The B-29 ran over time and over budget, the USAAF had requested nearly 200 be combat ready by 1944, but they weren't. They sat in depots in Kansas and the plants in Georgia and Nebraska awaiting refits and modifications required to declare them combat ready. Notably, they had engine trouble and pressurization issues. Further complications arose in poor weather conditions that stalled their modifications (they sat in open air). After the first clutch was finally made combat ready near the middle of 44 the decision was made to deploy them to the pacific due to their unique capability with regards to high altitude long distance pressurized flight and payload (these things were the first of their kind, not at all comparable to b-17's, for example - which helps to explain the production delay....there weren't enough specialized tools, even, to complete their manufacture and modification at first). Previous deployment of other bombers was also a factor, particularly in regards to the european theater. What we had in the sky over europe was working, and we already had alot in the sky. Initially, we'd planned to use them against germany and then move them into place in China and India only after we'd defeated the Reich. We did end up sending some b-29s to europe..but they sat in the uk (and after d-day in france, by some reports..a milk run) awaiting further, theater specific modification.
The first sortie they flew on was a combat readiness test against forward bases in Thailand . We lost five, all to mechanical failures/pilot error. They were grounded for further modification to address those issues made clear in that raid. 10 days later they officially entered duty, declared as combat tested and ready. They hit steelworks on mainland japan. Initially, they were designed to have two small bays, further modification was made to the most famous b-29's (Enola Gay, Bockscar, Death and Taxes, Necessary Evil) to allow them to carry the atomic bombs.
The idea that we had them ready, or that we intended to use them against japan, or even to deliver a-bombs, for that matter...is fantastically misinformed.
The first sortie they flew on was a combat readiness test against forward bases in Thailand . We lost five, all to mechanical failures/pilot error. They were grounded for further modification to address those issues made clear in that raid. 10 days later they officially entered duty, declared as combat tested and ready. They hit steelworks on mainland japan. Initially, they were designed to have two small bays, further modification was made to the most famous b-29's (Enola Gay, Bockscar, Death and Taxes, Necessary Evil) to allow them to carry the atomic bombs.
The idea that we had them ready, or that we intended to use them against japan, or even to deliver a-bombs, for that matter...is fantastically misinformed.
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
