Скачать или смотреть Japan’s Pilots Didn’t Fear the B-29 — Until They Realized They Couldn’t Reach It

When the B-29 Superfortress first appeared over Japan, many Japanese pilots believed it would be just another bomber to intercept. The Imperial Japanese Army and Navy Air Forces had years of experience attacking enemy bombers. Speed, altitude, and aggressive interception had always been enough. But the B-29 was not built to fight the same war.
The Superfortress introduced a new reality: range as a weapon. Operating from distant bases across the Pacific, B-29s could strike Japan while remaining beyond the effective reach of many Japanese fighters. Long before pilots ever engaged one in combat, they began to realize the true problem—interception was no longer guaranteed. The bomber was choosing when, where, and how the fight would happen.
Japanese pilots soon discovered that even when they reached the B-29’s altitude, the engagement was stacked against them. The bomber’s long-range capability allowed it to approach from unexpected directions, maintain sustained operations, and return safely without relying on nearby bases. Fighters scrambled too late often ran out of fuel before making contact. Others reached the bombers only to find themselves low on energy, facing a heavily armed aircraft that could absorb punishment and keep flying.
Attempts to counter the B-29 revealed deeper weaknesses. High-altitude interception strained engines and airframes that were never designed for sustained flight at those levels. Climbing to meet the bombers cost precious fuel and speed, leaving fighters vulnerable. Even successful attacks often ended with Japanese pilots unable to pursue or return safely, while the B-29 formations continued onward.
Over time, the lesson became unavoidable. The air war had shifted from individual encounters to systemic dominance. Range meant persistence. Persistence meant pressure. And pressure meant that Japan’s air defenses were always reacting, never dictating terms. The B-29 did not need to win every fight—it only needed to keep coming back.
This documentary explores what Japanese pilots learned when they confronted the B-29’s unprecedented range, why traditional interception tactics failed, and how distance itself became one of America’s most decisive weapons. The Superfortress did not just bomb Japan—it exposed the limits of an air defense system built for a different era of warfare.