Bulldozer pushing sand on B-29 Superfortress bomber to douse flames, Saipan
Description:
View of soldiers with bulldozer pushing sand on B-29 Superfortress bomber to douse flames, Saipan during World War II. Typed on back: "55313 A.C. The Jap strikes back. No. 1. This is Saipan after attack by Japanese air power. The island is headquarters of the 21st Bomber Command which sends its B-29 Superfortresses over Tokyo. Here aviation engineers ram their bulldozer into a burning B-29 to push dirt over the flames started when Japanese planes pitched a low-level attack against the Superforts. Humped against the terrific heat, the 'dozer' driver is within a few feet of the fire which scorched and singed all the engineers fighting the fire. They kept other planes from danger in spite of the threat of exploding ammunition and gas tanks in the burning giant. Credit U.S. Army Air Forces photo, Wash., D.C. Released for publication, AC/AS, Intelligence Photographic Division. Credit Official photo U.S. A.A.F." Handwritten on back: "Bulldozers."
