Yontan Airfield - B-32 Dominator

B-32 Dominator

The 312th Bomb Group, 386th Bomb Squadron was the sole USAAF squadron that flew the Consolidated B-32 Dominator in combat. Following the dropping of the atomic bombs, in August 1945, the squadron was ordered to move to Okinawa from the Philippines, where the squadron flew several combat missions over Japan. These combat missions were flown in spite of a de facto cease-fire that had been called following the bombing of Nagasaki. During this time, the B-32s flew mainly photographic reconnaissance missions, most of which were unopposed. However, on August 17, a group of four B-32s flying over Tokyo were fired on by radar-directed flak and were attacked by Japanese fighters. The American aircraft escaped with only minor damage, claiming one confirmed fighter kill and two probables. During a reconnaissance mission over Tokyo on August 18, serials 42-108532 and 42-108578 were attacked by Japanese fighters. The American gunners claimed two kills and one probable, but 578 was badly shot up and one of her crew was killed with two being injured. That was to prove to be the last combat action of World War II.

The last Dominator mission of the war was flown by four B-32s on August 28 in a reconnaissance mission to Tokyo. The mission was a disaster, although not because of any enemy action. 42-108544 lost an engine on takeoff and skidded off the runway. All 13 men aboard perished when the aircraft exploded and burned. On the way back from the target, 42-108528 lost power on two of its four engines. The plane's pilot ordered the crew to bail out, but two men were killed.