At the end of June 1945 the major cities of the Empire were in ruins. All during the month of July the medium sized cities were systematically destroyed and at month’s end the target list was nearing zero. The decision came down to intensify the campaign and conduct an all out blitz on the targets remaining.

The raids would be burn jobs, striking between 2300 and 0300 hours. During the day a target list was broadcast to Japan, notifying them that some would be hit that night. The object was to compel evacuation of all the areas though not all would be hit. On 27/28 July, eight targets were hit by a force of 571 B29s. On 1/2 August, 784 B29s bombed six targets. On 5/6 August 602 B29s bombed six targets. 250 of this number rained napalm on the city of Nishimomiya.

Not the entire built up areas of cities were targeted, only the areas that were of strategic importance. Nishinomiya was a city of 10 square miles and 4.5 square miles were targeted. The city was long and narrow (see map), and at most 2 miles wide before its elevation rose to 1000 feet. In 1945 its population was 112,000 and it was a vital link between the destroyed cities of Kobe and Osaka. It’s rail line, port, and manufacturing facilities were still functional. It was and still is best known for the production of a high quality Sake. Sake was an important part of the Banzai and Kamikaze rituals adding to its strategic importance. Of the 4.5 square miles targeted 3.5 square miles were destroyed. This represented 64% of the targeted area and 36% of the built up area of the city.

The combination of Radar and the Norden Bomb Sight was the key to the success of Air Offensive Japan. We are fortunate to have a series of nine radar scope photos taken on the Nishinomiya raid. They were taken at the Navigator’s repeat scope and were supplied to the 39th Bomb Group Association by Captain Ralph Weston, A/C of Crew 41, 62nd Squadron, 39th Bomb Group, 314th Wing. They are reproduced in the pages following with analytical comments.