Japan Never Expected B29s with Napalm to Create a 15.8 Square Mile Inferno...
On March 9, 1945, General Curtis LeMay orchestrated a devastating raid over Tokyo using B29 Superfortresses loaded with M69 incendiary bomblets. These bombers, each capable of carrying 20,000 pounds, ignited a firestorm that consumed 15.8 square miles, leaving over 100,000 lost. This transformation from precision bombing to area bombardment marked a turning point in aerial warfare. The engineered damage of the city showcased the terrifying power of industrial warfare and changed military strategy forever.