From: Everette (194cbteng@bellsouth.net)
Date: Wed Sep 21 2005 - 04:14:35 PDT
September 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.
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