Date
— 12 April 1945
Mission - Koriyamo, 120 miles north of Tokyo
- Incompleted
This mission is the longest yet pulled by the B—29’s
scheduled for 18 hours. and 30 minutes. We took off around
0345 and just 45 minutes out of Guam, number 2 engine Began
backfiring and sparking, only in auto lean though.
It flew alright in auto rich which uses around ¼
more fuel. The trip was too long for such a chance of running
out of fuel, as it was we only had 15 to 30 minutes spare
fuel. So back to the base we had to return. Just a tough
break. Next time we will make it.
Date
— 13 April 1945, Friday at 1756
Mission - North Tokyo
- Incomplete
Take-off at 1756 on a night incendiary raid on a chemical
plant in northern Tokyo. Just about an hour or so from
the target, number one engine began smoking very badly.
The engine was feathered and restarted with hopes that
it would clear, but it was no go. So with one engine out
we turned back and headed for Iwo Jima to repair it for
the return trip home. The field was 0—0 socked in
completely and after 4 to 6 attempts to land, one of which
was almost a head on collision with Mt. Suriback prevented
by the alertness of our bombadier, we landed on a very
wet and rough runway. As a result our flaps were damaged
from the water spray. Number 2 engine also caught on fire
but no damage resulted. Number 1 engine needed a change
and we stayed on Iwo for 4 days, spent with Benny, Levesque’s
brother. The meals were of “C” rations and
the island was still infested with Japs. We finally ferried
another plane back to Saipan, stayed overnight and came
the rest of the way A.T.C. (Army Transport Corps) Our
plane in the meantime had arrived with #2 engine feathered
and it too was changed here. We are all very thankful
and grateful. Our Blessed Lord is with us. Here’s
praying our next mission will be a strike one.
Date — 26 April 1945, Thursday, 0300
Mission — Kyushu Airfield, Kokubu Time — 15:50
- Complete
Take-off around 0300 on a daylight general purpose bombing
raid on Kokubu Airfield. The bombing altitude was for
17,000 ft. The target was all overcast so we had to bomb
singly and by radar. There was no fighter opposition nor
flak. Number 1 finally — bombing altitude —
16,000 ft.
Date
— 28 April 1945, Saturday 0100
Mission - Kyushu Airfield, Kushira Time - 14:45
- Completed
Take—off scheduled for 0100, but due to #1 oil pressure
gage reading “0” we were unable to take off.
Wonderful cooperation among our ground crew and squadron
maintenance men, we did get off with but a minute or so
to spare before deadline take off time. As a result we
bombed in formation with the 19th group who followed our
39th group off for a different airfield. We bombed with
excellent results. We witnessed our first bit of flak
and fighter interception of 6 to 8 planes. Flak slightly
damaged one of our planes and the fighters kept there
distance by our guns. Number 2 - So far so good now.
Date
— 30 April 1945, Tuesday 0330
Mission - Kyushu Airfield, Kokubu Time: 16:00
- Completed
Take—off around 0330 for general purpose bombing
of Kokubu once again. Our crew led the formation with
excellent results. A few minutes before the target and
till we had left the coast of Japan, we were attacked
by 20 to 30 fighters. Tony’s and Tojo’s. The
Tojo’s dropped phosphorous bombs while Tony’s
pressed coordinated attacks. Our plane claimed three probables.
The upper portion of our vertical stabilizer stopped 3
slugs and our nose of the plane received very slight burns
by a couple streamers from a phosphorous bomb, otherwise
all, went well. Number 3 now - getting better.
Date — 4 May 1945, Friday 0145
Mission — Kyushu Airfield, Oita Time — 17:25
- Completed
Take—off around 0145 on a general purpose bombing
raid on Oita airfield on the northern end of Kyushu Island.
Our crew, #41, led the formation over the target once
again but the results were reverse of the first. The target
was missed by four miles. We did make two runs without
any success. A terrible cross wind sent us way off course.
The 60th squadron also missed the target so it did relieve
us very much. There was very little flak & innacurate.
Three fighters were seen but very little action. Number
4 — Still ? to go.
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