315th Bomb Wing, Very Heavy, World War 2

Missions of the 315th Bomb Wing, Very Heavy, in World War 2

The basic chronology and general information on this page is a composite of entries excerpted from:

"Air War Pacific Chronology: America's Air War Against Japan in East Asia and the Pacific 1941-1945"
by Eric Hammel (Pacifica, CA: Pacifica Press, 1988 ISBN 0-933353-26-6)
and,
"USAAF Chronology: Combat Chronology of the US Army Air Forces"
by Jack McKillop (Piscataway, NJ).
Also on line at Rutgers University.
(http://paul.rutgers.edu/~mcgrew/wwii/usaf/html/index.html)

The mission numbers listed were the 20th Air Force Bombing Mission numbers. Below that is the chronological number of the mission as flown by the 315th Bomb Wing against the empire.

315 BW - 26 June - 14 Aug 1945 - 15 Missions

Mission # 232
315BW Mission #1
Date: 26 June 1945
Target: Utsube Oil Refinery, Yokkaichi (90.20 - 1684)
Participating Unit: 315th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 35
% A/C Bombing Primary: 92.4% (33 Primary and 1 Opportunity)
Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M64, 500#, G.P., 1/40 sec. delay nose and non-delay tail.
Tons of Bombs Dropped: 222.8 tons on Primary and 6.7 tons on Opportunity.
Time Over Primary: 262335K - 270150K
Altitude of Attack: 15,000 - 16,000
Weather Over Target: 9/10 - 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 0

Resumé of Mission: Two strings of bombs were in the target within a 2000-foot radius and 3 strings approximately 7,500 feet WNW of aiming point and 1 string approximately 9,000 feet NNW of aiming point. Thirty A/C bombed by radar and 3 visually. One A/C was non-effective. Flak was heavy, nil to meager, and generally inaccurate. Twenty-nine ineffective S/L's observed in target area. One A/C landed at Iwo Jima. No E/A were sighted. Average bomb load: 14,631 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 1320 gallons.

(Mission 232) During the night of 26-27 June, 33 B-29's from the 16th BG, in their first mission, attack the Utsube Oil refinery at Yokkaichi; one B-29 hits an alternate target.

30 JUNE 1945 (pg 675)

The Guam based 502nd BG makes it's first combat mission to the bypassed Japanese base at Rota Island.

Mission # 238
315BW Mission #2
Date: 30 June 1945
Target: Nippon Oil Co. at Kudamatsu (90.20 - 672)
Participating Unit: 315th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 36
% A/C Bombing Primary: 86.4% (32 A/C)
Type of Bombs and Fuses: M64, 500# G.P., 1/10 sec. delay nose and 1/100 sec. delay tail.
Tons of Bombs Dropped: 208.5 tons on Primary
Time Over Primary: 300106K - 300137K
Altitude of Attack: 15,400 - 16,875
Weather Over Target: 8/10 - 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 0

Resumé of Mission: Results were unobserved. All bombing was by radar. Flak was heavy, meager and inaccurate. Several S/L's were observed in the target area. Four A/C were non-effective. No E/A were observed. Average bomb load: 14,647 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 1,181 gallons.

(Mission 238) Thirty-two 315th BW B-29's drop 209 tons of bombs on the Nippon Oil Company refinery at Kudamatsu.

Mission # 245
315BW Mission #3
Date: 2/3 July 1945
Target: Maruzen Oil Refinery at Osaka (Simotsu)
Participating Unit: 315th BW
Number A/C airborne: 40
% A/C Bombing Primary: 98
Type of Bombs and Fuzes:
Tons of Bombs Dropped: 297
Time over Primary:
Altitude of Attack:
Weather over Target:
Total A/C Lost: 0

Resumé of Mission: During the night of 2-3 Jul, 39 315th BW B-29's bomb the Maruzen Oil Refinery at Minoshima; one B-29 bombs an alternate target.

Mission # 255
315BW Mission #4
Date: 6/7 July 1945
Target: Maruzen Oil Refinery at Osaka (90.35 - 1764)
Participating Unit: 315th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 60
% a/C Bombing Primary: 98.34% (59 Primary and 1 Opportunity)
Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M64, 500# G.P., fuzed with 1/40 soc. delay nose and non-delay tail.
Tons of Bombs Dropped: 441.5 tons on Primary and 8 tons on Opportunity.
Time Over Primary: 070019K - 070118K
Altitude of Attack: 10,200 - 11,500
Weather Over Target: 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 0

Resume of Mission: Photo reconnaissance on 11 July revealed that 95% of the plant had been destroyed. Fifty-eight A/C bombed by radar and 1 visually. Seventeen E/A were reported. Two ramming attempts were reported. Flak was heavy, meager to nil and inaccurate. One balloon was sighted at 11,500 feet. Average bomb load: 16,071 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 1,386 gallons.

(Mission 255) Fifty-nine B-29's dispatched from the 315th BW drop 500lb on the Maruzen Oil Refinery at Wakayama; one B-29 hits an alternate target.

KQ1M V RGM NR66 ROUTINE
FROM: BOMCOM XXI 111605Z
TO: COMAF 20
SUBJECT: PHOTO INTERPRETATION 3PR5N 336 FLOWN 11 JULY 1945
MEAN TIME OF PHOTOGRAPHY: 2320Z ALTITUDE: 30,000 FT.
TARGET 90.25 - 1764 MARUZEN OIL REFINERY: PHOTO RECONNAISSANCE
SHOWS THAT TARGET 1764 IS 95 PERCENT DESTROYED AS A RESULT OF XXI
BOM COM MISSION 255, 6-7 JULY 1945.
ALL OF THE BUILDINGS ON THE NORTH BANK OF THE RIVER ARE COMPLETELY
DESTROYED. OF THE REST OF THE PLANT, 5 LARGE TANKS, SEVRAL
SMALL TANKS, AND TWO BUILDINGS ARE LEFT UNDAMAGED. END

A CERTIFIED TRUE COPY:

/signed/
JAMES M. BLACKFORD,
Captain, Air Corps,
Historical Officer

L
WF V BC NR 5 ROUTINE

FROM LEMAY COMGENBOMCOM 21 120025Z
TO COMGENBOMWG 315

AIOPT 0937. SUCCESSFUL STRIKE IS SUBJECT PD ITEM HAVE JUST REVIEWED
THE POST STRIKE PHOTOGRAPY OF YOUR STRIKE ON TARGET ONE SEVEN SIX
FOUR CMA THE MARUZEN OIL REFINERY AT SHIMOTSU CMA THE NIGHT OF SIX
SLANT SEVEN JULY PD WITH ABLE HALF WING EFFORT YOU ACHIEVED NINE
FIVE PERCENT DESTRUCTION CMA DEFINITELY ESTABLISHING THE ABILITY OF
YOUR CREWS WITH THE ABLE PETER QUEEN DASH SEVEN TO HIT AND DESTROY
PREFCIONS TARGETS CMA OPERATING INDIVIDUALLY AT NIGHT PD THIS
PERFORMANCE IS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL RADAR BOMBING OF THIS COMMAND
TO DATE PD CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND YOUR MEN

END...
TOD..0038 DEL KK
R NR5 DG K

Mission # 261
315BW Mission #5
Date: 9 July 1945
Target: Utsube Oil Refinery at Yokkaichi (90.20 - 1684)
Participating Unit: 315th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 64
% A/C Bombing Primary: 95.31% (61 Primary and 1 Opportunity)
Types of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M64, 500# G.P. with 1/40 sec. delay nose and non-delay tail.
Tons of Bombs Dropped: 468.7 tons on Primary and 8 tons on Opportunity.
Time Over Primary: 092340K - 100038K
Altitude of Attack: 15,550 - 16,950
Weather Over Target: 0/10
Total A/C Lost: 0

Resume of Mission: Photo reconnaissance showed 20% of the target had been damaged or destroyed. The target was visible to 10 A/C. Two A/C were non-effective. Fifteen E/A sighted made 2 attacks. One B-29, hit by a 20mm shell, suffered minor damage. Flak was heavy, nil to meager, inaccurate to accurate and predict- ed concentration. Twenty S/L's observed, some radar controlled/ Two A/C landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 16,811 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 1,233 gallons.

(Mission 261) Sixty-one B-29's dispatched from the 315th BW attack the Utsube Oil Refinery at Yokkaichi with poor results; one B-29 hits an alternate target.

Mission # 267
315BW Mission #6
Date: 12/13 July 1945
Target: Kawasaki Petroleum Center (90.17 - 128)
Participating Unit: 315th BW
Number of A/C Airborne: 60
% A/C Bombing Primary: 88.33% (55 Primary and 1 Opportunity)
Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M64, 500# G.P., fuzed with 1/10 sec. delay nose and 1/40 sec. delay tail.
Tons of Bombs Dropped: 452 tons on Primary and 8 tons on Opportunity.
Time Over Primary: 130106K - 130219K
Altitude of Attack: 15,300 - 16,700
Weather Over Target: 8/10 - 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 2

Resume of Mission: Radar scope photos indicated fair results. Only 3 A/C sighted target. Six B-29's were non-effective. Thirty-eight E/A sighted made 2 attacks. No claims. Flak was heavy, meager and inaccurate. S/L's ineffective because of cloud cover. One crew bailed out en route to target between Guam and Tinian. Nine survivors. One B-29 was missing to unknown reasons. Average bomb load: 18,226 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 1,175 gallons.

(Mission 267) Fifty-three B-29's dispatched from the 315th BW attack the Kawasaki Petroleum Complex destroying about 25% of the target.

One of two B-29's lost:
42-63653 16th BG MACR 14913 Krim Crew 10 KIA
(ED: Missing aircraft data from http://b-29.org
My In Memoriam page shows aircraft commander as Lt James C. Crim)

Mission # 270
315BW Mission #7
Date: 15/16 July 1945
Target: Nippon Oil Co. at Kudamatsu (90.32 - 657A)
Participating Unit: 315th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 69
% A/C Bombing Primary: 85.5% (59 Primary and 3 Opportunity)
Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M64 500# G.P., 1/10 delay nose and 1/100 delay tail.
Tons of Bombs Dropped: 476.8 tons on Primary and 28.7 tons on Opportunity, 17 tons on Wind-Run.
Time Over Primary: 200041K - 200201K
Altitude of Attack: 10,230 - 11,700
Weather Over Target: 3/10 - 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 0

Resume of Mission: Results were unobserved. A/C bombed by radar and 7 visually. Seven A/C were non-effective.Thirty-two E/A sighted made no attacks. Flak was heavy, nil to meager, and in- accurate. Estimated 10-13 S/L's, generally ineffective, observed in target area. Two wind-run A/C also airborne and bombed their primary target, Ube Coal Liquefaction Co. Five B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 17,806 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 1,066 gallons.

(Mission 270) Fifty-nine B-29's dispatched from the 315th BW bomb the Nippon Oil Company at Kudamatsu and the facility is almost completely destroyed; three B-29's attack alternate targets.

Mission # 281
315BW Mission #8
Date: 19/20 July 1945
Target: Nippon Oil. Co. at Amagasaki (90.25 - 1203)
Participating Unit: 315th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 84
% A/C Bombing Primary: 98.79% ( 83 A/C )
Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M64, 500# G.P. fused 1/10 sec. delay nose and 1/40 sec. delay tail.
Tons of Bombs Dropped: 701.8 tons on Primary and 4.5 tons on Opportunity.
Time Over Primary: 200020K - 201000K
Altitude of Attack: 15,410 - 16,900
Weather Over Target: 8/10 - 10 /10
Total A/C Lost: 0

Resume of Mission: Scope photos indicated excellent results. In spite of the fact that 7 A/C did not identify the proper target, the remainder created a comparative solid bomb pattern. Twelve of 14 buildings of the synthetic oil plant damaged and only 3 small tanks left undamaged. Only 2 of 10 large tanks on the tank farm remained undamaged. Flak was heavy, meager and inaccurate. Fifteen E/A sighted did not attack. Intense S/L activity in the target area. One A/C was non-effective. All bomb- ing was by radar. Two Wind-Run A/C preceded main force. One B-29 landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 17,832 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 999 gallons.

(Mission 281) Eighty-three B-29's dispatched from the 315th BW bomb the Nippon Oil complex at Amagasaki; one B-29 hits an alternate target.

Mission # 283
315BW Mission #9
Date: 23/24 July 1945
Target: Ube Coal Liquefaction Co. (90.32 - 1841)
Participating Unit: 315th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 80
% A/C Bombing Primary: 90% (72 Primary and 4 Opportunity)
Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M64, 500# G.P. with 1/10 sec. delay nose and 1/100 sec. delay tail and M-81, 260# fragmentary bombs, with instantaneous nose and non-delay tail.
Tons of Bombs Dropped: 619.8 tons on Primary and 36 tons on Opportunity and 17 tons on special.
Time Over Primary: 240103K - 240240K
Altitude of Attack: 12,400 - 15,460
Weather Over Target: 5/10
Total A/C Lost: 0

Resume of Mission: Clouds prevented any observations of bombing results. Five bombed visually and 67 by radar. Four A/C were non-effective. One E/A flew a parallel course out of range, blinking lights, probably A/A altitude and course spotter. No E/A. Flak was medium, meager and inaccurate. Searchlight activity was meager and generally ineffective from Shimonoseki area and coast of Kyu- shu. Two Wind-Run A/C were airborne and bombed Nippon Oil Refinery with fragmentation bombs. Eight B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 18,656 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 879 gallons.

(Mission 283) Seventy-two 315th BW B-29's bomb the coal liquefaction plant at the Imperial Fuel Industry Company at Ube.

Mission # 291
315BW Mission #10
Date: 25/26 July 1945
Target: Mitsubishi Oil Refinery (90.17 - 116) Hayama Petroleum Center at Kawasaki (90.17 - 127)
Participating Unit: 315th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 83
% A/C Bombing Primary: 90.36% (75 Primary and 1 Opportunity)
Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M64, 500# G.P., 1/10 sec. delay nose and 1/40 sec. delay tail.
Tons of Bombs Dropped: 650 tons on Primary, 9 tons on Oppor- tunity and 18 tons by Wind-Run A/C.
Time Over Primary: 252323K - 260003K
Altitude of Attack: 16,500 - 18,100
Weather Over Target: 0/10 - 4/10
Total A/C Lost: 1

Resume of Mission: Photo reconnaissance showed 32% of storage tank units, and 1 furnace, 1 asphalt loading unit, 1 can manufacturing plant and 2 warehouses of the Mitsubishi Oil Refinery (90.17 - 116) was destroyed and 36% of the storage tanks, 5 U/I buildings, 7 probable office buildings, and 4 maintenance sheds of Hayama Petroleum Co. (90.17 - 127) was destroyed. Targets were visible to only 3 A/C. Falk was heavy caliber, moderate to intense, accurate to inaccurate. Intense S/L activity was encountered and rope was used with varying success. Two Wind-Run A/C bombed Shimizu Aluminum Plant at Shimiizu. Seven A/C were non-effective. Three B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. The aircraft that was lost suffered a direct flak hit over the target. No E/A. Average bomb load: 18,664 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 1,109 gallons.

(Mission 291) Seventy-five 315th BW B-29's attack the Mitsubishi Oil Company and Hayama Petroleum Company at Kawasaki destroying 33% of the storage tanks and other facilities; one B-29 attacks an alternate target. One B-29 suffers a direct flak hit of the target and goes down.

315th BW B-29 Lost:
42-63678 "Maniuwa" 502nd BG 402nd BS MACR 14793 Dillingham Crew 10 KIA
Here is more information on the Dillingham crew:

Coned by searchlights and shot down by flak on approach to target. Aircraft crashed into the Nippon Casting Company factory at No. 3, 2 chome, Shiraishi-cho, Kawasaki.

Capt. Henry G. Dillingham - AC
2nd Lt. James D. McGlynn - P
1st Lt. Willis S. Orner - N
1st Lt. Theodore W. Reekstin - B
1st Lt. Edward R. Morrow Jr. - RDOM
S/Sgt.Charles J. Bordino - FE
S/Sgt.Harvey J. Dempsey - ROM
S/Sgt. John P. Cary - LG
Sgt. Joseph T. H. Leblanc - RG
Sgt. John. F. Greene- TG

(Mike McGeough)

Mission # 303
315BW Mission #11
Date: 28/29 July 1945
Target: Shimotsu Oil Refinery (XXI 5046)
Participating Unit: 315 BW
Number A/C Airborne: 82
% A/C Bombing Primary: 92.68% (76 Primary and 1 Opportunity)
Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M64, 500# G.P. with 1/10 sec. delay nose and non-delay tail.
Tons of Bombs Dropped: 658.3 tons on Primary and 16.7 tons on Opportunity.
Time Over Primary: 282302K - 290123K
Altitude of Attack: 10,100 - 12,000
Weather Over Target: 4/10 - 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 0

Resume of Mission: Bombing results were unobserved. All bombing was by radar. Five A/C were non-effective. Twelve E/A sighted made no attacks. Flak was heavy, meager, inaccurate to accurate. One B-29 was damaged by flak. Two Wind-Run A/C were A/B. Two A/C that bombed Primary also bombed Opportunity. Two B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 18,375 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 1,145 gallons.

(Mission 303) Seventy-six 315th BW B-29's bomb the Shimotsu Oil Refinery; 75% of the tank capacity, 90% of the gasometer capacity and 69% of the roof area are destroyed or damaged; one B-29 hits an alternate target.

Mission # 310
315BW Mission #12
Date: 1/2 August 1945
Target: Kawasaki Petroleum Center at Hayama and Mitsubishi Oil Refinery (90.17 - 128, 127, 116)
Participating Unit: 315th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 128
% A/C Bombing Primary: 93.75% (120 Primary and 2 Opportunity)
Type of Bombs and Fuzes: M64, 500# G.P. bombs fuzed with 1/10 sec. delay nose and 1/40 sec. delay tail.
Tons of Bombs Dropped: 1,017.3 tons on Primary and 26 tons on Opportunity.
Time Over Primary: 012314K - 020046K
Altitude of Attack: 16,400 - 18,600
Weather Over Target: 0/10 - 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 0

Resume of Mission: Photo reconnaissance revealed the following results of Missions 291 and 310:
116 - Mitsubishi Oil Refinery - 41% of storage tank capacity destroyed.
127 - Hayama Petroleum Center - 43% of storage tank capacity and 35% of intermediate tank capacity destroyed.
128 - Kawasaki Petroleum Center - 35% of storage capacity and 15% intermediate tank capacity destroyed.
Six A/C were non-effective. Flak was heavy, medium, meager to intense and accurate. Flak damaged 22 A/C. Thirty to 35 E/A made 9 attacks. No claims. One Wind-Run A/C is not included in the above total. Six A/C bombed visually and 114 bombed by radar. Seven B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 18,410 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 1,039 gallons.

(Mission 310) One hundred twenty 315th BW B-29's bomb the Mitsubishi Oil Company at Kawasaki but could only add slightly to the damage previously inflicted; two B-29's hit targets of opportunity.

Mission # 315
315BW Mission #13
Date: 5/6 August 1945
Target: Ube Coal Liquefaction Co. ( 90.32 - 1841 )
Participating Unit: 315th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 111
% A/C Bombing Primary: 95.50 (106 Primary and 2 Opportunity)
Type of Bombs and Fuzes: M64, 500# G.P. bombs with 1/10 sec. delay nose and 1/100 sec. delay tail.
Tons of Bombs Dropped: 938 tons on Primary and 22.5 tons on Opportunity.
Time Over Primary: 052324K - 060131K
Altitude of Attack: 10,300 - 12,600
Weather Over Target: 0/10 - 6/10
Total A/C Lost: 0

Resume of Mission: 100% of refinery units and 80% of the stores and work shops damaged or destroyed. Also the Ube Iron Works Co. ( 90.32 - 1878 ) was 50% damaged or destroyed. Three A/C were non-effective. Only 2 A/C made visual sightings. Flak was heavy, meager and inaccurate. 25 to 35 E/A were sighted and made 1 attack. Two Wind-Run A/C took part in the mission and bombed with main force. They are not indicated in the total A/B. Five B-29s landed on Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 18,704 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 969 gallons.

(Mission 315) One hundred six 315th BW B-29's bomb the Ube Coal Liquefaction Company facility at Ube destroying 100% of the refining units and destroying or damaging 80% of other structures; 2 B-29's hit alternate targets.

Mission # 322
315BW Mission #14
Date: 9/10 august 1945
Target: Nippon Oil Refinery at Amagasaki ( 90.25 - 1203 )
Participating Unit: 315th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 107
% A/C Bombing Primary: 88.78% (95 Primary and 2 Opportunity)
Type of Bombs and Fuzes: M64, 500# G.P. bombs with 1/10 sec. delay nose and non-delay tail.
Tons of Bombs Dropped: 902 tons on Primary, 16 tons by Wind-Run and 22.3 tons on Opportunity.
Time Over Primary: 100129K - 100311K
Altitude of Attack: 15,200 - 17,300
Weather Over Target: 0/10 - 8/10
Total A/C Lost: 0

Resume of Mission: Photo reconnaissance indicated that this mission and Mission # 281 destroyed almost 100% of the plant. Five A/C sighted visually and 90 by radar. Ten A/C were non-effective. Two Wind-Run A/C also bombed the Pri- mary. Twenty-seven E/A sighted did not attack. Flak was medium and heavy, meager, inaccurate to accurate, with S/L cone over the target. Generally barrage type, with some predicted concentration. One B-29 was damaged by AA. Average bomb load: 20,648 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 941 gallons. Fourteen B-29s landed at Iwo Jima.

(Mission 322) During the night of 9-10 August, 95 315th BW B-29's bomb the Nippon Oil Refinery at Amagasaki; two B-29's bomb alternate targets.

Mission # 328
315BW Mission #15
Date: 14/15 August 1945
Target: Nippon Oil Co. at Tasuchizaki ( 90.6 - 1066 )
Participating Unit: 315th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 141
% A/C Bombing Primary: 93.61% ( 132 A/C )
Type of Bombs and Fuzes: M30, 100# and M57, 250# G.P. bombs with non-delay tails.
Tons of Bombs Dropped: 953.9 tons on Primary and 3.2 tons on Opportunity.
Time Over Primary: 150048K - 150339K
Altitude of Attack: 10, 200 - 11, 800
Weather Over Target: 5/10 - 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 0

Resume of Mission: Results were unobserved. Nine A/C were non-effective. Only 2 B-29s slighted visually. No E/A sighted. Heavy, meager and inaccurate flak encountered at targets. Thirteen B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 15,338 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 1,345 gallons.

(Mission 328) In the longest nonstop upstaged B-29 mission from the Marianas (3,650 miles), 132 B-29's bomb the Nippon Oil Company at Tsuchizakiminato.