Scheduled (January 19, 1945)

We were supposed to go on a mission but our plane was out.

— Joe Caner Swann

This mission sent the 73rd Bomb Wing to the Kawasaki Aircraft Plant on Osaka. It was a mid-afternoon attack (2:50-3:30 pm) with planes flying at high altitude (25,000-27,500 feet).

Weather conditions were partly cloudy (2/10-3/10 overcast). The target suffered major damage with almost 40% (over 1 million square feet) of the roof area destroyed. The average bomb load was 5,000 lbs.

The enemy responded with antiaircraft fire (which was inaccurate) and fighters. B-29 gunners claimed 4 enemy planes destroyed, 4 more probably destroyed, and 8 damaged.

All aircraft returned safely.

Additional Resources

  • Read the complete journal kept by the Star Duster's right gunner, Joe Caner Swann.
  • Resume of 20th Air Force Missions, (see book information on the books resources page).
  • Mission resumes are also available on the Twentieth Air Force Association web site. This site is built with frames. To view the mission resumes click the "Missions" link in the top menu on the site's home page. This was mission 20.

Mission List

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