Bombing of Chiba in World War II

The Bombing of Chiba in World War II (千葉空襲, Chiba kūshū^?) was part of the strategic bombing campaign waged by the United States of America against military and civilian targets and population centers during the Japan home islands campaign in the closing stages of World War II, and included two separate air raids in 1945. The second, and larger, air raid of July 6, 1945 is also referred to as the “Tanabata Air Raid”, as it occurred on the night of a traditional festival.

The city of Chiba is a seaport and population center on the eastern fringe of the Tokyo Metropolis. In terms of military significance, it is a prefectural capital and a major regional transportation hub. Its major military targets included a large steel mill operated by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and an aircraft plant operated by Hitachi Aircraft Company. The city had suffered minor damage on April 18, 1942 when it was bombed by one of the B-25 Mitchell bombers of the Doolittle Raid; however, it was bypassed during the Great Tokyo Air Raid of March 10, 1945.

On the morning of June 10, 1945, 100 B-29 Superfortress bombers attacked the Hitachi Aircraft plant in southern Chiba. This plant produced primarily training aircraft for the Imperial Japanese Navy, and aircraft engines, and was also involved in research and design work. The bombers arrived over target at 0745, bombing by radar through cloud cover. The resultant bombing killed 324 civilians in central and southern Chiba, many of whom were children at the Chiba Prefectural Women’s High School, which was totally destroyed by the attack.

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