B29s flew without escort on all or most off their missions?

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Felix C
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B29s flew without escort on all or most off their missions?

#1

Post by Felix C » 20 May 2017, 02:07

Seem to read the raids from China were unescorted as were those from the Marianas at least until Iwo Jima was made functional. Thereafter where B29s escorted?

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Pips
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Re: B29s flew without escort on all or most off their missions?

#2

Post by Pips » 22 May 2017, 06:29

The 15th and 21st Fighter groups (both equipped with P-51 Mustang fighters) were first based on Saipan in January 1945, and moved to South and Central Fields on Iwo Jina early March 1945. They flew the first long range escort on 7th April 1945. And continued to fly escort, fighter sweeps and ground attack missions over Japan until wars end.

In March the 506th Fighter Group (P-51's) arrived in Guam, then moved to Tinian. In May they moved to North Field on Iwo Jima and commenced operations, flying a mix of escort, fighter sweep and ground attack mission until war's end.commenced operations.

In June the 507th Fighter Group (P-47N's) commenced operations from Ie Shima, attacking targets in Japan, Korea and China. It flew it's first (and only) long range escort on 8 August.

In late June the 413th Fighter Group (P-47N's) also commenced operation out of Ie Shima, flying the same type of Ops as the 506th. It to only flew one escort mission, that of the 8 August.

In July the 414th Fighter Group (P-47N) commenced operations from Iwo Jima. It flew a mix of ground attack, fighter sweeps and escort missions through to war's end.


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