MISSION SUMMARY

Mission Number 215

      

1. Date:  22 June 1945
    
2. Target:  Kure Naval Arsenal  (90.30-657A)
    
3. Participating Unit:  58th and 73rd Bombardment Wings
    
4. Number A/C Airborne:  195
    
5. % A/C Bombing Primary:  82.6%   (162 primary and 12 opportunity)
    
6. Type of Bombs and Fuzes:  AN-M65, 1000# G.P. 1/10 & 1/40 sec. delay nose and 1/40 sec. delay tail:  AN-M64, 500# GP, 1/40 sec. delay nose & tail: AN-M66, 2000# GP, 1/40 sec. delay nose & tail.
    
7. Tons of Bombs Dropped:  795.8 tons on primary and 65.5 tons on opportunity
    
8. Time Over Primary:     1031K  - 1143K
    
9. Altitude of Attack:        18,000  - 26,250 feet
    
10. Weather Over Target:  2/10  - 3/10
     
11. Total A/C Lost:  2
     
12. Resume of Mission:  Photo coverage from 3 of the 5 formations that bombed the Target showed the SW area well hit.  57% of the bombs dropped hit the Target.  One hundred thirty-five A/C bombed visually and 27 by radar.  Twenty E/A sighted made no attacks.  Flak was heavy, intense, and accurate.  Considerable naval flak was experienced.  One of the B-29’s lost was hit by flak and the other crashed at Kobler Field while attempting to land with 2 engines out.  Ninety-six A/C were damaged by flak.  Twelve B-29’s were non-effective.  Ten A/C landed at Iwo Jima.  Average Bomb Load:  10,460 lbs. Average Fuel Reserve:  848 gallons.

 

 

 

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