American missions against Komaki and Komaki Airfield
April 18, 1942–August 14, 1945

January 3, 1945
(20th AF) Mission 17: 97 Mariana based B-29s are sent to bomb docks and urban areas of Nagoya, Japan; 57 hit the primary target and 21 others bomb alternates and targets of opportunity; Japanese fighters fly 300+ attacks on the B-29s; B-29 gunners claim 14-14-20 Japanese aircraft. Intercepted by Ki-61 Tonys from Komaki Airfield and Itami Airfield, plus 210th Kokutai Zeros and J1N1 and D4Y from Meiji Airfield. Lost are 5 including: B-29 42-24748, B-29 "Leading Lady" 42-24766, B-29 "Jumbo, King Of The Show" 42-63418, B-29 "Joker's Wild" 42-24626, B-29 42-24550. Additionally, B-29"American Maid" 42-24593, suffered a blister blowout at 29,000 feet over Nagoya. Gunner James B. Krantz was sucked outside but survived: held for 15 minutes by his home-made harness until pulled back in with frostbite and broken bones. (incident also described in Stephen Birdsall's "Saga of the Superfortress", page 136.

July 16, 1945
(20th AF) P-51s hit Komaki Airfield.

July 19, 1945
(20th AF) P-51s hit Nagoya Airfield (Komaki).

July 20, 1945
(20th AF) P-51s hit Komaki Airfield.

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