NOTES TO TABLE 52

This table traces the pattern of rocket attacks in 1945. Primary carrier rocket targets in January were the airfields of the Philippines, Formosa, China and Indo China, though land targets in the Lingayen area were also heavily hit by the CVEs and shipping in the China Sea by the fast carriers. In February the emphasis in rocket attacks shifted to land targets at Iwo, with the Tokyo airfields a good second. In March a considerably stepped up attack was directed at airfields in Kyushu and the Ryukyus, at Okinawa defenses before the invasion, and at shipping in Kyushu ports.

April witnessed the greatest rocket offensive, mostly in support of ground forces on Okinawa, but with heavy attacks on Kyushu and Ryukyus airfields also. In May the close support requirements relaxed, and land-based planes took over the major share of this duty, but airfield attacks continued. In late May and June, after withdrawal of the British Task Force covering the Southern Ryukyus, and of the U.S. fast carrier force, the CVE force diverted its major attention to airfields, while the Marine planes ashore provided the bulk of the air support.

July and August were devoted almost entirely to attacks on Japan, in which airfields and shipping were the primary rocket targets.