WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China: View pages

OBJECTIVE: Block Pearl River channels with anti-ship mines

RESULTS: B-24s drop anti-ship mines into the Pearl River

TIME OVER TARGET: 9:40 to 10:50 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Four B-24Js from the 374^th, 375^th, and 425th Bomb Squadrons (308^th Heavy Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Unknown

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: Three of the four B-24s drop twelve Mark 13 anti-ship mines into the Pearl River

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).

OBJECTIVE: Reconnaissance flight over Canton airfields

RESULTS: Due to poor weather, pilots are only able to observe the satellite field for White Cloud airbase, where they note the runway is in good repair but no enemy aircraft are visible.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~2:30 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Two P-51s from the 76^th Fighter Squadron (23^rd Fighter Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Lt. Croughan; Lt. Wilson

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: None

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission report in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).

OBJECTIVE: Bomb military godowns, arms factory, railroad repair facilities, and Shell Oil facility at Canton

RESULTS: Haze and darkness make accurate bombing difficult.  An estimated sixty percent of bombs fall within target area.  Some errant bombs may have landed on barracks near Tien Ho airbase.

TIME OVER TARGET: 8:17 to 9:15 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Twenty-three B-24Js from the 373^rd, 374^th, 375^th, and 425th Bomb Squadrons (308^th Heavy Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Unknown

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 621 x 100-pound general-purpose bombs; 57 x flares to provide visibility

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).

OBJECTIVE: Reconnaissance flight over Canton airfields

RESULTS: Pilots overfly Tien Ho and White Cloud airbases to take pictures with recon cameras; they also overfly satellite fields and report that the White Cloud satellite field has been ditched to render it unusable.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~3:30 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Two P-40s from the 118^th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (attached to 23^rd Fighter Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Major Edward O. McComas; Lt. Penning

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: None

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: Pilots spot eight aircraft taking off from White Cloud airbase, where one aircraft is observed burning on the runway. 

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).

OBJECTIVE: Block channels in Victoria Harbor with anti-ship mines

RESULTS: Five B-24s drop anti-ship mines into Victoria Harbor (Lei Yue Mun, Sulphur, Rambler, and Kellett channels); a sixth B-24 drops mines into the Pearl River.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~10:10 to 11:42 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Six B-24Js from the 374^th, 375^th, and 425th Bomb Squadrons (308^th Heavy Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Unknown

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: Twenty Mark 13 and Mark 13-5 anti-ship mines

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).

OBJECTIVE: Block Pearl River channels with anti-ship mines

RESULTS: B-24s drop anti-ship mines into the Pearl River

TIME OVER TARGET: Evening

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Three B-24Js from the 308^th Heavy Bomb Group

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Unknown

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: Twelve anti-ship mines, most likely a mix of Mark 13 and Mark 13-5

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).

OBJECTIVE: Weather reconnaissance over the Canton area

RESULTS: Pilots encounter scattered thunderstorms and are unable to observe Canton airbases

TIME OVER TARGET: ~5:00 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Two P-51s from 76^th Fighter Squadron (23^rd Fighter Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Lt. Rodier; Lt. Florance

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: None

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).

OBJECTIVE: Harass Canton airfields and prevent JAAF from flying night bombing missions

RESULTS: At staggered intervals, two B-25s bomb White Cloud airbase and three B-25s bomb Tien Ho airbase.  Damage to target is unknown.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~8:34 to 11:39 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Five B-25s from 491^st Bomb Squadron (341^st Medium Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Unknown

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: Sixty 100-pound fragmentation bombs

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).

OBJECTIVE: Harass Canton airfields and prevent JAAF from flying night bombing missions

RESULTS: At staggered intervals, B-25s bomb White Cloud and Tien Ho airbases.  Damage to target is unknown, but two large and three small fires are ignited by the bombing.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~7:45 to 9:42 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Six B-25s from 491^st Bomb Squadron (341^st Medium Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Lt. Col. Clark; Captain Toney; Lt. Anderson; Lt. Cullen; Lt. Hexberg; Lt. Lesher

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: Sixty 100-pound fragmentation bomb clusters; six 500-pound bombs

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: Minor damage to one B-25 from antiaircraft fire

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).

OBJECTIVE: Bomb ammunition and supply godowns at Canton

RESULTS: Damage to target is unknown, but eighty percent of bombs are estimated to fall in target area and the bombing ignites numerous fires.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~8:37 to 9:06 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Fifteen B-24Js from the 373^rd, 374^th, 375^th, and 425th Bomb Squadrons (308^th Heavy Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Unknown

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 410 x 100-pound bombs; 158 x 100-pound incendiaries; 4,000 propaganda leaflets

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).

OBJECTIVE: Staggered single-aircraft night raids to harass Canton airfields and prevent JAAF from flying night bombing missions

RESULTS: Three B-25s bomb Tien Ho airfield.  One B-25 bombs Canton itself after an accidental bomb release.  One B-25 bombs an unidentified town east of Canton when the crew cannot locate Tien Ho airbase.  Damage to targets is unknown, but incendiary bombs start fires in godowns near Tien Ho airbase.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~8:44 to 10:55 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Five B-25s from 491^st Bomb Squadron (341^st Medium Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Captain Blaha; Lt. J. Henderson; Lt. Mitchell; Lt. Smiley; Lt. Sussdorf

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: One aircraft with 6 x 500-pound incendiary bombs; one aircraft with 6 x 500-pound general-purpose bombs; three aircraft 36 x 100-pound fragmentation bomb clusters

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).

OBJECTIVE: Staggered single-aircraft night raids to harass Canton airfields and prevent JAAF from flying night bombing missions

RESULTS: B-25s bomb Tien Ho and White Cloud airbases.  Damaged is unknown, but bombs ignite a large fire in godowns near Tien Ho.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~9:24 to 11:00 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Four B-25J from 491^st Bomb Squadron (341^st Medium Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Major Main; Lt. Biswell; Lt Ley; Lt. Strom

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: One aircraft with 4 x 500-pound incendiary clusters; two aircraft with 24 x 100-pound fragmentation bombs; one aircraft with 6 x 500-pound general-purpose bombs

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).

OBJECTIVE: Bomb military targets in Canton

RESULTS: Eleven aircraft bomb the primary target, military facilities near Chungshan University.  Six aircraft are unable to locate the primary target.  Four of these planes bomb White Cloud airbase, and two bomb Tien Ho airbase.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~9:00 to 10:55 p.m. depending on the squadron

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Seventeen B-24J from 373^rd, 374^th, 375^th, and 425^th Bomb Squadron (308^th Heavy Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW:

• B-24J #422: 1^st Lt. R.P. Aldridge; 2^nd Lt. S.E. Whitman; 2^nd Lt. L.M. Jacobson; 2^nd Lt. M. Shapiro; Staff Sgt. A.S. Boreson; Staff Sgt. R.L. Shane; Sgt. B.A. Pentasia [spelling?]; Sgt. J. Macarelli

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 90 x 100-pound incendiary bombs; 400 x 100-pound bombs; 48 x 250-pound bombs

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: B-24J #422 crashes near Kunming for unspecified causes, but all crewmembers safely bail out.

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).

OBJECTIVE: Reconnaissance flight over Canton airfields

RESULTS: No aircraft are observed on the ground at Tien Ho and White Cloud airbases

TIME OVER TARGET: ~5:25 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Two P-51s from 76^th Fighter Squadron (23^rd Fighter Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Major Charles E. Griffith; Lt. Reeves

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: None

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: Eight Ki-44 that likely belong to the 85^th Sentai attempt to intercept the P-51s without success.

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).

OBJECTIVE: Fighter sweep over Canton airfields

RESULTS: Pilots spot Japanese bombers over White Cloud airbase, but are unable to close within firing range

TIME OVER TARGET: ~8:30 a.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Six P-51s from 76^th Fighter Squadron (23^rd Fighter Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: 1^st Lt. Elmore P. Bullock; Flight Officer P.J. Smith (76^th FS); Lt. Coakley; Lt. Phillips; Lt. Barr (26^th FS); Lt. Kutsher (118^th TRS).  Pilots are from three different squadrons, but it is not clear if the aircraft are.

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: None

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: An estimated thirty bombers from an unknown unit

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).

OBJECTIVE: Test a new high-altitude dive-bombing procedure

RESULTS: Pilots tip over at 25,000 feet and release bombs at 18,000 feet over White Cloud airbase.  They claim bomb hits on runways and taxiways.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~3:20 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Seven P-51s from 76^th Fighter Squadron (23^rd Fighter Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Lt. John Celani; 2^nd Lt. Robert L. Schaeffer; Lt. Shull; Flight Officer P.J. Smith (76^th FS); Lt. Norberg; Lt. Coakley; Lt. Barr (26^th FS).  Pilots are from two different squadrons, but it is unclear if the aircraft are.

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 2 x 250-pound bombs; 12 x 500-pound bombs

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: American pilots report an estimated 24 Japanese aircraft on the ground at White Cloud, though none are hit during the bombing.

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).

OBJECTIVE: Single-aircraft night raid to harass Canton airfields and prevent JAAF from flying night bombing missions

RESULTS: Bombs are dropped on Tien Ho, White Cloud, and White Cloud satellite fields, but damage is unknown.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~7:53 to 9:15 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: One B-25J from 11^th Bomb Squadron (341^st Medium Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: 1^st Lt. Denning M. Perdew; 2^nd Lt. Raymond S. Horey; 1^st Lt. Thomas B. Cox; 2^nd Lt. Elmo B. Hessler; Staff Sgt. Paul A. LeFrancois; Staff Sgt. Steven Simon; Sgt. William C. Whaley

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 12 x 100-pound bombs; 4 x packages of JM-3 propaganda leaflets

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).

OBJECTIVE: Single-aircraft night raid to harass Canton airfields and prevent JAAF from flying night bombing missions

RESULTS: Bombs are dropped on Tien Ho, Tien Ho satellite, and White Cloud fields, but damage is unknown.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~7:40-8:40 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: One B-25J from 11^th Bomb Squadron (341^st Medium Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: 1^st Lt. Kenneth N. Martindale; 2^nd Lt. Leander L. Smith; 2^nd Lt. Walter F. Howell; Sgt. Lester W. Helrigle; Staff Sgt. Bazil E. Murray; Sgt. James A Bartshe; Captain Hotz

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 17 x 100-pound bombs

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: One night-fighter from an unknown unit pursues the B-25, but does not close to within firing range.

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: One B-25J runs out of fuel during the return flight when it is unable to find Lingling or Kweilin airbases.  The crew (listed above) bails out safely over friendly territory.

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).

OBJECTIVE: Staggered single-aircraft night raids to harass Canton airfields and prevent JAAF from flying night bombing missions

RESULTS: Due to cloud cover, B-25 #405 fails to find the target and does not release its bombs.  B-25 #403 bombs Tien Ho and White Cloud airbases, but damage is unknown.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~7:55 to 10:20 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Two B-25s from 11^th Bomb Squadron (341^st Medium Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW:

• B-25: #403: 1^st Lt. Stanley A. Johnson; 2^nd Lt. Boyd A. [last name illegible]; 2^nd Lt. Warren Curtis; 2^nd Lt. Philip [last name illegible]; Sgt. Frank L. Gaines; Staff Sgt. Roy A. Jones; Staff Sgt. Frederick T. Kaveney
• B-25 #405: 1^st Lt. Gordon R. Francis; 2^nd Lt. Harry G. Charles; 2^nd Lt. William G. Pauger; Staff Sgt. Charles A. [last name illegible]; Staff Sgt. Ervin B. Terwilliger; Sgt. William Cullen.

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 20 x 100-pound bombs

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).

OBJECTIVE: Fly nocturnal sea sweep mission to detect and sink Japanese ships in the South China Sea.

RESULTS: Due in part to bad weather, no enemy ships are detected during the sea sweep from Hainan to southern Formosa (Taiwan).  The aircraft commander, Lt. Tilton, opts to bomb the Kowloon docks (the designated secondary target) on the return flight.  Rain and darkness hamper accuracy of the bomb run, and some bombs are thought to fall in vicinity of the Tai Koo dockyard.  Results of the bombing are unknown.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~1:00 a.m. on August 04

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: One B-24

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Lt. Tilton

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 12 x 500-pound bombs

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).