Combat Crew Manual
XX Bomber Command, APO 493

From the Foreword by Major General Curtis E. LeMay:

"The success of the development of the B-29 is an outstanding example of the technical leadership and resourcefulness which is the American way of doing things. It typifies the energies of a nation that is willing to work and work hard, to learn, and to improve. The industry and resources of a great nation went into the development of the B-29. Without the foresight, experimentation, and study of many people the present operation of the B-29 would not have been possible.

"You are charged with the responsibility of operating the B-29 in combat and of perfecting its employment to the highest degree. It is imperative that you be alert, conscientious, and learn by intensive training all you can about the operating of your airplane in the Asiatic Theatres.

"This manual was prepared from many sources for your use. Study it. The material has been gathered to help improve the combat efficiency of both new and old crews, to serve as a reference, and to orient you not only in your job but in the job of others who work to help you put more bombs on the target. Nowhere in the conduct of warfare does study yield such direct and large returns as it does in aerial warfare; yet, nowhere is the standard so exacting as that of high altitude precision bombing. It is felt this training manual will contribute toward the goal of "MORE BOMBS ON THE TARGET" with minimum of loss to our forces."

Authors:

• none listed

Published:

• December 1944

Categories:

• B-29
• Bombardment
• Training
• Twentieth Air Force
• Aircraft
• Aircraft, Bomber

Locations:

• Pacific Theater

Contributors:

• John Turanin

Repositories:

• Private Collection

Related Items:

• 000200: Actual Shadow, The
  2nd Bomb Division, 8th Air Force

Direct Link (Item 000467):

• https://aafcollection.info/items/list.php?item=000467

Citation:

• Army Air Forces Collection, "Combat Crew Manual: XX Bomber Command, APO 493" (item 000467), AAF Collection, https://AAFCollection.info/items/list.php?item=000467 (accessed 25 April 2024).

Added: August 30, 2013

	Combat crew training manual produced by the 20th Bomber Command. It is primarily concerned with the B-29 Superfortress and bombing targets in Japan. This is the entire document, including the sections detailed below. 27.2Mb 208 pages; PDF (.pdf) Original item: Book Resolution: 100 dpi Quality: 70%
	Table of contents and front matter.
	Training. Includes before and after photographs of bomb targets.
	Planning the Mission.
	The Airplane Commander. Discusses takeoff, flight, and landing. Also briefly mentions India and China bases, the "Hump," and weather.
	The Flight Engineer. Discusses loading, and fuel mixture, consumption and transfer.
	Radar. Discusses radar navigation and bombing, and radar operator's checklist.
	Combat Navigation. Discusses the navigator and the crew, standard procedures, radio and radar aids, weather, and a navigator's checklist.
	Combat Bombing. Discusses problems for the lead bombardier, bombardiers flying in a wing, and a bombardier's checklist.
	Radio Procedure. Discusses radio equipment, ground radio facilities, operating procedures, phonetic alphabet and phrases, "Q" signals, visual signaling equipment, and Aldis lamp signals.
	Combat Gunnery. Discusses care of equipment in Asiatic operations, headspacing, timing, gunner's checklist, operating procedures, sighting, firing, length of bursts, and enemy tactics.
	Intelligence. Discusses theatre orientation maps, Japan, Japanese Air Forces, Japanese fighter aircraft (silhouette identification), Japanese fighter tactics against B-29s, Japanese anti-aircraft artillery, jungle survival, ocean survival, air/sea rescue. Describes operation of a "Gibson Girl" portable radio transmitter SCR 578A. Discusses escape and evasion, occupied and unoccupied China, security, and terrain and target identification.
	Flying Equipment. Discusses the oxygen system and equipment, combat crew personal equipment checklist, cold weather clothing, life preserver vest, flak suits and helmets, first aid kits, parachutes, and ditching equipment.
	Emergency Procedures. Discusses bailouts, high-altitude jumps, crash landings, ditching, crew procedures, and escape from the plane.
	Weather. Discusses weather patterns for India, the "Hump," China, Manchuria, Japan, Formosa, Southern China, and the Philippine Islands. Includes typical weather maps.
	Medical Aspects of Combat. Discusses the physiology of high-altitude flying, including anoxia, pressure, first aid, and physical fitness.