World Battlefronts: Perfect Score

To supply its Kwantung Army in Manchuria and its growing legions in China, Japan has begun to lean more heavily upon its steel industry in Manchuria. Blast furnaces there are closer to the source of coking coal, and the finished products can be shipped overland to the armies, easing the burden on the Japs’ overtaxed, dwindling ship tonnage. Greatest of the steel works in Manchuria is at Anshan.

Last week, more than 100 B-29 Superfortresses roared out to attack Anshan, with smaller diversionary blows at Dairen, on the Kwantung Peninsula, and at Loyang and Kaifeng, in occupied China. Every plane that left the ground returned safely—adding to the evidence that the last bugs are being driven out of the giant bombers. Radioed happy General (“Hap”) Arnold to the 20th Bombardment Group: “I reserve a special pat on the back for your ground crews and all maintenance and supply crews.”