The bombing of Chiba (千葉空襲, Chiba kūshū) was part of the strategic bombing air raids on Japan 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 the Pacific War,[1] and included two separate air raids in 1945.
The city of Chiba is a seaport and population center on the eastern fringe of the Tokyo Metropolis.
On the morning of June 10, 1945, 100 B-29 Superfortress bombers attacked the Hitachi Aircraft plant in southern Chiba.
Five aircraft were forced back, but the remaining 124 aircraft arrived over Chiba at 0139 hours and commenced a firebombing attack with 889 tons of E-46 230 kilograms (500 lb) incendiary cluster bombs and 230 kilograms (500 lb) T4E4 fragmentation cluster bombs on the central part of the city from an altitude of 3,000 to 3,500 metres (9,900 to 11,500 ft), lasting until 0305 hours.
The B-29 bombers returned to the Mariana Islands without damage or loss, although 14 aircraft were forced to divert to Iwo Jima due to mechanical problems.