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The Boeing B-29 Superfortress was a rare example of a Second World War Allied aircraft that only fought in the war against Japan. It had originally been planned to use it against Germany, from bases in Britain, and if space ran out from Egypt. but by the time the aircraft was ready to enter service it had been realised the B-29 was better suited to the long distances to be found in the Pacific.
During the war the B-29 saw combat with the 20th Air Force. It entered service with the 58th Bombardment Wing of XX Bomber Command, operating from India and China. The 73rd Bombardment Wing was also allocated to the same command, but never joined it in India, instead beginning operations from the Mariana Islands. It was transferred to the XXI Bomber Command during 1944.
The B-29 Bomber Force on the Mariana Islands was originally designated as XXI Bomber Command. It began combat operations against Japan with the 73rd Bombardment Wing in November 1944. By the end of the war five Bombardment Wings were based on the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Guam.