Mission
Date:
12
May 1945
Although
the Okinawa invasion was still going on, the efforts of the
Superfortresses of the 39th Bomb Group were now turned back
to other fields, and after the 10 May destruction of Otake Oil
Refinery, the group went back onto the PIN system of eliminating
Japanese industrial installations and cities.
On
the 12th the target was the Kawanishi Aircraft Plant between
Otake and Kobe. This factory was turning out flying boats for
the Japanese Navy, and was steadily being enlarged. Its activity
was to be seriously hampered by the XXI Bomber Command.
The
39th dispatched only eleven aircraft on this strike, which was
a GP job. Nine B-29s actually dropped on target.
Flak
was the hottest encounter up to that time. It was known that
Osaka defenses were heavy and those at Kobe were ample for the
purpose. Five of the group's planes received damage from anti-aircraft
fire with only three being of major proportions. Enemy fighters
were up in some force, a total of thirty-four being reported.
Thirty
to forty attacks were pressed and gunners claimed three damaged.
The fighter on this occasion showed a noticeable variety as to
type. There were Zekes, Oscars, Tojos, Tonys, a Hamp an Irving
and a George.