Whirlwind - Barrett Tillman [31]
Meanwhile, the four who had bailed out were picked up by Communist leader Mao Tse-tung’s guerrillas and returned to safety, beneficiaries of LeMay’s cordial relations with the Communist leader.
That night of the 21st the Japanese sent bombers against Chengtu Airdrome, damaging a grounded B-29 named Typhoon McGoon III, but American night fighters were up. In an hour of nocturnal stalking, a P-61 Black Widow claimed one raider confirmed and one probably destroyed.
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If there existed any doubt about Washington’s view of LeMay’s methods, it vanished with arrival of a letter from Arnold, dated November 17. The AAF chief’s “Dear Curt” message was effusive, saying that he was passing around 58th Wing strike photos from Formosa and Japan, and had endorsed LeMay’s methods to Possum Hansell in the Marianas. Arnold added that Hansell had admitted “he would have to push his people pretty hard to stay in the same league with your Command.”
That same month Hansell’s XXI Bomber Command launched its first attack against Japan from the Marianas—further proof that the B-29 campaign had turned a corner. But in December came disquieting news: in addition to the enemy thrust northwest from Liuchow in south-central China, aerial reconnaissance showed 100 Japanese transport aircraft on fields in the Hankow area, 600 miles east of Chengtu. The latter seemed to fit with “persistent reports of several thousand Jap paratroops in enemy held China.” Consequently, XX Bomber Command admitted the “very definite possibility of a Japanese paratroop attack on the B-29 bases.”
Meanwhile, missions continued. On December 19, the 58th Wing launched a “minimum effort” against Omura. Thirty-six bombers took off but weather permitted just seventeen to hit the primary target, an aircraft factory. Thirteen were unable to reach Omura and unloaded over Shanghai, 500 miles short of Kyushu. Three planes never returned: two 40th Group crews abandoned ship with mechanical problems over China, and a 468th aircraft was rammed by a Japanese fighter over Mukden. The latter’s crew was listed as missing; the others found their way to safety.
China Farewell
As LeMay had predicted upon arrival in India, XX Bomber Command was burning a short candle. In October 1944, with additional B-29 bases being completed in the Marianas, the new American CBI commander, Lieutenant General Albert Wedemeyer, asked that LeMay’s organization move to the Pacific. At least from that same month, policy advisers in Washington had expressed serious doubts about continuing the CBI Superfortress operation.
Since his command could barely sustain itself, with no room for growth, LeMay had already declined the 73rd Wing when offered to him. Consequently, America’s military high priests bowed to the gods of war. In mid-January the Joint Chiefs issued a warning order, directing consolidation of all 20th Air Force operations in the Central Pacific. LeMay was to move his entire operation to the Marianas by mid-April while conducting some farewell missions. Actually, he flew to Saipan in January, leaving Brigadier General Roger Ramey to close up shop.
The command’s ninth and last mission against Japan was a disappointment. On January 6, 1945, forty-nine Superfortresses winged away from Chengtu, aiming at the Omura urban area generally and the naval aircraft plant in particular. Only twenty-eight bombers reached the briefed objective. Thirteen more attacked an alternate