Aircraft History
Built by Bell-Atlanta. Assigned to the 497th Bombardment Group, 870th Bombardment Squadron. Nicknamed "Were Wolfe".

Mission History
On January 27, 1945 took off from Saipan on a bombing mission against the Nakajima Aircraft Factory (Musachino Aircraft Engine Factory) in Musashino west of Tokyo. Poor weather, intense flak and fighters attack the formation. This bomber claimed a fighter shot down. Between Hamamatsu and Kofu this B-29 was shot down by J1N1 Irving, causing it to explode and brake into two piece after being hit in the bomb bay. Crashed near Shbazoe-Dogenji, Fujinomiya City.

POW Fates
Although no survivors were observed by the other B-29s, seven did bailed out, but three had parachute malfunctions, four landed and were captured and sent to Tokyo. Sgt Myhra died of his burn wounds on February 10th in Saitama Prefecture Army hospital. The other three died when their Army POW prison at Shibuya was hit on May 26, 1945 by a B-29 fire bombing attack.

Memorials
Postwar Lowe is buried plot Q, row O, grave 1007 at Honolulu Cemetery (Punchbowl). Hahn, Edman and Redinger were officially declared dead on May 26 and is listed on the tablets of the missing at Honolulu Cemetery (Punchbowl)

References
Missing Air Crew Report 11620 (MACR 11620)
Note, some sources list the nickname of this B-29 as "Werewolf", MACR lists as "Were Wolfe"
B-29 Hunters of the JAAF page 72-73 covers this mission and losses.
Thanks to Tom Britton for additional information

Last Updated
March 20, 2022