BRADEN, David (b. 1924) | Oral History

BRADEN, David (b. 1924)

Oral Histories

His experiences as a navigator/radar bombardier aboard B-29s flying bombing missions from Saipan to Japan, 1945.
Date of Interview: October 8, 1994

More Info

Architect. His impressions of General Curtis LeMay in the Pacific Theater during World War II. His assignment to Saipan, Mariana Islands, for bombing operations against the Japanese homeland, December, 1944; failures of the 58th Bomb Wing in the CBI; failure of attempts to bomb Japan from bases in China; LeMay’s arrival in the Marianas and changes in bombing techniques; the thirty-five mission limitation and improvement in aircrew morale; his functions as a B-29 navigator; LeMay’s decision to conduct incendiary night raids at 5,000 feet; strategic importance of Iwo Jima for bomber crews; his assessment of how LeMay’s policies made a decided difference in ending the war.
Date of Interview: February 4, 2005

More Info