1 - 15 SEP 1945
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1945 1st ˝:
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1945 2nd ˝:
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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.
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Note:
Shaded boxes show updates and comments from members of our B-29 mailing list, many of whom were there.
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1 September 1945 (pg 703) - (The final assault: VJ - 2 days)
No actions reported.
2 September 1945 (pg 703)
JAPAN:
Hostilities with Japan end officially with the signing of the instrument of surrender aboard the USS Missouri (BB-63) in Tokyo Bay.
Approximately 500 B-29's and between 1,000 and 1,500 carrier aircraft overfly the USS Missouri following the signing of the surrender documents.
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Comments on the "Show of Force" flight over the USS Missouri:
From Earl Johnson:
"The 'formation' and I use that term loosely because you can never have "several hundred" planes in a formation--twelve is tough enough--the invididual formation(s) assembled way up north and departed Sappahoro (sp)
or in that neighborhood headed south for Tokyo Bay. Units and their formations had definite departure times. It was still quite a distance down to Tokyo Bay. After passing over the Missouri (in reasonable formations)
they turned east and then went back to Northern Japan to turn back south and make a 2nd pass over the Missouri. For an individual formation this probably took about an hour or maybe more. That in itself was very tiring for the pilots.
"From the ground it had to look like 'twice' the numbers if someone was counting for they couldn't see the tail numbers. It was timed to be a continual bunch of formations. The second pass, however, and after an hour or more of hard formation flying, the crews wanted to do a little 'sight-seeing' which is hard to do in formation for the pilots at least. So many actually broke formation and many 'buzzed' Tokyo, the Missouri, or whatever.
"When we got back to the Mariannas there was a TWX there from Gen. MacArthur blasting the 20th AF and the B-29's for what many of them had done (poor military discipline, etc.). It probably fell on many deaf ears but it was 'very strong.' "
Earl Johnson
From Andy Doty:
"... our squadron flew over the ocean to a point northeast of Tokyo Bay, flew down across the bay, then after a time turned to sea and repeated the procedure. A great idea, but I understand that other B-29s went off across Tokyo on sightseeing trips. I can only remember a large devastated area off across the bay --- and of course that fleet of lethal-looking warships of all kinds. A most impressive sight."
Andy
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4 September 1945
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Kwajalein:
44-61786 462nd BG, MACR 14905, Major Thurston, Flew into ocean after
takeoff (night), All KIA, possible blinded by lights at end of runway, No
more B-29 takeoffs at night after this accident.
From Jody Smith:
"On 4 September 1945, B-29 # 44-61786 of the 462nd BG took off from Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, en-route to Mather Field, California for aprox. 5 days TDY for the purpose of transporting organizational supplies. Also on board were 8 AAF crewmen who were "going home". Among these great young men were dear friends of Scotty McCall, Stan Lee, Col. Ed Loberg and Lt. Col. Thomas Vaucher.
"I believe in reading their names we Honor their memory and give our gratitude to them for their ultimate sacrifice for all of us and our Country. May they Rest in Peace knowing how loved and respected they are."
Pilot: Maj. Bernays K. Thurston
Co-Pilot: 1st Lt. Richard B. Johnson
Navigator: Capt. Robert D. Russell
Flight Engineer: M/Sgt. Robert E. Campbell
Radio Op: S/Sgt. George A. Snapp
Passenger: 1st Lt. Walter J. McGrath
Passenger: S/Sgt. Rudolph E. Sagan
Passenger: S/Sgt. Giles Bissel
Passenger: Capt. Fred E. Damberg [444th BG]
Passenger: Capt. Friederich H. Klugg
Passenger: Capt. Robert W. Thomas
Passenger: 1st Lt. Francis R. Flaherty
Passenger: 1st Lt. Edward R. Norris
Passenger: 1st Lt. Theodore T. Peck
Passenger: 1st Lt. David A. Stocking
Passenger: 1st Lt. Ralph P. Warren
Jody Smith
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According to the 873rd unit history, Lt. George W. Alexander and his crew were lost on September 4, 1945, flying a POW mission to a camp in the Sendai area of Japan.
Aircraft: 42-65345, T21
Crew:
A/C: George Alexander
Pilot: Fred Riddle
Navigator: Bertram Turk
Bobardier: Elliot Whitfield
Flight Engineer: Aloysius Geis
Radio Operator: Billy Smith
Left Gunner: Johnnie Loafman
Right Gunner: Marlin Austen
Radar Operator: Glen Hold
Passenger: Melvin Blurton
Passenger: Russell Estrate
Passenger: Lawrence Moydell
Passenger: William Corsey
Passenger: Penny Aldrison
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finis
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1944:
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1945 1st ˝:
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1945 2nd ˝:
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