The B-32 Dominator took part in the last aerial engagement of World War II after Japan’s surrender announcement. Two B-32 reconnaissance bombers were attacked by Japanese fighters over the Tokyo area on 18 August 1945.
Japan had announced its acceptance of the Allied terms three days earlier, but the formal surrender document had not yet been signed. U.S. aircraft continued reconnaissance missions from Okinawa to monitor Japanese compliance with the cease-fire and gather information for the occupation.
Japanese pilots from airfields near Atsugi and Yokosuka attacked the B-32s without authorization from the government. The encounters caused limited damage, but one American crewman was killed and two were wounded. The following day, additional B-32 aircraft were attacked, making the incident the final aerial combat involving World War II forces.
The B-32 was a heavy bomber developed as a competitor to the B-29 Superfortress. It saw relatively limited service, but its reconnaissance missions near Tokyo placed the type in the final air action of the war. Japan’s formal surrender followed on 2 September.