Boeing B-29 Superfortress

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B-29: Powerful Long Range Strategic Bomber

The plans for the Boeing B-29 Superfortress were started before World War II and culminated in one of the largest and most powerful long range bombers of the war.

Crew & Armament

Used mainly in the Pacific Theater by the United States, the B-29 was designed for a crew of 10-14 which included a pilot, copilot, engineer, bombardier, navigator radar specialist, radar operator, radio operator, and gunners with training in fire control, air mechanics, and electrical specialties. Armament included twelve 50 cal. machine guns, a 20 mm cannon and a maximum bomb load of 20,000 pounds.

Distinguishing Superfortress Features

Distinguishing features of the Superfortress included a pressurized cabin with a tunnel to a second pressurized compartment in the rear, electronically operated remote-controlled machine gun turrets, and protection armor for the crew.

B-29 and the Fire-Bombing of Japan

In June 1944, with the U.S. capture of the Marianas, the Superfortresses moved to bases closer to Japan. Changing from day bombing tactics, Major General Curtis LeMay ordered low altitude night bombing with incendiaries. The low altitude (5,000-8,000 feet) greatly decreased bombing error caused from wind. Objectives were Japanese factories and targets of military importance which were often located within residential and commercial areas of large cities. The attacks were aimed at destroying these target as well as lowering Japanese morale in a effort to hasten the end of the war.

For 9 months, B-29s in massive formations of over 300 (some of the largest formations of the Pacific War), engaged in fire-bombing raids on Japan's main cities (November 17, 1944 to August 6, 1945), causing tremendous damage. According to Bill Gunston, in Aircraft of World War II, (p32),“The Tokyo [fire bombing] mission of 9 March 1945 wiped out more that 40km² (15.5 square miles) of the city, killed 84,000 and injured over 100,000 – never equaled in any other aerial attack.”

Photo Reconnaissance & Mine Laying with the B-29

B-29s were also used during WWII for photo reconnaissance work and mine laying operations. A large number of naval mines were dropped by B-29s in relatively shallow water such as harbors, taking a high toll on Japanese shipping at a time when American submarines had already destroyed great amounts of Japanese shipping tonnage.

First Atomic Bomb Dropped from B-29 Enola Gay

On August 6, 1945, the B-29 Enola Gay carried the first atomic bomb, which it dropped with the aid of a Norden bombsight, on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. A second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, from the B-29 Bockscar (Bock's Car). The estimated number of immediate deaths caused by both bombs was is over 100,000.

The United States believed the use of the atomic bombs would hasten a Japanese surrender, preventing massive casualties on both sides in the planned invasion of Japan. The use of both atom bombs within 3 days of each other was done in an effort to convence the Japanese that many more of these bombs were available when in fact the next batch of 25 would not have been ready for use until the very end of of 1945.

Remembered for ending World War II and starting the nuclear age, the B-29 Superfortress retired from service in September 1960.

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* B-29 Super Fortress facts
Category	Bomber
Manufacturer	Boeing
Introduced	May 1944
Used in WWII by	US Army Air Forces US Air Force Royal Air Force
Produced	1943 – 1946
Number built	3,970
Cruising speed	220 mph
Max. speed	365 mph
Altitude	Over 35,000 feet
Range	4,100 miles
* Numbers are approximate