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N0KFQ > TODAY 21.09.11 19:38l 52 Lines 2433 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 12116_KB0WSA
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Subj: Today in History - Sep 21
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Sent: 110921/1834Z 12116@KB0WSA.MO.USA.NA BPQ1.0.4
Sep 21, 1942:
The Superfortress takes flight
On this day in 1942, the U.S. B-29 Superfortress makes its debut
flight in Seattle, Washington. It was the largest bomber used in
the war by any nation.
The B-29 was conceived in 1939 by Gen. Hap Arnold, who was afraid
a German victory in Europe would mean the United States would be
devoid of bases on the eastern side of the Atlantic from which to
counterattack. A plane was needed that would travel faster,
farther, and higher than any then available, so Boeing set to
creating the four-engine heavy bomber. The plane was
extraordinary, able to carry loads almost equal to its own weight
at altitudes of 30,000 to 40,000 feet. It contained a pilot
console in the rear of the plane, in the event the front pilot
was knocked out of commission. It also sported the first radar
bombing system of any U.S. bomber.
The Superfortress made its test run over the continental United
States on September 21, but would not make its bombing-run debut
until June 5, 1944, against Bangkok, in preparation for the
Allied liberation of Burma from Japanese hands. A little more
than a week later, the B-29 made its first run against the
Japanese mainland. On June 14, 60 B-29s based in Chengtu, China,
bombed an iron and steel works factory on Honshu Island. While
the raid was less than successful, it proved to be a morale
booster to Americans, who were now on the offensive.
Meanwhile, the Marianas Islands in the South Pacific were being
recaptured by the United States, primarily to provide air bases
for their new B-29s_a perfect position from which to strike the
Japanese mainland on a consistent basis. Once the bases were
ready, the B-29s were employed in a long series of bombing raids
against Tokyo. Although capable of precision bombing at high
altitudes, the Superfortresses began dropping incendiary devices
from a mere 5,000 feet, firebombing the Japanese capital in an
attempt to break the will of the Axis power. One raid, in March
1945, killed more than 80,000 people. But the most famous, or
perhaps infamous, use of the B-29 would come in August, as it was
the only plane capable of delivering a 10,000-pound bomb_the
atomic bomb. The Enola Gay and the Bock's Car took off from the
Marianas, on August 6 and 9, respectively, and flew into history.
73, K.O. n0kfq
Another old retired guy
E-mail: n0kfq@winlink.org
N0KFQ@N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA
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