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  B-29-15-BW "Calamity Sue" Serial Number 42-6334  
USAAF
20th AF
468th BG
794th BS

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N. Kenichi 1944
Pilot  Captain Ornell J. Stauffer, O-428386 (MIA / KIA) Berne, IN
Co-Pilot  1st Lt. Jimmie Wine, O-750751 (MIA / KIA) Moniter, Washington
Navigator  2nd Lt. Irving S. Newman, O-686122 (POW, survived) Dorchester, MA
Bombardier  2nd Lt. Ben R. Bloom, O-739536 (KIA) La Junta, CO
Engineer  2nd Lt. Charles Austin Shott, O-682156 (POW, survived) Huntington Park, CA
Radio  TSgt Walter A. Dansby, 15099518 (POW, survived) Amberstdale, WV
Radar  Sgt Raymond J. Keelan , 3367106 (MIA / KIA) Philadelphia, PA
Right Gunner  SSgt Michael J. Karlovich, 12204196 (MIA / KIA) Windsor, MO
Senior Gunner  SSgt Clinton A. Martin, 34054497 (MIA / KIA) Jefferson, GA
Left Gunner  SSgt James A. O'Brien, 35371241 (MIA / KIA) Indianapolis, IN
Tail Gunner  TSgt Robert W. Bonner, 13027041 (MIA / KIA) Summit Hill, PA
Crashed  August 20, 1944
MACR  9685

Aircraft History
Built by Boeing. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-29-10-BW Superfortress serial number 42-6334. Flown overseas to China.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 20th Air Force, 468th Bombardment Group, 794th Bombardment Squadron. Nicknamed "Calamity Sue". When lost, weapon and engine serial numbers not noted in Missing Air Crew Report 9685 (MACR 9685).

Mission History
On August 20, 1944 took off from Pengshan Airfield in China piloted by Captain Ornell J. Stauffer on a bombing mission against Yawata Steel Works on Kyūshū Island in Japan. Over the target, this bomber was flying in the no. 4 position of a four bomber diamond formation.

On the bomb run while releasing their bombs, Ki-45 Nick piloted by Sgt Shigeo Nobe rammed the lead bomber, B-29 "Gertrude C" 42-6334 head on. A piece of wreckage struck the tail stabilizer of this bomber shearing it off and causing the bomber to enter a spin and crash. Nobe's attack was the first deliberate ramming of B-29s over Japan.

Fates of the Crew
Three of the crew: Newman, Shott and Dansby bailed out of the nose wheel door. After landing, all three were captured by the Japanese and detained as Prisoners Of War (POW). Newman and Shott were liberated from Omori POW Camp near Tokyo. Austin was liberated from Tokyo POW Camp (Shinjuku).

Dansby passed away on March 17, 1999.

Newman passed away on April 3, 2003.

Shott passed away on November 10, 2003 [read obituary].

Memorials
Wine is buried at Honolulu Cemetery (Punchbowl) at section C site 337. Details on the other crew members is unknown.

Afterwards, Japanese war artist Nakamura Kenichi painted "Sgt Nobe rams and downs two B-29s over Kyushu" depicting this ramming incident.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-29-10-BW Superfortress 42-6334
"6334 (468th BG, 794th BS) rammed by enemy Ki-45 fighter and crashed Yawata Kyoto, Japan Aug 20, 1944. All 12 crew KIA."
Missing Air Crew Report 9685 (MACR 9685) created after the loss no date of report listed
B-29 Hunters of the JAAF pages 14-18
Pacific Air Combat WWII pages 67-70, 72 (photo)
NARA Prisoners of War Data File - Walter A. Dansby
NARA Prisoners of War Data File - Irving S. Newman
NARA Prisoners of War Data File - Charles Austin Shott

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Last Updated
February 18, 2020

 

Tech Info
B-29

POW / MIA
MIA / POW
7 Missing
3 Prisoners
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