1 - 15 JUN 1945 1944: Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1945 1st ½: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep 1945 2nd ½: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep

1 JUNE 1945 (pg 660)

JAPAN:

(Mission 187) Four hundred fifty-eight XXI BC B-29's attack Osaka with 2788 tons of incendiary bombs; and 16 B-29's attack other targets. Ten B-29's are lost.

(While on their way to escort B-29's over Osaka, 148 VII FC P-51's based on Iwo Jima run into unexepectedly bad weather and proceed on instruments rather than abort. Flying blind, several P-51's collide and others become lost or are driven down to extremely low altitude by the weather. In all, 27 P-51's and 24 pilots are lost. This is the largest single weather related loss of the war. Only 27 of the surviving P-51's actually are able to locate the B-29's and complete the mission.)

The ten B-29's lost were: 42-24524 "Super Mouse," Triangle N 17, 444th BG, 676th BSq, MACR 14598, Anderson Crew, 10 KIA 42-24542 "Lady Hamilton II" 468th BG, MACR 14600 Johnson Crew 11 MIA 42-24741 497th BG MACR 14595 Campbell Crew 2 KIA 9 Saved 42-63496 "Naughty Nancy" 444th BG, MACR 14599 Sisson Crew 11 KIA 42-65348 A Sq 16 497th BG MACR 14593 Crowe Crew 12 KIA From George Beck: "One of the 10 B-29s lost June 1 was A Square 16 (42-65348) of the 869th Bomb Squadron, 497th Bombgroup, piloted by Lt. Frank Crowe. I flew 7 missions with this crew and was on their wing in A Square 13 when they were hit over Osaka. They made a nice 180 degree turn and headed back out to sea. I always hoped some of them survived. It wasn't until I attended a reunion of the 73rd Bomb Wing at St Louis about 40 years later that I learned for sure they were all MIA." New info about 42-65348, also from George Beck, who was briefed by Hap Halloran in Feb 2002 with his recent research in Japan: "They were hit in the no. 1 engine over the target at Osaka ... It was always assumed they ditched off the coast of Japan with no survivors. A Japanese historian says the plane was shot down by fighters south of Osaka. 7 crew members died in the crash: Lt Frank Crowe (AC), Lt "Shorty" Young (pilot), Lt. C.B. Jorstad (FE), S/Sgt Robt Angel (Radio), Sgt Isley (Rt. Gun), S/Sgt G.A.Beck (Left Gun), and Lt J.K. Manning (Nav). "Four were captured. Of these two were executed right away: Lt. H.K. Wittee (Bomb) and T/Sgt Al Hart (CFC). Sgt. Larry Beecroft (Tail Gun) was executed July 20, and S/Sgt Russ. Strong (radar) was executed Aug. 15, the last day of the war." "... Sgt G.A.Beck and I { G.N. Beck} were both on this crew for 7missions. They called me blackie and the other George Beck whitey to distinguish between us." 42-65364 - "City of Roswell" aka "Skyscrapper" 39th BG/61st BS, MACR 14594 Orr Crew 1 MIA 10 Saved Flight Engineer: T/Sgt Edward Kanick MIA Airplane Commander: 1st Lt William Orr Pilot: F/O James Frodsham Navigator: 2nd Lt Wiliam Costa Bombardier: 2nd Lt John Blake Radar Specialist: 2nd Lt Arthur Swanberg Radio Operator: S/Sgt James E. Schwoegler CFC Specialist: Sgt Ralph Gervais Left Gunner: Sgt Robert Weiler Right Gunner: S/Sgt James Wyckoff Tail Gunner: Sgt Pasquale Mastromatteo 42-65270 "Big Poison 2nd Dose" 444th BG, MACR 14597, Arnoult Crew "BIG POISON 2nd DOSE" was lost off Osaka on 1 June 1945. This was Winton Close's crew. Arnoult had taken over as Aircraft Commander. George Herak was Flight Engineer. They were in a mid-air with another B-29. I saw it happen. We were trying to form up the formation and were still off the coast of Japan in and out of the soup.......No survivors........ Of the original Close crew, only General Close and Navigator Ted Griggs survived the War." (Scotty McCall) 42-93995, K-37 "City of Osceola/Behrens' Brood", 330 BG, Behrens' crew. The left side of the nose was shot off, taking the pilot with it, but the co-pilot continued to fly the crippled plane back to base by dead reckoning. This story tells of a P-61 finding K-37, guiding it to Iwo Jima, then downing it over water after the remaining crew members bailed out on Iwo Jima. (Note: Date wrongly shown as 9 June 45. Still a "must read.")         (from Shaharom Ahmad, Malaysia) 44-61666 T-16 of the 498th Group, "Sweet Sixteen", ditched on 1 June 45. Yount crew, survived 44-70083 499th BG MACR 14596 Wilkinson Crew All KIA From Sandy Amell: "Re June 1, 1945 Osaka mission . Here are my comments taken from a letter to my mother following that mission: 'The mision wasn't too bad but it was sort of nerve wracking. We had to fly a long ways through an overcast and if you can imagine doing that in formation! There was lots of smoke over the target, more than I have ever seen, and they were pouring the flak into the smoke, so we flew right through it. Luckily it wasn't very accurate but it really was thick. And right in the middle of it all a B-29 came hurtling at us. I swear his tail scraped us. Well, it's another mission. And we were lucky, the way we have been right along. And maybe it isn't all luck.' "This was our 19th mission and our luck held for 15 more although it almost ran out on our 35th. It ran out long before that for lots of poor guys."

Lee Florence's Diary: T .0. 0330 for incind raid on Osaka. Flew deputy lead for 879th Sqdn. Flew behind 877 Sqdn. Bombed at 1132. Intense flak and very accurate. Capt Wilkinson hit over target. No parachutes. Slight fighters. One fairly large hole in right aileron and wingtip. Smoke from target topped 22,000’.Bombed at 20,000’.	Ray Brashear's Navigator's Notes: (After all of the preparation everyone goes to in preperation for a mission it's a shame that one has to abort. I hated to dump the bombs in the ocean after the armorers worked so hard loading the bombs, but continuing the trip on three engines was not smart. Ray) Abort: Osaka Day incend 6/1/45 19000 0400-1530 1130 33240 Blew #3 cyl. head at ass'y Pt
T Square 54: Mission #23: Lt. Dufford, Osaka urban manufacturing area along Yodo river w/ factories, docks, warehouses, & petroleum dumps. 18,000' to 28,500' incendiary w/ fighter escort. Flack heavy & enemy fighters aggressive. St. Tonnies said flak was "... accurate. First time I could hear flak burst. Too close for comfort."

2 JUNE 1945 (pg 661) No actions reported.

3 JUNE 1945 (pg 662) No actions reported.

4 JUNE 1945 (pg 662) No actions reported.

5 JUNE 1945 (pg 663)

JAPAN:

(Mission 188) Four hundred seventy-three XXI BC B-29's attack Kobe with 3077 tons of incendiary bombs; eight attack other targets. The attack burns off over 4 square miles and damages over half of the city. B-29's claim 86 Japanese fighters. Eleven B-29's are lost.

Aircraft lost include: 44-69965 462nd BG - MACR 14605 - Hull Crew Manufactured by Boeing Aircraft, Wichita, Kansas. Delivered to the USAAF on 22 Mar 45. Sent to Topeka, Kansas via the Birmingham Modification Center Al, and assigned to the XXI Bomber Command, Twentieth Air Force, Pacific Theater of Operations, on 16 May 1945. ...assigned to the 770th Bombardment Squadron, 462nd Bombardment Group at the time of loss. Pilot: Carl "Shorty" Hull, MIA FE: Charley Blackburn, MIA Tail Gunner: James Clemens, MIA Radio: Thomas O. Drew, MIA     (Original Crew Member of Jody Smith Dad's Crew) Co-Pilot: Cletus Moser, POW, Executed Bombardier: Oliver Stewart, POW, Executed Nav: Benton Van Horn, Jr., POW*, Executed. V: Arthur Weinbauer, POW*, Executed. Left Gunner: John Zinn, POW*, Executed. CFC: David F. McNeley, POW*, Executed.     (Neysa Picklum's Brother) Right Gunner: Hershell Barrett, POW*. - * Van Horn, Weinbauer, Zinn, Barrett and McNeley, were captured after being found floating in their rafts. - Those executed were identified from bodies. - Hull, Drew, Blackburn and Clements were never found. 42-63451 "Black Jack Too," 444th BG, MACR 14606, Palmer Crew, 1 KIA. 10 POWs: 1 died in captivity, 9 executed. Pilot: 1st Lt. Woodrow B. Palmer, POW (For Scotty McCall: friends are never forgotten.) Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Owen P. Walles, POW Bombardier: 1st Lt. Don A. Coulter, POW Navigator: 2nd Lt. Robert F. Dailey, POW Flight Engineer: M/Sgt. Henry T. Farish, POW Radio Operator: M/Sgt. Williard M. Chapman, POW V: Sgt. Eugene J. Prouty, POW Gunner: S/Sgt. Cleveland T. Niles, POW Gunner: Sgt. Peter T. Sabo, POW Gunner: Sgt. Charles A. Heisle, POW Sgt. Joseph W. Romanelli, KIA (Found in aircraft) Two Japanese fighters made attacks shortly after #3 engine caught fire. The first fighter was destroyed and the second damaged. At approximately 2 to 3 miles from the coast and after travelling approximately 15 miles with fire burning furiously the right wing was seen to buckle at number 3 nacelle and break off. 451 rolled on its back and started into a vertical nose down spin. 10 crew members arrested and taken to Tokai Military Command. One seriously wounded and died on 6 June 45. The remaining 9 crew members were executed on 28 June 45 in the forests of Akatsu-cho Seto-city. ( Also executed with this crew were two POW crew members of 42-24894 from the 40th Bomb Group rammed on May 29, 1945:             Lt. Hurley       Sgt. Robertsen ) 44-69766 "City of Burbank" aka Old Soldier's Home, 330th BG, MACR 14602, Schilitz Crew. Attacked by Japanese fighters after bombing Kobe and crashed in Aodani Village, Tsuzuki County, Kyoto Prefecture. Crew list: A Rich, Kenneth W. F/O, KIA O Boulay, Francis G. Sgt, KIA K Chatham, Byron K., Jr. Pfc, KIA R Collins, Woodrow W. Sgt, KIA G Grunigen, David W. Cpl, KIA P Scott, Robert C. 2d Lt, POW, died in captivity K Davidson, James H. Cpl, POW, died in captivity C Helm, Leonard W. F/O, POW, died in captivity B Picciano, Anthony A. 2d Lt, POW, died in captivity A Schilits, Donald J. 1st Lt, POW, executed N Reed, George C. S/Sgt, POW, executed The 6 POWs were moved to Osaka Kempei Tai Headquarters. - Four were later executed or died from the disease or injury: Picciano, Helm, Scott, and Davidson. - Reed was executed at Shinodayama Military Parade Ground near Osaka on or about 20 July 1945. - Schlitz was executed at Sanadayama Military Cemetery in Osaka on 15 August 1945, along with Capt. Jack K. Ort, 46th Fighter Squadron, 21st Fighter Group, 7th Air Force 44-70008 29th BG, MACR 14604, Franklin Crew. Shot down by AA fire while bombing Kobe and crashed in Yamada Village, Muko County, Hyogo Prefecture. 9 KIA, 2 POW. Crew list: 2nd Lt. Paul H. Stuart - KIA FO Frank A. Urso - KIA S/Sgt. Henry F. Pleasants - KIA Sgt. Lavone L. Nix - KIA Sgt. Robert I. Ellis - KIA 1st Lt. Joseph W. Franklin - KIA 2nd Lt. Ralph J. Mosaro - KIA 2nd Lt. Stephen F. Wenczel - KIA S/Sgt. Bryan McCown, Jr. KIA S/Sgt. George C. Peare, POW, died of disease, injury or execution S/Sgt. John R. Vincent, POW, executed. The two POWs were moved to Osaka Kempei Tai Headquarters. Peare's exact cause of death is unknown, while Vincent was executed at Shinodayama Military Parade Ground near Osaka on or about 20 July 1945. 42-65336 462nd BG "Assid Test II," MACR 14394, McCarty Crew (Torvend crew?). After bombing Kobe, aircraft was damaged by AA fire around Kyoto, emitted fire, broke up over Iseda and crashed and crashed in Iseda-cho, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture. Crew list: Maj. Eugene F. Torvend - KIA FO James T. Kinsella, Jr., KIA S/Sgt. Dillard R. Jackson, KIA Capt. Bernard J. McGilian, KIA T/Sgt. Clifford A. Walter, KIA Cpl. Norman C. Andersen, KIA Capt. William A. McCarty, POW, died in captivity 2nd Lt. Charles F. Schreck, POW, died in captivity FO Robert F.T. Barrett, POW, died in captivity Cpl. Ralph J. Bilsing, POW, died in captivity 2nd Lt. Daniel E. Davis, POW, died in captivity Cpl. Clarence E. Scritchfield - POW, executed The bodies of the 6 KIA were burned to ashes and buried in a dry riverbed of the Nagi River. After the war they were transferred to a public cemetery of Aza-Sako, Sayama Village, Kuze County. On 23 Nov 45 a 1st Lt. Gaimon visited the place and recovered the ashes. Crew hat of Maj. Torvend and a receiver which were dropped around the point of the crash, had been kept by Mr. Koichi Hirose who lives in Kyoto City and returned to bereaved family. The 6 POWs were moved to Osaka Kempei Tai Headquarters. - 5 later died of disease, injury or execution. - Cpl Scritchfield was executed at Shinodayama Military Parade Ground near Osaka on or about 20 July 1945. 42-24809 505th BG "Indian Maid," MACR 14603, Fishkin Crew. Shot down by AA fire in the beginning of the air raid over Kobe and crashed into the sea near Kobe Harbor. 5 KIA 6 POW the 5 KIA were: Capt. Edward Fishkin FO Alfred V. Boulton FO William H. Moore 2nd Lt. Gerald J. McIntosh S/Sgt. John Drinpan Four POWs were later either executed or died from disease or injury: 1st Lt. John Meehan Sgt. Henry W. Sutherland, Jr. Sgt. Osmond J. Hannigan Sgt. Joseph G. Kanzler Two were executed at Shinodayama Military Parade Ground near Osaka on or about 20 July 1945: Sgt. James N. Fitzegerald Sgt. Harvey B. Kennedy, Jr. 42-24742 498th BG - MACR 14858 - Rochat Crew 7 MIA 4 Survivors 1st. Lt. Robert A. Rochat - KIA 1st Lt. Alexander Budawei - KIA S/Sgt. William D. Lower - KIA T/Sgt. Donald Blackwell - KIA S/Sgt. Charles W. Hayman - KIA S/Gt. Billy Clemens - KIA S/Sgt. Edward L. Macon - KIA 44-69665 468th BG, MACR 14390. Attacked by Japanese fighters after bombing Kobe and shot down in Shorenji, Nabari City, Mie Prefecture. 2 KIA, 9 POW/died: - 6 were captured in Mie Prefecture and moved to Nagoya, then executed at Tokai Army Headquarters. - 3 were moved to Osaka Kempei Tai Headquarters and later died of disease, injury or execution: 1st Lt. Roy M. Young S/Sgt. Theodore F. Ladd S/Sgt. Kenneth L. Kirtland 42-24703 468th BG "American Beauty" Crashed landing at Iwo Jima.

	Lee Florence's Diary: (Later note: This was our 26th mission) June 5,1945 Saipan T.O. 0045 for incind raid on Kobe. Lead for composite Sqdn. Last in group. Group was first over target. Bombed at 0824. Moderate flak and fighters. No damage to plane. Bombed at 19,500'.	Ray Brashear's Navigator's Notes: (This is one trip I wish I could have avoided. However we did pretty much wipe out Kobe as a useful future target. Ray) Mission 22: 6/5/45 Kobe ind. area. Day incend. 15,000 0045-1505 1420 347 Flak Mod. acc. Fighters--Took brunt of all attacks, which were very agressive, about 15 or 20 attacks. Darling and Wagner each got one destroyed and McCabe damaged one. Rt. Horiz. Stab & Elev shot off. We led 1st Group over the target & Col Lee was with to see bomb results. Were excellent,
	T Square 54: Mission #24: Capt. Cruce, Kobe, 3,077 tons incendiaries from 13,000' to 18,000'. No fighter escort due to bad weather. 11 B-29's lost, 176 damaged. 4 sq miles + burned.

6 JUNE 1945 (pg 663) No actions reported.

An operational loss on this date was: 42-24592 "Dauntless Dotty" 497th BG MACR 14530 Kelly A/C 10 MIA, 3 Rescued. Crashed on take off from Kwajalein.

7 JUNE 1945 (pg 663)

JAPAN: Two missions are flown:

(Mission 189) Four hundred nine XXI BC B-29's escorted by 138 VII FC P-51's, attack Osaka with 2592 tons of incendiary bombs hitting the east central section of the city which contains industrial and transportation targets and the Osaka Army Arsenal (largest in Japan). Despite being forced to bomb by radar because of heavy undercast, the B-29's burn out over 2 square miles of the city, destroying 55,000+ buildings; nine B-29's attack other targets. The P-51's claim 2-0-1 Japanese aircraft. Two B-29's and one P-51 are lost.

Lee Florence's Diary: T .0. 0502 for incind raid on Osaka. Bombed at 1314 through clouds. Alt.20,700'. Meager flak. One fighter attacked as if ramming from the nose. He put three shells through the right fuel cells and one through the #4 props. No trouble coming home. No losses in group.

Ray Brashear's Navigator's Notes: Mission 23: 6/7/45 Osaka (Ind. area So of Castle) Day Incend. 20,000 0500-1420 36120 Flak-Mod. Barrage Type Fighters- One very eager 12 O'clock Express No hits Lead squadron Undercast

(Mission 190) During the night of 7-8 June, 29 B-29's mine Shimonoseki Strait and waters around Fukuoka and Karatsu.

8 JUNE 1945 (pg 664) No actions reported.

9 JUNE 1945 (pg 665)

JAPAN: Five missions are flown:

(Mission 191) Forty-four B-29's attack the Kawanishi Aircraft Company's plant at Narao; 1 other hits an alternate target.

(Mission 192) Twenty-four B-29's hit the Kawasaki plant at Akashi; there is 9/10 cloud cover and bombing is by radar; the village of Akashi rather than the plant is hit; two others hit targets of opportunity.

(Mission 193) Forty-two B-29's hit Aichi's Atsuta factory; only 4 bombs hit the target area but 1 causes a devastating fire; 1 other hits an alternate target.

(Mission 194) During the night of 8-9 Jun, 26 B-29's mine Shimonoseki Strait; 1 mines an alternate target.

10 JUNE 1945 (pg 665)

JAPAN: Six missions are flown:

(Mission 195) Twenty-three B-29's attack the seaplane base at Kasumigaura; 2 others hit alternate targets.

(Mission 196) Thirty-two B-29's bomb the Japan Aircraft Company plant at Tomioka; 1 other hits an alternate target.

(Mission 197) One hundred eighteen B-29's are dispatched to hit the Nakajima Aircraft plant at Musashi; clouds over the target and they hit the Hitachi Engineering Works at Kaigan; 2 others hit alternate targets.

(Mission 198) Twenty-six B-29's attack the Hitachi plant at Chiba.

Lee Florence's Diary: Target 357 Tokyo. Bombed by radar on secondary. Sandbagged with Brashear on Paper. (Later note: Sandbagging was your name written on crew list to get credit for a mission not flown. this was to get me caught up with the rest of/he crew since I had been taken off a previous mission.)

Ray Brashear's Navigator's Notes: (If all of the B-29 raids were as successful as this one we may not have won the war, but we sure would have shortened it by quite a bit as the Japanese would have run out of airplanes. Ray) Mission 24: 3rd Blitz mission 6/10/45 Tokyo (357) Hitachi Engineering Works. Day demo. 20,000 0200-1630 1430 37550 Flak-meagre, accurate Fighters-Few dropping phophorous air to air bombs. No attacks Lead the squadron 7- 2000# G.P.s This factory was totally demolished(98% destroyed. 11 bombs in the entire Wing outside the target itself

T Square 54: Mission #25: Capt. Cruce, Nakajima, Hitachi Engineering Works, daylight raid w/ 2,000 lb. bombs. Carried aux fuel tank in fromt bay due to heavy bomb load. target 97% destroyed.

(Mission 199) Fifty-two B-29's hit the Nakajima plants at Ogikubu and Omiya; 4 others hit alternate targets. One B-29 is lost.

The lost aircraft was: 42-63567 "City of Providence" - 19th BG - MACR 14614 - Woods Crew - 9 MIA 2 Rescued - ditched from Kure]

(Mission 200) Twenty-nine B-29's attack the Tachikawa Army Air Arsenal and 3 others hit alternate targets.

One hundred seven P-51's escort the B-29's on these missions and claim 27-7-10 Japanese aircraft.

11 JUNE 1945 (pg 666)

JAPAN:

(Mission 201) During the night of 11-12 Jun, 26 B-29's from the 505th BG sow mines in Shimonoseki Stait and Tsuruga Bay.

12 JUNE 1945 (pg 667) No actions reported.

13 JUNE 1945 (pg 667)

JAPAN:

(Mission 202) During the night of 13-14 Jun, 29 B-29's from the 505th BG sow mines in Shimonoseki Stait and off Niigata.

14 JUNE 1945 (pg 667)

PACIFIC OCEAN AREAS:

The JCS directs Gen Douglas A. MacArthur, Gen Henry H. Arnold and FAdm Chester W. Nimitz to prepare plans for the occupation of Japan in the event a sudden military collapse or surrender occurs prior to the planned invasion.

15 JUNE 1945 (pg 663)

JAPAN: Two missions are flown:

(Mission 203) Four hundred forty-four XXI B-29's attack the Osaka and Amagasaki urban area with 3157 tons of incendiaries and high explosives - an additional 2 square miles of Osaka and 1/2 square mile of Amagasaki is burned out; and 25 attack other targets. Two B-29's are lost.

The two aircraft lost were: 42-93928 "City of Hartford," 29th BG, MACR 14265, Heyke Crew, 11 MIA Crashed 12 miles north of Guam, all 11 crew members were lost in the sea. 1st Lt. Vertal reported seeing a B29 cross the path of his own aircraft, 300 feet lower and at about 90 degrees, while he was 12 miles north of Guam. Aircraft had landing lights turned on. A few moments later aircraft went into steep bank (80 degrees) to the left and was seen to crash into the water. A rescue LGT patrolling off the coast of the island saw this aircraft crash. Calling a sister ship, they immediately proceeded to the scene of the crash and searched till late the following morning. No survivors were found among the wreckage which consisted of five flying jackets, one life raft, one gas tank, and one navigators kit. Also, two dumbos were dispatched to the scene and reported finding only oil slit. These planes kept up a continuous search until the following morning and returned with no additional information. Capt. Adolph Henry Heyke, AC 1st Lt. Stanley V. Shaw, P 1st Lt. Carl C. Livesay, N 1st Lt. Robert G. Kelley, B 1st Lt. Bertram F. Nagy, FE S/Sgt. William M. Barton, RO Sgt. Harold Eichman, CFC Sgt. Donald J. Megargel, RG Sgt. Edwin J. Mergenthaler Jr., LG 1st Lt. James O. Strong, R Sgt. James F. McLear, TG (From Jody and Toru through Sparky Corradina.) 44-69845 19th BG MACR 14614 Brewer Crew 11 KIA

(Mission 204) During the night of 15-16 June, 30 B-29's from the 505th BG sow mines in Shimonoseki Strait and off Fukuoka, Fushiki, and Karatsu.

Lee Florence's Diary: T.O. 02356 for incind raid on Osaka. Bombed at 1005 through clouds. Very bad weather. Results unobserved. No fighters. No flak. No losses. Bombed at 21,000'.

Ray Brashear's Navigator's Notes: Mission 25: 6/15/45 Osaka Day incend 22500 0200-1545 1325 38915 Flak-nil Fighters-Nil Lead the Squadron, but because of weather and a strange broadcast individual bombing was done. 4 other planes formed on us and dropped on us. Solid Undercast

T Square 54: Mission #26: Capt. Cruce, w/449 other B-29's attacked Amagasaki urban area and industrial center in day fire raid. No losses, enemy flack and fighters hampered by bad weather.

1944: Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1945 1st ½: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep 1945 2nd ½: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep