MISSION SUMMARY

Mission Number 284

        

1. Date: 24 July 1945
    
2. Target: Sumitomo Metal Industry at Osaka (90.25 - 263A)
    
3. Participating Unit: 58th BW
    
4. Number A/C Airborne: 90
    
5. % A/C Bombing Primary: 91.11% (82 Primary and 4 Opportunity)
    
6. Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M56, 4000# L.C., with instantaneous nose and non-delay tail. 
    
7. Tons of Bombs Dropped: 488 tons on Primary and 26 tons on Opportunity. 
    
8. Time Over Primary: 241251K - 241322K
    
9. Altitude of Attack: 19,900 - 22,100
    
10. Weather Over Target: 0/10 - 3/10
     
11. Total A/C Lost: 1

12. Resume of Mission: Strike photos indicated a majority of bombs fell on Target, which was assumed to be destroyed.  A few bombs fell on adjacent Targets, 264 and 53.  Reconnaissance later revealed that 76.9% of the Target was damaged, raising the cumulative damage to 89.6%.  Of the 244 bombs dropped it was estimated 115 fell within 1,000 ft. of the MPI.  Four A/C were non-effective.  All bombing was visual.  Heavy caliber flak varied from moderate to intense and was accurate.  One B-29 was shot down and 50 damaged by AA fire.  The A/C lost received a direct hit by flak over the Target and it broke in two.  All 11 men missing.  No E/A seen.  Forty-two B-29s landed at Iwo Jima.  Average bomb load: 15,193 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 645 gallons. 

 

 

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