Photo(s) of the Week: 7th Air Force Bombing Campaign III

On June 3, 2024June 2, 2024 By acarothersvlrmIn History, Photo(s) of the WeekLeave a comment

Yes, you are seeing that right. Those are 55 gallon drums falling toward Motoyama Airfield #2 (Central Field). During the 7th Air Force bombing campaign of Iwo Jima, B-24J Liberators flew a number of missions in which they dropped 55 gallon drums filled with naplam in an attempt to burn off foliage leading up to the invasion.

The official caption for the photo reads: “DRUM BOMBS – Seven of the 55-gallon drum fire bombs released by U.S. Army 7th Air Force just above Airstrip No. 2 on Iwo Jima on Feb. 1, 1945 head for the wooded area near the boat basin where the invasion took place. Chemical officers recommended heavy strikes of several thousand of the drum bombs to prelude the Iwo invasion. The bombs are fitted with plywood fins designed to take the place of unavailable metal fins.”

It looks as if the fins provided stability for the 55 gallon drums as they plummet uniformly to their intended target.

This photo also provides a nice diorama idea. Several aftermarket manufacturers produce resin 55 gallon drums for dioramas in both 1/72nd and 1/48 scales. It would be a neat diorama showing on Consolidated B-24J Liberator being loaded with the 55 gallon drum bombs.

Photo(s) of the Week: The 7th Air Force Bombing Campaign II

On May 28, 2024May 28, 2024 By acarothersvlrmIn History, Photo(s) of the WeekLeave a comment

Below are two photos of 819th Bomb Squadron, 30th Bomb Group Consolidated B-24J Liberators heading back for the long trip to the Marianas after bombing Iwo Jima. The 7th Air Force’s Liberators bombed Iwo Jima, Chichi Jima, and Haha Jima on a frequent basis between August 10, 1944, and February 19, 1945.

The official United States Army Air Force caption for the above photo reads: “SOUTH PACIFIC – Bomb scarred Iwo Jima Island only 650 miles from the Japanese homeland is a regular target for the 7th AAF heavies – show clearly the necessity for the famous pin point precision bombing of the 7th AAF Liberators.” No matter how accurate the precision bombing of 7th AAF Liberators was, it would only take a short amount of time for the Japanese troops to repair the damage and return the airfields to operational status, much to the ire of bomber crews.

Notwithstanding, during the period between August 10, 1944 and February 19, 1945, the Japanese air forces on Iwo Jima were greatly disrupted by constant bombardment of 7th AAF Liberators, and never became much of an offensive threat to American air bases in the Marianas.

I am assuming both pictures were taken during the same bombing mission, but there is nothing in the captions for the photos to confirm is assumption.

Memorial Day 2024; Honor Those Who Have Served to Protect Our Liberty and Freedoms

On May 27, 2024May 26, 2024 By acarothersvlrmIn History, Intro/Miscellaneous1 Comment

“Freedom is never more than one generation from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” Ronald W. Reagan, 40th President of the United States of America

***Joe Rosenthal/Associated Press via Fold3***

This Memorial Day we have a chance to pause and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We owe them such a tremendous debt, for the freedoms we enjoy today were paid for with an extremely high price! Their sacrifices ensured our liberty largely continues today – from the ability to gather with loved ones, to worship together, to speak as we see fit (and the companion right not to be forced to speak that which we know to be false), and to assemble and peacefully protest to effectuate change.

The statue below is outside of the National Archives building in Washington D.C. It is of an ever watchful soldier holding his helmet, sword, and shield. The inscription below the statue reads “ETERNAL VIGILANCE IS THE PRICE OF LIBERTY”.

***Guardianship Statute by James Fraser (Photo by Jeff Reed, National Archives)***

Let us not be asleep at the wheel. We have forces from within that are intolerant, and this intolerance is being cultivated in our schools, colleges and universities. Speech which a few years ago was considered normal speech, is now being touted as hate speech. And we are now being told that we need to address certain individuals in ways that has no basis in reality.

Six thousand eight hundred twenty-one United States servicemen lost their lives on Iwo Jima. If we do not protect our liberty and freedoms, the sacrifices made by them, and so many more, will have been in vain.

Photo(s) of the Week; The 7th Air Force Bombing Campaign I

On May 20, 2024May 20, 2024 By acarothersvlrmIn History, Photo(s) of the WeekLeave a comment

Starting on August 10, 1944, the 7th Air Force B-24 Liberators bombed the airfields and troops on Iwo Jima continuously up to the invasion. The goal was not necessarily to bomb the Japanese forces on Iwo Jima into submission, but to disrupt and neutralize the Japanese ability to strike American airfields in the Marianas from Iwo Jima.

Above is a nice photo of a 392nd Bomb Squadron, 30th Bomb Group Consolidated B-24J Liberator after its bomb run with Mount Suribachi in the background. Note the Japanese use of smoke pots in an attempt to obscure the location of the airfields from the bombers. The photo below shows a 42nd Bomb Squadron, 11th Bomb Group B-24J Liberator on its way back to the Marianas after bombing Iwo Jima.

While the 7th Air Force B-24 crews were very accurate in placing their bombs within the target areas, it did not take very long for the Japanese forces to repair the bomb cratered runaways to get the airfields back in service.

Reference:

Strike and Return: American Air Power and the Fight for Iwo Jima, Cory Graff, Specialty Press (2006)

Photo(s) of the Week; Pre-Invasion Iwo Jima

On May 13, 2024May 12, 2024 By acarothersvlrmIn History, Photo(s) of the WeekLeave a comment

Above is a nice photo of Iwo Jima taken from the waist window of a 7th Air Force Consolidated B-24J Liberator at the beginning of a bombing raid. I like this photo because it shows the location of Motoyama Airfield #1 (South Field) and Motoyama Airfield #2 (Central Field) on Iwo Jima.

7th Air Force B-24s started bombing Iwo Jima as soon as Saipan was secure and Isley Field was completed. On August 8, 1944, the 30th BG moved from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands to Saipan, and two days later flew its first mission to bomb Motoyama Airfield #1. During the month of August, a total of 143 Liberators dropped 290 tons of bombs on Iwo Jima.

The Liberators had to go it alone as 7th Air Force only had Republic P-47D Thunderbolts, which did not have the range to accompany the B-24s on these long range bombing missions from Saipan to Iwo Jima and back. Notwithstanding, the 30th Bomb Group only lost two B-24 during the initial month of August.

References: