MISSION SUMMARY

Mission Number 243

      

1. Date:  1 July 1945

2. Target:  Shimonoseki Urban Area

3. Participating Unit:  314th Bombardment Wing

4. Number A/C Airborne: 141

5. % A/C Bombing Primary:  88.9%  (127 primary and 5 opportunity)

6. Type of Bombs and Fuzes:  AN-M47A2, 100# incendiary bombs with instantaneous use, and E46 500# clusters set to open 5000 feet above Target.

7. Tons of Bombs Dropped:  833 tons on primary & 37.3 tons on opportunity.

8. Time Over Primary: 0325K  - 0400K

9. Altitude of Attack:  7,900   - 19,000 feet

10. Weather Over Target:        4/10  - 9/10

11. Total A/C Lost:  1

12. Resume of Mission:  Photo reconnaissance showed damage totaled .51 sq. mi., or 36% of built-up area.  16 A/C bombed visually and 111 by radar.  9 A/C were non-effective.  No E/A sighted.  Flak was heavy, meager, and moderate to inaccurate.  The B-29 lost was en route to Target when 2 engines failed for unknown reasons.  Of the 11 crew-members who bailed-out, 9 were rescued.  22 A/C landed at Iwo Jima.  Average Bomb Load:  13,809 lbs.  Average Fuel Reserve:  656 gallons.

 

 

 

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