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

25 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: Captain Perdew is unable to locate White Cloud airbase due to cloud cover, but drops propaganda leaflets over Canton.  He then bombs the town of Wuchow, his designated alternate target.  Lt. Sloat is assigned to hit White Cloud airbase, but he blows a landing-gear tire and is unable to take off for the mission.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~7:00 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Two B-25s from the 11th Bomb Squadron (341st Medium Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Captain Perdew; Lt. Sloat

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 1,500 propaganda leaflets are dropped on Canton and 8 x 100-kilogram bombs are dropped on Wuchow.

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).
28 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: One B-25 bombs Tien Ho airbase and one B-25 bombs White Cloud airbase.  Damage is unknown.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~7:00 to 7:55 p.m.

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

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Lt. Shields; Lt. Patterson

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 16 x ANM-57 250-pound bombs and 500 propaganda leaflets

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 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: All nine B-25s drop their bombs on Tien Ho airbase and vicinity, but damage is unknown.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~6:52 to 10:15 p.m.

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

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW:

  • B-25J #43-3926: 1st Lt. F.O. Cullen; 1st Lt. A.K. Patterson; 1st Lt. R.M. Howard; 1st Lt. K.E. Norris; Staff Sgt. W.S. Faulkner; Staff Sgt. L.J. Flanagan
  • B-25H #43-4393: 1st Lt. J.E. Andrews; 2nd Lt. T.E. Jordan; Staff Sgt. G.A. Penney; Tech Sgt. J.W. Schmitt; Staff Sgt. W.J. Murphy
  • B-25J #43-3291: 1st Lt. J.H. Shields; 2nd Lt. J.H. Wilson; 1st Lt. V.J. Piazza; 1st Lt. W.P. Dougan; Staff Sgt. L.C. Jones; Staff Sgt. A. Nemeth; Staff Sgt. R.D. Driscoll
  • B-25H #43-4319: 1st Lt. R.J. Flanagan; 1st Lt. R.A. Allen; Staff Sgt. R.J. Gebhardt; Tech Sgt. R.L. Koenig; Staff Sgt. C.R. Bigelow
  • B-25H #43-4361: 1st Lt. W.D. Guest; 1st Lt. F.J. Belot; Staff Sgt. F.J. Campagna; Staff Sgt. W.C. Cheverie; Staff Sgt. T.F. Cougherty
  • B-25H #43-4602: 1st Lt. H.W. Fox; 1st Lt. A.J. White; Staff Sgt. W.M. Gornik; Staff Sgt. C.E. Henderson; Staff Sgt. A. Quinn
  • B-25D #43-3904: 2nd Lt. F.O. Dice; 2nd Lt. J.M. Burghoffer; 1st Lt. A. Bossieux; Staff Sgt. A.E. Jones; Tech Sgt. P. Mundich; Staff Sgt. E.E. Routon
  • B-25J #43-4090: 1st Lt. J.M. Musgrove; 2nd Lt. H.H. Templin; 2nd Lt. R.V. Zaloudek; Staff Sgt. S.E. Smith; Staff Sgt. S.W. McDonald; Sgt. G.D. Tanchum
  • B-25D #43-3288: 1st Lt. F.E. Weimer; 2nd Lt. R.M. Howell; 2nd Lt. J.L. Wolfe; Staff Sgt. W.J. Copeland; Tech Sgt. J.E. Starling; Staff Sgt. W.R. Green

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 22 x 100-pound bombs; 48 x 100-pound fragmentation bombs; 16 x 250-pound bombs; 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 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: Four B-25s hit Tien Ho and five B-25s hit White Cloud.  An estimated 50% of bombs fall within target zone, though damage is unknown.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~7:00 to 10:20 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Nine B-25s from the 11th Bomb Squadron (341st Medium Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: 1st Lt. Kenneth Martindale; 1st Lt. Simpson D. Huffaker; 2nd Lt. Arthur Thomas; 2nd Lt. Peter W. Petersen; 1st Lt. James Talley; 2nd Lt. John C. Steadman; 2nd Lt. Leander L. Smith; 1st Lt. Henry D. Wagner; 1st Lt. Marcus L. Sloat

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 20 x 100-pound bombs; 72 x 100-pound fragmentation bombs; 24 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 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: No enemy ships are detected during the sea sweep.  The aircraft commander, Lt. Bacalis, opts to bomb an unspecified area of Kowloon (the designated secondary target) on the return flight.  Damage is unknown.

TIME OVER TARGET: Unknown, but likely early morning on September 30

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

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Lt. Bacalis and nine-man crew

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 9 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).
30 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: Eleven B-25 crews are briefed for the mission, but poor weather conditions over the target forces the cancellation of the mission.  However, five aircraft that are already airborne proceed to the target zone.  Two B-25s hit Tien Ho airbase and one B-25 hits White Cloud airbase.  One B-25 bombs the town of Wuchow, the alternate target for the mission.  Damage to targets is unknown.  Due to the weather, one B-25 fails to locate any target and returns its bombs to base.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~6:35 to 8:22 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Five B-25s from the 11th Bomb Squadron (341st Medium Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW:

  • B-25J #43-27807: Captain Benning M. Perdew; 2nd Lt. Floyd H. Woosley; Flight Officer Lawrence J. Corsa; Staff Sgt. Paul A. LaFrancois; Staff Sgt. Joseph J. Reilly; Staff Sgt. William C. Whaley
  • B-25J #43-4091: 1st Lt. Elmer H. Haman; 2nd Lt. Raymond S. Horey; 1st Lt. Herbert M. Edwards; Staff Sgt. Edward W. Dembinski; Staff Sgt. Richard A. Smart; Sgt. Arvid J. Johnson
  • B-25D #43-3614: 2nd Lt. Clarence B. Cole; 2nd Lt. Lawrence F. Uebel; 2nd Lt. Charles G. Fredericks; Corporal Luther Barnett; Corporal Charles A. Lessler; Corporal Jerome S. Burson
  • B-25H #43-4989: 1st Lt. Kenneth N. Martindale; 2nd Lt. Philip J. Holman; Staff Sgt. Lester W. Helrigle; Staff Sgt. Bazil E. Murray; Sgt. Gene O. Gorup
  • B-25J #43-3949: 1st Lt. Marcus L. Shoat; 2nd Lt. Boyd A. Shumway; 2nd Lt. Frederick E. Cather; Sgt. John I. Anderson; Staff Sgt. Thomas S. Nugent; Sgt. Henry E. Krant

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 60 x 100-pound fragmentation 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).
30 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: Nine B-25 crews are briefed for the mission, but poor weather conditions over the target forces the cancellation of the mission.  However, two aircraft that are already airborne proceed with the mission and bomb the town of Wuchow, the alternate target for the mission, when they are unable to locate the Canton airbases.  Damage is unknown. 

TIME OVER TARGET: ~5:55 to 6:45 p.m.

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

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW:

  • B-25H #43-4159: 1st Lt. T. Biswell; 2nd Lt. R.M. Howard; Staff Sgt. W.J. Copeland; Tech Sgt. W.F. Irwin; Staff Sgt. M. Bogel
  • B-25H #43-4393: 2nd Lt. R.L. Henderson; 1st Lt. R.K. Shaw; Staff Sgt. E.F. Sarlund; Staff Sgt. A. Nemeth; Staff Sgt. L.J. Flanagan

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 40 x 100-pound fragmentation 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).
30 Sep 1944, WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China

OBJECTIVE: Bomb Tien Ho airbase in Canton and disrupt JAAF air operations in the Pearl River delta region

RESULTS: Bad weather and darkness hamper the mission, and only nine B-24s bomb Tien Ho airbase.  Five B-24s bomb alternate targets, including White Cloud airbase, the town of Samshui, and two auxiliary airfields on the coast.  Damage to all targets is unknown.  Fifteen B-24s jettison their bomb loads or return their bombs to base.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~9:01 to 9:52 p.m.

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

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Unknown

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 474 x M-1A1 100-pound fragmentation 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).
30 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: No enemy ships are detected during the sea sweep.  The aircraft commander, Captain Armstrong, opts to bomb naval facilities on Kowloon waterfront.  Damage is unknown, but some bombs apparently fall on the typhoon shelter. 

TIME OVER TARGET: Unknown, but likely in the very early morning hours of October 01

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

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Captain Armstrong

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 9 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).
01 Oct 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: Six B-25s bomb White Cloud airbase and three B-25s bomb Tien Ho airbase.  One B-25 returns its bombs to base after it encounters a thunderstorm over the target and is unable to complete its bomb run.  Damage to targets is unknown.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~6:35 to 9:20 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Ten B-25s from the 11th Bomb Squadron (341st Medium Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW:

  • B-25H #43-4989: 1st Lt. Kenneth N. Martindale; 2nd Lt. Philip J. Holman; Staff Sgt. Lester W. Helrigle; Staff Sgt. Bazil E. Murray; Sgt. Gene O. Gorup
  • B-25H #43-5072: 2nd Lt. Arthur E. Thomas; Flight Officer John J. Hanley; Corporal Oscar G. Jones; Staff Sgt. Jerome J. Krasowitz; Tech Sgt. Robert E. Mongello
  • B-25H #43-4272: 1st Lt. Charles S. Nichols; 2nd Lt. Charles G. Fredricks; Staff Sgt. Frederick J. Reyer; Staff Sgt. William C. Zimmerman; Staff Sgt. Merrill B. Hewitt
  • B-25H #43-4165: 2nd Lt. Charles N. Buchtel; 2nd Lt. William D. Easter; Corporal Archie E. Hollabaugh; Corporal William O. Hogaboom; Corporal Chester E. Jones
  • B-25H #43-4902: 2nd Lt. Peter W. Petersen; 2nd Lt. George E. Doyle; Corporal Walter Paslowski; Corporal William C. Chandler; Sgt. Earl M. Hathfield
  • B-25J #43-3884: 1st Lt. Simpson D. Huffaker; 2nd Lt. Daniel M. Hill; 1st Lt. Ernest L. Painter; Staff Sgt. Alfred J. Weber; Staff Sgt. Manivel A. Coronado; Staff Sgt. Leo P. Demarais
  • B-25J #43-28807: 1st Lt. Harry G. Charles; 1st Lt. Winthrop W. Dada; 1st Lt. Charlton W. Doyle; 2nd Lt. Edward Tempest; Sgt. Frederick E. Benesch; Staff Sgt. Harold J. Toornburg; Sgt .Edward J. Hnilica
  • B-25J #43-3949: 1st Lt. James C. Talley; 2nd Lt. Murray T. Brown; Flight Officer Lawrence J. Corsa; Sgt. Thomas C. Cushing; Staff Sgt. Arthur E. Blain; Staff Sgt. Joseph W. Loso
  • B-25J #43-4091: 1st Lt. Henry D. Wagner; 2nd Lt. G.F. Bogue; 2nd Lt. Emil A. Zogheib; Tech Sgt. Lindon W. Oliver; Sgt. Glen C. Maynard; Corporal Charles G. Edelman
  • B-25D #43-3614: 2nd Lt. Leander L. Smith; 2nd Lt. John J. Wise; 1st Lt. Thomas S. Ackley; Staff Sgt. Joseph E. Bowles; Staff Sgt. Bertram Schwartz; Staff Sgt. Howard F. Avent

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 175 x 100-pound fragmentation bomb clusters

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None, though one B-25 is hit by a single machine-gun bullet

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 Oct 1944, WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China

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

RESULTS: Due to weather conditions, no B-25s hit Tien Ho airbase.  Instead, they strike alternate targets that include the town of Wuchow (six aircraft), river traffic (one aircraft), and White Cloud airbase (two aircraft).  The bombing ignites large fires in Wuchow.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~6:40 to 8:30 p.m.

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

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW:

  • B-25H #43-4159: 1st Lt. F.O. Cullen; 1st Lt. R.K. Shaw; Staff Sgt. W.S. Faulkner; Staff Sgt. S.W. McDonald; Staff Sgt. M. Bogel
  • B-25D #43-3291: 1st Lt. E.M. Hexberg; Lt. Col. J.K. Hester; 1st Lt. S.D. Brown; 2nd Lt. H.S. Olson; Staff Sgt. W.M. Gornik; Tech Sgt. R.W. Hirtle; Staff Sgt. O.A. Harper; Capt. E.L. Carey
  • B-25H #43-4361: 1st Lt. J.E. Andrews; 1st Lt. F.J. Belot; Staff Sgt. G.A. Penney; Tech Sgt. J.W. Schmitt; Staff Sgt. W.R. Green
  • B-25H #43-4602: 1st Lt. J.H. Shields; 2nd Lt. R.V. Zaloudek; Staff Sgt. L.C. Jones; Tech Sgt. H.E. Gordon; Staff Sgt. R.D. Driscoll
  • B-25H #43-4319: 1st Lt. K.R. Bridges; 1st Lt. A.J. White; Staff Sgt. J.T. Young; Tech Sgt. J.H. Starling; Staff Sgt. H.R. Lehmann
  • B-25J #43-3904: Captain R.G. Hunt; 2nd Lt. G.G. Mann; 2nd Lt. S. Mazer; 1st Lt. R.E. Allen; Staff Sgt. M.E. Vollmer; Tech Sgt. J.B. Clark; Staff Sgt. A.L. Matos
  • B-25D #43-3288: 1st Lt. P.J. Ley; 2nd Lt. W.R. Briggs; 1st Lt. W.W. Merrill; 1st Lt. H.R. Edelman; Staff Sgt. F. Norkus; Tech Sgt. R.L. Koenig; Sgt. G.D. Tanchum
  • B-25J #43-4604: 1st Lt. R.M. Blake; 2nd Lt. A.E. Armstrong; 1st Lt. R.J. Kacik; 2nd Lt. T.F. Jordan; Staff Sgt. F.W. Konkolics; Staff Sgt. W.C. Cheverie; Staff Sgt. A.J. Quinn

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 152 x 100-pound fragmentation cluster bombs (M1-A1)

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 Oct 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: Eight B-25 crews are briefed to bomb the Canton airbases.  Six aircraft are unable to locate the target and return their bombs to base.  One B-25 commanded by Lt. Hexberg bombs White Cloud airbase.  One B-25 commanded by Lt. Ley bombs the town of Samshui.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~6:50 p.m. over White Cloud and ~11:03 p.m. over Samshui

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

  • B-25J #43-3904: 1st Lt. E.M. Hexberg; Lt. Col. J.K. Hester; 2nd Lt. R.M. Howard; 1st Lt. F.J. Belot; Staff Sgt. F.W. Konkolics; Tech Sgt. H.P. Albro; Staff Sgt. A.L. Matos
  • B-25H #43-4159: 1st Lt. P.J. Ley; 1st Lt. A.J. White; Staff Sgt. W.S. Faulkner; Tech Sgt. J.H. Starling; Staff Sgt. A.J. Quinn
  • B-25H #43-4361: 1st Lt. R.M. Blake; 2nd Lt. T.F. Jordan; Staff Sgt. L.F. Concannon; Tech Sgt. J.B. Clark; Sgt. G.D. Tanchum
  • B-25H #43-4602: 1st Lt. H.W. Fox; 2nd Lt. J.L. Wolfe; Staff Sgt. M.E. Vollmer; Staff Sgt. C.E. Henderson; Staff Sgt. W.R. Green
  • B-25H #43-4319: 1st Lt. J.E. Andrews; 1st Lt. R.K. Shaw; Staff Sgt. G.A. Penney; Staff Sgt. W.C. Cheverie; Sgt. H.R. Lehmann
  • B-25J #43-4326: 2nd Lt. F.O. Dice; 2nd Lt. R.M. Howell; 1st Lt. W.W. Merrill; 2nd Lt. R.V. Zaloudek; Staff Sgt. D.E. Murphy; Tech Sgt. P. Mandich; Staff Sgt. E.E. Routon
  • B-25D #43-3288: 1st Lt. J.M. Musgrove; 2nd Lt. J.A. Wilson; 1st Lt. G.L. Verlan; 2nd Lt. S. Mazer; Staff Sgt. S.E. Smith; Staff Sgt. L.F. Doherty; Staff Sgt. C.R. Bigelow; 1st Lt. H.L. Ramey
  • B-25D #43-3291: 1st Lt. W.A. Sussdorf; Captain D.F. Blaha; 1st Lt. W.P. Dougan; 1st Lt. M. Radovich; Staff Sgt. R.J. Gebhardt; Tech Sgt. W.F. Irwin; Staff Sgt. W.R. Wahl

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 8 x 250-pound bombs (White Cloud) and 22 x 100-pound bomb (Samshui)

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: Minor flak damage to Lt. Hexberg’s B-25, which is caught by searchlights over White Cloud airbase

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 Oct 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: Nine B-25 crews are briefed to bomb the Canton airbases.  The first aircraft to take off later returns to base with its bombs still aboard when the mission is cancelled due to poor weather.  When the weather report is determined to be inaccurate, the remaining eight planes continue with the mission.  The results are variable:

  • One aircraft fails to find the target and jettisons its bombs.
  • Two aircraft fail to find the target and return their bombs to base.
  • Two aircraft bomb Tien Ho airbase.
  • One aircraft bombs White Cloud airbase.
  • One aircraft bombs an unidentified landing strip in the Canton area.
  • One aircraft bombs Pingnam, the designated alternate target.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~10:32 p.m. on October 02 to 12:27 a.m. on October 03.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Nine B-25s from the 11th Bomb Squadron (341st Medium Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Capt. Danforth Loring; 1st Lt. Gordon R. Francis; Lt. Nichols; Lt. Merril S. Parham; 2nd Lt. Leander L. Smith; 2nd Lt. John C. Steadman; 2nd Lt. Arthur E. Thomas; 1st Lt. Henry D. Wagner; 2nd Lt. Lawrence F. Uebel; 2nd Lt. Wilfred E. Cather

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 48 x 100-pound fragmentation bomb clusters; 20 x 100-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).
03 Oct 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 White Cloud airbase.  Three B-25s hit Tien Ho airbase, where the bombing ignites a large fire.  One B-25 bombs Pingnam when it cannot locate White Cloud.  One B-25 bombs and strafes small craft on the West River.  Two of the B-25s that hit other targets also strafe small craft on West River.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~7:40 p.m. to 10:45 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Eight B-25s from the 11th Bomb Squadron (341st Medium Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: 2nd Lt. Clarence B. Cole; 2nd Lt. Peter W. Petersen; 2nd Lt. Charles N. Buchtel; 2nd  Lt. John J. Wise; 1st Lt. Barry G. Charles; 1st Lt. Kenneth N. Martindale; 1st Lt. Marcus L. Sloat; 1st Lt. Simpson D. Huffaker

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 48 x 100-pound fragmentation bombs; 36 x 100-pound demolition bombs; 8 x 250-pound general purpose bombs; 5,000 rounds of .50-caliber ammuntion

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).
03 Oct 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: Due to solid cloud cover over the Canton airbases, the first four B-25s hit alternate targets of Wuchow and Samshui.  When the cloud cover begins to break up, three B-25s bomb Tien Ho airbase and one B-25 bombs White Cloud airbase.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~8:20 to 9:27 p.m.

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

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW:

  • B-25D #43-3291: Captain J.L. Flanagan; Colonel C.B. Claassen; 1st Lt. S.D. Brown; 1st Lt. R.E. Allen; Staff Sgt. R.J. Gebhardt; Tech Sgt. H.P. Albro; Staff Sgt. O.A. Harper
  • B-25H #43-4319: 1st Lt. P.J. Ley; 1st Lt. L.J. Forrester; Staff Sgt. A.E. Jones; Tech Sgt. R.W. Hirtle; Staff Sgt. G. Flanagan
  • B-25H #43-4602: 1st Lt. T. Biswell; 1st Lt. F.J. Belot; Staff Sgt. W.J. Copeland; Staff Sgt. W.C. Cheverie;  Staff Sgt. Murray Bogel
  • B-25H #43-4361: 1st Lt. R.L. Flanagan; 1st Lt. E.J. Cook; Staff Sgt. D.J. Hunter; Staff Sgt. S.W. McDonald; Staff Sgt. A.L. Matos
  • B-25J #43-3926: 2nd Lt. G.G. Mann; Captain R.G. Hunt; 1st Lt. R.J. Kacik; 1st Lt. A. Bossieux; Staff Sgt. L.F. Concannon; Staff Sgt. C.E. Henderson; Staff Sgt. F.M. Smith
  • B-25D #43-3288: 2nd Lt. H.H. Templin; 1st Lt. R.M. Blake; 2nd Lt. J.R. Herdic; 2nd Lt. S. Mazer; Staff Sgt. W.M. Gornik; Tech Sgt. J.E. Starling; Staff Sgt. R.D. Driscoll
  • B-25J #43-3904: 2nd Lt. J.M. Burghoffer; 1st Lt. K.R. Bridges; 1st Lt. W.W. Merrill; Flight Officer H.S. Olson; Staff Sgt. F.J. Camgagna; Tech Sgt. J.W. Schmitt; Staff Sgt. T.F. Clougherty
  • B-25H #43-4159: 1st Lt. A.K. Patterson; 2nd Lt. R.M. Howard; Staff Sgt. W.S. Faulkner; Tech Sgt. H.E. Gordon; Staff Sgt. W.R. Green

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 65 x 100-pound fragmentation bombs; 66 x 100-pound general purpose bombs

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: One B-25 is attacked by a Japanese night fighter from an unknown unit.

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).
04 Oct 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: One B-25 bomb White Cloud airbase, three B-25 bomb Tien Ho airbase, and two B-25s bomb the designated alternate target of Wuchow.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~9:00 to 11:32 p.m.

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

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW:

  • B-25H #43-4361: 1st Lt. H.W. Fox; 2nd Lt. J.L. Wolfe; Staff Sgt. S.E. Smith; Staff Sgt. A. Nemeth; Sgt. H.R. Lehmann
  • B-25D #43-3291: Captain R.G. Hunt; 2nd Lt. J.H. Wilson; 1st Lt. W.P. Dougan; 1st Lt. R.K. Shaw; Staff Sgt. W.S. Faulkner; Staff Sgt. J.B. Clark; Staff Sgt. W.R. Wahl; Major G.V. Selwyn
  • B-25H #43-4319: 2nd Lt. R.M. Howell; 2nd Lt. R.V. Zaloudek; Staff Sgt. L.C. Jones; Tech Sgt. L.F. Doherty; Staff Sgt. E.E. Routon
  • B-25D #43-3288: 1st Lt. F.O. Cullen; 2nd Lt. A.E. Armstrong; 2nd Lt. R.M. Howard; 1st Lt. H.R. Edelman; Tech Sgt. P. Mandich; Staff Sgt. G.A. Penney; Staff Sgt. L.J. Flanagan
  • B-25H #43-4159: 1st Lt. J.H. Shields; 2nd Lt. T.F. Jordan; Staff Sgt. J.T. Young; Staff Sgt. C.E. Henderson; Staff Sgt. C.R. Bigelow
  • B-25J #43-3926: 2nd Lt. J.A. Madden; 1st Lt. W.B. Guest; 2nd Lt. S. Mazer; 2nd Lt. L.J. Forrester; Staff Sgt. F. Norkus; Staff Sgt. S.W. McDonald; Staff Sgt. A.L. Matos

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 110 x 100-pound bombs; 8 x 250-pound bombs

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: Three Japanese single-engine aircraft are spotted, but they do not engage the B-25s

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: No aircraft are lost during the mission, though one B-25 that returns from the mission is damaged later that night by a fragmentation bomb dropped during a Japanese night raid on the airfield at Liuchow.

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).
04 Oct 1944, WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China

OBJECTIVE: Reconnoiter the flight path for low-altitude attacks on Kai Tak airbase

RESULTS: Flying on the deck, the pilot successfully simulates future airstrikes by following the planned low-level route into Hong Kong and over Kai Tak, where no enemy aircraft are observed.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~2:20 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: One P-51D from the 74th Fighter Squadron (23rd Fighter Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Unknown

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).
04 Oct 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, though fires are started in the bomber revetments at White Cloud and the barracks area of Tien Ho.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~9:46 to 11:45 p.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Three B-25s from the 11th Bomb Squadron (341st Medium Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW:

  • B-25J #43-3949: 1st Lt. Charles S. Nichols; 2nd Lt. Floyd H. Woosley; 1st Lt. Jack Krug; Staff Sgt. Frederick J. Reyer; Staff Sgt. William C. Zimmerman; Staff Sgt. Merrill B. Hewitt
  • B-25H #43-4272: 2nd Lt. Arthur E. Thomas; Flight Officer John J. Hanley; Corporal Oscar G. Jones; Staff Sgt. Jerome J. Krasowitz; Tech Sgt. Robert D. Jorgenson
  • B-25J #43-4091: 2nd Lt. John C. Steadman; 2nd Lt. Charles N. Buchtel; 2nd Lt. William D. Easter; Corporal Archie E. Hollabaugh; Corporal William O. Hogaboom; Corporal Chester E. Jones

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 52 x 100-pound bombs; 1,000 propaganda leaflets

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).
06 Oct 1944, WW2 Air Raids over Hong Kong & South China

DATE OF AIR RAID: October 06, 1944

OBJECTIVE: Destroy river traffic east of Pingnam and fly 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: One aircraft bombs Tien Ho airbase, one aircraft bombs White Cloud airbase, one aircraft bombs Wuchow, one aircraft bombs Samshui, and one aircraft bombs Pingnam.   Damage is unknown.  Two aircraft bomb and strafe small craft.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~10:00 p.m. on October 6 to 2:00 a.m. on October 07

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

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW:

  • B-25D #43-3288: 1st Lt. F.E. Weimer; 1st Lt. W.H. Briggs; 1st Lt. R.J. Kacik; 1st Lt. J.L. Wolfe; Staff Sgt. A.E. Jones; Tech Sgt. J.E. Starling; Staff Sgt. W.R. Green
  • B-25H #43-4361: 1st Lt. J.M. Musgrove; 1st Lt. E.J. Cook; Staff Sgt. D.E. Murphy; Staff Sgt. W.C. Cheverie; Sgt. H.R. Lehmann
  • B-25H #43-4319: 1st Lt. T. Biswell; Flight Officer H.S. Olson; Staff Sgt. W.J. Copeland; Tech Sgt. R.W. Hirtle; Staff Sgt. M. Bogel
  • B-25H #43-4096: Captain R.G. Rice; 1st Lt. F.O. Dice; 1st Lt. W.P. Dougan; 1st Lt. A.J. White; Staff Sgt. M.E. Vollmer; Tech Sgt. J.W. Silvernail; Sgt. G.D. Tanchum
  • B-25J #43-4088: 1st Lt. F.O. Cullen; 2nd Lt. G.G. Mann; 1st Lt. H.R. Edelman; 1st Lt. S.D. Brown; Staff Sgt. W.S. Faulkner; Tech Sgt. K.E. Norris; Staff Sgt. A.L. Matos
  • B-25J #43-3954: 1st Lt. E.M. Hexberg; 2nd Lt. H.H. Templin; 1st Lt. G.L. Velan; 1st Lt. W.W. Merrill; Staff Sgt. F.W. Konkolics; Tech Sgt. H.P. Albro; Staff Sgt. E.E. Routon
  • B-25H #43-4159: 1st Lt. J.E. Andrews; 1st Lt. J.R. Herdic; Staff Sgt. L.F. Concannon; Staff Sgt. C.E. Henderson; Staff Sgt. C.E. Henderson; Staff Sgt. W.R. Wahl

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 88 x 100-pound bombs (22 each on White Cloud and Tien Ho airbases); 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).
06 Oct 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: One B-25 bombs aircraft revetments at White Cloud airbase and two B-25s bomb barracks at Tien Ho airbase. Two B-25s bomb and strafe small craft on the West River, sinking or setting on fire five small boats and sampans.  A sixth B-25 is unable to take off for the mission due to a Japanese air raid on the American airbase at Liuchow.

TIME OVER TARGET: ~7:45 p.m. on October 06 to 12:15 a.m. on October 07

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Five B-25s from the 11th Bomb Squadron (341st Medium Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW:

  • B-25J #43-27807: Flight Officer Ronald E. Irwin; 2nd Lt. Robert W. Burtner; 2nd Lt. Maurice J. Freeman; 2nd Lt. Edward Tempest; Sgt. Kenneth L. Henry; Corporal Oscar W. Lowe; Corporal Edward L. Naylor
  • B-25J #43-4091: 1st Lt. Marcus L. Shoat; 2nd Lt. Boyd A. Shumway; 2nd Lt. Clifford Dutton; 2nd Lt. Philip J. Holman; Sgt. Donald E. Bell; Staff Sgt. Richard A. Smart; Sgt. Henry E. Krant
  • B-25H #43-5072: 2nd Lt. Arthur E. Thomas; Flight Officer John J. Hanley; Corporal Oscar G. Jones; Staff Sgt. Jerome J. Krasowitz; Sgt. Robert D. Jorgenson
  • B-25J #43-28807: 2nd Lt. John J. Wise; 2nd Lt. William K. Mack; 2nd Lt. Charles G. Frederick; Corporal Charles G. Edelman; Corporal Ralph M. Surber; Corporal Joseph C. Brucker
  • B-25J #43-3949: 1st Lt. Charles S. Nichols; 2nd Lt. Floyd H. Woosley; 2nd Lt. Elmo B. Hessler; Staff Sgt. Frederick J. Reyer; Staff Sgt. William C. Zimmerman; Staff Sgt. Merrill B. Hewitt

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: 12 x 100-pound fragmentation bomb clusters; 36 x 100-pound bombs; 16 x 250-pound  bombs; 4,240 .50 caliber machine-gun rounds

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