The 58th Bomb Wing

    The 58th Bombardment Operational Training Wing, Heavy (H), was activated on 1 May 1943. It was re-designated 58th Bombardment Wing, Heavy (H), in Jul 1943, and 58th Bombardment Wing, Very Heavy (VH), in Nov 1943. On 15 September, the headquarters of the 58th BW was moved to Smokey Hill Army Airfield, Salina, Kansas. The 58th initially had 5 bomb groups. The 472nd bomb group was destined to remain as an operational training unit. In January, 1944, the bomb groups each began receiving their compliment of 40 unmodifiedB29s. Some of the B-29s were ferried off to modification centers to correct design flaws. Crews were sent in from four modification centers to assist.

    The R-3350-23 engines were replaced with ‘A’ models, old type tires were replaced by new nylon tires, and new APQ-13 radar sets were installed. Numerous modifications were made to wiring, cowl flaps, propeller pistons, governors, rudders, and collector rings. The program was seriously hampered by the need to work in the open environment in inclement weather, delays in acquiring the necessary tools and support equipment, and the USAAF’s general lack of experience with the B-29 aircraft. Modifications were accomplished outdoors in February & March, during one of the worst winters in Kansas- an ordeal that became known as “The battle of Kansas.” As the B-29s were combat ready, the crews began training on them and long-range precision bombing mission.

    The bomb groups deployed to India in April, 1944, by way of Presque Isle, Maine; Gander, Newfoundland; Marrakech, Morocco; Cairo, Egypt; and Karachi, Pakistan. The headquarters of the 58th BW, together with the 40th Bomb Group, were assigned to the airfield at Chakulia, India. The headquarters was moved to Kharagpur airfield on 23 April. The dangerous consequence of having bases in China was that supplies had to be flown in over ‘the Hump’ from India, because the Japanese controlled the surrounding seas. This made using seaborne shipping an impossible solution. This single operation became the most dangerous mission of the pacific war. From June, 1944 to May, 1945, the 58th conducted aerial reconnaissance and bombardment operations from India and China against Japanese targets as transportation centers, naval installations, iron works, and aircraft manufacturing plants. 49 missions were flown in Anshan, Burma, Manchuria, Thailand, China, Japan, Malay Peninsula, Palembang, Sumatra, Indonesia and Formosa.

    The 58th Bomb Wing moved to west field, Tinian, in early 1945 and for the first time, all of the bomb groups under the wing were physically located together. The bomb groups flew over 217 missions, making daylight attacks from high altitudes on strategic targets, participating in incendiary raids on urban areas, and dropping mines in Japanese shipping lanes. After the Japanese surrendered, the 58th Bomb Wing deployed the groups, dropping food and supplies to allied prisoners of war in Japan, Korea, and Formosa. The 58th also led the air fleet in the ‘show of force’ mission over the U.S.S. Missouri during the surrender ceremony.

    Campaigns: Air Offensive Japan; Central Burma; China; Eastern Mandates, India-Burma, Palembang; Philippine liberation, Western Pacific.

    The 58th Bomb Wing moved eastward from Kansas to India & China. Almost a year later, it moved further east to Tinian and then five later, when the war end, it moved eastward to the United States. It had circumnavigated the globe, supporting eight major campaigns, helped liberate the Philippine islands, and won 12 distinguished unit citations.

    The wing returned to the U.S. in late 1945. It was deactivated on 16 October, 1948.