Pilot History
Col. Richard H. Carmichael, commanding officer of the 462nd Bombardment Group. Carmichael was one of the pioneers of heavy bombers operations in the Pacific. He commanded the 19th BG in 1942 when it was the sole B-17 Group in the Southwest Pacific. Carmichael survived and spent a year in Japanese captivity.

Aircraft History
Built by Boeing. Constructor Number 4131.

Mission History
75 B-29s left China in daylight and carried out a dusk attack on Yawata. Weather and visibility were reported as fair. This bomber was lost. Hit by fire from fighters as well as 1 air-to-air bomb. The aircraft caught fire and 7 parachutes were seen.

The aircraft went into a dive and the pilot managed to level out at 2,000'. A further 3 parachutes were seen. Eight of the crew (including Carmichael) were taken POW and detained at Omori POW Camp until the end of the war. Radio operator Wallace died in the bomber.

References
Illusive Target by Richard Dunn mentions this loss.
Thanks to Daniel Leahy for additional crew information

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
October 1, 2009

B-29

MIA / POW