General Orders 1946 - Fort Benning

the Akajima Aircraft Company's important Otx nlant, a factory producing 40
percent of Jilwnese army tighter airplanes, every member of the group coneen-
trated his professionnl skill and technical knowledge in the preparation and plan-
ning of the mission. Ground crews, with exemplary esprit de corps, redoubled
their efforts in order that their B-29's would be in the best possible condition to
make the long hazardous flight. Every effort of the group was directed toward
making this trip, their second strike against the Japanese Empire, a complete
success. On 10 February 1946, 21 aircraft, heavily loaded with high explosive
bombs, took off on a difieult 1,500-mile flight over enemy-controlled open sea
through treacherous tropical rvrathrr conditions to their target. Ever pesent
was the constant threat of nossible mechanical failure and subseauent ditchine
many miles at sea, with no adequate rescue patrol yet established. No emergency
base mas available for battle-damaged or distressed aircraft anywhere along the
1,500-mile return to base, past many enemy earrimus uf unknowrr strength aud
capabilities. The difficulty of navigatiorr over the great expanse of ocean with
innde