MISSION SUMMARY

Mission Number 249

      

1. Date:  3/4 July 1945

2. Target:  Himeji Urban Area

3. Participating Unit:  313th Bombardment Wing

4. Number A/C Airborne:  107

5. % A/C Bombing Primary:  99.06%   (106 A/C)

6. Type of Bombs and Fuzes:  E46, 500#, incendiary clusters with tail set to open 5000 feet above Target: and AN-M47, 100# incendiary bombs with instantaneous nose.

7. Tons of Bombs Dropped:  767.1 tons

8. Time Over Primary:  040050K  - 040229K

9. Altitude of Attack:  10,100  - 11,500 feet

10. Weather Over Target:        4/10  - 7/10

11. Total A/C Lost:  0

12. Resume of Mission:  Interrogation of crews revealed severe thermals during the latter parts of the bomb run, and smoke up to 20,000 feet.  Photo reconnaissance later showed that 1.12 sq. mi. (58.3%) of the built-up area of the city was destroyed, bringing the total destroyed up to 71.8%.  94 A/C bombed by radar and 2 visually.  One A/C was non-effective.  Two attacks by Bakas were reported.  One closed to 300 yards, when it apparently dissipated its power and disappeared.  12 E/A sighted made 8 attacks.  No claims.  Flak was mainly medium.  AW fire and few bursts of heavy, meager, and inaccurate A/A.  One ground-to-air rocket was sighted.  4 A/C landed at Iwo Jima.  Average Bomb Load:  15,751 lbs.  Average Fuel Reserve:  676 gallons.

 

 

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