1944-1945 B-29s Over Japan

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This diary focuses intensely on Col. Samuel Russ Harris' life within his own 499th Bomb Group and his relationship with the 73rd Bomb Wing's operations. The first section of the book is an intimate portrait of war. To provide a context of the B-29 war against Japan, the second half of the text details how the 73rd Bomb Wing was engaged in the war against Japan. Together, the two parts provide a well-rounded portrait of America--and one American--at war.

Mike O'Connor
4.0 out of 5 stars B-29 Combat Ops from the Group CO's Perspective!
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2012
Colonel Sam Harris was the first CO of the 499th BG, commanding it from April 1944 to March 1945. Assigned to the 73rd BW, XXI Bomber Command in the Marianas, the 499th flew bombing raids over Japan beginning in November 1944. While in command of the 499th, Harris kept a diary which serves as the basis of B-29S OVER JAPAN, A GROUP COMMANDER'S DIARY, a 2011 McFarland release.

B-29S OVER JAPAN interweaves entries from Harris' diary with historical summaries of B-29 development/deployment and 73rd BW combat ops by editor Robert Mann. Since Harri's focus was on HIS Group, Mann's inserts help provide prospective and background to the basic story.

As a Group CO, Harris flew few bombing missions against Japan. Consequently, the book really focuses on the problems and challenges Harris faced in getting the 499th established and functioning as an effective B-29 bomber group. Early B-29 ops weren't successful due to incorrect tactics and B-29 technical problems. Harris' book is especially useful in revealing the problems he and other XXI BC Group COs had with their boss, General 'Possum' Hansell, in developing the B-29 as an effective bombing platform. Hansell failed to do so and was replaced by Curtis LeMay who rewrote the book on B-29 combat ops.

If you're looking for lots of 'yank-and-bank war stories,' B-29S OVER JAPAN isn't your cup of tea. Rather it's an interesting and informative inside look at how a bomber group wages war, viewed from the CO's perspective.

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www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/106830/major-general-samuel-russ-harris-jr/

MAJOR GENERAL SAMUEL RUSS HARRIS JR.

Retired August 01,1956 Died April 01,1969


Samuel Russ Harris Jr. was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., in 1902. Graduating from the U.S. Military Academy on June 12, 1926, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Air Service and assigned to Brooks Field, Texas, where he graduated from Primary flying School. He then entered the Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field, graduating in August l927.

First assigned with the Third Attack Group at Fort Crockett, Texas in 1928, General Harris was a flying instructor, a test pilot and aeronautical engineer at Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio where he served for nine years. In September 1938 he entered the Air Corps Tactical School at Maxwell Field, Ala., and upon graduation in June 1939 was named executive officer of the Army Air Forces Technical Inspection Division at Army Air Force headquarters, Washington, D.C.

Becoming director of technical services at Army Air Force headquarters in January 1942, that December General Harris was named director of air traffic and safety development there.

Moving to Clovis Field, N.M. in November 1943, the general assumed command of that field.

Going overseas in April 1944, General Harris was appointed commander of the 499th Bombardment Group on Saipan in the South Pacific where he served until March 1945. Two months later he became chief of the Aircraft Division at Orlando, Fla. In May 1946 he was named chief of flying safety at Albrook Field, Canal Zone and in June became executive officer of the Air Depot, assuming commend in April 1947.

In August 1947 General Harris entered the National War College, graduating in June 1948. He remained at the college as an instructor until July 1950 when he became acting deputy chief of staff for programs of the Air Research and Development Command at Washington, D.C. Named director of plans and programs for that command in March 1951, four months later the general was designated acting chief of staff and on Oct. 1 became chief of staff of the command, which had moved to Baltimore, Md.

Still with the Air Research and Development Command, in February 1953 the general assumed command of the Arnold Engineering Development Center, Tullahoma, Tenn.

His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star Medal. He is rated command pilot.

(Up to date as of July 1956)