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Remembrance of WWII: United States Military High-Altitude Object Shootdowns in Nebraska Recall Balloon Bomb Explosion in Dundee

The recent news of the United States military shooting down three high-altitude objects in three days has reminded Nebraskans of an incident that occurred in Dundee during World War II. On April 18, 1945, a Japanese balloon bomb exploded over Dundee at the intersection of 50th and Underwood, which was one of thousands released towards the U.S. during that period.

The event in Dundee was not an isolated incident, as five known places in Nebraska had pieces of the balloon bombs. The balloon bombs went unreported in the United States because the government did not want Japan’s military to know any of their actions were successful.

Nebraska played a crucial role during World War II, as it was located in the center of the United States, and the government felt it was relatively safe here. Moreover, the state saw 60 crashes during World War II aviation training.

Jerry Penry, who spent three years researching for his book “Nebraska’s Fatal Air Crashes of WWII,” explained that Nebraska’s importance was due to its location. He also referenced “Japan’s World War II Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America” and explained that the Dundee event was not the only explosion, and other locations in Nebraska, such as Schuyler, Burwell, and Chadron, also had balloon bombs exploding.

In Dundee, a plaque commemorates the event, and it reads, in part, “The Japanese military hoped the device would create an incident, which if reported, would allow them to chart a course for other weapons.” The recent incidents of the United States military shooting down high-altitude objects have brought back the memories of the past to Nebraskans, and it serves as a reminder of the state’s significant contribution to World War II.

In conclusion, the recent news of the United States military shooting down high-altitude objects has reminded Nebraskans of the balloon bomb explosion that occurred in Dundee during World War II. This event is just one of many that occurred in Nebraska during the war, which highlights the state’s importance to World War II aviation training. The plaque in Dundee serves as a reminder of the event, and it is important to remember and honor the contributions of Nebraskans during World War II.

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