100 Flak and Bullet Holes from One Mission

During the afternoon of 23 April, ten combat crews, ours included, were informed about our next mission. The target was the Hitachi Aircraft Factory located near Tokyo (6BG Mission 30). We would join bomb groups flying from Guam, Saipan and Tinian for another massive attack with general purpose bombs. The attack was to be conducted during daylight, at high altitude and in formation. After receiving the usual information regarding the mission, we headed for the flight line.

The airplane checked out okay and we took off for Japan around midnight. We neared the coast during the early morning hours and Rocky [Aircraft Commander] joined our squadron of circling B-29s. A short time later, the formation climbed to the bombing altitude, passed over the coast and headed for the initial point, Mount Fujiyama, commonly known as Mount Fuji. At an altitude of 12,389 feet, Mount Fuji was the highest point in Japan. As we flew along, I glanced out the pilot’s window and noticed that the distant mountain was covered with snow. As the formation approached Mount Fuji, Woody called our attention to a strange sight to the front and left of our airplane. When I peered out the forward window, I spotted several enemy fighters performing loops and aerobatics in formation. lt apparently was an attempt to distract the attention of our crews as we flew over the Japanese mainland. They were outside the range of our guns and so we could only watch their antics. Rocky immediately warned the gunners to be on the alert and watch for other enemy fighters that might try to sneak in and attack the formation.

CHARLES, THE TAIL GUNNER, REPORTED THAT MANY ENEMY FIGHTERS WERE BORING IN TO ATTACK OUR B-29S

Shortly thereafter, Charles, the tail gunner, reported that many enemy fighters were boring in to attack our B-29s. I unbuckled my seat belt, partially stood up and looked out my small window to see if I could spot the fighters. Soon thereafter, I spotted a fighter diving on our formation. I held my breath as the fighter flew towards us and I waited for his bullets to strike our airplane. He continued his dive and passed through the space between our right wing and the left wing of the adjacent B-29 without hitting either airplane. If he had intended to ram our bombers, there wasn’t much any one could have done about it. We apparently didn’t receive any serious damage from his guns. It was a narrow escape! I thought that no one else had noticed the enemy fighter dive through our formation as I hadn’t heard anyone call out the fighter attack.

WE ENCOUNTERED EXTREMELY HEAVY ANTIAIRCRAFT FIRE WHICH DAMAGED OUR NUMBER THREE ENGINE

That was enough for me and I immediately settled back in my seat and monitored the engine instruments. I left tracking of the attacking fighters to other crew members and the gunners. Meanwhile, the occasional chatter of machine guns filled the air as our gunners shot at the pursing enemy fighters. When we reached Mount Fuji, the formation turned towards the target as the enemy fighters pressed home their attacks. After we had completed our turn, we encountered extremely heavy antiaircraft fire which damaged our number three engine.

MARTIN CALLED TO TELL ME THAT THERE WAS HUGE AMOUNT OF OIL DRIPPING FROM THE RIGHT WING

I noticed the sudden drop in oil pressure and gunner Martin called to tell me that there was huge amount of oil dripping from the right wing. I immediately notified Rocky of the loss of the engine as I moved the mixture control to idle cut-off, retarded the throttle, closed the fuel shut-off valve and turned off the ignition switch. Woody hit the number three propeller feathering switch and the engine ceased to operate as the propeller blades went to the streamline position, thereby reducing drag on the airplane. Rocky increased power on the three operating engines in order to maintain our position in the formation, as I closed the cowl flaps to further reduce drag. It was important that we stay in position amid the protection of the formation’s massed guns. We knew that enemy fighter pilots immediately pounced on any crippled B-29 that dropped out of formation. I monitored the remaining engine instruments for any sign of malfunctioning. The flight commander immediately turned to a heading for the coast after the bombs had been dropped. I was thankful that the remaining engines continued to operate normally.

The enemy fighters ended their attacks and the flight commander gave the order to break up the flight. Rocky immediately dropped out of the formation and set up a gradual descent. Meanwhile, I determined the best airspeed from my three engine configuration chart based upon the current aircraft gross weight and altitude. Rocky reduced power on the operating engines until the proper airspeed was established. Although the three engines had to operate at a higher power setting with resultant increase in fuel consumption than for the four engine configuration, I determined that we had sufficient fuel to make Tinian. However, the remaining engines had to continue to operate normally.

I COUNTED OVER 100 HOLES CAUSED BY FLAK AND ENEMY FIGHTERS

There was no thought of resting as I continuously monitored my engine instruments during our return flight. I logged fuel flow data and carefully compared these figures with the estimated fuel consumption calculations. Several hours later, we landed at our field with an adequate fuel reserve, slightly above the minimum requirement. After we had parked the B-29 and deplaned, we looked over the airplane and discovered many bullet holes in the engine cowlings, wings and fuselage. In addition to the damage in the number three engine area, I counted over 100 holes caused by flak and enemy fighters. One flak fragment dented the fuselage at the radio operator’s station. If it had penetrated the fuselage skin, we were certain that it would have struck David Evans. And so ended mission number twelve against Japan, which was a very close call for our crew.

NINETEEN ENEMY FIGHTERS WERE SIGHTED DURING OUR FLIGHT OVER JAPAN WITH SIX ENEMY FIGHTERS ATTACKING OUR FORMATION

 During debriefing, participating crew members reported that nineteen enemy fighters were sighted during our flight over Japan with six enemy fighters attacking our formation. Other B-29 formations were also subjected to fierce fighter attacks and intense antiaircraft fire. In all there were thirty-nine fighters observed by combat crews and twenty-seven fighters were reported as attacking our Superfortresses. Of the 101 B-29s participating in the attack, five were lost and many more were damaged. Enemy pilots were very aggressive during this raid!