Everything tagged: air raids

DATE OF AIR RAID: October 06, 1944

OBJECTIVE: Destroy river traffic east of Pingnam and fly staggered single-aircraft night raids to harass airbases at Canton and prevent JAAF pilots from flying night bombing missions against American airbases in China.

RESULTS: One aircraft bombs Tien Ho airbase, one aircraft bombs White Cloud airbase, one aircraft bombs Wuchow, one aircraft bombs Samshui, and one aircraft bombs Pingnam.   Damage is unknown.  Two aircraft bomb and strafe small craft.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~10:00 p.m. on October 6 to 2:00 a.m. on October 07

OBJECTIVE: Fly a series of staggered single-aircraft night raids to harass airbases at Canton and prevent JAAF pilots from flying night bombing missions against American airbases in China.

RESULTS: One B-25 bombs aircraft revetments at White Cloud airbase and two B-25s bomb barracks at Tien Ho airbase. Two B-25s bomb and strafe small craft on the West River, sinking or setting on fire five small boats and sampans.  A sixth B-25 is unable to take off for the mission due to a Japanese air raid on the American airbase at Liuchow.

OBJECTIVE: Reconnoiter the flight path for low-altitude attacks on Kai Tak airbase

RESULTS: Flying on the deck, the pilot successfully simulates future airstrikes by following the planned low-level route into Hong Kong and over Kai Tak, where no enemy aircraft are observed.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~2:20 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: One P-51D from the 74^th Fighter Squadron (23^rd Fighter Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Unknown

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: None

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

OBJECTIVE: Fly a series of staggered single-aircraft night raids to harass airbases at Canton and prevent JAAF pilots from flying night bombing missions against American airbases in China.

RESULTS: One B-25 bomb White Cloud airbase, three B-25 bomb Tien Ho airbase, and two B-25s bomb the designated alternate target of Wuchow.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~9:00 to 11:32 p.m.

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

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW:

OBJECTIVE: Fly a series of staggered single-aircraft night raids to harass airbases at Canton and prevent JAAF pilots from flying night bombing missions against American airbases in China.

RESULTS: Two B-25s bomb Tien Ho airbase and one B-25 bombs White Cloud airbase.  Damage is unknown, though fires are started in the bomber revetments at White Cloud and the barracks area of Tien Ho.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~9:46 to 11:45 p.m.

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

OBJECTIVE: Fly a series of staggered single-aircraft night raids to harass airbases at Canton and prevent JAAF pilots from flying night bombing missions against American airbases in China.

RESULTS: Due to solid cloud cover over the Canton airbases, the first four B-25s hit alternate targets of Wuchow and Samshui.  When the cloud cover begins to break up, three B-25s bomb Tien Ho airbase and one B-25 bombs White Cloud airbase.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~8:20 to 9:27 p.m.

OBJECTIVE: Fly a series of staggered single-aircraft night raids to harass airbases at Canton and prevent JAAF pilots from flying night bombing missions against American airbases in China.

RESULTS: Two B-25s bomb White Cloud airbase.  Three B-25s hit Tien Ho airbase, where the bombing ignites a large fire.  One B-25 bombs Pingnam when it cannot locate White Cloud.  One B-25 bombs and strafes small craft on the West River.  Two of the B-25s that hit other targets also strafe small craft on West River.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~7:40 p.m. to 10:45 p.m.

OBJECTIVE: Fly a series of staggered single-aircraft night raids to harass airbases at Canton and prevent JAAF pilots from flying night bombing missions against American airbases in China.

RESULTS: Eight B-25 crews are briefed to bomb the Canton airbases.  Six aircraft are unable to locate the target and return their bombs to base.  One B-25 commanded by Lt. Hexberg bombs White Cloud airbase.  One B-25 commanded by Lt. Ley bombs the town of Samshui.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~6:50 p.m. over White Cloud and ~11:03 p.m. over Samshui

OBJECTIVE: Fly a series of staggered single-aircraft night raids to harass airbases at Canton and prevent JAAF pilots from flying night bombing missions against American airbases in China.

RESULTS: Nine B-25 crews are briefed to bomb the Canton airbases.  The first aircraft to take off later returns to base with its bombs still aboard when the mission is cancelled due to poor weather.  When the weather report is determined to be inaccurate, the remaining eight planes continue with the mission.  The results are variable:

OBJECTIVE: Fly a series of staggered single-aircraft night raids to harass Tien Ho airbase at Canton and prevent JAAF pilots from flying night bombing missions against American airbases in China.

RESULTS: Due to weather conditions, no B-25s hit Tien Ho airbase.  Instead, they strike alternate targets that include the town of Wuchow (six aircraft), river traffic (one aircraft), and White Cloud airbase (two aircraft).  The bombing ignites large fires in Wuchow.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~6:40 to 8:30 p.m.