Saturday, May 11, 2019

Target: Tokyo

 The first B-29 raid on Tokyo was a round trip of 3,000 miles - unprecedented in aviation history at the time. The video posted below is a film of the raid produced by the War Department.  Listen closely and you might recognize the voice.  Enjoy.






Ironically, these high-atltitude raids were not successful.  Command was replaced by General Curtis Lemay.  His strategic bombing campaign hastened the destruction of Japan and the end of the war.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm in my 50s. That's the voice of the greatest president of my lifetime.

Anonymous said...

When Reagan ran for President I thought it was a joke. Same with Trump. Those two are standing head and shoulders above any others in the post WWII time frame. Trump is transforming the job in ways that all future Presidents will copy. Things such a communicating directly with the people, bi lateral trade deals, using economic power as a weapon instead of guns, and doing you damndest to keep you campain promises.

Anonymous said...

@7:42 Comparing Reagan to Trump is the single greatest insult to Reagan possible. While Reagan was serving his country in WWII, at the same age, Trump was getting STDs and dodging the draft. Trump is an old, fat coward who should be sent to the retirement home where he belongs.

Anonymous said...

11:51, not even Reagan jumpstarted the economy like Trump has. Lowest unemployment in 50 years! Did your last President or any recent before him do that? And Carter! What a joke! More minorities are working now than ever before. Did any of the last Presidents have that? Don’t think so. Reagan forced the communist USSR to crumble now Trump is leveraging other countries into paying their part for our military to defend them and making the UN countries pull their load. Neither of the Bush’s or Obama tried it. It’s about time we didn’t have a politician in office. Now, let’s get rid of the Deep State and enforce immigration laws.

Dan Hise said...

Thank you, Kingfish. This was especially meaningful to me because my father was one of the test pilots during the development of the Superfortress, flying mainly out of Eglin AFB into the midwest and back. The main problem: engines kept catching on fire. The stress level was extremely high, even for test pilots. My father's best friend and fellow test pilot had a nervous breakdown and had various levels of PTSD for the rest of his life. My father stayed in the Air Corps after the war and was killed when his C-45 crashed during a thunderstorm in 1948, so I never got to hear his stories. This film gives me a small but significant sense of that time in his life. Plus, no matter one's politics, it's always great to hear the Reagan pipes a-playing.

Justice for B-29 Crews said...

Thank you for continuing to highlight our greatest generation. My grandfather flew B-29s over Japan and was almost shutdown by flak. Bravest and best group of men our nation ever produced.

Anonymous said...

I'm with you 11:51.

At the repub convention four years before he ran Ronald Reagan made a concession speech wherein he referenced the "shining city on the hill." I was on the road watching the speech in a fleabag motel in Ozark Alabama. Somehow or the other it resonated with me and I never forgot. I could not have dreamed that he would become POTUSA and that the prosperity he brought -- and the huge sense of purpose and re-invigoration that came with CRUSHING (yeah, I said it) the soviets without a shot fired -- would change my life as it did. Changed my life and the lives of my kids and grandbabies. God bless Ronald Reagan.

As for this other guy -- I ain't saying nothing. He's not elegant. Elegance matters.

Anonymous said...

"He's not elegant". Reagan wasn't on the ballot. Neither was Jesus. The man is getting results. Unfortunately, the way he has been harassed we will have an even more difficult time getting any elegant and effective people to run in the future.

Anonymous said...

You never Trumpers need to be honest. The man is doing a very good job. I voted against Trump in the primary. I voted against Trump in the general election. But I have to be honest and admit he has been very good for the US economy.

Anonymous said...

The U.S. Navy recruiters showed up in the Civil Engineering school at MS State shortly after Pearl Harbor, and offered the students "enlistment as an officer if you stay in school and graduate". My Dad took them up on the offer. He graduated in January 1943 and by early 1944 he was a Lt. JG aboard the ARD-15 in Saipan-Tinian Island. At the age of 24 he was designing and implementing the falsework or "shoring" if you will to lift destroyers and submarines out of the water for repairs. He served there until 1946 and at the end of the war he was rather agitated as the Navy had them welding up and repairing completely junk LCI's and LST's so they could tow them back to the U.S. In the meantime, the B-29's were being pushed over the cliff and into the water on Saipan. Dad later served 28 years in the Naval Reserve and lived to be 98. I lost him just last year.

Anonymous said...

I agree with the others who say that comparing Regan to Trump is a great insult to Regan.

Anonymous said...

There are a couple good B29 sites still being maintained on the web. b-29.org has links to most of them. groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/B29-Superfortress/info has lots of REALLY detailed info on specific missions, the B29, individuals, life on Guam, etc.

Anonymous said...

My father flew B24s' in the pacific out of Fenton Field in Australia 380th bomb group 528th squadron. Flying strike, recon, and search missions.

Lost Pop in 2015. He was 96. We miss him terribly.

Anonymous said...

One correction: Trump has not been good for the economy; the economy has been good for Trump.



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.