Next came the urban area of Kobe on the night of 16-17 March. Thirty-three Sixth ships bombed the primary target, dropping 1, 038 incendiary clusters by radar. Two planes were damaged by machine gun fire from fighters. Sgt James H. Wiseman, 40th Squadron gunner, was wounded during the attack. All planes returned safely, with five stopping at Iwo Jima on the return flight for refueling. Tail gunner on Capt Rodenhouse’s crew got the first claim on an enemy fighter. A ship exploded when hit by fire from his guns.
[Pirate’s Log, p. 33]