Tag: Central Field

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

On 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.

USAAF/National Archives via Fold3

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 21st Fighter Group Arrives on Iwo Jima

On By acarothersvlrmIn Photo(s) of the WeekLeave a comment

After the 31st CB (SeaBees) and the 2nd Separate Engineer Battalion completely reconstructed Central Field (Motoyama #2), the 72nd FS of the 21st FG arrived on Iwo Jima on March 22nd. The remaining two squadrons of the 21st FG, the 46th and 531st, arrived on March 24th.

USAAF/National Archives via Fold3

I really like the above photo. It shows 231 Tiny Gay Baba, 209 Three of a Kind and other 46th FS Mustangs parked on Central Field after their arrival on March 24th. Above Tiny Gay Baba you can see the main South Field runway and Mt. Suribachi.

USAAF/National Archives via Fold3

Taken on March 25th, the above photo shows a nice line up of 72nd FS Mustangs on Central Field. The closest Mustang in the photo is 250 Dede Lou, the mount of 72nd FS commander, Major Paul W. Imig. If you enlarge the photo, it appears that Dede Lou has the twin Uncle Dog antennae installed.

USAAF/National Archives via Fold3

The final photo shows 531st FS Mustangs in the foreground, with 46th and 72nd FS Mustangs in the background. This photo was also taken on March 25th, a day after the 46th and 531st FS Mustangs arrived on Iwo Jima.