The 6th Bomb Group

This was a night incendiary mission involving 37 planes from the 6th Bomb Group:

The Group's second mission in August, flown on the 5th, was also a night incendiary attack.  The target was Maebashi, a city of 87,000, fifty miles northwest of Tokyo.  Thirty-eight planes were airborne at 1642, carrying a mixed load of E-46 clusters and GP bombs.  Results showed 71 per cent of the planned target area destroyed.  Only two aircraft reported fighter attacks and anti-aircraft fire was only meager.  Jap resistance was becoming less and less.

[Pirate's Log, p. 53]

20th AF Mission 313

Date: 5/5 August 1945
Target: Maebashi Urban Area ( 90.13 )
Participating Units: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 102
% A/C Bombing Primary: 90.19% (92 Primary and 4 Opportunity)
Type of Bombs and Fuzes: M-19, 500# incendiary clusters set to open 5000 feet over the target. T4E4, 500# frag clusters set to open 3000 feet below A/C and M64, 500# G.P. bombs with proximity nose and non-delay tail fuzings.
Tons of Bombs Dropped: 723.8 tons on Primary and 30.6 tons on Opportunity.
Time Over Primary: 052328K - 060108K
Altitude of Attack: 15,200 - 16,900
Weather Over Target: 0/10 - 9/10
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Results were reported as unobserved to excellent. Eighty-two A/C made radar sightings and 10 A/C made visual sightings. Six A/C were non-effective. 30 to 35 E/A made 14 attacks and damaged one B-29. No claims. Flak was heavy and light, nil to meager and inaccurate. One Wind-Run and 3 RCM A/C also took part in this mission. Total A/C A/B does not include 3 RCM and 1 W/R. Fifteen B-29s landed at Iwo Jima. Average bomb load: 16,840 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 498 gallons.