This was a daylight raid on Marifu Railroad Yards on Honshu. No opposition was encountered.
The last mission of World War II was flown on
the night of 14 August. Sixth ships flew to the Marifu
railroad yards at Iwakuni on Honshu. Forty-two planes took
off at 0619 with bomb bays loaded with 500 pound general
purpose bombs. One ship returned early and two bombed the
town of Sanagoseki. No enemy opposition of any nature was
encountered. All radio operators were briefed to listen for a
coded message indicating the war had ended which meant all
airplanes were to return to their base. The message,
"Break Utah Utah Utah Break" did not come, and the
mission was carried out as planned.
[Pirate's Log, p. 54]
Date: 14 August 1945
Target: Marifu R.R. Yards ( 90.30 - 2202 )
Participating Units: 313th BW
Number A/C Airborne: 115
% A/C Bombing Primary: 93.91% (108 Primary and 2 Opportunity)
Type of Bombs and Fuzes: M64, 500# G.P. bombs fuzed with 1/10 sec. delay nose and 1/100 sec. delay tail.
Tons of Bombs Dropped: 709.8 tons on Primary and 12.7 tons on Opportunity.
Time Over Primary: 141255K - 141319K
Altitude of Attack: 15,800 - 18,500
Weather Over Target: 0/10 - 5/10
Total A/C Lost: 0
Resume of Mission: Strike photos showed excellent results, with numerous hits on the
target. All bombing was visual. Five A/C were non-effective. P-38s and
P-47s gave support. Flak was heavy, moderate, generally accurate and
continuously pointed. Forty B-29s landed at Iwo Jima and 1 at Okinawa.
Average bomb load: 14,370 lbs. Average fuel reserve: 596 gallons.
