The first mission of this nature was flown to reinforce mine fields in the Shimonoseki Straits area. Flak was heavy and one plane was shot down. The crew and aircraft lost was commanded by Capt Schmid and carried as a combat observer, Lt Col Dixon. Reports from members of other crews on the mission reveal that one B-29 in the formation was caught in a number of searchlights, sustained several direct flak hits and was seen to spiral down and crash in flames. Since the Sixth was the only group operating in the area, it is a reasonable assumption that this was Capt Schmid’s plane.

 

[Pirate’s Log, p. 49]

 
According to the Distinguished Unit Citation:

On the night of 9 July 1945, ninety-seven percent of the 31 aircraft airborne effectively mined their assigned target areas, with the loss of one aircraft.  For tactical reasons, the aircraft were flown at reduced speeds and at low altitude over the heavily defended areas of Yawata and Shimonoseki Straits, encountering as many as twenty-five searchlights coned on a single aircraft, coordinated with heavy, intense and accurate flak.  In spite of these overwhelming obstacles, the briefed courses were unerringly held and the mines were dropped in the exact assigned positions, confirmed by radar scope photographs.

A view of the Shimonoseki Straits today facing east.