Last Dogfights of WW II – The Last Victory was By Seafire or Hellcat?

Clockwise from top left: The Seafires from HMS Indefatigable launched early morning headed for Kisarazu airfield near Tokyo (Photo by Jim Koepnick/EAA); Although the Japanese forces were nearly eliminated, they still managed to put a number of fighters—including Zeros and J2M3 Raidens—into the air (Photo by Brian Silcox); Hellcats from the USS Yorktown rendezvoused with Corsairs from the USS Shangri-La and USS Wasp to hit Tokahusi and Atausgi airfields north of Tokyo. (Photo by Paul Bowen)

364

High above the Japanese homeland at 3:40 in the morning of August 15th, 1945, 134 B-29s from the 315th Bomb Wing were making their way home. Their target had been the Nippon Oil Company Refinery at Tsuchizaki. Below them lay two cities devastated by the world’s first two atomic bomb attacks. Other cities fared no better. Incendiary attacks had burned out 40 percent of the built-up urban areas in 66 cities, resulting in the destruction...

PARDON THE INTERRUPTION

You need to be a Flight Journal Digital Member to see the full article
Already a Member?

Purchase Options

membership

All the stories featured in Flight Journal are as unique and varied as the airplanes and warriors who flew them. From popular warbirds like the P-51 Mustang and Me 109 to the Lockheed SR-71 and futuristic hypersonic fighters, we cover the whole spectrum of aviation. We’ve heard from countless readers over the years about how much they enjoy the compelling stories and beautiful photography.