Changes

== Deployment ==

== Deployment ==

=== Conventional Bombing of Japan ===

=== Conventional Bombing of Japan ===

The first missions of the B-29 took place beginning in [[June 5]], [[1944]]. Here the B-29 groups tried to duplicate the results of [[daylight precision bombing]] that had produced such good results in [[Europe]]. But their results were very poor, though combat losses were minimal at first. Even when the AAF acquired bases much closer to Japan with the capture of several strategic islands in the Mariana chain, results did not improve.<ref name=NASM/><ref name=ace/><ref name=Baugher/><ref name=Lewis/>

The first missions of the B-29 took place beginning in June 5, 1944. Here the B-29 groups tried to duplicate the results of [[daylight precision bombing]] that had produced such good results in [[Europe]]. But their results were very poor, though combat losses were minimal at first. Even when the AAF acquired bases much closer to Japan with the capture of several strategic islands in the Mariana chain, results did not improve.<ref name=NASM/><ref name=ace/><ref name=Baugher/><ref name=Lewis/>

Then-[[Major General]] [[Curtis LeMay]] then gave a series of seemingly draconian orders: to strip out the guns and ammunition, ground the gunnery crews, and fly all missions at low altitudes. It was a fearsome gamble, but it paid off in increased bombing accuracy and lower casualties in men and aircraft.<ref name=Swinhart>[http://www.aviation-history.com/swinhart.htm Swinhart, Earl]. "[http://www.aviation-history.com/boeing/b29.html Boeing B-29 Superfortress]." [http://www.aviation-history.com/index.html Aviation-history.com]. Retrieved August 8, 2007.</ref>

Then-[[Major General]] [[Curtis LeMay]] then gave a series of seemingly draconian orders: to strip out the guns and ammunition, ground the gunnery crews, and fly all missions at low altitudes. It was a fearsome gamble, but it paid off in increased bombing accuracy and lower casualties in men and aircraft.<ref name=Swinhart>[http://www.aviation-history.com/swinhart.htm Swinhart, Earl]. "[http://www.aviation-history.com/boeing/b29.html Boeing B-29 Superfortress]." [http://www.aviation-history.com/index.html Aviation-history.com]. Retrieved August 8, 2007.</ref>

The 509th Composite Group, [[Colonel]] [[Paul Tibbetts]] commanding, took possession of these aircraft for the atomic attacks on [[Hiroshima]] and [[Nagasaki]]. Ten of these aircraft are known to have taken part in what became Special Missions 13 and 16 against Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively. The most famous of these, of course, was [[Enola Gay]],<ref name=Boeing1/> which dropped [[Little Boy]] on Hiroshima, and [[Bockscar]],<ref name=Boeing1/> which dropped [[Fat Man]] on Nagasaki.<ref name=NASM/><ref name=Baugher/> (The other aircraft performed weather reconnaissance, blast measurement, and strike photography duties in connection with these missions.)<ref name=wagoner>Wagoner, Sally Ann. "[http://home.att.net/~sallyann2/b29.html The B-29 Then and Now]." 2007. Retrieved August 8, 2007.</ref>

The 509th Composite Group, [[Colonel]] [[Paul Tibbetts]] commanding, took possession of these aircraft for the atomic attacks on [[Hiroshima]] and [[Nagasaki]]. Ten of these aircraft are known to have taken part in what became Special Missions 13 and 16 against Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively. The most famous of these, of course, was [[Enola Gay]],<ref name=Boeing1/> which dropped [[Little Boy]] on Hiroshima, and [[Bockscar]],<ref name=Boeing1/> which dropped [[Fat Man]] on Nagasaki.<ref name=NASM/><ref name=Baugher/> (The other aircraft performed weather reconnaissance, blast measurement, and strike photography duties in connection with these missions.)<ref name=wagoner>Wagoner, Sally Ann. "[http://home.att.net/~sallyann2/b29.html The B-29 Then and Now]." 2007. Retrieved August 8, 2007.</ref>

The destruction of Hiroshima took place on [[August 6]], [[1945]]. The Japanese did not respond to this, perhaps because the Japanese high command did not fully appreciate the magnitude of a disaster that had virtually cut off all communications from one of Japan's largest cities. Then on [[August 9]], [[1945]], came the destruction of Nagasaki. On that day the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics|Soviet Union]] formally declared war on Japan and launched an invasion of Japanese-occupied [[Manchuria]] in [[China]]. The Emperor of Japan then instructed his government to surrender unconditionally.<ref name=ace/><ref name=Swinhart/><ref name=Lewis/>

The destruction of Hiroshima took place on August 6, 1945. The Japanese did not respond to this, perhaps because the Japanese high command did not fully appreciate the magnitude of a disaster that had virtually cut off all communications from one of Japan's largest cities. Then on August 9, [945, came the destruction of Nagasaki. On that day the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics|Soviet Union]] formally declared war on Japan and launched an invasion of Japanese-occupied [[Manchuria]] in [[China]]. The Emperor of Japan then instructed his government to surrender unconditionally.<ref name=ace/><ref name=Swinhart/><ref name=Lewis/>

=== [[Strategic Air Command]] ===

=== [[Strategic Air Command]] ===