Aircraft History
Built by Boeing at Maritn-Omaha. Assigned to the 499th Bombardment Group, 877th Bombardment Squadron. Nicknamed "Super Wabbit". Tail code V□ [Square]-49.

Mission History
Took off Aslito Field (Isley Field) on Saipan for a bombing mission against Tokyo. Flying in the 2nd element, 2nd position. Clouds covered the primary target, the Musashino aircraft plant. Instead, the B-29s bombed the port and urban area of Tokyo

Over the target, intercepted by four 53rd Sentai Ki-45 Nicks led by Lt. Aoki over Tokyo Bay. The Ki-45 piloted by Yamada rammed this B-29 from head on while making a steep turn. Observed by other B-29s, the left wingtip folded over and broke off, causing the B-29 to spin twice, break apart and crash. No crew members were seen to bail out.

Wreckage
Crashed near Lake Kawaguchi, the wreckage was inspected by the Japanese. The bodies of the crew were found at the crash site and buried in a local cemetery.

Memorials
The entire crew was declared dead the day of the mission. Postwar the remains of the crew were exhumed and transported to the United States for final burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at section 82 site 235.

References
FindAGrave - Martin Holt Nicholson (group burial photo)
FindAGrave - Martin L. Forbes (group burial photo)
FindAGrave - Martin F. Siltanen (group burial photo)
YouTube Footage of crash B-29 crash site 6:58 - 7:06
B-29 Hunters of the JAAF page 88-90

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Last Updated
March 4, 2020