MISSION SUMMARY

Mission Number 278

        

1. Date: 19/20 July 1945
    
2. Target: Hitachi Urban Area (90.14)
    
3. Participating Unit: 73rd BW
    
4. Number A/C Airborne: 130
    
5. % A/C Bombing Primary: 96.92% (126 Primary and 1 Opportunity)
    
6. Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M47A2, 100# incendiary bombs with instantaneous nose and E46, E36, AN-M17A1, 500# incendiary clusters set to open 5,000 feet above Target. 
    
7. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 963.2 tons on Primary and 7.2 tons on Opportunity. 
    
8. Time Over Primary: 200020K - 200153K
    
9. Altitude of Attack: 12,200 - 13,650
    
10. Weather Over Target: 9/10 - 10/10
     
11. Total A/C Lost: 2

12. Resume of Mission: Reconnaissance showed .88 sq. mi. (or 64.5%) of the city's built-up area was destroyed.  RCM A/C observed fires from 60 miles away.  The Target was seen by only 6 A/C. Three A/C were non-effective.  One E/A sighted did not attack.  Flak was medium and heavy, meager and inaccurate encountered by approximately 1/3 of the B-29s.  One Wind-Run A/C A/B. Five survivors from a ditching due to mechanical failure.  One B-29 lost to unknown reasons.  One B-29 landed at Iwo Jima.  Average bomb load: 15,214 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 910 gallons. 

 

 

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