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byrd.mu.wvnet.edu/pub/history/military/airforce/ *****SUNDAY, 7 DECEMBER 1941 CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Hawaiian Air Force): The first wave of Japanese carrier-based airplanes (almost 200) hit Hickam Field and the US Naval base at Pearl Harbor at 0755 local (1325 Eastern Standard Time, 1825 GMT). Attacks follow quickly against Wheeler and Bellows Fields. A second wave of Japanese airplanes strikes other naval and military facilities. The Hawaiian Air Force loses 163 men, with about 390 others wounded or missing; has 64 of its 231 assigned aircraft destroyed. Only 79 of the remaining aircraft are deemed usable, and much of the Air Force's ground facilities are destroyed. These losses are light in comparison with the US Navy's: more than 2,000 killed or missing, and more than 900 wounded; 4 battleships sunk; 3 battleships, 3 cruisers, and 3 destroyers damaged; and over half of the Navy's 169 airplanes in the area destroyed. The Japanese lose 20 aircraft over Hawaii, including 4 claimed destroyed by Second Lieutenant George S Welch of the 47th Pursuit Squadron (Fighter), 15th Pursuit Group (Fighter) piloting a P-40, one of the few US fighters to successfully attack airplanes during the day. About 20 other aircraft are lost by the Japanese during carrier landings. Altogether the Japanese pay a small price for the damage done to the Americans on Oahu. For the remainder of the day, following the attacks, the Army Air Forces carries out fruitless searches for the carriers. The air echelons of the 38th and 88th Reconnaissance Squadrons (Heavy), 1st Bombardment Wing, begin operating from Hickam Field where they arrived during the Japanese attack. The crews of the 38th are dissolved and personnel are assigned to other units; the 88th will operate from Hickam Field until Feb 42. [Japanese attack U.S. mainland Everybody knows about December 7, 1941, "A day that will live in infamy!" But few are aware that on this day in 1942 the Japanese actually made an attack on the U.S. mainland. A Japanese submarine fired 25 shells at an oil refinery at the edge of Ellwood Oil Field 12 miles west of Santa Barbara, California. One shell actually made a direct hit of the rigging, causing minor damage. Ironically, President Roosevelt was giving a fireside chat at the time of the attack.] *****MONDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 1942 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ZONE OF INTERIOR: Japanese submarine I-17 fires 13 rounds of 5.5-in (140 mm) shells from a range of 2,500 yards (2,286 m) at an oil refinery N of Santa Barbara, California. Pursuit and bomber aircraft sent to the area are unable to destroy the sub. *****WEDNESDAY, 4 MARCH 1942 PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): A lone Japanese aircraft attempts to attack Honolulu, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, but drops its bombs short of the city. Overcast conditions prevent successful pursuit by 7th Air Force aircraft. SATURDAY, 18 APRIL 1942 PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA): Doolittle Raid on Japan. 16 B-25's launched from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-8) carry out the first AAF attack on the Japanese mainland. 15 of the B-25's bomb in Japan, the principal targets being Tokyo, Kobe, Yokohama, and Nagoya. Since the bombers had to be launched earlier than scheduled they are unable to reach planned bases in China and have to be crashlanded or abandoned, 15 in China and the other in the USSR. *****WEDNESDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 1942 WESTERN DEFENSE COMMAND (4th Air Force): A Japanese airplane, launched from a submarine off the coast, drops an incendiary bomb on a mountain slope near Brookings, Oregon, causing a small forest fire; this comprises the total bombing of the continental US by enemy aircraft during World War II. *****SUNDAY, 18 APRIL 1943 SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) In the Solomons, Major John W Mitchell leads a flight of 16 P-38's (2 others abort) on a low-level, circuitous, over-water trip from Guadalcanal to a spot up the Bougainville coast from Kahili to intercept the flight of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, head of the Imperial Japanese Navy, who, according to US intelligence, is on an inspection trip in the S Pacific and is due in Ballale at 0945 local. Admiral Yamamoto's well-known punctuality is calculated to allow the interception to take place at 0935 local at a point 35 mi (56 km) from Kahili. Two hours and 15 minutes after takeoff at 0725 local, as the P-38's streak toward Bougainville at almost sea level, a flight of 2 Betty bombers and 6 Zekes appears just ahead. The 4-aircraft attack section under Captain Thomas G. Lanphier, Jr bores in. The Zekes spot the attacking P-38's at about 1 mi (0.6 km) and try in vain to cut off the attack as the bombers attempt to escape. In the air battle, Captain Lanphier and First Lieutenant Rex T. Barber shoot down the bomber carrying Yamamoto. *****SATURDAY, 10 JULY 1943 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) The Eleventh Air Force attacks the Japanese Home Islands for the first time as 8 B-25's raid Paramushiru Island in the Kurile Islands, scoring hits on the S part of Shimushu Island, Paramushiru Island, Kurile Strait, and northern Paramushiru Island, in dead reckoning runs when solid cloud cover prevents a maximum altitude attack. No AA fire is encountered and no enemy aircraft are sighted. The B-25's stage through Attu Island on returning to Adak Island. 6 B-24's, originally slated to accompany the B-25's to Paramushiru Island and 5 other B-25's are on short notice dispatched to attack a convoy off Attu Island. They claim 2 medium freighters sunk in deck-level strikes. MONDAY, 10 APRIL 1944 STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (XX Bomber Command): The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) informally approve Operation MATTERHORN, the plan for the bombing of Japan by B-29s based in the Calcutta, India area and staging through advanced fields in the Chengtu, China area, which had been approved in principle by President Franklin D Roosevelt on 10 Nov 43. The operational vehicle is to be the 58th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) (4 bombardment groups) of the XX Bomber Command, soon to be assigned to the newly activated Twentieth Air Force, operating under General of the Army Henry H "Hap" Arnold as executive agent for the JCS. THURSDAY, 15 JUNE 1944 STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): B-29's bomb Japan. With the exception of the Eleventh Air Force's raids on the Kurile Islands, this is the first air attack against Japan since the Doolittle's raid in Apr 42. 47 B-29s operating out of Chengtu, Chian, bomb the primary target, the Imperial Iron and Steel Works at Yawata, Japan. FRIDAY, 7 JULY 1944 STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): 14 B-29s, operating out of Chengtu, China during the night of 7/8 Jul, bomb Sasebo, Omura, and Tobata, Japan (most of the planes hitting the Sasebo area); 3 others attack secondary and last resort targets at Laoyao and in the Hankow area of China. THURSDAY, 10 AUGUST 1944 STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): 2 missions are flown during the night of 10/11 Aug; in one, 24 B-29s, out of Chengtu, China, bomb the urban area of Nagasaki, Japan and 3 others hit targets of opportunity; the B-29s claim 1 fighter shot down, the first such claim (except probables) by the B-29s. In other missions, the first staged through China Bay, Ceylon, 31 B-29s bomb oil refineries at Palembang, Sumatra, 8 mine the Moesi River nearby, and 3 hit targets of opportunity and a secondary target; the first attack, from Ceylon to Sumatra, is the longest single-stage combat flight (about 3,900 miles or 6,276 km) by B-29s during the war. SUNDAY, 20 AUGUST 1944 STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): 61 Chengtu, China-based B-29s bomb the Imperial Iron and Steel Works at Yawata, Japan during the day, followed by 10 more during the night of 20/21 Aug, 5 hitting targets other than the primary; 14 B-29s are lost, including 1 to AA and 4 to enemy aircraft (1 by air-to-air bombing and 1 by ramming); B-29 gunners claim 17 air victories. WEDNESDAY, 25 OCTOBER 1944 STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): 59 B-29s, flying out of Chengtu, China, bomb an aircraft plant at Omura, Kyushu Island, Japan; several other B-29s hit alternate targets and targets of opportunity. ***** [SATURDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 1944 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ZONE OF INTERIOR: The first report is received of a Japanese balloon SW of San Pedro, California; the US Navy recovers some apparatus, envelope, and rigging.] SUNDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 1944 STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): 29 Chengtu, China-based B-29s bomb Omura, Kyushu Island, Japan; 20+ others bomb the last resort target of Nanking, China (due to bad weather over Omura), and 20+ more hit various alternate targets and targets of opportunity. TUESDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 1944 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 61 B-29s from Chengtu, China bomb an aircraft plant at Omura, Kyushu Island, Japan; 13 B-29s bomb Shanghai, China, and several others hit alternates and targets of opportunity; the B-29s claim 27 fighters downed, the highest Twentieth AF claim to date. FRIDAY, 24 NOVEMBER 1944 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): The XXI Bomber Command flies its first mission against Japan; the objective is Tokyo; the 111 B-29s are led by 73d Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) Commanding General, Brigadier General Emmett O'Donnell Jr piloting DAUNTLESS DOTTY, copiloted by Major Robert K Morgan, erstwhile pilot of the famed B-17, MEMPHIS BELLE; 35 B-29s bomb the primary target, the Musashino aircraft plant; 50 bomb the secondary target, the urban area and docks; 17 abort enroute; the remainder are unable to bomb due to mechanical difficulties; 1 B-29 crashes off Honshu Island when a fighter rams the bomber, shearing off the elevator and right horizontal stabilizer, becoming the first XXI Bomber Command B-29 lost to Japanese action; 1 other ditches after running out of fuel; B-29 gunners claim 7 aircraft downed. SUNDAY, 3 DECEMBER 1944 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 10: 86 Mariana Island-based B-29s are dispatched to attack the Musashino aircraft plant and docks and urban areas in Tokyo, Japan; 60 B-29s hit the primary target and 15 hit alternate targets; they claim 10-11-18 Japanese aircraft; 5 B-29s are lost. WEDNESDAY, 13 DECEMBER 1944 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 12: 90 B-29s from the Mariana Islands are dispatched to attack the Mitsubishi aircraft engine plant at Nagoya, Japan; 71 hit the primary target causing considerable damage as bombing accuracy is improved; 9 others hit alternate targets; they claim 4-1-0 Japanese aircraft; 4 B-29s are lost. MONDAY, 18 DECEMBER 1944 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 13: 89 B-29s flying out of the Mariana Islands are sent to hit the Mitsubishi aircraft plant at Nagoya, Japan; 63 hit the primary target and 10 bomb last resort targets and targets of opportunity; they claim 5-11-12 enemy aircraft; 4 B-29s are lost. TUESDAY, 19 DECEMBER 1944 ***** AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ZONE OF INTERIOR (HQ AAF): 4 fighters of the Fourth AF, directed by the Los Angeles Control Group to search for a Japanese balloon reported over Santa Monica, California, are unable to locate the target. HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 22: 36 B-29s, from the Chengtu, China area, are dispatched to hit an aircraft plant at Omura, Japan; 17 hit the primary target and 13 others hit secondary target of Shanghai, China, and another 2 strike other alternates; they claim 5-4-12 Japanese aircraft; 2 B-29s are lost. FRIDAY, 22 DECEMBER 1944 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 14: 78 B-29s from the Mariana Islands are dispatched to hit the Mitsubishi aircraft industrial complex in Nagoya, Japan; 48 hit the primary target and 14 hit alternate targets; total cloud cover prevents accuracy, and damage is light; they claim 9-17-15 Japanese aircraft; 3 B-29s are lost. SATURDAY, 6 JANUARY 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 25: 49 Chengtu, China-based B-29s are dispatched to bomb an aircraft factory at Omura, Kyushu Island, Japan; 28 hit the primary target, 13 bomb a secondary target at Nanking, China while 6 attack targets of opportunity; they claim 4-6-10 Japanese aircraft; 1 B-29 is lost. The is the XX Bomber Command's last mission against targets in Japan. SUNDAY, 4 FEBRUARY 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 26: For the first time the XXI Bomber Command sends B-29s from 2 wings [the 73d and 313th Bombardment Wings (Very Heavy)] against Japanese Home Islands. 110 B-29s are dispatched; 69 bomb the urban area of Kobe; 30 others, including 15 hitting Natsusaka, bomb last resort targets and targets of opportunity; about 200 attacking fighters down 1 B-29 and damage 35 others; 1 other crashes upon landing at Saipan Island; B-29s claim 4-20-39 Japanese aircraft. TUESDAY, 6 FEBRUARY 1945 AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 9 Guam Island-based B-24s hit AA defenses and radar and radio installations on Iwo Jima Island; 10 more bomb Ototo Jima Island in the Volcano Islands and the the town of Omura on Kyushu Island, Japan. SATURDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 29: 118 B-29s from the Mariana Islands are dispatched to hit the Nakajima aircraft plant at Ota, Japan; 84 hit the primary target and 14 hit other targets; they claim 21-15-26 Japanese aircraft; 12 B-29s are lost. THURSDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 34: 117 B-29s from the Mariana Islands are dispatched to hit the Mitsubishi aircraft engine works at Nagoya, Japan; 33 hit the primary; 68 hit targets of last resort and targets of opportunity, 54 of them bombing Hamamatsu; they claim 7-8-23 Japanese aircraft; 1 B-29 is lost. MONDAY, 19 FEBRUARY 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 37: 150 B-29s are dispatched to hit the Musashino aircraft plant in Tokyo hoping to draw air reinforcements away from the Iwo Jima invasion; thick clouds completely cover the primary target so 119 bomb the port and urban area of Tokyo; 12 others hit targets of last resort and targets of opportunity; they claim 39-16-37 Japanese aircraft; 6 B-29s are lost. SUNDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 38: 172 of 229 B-29s bomb the urban area of Tokyo; 29 others hit alternates and targets of opportunity; this is the XXI Bomber Command's largest mission to date and its first 3-wing strike against Japan as the the 73d and 313th Bombardment Wings (Very Heavy) are joined by the 314th; 3 B-29s are lost. TUESDAY, 27 MARCH 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 2 missions are flown: Mission 46: 151 of 165 Mariana Islands-based B-29s flying the first of many raids in support of the impending Okinawa Island invasion, hit Tachiarai Army Airfield and Oita Naval Airfield and the Omura aircraft factory on Kyushu Island, Japan; 3 others hit alternate targets; they claim 1-2-4 Japanese aircraft. Mission 47: 92 of 102 B-29s mine Shimonoseki Strait between Honshu and Kyushu Islands during the night of 27/28 Mar; 2 others hit alternate targets; they claim 1-0-0 Japanese aircraft; 3 B-29s are lost; this is first of many mining operations by B-29s in Japanese waters. FRIDAY, 30 MARCH 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 2 missions are flown during the night of 30/31 Mar. Mission 48: 12 of 14 B-29s attack the Mitsubishi aircraft engine plant at Nagoya, Japan shortly past 0000 hours without loss. Mission 49: 85 of 94 B-29s mine Shimonoseki Strait between Honshu and Kyushu Islands; 2 others drop their mines in other areas; 1 B-29 is lost. SATURDAY, 31 MARCH 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 50: 137 of 152 B-29s strike the Tachiarai machine works, which is completely destroyed, and Omura Airfield on Kyushu Island, Japan; this is a diversionary strike preceding the invasion of Okinawa Island which begins at 0830 hours local on 1 Apr; the AAF claims 11-5-3 Japanese aircraft; 1 B-29s is lost and 15 damaged. SUNDAY, 8 APRIL 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 2 missions are flown against airfields on Kyushu Island, Japan from which Kamikaze attacks are originating. Mission 60: 29 of 32 B-29s strike 2 airfields at Kanoya. Mission 61: 48 B-29s attack the airfield at Kokubu; 1 B-29 is lost. MONDAY, 9 APRIL 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 62: During the night of 9/10 Apr, 16 B-29s mine Shimonoseki Strait between Kyushu and Honshu Islands, Japan without loss. MONDAY, 16 APRIL 1945 AAFPOA Seventh Air Force: 18 Guam Island-based B-24s pound Marcus Island in the N Pacific. 2 P-61s from Saipan Island bomb and strafe Pagan Island. VII Fighter Command: Mission 3: In the first very long range fighter operation from Iwo Jima Island, P-51s with Twentieth AF B-29 navigational escort, strafe and bomb targets at Kanoya Airfield on Kyushu Island, Japan; 4 P-51s are lost; B-25s continue to furnish navigational escort in all subsequent VII Fighter Command strikes (through 14 Aug) on Japan from Iwo Jima. TUESDAY, 17 APRIL 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Missions 70 to 75: 118 B-29s bomb airfields at Tachiarai, Kokubu, Izumi, Nittagahara, and 2 at Kanoya, Japan; 5 others attack targets of opportunity; beginning on this date and continuing through 11 May, XXI Bomber Command devotes about 75 per cent of its combat effort to support of the Okinawa campaign; during this period the B-29s fly more than 2,100 sorties against 17 airfields on Kyushu and Shikoku Islands which are dispatching air attacks (including Kamikaze raids) against USN and USMC forces. FRIDAY, 27 APRIL 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Missions 108 to 113: 109 B-29s strike airfields at Izumi, Miyazaki, Kokubu, Miyakonojo, Kanoya, and Kushira on Kyushu Island, Japan; 3 B-29s hit targets of opportunity; 2 bombers are lost. SATURDAY, 28 APRIL 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Missions 114 to 119: 119 B-29s hit airfields at Kushira, Kanoya, Miyakonojo, Kokubu, Miyazaki, and Izumi on Kyushu Island, Japan; 4 others hit targets of opportunity; they claim a total of 14 Japanese fighters; 5 B-29s are lost. SUNDAY, 29 APRIL 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Missions 120 to 125: 111 B-29s strike airfields on Kyushu Island, Japan, i.e., Miyazaki, Miyakonojo, Kokubu, 2 at Kanoya, and Kushira Airfields; they claim nearly 30 Japanese aircraft shot down; 2 B-29s are lost. MONDAY, 30 APRIL 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Seven missions are flown. Mission 126: 69 B-29s hit the Tachikawa air depot; 25 others hit targets of opportunity. The escort is 104 P-51s. Missions 127 to 132: 56 B-29s hit airfields at Kokubu, Oita, Tomitaka, Saeki, and 2 at Kanoya on Kyushu Island and the city of Hamamatsu; 2 other B-29s hit targets of opportunity; the B-29s claim 10 aircraft downed. FRIDAY, 4 MAY 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Missions 140 to 143: 47 B-29s attack airfields at Oita, Omura, Saeki, and Matsuyama on Kyushu and Shikoku Islands, Japan; 2 others attack targets of opportunity; 1 B-29 is lost. SATURDAY, 5 MAY 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 7 missions are flown. Missions 144, 145 and 147 to 149: 55 B-29s bomb airfields at Oita, Tachiarai, Kanoya, and Chiran on Kyushu Island, Japan; 2 others attack targets of opportunity; 3 B-29s are lost (One of these crashed near Taketa City, Oita-ken. Six of these airmen later dissected alive at Kyushu Imperial University Medical Dept.--WAI). Mission 146: 148 B-29s [including the 58th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) flying their first attack of Japan from Tinian] hit a navy aircraft factory and arsenal at Kure, Japan; 4 others hit targets of opportunity; they claim 11 Japanese fighters; 2 B-29s are lost. Mission 150: During the night of 5/6 May, 86 B-29s drop mines in Tokyo Bay, Ise Bay, and at points in the Inland Sea; 4 others mine targets of opportunity. MONDAY, 7 MAY 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Missions 151 to 154: 41 B-29s bomb airfields at Usa, Oita, Ibusuki, and Kanoya on Kyushu Island; 34 Japanese aircraft are claimed destroyed by B-29s during the Usa and Oita missions; 3 B-29s are lost. TUESDAY, 8 MAY 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Missions 155 to 158: 40 B-29s hit airfields at Kanoya, Miyakonojo, Oita, and Matsuyama on Kyushu and Shikoku Islands, Japan; 1 other hits a target of opportunity. THURSDAY, 10 MAY 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 8 missions are flown; the B-29s claim 10 Japanese aircraft; 1 B-29 is lost. Missions 159 to 162: 42 B-29s hit airfields at Matsuyama, Usa, Miyazaki, and Kanoya on Kyushu and Shikoku Islands; 14 others hit targets of opportunity. Mission 163: 54 B-29s bomb the Tokuyama naval fuel station; 2 others hit targets of opportunity. Mission 164: 56 B-29s hit the Tokuyama coal yards; 1 other hits a target of opportunity. Mission 165: 112 B-29s hit the Otake oil refinery; 14 others hit targets of opportunity; 1 B-29 is lost. Mission 166: 80 B-29s bomb the Amami-O-Shima naval oil storage facilities; 4 others hit targets of opportunity. FRIDAY, 11 MAY 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 6 missions are flown. Missions 167 to 171: 50 B-29s attack airfields at Oita, Saeki, Nittagahara, Miyazaki, and Miyakonojo on Kyushu Island; 8 others hit targets of opportunity. Missions against Japanese airfields terminate the air campaign, begun on 17 Apr, during which the Twentieth AF has devoted a major effort toward hitting sources of Kamikaze raids against USN and US Marine Corps (USMC) forces in the Battle of Okinawa. Mission 172: 92 B-29s bomb the Kawanishi aircraft plant at Kobe; 1 other hits a target of opportunity; they claim 9 Japanese fighters; 1 B-29 is lost. THURSDAY, 17 MAY 1945 AAFPOA (VII Fighter Command): Fighters from Iwo Jima Island fly 41 effective strike sorties against Atsugi, Japan; pilots claim 10 parked aircraft destroyed. During the night of 17/18 May, 2 P-47s of the 318th Fighter Group, presently arriving on Ie Shima (between 13 and 19 May), fly heckling mission over Kyushu Island, Japan, the first such VII Fighter Command mission against Japan. FRIDAY, 18 MAY 1945 AAFPOA (VII Fighter Command): In the Ryukyu Islands, 8 P-47s from Ie Shima Island make bombing, strafing, and rocket attacks on radar and ground installations on Kume Jima Island; other P-47s fly heckler strikes against Kyushu Island, Japan during the night of 18/19 May. SUNDAY, 20 MAY 1945 AAFPOA Seventh Air Force: 10 Guam Island-based B-24s hit air operations buildings on Marcus Island in the N Pacific. The 396th and 820th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 41st Bombardment Group (Medium), begin a movement from Wheeler Field, Hawaii to Okinawa with B-25s. VII Fighter Command: 16 Saipan Island-based P-47s strafe airfields on Moen and Eten Islands and seaplane base and barges off Dublon Island, all in Truk Atoll. In Japan, 9 P-47s from Ie Shima hit a hangar and 2 boats at Fukue-Shima and 32 others hit airfields, railroads, buildings, and radar facilities on Kyushu Island. MONDAY, 21 MAY 1945 AAFPOA (VII Fighter Command): P-47s fly heckler strikes against Kyushu Island, Japan during the night of 21/22 May. WEDNESDAY, 23 MAY 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 181: During the night of 23/24 May, 520 out of 562 B-29s sent against Tokyo bomb an urban-industrial area S of the Imperial Palace along the W side of the harbor; 5 others hit targets of opportunity; 17 B-29s are lost; this is the largest number of B-29s participating in a single mission during World War II. THURSDAY, 24 MAY 1945 AAFPOA Seventh Air Force: 26 Guam Island-based B-24s pound the airfield and surrounding area on Marcus Island. VII Fighter Command: 120 Iwo Jima Island-based P-51s dispatched against Matsudo and Tokorozawa, Japan abort because of weather; P-47s fly heckler strikes against Kyushu Island, Japan during the night of 24/25 May. HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 182: During the night of 24/25 May, 25 B-29s lay mines in Shimonoseki Strait and at Niigata, Nanao, and Fushiki. SATURDAY, 26 MAY 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 16 P-47s from Saipan Island strafe airfields on Moen Island, the seaplane base on Dublon Island, and several targets of opportunity, all in Truk Atoll. Mission 184: During the night of 26/27 May, 29 B-29s mine waters in Shimonoseki Strait and at Fushiki, Fukuoka, and Karatsu. MONDAY, 28 MAY 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): In Japan, fighters from Iwo Jima Island hit Kasumigaura and its airfield with 6 planes claimed destroyed and 40+ damaged and P-47s fly heckler strikes against Kyushu during the night of 28/29 May. The Japanese wage their last strong air effort on Okinawa hitting a number of ships and sinking the destroyer USS Drexler (DD-741). SATURDAY, 2 JUNE 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): P-47s fly heckler strikes against Kyushu Island, Japan during the night of 2/3 Jun. MONDAY, 4 JUNE 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 8 P-51s from Iwo Jima Island bomb the radio station on Chichi Jima Island and strafe the town of Okimura on Haha Jima Island during the return flight. P-47s fly heckler strikes against Kyushu Island, Japan during the night of 4/5 Jun. WEDNESDAY, 6 JUNE 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 36 Ie Shima Island-based P-47s, sweeping the S part of Kyushu Island, Japan, hit numerous targets of opportunity with rockets and machinegun fire, and claim 9 aircraft downed; in the Ryukyu Islands, Ie Shima-based P-47s patrol over Amami Gunto Island, Japan, strafing a lighthouse and buildings. THURSDAY, 7 JUNE 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 189: 409 B-29s, escorted by 138 VII Fighter Command P-51s, drop incendiary and high explosive bombs on Osaka, Japan, hitting the east-central section of the city which contains industrial and transportation targets and the Osaka Army Arsenal (largest in Japan); despite being forced to bomb by radar because of heavy undercast, the B-29s burn out over 2 square miles (5.2 square km) of the city, destroying 55,000+ buildings; 9 other B-29s hit alternate targets; the P-51s claim 2-0-1 Japanese aircraft; 2 B-29s and 1 P-51 are lost. Mission 190: During the night of 7/8 Jun, 26 B-29s mine Shimonoseki Strait and waters around Fukuoka and Karatsu, Japan. 20 P-47s from Ie Shima Island hit targets of opportunity (radio station, warehouses, freighter, and motor launches) on Kyushu Island, Japan, and claim 5 aircraft downed. SATURDAY, 9 JUNE 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Five missions are flown. Mission 191: 44 B-29s attack the Kawanishi Aircraft Company's plant at Narao; 1 other hits a target of opportunity. Mission 192: 24 B-29s hit the Kawasaki plant at Akashi; there is 9/10 cloud cover and bombing is by radar; the village of Akashi rather than the factory is hit; 2 others bomb targets of opportunity. Mission 193: 42 B-29s hit Aichi's Atsuta factory; only 4 bombs hit the target area but 1 causes a devastating fire; 1 other hits a target of opportunity. Mission 194: During the night of 8/9 Jun, 26 B-29s mine Shimonoseki Strait; 1 other mines an alternate target. 20 P-47s from Ie Shima strafe various targets of opportunity on Kyushu Island, Japan. 57 P-51s from Iwo Jima Island pound Kagamigahara Airfield and the surrounding area in the Nagoya area; 20+ parked airplanes are claimed destroyed or damaged; 3 P-51s are lost. SUNDAY, 10 JUNE 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 6 missions are flown. Mission 195: 23 B-29s attack the seaplane base at Kasumigaura; 2 others hit alternate targets. Mission 196: 32 B-29s bomb an the Japan Aircraft Company plant at Tomioka; 1 other hits an alternate target. Mission 197: 118 B-29s are dispatched to hit the Nakajima Aircraft plant at Musashi; clouds cover the target and they hit the Hitachi engineering works at Kaigan; 2 others hit alternate targets. Mission 198: 26 B-29s attack the Hitachi plant at Chiba. Mission 199: 52 B-29s hit the Nakajima plants at Ogikubu and Omiya; 4 others hit alternate targets; 1 B-29 is lost. Mission 200: 29 B-29s attack the Tachikawa Army Air Arsenal and 3 others hit alternate targets. The VII Fighter Commands sends 107 P-51s to escort the B-29s; 27-7-10 Japanese aircraft are claimed without loss. 39 Ie Shima Island-based P-47s sweeping Kyushu Island, Japan, strafe numerous ground targets of opportunity, and claim 17 aircraft shot down. FRIDAY, 15 JUNE 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 203: 444 B-29s fly an incendiary mission against the Osaka- Amagasaki urban area, ending a month of concentrated fire raids against large Japanese cities; an additional 1.9 square miles (4.9 square km) of Osaka and 0.59 square miles (1.5 square km) of Amagasaki are burned out; 25 other B-29s hit alternate targets; 2 B-29s are lost. 123 P-51s are dispatched as escort but 380 miles (612 km) from Iwo Jima the fighters are warned by a weather plane of a towering front over Japan and they abort the mission; 1 P-51 is lost. Mission 204: During the night of 15/16 June, 30 B-29s mine Shimonoseki Strait and waters around Fukuoka, Karatsu, and Fushiki. TUESDAY, 19 JUNE 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 4 missions, 1 mining and 3 incindiary missions against secondary cities, are flown during the night of 19/20 Jun. Mission 210: 136 B-29s hit the Toyohashi urban area destroying 1.7 square miles (4.4 square km). Mission 211: 221 B-29s attack the Fukuoka urban area destroying 1.37 square miles (3.55 square km); 2 other B-29s attack alternate targets. Mission 212: 123 B-29s attack the Shizuoka urban area destroying 2.25 square miles (5.83 square km); 1 other hits an alternate target; 1 B-29 is lost. Mission 213: 28 B-29s mine Shimonoseki Strait and the waters at Niigata, Miyazu, and Maizuru. 47 Ie Shima Island-based P-47s bomb the airfield on Tokuno Island while 16 others patrol uneventfully over Amami-O-Shima Island. 117 fighters dispatched from Iwo Jima Island against Kagamigahara Airfield and Meiji, Japan abort because of bad weather. SATURDAY, 16 JUNE 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): P-61s arrive on Ie Shima Island and take over night heckler missions against Kyushu Island, Japan from the P-47s; other P-61s fly night intruder missions over Amami Gunto Island, Japan, bombing various targets of opportunity; 38 P-47s from Ie Shima Island dive-bomb boats, AA positions, runways, and buildings on Kikai Island, Japan. SUNDAY, 17 JUNE 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 1 mining and 4 incendiary missions are flown during the night of 17/18 Jun. Mission 205: 25 B-29s mine Shimonoseki Strait and waters around Kobe; 2 others mine alternate targets. Mission 206: 117 B-29s attack the Kagoshima urban area and 1 hits an alternate target; 2.15 square miles (5.56 square km) are destroyed; 1 B-29 is lost. Mission 207: 116 B-29s hit the Omuta urban area and 3 hit alternate targets; the was the heaviest attack of the 5 but only 0.217 square miles (0.56 square km) were destroyed, only 4.1% of the city's area. Mission 208: 130 B-29s hit the Hamamatsu urban area; 2.44 square miles (6.32 square km) are destroyed. Mission 209: 89 B-29s attack the Yokkaichi urban area; 1.23 square miles (3.19 square km) are destroyed. 33 P-47s from Ie Shima Island bomb and strafe shipping, the airfield, villages, a bridge and radar and radio facilities on Amami Gunto Island and Tokuno, Japan. During the night of 17/18 Jun, 2 P-61s from Ie Shima Island fly an unsuccessful (due to weather) intruder strike over Amami Gunto and Kyushu, Japan; this begins a campaign of night and day intruder missions over Kyushu and the Ryukyu Islands by the night fighters (12 more are flown during Jun). SATURDAY, 23 JUNE 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 221: In Japan, during the night of 23/24 Jun, 26 B-29s mine the harbors of Fukuoka, Karatsu, Sakai, and Niigata; 1 B-29 is lost; 38 P-47s from Ie Shima Island bomb airfields at Hakata and Itazuke and, during the return flight, attack 2 boats off Amami Gunto Island; 40 other P-47s bomb Saitozaki Airfield; 100 P-51s are dispatched from Iwo Jima Island to airfields at Kagamigahara and Hyakuri; they claim 19-3-16 aircraft in the air and 13-40 on the ground; 3 P-51s are lost. FRIDAY, 29 JUNE 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 2 missions are flown during the night of 29/30 Jun. Mission 238: 32 B-29s drop 209 tons of bombs on the Nippon Oil Company refinery at Kudamatsu, Japan without loss. Mission 239: 25 B-29s mine the W Shimonoseki Strait and waters around Maizuru and Sakata without loss. 34 P-47s from Ie Shima Island hit airfields at Kanoya and Kushira on Kyushu Island, Japan with rockets and machinegun fire, and attack shipping while returning, claiming 7 small vessels sunk. SUNDAY, 1 JULY 1945 AAF PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (Seventh Air Force): 2 B-24s from Guam Island, Mariana Islands, bomb the building concentration on Marcus Island in the N Pacific. 33 B-25s, operating in two flights from Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, bomb Chiran Airfield on Kyushu Island, Japan. 2 others hit Yaku-shima Island in the Osumi Islands. TUESDAY, 3 JULY 1945 WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Fifth AF fighters fly their first mission over Japan, P-51s destroying floatplanes in the Fukuoka harbor area on Kyushu. WEDNESDAY, 4 JULY 1945 WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: P-51s fly a massive sweep along the W coast of Kyushu Island, Japan. THURSDAY, 5 JULY 1945 WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Formosa, B-24s bomb Toshien, Takao, Toyohara and the nearby Kamioka supply area, and Taihoku Airfield. P-51s sweeping Kyushu Island, Japan strafe targets of opportunity and down several aircraft. MONDAY, 9 JULY 1945 AAF PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (Seventh Air Force): 43 B-24s from Okinawa bomb Omura Airfield, Kyushu, Japan (1 other bombs the airfield on Kikaiga-shima, Amami Islands, Ryukyu Islands) and 50+ Okinawa-based B-25s hit Tokuno Airfield on Tokuno Shima, Amami Islands. MONDAY, 9 JULY 1945 WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Luzon, P-38s and P-51s fly ground support in the Iguig area of the Cagayan River Valley and hit Sabangan. Nearly 50 P-51s are weathered out of a Kyushu, Japan sweep from Okinawa. TUESDAY, 10 JULY 1945 AAF PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (Seventh Air Force): During the night of 10/11 Jul, 1 B-24 from Okinawa bombs Karasehara Airfield, Japan; 43 other Okinawa-based B-24s bomb Wan and Sateku Airfields on Kikaiga-shima, Amami Islands; 50+ B-25s bomb Wan Airfield and Saha-Saki on Nakano Shima, Ryukyu Islands, and Kurume, Kyushu, Japan. WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Luzon, P-38s and P-51s support ground action in the N Cagayan Valley and hit enemy pockets E of Manila. On Formosa, B-24s bomb Tainan Airfield, destroying several planes, and bomb warehouses at Takao. Bad weather again prevents fighter sweep from Okinawa over Kyushu, Japan. WEDNESDAY, 11 JULY 1945 AAF PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (Seventh Air Force): During the night of 11/12 Jul, 2 B-24s from Okinawa attack Byu and Miyazaki Airfields, Kyushu, Japan. WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: P-51s sweep Kyushu, Japan. THURSDAY, 12 JULY 1945 AAF PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (Seventh Air Force): HQ Seventh AF on Okinawa is declared open by a General Order on this date. 47 B-24s from Okinawa, failing to bomb the primary target, Tsuiki, Japan because of clouds, attack the airfield on Kikaiga-shima, Amami Islands. 2 Okinawa-based B-24s bomb Byu and Miyazaki Airfields, Kyushu during the night. 50+ B-25s bomb Kanoya airfield and the town of Aburatsu on Kyushu and Tokuno airfield on Tokuno Shima, Amami Islands. On Kyushu, Chiran Airfield is pounded by 70 B-25s and A-26s (this is the first strike against Japan by Seventh AF A-26s); 2 more A-26s hit the Ibusuki seaplane station. WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: P-51s sweep Kyushu, Japan. FRIDAY, 13 JULY 1945 HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 268: During the night of 13/14 Jul, 30 B-29s mine Shimonoseki Strait and waters at Fukuoka, and ports at Seishin, Masan, and Reisui. SUNDAY, 15 JULY 1945 WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Kyushu Island, Japan, 58 B-24s hit airfields at Tomitaka and Usa. 25 B-24s pound Kikaiga-shima, Amami Islands, Miranoura on Yaku-shima, Osumi Islands, and an airfield on Tamega Island. MONDAY, 16 JULY 1945 WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Kyushu Island, Japan, B-24s, A-26s, B-25s, P-51s and P-47s from Okinawa and Ie Shima pound targets; P-51s hit several E coast targets, concentrating in the Kagoshima Bay area; 27 A-26s, 1 B-24, and 39 P-47s hit the airfield and bridge at Miyazaki; 33 B-24s bomb bridges at Nobeoka; 36 B-25s, a B-24 and an A-26 pound Sadohara bridge; 6 B-24s bomb harbor and town of Aburatsu; and 5 P-47s hit Yanagawa. TUESDAY, 17 JULY 1945 WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: P-51s over Kyushu and the N Ryukyu Islands attack shipping, severely damaging a 10,000-ton cargo vessel in the harbor on Amami- O-Shima Island and P-47s dive-bomb railroad tunnels NW and SW of Kagoshima, Kyushu. WEDNESDAY, 18 JULY 1945 WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: P-47s attack various targets of opportunity on Kyushu Island, Japan and P-51s attack communications lines, bridges, shipping, towns, and other targets throughout Kyushu and the Ryukyu Islands. P-38s hit communications and transportation targets throughout the N part of Formosa while B-24s pound the airfield at Matsuyama. FRIDAY, 27 JULY 1945 [US Army Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (USASTAF)] Twentieth Air Force: Mission 296: During the night of 27/28 Jul, 24 B-29s drop mines in Shimonoseki Strait, at Fukuoka, Niigata, Maizuru, Senzaki, and in Fukawa Bay; 1 other mines an alternate target; 3 B-29s are lost to heavy flak, 2 ditching with 13 men rescued and 1 crash landing on Iwo Jima and subsequently scrapped. WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: 60+ Fifth and Seventh AF B-24s pound a marshalling yard at Kagoshima, Kyushu and 50 escorting P-51s attack numerous nearby targets of opportunity; 150+ P-47s over Kyushu hit communications and industrial targets, including a tunnel S of Kurino, bridges at Okasa, Hitosuse-gawa, and Matsubase, and factories and a power plant at Yatsushiro. SATURDAY, 28 JULY 1945 WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Japan, 137 Ie Shima-based P-47s rocket and strafe airfields, oil stores, railroad yards, warehouses, industry, gun positions, and other targets on Kyushu at or near Kanoya, Metatsubara, Tachiarai, Kurume, Saga, and Junicho; 21 more P-47s attack shipping at Yatsushiro and A-26s and B-25s pound airfields at Kanoya; P-51s and B-25s, sweeping over the Inland Sea, destroy 2 small cargo vessels and a patrol boat and 70+ B-24s bomb shipping at Kure, claiming direct hits on a battleship and an aircraft carrier. SUNDAY, 29 JULY 1945 [US Army Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (USASTAF)] Twentieth Air Force: Mission 304: During the night of 29/30 Jul, 24 B-29s mine Shimonoseki Strait and the waters at Fukuoka, Karatsu, and Najin; 2 others mine alternate targets. WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: P-47s from Ie Shima and B-24s, B-25s, and A-26s from Okinawa pound targets in the Japanese Home Islands; 70+ B-24s pound shipping at Kure, 41 B-24s hit a factory and storage area NW of Aburatsu, shipping and engine works in Nagasaki and vicinity, and the towns of Nobeoka, Kyushu and Oita; B-25s hit Kagoshima, Kyushu, Kibana, a bridge, barracks and other buildings at Miyazaki, warehouses, a lighthouse, and navigation light at Tozaki-hana, and bomb Tokuno Shima; A-26s pound the naval base and engine works at Nagasaki; numerous P-47s hit the harbor at Kure, shipping and seaplane station at Ibusuki, railroad station, docks, and town area of Makurazaki, Chiran and Izumi Airfields, and shipping at Kagoshima Bay. P-51s hit numerous targets of opportunity on the S coast of Korea and on the S part of Kyushu, where shipping, railroads, and Omura, Kyushu and Sashiki factories are also attacked. MONDAY, 30 JULY 1945 WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Japan, 60+ B-25s and A-26s bomb Omura Airfield and 4 of the planes hit airfield at Izumi; P-47s support the strike and also hit numerous nearby targets of opportunity; B-25s, failing to find targets on a shipping sweep over Korean waters, bomb shipping, a railroad, and a warehouse in the Sendai area and covering P-51s also hit nearby targets of opportunity; 80+ P-47s bomb Sendai, leaving much of the town in flames; P-51s on photo reconnaissance of S Kyushu destroy trains and small craft; and nearly 80 P-47s attack the Miyazaki, Karasehara, and Tomitaka areas, firing warehouses and damaging barracks, hangars, towers, and other buildings, and blast buildings and construction on and near Shibushi Airfield. TUESDAY, 31 JULY 1945 WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Japan, 80+ B-24s pound the Kagoshima railroad yards and several other targets in the general area including the Sasebo naval base, Yaki-shima, and Nagasaki; A-26s and B-25s bomb Kanoya and Miyazaki Airfields and nearby targets, the Sasebo naval base, Marushima, warehouses at Nagasaki, and a factory and power plant on Koyagi Island; P-51s attack flak positions at Moji, blast shipping at Iki Island and off the NW and W coast of Kyushu, hit an island WSW of Sasebo, bomb railroad targets and warehouses in the Izumi area, and in general attack the railroad and road net and other communications targets throughout Kyushu and P-61s continue harassing missions during the night. P-51s over the Ryukyu Islands bomb airstrips on Miyako Island, and bomb a town in the Koniya area. SATURDAY, 4 AUGUST 1945 WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-25s over Kyushu, Japan hit an industrial area near Takanabe, bombing warehouses, factories, a railroad bridge, and marshalling yard. SUNDAY, 5 AUGUST 1945 WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Japan, 330+ B-24s, B-25s, A-26s, P-47s, and P-51s pound Tarumizu town, the industrial area on Kyushu and many targets of opportunity on Kyushu and in the Ryukyu Islands. MONDAY, 6 AUGUST 1945 [US Army Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (USASTAF)] Twentieth Air Force: The world's first atomic attack takes place. At 0245 hours, Colonel Paul W Tibbets pilots the B-29 ENOLA GAY off the runway at North Field, Tinian Island; at 2-minute intervals, 2 observation B-29s follow (Major Charles W Sweeney's GREAT ARTISTE and Captain George W Marquardt's Number 91. At 0915 hours (0815 hours Japan time) the atomic bomb is released over Hiroshima from 31,600 feet (9,632 meters); it explodes 50 seconds later. 80+% of the city's buildings are destroyed and over 71,000 people (Japanese figures; US figures say from 70,000 to 80,000) are killed. The ENOLA GAY lands on Tinian at 1458 hours, followed within the hour by the 2 observation B-29s. Almost 100 fighters from Iwo Jima attack airfields and military installations at 6 locations throughout the general area around Tokyo. WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Okinawa-based aircraft pound targets on Kyushu, Japan; 150+ P-47s and A-26s fight bad weather to hit the primary, Miyakonojo; 170+ B-24s, B-25s, and P-47s hit Kagoshima as a secondary target; and 60+ B-25s and P-51s attack shipping and ground targets of opportunity in the Tsushima Strait area and in the N Ryukyu Islands. P-51s operating in the area between Kyushu and Korea bomb an airfield and strafe numerous targets of opportunity on Saishu Island and P-47s bomb Anjo on Tanega Island. Other aircraft, operating individually or in pairs, hit various targets of opportunity on the S Korea coast, in the Inland Sea, S Honshu, W Shikoku Island, throughout the N Ryukyu Islands, and in the Shanghai, China area. TUESDAY, 7 AUGUST 1945 WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Japan, P-47s cover the Twentieth AF B-29 strike against Kyushu targets; B-24s and A-26s over Kyushu pound Tsuiki Airfield and other B-24s start fires at Omura; B-25s hit bridges and other targets at Matsubase and Kawajiri and bomb a convoy off Pusan, Korea; other B-25s hit Chiran and Izumi Airfields. fighter-bombers attack and considerably damage communications and transportation facilities throughout Kyushu. WEDNESDAY, 8 AUGUST 1945 WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Okinawa-based B-24s, B-25s, A-26s, P-51s, and P-47s carry out numerous strikes against targets on Kyushu Island, Japan; targets include the Usa and Tsuiki Airfields, communications and transport targets all over Kyushu, shipping between Kyushu and Korea, and targets of opportunity in the Ryukyu Islands, on the China coast, and on Formosa. P-47s escorting Twentieth AF B-29s claim 10 Japanese planes downed. THURSDAY, 9 AUGUST 1945 [US Army Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (USASTAF)] Twentieth Air Force: The second and last atomic bomb of World War II is dropped on Japan; Major Charles W Sweeney pilots a B-29, BOCK'S CAR , off the runway at North Field, Tinian Island, Mariana Islands, at 0230 hours; he is followed by 2 observation B-29s-the GREAT ARTISTE piloted by Captain Frederick C Bock (who has exchanged planes with Sweeney for the mission) and another B-29 piloted by Major James I Hopkins (who loses contact with the other 2 B-29s); the primary target, Kokura, is obscured by bad weather; the attack is made against the secondary target, Nagasaki. The bomb, dropped from 28,900 feet (8,809 meters) at 1158 hours (1058 hours Nagasaki time), explodes about a minute after release. Japanese reports claim nearly 24,000 killed; US figures estimate about 35,000. The attacking B-29s refuel on Okinawa, and return to Tinian by 2339 hours. Mission 322: During the night of 9/10 Aug, 95 B-29s bomb the Nippon Oil Refinery at Amagasaki; 2 others hit alternate targets. WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Japan, B-25s over Kyushu Island, bomb airfields at Kanoya, the town of Noma, shipping in Beppu Bay, bridges, factories, and oil storage at Tsurusaki, and shipping, coastal villages, and communications targets in the Tsushima Strait area; A-26s and A-20s hit Kanoya Airfield and the industrial areas of Kushikino, Minato, and Shimahira; B-24s over W Honshu Island bomb the airfield at Iwakuni; 200+ P-47s and P-51s hit numerous targets on Shikoku and Kyushu Islands, and in the Ryukyu Islands including airfields, barracks, harbor installations, bridges, shipping, vehicles, and various factories and storage facilities. FRIDAY, 10 AUGUST 1945 WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Japan, 80 B-24s, 118 B-25s, and 220+ P-47s and P-38s pound the Kumamoto area; 20+ B-24s bomb the Oita area; 39 P-51s provide cover over both targets; nearly 40 B-25s attack destroyers, cargo ships, and small vessels during a shipping sweep between Kyushu Island and Korea; P-47s bomb Sasebo Harbor; P-51s hit various targets of opportunity on Honshu and Kyushu and B-25s bomb targets of opportunity in the N Ryukyu Islands. SATURDAY, 11 AUGUST 1945 WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Japan, Okinawa-based B-24s, B-25s, A-26s, A-20s, and fighters flying about 530 sorties cause extensive destruction to shipping and shore installations in the Inland Sea, in the Tsushima area, and of communications, transportation, and other targets throughout Kyushu Island. SUNDAY, 12 AUGUST 1945 WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Japan, B-25s and A-26s hit Chiran and Kanoya Airfields while other A-26s and A-20s and P-47s hit the towns of Kushikino, Akune, and Miyazaki; more B-25s and fighter-bombers hit shipping and communications targets on Kyushu, the N Ryukyu Islands, and between Japan and Korea; the aircraft claim several small merchant ships sunk and damaged, and numerous bridges, railroads, factories, and other targets of opportunity hit. MONDAY, 13 AUGUST 1945 WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s and B-25s from Okinawa pound shipping in the waters off Korea and Kyushu Island and in the Inland Sea claiming several vessels sunk and damaged; P-47s over Keijo encounter 20 Japanese aircraft and claim at least 16 shot down. TUESDAY, 14 AUGUST 1945 WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-25s, P-47s, and P-51s attack shipping in Korea and Kyushu waters, claiming several vessels destroyed and damaged. P-47s over the Osaka-Nagoya, Japan area claim several Japanese aircraft shot down. WEDNESDAY, 15 AUGUST 1945 CENTRAL PACIFIC [US Army Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (USASTAF)]: All offensive action against Japan ends. WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: All offensive action against Japan ends. General of the Army Douglas MacArthur is notified that he is Supreme Commander for Allied powers. MacArthur tries to communicate with Tokyo using the War Department signal facilities, but when he receives no reply, he turns to the Army Airways Communications System (AACS). The AACS Manila station (call sign WXXU), tapped out MacArthur's instructions to the Japanese using a frequency over which AACS had been broadcasting uncoded weather information; the message reads: "From Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers To The Japanese Emperor, the Japanese Imperial Government, the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters Message Number Z-500 I have been designated as the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (the United States, the Republic of China, the United Kingdom and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) and empowered to arrange directly with the Japanese authorities for the cessation of hostilities at the earliest practicable date. It is desired that a radio station in the Tokyo area be officially designated for continuous use in handling radio communications between this headquarters and your headquarters. Your reply to this message should give the call signs, frequencies and station designation. It is desired that the radio communication with my headquarters in Manila be handled in English text. Pending designation by you of a station in the Tokyo area for use as above indicated, station JUM on frequency 13705 kilocycles will be used for this purpose and Manila will reply on 15965 kilocycles. Upon receipt of this message, acknowledge." Signed MacArthur. Within less than 2 hours, the Tokyo reply came back. This was the first direct communication between the Allies and Japan. TUESDAY, 28 AUGUST 1945 WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The occupation of Japan officially begins as an advance party arrives in the Home Islands. When the news of the Japanese proposal for surrender came on 15 Aug, the 68th Army Airways Communications System (AACS) Group, 7th AACS Wing, received orders to fly into Atsugi Airfield near Tokyo and set up the communications equipment necessary to guide in the first contingent of occupation troops. AACSs mission was to provide navigational aids, point-to-point communications with Okinawa, air-to-ground communications for planes in flight, weather data, and air traffic control. Colonel Gordon Blake quickly assembled a special unit of 5 hand-picked men. Colonel Blake and his AACS men, part of a 150 man task force, flew from Okinawa to Atsugi with 24 C-47 aircraft laden with equipment. In order to carry as much equipment as possible, the load was lightened by carrying only enough fuel to reach Atsugi. Although the Japanese had surrendered unconditionally, Blake and his communicators still did not know whether some might still be hostile. The sight of hundreds of Japanese Navy guards lined up along the airfield was not encouraging to the occupants of the first aircraft to land, but they were met by a group of courteous, English-speaking Japanese military personnel. The navy guards were in their honor. The AACS-men lost no time in getting operations into full swing, and by 29 Aug, the Atsugi control tower was completed. The first planes to arrive on 30 Aug were 5 additional C-47s carrying components to set up the first airborne radio station in Air Force history. Within a few hours, the first C-54 aircraft of the official occupation forces landed at Atsugi and by mid-afternoon Blake's AACS crews had directed 340+ takeoffs and landings at the rate of 1 every 2 minutes. On 30 Aug, Atsugi was the busiest airport in the world. |