21st Bomber Command Tactical Mission Report 151

8/6/2019 21st Bomber Command Tactical Mission Report 151

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M I S S I ON N O . s es

F L OWN Fo~ewO(tD P " " E :

. G O P Y N 0 ,119

. S ECRET

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Foreword..

ThisT'e.ctical Mis.si.on Report coversXXI Bomber Command Missions Number lSIthrou5 h 162 and 167 through 171, a. lldirected against Kyu.shu Airfields.This is the f'imo.l repGrtof a series of6 covering strikesa.gainst Kyushu in::;upport of the operations o.t Okino.wo..See XXI Bomber 'Cornmand Tac'tiCo.1. ~hssionRePorts as fellow:s:

1. . . 46 nl'l,d: 502: . eo - & J:3. 70 - 984. 96 - 1255. 127-13e, ]'40-1-45, 147-14'1 .

I !! " '" . ..*!!Ii-asiens ij0,. 163 threugh 166 covereg.strikes; against oil an a fuel pIloducti.,onand storage fadUties (:In ':1:0 May !l:p,dwill lie eovered by 1 TMticnl Miss'ion

Report,


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SECRET

AIRFIELDS ON KYUSHU

M iYC lk on o jo

'puScole 1,,1,000,000

29 42 '} ' ' ' ' I t !e~==: : : : : : ! : : I0!9 'PMill.

R op < "" .. /35 " Pl U

~ - - - - - - - - - - ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - . ~ ~- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


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READQj1 A ll !ERS .leX l B OM BE R G OMM....N D

APO 234

TACTICAL MISSION REPORT

Mission Nos, 151 through 162 a.nd167 through 171

Tur.gets: Airflelds'onKyushu

7, B, 10. 11 MEW1945

TaPle or Contents

,Allnex." ~ Opero,tions

Part I TQble .l .ir Sa;;. . Rescue FaGilitie.s

.. .JUle,X B - \ 'leat her 'I ! ! '.' . .. , .' I! I ' .., . ... ..' . . .. II!! 'Part I Weo.ther SUJlUllQTYa.nd ChQrto, '7"Ma:y ~Part II Weather Summary o.nd Charts, 8 1J1o.y

Pnrt III. - Weo.the.r Summary and Ghorts, 10 Mar.Part IV ~.Weather Sum![lo.ry and Charts. 11 Mo,y ,

.n.nnax. C - Communica.tions . ' . . . . . . .i..nnex 0 - Iote 11i genea . "

Part I - Bnemy Ai'I' Oppositian Part LI .. Enell!Y Antiaircraft Peirt III - Damage nSse.ssment

. . : .nnex.E ConsoUd.ated Statist;co.l SummDl',iea1 . . . . .. ,. ,

l.nnex F - XXI Bomber Cammnnd F.1.s1.d Order,S

;'nnex G - Distribution III It II' ,jI I . .

P:rs:pure d By:

A-2 Secthnl JO"Bomber Comm l l n q ,

. .

Page_N o

1

78

101116

2025

30

~1Qf;;l

32 ~V i ~

37 '"J) Cl.

18 a:l

87

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: l'; :' '! : : : : : !' : : : : : : : : :: : ' :,

SECRETBy Auth. Of tbe: e.G.XXI Bom,bel' Command

16 Jun45 ,j IJG -Date Initial,s

HEArQUARTERSxxr BO l \J . lBEROJ l \ I lNU! I lD

APO ,254

16 June 1945

SUEJE::'!',: Report ot ; Operations. 7. 5, 10, and 11 May 1945

TO: COlllDl9.nr.ing General, 'Twentieth Air Foree. Washington 25. D.C.

1 ~ IDENl'lFICA'l'IQN OF MISS 10M3 :

a. Field orderl) Number 71 through 74, Headquarters XXI BomberC


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a. These missions were intended to destroyparked enemy aircraft arid t-;; temporarily neutralize aufieM partingareas and runways. The 50 0-pound general-purpose bomb was selected be-cause of its greater cratering effect and because adequate stocks ofsmaller bombs witb long delay fuzes were not available., Furthermore.this size bOlllb could b e carried i n s u ff ic ie nt numbers to adequatelycover tbe targets uben released l1i til an intervelameter setti-ng of 100feet

~. When the supply of 10ng-delQY fuzes for500-pound bombs had been exhausted. lOOO-and 2000-pou nd b omb s, f orrrhich long-delay fuzes were available, were to be carried.

1.. FUzing:

~. Long-delay tail fuzes (one to thirty-su hours) I-ere selected in Qrder to deny the eneJ)ljfthe use of his air.fields 10r the maximumtime possi ble betveen successive attacks. Var-ious delays "ere prescribed for each aircraft load in order to make re-moval or disposal of the delayed action bombs as hazardous as possible.Long-delay fuzed bombsl7ere also conSidered to be effective ip crater~ine: runways and parking areas

.a . The Lnst.ant-eneoue lileS8 and non-delay tailfUZes t:ere selected in order to obtain bomb bursts at ground level withthe resulting maximumblast and fragmentation damage to parked aircraft.

j. loadinp;:

9.. Al l s qu adrons s ch edu led were to leadhigh-explosive general-purpose bombs.

. Fifty per cent of the bombs loaded ineach aircraft 17ere to be fuzed nith ipstantaneo1.:ls nose and non-d e Laytail. The remainder rrere to be fuzeq. with Long delay tail fuze and nonose fuze.

(2) Navigation: Routes, out were to be fiorn base to IwoJira to targets on Kyushu oo.d S;!ikolqJ.. Return routlls ,:61'e to be frcmtargets to 1wo Jima to base.

(3) F1i$t Ensineer:i.pg:,

(a) Flight Pl.al'J.:

2. Speoeds and 0.1 ti tud es I except for the bambirJE;run I '" ere planned for maximumfuel ecenomy and saf~ty.

g. Group assemblies \vere te be made.

(b) Loading:

sionseraftfor a

1. Pile). reser .. e data at previous fOI'7llation mis ..to Kyushu at tbe planned w .t i tu4es indicated that the average eir-of the 313th Wing T10uld require full >li11g and center wing tankstotal fuel load of 6750 gallons.

g. Bomb Loadl

a. No max'-mum or miro.mum bombLeeds rrerespecified. The average bomb load for' the J13th Wing (based on previoulii


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Iniss ions) wes est imat ed to be a ppr ox ill1B te ly 13. OOOp0l:l:ods.

pounda ,2. Ammunition lood ,; ;. .as estimntede.t 1300

(4) Radarl These mi50ion8 were planned at the Wing Head-quart are. In meat instances the primary visUal and priInary radar tar ""gets were the same. In instances in 't'Ihich the primary- visual targ et

pas not considered a satisfactory primary 1'8"dar target. the nearest ai..r-field ha ....ng good radar characte:risticsl'18s to be used.

C .5 )Air -Sea Heaoue i (3ae Annex A, Part I. for detai Is.)It was planned to em.ploy in total on thes.s missions 15 su.blilarines. 1.5Dumbos, 8 surfacecrnft, 10 Supcr-Dumbos (B-29's). and the usual crashboots for tnke~off and landing periods,

c Dc: o i1 sot Plann.ing ~- In t slligena e:

(1) En6lI\Y Fighter Reaction:

(a) It ITas believed that the Jopanese Air Force.particularly the Naval Air 8I'IlI, uss being re!)djusted to support thedefense of Okinal78. Therefore. a11 I\yushu mi.5sions TI.ereplafmed with

cognizance of the fect that the fig!lter strength "QuId probably c.h.angedaily on various fields.

(b) The E n e m yOrder of- Battle during this periodvaried frem approximately 360 operational a.ireraft on 1 May to 2000;)1'113 May 1945.

(2 ) Enemy Ant.iaircrl;ft :

(a) At most of the lq ushu 0 ir i alas. t here werevery meaEjer heavy antiaircraft defenses. This 'Was true of all of thea iTf ieId s ;;i ththe axe apt ion of Kanoya.. v;h e;' fa ir 1.y Btl' ong heavy ant i~aircrai't d"efens6.s existed.

1.Fir

this r~ason, ru .ti.tudes as lor. as 12,000feet nere reoommended for the poor"Iy defend.ed fields and altitudes of15,GOO fe..l 'OUgh 162167 end 168169 throueh 171

TOTAL

061500007150lZ091402Z10150JZ1022002.

06l.5374071537Z01J150Cll .1015504102237Z

4 2446731

~


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The totalo.n ttle previous page does not include 8 SU,pex-]lumbo aircraftairborne to per:form Air-Sea Rescue work.

b. Targets:

'Type Target M i s s i o R

Hoso Shi.l:!\a Navel .Base 1'.0. 169

152

158

151-162

169

169

159

162

Ibusuki A/F' P.

D : ! ! abar i Town P oR

: IDl.noya A/I' P.

Kochi A/F T.O.

Kuboka~a 1'.0.

Kumamoto A/F 1'.0.

B:y!.ISbu Area l' 0.

MatSlzyama AlE p.Matsuyama A/F 1'.0.Ma t s u y am aAiFTo t a l

1591 6 0

Miya~onoj 0 City PoR .- 155-1.56-171

161-170iyazaki A/F P.

Miyazaki Town p oR .Miyazaki To'lm T.O !Miyazaki TO'im Total

1 6 9 - 1 7 0171

.iyachi T .0. 167

160

1 6 0

NakamuraT.O.

I'!obeoka T.O.

Cita J./F P . 153-157-167

155

16 8

Omura City 1'.0.

Saeki A/F P .

SU.saki Dock Area T.O. . 1 6 0

Suma 1' .. 0. 1 6 9

169

168

Sbibushi 1'.0.

Shimo !(a;mguchi Toon 1'.0.

Tanoga N9-val :ease '1'.0. 161

169

1 5 4 - 1 6 0

Taneea Shima T.O.

Usa AII' P. Also bombed primary target an. is ineluded

in that total u,nder wAiroraft Bombing.-

Aircra_ft-BombinS TonnaSe:

. . . . .L ~10_. 51.0

11. 71L.O

JJL 1.7.0

._L 5,5

.a, 10

L 1 l ! . 0

6 36.0,

1 6 99 . 0_g _ 10!018 10 2 . 0

KL 15 8 0

__ 49.0

15 , ) 0 . 0-* 3.0.1L 2;0

_L 6 . 0

.a, 5 .0

. . . . .L 5. .0

.3 .L 2 I Z oO

_l_ 6 . 0

.s: g a o_J._ 5 . 0

_L 5 . )

_J._ , . 5. . . .L 6. 0

_j_ 6 . 0

...l... 5..5

2 6 111 .5 . .0

1% 1155 .5


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o , Remainder of Force: During these 17 mis s i on s , 22 airoraftwer e n oD -e ff ec ti v e.

d. Ls.nding:

First Aircrafti s ~ i on NU.mbers Last Aircraft

151 throu.gh 154155 through 158159 through 162167 and 168169 through 171

070500Zo80407Z100358Z1l0525Z11121%

070638Z080625ZlOG538Z11062%111351Z

e. Losses: There were 3 B-29's lost on these missions. Oneditched as E l resu.lt of' enemy fighter action and 2 were lost in the tar-get area. presUlOO bly to enemy fighters.

f. Air~ea Rescue: On Mission 153, 1 airplane ditched at312DN - 13224-E. Ten crew members out of 11 aeoard wer e rescued.

g. In te l l igence Summary:

(1) Enemy Air OppOSition! (See Annex D, part It for de~

tails.) On these 17 missions there woe a total of 11)0 attacks. 1;,sindicated, this Command lost 3 B~29's and suffered damageto 14 as aresult of enemy fighter action. B-29 claims were 41 el'lemy aircra;ftdestroyed, 2J. pr cbe b1y destroyed:i and 10 damaged"

(2) Enemy Antisi rcraft: (See AnnexD. Part II, for de-tails.) On all these missions, only 5 aircraft ~e~e damaged by enemyant iaircraft

tails.)(3) Damage Assessment: (See Annex D, Part III. for de-

(a) On these attacks. 11 ::lingle-engine and 1 tt1in~engine ~craft nere destroyed; _2 single.engine ana 2 twin-engine air.

craf't were dama,ged; and 3 single-engine allcraft 'Were proba bly damaged.(illl figures refer: to aircraft on the ground.)

(b) pamage to Facilities:

1. Ibusuki Airfield: Mhaion_No .. 152.: Twohits pere scored on the bangars and. seversl small build:l.hgs jl1st northof the bansara, nere destroyed.

z - ~ya AU-field:~. jMtssion No. 1511 Four hits Vlere visible

in the previously d.:umged b6ng~B~ The field was probably operationalafter tbe strike.

photographs.1 1 . Mission NC!). 155: There were no strike

BOIllbill8 'laS done by radar.

_E.. !aSBian No. 16gJ The bomb pattern wasacross th e s e r v i c i n g strip and i n f r o nt of th e ma i n hanga r with a fewbanbs striking tbe1hangars. The field was probably operational a1'terthe strike.

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j. Matsuyama \':est Airfield!

Q Mission No. 158, There wer-eno str ikE)photog raphs. Bombing lIas done by radar.

J!'. Miesion No. 159: Two hangars. :3 ware-house-type buildings. end 2 smnll buildings were destroyed; a near mise

as made on the poeer plant; and hits '>1ere visible on the corner ofthe administration building. The field oas operational after the strike.

1t. Mi :rakonojo Airfield: Missions No. 156 and171: TherE; were no strike photogrElphs. Bombing ';l'SS done by radar.

,5., MiY9zski Airfield:

.!. ~Ussion No. 161: Covered r~po., 7 l a rgeb u i l d i ngs , 2 sma l l bUildings, nnd s evera l hou s es nor thwes t 0f the hos-pital ar ea lIer destroyed. The field vias operational after the strike.

:2 . M.i.ssion No. 170: There were no strikephotD6I'sphs. Bombing was done by radar

. .. . Nitt.a.gahara Airfield: Mission No. 169 :There: "ere no strike photographs. Bombingwas done by radar.

on this ,mission. _

1. Oi te b._irf ield:~. Mission 153: No bombs hit the ~2.rgct

_ . Mission 157: No st:rike photogrg,:,ph:..Bo!nbing vms done by radar.

~. I"ission No. 167: Ap:prox:i.mf.ltely 85 percent of the Oita Naval Air Depo t, .Airframe Section, was damaged ordestroyed. The Oita }.>a:val 11ir Depo:t. Engil'lt; Sect ion. received appr-ox-imately 50 per cent new damage" bringing the total to about 90 percent damaged or destroyed. The: field was prebably operational afterttr strike.

&.~i Airfield: Mission. No. 168: A large

bane-shelter type bUilding at ~ he southeast corner of the field was65 per cent destroyed. One ball~ette was possibly destroyed. Thefield was opHational after th~ strike

.2 . Usa .Airf'i.e1d:

!. "jMiseion No. 154: No neu damage was in-flicted. Th e field WllSop.l'ati .onal a.ft or the strike.

b . 'Mission No. 160: The bomb patterncovered the bIlIlgGlr m'OO ahd the ~ northeast- earner ef ihO field. Thefield was opl"ratioJUl.l nftt'.r the, etriJ"c'.

fZJ:, ?: iJ I':{C UR 'J;'IS E . u ,M AYMaj or G en er al . U.S.A.

Commanding


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iu' ,

J .NIDX

A

OPERAT IO : r : : T S

part 1 - Air-8ea Rescue Facilities

}'ote: Operational problems on these missio,nsTl'ere essentially sim.iIar to those eo-count:red on Mias i ons 60.61. also di-rected against Kyushu Airfields. There-fo re , n o a tte mp t has been made to re-por t on these problems in this TacticalMission R apor t . For operat ional de-tails . s ee .} C{ IB omb ~ C omna nd 'TacticalMission Report No. 60-61. (For addi-tional details on opera t iona l problemson Kyusbu a rea mi ss i ons , see also XXIBomber Oommand Tactical Mission BepatNo. 46-50.)

Missions]9 151 throue,b' 16~....Q.!ldb7 t .h roue ;h 171

7, 8. 10. and 11 May 1945


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Air-8ea Rescue Facilities For

Missions No 151 through 162 and 167 tl:lrough. 171

Missions No. Missions No. Missions No. Missions No.151 thru 154 135 thru 158 159 thru Ib2 167 thru 171

Submarines 303ON-13 2OOE 3030N-1320OE ]O)ON-1320OE 3115N-132{)O:E323ON-1323 0 E 3230N-13230E 32]ON-13230E 3230N-l]230E

Pos i t i on s 3100N-13330E 310ON-13330E 323ON-13400E 3000N-13500B2945N-l]500E 310ON-135JOE

293ON-13700E

Time on ste- Entire Entire Entire EntiretioD Mission Mission Mission Mission

Dumbos 270GN-l_3B30E 2700N-IJB30E 2715N-13900E 270ON-13830E070010Z to OBoOIOZto 100115Z to l10115Z until07()210Z OB021OZ end of the passing of

Position and mission morning fltTime 26oON-14000E 2600N-14000E 2600N-14000E 2700N-138JOE '

OnStation 070Q4ce. to 08004-02 to l00145Z to 1l0815Z until070240Z 08024CYl. end of the pLIssing 6t'

mission afternoon flt200ON-14330E 2000N-14330E 200ON-14330E 2600N-14-000ll:07024.52. to 0802452 to 100330Z to 1l014-5Z URt i107044 - 5 2 08 4 - 4 5Z lO053OZ I!assing of

mornillR fU2600N-1400OE11 0 845Z unt 11passing ofaftm-noon fli2000N-144JOE1l0:330Z tal10530Z

200CN-1443dE1l1~15Z to

1112152.Surface Craft 2700N.13B30E IBaON. 14l1-30E 2715N-1390QE 270DN-l3830E

Dtlring r et um Entirce 091915Z to Entire'flight Missi.on. end of the Mission

Position and missionTime lBCON-14430E 180ON-14430E 1-80ON-1443 OE

On Station o61345Z to Entire Entire06l90az MiSSion Miasio.n1800N ..14430E06190az. toeDd of them1~.lon .. " .

Super Dumbo J03ON-13200E JC30N-IJ200E ,J23ON-1323OE 311.5N-1,120OE

323ON.1J230E ~30N-1J230E 303ON-13200E 11060oz. toDuring return During rett..U'n 092300Z unt il l10130Z

Position and f l i gh t flight return of a1 1Time A/F strike

OnStation i~/C


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Missions No. MissiOns No. Missions No. Missions No.151 tilru 1.54 155 thru 1.58 159 thru 162 167 thru 171

Super Dumbo 323~-13400E 323ON-:l.3230El00030Z until lO230OZ to

Position aM :return of Oil llOO3OZTime strike Ale

On Station 3 1OON-iI.3.53OE(Cont 'd) 1000302. till

return ~~ allstrike A C29.30N-13700E0924oaz. tillreturn of: allstrike A/e

Crash Boats Crash boats on station in the vic in i ty O f i 1 n i a nduring take-off and landings.

I I


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.Part I ,.. Weather Sunmary an.9. G.h.arts, 7 M~y

Part I:r .. WeatherSu.Dlrnary and Charts,S May

-e~-

cp;~ni- "" ,-< m

B

ANNEt .

part III '":'Weather Sumriary ,and ChlU'ts. 10 May

Fart IV ... Weather S\ll!Ilt!.l"yand Charts. 11 May

ll.I..sions NO 151throutW 162 and 167 thr.out.b; 171

7. 6, io, and 11 Ma~ 194.5


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PAR '!' I - V/FATHER SU MM R'l

:Missions No. 151 tbrough 154

Opers"ti ClnalForecast

Bas,e at 4/10 low cloud. b!lse 1800

Take Oi'f: ft, top 5~8000 tt; 3/10middle cloud, base 13.000,top14.000 H; 7/10 high clou.d at27,000 it; vi sibili t y 10W"ering II' em18 miles to 2 miles in light showers

Route To22~: LIllO low oloud, baseOut I 1800, top 6 .sooo ft.; 3/10 .h.igl:i.

cloud at 26,000 ft.

22~ to2S oN: 8/10 low cloud. base800, top 6-12,.000 f't; 10/10 middle010uds in layers between 10,000 and20,000 ftj 6/10 hig);J.cloud at 24.000ft; vi s i bili ty 1oweri OS frCi:D 10 mito"1 mile in moderate showers; lightrice icing.

25"N to 27'N : 7/1010w c 1cud. baae1600. t.op 6000 it.

27"N to TergetAreat :3/10 low cloud ,base 2000 ft., top.500Cl ft.j visibility6~lO miles in haze.

Tar get: 3/10 100 cloud. base 2000.top 4000 ttj. vi.sion! ty 10 miles low-ering to 31l1ilee in haze.

RouteReturning: 5&ne as Route outgoing

Base on 6/10 low cloud, base 1800,Returnl top 6000 ft with 3/10 to1.5,000 it; 7/10 middle cloud. base15.000 ft. top 16,000 tt; 5/10 highcloud at 3() ,OOO it; shower.s redueingviSibility trom 15 miles to t mile.

Date.: 7 May 1945

Weather Encountered

3/10 low cloud. base 2000 ft. viai.

bi.li tyunrestr iet ed.

To 21e>:N: 4/10 low loud. base 2000f't ,. op 7000 ft; occaaJ.onol topsto 12,000 ft; .).ight rain showersand light turbulence in. clouds.

21"N to 24~.: 8/10 low cloud, top8000 ft with few to 25.000 it; 10/10middle clouds in ~aye~s betneen 9.000and. 17, 000 ft ;vi ai bili ty 1,5 miles

lowering to 1 mile in. rain; lines o rbuilt.:up cumul.us at 21.~ and 23~.

.2/!ONto TargetAr IS: 5/10 1 m7 cloud Ibase 2000, t.op 7060 it becr!lIUing 2/16,base :3000 ft, top 5000 it; '.3/10 mid..111 . e clouds, base 12,000 ft ,t.op 14,ooeit becoming zero, s.t 300N and becanins5/10, base 16,000 ft. top 18...saOitnear ter~et area j 2/10 high cloud at2.5.000 ft bee omiM cclear at JOt)(;visibility unrestrieted with ligh.thaze. .

2"3/10 low e1ClUd. top 5000 rt atnorth end tJ the Island and clear atsouth end; 5/10 .middle ,cloud, base16.000 ft. top 18,500 ft; visi bilif:yunrestricted ill iih e sou:t;b and 5 milesin the north with haz.e.

same as RouteOutgQ~ng.

4/10 low cloud, base 2000 ft.

Cl

~.. l

~,

~0 0 '"/} Cl.0:: ...:. . . . lu I '< :-e~ z - z;0 .;::

R I~" "; ;: O J


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ik. e- ,F"",

.iVinds Aloft. ~ Forecast

Base to 20~ 20CW.to 25~ 25"Nto 12~ .Target

290/20 .:21 260/58 - 2 5 260/6.5 . . .9290/15 -10 265/48 -14 210155 . . 8300/15 ..1 275143 .. .04 270/4.5 ..08J20/10 08 285/33 0 ;5 270/35 01350/10 18 310/25 1 4 270/25 060 1 0 / ) , 5 2,3 32.5/15 19 280/20 1 50 2 0 / 1 4 27 34.5/17 29 270/16 10

280/15270/15240/10210/10150/18135/23115/17

25.00020,00015.00010,0005.0002.,000

Surface

-20-09000 91 4242 9

Wlnds Aloft - Observed

ra45/450.000

16.00014.00010,000

300/]02 1 5 / 2 8

2 4 5 /2 ,5


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~I~ I ~ ~ $: : ' ~I\... i -~Q: j ~ r,/ ~ ,\I) Iol. 1 s: :JI i I,

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. . . III 1 - . ~ _Jl- e. i:I I ; :: \ , 2 :!- r.n '"... 00 0< U -


18/90

I..I


19/90

IWO JIMA

. .6

} SYNOPTIC/)

M~Ru' ~._. I

00007--- I '" . - - - . . . . . . . . . . . I

7 MAY --14-45/MISSI lSI, /S2~ . 5 "3"is4":


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PART II .. ,IVEATflER SUMMARY

Missions No. 155 through 158

Operationsl Forecast

&lse at 4/10 10\7 cloud, base 1800Take Oft': ft, top 5000 l't, 4/10 mid . .ale oloudat 14 ,000 it.

Route '1'0 20%, Same aast bases.Out:

20'N to 23 ' } , J : 5/10 1011' 01 oud , base2000 ft, to p 5000 ft; 2/10 middle01 oud , base 13,000, top l/J. ,.000 it;3/10 high cloud at 30,000 ft.

2'1~ to 26N: 9/10 10\7 c l o u d , basele)Oo, top 9000 ft i 8/10 middle eloud ba se 12,000. top 16, 000 .it; 5/10 higncloud at 30.000 it i visibility imler-ing frcm 15 miles to 1 mile in mod.er~ate shoner-s,

26_N to 'a%': 3/10 10l'i'cloud, base2000 ft, top. 4000 :f't.

'10CNt:o Target Axea: 4.-6/10 lowcloud base 2000. top. 5000 ft; 6/10middle cloud,base: L5.000 ft. top20,000 ft; 6/10 high cloud at 30,00Q 'ft.Targe1:: 4-6/10 low cloud base 2000,top .5000 t't ;6/10 lIlidale cloud.. base1.5,000 n. top 17.00Q it;, 9/10 h ighcloud at 30.000 ttl visibility 10miles i.n baze.

Route

Returning: Same as Route OutgOing.

B3.se on Same as base attak:e-ot.t.Return!

Date: 8 May 1945

~reather Enco'Ul\l.tered

3-5/10 10lVcloud. base 1500 ft;visibility 12 miles.; scatteredli gh t showers.

To 24CN: 3.5/10 low cLoud, base2000. top 5~7000 ft; 1/10 middlecloud becaning 5/10, base 10.000,top 11,000 ft; 3/10 high cloud.bas.s 28.000 :fit; visibility 1.5miles lowering t o l ' m i l e i n . rain.

24~ to 'Tnr@;et Area: lO/lO lowC lOUd b ecomi ng 4/10 north Qf ~8"N.base 2000, top 5000 ft,; 10/10 mid-dIe cloud ,oose 8000. top 14.000ft increasing to~,oOO :ft; 3/10hie: h c lOUd at 28.000 ;ft; light tom0derate turbulence, light rain.1i&';ht rim~ice bet'\ieen 17,000 itand 22,000 ft. visibility 6 miles.

Low cloud tin6baerved; lq/10 mid-d.le cloUd. base unknown, :top 26,000 '1 ; ; 6/10 high cloud. base 29.000f t jvisi bility 6mile8i wind;sat8000 ft were fran 250 at 46 lfuots.

SartIe as RQute Outgoing.

3/10 low eloud. base 2000 it; vis-ibil:i..ty 15 miles.

R E 7 'IJJua : AaSeJlJ.blywas poor due to in.strumen t cloud eondlt ions. Banbill8nas by rade;r due to heavy u:p.del!'cast...


21/90

0~

~

~ \ .\,VlV ~~

G

V

V~

~~,~

V I ~ a ~G ) r ..J ' ,_ _)u :: :::I" ..,a CIJ -1ft (JJ '"a

~

.. (0

u = ft . . . J s f : u i>:I=l C ~ ~~ - Q ~ ~I (5


22/90


23/90

-IWO JIMA

157 /58


24/90

Date: 10!&y 1945

PA RTIII - WEA ,TH l!R SUMMmY

M1ssions No, 1 5 9 througn 162

Operational.Forecast ~eather Encountered

Base at 3/10 100 cloud ,base 1800. 3-4/10 101'1cloud. base 1500. topTake orr- top 6000 It: 1/10 high cloud 6000 ft.at 30. 000 ft i visibility 30 miles.

Route To 22~1:. Same as bases.Out:

22~to24N: 5/10 low cloud. base2000. top 6-8000 f't ;.6/10middlecloud. base 14,000,. t OJ) 16,000 1't;1/10 higbc loud at 30,000 ft;.

24~ to 2f;N: 10/10 low cloud. base1000 1't ,. top 8-15,000 .'t; 10/10 m;i.d-dI e cl ou d. base 10,000 f t , t op 18. 000t; 8/10 high cloud. b8 s~25 ,OCO top30,000 it ;11151 oil i ty lowering fram8 miles to 1 tmile in moderate rain;.mofrerate turbulence and rime ice.

21Jl'lto J6~:. 8/10 10VIcloud.base1500 ft, top 8-14.000 ft; 9/10 mid-dle cloud, base 14,000 it t top20.000 it.i 6/10 h igh cloud. base25,000, top 30 ,0001't; vigibili tylowering to 1 mile from 12 milesin shOl'!er.si modevo.te rime ic.inga.nIl light turbulence.

30~ to Tw.get ~rea: 6/10 lowC10;1O:, base 2000 ft. to:p 5000 tbecoming 2/10; 5/10 middle cloud.base 16.000. top 19,000 tt becom.ing zerQ tent}tsj 3/10 hig)1 cloudat 28,000 t't becoming zero tenths.

Ta.rget: 2/10 loweloud, base2500. top 5000 1't i visi bil ity be~tween 6 a.pd 12 mileeJ due to haze.

RouteReturning: Sameas route outgoing .e

Base on 4/10 low cloud., 'base 1500,Return: tal' 8-11.000 f't; 3/10 mia~dleeloud, base 12,000 f't, top 13,000ft;, 4/10 high cloud at 30,000- ft;visibiuty 15 m.iles 10l7ering to 2miles in seattered showers.

_20_

To 22"N:. 3...J.i./10 1011 cloud. base1500. top 6000 f t .

o22 N to 240f


25/90

Winds Aloft .. Forecast

Base to ~~ 2k~to 21'N 2t'N t 0 ~k1q target

25.000 240/35 -21 250/55 -22 ~0/68 . . ,25 290/70 - 2 620.000 240/33 -09 250/50 - l l 300/58 - 1 4 3 0 0 / 6 0 -1515.000 230/30 00 260/45 -0 2 300/45 - 0 6 300/45 - 0 710,000 230/25 0 9 270/40 07 305/40 03 310/40 015.000 207/18 18 ,280/30 15 320/23 10 330/20 072.000 177/15 2, 3 310/20 20 340/17 10 350/15 14

Surface 160/11 27 320/14 25 175/13 21 010/12 18

I';inds A~oft .. Observed

cd ".'-< ~

\~ ~.z Q. .~d'::.;. (I)

~

s~ ~~

\

25.00020,000

18.00017.00016.00015.000).2;0008.000

7 . 0 0 0

2 4 5 / 5 0 290/65

230/20260/262"60/28

235/23

290/30

3 1 0 / 2 8

300/27

3 0 0 / 3 5

300/6029


26/90

~

~

I

~~~ 1 ,\C J \ :J).,.

~

()0N to Target J:.rea: Righeloud increased to. overcast and. lOl1ered to.22,000 it .... tb lOt' claud in banis at

5-8/10.

Targets on Northern RYus.hu he.d ova-cast high cloud e,t 22 ,COOft It'itb .scattered patches of 4/10 lor." c~~d.base 2000 ,. tops 5000, an d vi Sl bJ.~l ty10 to 15 miles in li.. t ha.~~. Tar-gets on Southern .JIYU,shu.. bleh vereatta,clred in the a!'ternoe>n. had cloudas !:l..boveplus ova-cost cr t layeredmiddle oloud betueen 16.000 and

19.000 it.

Rou toReturning.:

Same as r-out e outgoine;. 5eme IlS route oute;oillS

Ba se 011 3~5/ 10 lou cLoud , b.'lseR.eturn: 1800, ta.p 6000 ft; 1/10middle cloud. base 13. 000 ft ,top14,000 it; ,3/10 high c1ou .d at,30,000 ftj visibiUty 18 miles.

ScattEq"ed 10Tl and scattered Inidd.lDcloud.; visibility 15 ailes.

-25-

..9 !Ill: JJii !i!..1..!.k


30/90

111lldsAloft - Foree..ast

2 0O : N 2 0 ~ to 2 50N

032 0 NBa~e to 25 N to Target

2 5 . 0 00 2 9 0 / 1 2 ~2.o 2 7 0 / 3 0 - 2 2 2 7 0 / 5 3 - 2 5 2 6 . 0 / 5 5 - 1 62 0 , 0 0 0 3 . 0 0 / 1 0 .09 2 7 0 / 3 0 ~ll 2 7 . 0 / 4 9 -141 3 . 0 0 0 . 3 3 0 / 1 0 01 2 8 0 / 2 5 -01 2 7 5 / 3 8 - 04 260/5.0 -1210,.000 3 6 0 / 1 2 10 2 9 0 / 2 0 08 280/28 06 2 6 0 / 4 5 -1.05 , 0 0 . 0 O~O/15 1 9 3 30/ 15 17 2 9 0 / 2 0 152 . 0 0 0 6 7 5 / 1 5 2 5 . 0 2 . 0 / 1 5 2 3 3 1 0 / 1 , 5 1 9

Surface 0 9 . 0 / 1 2 2 9 0 , 5 0 / 1 2 2 7 3 2 . 0 / . 0 8 2 3

Wtna.s A lo ft - O bsI>rvoo .

25~ to 32 'N Tar.get

1 9 . 0 0 01 6 , o Q . o1 0 , 0 . 0 07 . 0 0 0

20 7 / 3I! .270/30180/20

310/24 320/18

-26-

. , g .Q .tl Z .! lL~!Lt 1 & 1


31/90

I~ I~

I I

~ i


32/90

'IWO JIMA

.~I

Ir---------__~----------_L~J~S~A~I~~A-N-----

PROCNOSTIC M~IP0000;-7

1/ M.,.,1Y/945k'/~ ("r

ll/ '" /6 rr C ./. '-' ~I I VJ . I, / c B,I

/E9_ /70' s: /7/


33/90


34/90

o

COMMUNICATIom

Note;. This Annex has been anitted inthis apd previous reports cov..ering the numa-ous sorties ofthis COIII!itand a.gainst HYushuAir ...t'ield:s. (Por details of COI!IImln-icatiOll.5 }rtoblems of similarstrikes against the EYushu Mea,see XXI Bomber COJIlI:!!a:ndacticalMission Reports No. t J_ 6 . ..50a.nd60-61.)

Missions No 151 th.rough 162 gmd 167 thrOlleh 171

7. 8, 10, and 11 May 194..5

"'30-

..~ .Q .It! .r .


35/90

D

INl'ElLIGENCE

Part"! Enep)y Air OPPOsition

Par t .H - EnemyAlj.tiaircrs:f't

Part III -..D~age ASsesmnent

Missions No 151 th:roupjt 162 8,nd 167 throw 171

7. 8, 10. and. 11 l '&D.y1945


36/90

A., Missions 151 through 154

PAAT I - mEM ' iAm OPPOSITION*

1. .General:a. }. total of 53 enemy fighters made l44 attacks. This Comnard

lost 3 aircraft ani sustained damage to 10. Claims were ;q . destroyed. 17probe. 01 y doestroyed. and 4 damaged.. (C1 a ims are pI' e1 iminary and unevalu ..ated. It is ~,eeted that SOII\e:r:eduction ui.ll take place whenfi.nal set-tlement of claims is. made.) .

h. The B-29 1 s bombing lQusuki encountered 9 fighters;. tboseat tao king Usa and 0 i ta .met ..$0and. 34 int er-e ept ore r espec t ive ly; thosebombing Konoyn encountered 11 enenzy-fighters.

e.It is :probable that sane enemy aircraft attacked both of theformatioilS at Usa. and Oi,ta, and that other fighters encountel'ed both r :J lour f'ormsttiODS at Ibusuki and Konoya.

2. Type of E n em . yAircr.llft A t t a c k i n g :. . , 'Type Number Per cent

o : : l Tojo J l, 22'< 5 :- Fl'.ank 1 .4\~

21g

CI Il'viz:ig 20 14:z a ' I ' / 'J" n Zeke 20 1 .4~ t : " ' Nick 19 1 3. .

til rack 12 8;i til


37/90

c Paged (4) IRSG.

1 Zeke by lB. 1 :raok by!tSG, and 2 Zeke8 by

\

Direction a.nd Level of Approachot Enallf AIrcraft

'1 '01:13.1Numberof Attacks

mOM ,JU lO VE

5. Additional Data on Enem)!"Tact.ics.=a. Ibusuki jMbs101'1 No. 152,: EnanY e irCl's:ft were observed

doing aerobatics (loops nnd. roUl!) out .of rMse of the f'ormation uhileother' enemy ai'tl.craft made their attacks. In a coordinated attack. 2single:-6ngine aircraft came in s;imult.anoously at 11 o'clock high a.ndthen pulled off. flying through the formation between the lead. airor

afi

and number 3 aircraft of "B'" Flight. In anothat' coordinAt,ed Qttae X

1 fighter flei1 in front Qf the, lead pl(11ne of' "'C" Fli&h t a.t tlw ~etime that 1 enemY'aircraft came in ~ 10 o'clcek high.

12%

F ROM eE LOW

I-33- I

SEC R E "I

\


38/90

b. K;!ncya (Missicn NO'. 151): FOur fly-through attacks wererepcrted; 12 attccks were broken off between 200 and 400 yardsj theremainder were broken off between 500 e.nd 750 yards. BreaklWays weresplit qs's". dives. turns, and cha.ndelle.s. Fire observed was of themachine-gun and 20-millimeter type. Three cf the B-29'8 were damgedby enemy fire. Fcurteen attacks were made after Bcmba Away; 12 weremade befoJ"c Bombs Away. Ove:r the target at least lOot the attackerscame d~n cut cf the clouds from 18.000 fe&t.

c. Uau (Mi asion NO'. 154):

(1) NO' enemy fighters wera enccuntered in the first run

O'Vfor the target. The formation made a l~ft hand turn and IIfldc a seccb:1run, using the same loP. and altitude.

(2) At the I.F ... 3 forl1Jltion.s totalling about 50 c.ne:m.yfighters wt::re seen apprcximately 5000 feet above the foraticn at 1 to'2 c'clock. Fran the loP. B-29'a we,,'e under cont Lnaeue attack for JSminutes to' tho;, target and for 20 miles beyond land's End. ~ theattackX's were 10 twin-engine fighters. attacks totallEd bct~een 15and 100. all aggressive. Jacks, Franks. a f617 Georges, atld tJ:.e ~-engine fighters made repeat attacks.

(3) All. estimated 10 t'l7in-engine ercra1't variously ldcn-t ified as IrviIlg, Nick, and AID concentrated on nose attacks. 100' c . . " !dlevel with breakaways to the right and left and with at ecp dives underthe fOI'ma:tion. Several flew stra.ight through theform.ution.

(4) Most single-engine aircra1't, includiIl8 ZC'kes. Csc.:.I'a.Frznks. Jack, and George, made p\Jl''Suit curves on both sides. Cca-dw-ated attacks were the rule rather than the except ion. A.s l:lillly aa 81 ined up for sidewheeler attacks in trail. These planes pressed at-tacks with maching-gun and cannOn fire.

(5) About 10 single-engi ne fighters J:l8de hisb nose attacksout of the sun. diving at e:x:trE:lnoangles at the fort:la1lion.

d. aita (Mission No~ 1.53:):

(1) This fcrmntion encountered. tuin-engine m.rc:ro!t. 1':'1b1 exce,t ion. TyPes report ed were Ni ck , IrviJlB. end. J a:.

J

(2) Eight twin-engine and 1 Tojo . er c eDcounh.rod at thassembly pcint. About 25 more int~rc~ptcd bot~e~ the I.F. and thetarget. The ensuing air battle lasted frCJ:I LP. to land's nd r.lth anestimated 40 to .50 aggressive attaoks.' Me.chin8-gun lnd ennnen .tirewas accurate.

(3 ) Or igina lly th e enemy oircr:l.ft cone C:llcd. thcmsc 1ves in

the s,un and !':\tt,acked lev~l and loh' at 'the Dos


39/90

B. Missions 155 through 1.58

No opposition was encountered on tbe missions to KanaYUt Miyakonojo,Oitll, and Matsuyama airfields on 8 May. Nine fighters nere sighted, 2near theesssmbly pO.int o :f the B-29'9 that bombed Oita and 7 at theassembly point of the B-29's that attacked Imabari Town. It is believedtIWt poarweath.er c 0.001 t ions d.iacour-aged a.tt~pts at intercept ion,

c~ Missions 159 through 162

1. ,General:

0 It is estiJnated that 41 enemy fighters intercepted the air-craft bombing Usa. ~noya. Miyaz.aki I and Mateu,yama on 10 l&y. Enemwaircraft m!lde 49 attacks, d~ging 4 of the 8-29'8. Claims l1ere 7 des-troyed, 4 prooobl_y destroyed. and 6 damaged.

b. The first formation bombed Matsuyamn and encountered 2single-engine aircraft at the assembly point.. The forn:at ion boI:lbing

Usa eo.coWltered .5 single -engine fighters at assE-.lllbly. The B-29' 6 bc:mb-ing Miyazaki met ne opposition. Hooevl' f the forn:ation bombing Kanoyaencoun1rere.a approximately 3D fighters near the I.F. These attackedag.ain atU'bombs away, following to the coast.

2.. Br &lkd om). of At tacks by TYpe;

Enemy Aircraft Number of 1.ttD.cks

Irving 14z . IIHemp 7~oQ 5Jack 4T~o 3George 2WI 2O.sear ...!

TCII'lL49'e'

Only 14 of the 49 attacks 'l'7e.~'e pressed to within 200 yards.

3. Directipn a.nd Level 01' AttaCK$!: The fightei'S favored a bi~approach and ~o.de on.a-half of tht; ir attacks at the front Quarter. D1-rections and levels of the attacks 3pp~ in the cha.rt on the follIX11'l8page.

4. ])etuile of Olaims I

!:I. Destroyed

en,1 Irvine 9Y Nos(l, 2 Irvill6 by RSG, 1 Zeke

by Nose. 1 Ramp by ROO. I Tony by REG. and 1 Tojo by RSQ-.J

J. Zaire by RSG. 1 Zeke by TG, 1b. Pl"Obob1, Destroyed (4);.Tony by MG, ond 1 UI by RSG.

C. Oamop;ed(6); 1 O.scttr by ROO. 1 Irving by RSG. l:raoJc byROO. 1 Tony by TO, and 2 Zeke hy TG.

-35-

'~9..B.~~


40/90

195

ttl ".l: '"

\~:; .9 .Q ' 0

1

t"l';0.- nS ; t"'d

iI>U>

cs '! 3.,.l

~

r 'St< Id

3

:mO M A ,B OVE 3 6 e

:mOML EVEL 6 .

FROM BEL~ 7

I

Direction and Level of A.pproaehof Enemy Aircraft

93

Total Numberof Attacks

12

22

5. A.daitlonalBepOl'ts on Enemy TacticSc

a Matsunllna (M.i ssi on ~. : : . . . .1 . i l l : :(1) Two lrvings at 'tacked sepa:rat ely at 18.5 00 1"eet. open-

ing fire w1th 20 m:!llimQt er - caI)Jl on !l tllcO y::tFds,. and. pressing :the a tte,,:.ltto 300 yards. Both at tacks Well e at 12 0' e 1 Qck high" 1 brooking below

theorma'tion. the other 1'J.bove.

(2 ) Near ~noyn. a Zeke :f reds. t 1 B-29 fNIIi. 550 yard.s at


41/90

b_ Usa (Mission No. 1{,O): Most of tbe attacks were made ontbe way into the target. l..ttacks by Irvings were at the noae franhigh at' level. Maohill.e-gun and 20-nm fire damaged 2 B-29's in thisformation. One coordinated attack in "hich 2 Irvings came in high at

2 and 3 o'clock was reported.c. Miyazaki (Mission No. 1(1): Noattacks were repar' ted.

a, l{I:lnoY@Mission No. 1{,2):

(1) Enemy fighters oontinued to attack from landfall toland's end, maldng their initial attacks from the loP. to th(. targetand attacking age. in after bombs ausy. One black twin-engine f igiltet'at 1 o'clock remained out of firing range. and appeared to be directingfishter cs tacks , '

(2) A formation of (, enemy fighters ;ms sighted 30 milesnorthwest of the formation as it approached the loP. They, clang ~lthothers, intercepted from tho, loP. to the target. The ett3ckiog planes

included 1 Tony. 7 Zekes, 8 Tojos. 9 rumps, 1 Oscar. and 2 Jacks.

(3) Aggrossi Ve conventa onaI machine-gun and cannon fireattacks. generally high out of the sun and II'ess(..oO.o -within. 200 to300 yards, flere experienced. Brealmways 'I1ere rolls eliding in divesor tutns right and left for repeat attacks. One at tae k was made illa 60-degt'ee dive streight donn on the forn::ation, One Jack startedlevel at the nose ,made a dive fer speed ,und eamo up through theformation shooting.

D. Missions 167 through 17 1

Enemy oir opposition on the missions to Oita. Saeki, Nitte.gahara.Miyazaki. a.nd Miyakollojo Airfields on 11 May TICS negligible. Only3 enemy aircraft nero sighted. One of tbese droPJF d a clust;er of 4phosphorus bombs nith no damage r e su l t i ng .

J

1. Enemy {!ntiaircra:ft Fire:

a, Ontheae 17 missions agail:lst Kyushu. ...rfie1ds. 173 air-craft bombed.prirrcry target s Tbe si ZIS! or th e f Ol"'I!I.tIt i oJ?f' t'Sl" ied t t .em4 to 17 aircraft. moat c.t\O~ks being m:.P.de by 10 tQ 12 ::llrc.ra.f t ' r 1 f 0firpt 4."oj.saiona r.CI'O 1'10'0n at '6,-boob.if altitude o:t 121000~14.1.j.000:teet. the romobdar bemeen 15.000 ::.00. 22,400 feet.

b. Flak was nil on j miSSiOD~ (Nos. 152-lbusu.ld. l55-X.anoya.1.56-Miyakonojo, 157... 0ita, 156-MiJ.tslzy'BIlIi!l). The last 4 of tbesE) wereflcmnovbr a c(!)mp1e'to undercast. On toe r!l%J!lin.itlg missions. heayYf).ak wa generally meager and inaccura1t~H

c. No aircraft were lost to .lak.. Three airare.tt were d~by flak oIll.Mission No. 151 (Kanoya), 1 on Mission No. 159 (MaW>~)'and 1 on Mission No. 161 (MiyaozsJd}. : . :1 .1~I'\ ~~ ...

2. ,Air-to~Air Bombins and Rgolcet .. " None

3. Our Tactics va JVILI None

.. Based on Wing Flak Offieere l report:s

-37~


42/90

J

A.Enemy i.ircraft Data I Based on :j.neanple:te reporteas a resultof the lack of strike or post-strike photographs on 7 Missions in which

bombing was done by radar. I;Iircraft destroyed on the ground duringtheae missiOns n\1lIlberad 12.. Four s.dditional aircraft ~ere dar::Jaged and3 more were probably daml:1ged.

B. Qamege to Airfields o.n.dFaeilit.ies:

1. I busuki Airfield (90; 38-2507):

(l. Mission No. 15 2 :

(1) Dennge to Me:

(a) Optu"ative M e present before strike: 1 SIB.

(b) Inopersti.Ye J . . . jC present before. strike: 6.

(0) Planes with no visible damage but i'lhich arepossibly inoperative 8S indicated by remaining in same pOsition in openar-ea through a p\.,;1'1OO of seversl strikes: 1

Cd . ) Damage to Ale from strike: none

(2) Daffi3.ge to Insta!_1ations and Facilities; Strikephotos shOl7a concentration of bombs on the ramp and in the hangerarea. Two hits were scored on the hangars, and sevaal smB.ll buildings.just N 0'! the hangars, were destroyed. There has bet:n no att!!Ipt torefill bomb crat.a-s or to repair any of the installations or facilities.

2 KaM;'C: b.irfield ..(90.38-1 1 28 ):

a .. Mission No. 151:

(1) DOJl)fle;e,to Aircraft :(ran th is Strike: NC'ne. On l .Y7tl1per cent oj? the rield w.:: .sovered by strike photos. No reconno.is-

sacs on 7 M!;ly 1945.(2! Operat!_ve Aircraft Pt9sent Before striil:~: 19~.(3) lnoj?erative Airct'nft Present Before strikel 15 .

Note: 4 aircraft ShOTIDU d=ge but are possibly inoperatlvc becaWH)they have remained ill the some :posit ions ill {In opn arsr;t through

a pl:>riod of soveral strikes,

(4) nruno.go to Fieldf'r 0IlI. S tr ik'O: Th'- banb pott...r n isin th", main hangar area and on the serVicing strip. I,bout 4 hi.ts arcvisible in the previously d!l,1'l1,9.BOdangnrs.

(5) The field. is proMbly operational.

b. Mission No. 155: There werE! no strike pbo to 8l'aphe.Bombing 'fIOS done by roi!ar.

e. Mission No. 162:

( 1) Th e ma jeri ty of t~e banos m,issccd ltI:Uo;.vnAir! iold ~'l'he str1.ke photo e over a ge is obou" 6o:.pt-reent of the 1'ield. I ' I .eeon..

-3 8 -

!LQ.lIl1.2JU1I lAb


43/90

I

noiss:mce photos of 10 Mly 1945 cover about 75 per cent of the field,and provide basis for aircroft count given in this repor~.

(2) Damageto J.ircratt from this Strike: None

(J ) Operat iva Aircroft PI'asent ber ore Str ikE:~ 79 s/E,23 T/E (minimum).

(miniJnUm)

(4 ) I noperat iva Aircraft Prasan tbef ore Strike: 12

e ) ) DaIOOgo .to Field fran Strikcs The bOI!lb pattern'Was across the servicing strip and 'in front of the main hangar. J ..fem bombsstruck the bangors.

(6) Tho field isproba~lY operational.

(7) Rewirs: ReconIltlissance photos shO'll 'the 2 I:IIlinrunways to have b""enrepaired,. Because the stri.kes assessed: in thisreport were concentrated on the servicing strip aIll the hangar area,the runways 'l;'eI'6 not damaged. A c.onsiderable number of .simulatedcraters (painted) may be seen on the tuo main run'il'I1YS. No visibleropairs have been made to installations or facilities. There is no

evidence of Mmo disposal

a. Mission No. 158: There were no strike photo.grephs.

Ilbmbing was done by radar.

b.Mis.sion N.c. 159:

(1) Do:ma,ge to l~fc:

(l OOlplet cov",rage.

(b) Inop."re.tive Ale pr~sent 'before strike:

Incomplete coverage.

(c) Dannge to A/Cthis strike; 11 S/E. I TIE

destroyed.

Operational.

(2, Damage to Field fromStrike: S11atus of tield:

(J ) Damas! to InstlllllAt ions and Feci 11ties: 2 ~Jlll"gars destroyed; :3 warehouse-type buUd::t.ngs de>stroyedJ 2 9llJ'l1l btnld~ings de.stroyed i neor miss on potier pla$lt; aoo hits onoorner at dd-mi.nistrotion building.

4. Miyakonoje Airfie ld (90 . 18 .- 2 5271:

a, Mission No. 156: Theroc \Jere no s:triloo photOgI'nph3.

Bombing woa done by radar.

b. Mission No. 171: Thertc l7ere no strike photogrophs.Bombing '1'10.9 done by radar ..

-39-

Q.Q!!E.!.lUi;,Ji!' l.lh~


44/90

(2) Opbl'ntive lo.ireraft Present bettU"eStrike~ 1 sIL

a , Mission No. 1611

(1) Damage to Field fran Strikat The only damagetoin~tsllations and fncilities is in and near the hospital area as follows:Destroyed: Covered ramps, 7 large buildings,2 small buildillgB. eeva"81houses N N of the hospitalaraa.

5 TIE .(.3) Ln,operative Aircraft PreSent before Strike: 2 SlE,

lITlE, and 7 dummies.

(4) Repe irs: TbeENE~ runway bas a few cratersstillu.of'illed. at es'eh end. The WE-Wl-l"W unway bas craters still un-filled at. its Wend and along its sides. Nine painted craters appearon the ENE-WSWunway. The only evidence of repair on the field lB

~the filliDG of craters 01;1 and near the rWll'!8ys.

(5) :BombD1spoaa1: I\lo'Vis ibleevidenc e ofdi.sposal

b. Mission No. 170: There were no strike photogt"aphs.

Bombing was done by radar .

6. Ni ttsgahal"s Airf ield (20 ~33-2531) :

a. Mission No. 169: There were no strike photographs"

Bombing was done ay radar.

7. Qita Airfield .(90.33~1]08);

a. Mission No... 153: NO bombs hit the target antbis mis.

sion.b. lI~ssion No. 157; Thera were no strike photogt'ephs.

Bombingwas a :o l lE lby :radar.

(1) pamage to Ale :

(8.) operative Ale J% 'esent bef~e strike: 43

e eo Mission No. 16 71

unid.antU'ied.

J

ell) Damage to A /e thi., strike: None

(2) Dame.ge to Field from striks:

(a) No bursts on .field. BOlJIb pattern conoen-t,re. ted on 11 ' Elser tbed target s.,

(b) F.ield is probably operationnl.

0 Damageto Installation and Facilities,:

(a) .Appro=tj,metely85% of Terget2081 1s d~gliN1or destroyed. Building (2) final assembly, is 100% damaged. Build-ing ( l). sub.. :assembly, isa'bout25% deatroyed. 61.1 ldi:og (10). shop .

-40-


45/90

is camp1et aly destroyed. All 3 power units wars canpletely damaged ordestroyed. Previous damage(prior to 30 April) was only slight.

(b) Target 2080 received approximately 5 0 % newdamage. bringing the total to a bout 90J! damaged or destroyed. Threel'args shop buildings were ccrm:pletely destroyed. and 3 similar build-ings were damag!?d. The plant's pORer unit was probably destroyed.

(4) Repairs I The landing Ell'ea.was kept operationalat all times. No visible repairs to installations and facilities,wi tb the except ion of a new building (125 t / 60 1 ) being added to Tar-get 2081. This b\:lild.ing was 5 0% destroyed as a result of XXI B.D.Mission 1 6 7 .

(5) Remarks; No detailed. study of delayed..action ban.bswas mB.de in this report. 1a test .reconneis sance phot os, hO'Pever i ahowthat craters caused by this type o f bomb (dropped XXI B.. e . Mission 130)r emain\lllfil1 eO. .

e. Mi se ion No. 168:

(1) Damage to Ale:

(8) Opera.tive A le present before strike~ 64.

(b) Inoperative Ale present before strike: 1.

(e) p).anas pitb no visible dru:e.ge but ;;hieh a:repossibly inoperative as indicated by remaiD~ng in same position in openarea through a period: of several strikes: 7.

(d) Damlge to Ale :f'rcmthis stril!:21 3 probabl,.

" Witbin 251 of frag bomb burst or 75' of 500 1b GP.

(2) Danage1;o Field. frClll .strike:

(a) Bombpattern orosses S en.d of field.

(b) Cra.ters in rllIlWaY: None.

(e) status of field; Op,eretionlll ..

(3) Dan:aseto Installations. 8D.d Pscilities:Largebomb.;..she1ter t.ype build.ing. SE eorn~ of field 6,5$ destJ:"oyedi 1ho.ogaret te. same area, pOBsib1y destroyed ..

(4) R~lgl: Oomparison of photos trom 3H\5M18.5and .3IR5Ml88 sbot;!that' tims4delay bcmbs. in a c~noentrated bomb pat-tern. in tbe SE corner 9f. the .fil';lld. 11'6re not neutrsli1l:ed. craterseaused by delay-fuzed bombs are also vial. b1e in otqaoboolb,pe. ttsrns..

9. UaaAirf'ield: {9 0 .3]-l307}:

a. Mission No .. 15,*,1


46/90

(1) Damage to Ale:

(a) operative Ale prSS&l.t be1'ar'e strike: 25(11 SlE. 14 TIE).

(b) Inoperative Ale present before 8trike~ 11(2 S/E. 3 TIE dest;royed. 6 S/E. 1 TIE inoperative--27 dum:ni.es also present).

(c) Planes with no visible danage but which arepossil;lly inoperative 85 indicated by remaining in S8CLe poeition inopen ar ea tbrousb a period of several weeks: S.

(d) Da.mageto Ale from this strike: 4 (2 sl E.2 TIE danaged).

(2) Damage to Fieldfrcm Strike.:

(8) The E side of the field was '!'Jell eoveredwith bo.mbbursts, but no bombs fell on the N-S rumray.

(b) Field is operational.

(J) Dan:age to Installs t ions and Fecili ties: No newdamage observed:.

b. Mission No. 160:

(1 ) Damase to .Nc:(0.) Operative Alb present before strike: 14

(7 S/E. 1 TIE).

(b) Inoperative A/e II'esent before strike: 9(3 TIE destroyed. 3 TIE. 3 SIE inoperative)

(c) planes with no visible da&9.ge but ~hieh:tr'epossibly :!.noperative as indicated by rem9.ining in same position i:Jopen area through a . period of several weeks: 5.

(d) Other Ale present: 27 dummies.

(2) ppnase. to F.ieldufrom Strike I

(8) The bomb pattern covered th


47/90

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(6) Bomb Load; SOO 1b GP' s !used ]/100 nose and non-delay tail.

4. a. No change.

b. Tactical Mission Numbere:

(1) O i t a ~ 16 7

(2) Saek i... 1M

(:3) Nittagahara 169

(4) Miyazak i - 170( ,.) MJ.yakonoj'o . . .' 1 7 1

(6) L e a f s t a l k ( 1 1 0 2 ) - 1725 . Commun i c a t i o n s :

a. xU BQmComSOl and SOP for strike rep


87/90

G

nmmlB!JTION LIST

MiSa.iPM No 151throush 162 and 167tbX>ou&! 171:

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DISTRIBUTION

TACTI CAL M I9 SI ON REPORTS

Commo.nding Qeneral. Twen:tieth ;'1r ForoeContm"nd. iog Genel"o.l, XXI Bombe.r Comma.ndDeputy Commo.ndetl Twent.ieth A ir ForcGChi.Gf of St G .ff ,. TV/entlet h ,;...\ ' Fo rcoChie:f of Stoff. XX.I Bombor Commo.ndDeputy O/S, Opns , XX! Bomber CommandDeputy CIS, Sup & : .Mo.int. XXI Bembar CommandAC of S, A.e, XltIBornber CommandComffil!l.nding Genoral. Army Air FOl"CosATT N,= A C/ A S,.Intell igenceCmmander in Chief. Pacific Ocean AreaS (Adv Bq)Commander in Chief. Pacific Ocean Areas (Reel" B:q)Chief of Naval Oporations. OP-16-VJoint Intelligence Conte? , Pacific Ocean Areal!Commander Air Force. Paci.fic FleetCommande r. Third Fl eatCommande r, FUthFleetCo mma r i, d e1"', Firs~ Carrier Task 10.1"00Commander, MarianaoGommand .o r in Chief'. U. S. Army Forces t PacificOommanding, General, r r ,S, Army Forces, PacifiC OOzaD AreasColllmrulding Gene::ral. All:i.e d Air For-ces,Southwest Pacific Area.s

Cominandlng General, Sou.thwest Pacific Are.as. ATTN: 0.2(For Section 22, ROM)

Commanding Gen.o.:I"al, Far Ea5t Air ForcesCommanding Ge:nera1, U . S . StrategiC Air Fo.rces in EuropeCOllllllunding Gen.eral. Eighth Air Po reeCommanding General, lIilediterranean Allied Air ForcesCommand ing GE lJaer al. FIftcenth Air FOl'ca

_ 29 Command ing General. Seventh Air ForcoCO.IlIIIIe.ndingGeneral, VII Bomber Ooll!lllond

_ ~2 Command ing Gener~al. V1l Fighter C'ommo.nd .C om m an d L ngGene,r Ill, E l e"10 nth Air ForceCoIDlllo.nding GeneNl. x x .Bomber COm!ll.O.ndOommand.ing General, 38th Flying Tuining 1II'i;:lgCommandSq, .eJ.lieod. Ai.r ForceSI Southwest Paoific Mao.,ATTN j .Seni.or Inte111gonoe o rf 1eer R ..... A.F.

COlllQl.on,ding Genero..l. 56th BombordmGntWingCommonding Genaro.l. 73rd Bomollrdin!)nt WingCommanding GGnel'o.l. :313th Bombardrnon:t WingGomm.andtng Ge.neral, 314th B 'om bnrdm on t WinG ;Commo.nd.ing Genera.l. 315th Bombardmont ~~'i.ngCOlru! ' l : :O.ndingOf'ioer . 3:rd Photo R eoo n SquadronCOTI!IDl4nding Offioer,. 41st FhQto~ Rallon SquadronGommanding Of10er, 33rd Stoti ,5,t1eo.1 C


89/90

Copy N o .

81 Commanding Genera.1, Army Air Forces Pilcific Ocean Are!!.lSI,A'l'TN: AAF Eva1uo.tion Board

Oommanding GGnero.1, Army Ai r Forces p o.cii' 10. Dee an Me a.a.ATTN; D1rector of CommunicationsFor: Counter .Meo.sures A ir . l.no.1ysi s Center

Commo .nd i ng orriqer, 6th Bomb Group (VH)Oomnl i lnd lng Officer. 9th ' Bomb Group (VIi)Comm~nd ing Officer,. 16th Bomb Group (VB)Comma.nding Officer, 19th Bomb Group (VR)Command ing Offioer, 29th Bom.b Group (VH)ComJlto.nding Of'ftcer. 39th Bomb Group (VB)Commo.nding Officer., 40th Bomb Group (VB)Commo .nd i ng Orficer.330th Bomb Group (VIi)Commo.nding Orfi oer. 331st Bomb Group eVE:)Command in g Off io e r, 444th Bomb Group (YH)COl1\J!la:ndingOfficer, 4!S2nd Bomb Group (VR)Com.mo;nd.ing Orfioer, 468th Bomb Group (VlI)Commanding Offioer, 4$7"tb Bomb Group (VE)Commandl,ng 0rri cer t 498th Bomb G roup (VE)Comln! l .nd . :L~Officer, 499th 1l0mb Group (VIi)Commo.nding Officer, 500thBomb Group (VR)Command ing Officer, 501st Bo.mb Group (VB)CommO:1 '1 .d i :ngOff ieer. 502nd B om b G roup(VI!)Comma:nding Officer. 504th Bomb Group (VH)Commo.nding OffiCer, 5C'5th Bomb Group (VH)Command ing errs cer. 509th Comp0$ i te GroupCommo.nding Ofi'icr, 655th Bomb Squ.().l1ron (11) (WR)Commanding Officer, TwentiGth Air Force Leo.d Crew SchoolCommand ing arriMr, 15th Fighter GroupCommand ing Office,r, 21st Fighter Gro1,1pCom.mand ing 0rficer, 506th Fighter GroupReporting Unit. 1.-2, m Bomber CO inmo .n d (F il e Copy)

_ 115Reporting UJtit-, 11..-2, XXI Bomber Commo,.,"ld

82

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90/90

Rli'rntwo....::....1!H:ssion No. 174.1

Pa.ge 26 .. part II. Radio .. p3 . ragt'ap,h 4 ..~vigationa1 Aids .. 2nd S6.1tence:

Sentence reads: The ~ bearing that was due't 0 an aiX'craft not hearingthe VHF station.

It should readl The 1 bearing not obtainedwas due to an aircraft 001;hearing tbe VHFstation.

FOREWORD

the incen.diary attack on North Nagoy;a.

Urban Area. on. 14. May 1945 (XXI Bom.ber Gom-

mand Mission No. 174). Final damage asses ..

smentfor this strike will be inCluded in

Tactic 901 Mission RepGrt No, 170 against

South Nagoya lJr'ban Area. flown 16-17 May.

E~ct sepo.ratlon of dOJ)1llgewas not possibl&

due to the absence of photo oover between

the 2 strikes.

Mias ion No. 173 wa-s 0. 'Special millsion

and will receive special distribution.

21st Bomber Command Tactical Mission Report 151

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