USAAF
20th AF
73rd BW
870th BS
Pilot 1st Lt. Walter McDonnell (KIA)
Crew S/Sgt Vere D. Carpenter (POW)
Tail Gunner Sgt Olinto F. Lodovici (POW, survived) Monongahela, PA
Crashed January 27,
1945
Mission History
This B-29 took off from the Marianas to bomb Nakajima Aircraft Factory in Musashino, a western suburb of Tokyo. Poor weather, intense flak and fighters attack the formation. This B-29 was hit by flak and fighters and fell behind in the formation with its bomb bay on fire. It was then shot down by fighters, including Ki-45 Nick 4067, which attacked below it to hit the bomber with its oblique 20mm cannons. The B-29 crashed Ishino, Shisui Town, Inba County, Chiba Prefecture.
Two Crew Survive as POWs
Two of the crew bailed out, were captured and were interned at Omori POW camp, and survived the war.
Relatives
Dennis Lodovici (son of Olinto F. Lodovic)
"My father was one of five brothers that all served in the military during WW2. I know he had pictures of the aircraft and members of his crew, also he was a tail gunner. After spending 30 yrs in the Air Force he retired and lived in Victoria Kansas and is buried there."
References
B-29 Hunters of the JAAF page 72-73 covers this mission and losses.
B-29
