Mission # 240 Date: 1 July 1945 Target: Kure Urban Area Participating Unit: 58th BW Number A/C Airborne: 160 % A/C Bombing Primary: 94.24% (152 Primary and 2 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: E46, 500# incendiary clusters set to open 5,000 feet above target and AN-M47A2, 100# incendiary bombs with instantaneous nose. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 1,081.7 on Primary and 14.3 on Opportunity Time Over Primary: 0102K - 0305K Altitude of Attack: 10,300 - 11,800 Weather Over Target: 6/10 - 8/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resumé of Mission: Photo reconnaissance showed 46% of the city's built-up area had been destroyed. One-hundred twenty (120) A/C bombed by radar and 32 visually. Six A/C were non-effective. AA was meager and inaccurate. One A/C was damaged by AA. Three E/A sighted made no attacks. No claims. Sixteen A/C land- ed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 14,869 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 769 gallons.

Mission # 241 Date: 1 July 1945 Target: Kumamato Urban Area Participating Unit: 73rd BW Number A/C Airborne: 162 % A/C Bombing Primary: 93.94 (154 Primary and 1 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M47A2, 100# incendiary bomb, instantaneous nose and E46, E36, E48, 500# incendiary clusters set to open 5,000 feet above target. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 1,113.2 on Primary and 7.8 on Opportunity Time Over Primary: 0059K - 0230K Altitude of Attack: 10,050 - 11,500 Weather Over Target: 9/10 - 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 1 Resumé of Mission: Photo reconnaissance showed 16% of the built-up area had been destroyed. Eight A/C bombed visually and 147 by radar. Seven A/C were non-effective. Flak was heavy, me- dium and generally inaccurate. E/A was nil. The crew of the A/C that ditched were rescued. Four A/C landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 15,171 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 781 gallons.

Mission # 242 Date: 1 July 1945 Target: Ube Urban Area Participating Unit: 313th BW Number of A/C Airborne: 112 % A/C Bombing Primary: 89% (100 A/C) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M47A2, 100# incendiary bombs fuzed instantaneous nose and E46, 500# incendiary clusters set to open 5,000 feet above target. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 714.6 tons Time Over Primary: 0147K - 0312K Altitude of Attack: 10,000 - 11,600 Weather Over Target: 0/10 - 5/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resumé of Mission: Photo reconnaissance showed 23% of the built-up area had been destroyed. Seventy-one A/C bombed vis- ually and 29 by radar. Twelve A/C were non-effective. Twelve E/A sighted made 3 attacks. No claims. Flak was heavy and medium, meager to moderate and inaccurate. Twenty-two A/C landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load; 14,958 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 716 gallons.

Mission # 243 Date: 1 July 1945 Target: Shimonoseki Urban Area Participating Unit: 314th BW Number of A/C Airborne: 141 % A/C Bombing Primary: 88.9% (127 Primary and 5 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M47A2, 100# incendiary bombs with instantaneous nose, and E46 500# incendiary clusters set to open 5,000 feet above target. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 833 tons on Primary and 37.3 tons on \ Opportunity. Time Over Primary: 0325K - 0400K Altitude of Attack: 7,900 - 19,000 Weather Over Target: 4/10 - 9/10 Total A/C Lost: 1 Resumé of Mission: Photo reconnaissance showed damage totalled .51 sq. miles or 36% of built-up area. Sixteen A/C bombed visually and 111 by radar. Nine A/C were non-effect- ive. No E/A sighted. Flak was heavy, meager and moderate and inaccurate. The B-29 lost was en-route to target when two engines failed for unknown reasons. Of the 11 crew mem- bers who bailed out, 9 were rescued. Twenty-two A/C landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 13,809 lbs. Average fuel re- serve: 656 gallons.

Mission # 244 Date: 1/2 July 1945 Target: Shimonoseki Straits, Nanao and Fushiki Participating Unit: 313th BW Number A/C Airborne: 28 % A/C Bombing Primary: 85.71% (24 A/C) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: MK25, 2000# and MK26-36 1000# mines with various settings. Tons of Mine Dropped: 161 tons Time Over Primary: 020053K - 020233K Altitude of Attack: 7,200 - 8,700 Weather Over Target: 4/10 - 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resumé of Mission: Results were believed to have been excellent. Of the 119 MK25 and 84 MK26-36 released in the Primary fields, 195 were believed to be effective. Four A/C were non-effective. Flak was heavy, meager and inaccurate. Only 1 E/A was sighted. Two B-29's landed at Iwo Jima. Average mine load: 13,179 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 770 gallons.

Mission # 251 Date: 6/7 July 1945 Target: Chiba Urban Area Participating Unit: 58th BW Number A/C Airborne: 129 % A/C Bombing Primary: 95.48% (124 Primary and 1 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M47A2, 100# incendiary bombs instantaneous nose, E46, 500# incen- diary cluster with tail set to open at 5,000 feet above target, T4E4, 500# fragmentation cluster with nose set to open 1,000 feet below A/C. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 889.5 tons on Primary and 6.3 tons on Opportunity. Time Over Primary: 070239K - 070405K Altitude of Attack: 9,900 - 11,500 Weather Over Target: 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Interrogation of crews indicated scattered fires were started in the target area, with smoke rising to 25,000 feet. Photo reconnaissance revealed that 43.4% (.86 sq. miles) of Chiba's urban area had been destroyed or damaged. Five A/C bombed visually and the remainder by radar. Four A/C were non- effective. Flak encountered was heavy, medium and light, nit to meager and inaccurate. Eighteen E/A sighted made 1 attack. Fourteen B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 14,974 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 842 gallons.

Mission # 252 Date: 6/7 July 1945 Target: Akashi Urban Area Participating Unit: 73rd BW Number A/C Airborne: 131 % A/C Bombing Primary: 93.48% (123 Primary and 1 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: E46, 500# incendiary clusters with tail set to open 2,500 feet above target. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 975 tons on Primary and 8 tons on Opportunity. Time Over Primary: 070115K - 070227K Altitude of Attack: 6.900 - 8,200 Weather Over Target: 4/10 - 8/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Crews reported results were unobserved to excellent. Strike photos showed many fires in the city. Photo reconnaissance revealed 24% (.42 sq. miles) of the city and 74.3% of the Kawasaki A/C Co. in Akashi had been damaged or destroyed. Three E/A sighted had wing tip lights burning. Made no attacks. Flak was heavy and medium, meager, inac- curate and continuously pointed. Seven B-29s bombed visually and 116 by radar. Seven A/C were non-effective. Two B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 16,959 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 778 gallons.

Mission # 253 Date: 6/7 July 1945 Target: Shimizu Urban Area Participating Unit: 313th BW Number of A/C Airborne: 136 % A/C Bombing Primary: 97.09% (133 A/C) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M47A2, 100# incendiary bomb with instantaneous nose and AN-M17, 500# incendiary cluster with nose set to open 3,000 feet above target. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 1,029.6 tons Time Over Priamry: 070133K - 070310K Altitude of Attack: 7,100 - 8,300 Weather Over Target: 4/10 - 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 1 Resume of Mission: Crews that were able to observe through breaks in the clouds said the entire city was ablaze to the water- front. Severe thermals were encountered. Reconnaissance indi- cated 47% (.67 sq. mi.) of the Shimizu Urban area, 60% of the docks and 30% of the Honan Oil Plant were damaged or destroy- ed. Flak consisted of heavy, medium and AW fire, meager to moderate and generally inaccurate. Two B-29s were damaged by flak. Ground rockets were reported, some in groups of six. Twelve E/A sighted made 4 attacks. Twenty-five A/C bombed visually and 108 by radar. Three A/C were non-effective. Two B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. The A/C lost ran off the runway be- cause of brake failure. Average bomb load: 15,053 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 1,103 gallons.

Mission # 254 Date: 6/6 July 1945 Target: Kofu Urban Area Participating Unit: 314th BW Number A/C Airborne: 138 % A/C Bombing Primary: 94.3% (131 Primary and 1 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M47A2, 100# incendiary bombs with instantaneous nose, and AN-M17 and E46, 500# incendiary clusters set to open 5,000 feet above the target. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 970.4 tons on Primary and 1 on Op- portunity. Time Over Primary: 070047K - 070235K Altitude of Attack: 11,200 - 17,100 Weather Over Target: 8/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Photos showed damage caused was 1.3 sq. miles, or 64% of the total built-up area. 50% of the buildings in the RR Marshalling yards south of the city were destroyed. 19 A/C bombed visually and 112 by radar. Seven A/C were non-effective. Twenty-two E/A sighted made no attacks. One air-to-air rocket attack was reported. heavy caliber flak and AW fire was meager and inaccurate. Three A/C landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 15,757 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 783 gallons.

Mission # 255 Date: 6/7 July 1945 Target: Maruzen Oil Refinery at Osaka (90.35 - 1764) Participating Unit: 315th BW Number A/C Airborne: 60 % a/C Bombing Primary: 98.34% (59 Primary and 1 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M64, 500# G.P., fuzed with 1/40 soc. delay nose and non-delay tail. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 441.5 tons on Primary and 8 tons on Opportunity. Time Over Primary: 070019K - 070118K Altitude of Attack: 10,200 - 11,500 Weather Over Target: 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Photo reconnaissance on 11 July revealed that 95% of the plant had been destroyed. Fifty-eight A/C bombed by radar and 1 visually. Seventeen E/A were reported. Two ramming attempts were reported. Flak was heavy, meager to nil and inaccur- ate. One balloon was sighted at 11,500 feet. Average bomb load: 16,071 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 1,386 gallons.

Mission # 256 Date: 9/10 July 1945 Target: Shimonoseki Straits, Niigata and Nanao Participating Unit: 313th BW Number A/C Airborne: 31 % A/C Bombing Primary: 93.55% (29 Primary and 1 Alternative) Type of Mines Used: MK26-36, 1000#, and MK25, 2000# mines with various settings. Tons of Mines Planted: 193 tons Primary and 7 tons Alternative Time Over Primary: 100102K - 100317K Altitude of Attack: 6,900 - 8,800 Weather Over Target: 0/10 - 9/10 Total A/C Lost: 1 Resume of Mission: It was believed that Feshiki and Niigata harbors were closed for approximately 4 days and the areas mined in the straits were unusable for 1 week. Of the 274 mines dropped, it was estimated 267 were effective. One A/C was non-effective. Eighteen E/A sighted made 4 attacks. Flak was heavy, moderate to intense and accurate over Shimono- seki and meager and inaccurate at others. The A/C lost was shot down by flak and E/A over the mining field. Eight B-29s damaged by flak. Nine A/C landed at Iwo Jima. Average mine load: 12,605 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 530 gallons.

Mission # 257 Date: 9/10 July 1945 Target: Sendai Urban Area Participating Unit: 58th BW Number A/C Airborne: 131 % A/C Bombing Primary: 93.89% (123 Primary and 1 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M17A1, 500# incendiary clusters set to open 5,000 feet above target and AN-M47A2, 100# incendiary bombs with instantaneous nose. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 909.3 tons on Primary and 6.3 on Opportunity. Time Over Primary: 100103K - 100305K Altitude of Attack: 10,000 - 10,700 Weather Over Target: 3/10 Total A/C Lost: 1 Resume of Mission: Good to excellent results reported by crews. The target was visible to 86 crews and not visible to 27. Seven A/C were non-effective. The B-29 lost ran off the runway and burst into flames. Entire crew safe. Ten E/A sighted made 1 attack. Flak was heavy, meager to moderate, inaccurate and medium and AW fire was meager and inaccurate. Fifteen to 20 S/L's were observed, not effected by radar jamming or "rope". AA damaged 6 B-29s. Thirteen A/C landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 14,372 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 675 gallons.

Mission # 258 Date: 9/10 July 1945 Target: Sakai Urban Area Participating Unit: 73rd BW Number A/C Airborne: 124 % A/C Bombing Primary: 92.74% (115 Primary and 3 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M47A2, 100# incendiary bombs with instantaneous nose and E36 and E46, 500# incendiary clusters set with nose and tail, respectively, to open 5,000 feet above target. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 778.9 tons on Primary and 19.6 tons on Opportunity. Time Over Primary: 100233K - 100406K Altitude of Attack: 10,000 - 11,350 Weather Over Target: 1/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Strike photos showed well concentrated fires in the city, with a brisk ground wind from the NE. Crews reported glow of fires visible nearly 200 miles. Smoke columns were up to over 17,000 feet. The target was visible to only 5 A/C. Six A/C were non-effective. Fifteen E/A sighted made 5 attacks. One pos- sible air-to-air phosphorus burst met over target. Flak was heavy and medium, meager ot moderate, inaccurate, barrage and con- tinuously pointed. Approximately 20 S/L's in target area. Flak damaged 5 B-29s. One A/C, not included in A/B, proceeded main force to transmit weather information. Dropped 6.3 tons on target. Two A/C landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 13,972 lbs. Av- erage fuel reserve: 812 gallons.

Mission # 259 Date: 9/10 July 1945 Target: Wakayama Urban Area Participating Unit: 313th BW Number A/C Airborne: 109 % A/C Bombing Primary: 99.9% (108 A/C) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M47A2, 100# incendiary bombs with instantaneous nose & AN-M17A1, 500# incendiary clusters with nose set to open at 5,000 feet. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 800.3 Time Over Primary: 100058K - 100258K Altitude of Attack: 10,200 - 11,600 Weather Over Target: 1/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Results were unobserved to excellent. Crews attacking during latter part of strike reported intense fires throughout the city, with smoke columns rising up to 20,000 feet. Large explosions and white flashes were report- ed. Severe turbulence was encountered over the target area. The target was visible to 97 A/C and not visible to 11 A/C. Flak was medium and AW fire was meager to inaccurate. No S/L's were reported. Ten E/A sighted made no attacks. One B-29 was non-effective. One A/C landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 14,617 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 951 gallons.

Mission # 260 Date: 9/10 July 1945 Target: Gifu Urban Area Participating Unit: 314th BW Number A/C Airborne: 135 % A/C Bombing Primary: 95.55% (129 Primary and 1 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: E46, 500# incendiary clusters with tail set to open 5,000 feet and AN- M47A2, 100# incendiary bomb with instantaneous nose. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 898.8 tons on Primary and 8.7 tons on Secondary. Time Over Primary: 100034K - 100220K Altitude of Attack: 14,720 - 17,700 Weather Over Target: 0/10 Total A/C Lost: 1 Resume of Mission: Photo reconnaissance revealed that 1.93 square miles, or 74% of the city's built-up area, were destroyed. The target was visible to 105 A/C and not visible to 24. Five A/C were non-effective. Ten E/A sighted made 3 attacks. Coordination was noted between E/A and S/L's. Flak was heavy, meager to moderate and inaccurate. AW fire was meager to intense and inaccurate. Four to 12 S/L's observed. All crew members of ditching between Rota and Saipan were rescued. The B-29 lost caught fire after leaving the target. After the crew bailed out the A/C exploded in mid-air. Three B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Aver- age bomb load: 14,676 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 685 gallons.

Mission # 261 Date: 9 July 1945 Target: Utsube Oil Refinery at Yokkaichi (90.20 - 1684) Participating Unit: 315th BW Number A/C Airborne: 64 % A/C Bombing Primary: 95.31% (61 Primary and 1 Opportunity) Types of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M64, 500# G.P. with 1/40 sec. delay nose and non-delay tail. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 468.7 tons on Primary and 8 tons on Opportunity. Time Over Primary: 092340K - 100038K Altitude of Attack: 15,550 - 16,950 Weather Over Target: 0/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Photo reconnaissance showed 20% of the target had been damaged or destroyed. The target was visible to 10 A/C. Two A/C were non-effective. Fifteen E/A sighted made 2 attacks. One B-29, hit by a 20mm shell, suffered minor damage. Flak was heavy, nil to meager, inaccurate to accurate and predict- ed concentration. Twenty S/L's observed, some radar controlled/ Two A/C landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 16,811 lbs. Av- erage fuel reserve: 1,233 gallons.

Mission # 262 Date: 11/12 July 1945 Target: Rashin, Fusan, Shimonoseki Straits, Miyazu, Maizuru, and Obama Participating Unit: 313th BW Number A/C Airborne: 30 % A/C Bombing Primary: 83.33% (25 Primary and 2 Alternate) Type of Mines Planted: MK26-36, 1000# and MK25, 2000# mines with various settings. Tons of Mines Planted: 150 tons on Primary and 13 tons on Alternate. Time Over Primary: 120032K - 120247K Altitude of Attack: 6,900 - 9,400 Weather Over Target: 4/10 - 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Of the 199 mines dropped it was estimated 198 were effective to maintain the blockades and mine the new harbor target. No E/A sighted. Only 3 A/C reported flak, which was heavy, meager and inaccurate. Several ineffective S/L's ob- served. Seven A/C landed at Iwo Jima. Average mine load:12,082 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 558 gallons.

Mission # 263 Date: 12/13 July 1945 Target: Utsunomiya Urban Area Participating Unit: 58th BW Number of A/C Airborne: 130 % A/C Bombing Primary: 88.46% (115 Primary and 5 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M47A2, 100# incendiary bombs with instantaneous nose and E46, 500# incendiary clusters with tail set to open 5,000 feet above target. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 802.9 tons on Primary and 43.4 tons Opportunity. Time Over Primary: 130019K - 130230K Altitude of Attack: 13,300 - 14,600 Weather Over Target: 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 1 Resume of Mission: Crews reported 2 large glows about 1 mile apart through the undercast. With the exception of 2 aircraft, the target was not visible on the bomb run. Ten A/C were non-effective. Nine E/A sighted made no attacks. Flak was heavy and medium and AW fire all were meager and inaccurate. Four ineffective S/L's were observed. Nine men were rescued after ditching a B-29. The B-29 lost was en route to base. Twenty-seven A/C landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 14,700 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 664 gallons.

Mission # 264 Date: 12/13 July 1945 Target: Ichinomiya Urban Area Participating Unit: 73rd BW Number A/C Airborne: 130 % A/C Bombing Primary: 94.61% (123 Primary and 2 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M47A2, 100# incendiary bombs with instantaneous nose. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 772 tons on Primary and 12.6 tons on Opportunity. Time Over Primary: 130154K - 130345K Altitude of Attack: 6,000 - 12,200 Weather Over Target: 10/10 Total A/C lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Photo reconnaissance indicated .01 sq. mile, representing 8% of the built-up portion of the city, was destroyed. The textile mills in the N and W part of the city received some damage, with 1 being 100% gutted. Nine small buildings were destroyed. Five A/C were non-effective. Ten crews sighted the target, which was not visible to other A/C. Flak en- countered was heavy and medium, nil to meager, and inaccurate. Twelve E/A sighted made no attacks. Three B-29's landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 12,769 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 873 gallons.

Mission # 265 Date: 12/13 July 1945 Target: Tsuruga Urban Area Participating Unit: 313th BW Number A/C Airborne: 98 % A/C Bombing Primary: 93.8% (92 Primary and 2 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M47A2, 100# incendiary bombs with instantaneous nose and E-46, 500# incendiary clusters with tail set to open 5,000 feet above target. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 679.1 tons Primary and 16 tons Opportunity Time Over Primary: 130000K - 130207K Altitude of Attack: 12,200 - 13,400 Weather Over Target: 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Crews reported unobserved to excellent results. A glow form the target area could be seen through the clouds by A/C over target in latter stages of attack. Four A/C were non-effective. The target was not seen by any aircraft. Light, meager and inaccurate flak was encountered at Primary target. Two E/A sighted made no attacks. Two B-29's landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 15,567 lbs. Average fuel re- serve: 820 gallons.

Mission # 266 Date: 12/13 July 1945 Target: Uwajima Urban Area Participating Unit: 314th BW Number A/C Airborne: 130 % A/C Bombing Primary: 94.61% (123 Primary and 1 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M47A2, 100# incendiary bombs with instantaneous nose and E-46 500# incendiary clusters with tail set to open 5,000 feet above target. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 872.5 tons on Primary and 9 tons on Opportunity. Time Over Primary: 130013K - 130226K Altitude of Attack: 10,400 - 16,400 Weather Over Target: 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Results were unobserved. The target was obscured to all aircraft. Six A/C were non-effective. Heavy flak and AW fire was meager and inaccurate. Six E/A sighted made no attacks. Six B-29's landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 15,026 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 700 gallons.

Mission # 267 Date: 12/13 July 1945 Target: Kawasaki Petroleum Center (90.17 - 128) Participating Unit: 315th BW Number of A/C Airborne: 60 % A/C Bombing Primary: 88.33% (55 Primary and 1 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M64, 500# G.P., fuzed with 1/10 sec. delay nose and 1/40 sec. delay tail. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 452 tons on Primary and 8 tons on Opportunity. Time Over Primary: 130106K - 130219K Altitude of Attack: 15,300 - 16,700 Weather Over Target: 8/10 - 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 2 Resume of Mission: Radar scope photos indicated fair results. Only 3 A/C sighted target. Six B-29's were non-effective. Thirty- eight E/A sighted made 2 attacks. No claims. Flak was heavy, meager and inaccurate. S/L's ineffective because of cloud cover. One crew bailed out en route to target between Guam and Tinian. Nine survivors. One B-29 was missing to unknown reasons. Ave- rage bomb load: 18,226 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 1, 175 gallons.

Mission # 268 Date: 13/14 July 1945 Target: Shimonoseki Straits, Seishin, Masan, Reisui and Fukuoka. Participating Unit: 313th BW Number of A/C Airborne: 31 % A/C Bombing Primary: 96.77% (30 Primary and 1 Alternate) Type of Mines and Settings: MK 26-36 1000# and MK 25 2000# mines with various settings. Tons of Mines Dropped: 199 tons on Primary and 1 ton Alternate Time Over Primary: 140012K - 140327K Altitude of Attack: 6,900 - 8,600 Weather Over Target: 0/10 - 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: It was estimated that of the 254 mines dropped, 249 were effective. Flak was meager, moderate, and inaccurate. Mine laying was by radar. Nine E/A sighted made 1 attack. One RCM A?c was also airborne. Eighteen A/C landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 13,211 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 561 gallons.

Mission # 269 Date: 15/16 July 1945 Target: Rashin, Fusan, Gezan-Konan, Naoetsu and Niigata Participating Unit: 313th BW Number A/C Airborne: 28 % A/C Bombing Primary: 92.85% (26 Primary and 1 Alternate) Type of Mines Dropped: MK26-36, 1000# and MK25, 2000# mines with various settings. Tons of Mines Dropped: 172 tons on Primary and 6 tons on alternate. Time Over Primary: 152308K - 160325K Altitude of Attack: 6,900 - 8,400 Weather Over Target: 8/10 - 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: It was estimated that of the 244 mines laid, 241 were effective. All mines were laid by radar. One A/C non- effective. Sixteen E/A sighted, but made no attacks. Heavy, mea- ger, and inaccurate flak encountered at Niigata and Fusan. Seven- teen A/C landed at Iwo Jima and 1 at Okinawa. Average mine load: 13,068 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 486 gallons.

Mission # 270 Date: 15/16 July 1945 Target: Nippon Oil Co. at Kudamatsu (90.32 - 657A) Participating Unit: 315th BW Number A/C Airborne: 69 % A/C Bombing Primary: 85.5% (59 Primary and 3 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M64 500# G.P., 1/10 delay nose and 1/100 delay tail. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 476.8 tons on Primary and 28.7 tons on Opportunity, 17 tons on Wind-Run. Time Over Primary: 200041K - 200201K Altitude of Attack: 10,230 - 11,700 Weather Over Target: 3/10 - 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Results were unobserved. A/C bombed by radar and 7 visually. Seven A/C were non-effective.Thirty-two E/A sighted made no attacks. Flak was heavy, nil to meager, and in- accurate. Estimated 10-13 S/L's, generally ineffective, observed in target area. Two wind-run A/C also airborne and bombed their primary target, Ube Coal Liquefaction Co. Five B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 17,806 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 1,066 gallons.

Mission # 271 Date: 16/17 July 1945 Target: Numazu Urban Area (90.18) Participating Unit: 58th BW Number A/C Airborne: 128 % A/C Bombing Primary: 82.56% (119 A/C) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M47A2 100# incendiary bomb with instantaneous nose and M47A1 and E46 500# incendiary cluster fus- ed to open 5,000 feet above target. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 1,035.8 tons Time Over Primary: 170213K - 170352K Altitude of Attack: 10,600 - 11,600 Weather Over Target: 7/10 - 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Reconnaissance revealed 89.5 per cent of the city was damaged or destroyed. The target was visible only to 2 aircraft. Twelve Pathfinder A/C are included in the a- bove totals. Nine A/C were non-effective. Three E/A Bakas sighted near target area. Flak at target was heavy, medium and light, meager and inaccurate. Total A/B does not include 1 Super Dumbo and 1 Wind-Run A/C. Five A/C landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 17,000 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 813 gallons. Twenty-one E/A sighted made no attacks.

Mission # 272 Date: 16/17 July 1945 Target: Oita Urban Area (90.33) Participating Unit: 73rd BW Number A/C Airborne: 129 % A/C Bombing Primary: 96.12% (124 A/C) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M47A2, 100# incendiary bombs with instantaneous nose. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 790.4 tons Time Over Primary: 170112K - 170232K Altitude of Attack: 10,000 - 11,500 Weather Over Target: 4/10 - 5/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Crews reported results were good to ex- cellent. Early strike photos indicated many large fires in the target area. The target was visible to only 4 crews. Three E/A sighted made no attacks. Eleven planes acted as Pathfinders. Five A/C were non-effective. Flak in the target area was heavy and medium, meager and inaccurate. Total A/B does not in- clude 2 RCM jammers, 1 Wind-Run A/C and 2 Super Dumbos. Two A/C landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 12,725 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 849 gallons.

Mission # 273 Date: 16/17 July 1945 Target: Kuwana Urban Area (90.20) Participating Unit: 313th BW Number A/C Airborne: 99 % A/C Bombing Primary: 94.84% (94 Primary and 2 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M47A2 and AN-M47A3, 100# incendiary bombs with instantaneous nose and E46, 500# incendiary clus- ters fused to open 5,000 feet above target. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 693.3 tons on Primary and 16 tons on Opportunity. Time Over Primary: 170225K - 170340K Altitude of Attack: 10,200 - 11,300 Weather Over Target: 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Results were unobserved, but a bright glow and moderate thermals were reported over the target. Only 1 A/C saw the target. Three A/C were non-effective. Nine E/A sighted made 1 attack. Flak in the target area was heavy and light, meager and inaccurate. Twelve ground-to-air rockets were observed. Total A/B does not include 1 Super Dumbo and 1 Wind-Run A/C. Four A/C landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 15,623 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 829 gallons.

Mission # 274 Date: 16/17 July 1945 Target: Hiratsuka Urban Area (90.17) Participating Unit: 314th BW Number A/C Airborne: 132 % A/C Bombing Primary: 97.72% (129 Primary and 1 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M47A2 100# incendiary bombs with instantaneous nose and AN-M17 500# incendiary cluster fused to open 5,000 feet above the target. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 1,162.5 tons on Primary and 10 tons on Opportunity. Time Over Primary: 170032K - 170212K Altitude of Attack: 10,900 - 15,200 Weather Over Target: 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Results were reported as unobserved to good. Several A/C crews reported huge explosions in target area abd smoke rising to 10,000 feet. The target was visible to only 5 A/C crews. Flak at target was heavy and light, mea- ger and inaccurate. Two to 4 S/L's observed. Eleven A/C land- ed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 16,923 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 765 gallons.

Mission # 276 Date: 19/20 July 1945 Target: Kobe-Osaka, Oyama, Yanohama, Niigata, Miyazu, Mai- zuru, Gensan-Konan, Tsuruga, Obama, and Nezugasaki Participating Unit: 313th BW Number A/C Airborne: 31 % A/C Bombing Primary: 87.09% (27 Primary and 2 Alternate) Type of Mines and Settings: MK26-36, 1000# and MK25, 2000# mines with various settings. Tons of Mines Dropped: 184 tons Time Over Primary: 200003K - 200247K Altitude of Attack: 7,100 - 8,400 weather Over Target: 0/10 - 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 1 Resume of Mission: It was estimated that of the 228 mines laid, 226 would be effective. Only 2 A/C dropped their mines visually. One A/C was non-effective. Seven E/A sighted and made no attacks. The A/C lost was missing to unknown rea- sons after leaving the target. One RCM A/C was A/B. Eleven A/C landed at Iwo Jima. Average mine load: 13,344 lbs. Ave- rage fuel reserve: 852 gallons.

Mission # 277 Date: 19/20 July 1945 Target: Fukui Urban Area (90.13) Participating Unit: 58th BW Number A/C Airborne: 130 % A/C Bombing Primary: 97.69% (127 Primary and 1 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: E46, 500# incendiary clusters set to open 5,000 feet above target and AN- M47A2 100# incendiary bombs with instantaneous nose. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 953.4 tons on Primary and 8 tons on Opportunity. Time Over Primary: 200024K - 200145K Altitude of Attack: 12,400 - 14,000 Weather Over Target: 0/10 - 3/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Crews reported results as good to excellent. Large fires were observed in the center of the target with smoke to 15,000 feet. Fires N and S of river in an area estimated 1 to 3 sq. miles. Later reconnaissance revealed the city had been 84.8% destroyed (1.61 sq. mi.). The target was visible to 114 A/C. Two A/C were non-effective. Flak was heavy, medium and light, mea- ger to inaccurate. Extremely slight heavy and medium A/W re- ported. Two S/L's seen. Eight E/A sighted made no attacks. Two Wind-Run A/C used in edition to main force. Sixteen B-29s land- ed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 15, 829 lbs. Average fuel re- serve: 752 gallons.

Mission # 278 Date: 19/20 July 1945 Target: Hitachi Urban Area (90.14) Participating Unit: 73rd BW Number A/C Airborne: 130 % A/C Bombing Primary: 96.92% (126 Primary and 1 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M47A2, 100# incendiary bombs with instantaneous nose and E46, E36, AN-M17A1, 500# incendiary clusters set to open 5,000 feet a- bove target. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 963.2 tons on Primary and 7.2 tons on Opportunity. Time Over Primary: 200020K - 200153K Altitude of Attack: 12,200 - 13,650 Weather Over Target: 9/10 - 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 2 Resume of Mission: Reconnaissance showed .88 sq. mi. (or 64.5%) of the city's built-up area was destroyed. RCM A/C observed fires from 60 miles away. The target was seen by only 6 A/C. Three A/C were non-effective. One E/A sighted did not attack. Flak was medium and heavy, mea- ger and inaccurate encountered by approximately 1/3 of the B-29s. One Wind-Run A/C A/B. Five survivors from a ditch- ing due to mechanical failure. One b-29 lost to unknown reasons. One B-29 landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 15,214 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 910 gallons.

Mission # 279 Date: 19/20 July 1945 Target: Chosi Urban Area Participating Unit: 313th BW Number A/C Airborne: 97 % A/C Bombing Primary: 93.81% ( 91 A/C ) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: E46, 500# incendiary clusters set to open 5,000 feet above target, 500# T4E4 frag. clusters set to open 1,000 feet below A/C and AN-M47A2 and AN-M47A3 100# incendiary bombs fused with instantaneous nose. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 628.8 tons Time Over Primary: 200131K - 200252K Altitude of Attack: 10,200 - 11,400 Weather Over Target: 3/10 - 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Good fires were reported with smoke rising to 10,000 feet. Three E/A sighted made no attacks. The target was visible only to 1 A/C. Six A/C were non-effective. Flak at target was heavy, medium and light, meager to moderate and inaccurate. Two to 6 ground-to-air rockets were observed. Two RCM and 1 Wind-Run A/C were A/B. Three B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 16,468 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 852 gallons.

Mission # 280 Date: 19/20 July 1945 Target: Okazaki Urban Area ( 90.20 ) Participating Unit: 314th BW Number A/C Airborne: 130 % A/C Bombing Primary: 96.92% (126 Primary and 1 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: E46 and AN-M17A1, 500# incendiary clusters set to open 5,000 feet over target and AN-M47A2, 100# incendiary bombs with instantaneous nose. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 850 tons on Primary and 6.3 tons on Opportunity. Time Over Primary: 200152K - 200310K Altitude of Attack: 12,700 - 16,300 Weather Over Target: 0/10 - 9/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Results were reported as unobserved to excellent, with smoke reaching to 10,000 feet. A large explo- sion reaching to 2,500 feet was observed in the target area. Reconnaissance revealed 68% of the target area had been damaged. Flak was heavy and medium, meager and inaccu- rate. burning red rocket was observed in the target area. Tar- get was visible to 62 A/C and not visible to 64 A/C. One radar wind A/C was airborne. three A/C were non-effective. Four B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 15,021 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 884 gallons.

Mission # 281 Date: 19/20 July 1945 Target: Nippon Oil. Co. at Amagasaki (90.25 - 1203) Participating Unit: 315th BW Number A/C Airborne: 84 % A/C Bombing Primary: 98.79% ( 83 A/C ) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M64, 500# G.P. fused 1/10 sec. delay nose and 1/40 sec. delay tail. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 701.8 tons on Primary and 4.5 tons on Opportunity. Time Over Primary: 200020K - 201000K Altitude of Attack: 15,410 - 16,900 Weather Over Target: 8/10 - 10 /10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Scope photos indicated excellent results. In spite of the fact that 7 A/C did not identify the proper target, the remainder created a comparative solid bomb pattern. Twelve of 14 buildings of the synthetic oil plant damaged and only 3 small tanks left undamaged. Only 2 of 10 large tanks on the tank farm remained undamaged. Flak was heavy, meager and inaccurate. Fifteen E/A sighted did not attack. intense S/L activity in the target area. One A/C was non-effective. All bomb- ing was by radar. Two Wind-Run A/C preceded main force. One B-29 landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 17,832 lbs. Ave- rage fuel reserve: 999 gallons.

Mission # 282 Date: 23/24 July 1945 Target: Shimonoseki Straits, Rashin, Fusan-Masan Participating Unit: 313th BW Number A/C Airborne: 29 % A/C Bombing Primary: 79.31% (23 Primary and 3 Alternate) Type of Mines and Settings: 1,000 and 2,000 lb. mines with various settings. Tons of Mines Dropped: 156 on Primary and 21 on Alternate Time Over Primary: 240137K - 240257K Altitude of Attack: 7,600 - 8,300 Weather Over Target: 3/10 - 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 1 Resume of Mission: All mines dropped were believed to be effective. Some A/C staged at Iwo Jima. Three A/C were non- effective. Meager and inaccurate flak reported in Shimonoseki Straits area. Three E/A sighted did not attack. Eleven crew members picked up approximately 15 miles from Saipan. A/C lost due to lack of fuel and mechanical malfunction. One RCM A/C and 1 Super-Dumbo not included in above totals. Eleven B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average mine load: 13,332 lbs. Av- erage fuel reserve: 609 gallons.

Mission # 283 Date: 23/24 July 1945 Target: Ube Coal Liquefaction Co. (90.32 - 1841) Participating Unit: 315th BW Number A/C Airborne: 80 % A/C Bombing Primary: 90% (72 Primary and 4 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M64, 500# G.P. with 1/10 sec. delay nose and 1/100 sec. delay tail and M-81, 260# fragmentary bombs, with instantaneous nose and non-delay tail. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 619.8 tons on Primary and 36 tons on Opportunity and 17 tons on special. Time Over Primary: 240103K - 240240K Altitude of Attack: 12,400 - 15,460 Weather Over Target: 5/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Clouds prevented any observations of bomb- ing results. Five bombed visually and 67 by radar. Four A/C were non-effective. One E/A flew a parallel course out of range, blinking lights, probably A/A altitude and course spotter. No E/A. Flak was medium, meager and inaccurate. Searchlight activity was meager and generally ineffective from Shimonoseki area and coast of Kyu- shu. Two Wind-Run A/C were airborne and bombed Nippon Oil Refinery with fragmentation bombs. Eight B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 18,656 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 879 gallons.

Mission # 284 Date: 24 July 1945 Target: Sumitomo Metal Industry at Osaka (90.25 - 263A) Participating Unit: 58th BW Number A/C Airborne: 90 % A/C Bombing Primary: 91.11% (82 Primary and 4 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and fuzes: AN-M56, 4000# L.C., with instantaneous nose and non-delay tail. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 488 tons on Primary and 26 tons on Op- portunity. Time Over Primary: 241251K - 241322K Altitude of Attack: 19,900 - 22,100 Weather Over Target: 0/10 - 3/10 Total A/C Lost: 1 Resume of Mission: Strike photos indicated a majority of bombs fell on target, which was assumed to be destroyed. A few bombs fell on adjacent targets, 264 and 53. Reconnaissance later reveal- ed that 76.9% of the target was damaged, raising the cumulative damage to 89.6%. Of the 244 bombs dropped it was estimated 115 fell within 1,000 ft. of the MPI. Four A/C were non-effective. All bombing was visual. Heavy caliber flak varied from moderate to intense and was accurate. One B-29 was shot down and 50 damaged by AA fire. The A/C lost received a direct hit by flak over the target and it broke in two. All 11 men missing. No E/A seen. Forty-two B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 15,193 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 645 gallons.

Mission # 285 Date: 24 July 1945 Target: Kawinishi A/C Plant, Takarazuka (90.25 - 2137) City of Kuwana, Primary Radar (90.20) Participating Unit: 58th BW Number A/C Airborne: 88 % A/C Bombing Primary: 93.18% (77 Primary, 4 Primary Radar, and 3 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M65, 1,000# G.P. 1/100 sec. delay nose and non-delay tail. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 474.5 tons on Primaries and 18 tons on Opportunity. Time Over Primary: 241133K - 241203K Altitude of Attack: 19,000 - 20,600 Weather Over Target: 0/10 - 4/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Early strike photos indicated the target was virtually destroyed. Workers quarters N and S of target were severely damaged. Photo reconnaissance revealed 77% of the target had been damaged. The target was not visible to 1 A/C. Of the 949 bombs released on the target, 418 hit with- in 1,000 feet of MPI. Four A/C were non-effective. Sixteen E/A were airborne in the vicinity of the target, but made no attacks. Flak was heavy, meager to moderate and generally accurate. Fifty-one B-29s damaged by AA fire. Three free balloons with dangling tails were observed in assembly plant vicinity. A pos- sible smoke cover was observed to the west of the Primary tar- get. Forty B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 12,688 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 614 gallons.

Mission # 286 Date: 24 July 1945 Target: Osaka Arsenal (90.25 - 382) (Primary Visual) City of Kuwana (90.20) (Primary Radar) Participating Unit: 73rd BW Number A/C Airborne: 170 % A/C Bombing Primary: 90% (35 Primary visual, 119 Primary radar, and 9 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M66, 2,000# G.P. with 1/40 sec. delay nose and tail. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 216 tons on Primary visual, 794 tons on Primary radar and 59 tons on Op- portunity. Time Over Primary: 241144K - 241227K Altitude of Attack: 19,900 - 23,000 Weather Over Target: Nearly solid undercast. Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Strike photos showed several hits in the target area and immediately S and W of the target. Several ad- ditional bursts damaged Osaka Castle. Reconnaissance later revealed that 8.4% of the target was damaged, raising the total destroyed to 18.1%. eight A/C were non-effective. Target was visible only to 35 A/C. No E/A sighted. First flak at IP was scat- tered, meager, heavy and inaccurate and continuously pointed. Over Osaka it was moderate, accurate and continuously point- ed. From Osaka to Biwa Ko it was heavy, moderate, accurate, barrage and continuously pointed. Flak came from Fukido, Ya- wata, Fushimi, Ogura A/F and Kyato. It was particularly accu- rate in the vicinity of Kyato. forty-six A/C were damaged by AA fire. Total A/B does not include 1 Wind-Run A/C. Thirty-nine B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 14,301 lbs. Av- erage fuel reserve: 611 gallons. Of the 216 bombs dropped on Osaka Arsenal, 28 hit within 1,000 feet of the MPI. The A/C bombing the Primary Radar included the Wind-Run A/C.

Mission # 287 Date: 24 July 1945 Target: Aichi A/C Plant at Eitoku (90.20 - 1729) Participating Unit: 313th BW Number A/C Airborne: 74 % A/C Bombing Primary: 86.48% (66 Primary and 5 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M66, 2000# G.P. 1/100 sec. delay nose and non-delay tail. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 451 tons on Primary and 35 tons on Opportunity. Time Over Primary: 241125K - 241152K Altitude of Attack: 20,000 - 23,000 Weather Over Target: 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Results unobserved. No A/C observed the target. Heavy caliber flak was meager to moderate and in- accurate to accurate. Two A/C were damaged by AA. No E/A sighted. Twenty-six B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 14,273 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 634 gallons.

Mission # 288 Date: 24 July 1945 Target: Tsu Naval A/C Factory (90.24 - 2224) (PV) City of Tsu (90.24) (PR) Participating Unit: 313th BW Number A/C Airborne: 41 % A/C Bombing Primary: 92.68% (38 Primary and 2 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M64, 500# G.P., 1/100 sec. delay and non-delay tail. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 280.3 tons on Primary and 14.8 tons on Opportunity. Time Over Primary: 241127K - 241154K Altitude of Attack: 15,800 - 18,600 Weather Over Target: 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Results were unobserved. See Resume of Mission # 289 for damage to the city of Tsu. The 38 A/C bomb- ing hit the Primary radar target. All bombing was by radar. One A/C was non-effective. No enemy opposition was encountered. One B-29 landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 15,985 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 767 gallons.

Mission # 289 Date: 24 July 1945 Target: Mitsubishi A/C Plant (90.20 - 1141) Fuji Textile Plant and Toyowa Heavy Industries at Nagoya (90.20 - 2140) City of Tsu (PR) (90.24) Participating Unit: 314th BW Number A/C Airborne: 81 % A/C Bombing Primary: 92.59% (75 A/C) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M56, 4000# L.C. and AN-M64, 500# G.P. each fused with instan- taneous nose and non-delay tail. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 298 tons on Primary and 5 tons on Opportunity. Time Over Primary: 241138K - 241154K Altitude of Attack: 18,000 - 22,600 Weather Over Target: 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: The 75 A/C bombed the Primary radar target, since the Primary visual target was not visible. Reconnaissance revealed that this strike and Mission # 288 damaged .217 sq, mi., bringing the total damage to date to .238 sq. mi. Six A/C were non- effective. In the Nagoya area flak was heavy, meager, and inaccu- rate. Meager, heavy, accurate and inaccurate fire in Kyoto area. Nine A/C were damaged by AA. Four E/A sighted made no attacks. One Weather Control A/C not included in total. Fifteen B-29s land- ed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 9,032 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 676 gallons.

Mission # 290 Date: 24 July 1945 Target: Nakajima A/C Plant at Handa (90.20 - 1635) Participating Unit: 314th BW Number A/C Airborne: 81 % A/C Bombing Primary: 95.06% (77 Primary and 1 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M64, 500# G.P. with 1/40 sec. delay nose and non-delay tail. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 537.3 tons on Primary and 8 tons on Opportunity. Time Over Primary: 241138K - 241156K Altitude of Attack: 15,700 - 19,700 Weather Over Target: 9/10 - 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Reconnaissance showed 44.2% of the target had been destroyed. All bombing was by radar because the target was not visible. Three A/C were non-effective. Flak was heavy, meager to moderate and inaccurate. Two A/C were damaged by AA. Four E/A sighted made no attacks. Fifteen B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 15,499 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 525 gallons.

Mission # 291 Date: 25/26 July 1945 Target: Mitsubishi Oil Refinery (90.17 - 116) Hayama Petroleum Center at Kawasaki (90.17 - 127) Participating Unit: 315th BW Number A/C Airborne: 83 % A/C Bombing Primary: 90.36% (75 Primary and 1 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M64, 500# G.P., 1/10 sec. delay nose and 1/40 sec. delay tail. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 650 tons on Primary, 9 tons on Oppor- tunity and 18 tons by Wind-Run A/C. Time Over Primary: 252323K - 260003K Altitude of Attack: 16,500 - 18,100 Weather Over Target: 0/10 - 4/10 Total A/C Lost: 1 Resume of Mission: Photo reconnaissance showed 32% of storage tank units, and 1 furnace, 1 asphalt loading unit, 1 can manufacturing plant and 2 warehouses of the Mitsubishi Oil Re- finery (90.17 - 116) was destroyed and 36% of the storage tanks, 5 U/I buildings, 7 probable office buildings, and 4 maintenance sheds of Hayama Petroleum Co. (90.17 - 127) was destroyed. Targets were visible to only 3 A/C. Falk was heavy caliber, mo- derate to intense, accurate to inaccurate. Intense S/L activity was encountered and rope was used with varying success. Two Wind-Run A/C bombed Shimizu Aluminum Plant at Shim- iizu. Seven A/C were non-effective. Three B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. The aircraft that was lost suffered a direct flak hit over the target. No E/A. Average bomb load: 18,664 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 1,109 gallons.

Mission # 292 Date: 25/26 July 1945 Target: Seishin, Fusan, Nanao, Fushiki, Tsuruga and Obama Participating Unit: 313th BW Number A/C Airborne: 30 % A/C Bombing Primary: 96.66% (26 Primary and 1 Alternate) Type of Mines and Settings: MK25-36, 1000# and MK25, 2000# mines with various settings. Tons of Mines Dropped: 195 tons on Primary and 6 tons on Alternate. Time Over Primary: 260050K - 260157K Altitude of Attack: 6,900 - 8,400 Weather Over Target: 6/10 - 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Of the 243 mines laid it was believed 240 were effective to maintaining the blockade. All mine laying was by radar. No enemy opposition was encountered. Six A/C sta- ged through Iwo Jima en route to Seishin. Eight B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average mine load: 13,270 lbs. Average fuel re- serve: 779 gallons.

Mission # 293 Date: 26/27 July 1945 Target: Matsuyama Urban Area (90.29) Participating Unit: 73rd BW Number A/C Airborne: 129 % A/C Bombing Primary: 98.45% (127 A/C) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M17A1, E46, E36, 500# incendiary clusters set to open 5,000 ft. above target and M47A2 100# incendiary bombs with in- stantaneous nose. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 896 tons Time Over Primary: 270008K - 270218K Altitude of Attack: 11,000 - 12,350 Weather Over Target: 0/10 - 2/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Strike photos show good to excellent results, with numerous fires in the Matsuyama built-up area. Greatest concentration of fires visible around aiming point S and E of castle. Fires indicated S and E sections of city sustained severe damage. Reconnaissance showed 73% of the city has been damaged. The target was visible to on- ly 24 A/C. Heavy, medium, meager and inaccurate flak was encountered. Claims 1-0-0. Two A/C were non-effective. Twelve A/C were pathfinders. One Wind-Run A/C not inclu- ded in A/C A/B. Seven B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 14,786 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 660 gallons.

Mission # 294 Date: 26/27 July 1945 Target: Tokuyama Urban Area (90.32) Participating Unit: 313th BW Number A/C Airborne: 102 % A/C Bombing Primary: 95.09% (97 Primary and 1 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: E46, 500# incendiary clusters set to open 5,000 feet above target, M47A2, 100# incendiary bombs with instantaneous nose and T4E4 500# frag. clusters set to open 1,000 feet below A/C. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 751.5 tons on Primary Time Over Primary: 270122K - 270235K Altitude of Attack: 11,000 - 12,500 Weather Over Target: 3/10 - 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Last crews over target reported entire dock area covered with fire which appeared to have a good start throughout the city. One E/A sighted made 1 attack. Claims: 1-0-0. A Baka was reported between the target and land's end. It exploded after being fired upon by a B-29. Flak was heavy and medium, meager to intense and inaccurate. Twelve A/C were pathfinders. Four A/C were non-effective. Target was visible to 55 A/C and not visible to 40. Two RCM and 1 Wind-Run A/C also took part. Twelve B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 16,406 lbs. Average fuel re- serve: 580 gallons.

Mission # 295 Date: 26/27 July 1945 Target: Omuta Urban Area Participating Unit: 314th BW Number A/C Airborne: 130 % A/C Bombing Primary: 95.38% (124 Primary and 1 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: M17A1, 500# incendiary clusters set to open 5,000 feet above target and M47A2, 100# incendiary bombs with instantaneous nose. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 964.6 tons Time Over Primary: 270113K - 270231K Altitude of Attack: 13, 100 - 16,300 Weather Over Target: 0/10 - 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 1 Resume of Mission: Crews reported results unobserved to excellent. The target area was seen by 67 A/C and not seen by 57. Five A/C were non-effective. Twenty-five to 30 E/A made 9 attacks. No claims. Balls of fire sighted 40 miles from target. A/C lost was last seen being attacked by E/A. Medium and heavy flak and A/W fire was meager to moder- ate and inaccurate. One Wind-Run A/C took part. Sixteen B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 15,165 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 526 gallons.

Mission # 296 Date: 27/28 July 1945 Target: Shimonoseki Straits, Rashin, Fukuoka, Niigata, Maizuru, Fuka Wan, Senzakai Participating Unit: 313th BW Number A/C Airborne: 30 % A/C Bombing Primary: 80% (24 Primary and 1 Alternate) Type of Mines and Settings: 1,000 and 2,000# mines with various settings. Tons of Mines Dropped: 161 on Primary and 7 tons on Alternate. Time Over Primary: 280034K - 280211K Altitude of Attack: 7,300 - 10,400 Weather Over Target: 0/10 - 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 3 Resume of Mission: Of the 189 mines dropped, it was estimat- ed 183 were effective. Five A/C were non-effective. All A/C mining Rashin staged at Iwo Jima. Flak was heavy, meager to moderate and accurate to inaccurate. Two B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Two aircraft ditched and 13 men were rescued. One B-29 crash land- ed at Iwo Jima and was surveyed. Average mine load: 13,338 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 858 gallons. All mine-laying was by radar. Ten E/A sighted made no attacks.

Mission # 297 Date: 28/29 July 1945 Target: Tsu Urban Area Participating Unit: 58th BW Number A/C Airborne: 78 % A/C Bombing Primary: 97.43% (76 A/C) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: E48, 500# incendiary clusters to open 5,000 feet above target. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 729.8 tons Time Over Primary: 290047K - 290156K Altitude of Attack: 11,000 - 11,600 Weather Over Target: 8/10 - 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Crews reported good to excellent results. Photo reconnaissance revealed 57% of the city had been dam- aged, raising the total damage to date to 71.1%. Heavy, med- ium and light caliber flak was meager and inaccurate. Two E/A sighted did not attack. Two A/C were non-effective. Fifty-one A/C bombed visually and 25 bombed by radar. Twelve A/C act- ed as pathfinders and 2 additional A/C were A/B as Wind-Run A/C. Pamphlets were dropped on this mission. Seven B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 19,979 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 686 gallons.

Mission # 298 Date: 28/29 July 1945 Target: Aomori Urban Area Participating Unit: 58th BW Number A/C Airborne: 65 % A/C Bombing Primary: 93.84% (61 Primary and 3 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: E48, 500# incendiary clusters set to open 5,000 feet above target. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 546.5 tons on Primary and 27.5 tons on Primary. Time Over Primary: 282337K - 290048K Altitude of Attack: 14,100 - 14,700 Weather Over Target: 0/10 - 9/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Results were reported as excellent, with fires observed surrounding the MPI in the NE target area. Smoke was rising to 20,000 feet. Aircraft on this mission staged from Iwo Jima. A few bursts of inaccurate heavy flak was reported over target. Eleven E/A sighted did not attack. Thirty-seven bombed visually and 24 by radar. One A/C was non-effective. Twelve A/C acted as pathfinders. Leaflets were dropped on this mission. Two wind-Run A/C were A/B. Seven B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 18,498 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 667 gallons.

Mission # 299 Date: 28/29 July 1945 Target: Ichinomiya Urban Industrial Area (90.20) Participating Unit: 73rd BW Number A/C Airborne: 127 % A/C Bombing Primary: 96.20% (122 Primary and 2 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: E46 and M17, 500# incendiary clusters set to open at 5,000 feet above target and M47, 100# incendiary bombs with instantaneous nose. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 868.8 tons on Primary and 16.7 tons on Opportunity. Time Over Primary: 282356K - 290148K Altitude of Attack: 13,500 - 16,700 Weather Over Target: 4/10 - 8/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Early photos revealed many large fires in center of city. Twenty-six A/C bombed visually and 96 by radar. Three A/C were non-effective. Nineteen E/A sighted, made 14 attacks and damaged 4 B-29s. No claims. Flak was heavy, meager, inaccurate, barrage and continuously pointed. Approx- imately 20 S/L's were seen. Seven B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 14,833 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 758 gal- lons.

Mission # 300 Date: 28/29 July 1945 Target: Ujiyamada Urban Area Participating Unit: 313th BW Number A/C Airborne: 99 % A/C Bombing Primary: 92.92% (93 Primary and 1 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: E46, 500# incendiary clusters set to open 5,000 feet above target. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 734.6 tons on Primary and 7.8 tons on Opportunity. Time Over Primary: 290215K - 290324K Altitude of Attack: 12,000 - 13,800 Weather Over Target: 0/10 - 5/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Crews reported unobserved to excellent results. Fires were visible for 120 miles. Reconnaissance la- ter revealed 39% of the built-up area had been destroyed. 35 A/C bombed visually and 58 bombed by radar. Black-out in target area was complete, although some cities not listed in propaganda leaflets did not black-out. Flak was reported as heavy and medium, meager to moderate and generally inaccu- rate. A great deal of A/W fire was reported. A few phosphorous bombs and balls of fire were non-effective. One Wind-Run A/C was A/B. Nine B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 16,906 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 774 gallons.

Mission # 301 Date: 28/29 July 1945 Target: Ogaki Urban Rules Participating Unit: 314th BW Number A/C Airborne: 96 % A/C Bombing Primary: 93.54% (90 A/C) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: E46 and M17A1, 500# incendiary clusters set to open 5,000 feet a- bove target and M47A2, 100# in- cendiary bombs with instantaneous nose. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 658.7 tons Time Over Primary: 290152K - 290350K Altitude of Attack: 14,000 - 16,400 Weather Over Target: 2/10 - 5/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Crews reported unobserved to excellent bombing results. Photo reconnaissance revealed 38% of the city had been destroyed. Six A/C were non-effective. The tar- get was visible to 61 A/C and not visible to 31. Twenty-eight E/A made 21 attacks and damaged 2 B-29s. Flak was repor- ted as heavy, meager and inaccurate, also meager to intense. Twelve to 35 S/L's were ineffective. One Wind-Run A/C and 1 Broadcast A/C were A/B. Ten B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Av- erage bomb load: 14,977 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 594 gallons. Claims were 1-0-0.

Mission # 302 Date: 28/29 July 1945 Target: Uwajima Urban Area Participating Unit: 314th BW Number A/C Airborne: 32 % A/C Bombing Primary: 90.62% (29 A/C) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: E46, 500# incendiary clusters set to open 5,000 feet above target and M47A2, 100# incendiary bombs with instantaneous nose. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 205.3 tons Time Over Primary: 290116K - 290225K Altitude of Attack: 10,400 - 11,230 Weather Over Target: 4/10 - 6/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Photo reconnaissance indicated 39% of the city was destroyed, raising the total destroyed to 52%. No E/A opposition and A/W fire was meager and inaccurate. All bombing was by radar. One Wind-Run A/C was A/B. Two B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 14,960 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 725 gallons. Three B-29s were non-effective.

Mission # 303 Date: 28/29 July 1945 Target: Shimotsu Oil Refinery (XXI 5046) Participating Unit: 315 BW Number A/C Airborne: 82 % A/C Bombing Primary: 92.68% (76 Primary and 1 Opportunity) Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M64, 500# G.P. with 1/10 sec. delay nose and non-delay tail. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 658.3 tons on Primary and 16.7 tons on Opportunity. Time Over Primary: 282302K - 290123K Altitude of Attack: 10,100 - 12,000 Weather Over Target: 4/10 - 10/10 Total A/C Lost: 0 Resume of Mission: Bombing results were unobserved. All bombing was by radar. Five A/C were non-effective. Twelve E/A sighted made no attacks. Flak was heavy, meager, in- accurate to accurate. One B-29 was damaged by flak. Two Wind-Run A/C were A/B. Two A/C that bombed Primary also bombed Opportunity. Two B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 18,375 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 1,145 gallons.

1944: Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1945: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep