WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China: View pages | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China: View pages

Primary tabs

09 Aug 1944, WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China

OBJECTIVE: Block channels in Victoria Harbor and Pearl River with anti-ship mines

RESULTS: B-24s drop anti-ship mines into Victoria Harbor (East Lamma Channel, Rambler Channel, and near Green Island) and into the Pearl River.

TIME OVER TARGET: 10:25 to 11:55 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Nine B-24s from the 373rd, 374th, 375th, and 425th Bomb Squadrons (308th Heavy Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW:

  • B-24 #822: 2nd Lt. E.P. Mitchell; 2nd Lt. F.C. Steiger; 2nd Lt. F.B. Massing; Flight Officer H.J. Lundberg; Staff Sgt. L.W. Habel; Staff Sgt. R. Hunter, Jr.; Corporal L.C. Hedlund; Sgt. R.N. Kuhns; Sgt. B.E. LaBlanc

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 36 x Mark-13 anti-ship mines

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES:

  • One B-24 (#822) is lost to unknown causes and its crew (listed above) is declared missing in action.
  • One B-24 (#833) is hit by three heavy-machine gun rounds, causing damage to #3 and #4 engines.

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).
10 Aug 1944, WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China

OBJECTIVE: Fly nocturnal sea sweep mission to detect and sink Japanese ships in the South China Sea.

RESULTS: Aircraft commander aborts sea sweep when radar unit fails.  He attempts to bomb the secondary target, the Kowloon docks, but the bombardier fumbles the bomb run.  Rain and fully alerted antiaircraft defenses preclude another bomb run.  Clouds and rain prevent bomb run on Canton targets as well.  Aircraft returns to base with a full bomb load.

TIME OVER TARGET: Unknown, but presumably after nightfall

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: One B-24

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Major Killam

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: None

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).
14 Aug 1944, WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China

OBJECTIVE: Fly nocturnal sea sweep mission to detect and sink Japanese ships in the South China Sea.

RESULTS: No enemy ships are detected during the sea sweep, so the aircraft commander, Lt. Clendenen, opts to bomb the Royal Navy dockyard.  Bombs fall in vicinity of the dockyard, but damage is unknown.

TIME OVER TARGET: Unknown, but presumably after nightfall

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: One B-24

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Lt. Clendenen

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 12 x 500-pound bombs

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).

 
25 Aug 1944, WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China

OBJECTIVE: Fly nocturnal sea sweep mission to detect and sink Japanese ships in the South China Sea.

RESULTS: No enemy ships are detected during the sea sweep.  The aircraft commander, Lt. Wind, opts to bomb the HK & Whampoa dockyard (the designated secondary target) on the return flight.  At least nine bombs fall in vicinity of the dockyard, but damage is unknown.

TIME OVER TARGET: Unknown, but likely around 1:00 a.m. on August 26

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: One B-24 from the 375th Bomb Squadron (308th Heavy Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: 2nd Lt. Elmer E. Haynes; 2nd Lt. Milton Wind

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 12 x 500-pound bombs

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).
29 Aug 1944, WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China

OBJECTIVE: Block channels in Victoria Harbor with anti-ship mines

RESULTS: Six B-24s drop their mines, but only four release their mines accurately, and at least two mines are destroyed upon impact with the water when their parachutes malfunction.  Two B-24s fail to locate the target and return their mines to base.  The mission is judged less than 50 percent effective by the U.S. Navy.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~8:24 p.m. on August 29 to 12:41 a.m. on August 30

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Eight B-24s from the 373rd, 374th, 375th, and 425th Bomb Squadrons (308th Heavy Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Unknown

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 24 x anti-ship mines

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).

 
29 Aug 1944, WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China

OBJECTIVE: Staggered single-aircraft night raids to harass Canton airfields and prevent JAAF from flying night bombing missions

RESULTS: Six B-25s bomb aircraft revetments at White Cloud and Tien Ho airbases, but damage is unknown. 

TIME OVER TARGET: ~8:10 to 10:25 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Six B-25s from 491st Bomb Squadron (341st Medium Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Lt. Sussdorf

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 72 x 100-pound fragmentation bomb clusters

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).
31 Aug 1944, WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China

OBJECTIVE: Fly a series of staggered single-aircraft night raids to harass airbases at Canton and Hong Kong, which will prevent JAAF pilots from flying night bombing missions

RESULTS: Three B-25s bomb Tien Ho airbase, four B-25s bomb White Cloud airbase, one B-25 bombs Kai Tak airfield, and one B-25 bombs godowns on Pearl River south of Canton.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~8:14 to 10:25 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Nine B-25s from 491st Bomb Squadron (341st Medium Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Captain Blaha

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 48 x 100-pound fragmentation bomb clusters; 44 x 100-pound bombs; 24 x 250-pound bombs

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).

 
01 Sep 1944, WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China

OBJECTIVE: Fly a series of staggered single-aircraft night raids to harass airbases at Canton and Hong Kong, which will prevent JAAF pilots from flying night bombing missions. 

RESULTS: At Canton, three B-25s bomb Tien Ho airbase, two B-25s bomb White Cloud airbase, and three B-25s bomb godowns and factories in Canton.  At Hong Kong, two B-25s bomb Kai Tak airfield, one B-25 overshoots the target and puts bombs into the harbor, and one B-25 bombs Kowloon wharves with 250-pound bombs that likely fall inland in residential areas of Yaumatei and the grounds of Whitfield Barracks.  The BAAG reports that the bombing of Whitfield Barracks causes 70-80 Japanese and Indian casualties.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~8:30 to 11:30 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Twelve B-25s from 491st Bomb Squadron (341st Medium Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Lt. Cullen

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 132 x 100-pound bombs; 32 x 250-pound bombs; 12 x 100-pound fragmentation bombs; 9 x 100-pound fragmentation cluster bombs

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).
02 Sep 1944, WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China

OBJECTIVE: Block channels in Victoria Harbor with anti-ship mines and deny the use of the harbor to the Japanese.

RESULTS: Three B-24s drop anti-ship mines into the approaches to Victoria Harbor.  American intelligence now believes the port is completely blocked by mines dropped during this mission and the mission flown on August 29.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~8:38 to 9:41 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Three B-24s from the 373rd Bomb Squadron (308th Heavy Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Unknown

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 12 x anti-ship mines

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).
05 Sep 1944, WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China

OBJECTIVE: Night raid to bomb targets in Canton/Hong Kong area

RESULTS: One B-25 bombs Kowloon targets, including Kai Tak airfield.  A second B-25 bombs the town of Samshui in Canton area.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~9:30 to 11:25 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Three B-25s from the 491st Bomb Squadron (341st Medium Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW:

  • Lt. Hunt
  • B-25 (#49-3948): 2nd Lieutenant John W. Lesher, Jr.; 2nd Lt. Lawrence E. Anderson; 1st Lt. Robert W. Julian; 1st Lt. Aaron S. Cummings; Sgt. Frank L. Berger; Sgt. Edward F. Certly; Sgt. Herbert D. Curriden

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 19 x 100-pound bombs are dropped on Kowloon; 12 x 100-pound fragmentation cluster bombs are dropped on Samshui.

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: One B-25 crashes and burns five minutes after takeoff for unknown reasons.  The entire crew (listed above) is killed.

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).
06 Sep 1944, WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China

OBJECTIVE: Staggered single-aircraft night raids to bomb targets in Canton area

RESULTS: Ten B-25s bomb town of Samshui.  Damage is unknown, but the bombing ignites two large fires.  One B-25 drops bombs on Canton in vicinity of Wongsha railroad station.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~10:05 p.m. on September 06 to 1:25 a.m. on September 07

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Eleven B-25s from the 491st Bomb Squadron (341st Medium Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Lt. Sussdorf

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 44 x 100-pound bombs; 40 x 250-pound bombs; 12 x 500-pound incendiary bombs

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).
07 Sep 1944, WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China

OBJECTIVE: Fly nocturnal sea sweep mission to detect and sink Japanese ships in the South China Sea.

RESULTS: A small patrol boat is attacked near Hong Kong, but all four bombs miss.  The aircraft commander opts to drop his remaining bombs on the oil tanks at Lai Chi Kok during the return flight.  However, the bombs apparently fall to the north of Lai Chi Kok.  According to the BAAG, they strike a reservoir and temporarily disrupt water supplies in Kowloon.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~2:05 a.m. on September 8

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: One B-24 from the 308th Heavy Bomb Group

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Lt. Lane

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: Eight bombs of an unknown type (most likely 500-pound general-purpose) are dropped on Lai Chi Kok.

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).
07 Sep 1944, WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China

OBJECTIVE: Staggered single-aircraft night raids to bomb targets in Canton area

RESULTS: Three B-25s bomb the Chungshan University area, causing fires and secondary explosions.  Three B-25s bombs Tien Ho airbase and nearby godowns, and one B-25 bombs White Cloud airbase.  Five B-25s hit godowns and other facilities in Canton area, igniting a number of fires.

TIME OVER TARGET: 10:50 p.m. on September 07 to 2:20 a.m. on September 08

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Eleven B-25s from the 491st Bomb Squadron (341st Medium Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Captain Flanagan

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 24 x 100-pound fragmentation cluster bombs; 48 x 250-pound bombs; 12 x 500-pound incendiaries

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).
08 Sep 1944, WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China

OBJECTIVE: Staggered single-aircraft night raids to bomb targets in Canton area

RESULTS: Two B-25s drop incendiary bombs on the Chungshan University area, causing fires and secondary explosions.  One B-25 bombs Tien Ho airbase and two more bomb nearby godowns.  One B-25 bombs White Cloud airbase.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~11:33 p.m. on September 08 to 12:58 a.m. on September 09

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Six B-25s from the 491st Bomb Squadron (341st Medium Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Captain Hunt

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 44 x 100-pound bombs; 16 x 250-pound bombs; 8 x 500-pound incendiary bombs

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).
14 Sep 1944, WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China

OBJECTIVE: Dive-bomb targets in town of Samshui near Canton and run fighter sweep over White Cloud airbase.

RESULTS: The P-40s and P-51s hit Samshui with high-explosive and incendiary bombs, causing numerous fires.  After completing their bomb run, the P-51 pilots are ambushed by Japanese fighter pilots and a short dogfight ensues.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~4:00 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Ten P-51s and four P-40s from the 76th Fighter Squadron (23rd Fighter Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW:  Lt. Bees; Lt. Reeves; Lt. Perkins; Lt. Jerome F. Eisenman; Lt. Shull; Lt. E.E. Smith; (76th FS); Major Treacy (23rd FG); Lt. Bannon; Lt. Squires (93rd FS); Lt. Conant  (529th FS); Lt. Meadows; Lt. Livergood; Lt. Lehman (25th FS); Lt. Foltz (89th FS).  Though the pilots are from multiple units, the aircraft may all belong to the 76th FS.

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 4 x 250-pound bombs; 4 x 500-pound bombs; 16 x M-69 500-pound incendiary clusters

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: An estimated 10-14 Japanese fighter aircraft, probably Ki-44s from the 85th Sentai with perhaps a few Ki-43s as well.

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: One P-51 is shot down, though it is not clear if this resulted from antiaircraft fire or a Japanese fighter.  The pilot, Lt. Shull, bails out safely and returns to his unit.

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).
14 Sep 1944, WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China

OBJECTIVE: Dive-bomb targets in town of Samshui near Canton and run fighter sweep over White Cloud airbase

RESULTS: The American pilots encounter a formation of Japanese fighters, which forces the American pilots to abort the mission and engage in an extended dogfight.

TIME OVER TARGET: Morning

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Eleven P-51s from the 76th Fighter Squadron (23rd Fighter Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Lt. Wilson; Lt. Newsome; Lt. Anderson; Lt. Baker; Lt. Schaeffer; Lt. Raymond; 2nd Lt. Jerome F. Eisenman; Lt. Watt (76th FS); Major Treacy (23rd FG); Lt. Hall (26th FS); Lt. Tolhurst (93rd FS).  Though the pilots are from multiple units, the aircraft all apparently belong to the 76th FS.

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: The American aircraft are loaded with 16 x 250-pound bombs and 8 x 500-pound incendiary bomb clusters.  However, the appearance of Japanese fighters forces the American pilots to abort the bombing mission.  They jettison all bombs, since P-51s cannot dogfight effectively when loaded up with bombs. 

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: An unknown number of Ki-44s, probably from the 85th Sentai

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: American pilots claim to shoot down up to four Ki-44s and to damage two more, though Japanese records indicate no pilots are lost on this date.

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).
20 Sep 1944, WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China

OBJECTIVE: Fly a fighter sweep over the Canton airbases and try to ambush the Japanese fighter pilots who have been patrolling the airspace over Samshui.

RESULTS: No Japanese aircraft are encountered and the fighter sweep is uneventful.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~9:15 a.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Eight P-51s from the 76th Fighter Squadron (23rd Fighter Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Lt. Wilson; Lt. Trecartin; Lt. Shull; Lt. Shaeffer; Lt. Perkins; Lt. Anderson; Lt. E.E. Smith; Lt. Newsome (76th FS); Major Treacy (23rd FG); Lt. Bannon; Lt. Tolhurst (93rd FS)

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: None

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).
21 Sep 1944, WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China

OBJECTIVE: Block approaches to Victoria Harbor and Pearl River with anti-ship mines and deny the use of the harbor and river to the Japanese.

RESULTS: Two B-24s drop anti-ship mines into the approaches to Victoria Harbor and the Pearl River, while a third B-24 is unable to find the target zone and returns its mines to base.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Three B-24s from the 308th Heavy Bomb Group

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Unknown

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 9 x anti-ship mines

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None, though one B-24 flying at 1,000 feet over Hong Kong or the Pearl River nearly runs into a mountain.

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).
22 Sep 1944, WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China

OBJECTIVE: Block approaches to Victoria Harbor and Pearl River with anti-ship mines and deny the use of the harbor and river to the Japanese.

RESULTS: Four B-24s drop anti-ship mines into the approaches to Victoria Harbor and the Pearl River.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Four B-24s from the 308th Heavy Bomb Group

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Unknown

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 22 x anti-ship mines

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).
24 Sep 1944, WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China

OBJECTIVE: Fly a series of staggered single-aircraft night raids to harass airbases at Canton and prevent JAAF pilots from flying night bombing missions against American airbases in China.

RESULTS: Two B-25s bomb Tien Ho airbase and one B-25 bombs White Cloud airbase.  Damage is unknown, but the bombing ignites a large fire at White Cloud airbase.  A fourth B-25 is unable to locate its target and returns to base with its bombs still in the bomb bay.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~7:13 to 17:38 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Four B-25s from the 491st Bomb Squadron (341st Medium Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Major Main; Lt. Hexberg; Lt. Bridges

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 6 x 1,000-pound bombs; 12 x 100-pound fragmentation bombs; 500 copies of Japanese-language news leaflet

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

SOURCES: Original mission reports and other documents in the Air Force Historical Research Agency archives at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

Information compiled by Steven K. Bailey, author of Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945 (Potomac Books/University of Nebraska Press, 2019).

Pages