Tokyo (March 9, 1945)

This was the start of the fire raids. We left two men and had only a few guns. There was plenty of fires and a very rough ride. We were in the lights for some time and got hit.

— Joe Caner Swann

This mission is mentioned in my father's journal (above), but is not recorded in his or Mr. Lind's lists of missions.

This was indeed the beginning of the fire bombing raids, and this mission started things in a big way with 325 planes from the 73rd, 313th, and 314th bomb wings participating. The target was the Tokyo urban area.

The change in tactics is obvious with the planes flying at lower altitudes (5,000-9,000 feet), carrying more bombs (9,600-13,800 lbs.), and arriving in the early morning hours (1:00-4:00 am of March 10).

Cloud cover over the target was slight (3/10 overcast), but once the pathfinder planes dropped their bombs and started fires it was easy for the rest of the bombers to hit their targets. A total of 16.8 square miles of the target was damaged or destroyed. These results were considered excellent.

The most effective enemy opposition was from antiaircraft fire as it was said to be "moderate to intense and accurate." There were only 40 fighter attacks. No gunners claimed any hits.

Fourteen planes did not return.

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 is mission 40.

Mission List

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