JET STREAMS, BAD WEATHER, AND THE FAILURE OF EARLY RAIDS Colleague James M. Scott. Hansel'sprecision strategy failed due to Japan's adverse weather and violent jet streams, which blew at 230 mph and ruined bomber accuracy. The B-29, which cost $3.7 billion to develop, suffered from mechanical glitches like engine fires during the 3,000-mile flights from the Mariana Islands. Early raids against the Nakajima aircraft factory were ineffective, destroying only 1% of the target. While British commanders pressured Americans to switch to firebombing cities, Hansel refused to abandon precision tactics. Meanwhile, FDR's approval of the atomic bomb suggested leadership was open to city-destroying weapons. NUMBER 2
1945 0KINAWA