21st bomber command tactical mission report 146, ocr

8/6/2019 21st Bomber Command Tactical Mission Report 146, Ocr

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UISSION NO. l ~ SFLOWN 6 I I A Y ~ )

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!l .!i " .!! U.HEADQUAR1ERS

nI IICIlBER couwmAPO 234

TACTICAL lllSS!ON REPORTField Order No. 70 Wisslon No. U6

Target: Hiro Naval Aircraf t Factory (Target 90.30 .. 660)

5 lfay 194.5Table of Contents

Page'...l!2..180111313

Opera t i ons . . Par t I .. Naviga tion Chart Par t I I .. Bombing Repor t . Par t I I I .. Flight Engineering Char t s .Par t IV .. Radar Report Par t V .. Gunnery Report

Tact ical Narra t ive .Annex A ..

Annex B - '7eather Par t I - Weather Suomary Port I I .. Chart .. ?orecQstObserved weatherPar t I I I .. Prognostic l!apPar t IV .. SynoptiC Map

1 e ~ t ~ r va

141517181.

Annex 0 .. Intelligence Part I .. Enemy Air Oppos it ion Part II .. Enemy Antiaircraft andAir-to-air Bombing Par t I I I ... Bombing Results tU'ld Damage';'llsessment . Section i>. Torget 660 . Soction B . Target" 730 and 7

Annex C - C ~ u n l c a t l o n s Po.rt I .. Redar: CounterPar t I I .. Radio

Measures

2021232526>:r

282832

;.nnex F - XXI Bomber COIlIllland Field Order Annex E Consolidated Statistical Summary 36

..

Annex G - Distribution 50

A-2 SectionXXI Bombor COllllle.ncl


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the root ILnd noa r tho atru .c tlU "u lIl6mbeu. The IOOO-opowul bedl .were carriod by the seth Willl; aineo bomb uClca r equi red t el ' tho2OOO-POu.nd bomb. wore not avai lable and 'the lOOO ...pound uni t , wenconsidered the bel t a ~ a 1 l a b l e .ub . t i tu te . ata inst th is type ofUrte t

1. The l/IOO-s.cond do lay nose fu.&1nt .....selected in order to produoe boc.b bur. ts IS to 10 fee t beneath thoroot and thereby in.uro damate to bui ld in t contento a' well a ' tob1111dings. The non...ctehy t a i l ful1l'\& inau.rcd m.ax1J1UDt ~ r o W l d . 10ve1bur. ts to near mi

j . . A minimum intervalometer ae t t in t . .aa ,p ci f ied fo r maximWll concentration of bomb. on tho t a r ~ e t .

(b) Bombinl Plannlne:

1. The ta rge t aroa was llpproxlmately 1000by 1500 foe t . Slnoo a probable oircular er ror of 1500 tee t in .olu.dod all important t a r ~ o t Instl l l l l l t ion. and n probable circularorror of 2000 feot included the Hiro Engine and Turbine Factory a tthe ncrthern end of the t a rge t area, an aiming point nenr the centerof the plant was aelected .

.3. The i n i t i a l point plnnnei (342-&" ... l06E)was .. tood radar check point and enemy ant ia i rcra i ' t defensC18 neartly_TO l ight.

.}. P'rom the i n i t i a l point, axell of attack ot246 and 247 detree. wore specif ied so as to Icoep a i rcraf t in theboav,y an t ia i rc raf t defenso. for the .hor tes t po riod of time. OtherGOndderations in aelGctil\& axe. of attack weTO tho I i U l l l ~ e r of ant i -&1rcraft ~ west of the target and tho Japanose f l ee t u.n1t. inHiroshima Bay CUlod lure Harbor. also we.t of tho target. , The c!rit 'testimate WUll 5 degroes l e t t

.i. Specified altitudl) of o.ttack was 18.000t ee t . A calibrated a ir .peed of 206 mile. per bour and a bomb runor 10 minu.tea wore planned.

(2) "g iu t tOD PIAnn1ne.Retlon, ro r Choice

Basotolwo Jim&to

S316H 13410S

to3USN - 1333330to

342-&R .. 13305toTllrgotto

Iwo Jima to Baa.

Aallembly area, per XX! Bombllr Command Tactioa1Doctrine.Thh was selected .. the departure point l ineethe peninsula a t landfa l l was eas11y identif iedyi .ual ly or by radar.Thll pen lMula . po in ti ng d ir eo tly to the in1t l ' "point. Will aelect.4, ... a t urning po in t.In I t ia l point was &;lbua Bay.A l e f t turn lfD.. apec1t'ied off tho taJ' tet in o r-der to l;Ot planes out or the brfavy tlDtlo.1rcrattdotenalll in the shor tes t poriod of t1me.

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(3) FliCht Engineering:(a) Alti tude. and speeda were to be uled for maxi

mum fuel econoflly and sarety and wing u.embUos _ ro to be made.(b) Fuel reserve d a t ~ i n d i c ~ t o d tha t the seth and

73rd mnr;s would require fu l l wing, cenur wing and 1 b-.ll bay ta.nlcfor n tota l fuel load of apprOXimately 7300 gallons.(c) No maximum or minilllUCl bomb loada lftlre specif'1ed.

I t was estimated thnt average a i rc ra t t of both wing. would be able toearry a bomb lOad of 10,000 to 12,000 pounds. Amaunition load wa.ostimnted a t 1500 pounds.

( . ) ~ (a) ~ u r o t o - S a k i lI'Q.S .e lected G.8 tho departure po1ll.t

ainco the radar operator could maintain contact wbile procoodinp; tothe control point beforo th e tl1rn nt the int ia l point . This eontactlossonod the chances of p ; o t t i ~ ofr courso.

(b) Tho control point usedwne nn excel lent radarchock point beceus8 or i ts 1and-wuter contre . t

(0) The course froll! the i n l t i d point te the tarOtpara1101ed the const 1ino and enabled tho bo=bardier to k i l l dr i f tnnd sot up tho bomb run.

(d) Rader could be used on tho ."ithdrBlfal from thOtarget because of good check points in tho vicin i ty .(5) : Rq,dAt Counter Ir!easurn 1 SO:l.Tch for Jnpo.neao raderchnracterist ics in froquencies frail! 40 3000 megacycles WG.8 planned.(6) Air-Sea Rescuol

(a) 1i&D.11 The Navy was furnished with detai lsof th o mission and requested to furnish q,vailo.ble f o .c il it ie s fornir-soo. rescue purposes. The fac i l i t i es made available foliowl

1. Four submarines WGre assigned for th eontiro mission as follows: at 3 2 ~ O ~ l3400E, at 3l00N 13500E.a t 3230N l3230E. and a t 2915N - l3300E.

! . ThrGe Dumbo ai rplanos VI"l're allSir;D6d asfollo ....sf nt mOON 13800 frem 050100Z to 050500Z1 llt 2730N 13730 from 050600Z to end of 111lseionj o.nd at 2000" 1(330E from0506l5Z to 050615Z.

A.. Throe surface vassols wore .ssi tned Ufollowal a t 26001 13600E from 042000Z to OS06QOZ i at 2730N l3730E from 050800% to end of misl10nj and a t 180011 14430E t i l l 'tho ontire mias 10n.

ate v ic in it ytelko-off and..i.of Saipan and

land ing.Crasb boats .... ~ r assigned in theTinlan during the cri t iCal tlooa

illllDOdlof

(b) Xn Bomber Command 1 This Command aUip;ned ..Supcr-DUIIlbo alrcra1't to orbi t thG 4 subCllarine positions durin g th er3turn of the main force.-3_


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d. Dttp,u s of Planni" , _ Iote1l1pOCe r(1) Enemy Air OppopitloDj I t was estimated thkt th ef ightor strength for th e Kobe...o.aka. arek wOll1d not exceed 60 r l ~ t e r .and tha t opposition would be ~ e to moderate. Tbo route wa. plannod to avoid Tokullh1llUl.. on the eastGrn IIhore of Shikoku, sinoe 15

s i ~ o - e n g l n e f lghters were l ocat ed t he re ,(2) Enemy Apt ia i rcraf t l

(a) There were 130 heavy guns ln the i.nuIlodiateviOinity of the tll.Tget. se t up ln an ext reme ly concentrated, closein defense, Other heavy gunll were 54 northwest of lure in tho Riro_sh1tla defenses. 8 acron Hlroshima Bay, west of Xure and near Otake.and 3 on Mae Island. s o u t ~ of Otake. In Kure Harbor and ln Hlroshima was a 1 1 l . T ~ port lon ot the Japanese f leo t , capable of offor lntheavy conocntrat lons of f i re ,

(b) On the b u h cf the aboY" facta it Wall rooomI:l.ondod that the route pass over tho undefondod SGctor of Shikokuand an Imlllodiate bronkaway be m.a.do to the south from the ta rget .Although th o a.xis of at tack rccorn::cndod c alle d fo r an upwind run,it was bolievod tha.t th e ext en sion of the KllTO defensoll to the 111-lands west or tho ci ty and the proba.bility of effoetivo t i r e fromna.vo'! .hips precluded th e U$O of an approach from the wost.

(0 ) A base al t i tude of 1e,000 t o e t WlUi reoea-endedon tho r o u t ~ c o n s l d ~ r G d . beat to avoid heavy o.rrtio.ircro.f't defensea.

3, EXECprION OF IHE MISSION Ia . Iako=err: Take-off WU3 accomplished o.s follows 1

A!rcro!t Fi ra t l i . ircraft La.st AircraftJlW .Altborno Toko.ofr Tlllce.offSeth 4' 04172420 04.1e1eZ73rd ..J&. 04171SZ 0418JOZTOTAL 170 041'71520 04163020

b, Route Outt Long rango nQvigation to assembly pointswa.s accomplished Q.8 briofed, The S8th Wing mado an overwater a.a.sombly 35 mUes sou th of l l u r o t o ~ S a k i Ilod tho 73l'd 'Ying usod S h 1 ~and Hoki 0..1 assembly points . With the exeeption of 1 plane, DOnllvigatien dif f icul t ies wero encountered 08 . rOQte 1;0 a.aaellbly point

o. Oyer Target;(I) Prlmpry TllT.EOtl Target areo. no.v1gation was e . e e ~

l isba4 vilual ly . w ith ra da r QII.d as an ald. Cloud o o . e r a ~ Yeriedfrom 3/10 to e/l0 rellult ing 1n 121 Q 1 r o r a t ~ bombing villuo.lly and 2Tbombing by radar. W1nd in the tll.Tget o.re&. Wl\8 240 degrees a t 95knots, one hundred and for ty eight B-ag ' s dropped 578 tons of bCllllbllon tho prilllary 1;argot betwoe.n 05014020 and. 05031120 a t alt1tucle. Tatlting frOID 18,000 to 24,700 fee t ,

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i .II J11U. I

(2) I a r r t . at Opportunityl Four a i rc ra f t dropped 16tona or bomba Ylsual1y tloa 050017% to OS0130Z a t & l t l t ~ d . ' froa14,600 to 22tOOO foot on 4 targets of oppor tuni ty aa follow. 1 R..,aOlea.Xukl. IUlh1moto. and Iuah1moto RaTal Ba.e.

d. Boute bck I Wa.vlgatlon on the rout . baok . . . . hUlperedsnloualy by adTerse weather conditions which oxtended from. 200 mU..north or two Jim" to bu . s . Minimum notice had been &lveD to the 'MOS'..bout the chan!;. of target frlXll the Tokyo are .. to the lure a re . and.there had been insufficient time to instal l the bomb bay t neoel_sary for this type of mission. These ( ..otorl , I n add ition to the t ~ conaumed I l t assembly poinu and winds tha t 'ft'Ore str'on,;er than predicted,co,W1od 68 ai roraf t to land a t Iwo Jim.. en route to bues .

e. Je941ngl Aircraft oi th e maIn foree l a n d ~ at bas . ' wnder'l'ftl&tbllr conditions that reduced vhlbl l1 ty from 12 to 2 m11. . . . t o l l on l!lll< P i n t Landing LM t Landip,58th 050630Z 051028Z73rd 95 0714Z os09A8Z

U I B.C. 050714Z 051026Zt . Lones: Two B-29's were lost , I to enelllY ai rcraf t and 1\las forced into the saa short ly af te r take.or t . In the t i r s t iDlitanee

ene&QY t ighters shot out 2 e ~ i n e s and forced the pllll1e to l ean thoforllla:ilon. A wing broke oft and the aircrllf ' t plunged to ear th. Outo f the crew of 11 o.board, 8 paraohutes "",re Qbserved to ~ p e D . . Thes.ooo4 8_29 lost an engine and the o' ircraf t wns forced into the .eanou So.1po.n., Four crew members out of 11 aboard were reaoued.

g. OperQtlona Summary!(I) Navl" t lonl (See Annex AI hrt 1. tor track chart ) .No.vigo.tera or the 58th Wing did not tul ly u t l l i u Loran a 0. navigationaid due te their recent o.rrivo.l into this a!"ea and insufficient timefor t ra in ing in i ta use. However, 0. tro'ining pregrnm ho.s now beenin! tio.ted.(2) Bombinc! (506 Annex A. Part I I . to r report ' - Bombing

accuro.cy was oonsidered ta i l ' . with 31 per cant or the bombs ral l ingwithin 1000 teet ef the aiming point .t (3) b i gh t Endnur ing l (Seo Annex A, Part III, to r por_tormo.nC6 o h o . r t ' ~ and Annax S Conaolido.tod Stat is t ioal S u m m a r y ~ tor

wdditionai lntormatibn).(0.) BUEltin Or Hda10D !r.a ' lrod

.L I n i t h i Climbl Iftd ,iv iduaI d r c n f t ci1Jllbed1ill:ae4iato.1Jl' . . r tor take-etf to 5000 ud 9000 tee t .! . I n i t h l Col i " e.n4 Sayo.dron Auembltea I Thei n1 th l SOOO-toot and 9000_toot eruiaes wero erfeeted by individual

a.1rcra!'t te th e squadron auembly points noo.r Iwo J imal - .bore .. .SOll bUos were mue without dltf ioul ty . Tbe tint 2 Groups or tbo 73rd!tint; tokinr; af t tlew ILt the lower al t i tude a t I!l. calibrated a ir .peedor 195 miles pOl' bour. and the la tor 2 Group. flew h ighe r and a t ca!ibrutod a ir speeds of 200 and 205 miles pOl' hour to tbe point or climbto bombing alt i tude. Tbi. procedure was folla.ed in order to oo-pr...tho roree.

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al t i tude WIlli JI.lI.o.de

.u. Q ll.!< I911mb to Bgm,b1DC Altitud21

w l t h o ~ t difficulty. The climb to bOlllbinc

! . Cru1so to tbp Tarcet: Tho D . v o r ~ o tim. of arT! . . .la t tbo WIng auombly point wall aathto.otory and tho fuel cOMWllptlon-.a approximately tho same tor a l l Groupe.oopt for thoJima.

...largeReturn to Bues I Returns to bau l wen norual oxnumber or a i rc ra f t tha t wore forced to land a t Iwo

(b) Cop n t . on the Hiedon:1. The 73rd Wing hll.d prepo.red fo r a Tokyo s t r ike .Upon receipt of tho f ie ld order to r th is mi8s1on there wo.a lnautficient

tlI:1.o to In1to.ll 0. bomb bay tank. Two 2000_pound bomb. wore unlonded todoore3.so the bomb load.1. Sixty-four plane. of the 73rd Wing and plo.nea otthe seth 1f1ng landed. a t lwo Jim .. because of fuel IIhortuge o.nd ot o.ntlclpo.tod bn4 weather &t bo.ses.

(4) BasaL: (See Annex A. Par t IV. for equipment portormMOO40to.11s). T'wenty ...seven a.1rcrClft bccbed by Ta.4a.r.

(5) Gunnery: See Annex At Po.rt V. to r deta.1b.(6) A1r-Sea Rescye: A picket boat re.cued 4 meD or the crow

of 11 tha t ditched 5 miles northeast of So.1pa.n (l510N-l4S69g) a t04ol755Z.

b. W@stoopbi l i ty during this

(See Annex B tor de td la ) . Vl'eather rodueed d e l -mission. Winds were . t ronger than toreco.st.

1. Co;mun1catioD4:(1) Rady Coynter Meq.syroR: (See Annu Ct Pa.rt I , fordeto.ile). The geDero.l .urvey of Jnpo.nese ro.du cho.ro.oterist1cs for

frequencies in the region of 60-3000 megacycles continued. r u r t ~ r e .t tempte ware made to locllte Jo.pan8e8 Tado.r . ta t ions by the use of . , i r -borno direotion-finding antennaS.

(2) ~ (See Annex C, Pa.rt I I , fOT detai l s) . All belU'_ings requested ~ r obtained.j. Int91l1eeD98 Summgry:

(1) ED!WY Air Opposition:Forty-one enemy ai rcraf t sighted madeto enemy p l ~ e B . and. 7 _TO damaged.ol1ly de.troyod. and 1 damaged.

(See Annex D. Par t I, for dot&11.),16 atto.cks. One B-29 was 10"C l a i ~ were , destroyed. 2 prob-

(2) Ijlnomy an t id ron t ' t I (See Annex D. Part I I . for d . taUs) .No a1rcroJ't was loet to flu; however. 46 ware damG.l;ad. or 'U188$. 5auatained major d n m a ~ e .

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details). (3) Darn" 4uQumon t t (See Annex D, P-.rt IU , tor

(a) Tho Hiro NavLl Aircraft Factory. th e prlll:ltrytarget, had 71,5 pOl' oent of its to t . l roof area dam&&od. Thirty_four of the 38 bUildings in the p l u t rece1ved some damage.

(b) The Hiro Mud Engine and Turbine Faotory(Target 90.30.130) an4 tho H1ro Arsenal (Target 9 0 , 3 0 . 1 9 ~ ) sust.1ned51,S per Cent damage or desU'QotloD. w1th a ll mc.1.n build1ngs 1n thofomo,." area severely dumaged.

/ Z ; r ~ ~ j J / ~CURTIS E. LellAYMe-jor Genenl , U,S.A.

COmJ:1anding

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.I..U .8lI.l

All_

Part 1 .. HaTi,atlon Track ChaJ>tPart II .. B o l l l b l ~ ReportPut III .. Flight Ena;1n. . . .lns Charta:Part IV _ Re.daJ' ReportPart V .. ~ B Report

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APRIL 1945 PART...l NAVIGATION CHART SECRET

I-#GUAM. I

RE"PROOUCEO 3$fh.P T U

I- - ~ - - " .K Y58th. Wlng-------'1 73,d. WitIQ.

MISSION NO '46DATE 5 MAY'4XXI BOMCOM. I

,'CHICHI JIMA\

,,,,,\,,,,,- \ ' ' ' - -1 ' ' - - -20

1\10 .lIMA f;',4.W;.]! l ~ 9 ! . . . : . . . 0 ~ - T -- -25

IW JIMA IIIII

'-----

010

4Qnd.Gp.......,0/'J'.>42132i!:- 0421371'

SECRET

498fh.Gp.IJ'.....-'--,,-_.r, \, ,4991h. \ \8 ~ \l l O O t h . ~ \

,, ,, ,, , .,"\ \ 49 7 &498 Gp...., ,-\ 499 a llOO, , \, ,, ,

135-IIIII.

13'

,

IIIII- - - - T -

TRACK CHART XXI 80M8ER COMMAND

OKINAWA

I ~ - - - - L A N D F A C L - TARGET-- - LANO'SEND -1st. I lost I,t I La" 1st I L o 58lh.- 0501012: 0501052: 0501402: 0501472: 050202'2: 050208Z73,d.- 04?34!'i1 0500042: 050146l" OW211 i! 050203! 0502:261:


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PART II BOMBoo R:f!:P(!lT

1. The Hiro Naval Aircraft PBctory at K\tre was attacked by4. squadrons of the 58th Wing and 12 squadrons, Of the 7Jrd Wing.

2. 11. The 58th Ving a i ra ra f t were f i r s t into the target atal t i tudes from 18.000 to 19.700 fee t . with a general l lXis of at tackof 247 degrees. The target and aimi..ng point were easi ly ldontifiedsnd a l l formations except I bombed the primary target with excellentresul ts .

b. Drifts varied frc.m 2 to 5 degrees r ight and caused not rouble. 'Ihe formation not h i t t i ng the target area. had an accidentalrelee.se 2 mile s sho rt at target . 'Ibis was caused when the lead bombardier ro l led the bomb sigbt telescope index past the ra te index withthe tr igger engaged. 1170 cases of pneumatic bomb bay door ma.lW1ct ions occured, necessitat ing th e s alvoing of bombs fram the rear bombbays.3. . a . Aircraf t of the 73rd Wing fo11017OO the 58th Wing overth e ta rg et a t alt i tudes varying f ran 18 ..900 to 24.700 fee t . 'I'hisWing had the disadvantage of bcmbina a smoke-obscured target through5/10 cloud coverage. 'nle liing experienced dif f icul ty in picking upthe in i t i a l point; hCJl7cver. the target 'lias identified by the .smoke

over i t . 'nle aiming point for the 73rd -;/,ing uas obscurod by Sll:lOke.b. ' lhree of the 12 formations banbed. by radar . and the res tdropped visually nith the use of reference points .c . Bombing accuracy of the 73rd ~ l i n g flas considered un

sat isfactory. due primnrilY to the amoke-obacured ta rget .4. Overall bcmbing accuracy was considered f a i r .. ';lith 31 percent of the bursts identified nithin 1000 f e d of the aiming paint .

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/;}t!o,

, ,. . j jBMM : : t = 1 = ; + + t t r ~ l =/.(J,.fj? ;'.1!t ; 'A __ J . . ~ ~ m _(POUNDS) / ~ o : ' ~ } ~ ~ : ~ : : : - - - + - + m ~ r . , .."........ _".: .1...........I ; m.2,-(){)O j 'j' r

o ji

~ " 0.-:..__ . i - - - . - I : : L J . : : : : : : : ~ t . 1 _ - _ - - L J : : . _ ..~ i ! 7 ; ; ; : : ~ ~ ~ : f r + L/t} PoO .... I f - [ _ , ....

J(JOC

,rtIC,j!?E5EI?J/c {OtJo(CAlhJ"'S) 800

600


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PART IV - RADAR REPCRT

6. Bluipooot was 90.2% ollerative over the target and94.&.c operative ullOn landing.b . Average lI6ximum ra nge ttas 63.3 nauiiea1 miles a t 19.000t e e t a l t i tude .c . Average lI2Ximum range on landfa l l poin t 'la s .54.1 nau1;ical

miles.d . Average nmcimum range of the beacon vas 98.1 nautical

miles a t 1.5 .500 foet a l t i t u d e ~e . There nas 1 equipment fai lure in lend a i rc ra f t .

2. Radar Navisetion:a . 'nlere nere 1302 Loran fixes and 126 LOP's taken a t an

average lUl.XimUIII range of 712 nautical miles.b. There nero 10.5 radar Qinds reported, ni tb deYietion frOIDthe ave rage n ind of 9.5 to 11 knots.c . Average deviat ion f ran axb of at tack was 3 degl"eoa.

PAR'!' V GUNNERY REPORT1. ~ n i t l o n Report}

e . Average rounds of OIl'IDUJlition t i red in canbai nere aefo11oos: ? 'kd WiM: 10 per gun; 56th .1i!!B1 only 120 roUD1s f i redby entire Wing.

a . Rounds ot omnunH ion loaded per tu r re t ttere as follO'1l:u711'4 lZling: 7500 per aircrof ' t ; 56th \':JiM: upper f ront . 2000; upperar t , 1000; t a i l . lOOOj la ler oft . 1000; and lcner froni , 1000.

tollQl'1s:b . Average7Jrd \1insl rounds expended10;, 58th 111M: per gun25 in test f i r ~ n g \?ere as

d . The llDIIIunition expended for each iurre1: 'I7as a s to llowst7Jrd ~ l i n g : 43; 56th \ l ina: none.2 . Method. of Loadins G!+gs: '!'be 7)rd ";ling loaded i t s guns eo1d

and the 58th \:ling hot .3 . Operation at Egu i en t : Central t i r ing control systems'gere 99 per cant operative and .50-oalibcr machine guns Ut;re 98.5per c ~ r r t . operative. All C!C malfunctions vere due to improper pref l ight ing.


16/54

SIR!! I I l l J JU14 M

B

,

Part I - 'ielltbBr S\IlIIIU"1Part: It - Chart - 70recast W.ther' ys.01xt8l'Te4 Weather .Part III - Prognostio MapPart IV - synoptic Map

II1ssion No. 146

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BI.BES:

ROUI'E:

PIiJIT I - WFi.THR SWU3YPlNtiltP mw::AST

3,,5/10 10\lJ oloud, base 1600 f ' t , tops 6 to 10.000 t t with twshowers in evening.~ 4-6/10 10lll cloud .. base 2ooo!'t . tops 6000 f t .~ ~ a r m front wave vi tb Itl/IO 100 cloud. baS:l 800 r t , tapato 3000 i t ; tb i s condition extends to 33CIN in area east of 1380g.To ooast: (West or 138OX), 6/10 Ie:. cloud decreas ing nonbward aD4westward to coast . (East at 1 3 8 ~ ) . 6/10 low cloud. lase 2000 ttltopa 7000 .. 9/10 middle cloud. baae 15,000 t t , tapa 18,000 ft; 9/10high cloud, baae 28,000 i t , a l l decreasing to 3/10 10lf, 5/10 mi4I1.,and 3/10 high cloud by 1400K.Kobe & "feat: :VlO low oloud, base 2000 rt, top. 5000 ft; l igh t blUe.

Operational forecast~ g a t 4/10 lew cloud. base 1800 n .Take Off: top 6000 ft; 3/10 h igh c louda t 30,000 fi.

Route w t: To 26"N: 4-5/10 100 c low.base 2000 it, top 4-5000 t t ; ] /10 bighcloud a t 30,000 ft.26o.N to lOON: 10/10 Iocr a10u4. base1000 f t . top 8-10.000 ttl occ.asiona1tops to 15,000 i i i 7/10 middle cloud,base Booo tt, top 15-17,000 i t ; 5/10high cloud a t 27,000 i i ; , vis ib i l i tylowering fran 7 miles to 1 mile in rain,l ight clear ice in clouds and moderateturbulence.lOON to Tnrset Area: 5/1(1 l cloud.base 2000 it. top .sooo It.

TarGet: 4/10 10(1 cloud. base 2500 !'t.,top 5000 It; visib i l i ty }O milee inl ight haze.Route Returning:Same as Route wtgoil'l8Base on Return: 4/10 loa cloud, base1800 I t , top 9000 It; )/10 high clouda t 30,000 ft; visibi l i ty 15 miles,laPerinG to 1 mile in l igh t shOlTGrs.

Weather Encountered6/10 10'iJ cloud, base 1400 f t , top12.000 t t lJith oeesaiona1 topa to25,,000 tt; hea..,. showers and l ight-ning in the area.'1'0 1 8 ~ : SaJne conditions as basse,lB"N to 24Oy: 6/10 lQ\1' cloud, baee1800 f t . top 6.8000 n .240N to 2BONi 910/10 11 cloud,te.se 1000 ft. top 9000 n; occaaional tapa to 25.000 11; i 10/10middle cloud. ba"e 10,000 it a t2 4 ~ " ris ing to 14.000 t t a t 28ON.topa a t 22,000 tt; moderate toae'Yere turbulence; mcderate toheavy SbOll'erSi 7/10 bigh c l ~ .28CN to Tnrge t Area: 3/10 100clouds. top 5000 ft; sQ.uall l inea t 310N vit:b tope to 12-1.4.000 nl : i tb ecattered ahOWBrs.3-4/10 lCQ cloud, top 5000 It inthe QI'ea and clear over the ta r ..se t ; visib i l i ty 20 mUes.

Same as Route Outgoing7/10 10'l'l cloud" base 1000 It; 7/18middle cloud, base 10.000 f t . mo4".rate shO'l


18/54

JLQ 1! I l l l J l ! l l ! J .Winds Aloft forecast

IPs. to ?ooti 200ff to 30CN 30"! to 32GN ptfget2.5.000 240/25 _20 245/53 -21 2 5 0 / ~ 5 -23 260/75 -2620,000 240/20 -04 245/100 -10 250/60 -13 260/60 -1515.000 230/15 01 240/33 01 260/45 .02 270/45 .0510,000 230/15 11 ~ 5 / 2 3 11 270/30 07 280/30 035.000 220/15 20 2 0/20 20 270/'9 15 300/20 122,000 200/15 26 .60/17 25 )60/18 21 )60/18 17Surface 180/10 30 135/11 29 010/12 25 010/1' 21

',inds Alott - ObserYed

2 4 0 / ~ 5180/1590/25110/18

B!8e to 20'" 20ClN' to 25"N 25ot! to J2"t260/65280/20

23.0009,0005.000

R!!dARXS: One &-29 ...as dal:nased by veather in the frQntal zone betveen25"1< and 28"1


19/54

p~

~ /' ',' J

i

j;\J Mr,.J .. ,.. ~ I ;;.: ",,"

( , w:."U.."\!' II..


20/54

[111I,

, .. . , J- ,

J"0)PROC OST /C MAP .

00002 0" "I,.-AlAtJ.5 A Y. 191

9 M/S.R E ~ D - j5TH PTU

" TRUK''\,

-


21/54

t , '.' TRUK;.

" \

",SAIPAN

..

,

",- ,r _, -,

REf'RO(lJCEO - :\">TH PTU

.,,\ ;p'-

1 ~

TIC MA0 ; 0002 ' ,;i"AUS MAY /94:5"

" , - ~ ~,,.- '


22/54

lU. l l .%

c

c9lllJlllICA'tI0IS

Part I .. Radar COWlter ),(oalur..P&I't II .. Radio

. iU loR Ip , 1M

....


23/54

J IQJ l ! IUBI 1 - MD,1R COUNTER KEMURES

1. PnQg'Q:a.. To locato Japanese radar stations by means of a1rbona.If ' cn.tennae.b. To continue .. ~ n o r a l survey of JapBlloae radar characteris t ics for frequencies in the region ,,0-3000 megacycle

2. Metbod: E l ~ t observers oompleted tho mission. The followint equipment was used in various comblnatlonll

3 . Boaul t l la. The f i r s t seven r a d ~ r 8 to be DF'd by this oommand werO

0.8 fo l l0W8l Location of Rel1o..CbnuC te r l sUc . Intercept; .2u1.D Ma thod ] U JZu. .ImI00095 0950 Ie00101 0405 1800105 0508 4500107 0364 4000156 0504 0500158 0520 0600162 0507 05

34.20R..1342082710H1421oE3340" 136ooE33S0lf 135Q2705R.14210E3330H.. l ~ 4 0 E264GB-14210E:

21212121212121

122122122122122122122

ppppppp

EW 00101EW 001010202F:I( 001010202Ei i 001010202E\f 00103E'IT 00103Sf 00103

b . Signa.ls heard in the t uge t aroa wero as foilowslLocation of Rsl1e. ...Charac te r is t ig . In te rcep t Hetbod b i l 1U .!lu.!n.J.00150 0505 0200154 0520 0400152 052000185 1200 0500190 0000 1100192 0750 0600193 0995 1400195 0000 1100197 0960 1200198 1000 OSOOlga 0750 0800201 1020 1000202 3000 03

3425N-133OOE342SN...13300E3S24N_13300E3425N_13300E34.25W_13300E34.25W-133OOE34.2SN_1350OE342SN_1330OE34.25N-13300B3"259_13300E3425N-13300E3425N..l:530OE3425._13$ooE

21212121212121212121212121

121121121121121121121121121121121121121

sssssssssssss

EW 00103Sf( 00103EW 0010201:EW 0010202EW 0010202EW 0010202EW 0010202EW 0010202Elf 0010202E1' 0010202E1J 0010202EW 0010202GL 004

C. S l ~ l . beard toLoCation orOharo.cterl .t lq. Intarooptand from. tbe ta get were a . to110W8r

ReU .. -.2:u:1D Method bU l ty .!!u l!RJ.00069 0500 00 33:50N-13S00S 21 121 s n CIII00074 0000 33 3240Jf_13300E 21 121 s ... CIII00075 0513 25 3219N'.13510E 21 121 S n CHI00078 0415 38 3400R-I3345E 21 121 S EW CHI0007e 1880 U 33301.13.830E 21 121 S00079 0495 40 3l00N-I3S0OE 21 121 S n CHI00080 0475 17 32SSR-13435E 21 121 S ... CHI0008 2 0505 as 31101.13556E 21 121 S ... CHI

-21-


24/54

Jil1.B.!!ILooation of Relia

C hu ! lQ tA rh t ic . In to rgap t Ore'n 1!othQd bU l t y .Jlu lui00082 0500 3800092 1000 1500094 0000 1200095 0950 1800096 0000 0000098 osee 1100098 0364 2000099 1010 0400100 0495 ao00101 0000 1000101 0405 1800101 0400 1400}01 0000 os00102 0400 14OOIDS 0200 1400105 OSO& 4S00107 0364 4000107 O!OO 4S00109 0'350 SO00112 0200 0600112 O36S 4000141 0909 1600142 0490 as0014'1 09).8 070014' 0430 0400147 0.96 160014 '1 0500 0500148 OSOS 1200150 0505 0200150 0000 1500150 0495 1900152 0520 0800163 0495 32O O 1 5 ~ 0506 0300154 0500 1700155 0520 1700156 0525 1500156 0500 0500158 as 20 0600156 0505 0500160 o ~ 2100162 0507 as00167 0520 1000216 0700 1600225 0750 3700302 0000 160030$ 0000 12

3400K..l33&5E3100N'-13500E2500N..1404583350R-1334SE30S0K-136S0E3 ~ O N 1 3 3 1 a E2550N13700E3Uo2N ..13535E3320*-1332582500914045826501-13940331SN..1356SE3340N-1383(E3340N_l:}63OE334SN..I3S30E31301'f_13S45E3 2 1 O N . 1 ~ 3 0 E334.5R-I3S3OE33OO1_1343OE3345N-1353OE333ON-1333a!:3100H..135oo&31OON_135008310013500&2712N_13910E34005_13345&3400N_1361SE32S0H_13440E3349Jl-1334482640N_1393oE3315R_1341083S28N_13310E33501_13500&3233N134S0B3122N-1353oE3 1 ~ N _ 1 3 5 4 0 E3230N13


25/54

PARt I I - RiJ)IQ

1. Str ike Rqport'1 Nineteen atr ike re;or t m e " ~ g o . wore reoeived by tho Ground S t ~ t i o n s . O ~ C of tho 56th T.ing striko ropor ' .,";:.z tocl)1v:;d by tho 313th "int; Orollnd Stationi howeV9r. t h h MUa,.,e17ll.a 1mmed1a.toly re1o.yod to 58th Wins l:onO'01.

2, Pox T r ~ n a m l s . i o n s : I n add ition to the usual Woather ~ T ~ Signals. the 58th Wlnt; r ~ p o r t e d t ra nsmit tin g s ever al I fo z l me.s:Ioges prior to the t im. r ~ i o .110nco Was to b broken. Inoludod inth is t;roup w ~ a mos.nge r e g ~ r d i n & t raf f ic control . Tho 73rd \ h reportod holcling lwo JillUl. nnd GuCJ:'l woc.ther dnto.. in roo..d.ine.. in Co.or tu \ e ~ r g e n e y .

3, Frcgyoneiqs I Several Incidenh of unknown interference.~ r reported during this mission. Howover, ~ t m o a p h e r i c interfer_onco l r - . high o.nd caund more confusion tMn enomy o.ttempta I l t ja..ming, Following is ::l percentage breokdown o f t ro .f rtc per frequency I10 per cent on 3 met;a.cyelea; 30 per cent on 6 tIOgo.cyele.; cud 60 porcont on 11 lIIOgacycles.

4, NSv1Cntiopgl A14.: ~ l requesta for HP/CP c.nd VHF/OF bearings v.orG obtc.inod, i .l l ro.ngest homGr., "aM brondco..t . tOotion. _ reused, SQQe ai rcrnf t roported the Iwo Jima homor W::lS not c.. effectiveCUI i t ~ beon cluring previous missions. I t Is believed tho.t thOhomer" ineffootiveness 11'0.6 oausod by ntmo.phoric cond! t ions.

5, Not Dhcipl ine ADd SOQUrltyl Tha seth Wing roported oneinsto,nee of an l l i rcraft o.ttempting to contact MothOt p10.nG on 6615ko. a.nd 10305 kQS t using w:i"loo. 'Corrootive ~ c t 1 o n ~ been t".kon.Tho 73rd ' 'l ing roportO'd i t s n o ) ~ dboipl1no ~ . poor m th seJ:!o 0.0Tie1


26/54

i ! . l ! .B!J

d. 3020 keSI H e g l l ~ l b l e .e. 6615 &I 10305 kcs: $oventoe.n;;;O r tlportod dot ln1 to OaJIO'ot enemy jo.mm1ng by tono. bagplp.o, cusic. :ud volea 9116615 toe u d

10305 kes between 0130Z and 0600Z. This was r epo r td &I I DOt DtI.l.Q&steady j u . m l n ~ . but was on and off a t short intervals.

7. Dis t r en I The 58th Wing beard no dh t u l l I meUa&88, rh873rd Wing received 1 emergency message during this m1 10D, Justprevious to bOlllbl away, the Ground Station received an UL Supruand MOS O/F were notified ..nd the a i rc raf t was given II. true tou r . 'to steer and a f i x , The d re ra f t landed u re 1'.: at 111'0 J!ma.

e. Equipment yo1fuDctlongf WART.13: 1 dynamotor burned out;1 local-remote switch inoperative I 1 fixed antl!lnnll broken. BC-3MI1 inoperative. AN/ARN-71 3 Inoperati.s; 1 needle hunting I 1 8.n-.ntenna broken; 1 loop motor burned out. SCR:221 4 inoperative.R C ~ l Q 3 * 1 inoperative. ~ 5 inoperative I 1 lost weight.~ 5 inoperative; 1 1 D 1 c r o p h o ~ cord inoperative.

i J I U I


27/54

UI l IU I I

D

INl'EI IJGEM}J

F8rt I - En6m1 Air OPpositionPart I I _ EnEmlJ' A..ntiaire.ra1't an4 Air t o...ur BombingPart I I I ... Bombing R u lh and Demage Aa 1IIIIeIl\

Section A ... Tar!:.'et: 660.Sec.tion.B ... Target. 730 a1'l4 194-

--l!.


28/54

PARI' I ENEMY AIR OPfCSmON-1 . An esUnated 41 enemy interoeptors ma4e cm1Y 16 at taoka.against the B-29's . In aMiUon t o ahooting dawn 1 & - ~ . e n . . ,f18htera damaged 7 others . Cla im l were 3 destroye4, 2 pz"obab11

destroyed and 1 4annged.2. The 58th Wing a i r c r a f t bcmbed f ran 014tE to 0l..41Z andoxperienced no attO-cks. Their 81ghtings included a possible Jet.propelled a i r c r a f t described 001(&. The 73rd Wing banbed 1ahZ',beween 0146z 0.D1 02112 and encountered an est:inD.ted 27 enemy

f i c h t e r . l'l'hich ItBde 16 o . t t a o b . '!tio crippled S.29's vere p a r t i e .ulerly singled out . and 1 'W s shot dom by a ToJo tbet JIIllde 6 euccessive a t t a c k s . Fourteen 04ditionnl enocy f lghtere wera ai&btedbut did not nttnok.:5.. Frequent changes of the a l e r t s t a t ~ during the day may

have IlCCounte4 for the enemy's f a i l u r e t o i nt er cept : t he f i r s t "'lingO'Yer the t a r g e t . EnElll f ighters that 'Pa-e vectored t o the tarGet areat o i nte rc ep t th e second formation arr ived i n a Sr'oup.

4 . 'Dl.ree ranming attempts uere reported, with d e t a i l s 101lORingi n th is r e p o r t .

5. Retai ls elaims:8 . Deatroyed 3l 1 Oscar by nose. 1 ToJo by nose and 1

Zeke by n03e.b . Frobably Destroyed. 2l 1 Hamp by RB and 1 ToJo by MG.

c . J)Qm!1ged - 1; Tojo by RSG.6. p e t a i l s of the at tacks:a . A possible jet .propelled a i r c r a f t 'Pas observed 15 mile.northeaat of the i n i t i a l point at O l m . Gunnerlll reported uhliesmoke spurts t r a n the r e a r of the fuaelage ot t h i s a i r c r a f t . Theplane vas deseribed as having a pointed nose and a 17ingspan of a t

l e a s t 40 t e e t . as spQrk!ing i n the sun as if new. 800. as being l a r ger than Tony. The plane was apprwimo.tely 2000 yards a"a.y a f t e rhaving a.pproo.ehed f ran 9 o'clock and then having t a l l e n back. ItfollQPed i n the 6 o'clock posit ion about 3000 f e e t a.bove the B-29.No vapor t r a i l s 'gore seen fr cm B-29's a t t h i s time.

b . A number of l i s h t ...r s 'ilere encountered by 3 fo:nua.t1onawhich fai led to tollOll' the briefed route o.tter o.ssembly. These tor ...Jn8t10n:J pe.a.!lod over A17aj1 IslEUl4 into t he ta rg et .. thereby drawingf ighters f ran the Osnka area. I t va.s noted that fightCZ's trCJl1 thedirect ion of Oae.ko. stayed i n thO.tgeneral Q1'e8, indicating that thereprobably 11 unintainec1 an. area 4etenae and not an intercetcr argatli_zat ion . The same si'tue.tion prevailed i n the !.\Ire area unti l thel o s t tormation clelU"ed the t&rBet. a t which time a ttm f ighter"t o l l O l l ' ~ l l b . tCll"lD6tion: past land's end.

c. In 2 instancea. t ighters took ad'rDntage of crippled B-29'.and mnde assressive and persis tent a t t a c k s . In both casea 'B\W.d)'"a...24) 'a pullod out of' tormation t o protect tho cripples. This pro .t e c t i o n proved effective in 1 inatance 'lihen the 'Bu.4d'" ~ 2 mneu.vered above the cripple to ward o f f at tacks and prcwide eeoart to1"0 11m. '}1)e other cripple. a t t e r having 2 encine. shot out b1 asins!e-engine t i g h t e r and being tONed to leave t he torma tion .. recei_ved 6 attaclca in close succession by a b lack '1 'O jo . Thia result:od. inthe rigllt wing brooking o t f T h i l l repor1o 1.5 baoed OQ CTQ.l.....1004 l ' i s u r c . 4"ftll i loble e..I'1;cq- l.ba p - o "po.rotion of the C o ~ o l i d a t e d s t e t i s t i o a l SUlIIllllrT

.....


29/54

4 . The lD'ojor ity of attacke CODeisted at et ra t ing d t s . b ,with e(lll. t l y ~ t h r O \ l B h a . There wero no ao0r4inated at ' taoka. 'lbebreakaweys were cbiefly sharp dives and turns ~ e the fanmetiea" i tb a number at spl1t-S's tenrd.nating i n f ro nt al QUaclta. '1'bJ"eeattempted r8lllllings were reported. 1 08.ch by a Zeke .. Oscar. ao4George. The Zeke and Oscar ~ d the attEmpt fran level to high a t12 o'clock; th e Oscar f ran 10lIl' a t 12 o'clock. Ra:aminga wero apparently avoided by the B--29'.e by rapidly increasitl6 81t1\:\I4e a t thel as t manent, the enClll7 ai rcraf t pal l$ ing a few feet under the aire:r&t1.

e . M l c h i n e ~ g u n and 20ooJllll. cannon f i re were rep


30/54

Ji.QJlt.lllilil.11oj,

PART III SECTION A - DAMAGE ASSESSMENT REPORt-TARGET 660

HIRO NAVAL AIR:lRAFT FACTORY

1. Summary!a. This report ~ I e . s e d d a m a ~ to Target 660 r e . ~ l t l n t

from )11"810n 146. Good quality reconnduance photohowed d..-age concentrated in th e N three-fourths of the plant. Every building in this area was destroyed or damaged.b. Roof are . affected to ta led 779,000 .quare r. . t. or

71.5 por cent of the total pla.nt ro ot area.c. Thirty-tour of 36 b u l 1 d i n ~ . in tho plant rocei.ed .omodamage. Twenty.f!vo bUilding. were destroyed or d a a a ~ ' d . T re

search bullding (2 . ) received fOllT di rec t h i t s , as .hown 'by fGurhole. 1n the roof. Theae hits caused internal damage tha t oannotbe " ! l eued .

2. 8t.t11t1011 SYmm,rv of Cam'ral

DAmAC! from Qurrent , t r i ke ,

Destroyed aStructural d ~ ISuperficial I

1. Gutted2. ll1nor roof d a ~ e

Square footof roof160,015&0,450

530,036' 8 ,956

Per oent otOrginal Roof Ar .. .

....'.57l.S

To tal roof area (as liated in ctu indu. tr ial Report Ro. 13 plu. twobuild1nta Dot l is ted)l 1.089.22g s uare feet

nt B.C. C. I . U. D/A. REPORT #61

-..- IHt.lJl.!lJll.1 10 I.


31/54

3. Itemhation or D ~ g e 1

'"10..,....'" ......

...

..

...

...

,Buildln& Root are .. in : IN S EllfIICIAL Per cent F u . n e t ~ o ~ of b u i l d i D ~ i cOllll:lOntlio. (Ref' a) sq . f t . (Rut . ) Dostroyed Structural Gutted nor Total roof.,. 000 M ~ ' " 8&orCb-entit led bld,t:-. - 33% of roof appears 9.

2. 9S 300 54.0 5 '0 05 ... 4 bomb holes 1 roof . l111DOll-2b 00 25600 100 ;",;. rc ib1e" +n "'.0;"'1"+'0 - .

23 400 2 23 400 00 0 6.100 6 10 0 100 " "0 100 P5b U n l d e ~ t l r l e d bUilding in proceslJ o f b ei ng

6 BO 00 a 500 0020 20 " ' , , , ,0 20 200 10 02.BOO 2890 10 0n 3 0 22 7' 66 .hnn' n

Bb 0'20 0 0 30 200 ,75 0Be 2.510 0 00

2 3 6 2 30 0 0 Darse bldg6 2 16 230 00 b d1 . 33 000 .. ~ o o o 00 , , ~ , ..33 000 0 000 10 0 1. 40 00 0 40 000 . 0000 00 ..ll- 46 300 15 40 0 15 '0 0 33 ' n ~ _13 22600 650 0 22 600 100 ; 0 20 0 , 56 0 70 60 I4b 080 6'040 0 .0 2 080 00 'n,5 64 600 6 000 SA. 600 4 600 10 0

,16 20 200 0 2 20 200 007 6 96 0 2 0


32/54

'"0......'0............

areLlMay 1945

4,0.450 530,036 48.956 179.ol5760,015OTAL I-Not l isted in eru Industrial Report No. 13 bu t added to the total roof

Referenees: eIu Industrial Report No. 13

Bullding Roof Area DAnOE IN SQUARE ~ ~ ~ : ~ e ~ \ in sq . ft . SUPERFIC : : r c e ~ ;IRA' .; \ Structural 7 0+ . ' n .. , ." , .

3 '0 0 3. 00 3 00 1 2 0 2 0 2 10 100

2 20 . , 200 I Q: \ 200 0023. 30 Zl 00 I 2 ... ' 3. 00 100

7 7 480 00 R . ~ ' O 8 250 100

26 ".5 47 00 I 47 500 100 . 70 270 270 100 -,00 2 00 12900 00'" 7." '0 7 85 0 000 4 000 lCL 000 33 2' 0 3 00 00 25

250 60 0 00 0 6 400 6 40 0 6 4.00 00 '.". 7 0 1 200 "1.200 00 "'0......10

.....

..

..

...


33/54


34/54

Q.2!ltlJl. ... Jl.tlAlo.PART I I I - SECTION B _ DAMAGE ASSgSSE:UT WORT-

BIRO JAVAL ENGIJIE AID TUJUUN F4CTORXTARGET 90.30-794HIRO ARSENAL

1. Summllty:This report assessed dQJllage to To.rget8 730 aDd. 794 re -sul t ing from Mission 146. The two targets ~ r oombined In th is

a $ S e S 3 m ~ n t because no d ef in it e l in e of demarcation eould be drawnb e ~ 1 e e n the two with the information available.

b. The total roof area of the two p1o.nte is 2.429,860 IIquarofeot. Of th is to ta l . 51.5 por cent (1.251,125 equare tee t ) was dam_aged or destroyed.

c. The main concentration of damage 15 in the S1 seotioQ..I t was the reported lOCation of Target 730. tho Hire Na.a1 Engineand Turbine Fll.Ctory. All th e ma1n buildings in this area woresoverely damaged.2. Stat is t ical WMIary of Daoage t

Square Feetof ltoof

Per cent of Otiginal Roof Area {DostroyodStructural damageSuporrtcl3.l:

2. Minor roof dg,mA.leTOTAL DAW..GE

SolO, 77011.100

200.9401,251,125

H.O.s

"'.68 .2

- m B.C.,e.I .U. D/A. R ~ R T NO. 68

Jl..2JlIl.lliJll1.lk


35/54

I

ltomJ.la.tion of DMlng! i'. -Bldg. nUlllbor Roof area D.UJAGE HI SQU.:..RE FEEr: R e r - J , . n n O , ; ~ t o d in sq , f t , Dl3stroyed Struotura.l SUPERFTCIAT. To' : ~ r c ~ ~ tPrl G 013 . 7 ~ 3 7" '0 0 ,7 ,2 o 200 o 200 10 200 00

2.750 2 50 .2 15 0 003 0200 0 10 200 00 000 00 49000 100 750 g. 750 9"'50 '0 05 060 5 060 5 060 007 23"400 23 '0 0 23 400 1008 2 200 2 200 12 200 0043800 26 260 7520 43"600 000 .2 GOO 12 200 12 200 00

46 600 34 9 0 0 4.6 600 0012 . 115.500 00 92 400 0

77 200 37 200 77 200 00500 93 5 0 93 5 0 00

14 750 6 750 8.0001 14 7!';O 10 0O' 50 70 0 50"'00 '0 0 2 0 . 2 0 0000 34 50 0 3 4 00050 5.0 < 0 00

10 03300 3 0 . 00' .300 ,.'


36/54

onlo.......

"""s...........

1.251,12500,94098,315l , lW40.770otAL

Bldg. Number Roor Area DAlfAGS IN SQU,ARE FEEl': R . r - A n n ~ ~ t e d in sq . f t . SUPERFICIAL ::r c , ~ : tPr' 0 s ~ " " .. , Ont. . . ' " nnn T... ,

4; 64 0 .0 6- 06 0 060 00'-'b 06 0 . 0 6 0 4 060 007 0 7.140 7 .0 00

00 0 1 000 ',


37/54

"o

o


38/54

AJ l lU1

OONSCLmAtSp StATISTICAL SMARY

MS"lQD JIg. 1MS I Iq 19&5

0036.


39/54

I SECRETXXI BOMBER COMMANDCONSOLIDATED STATISTICAL SUMMARY OF COMBAT OPERATIONSFORM 34146MISSION NO.5 ..... 1945

Pr1lrlBl7 Target ... lq.ro ll a...a l 4fC hcto17. lure

D!!W1'1Zl;S or MISSIOll.llzol'at& A1I'borne .. .. .. .. .. .. ....

PeI'Cl8D.' Of .A1r.craft On '&ma.

. . . . 172. . . . .... 6 6 cos; or MISSIOIlA110raft LOI' .. .. .. .. .. 2Percent Of Atrcraft Al.r'bcrae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.1 'Aroratt Damaget. .. , .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 51.t.1rcrat. B o a b ~ Jlr1M.r7 Target 148:

Peraent of :Bollb1zl& Aircraft j,Uoborue .. .. .. ... .. .. .. srf. Percent or Alroratt J.lrborn8 . . . . 2 5 0 ~Crew Member Casualties 19

:Percent Or 1'0tal ParttctpatiDg ,. .. .. . . . . l . loeb. Dropped On h1mary !Parpt .. .- .. .. .. .. 578 Tons~ Dropped. On Other ' la rpts .. . . .. .. .. . . . . 16 Tons,BoIabUl&.. Beeu1,t . _ .lpprO%1mltely 60% o f H1ro Navel.ur-tt 7aotory Deetrqyed. See accuracy page tar. . . .1D4 I l l t ' . , . . . ~ t a l - 2 - - - 2 2 -bllC 62 176 6 170 4 ,.",. 1715 Z 1530 Z 5 ,.",. 0714 Z !l.!028 Z 63 145 - 4 - 152 152 - 2 - - - 2 2 -

I!. 40th and 462nd Ops only. UorE: XXI BC Field Order No. 70 called fo r 4 s qu ad ro nsIt Superd-.mbo J..I C. from 53th Wing: and 12 equadrona from 73rd 'ling.

! ~ ! ! ~ !I.


41/54

E C-R E T:BREAKDOWN' OF ALL AlRCRA:FT FAILING TO 1ICffi PRIMARY TARGET

Hro:lSIliW 140DATE ' ~ " ' 5 " i I t \ i 2 ' - " 1 9 " 4 c e 5 - - -

IolEClWilCAL FAILUR!l PERSONiiEL EEillOR FLIGHT CONDITIONS EN})fy ACTION e>rtlilliUI' WH- B"""" BOIIllEIl NOU .. llOIOD BOOlED NOl


42/54

MISSlON 146.DATE 5 !:fay 1945BOMBING RUN

TJlRGm :BOMBED TU!E C1F J!EI,?ASE AtT. OF RELEASE TARGET VISIBLE TAR3ET NOT VISIBLEA I R ~ ~ VISUAL RADAR BUN DROPPm VIS. SIGifl'I!,G RADAR = ~ ~ p p -w'T JWlE OF TARGE'I' '""'" DROPPIN EMLIEST LATEST LOUEST HIGHEST SIGHTIL'G VITa VISUAL ON ON B.El""'....RENCE RUlI RECK- GONBQ;lllS OBLY CORRECTIONS T,EADElI: OR OFFSET Pr OllIllG

56 VG arc Naval A/C Factory. P 37 0140 z 0147 z 10000 19700 6 - 31 - - - -ureIf'i,'OOlcn TO 1 0221 Z - 10000 - 1 - - - - - -73 UO Hiro liavo.l A/e i'uctory. P 111 .!. 0146 Z 0211 Z 16900 24700 10 - 74 - 3 - 24XureXukl, IUSh!moto, Kuablmoto TO 3 0017 z 0130 z 14600 22000 3 - - - - - -!l.val Base21 Be Hlrc Kaval ~ / Facto17. P 148 0140 z 0211 Z 18000 24700 16 - 105 - 3 - 24Xure .

I

-

I !. Includ 1 Ale vbleb bombed '.11th 56th Wing t'ormation. . !! ! l !""


43/54

- - - - - - - - . _ _. k-- - .= - - - "'"-- - -" _ - - = . : - ~ . _ - ~ - - = ~ = - " - - - - - - - = = = " - 'i-,--,,-,--,,-L=.Ao=-..o=.=._-;;=,--4_.J.& ~ - i ,..-----=a"'-i-"'--l.rl:eM t '=- '----=- i ri- ::.:---=.... : -- - ~ h,n - - - - -0

~ ~ C R ~ ! MISSION 1461);.TE 5 I i 1945DISFosITlon OF BOMBSFUZE LOADED ON AIR- RELEASED ON TARGETS JETTISOl!ED llETllJlllED IDlKlTOWN'SETTING BORNE A.IRCRAT HIRO NAVAL A/e LR&TOUlflT TYPE or 1It.t{B FACTORYI 0. TaU }jo. Tons '0. TODe '0. Tone '0. Tons '0. Tons No. TODS No. TODS

58 VG . . . .1


44/54

2 !QS ! !A C m m : ~ c y OF Ba.!3ING ON mIm,RY T1IRGET

mssrw ~ 1 4 , , " , 6 _mTE 5. l.t!.y 19k5 - - - -Ba.BS RE_ BCJ,B HI'l'S SCORED llM) DIS'IWCE FRCfd ':..n.iIOO POn1I' %HI'IS SCCRID WI'!HIN 1000 I %HITS SCORED \7lTHIN 2000'W.5./ID ON

UNrr T-"'G1lT OVER TO Tarlo.L H.E. TO 'l'OI'.u. H.E. TO T ~ L H . E . TO 'l 'O'nL H.E.H.E. TOT.U. o - 500' 500'-1000' 1000' -2000' 2000'-3000' 3000' T""' ' ' ' nOM3S RELEilSED B01iBS SCORED B 0MlS RELEhSED BOliDS SCClFZD

58 Ws 288 288 - lJ 9 - 85 2 2 238 51;1% 62.1P. 8103% 98.3%73 WE ; 434 434 - 0 - 55 75 233 423 138% 14.2% 26.5% 27.2%,

21 BC 722 722 - 2 9 - 140 77 235 661 28.9% 31.6% 48.3% 52.8%

IIOD:. Acouracy tigures to r 73 \ling ar e based on briefed aiming point. However, only 2 oqUOdronn were nble to WJe th e briefed aiming point beoouoeot flmolce. Other oquadrons used unobserved bu ild ings as aiming points.8gpbiM Results. J .pprox1nl1tely 8az o f H ir o Naval ....i r e ra f t Faotory is dostroyed, and th e Hiro Naval Engine and Turbine Factory i s severelydauased. aocording to Strike Attaok :Roport ITo. 85.

' !QB!!.. - .


45/54

AIRCRAFT LOST AND 1lIIM.tl.GED

SECR I : T- - - - - - N I S S I J ~ ; 146J1\TE__ ? t'lil;Y 1945PERSom8L CASUALTIES

i AIBCRAFT LOST AIBCRAt""'T IWtAGED . ' _II ._. . : : ' ~ ~ O N l t E 1 CASUITIES! ,UBIT EllillY Elm" EllEIIY ACC, TIlEl3 01'- E!lEIl"I El!i>!Y =>lY1 ACC. 0IIl! :r 1JI


46/54

SECRET

ENEMY OPPOSITION .AND AMMUlUTION EXPENDITURE

MISS ION_-,1,,46,,-_ _ .DATE 5 ' '' '' ' 1945

ENEIori AIC DESTROYED & nAMAG:s:D 50 CALIBER i,MNmrrTIOlr r : ; ~ ~ m l T U I I E "lIEIDlY ATTACKSUNIT A/e 3Y EtA TYPE OR DE&- PHOB FIRED HI TEST ONSIGETED D JETTISONED TOTAll,iOI!EL TNOYED IESTRID COMBAT FIRED L05'I: A/e --5S ITG 29 - - - - 120 44)5 - - 459573 va- 2) 16 3 2 1 15650 110';4 10454 15000 5215G, -21 :BC 56 16 3 2 1 I '577" 15529 10454 15000 56753

Tojo 1 1 1Osc,", 1 - -eke 1 .- -S/E - 1 -

I

S::r :R'BT


47/54

M I S S I O N ' _ J . I 4 6 ~ __DATE 5 Mq 1945

FLIGHT IlATA & FUEL C O N S t K . ~ I O n

58TH VIllo. 7Jllll vmo 21 11 CAIC CONSIDERED 38 50 SSAVO.. FLYIFo. TIME 15'09 14:43 14'57AVO.. DISTANCE FLOtIl! 2'J5G 3110 3044(Nautical Air Mile,)FUEL CO!iSlIMED:Average 6499 6314 6394

Naxlnum 6950 6793 6950lUnit.'l1m 6100 5942 5942

FUEL mu.tNtNG:Average 743 442 572Max""'" lOSS 1St IOG5Min"" ' " 335 121 121

AVO.. GnLS. US"..J1l HOUR 429.0 426.6 427.7AVO.. GALS. USED PER NILE 2.19 2.03 2.10

!TOTAL FUEL USED ON AIRBORNE AI 257461 G32360 I 108.661

UEIGIIT DATA

uo. A/C AI1ll3omn;: 42 t2S 170AVO.. :BASIC lIT. OF A/C 74654 74GG5 74G27AVO.. VSEFVI LOAD 59509 56006 56672AVO.. NO. ar BOMBS LOADED S-M65(TllT) 4-.66(T"")AVO.. lIT. OP' BOMl3S LOAllED ;:;320 8220 k 6245AVO.. FUEL LOADED 7242 6753 6S74AVO.. \IT. OF :mEL LOADED ., 43452 40516 41244_,,-Vo. .. MISC. lIT. 7737 7266 7363AVO.. GROSS \IT. AT TMF-mT 1)4163 130891 131699n :Excludes Buporducbo A/C ..13rd UiJ'i6 reducod itB bODb load per Aleby tlto tone due to last clnute change oftarset. ~ 1 c e vaB 1 n . u r r 1 c 1 B n ~ to l u a ~ ~ lbocb b8 tanka.

Bocb Veigh-talAN-H65(T;T) = 1040 lb_.""-"'6(Tl..,) = 2055 lb


48/54

IS May 11..11111 . h e 1M

111111.1

,

m BOllER gMrn f lU 9BPP


49/54

b. Enemy ant l -a ircrcf t defenses:

FIELD ORDnR ~ m E R 70Maps fo r P lo ttin g: Japan Avlnt lon Chart 1:218,880.1 . a. O.o.ltted.

In the immediate vicini ty of target a t Kurethere are a total of 132 beavy cntl-31rcroftguns.

~ ( r d . ~ L j j -I BOMBER COIllWID

GUAM1200 4 IlAY 4 ,

! l . ! ~ E . ! !By Autb ot CG XXI Be

(1)

! l .H .E. ! !FROM: COl! GEN XXI BOM COliTO: COM GEt! ,8TH BOIIB "GCOl' GEN 73RD BOMB lieCO!.! GElI 313TH BOMB WGCOl.! GEt! 314T:-l BOMB WGINI'O : JRD PHOTO RECON SQ

(2) In the I m m e d i ~ t e vicinity of Hiroshima northwest of Kure are an additional 54 heavy guns.(})(4)

(, )

In the vioinity of Otnke on west 9ide of Hiroshima Bey oro 16 heavy anti-oircreft guns.In addition to land emplaced guns 1s n largeportion of the Japanese f leot in Kure Harboraod Hiroshlm3 B,y. which should be avoided asfa r ~ possible on b r e a k o ~ y from t a rge t area .Cit , of M ~ t s u y a m n should be avoided on roturnroute.

2. Tho XXI Bom Com will attack Thunderhead No.1 ond n i f ields on K ~ u s h u with 16 and 6 squadrons respectively.3. D. 58th Viing:

(b) Reforence: XXI Bam Com Litho-Mosoic KureArea (90.30-6601 Urban.(2) PriDlJry Radar ~ r g e t :

P r i m ~ r y Visual target wil l be Hiro Novol Aircraf t F ~ c t o r y (90.30-660).

Axis ot Attack

246 Degrees True

247 Degrees True

4 Squ'3dronsPoroe Required Axis of A t t ~ c k

Foroo Required4 Squadrons

(e) IIPI1 0 7 0 6 ~

Altitudo ot Attock: 18,000 feet .Routo: BOBeIwo JiIQQ. (Assombly Zono - l'llOy uso ossero-'bly ~ r o a rogularly assignod 313th Wing.)3 3 1 ~ N - 13410& lDeparturo Control Point)341,N - 13,3330E3424N - 1330,E ( IP)TorgetLoft Turn From TUrgetIwo J imDo,o

UPI108081

(1 )

(3)(41


50/54

. H. U.1'.FIELD ORDER NUMBER 70 CWrIllUED

P r i m ~ r y V i 9 u ~ 1 t ~ r s e t will be Biro Naval A i r ~croft Fnotory (90.30-660).

(b) Referenca: XXI Bom Com Litho-Uosoie KuroArea (90.30-660) Urban.(2) Primary R ~ d Q r Tnrgct:

Axis o f Attack247 DeGroes True

246 Degrees True2 Squ.'1dronsForce Required Axis of Attock

Forco Requir ad12 Squadrons

(a) M?I107069

Route: BaseIwo Jimo (Assembly Zone)3316N - 13410E (Departure Control PoInt )341,N - 1333330E3424N - 1330,E (IP)TorgetLef t Turn From TQrsetIwo JlmaB:Jsc

t.lPI108081Altitude of A t t ~ c k : 18,000 feet .

(5) Bomb Load: 2000 Ib GP's fused 1 /100 nose andnon-delay to-il .

(6) Method ot Attock: Column of squadrons.(7) Firs t squndron will lonve departure point a tD hour plus 4 minutes.(8) D hour is 0'1100K.,

(})(4)

(5) Bomb Load:. 1000 Ib GP's fused 1/100 nose ondnon-delay to i l .(6 ) Method of Attack: Column of s q u ~ d r o n 9 .(7) Firs t squadrons will leave tho departuro point3t D hour.(8) D hour 1s 051100K.

b. 73rd Hing:

c. Omitted.d. (1 ) The 314th Wlng attacks air t ie lds on Kyushu.

(2 ) Priml'lfY Target Foroe Reguirod T'\rgot Timoalta AirfIeld 2 SqundroDs (0,0900-0,1000K)T"\chl'lrol .hir.field 1 Squadron (0,0900-0,1000K)KcnoyD Airfield 1 Squ.,dron 10,1600-0,1700K)Chi ran Airfield 1 Squcdron o,1600-0>l700K)Ibusuki Airfield 1 Squndron (0,1600-0,1700K)

(3) Altitude o f Attock: 14,000 -.18,000 toot.


51/54

LEl.lAYCOil GEN XXI BOll COM

Balance of l o ~ d to be instantaneous nose ondnon-delay t a i l . LO"ld bonbs n l t e r ~ t l n g by fUBetype - ono doloy ~ n one Instzntancous !Used.~ h e r e s u ~ p l y of long delay fuse 1s I n ~ d o q u 9 t O .use fusos in longer delay bracket.

1 bomb - 1 hr dol!!y2 bombs - 6 hr delay3 bombs - 24 - 36 hr delay1 bomb - 2 hr dolay3 bombs - 12 hr delay

(4) MPI for Ibusukl: O}6062. Reference: XXI BamCom Litho-Mos:l.ic "South Kyushu hrea - IbusukiAirf181rl." ?iFI for Chir(lD: 090131. Reference XXI Bam ComLitho-MOS!11c I1so uth Kyushu Arcn - Chlr"lO Airf ie ld".

(5) Bomb Lond: Chiron and Ibusuki - 500 Ib Optsf u s ~ d Instont3Deousnose ~ n non-delay t ~ i l .K c n o y ~ . Tachlnrai, Oitn - 500 Ib opts fused csfollows:

o. (1) XXI Eom Com SOl ~ n SOP for striko roportscontact reports and IFF procoduro. Strikeroport No. 1 will be used.

X. Omitted.4. c. No chonge.

b. Toctlcnl Mission Number:Kure Thunderhead ill 146Chiran Tre')d1e } l 148Ibusuki lnf'imcry 4 , ~ 1 149&'!noyn Checkbook ]13 147T... chlnral J.gh.:lst J.1 145Otto. C ~ m l Q t ~ ! 144

5. Conmunlc:J tions:

FmLD ORDm NUl.lBIJl 70 CONTINUED

DISTRIBUTION:2 En Wing


52/54

o

Mtute ... 1M

-WRBIBlJIICI LIst


53/54

.U l .UPI STRlBYTIQR

TACTICAL MISSIOR REPaSts

1 C ~ l n g GoMrcJ.. Twentieth ':"lr Poroe2 Comm:lndlng Generlll, XXI BombOr COllllllO.nd3 Deputy CommC'.ndor. Twentioth Air Forco4. Chiof of Stc .f f. Twentioth r.ir Foreo5 Chiof of Staff . XXI Bombor Comm':lnd5 Doputy C Is, Opns. m Bombor COIllll.::l,Dd7 Deputy CIS, Sup lk in t . XXI BombaI' CO:llllUlnd6 AC of S, A-2. m Bombor Comlllnrd9 Comcu.ndlng General. Arrrw Air Forc&aATTN: AC/AS. Intelligenco10 CcmmAndor in Chief. Pacif ic Ocean Arou (Adv Bq)11 Commandor in Chie f, Pacif ic 0001.0. Arou (Rear Rq)12 Chiof of Naval Oporations. OP_16"V13 Joint Intellir;once Cvnwr, Pacific Ocean AroILS1" COClllundcr Air Force, Pacif ic Fleet15 COllllIandcr. Third Flee t16 CQIlmandcr. PU'tb Flee t17 Commandor, Firs t Carrier Tut ' Porce18 Commander, lIariana819 Commander in Chief. U. S. Army Forcoa, P ..elf lc20 COlIImanding CkIneral. U. S. Ar'lllY ForcDa, PacifiC Ocean Aroaa'2J. Commnnding Cielnord. All ied Air Forc08,

Southwest Pacif ic Areas22 Commending Gonoral, S o u t h w ~ s t Pacif ic Areal, ATTR: G.2(For Sootion 22. RCW)2:5 Commanding General, Far East . \ i r Foroca24 Commanding General. U.S. Stra togic Air Porces in Europa

25 COlllllanding General. Eighth Air Foreo26 COlllllland1nt; Goneral, aedi te rranean All iod A1r Forool27 Commanding General. Fif toonth Air Foreo28 .. 29 Commanding Gener al. S ev en th A ir Forco30 COlMIondlng Gonerol, VII Bomber COllll'llMd31 - 32 Commanding Cenen l . VII Fighter COflllJIo.nd.33 C o m m a n d l ~ Gonerlll, E leventh A ir Foroo34 COllllll.o.nding Gonerlll, XX Bomber Command35 Comlllun41ng General, 3Sth Flying 'tra.inin& Wing36 Oommand Rq. Allied Air For co a, S o u t ~ a t Pacif ic !ron,

ATTN, Senior I n t . l l ~ o n c o Off icor R.io.,A.F.37 ConaODding General. 58th Bombo.rdm3nt Wing38 COGlIll0n4ing Gonero.l, 73r4 BOllbo.rdlllont Yil\&39 COIlllllll.nding Gener-Ill. 313th Bombo.rdlll.ont WinC'0 COlIlIIo.ndlng OOnoro.l. 314-th Bombardmont Wing~ COftLIftO,ndirll; Ooncrd . 31Sth BOIlbnrdment ~ ' . l n ,42 ClJIDtllllnding Offioor, 3rd Photo Recon Squo,dron4 Comaandlns ot r ioer , 4l . t PbctoPRecon Squadron44 OOtlllland1nt; Of'fioor, 33rd Stat l l t icl11 Control Unit45 (]holll.ieal "fnJ'fG.n Officer . nI Bcabor COIllllDoDd46 ' tact ica and Tro.1n1nt;; S6Ct!OD8, j , ..3, nr BOlIblJr COlrllllluld47 Ordnanco Officer . "n I BOllber CO_Md48 COIlfllO.nd.int;; Officor , m BOllibor Colll.lll:l.J\Cl. Cotabat S t a . t ; ; i ~Canter (Provisional)49 - 50 Histor ica l o t r ioe r . XXl Bomber Command51 .. eo COlillul.ndlng Geno1"OJ.. Army Air Ferces ,ATTN: ;"0/10.5 In te l li r;once . Co l lec tion DiYidoll


54/54

Copy No.81 Comlll4ndinl!: General. Army Air Forcl!lO PllCific Ocoan ArOd,

ATTN I JJ,F Evllluo.tion Boc.rd82 COllllllandinl!: Gonera.!. Army Air Forcoe Po.cific Ocean J .reu,ATTD, Director of CammunicationeFori Counter Moo.sureo Air hno.1ysle Center63 Commo.nding Of'ticer. 6th BOIllb Group (VlI)

64 Commanding Of'ficert 9th Bmb Group (VlI)85 Commanding Officer, 16th Bomb Group (VH)86 Commnnding Officer, 19th Bomb Group (VB)87 Commnnding Officer, 29th Bomb Group (VlI)68 COllllD.ll.nding Officer, 39th BOlIIb Group (VB)69 COIlUaO.nding Officer. 40th BOlIIb Group (VH)90 COI:LI:I.llnding Officer . 330th BMb Group (VH)91 C o m m o . n d i ~ Officer. 331at Bomb Group (VH)92 COlIIIlo.nding Offioer. U4th Boob Group (VH)93 Cocmo.nding Officer, 462nd Bomb Group (VB)94 COClDnnding Officer, 468th BOI:Ib Group (VB)9$ COlallI.ll.odlng ot 'f lcer, 497th Bomb Group (VH)96 CO!lllllMding Officer, 496th Bomb Group (VH)97 C O l : l I l 1 1 n d i ~ Officer . 499th Bomb Group (VB)96 Cocmo.nding Officer, SOOth BOlIlb Group (VB)99 Commnnding Officer, SOlst Bomb Group (VH)100 C

21st bomber command tactical mission report 146, ocr

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