Warbird Information Exchange

Hi all,

A few pics taken by a local former RAAF airman based on Morotai of a USAAF B-29 visiting the Australian base during mid 1945 have just passed by my way.

Not being any sort of authority on the USAAF I have not got the faintest idea of the aircraft's unit or probable home base. Can any of you guys please I.D the unit?



[img=http://thumb10.webshots.net/t/22/23/3/73/75/2242373750060181770VWJerN_th.jpg]


Cheers

Browny

Howdy Browny

I have the answer for you

The "M" symbol on the tail represented the 19th Bomb Group, 314th Bomb Wing of the 20th Air Force.
As you may know Browny, the 19th Bomb Group originally flew
B-17s, B24s, and LB-30s from Australia, after the fall of the Philippines and Dutch East Indies.
The 19th BG would return to the U.S in October 1942, and later be equipped with the B-29s. The 19th BG along with the 29th BG, 39th BG and 330th BG were assigned to 314th BW under the XX AF (20th AF).

29th BG had tail symbol "O"
39th BG had tail symbol "P"
330th BG had tail symbol "K"

Hope this is of interest

Keep Em Flying

Lightning

Note the painted letter "M" and the number "1" on the engine cowling.
As mentioned before, the "M" represents the 19th BG, while the number "1" would represent the Bomb Squadron.
19th BG had the following Bomb Squadrons assigned under it

28th BS (1-20)
30th BS (21-40)
93rd BS (41-60)

I would say that the art work on the left side of the nose, is that of the Unit insignia's.

Keep Em Flying

Lightning

I just realised that I just made a slight mistake, silly me!
The 30th BS should read the 32nd BS

One of the Symbols in the artwork (the upper one in the centre) is the 19th BG Insignia (early style insignia of the 19thBG)
A Yellow sword with wings in the centre of a blue shield. The wording on the bottom crest should read " IN AUS VINCIMUS ". I think this may be the 19th BG motto " CHECKMATE TO AGGRESSION ".

Look forward to hearing from any other members on this

Keep Em Flying

Lightning

The lack of sleep has made my thinking process fail

Im positive that it was originally the 30th BS and not the 32nd BS

Lightning has left the building !
Im off to bed !

Keep Em Flying

Lightning

my dad was an infantry rifle company commander on morotai. was part of the initial invasion, & clearing & mopping up of the japanese their for a number of months. he then protected the airbase perimeter from japanese attacks till he moved to mindanoa. i've done extensive reading on morotai, & was not aware that b-29s operated out of their!!! is this for certain??? i know b-24s operated out of their for sure, as well as numerous fighter groups & even some navy planes.

_________________
tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

One more post before sleepy time !

This B-29 was operating from Guam with the rest of 314th BW, but was probably just stopping by during training and promotional tours etc
I have seen information and photo's of B-29s stopping over in New Guinea Bases aswell as Australia.

Lightning