21st Bomber Command Tactical Mission Report 271, 274

8/6/2019 21st Bomber Command Tactical Mission Report 271, 274

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T Ie E

By authorHv ofC.G . Twentie~b Air For .~"2 :_L _W _~~ __t_ .l _

U I S S I O N N O . ?72 L 7 - tF t o W N 16 J U L 1 9 4 5

C O p y N O . 1 .

. I ;,;I- !~I., \ ,... I ~tt : t ,~ 1"I!'

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TlUs Taeti cal I1UssiQ Re:p


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T11G'l'ICAL MI,s5IatiI F iEPORrMiasi OJiB NO. 2'71. z72. 2:73& 274

HE/ l . .w,uJ\F{XERSTilEl\il'lFI'H All! F{liCE

1>1 ' 0 234

Field Order No. 1.Targets: Nume.zu Urban azrea (Honshu); Oi.ta Urba.n .[U:ea (Kyushu); Xuwana.Urban /Ja (Honshu); Hira.tauka. Urba..n iUJea (Hooshu).

16/1.7 July 1945Table of Cont ents

Tact ical Na.rrative.. 0> ,. 0 II .. .J\.nnex J. _ Opera't iems" .' 0 0 1 . . . 'Part I _ Navi,gation Report and

Track Chart. . .' . Part II _ Baribing .0 o !'art Ill- MeanPoints rL lInpact. Part rr _Flight Engineering Repcrtand Ohart Part V - Radar. o ' Part VI _ Radar ApprcaC.h Charts 0

Part VII .. Gunnery. .'}art VIII - Air-Sea Re,scue Ohart 0 ~ex B - ',1eather .. Part I - Weather' S i:J .I llm :U 'Y . 0 Part II _ Chart - h'e die te d Va.

Observed ',leather. !art III - .Prog:n ost ic Map !'art IV - Syn~tie Mall. 0

. . . Annex 0 .. Ccmnunications.

Part I - ROM:Part II - Radio . . . . . . . . . . . .. ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . . .. . .ilJ:lnex D - Intelligence. eO t 0 Part I - Enenw .Air Oppos i tion

Part II - EOEllIlYAntiaircraft 0 Part III - 'J}:urage !.sses.sment Section. A - Nwnazu Sectim B .. Oita 0 0 &:lct ion C - , Kuwana 0 Section D - Hiratsuka

Imnex E - Consolidated Statistioal SumIlBry

l ; .nI lBX F - Twentieth l~ ir Foree Field Order

DistribJ.t ion. 0 '0

PageNo. ~11011131617192024252627

:: .29 ' - "30 ., _


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SECHE'r~Ily.1.1.lthof thQ C.G. l~Tl-Ienticth i1' Force: I: 16 July 45:Data Initial,5;,:,:,,:I:,::,;,':I:::,:,H:

f j E l i l lQU . ' IRTERST:7ENI 'IETH ALB FORGE.U'O 234

SUBJECT: Report of .Uthcks .\gainst 4 Urban "roas on Honshu and Kyushuon 16/17 JulY 194~.TO Commanding General, U,.S.,.\rmy Stratogic .til:' F,orcos, ..PO 234.San Francisco. California.

1. IDENI'IFIC;.TION OF REPORT;a. Targots .:.ttacked:

(1) PrimarY Visual and Radar Targots:Mission Force

,ling Number .\.ssignelii58th 271 4 - Gr01.iPS7_3rd 272 4 Grou,p.s313th 27 3 3 Group.s314th 274 4 GFOUPS

Tcrge'lN um az u U rba n L>rea (Honshu)Cita Urban Area (Kyushu)Ka~/anaUrban ;!.l"ea (Honshu)Hiratsuka Urban Area (P.onshU)

(2) No secondary ,er last resort targets '>1erespecified ..'tI. Directive: Field Order Nwnbcr I, H6adqutrrtcrs T'I7cntieth

..l.ir Forco. dated 16 July 1945., directed the 58th.73t'd. 313th and 314tbBombardment .:rings to take part io normal effort attac}


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(2) MiBsion Number 272H- Oita, located OIl. tho south shore

of. tho BeppU;"/anDelta Plain on the southwest coa:;;t of Kyushu. is thelOIlSest Kyushu city on tho Inl,ul~. Sea,. It. is a. prefectural capital. a.district rogiment!).l hoadquawtors, and a. v:l.ta.l naval. air dopot for :3l\yushu a.irfio lds (Oita. Sa01u. Usa). Rail yards \1it11in tho aX'oarep,r cs~,ent an important hub for tli.oIdanr lino. thO East Coast NippOn wain u.ne.the ,Kyudai 1ina to Kuraine I ani thO Hohi 1ina to K1.uJ;e,.rooto.Oits. alsohas ehe only important raill1ay rE!I)8il' facilitilith the best radar crc7lS, 'I1we tocarry M 4 7 inccndia,ry bombs and act as pathfinderS to precoda the main~orcosto the tM."gcts and mark the mean points of impact. The M.l7J..I'lccndiary chlstors wore carried to obtain ponotration of steol andconcrete structures in the target areas," .. (2) Fuz.inM, :T.hc : M 4 7A2 incendiary bombs rrcrc to havelnstantaneous nose fuz.es. The ! I I l 1 7 and E 4 6 incondi3l"Y clusters rrero tobe set to open 5,000 fect above the target.

Gtou:pa .\ssignGd. Bombs to be Carrio~b. Bomb 'Loading:(1) 58th '.ling

(2 ) 73m '.1ing(3) 313th \Ting

4 1 G r o u p , ' M 4 7 incondiary bombs and3 Groups, Ml7 incendiary clusters.4 M 47 incendiary bombs.3 1 Group, 'M47 incendiary bombs ..

2 Groups, clusters uith M b 9incondiary bombs,

-2 -


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Bomb Loading. GroupS :.ssigneg.Bombs to )l Oarri,Od.

~ Group. M47 incel),dial1Y bombs. and3 GroupsMl7 incendiary clusters.c. Aromunit ion Loading: ..


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SE of Nag,oyo.'. ' !T1J. f I to belandfall makil'lBthe beat

poi:nt.to3 , 458 N _ _ 1 3 555 E - - - c - - - - - - This turning p oint on the

10Vlor part of' Bi= Ko TIaSc hos en to red uc e the tu rnat tho initial point.

to3 50 9 N -- 1 , 3 60 % --------- Thiso~sil, y identifiedp ainton theeas torn sid eof Bir,..il Ko \ las to be initial]loint just above tho to=of liachiman.

toTarget Following tho r-un on til:: target, a right :turn ",as to be

to made going out of iiagoya1 w o 8 Jima. Bay to avoid flak.

(4) Hiratsuka_" Mission NUmber 2711.:TwoJimato344730 N lj92200E This initial point on the

nort hern tip of 0 Shima inSagami Bay 1'10uldbe easilyidentifi2ld by rad:tr for agoed bomb run.

toTargetto3.523 N 1 3 9 2 1 E - - - - - - - - - This point l'1as ohosen to

get the forco ncross theflak area as quickly aspossible.

to3522N -- 13908E This point was also choson

t o a . v o i d f l a k to3 4 3 6 N -- 1 3 8 5 2 E T h i s p o i n t l'1~s to bo land'sto1'10 Jima. end.


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b~Nnvi-;.-.1;ioo or.dRo.dnI'F;Q.!:to.x:ol.(1) Mission NwnbClr271, Nw:lazu: There are no very e;oodrad ar c heck pOints on th e route to the landfall point. Iuo Jima has aradar beacon ,;vhich can be utilized at 6. r-angeof lQP to 1 50 milos northor aouth of the island ~ Othor redsr check points nhfch can aid th9 nav-igator are Nisho Shima, Sbfu Gan, or the Bayonne.ae Rocks. These islandsarc within 40 miles of the route and can be used if the cloud cover islighto Heavycumulus clouds around the island ~ould obscure any radarch.ockpoint botrmen Il70 Jima and the landfall point. Tho usc of adistinctivo coastal paint for beth landfall and initial l70uldmakoitimpossiblo for most operators to obtain good wind runs. A '1';Oatharaircraft 't1ith a lead or-erroperator was to pr-ecede the main forco'to make

\7iOOcomputations and transmit them to all aircraft. Tho target. locatodOn the Suruga-:7ancoastlino is roadily id.entified as a single returnby all operators .NUnlnzuas been used SUCGssfully 8S a radar initial 'point for numbrousmissions into Tokyo. Considering the >'lostorly aind,it \1 . :3.8 believed th!).t a crossl7ind axis from the southuost uould be thobest to avoid heat thermals.

(2) Mdssion NUmber272. Oita: Although 110 Jima is theonly rudar checkpoan't betrlCe! base and lamfall, r adar navigation to thistarget is easy because the ceut-se is alon,g tho distinctive peninsulacoast lines of Shikoku and .:B;yushu. Triolandfall point on the southo"'sttip of Shikoku 17i11.111017t least 2 r~dar ',7inds runs befora reaching thoinitial pointo The initial point is mid17ayof the 21 mile peninsulavlhieh oxtonds into the Bungo-Suido. Oita is Locatod directly on thecoast and is fairly difficult to locate beQ.ausothe city return blendsinto the heavy coastline on long radar ranges. For this reason cr'enawore to be briefed to use short ~anges to identify the city. 4n ox~callont check point for course is the return from the: hilly terrain,apprOXimately 1 raiLe rres't of Oita.

(3) Mission Nl:u:lbor27'i. Ku17ana: The beacon at 1'110 Jima,~ith a range of approximately 125 nautical miles, is the on~ radarcheck point fo:r' navigatiOR on this mission. The landfall is a dist-inctive coastal check point as well as a good point for making a r~~wind run. Other usable checkpoints in navigating to tho initialpoint arc Osaka,IWot6, and Bil7a Ko. Tile initial point located on the~est coast of Biwa Ro, has boen used successfully on all previousstrikes into the Nagoya area. IDJ: l '7an0. is located on 11 distinctive river't7est of Nagoya Whichgives an excellent return on the west-east axis~ith a good radar returns coming from the bridgos in the northeasternsection of the city. The bridges ~ill be used as a roferenco pointfor both course and rate in bombing. Tho city is 3 i miles north of1se-:1


9/76

or searchlight-controllod rada.rs that appoared ou.t.side the barrage.ddditional quanititios of rope (wind~) ~cro to be carried by those air-cra:f't.( ' 2 ) < ) The remaining 3 targets had meager flak aM searchlightdefenses and no s~eica1 ROMairplanes Nore to be used. .\11 strike:aircraft wore to be equipped with electronic janmcrs tuned to barrgge tn.,72 to 84 and 190 to 210 megacycle regions. Ropa ~as to be carried ~those aircraft and dispensed in accordance aith existing rogulations.(3) Search of enelWradars frO!il20 to 3000 megacycles

Nas to be continued and ono~ communications Uere to bo rocoraed.d. Flak Factors;

(1) JV"lissionNumber 271. Numazuurban, ,irea: This tarGetqas defended by 6 identified and 18 probablo hoavy antiaircraft gunsand 23 mediumantiaircraft \1Iopons. It -.F.lsestimatod to have 2 to 6searchlights. Gonerally moagor' and inaccurate flak was expected fromthcao defenses in a night attack at the 1l1rumed altitude of 10,000 :Co1 0 , 8 0 0 feet. Very meagor and inaccurate flak had been encounteredat the initial point, and no effeotivo flak 'Wusexpcctiod from thisurea at night" The route UM planned to avoid other knoon flak defenses,

(2 ) Mission Number272. Oit~ Urban~1 Oita uas defend-ed by 19 heavy ariti:Hrcrai't gune and 54 I OOd i u r a antiau-craft Reapons.Although only 1earchlight Uas identified, the estimated nunbcr' ;1


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, ,(2) Axis of attack"(a) NuntaZI:lI .An axis of' 41 degreeS trUO ,1ns selocted

for t11i s target to giV0 t hobo st radar retU::lls' and :j.nes>;U'et~o groa testnumber of possible hits in vie~ of sr.:ioko.tll,ud. and doflcctl.on and rangeerrors. (b' Th0 fol1of/ing axes of attack nero choson for theother 3 t:lrgots: Oita, 247 degrees true; Kl.nmna. 102 degrees true.and. Hiratsuka. 359 degreeS true. Reasons and, considerations forselection of those axes of attack wore the same as thoso for theNumazu mission. U) AimiM Point:1 (For dotails of moan points of impaotsoe Jfwex A, Part III). The follouing moan poin't e of impL Ct >10rO chosenwhich, >lith iJ. s tand ard CE P of k,OOO foot, would g iv o com.plotcsaturationof thO targets: (800 Twontieth .Air Force Lit,ho Mosaics listed in FioldOrder, ...lnnex F).

Target MoanPoint. of Impact.Numazu 031070 - .il po.int just northucstof thomain bend in the Kcma Rivor intho eity. The CEP ineludes allimportant parts of the oi ty.

Oita 058071 _ .k point just south


11/76

Cd) Mission .NiJnlbe:r.-274. Hi,r:l.tsuk",: Bombing ('in tb.iatargot 'ilas ne be by- ofJ1S-Qtradar SYBcl.ronization, using tho coast gr-'Sagllmi-Nc>da as a rate chock. Gno ,Wou:p ~m.s teo aro1) M47 incondisryboobs with an intorvalo!!lctor setting of' 100 foot .md 3 group-s 1"101'0 to re-Lease ,!Ill? in~ondh,ry clusters ,.-lih asotting of' .50 foot.

i. Dofensive Tactics: :l)3fonsivo taotics for thess m:i,ssionswere plro;.nod in anticipatioll ?f nil to woak"pposi tion. No fight,oroacor f 17a. l : l roq_uired and the missions ;'lore not eoordinatod ";lith atta.okaby other f'm-ees. Radar eoWltcrmoos1.lXOS wore to be tho standard u._scdfor all night incondiary l.rissio;as. (Soe 'PnraGt'aph .5 c. Supra)


12/76

00 Route Bac!;' The routos 00 return ,""ore 110',.0 as biriofed.Tl7onty-tl10 aircraft landed at lvm Jima.f. V",nd.ip,g: :droraf't lJ;m.dod in scattored shOl"lors at theirbas es as fol loWS: First. Le.W:j,M Met Lnnding

Mission',1iIl&

271 58th272 73rd273 313th274. 314th

16>2203'2.162~108Z

170144'Z1623152170023Z16>2157Z

H12058Z;170l44Z

Taentioth lir Force Total:,g~ loss and Damageto ':.ircra'U:: N o B-29' s 'I1ero lost or

damaged and no clair;,lS r rcr c mado against OOet : iW aircraft O Il toosemissions.

h. Exocut.ion Vs~Plannin&: Tho execution of the Illssionavaried from the plann,iIl{!;only in an increase in altitudes of 'ili th-drawsl fo,r the 58th and 314th Bombar,daent ',1ings.. These '1101'S d.ccm.cdnecOSSary to avoid l!Iid-air collision bet',1cOntho 2 'I1ings nnd togivcg:t'eater spread between forces.

7. RESULTS OF MISSIONS ~a.Frinarv ..T3ll'geta: .~ total of , 3 .47 aqu'U"omiles of the

total target areas of 44sq:u~re miles 'has destroyed at the primarYtargets. by the 4 strikes. (800 ;~eX: D, Part III, for detailS ofdaoage).

,) if. r: ,J I.iI,til.!""" (', .u. .""~ .CURTIS E. leMAYMajor General, U.SoA,.Comnanding .


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SECRET, . . . . ; . _ . . _ - - ~ - - -

A

O?ERATION . , Part I _ 'Naviga1;iOn Tl'ack Chart o.nd ReportI'art II-BombingPa.rt. IV ... Flig ht Eng in;;lerill g Ch art and R ep ortPart V ... RadarPa.ri>VI - Radar Approach ChartsPart VII - Gun~ryPart VIII ... Air-Sea Rescue Ohart

Missions No. 271. 272. 273 m . p . d Ill!16/17 July 1945


14/76

P.:.RTI - N";'VIG:J..TION*

1. Individual long range navigq.ti o.p was 0.0o'llmpIi shed, to the urbanarea.s of Numa,zu(5Bth \'lfing), Clta (75rd Wing), ]{uwana, ($l3th "ring),a.ndHiratsuka. (314th Vl:ing). Navigation to the 'bal'@ets was sxee,llent with nomajor cour-se deviations reported a~ld no plane fuiling to bomb the pl'i~mary target because of na.vigation error.

2. Ta.rgetarea wind determination. navigation and bombing 'IIsrs ao-o0J!lplished by radar-, Wil'lds' in the tnrget al"eas var:ied from 275 to 295de@'ges at 21 to 23 knots respectitrely. Time control wo,.sexcellent inall Cases.

3. Return to base was accamplished without navigational errer,Tv{en1.;y-t'NO aircr!).ft 1ande da.t IwoJim!:!,. Oth


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AP~IL 1945130'

OKINAW MISSiON 271---- 58th, WING160~01:i!TAKEOFF 161022l!25-- --

L.ANOF~LL 16160n161739l.TARGET 161613l161752Z

LAND's 161620i!END 1617,7lL.AIIIO- 11;2203 Z1701'!l'4Z

,,!:ISSION: 273---~- 313th WING

180931iTAKEOF.F 1610 lSi!161549rL.AIIIDFALL IS 1702 Z

111825~TARGET 161740J!5-- _ ISI641lLAND's EHf) 161754Z

1621!7ZLAND 17DD23i!

1350

010

160eDSi!:'TAKEOFF 1609 L31. 161444~.. AIIIDFI\LL,6 1617l

181S12l!TARGET 161632l161522lLANDs E ND 161s44Z

LAND 1621Del!1623 IS;!

MISSI'ON 274-XX- 314fh WING16-Q'l.38lTAKEOFF 1608452161412i!LANOFALL 161553 i!14114322':ARGET 1616 , i , l

LAND's END ::::~;:LAND 182058:!162328l

SEC'RET'450'\\

MISSION NO~'7!-?I4DATElfrl1 "q , 'I' ~

\- ,_._--\---3~.\\II

\\1"CHICHI JIM}\. (

A,

t_ _ - _ _ + - _ -25JIMA I

\\II

SECRE , !140

8- 84 - _3 REPRODUCED 35tt1.' 1:u .


16/76

_E.,.RT II - BOl:B INO

1. 1\,;1s ion 271 _ MUJIl",";u. Urban and. Industri 0 .1 . . bra a~n. Spec!fied bombing 0.1t,itudes f~r ttLa attack v.ter'El rrom 10,000

to 10,800 feet Vii th the individual allsignrnent of altitudes left to thediscretion of the ',\'ing. All aircraft of the Wing were a..ssig'ned an a1-"titude oj' 10,,800feet SO that the informa,tion, transmitted by the windr'llTI. (li:rcraft could be used by the enti:re force,

b. The bomb load eonsisted of incendi':lry cluster,s lind bomb,s.The folIoll\l ing list shoVisthe ntl)'llber of o.ircrJ.f't airborne. the number andtype of bombs co.rr,ied, and the :;.vare.ge weight of bombs c.,arriad per a.ir-craft:

'No . Bombsl~o....".ircre.ft E46 IeM17:,J. roM47.\2 I~

17,00018,45112.B$'717,000

194~126

4037325052

;'.V6 per;jC h.i;rborne\ 0 Of the aircraft which were airborne, 119 bombed 'the primaryo n e 1 aircraft bombed n target of opportunity, anG' e igJ:1t aircraft aborted

aft0r becomil'li; airborne. A total of 1149 tons of bombS VlIlS airb,orne with93 per oent released at the primary target. The 'bombing proes-dure waSthe direct radar-bombsight coordination method. One hundx'sd thirteen air-oraft bombed by direct radar and 7 aircraft bombed by DR naviga,tion !lJldvisual sightin.g when their radar sets beoam,e inoperative.

d. The greatest dif'f'lcl>1.lt:y enc0untered was a 10/10 underoast inthe target area which prevented visual sighting. :.ireraft with inopera...tive r::.dar were forced to use DR navigation and timing to release bombS.Some aircraft used the glow on the und:ercast and made vislHI.1 correction~and releases. Eight airoraft reported malfunction of bombing eq_uipment,One bombard ier errored in rani hg to turn on rack selector swi tahes. Themo.lful'l.ctions wers as follows!

No. l>.ircraft Wt of Bombsi.ialfunct.ion 465

22,18017,98512.8805;},510

B-10 ShackleBOfllD DoorsUnknownPersonnel

1s-419Total

s :11 bomb5 were jetti sone d i:Ref!ectively.f. The in iti a'l point and axis of attll.Ck we19 rep 0rte d as v'ery

satisfactory. The average drift reported was 5 d,egrees right. Compres-sibility for the wing w a . . S 99 minutes.

g. Twelve aircraft VlSra dispatched a .S pathfinder aircraft tolight the target for the main force, however, po.rt of the main force re-Ie ased bombs ahea:d of the P (lthf inder aircraf t. Pa.thf inder aircraft we,reof little value because of the 10/10 undercast

2. Mission 272 - Oita Urban and Industrial krea:e . . , Specified bombing altitudes for the o.ttack Viera 10,000 to

10,600 feet. The majority of the o.1rcraft bombed from an a Ititude or10.600 feet.

- ~3 -'!Q!I:.!.1


17/76

b. The bomb load cons isted entire1 of in~endiary munitions.The following, list s.hoVlsthe number of aircraft airborne. the ~oto.lnumber and types o.f bombs and the o.vernge v)eight of bombsGG.I'r1.sd peraircrG;i't airborne.,&>_.,__i.ircaft N o Bombs TVI)eof Bomb J..ve I"t Per ;/e

132 H471.2 12,725

c, Of the aircr,o.ft airborne, 124 aircraft bombed the primarytarget, and five a1roraft aborted after becoming airborne. becllLuse of en-gine failure. ;.. total of 826 tons of' bombs VIas airborne wi th 95.4. per centbeing released at the primary target.

d. Bombingwas Ilcoomplished primarily by rndar, One hundredtwenty-twa@ 0,1r-cr-af t made radar r-eLeases , 2 uiro-!',o.ft made r,adar o:pproo.chwi t;h visual correo tion and 2 acircrq.f't bombed \'Ii th vi suaI s ighting only.

e. The gre ate st d 1ffi e ul ty enccuri ta red Vias Ii!ilited v1sib1li tyand an 8/10 to 10/10 underoas t in the target areo..Vi.s ib 11ity in theto.rget :1.reo. permi tted a few o.ircraJ't to m.ilks visual correcti ens towardthe end of the bembing run after def' 1nl tely ide nt 1fyi ng the target., It;vnsbelieved the aiming point was misidentifiedhy radar and s ever-a Io.ire:e-aft missed the urming poi.nt.

r. The initial po int and axis of atto.ck were censf derad exoel-lently planned. The .average drift Feported WD.$ :3 degrees right. Com-pres'slbi1ity for the wing was 80 minutes.

3. Mhs ion 273 - KuwanaUrbnn and Industri al j,rea.:a. The bombing altitude on this mdss.Lon varied from 10,200to 11,300 feet.b. The munitions empJ.oyed :;.gainst the target consisted of in ..

cendi ary Dombs and 01ustel" s , The fo 11ow;ing 1ist shews the number of.:Ul'cruI't airborne, the Dumber and type of incendiai'Y, e:nd the avera.geweight carr ledp er aire:.rai't.No. ; . i s No. Bombs Ty;:." Bomb Av e 1'rt ;)sr . f a

56 2640 E46 IO 17,000M 6067 M47.~2 &: M47A~ 121729~9 8707 ;'ve I'it p er ; V C 15,623

0 Of the '99 airl!'lraft airborne, 940bombed the prim~ry and 2bombedtargets of opportunity. Thr!; e aircrott o.borted and r atw-ned to'base rzhen engine trouble developed. ~ total of 7'37 tons bf bombs wasa.irbo!'M with 93.1 per eerrt being released atthu prlmarytarget.

d. The bombing procedure was the direct ra.dCll"-bombsight co-ordination method. Ninety-three aircraft bombed by radar direct and: s tdrcrr..ft used vhual sighting. The grelltest difficulty encountered'VIns a 10/10 undercast in the target area, which prevented obs6rvationof l:lo;:!b impacts. Seven aircraft reported m.alfunction of bombing equip-ment ~s follows: -hlaltunctioQ No. M e No. Bombs ~~rtof BombB-I0 She.ckle 5 12 5100B omb Rack 1 46 ~Total 6 56 8320

- 1 4 -


18/76

";'11 bombs were jettiso;led ine"fCective1y.' E ! O . The mission was conside.red e,;(Ce,llently planned. The aver-

age dz-if't r epo rte d v,as :3 de grees r igp,t.. Compr-es sib iIito/ for the yO in!!; was25 mim:ltes ..

4., ~ji ssi 00274 Hiratsuk!l, Urban!l1ld Industrial Area:11. Spec if1e d bombingal t1 tude s for this to.T!;",t were 11,000 to

12,200 feet. Actu.o.l bombi ng altitudes floVin varied from 10.900 feet to12,900 feet.

b. The bomb load oons is, ted 6f inc endf ary muni tions. The fol-lOVling list shoWS the number of o.ircro.ftai.rborne, the number and type of'bombs carried and the average weigllt of bombS c.o.rried per o.ircrW't .

No Bombs Type Bombs ,.va ~:tpar w e97~1 3 6

3819'7162

10,981l.i17Al IOM47i.2. ,IE

b.ve l.'!t p0r ;./ C18.2.5012,.854.16.923

c. One hundred twenty-nine bombed the pl'.1mary and one aircrartbombed. a target after en,countering a.n engine failure before reacnin;g: theprimary. Twoai.rcre.ft encountered meohanioal difficulties and aborted._:. total of 12,017 tons of bombs wEis o.irbo:me with 97.'8 per cent beingreleased at the primary target.

d, The only difficu.lty encountered wa. s 10/10 undercast in th.etar got are.s. wh ic h pr even ted visual ide ntH ic ati 0n of the tar get. Bombing\'las .Il.ccomplished p rt mar ily by radar with 129 aircraft me.king radar directreleases. Five aircraft made visual oorrections rhen the ridal' sets be-came inopera ti"e. Nine aircraft reported malfunction of bomb ing equip ~ment u.nd the followi ng, bombsVlere jetti sone d inef'fecti vely. .

Wt of BombsB~10 Shackle :3BombRack 5ElectriCal System 1

Total 9

186012,585325517,700

e. The ini tlal point and axis of (:I"tto.ckwere reportedsatisfactory. The average drift reported was 7 degrees right.sibility fOF the 11th!!; was 100 minu.te,!;.

veryCompres-

." ~ , . . .. . 1 " ' "Cr. . . . .z r". _ ~ .r'> . . .II'. "> =. .

- 1 5 -


19/76


20/76

1. Nar.rative'a. Cruise to the Mainland: Individuz.l climbS were made immed-iately attar tnk a-pf f to a1titudes bet""een 4.000 to 13.000 f ,eet where the

ini ti,a1 eruise WaS flown. ,Noas semblies were m.ad..,. Compression of thefore as was effa c te d by va:ryin('; a I t itude s and air speeds.b. Bomb Run: Bombing was conductad by individual aircraft at

taltitudes between 10.000 and 15.200 feet.c. Return -to Ease: Retu.rnto the base VIas conducte,d by indi-

vidual aircraft without difficulty. Minimum I'ue I wusused by' airplanescrui sing at 14,000 to 16. 000 feet !!LPdd..,scendin:g inte the tr aff ic pat-tern. MaximUlllrange speedS as spec.ified by this' headquarters gave thebest fuel consumption.

2. Commepts: No airp1 a,.nesCarr ied bomb bay tanks. 1..11wi ngs CaI'-l'ied 99% to 100% bomb bayr::apacity.

;:;l >-e "It &3 .2 - < I:l;- t"l2:- 1" 1. . ;.. r';:; I... . .,~ u:~ rr,e \l\'0 -.:I~ fCli\ ~ \


21/76

- : i 3 o J " ' ) ! : l,.lOll?( 1 . 8 . 0 ) 1),000 ~ .

0001'/0

-.fooo

/'18j llTu p c - J j: ()O 0tF6- .El)

I q o

o/1?ES,fRYE( ~ ; - ) j . )

600

r:__. -'-/I/c/1 1 1 1 t?

( C l n )

- < >t~7 ~ . . .. - ~i!:,. . V '>.r . J~ J"r I.' : : .'"J\


22/76

I, E9u1pment Perf orrnapP'" .:.:N/;,pg~13::l'h"re were 0183operatl ve sets at take,~orf,.

b. Of s/c bombing. 459 Iliad operatiV"e sets. (98.4%)0,

There wer-e 458 ope,Tative sete on landing.m.~vim.um r ange (in nautical ILll lea) or targets:Jl.ve,rage ~,~d .

75 at 5,000 to 10,000 rt68 at 10,000 to ,20,000 rt.Average maximum range (in nautical miles) or radar beacons:

119 at 5,000 to 10,000 rt138 at 10,000 to 1 . 5 . 000 rtr. Average range of Japane se ceas t: 58 nauti cal miIes,g. , There Vias 1 equipman~ failure e.mong lead Ale, and 20 among

others.h. There was no interfe,rence enoountered. e:~eept for 1 report or

sl;I;l>:pectedenemy jamming by a 58th Witlg A/C,

a. AllMC made inai vidual radar releases, using either directsyncl'lxonous or direct l')on_synchtonou:s, methods,

b. Identit'icatiotJ. of 1andf.all. and initial points was reportedas good in all cases.

C, There waS no diff'ic.ulty rep~rted in identifying the Variousmean points or impact. The only exception W9,S "the 73rd Wing which report-ed that misjudgiag the MPI oaus ed some shorts.

d, The 58th Wing reported the wind aircraft had been necessaryf'Dr their parti cul ar missi on.

3. Radar Navi gatton. APN-4 and APN-9:a. The 'average maxim.wn.anges of grol,lnd waves o.nd for sky waves

were 570 and 1170 na.utical mUes ,res1JElctively. Both fixed and trailingwire antennas were u:sed.

b, 'l'wel ve Ale reported equIpment failures,4, IFF I SOO-695;

a, There were no reported fll.ilu'res of IFF f)qulpment.b. All wings reported their !V e cheCking their IFF eqUipment

every 15 to 30 minutes,5. Absolute Altimete.r. SCR-718 J There were 180 operative SCR-718Is

throughout the missions with only 1 fo.11ure."'bslng reported

.. 19 -,ECRET-,...---


23/76

- - -JUly 1945 SHEET R

ACTUAL SCOPE PHOTOSALTITUDE 10,000 FEET

IY.4aT1t


24/76

II I t I

A CT UAL SO OPALT IT UD E 10.000

APPRQ AG HES TO OITAP H O T O SFEE . T


25/76

SHEET RM-72

ACTUAL SCOPE PHOTALTITUDE 10,000 FE


26/76

5HE'E

APPROACHESTOH IRATSUKA

ACTUAL SCOPE PHOALTITUDE 6'500 F


27/76


28/76

~~lLIlLII:L.(I) : z :lLI ~ a.: z : : : > 8lLIo e n 0 .. It)ct 0 . . . . . 0 C D0~ oa : : : : (I) lLI. a : : ca. .~ ..J :Jct -e ~

~, .~4 ct


29/76

eF510

1.400IF300

I, No. ot: .Ale fir iI ll '; : none.2. Average turret load:

5. Average No. of' rounds fir ed i.n combat pel" ti1!lrred;:Eo UAo I.o Mo IF20

4, No. of rounds f .ir ad in combat , 20.S. No. of' rounds uae d for test firingl 4175.

Guns Load ad : 58th Wlm;Hot75rd 1ViW;

Cold$l3th Wi!)gHot 314th WingCold

V. MaLfunctions': C.F. C. ~ none Ca.l .50 M.G. - 2 failures tofeed i:n chamber. 1 bent round,

S. Total p.ercentage o.f equipment operative.: C.p. G, - lOO~,ea.l .50 M.G, - 98.5%.

" This report is based on fi.gures ,s.u1timited by TTing Gunnery Off leers.

- 2 4 -


30/76

SECR:TAPRIL 1:94'5 PA R T 1 1 1 1 lr-~~~------------~-1' \\

o

\- - ,_ _ - _ 1 - - -3~\\\\\\\\\_,--+--

JtMA \

\\1

IIII!---."-'-T-'\\\I

"CHICHI JIMA.~

e- SUBMARINE0-S UR F AC E V ES SE L.. - NAVY OUMBOA- SUPER DUMBOA-:: S~ARINES-:D LR FACE VESSELSWER E SE ON STATION, Fo.R ENT~REM!SSION. DUMBOSAND SU ,-DUMBOS WERE TO ~EMAIN ON STATION FRO

TIME GATED IJNTIL THE PASl ilNG OF ALL STRIKEA~C II

t1350

CRASH BOATSVIOINITY OFBASES FOR TAKEOF FA NO LA ND IN G.

.~ ?tE? '< ~-.:.'l ~~ ;;. " >.. . .r

\lI Jt: .,\1\ < :> -;- . . . .' e

SECRET e'84-'-3 REPRODUCED 35ttL(> 1:0.


31/76

B

Part I _'feather SummaryPawt. II- Chart -- Predicted VS.Dbserved I'IeatherPart III - PrognostieMliJjl

lUssions No. 271. 2'7'b 213 andm16/17 July 1945


32/76

Ba.ses I

B Q ,S ell:_rtttTake gff;~f

Bo.sas on~:

Bases o"tTake GIft':Route I

PLANNING FORECAST5/10 loVi cloud s , bas e WOO ft. top ,$ SOOO :rt wi th .5 _7/10 middl eclouds a.t 14. 000 :rt and Ii ght to moderate showeTs in pre-da.wnhours, c~earing to 3-4/10 low clouds in o.i'ternoonTo 20oN: As base,s.To ooast: 3~5/l a low c lOllct B. base 2000 ft, top s 5000 rtwi thbroken tosca.ttered middle clouds nEHI.l' Empire COtUit und inoreas-ed top height to 25. 000 ft nea.r20oN~Tokyo: 6_6/10 loW clouds, base 1500 ft, tops 6000 ttwith 6/10middle clouds. base 1.2,000 :rt, tops 15,000 ft and 6/10 higholouds .Ilt 26_26,000 ft.Others: In V/..rm sector ofwav6 with S ' . " f flow givin.g 8/10 lowc.loudS on SWslopes and coas t.e and 4-6/10 10'11 cIoud a on E a.ndNE slopes and coasts with 4,-6/10 middle cloud s, 14-16,000 ftand sCatter ad high clouds.

6P E R A T I O N1 > L .F O R E C ;.S TScattered low and high olouds and brolcen middle clouds ..There wi 11 be sea ttered low, middle and hi!;h clouds withsca..ttered showers to 22oN. From 220N to 300N there will besoe.ttero;ld low and. high clouds. From :30oN to targets there willbo;! soattered low cLouds and broken mi"dd1e and high cLouds ,Hi.ratsuk~= S/lOCUlltulus, base 3000 1';;1 top 8_10,000 ft; S/10a.ltocumul us, base r2,OOO ft. top 16,000 ft"j 10/10 cirrostratusat 26,000 ft. '1!inds at 11. 000 ttwill be 2500 at 25 knots.Numazu: 5/10 cumulus, base 2000 ft, top 8000 ft; 7/10 alto-stratus, base 12,000 ft, top 15,000 rt j ella cirrostratus at25,000 ft. Winds a.t 11,000 ft wiIIbe 2400 at 30 knots.Kuwana: 4!lOcumulu.$, base 2000 ft, top 8"'-10,000 ft; 2/10altostratus at 14,000 ft; 6/10 Ci"r:rostra.tus o :t 26.,000 re, Windat 11,000 ftwill be 2400 at 50 km.ots.Olta: 40/10 stratoCUlltulus, '!lase 2000ft, top 5000rt; 5/10altostr.o.tus, base 13,000 ft, top 15,000 ft j e/l0 cirrostratusat 25,000 ft. Winds at 10, 000 ft will be 2400 n:t 30 knots.Scattered low and middle clouds and b'roken high clouds.

OBSERV ED ,'l E.. ." .T H ffi--4-6/10 low clouds,base2000 ft, topa 5000 rt with 6..8/10 m.id-dIe clouds at 14,000 ft, Visibility unrestricted.Base c~mditil!lnsextended to 200N where there was 0. nllrro" bon.dof low c lou ds with tops to 12,000 rt beyond which low cloudsdecree-sed in OJIIountand height to 2-5/10 vo.riable with tops 4-5000 ft. This cOlldition extended to 01ta but to other targetsflight penetrated weak nar-row front o.t 330N with 10/10 lowcLoud.s tops 80ao ft and few top" to 12,000 rt with over,c(l.stmiddle e loud at 12,000 ft.Hiratsuka.: 10/10 low clouds, bo.se unlcnown. tops 8000 ft withovercast m.iddle olouds at 18,000 ft. Visibility good betweenlayers. Winds at 11,000 1 ' 1 ; were 2700 at 40 knots.NumBz;: 10/10 low olouds, tops 8000 ft with 4/10 middle cloudsat 12,000 ft with tops 13,000 ft and 6e~ttered thin high clouds.Vislbiligy unrestricted exoept in clouds. Winds at 11.000 r twere 295 at 23 knots.

.;: -J_ ~.7 '" -r-z, , . . .~ ~ ~~. . . . . .J;: V" ir."< 1 \ 0 =- - _ ,I ! . . -: :


33/76


34/76

' "~ ~( < . $ IK I.tm.Q)

: >A . I-0-~ ~')

~C V~~'[\1 KIII'\J a' " =\j . .' ' ' > ( \ 1 -~

Ie. . .:;' >I "r t '() 0 "7 - < :;:


35/76

.~ IWO JIMA

.J,SA.IPAN

8- 84 '-'!

T RUK


36/76

, - . .. ..- .. ,. 1 ', -\ \_,

>'",

e-


37/76

C

COMMUN1CAT I ONS .P Cll't I - R C MPu.rt II .. Radio,

Missions No. 211. 272. 21'3 and . 21\1 6 / 1 7 J u . l y 1 9 4 . 1 5


38/76

P ~i:R T I _ R CM

1. PurPQSj:I S(h ToD/F enomy raders.b. To oonduot a general ,searoh :in thee 20-3000 m.egaoyele regiollS ..0" To barrage jam the enelllYgun-laying sc,e,rciLlight radars in the

72-8k and 190-210 megacycle bands and to spot jam any GLor SL sl.gna1sth at a pp ea r outsido tho barrage.

d. To confuse enemy se3l"cnHghts end gun-laying radars by theUse 0 f rope.

e., To search for e.nemy communications freq,uencies ..

a. Thirty-four R eM observers participatod and used ~hel'ollo'l7ing'equi.ptn0nt to accoro~lish the searcli. am. jamming: :359 - .1.Pr-1. 172 _' .dPQ;-2,14 _ .:RQ.-8. 20 _ APl'-3 (Modii' ied). 34 - ,\lffi.-4. 3 - .-~-5, a ._ .:um-7. 15 -.riPA-ll,4 - AP~~-6.'and 8 - J:.I',l-.24.

b. Four specirU jamming airplaneS 'I70re employed by the 314th',hng" target Hiratsuka. am. two special jarrming air:plmcs flere emplqyedby the 7Jrd 7ing. target Oita', to rrovidc l'lrotectionfor the strike air-plQnes. These special jamning sirpla,nes cireled th e target area and~arraged and. Spt';lt jammed searchlight and gun-laying radars and infestedthe area with r..,pe.

c~ ~Ul stri.ke aircraft i1ere eql!1.ipped ,1ith at least 1 JaJ!lP.lerand 5 0 bundles of rope.

J. Results:a. Eighty t....interce.pts were reco.i"ded and are listed at the

end o :f this section .b. The special jamming a ir pl a ne s a p p ea re d to be s uc c es s fu l ..

Ni.lmerous radars ',WI'S spot jammed and some radara \7era reported to ceaseoperation.. e. Strong tmIll.odulated GHsignals 'I1ere intercepted at 3030N -

l3600E on frequencies of 4 'ih 4 5" 4 .0 .5 and 39 megacycles.4. Remarks'

a. The following unusual signals ul)re'intercepted: .3100/1500/1,290/45(t/20~ l4J.s./1400/7. 153/1350/8, 47/2000/10, 143/1500/6, 280/800/8.,260/400/15, 253/400/12.

- 33 -SECRET------


39/76

~ ~ -1 . ~ w : _ , ' 1.1ST .F~_I},.J.l.R2JiETS

00039 0000 00 ,;JO]ON 13600"!:071710 0035 21 121 S00040 0000 00 ]030N l:3600E 071745 00]2 21 121 S00042 oooe 00 33001~ 13345~ 07174.5 0140 21 121 S .00045 0000 00 3030j\1IJ600'i:071745 0030 21 121 S .000oS5 0450 15 3325N 1.320$: 071745 oll? 21 121 S ' 'E'.'' CH I00068 0495 50 312 0N 1.3520B 071745 0050 21 1 2 1 .< ; ' 8 ' " " ~ CH I00052 0000 00 3325N 133103 0717l~5 0150 21 121 S00069 0~>50 26 3306N IJ9~.8E 071745 02.32 21 122 P Er....'" CH I00047 2000 10 33001~ 1364011:071745 0235 21 121 S00072 1000 30 335 0H 13610E 071745 0.251 21 121 S r ':HI00073 0500 35 J210 1 ,1 13700');071745 0217 21 121 S - : r r : - j ' 0 : : :HI0,0049 0000 00 3030N 1360OE : 071745 002.8 21 121 S0007] 0505 27 3020N 1J610'!;071745 0021 21 121 S ~ " " r CHI00075 0500 40 3210ll! 1]7003 0717lJ.5 0216 ai 121 9 r,r ~HI00075 0400 60 32]ON 1':3100'1:71745 0150 21 121 is ~! OHI00076 1 5 0 0 08 3400N 13600".:0717[~5 0300 21 121 .. . GL OTAO],00077 0938 00 3405N 1340SE 071745 0022 21 121 S00078 0480 32 3150N 140088 071745 0040 21 121 S00079 0950 35 32051: 1,37058 071745 0213 21 121 S S ' ' I OBI00079 1300 04 3305N 13310 > ;; 071745 00.55 21 1.21 S or, OTA0300079 1221 00 32201-' 139.32~ 071745 2312 ru 1 2 1 s GL OUO ' S00081 0450 30 33 o61'r1394s-a: 071745 0215 21 122 P S"'~" CR I00081 0500 20 32151~ 13700B; 0717!~5 0229 21 121 S ~~~ CR I00084 0400 90 3230i': 137003 0717h.5 0148 21 121 !5 1i"~r CH I00076 1200 08 3415~; 1.3605E 071745 0235 21 121 S Gl, ov.o3

00076 0.500 08 3500]: ;- 13610S 07171~5 0.301 21 121 S ?l'''' CD00084 0.50 0 3 0 29401'1 13640!1: 071745 0017 21 121 S !f:f CHI00.0[19 05 00 12- 325 0rr 1333Dlli 0717!,5 0045 21 221 1 5 ~,.":" 0010102 0200093 0760 00 33 0 G T f 13915E 071645 k'3.31 21 121 S ;;"' . .' 002 0102 0200093 0500 40 3215N 13700g 071745 0220 21 121 S ?"'" 0010102 02~.0 0 0 9 6 0 5 0 0 40 3205!lf 1370511: 071745 0210 21 121 s ~~. 0010102.0290096 03ho 00 332Ol'I 1391~4S 071745 0056 21 121 ~ 1 ' " ' " 1 ' 0010102 02COO} '6 0500 10 3 0 1 ~ S u 13540E 071745 0040 21 121 S ~'r 0010102 0200090 0495 16 3140N 135002 : 0717.4:5 0110 21 121 S ~".i!I' 0010102 02 >.. .00098 0700 20 52I5H 137'05


40/76

. . J U 1 . ~ . i l l . 1 -

00187 2000 10 341eq.r 13 9 31E 071745 000,5 21121 S GL OTA'l

0 01 90 04,50 20 .3J,5OJir3930E 07174.5 O I l I 2112:1 S E""'

0 0 1 9 5 1000 0 0 33 0 9 i \ T 13 90 2 1 3 071645 2350 21121 S

0 01 96 19 00 00 331!.Ojl j 1 3 9 3 58 071745 010a 211 21 '5 G t . 'OTAol

0 01 96 050 0 08 3 500N 13650E 071745 0 ]0 5 21121 S E'" 001020102

0 0 20 3 0990 0 0 .3312N 1 3 9 0 2E 07164.5 2400 21121 S

00.220 1000 40 3350Iil 1.9610E 071745 02.56 21121 S ' i l l " 00102000.2

0 0 255 0400 1 2 335SN 1360.5E 071745 02]0 21 1 21 S0 0260 040.0 1.5 3335N 13610B 071745 0.225 21 1 21 S0.02130 0800 08 3 3 30N 13615F.:

0717~f5 0 223 21 121 S0 0 29 0 0 45 0 20 3525N 1391.5E 071745 0143

21 1 21 S0 ]1 00 150 0 01 32/-!-ON 1 3 1 53 E 0717115 O ? : O l 21

121 e r : :H l

~. ' .RT ;r I - 'F jJD IQ1. Strike :Reports ; Thera were 21 strike reports received du.ring

these missions by the wing ..i.ir .Ground stations. They wars receivedby the wings as fo1l0\~SI 58th. 7'; 73rd 6; 3 13 ih 5; and 314th 10.

2. Fox Transmissions: .\11 4 wings partic,ipating in these missionstl"eIlsmitted.F~ type message.s from their g;r'ound stations to aircr::lft ..Apercen.tage breal


41/76

c. 10g05 Kos' N.agligi bJ.o",.d. 3145 Kcs: (Thi a frequel1cy "'OlS rpp1aced by 3160 because,,' J' t t"S on fr6~uency).of recurrence of ,ap De opera UI " 'e. 60S'i Kcs:

(1 ) O ;V at 1500Z wa.s ineffC3cti vo

(2) J'ap voice betl7een 1100Zimd 16302uas partiallyeffective.

(3) Gji from 17JOZ and 1900:& vas partially effoctive.f0 10880 Kes:

(1) Steady GWat l/.tJOZ~Ias ineffc.ctive.(2) e\ y intcrfere,nce at 16003 l'Iasp9.rtially affective.(3) Radio Teletype signals from 1000Zto 1500Z~ere

partially effective.Nilgligib1e..go 3410 Rcs and TllO Kcsr

h. 11160 Res:(1) Mixed Cil COO,6 from 1400'] to 1600Z "as very effscti ve.(2) 'I'one from 18_50Zto 2100'2. \'Vaseffecti ve ,

i.. 3990 KeB: Kc;yedHash and stead,y tone at 1925Z, 164,7Z and1916z were very effective$

j. 74.15Kcs: Xeyed Hash between :cB30Z :and 18352 was ineffect-ive.

7o Distress:_ The 38th 'jjing recorded 1 distress measage on thestrike fre qucneies 0 4 9 v 6 6 8 transmitted that he had si ghtedgrc en andblue flares amd g'1ve their posdticm., The 314th roported 1 aircrafttraIi.sm;itted 'it mcasage "0 0 the effect he had 1 ongine on fire and R o agoing to laad at I,,0 J'ima.. H e hnded at lITOJima safely. Thore wasno other distress t.t'affic reported ..

8. EguiplIillut lI'JalfU:l'lctions: .lNj .1RI'-13: 1keyed censtantly; 1antenna (fixed) broken; 1 no sidetone; 1 test key inoporative; 1


42/76

Pert I .. En~ ...ir OppositionPart II - Eaany ~U,!.tia}:reraf'tPart III - Banbing Besults &:DaI i l a .ge ASsessment

Missicns No. 2 71, 272 . :fl' A A d 2 .1 4Jb/17 J'ult 1945


43/76

pm ' 1 ~ E1mr.( AIR OFPCErrIrn1., Stwmary; EllemYail'oppca.1t.ico was negUgibl~C:O this serieS

Of night strikes on 16/17 .July 1945 against Numa'l.u. Oi.ts, lG; .w""Ila. andHiratau.kau1'ban s~ass., Approximately 4 h . enem;yaiXl31'aft wara, soo QUltere dand 3 inaffeo.tual attaokB '1781'Smade.No.a~29wa8 lost ardamage d o . ISuperf' artre ss or6l7S made DO 0laims. There were many rep crt,ings of' lightpoollQWna, plus several repa:tB of' pl"obable Bake. type a.ircraft ..

a. Mission 271. 5Bthfling. Numa:ZUI(1) Althrugh 21 airoraft were Been no~ e.'tta.c lIEdo


44/76

(2) The 1 e..ttsck experienced was Dear the eDtnmca to#Ie Wan as t- beB-29 was Ie!!.ving the target area. The at tac k liaS 100rem 2 o+eLoc k, to o enemy a.ircraft firing a ffl\7 ineffective bursts fr~a tqp turre,t. -The attack was broken off at e.ppra;:imately 300 yards"d. IlIassi on 214. J14th :r1ing. H;!.retsu@, Most of the 22 eneD:ij'mircraft were ere wnter edin t.he target area. Sene fighters follOiled

Cl!.t be VlithdraQ"al. 1 of themt 050 mile sbeyondt he e ce..S t. There "'as1 e oa:d.i,na,.t ed at teQk on1 Il-2 9" 'The at. tao Id ng a ire raft 'liera n CI t obs er'Ted,lut bursts of tracer wmnunitiCD were seen .fired at the p.]an'e. The usuallight activity was reported. inclu ding a sp CI t 11gbt Ql' !;learcMi.ght inthe coos of sQne ernmyfighter8. Identification of 1),..298for te.r.g.ets"Wasat telllJlted by the b linki ngof lights. ap Plr6 nt Jy expee ting tbe B-29sto answer. -

1. Mission No. 271, Numazu Urban Area!a, The primary target was bcmbed 'D y 119 aircraft of the 58th

l7ing betl"1een 1613Z .. 1752Z frem 10.600 .. 11.600 fa et. AXes of attackvaried .frau 30 0~6.5 0. Weather eana isted of' 10/10 undereast,b. En route to the target flak was encOl.ntered as tabulated

beloo:Loc.atim Qoadinates Rp,rksShimada Aircraft arf COJrse. Meageran.d inaccurate, heavy.Onae8e.ld (I .P.) 3435N-13 sics Meager and inaccurate,heavy and medium.. e. Orer the target flak: \18.S described as mel!l8er, inaccurate,

medlUIll and heavy (.mostlY medium) by 44 aircraft. The l'l3lW.illder foundf~Rk as nil. Ssql!al._ineffec:t ive searchlights were oI;serve d tryillg topl.el'"Ce the qndercast.

d. On withdre.'I1al flak \183 repcrted as tabulated baloolLo::.atioo Qocrdinatea RE!!lI!\rksMishima Meager and inaccurate,medium.HachiOji j ' " im,a Very meager am inaccurate."med i um .

322SN - 13944E Intense medium flak tl8Scbserwd by 1 aircra:rtdirected at andiher a.ir--Qratt.

Surface Vessel Meager and inaccurate,heavy. roM deteoted aSlC or c a . radar at thispaint.

Be If,p aircraft Bel'e lost or daDBged as a l'esll~ dlak on, J a t . e JliSei ..

344.5N-13915E

.< " >l(. . ~ . . ... . "i :-I:-- . . . . . .;;Z JC ~"I J'" =' "~ : ; : :Ii'.!.. e:: :


45/76

r. several cre>7Sreporte:l parachute :flares batl'1een the, I.,1' .anti the targl3t above the und.ercaat~ Oneaircraf~ observed a ::ea ~lareO JJ Kozu Shima.. Thinking.i t might ha.ve 'been a frJ. endl,y pia ne l.11dl.st:re sat.he aircraft re lease d the colors of the aay as it e ira led the isla nd o .A green flare appeared in r-eapcnse to the colors of the day:signal.Creltay flak flas ene currt-ere d at land IS end (J247N lJ 1.55~).. It flaS very neager, inaccurateand heavy ..

e. NO ' aircraft TI'e:re l oS t 0'1' damaged aa a res.ult of flak onthis mis,si on.

f. Blackrut at the target area rras c cmplete. iI. fet< sCatteredsearehli.ghts were seen in the Noteeka. area and,) flere seen in theTokuyama area.

3. Miss iCD No.. 273 . Ku ' l 1 a n a Urban . A r e fl.:e.. Pheprimary target Was bombed by 9l aircraft of the 313th

Vl'ing bet,reen 1623Z .. 1740Z .fF em10,200 - 11.300 fe et. .\xes of at tackaverage,d lOla. Weather nas re:pcrted as 10/10 undercast 'i1ith uinds of23 knot s fr an 31 0 0.

b. En rOlte to' the target flak nas enaQ.lntered as tabulatedbel crl:Looaticn C o.crdinates Remarkss. Tip of Bi'i1a lake Meager and inaccurate ..heavy.o.vase 3 4 0 4N . . 13 614E ~ager and inaccurate.heavy .landfall (Vicinity of"", Katsuura)loP. (Eastern ab ere

of Biwa ll'l.ke)

Meager and insccurate.nedium.

351ON-13608E Very meager and inm-curate, medium.

c. ?"er the tm:get flak was descrited as meager and in~curate,hea'fY and meihum. One 81rcraft sustained flak damage l1ben a 12-burst_dium flak barrage bur~ immediately belm the aircraft. Ct;leor 2' f1 f i#"Y ineffective s~archl1ghtB ;1ere observed in the target area. Ole~f't bcmbed Sh1DgU as a T.O. enc cuntering no flak.


46/76

;,:'" on with(irawa1 flak was fm.cOJ.;nte17ed ne{U' Tau.zaeager, i,!laocurate andbeavy.

I.t was very

e. No a.iroraft were 10at or damaged as a result of flak onthis ntissi on.. .

t.. ODeaircraft obserled 12 gro.md ...to-.air rockets wane.ti.ogf'rcm the western edge of Ifuw.ana. They were inaoourate.

4. Miss ion No. 274. Hiratsulm Urban Area.:a~ The primary target was bcmbed by 129 ai:roraft of the 314tb.

. Wi~betl7een 14-%2Z- 16122 fran 10.9tlO .. 15,200 feet. l.x.ea of attac itvarl.ed fran 336 _ 20o. Westher >TaS reported as 10/10 un::l..ercast \'lithWinds of 42 kndt;s fran Z100.

b.Rn rrute to the t'e.rget meager, inaccurate and mediuml'lakwas encmntexed fran the I.P. (0 Shima)o. Meager, inaccurate and hea"zyflak was aLso reported in the vieinity of Oda\'lare... c. Over the target ares. flak usS deseri bed as me8\Gerandanaccura'te., heavy and mediwnbyapproximately 80 per cent of the air-craft banbing. The rest reported nil. Tao to 4 searchlights ;Jere"bserved in the t.arget area. They were ineffective thrrugh the solidunderoast.

d. O n qithdra;'1al flak 'flaIl nil.e. Noaircraft \1ere lost .Q[' damage a as a result o r flak on

this missi en.:t. Several parachute flares flere oo.served ewer the target .

They burst at 12,OOOf'eet and drifted slmily dam into the unde:roast.

- 41 -!JQ.!LJl

:: : >-e tr.-7 .:; C:> :!II~ . . . .. . . r- . . .. . . >~ J: r.1 . 1 1 !: 0 . . .III 0 . . .- : : - \1\, .s, '0. _


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1. ,summary IBuilt-up areal SQ. Mi. Total ~ 1.41, Sq. Mi. deatrwed,~ 1.25Per cent destrcved- 89.5 .Plan:ood target, area' 1.4- sq. m.i. (pOl' cent destr ayed: 89.5)Tatel damage to date: 1.25 sq. mi. (per cent of built.up area; 89.5)Targets damaged by (lurrentatrika .. :;I nwnbered. 7 other.Limitat ions of.' eoverage; NoneNo ;previ cua dalllElge to this terge t.

2. Rapert:a. DamageVi ' i thin limits of bu11t -up area =

(1) . '.readamage franourrent strika:Bui It-up area (Urban)Bu iIt-up a:rrea (Industrial)Built-u,p area. (Total)

(2) Damageto targets:

Sq. Mi.1.02.381.40

DestroyedSg. Mi. Per(lent.98 96.7!7 711.5 89.5

NumberlJ.tBlXXI 6050,Nam~ Total damage

ER StatiCIh Ya,rd.s & Rcu,ndhruse Minor drul:BgeUnidentified Indus,try , li.bwt 35% destr eyed(arsenal area)Uni den t i1 e,d Industrial Areas (3)Uni dent i:f"ied Industrial Area (1)Tlvoea.sternmost bridges nere -

100% destreved80%dest royed100%destreyed

b.O f' city):

r a m a g e altside 'built-up area (iTithin 5 mile radius ,o f center. (1) .tlrea damage ,from current strike: .1l2 sq .mi. of

Target XX I 6050 eN E and S E eorne ra) destr'Ued. .1.35 sq. mi. at lndustdalResiCi3ntial area. destroyed, 100ated E of t o o city and on :the N bs:nk of theriver.

(2) l Ja Jnge t0 target S I90.18-2116 KolQlsan Electric Mfg. CO.t - 3 blildings ~stroyedMishima Plant

Inclosure I Mosaic annotated to aha"' damage fcllOlVs this secticnReference: ;J,F Air Objeetive Folder 90.18 5 August 1944

Based on 20th :~.F.OIU D.iI.. flepcrt No. 146

- 42-


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IV!t:_I..>,I' f ( O F "

MISSION NO_.273KUWANA AREA (Urbon)313th. Wing

MISSION NO. 272OITA AREA (IJrbh)73rd.


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1.SJ;lmmary:.a x ilt ...u.p areal Sq. Mi. Tote.1 ~ 2.20; Sq. 11'11.deetr.Q{e d - .555Per cent destroyed - 25.2Planned target area: 1.4 sq. mi.; :Per cent destroyedl 39.6Total damage to date I .555 ,sq.. mi. :PeCt'eant of btl ilt-uP areal 25.2Targets damaged by current strike I 1 n1.UIlbareo 3 other.Note;_':i.ll damage. except as noted, is new.

a. Damage wi thin limit., of btlilt_uP 6I ea eDestrqred

59' Mi. FI'lreet.539 26.0.0159.6..555 25.2(1) :.rea damage from c:urrent strike:

.Buil t..p area. (Uroon)BuiIt -up area (Industr.ial)Bu ilt ..up area (Total)

Sa' Mi.2.05.1562.20Damage to targets;

Number Name Total damage$0.33-1329 Qita Iffi Yards. Sh.ops & : Statim

Oita Oil Refinery 00.M ; ) . tsuka:p.& Co. (Petr oleUlll,)Tinore Refinery Go. .Ga s C cmpa I JYTelephwe Exchange

20%50%100%50%":Ncne100 .%

b. Da .ma lZe outside bUilt -up~re!'l: (wit hin. 5 ml Ie 1'3diua atcanter of city).

(1) l!.I'e~ d am a g e trGlll eu.rrent strike; None(2) D a n e g e to targetsl

Number ~ Total dermgf;!$0.33-13082 t J . l 8 0II 2081

.\bOJ..t 8 o % C ' "90%~'85%~'20%nNenaNona100%""Nonel O O : % 1 U '5%~'"None10%""

Oita Naval 'I.lr StaticnOita Naval i\;ir DeIlGt. Engine SecticnOita Nava'! il;ir Depot . :o.irframe Secti


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Target- Oita90.33- UrbaMissjon 27216-17 July IDomage AS~~A~~m~tifllriC.I.U.-20 AF

C O N F I D E N T I A L


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1. Summar";Built-up area: Sq. Mi.. total 0.82J. Sq Mi. destrcyed 0.63psr c:e.nt des t r


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1.. Summar:y :Bui1t-up area: Sq. Mje. total _ 2.35; Sq. Mi.. destr~ed - 1.04PeJ:' cent des tr oyed - 44. 2Flanne d target area; 0.8 sq. m. Per ceItt destroyed.: 130Total damage to date, 1.04 sq. mio Per cent of bui 1t-up at" eaI 44.2Targets darooged by current str ike I 4 Ill-\!llbere; 1 other.

(1) Area damage fran current stri~e.; Sq. Mi ..(no previms damage)DestrQYedgo Mi. Percent.

a. Damage uithin lilnits. of built-up area:

fuilt-up area (Urban)Built-uP area (Industrial)Bui1t~uP area (Total)

1.60892.35.83.2081.04

(2') D am a g e to targets ; 5 %1 0%1 ( 10%

:;0.17-1336 Navy Arsenal9). 17-2015 J.a.pan lnt ernat idnal A/O Co.90.17-2035 2nd Naval Air A.rsenal90. 17-XXI 3011 Proba ole Naval TrainiogStatia. 5 0 %b.. Dam.MeOltside built-up areal C.Hthin 5mile radius of

center O f city).. < ;>

Thumge I t c o? .:; e-r-Non.a .. . . , . I"';. . . ~- c. ~- 'i . ~Nona J;: : \J'I ;,-None .,. ~< . I I ?None -JI -

' 5 ( l%.1 > -.. _1-

(1) .\rea damage fran current strike: None(2) Damage to targets;

9O.17-~377 ;:rEl~n Gas Engine Co., Samukavta.90.17 -2036 Sagami :River Brii3ge SC 3 RR... 1 High,qay)90.17~I 3011 ]{aj:ima Electric Steel Mfg. 0o.Small Unidentified Industries (8)

Small Unidentified Industn (1)

Fle:fere_roe: A-DF90.17 September 15. 1943

Inclosure; Mosaic ann.otat ed to ShCl1 da:rnage foil


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OENTIAL!/ 1

I .I_~ . o r" ;- - " '-


58/76

CONF 1DEN T I A L

j; I


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E

G C N $O L ID 1I .T ED S T:.TI ST IC ;u . ,S 1J MM i.R Y

Missicns No. 271. 272. 273 and m16/17 J'uJ.y 1'345

. . 5 0 .. .


60/76

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64/76

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E - o~a;0~I1l

~0~~~(/)8& ::lu~H- -0. l: .r2" VI ..rIJ \ '=> ."0- 1 1 -:.t. ck

A W K IS S N E R Brigadier General, USAChief of Staff

OFF IC IAL :'--/11/ I' 7 -. , : /1 " / /t.L Jt/J O H N 1 1 1M O l lT G O M E R Y fC 0 1 o n e l , G . S . G.D c i s , Operations

DlsmmUTION!2 - CG 5nth B omb Wing2 . - CG; 73rd 130111b Wing2 - CG:. 3lJth Bo m b W in g2 - CG:. 314th BombWing2 - C o . ; 315th E O P . : ' c b l ' I in;g1 - CG; VII Fightor Comd (OTG 93.4)1 - 00, 3rd Photo Recon Sq .6 ...,A-3 Tactics, 'l\ventieth Air Force2 - 33rd seu, Twentieth Air Force1 - Oommunications, Tvlentieth :.irF orce1 - Of,S, Twentieth Air Foree2 - CIU, TWentieth Air Force14- 1~-21eportine, Twentieth Ail' Force- l.-2, Twentieth Air Force


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G

D 1S T1 U BtJ T I C l i i .

16/17 July 1945Missiq:s No. 271. 272, 273 am 274


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OoPY No.1234 . _ .567 -89101112131 4151 617181 920212223 _ 242 52 6 - 2 72 829 - : ' 3 33 435

3 738 _ 676 8 _ 6 97071727 37 47 57 6777879 - So

DISTI!lBUT IONTJ&TICALMISSION REPORT

Commanding Gen.eral; .


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8J.8283848.58 68788

9091929394-~9 69 7989910(')1 0 11021031 0 4 -lQ51061 0 71 0 810 91101 111 121 1 311 41 1 51 1 6117 - 130

Command;i.ng General; 58th BO)nbardment '.hngCommmding Ge ner,al; 73rd Boro,barrdmen t ','IingGeDllllsading Geneir'aJ.; ]l]th Bombardment ',1ingCol!llll8lndine: General; ]14th BOlllbaxdment \1i.ngCommsnd ing General; 31.5th Bo.mbwdment Wingcommand ng Officer; 311d Photo Re ccnna t Sa,ancs SqCouunanding Officer; 4-l8t Fhoto Reconnaissatl.ce SqCommanding Officel', 55t1, .Reconnaissance Sq,. Long RaDge.!eethe,r 'CO IODn n d i OZ Officer, Tr1e);ltieth Air Force Combat StagingCenter (Provisional)Commandimg Officer; 33rd Statistical Control UnitCOllllllanding Offioer, 6th Bomb Gl'OUp (VB)COTI l lD and i n g Officer; 9th Bomb Group (VR)Co1DmB. nd i n g Offio ell '; 16 t l l Bomb Group (VB)Commanding Officer', 19th Bomb Group (VB)Co!nmanding Officer; 29th Bomb Group (VB)Commanding O f + ,i cer; 39th BOnlo Grollp (VH)Commanding Officer~ 40th Bomb Group (VR)CommandiIlg Officer. 330t h Bomb Group (VH)Commanding Officer; 3 . j 1 s t Bomb Gr~up (VH)Co![Wlarlding Officer; 444th BO{l1bGroup (VH)CGII!Illanding O f fieel" ; 462nd Bomb Group (VB)COIlimaL'ldiIG Of'ficar ~ 468th Bomb Grou.p (VB.)(loomandi:ng Offi eel'; 497th BOl1lbGroq;f! (VH)CommandirlB O ff icer; 498th BOTilbGl'ou.p (VB)CO!Dlllal'lding Officer; 499th Bomb Group (VB:)Goi!lmandil'l6 0fficer~ 500th Botnb Group ( ' 1M )Commanding Officer; SOls:t Bomb Group (VH)Commandimg Officer; 502nd Bomb Group (VH)Gerumandil'lg Officer; 504th ;Bomb Group (VB)CQl!l(;'18nding Offi cer; 50 5 th ]:1OJllbGroup (VH)Commanding Officer; )09th C omp o s t te Groupt::ommandLngOfficer; 15th Fighter Group (VIR)Commanding Offieer; 21st Fighte'!' Group (VlR)CbU lWSnd i n g Officer~ 4I/tth Fighter G rou lJ (V IR )Command i n g Officer, '506th Fighter Group (VLR)Reporting Unit; A-2; Twentieth Air Force (File Copy)Reporting Unit, A-2 , ~entieth Air Force

- < z-~-~~."7 '" C;. t ."";;: r. . IV r.~ . .: . : .r:> .[; JF . I.S' I J"11 \ '> " .:.- - VIi-.!_ ,~

I : :

Documents

21st Bomber Command Tactical Mission Report 271, 274