MISSION SUMMARY

Mission Number 263

      

1. Date: 12/13 July 1945
    
2. Target: Utsunomiya Urban Area
    
3. Participating Unit: 58th BW
    
4. Number A/C Airborne: 130
    
5. % A/C Bombing Primary: 88.46% (115 Primary and 5 Opportunity)
    
6. Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M47A2, 100# incendiary bombs with instantaneous nose and E46, 500# incendiary clusters with tail set to open 5,000 feet above Target. 
    
7. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 802.9 tons on Primary and 43.4 tons Opportunity. 
    
8. Time Over Primary: 130019K - 130230K
    
9. Altitude of Attack: 13,300 - 14,600
    
10. Weather Over Target: 10/10
     
11. Total A/C Lost: 1

12. Resume of Mission: Crews reported 2 large glows about 1 mile apart through the undercast.  With the exception of 2 aircraft, the Target was not visible on the bomb run.  Ten A/C were non-effective.  Nine E/A sighted made no attacks.  Flak was heavy and medium and AW fire all were meager and inaccurate.  Four ineffective S/L's were observed.  Nine men were rescued after ditching a B-29.  The B-29 lost was en route to base.  Twenty-seven A/C landed at Iwo Jima.  Average bomb load: 14,700 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 664 gallons. 

 

 

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