base. Two aircraft non-effective. Ten
aircraft reaching
target were ineffective due to malfunction of bomb bay doors on
lead aircraft. Bombs dropped at various intervals beyond target.
No enemy air opposition. AA heavy, meager to inaccurate.
Bombing results poor. Average bomb load: 10,000
pounds. Ave-
rage gas reserve: 1,409 gallons.
______________________________________________________
Date:
Code Name:
Target: Airfields at
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 17
% A/C Bombing Primary: 35% ( 6 )
Time Over Primary: 081232K - 081234K
Altitude of Attack: 27,650 - 29,000
Weather Over
Target: 4/10 - 5/10
Total A/C Lost: 1
Resume of
no photos. Crews reported excellent. Formation of eight aircraft
missed target entirely when lead aircraft over ran IP. Eleven
A/C
non-effective. One aircraft ditched at 19 degrees north 141 degrees
east. Enemy air opposition slight, eight enemy aircraft made at-
tacks. Six phosphorus bombs dropped on formations. AA heavy,
moderate too inaccurate. Average bomb load: 10,000 lbs. Average
gas reserve: 1,167 gallons.
_______________________________________________________
Mission
Summary
Mission # 6
Date: 11 November 1944
Code Name: Truk
Target: Submarine Base, Dublon Island
Secondary - Dublon Island
Shipping
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 9
% A/C Bombing Primary: 89% ( 8 )
Time Over Primary: 111335 - 111357
Altitude of Attack: 25,000 - 25,000
Weather Over Target: 2/10 - 3/10
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Shakedown mission. Bombing results
fair. One aircraft non-effective. Enemy
air opposition slight
by five unaggressive attacks. One enemy aircraft damaged.
Average bomb load: 10,000 pounds. Average gas reserve:
2,212 gallons. AA meager to inaccurate.
__________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 7
Date: 24
November 1944
Code Name: San Antonio # 1
Target: Musashino A/C Plant Tokyo ( 357 ),
Secondary - Urban and Dock Area
Tokyo
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 111
% A/C Bombing Primary: 22% ( 24 )
Time Over Primary: 241312K - 241532K
Altitude of Attack: 27,000 - 32,000
Weather Over Target: 2/10 - 9/10
Total A/C Lost: 2
Resume of Mission: Fifty-nine aircraft attacked urban and
dock area of Tokyo and five aircraft attacked Matsuzaki village,
target of opportunity. Bombing results poor---16,058 square
feet destroyed or damaged. Ground speeds estimated at 445
mph over target---16 bursts in target area. Twenty-three air-
craft non-effective. One aircraft ditched all crew rescued. One
aircraft believed lost in collision with enemy aircraft. Enemy
air opposition meager, moderate to intense---184 attacks.
Enemy aircraft destroyed seven, probably destroyed 18 and
damaged 9. AA heavy, meager to moderate, inaccurate to
accurate. Average bomb load: 10,000 lbs. Average gas re-
serve: 1,048 gallons.
____________________________________________________
Mission
Summary
Mission # 8
Date: 27 November 1944
Code Name: Sand Antonio # 2
Target: Primary---Musashino Plant, Nakajima A/C Factory
Tokyo (357)
Secondary---Urban and Dock Area
Tokyo
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 81
% A/C Bombing Primary: 0 Primary, 49 Secondary
Time Over Primary: Secondary---271347K - 271525K
Opportunity---271420K - 271423K
Altitude of
Attack: Secondary---27,700 - 34,000
Opportunity---32,000
Weather Over Target: 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 1
Resume of Mission: Bombing results unobserved. Primary
completely obscured. Forty-nine aircraft bombed secondary
target by radar. Seven aircraft bombed
this mission was being flown
attacked Isley Field. All but one destroyed by AA and fighters.
Three B-29s destroyed, two extensively damaged, undeterm-
ined number damaged. Nineteen aircraft non-effective.
One
aircraft ditched on return to base, 12 crew members missing.
Enemy air opposition and flak nil. Average bomb load:
10,000
lbs. Average gas reserve: 1,093 gallons.
_____________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 9
Date: 29 November 1944
Code Name: Brooklyn # 1
Target: Primary---Industrial Area Tokyo
Secondary---None
Last Resort---Any Industrial
City
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 29
% A/C Bombing
Primary: 79% (Primary 23, Last Resort 2)
Time Over Primary: Primary---300050K - 300527K
Last Resort---300108K - 300157K
Altitude of Attack: Primary---25,000 - 33,200
Last Resort---21,000 - 33,200
Weather Over Target: Primary - 10/10
Last Resort - 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 1
Resume of Mission: Bombed by radar results unknown. Last
resort targets
effective. One aircraft missing to unknown reasons. AA
heavy,
meager to inaccurate. Enemy air opposition slight---five attacks.
Average bomb load: 7,000 lbs. Average gas reserve: 1,238 gal-
lons.
____________________________________________________
Mission
Summary
Mission # 10
Date: 3 December 1944
Code Name: San Antonio # 3
Target: Musashino A/C Plant ( 357 ),
Secondary - Urban and Dock Area
of Tokyo
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 86
% A/C Bombing Primary: 85% ( 73 )
Time Over Primary: 030503K - 030630K
Altitude of Attack: 16,000 - 33,100
Weather Over Target: CAVU
Total A/C Lost: 5
Resume of Mission: Bombing results unsatisfactory on primary---
2,580 square feet destroyed and unobserved on secondary. 2.5%
hit target. Eight aircraft bombed secondary. Eight early
returns
two of which bombed pagan
aircraft and four ditched. Enemy air opposition slight to
moderate.
75 attacks were made with 10 destroyed, 11 probably destroyed
and 18 damaged. AA heavy, meager to intense, inaccurate. Aver-
age bomb load: 5,000 lbs. Average gas reserve: 815 gallons.
_______________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 11
Date: 8 December 1944
Code Name: Sledgehammer # 1
Target: Primary - Airfields at Iwo Jima
Secondary - Pagan Island
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 79
% A/C Bombing Primary: 80% ( 63 )
Time Over Primary: 081020K - 081150K
Altitude of Attack: 19,670 - 23,400
Weather Over Target: 7/10 - 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Bombing results mainly unobserved to
cloud cover---one
squadron observed bombs through break.
Three aircraft airborne as navigation escort to 28 P-38's and
included in above totals. Fifteen early returns. Four
aircraft
bombed secondary. Enemy air opposition and AA nil.
Aver-
age bomb load: 20,000 lbs. Average gas reserve: 1,454 gal-
lons.
____________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 12
Date: 13 December 1944
Code Name: Memphis # 1
Target: Primary: Mitsubishi A/C Engine Plant ( 193 ) Nagoya
Secondary: Nagoya Urban
Area
Last Resort: Any
Industrial City
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 90
% A/C Bombing Primary: 79% ( 71 A/C )
Time Over Primary: 131457K - 131638K
Altitude of Attack: 26,450 - 32,300
Weather Over Target: 3/10
Total A/C Lost: 4
Resume of Mission: Bombing results good---691,050 square
feet destroyed of main buildings and others damaged with 230
bursts in target area. Fifteen early returns. Two
aircraft ditched,
one aircraft lost to unknown causes and one aircraft presumed
lost to flak. Fighter opposition heavy to light---unaggressive to
aggressive with 106 attacks made with four destroyed, one
probably destroyed and none damaged. AA heavy, moderate
too intense, accurate. Average bomb load: 5,000 lbs. Average
gas reserve: 783 gallons.
_____________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 13
Date: 18 December 1944
Code Name: Hesitation # 1
Target: Nagoya ( 194 ) Mitsubishi A/C Plant
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C
Airborne: 89
% A/C Bombing
Primary: 71% (63 Primary, 0 Secondary,
Last Resort and
Opportunity 10)
Time Over Primary: 181400K - 181543K
Altitude of Attack: 28,000 - 32,000
Weather Over Target: 5/10
Total A/C Lost: 4
Resume of Mission: Bombing results good---921,670 square
feet destroyed or damaged, 2,500,000 square feet of residen-
tial area destroyed and moderate damage to shipyards and
other industries. Enemy fighter opposition moderate with 188
unaggressive attacks. Enemy aircraft destroyed 5, probably
destroyed 11 and damaged 12. Two aircraft missing, reasons
unknown, one aircraft ditched and one aircraft crashed on re-
turn to
bomb load: 5,000 lbs. Average gas reserve: 705 gallons.
____________________________________________________
Mission
Summary
Mission # 14
Date: 22 December 1944
Code Name: Eradicate # 2
Target: Nagoya (193) - Mitsubishi Engine Plant
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 78
% A/C Bombing Primary: 62% (48 Primary, 0
Secondary,
3 Last Resort, 11 Opportunity)
Time Over
Primary: 221404K - 221558K
Altitude of Attack: 28,800 - 32,600
Weather Over Target: 6/10 - 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 3
Resume of Mission: Bombed by radar. No bomb strike photos
or damage assessment. enemy air opposition, heavy to
moderate,
unaggressive to aggressive---508 attacks. Enemy aircraft destroy-
ed 9, probably destroyed 17 and damaged 15. AA heavy,
inaccu-
rate to accurate. One aircraft ditched when two engines cut out,
one aircraft hit by fighters or flak over target and later ditched and
one aircraft seriously damaged on this mission later designated
as lost and redesignated TB-29. Average bomb load: 5,500 lbs.
Average gas reserve: 1,046 gallons.
_______________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 15
Date: 24 December 1944
Code Name: Rockcrusher # 1
Target: Iwo Jima Airfields One and Two
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 29
% A/C Bombing Primary: 88% (23 Primary, 1 Last Resort)
Time Over Primary: 241424K - 241555K
Altitude of Attack: 19,500 - 21,800
Weather Over Target: 7/10 - 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Bombs dropped by visual and radar means
with poor results. Three aircraft not included in above totals as
navigational escort for fighter sweep. enemy fighter
opposition nil.
AA meager, moderate too inaccurate. Average bomb load:
10,000
lbs. Average gas reserve: 1,832 gallons.
________________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 16
Date: 27 December 1944
Code Name:
Tokyo (357) - Nakajima A/C Plant, Musashino
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 72
% A/C Bombing Primary: 54% (39 Primary, 9 Secondary,
4 Last Resort, and Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 271342K - 271503K
Altitude of Attack: 28,800 - 33,800
Weather Over Target: 2/10
Total A/C Lost: 3
Resume of Mission: Bombing results poor. Six hits within 1,000
feet of AP. Results unobserved on Secondary, Last Resort, and
ed on return. Enemy air opposition moderate to heavy, inaggres-
sive to aggressive---272 attacks with twenty-one destroyed, ten
probably destroyed and seven damaged. AA meager to intense,
generally inaccurate. Average bomb load: 5,500 lbs. Average
gas reserve: 1,200 gallons.
______________________________________________________
Mission
Summary
Mission # 17
Date: 3 January 1945
Code Name: Microscope # 1
Target:
Nagoya City - Docks and Urban Areas
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 97
% A/C Bombing Primary: 59% (57 Primary, 0 Secondary,
21 Last Resort
and Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 031545K - 31633K
Altitude of Attack: 28,200 - 31,500
Weather Over Target: 6/10
Total A/C Lost: 5
Resume of Mission: Bombing results fair---140,000 square feet
destroyed and 75 fires started. Eighteen early returns.
One air-
craft lost to enemy aircraft, three aircraft lost to unknown causes
and one aircraft ditched on return. Enemy air opposition moderate
to heavy, unaggressive to aggressive---346 attacks with fourteen
destroyed, fourteen probably destroyed and twenty damaged.
AA meager---accurate. Average bomb load: 5,300 lbs.
Average
gas reserve: 761 gallons.
_______________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 18
Date: 9 January 1945
Code Name: Enkindle # 2
Target: Tokyo ( 357 ) - Nakajima A/C Plant, Musashino
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 72
% A/C Bombing Primary: 25% (18 Primary, 0 Secondary,
34 Last Resort
and Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 091513K - 091535K
Altitude of Attack: 29,500 - 34,400
Weather Over Target: CAVU
Total A/C Lost: 6
Resume of Mission: Bombing results poor---visual bombing---
extremely bad weather on route out prevented formation flying
to any large extent. Diversionary force of three aircraft
dispens-
ed rope. Nineteen early returns. Two aircraft
lost to enemy air-
craft, one aircraft ditched on route back and two aircraft are
missing to unknown reasons. Enemy air opposition meager
to moderate, inaccurate. Average bomb load: 5,000 lbs. Aver-
age gas reserve: 1,174 gallons.
____________________________________________________
Date:
Code Name: Hesitation # 2
Target:
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 73
% A/C Bombing Primary: 55% (40 Primary, 0 Secondary.
23 Last Resort
and Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 141540K - 141628K
Altitude of Attack: 29,080 - 32,000
Weather Over Target: 4/10 to cumulous and dense haze
Total A/C Lost: 5
Resume of Mission: Bombing results fair---166,100 square feet
destroyed and damaged. Nineteen early returns. One
aircraft
ditched en route to target, two aircraft ditched en route back,
one aircraft lost to unknown causes and on aircraft lost to survey.
Enemy air opposition moderate to heavy, unaggressive to
aggres-
sive---583 attacks. AA meager to moderate, inaccurate to accu-
rate. Average bomb load: 5,000 lbs. Average gas reserve: 909
gallons.
_______________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # - ( none assigned )
Date: 16 January 1945
Code Name: Pagan Island
Target: Airstrip on Pagan
Participating Unit: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 44
% A/C Bombing Primary: 73% ( 32 A/C )
Time Over Primary: 161133K - 161754K
Altitude of Attack: 28,300 - 28,400
Weather Over Target: 6/10 - 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Shakedown mission for wing. First
effort
with bombing results....fair. Eleven early returns.
Enemy air
opposition and AA nil. Average bomb load: 12,000 lbs. Aver-
age fuel reserve: 1,854 gallons.
_____________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 20
Date 19 January 1945
Code Name: Fruitcake # 1
Target: Osaka ( 1547 ) - Kawasaki A/C Plant, Akashi
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Bombing Primary: 78% (62 Primary, 0 Secondary,
9 last resort and Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 191450K - 191524K
Altitude of Attack: 25.100 - 27,400
Weather Over Target: 2/10 - 3/10
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Bombing results good---major damage 39%
of total roof area of engine and assembly plants destroyed or
damaged---1,032,000 square feet. Seven early returns.
Enemy
aircraft destroyed four, probably destroyed four and damaged 8.
AA meager to moderate, inaccurate. Average bomb load: 5,000
lbs. Average gas reserve: 1,037 gallons.
_________________________________________________________
Mission
Summary
Mission # 21
Date: 21 January 1945
Code Name: Panhandle # 1
Target: Truk, Moen Island Airfield
Participating Unit: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 33
% A/C Bombing Primary: 91% ( 30 A/C )
Time Over Primary: 211034K - 211108K
Altitude of Attack: 25,500 - 26,000
Weather Over Target: 1/10 - 2/10
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Bombing results good. 52% of bombs
dropped hitting the target. Three aircraft non-effective.
Enemy
air opposition nil. AA heavy, meager and inaccurate. Average
bomb load: 11,000 lbs. Average gas reserve: 1817 gallons.
____________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 22
Date: 23 January 1945
Code Name: Eradicate # 3
Target: Nagoya ( 193 ) - Mitsubishi Engine Plant
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 73
% A/C Bombing Primary: 38% (28 Primary, 27 Secondary,
5 Last Resort
and Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 230535K - 230547K
Altitude of Attack: 25,300 - 27,200
Weather Over Target: 9/10 - 10/10
Total A/C
Lost: 2
Resume of Mission: Bombing results unsatisfactory. Due to
weather twenty-seven aircraft bombed Urban area of
Thirteen early returns. One aircraft ditched just
after take-off'
and one aircraft lost to enemy aircraft and AA. Enemy fighter
opposition heavy and aggressive---691 attacks. Enemy air-
craft destroyed thirty-three, probably destroyed twenty-two
and damaged forty. AA heavy, meager to moderate, inaccu-
rate to accurate. Average bomb load: 6,000 lbs. Average gas
reserve: 1,053 gallons.
___________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 23
Date: 24 January 1945
Code Name: Starlit # 1
Target: Iwo Jima Airfields One and Two
Participating Unit: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 28
% A/C Bombing Primary: 71% ( 20 A/C )
Time Over Primary: 241228K - 241330K
Altitude of Attack: 26,000 - 28,000
Weather Over Target: 0/10 - 10/10
Total A/C
Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Bombing results good. Airfield number
One rendered unserviceable. Eight early returns. Enemy air
opposition nil. AA heavy, meager and inaccurate. Average
bomb load: 12,000 lbs. Average gas reserve: 1,622 gallons.
_____________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 24
Date: 27 January 1945
Code Name: Enkindle # 3
Target: Tokyo ( 357 ) - Nakajima A/C Plant, Musashino
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 74
% A/C Bombing Primary: 0 ( 0 Primary, 56 Secondary, 6 Last
Resort and
Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 271504K - 271558K
Altitude of Attack: 24,500 - 29,600
Weather Over Target: 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 9
Resume of Mission: Mission planned for either Musashino (357)
or Mitsubishi engine Factory (193) at Nagoya or if weather was
bad, urban areas of Tokyo or Nagoya were to be bombed by radar.
Two aircraft were dispatched early as weather reconnaissance
and reported that 357 would be target. Complete under-cast ne-
cessitated radar run on urban
Twelve early returns. Five aircraft lost to enemy
action, two aircraft
ditched on return, one aircraft crash-landed on return to base and
one aircraft lost to survey. Enemy fighter opposition of
unparalleled
intensity---984 attacks. Enemy aircraft destroyed sixty, probably
destroyed seventeen and thirty-nine damaged. Many ramming
attempts. AA heavy, moderate to intense, inaccurate to accurate.
Average bomb load: 6,000 lbs. Average gas reserve: 1,059 gallons.
_______________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 25
Date: 29 January 1945
Code Name: Starlit # 2
Target: Iwo Jima Airfields One and Two
Participating Unit: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 33
% A/C Bombing Primary: 85% ( 28 A/C )
Time Over Primary: 291428K - 291447K
Altitude of Attack: 23,000 - 25,200
Weather Over Target: 0/10 - 3/10
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Bombing results fair. 14% of bombs
dropped fell within target area. Enemy air opposition slight.
AA heavy, moderate & inaccurate. Average bomb load:
12,000 lbs. Average gas reserve: 1,386 gallons.
_________________________________________________
Mission
Summary
Mission # 26
Date: 4 February 1945
Code Name: Middleman # 1
Target: Kobe Area ( 90.25 ) - Kobe Urban Area
Participating Units: 73rd BW and 313th BW
Number of A/C Airborne: 110
% A/C Bombing Primary: 57% (69 Primary, 0 Secondary,
30 Last Resort
and Opportunity)
Time over Primary: 041557K - 041656K
Altitude of Attack: 24,500 - 27,000
Weather Over Target: 5/10 - 6/10
Total A/C Lost: 2
Resume of
Mission: 2,651,000 square feet of the target area
was destroyed or damaged. Fifteen aircraft bombed Natsuzka
and fifteen aircraft bombed various Last Resort targets. One
aircraft ditched on return and one aircraft burned after landing
at home base classified as lost to survey. Enemy air
opposition
heavy and aggressive---273 attacks. Enemy aircraft destroyed
four, probably destroyed twenty and thirty-nine damaged. AA
heavy, moderate too intense, inaccurate to accurate. Average
bomb load: 6,830 lbs. Average gas reserve: 696 gallons.
____________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 27
Date: 8 February 1945
Code Name: Panhandle # 2
Target: Truk Airfield One, Moen Island
Participating Unit: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 31
% A/C Bombing Primary: 97% ( 30 A/C )
Time Over Primary: 081057K - 081133K
Altitude of Attack: 29,500 - 30,700
Weather Over
Target: 8/10 - 9/10
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Bombing results poor. One early
return.
enemy air opposition nil. AA heavy, meager and
inaccurate.
Average bomb load: 10,000 lbs. Average gas reserve: 1,000
gallons.
____________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 28
Date: 9 February 1945
Code Name: Panhandle # 3
Target: Truk Airfield Two, Moen Island
Participating Unit: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 30
% A/C Bombing Primary: 97% ( 29 A/C )
Time Over Primary: 091119K - 091121K
Altitude of Attack: 24,000 - 26,000
Weather Over Target: 2/10 - 6/10
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Bombing results fair. One early
return.
Enemy air opposition nil. AA heavy, meager and
inaccurate.
Average bomb load: 10,000 lbs. Average gas reserve: 1,620
gallons.
___________________________________________________
Mission summary
Mission # 29
Date: 10 February 1945
Code Name: Fraction # 1
Target: Tokyo ( 1544 ) - Nakajima Aircraft Plant, Ota
Participating Units: 73rd BW and 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 120
% A/C Bombing Primary: 70% (84 Primary, 0 Secondary,
16 Last Resort
and Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 101605K - 101641K
Altitude of Attack: 26,000 - 29,400
Weather Over Target: 1/10 - 2/10
Total A/C Lost: 12
Resume of Mission: Two aircraft included in the above total
were dispatched as a diversionary force against Hammatsu.
Damage assessment revealed 755,900 square feet of roof
area damaged in target area. Eighteen aircraft returned early.
One aircraft was lost to enemy action, one aircraft
crashed
on take-off, two aircraft collided in mid-air, seven aircraft
ditched and one aircraft missing to unknown reasons. En-
emy air opposition moderate to strong---330 attacks. Enemy
aircraft destroyed twenty-one, probably destroyed fifteen and
twenty-six damaged. AA weak and inaccurate. Average
bomb
load: 6,522 lbs---73rd Wing---and 5,317 lbs---313th Wing. Aver-
age gas reserve: 576 gallons.
___________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 30
Date: 11 February 1945
Code Name: Sea Search # 1
Target: 60 miles each side L 135 degrees east---148 degrees
east L 30 degrees north
Participating Unit: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 9
% A/C Bombing Primary: 88% ( 8 A/C )
Time Over Search Area: 111518K ( ETA over search area )
Altitude: 3,000 feet
Weather Over Target: 10/10 overcast
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Nine aircraft to search for enemy picket
boats. One early return. Search area 10/10 overcast
radar used.
AA---Sofu-Gan heavy, meager and inaccurate. Enemy convoy---
heavy, meager and inaccurate. No enemy fighter opposition.
enemy convoy of 4 DD, 2 tankers, and 5
freighters sighted at
29 degrees, 29 minutes north---140 degrees 20 minutes east.
No bomb load. Average gas reserve: unavailable.
_____________________________________________________
Date:
Code Name: Starlit # 3
Target:
Participating Unit: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 21
% A/C Bombing Primary: 100%
Time Over Primary: 121211K - 121250K
Altitude of Attack: 24,000 - 24,500
Weather Over Target: 3/10 - 4/10
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of
opposition nil. AA heavy, meager and inaccurate. Average
bomb load: 8,000 lbs. Average gas reserve: 1,015 gallons.
__________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 32
Date: 12 February 1945
Code Name: Sea Search # 2
Target: 60 miles each side 135 degrees 00' east -
148 degrees 00' east longitude,
30 degrees
00' north latitude
Participating Unit: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 10
% A/C Over Search Area: 80% ( 8 A/C )
Time Over Area: 121643K - 122030K (Estimated)
Altitude of Search Area: 2,000 ft.
Weather Over Target: 1/10 - 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 1
Resume of
plete coverage. Two early returns. One aircraft caught
fire,
exploded and crashed northwest of
accurate from CL or DD at 30 degrees 35' N - 144 degrees
00' E. No enemy air opposition. Two enemy patrol or torpedo
boats, two unidentified submarines, unidentified convoy of
12-15 ships, one enemy DD and an unidentified convoy of
eleven ships observed during this mission. All but 20% of
assigned area was covered. No bomb load. Average gas
reserve unavailable.
____________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 33
Date: 14 February 1945
Code Name: Sea Search # 3
Target: Search of Area - Base Line 28 degrees 02' N -
145 degrees 55' E to 28 degrees
44' N - 148
degrees 00' E
Participating Unit: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 6
% A/C Over Search Area: 83% ( 5 A/C )
Time Over Primary: 141415K - 141725K (Estimated)
Altitude Over Search Area: 3,000 ft.
Weather Over Target: 4/10
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of
Two early returns. No AA. Enemy shipping observed in
target area as follows: 4 small freighters, 1 picket boat,
1 DD escorting freighters, 1 small fishing boat and 1 un-
identified vessel. No bomb load. Average gas reserve un-
available.
________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 34
Date: 15 February 1945
Code Name: Eradicate # 4
Target: Nagoya ( 193 ) - Mitsubishi Engine Plant
Participating Units: 73rd BW and 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 117
% A/C Bombing Primary: 28% (33 Primary, 0 Secondary,
54 Last Resort,
16 Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 151502K - 151555K
Altitude of Attack: 25,300 - 34,000
Weather Over Target: CAVU to 3/10
Total A/C Lost: 1
Resume of Mission: Bombing results---203,000 square feet
destroyed or damaged. 5.4% of total rood area. Severe wea-
ther en route caused formations to break up. Sixteen early
returns. One aircraft ditched on return. Enemy air
opposition
weak---166 attacks. Enemy aircraft destroyed seven, probably
destroyed eight and damaged twenty-three. AA meager to
moderate, inaccurate to accurate. Average bomb load: 6,000
lbs. for the 73rd
BW, 5,000 lbs. for the 313th BW. Average
gas reserve: 1,191 gallons. Fifty-four aircraft Hamamatsu---
2,000,000
______________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 35
Date: 17 February 1945
Code Name: Panhandle # 4
Target: Truk, Dublon Island Submarine Base
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 9
% A/C Bombing Primary: 89% ( 8 A/C )
Time Over Primary: 171646K - 171647K
Altitude of Attack: 25,300 - 26,900
Weather Over Target: CAVU
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Bombing results excellent. One
aircraft
non-effective. No enemy air opposition. AA heavy, moderate
and accurate. Average bomb load: 2,500 labs. Average gas
reserve: 1,355 gallons.
___________________________________________________
Date:
Code Name: Panhandle # 5
Target: Truk
Airfields One and Two
Participating Unit: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 36
% A/C Bombing Primary: 100%
Time Over Primary: 181227K - 181340K
Altitude of Attack: 24,000 - 25,900
Weather Over Target: 1/10 - 4/10
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of
of runways. AA and enemy air opposition nil.
Average bomb
load: 9,492 lbs. Average gas reserve: 1,335 gallons.
___________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 37
Date: 19 February 1945
Code Name: Enkindle # 4
Target: Tokyo ( 357 ) - Nakajima A/C Plant, Musashino
Participating Units: 73rd BW and 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 150
% A/C Bombing Primary: 0 (o Primary, 119 Secondary,
7 Last Resort,
and 5 Opportunity)
Time Over Secondary: 191549K - 191647K
Altitude of Attack: 24,500 - 30,000
Weather Over Target: 5/10 and haze cirrus deck
Total A/C Lost: 6
Resume of Mission: Cloud cover over primary caused bombing
of secondary, Tokyo Urban area, by radar. Damage assessment
amounted to 800,900 square feet of the target area. Thirteen
early returns, eight of which bombed targets of opportunity and
last resort. One aircraft ditched on return, two aircraft lost to en-
emy action by
ramming, one aircraft missing to unknown reasons,
two aircraft destroyed on return to base when one crashed and
collided with a parked aircraft. Enemy air opposition
heavy---
570 attacks. Enemy aircraft destroyed thirty-nine, probably de-
stroyed sixteen and thirty-seven damaged. AA moderate to in-
tense, inaccurate to accurate. Some air-to-air bombing reported.
Average bomb load: 6,860 lbs. Average gas reserve: 953 gallons.
_________________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 38
Date: 25 February 1945
Code Name: Meetinghouse # 1
Target: Tokyo Urban Area
Participating Units: 73rd BW, 313th BW and 314th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 229
% A/C Bombing Primary: 75% (172 Primary, 0 Secondary
28 Last Resort
and 1 Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 251458K - 251652K
Altitude of Attack: 23,500 - 31,000
Weather Over Target: 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 3
Resume of
Mission: First three wing strike. 28,000 square
feet of urban area destroyed. Twenty-eight non-effective.
Two
aircraft collided at wing assembly point and one aircraft lost
to survey. Enemy air opposition nil. AA meager and inaccurate.
Average bomb load: 7,085 lbs. for the 73rd Wing ,
5,147 lbs.
313th Wing and 3,944 lbs. 314th Wing. Average gas reserve:
883 gallons.
____________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 39
Date: 4 March 1945
Code Name: Enkindle # 5
Target: Tokyo ( 357 ) - Nakajima A/C Plant
Participating Units: 73rd BW and 313th BW
Number A/C
Airborne: 192
% A/C Bombing Primary: 0 ( 0 Primary, 159 Secondary,
17 Last Resort
and 1 Opportunity)
Time Over Secondary: 050940K - 051051K
Altitude of Attack: 25,100 - 28,900
Weather Over Target: 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 1
Resume of Mission: Bombing results unknown. No damage
assessment obtained from strike or post strike photography.
Fifteen early returns. Enemy air
opposition nil. AA meager
to moderate and inaccurate. Average bomb load: 6,833 lbs.
73rd Wing and 5,646 Lbs. 313th Wing. Average gas reserve:
947 gallons.
__________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 40
Date: 9 March 1945
Code Name: Meetinghouse # 2
Target: Tokyo Urban Area
Participating Units: 73rd BW, 313th BW and 314th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 325
% A/C Bombing
Primary: 86% (279 Primary, 0 Secondary,
5 Last Resort
and 15 Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 100107K - 100400K
Altitude of Attack: 4,900 - 9,200
Weather Over Target: 3/10
Total A/C Lost: 14
Resume of Mission: 469,146,000 square feet destroyed or
damaged ( 1080 acres - 16.8 square miles ). Bombing re-
sults excellent. Twenty-six aircraft non-effective.
One aircraft
lost to AA, one aircraft lost to survey, five aircraft ditched and
seven aircraft lost to reasons unknown. Enemy air opposition
weak---40 attacks, no claims. AA moderate to intense
and
accurate. Average bomb load: 13,880 lbs. 73rd Wing, 12,857
lbs. 313th Wing and 9,673 lbs. 314th Wing. Average gas re-
serve: 1,044 gallons.
__________________________________________________
Mission
Summary
Mission # 41
Date: 11
March 1945
Code Name: Microscope # 2
Target: Nagoya Urban Area
Participating Units: 73rd BW, 313th BW and 314th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 310
% A/C Bombing Primary: 92% (285 Primary, 0 Secondary
and 6 Last Resort
and Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 120119K - 120417K
Altitude of Attack: 5,100 - 8,500
Weather Over
Target: 2/10
Total A/C Lost: 1
Resume of Mission: 394,660 square feet destroyed of Target
1729 and 56,892,000 square feet ( 1300 acres or 2.05 square
miles) of urban area destroyed. Nineteen aircraft
non-effective.
One aircraft ditched just after take-off. Enemy fighter
opposi-
tion weak---47 attacks, no claims. AA heavy, meager to in-
tense, generally inaccurate. Average bomb load: 13,880 lbs.
73rs Wing, 13,695 lbs. 313th Wing and 9,827 lbs. 314th Wing.
Average gas reserve: 920 gallons.
___________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 42
Date: 13 March 1945
Code Name: Peachblow # 1
Target: Osaka Urban Area
Participating Units: 73rd BW, 313th BW and 314th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 298
% A/C Bombing Primary: 92% (274 Primary, 0 Secondary
and 5
Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 140057K - 140425K
Altitude of
Attack: 5,000 - 9,400
Weather Over Target: 5/10 - 6/10
Total A/C Lost: 2
Resume of Mission: 226,010,000 square feet ( 5,200 acres or
8.1 square miles) destroyed. Fifteen early returns.
One aircraft
lost to unknown reasons and one aircraft lost to survey. Enemy
air opposition slight---40 attacks. Enemy aircraft destroyed one
and none probably destroyed or damaged. AA medium to heavy,
meager to moderate, inaccurate to accurate. Average bomb load:
13,739 lbs. Average gas reserve: 1,049 gallons.
______________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 43
Date: 16 March 1945
Code Name:
Middleman # 2
Target: Kobe Urban Area
Participating Units: 73rd BW, 313th BW and 314th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 330
% A/C Bombing Primary: 93% (308 Primary, 0 Secondary
and 3 Last Resort
and Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 170338K - 170546K
Altitude of Attack: 4,600 - 9,000
Weather Over Target: 1/10 - 3/10
Total A/C Lost: 3
Resume of Mission: 85,458,000 square feet ( 1920 acres
or 3.0 square miles) destroyed. Twenty-one aircraft non-
effective. Three aircraft lost to reasons unknown. Enemy
fighter opposition medium to heavy, unaggressive---93
attacks. AA medium to heavy, meager to intense, inac-
curate. Average bomb load: 14,931 lbs. Average gas re-
serve: 889 gallons.
_________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 44
Date: 18 March 1945
Code Name:
Microscope # 3
Target: Nagoya Urban Area
Participating Units: 73rd BW, 313th BW and 314th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 310
% A/C Bombing Primary: 94% (290 Primary, 0 Secondary
0 Last Resort
and Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 190304K - 190548K
Altitude of Attack: 4,500 - 9,000
Weather Over Target: 2/10
Total A/C Lost: 1
Resume of Mission: 82,000,000 square feet ( 1890 acres
or 2.95 square miles) destroyed. Total damage to
from Missions 41-44 ---139,800,000 square feet ( 3200
acres or 5.0 square miles). Twenty aircraft non-effective.
One aircraft ditched on way back. Enemy air opposition
weak---44 attacks-no claims. AA medium to heavy, mea-
ger to moderate, inaccurate. Radar control indicated for
first time by very accurate tracking by searchlights. Av-
erage bomb load: 13,144 lbs. Average gas reserve: 1,085
gallons.
________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 45
Date: 24 March 1945
Code Name: Eradicate # 5
Target: Nagoya, Mitsubishi Engine Plant ( 193 )
Participating Units: 73rd BW, 313th BW and 314th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 248
% A/C Bombing Primary: 90% (223 Primary, 0 Secondary
and 3
Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 250100K - 250217K
Altitude of Attack: 5,650 - 9,800
Weather Over Target: 3/10 - 5/10
Total A/C
Lost: 5
Resume of Mission: One aircraft included in total airborne
as observation photo mission and to direct any change in
tactics necessary. 173,500 square feet additional damage
to Target 193. 8,053,000 square feet of Urban
troyed. Fifty-one buildings of Chigusa Factory,
Arsenal ( 196) destroyed; 502,000 square feet of
Mitsubishi
Electric Company (254) destroyed or damaged; 129,000
square feet of Torimatsu Factory,
destroyed or damaged. Kureha Textile Mill totally destroy-
ed---approximately 350,000 square feet; Asashi Pottery
Works totally destroyed---approximately 474,000 square
feet. One aircraft lost to flak over target, one aircraft ditch-
ed on way to target and three aircraft missing to unknown
reasons. Twenty-two aircraft non-effective. enemy air op-
position weak, no claims. AA heavy, meager to intense,
inaccurate to accurate. Average bomb load: 16,957 lbs.
73rd Wing, 15,330 lbs. 313th Wing and 8,784 lbs. 314th
Wing. Average gas reserve; 1,021 gallons.
________________________________________________
Date:
Code Name: Fearless # 1
Target:
Omura A/C Factory
Participating Units: 73rd BW and 314th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 161
% A/C Bombing Primary: 94% (151 Primary, 0 Secondary,
and 3
Time Over Primary: 1. Tachiari - 271140K - 271205K
2.
3. Omura -
271206K - 271220K
Altitude of Attack: 1. Tachiari - 14,500 - 18,000
2.
3. Omura -
15,000 - 16,000
Weather Over Target: 1. Tachiari - 1/10 - 2/10
2.
3. Omura - 1/10 - 7/10
Total A/C
Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Tachiari Airfield - 606,500 square feet
destroyed or damaged; Omura A/C Factory (1627) - 257,000
square feet destroyed or damaged; Oita Airfield - 112,175
square feet and 250,000 square feet of residential area des-
troyed. 113 aircraft of the 73rd Wing attacked Tachiari and
A/C Factory. Seven aircraft were non-effective. Enemy air
opposition - Tachiari Airfield weak - 21
attacks;
- none; Omura A/C Factory - 18 attacks. Enemy aircraft des-
troyed one, probably destroyed two and 4 damaged. AA:
Tachiari - heavy, meager and ineffective;
and inaccurate; Omura - heavy, meager to intense, inaccurate
to accurate. Average bomb load: 6,907 lbs. Average gas re-
serve: 788 gallons.
____________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 47
Date: 27 March 1945
Code Name: Starvation # 1
Target: Shimonoseki Straits
Participating Unit: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 102
% A/C Bombing Primary: 92% (94 Primary, 0 Secondary and
0 Last Resort and 0
Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: Mike - 272337K - 280106K
Love - 280010K - 280142K
Altitude of Attack: Mike - 4,900 - 5,400
Love - 6,000 - 8,000
Weather Over Target: Mike - 0/10 - 6/10
Love - 2/10 - 8/10
Total A/C Lost: 3
Resume of Mission: Mining mission---estimated results excel-
lent. Western approaches to Shimonoseki Straits closed for two
weeks of longer. Eight aircraft non-effective. Three
aircraft lost
to unknown reasons. Enemy opposition weak - 7 attacks.
One
enemy aircraft destroyed with none probably destroyed or dam-
aged. AA heavy , meager to intense, inaccurate to
accurate.
Average bomb load: 12,157 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 976 gallons.
_______________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 48
Date: 30 March 1945
Code Name: Eradicate # 6
Target: Mitsubishi Engine Plant, Nagoya ( 193 )
Participating Unit: 314th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 14
% A/C Bombing Primary: 86% (12 Primary, 0 Secondary
and 0 Last
Resort)
Time Over Primary: 310046K - 310150K
Altitude of Attack: 6,800 - 7,910
Weather Over Target: 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Bombing results poor. No new damage
visible. Two aircraft non-effective. Enemy air opposition nil.
AA heavy, meager to moderate, inaccurate to accurate. Ave-
rage bomb load: 8,682 lbs. Average gas reserve: 852 gallons.
___________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 49
Date: 30
March 1945
Code Name: Starvation # 2
Target: Shimonoseki Straits
Participating Unit: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 94
% A/C Bombing Primary: 90% (85 Primary, 2 Secondary
and 2 Last
Resort)
Time Over Primary: L - 310134K - 310245K
I - 310124K - 310348K
J - 310053K - 310141K
R - 310203K - 310302K
Altitude of Attack: L - 4,850 - 5,150
I - 4,700 - 6,000
J - 7,800 - 8,200
R - 6,900 - 7,450
Weather Over Target: 0/10 - 8/10
Total A/C Lost: 1
Resume of Mission: 94 aircraft dispatched to minefields
Love, Item, Jig and Roger. 39 aircraft Love; 11 aircraft Jig;
28 aircraft Item; 9 aircraft Roger. Seven aircraft
non-effect-
ive. Results estimated as excellent. Eastern entrance of
Shimonoseki Straits closed for two weeks. Traffic restrict-
ed to and from
sage of large vessels to
One aircraft crash landed on return to base. Enemy air
opposition none (1 attack). AA light and
heavy, meager
to moderate, inaccurate to accurate. Average mine load:
12,094 lbs. Average gas reserve: 879 gallons.
________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 50
Date: 31 March 1945
Code Name: Fearless # 2
Target: Kyushu Area - Tachiari Machine Works and
Omura Airfield Installations
Participating Units: 73rd BW and 314th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 149
% A/C Bombing
Primary: 92% (131 Primary, 0 Secondary
and 0 Last
Resort)
Time Over Primary: Tachiari - 311140K - 311219K
Omura - 311151K - 311242K
Altitude of Attack: Tachiari - 14,500 - 17,050
Omura - 16,000 - 18,100
Weather Over Target: 0/10 - 3/10
Total A/C Lost: 1
Resume of Mission: Bombing results fair - Tachiari, excellent -
Omura. Twelve aircraft non-effective. One aircraft
ditched on
way to target. Enemy air opposition light---175 attacks.
Enemy
aircraft destroyed 11, probably destroyed 5 and 3 damaged.
AA heavy, meager to intense, inaccurate to accurate at Omura.
AA heavy, meager to moderate, inaccurate at Tachiari. Average
bomb load: 7,867 lbs. Average gas reserve: 677 gallons.
_____________________________________________________
Mission
Summary
Mission # 51
Date: 1 April 1945
Code Name: Enkindle # 6
Target: Nakajima A/C Factory, Tokyo ( 357 )
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 121
% A/C Bombing Primary: 95% ( 115 A/C )
Time Over Primary: 020301K - 030443K
Altitude of
Attack: 5,830 - 7,960
Weather Over Target: Clear - some haze
Total A/C Lost: 6
Resume of Mission: Bombing results - no visible damage
from photo interpretation. Three early returns. One
aircraft
crashed just after take-off and five aircraft missing due to
unknown reasons. Enemy air opposition slight-33 attacks.
Enemy aircraft destroyed one, probably destroyed none
and none damaged. AA light, medium to heavy, moderate
to intense, inaccurate to accurate. One aircraft included in
total airborne carried flares. Average bomb load: 19,428 lbs.
Average gas reserve: 737 gallons.
_________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 52
Date: 1 April 1945
Code Name: Starvation # 3
Target: Minefield How, Kure Harbor
Participating Unit: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 6
% A/C Bombing Primary: 100%
Time Over
Primary: 012302K - 012333K
Altitude of Attack: 25,700 - 26,450
Weather Over Target: CAVU
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Mining results excellent - 40 out of 48
mines carried estimated to be effective. Believed shipping
seriously disrupted in
air opposition nil. AA slight and inaccurate.
Average mine
load: 8,000 lbs. (No gas reserve recorded)
___________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 53
Date: 2 April 1945
Code Name: Starvation # 4
Target: Minefield Item, Hiroshima Area
Participating
Unit: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 10
% A/C Bombing Primary: 90% ( 9 A/C )
Time Over Primary: 030116K - 030136K
Altitude of Attack: 6,000 - 6,100
Weather Over Target: 3/10
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Mining results - excellent. Successfully
mined areas left vacant by Starvation # 2. Relatively strong
blockade of Kure-Hiroshima Area. One early return.
Enemy
air opposition nil. AA meager and inaccurate.
Average mine
load: 12,354 lbs.
____________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 54
Date: 3 April 1945
Code Name: Starvation # 5
Target: Minefield Item, Hiroshima Area
Participating
Unit: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 9
% A/C Bombing Primary: 100%
Time Over Primary: 040010K - 040045K
Altitude of Attack: 6,000 - 6,150
Weather Over Target: 1/10 - 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Mining results - excellent. Estimated
that Southern entrance to
ed and presents a strong threat to shipping using Eastern
entrance. Enemy air opposition nil. AA nil to
meager. Av-
erage mine load: 12,000 lbs.
__________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 55
Date: 3 April 1945
Code Name: Upcast # 1
Target: Shizuoka A/C Plant, Shizouka ( 2011 )
Participating Unit: 314th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 49
% A/C Bombing Primary: 98% ( 48 A/C )
Time Over Primary: 040230K - 040435K
Altitude of Attack: 7,000 - 8,675
Weather Over Target: 0/10 - 2/10
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Bombing results - crews reported
poor to excellent. Accuracy could not be assessed due
to limited photography. Enemy air opposition nil. AA
medium and heavy, meager, inaccurate to accurate.
Average bomb load: 9,300 lbs. Average gas reserve:
1,126 gallons. One aircraft returned early.
________________________________________________
Mission
Summary
Mission # 56
Date: 3 April 1945
Code Name: Furious # 1
Target: Nakajima A/C Factory in Koizumi 90.17 - 1545
Secondary - Urban Tokyo
Participating Unit: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 68
% A/C Bombing
Primary: 71% (48 Primary and 18 Secondary)
Time Over Primary: 040214K - 040341K
Altitude of Attack: 7,200 - 7,950
Weather Over Target: 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Bombing results - 353,600 square feet or
9.5% of total roof area destroyed or damaged. Total damage to
date is 882,900 square feet or 23.8% of the total roof area. 12
aircraft were non-effective. Enemy opposition weak - 3
attacks.
Enemy aircraft destroyed, one and none probably destroyed or
damaged. AA heavy, meager to intense, inaccurate to accurate.
Average bomb load: 14,829 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 947 gallons.
One B-29 received minor damage by E/A. Three B-29s received
minor damage by AA.
______________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 57
Date: 3 April 1945
Code Name: Modeller # 1
Target: Tachikawa A/C Company, Tachikawa 90.17 - 792
Secondary - Kawasaki Urban Area
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 113
% A/C Bombing Primary: 53% (61 Primary, 47 Secondary
and 2
Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 040330K - 040534K
Altitude of Attack: 5,700 - 7,200
Weather Over Target: 9/10 - 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 1
Resume of Mission: Bombing results good - 365,081 square
feet or 12.7% of total roof area destroyed or damaged. Total
damage to date - 505,081 square feet or 17.5% of total roof
area. Four aircraft non-effective. one aircraft missing to un-
known reasons. Enemy air opposition weak. AA heavy and
medium, meager to moderate, inaccurate. "Ball of Fire" not-
ed following A/C. Average bomb load: 17,959 lbs. Average
gas reserve: 796
gallons.
___________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 58
Date: 7 April 1945
Code Name: Enkindle # 7
Target: Nakajima A/C Plant, Tokyo 90.17 -
357
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 107
% A/C Bombing Primary: 94% (101 Primary and 2 Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 071100K - 071106K
Altitude of Attack: 11,500 - 15,650
Weather Over
Target: CAVU - 2/10
Total A/C Lost: 3
Resume of Mission: Bombing results - see Mission # 63 for
details. Four aircraft non-effective. Two aircraft
lost to flak and
one aircraft lost to air-to-air bombing. First mission to have
friendly fighter escort - approximately 97 P-51s escorted the
formations. Escort efficient in breaking up enemy aircraft
con-
centrations. Enemy fighter opposition heavy, aggressive to
very aggressive - 531 attacks. Enemy aircraft destroyed - 80,
probably destroyed - 23, and 50 damaged. Crews reported
that P-51s destroyed 21 enemy aircraft. Report may contain
some duplication. Two P-51s lost. AA heavy, moderate to
intense, accurate to very accurate. Three aircraft airborne as
navigational escort to fighters not included in above totals.
Average bomb load: 10,275. Average gas reserve: 547 gallons.
____________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 59
Date: 7 April 1945
Code Name: Eradicate # 7
Target: Mitsubishi A/C Engine Plant, Nagoya 90.20 - 193
Participating Units: 313th BW and 314th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 194
% A/C Bombing Primary: 78% (153 Primary and 29 Last Resort)
Time Over
Primary: 071200K - 071354K
Altitude of Attack: 16,000 - 25,000
Weather Over Target: CAVU - 2/10
Total A/C Lost: 2
Resume of Mission: Bombing results excellent. Post strike
photography shows target virtually destroyed - 3,584,000
square feet of roof area destroyed or damaged representing
94% of original roof area. Ten aircraft returned early. One
aircraft lost to AA and one aircraft lost to enemy action.
Enemy air opposition heavy, ineffective, unaggressive - 233
attacks. Enemy aircraft destroyed 21, probably destroyed
11 and 22 damaged. AA heavy, moderate to intense, inac-
curate to accurate. Average bomb load 313th Wing: 8,776
lbs. and 314th Wing: 8,993 lbs. Average gas reserve 313th
Wing: 975 gallons and 314th Wing: 754 gallons.
__________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 60
Date: 8 April 1945
Code Name: Checkbook # 1
Target: Primary - Kanoya Airfield (Visual) Target 90.38 - 1378
and Kagoshima Urban (Radar),
Secondary - Izumi Airfield
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 32
% A/C Bombing Primary: 91% ( 29 A/C )
Time Over Primary: 081129K - 081153K
Altitude of Attack: 17,400 - 19,300
Weather Over Target: 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Bombing results - see Mission # 61.
City of
aircraft non-effective. Enemy air opposition nil.
AA weak,
inaccurate. Average bomb load: 8,560 lbs. Average gas
reserve: 639 gallons.
___________________________________________________
Mission
Summary
Mission # 61
Date: 8 April 1945
Code Name:
Famish # 1
Target: Kanoya East A/F (Primary - visual) Target 90.38 - 2516
Kogoshima (Primary - radar),
Secondary - Kokubu A/F
Target 90.38 - 2525
Participating Unit: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 21
% A/C Bombing Primary: 29% ( 6 A/C Primary - visual )
62% ( 13 A/C
Primary - radar )
Time Over Primary: Kanoya East A/F - 081132K
Kagoshima - 081132K - 081135K
Altitude of Attack: Kanoya East A/F - 17,010 - 17,800
Kagoshima - 17,000 - 18,800
Weather Over Target: 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 1
Resume of Mission: Bombing results - total destruction to
Kagoshima from Missions 60 and 61 amounts to 1,260,000
square feet. One aircraft missing - crashed shortly after
take-
off. One aircraft returned early. Enemy air opposition
and AA
nil. Average bomb load: 9,095 lbs. Average gas reserve:1,076
gallons.
__________________________________________________
Date:
Code Name: Starvation # 6
Target: Shimonoseki Straits
Participating Unit: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 20
% A/C Bombing Primary: 80% ( 16 A/C )
Time Over Primary: 100140K - 100216K
Altitude of Attack: 5,000 - 6,300
Weather Over Target: 8/10 - 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of
that mission will maintain blockade of Western entrance
of Shimonoseki Straits for an additional five to seven days.
Enemy air opposition and AA nil. Average mine load:
12,000 lbs. (no gas reserve amount recorded)
_________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 63
Date: 12 April 1945
Target: Nakajima A/C Factory, Tokyo 90.17 - 357
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 114
% A/C Bombing Primary: 82.5% (93 Primary, 11 Secondary
and 13
Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 121208K - 121221K
Altitude of Attack: 12,000 - 17,500
Weather Over Target: Thick haze - 2/10 cumulous
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Bombing results: Damage resulting
from Missions 58 and 63 amounts to 886,900 square feet
or 48.2% of total rood area. Damage mostly in Eastern
Section of plant - 1,075,000 square feet or 94% of roof area.
Western Section has 71,000 square feet or 10.1% of roof
area destroyed or damaged. Total damage to date to 357
is 1,146,000 square feet or 62.6% of total roof area. Dam-
age resulting to the
2011) amounts to 823,000 square feet or 86% of the total
rood area of the target proper. Four aircraft not included in
above totals airborne as navigational escort to approximately
90 P-51s. Seven aircraft non-effective. Enemy air
opposition
moderate - 105 attacks. Enemy aircraft destroyed eleven,
probably destroyed tow and ten damaged. P-51s claim
twenty aircraft destroyed. AA heavy, moderate to intense,
generally accurate. Four P-51s lost - one pilot rescued.
Average bomb load: 10,762 lbs. Average gas reserve: 532
gallons.
____________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 64
Date: 12 April 1945
Code Name: Butterball # 1
Target: Hodagaya Chemical Company, Koriyama 90.9 - 2025
Participating Unit: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 82
% A/C Bombing Primary: 80% (66 Primary and 9 Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 121220K - 121330K
Altitude of Attack: 7,000 - 15,000
Weather Over Target: Clear 12 - 15 mile visibility
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Bombing results excellent - 458,000
square feet or 59% of original roof area destroyed or damaged.
Target 1658 Northeast Aluminum Plant - north of and adjacent
to Target 2025 has 130,000 square feet or 68% of total roof area
destroyed or damaged. Seven aircraft non-effective.
Enemy air
opposition slight - 3 attacks, no claims. AA-AW meager, inac-
curate. Possible ground to air rockets. Average bomb load:
8,939 lbs. Average gas reserve: 948 gallons.
____________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 65
Date: 12 April 1945
Code Name: Lunchroom # 1
Target: Koriyama Chemical Plant, Koriyama 90.9 - 6129
Participating Unit: 314th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 85
% A/C Bombing Primary: 84% (70 Primary and 6 Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 121233K - 121328K
Altitude of Attack: 7,000 - 9,000
Weather Over Target: Clear visibility 12 - 15 miles
Total A/C Lost: 2
Resume of Mission: Bombing results excellent - all main
buildings seriously damaged or destroyed. 555,000 square
feet or 73% of total roof area. One aircraft ditched on return
and one aircraft crashed and burned at Agana Air Field ----
one survivor. Nine aircraft non-effective. Enemy air
opposi-
tion slight - 2 air-to-air bombing attempts reported...no
claims. AA medium, meager and inaccurate. Average bomb
load: 5,342 lbs. Average gas reserve: 927 gallons.
Date:
Code Name: Starvation # 7
Target: Minefield Love - Shimonoseki Straits Area
Participating Unit: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 5
% A/C Bombing Primary: 100%
Time Over Primary: 130146K - 130216K
Altitude of Attack: 6,850 - 7,110
Weather Over Target: Haze - visibility 5 miles
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of
that blockade of the Eastern entrance to Shimonoseki Straits
will be maintained an additional tow to three days. Due to
nature of mine settings ship passage will not be safe for
several weeks. enemy air opposition and AA nil.
Average
mine load: 8,000 lbs. Average gas reserve: unavailable.
___________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 67
Date: 13 April 1945
Code Name: Perdition # 1
Target: Tokyo Arsenal Area, Tokyo 90.17 - 201 - 309
Participating Units: 73rd BW, 313th BW, 314th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 348
% A/C Bombing Primary: 94.3% (327 Primary and 3 Opportunity)
Time Over
Primary: 132357K - 140336K
Altitude of Attack: 6,750 - 11,000
Weather Over Target: Clear-visibility unrestricted except for
smoke rising from fires.
Total A/C Lost: 7
Resume of
square feet - 10.7 square miles, 6,850 acres destroyed. Eight-
teen aircraft non-effective. Six aircraft missing to unknown rea-
sons and one aircraft ditched on return. Enemy air
opposition--
moderate - 102 attacks, 1/3 aggressive. Enemy aircraft destroy-
ed six, probably destroyed none and two damaged. AA heavy
and medium, meager to intense, inaccurate to accurate. Ave-
rage bomb load: 73rd Wing, 16,887 lbs., 313th Wing, 15,125
lbs., and 314th Wing, 9,409 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 73rd
Wing, 779 gallons, 313th Wing, 1,006 gallons, and 314th Wing,
1,153 gallons.
_____________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 68
Date: 15 April 1945
Code Name: Brisket # 1
Target: Kawasaki Urban Area 90.17 - 3604
Participating Units: 313th BW and 314th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 219
% A/C Bombing Primary: 89% (194 Primary and 8 Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 152343K - 160156K
Altitude of Attack: 6,420 - 10,020
Weather Over Target: Clear to 3/10
Total A/C Lost: 12
Resume of Mission: Bombing results: 80,920,000 feet or
2.9 square miles
destroyed. Eight aircraft missing to reasons
unknown. Seventeen aircraft non-effective.
Enemy air opposi-
tion moderate to heavy, aggressive---279 sighted, 33 attacks.
Observations from crew interrogations show numerous B-29s
going down in flames over target. AA heavy, meager to intense,
inaccurate to accurate. Average bomb load: 313th Wing,
14,985 lbs. and 314th Wing: 9,659 lbs. Average fuel reserve:
313th Wing: 1,065 gallons and 314th Wing: 1,060 gallons.
___________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 69
Date: 15 April 1945
Code Name: Arrange # 1
Target: Tokyo Urban Area - 90.17 - 3601
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C
Airborne: 118
% A/C Bombing Primary: 92% (109 A/C)
Time Over Primary: 152325K - 160055K
Altitude of Attack: 8,000 - 10,110
Weather Over Target: Clear to 3/10
total A/C Lost: 1
Resume of Mission: Low level incendiary attack on Tokyo
Urban Area. Bombing results: 144,680,000 square feet or
5.2 square miles destroyed as a result of Missions 68 and
69. total damage to date is 909,826,000 square feet or
32.
74 square miles. Nine aircraft
non-effective. One aircraft
crash landed at
slight - 22 attacks. One enemy aircraft was destroyed with
none probably destroyed or damaged. Several "Balls of Fire"
noted. AA heavy and medium, meager to intense, inaccurate
to accurate, Average bomb load: 14,784 lbs. Average gas
reserve: 893 gallons.
___________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 70
Date: 17 April 1945
Code Name: Bullish # 1
Target: Izumi Airfield 90.37 - 2512
Participating
Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 22
% A/C Bombing Primary: 91% (20 Primary and 2 Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 171528K - 171529K
Altitude of Attack: 15,000 - 16,100
Weather Over Target: Clear, light ground haze, air-ground
visibility 10 -12 miles
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Bombing results good. See
for details. Two aircraft bombed Pagan and Chichi Jima respec-
tively. Enemy air opposition nil. AA
over target nil. En route to
target, AA heavy, meager and inaccurate. Average bomb load:
8,480 lbs. Average gas reserve: 714 gallons.
____________________________________________________
Mission
Summary
Mission # 71
Date: 17 April 1945
Code Name:
Aghast # 1
Target: Tachiari A/F- Target 90.35 - 1236
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 21
% A/C Bombing Primary: 100%
Time Over Primary: 171551K - 171600K
Altitude of Attack: 15,000 - 16,000
Weather Over Target: Clear - light ground haze, air-ground
visibility 10 - 12 miles
Total A/C
Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Bombing results good - see Mission # 76
for details. Enemy air opposition slight - 15 attacks. Enemy air-
craft destroyed one, probably destroyed six and two damaged.
AA heavy, meager and inaccurate. Average bomb load: 8,544
lbs. Average gas reserve: 706 gallons.
_____________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 72
Date: 17 April 1945
Code Name: Barranca # 1
Target: Kokubu A/F - 90.38 - 2525
Participating Unit: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 24
% A/C Bombing Primary: 83% (20 Primary and 1 Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 171530K - 171538K
Altitude of Attack: 17,300
Weather Over Target: Clear, light ground haze, air-ground
visibility 10 -12 miles
Total A/C
Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Bombing results - see Mission # 80.
Three aircraft non-effective. One aircraft bombed
A/F. Enemy air opposition weak - 3 attacks. One aircraft
damaged with none destroyed or probably destroyed. AA
heavy, meager and inaccurate. Average bomb load: 13,780
lbs. Average gas reserve: 878 gallons.
___________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 73
Date: 17 April 1945
Code Name: Famish # 2
Target: Kanoya East A/F - Target 90.38 - 2516
Participating
Unit: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 21
% A/C Bombing Primary: 95% (20 Primary and 1 Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 171547K - 171550K
Altitude of Attack: 16,000 - 17,300
Weather Over Target: Clear, light ground haze, air-ground
visibility 10 -12 miles
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Bombing results good - see Mission
# 77 for details. 1 A/C bombed
tion nil. AA heavy, meager and inaccurate. Average bomb
load: 11,780 lbs. Average gas reserve: 949 gallons.
__________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 74
Date: 17 April 1945
Code Name: Bushing # 1
Target: Nittagahara A/F - 90.33 - 2531
Participating Unit: 314th BW
Number A/C
Airborne: 10
% A/C Bombing Primary: 70% ( 7 A/C )
Time Over Primary: 171610K
Altitude of Attack: 18,000 - 18,500
Weather Over Target: Clear, light ground haze, air-ground
visibility 10 -12 miles
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Bombing results good - see Mission
# 81 for details. Three aircraft non-effective. Enemy air op-
position nil. AA heavy, meager and inaccurate. Average
bomb load: 5,950
lbs. Average gas reserve: 1,516 gallons.
__________________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 75
Date: 17 April 1945
Code Name: Checkbook # 2
Target: Kanoya A/F ( 90.38 - 1378 )
Participating Unit: 314th BW
Number of A/C Airborne: 34
% A/C Bombing Primary: 88% ( 30 A/C )
Time Over Primary: 171538K - 171544K
Altitude of Attack: 17,800 - 19,400
Weather Over Target: clear, light ground haze, air -ground
visibility 10 -12 miles
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Bombing results good - see Mission
# 78 for details. Four aircraft non-effective. Enemy air op-
position nil. AA heavy, meager and inaccurate. Average
bomb load: 4,888 lbs. Average gas reserve: 1,436 gallons.
________________________________________________
Mission
Summary
Mission # 76
Date: 18
April 1945
Code Name: Aghast # 2
Target: Tachiari A/F (Visual) 90.35 - 1236,
Omura A/F (Radar) 90.36 - 849
Participating Unit: 73rd BW
Number A/C Airborne: 21
% A/C Bombing Primary: 95% (20 Primary and 1 Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 180841K - 180854K
Altitude of Attack: 15,000 - 15,400
Weather Over Target: Clear - visibility restricted to 10 miles
by haze
Total A/C Lost: 2
Resume of Mission: Bombing results good - additional
damage to hangars and other buildings. Four single en-
gine and three twin engine damaged and one single en-
gine and one twin engine destroyed on the ground. One
aircraft lost over target to enemy action and one aircraft
hit by enemy aircraft ditched on return. Enemy air oppo-
sition heavy - 67 attacks. Enemy aircraft destroyed one,
probably destroyed three and six damaged. AA heavy,
meager and inaccurate. Average bomb load: 8,472 lbs.
Average gas reserve: 557 gallons.
_______________________________________________
Mission Summary
Mission # 77
Date: 18 April 1945
Code Name: Famish # 3
Target: Kanoya East A/F (Visual) Target 90.38 - 2516
Kokubu A/F (Radar)
Participating Unit: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 20
% A/C Bombing Primary: 95% ( 19 A/C )
Time Over Primary: 180850K - 180917K
Altitude of Attack: 16,000 - 16,800