Allied Air Superiority
American planes owned Japan’s skies by 1945. Fewer than 500 operational fighters faced overwhelming B-29 bomber fleets. Raid after raid struck with impunity, sometimes meeting no opposition whatsoever. Over 60 cities suffered devastating firebombings. Osaka lost 25% of its buildings in a single night. Citizens lived in constant terror of air raid sirens. Underground shelters offered little protection against incendiary attacks. Some American crews reported feeling boredom during missions—the ultimate insult to Japan’s once-proud air defenses.
