MISSION SUMMARY

Mission Number 253

      

1. Date:  6/7 July 1945

2. Target:  Shimizu Urban Area

3. Participating Unit:  313th Bombardment Wing

4. Number A/C Airborne:  136

5. % A/C Bombing Primary:  97.09%   (133 A/C)

6. Type of Bombs and Fuzes:  AN-M47A2, 100# incendiary bomb with instantaneous nose: and, AN-M17, 500# incendiary cluster with nose set to open 3000 feet above Target.

7. Tons of Bombs Dropped:  1,029.6 tons

8. Time Over Primary:  070133K  - 070310K

9. Altitude of Attack:  7100  - 8300 feet

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

11. Total A/C Lost:  1

12. Resume of Mission:  Crews that were able to observe through breaks in clouds said the entire city was ablaze, to the waterfront.  Severe thermals were encountered.  Reconnaissance indicated 47% (.67 sq. mi.) of the Shimizu Urban area, 60% of the docks, and 30% of the Honan Oil Plant were damaged or destroyed.  Flak consisted of heavy, medium, and AW fire, meager to moderate, and generally inaccurate.  2 B-29’s were damaged by flak.  Ground rockets were reported, some in groups of six.  12 E/A sighted made 4 attacks.  25 A/C bombed visually, and 108 by radar.  3 A/C were non-effective.  2 B-29’s landed at Iwo Jima.  The A/C Lost ran off the runway because of brake failure.  Average Bomb Load:  15,053 lbs.  Average Fuel Reserve:  1,103 gallons.

 

 

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