Officially, 34 B-29s were lost during the Korean War: 16 were destroyed by fighter aircraft, 14 by other causes, and four by anti-aircraft weapons.
The B-29 bombers performed 21,000 missions, dropped 167,000 tons of bombs, and only took 26 days off from combat throughout the conflict.
On the other hand, the gunners of the B-29 claimed to have shot down 27 enemy aircraft, 16 of which were MiG-15s, in addition to possibly shooting down another 17 and damaging 11 MiG-15s.
The following is a list of known 80 B-29 lost in Korea using the KORWALD Report and Robert A. Mann material:
| Serial NO | Date | Unit | Cause | Aircraft name | Comment |
|---|
Serial NO | Date | Unit | Cause | Aircraft name | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42-65306 | 1951-10-02 | FE/ 19BG/ 28BS | Operational loss | The Outlaw | Crashed on takeoff for test flight at Kadena AFB, Okinawa. One of four planes flying first B-29 mission of Korean Conflict June 27, 1950 |
| 42-65353 | 1950-10-05 | SAC/ 98BW | Operational loss | Unnamed | Engine fire, crew abandoned 10 miles west of Wakamatsu. |
| 42-65357 | 1953-01-29 | FE/ 19BG/ 28BS | Combat loss | Double or Nothin’ | Last B-29 of Korean Conflict shot down over Korea. Lost at Mong Yang. Downed by MiGs at night 10-12 mi S of Pyongyang (18 mi E of Sariwon). Plane originally was Shady Lady of 98BG. Damaged in June 1951, returned to U.S. for overhaul, sent back to 19BG. |
| 42-65369 | 1951-04-06 | FE/ 19BG/ 93BS | Operational loss | Black Sheep | Crashed, burned off runway at Kadena, Okinawa. Gear failed. |
| 42-93974 | 1952-11-09 | SAC/ 98BW/ 343BS | Combat loss | Bigham | Night leaflet dropping mission, hit by AAA near Chongju, crew bailed out over Paengnyongdo, SAR effort conducted |
| 42-94045 | 1951-10-23 | SAC/ 307BW/ 371BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Shot down by Lt. Col Aleksandr P. Smorchkov at Namsi, North Korea at 0920L, last seen in a tight spiral, 3rd ARSq SA-16 Dumbos participated in SAR effort, a total of approx 233 SAR missions flown, surface vessels impeded by rough seas |
| 42-94072 | 1950-09-08 | SAC/ 307BW/ 371BS | Operational loss | Unnamed | Crashed into East China Sea 5 mi off Okinawa in 200 ft of water, extensive SAR effort conducted |
| 44-27262 | 1953-01-23 | SAC/ 307BG | Unknown | Unnamed | Crashed near Tom-Ni, North Korea, 10 crew members bailed out successfully |
| 44-27288 | 1950-09-10 | FE/ 19BG/ 28BS | Combat loss | Atomic Tom | Major battle damage |
| 44-27326 | 1951-09-13 | SAC/ 98BW | Operational loss | United Notions | Crashed into mountain near Taeam-dong, approx 3.5 mi NE of K-2 (Taegu) |
| 44-27332 | Unknown | SAC/ 92BW | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 44-61617 | 1950-10-26 | SAC/ 92BG/ 327BS | Unknown | Nipp-on-Nees | Loss due to unknown causes |
| 44-61656 | 1951-10-22 | FE/ 19BG/ 30BS | Combat loss | Cream of the Crop | Shot down by Lt. Col Aleksandr P. Smorchkov at 1517L. No. 1 engine and hydraulic system knocked out. Crew bailed out over Yellow Sea, 3rd ARS rescue, all rescued. |
| 44-61693 | 1952-05-05 | FE/ 19BG/ 30BS | Unknown | Unnamed | Circumstances unknown. |
| 44-61749 | 1951-12-13 | FE/ 19BG/ 30BS | Operational loss | Southern Comfort | Operational loss, not due to enemy action, salvaged at Itazuke. |
| 44-61751 | 1952-10-31 | FE/ 19BG/ 93BS | Operational loss | Lubricating Lady | Ditched nine miles northwest of Kadena, Okinawa in North China Sea during a typhoon. Symbolically, the Halloween ditching occurred at 11:59 PM. Extensive SAR effort, three survivors |
| 44-61776 | 1952-04-01 | SAC/ 98BW/ 343BS | Operational loss | Lost Nr. 1 & 4 engines enroute to secondary target, successful bail-out approx. 3 mi N of Kansong. | |
| 44-61802 | 1953-01-10 | SAC/ 307BW/ 372BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | MiG damage in Yalu area, crew bailed out, aircraft may have crashed into water |
| 44-61810 | 1952-06-13 | SAC/ 555SRW | Combat loss | Ichiban | Shot down near Hokkaido Island by Soviet pilots Fedotov and Proskurin. |
| 44-61813 | 1950-11-09 | FE/ 55SRW/ 91SRS | Combat loss | Over Exposed | The F-13A, on a recon mission over Sinuiju, became the first B-29 to encounter MIG’s. Damaged by gunfire, 813 crashed just short of Johnson AB, Japan as a result of attack. |
| 44-61815 | 1952-10-07 | SAC/ 5RCN/ 91SRS | Combat loss | Moon’s Moonbeam/ Diajobu | Shot down on Ferret mission off Kurile islands by Russian LA-11. |
| 44-61835 | 1952-10-31 | FE/ 19BG/ 30BS | Operational loss | Dragon Lady | Exploded, crashed 15 minutes after takeoff from Kadena.. No. 3 engine on fire, right wing blown off, crashed 40 mi N of Kadena AB (Izena-shima) |
| 44-61867 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 44-61872 | 1952-04-22 | SAC/ 98BW | Combat loss | Ace in the Hole | Damaged by AAA during raid against Sinanju, crash landed at K-14. KORWALD |
| 44-61908 | 1952-02-01 | SAC/ 307BW | Operational loss | Unnamed | Mid-air collision with 44-86392, crashed into the sea 5 mi off Bolo Point, Okinawa, SAR effort negative |
| 44-61923 | 1950-07-13 | SAC/ 92BW/ 325BS | Operational loss | Hoxie’s Hoax | Tail code Circle W. Bomb salvo explosion, crashed near Dogo Island, Japan. Five crewmembers successfully bailed out and were rescued |
| 44-61932 | 1952-10-24 | SAC/ 98BW/ 343BS | Combat loss | Our Girl | Shot down over Wonsan Harbor by Lt. Col Aleksandr P. Smorchkov. Crew bailed out over Wonsan Harbor near Tri-yom-do, US Navy aircraft flew RESCAP over the crew, small craft and destroyers rescued seven members of the 11-man crew |
| 44-61940 | 1951-10-23 | SAC/ 307BW/ 372BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Damaged by MiGs near Namsi airfield, crashed 6 mi off coast of Chinnampo, 3rd ARSq SA-16 Dumbos participated in SAR effort, a total of approx 233 SAR missions flown, surface vessels impeded by rough seas |
| 44-61967 | 1952-06-10 | FE/ 19BG/ 30BS | Combat loss | Miss Jackie the Rebel | Reported hit by flak near bridge at Kwakson, North Korea, last contact at 101315Z. Evidence indicates MIG shootdown of the damaged plane. |
| 44-62011 | 1952-12-30 | FE/ 19BG/ 28BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Shot down by MiGs (night fighters) 25 miles north of Pyongyang. |
| 44-62071 | 1950-10-27 | FE/ 19BG/ 30BS | Operational loss | Not Known If Named. | Crash landed at K-14, Kimpo Air Base, Seoul. Salvaged. |
| 44-62073 | 1952-11-08 | SAC/ 307BW/ 370BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Shot down on night bombing mission |
| 44-62083 | 1952-01-31 | SAC/ 307BW/ 372BS | Operational loss | Unnamed | Departed Kadena AB on routine combat mission, last contact at 302154L 100 mi N. of Kadena AB. Circumstances unknown. |
| 44-62084 | 1950-09-09 | SAC/ 92BG/ 325BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Hit by AAA, exploded in mid-air near Wolbong-ni, 5 parachutes cleared the aircraft |
| 44-62102 | 1952-11-19 | SAC/ 98BW | Combat loss | "Wright's Delight" | Shot down Cho-Do Island, North Korea |
| 44-62108 | 1951-04-10 | SAC/ 98BW/ 343BS | Operational loss | Myakinas | Night intruder mission against Sinanju/Kunu-ri, two engines out, crash landed at Taegu AB, total loss due to battle damage |
| 44-62111 | 1951-12-18 | SAC/ 92BW | Unknown | Unnamed | Tail code Circle. Surveyed at Yokota for unknown reason. |
| 44-62152 | 1950-11-15 | FE/ 19BG/ 93BS | Operational loss | Stateside Reject | Crashed on takeoff from Kadena, surveyed 12/19/50. |
| 44-62166 | 1952-07-22 | FE/ 19BG/ 93BS | Operational loss | Fujigmo | On test flight eyewitness reports “...they shut down #1 engine inflight ... copilot was making the landing, came in high and hot and AC took control too late. Got behind the power curve on three engines, and airplane did a slow banking turn into the weak side and cartwheeled in the infield. Luckily there were survivors.”. Crashed NE of Ocho-o, South Korea (midway between K-3 and K-18) |
| 44-62167 | 1952-08-30 | SAC/ 98BW/ 344BS | Operational loss | Bust in the Blue | Missed approach, attempted to go around, crashed 4 mi NE of Taegu(K-2), SK near village of Sangdaegok-tong |
| 44-62183 | 1952-06-10 | FE/ 19BG/ 28BS | Combat loss | Hot to Go | Night msn, downed by MiG using rockets, exploded in mid-air near Kwaksan, NK. Karelin Soviet pilot. |
| 44-62211 | Unknown | SAC/ 92BW | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 44-62217 | 1953-01-13 | SAC/ 55SRW/ 91SRS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Shot down by Dobrovichan during leaflet drop mission, Mayday at 122316L |
| 44-62252 | 1951-04-12 | SAC/ 307BW/ 371BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Tail section damaged by MiGs while attacking Sinuiju RR bridge across Yalu, crashed into hill near Suwon (10 mi S of Seoul). Salvaged 5/14/52 |
| 44-62279 | 1950-10-19 | SAC/ 22BG/ 33BS | Operational loss | Unnamed | Engine fire on takeoff, crashed in sea. |
| 44-69682 | 1951-04-12 | FE/ 19BG/ 93BS | Combat loss | Atomic Tom | Attacked by MIGs. No. 2 engine and then entire wing caught fire, exploded, crashed into mountain, tail gunner of B-29 6323 observed crash, no parachutes observedsurveyed 5/14/51. Tom was one of four planes flying first B-29 mission of Korean Conflict June 27, 1950. |
| 44-69802 | 1952-09-13 | FE/ 19BG/ 28BS | Operational loss | Bait Me? | Iced up, stalled and crashed 21 miles southwest of Kangnung, South Korea( near Hyolchon-ni). 11KIA, three survivors. |
| 44-69803 | 1952-02-28 | SAC/ 98BW/ 344BS | Operational loss | Loaded ’Leven | Engine problems, most of crew bailed out in extreme NE corner of the Punchbowl, VMO-6 SAR effort |
| 44-69817 | 1951-05-02 | FE/ 19BG/ 28BS | Operational loss | Hot to Go (2nd) | Ramp accident 2/5/51. Surveyed this date. |
| 44-69818 | 1953-07-07 | FE/ 19BG/ 28BS | Operational loss | Star Duster, Originally Rough Roman | On tactical mission, poor weather at recovery airfields, low on fuel, crashed during landing approach at K-3 (Pohang) |
| 44-69866 | 1950-07-12 | FE/ 19BG/ 28BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Damaged by three Yak-9s near Seoul, engine fire, crew bailed out at 1520L |
| 44-70042 | 1951-12-18 | FE/ 19BG/ 28BS | Unknown | Lemon Drop Kid | Circumstances unknown |
| 44-70151 | 1951-10-23 | SAC/ 307BW/ 370BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Shot up by D’Yachenko at Namsi Airfield, crew bailed out in Chinnampo/Inchon area (Yellow Sea), 3rd ARSq SA-16 Dumbos participated in SAR effort, approx 233 SAR missions flown, surface vessels impeded by rough seas |
| 44-86247 | 1952-11-18 | SAC/ 98BW/ 344BS | Operational loss | M P I | Crashed on takeoff at Yokota. Crew survived, eleven firefighters killed. |
| 44-86256 | 1950-10-17 | SAC/ 22BG/ 717BS | Unknown | Unnamed | Surveyed, reason unknown. |
| 44-86268 | 1951-04-07 | SAC/ 307BW/ 371BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Combat mission over N. Korea, F-84s escorting, damaged by 2 MiG-15s, two engines out, pilot ordered bail out, crashed into the water 4 mi off NW N. Korea, 7 fighter aircraft and 3 SAR aircraft participated in SAR effort, one crewman rescued .Surveyed 5/14/51 |
| 44-86273 | 1951-10-14 | SAC/ 98BG | Operational loss | Lil Darlin | Returning from combat msn, 1 engine out, crash landed at Yokota AB, hit Bowling Alley and Laundry. |
| 44-86280 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 44-86284 | Unknown | SAC/ 98BW/ 343BS | Unknown | Down's Clowns | Unknown |
| 44-86295 | 1951-10-23 | FE/ 307BG/ 372BS | Operational loss | “B Flight.” | Damaged by MiGs, landed at Kimpo AB (K-14). Badly damaged, transferred to Depot for disposition. Depot repaired, returned to duty. Next assignment unknown. |
| 44-86327 | 1951-06-01 | SAC/ 98BW/ 343BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Shot down Kwakson by Yegeny Mikhailovich Stelmah (18th GIAP/303rd IAD).No. 3 engine on fire, 4 parachutes observed by crew of B-29 6272, 4 flights of 4 18th FBGp F-51s conducted SAR effort, negative results (F-51D-Capt Moore-shot down). Surveyed 7/14/51. |
| 44-86328 | 1950-09-15 | FE/ 19BG/ 28BS | Operational loss | Unnamed | Major accident/crash on takeoff at Kadena. Surveyed 10/4/50. |
| 44-86330 | 1951-12-18 | FE/ 98BG/ 343BS | Combat loss | Ape Ship | Tail code Square H. Shot down, location unknown. |
| 44-86343 | 1952-09-13 | SAC/ 307BW/ 371BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Hit by AAA and exploded in mid-air over Suiho Hydroelectric Plant |
| 44-86357 | 1951-08-25 | SAC/ 307BW/ 372BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Hit by AAA near Sunchon, crew bailed out, aircraft exploded 11 miles W of Sunan, NK, (between Sunan and Kowan-ni) |
| 44-86370 | 1951-04-12 | FE/ 19BG/ 93BS | Combat loss | Lucky Dog/ Fujigmo | Damaged during MiG attack, No. 1 engine caught fire, ditched, debris and oil slick found, no parachutes observed, extensive SAR effort negative. Also one of four planes flying first B-29 mission of Korean Conflict June 27, 1950. |
| 44-86371 | 1951-05-07 | SAC/ 98BW/ 345BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Hit by AAA over Pyongyang, damaged No. 3 & 4 engines hit which possibly caused explosion, lost wing, 4-5 chutes observed, Navy SA-16 and USS Bataan fighter aircraft conducted SAR effort with negative results |
| 44-86392 | 1952-11-19 | SAC/ 98BW/ 354BS | Combat loss | Wright’s Delights/ The Chosen Few | Shot down Ch’o Do Island, North Korea. Crashed 5 miles north of Ch’o Do Island. |
| 44-86400 | 1952-03-31 | SAC/ 98BG/ 344BS | Operational loss | Big Gass Bird/ Chotto Mate | Four minutes after take-off, struck a small hill near village of Daimon, 6 mi NW of Yokota AB, Japan and burned |
| 44-86414 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 44-86415 | 1951-09-19 | SAC/ 98BW/ 343BS | Operational loss | Squeeze Play/ Miss Mi-Nookie/ Destination Known | On leaflet dropping mission, ditched in Sea of Japan, extensive air and surface SAR effort negative |
| 44-86436 | 1951-06-20 | SAC/ 98BW/ 343BS | Combat loss | Unknown | Flying in three-ship formation, left wing damaged by AAA approx 3 mi S of Hwangju. |
| 44-87618 | 1951-04-12 | FE/ 19BG/ 30BS | Operational loss | No Sweat | Heavy battle damage due to AAA and MiG-15s, damage included No. 2 & 4 engines out, hydraulic system shot out, crash landed at Seoul Municipal Airport, salvaged, no personnel losses |
| 44-87734 | 1952-01-23 | FE/ 19BG/ 93BS | Operational loss | Double Whammy | With engine out and unable to feather prop, notified Air Group Command they were aborting and going to K- 14. Crashed N of Chinnampo. Following search found no trace of plane or crew. Another of the four planes that flew first B-29 mission of Korean Conflict. |
| 45-21721 | 1952-02-07 | SAC/ 98BW/ 345BS | Operational loss | Tail Wind/ Burk’s Jerks/ Sweet Judy II | Crashed in a snow storm five miles north of base after takeoff from Yokota. All 13 aboard were killed. |
| 45-21725 | 1951-04-06 | SAC/ 307BW/ 370BS | Operational loss | Unnamed | Crash landed at Naha AB, Okinawa in bad weather after combat mission over Korea on March 29. Surveyed April 6 |
| 45-21745 | 1952-02-14 | FE/ 19BG/ 30BS | Unknown | Lucifer | Surveyed, circumstances unknown. Modified to carry Tarzon bomb |
| 45-21749 | 1951-03-29 | FE/ 19BG/ 93BS | Operational loss | Unnamed | Two engines out after explosion, apparently from a Tarzon bomb salvo, crashed over E. China Sea NW of Okinawa. Col Payne Jennings, Group Commander, aboard. 2rd ARS Sq, Flight C participated in SAR effort, results negative |
| 45-21814 | 1950-11-10 | SAC/ 307BW/ 371BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Attacked by 6 MiG-15s, downed by MiG - 7 mi SW of Kusong, NK, wreckage sighted |
| 45-21822 | 1952-01-29 | SAC/ 98BW/ 344BS | Operational loss | Heavenly Laden | Engine fire, crashed in Tokyo area near Yokohama, 5 mi W of Yokosuka, crew bailed out successfully |
Further reading
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress Facts: 11 things to know
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress Units of the Korean War (1950-1953)
- The B-29’s Campaign in the Korean War: A chronology
Bibliography and source
- The B-29 Superfortress: A Comprehensive Registry of the Planes and Their Missions by Robert A. Mann
- The B-29 Superfortress Chronology, 1934–1960 by Robert A. Mann
- Korean War Air Loss (KORWALD) Report by Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
Were the B29 pilots in the Korean War drawn from WWII B29 pilots recalled or were they voluntarily enlistees…….if you know.
My oldest brother was a WWII b-29 pilot who flew missions from Saipan and was re-called during the Korean War and who, based only my understanding, flew transports from Korea to Japan with wounded GI’s. He died of cancer while on active duty as a Lt. Col. in 1964. Is there a roster somewhere of the B29 pilots who flew combat missions in Korea? Thank you.
Hi Bennett, sorry to hear about the loss of your brother.
With the conversion of B-29 units to B-47 and necessary rotation of Korean war combat crews, by spring of 1951, almost all B-29 replacement crews in Korea were World War II reservists.
At the moment, I cant help you with that roster. But perhaps there is a list of B-29 pilots in the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) or the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA).