April 7th 1945 - 7th AAF 1st VLR mission to Japan paper items

[Waltz41]

On this date in 1945, the USAAF 7th Fighter Command launched 100+ P-51's for the first mission of land based fighters over mainland Japan. The mission was a B-29 escort that were on their way to bomb an aircraft plant in Tokyo. 50 more VLR missions were flown between this date and August 14, 1945.

 

Here are a few paper items from my collection:

 

First, the 15th and 21st Fighter Groups were the P-51 units taking part in the very first VLR mission. This is a pretty neat booklet sent out most likely post war to members of the 78th Fighter Squadron, which highlights the April 7th mission, but also details some of their exploits during the course of those months that followed.

 

[Waltz41]

Map showing their flight

 

Pilots of the squadron who flew that mission

 

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Mission Details

 

78th facts and figures from the war

[Waltz41]

This was part of another grouping that I have.

Here's a daily report from 7th FC headquarters on the daily activities of April 7th on Iwo.

 

 

[Waltz41]

And from another grouping, a great little certificate of 'thanks and appreciation' from Brigadier General 'Mickey' Moore of the 7th FC, highlighting all the 'Firsts' of the 7th, including the April 7th mission

 

 

[Waltz41]

If you were a pilot who flew one of these sometimes 8 hour missions, you were now a member of the 'Tokyo Club'.

Great just post war booklet that has a listing of all the pilots of each of the 9 squadrons that participated in the VLR missions.

 

[Waltz41]

 

 

[Waltz41]

Pretty neat ad for a ring you could buy!

[JDK]

I would love to find one of those rings! Great paperwork items!

 

JD

[Waltz41]

I would love to find one of those rings! Great paperwork items!

 

JD

You and me both! Talk about a needle in a haystack most likely!!!

[doinworkinvans]

There is a great interview with Robert G/A/R/E/Y from the 45th FS on the LOC website. Theres 6 parts and the last one is photos of his scrap book. He was from NC originally and passed just last year in Florence SC. Spoke to him once and spoke to his wife just recently. Great people. That interview is really good, but lengthy.

 

If you look at that roster sheet of the 45th you will see his name.

[38Driver]

Surprised I missed this first time around. You really are pulling together a serious Iwo 51 collection Brian

 

Thanks for sharing this stuff!

[Waltz41]

There is a great interview with Robert G/A/R/E/Y from the 45th FS on the LOC website. Theres 6 parts and the last one is photos of his scrap book. He was from NC originally and passed just last year in Florence SC. Spoke to him once and spoke to his wife just recently. Great people. That interview is really good, but lengthy.

 

If you look at that roster sheet of the 45th you will see his name.

 

Whoa, that is awesome. Just found it, thanks so much. I see 8 parts, but I did check out the last one, and yes, that is great....I am hoping for some pictures I have never seen before. I am working on updating and completing a full list of P-51's from the 3 VLR FG's, maybe I'll get lucky and be able to add one or two to the list. Can't wait to watch the whole thing, downloading now! Appreciate the heads up!

 

And yes, he is the 13th pilot listed in the 45th squadron page......from Forest Hills, Wilmington, NC.

[Waltz41]

Surprised I missed this first time around. You really are pulling together a serious Iwo 51 collection Brian

 

Thanks for sharing this stuff!

 

Thanks! Yep, that is the goal

 

I have a lot more to add, just got to find time to scan and post!!

[Waltz41]

Here's another neat item......this is an original pilot map for the mission on July 14th, along with notes on the weather for the mission. There are some hand written notes in pen on the side of the front side of the map...they appear to be maybe the bomber tail codes? Note the 'callsigns' on the map as well, which are most likely the Navy rescue planes and submarines. These are from Ed Linfante, of the 462nd FS, 506th FG.

 

[Waltz41]

Other side....two glossy, hard card stock type pages stapled together, back to back

[Waltz41]

[38Driver]

Saw this image on Facebook today. Seems appropriate

[Waltz41]

Since seeing that 457th FS jacket grouping go, I have been looking at my 7th FC stuff lately. Thought I would add some more here!

 

Here's a letter from 7th FC headquarters on what the Japanese are saying about facing the P-51.

 

 

 

[Waltz41]

[Waltz41]

One of my favorite pieces is an original 7th Fighter Command Notes book. This was compiled as a resource for pilots, and also as a log of missions, with notes on flak, enemy aircraft, rescues and ditches, survival equipment, and much more. There were two volumes, I have only a copy of the second one.

 

 

 

[Waltz41]

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