B-29, S/N 42-63461 cause of lose 3 Dec 1944?
 

Greetings,
seeking aid with this lose as there are varying accounts.

For those with fold3 access this lose is covered by MACR 10450

https://www.fold3.com/image/29249495

And is covered by Bob Mann "B-29 Registry..." p. 27

Both of these accounts state the plane ditched "out of Fuel" about 22 miles northeast of Saipan; crew of 11 DED; no enemy aircraft involvement noted.

On the other hand, Joe Baugher:

http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1942_3a.html

States: 42-63461 Delivered to USAAF 25 Oct 44 (497th BG, 870th BS) damaged by A6M3 near Tokyo, Japan Dec 3, 1944 while on mission to Musashino aircraft factory near Tokyo. The aircraft ditched 22 miles NE of Saipan. All 11 crew KIA.

Does anyone have a source account or information which would support the Baugher claim that a A6M3 "Zero" was involved in this lose, perhaps damaging 42-63461 over/near Tokyo?

Thanks in advance for any direction.

Re: B-29, S/N 42-63461 cause of lose 3 Dec 1944?
 

From WWII Honoree:

David Cowden Campbell

ON 3 DECEMBER 1944, HE FLEW IN THE LEFT SEAT AS THE AIRPLANE COMMAND PILOT ABOARD A BOEING B-29 SUPERFORTRESS, TAIL CODE A-SQUARE-30 (SERIAL # 42-63461). IT WAS ONE OF 86 AIRCRAFT LAUNCHED IN A MULTI-GROUP FORMATION TO BOMBARD THE MUSASHINO AIRCRAFT WORKS AND NAKAJIMA AIRCRAFT ENGINE FACTORY NEAR TOKYO, JAPAN. FLAK FROM ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY WAS HEAVY AND ENEMY FIGHTER AIRCRAFT ATTACKS WERE DESCRIBED AS MODERATE. HE WAS KILLED ON THE RETURN ROUTE, WHEN HIS AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL AND WAS FORCED TO DITCH IN THE OCEAN APPROXIMATELY 22 MILES NORTHEAST OF SAIPAN.

Since it ditched on the return voyage, it is possible that it was damaged by E/A attack that possibly caused a leak in the fuel tanks. I don't always believe everything I see on Joe Baugher's page since the annotations are made by myriads of people writing to his Web site. Also, it would probably be a A6M5 by this stage of the game.

Re: B-29, S/N 42-63461 cause of lose 3 Dec 1944?
 

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, concur related to Joe Baugher content (not sourced) and why seeking corroboration in this instance. Or evidence that this data is incorrect.