1944: Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1945 1st ½: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep 1945 2nd ½: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep

The basic chronology and general information on these pages is a composite of entries excerpted from “Air War Pacific Chronology: America’s Air War Against Japan in East Asia and the Pacific 1941-1945” by Eric Hammel (Pacifica, CA: Pacifica Press, 1988 ISBN 0-933353-26-6) and, “USAAF Chronology: Combat Chronology of the US Army Air Forces” by Jack McKillop (Piscataway, NJ). Also on line at Rutgers University.

Note: Shaded boxes show updates and comments from members of our B-29 mailing list, many of whom were there.

1 MAY 1945 (pg 638) No actions reported.

2 MAY 1945 (pg 638) No actions reported.

3 MAY 1945 (pg 639)

JAPAN: - Seven missions are flown:

The B-29 lost was: 42-63462 "The Lemon" 40th BG: Fuselage broke in two on landing at Tinian. Lt. Dick Covey Crew, all survived.

(Mission 137) 42-24873 (M-7), 19 BG: Lt Robert Spencer's ship was hit by flak over the target and lost fuel. They ditched about 80 miles of shore. Five of the crew were lost, while the surviving Crew members were picked up by submarine: A/C: 1st Lt Robert Spencer --- (Lost) Pilot: 2nd Lt Burl Wiley --- (Lost) Bombardier: 2nd Lt Bean Vezeau Nav: 2nd Lt Adolph Hechinger --- (Lost) Radar: 2nd Lt Sherwood Eriksson FE: S/Sgt Lynn Barnett --- (Lost) Radio: Cpl John Kimbell Jr --- (Lost) CFC: S/Sgt Edwin Ownby RG: Cpl Alex Nomick LG: Cpl William Muchkivch TG: Cpl Richard Marolewski

4 MAY 1945 (pg 640)

JAPAN:

(Missions 140-143) Forty-seven B-29's attack airfields at Oita, Omura, Saeki, and Matsuyama on Kyushu and Shikoku. Two other B-29's attack targets of opportunity. One B-29 is lost.

INDIA: - The 792nd, 793rd, 794th BS's and 468th BG begin a movement from Kharagpur, India to Tinian.

5 MAY 1945 (pg 638)

JAPAN:

Seven missions are flown:

Five B-29's are lost: 42-93953 29th BG MACR 14364 Miller Crew, 11 KIA Shikoku 42-65305 29th BG MACR 14363 Watkins Crew, (see below) 44-69899 A56, 497th BG MACR 14365 McSpadden Crew, 11 MIA 42-63416 498th BG MACR 14366 Davis Crew, 4 rescued, 7 MIA 42-24471 498th BG Tunnell crew, all survived 42-65305: Crew size unknown, hastily assembled in Guam. Perhaps 11 parachutes seen from the ground. One man's chute cut by Japanese aircraft. A second shot himself with last bullet just before capture. Two more killed at the site. Of the nine who remained, Capt. Watkins was sent to Tokyo and tortured, but survived the War. His eight fellow surviving crewmembers, however, died from vivisection experiments performed at the Department of Anatomy, Kyushu Imperial University, Fukuoka, Japan. (See reprint of Baltimore Sun article, Sunday, May 28, 1995, by Thomas Easton, Tokyo Bureau. Also quote from Dr. Charles Roland as well as B-29 crew picture at base and more documents.) Crew list: 1 Lt. Marvin S. Watkins, Pilot, Taken to Tokyo, interrogated, and interned at Omori POW Camp. Released at end of war. 2 Lt. William R. Fredericks, Co-Pilot, Died from vivisection 2 Lt. Dale E. Plambeck, Radar Navigator, Died from vivisection S/Sgt. Teddy J. Ponczka, Flight Engineer, Died from vivisection Cpl. Robert B. Williams, Radio Operator, Died from vivisection Cpl. Leon E. Czarnecki, Tail Gunner, Died from vivisection Cpl. John C. Colehower, Bombardier(?), Died from vivisection Shingledecker bombardier(?) -- details of death unknown Kearns, navigator -- Died at crash site Johnson, left gunner -- Died at crash site Oeinck, right gunner -- Died at crash site (Info from Winjerd's POW site. See crew photo.) 44-69899: Lost engines #3 & #4 before bomb run, but stayed on course to drop bombs. A-55 followed to protect her from a Tojo attack plane, downing the enemy plane. 44-69899 then slid into the ground. A-55's right gunner saw at least four parachutes, perhaps up to eight. Those crew members survive the crash but not the war. Flanagan and Sparks were executed on 20 July, and Lt. McSpadden on 15 August. Co-Pilot & AC: McSpadden, Joe S. 2d Lt KIA while POW Pilot: King Wilson K. 2d Lt KIA Nav-Bombardier: Hooser, Jack R. F/O KIA Bomb-Navigator: Foley, Harry J. 2d Lt. KIA while POW FE: Sparks Logan M. S/Sgt. KIA while POW Radar: Croake Thomas J. 2d Lt. KIA Radio: Gnr Kisti, Joseph F. S/Sgt KIA CFC Gunner: Flanagan, Erle P. S/Sgt KIA while POW LeftGunner: Meier, John A. S/Sgt KIA Right Gunner: Johnson, Howard R. Sgt. KIA Tail Gunner: Hansser, Louis J. T/Sgt KIA

6 MAY 1945 (pg 642) No actions reported.

7 MAY 1945 (pg 642)

JAPAN:

(Missions 151 to 154) Forty-one B-29's bomb airfields at Usa, Oita, Ibusuki, and Kanoya; B-29's claim 34 Japanese aircraft destroyed during the Usa and Oita missions. Three B-29's are lost.

The B-29's lost were: 42-65253 505th BG MACR 14716 "Mary Ana" Penn Crew ditched 1 KIA, 10 Rescued 44-69887 505th BG, MACR 14400, Attacked by Japanese fighters and crashed in Utogi, Meiji Village, Minamiamabe County, Oita Prefecture. 10 KIA, 1 POW/Executed: M/Sgt. Robert J. Aspinall was moved to Seibu Army Headquarters and later executed. 42-63549 505th BG, MACR 14402, Initially 11 MIA. Rammed by Japanese fighter and crashed in Hachimen Mountain, Yamaguchi Village, Shemoge County, Oita Prefecture. 8 KIA, 3 POW/Executed: They were moved to Seibu Army Headquarters and later executed.

MARIANAS

The 792nd, 793rd and 794th BS's and 468th BG arrive at West Field Tinian from India.

8 MAY 1945 (pg 643)

EUROPE

President Harry S Truman proclaims V-E Day; the war in Europe is over.
(Immediately, set in motion are long-standing plans to transfer veteran air, ground and naval forces to the Pacific and East Asia. However, the transfer process will prove tedious and very few such veteran units will arrive in time to take part in the war against Japan.)

JAPAN:

(Missions 155 to 158) Forty B-29's hit airfields at Kanoya, Miyakanojo, Oita, and Matsuyama; One B-29 hits a target of opportunity.

9 MAY 1945 (pg 644)

No actions reported.

10 MAY 1945 (pg 644)

EUROPE

Effective this date, Lt.Gen. James H. Doolittle, Commanding General, 8th AF, is relieved of duty in the ETO and assigned to HQ AAF in Washington D.C.; he is relieved by MGen William E Kepner.

JAPAN:

Eight missions are flown; B-29's claim 10 Japanese aircraft. One B-29 is lost.

T Square 54: Mission #18: Capt. Cruce crew 57, Tokuyama Naval Fuel storage Plant, target 85% destroyed.

11 MAY 1945 (pg 645)

JAPAN:

Six missions are flown:

Aircraft lost: 42-63571 29th BG MACR 14436 Clemence Halteman Crew, 1 KIA, 10 MIA Clemence W. Halteman, Jr. Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces 10-818667 52nd Bomber Squadron, 29th Bomber Group, Very Heavy Entered the Service from: Pennsylvania Died: May 11, 1945 Honolulu Memorial; Honolulu, Hawaii Awards: Purple Heart

12 MAY 1945 (pg 647)

MARIANAS - HQ 331st, and the 355th, 356th, and 357th BS's and HQ 502nd BG and 402nd, 411th, and 430th BS's arrive at Northwest Field, Guam from the U.S.

Lee Florence's Diary: Left Hickam Field. ATC for Saipan. Arrive May 13,1945.

13 MAY 1945 (pg 647)

JAPAN:

(Mission 173) During the night of 13-14 May, 12 B-29's drop mines in Shimonoseki Strait.

14 MAY 1945 (pg 648)

JAPAN:

(Mission 174) Four hundred seventy-two B-29's blast the urban area of North Nagoya with 2515 tons of incendiaries; 8 other B-29's hit targets of opportunity; they claim 20 Japanese fighters. Eleven B-29's are lost.

Two aircraft were lost over the Japanese Mainland and nine were lost between Nagoya and the Marianas. Seven of the eleven aircraft lost are: 44-69926 499th BG MACR 14430 Hayes Crew 2 KIA 10 Survived 44-69966 462nd BG, MACR 14431, Sherman Crew 11 MIA. Attacked by Japanese fighters and made circular flight flaming and smoking, then crashed in Isewan Bay near Nagoya City. 1 KIA, 10 POW (7 were executed): Cpl. Paul R. Labadie KIA 1st Lt. Dean N. Sherman POW (executed) Cpl. Benjamin W. Britchard POW (executed) 2nd Lt. Norman Solomon POW (executed) Cpl. Evan I. Howell POW (executed) Cpl. Carl H. Hanson POW (executed) Cpl. Edward. P. Jentrey POW (executed) Cpl. Jerry M. Johnson POW (executed) 2nd Lt. Theodore C. Reynolds POW (died in 25 May Tokyo fire bomb raid) 2nd Lt. Robert C. Orr - POW (liberated) L.O. Miller - POW (liberated) The 7 executed POWs were moved to the Tokai Army Headquarters for interrogation, then put on trial by Tokai Army and sentenced to death in reason of the undiscriminating bombing and beheaded on 12 July at Obatagahara rifle range in the suburbus of Nagoya. 3 POWs were rescued by a Japanese Navy boat and sent to Ofuna POW Camp. 2 returned to the US after the war. The 3rd POW, 2Lt Reynolds, was captured floating in the water and taken to Kempei Tai Headquarters in downtown Tokyo (adjacent to the Palace Grounds). Between 9 May and 14 May about 62 to 65 B-29'ers were transferred from Kempei Tai to Shibuya, a suburb near the west edge of Tokyo and 8 to 12 miles west of Kempei Tai. These men, including Ted Reynolds, perished in the 25 May fire bomb raid. 44-70017 19th BG, MACR 14428, Clewett Crew, Initially 11 KIA. Crashed by unknown cause in Kodama 3-Chome, Nishi-ku, Nagoya City. 7 KIA, 4 POW (all executed): They were moved to Tokai Army Headquarters for interrogation, then put on military trial by Tokai Army and sentenced to death in reason of undiscriminating bombing and beheaded on 12 July at Obatagahara rifle range in the suburbus of Nagoya 2nd Lt. Elton V. Kein - POW 2nd Lt. Keith H. Carrier - POW Cpl. George R. Granziadel, Jr. - POW Cpl. Joseph R. Shelton - POW 42-24492 40th BG, MACR 14412, "Deacon's Disciples II," Donelon Crew, 10 KIA, 1 rescued 44-69773 39th BG, MACR 14425, Spenger Crew, 2 MIA, 10 rescued 42-93885497th BG, "The Shimper," Lamback Crew, all saved 42-94026 M-5, 19 BG, Dillard crew, ditched off Iwo Jima due to fuel, all saved: A/C: 1st Lt Jesse Dillard Jr. P F/O Billy R Huffman N 1st Lt Bernard Van Arkel B 2nd Lt William McFain RO 1st Lt Joseph Jamieson FE F/O Thomas D Adams Jr R S/Sgt Lloyd B Ford CFC T/Sgt Kenneth Aiken RG Sgt William R McNeill LG S/Sgt Chester Williams RG Sgt Albert Lockwood TACTICAL MISSION REPORT NO.174 - 11 aircraft lost during attack to Northern Nagoya Urban Area, on 14 May 1945. 58WG: One aircraft shot down by enemy aircraft, crashed in Nagoya Bay - 9 chutes observed. One aircraft missing, no word. 73WG: 2 engines of one aircraft lost on return from mission. Aircraft ditched as 2 remaining were expected to go out very soon. 11 crew members were aboard; all crew members were rescued. Number 4 engine of one aircraft lost over Iwo Jima enroute to target. Because of weather aircraft could not land at Iwo Jima. Crew members forced to bail out; 10 crew members rescued, 2 missing. 313WG: One aircraft landed at Iwo Jima and crashed on take off when returning to home base. No crew member casualties. One aircraft ditched on return due to fuel shortage. Weather conditions prevented landing at Iwo Jima. 11 men abroad - 6 rescued, 1 killed, 4 missing. One aircraft crashed near Iwo Jima as crew bailed out over Iwo, 11 men abroad - no casualties. 314WG: One aircraft hit by flak, #2 engine caught fire over target and as aircraft descended part of wing was lost. 11 crew members missing. No chutes observed. One aircraft lost #1 engine but continued to primary target; then lost #2 engine; aircraft forced to ditch; 12 men abroad, 10 rescued, 2 missing. One aircraft crashed and burned while attempting to land with one feathered prop; 7 crew members killed, 4 wounded. One aircraft short of fuel, could not land at Iwo Jima because of weather. Crew members parachuted to safety and aircraft crashed at sea.] (This is the XXI BC's first 4-wing raid as B-29's of the 58th BW join bombers from the 73rd, 313th, and 314th BW's in a single mission.)

Ray Brashear's Navigator's Notes: Mission 16: 5/14/45 Nagoya (2nd fire zone) Day Incend. 19,000 0030-1600 1530 25250 Flak -meagre Fighters --few Lead the squadron 500 B-29s on this mission. Smoke to 15,000 Checked Netherton and crew out at replacement crew school for 10 days

15 MAY 1945 (pg 649) No actions reported.

1944: Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1945 1st ½: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep 1945 2nd ½: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep