The History of the Twentieth Century 436 Too Good to Be True
Feb 22, 2026
Rapid B-29 development and its costly delays reshape Allied bombing plans. Bold Mariana landings aim to put heavy bombers within reach of Japan. New fighters like the Hellcat flip air superiority against the Zero. A decisive carrier clash in the Philippine Sea produces massive Japanese losses and dramatic naval actions.
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Arnold Ran China B-29s Directly From Washington
- Hap Arnold based the 20th Air Force in China and commanded it directly from Washington to ensure B-29s bombed Japan only.
- Nearly 400,000 mostly conscripted Chinese laborers hand-built four airfields around Chengdu by May 1944.
Himalayan Supply Flights Bottlenecked China Raids
- Supplying Chinese B-29 bases required modified B-29s and transport planes to fly fuel and bombs over the Himalayas.
- These perilous 'over the hump' flights were slow, weather-prone, and limited each bomber's combat sortie capability.
Marianas Offered Game Changing B-29 Reach
- Admiral Nimitz pushed for seizing the Marianas because B-29s there could strike most of Japan and be resupplied by ship from the U.S.
- This made Marianas far more strategically valuable than the Carolines for strategic bombing.