The 6th Bomb Group

A photo showing the damage to Akashi.

This was a daylight precision bombing mission involving 29 planes from the 6th Bomb Group:

On 22 June, the Group again went after the Kawasaki plant at Akashi with thirty aircraft, carrying three 4000 pounders each. Formations were successfully obtained and bombing was visual, but the results were mediocre as only 10 per cent of the roof area of the plant was damaged. Enemy fighters attacked, but did little damage, and three attempts at air-to-air bombing with phosphorous bombs were also ineffective. Three ships received minor damage.

[Pirate's Log, p. 47]

B-29s dropping 4,000 lb bombs, possibly on Akashi.
Photo courtesy of Sean Kelleher, all rights reserved.

20th AF Mission 220

Date: 22 June 1945 Target: Kawasaki A/C Plant at Akashi (90.25 - 1547)
Participating Units: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 30
% A/C Bombing Primary: 83.25% (25 Primary and 1 Opportunity)
Type of Bombs and Fuzes: AN-M56, 4000# L.C. instantaneous nose and non-delay tail.
Tons of Bombs Dropped: 148 tons on Primary and 6 tons on Opportunity)
Time Over Primary: 1051K - 1053K
Altitude of Attack: 18,000 - 19,600
Weather Over Target: 3/10 - 10/10
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Approximately 18% of the total original roof area damaged. Total damage inflicted to date is approximately 45.1% of total original roof area. Bombing was visual. Heavy caliber flak meager to moderate intensity and accurate to inaccurate. Four B-29s were non-effective. Seven E/A sighted made 11 attacks. No claims. Average bomb load: 12,920 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 531 gallons.