This was a night mining mission involving 29 planes from the 6th Bomb Group:
Those were not the only losses on the mission: Capt. Booth & crew of the “Trigger Mortis” – Mining mission – was hit over target. Two men were wounded and they crash landed on Iwo. Aircraft was scrapped.
According to the DFC Citation for Crew #4012:
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The planes shot down may have been laying mines in the dangerous areas close to land.
Excerpt of figure from XXI Bomber Command Tactical Mission Report, Field Order No. 16, Mission No. 47, 313th Bombardment Wing, May 19, 1945.
20th Af Mission 47
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