B-29 raid(s) on Japanese hydrogen plants - March/April 1945

[Leendert]

To halt the production of Japanese fire balloons, B-29s bombed hydrogen plants on Honshu Island in either late March or early April 1945. One of these plants reportedly was of the Showa Denko Company.

Looking for date(s) when the raid(s) occurred and perhaps the BW participating.

Any assistance appreciated.

Regards,
Leendert

[Buckeye30]

Hi Leendert. There was a Showa Denko Plant at Omachi west of Tokyo (aluminium production) it was given a Target Number (1100) by XXI BC but apparently was not specifically targeted; they had another in Manchuria.
The major attacks on the chemical industries were on April 12, Mission 64 (313 Wing) and Mission 65 (314 Wing) to the Hodagaya Chemical complexes at Koriyama, Honshu (Target 2025), one of their products was hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen was the most efficient filler for the balloons. The last launch of balloons was 18 days later, probably not due to B-29 raids but lack of resources ( and results).
Not all aircraft bombed the Primary target, some found Targets of Opportunity.


Nick

[RSwank]

A description of the attack on April 12 1945 by the 39th BG. It mentions that a major reason for the attack was to stop production of tetraethyl lead (used in high octane aviation gasoline).

Since some of the Japanese launch sites for the FUGO balloons could generate their own hydrogen (possibly using iron filings and dilute sulfuric acid as was done by the Union Army Balloon Corps using portable (horse drawn) wagons during the US Civil War) I wonder how effective attacks on hydrogen producing chemical plants could be.

http://39th.org/39th/history/missions/mission01.html

[Leendert]

Thanks for replies. With date 12 April 1945 I could trace the full mission report here: https://www.scribd.com/document/6170...port-64-65-Ocr

Regards,
Leendert

[RSwank]

The full mission report is an interesting read. The story of Henry E. "Red" Erwin is told here:

https://www.cmohs.org/news-events/bl...ene-red-erwin/