Japanese Balloon Bomb Fu-Go
Imperial Japanese Army launched against the United States during 1944–1945

Background
During 1933 the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) Lieutenant General Reikichi Tada began an experimental balloon bomb fūsen bakudan program designated Fu-Go ふ号 at the Noborito Laboratory using a hydrogen filled balloon with a 4m diameter to carry a bomb to drop using a time fuse with a range of 70 miles. The project was never completed and ended two years later. After the April 18, 1942 "Doolittle Raid" bombing of Japan the Noborito Laboratory was ordered develop a retaliatory weapon.

Several ideas were proposed including using planes to fly one way mission to bomb the west coast or use seaplanes to release incendiary bombs to cause forest fires. In September 1942, Major General Sueki Kusaba, who worked on the original Fu-Go project was to revive the concept and design a balloon capable of being launched from Japan float into the jet stream where they would be blown eastward over the United States. The balloon was armed with a high explosive (Type 95 15 kg high-explosive bomb) and a pair of incendiary bombs (5kg thermite incendiary bomb or Type 97 12kg thermite incendiary bomb).

In total, more than 9,000 balloon bombs were launched. The Japanese hoped the weapons would trigger forest fires in the Pacific northwest and cause panic that would divert American resources away from the Pacific War. It is estimated that roughly 1,000 reached North America but only a small number were found and few caused any damage. Only one balloon inflicted casualties killing six civilians. American authorities did their best to suppress news about the balloons to deprive the Japanese knowledge of their impact and prevent widespread panic. Although Japanese balloon bombs might be dismissed as a primitive, unguided weapon, they were an intercontinental weapon.


Wartime History
A balloon launch organization of three battalions was established. The 1st battalion had a headquarters and three squadrons operating nine launch stations at Ōtsu in Ibaraki Prefecture. The 2nd battalion with three squadrons operated six launch stations at Ichinomiya, Chiba Prefecture. The 3rd battalion with two squadrons operated six launch stations at Nakoso, Fukushima Prefecture. Together, these sites could launch roughly 200 balloons per day.

On November 3, 1944 at 5:00am the first balloon bombs were released from Japan on the birthday of former Emperor Meiji. Weather conditions were ideal with strong jet stream winds.

On November 4, 1944 a Japanese balloon bomb apparatus, envelope, and rigging is recovered from the ocean southwest of San Pedro in California.

On January 10, 1945 a Japanese balloon bomb was forced down by U.S. Navy plane roughly 30 miles west of Alturas, California. This was the 15th balloon bomb found in North America. The paper balloon, envelope, rigging and apparatus were recovered and shipped to Moffett Field and reinflated for testing. Later, shipped to NAS Lakehurst, New Jersey.
References: Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America: Japan's World War II Assaults (1982) page 70 (no. 15), 77 (California), 78 (map)

On January 24, 1945 six fighters take off after radar reports an unidentified target southeast of Attu. They intercept a Japanese balloon bomb which they shoot down with gunfire.

On February 2, 1945 a Japanese balloon bomb was recovered from a farm near Laurens, Iowa. This was the 30th balloon bomb found in North America and one of three confirmed balloon bombs that landed in Iowa. The recovered wreckage included the paper balloon envelope, rigging and apparatus.

On February 24, 1945 a formation of four B-25s returning from a mission over the Kuriles spot and photograph a Japanese balloon bomb floating eastward.

On April 11, 1945 U.S. Army Air Force P-38 Lightings and U.S. Navy fighters intercept a Japanese balloon bomb over Attu and east of Adak. P-38 Lightning shoot down a Japanese balloon bomb over Attu. The balloon kill is documented in gun camera film. Afterwards, portions of the gondola are recovered from Massacre Bay.

On April 12, 1945 P-38 Lightings shoot down Japanese balloon bombs over Attu.

On April 13, 1945 twenty-seven P-38s and P-40s scramble fron Attu after radar reports of unidentified plots over the western Aleutians. The fighters manage to shoot down nine of eleven Japanese balloon bombs.

On May 5, 1945 a Japanese balloon bomb explodes in the Mitchell Recreation Area near Bly in Oregon. Six were killed including Elsie Mitchell age 26, Dick Patzke age 14, Jay Gifford age 13, Edward Engen age 13, Joan Patzke age 13 and Sherman Shoemaker age 11. This was the only place on the American continent United States (CONUS) with fatalities from enemy action during World War II.

Display
The wreckage of several Japanese balloon bombs are displayed in museum in the United States.

National Museum of the United States Air Force (USAF Museum)
The World War II section includes an exhibit Balloon Bombs: Japan's Answer To Doolittle that includes a piece of a Japanese balloon bomb, paper skin and two displays.

Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building
A Japanese balloon bomb made of paper was displayed at the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building (AIB) in Washington, DC. The balloon was recovered from Echo, Oregon on March 13, 1945. This was the 114th balloon bomb found in North America and the intact balloon was later donated to the Smithsonian Institution and later became part of the National Air & Space Museum collection.
References: Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America: Japan's World War II Assaults (1982) page 73 (no. 114), 77 (Oregon), 78 (map)
NASM Photograph (display at AIB, 1972) 72-2993

Coos Historical & Maritime Museum
Japanese Balloon Bomb Wreckage In 1978, the remains of Japanese balloon bomb were found near Agness, Oregon. The wreckage included the ballast ring, fuses and barometers. These were recovered and donated to the Coos Historical & Maritime Museum.

Edo-Tokyo Museum
Scale model of Fu-Go balloon at Edo-Tokyo Museum.

Iowa Gold Star Military Museum
Display with parts of Japanese balloon bomb recovered from a farm near Laurens, Iowa on February 2, 1945. This was the 30th balloon bomb found in North America and one of three confirmed balloon bombs that landed in Iowa. The recovered wreckage included the paper balloon envelope, rigging and apparatus. References: Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America: Japan's World War II Assaults (1982) pages 71 (no. 30), 77 (Iowa), 78 (map)

References
Technical Air Intelligence Center Report # 41 Japanese Ballon And Attached Devices, May 1945
Japan's World War II Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America (1973, 1982, 1990) by Robert C. Mikesh
Fu-go: The Curious History of Japan's Balloon Bomb Attack on America (2014) by Ross Coen
National Museum of the United States Air Force Museum - Balloon Bombs: Japan's Answer to Doolittle

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