Ditching Procedure, B-29s with Four-Gun Turret

"Ditching Procedure, B-29s with Four-Gun Turret" by United States Army Air Forces is a military training manual written in the mid-20th century. This publication serves as a comprehensive guide for crew members operating B-29 bombers, focusing on procedures for ditching the aircraft safely in water emergencies. The manual includes essential safety protocols and instructions based on experiences gathered during operational missions. The content of the book outlines detailed ditching procedures that are categorized by crew positions, emphasizing critical steps to be taken before, during, and after ditching incidents. It discusses the importance of crew cooperation and communication, the buoyancy characteristics of the B-29, and specific instructions tailored for the Radio Operator among other crew roles. The manual also highlights the necessity of practice drills to ensure crew members can execute these procedures smoothly, thus enhancing the likelihood of survival when faced with an emergency landing on water. Through systematic instructions and safety tips, the manual aims to prepare the crew for potential ditching scenarios while maximizing the chances of rescue and survival. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

The United States Army Air Forces was the major land-based aerial warfare service component of the United States Army and de facto aerial warfare service branch of the United States during and immediately after World War II (1941–1947). It was created on 20 June 1941 as successor to the previous United States Army Air Corps and is the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force, today one of the six armed forces of the United States. The AAF was a component of the United States Army, which on 2 March 1942 was divided functionally by executive order into three autonomous forces: the Army Ground Forces, the United States Army Services of Supply, and the Army Air Forces. Each of these forces had a commanding general who reported directly to the Army Chief of Staff.