This was a night mining mission involving 27 planes from the 6th Bomb Group:
Other missions flown in this period were * * * to the Jap ports of Fushiki, Nanao and Niigata. * * *
[Pirate’s Log, p. 49]
20th AF Mission 269
Date:
15/16 July 1945
Target:
Rashin Fusan Gezan-Konan Naoetsu Niigata
Participating Units:
313th BW
Number of A/C Airborne:
28
% A/C Bombing Primary:
92.85% (26 Primary and 1 Alternate)
Type of Bombs and Fuzes:
MK26-36 (1000lb) MK25 (2000lb mines with various settings.)
Tons of Bombs Dropped:
172 tons on Primary and 6 tons on alternate.
Time Over Primary:
152308K - 160325K
Altitude of Attack:
6,900 - 8,400
Weather Over Target:
8/10 - 10/10
Total A/C Lost:
0
Resume of Mission:
It was estimated that of the 244 mines laid, 241 were effective. All mines were laid by radar. One A/C non- effective. Sixteen E/A sighted, but made no attacks. Heavy, meager, and inaccurate flak encountered at Niigata and Fusan. Seven- teen A/C landed at Iwo Jima and 1 at Okinawa. Average mine load: 13,068 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 486 gallons.
