Uncle Bob's Missions...
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To quote our friend J.Bowman, in italics:
1). 24 Nov 44, Z-6, Field, Tokyo (1st bombing raid on Japan by B-29s from Saipan) 2). 27 Nov 44, Z-6, Field, Tokyo, LR (Last Resort target) Note: Lost engine at IP. *3 Dec 44, Z-6, Field, Tokyo, Abort Note: Aborted 30 miles before IP, before reaching coast, reason unknown. *8 Dec 44, Z-6, Calhoun, Iwo Jima 3). 18 Dec 44, Z-8, Fitzgerald, Nagoya 4). 22 Dec 44, Z-4, Fitzgerald, Nagoya *3 Jan 45, Z-8, Fitzgerald, Nagoya, Abort Note: Fuel transfer system failed. 5). 10 Jan 45, Z-8, Fitzgerald, Tokyo Note: This was a Weather Strike Mission (WSM). WSM's were flown by individual aircraft with dual mission of gathering weather data along route and over Japan and bombing small, designated targets or targets of opportunity. This particular mission was against the Ogura Oil Co near Tokyo. The plane was attacked by a fighter over Tokyo but wasn't hit. They did take a hit from flak in the stabilizer but nothing serious. 6). 19 Jan 45, Z-8, Fitzgerald, Akashi 7). 27 Jan 45, Z-5, Fitzgerald, Tokyo 8). 15 Feb 45, Z-8, Fitzgerald, Nagoya 9). 19 Feb 45, Z-8, Fitzgerald, Tokyo 10). 4 Mar 45, Z-8, Fitzgerald, Tokyo 11). 9-10 Mar 45, Z-8, Fitzgerald, Tokyo 12). 13-14 Mar 45, Z-8, Fitzgerald, Osaka 16-17 Mar 45, Z-8, Fitzgerald, Kobe Note: Rammed over Kobe, Japan by Japanese pilot Ogata. B-29 aircraft and crew lost. (Read in more detail on the KIA Info page) "My count is 12 credited missions, plus 1 Iwo Jima, 2 aborts, and the final mission from which they did not return." (Courtesy J.Bowman) * Aborted missions not credited |
Official 500th BG handwritten note of their first mission to Japan on 24 November 1944. Column 1-take off rotation; Column 2-individual B-29 radio call sign; Column 3-Aircraft Commander; Column 4-takeoff times; Column 5-return to Saipan times
Below are two file formats of pdf and Excel xls of all the B29's in the 881 st squadron (Z Square aircraft). This listing was originally provided to us in the Excel XLS format so it may be advantageous to try that first for proper display. It shows A/C, disposition of the aircraft, MACR's, serial numbers, etc., . This is a very nice spreadsheet put together by Ed Lawson and Doug Commela
| 500th_missions_fp.pdf |
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This is a sample image of the first page:
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| 500th_missions_fp.xls |
Mission details and clarifications
* "B-29s assisted flights of B-24s in bombing the air fields and Japanese planes on Iwo Jima to
keep them the Japanese from bombing our air fields and planes on Saipan, Guam and Tinian.
The Japanese did bomb us several times and wrecked many B-29s on the hardstands." (R.Cookson)
* "IP is the "Initial Point" where the bomb run begins for the target. The B-29s
usually met up off the coast of Japan prior to going to the IP, circling until all or most
of the group were together. Then they headed for the IP, which could be 30 to 60
minutes and dozens and dozens of miles from the target area selected. Uncle Bob's
crew was the lead plane on a lot of these missions." (R.Cookson)
* "Credited Missions needed for rotation home for B-29 crews during WWII was raised from 25 to 30 to 35 due
to the shortage of qualified replacement crews." (R.Cookson)
* "Credited Missions were only counted for bombing flights flown over Japan. All others, such as the bombing of Iwo Jima,
were considered "practice" missions." (R.Cookson)
* Mission Symbols (ie: bombs or camels) painted on left side of fuselage. Represented all missions flown by a particular aircraft, regardless of crew.
From the 500th Bomb Group Operations Journal:
10 Jan 45
Weather Strike Mission #103 (Wing) was run today. Target was the OGURA OIL Co, TOKYO. Major Fitzgerald [in Z-8, 42-24743] reached the target and dropped 19 x M18IB [M18 incendiary cluster] on it at 1154Z [2154 local] from 27,500 feet. Bomb load was 20 x M18's but due to a rack malfunction, one (1) was dropped in the ocean.
One twin engine E/A [enemy aircraft] made a single pass over Tokyo firing tracers from 2:30 [o'clock]. -- No damage. Flak was heavy [to] meager & one hit was sustained on stabilizer. About 35 searchlights were seen in TOKYO area. A/C [aircraft] received radio message to the effect that Z Square 45 had ditched.
There were no casualties on this mission.
18 Dec 44
On this day the 73rd Bomb Wing struck again at the Mitsubishi Aircraft Engine Factory in Nagoya, another daylight high-altitude mission. The 500th Bomb Group scheduled 24 aircraft for this mission, but one, Z-6 (Taylor crew), "Draggin' Lady", had magneto trouble and did not take off. This left 23 planes airborne.
Take-off was from 0713 to 0741. Each plane carried 10 x 500 lb general purpose bombs.
The 23 airplanes formed into two combat squadrons, the first led by Capt Charles Moreland in Z-42, "Supine Sue", with Lt Col Marcus Mullen, new Deputy Group Commander, taking the right seat as Force Leader. Maj Wilbur "Barney" Hurlbutt in Z-22, "Leading Lady", was Deputy Lead for this squadron.
Leading the second squadron was Lt Col Ralph "Pete" Reeve, CO 881st Squadron, flying with Maj Robert Luman and crew in Z-5, "There'll always be a Christmas". Maj Robert Fitzgerald in Z-8, "Wabash Cannonball", was deputy lead.
In the Consolidated Mission Report is what appears to be a first-hand critique. There is no signature block after it, but it was probably authored by the Force Leader, Lt Col Mullen:
////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Begin Critique ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
CRITIQUE HELD ON MISSION #13
1st Squadron:
Nine planes assembled 10 minutes after the turn onto course from Marpi Pt. The formation was OK while cruising at 1000' until the climb began. There was only a thin overcast above, so no signal to disperse was given when the climb started. The formation broke out of the overcast at about 5000' somewhat spread out, but in a short time was assembled again. Another plane, presumably from the second squadron, came out of the overcast with the first squadron and took its place in the formation. At this point, and during the remainder of the climb, Cheney in #43 lagged behind. So there were 10 planes in the formation during the climb.
[This squadron originally had 11 planes assigned but that number included Z-6, which as previously mentioned failed to take off, and Z-30 (LaMarche), "Slick Dick", which soon developed a bad oil leak in #3 engine and had to abort, dropping its bombs on still Japanese-occupied Rota between Tinian and Guam to get rid of them. That left nine planes as noted. These were Z-42 (Moreland), "Supine Sue"; Z-22 (Hurlbutt), "Leading Lady"; Z-50 (Gregg), "Fancy Detail"; Z-41 (Barron), "The Baroness"; Z-47 (Amos), "Adam's Eve"; Z-43 (Cheney); Z-23 (Hays), "Ramblin Roscoe"; Z-26 (Parsons); and Z-21 (Pierce), "Devils' Delight". The tenth plane which joined from the second squadron was Z-7 (McNamer), "Naughty Nancy". - JEB]
Navigation was OK; as the climb progressed, stronger winds were encountered and the drift increased steadily. At the step in the climb at 18,000', the formation flew level for 15 minutes. Strong winds were encountered at the 20,000 ' level and the lead plane ended up crabbing enough to kill 40 degrees drift from the west. Landfall was made in good shape.
Nine ships were in formation during the bomb run. [The plane which had dropped out was Z-26, which could not keep up due to a problem with the #3 engine. This was the Parsons crew's first mission. Finding themselves alone over Japan and with a balky engine, they dropped their bombs on a target of opportunity, a fishing village, and scooted for home.] The formation was close until the turn was made into the bomb run, then it became somewhat loose. Half way to the IP, Moreland's radar went out (lead ship). The lead then changed to Hurlbutt, at about the IP. Hurlbutt took a few short turns to get on the bomb run heading but this was because the navigator failed to recognize the IP and overran it to some extent. [In defense of the navigator, there were several complaints in the post-mission comments about the poor selection of the IP.] The turn to the left was quite sharp after the mistake was realized. The bombardier saw the target through a break in the clouds and final correction was made to the right to get on the correct heading.
Bombing altitude was 31,550', airspeed(calibrated) was 190. The bomb run was on radar for about 2-1/2 minutes. The bombardier corrected visually, but the results were unobserved. Bombing was done on a heading of about 260-265 degrees.
Withdrawal was made by a sharp turn to the left and a decrease in airspeed to 185. The formation stayed well together until dark and then broke up.
Flak in general was below the formation. Fighter attacks were meager. Only five planes were bothered by frosting.
2nd Squadron:
Assembly was good. 12 planes formed at Marpi Pt. Upon reaching the front, the lead ship signaled for the climb but the second element was ahead of the lead element. As a result, when the formation broke out of the overcast, there were only seven planes out of the original 12 that started up. These planes were 24, 1, 5, 8, 4 [plus 2 & 9]. The others were not seen again. The formation of the seven planes was not too good. They seemed to be waiting for the other five planes to catch up and take their original positions, so several slots were left open. Radio silence was broken by Col. Reeve to get them into close formation, and then it was OK.
[There were originally 13 planes assigned to this squadron, but as we have seen, Z-7 joined the first squadron. The remaining 12 were Z-5 (Luman), "There'll always be a Christmas"; Z-8 (Fitzgerald), "Wabash Cannonball"; Z-3 (Samuelson), "Snafu-perfort"; Z-4 (Oswald), "Black Magic"; Z-9 (Hatch), "Nina Ross"; Z-1 (Bricker), "Pee Wee"; Z-49 (Feathers), "Three Feathers"; Z-2 (McGuire), "20th Century Limited"; Z-25 (Van Trigt), "American Beauty"; Z-29 (Savage), "Pacific Queen"; Z-28 (Gerwick), "Old Ironsides"; and Z-24 (Tackett), "Pride of the Yankees". Z-29 soon aborted due to "pilot sickness"; Z-3 turned back due to #4 turbo malfunction; and Z-49 also returned due to a problem with the #4 turbo. This left nine planes.]
The climb was slow, and from 28,000' to 32,000' a few planes began to straggle. The lead plane, #5, blew a cylinder head in #1 engine and was forced to leave the formation. Fitzgerald in #8 was asked if his radar was working and if he could take over the lead. His answer was negative. Oswald in #4 was also asked and his reply was also negative because his radar was not on and he did not know whether it worked or not. Reeve left the lead without knowing who was going to take over and so Fitzgerald took the lead.
[Straggling were Z-25 and Z-28, which bombed targets of opportunity. Then Z-5 aborted, as noted. This left only six planes of the second squadron to reach the target.]
Landfall was made approximately 50 miles to the right of the IP and a left turn was made in order to get on the scheduled route. The bomb run was made on a heading of 262 degrees. The IP was never seen. About six minutes of the bomb run was made by radar entirely, and the last three minutes were made visually. During the visual run final corrections were set in the bomb sight. Radar estimated the wind to be 204 knots per hour, and the ground speed was 111 MPH.
Bomb bay doors were open for 10 minutes. Airspeed was indicated at 190 on the run. 6 ships were over the target. [These were Z-8, Z-9, Z-4, Z-1, Z-2 and Z-24; but Z-2's bomb bay doors would not open, so only five planes dropped on the target.]
Withdrawal was to the left, and the airspeed increased to 210 before Fitzgerald recognized it and this was immediately reduced to 185. Formation was OK then. Formation was held until just outside of Ise Bay and then started to break up (this was too soon).
Flak encountered was right over the target, meager but very accurate. 2 fighters out of range seemed to be directing fire of flak. Heavier flak was encountered by the rear of the formation. McGuire in #2 was struck in #2 nacelle doors by a flak fragment. From 10 to 15 fighters atacked. Fighters seemed to make all their attacks from the inside of the bomb run and turn away from the target.
Van Trigt [Z-25] bombed Hamamatsu AF; Gerwick [Z-28] bombed Yokosuka, south of Yokohama.
There was a total of 7 aborts. Of these however, 1 bombed Hachicho Jima (Samuelson #3); one got over the target but could not release his bombs (McGuire #2); and one jettisoned his bombs about fifteen miles inland on course over Japan (Parsons #26). [Hugh Phillips, a gunner on the Parsons crew, is certain they bombed a fishing village on the coast.] LaMarche [Z-30] bombed Rota, but just to get rid of his bombs; he aborted shortly after take-off.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////// End Critique /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
One aircraft, Z-1 (Bricker crew), was forced to ditch on the way home when its fuel transfer pumps went out and the crew were unable to transfer fuel from the bomb bay tanks. Two other B-29's followed her down and radioed the ditching position. Four crewmen were lost in the ditching but the survivors made it into the life rafts and were sighted the next day by search planes sent out from Saipan. That night they were rescued by a submarine. However, they had to spend 28 days on the sub before getting back to Saipan. Most of the survivors eventually returned to duty.
Here are the members of the Bricker crew (#113):
AC Capt Linden O. Bricker
Copilot 2/Lt Kenneth R. Chidester
B 2/Lt Jack O. Mueller KIA
N 2/Lt Jay L. Meikle
FE 2/Lt Clifford B. Smith
Radio Sgt Edmund G. Smith
Ring G Cpl Emory A. Forrest KIA
RG Cpl John C. Estes KIA
LG Cpl William F. Frank KIA
Radar Sgt Richard J. Grinstead
TG Cpl Stephen J. Darienzo
The other 22 aircraft safely returned to Saipan, though some, particularly Z-2 and Z-24, had damage from flak or fighters. Landings were from about 2000 to 2300 hrs.
500th Bomb Group gunners made two claims on enemy aircraft. The ring gunner of Z-23 claimed a Zeke destroyed and the tail gunner of Z-50 claimed an Irving damaged (with the 20mm cannon, no less).
A total of 14 500th Group aircraft bombed the primary target. Bomb damage asessment showed results good, with 30 percent of target estimated destroyed.
22 Dec 44
On this day, for the third straight mission, the 73rd Bomb Wing went back to Nagoya, hoping to complete the destruction of the Mitsubishi Aircraft Engine Factory. But they would try something a little different this time. In hopes of confusing and dividing the opposition, two Groups would bomb downwind and the other two Groups would bomb upwind. The 500th Bomb Group drew the upwind run, which was the more dangerous because it left the planes over the target longer.
This was supposed to be another maximum effort, but the 500th could only schedule 14 planes. The low number was partly due to the requirement levied by Wing to provide three planes per day for weather strike missions. (The 500th pulled WSM duty from 20 to 29 December.)
Two of the scheduled 14 planes, Z-10 (Thompson), "Punchin' Judy", and Z-23 (Hays), "Ramblin Roscoe", had last-minute problems which scratched them from take-off. Another plane, Z-27 (Cordray), "Heavenly Body", also had problems but managed to get them fixed and took off later with the 497th Group (which was one of the Groups making the downwind run). All this left only eleven planes airborne in the 500th Group combat squadron.
Designated Group leader was Group Commander Lt Col John Dougherty, riding in Z-30 (LaMarche), "Slick Dick".
Take-off was from 0656 to 0706. Bomb load was 11 x 500 lb M76 incendiary bombs.
As the planes droned their long way toward Japan, their number grew even smaller. First, Z-7 (Sullivan), "Naughty Nancy", dropped out due to a turbo malfunction. Then Z-25 (Van Trigt), "American Beauty", developed oil leaks in #2 and #3 engines and had to turn back. Then successively Z-30 (LaMarche), "Slick Dick"; Z-3 (Jackson), "Snafu-perfort"; and Z-31 (McClure), "Homing De-Vice", aborted for various mechanical reasons. By the time landfall was made, only six planes were still in formation.
Fortunately, navigation was good and the formation was only five miles off the planned course when it hit the Japanese coast. As they headed toward the IP, the six planes tightened up their formation, well aware that Japanese fighters were attracted by stragglers and smaller formations.
When Lt Col Dougherty had to drop out in Z-30, tactical command fell to Maj Robert Fitzgerald in Z-4, "Black Magic". It was evidently Fitzgerald who out of concern over the vulnerability of his small formation made the tactical decision to bomb from 32,000 feet instead of the assigned 27,000 feet. It was hoped the increased altitude would be above the effective ceiling of most Japanese interceptors.
The Group was able to pick up the IP (southern end of Lake Biwa, east of Nagoya) through the clouds, but then the undercast became complete all the way to the target and the bomb run had to be made entirely by radar.
As the formation approached the target area, 1/Lt Stanley Pierce in Z-21, "Devils' Delight", was in the lead. Probably there was a problem with Z-4's radar, as Fitzgerald had dropped back to deputy lead position, on Pierce's right wing. On Pierce's left wing was Z-2 (Brown), "20th Century Limited". Leading the second element, to the right rear of the first, was Capt Joe Savage in Z-29, "Pacific Queen", with Z-24 (Hodge), "Pride of the Yankees" on his right wing and Z-26 (Parsons) on his left.
The attempt to avoid enemy fighters by bombing from a higher altitude was not successful, as the 500th was hit by about 70 attacks over the target. Z-26 was struck in her #1 engine nacelle and oil tank, and also in her radar dome, while Z-29 took a 20mm round in her astrodome. Fortunately, none of these hits was fatal. In return, 500th gunners claimed one enemy fighter destroyed, two probably destroyed, and four damaged.
Flak over the target was also fairly accurate. Z-24 took a hit in the fuselage behind the putt-putt engine, and Z-29, already struck by fighters, took three sizable holes in the vertical stabilizer. (A couple of feet lower and I wouldn't be writing this, as my father was the tail gunner on that plane.)
All six planes successfully dropped their bombs, at about 1436, but results were unobserved due to the cloud cover.
As the formation turned away from the target to the right, the second element fell behind. Parsons in Z-26 was having trouble with both his #1 and #3 engines and could not keep up, so Savage in Z-29 cut his speed to keep the element together for mutual protection.
Fortunately, all planes safely returned to Saipan, landing between 2033 and 2100. However, Z-29 must have had some control problems, because she had to make an emergency landing that damaged the main gear tires and wheels enough to require their replacement.
While the main 500th formation was being tested over Nagoya, Z-27 (Cordray), "Heavenly Body", was having her own adventure. As you recall, this plane had been delayed on the ground and had taken off with the 497th Group. She made it to the target okay, undergoing several fighter atacks but coming through unscathed. Unfortunately, when she tried to drop her bombs, nothing happened -- rack malfunction. The bombs were successfully jettisoned later and Z-27 safely returned home.
There is interesting story behind Z-27's rack malfunction. John Ciardi, the right gunner, tells it like this:
"Doc" [2/Lt Lynn Grow], toggled the bombs out on the lead bombardier and called for verification. I couldn't get my head into the blister to look out. The flak helmet wedged in the way. [The problem of the flak helmets being too big to fit into the blisters was a frequent gunner complaint. - JEB] I ripped it off and looked out: no bombs. But cruising along 50 ft under our open bomb bay doors right down the bomb run was one of the A Square [497th Bomb Group] boys doing a little sightseeing. Doc's warning lights were telling him no bombs had dropped and he was working the toggles hard. I interphoned a stop to that in a hurry. We were carrying 11 500-pounders with instantaneous fuses. If one of them had hit our little friend down below, both of us and a good piece of the nearest elements of the formation would have been making a badly splashed Christmas in and under Nagoya. The miracle was that our bomb releases had frozen tight."
(Courtesy J. Bowman)
keep them the Japanese from bombing our air fields and planes on Saipan, Guam and Tinian.
The Japanese did bomb us several times and wrecked many B-29s on the hardstands." (R.Cookson)
* "IP is the "Initial Point" where the bomb run begins for the target. The B-29s
usually met up off the coast of Japan prior to going to the IP, circling until all or most
of the group were together. Then they headed for the IP, which could be 30 to 60
minutes and dozens and dozens of miles from the target area selected. Uncle Bob's
crew was the lead plane on a lot of these missions." (R.Cookson)
* "Credited Missions needed for rotation home for B-29 crews during WWII was raised from 25 to 30 to 35 due
to the shortage of qualified replacement crews." (R.Cookson)
* "Credited Missions were only counted for bombing flights flown over Japan. All others, such as the bombing of Iwo Jima,
were considered "practice" missions." (R.Cookson)
* Mission Symbols (ie: bombs or camels) painted on left side of fuselage. Represented all missions flown by a particular aircraft, regardless of crew.
From the 500th Bomb Group Operations Journal:
10 Jan 45
Weather Strike Mission #103 (Wing) was run today. Target was the OGURA OIL Co, TOKYO. Major Fitzgerald [in Z-8, 42-24743] reached the target and dropped 19 x M18IB [M18 incendiary cluster] on it at 1154Z [2154 local] from 27,500 feet. Bomb load was 20 x M18's but due to a rack malfunction, one (1) was dropped in the ocean.
One twin engine E/A [enemy aircraft] made a single pass over Tokyo firing tracers from 2:30 [o'clock]. -- No damage. Flak was heavy [to] meager & one hit was sustained on stabilizer. About 35 searchlights were seen in TOKYO area. A/C [aircraft] received radio message to the effect that Z Square 45 had ditched.
There were no casualties on this mission.
18 Dec 44
On this day the 73rd Bomb Wing struck again at the Mitsubishi Aircraft Engine Factory in Nagoya, another daylight high-altitude mission. The 500th Bomb Group scheduled 24 aircraft for this mission, but one, Z-6 (Taylor crew), "Draggin' Lady", had magneto trouble and did not take off. This left 23 planes airborne.
Take-off was from 0713 to 0741. Each plane carried 10 x 500 lb general purpose bombs.
The 23 airplanes formed into two combat squadrons, the first led by Capt Charles Moreland in Z-42, "Supine Sue", with Lt Col Marcus Mullen, new Deputy Group Commander, taking the right seat as Force Leader. Maj Wilbur "Barney" Hurlbutt in Z-22, "Leading Lady", was Deputy Lead for this squadron.
Leading the second squadron was Lt Col Ralph "Pete" Reeve, CO 881st Squadron, flying with Maj Robert Luman and crew in Z-5, "There'll always be a Christmas". Maj Robert Fitzgerald in Z-8, "Wabash Cannonball", was deputy lead.
In the Consolidated Mission Report is what appears to be a first-hand critique. There is no signature block after it, but it was probably authored by the Force Leader, Lt Col Mullen:
////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Begin Critique ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
CRITIQUE HELD ON MISSION #13
1st Squadron:
Nine planes assembled 10 minutes after the turn onto course from Marpi Pt. The formation was OK while cruising at 1000' until the climb began. There was only a thin overcast above, so no signal to disperse was given when the climb started. The formation broke out of the overcast at about 5000' somewhat spread out, but in a short time was assembled again. Another plane, presumably from the second squadron, came out of the overcast with the first squadron and took its place in the formation. At this point, and during the remainder of the climb, Cheney in #43 lagged behind. So there were 10 planes in the formation during the climb.
[This squadron originally had 11 planes assigned but that number included Z-6, which as previously mentioned failed to take off, and Z-30 (LaMarche), "Slick Dick", which soon developed a bad oil leak in #3 engine and had to abort, dropping its bombs on still Japanese-occupied Rota between Tinian and Guam to get rid of them. That left nine planes as noted. These were Z-42 (Moreland), "Supine Sue"; Z-22 (Hurlbutt), "Leading Lady"; Z-50 (Gregg), "Fancy Detail"; Z-41 (Barron), "The Baroness"; Z-47 (Amos), "Adam's Eve"; Z-43 (Cheney); Z-23 (Hays), "Ramblin Roscoe"; Z-26 (Parsons); and Z-21 (Pierce), "Devils' Delight". The tenth plane which joined from the second squadron was Z-7 (McNamer), "Naughty Nancy". - JEB]
Navigation was OK; as the climb progressed, stronger winds were encountered and the drift increased steadily. At the step in the climb at 18,000', the formation flew level for 15 minutes. Strong winds were encountered at the 20,000 ' level and the lead plane ended up crabbing enough to kill 40 degrees drift from the west. Landfall was made in good shape.
Nine ships were in formation during the bomb run. [The plane which had dropped out was Z-26, which could not keep up due to a problem with the #3 engine. This was the Parsons crew's first mission. Finding themselves alone over Japan and with a balky engine, they dropped their bombs on a target of opportunity, a fishing village, and scooted for home.] The formation was close until the turn was made into the bomb run, then it became somewhat loose. Half way to the IP, Moreland's radar went out (lead ship). The lead then changed to Hurlbutt, at about the IP. Hurlbutt took a few short turns to get on the bomb run heading but this was because the navigator failed to recognize the IP and overran it to some extent. [In defense of the navigator, there were several complaints in the post-mission comments about the poor selection of the IP.] The turn to the left was quite sharp after the mistake was realized. The bombardier saw the target through a break in the clouds and final correction was made to the right to get on the correct heading.
Bombing altitude was 31,550', airspeed(calibrated) was 190. The bomb run was on radar for about 2-1/2 minutes. The bombardier corrected visually, but the results were unobserved. Bombing was done on a heading of about 260-265 degrees.
Withdrawal was made by a sharp turn to the left and a decrease in airspeed to 185. The formation stayed well together until dark and then broke up.
Flak in general was below the formation. Fighter attacks were meager. Only five planes were bothered by frosting.
2nd Squadron:
Assembly was good. 12 planes formed at Marpi Pt. Upon reaching the front, the lead ship signaled for the climb but the second element was ahead of the lead element. As a result, when the formation broke out of the overcast, there were only seven planes out of the original 12 that started up. These planes were 24, 1, 5, 8, 4 [plus 2 & 9]. The others were not seen again. The formation of the seven planes was not too good. They seemed to be waiting for the other five planes to catch up and take their original positions, so several slots were left open. Radio silence was broken by Col. Reeve to get them into close formation, and then it was OK.
[There were originally 13 planes assigned to this squadron, but as we have seen, Z-7 joined the first squadron. The remaining 12 were Z-5 (Luman), "There'll always be a Christmas"; Z-8 (Fitzgerald), "Wabash Cannonball"; Z-3 (Samuelson), "Snafu-perfort"; Z-4 (Oswald), "Black Magic"; Z-9 (Hatch), "Nina Ross"; Z-1 (Bricker), "Pee Wee"; Z-49 (Feathers), "Three Feathers"; Z-2 (McGuire), "20th Century Limited"; Z-25 (Van Trigt), "American Beauty"; Z-29 (Savage), "Pacific Queen"; Z-28 (Gerwick), "Old Ironsides"; and Z-24 (Tackett), "Pride of the Yankees". Z-29 soon aborted due to "pilot sickness"; Z-3 turned back due to #4 turbo malfunction; and Z-49 also returned due to a problem with the #4 turbo. This left nine planes.]
The climb was slow, and from 28,000' to 32,000' a few planes began to straggle. The lead plane, #5, blew a cylinder head in #1 engine and was forced to leave the formation. Fitzgerald in #8 was asked if his radar was working and if he could take over the lead. His answer was negative. Oswald in #4 was also asked and his reply was also negative because his radar was not on and he did not know whether it worked or not. Reeve left the lead without knowing who was going to take over and so Fitzgerald took the lead.
[Straggling were Z-25 and Z-28, which bombed targets of opportunity. Then Z-5 aborted, as noted. This left only six planes of the second squadron to reach the target.]
Landfall was made approximately 50 miles to the right of the IP and a left turn was made in order to get on the scheduled route. The bomb run was made on a heading of 262 degrees. The IP was never seen. About six minutes of the bomb run was made by radar entirely, and the last three minutes were made visually. During the visual run final corrections were set in the bomb sight. Radar estimated the wind to be 204 knots per hour, and the ground speed was 111 MPH.
Bomb bay doors were open for 10 minutes. Airspeed was indicated at 190 on the run. 6 ships were over the target. [These were Z-8, Z-9, Z-4, Z-1, Z-2 and Z-24; but Z-2's bomb bay doors would not open, so only five planes dropped on the target.]
Withdrawal was to the left, and the airspeed increased to 210 before Fitzgerald recognized it and this was immediately reduced to 185. Formation was OK then. Formation was held until just outside of Ise Bay and then started to break up (this was too soon).
Flak encountered was right over the target, meager but very accurate. 2 fighters out of range seemed to be directing fire of flak. Heavier flak was encountered by the rear of the formation. McGuire in #2 was struck in #2 nacelle doors by a flak fragment. From 10 to 15 fighters atacked. Fighters seemed to make all their attacks from the inside of the bomb run and turn away from the target.
Van Trigt [Z-25] bombed Hamamatsu AF; Gerwick [Z-28] bombed Yokosuka, south of Yokohama.
There was a total of 7 aborts. Of these however, 1 bombed Hachicho Jima (Samuelson #3); one got over the target but could not release his bombs (McGuire #2); and one jettisoned his bombs about fifteen miles inland on course over Japan (Parsons #26). [Hugh Phillips, a gunner on the Parsons crew, is certain they bombed a fishing village on the coast.] LaMarche [Z-30] bombed Rota, but just to get rid of his bombs; he aborted shortly after take-off.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////// End Critique /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
One aircraft, Z-1 (Bricker crew), was forced to ditch on the way home when its fuel transfer pumps went out and the crew were unable to transfer fuel from the bomb bay tanks. Two other B-29's followed her down and radioed the ditching position. Four crewmen were lost in the ditching but the survivors made it into the life rafts and were sighted the next day by search planes sent out from Saipan. That night they were rescued by a submarine. However, they had to spend 28 days on the sub before getting back to Saipan. Most of the survivors eventually returned to duty.
Here are the members of the Bricker crew (#113):
AC Capt Linden O. Bricker
Copilot 2/Lt Kenneth R. Chidester
B 2/Lt Jack O. Mueller KIA
N 2/Lt Jay L. Meikle
FE 2/Lt Clifford B. Smith
Radio Sgt Edmund G. Smith
Ring G Cpl Emory A. Forrest KIA
RG Cpl John C. Estes KIA
LG Cpl William F. Frank KIA
Radar Sgt Richard J. Grinstead
TG Cpl Stephen J. Darienzo
The other 22 aircraft safely returned to Saipan, though some, particularly Z-2 and Z-24, had damage from flak or fighters. Landings were from about 2000 to 2300 hrs.
500th Bomb Group gunners made two claims on enemy aircraft. The ring gunner of Z-23 claimed a Zeke destroyed and the tail gunner of Z-50 claimed an Irving damaged (with the 20mm cannon, no less).
A total of 14 500th Group aircraft bombed the primary target. Bomb damage asessment showed results good, with 30 percent of target estimated destroyed.
22 Dec 44
On this day, for the third straight mission, the 73rd Bomb Wing went back to Nagoya, hoping to complete the destruction of the Mitsubishi Aircraft Engine Factory. But they would try something a little different this time. In hopes of confusing and dividing the opposition, two Groups would bomb downwind and the other two Groups would bomb upwind. The 500th Bomb Group drew the upwind run, which was the more dangerous because it left the planes over the target longer.
This was supposed to be another maximum effort, but the 500th could only schedule 14 planes. The low number was partly due to the requirement levied by Wing to provide three planes per day for weather strike missions. (The 500th pulled WSM duty from 20 to 29 December.)
Two of the scheduled 14 planes, Z-10 (Thompson), "Punchin' Judy", and Z-23 (Hays), "Ramblin Roscoe", had last-minute problems which scratched them from take-off. Another plane, Z-27 (Cordray), "Heavenly Body", also had problems but managed to get them fixed and took off later with the 497th Group (which was one of the Groups making the downwind run). All this left only eleven planes airborne in the 500th Group combat squadron.
Designated Group leader was Group Commander Lt Col John Dougherty, riding in Z-30 (LaMarche), "Slick Dick".
Take-off was from 0656 to 0706. Bomb load was 11 x 500 lb M76 incendiary bombs.
As the planes droned their long way toward Japan, their number grew even smaller. First, Z-7 (Sullivan), "Naughty Nancy", dropped out due to a turbo malfunction. Then Z-25 (Van Trigt), "American Beauty", developed oil leaks in #2 and #3 engines and had to turn back. Then successively Z-30 (LaMarche), "Slick Dick"; Z-3 (Jackson), "Snafu-perfort"; and Z-31 (McClure), "Homing De-Vice", aborted for various mechanical reasons. By the time landfall was made, only six planes were still in formation.
Fortunately, navigation was good and the formation was only five miles off the planned course when it hit the Japanese coast. As they headed toward the IP, the six planes tightened up their formation, well aware that Japanese fighters were attracted by stragglers and smaller formations.
When Lt Col Dougherty had to drop out in Z-30, tactical command fell to Maj Robert Fitzgerald in Z-4, "Black Magic". It was evidently Fitzgerald who out of concern over the vulnerability of his small formation made the tactical decision to bomb from 32,000 feet instead of the assigned 27,000 feet. It was hoped the increased altitude would be above the effective ceiling of most Japanese interceptors.
The Group was able to pick up the IP (southern end of Lake Biwa, east of Nagoya) through the clouds, but then the undercast became complete all the way to the target and the bomb run had to be made entirely by radar.
As the formation approached the target area, 1/Lt Stanley Pierce in Z-21, "Devils' Delight", was in the lead. Probably there was a problem with Z-4's radar, as Fitzgerald had dropped back to deputy lead position, on Pierce's right wing. On Pierce's left wing was Z-2 (Brown), "20th Century Limited". Leading the second element, to the right rear of the first, was Capt Joe Savage in Z-29, "Pacific Queen", with Z-24 (Hodge), "Pride of the Yankees" on his right wing and Z-26 (Parsons) on his left.
The attempt to avoid enemy fighters by bombing from a higher altitude was not successful, as the 500th was hit by about 70 attacks over the target. Z-26 was struck in her #1 engine nacelle and oil tank, and also in her radar dome, while Z-29 took a 20mm round in her astrodome. Fortunately, none of these hits was fatal. In return, 500th gunners claimed one enemy fighter destroyed, two probably destroyed, and four damaged.
Flak over the target was also fairly accurate. Z-24 took a hit in the fuselage behind the putt-putt engine, and Z-29, already struck by fighters, took three sizable holes in the vertical stabilizer. (A couple of feet lower and I wouldn't be writing this, as my father was the tail gunner on that plane.)
All six planes successfully dropped their bombs, at about 1436, but results were unobserved due to the cloud cover.
As the formation turned away from the target to the right, the second element fell behind. Parsons in Z-26 was having trouble with both his #1 and #3 engines and could not keep up, so Savage in Z-29 cut his speed to keep the element together for mutual protection.
Fortunately, all planes safely returned to Saipan, landing between 2033 and 2100. However, Z-29 must have had some control problems, because she had to make an emergency landing that damaged the main gear tires and wheels enough to require their replacement.
While the main 500th formation was being tested over Nagoya, Z-27 (Cordray), "Heavenly Body", was having her own adventure. As you recall, this plane had been delayed on the ground and had taken off with the 497th Group. She made it to the target okay, undergoing several fighter atacks but coming through unscathed. Unfortunately, when she tried to drop her bombs, nothing happened -- rack malfunction. The bombs were successfully jettisoned later and Z-27 safely returned home.
There is interesting story behind Z-27's rack malfunction. John Ciardi, the right gunner, tells it like this:
"Doc" [2/Lt Lynn Grow], toggled the bombs out on the lead bombardier and called for verification. I couldn't get my head into the blister to look out. The flak helmet wedged in the way. [The problem of the flak helmets being too big to fit into the blisters was a frequent gunner complaint. - JEB] I ripped it off and looked out: no bombs. But cruising along 50 ft under our open bomb bay doors right down the bomb run was one of the A Square [497th Bomb Group] boys doing a little sightseeing. Doc's warning lights were telling him no bombs had dropped and he was working the toggles hard. I interphoned a stop to that in a hurry. We were carrying 11 500-pounders with instantaneous fuses. If one of them had hit our little friend down below, both of us and a good piece of the nearest elements of the formation would have been making a badly splashed Christmas in and under Nagoya. The miracle was that our bomb releases had frozen tight."
(Courtesy J. Bowman)
Official Air Corp report of Weather Strike Mission flown on 10 Jan 45...
"Whether there will ever be another war is doubtful, as fighters and bombers have given way to helicopters
and remotely controlled drones over Afghanistan and Iraq. But within living memory, men left the earth in
1,000-plane formations and fought major battles five miles high, leaving a legacy that remains timeless."
(Flight Journal Magazine)
and remotely controlled drones over Afghanistan and Iraq. But within living memory, men left the earth in
1,000-plane formations and fought major battles five miles high, leaving a legacy that remains timeless."
(Flight Journal Magazine)
Naval Operations Pacific Theatre map
Bombers hitting Japan to end the war, were based from Saipan and the Marianas
