West Field, Tinian, Marianas Islands Xxi Bomber
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The Story of The “Billy Mitchell Group” 468 H-Bomb Group – From the C.B.I. to the Marianas 276 WEST FIELD, TINIAN, MARIANAS ISLANDS XXIST BOMBER COMMAND JUNE 1945 THE BIG PUSH IS ON THE WAY © 2008 New England Air Museum. All rights reserved. The Story of The “Billy Mitchell Group” 468 H-Bomb Group – From the C.B.I. to the Marianas 277 468TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (VH) - JUNE 1945 June was the anniversary month for the 468th Bomb Group. On 5 June 1944 the first B-29 mission flown was directed at Bangkok, Thailand. June 15th of that year, the Group took part in another, more important “first” – the first land based mission against the Japanese home islands. Amongst those of us that are still here with the Group, the twelve succeeding months have been long, hard, and eventful. Thousands of words have been written during the year. The story of America’s new weapon, the B-29 Superfortress, the beginning of the assault on Japan, the longest bombing raids in history, and the new “Global Air Force.” One could go on forever, yet not capture the true meaning behind all of these. Underneath the pretty word picture was the blood and guts spilled, making the project a huge success. Further there was sweat, labor and red tape. Also to be found were good men and bad, efficient and inefficient. Somehow this heterogeneous mass congealed, and in so doing, brought forth the finished product – the most potent striking force in the Air Force today. The finest illustration can be found in the records of the Group’s June operations, which follow. The 468th Bomb Group flew 359 effective long-range bombing sorties against the Japanese homeland. Taking part in 10 missions, the Group averaged 35.9 aircraft per mission and led all other Groups in the Wing in operational performance. All records were shattered as the aerial “Blitz” of Japan went into high gear. The previous highs registered in the months of January and May were totally eclipsed by the figures amassed in June. In nearly every form of comparison the results are more than double the best performance figures of previous months. The box score for the individual missions flown is as follows: The first mission of the month was a daylight incendiary strike on 1 June against Osaka (58th Bomb Wing Field Order #10). The 468th Bomb Group had 35 aircraft airborne of which 32 hit the Primary Target, 1 a Target of Opportunity, with 2 aircraft failing to bomb because of mechanical difficulties. Bombing results were excellent with nearly all aircraft dropping visually from an altitude of 20,500 feet. Air opposition was slight. Sightings by Crew Members identified Jacks, Franks, Nicks, and Irvings - enemy fighter aircraft. Twenty-one attacks and three claims were reported. Flak was encountered at or near the Departure Point on Awaji, from Kobe, and from the target area. At the Primary Target it was meager to intense, accurate to inaccurate, with four of our aircraft reporting minor damage. It was believed that flak accuracy was affected by the heavy smoke spouting up to 25,000 feet from the burned city. A/C 542, Lady Hamilton II, Lt. Johnson, Pilot, 794th Bomb Squadron, was lost with cause unknown. Four days later a “3 Squadron” strike was flown against Kobe. This was Mission #11, another daylight incendiary attack. Thirty-three aircraft were scheduled and airborne. Of this number 32 aircraft bombed the Primary Target and 1 aircraft a Target of Opportunity. Bombing was excellent with the majority of aircraft getting good visual runs at 17,200 feet. Casualties were 1 aircraft lost to enemy action over the target (A/C 665, Capt. Arnold) and A/C 703, Major Mills, which crash landed at Iwo Jima. All members of A/C 703 were unharmed except the Bombardier who received a severe head injury. Air opposition was considered moderate. © 2008 New England Air Museum. All rights reserved. The Story of The “Billy Mitchell Group” 468 H-Bomb Group – From the C.B.I. to the Marianas 278 Approximately 95 enemy aircraft were sighted and 51 attacks reported. Enemy aircraft attacks were not aggressive, with only 2 coordinated attacks noted. A/C 665 was a victim of the fighters. Hit at the Primary Target, it made a valiant effort to reach the sea, but was unsuccessful. Many of the Crew were seen to bail out and it is believed that there was a good chance for all, unless injured by enemy action. The anti-aircraft fire encountered at Kobe was classed as moderate, accurate concentration with a few phosphorous bursts observed. Field Order No. 12, 7 June 1945. The third mission for the month was our first daylight precision attack. 31 aircraft were airborne each carrying twelve 1,000 lb. general-purpose bombs with a destination of the Osaka Arsenal. 27 aircraft bombed the Primary Target, 3 aircraft bombed Targets of Opportunity, with 1 aircraft failing to bomb any target due to mechanical failure. The execution of the mission was greatly hampered by poor weather. All aircraft had to bomb by radar due to a solid front from the Assembly Point over the target area and return. Fighter escort was furnished by P-51s from Iwo Jima. All 3 of our formations described it as excellent with cover furnished from the Assembly Point to the Initial Point, and the Primary Target. There was no enemy air opposition. The first two formations over the target reported flak as meager and inaccurate. The last formation received none. RCM “jamming” and the solid undercast were probably the chief cause of the enemy’s ineffectiveness. There were no personnel casualties, nor damage sustained by our aircraft. Field Order No. 14, 10 June 1945. Tomioka was the next target to face the weight of our bombs. On 10 June 33 aircraft were airborne with all but one bombing the Primary Target. Again weather upset our plans for precision bombing. The undercast over the Japanese mainland was 10/10 causing all aircraft to bomb by radar. Results ranged from poor to good. Some Crews reported their formation’s course onto the target as perfect followed by a glimpse of a few bombs hitting water, with the majority on land. One Crew reported smoke extending to a height of 11,000 feet. Again enemy air opposition was nil with only 7 sightings of enemy aircraft reported. Flak was meager and inaccurate. One Gunner reported seeing two yellow balloons flying at 5,000 feet north of the Primary Target area. There were no losses from the mission. A/C 424 sustained minor flak damage while bombing a Target of Opportunity. Field Order No. 15, 15 June 1945. Weather again plagued the next mission flown by the Group. On 15 June 40 aircraft were airborne for an incendiary strike against the urban area of Osaka. All of the aircraft bombing encountered solid 10/10 “soup” over the Empire. 33 aircraft hit the Primary Target by radar, 4 aircraft bombed Targets of Opportunity, while 3 aircraft failed to bomb for mechanical reasons. Results were unobserved. No opposition from the enemy was reported. No flak, no fighters, no losses! Field Order No. 16, 18 June 1945. Omuta was the next target. With the advent of this mission on 18 June came the new policy designed to knock out the secondary cities of Japan. This city with a population of approximately 200,000 was typical in all respects of many targets to follow. The attack was at night with all aircraft carrying incendiary bombs. 37 aircraft were airborne of which number 34 bombed Omuta, 1 aircraft hit a Target of Opportunity, and 2 aircraft were Early Returns having jettisoned their bombs because of mechanical failure. Again the Group came through unscathed with no losses and no aircraft damage. Crews reported sightings on 12 enemy night fighters, but no © 2008 New England Air Museum. All rights reserved. The Story of The “Billy Mitchell Group” 468 H-Bomb Group – From the C.B.I. to the Marianas 279 attacks were made. Flak at the Primary Target was very meager and inaccurate. Two searchlights were seen on left of course at the Initial Point and one in the target area. A barrage balloon was spotted at the first turning point. Most Crews reported excellent bomb runs and there were visual observations of general conflagration. Weather was from 6/10 to 10/10 undercast at the target. This forced most of the aircraft to bomb by radar, although 6 aircraft managed to drop visually. Field Order No. 17, 20 June 1945. The seventh mission of the 468th Bomb Group during the month was another night incendiary attack against Toyohashi. The mission was unique in that the greatest dangers encountered by the Crews came from the tremendous fires created by their own bombing. Aircraft reported severe turbulence coming from the thermal updrafts. Two aircraft had several Crew Members injured in the violent shake-up. Others reported debris hitting the bottom of the aircraft, smoke and fumes penetrating cabins, damage to bomb bay doors, etc. For totals on this mission, the Group had 38 aircraft airborne of which 35 bombed the Primary Target. Three aircraft were Early Returns. Casualties were confined to the 4 Crew Members injured by the thermal bouncing. None of these were serious, merely minor cuts and contusions. Two aircraft received minor damage. Enemy opposition was slight. There were 15 sightings reported on night fighters with 3 non-aggressive attacks. Flak over the target was of automatic weapons and medium type with the anti-aircraft fire throwing up meager to moderate, inaccurate fire, while the medium was meager and inaccurate.