UISSION NO.

172
FLOWN 11 MAY1945
COpy NO. 41
I
HEI\DQU4RTERS
XXI BOMBER COMMAND
APO 114
'.
Fi eld order No. 74
HEh!lClu.lRTEllS
:xxI BOMB!R ca,f.ViND
APO 234
TAaI'ICll.L MISSION :REPORT
Mission No. 172
Torget: Kmanishi Hrcrart Plant. 90.25.1702
KOBE, JAPAN
11 "'y 1945,
1'0 ble of Contonts
Page
...J!2.,.
'Ibctical 1rrative. .


1
Annex A - Operations.




8
",rt I NaVigation '!'rack Chart
9
part
II - Aiming points


10
part III - Flight Engineering Charts. 11
Pnrt IV - Radar

13
part V - GUnnery.

13
Part VI - Air-8ea :Rescue Chart.

15,
Anne:r: B t1eetb'r
. .

,


16
part
I - TIellther SUl!llllary.

17
Part II - Chart - Forecast \,eather vs ..
Obssrvcd \"leather.



19
part
III Rognostic M:1p

20
part IV - Synoptic Jotlp.



21
Annez: C Communications.




22
Pert I - Radar Counter Measures 23
"'rt
II - Radio

24
i.nnex D .. Intelligence.

25,
Ro,..
I - Dlemy Air Opposition

26
Pert II - Enemy Antiaircraft and
A i r t o ~ ~ i r Bombing.

27
Fert In
- Damage Assessment.

29
.mncx E - Consolidated statistical sumno.ry.

33
.lnnex po
- >:XI Bomber COf!IrIQnd F:l. old Qrdar
43
Annex G - Distribution.

47
,
PI' epc.red By:
A_2 SectloD.
XXI Banbar COIIInDn4
EQ1!]!
HEADQumrms
XXI BOMBER Cot.W.ND
APO 234
,
SUB.TECT: Report of Operations. 11 MDy 1945
::::;:::::111:1:1111111
SECRET
Autb. at the e.G.
XXI Bomber CQllll8r1d
6 July 45 J. D.&.
Date Initials I
::::::::::: I:: II::::: II
6 July 1945
TO: COD'lD!lrding General, Twentieth Air Force, Washington 25. D.c.
1. m:mrIFlCATION OF MISSION:
a. Field Order Number 74. Headquarters XXI Bomber CCIllIII8.nd.
dated 10 May 1945. direoted the 58th. 7)rd. ani 314th Bombardment Wings
to take part in an attac.k on the Kall'anishi Aircraft Plant in the
area. and the 31)th Wing to ]Il'ovide a forae to strike at Kyushu Air.
fields at opprOXim!ltely the Solll! time. This rej)CJrt will deal only with
Mission Numb&' 172, the sttcck on the Ka1f3.nishi A:ircratt Plant.
b. Targets Spee1!ied:
(I) PriJmry Vi sual and Radar Ka.wanishi Aircraft
Company. Assembly Works, Fume Plant; located in( the Kobe area (Target
90.25-1702).
(2) No secordary or last resort targets were named.
2. S'IRATIDY.AND pum OF OPERATIONS:
o. Selection of D-Dny: On the basis of a weather forecast
that predicted favorable conditions for a strike. firm decision was
mOode to attack on 11 May. It was felt that this attack would serve as
a diversion to the force attacking the Xyushu Airfields at apJroximately
the same time.
b. Importance of' the Target: This is one of Kawanishi's
and. smaller aircraft pllbts. The plant recently took over production of
the 4-engine flying boot, Etnily, fran Kawsnishi's neo.rby Naruo Plant ald
in addition, it produces e new twin-engine land-based plane. the KOnan
63.
c. Details of planning
(1) Bombing Plans:
Operational:
(a) of Bomb Load:
1. It was decided that airoraf't on th is mission
Would corry 100 per cent 500-pound genoral_purpose bombs. fuzed .01-
second nose ond non-delay tail.
l.. 'I'be primory buildif188 at this QI'Mt were of
long sJX1n, steel frame c0l18true1:1on, and were subjeet to spreading eol ..
lapse. lArger aize bombs would be more effective against this tyPe of
building and were given serious consideration. but due to the limited
time between mission planning and toke-off, necessary changes or banb
rocks could not be IOOde. Therefore, the SOO-pound general.purpose bcmb
-1-

-------------'
was selected since it would ollOQ 8 maxtmum tonnage of high explosives to
be released on the target. This would result in 8 mUltiple number of
bomb hits, thereby assuring maximum to building contents in addi-
tion to interrupting operations.
1. Becauso of the alight combustibility of the
primary buildings in tho target area and because at limitations of
supply, incendiary nunitions were not employed.
ll. The delay nose fuzs was selected
since it would nllou bomb burst 6 to 10 feet beneath the roof level,
ghing llfU:1mum dC1IG3ge to building contents. The non-delay tail fUze
was eelected in order to give ground-level burst to banbB.
5. Aircraft were to be loaded to obtain rltIXimum
tonnage of high explosives OV6r the target areo..
(b) Bombina Dato.: (Seo Annex A. ParrII; for Photo
ShOlJing ":"i.lning
!. The mean point of impact selected wos the
center of the plant. Inasmuch os the target 'Hould be the most pranin-
ent point in the surrounding .area. it was felt toot justifiable results
could be expected if the 'I7eo.ther were as briefed.
1. The primary fD.ctors which determined the
Qxis of attock on this mission were antiaircraft, drift. radar approaches,
and a distinguishable initiol point. Enemy antioircraft defenses wero
so placed that an axis of attack running from 180 to 360 degrees would
be the best BuitEd. HO'l7evcr, on axis of attack of 360 degrees at 20,000
ft.-tot would have caused excessive drift on the bomb run. The projecting
point of land at 34l6N-l3504E would aUem 0. run of 2J degrees to the
targE;t .:lad would limit the amount of drift at 20,000 feet to 15 dcgreu
right. This initial point ,"ould be very &asy to identify, and in addi_
tion, the northern tip of A'I7oja Shima ,"ould serve os an excellent check
point on the target run. A minimUl!l. amount of time would be spent in
the ontiaircraft arcas (see JOr 2'd (2" using this axis of attack, and
the radar approo.ch to the target tl'ould be good. The designated axis of
attack and bombing altitudes for Q.ll 3 Wings '1"lere 23 degroees true and
16,000 to 20.000 feet,
J. Since tho sun at the time or attack ..ould be
at 125 degrees, no difficulty was expected fran glare. The surface wind
was predieted to be fre.tl degrees and m),S expected to blOl'l own)"
the smoke in the torset area. thus o.llowine all SQuadrons participating
to ident ify their aiming points.
(2) 1bvigotion:
(a) All 3 Wings \'l.r", to use the follO'A'ing route:
B! se to Assembly I
to
Reassembly I
to
3416N-I3,504E (Initial
to Point)
Reasons tor Ohoice
Tactioal Doctrine
Points ",ere selected off the CaDst in case
of rod 'I7snthr at Iwo jimo.
This jet of lond in Osaka Boy "auld give ex-
cellent ch6ek point for the turn to the target.
Target
to
3454N-1J.52JE
to
3446N-13550E
to
Bose
This route was selected in order to ovoid
flak defl1ses.
This route waG selected in order to avoid
flak defenses.
(3) Flight Engineering:
(aJ Designated altitudes and speeds. except far the
bombing run. were selected for JnlU.i..mUlll fuel econany and safety.
(b) Fuel resorve dota from previous formation mis-
sions ot the plarmed altitudes indicated that the 73rd Wing (Saipan)
gould require full fling and center ning tanks for a total ruel load
of approximltely 6750 gallons. It;;os estilmted that the average air
croft of the 58th (Tinion) and 314th (Guam) Wings gould require. in
addition to full ning and center wing t.,nks. I portinlly_filled banb
boy tank for a totnl fuel load of approximately 6950 to 7.300 gallons.
(c) No mllximum or minimu:n bomb lrod was specified.
It ii'OS estinnted that .:tvd"oge aircrart of the 56th. 73rd. and 314th
Wings nould be able to carry potenti.:JI lends of 12.000. 12.000. and
9000 pounds respectiv&ly. An ammunition loo.d of approxim.'ltely 1500
pounds per aircrnft nos planned.
(4)
(0) The rndar landfall l13S to be node at vnrious
assembly points and the distinctive coastal features were expected to
be an aid for positioning the oircrnft by radar. A cOf!l!lon initial
point C34l6N-13504E) was chosen since it is a peninsula easily iden-
tified either by radar or visual means.
(b) The target itself could not be sepDrat6d fran
the coostline as a distinct and radar return. Hcmevc.r, thero
nould be an excelllmt opporturnity to sot course on the irrEogular bey
cOQstline, and thereby identify location b.Y radar meansi
(c) A radar release on this target. l'I'bich projects
out into the boy. vould be for rangf> because of tho lnnd-
v_tE:r contrast. but only fllir in deflection due to the blending at the
coostline and the target return. '!bo approach by radar for visunl
sighting t1o.s considerod to be goed.
(d) The target 'ilas not considered Q good radar
target because of itD sntlll sizo. It has chosen Do8 Q p-imary rad::1r
target beco.uso there t10S no other suito.ble ro.dor torget situated on
this axis of
(5) Ftodo.r Countao Measuresl In order to continue a
general search o J'o.panese Radar equipnent free 38-3300 me. it vas
planned to hOve 5 Fto,dnr Counter Measures Observers participate in the
mission using Am.-4. APA_ll. and APA-24 eqUipment. Searcb was to be
cotducted in the aree. north of apprCD:iJ:latcly 30 degrees North.
(6) Air-5eD Rescue:
(n) .:.:u.V;C\I: The NJvy '30,s furnished nitb the detnils
of the mission ond provided the follm7i'lg uir-sen rescue fneilities:
1. Tuo su1:marines 'Q'cre assigned for the entiro
mission as fo11oos: at-333ON-13630E and at 310ON-13BooE.
2. Thre. Dumbos yere assigned as foll0'07s: at
27+5N-:!.3945E fra!! li03i5:, 'to 110515Z; al; fran 11034.5Z to
and <:It 200ON-1433OE frCl!1 l1033C1Z. to' 110naz. ..
1. One SurfllCG veSsel lias assigned for the
entire clssion at lBOON-l4430E.
11:. Crash boots were assigned in tho imnedinto
vicinity of SI'.ipan, Tinicm. and North Field. Guam, to carry out air.
sen rescue nork during oriticn1 p6riods of toke-off and lonhng.
(b) An!ly: This CQ!lllPnl <:lssigned 3 Super-D\IJ;lbos
(B-29
1
s) to orbit the sulD.:lrine positions listed obove for the return
flight of all oircroi't on the ni.ssion. Two Supcr-Dumbos nere to orbit
<:It 3330N-1363OE ani 1 at 31Dm-1380oE.
d. Details of Planning -_
(1) Enemy Fiphtcr Reaction: The enemy <:lir order of
bottle for the Osnko-RObe areo at this tllnC 'I70S estimated to be 100
fighters, of nhich 18 \'raro tuin-engino aircraft. Appraxi..l:ir.tely 70 of
the single_engino fighters ucre believed to be navy-type interceptors,
(Georges and Zekes) uith oell-troined pilots.
(2) EnEmy Ant il:). ireraft:
(a) Hoovy guns ..ere disposed os fo11ros: Kobe - 62;
Oanko .289; northeast of Osaka _ 6; Kyoto _ at lco.st 32; AkDshi -
and Himeji - 18.
(b) The opproach to the to.rgct areo frcm Tokura Cope,
southeast of Osoko. on Oscko. BoY. is on an axis of attack of 23 dcgrel".s
to the t:lrget. This approach avoids the Aknshi defenses, '\:l'cst of Kobo
brings the aircraf't nithin range of the Kobe. defonses for the lenst
possible time. It also kee.ps the nircroft out of range of tho gro.."'Itcr
part of tho Osclm defensos.
(c) The oircraft nere to continue on course {'.crOBS
Kobe and out of the d6fenso area, inaBr.luch as 0. brueknnny to the riBbt
Hould havb put the oircrnft over the large defonses of Oaakn. a
breakaway to the left nould huvo put \1ithin effLetive rango of the
Himeji_ll.kashi defanses. It wos furth"-I' decided that. oftl.S lenving
the Kobe doftmse area, the cireroft were to turn nost betweon the Osnkn
and Kyoto defenses and. thor. soutboo.st to land's end.
(d) A rose altitude of 16.000 feet tros reca:mendcd
and is cOlIDCnsurnte \11 th the mxirnur::l. drift limits for good bcnbing. aceurQC).
-4-
!l.lH.E.E!
3. :E:X:ECurION OF THE PUSS ION:
a. Take-off: . T=lke-off
Aircrc.ft
Wing Airborne
nas accomplished
First
Toke-off
os 011005:
Loot
Toke-off
58th
3
8 101632Z 10175&
73rd 22 1016542 101706z
114th .JIg
lO1626z 101902Z
XXI B.C. 102 101626z lO1902Z
The above figures do not include 2 Supc.r-Dunbos free the 7Jrd Wing
and
1 SUpcr-D..unbo frCl!l tho 314th \/1ng.
b. Route out: proceeded individually to the assembly
7.ooe5.. Relianco =8 plaood on doad reckoning navigat ion,
by Lor"an. celestial, and rndar. Tioc control 17:lS fair uith 360-dcgree
turns being necessary 1n SCl:1C c<!scs. Forecast ninds "ero inaccurate
ond caused difficultios oentioned.
c. OVer TarBet:
(1) Prinnry Target: Target cren navigation '."1(\S occem.-
plished visually using radar as on oid. Due to 4/10 cloud COVLr, bomb-
ing runs ncre made by radar with last mnute visual correcti ons. Wind
in the target area WClS frCf!l. 280 degt'ces CIt 43 knots. A total of 92
a ircro.ft dropped 459.5 tons of SOD-pound gent.ral-purposo bCf!l.bs on the
primcry target fran 1100532 to 11010320 at altitudes from 15.700 to
20,000 fect. Th irty-onc of the 92 aircrr-.tt bornbins the pri.nt:lry t<lrget
bonbed Visually.
(2) of Opportunity: One aircraft of the 58th
Wing dropped 5.5 tons of 5004pound g(.nu.:l.l-purposc bonbs on Sakioohl:'.ma
at 110059Z tram_19.000 feet.
(3) Re:mnindtll' of Force; Nine aircraft 'I7ere non-01'fectivo.
d. Route Back: Tb route back tros flam as briefed. Four-
ttlc,n 8-29's landed .:it J'imo..
e. Londinp;: 1.lrcraft landad. .:l.t roses under good woothcr
conditions 015 follons:
!!i!!a
First LandiM
58th
110725Z 110935Z
7Jrd l10706z
110945Z
1ill1!
l108oaz;
11993&
XXI B.C.
l10706z
110945Z
f. Losses: Dne aircraft crashed into the soo on toke-off.
All 11 crtm J:'!u:lbers nere killed..
-5-
g. Operations 5\ll!l!larY:
(1) Navi/W.tion: (See l.nnex A. Pert I. for Track Chnrt.)
(2) Bor:lbing:
(0) BecausE of the linited visibility over the tcr-
get. all Uings made rodar approoches. SCll:le aircrcft of the 56th and
73rd Wings, oft...r mking radar approaches to th.... target, were able to
r.JOke corrections vhen the. target bcco.mo visible for a fJfi seconds 00_
thc .... nd of tho bcmJb run. All aircraft of the 314th Wing bcx:1bed.
by radnr.
(b) The strike photogrophy on this oission Tlas poor
C!.nd fen hits could be soen on tho targot. Subsequently, h(7.7ev... r, nhon
post-strike photography uns obtained, it uoa found that approxinately
39 p.... r ct:lnt of th.... plont hod been dOI:Xlgod or destroyed. (Soo Annox D.
p.'1rt III, for Doco.gG Assess:l.ent.)
(3) Flight Engineering: (Sec ;.nnex ..... Part Ill, for
Charts, and Consolidcted Statistical Sur:nary, ..\.nnux E. for Details.)
(a) Narrative of Mission as Flown:
1. Initial Cruise and Cilimb to Becbin.s Altitudo:
Most aircraft of the 56th, 73rd. ond 314th \iings prooeGdod ct altitudes
frcn 1500 to 5000 feet to the point of clirlb. Cliobs were cade as plan.
ned to ba::J.bing altitudes (15,700 to 20,000 feet) without difficulty.
g. J"ssE.r.lbl.y: Tnil uiJ':ds encoWItered in the ini
tial cruise brought aircrllft to the assec.bly points just otf the coast of
Japan than plQMed. Sooc additiorml fuel was consuoed in circling
at the asse:t:lbly point prior to the depllrture, uhich vas ticed to effoct
arrival at the target as briefed.
1. Return to agse: %e flight plan for the return
to base \10:3 a 50 feet p...r minute let dam fr<X1 boobing altitudes to 15,000
feet and rosulted in a. ninicum use of fuel. Level flight uas oaintoincd
at 15.000 feet to Cl point whore a 200 feet per minute rate of desoent
vould brine aircraft over the hcoe baso o.t pattorn oltitude.
(b) Conments on the Results of the !aiasion: :FUel con-
sumptions were sliGhtly more than predicted.
(4) (See Port IV, Annex A. far details). Of the
92 aircraft banbing the primry target, all releases were nade by radar.
some with last minute visual corrections.
(.5) Gunnery: (Soe Part V. Annex A. for details).
(6) Air-5ea Rescue; (Soe Part VI. Annm: A. far
ReSCUE: Chart). 'nlere were no ditchings llDd all !lircraft were accounted
for.
h. "cotherl (See Annex B. for dotnih). fI,i th the exception
of cloud covercge at the target. 'Which was less favorable than forecast
!lnd uinds which "are stronger than predicted, tho weatbex was genernlly
as forecast.
- 6 _
i. Communications:
(1) Radar Counter Measures: (See Part I, Annex C, far
details).
(2) Radio: (See Port II. Annex C, for details). Several
instances of j8llltling and interference were reported. no serious vio-
lations of either security or net discipline were reported.
j. Intelligence Summary:
(1) E)lemy Air Opposition; (see Part I, Annex D, for
details). An estimated 50 enemy made 243 attacks on the for-
mation, with most of the attacks ocourring over the target. Twelve
B-29's ':Iere damaged by enemy aircraft. Claims against the enemy liars
8 24 probably destroyed. and 18 damaged.
(2) Enemy Antiaircraft: (See Part II. Annex D. tor details)
Antiaircraft in the target area 'iroS of moderote intensity for the IInjor-
1ty or the aircrai't. 'nle fire uos generally accurate, although a fer.
formations reported inaccurate fire.
(J) Damage Assessment: (See Part III, Annex D. for details)
(a) Approxi.motely 39 per cent of the target uss con_
sidered damaged or destroyed as a result of this ettuck.
(b) Other damage in the vicinity includes approximatel)
70 per cent destruction to a merchant-marine college adjacent to and north
east of the tnrget.
,;2( t C; (." I)Jtr,
CURTIS E. LeMAY
lotljcr Genoral. U. S. A.
Cormanding
- 7 -
ll.11<8.1 ~
ANNEX
A
gpny.TIOt
Part I .. !llvigo.tion Traok Chart
FE1rt n .. A1mi:.ng Points
~ r t III .. night Engineering Charts
1'8rt IV - Rador
POrt V .. Gunnery
Part VI .. A 1 r ~ e a Rescue Chart
Mission Not 172
11 10\. 191Ci
_ 8 _
Il.U.l!. u:
MISSION NO 172
DATE 1 MA
XXI BOMCQM.
KEY
_____ Wing 35
________73td.
____ .
,1eHICHl JIMA
--1-------+--.
,
,
, ,
, __ KITA- 10- JlMA........
\\ 73rc\.-102024Z 1020482
'\
\JIMA -- -- +-
,
\ +MINAMI-i-
\ l0203Sl
"
,I
'\"\
II
,,
,,
I,
\1
I "
---t----T-'l,1.,--t:-.--00
\ I
'I
"
I, I
\\\
1I0n9! IIOtZ3Z \
Ilorzoz 1l0t25Z - - - -4 -f
\,-
,fl."""
LAND'S END
1st. Lost
1l000ZZ llOl40Z
LANDfALL TARGET
1st. Last 1st. Last
58ft1.-110030i! 1I0059Z 1I0054Z UOIOiZ
WI"II S."I 26 Plane. over Torll_t
73rd..1I0017Z 1l0053Z
I 73rd. WI"ll senl 16 PIorl_. 011'. TOI'II_' I
314th.-llOO49Z IIOO57Z 1I"055Z 1l0103Z
I
I
I
I
..-- 1 _
,---,.---,.--,..,...,

APRIL
194'
PART NAVIGATION HART
130"
13'-
I
I
, I
I
.0
I
010

--.
... OMCllChi"O
Q
,-

Son

<f
J
00'
OKINAWA
TAI<EOFF
,
. 1st. Last
58th,- fOI632Z 101758Z
13n:l. IOI654Z IQI706Z
3141t\-IQI6262' 10l9Q2Z
LANplNG
,,,. I ""
1107252
1107062 rrn94OS:l
IIOB002 II0938Z
'30"
135" 140
'4'-
TRACK CHART XXI BOMBER COMMAND SECRET
R['PROOUCEO 3'S",Plu
AIM'G POINT

WINGS
5ih.
73111
314 III.
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sooo
flIRT IV - RADAR REPORT
1. EQUlFMEln' PHUORWl.N;E:
a. 'Ibere were 91 operatioool AN/AN.-13'e at take..off, 84 were
operational ovor the target (92%). ond 85 operational on return (93,).
b. 'Ibe overage unx1mtlD range of AN/APQ.-13 wall. 62 nautical mU_
nt 14.000 ft altitude.
c. The overage mnimum range of radar bencon reception was 112
nnutic.:l.} miles fran 5000 to 10.000 ft altituds.
d. 'Ibe average maximun range of AN/AFQ.-13 on landfill point 11'08
57 nautical oiles.
e. There were no fo.ilW'ea reported of AN/APQ.-13 in lead Ale.
f. '!bere were 2 failures reported or AN/Am9. 1 of sm-718,
ani 1 of SCR-695.
2. RADI.R NAVIGl\TION: There were 681 Loran fixes reported l1ith an
overage 1!IlX1mum range of 653 nautical miles tar ground tmves and 895
M\I:UC31 mUes for sky r.aves.
3 CCM.!ENl'S :
a. All r6!eo.ses nere made by radar, SaDe 'With lost minute visual
corrections
b. Identification of landfall and initioI points '1'1'013 reported
os good.
c. The radar aiming point uns considered to bo poor by the 58th
and 7Jrd Wings aoo good by the 314th
.. .. .. ., ....
PAAT V - GUNN:ERY RE:PmT"
1. No. of Ale Firins: 90
2. Ammunition Loodinlp
58th Wins
UF _ 2000 rde
UA 1000 rds
T - 1000 rdll.
LF 1000 rds
l.A - 1000 rds
'14th !i1'l8
OF - 500 rdB
UA. - 500 rds
T - 500 rds
u\ - 500 rde
LF - 500 r4s
TIrd ;ans
IJF ~ 500 rda
\L\ - Sao rds
T - 500 rdll.
U - 500 rela
U' - .500 rde
J. bber of rounds tired in combatl 146. 669.
4. NUmber cr rounds tired in test: 8000.
" Blsed on r8J)Orts trCIII .ina GUnnery OfficGt's
13
7. D:luippent oporation:
5. Averase rowds expeDded per t\!Tet I
l!
354
!
335
a. C.F.C... 99.3% operative.
b. Cal. 50 M.G. ~ 96% operative.
6. Pun loading: 73rd llnd 314th Wg - cold;, 56th Vs .. bot.
8. l@lfuncstions occurring tr...re minly due to impropmo prellisbt
- 14 -
APRIL 1945
,
SECRET
145-
MISSION NO 172
DATE II MAY'
XXI BOMCQM,

REPROOl"ICEO 35t11.1HU.
'.
I
----I--W
I
I
I
I

140

OlD.
SECRET
J
--T---
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
----+-
I
I
I
I
e- SUBMARINE
0- SURFACE VESSEL
..- NAVY OUMBO
- SUPER DUMBO
130
TRACK CHART XXI BOMBER COMMANO
OKINAWA I
. ,.,;:;s-
f
".-
".-
30"'--+-:::-------+-----','-"""--+--------+---30
,
,
,
\
\---- --+-- -25-
I
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\ \ I
\ I
,

'\ \\
,,
\ "
\
, f' PA'
-- -- -- -Y
I
_'m;AN"
JGUAM
I
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,
JL2.11Z111I.ll11U,
B
Part I .. Weather S\IlIlIBl'Y
Part II .. Cbart .. .rcreoaat .,.
Observed ileather
Port m .. Prognostio Ibp
Pl'U't IV - SYnoptic Jibp
Mi,,1on 8? 172
16 _
Mission No. 172
PART I - ilEI.THm SID_tViRY
tete: l1)by 194.5
PLANNH& FmECJ\ST
BiiSES:
RourE:
4/10 1017
showers.
To 20otg:
To 2?OU:
To 26CJi:
To 28?n:
To coast:
cloud. base 1600 ft. tops 6 to 10,000 it with fev
Same as bases.
10}10 10'11 cloud h'ith tops gentrQlly 9000 ft but SCllle
to 16,000; 8/10 middle cloud tram 12.000 to 17.000 tt
in neaksning cold front and frEquent modsrnte shOlld'.
5/10 Ion cloud, roSQ 2000, tops 6000 ft r:ith feg middlE
clouds at 14,000 to 16,000 ft.
10/10100 cloud. base 1000, tops 10.000 tt; 6/10 middle
cloud. base 12,000. tops 16.000; 7/10 bigh cloud at
28,000.
3/10 Ion cloud, base 2000. tops 4000 ft.
TlIBGEI'S: All S. Honshu: 2/10 low cloud, base 2500. tops 6000 ft.
Operatiooal Forecast Weather Encountered
at Toke Off: 4/10 100 cloud,
rose 1800 ft. top 6-10.000 ft; 2/10
middle cloud. base 16.000 ft. top
17.000 ft; 5/10 high cloud at 30,000
ft.
OVercost 101i cloud pitb hoovy
in the area. Visibility l<mcred to
t mile in shor;ers and coilings lC1'R'erecl
to 300 ft.
Route out: To 20ON: ,3/10 10li clOUd, Conditions as in vicinity of bases
bose 2000 it. top 5000 tt. extended to 209N llith Ion cloud slard
20'1! to 220J!: 10/10 len cloud, bnse improving to broken and ceilings slar
1000 ft, top 8-14.000 ft; 8/10 middle ly lifting to gent:rally 1000 ft. Clor
cloud in layers betgeen 11,000 and 'Zone extended frcm 20 to 21iON. n-c::m
14,000 ft; 5/10 high cloud at 25,000 there a b8nd to 100 miles ntrth 1<a.
ft; visibility 12 miles 10'l1a"ing to present consisting of 5 to 8/10 1011
1 mile in aha/ers. cloud, base 1800 tops. 57000 tt '\;"ith
220p to 4/10 lOR cloud. beBe overcast middle cloud. bOse 10.000,
2000 ft. top 6000 ft; 2/10 middle ;tops Wlknoon. nan end of this zone
cloud at 12,000 ft; 5/10 hi,gh cloud "to the target area there 'l?OS little
at 25,000 ft. 1m cloud except in bands 'l7hich am-
250J.l to 'I'tlrset Area: 2/10 cloud. ounted to 5 to 8/10 coverage. OYer
bc.sc 2000 it, top 5000 ft. tbe last p:lrt of the routc there nns
incrEasing high cloud at 22 ,000 tt
"hich became overcast at target.
Target: 2/10 1017 cloud. b8se 2000. OVercast high cloud at 22.000 tt with
top 5000 ft; 5/10 high cloud at 28.0004/10 10'17 cloud vere found. by tbo firs"
tt; visibility 7 miles in haze. units in the nz'ell but Iotax' units
found the leu cloud increasod to &flO
and a dock of middlo cloud at 6/la Gt
16.000 ft. Ten mHos v.i.sibiUt;Y in
haZ6.
Routo Returning: Same as Route Outgo.ng:" same tiS Route OUtgoing.
B::lse on Rl'turn: 4/10 l<m cloud. oose
2000. top 8-10,000 tt; 3/10 high clDUa
at 30.000 It.
17
3-5/10 10\7 cloud. bc.so 2000, tOPli
6000 'l"lith few scattorod tops w
12,000 ft. V18ibiUty 12 lll1lee
11".
Ql!l!P.llltlld,
.,,-10005 Aloft
- Forecost
Ibse to 20 N 20 N to 25 N
25 N to 35 N TnrUt:
25.000 290/12 -20 710/30 -22 270/6<> -26 20000(270/6<> .19)
20,000
JOO/l0 -09
27
0
/3
0
-11
270/53 -16 18000(270/57 -15)
15.000 330/10
-01 280/25 -01
280/43 -06
16<>00(270/53 -11)
10,000
360/12 10 290/20 08
280/33
04
5.000 040/15 19 330/15 17 300/25 12
2.000 060/18 25 020/15 23 315/18 17
Surface 070/16 29 050/12 27 330/12 21 710/10 16
"inds Aloft - Observed
Rue to 20 N 20 N to 2S N 25NtoJ2N
'Plrgot
16,000
270/55
15.000
250/30 270/38
5.000 260/10
2,000
070/15
310/15
.. 18 -
II ;W/lY /945'
172 AJ'lo
- '",,", T WIATIIII
F.IICAS
'-go I
4'lo IJuyh
30 000
I
20,000
lMARIANAS
--
<::=::= 7'/0

'.1
- .-...-_-
'TARC7
a C3 B
VtDy 7mi m
--
30FN
L:3'
J
-Wo
C3
--
C3
251w
<Mo
L'1 U I
A._ ,
20rN
->//0
,D /,/,(J.,,_,
C'1

""


-
5,000
SURFACE
15,000
10,000
OISllnD WIATHO
'1'/0 ,
--<:...-" __---'.-/..-1 -.-::;;>---' l..wc

/91b..-..

==
F'
......, t
.

"SAIPAN
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" TRuK
"IWO JfMA
.
-

REFHOOUCEO - 35TH PTU

_n-BIU.
c
>-.,_"c, -1\."
,
PART I - RJJ)J,R COUNI'ER MEASlt:l!S
1- Purpose:
n. To D/p enrly-werning and gun-laying rndars.
b. To continue radar search in the region 36-300 me.
2. Method:
n. 1 lU'R-4 11 APi,-l1
b. 2 i.m-4 ;. 2 j"p':"-ll ;. 2 APA-24
3.
Results:
Choract"erist ic s Coardinndes
~ " "
.!!.m2
li.._ :91'
.Q.*
!!!.2 :IXI!! - . ~ _ .
00047
03
6
3 48 3325N 13540E 051145 0945 21 121 S
00052 0350 36 3300N 13710E 051145 1140 21 121 S
00068
0495
26
33431' 13514E 051145 0915 21 122 P &1 CIII
00068
0496 24 3408N 13548E 051145 0935 21 122 P E.I CHI
00072
0990
28
333llN 13650E 051145
1040 21 121 S m CHI
00072
0492 32 341SN 13648E 051145 0930 21
122 P
&1 CIU
00074
0600 20
325llN 13550E 051145 1045 21 121 S &i CHI
00074 0480
32
3245N 1}615E 051145 0932 2l
121 S m CHI
00076
0499
32
3358N 13428E 051145 0940 21 122 P
&i CHI
00077 1870 06
34431' 13604E 051145
1040 21
~
P GL aTM3
00078 1900 08
3iliN 13520E 051145 1055 21 s GL 00'i!,.03
00076
0471 28
33300 13550E 051145 0955 21 1 ~ 1 S
u"j
CHI
00081
0494
21
333SN 13535E 051145 0915 21 122 P
".
CHI
00082 1875 08
34300 '3455E 0.51145
1050 21 1.1 S GL
orA3
00085 0487 08 3210N 13700E 051145 1137 21 121 S
".
CIII
00090
0496
08
3330N 13550E 051145 0950 21
1.1 S r..1 001010202
00146 0480
04 3010N 14015E 051145 1300 21 122 S &: 00103
00148
0490 09
3332N 13531" 051145 0925 21
122
P
EJ 00103
00158 0495
5
2630N 14200E 051145 0710 21 121 s
;aj
00103
00198 2480 04 3432N 13532E 051145 1105 21 ,<2
p GL 004
00245 0700 08
3430N 13520E 051145 1020 21 121 S
*A origin B Method C Re1iobility
4. Remarks:
n. Radars D/F'd. and thl:lir locations. ore identified ~ y =
P above.
b. unusual signals uue heard at 47. 52. and 245 me.
ND unusuo.l
cireumstences acoompanied these signe1s.
e. Search up to 3300 me failed beeQuae. at aircraft failing t.o
take off.
PJn II - RI.D!O
1. strike Reports: Ten Strike Report mossages were reee1ncl by
the grouoo. stotions.. -2 by the 73rd .. 4 by the 58th, 1I.n4 4 by tho .314th
"\i1ng.
2. Fox Transmissions: \Jeather and Til'lle Signll!s wero tronaaitte4
by the ground stations to the aircraft in flight.
3e FrC9uencies: :.11 frequencies received only Q leg instaDoes of
interference. Atmospheric interference '1m3 elight throughout the mis-
sion. FollOO'ing is a purcentoge breokd05m at traffic par frequency:
18 per cent on 3 megacycles;. 58 per cent an 7 megacyclell& and 24 per oent
on 11 megacycles.
4. Jdda: One HF/DF bearing was requested old obt81Decl.
No VHF/DF bcoring facilities uere used. Ranges. hallQ"s, cud broodcaat
stations vera used effectively. 'Ihe 56th \f1na roportod ua1ng air-to-air
haning at n .IlDXimum distance at 25 miles.
5e Not Discipline nnd Security: No serioW! viola'Uona or either
security or net discipline 'I7cre repcrtod during thia misB1on. '!'he "13rd
lQ'ing soid thot 1 of the supcr-Dumbo aircraft broke in on anotber a1rcll:"att'.
transmission to give its hall-hourly position report. Cozorecthe aati.GIl
haa been token.
6. Ea'!J!!Y 'transmissions: '!he following incidents at jnnnina mill
interferc.nce nero reported during this miS3ion:
______ ___"S'__"_E l< B It
h. 7415 KUocyelesl Mixed code Cboroott.r8 wbelleftr nat1aDa
in the net ""ould transmit frem 025& to 0703t wee eftoeUw.
f. 10305 Kilocycles: at 03SSZ nas TerT ettocU".
g. 3990 KHoeycles: Unkncvn station key1Da (TJ at 222CI' to
OlOQZ noe ineffective.
'!be 58th "ins reported 1 di8tree8 -aaaae in
engine trouble. 'Itli8 oirorntt m4e two 11... ael'el7.
24
Bluipmont Mllfuncti0D8: iN"\BH=7: 2 sons. o.atemm.
1 inonU'll.tivc. 3 mieroDhonc b\.ltt.azul atiekin
stuck.
7. pistress:
to an aircraft with
d. 3020 lO.10cyc1es: Negligibloe
o. 6615 KilocYcles;
(1) tJi1 fran 164SZ to 220az. va8 part1ally etfocthe.
(2) Ingpipe and Cli fran 014.5Z to 0200 wera inetteoU'N.
(3) BJ.n.. snw jQllJlline fran oooaz. to 020Q'Z, an4 170SZ to 19,5(&
uoa c1'foctivo.
a. 3145 KiilocYclc;s: Negligibloe
b. 6055 IO.locyclcs: Ncgligible
e
c. 11080 Kilocycles: U'lidentified l%' at Oll.5Z to 0l..4,5Z....
cffcctive
e
i. 10820 Kilaeycles:
effoctive.
8.

the or
Jl JJ! lI.n
D
Fort I - En_ Air OppoaitiOll
Part n - J!Xl,em;y Antiaircraft aDd AU-
to-.Air _bing
Part III - ]):ulnae Assessment
lMfr I - mp.rt Am OppC6ITION
1. General:
a. An estimBted 50 enelY aircraft made 243 attacks on aU
formations, with lllOSt at the attack:! occurring over the target. Of the
total of 243 attac lis. 93 were made on the banb run and 110 after bombs
awsy. Four sttacks WEre made prior to landfsHand J6.. trCllvlandta-1.1 J:o
to tPt:! ipitrio::' :rho ovfI' t!U'80t cncountcrod
moab.of the on.emy oppoa.i$ion,. inl}ioating thc.t thp onomy1a dofenac!3 ha.d
bJl: tJ.n? t?O tormc.tion went ova-.
b. Sev...ral pacer planes following &-29'5 continued their course
through the flak over the target.
2. TYpe of Enemy Aircraft Attacking: The 243 attacks n:s.de by enlllllllY
aircraft oere as fo11O\1s:
Stemy Aircraft Number at
Type Attacks Percentage
U1identified 66 27
Tojo
54
22
Zeke
30
12
Nick
,
30 12
Tony 26 11
Irving
15
6
Jsck
9 4
Oscar
8
3
Ale
2}
Frank
1) (
3
JUdy
1)
Mike
-1}
TOTAL
243
100
3. Dlem-v Tactics:
s. 'nu'ee eoordinDted sttacka were reported. Dl these,4 to 5
Tojoe came in from 1 to 2 o'clock, line asterD. pressing as close aa
300 yards and breaking under the formation.. '!he Tojoa nere silver,
flying at about to-second intervals.
b. 'l'bree unusual types of enemy fighters nere encountered on
this mission. One Judy oame in on ths tail of the SBCOnd formation just
past the target I throttled. back. and gave the gunners time for a long
burst and positive identification. One possible Hike uas also reported
attackina the second fcrnetion. A radial-engine aircraft came in at 7
o'clock level. flying past the No.6 Ale of the second formation at a dia,o.
tance at 100 yards. and firing fran a. l2.7-mn at" 7.7...;m. gun mounted on
top of the fuselage. The 61leIllY vas camwtloged dark gray r.ith a
bUlky f'uselage. long canopy, and mid 11I"ine with some dihedral. Gun tire
came fran seme part of the long canow. One crEm" reported it as a JIlte
but tho crm \71th the greatest Visual advantQge mlS Wl8ble to identity
it as such.
4. Losses or Damage to 11:29' (I b:tr ln0rnY Aircraft I No 80-29'8 nore
lost. 'I'tJel ve B.29' S 'i'!'ire dannged by IIInEllQY aircraft
.
.5. ClailJl5: B-29 crC'C'l"s claimed f! ene.lllJ" aircraft destroyed, 24 IZ'ob-
ably deotroyed and 18 damaged.
- 26 -
6. Direction and level of approach at en8IIJ aircr.n ......
101101l1'8:
Totsl Number
of Attacks
243
13% ....

25S
........... .
Noss
5IS

IRCl1 ABOVE
.mCM
.....,.
PART II - ENFlol'i AmAlR(J!All' A.ND AlR='l0:AlR Ba9ItIi
4S
1. Enemy ALA Firel
&. 'Ibe primary target ..as attacked b7 a1rcreft of 3 W1Dae
6S follmf8:
(1) 'nlirty-live aircraft or the ,5&tJa tina et:tacblS rz...
llOO.54Z to 1l0103Z at alUtudea of 16,000 to 19.000 'ee'. '!'be ......
altitude nae 17.500 feet. Axis of attack was trQD 23 ",0 AIter--.
and cloHd undercast Vftl'ied 1rarI 6/10 to 8/10.
27-
(2) Seventeen aircraft ot the 73rd Wing attacked trCII
11005lZ to 11005&. Altitudes varied !:ran 16.000 to 18.200 teet an4
the a.verage altitude usa 16.750 teet. Aircraft attaoked on axes at
attack of 10 to 15 degt'ees. with undercast of 5110 or greater,
(3) Forty aircraft of the 3l4th Wing baDbed trom llOO.5.5Z
to 1l0103Z at altitudes of 18.000 to 19.500 feet. Average altitude
was 18.500 feet. Axes of attack Tlere 20 to 36 degrees true. Cloud
undercaat varied from 8/10 to 10/10.
b. The winds in the target area nore repcrted as 43 to 53
knots at 270 to 280 degrees.
c. one aircraft of the 58th lJing bombed sak1Jnobamo, (3324N-
13412E).
d. 'The first flak 'liSS enCO\lntered by the U4th Qr'oup at the
58th Wing during assembly off 1GJ.shimoto. Fire was meager and very in-
accurate. being 2000 feet ar.ay from the assembliDS aircraft but at the
CCIr'rect altitude.
e. Meager and inaccurate barrage flak was repcrted by air..
craft of the 7Jrd "iing and 3 aircraft of the 58th Wing in the vi cinity
of the LP. at Sida (341'iN-13504E) and frClll an unideniitied naval TeS-
sel at Okina Shima C3417N-13502E).
t. While over Osaka. Bly on the approoch to Kobe, sev6t'al air..
croft encountered flak from the far l"estern defenses of Osaka and tran
ships in the bay. This fire lisS moderate and generally inaccurate,
g. Flak in the target area wes of moderate intensity tar
most aircraft. The fire l7O.S generally accurate although a tew forma-
tions reported inaccurate fire. The only trend in deviations \mS a
tendency for the fire to be to the left of the aircraft. Continuously
pointed and barrage fire predaninated. THo groups of the 56th Wing
reported a Nick flying parallel to the formations fran the I.P. to the
t arg&t. The rap plane uas 2000 yards Ql.'ay and flOS thought to be pecing
the to obtain information far the flak
h. On \'lithdrB1l'al fran the target ores, moderate and inaccur-
ate tire UBa directed at formations of the 58th and 314th Wift8S tram
the northern section of oealm.. A Tojo nas observed 'pacing the air.
craft out of range of the 314th formations.
1. l"OllOlfing the brea1mlisy fran the target area. meager and
iMceurato flak "as reported from tho follcming locationsl
(1) KPriyama Airfield (3440N.. 13550E).
(2) "'ra (3440N-13550E).
(3) Tambeichi (3435N-13550E).
j. Most flak burets wero black, with a ts brC*l\ o.nd 3 or
4 white ph08pboroua AlA buret . 0b5erved.
k. A total at 29 aircraft, cr 31.5 per cen't of tbon attack..
ing the target. ';l'ere dameged by flak on this mission. In vie. at the
undercast condi tiDns. most of the Are must have boen radar coatroll.e4.
and thi:l figure represents a high e"ficie,MY tar this type at fire
control. No aircraft vere lost to f"lak
.. 26 ..
2. Tactics Vs. Antiaircraft: The 7Jrd Wine tmploye4 81i&ht
turns as evasive action.
3. ~ . T o - A i r Bombing: Fo1101'9ing bonbs away at 11005&. 2
single-engine aircraft attacked the 497tb Group ot the 7jr4 Wins
from 11 to 1 o'clock high. At\acking aircra.ft "ere about 5000 teet
above the. formation. &lch plane dropped 1 pho8phoroua bcmb. 'nIe
same type of attock by 2 similar aircraft occurred at 1100,5&. All
4 bombs expioded at 9 o'clock level, Just behind the lead el..ut.
They were fairly accurate but did not ~ any B-29's. (SECRET)

PMT III - DA!1AGE AS&S'?MEtTI' REPORT (CONFIDOOIAt)

90.25-1702
KA'i1ANIsm: AIRmAPl' CO. FUXAE
(34143 N--135117 E)
1. SumnarY:
8
4
This report assesses dam:l.ge to Tarpt 1702 resulUns
fran l1ission No. 172 of llloby 194.5.
b. AppraxiJm.tely 39% C1f the target was damae;ed or destroyed.
DcmagE; includes a lerge sub-asae.mbly buildina. 70% gutted. 9 s:JBll
shop nnd office buildinas destroyed, and 2 8atl11 shop buildinas partly
destroyed. A large and a smnll assembly building received root daJ:8e;e.
c. other damage in the vicinity include" appl"ax:imately 7QC
destruction to a merchant-marine college ndjacent to ond NE of the
target. Appraxin:8tely 3.936,000 sq. ft. of 1 large end 2 8111611 rElaid
6ntio1 and MlBll manufacturing areas NIl at the, target were destroyed.
2. statistical Sumnary of Damage:
n. OI"igina1 roof m-ea (18 January 194.5)
Roof area removed prior to strike -
Total roo! area at time of strike
b. j)aflll3;ge fran current strike:
- 1.330,601 sq. tt.
49.150 sq. ft.
1.281.451 sq. ft.
SQ. uare Feet
of Roo(
Per cent at Roof J..rea
at Time at Strike
Destroyed:
superficial!
1. GUtted 389 ,863
2. Minor roo! damage 24.164
Total dentlge .504.2,47
XXI B.C C.I.U D.1i.. Report H:l. 79.
- 29 -
.2Ql!l-Alll'HIJA,l,
30.0
2,0
39.0
3
Itemization of DamBge:
. ..
DAl!AGE IN SQUARE FEEl' Per ceni
FUnction at build.
No. Roof J\rea Destroyed SUfliftFICIAL Totol ot root
1nS. carmen'
Gutttd Minor
1 453.000
16.46i! 16,484
Final 888embly
2
214.200 214,200 214.200 100
Sub.ossembly
3 19,440 19.440 19.440 100
Shop(2 build1ns8)
4 19.440 19.440 19.440 100
Shop(J build1_>
5 20,493 20.493 20,493 100 Shop
6
970524
7.680 7.660 10 AssSIlb17
7
198.135 148.000 148,000 70
Sub-e.s8embly
8
7.170 7.170 7.170 100 Shop
9 38.920 38.920 38,920 100 Office.,
10
7,560
3.024 3.024 40
Shop
11 7,$60
4.536 4..sJ6
60 Shop
12 ~ , 8 6 0 4,860 4,860 100 Shop
TOTAL: 1 ,air,202 90.220
389.863
24,164
504.247
Itlcloeurcs: 1. Annotated enlargement fran Jm5M 86.:Jh 50
2. Attached print 3PR.5M 235-2: 33
30
.1..2 l! 1 1. R J l! :l: 1. Id.
~ GUTTED
UIIIIIO REMOVED PRlOR
TO STRlK

B
-33-
o 0
SECRET
XXI BOMBER COMMAND
CONSOLIDATED STATISTICAL SUMMARY OF COMBAT OPERATIONS
FORM 34
MISSION NO. 172
11 ".y 1945
Prinary Target .. Kaooniahi 1.1rcraft Plant. Kobe
EFjWTIVENESS 01 MISSION
.t.ircraft 1..irborne .. ..
.Percent Of ..... ircro.ft On Hand
105
> 29.0%
COST QF 1,lISION
Lost .. .. f .. ..
Percent Ot .....ircraft l.irborne.
1
. . 1.0%
"'ircraft Bombing Prin:ary Target .... 92
Percent Of Bombing i..ircraft ':"irborne .......
90-"%
lUreraft Daue.god.. .. .. .. Yl
Percent Of ':"irborne ... a ..
35.2%
Bombs Dropped On Prinery Target
Bombs Dropped On Targe 108
Results _ Unobserved to poor.

460 Tona
5 Tona
Casualties .......
Percent Ot Total Enrticipatiag.
16
.. .. 1.4%
Londing ....10 lwo Jin:a ........ 14
SECRET
IIIID STATIITIGAL GONTiltOL UIIiT
nSS1CI< _
11 r."y 1945
1:! .Edd! 1:
R AFT P 1 Ai:'l'ICIPJ.'l'ING 1.lA'Th
;'/C i..lc
Ale
'J'lMi:. c;; r..r..= CFF Tn/II:: OF
A/C A/C
1../C
A/C Tow.
TorAL
tnHT C:l SCLw,_
Fi..n.:mG

BCh:BING BO!mlNG ECllJING

A/C
1:".1:1.1 UL.lJ
'"
'..It.:..:
SZCCNDARY 0'J'lIDl
4fC
NCil.
'fi.:':' on
:u.sf l.IA'l'Z }'DiSf UST UTIXOTm:
Ti.HG.J:..T ThRGET TARGETS MISSIONS EFFl::CTM
58 80 44
8 38 a 10 1'l8y 1632 Z. 1758 Z 11 ".,. 0725 Z 0935 z 35 -
1
-
36
2
73 '"
97
22

22 1654 z 1706 z 0706 z 0945 z 17

-
. 17 5
22,

2
-
2 2
-
14"
185
44
2
42
1626 Z 1902 Z 0800 Z 0938 Z 40

-
40 2
1 b
-
1
.
-
-
1 1
-
21 B 362 110 10 102 10 lJ>y 1626 Z 1902 Z 111B 0706 Z 0945 z 92

1
- 93 9
3

3
.
-

3 3
.
.!!. Includes 2 sJS.re aircraft.
2 Super dumbo aircraft.
NOTE: XXI BC Field Order No. 74 called for
4 from the 58th and 314th ';iings
end 2 squadrons from the 73rd \"iing.
1..ircraft landing 1l.t Il70 Jille:
58th Uing - 7 aircraft.
73rd ';ing - 5 aircraft ..
3l4th Jing. 2 aircraft

-_._--
,

BRE.lKIX1I'lN OF A.U lIRCRAFT FAILnlG TO B(J,[B PRIMARY tARGET
MISSION '72
DA. 'I'E ) 1 U,A
t
]945
FllUJRE PffiSONNEL KRROR FLIGHT CONDITIONS .E:rmlT AcrIa. OTHER
I UNIT Non- _bed Banbed Non-
-
Bombed Non- Bombed Banbed Non- Bombed
Danbed
Non_ Bombed
Eombed
,
Effective secondary other Erfectiv
""'.ODdor
Other krteetin econdary other Eftectiv Secondary Other eeondary Other
58 \ 1
1

1.2
-
-
.
-
-
- - -
-
-

-
73 ,
4
.
-
- - -
- -
1
-
-
-
- -
314 "
1
.!!
- - - - -
-
. 1
- -
-
- -
-
21.
5
2 1
-
- -
-
2
-
-
-

.
I
!. :.5aintenance per30nnel error.
! .air crev pereoJnnel error.


_-'1,,7"'2'-- _
11 ,...,. 194'>
I
]Ol.i3I::O R u :r
DATZ
TAEO:T BOIIBED
TIr'=' OF ",_,jzASZ ALT. OF :CUASE V! 5I:E!.E TA.Il.O:::o;; ::OT VISI5!.E
AIRCRAF't'
VISUAL RAni... ;;, R:;:l Dr.;)??: :a V:S.SI;jHTIIl,; DF..:.D DRQP?H:G
UlTIT DROPPlllG
P.ADJ.R
}IA!'E or TARO:::T TYPE UTES!' LO;r;:ST if: :":-; n 5::--L
' ..
c.- ;;':'Ci(_
OJ!
Bo:.:i3S
c.
liL-,:
!
ONLY
c;e,;::..,,:,:: :. ;:,:;;. 0::50: PT. O:oI::C. LuUE.. :t
.sa ...
Kuanishi .;e Plant. Kobe P
35
0054 z 0103 z 16000 19600
. 1 13
. 2

19
&tJti.DJ:)bliJlB TO 1 0059 z
-
16000
. 1
. .
-
.
-
.
73 "
Kavaniabi we Plant. Kobe P 17 !. 0053 z ooss z 15700 17300
-
2 15
.
- -
314 "
Kavan1shi iJ./e Plant I Kobe P M
0055 z 0103 z 10000 20000
- -
-
-
4
-
36
21 Be Kamniahi JC Plant. Kobe P
92 0053 Z 0103 z 15700 20000
.
3
28
-
6
.
SS
.J
f-
a IDol.. 1 a1rofttt boIIb1.Dl ;yf tb 58th ii1l1 toration.
::i :.. C R :r:; 'i'
---_-0-
., Jua .. :r
OF BOMBS
MlSSlON _-='.::7
2
=--__
DATE 11 11l.y 1945
FUZE WADED ON A.m.- RELEASED ON TARGETS
UNIT
TYfl; 05:
JC:T1'!SONED fU:."l'UrtNfl) UNKN(fIVN
W'l:IGHr ( BtuiB
SETTING BOR.'lE 1mCRAFT PRIWlY L.R. & T..-D.
-
No,", Tail No. Tons no. Tons No. Tons No. Tons No 'fons No. Tons No. I Tons
58 llC 500#.oP
I .01
N.D. 714 178.5 626
'56.5
22
5.5 27 608
39 9.7
-
-
73 r< AN"";;4 soo# OP 583 145.7 111.5
-
- 137 34-2 -
.
- -
314 ill: 500# GP Ill8t. 834 208.5 766 191.5
-
-
68
17"" - - - -
21 Ill: AN"";;4
soO# OP 2131 532.7 1
8
3
8
459.5 22
5-5
232 58.0
39
9.7
- -
!. 2 bombs re .....
-. ,
tar with c

Pat"" u1
lea.
!!. 30 boa. re......
_. ,
ta",. with c tea
Pat"" ui
lea.
~ ! ! ! . !
MISSION 172
J.CCURACY OF BOMBING ON PRIMARY TARGET
DATE 11 toby 1945
JOMBS BE-
BOKB HITS SCORED AlID DISTANCE :FR(J.I AIMING POINT ~ HITS SCORED WITHIN 1000' ~ HITS SCORED VI THIN 2000'
UlIIT
=011
TARGET OVER TO TOTAL H.E. TO TOTAL H.E. TO TOTAL S.!. TO TotAL H.E.
o - 500'
500'_1000' 1000'_2000' 2000'-3000'
)000'
TOTAL
BOMBS RELEASED BOMBS SCOBED BOMBS RELEASED BOMBS SCOBED
S..'E. TOTAL
i 21 Be
1
8
3
8 1BJ8
- 5
-
307 19 368 759 3'.\%
8 . ~ 20,,2% 49,0%
,
,1-
1iCIB, Due to henvy cloud cover radar bombing \".'Us used by .Il108t of aircraft. only 31 of 92 airereft bombing pri.Ju:l,ry target boDtled Tlauall.

mssIIV ... 2 _
DAXZ 11 Ltw 1945
mIDdY OPPOSITICN AUD AM.lJNlTIW EltPENDI'ltRE
ENEMY
:E1fiI,;Y A/e 1IF.ST::"OYED t...DANlLGID 50 CALIBER ..uBt1UlrrIW
t'-.:Ir
Ale
AT'l'ACY.s
BY E/A TYPE CR
Ir,.s.
"'aB.
",. =
FlHED m TESr IV
SIc.HTID
.>KJDEL 'ffiOYa) DESm
l
ceo:llA'r FJREll
=I.Slm2l
umA;c
ror.u.
'"
41
64 -
1 4 24355 3735 -
-
28090
..
49865
73 riG
35
1G9 5 3 3
47475 2390 -
-
14 loG 40
88 4
18 8 64124 6640
-
6600 77364
21 BO
41
261 9
22 15 135954 i2765
-
6600 155319
Tony
3
6 1
SjE 2
5
2
Nick
-
2 I
Judy 1
- -
Tojo
-
5
6
Irving
-
-
2
Oscar 1 2
,
Zeks
lack
1
1 2
2
.o.1l.1
'.fISSION 172
rum:: 11 May 19/.5
FLIGHT DATA & FUEL CQK:iUMPTION
...ISSION hUffiER I 172 172 172
172
UNI'i'
,
314TH wnll
21ST B.C.
j
58Td GOO 73RD "l;X;
AIrtCRAFT COf6!DEnED
!
28 13
36
77
I
AVG. FLH!'t TIME 14:49 14:43
16:10
15,26
...vc. DISTAtJ::i-; FLOWN 2770 2830 2688 2835
Air Miles)
fUiL eorSlThlED:
i\vcruge 6323 6121 6413 6331
I
r.ltu:1mun 6662 6340 7100 7100
I
5975 5621 597.2 5821
ldird.mum
Flf.2L HEMAl loll IE- :
Avcraee 61.4 594
89/.. 7';2
,
Y.oximun 1025 929 1415 1415
Mini.m.un
338
430 300
)00
: AVG. GALS. US.ED PhR HOUR 4)0 416 400.6 414
IAVG. GALS. USE.D PER l.\Ill 2.28 2.16 2.22 2.23
I TOTAL USED ON I.IRBORliE Ale
I
223481
1
129231 I 267585
620297
.
,
WEIGHT DAT.\
.
til.it1B::R lIIRCRill'''!' JURDORUE
3B 22,!!, 42. 102
.i.VG. BASIC 'ir'T. Oi" AIRCRJ.F'T 75122
74955 75596 75261
il.VG. USEFUL LOAD
59599 61534
61113
1AVG.
Ill. OF 00laBS WADED 18.5 - !.t64 26.5 - .64
19.3 - .64
(Comp B) (TIlr)
(Oo<p B)
I
OF OCUBS Wi.DED * 10121 14176 10690 11313 AVG. WT.
VG. FOEL LOADF!l
6965 6715 7318 7056
, AVG. wr OF l''tjEJ. WADED
41793 40290 43906 42336
AVG. ,,usc. REIGHT 7663 '/066 7464
7464
AVG. GROSS rrr. AT TAKF. OFF
I
1J4721 136469 1J7858
136394
.!!. F.xc1uies super dlJllbo nircrp.ft. Bonb i7oir,hto: MHI64 (T111') 5J) Ibs
<N-!l64 (Comp B) 5501bo.
!HfllJH
iJ.llliJ.2:
Mi4pt 172
XXI l!l1MAJI! Cl!'MP lIBP (lip.
----:.s-'H H
2. The XXI Bamber COIIlr.Brd strikes air field installatione on Kyushu and
target 1702 (Leafstalk) on the island of Honshu.
1. Because of th3 staging of aircraft through Kyushu airfields to strike
our tactical operations. and the critical situn.tion of' cnany aircraft
Irodlction the dacis ion for the se strikes was made.
FRCU: COIdG:::mol.!COJ,l: XX!
TO: CWGENBQt.ffG 58
CQl.GENBO\r'1G 73
313
J14
rnFO: CO,)RD POOTO SQ
FIElD OROOR NUlIB!1l 74

By Auth of 00 XXI BC
'- j /C' ,MIll'
Date
xx: I rowEll CC1!MAND
GUAM
1200 10 l1AY 1945
J. a. 59th \ling:
(1) PrilMry Visual en d Hadar
1702
FORCE RByIRED
4 &padrona
HPI Reference: XXI Ban Can Litho-lloaa1c 90.25-1702.
(2) R{1'.' te :

Vlirg Assembl,v Zore 1
Wirg Reassembly Point
3416N - 13504& (IP)
Tarbet
34541' - 13523&
3446N - 13550E
ha Ji.ne
Base
() Axis of Attack: 23 Degrees true.
(4) Pass IF at 1l105SK.
(5) hltitude of attack is 16,000 to 2O,OXl feet.
(6) BOl:!b load: 500 lh GPl
a
fused 1/100 noee am non-de1&y taU.
b. 7Jrd Wu,,'
(1) Prirmry Visual arid Radar
TARC'"
1702
UEI
075027
FORCE RJnUJRfD
2 Squadrona
liPl Referenco: XXI 80m Catt Litho4fosa1c 9O.25-17'C2.
(2) Rout.,
Baso
Wing Asserrb1y Zone 1
Q(i..r8 Roassenbly Poin!:.
34161' - 135",E (IP)
Target
3454N - 13523&
344611 - 13550E
I'M) Ji.lla
Base
229/3

FIElD ORDm mn.ffim 74, CONTDnJEI)
(3) Axis of Attack: 23 Degrees Truo.
(4) Pass IP at ll1050K.
(5) Altitude of Attack is 16,oex:> to 2O,C()() feet.
(6) Bomb Lood is 500 1b GP's fused 1/100 noso and non-dclay tail.
e. JlJth Wing:
(ll T:JlGET
!!tl
FOllCE !!EQUIR:ID
(a)
01""
136069
1 Squadron
01""
097062
1 Squadroo
(b> Saeki 094cm
1 Squadron
(e) Nitt.agahara 071085 lS<padron
(d)
llil"lzald
0<0061 1 Squadron
(el JJi.yakonojo 038026' 1 S<p.adron
(2) UPI References:
(al OUa - XXI BomCom Litho4losaie "Oita Area".
(b) Saeki - XXI BanCOlIl Litho-Uosaic TArgot No. 1306
IISaeki Airficld
ll

(e) Nittagahar.e. - m BcmCom "Nittagahara"

(Tsumasnachi) Airfield.
(d) )liyazaki ... XX! BanCOlIl LithcH!oscie "lliyazaki Area".
(e) Miynkonojo - XXI BomCam lltho-Uosoic '\tiyakonojo Air-
field".
(3) Tllrgot Times:
Targets and (b) - 1l090OK to IIICXXlK. Targets (c)
(d) and (al - l11600K to 11l700K.
(tJ Bomb Load and fusing sme as specified for previous
KyUshu strikes.
d. 314th 'iling:
(1) Primary V!6Ual and Radar.
TARGET
1702
FOIiCE REQUlRED
4 Sque.d.mns
lIPI Reftlrence: XXI BomCom Litho-Mosaie No. 90.25-1702.
(2) Rout.,
Bese
Wins A!Jsembly Zone 1
Wing Reassembly Point
3416N - 13504E (IP)
Target
3454N - 13523E
3446N - 13550
I ..... JLno.
Be,e
H!!U
FIELD ORDER rum:m 74, CONTINUED
(3) Axis of Attack: 23 Degrees True.
(4) Pa!!! IP at 1l1054K.
(5) Altitude of Attack is 16,000 to a:>,tXX:l teet.
(6) Bomb Load: 500 Ib OP's !used ]/100 nose and tail.
4. a. Uo change.
b. Tactical Yission Numbers:
(1) 01ta
-
167
(2)
Soeld
-
168
(3) Nlttag<l.hara
-
169
(4) Wtyazakl
-
170
(5) Miyakonojo
-
171
(6) leafstalk (1702)
-
172
5.

a. XXI SOl and SOP for strike repcrt!l, contact.
and IFF proced\l"e. strike report No. 1 will be U'led..
L!!lIAY
CQ.IGPJmOKCCII m
DISTRIBUTION:
2 es wg.
s
o
.u1. as 112
DIS'JRIBmClf us!'
DISTRIBUTIOIF
TACTICAL MISSIOU REPORTS
Copv No.
1 'COlIl.lIlAnding Genoral., Twentieth ;"ir Foroe
.2 COllllllo.nding Genernl. XXI Bomber COllllD.M4
3 Deputy COlIlJDMdor. 1lrontioth Air Forco
4 Chiof of StcJ'f, Twentioth .lJ.r Foree
5 Chiof of St:lI'f. XXI !Iombo. COIlllll!lnd
45 Deputy CIS. Opns, m Bomber COlllll.o.nd
7 Deputy CIS, Sup XXI Bomber Commo.nd
B AD of S. A-a, m BombaI' CCIClmnnd
9 Comlllanding General, Anay Air Poreea
ATTN: AC/AS.
10 Com.mandor in Chief. Pacific Ocellll Areas (Adv Hq)
11 CommandoI' in Chief, Pacific Ocoan Aroaa (Rear Rq)
12 Chief of Navd Operations, OP_16.V
13 Joint Intelligence ConteI', PacifiC OCoan Areu
14 Commander Air Force, Pacific Fleet
15 Commander, Third Fleet
16 Commander, Fifth 'F'leet
17 COlllJUndor, Pirst Carrier Tut: Force
16 COfIIIlIander. Karianas
19 Commander in Chief. U.S. Army Forcos, Pacific
2() CculIlIllllding Q.eneral, U. S. Army Porces, Pacifio Ocoan MOU
21 Coll1llltlnding GeMral, Allied Air Porcos,
Southwest Pacific Areas
22 Commanding OeMI'd, Southwest Paoific Areas, ATTN I 0-2
(For Section 22, RCM)
23 Cellllllo.ndin, Goneral, Far East _'II' Forces
24 Command1nt General, U. S. Stratogic Air Forces in Europe
25 COnflo.nding General. Eighth Air Feree
26 Commanding General, 1iediterre.n&nn Allied Air Foroos
27 COlllll1anding Genoral. Fifteonth Air Foree
28 - 29 Commanding General, Sovonth Air Foreo
30 Commllndiug General, VII Bomber Commo.nd
31 - 32 Commanding Cenonl, VII Fighter CotllmllJ'ld,
33 Com.manding General, Eleventh Air Forco
34 COlIDlnnding General, XX Bomber Commo.nd
35 Commnndinr; Genero.l. 38th Flying frainins Wing
36 Commnnd Sq. Allied Air Forcoe. SouthY/oet Po.cific Area.,
ATTN I Senior Intelligonce Officer R.;'.A.F.
37 COlllllanding Genera.l, seth BOlIbardm3nt Wing
3e Commanding Goneral, 73rd BOlDwdment ''ill!
:59 Commanding Generc.!, 3l3"th BombQrdm.ent 1flllg
40 Commanding Genernl. 3Hth BoabardlDcnt .ing
4.l Coftunntlding Ooneral, 3lSth Bombardmont \'.1ng
42 CDmm4nding otficer, 3rd Photo Rocon Squadron
43 COlImaJlding Orr iGl;lr, nlSt Pho1;o- Reoon Squadron
1.'.10 COlU1and tnj!; orficor, 33r4 StotiaticcU. Control Unit
4S ChelDical l'farfClTe orricor, XXI BOftIbor COllllllo.nd
46 Tactice and Training Sectiona. 04-3, XXI BOIIber COIlllD&Dd
4.7 Ordnance Ofricur, lXI BOlllber Co_and
48 COl:ulIo.nding Officer, XX! BOllber COGlllO.nd. Coabl1t StQ&1ns
Center (Provi&1onnl)
49 - 50 Hi.toricnl Officer, XII BombGr Commnnd
51 - BO COllII:Ill.l'lding Genernl, J.rmy .Air Forcos,
ATTNI l.C/J..S Intelligence, Colleotion DivisioD
Copy No.
81 C9Illmllnding Oenora1, Army JJ.r Porcet Po.c1fic Ocean Arou,
ATTN: J.AF Evalua.tion Boo.rd
62 COlIlmanding Oonora.l. Army Air Forcos Po.ciflc Ocean Aro....
ATTN I Diroctor of Communications
For I Countar l.!otLauroa Air J.no.1ya1e Center
63 COllllllnnding Officer, 6th BOlnb Group (VB)
84 COlMlunding Officer, 9th Bomb Group (VB)
85 Commc.Dding Officer, 16th Bomb Group (VH)
86 Officer, 19th Bomb Group (VB)
67 Commo.nding Officer, 29th Bomb Group (VB)
86 Commanding Officer. 39th Bomb Group (VB)
69 COmQanding Officor, 40th Bomb Group (VB)
90 COl!IJlLllnding Officer. 330th BOfJIb Group (VB)
91 Commanding Officer. 331.t Bomb Group (VH)
92 COI:lIIIc.nding Officer, 444th Bomb Group (VH)
93 Cor:unc.nding 0rficer, 462nd Bomb Group (VH)
94 Commo.nding Orfioer, 466th Bomb Group (VB)
9S Comma.nding Officer, 497th Bomb Group (VR)
96 COmlnnnding Officer, 498th Bomb Group (VB:)
97 CammDndin.!; Officer, 499th Bomb Group (VB)
98 COCIma.nding Officer, SOOth Bcmb Group (VB)
99 Commanding Officer, S01st Bocb Group (VH)
100 Orficor, 502'nd Bocb Group (VH)
101 Commanding Officer, 504th Bomb Group (VB)
102 COl:ll!'Innding Officer, SC'Sl;b Bomb Group (VB)
103 Commnnding Officor, 509th Composite Group
104, Communding 01'1'10031', 655th Bomb Squo.dron eH) (WR)
105 Commnnding Oaicar, Twentieth J.ir Forco Leo.d Crew School
105 Commanding Officer, 15th FIghter Group
107 Commanding Officer, 21st Fighter Group
lOB C9mJ:lo.nding Officer, S06th Fighter Group
109 Reportint; Unit, XXI Bomber Co.lUIInnd (Flle Copy)
110 - 115Reporting Unit, III Bomber