USAAF CHRONOLOGY 1944
1/1/44 USSAFE USSAFE is established for operational control of Eighth and Fifteenth AFs. (See 22 Feb 44.)" 1/1/44 Eighth AF The Operational Research Section, organized at Hq VIII BC in Oct 43, is made a special staff section, accountable directly to the CoS. It is composed mostly of civilian specialists trained in statistical analysis and other disciplines pertinent to studying operations of a strat bombing force. The section subsequently proves of great value in improving effectiveness of strat bombing.
1/1/44 AAFMTO Complete reorganization of USAAF units in MTO takes place: USAAFNATO is redesignated MTO (AAFMTO); XII AFSC becomes AAFSCMTO; III Air Serv Area Cmd (Sp) becomes XII AFSC; II Air Serv Area Cmd becomes XV AFSC; XII AF Engineer Cmd (Prov) becomes AAF Engineer Cmd, MTO (Prov); and XII AF Trg Cmd is changed to XII AF Trg and Repl Cmd. XII BC is reorganized as an MB organization (3 B-25 gps and the 3 B-26 gps of 42d Bomb Wg) under Gen Knapp.
1/1/44 Fifteenth AF The 3 remaining MB gps (B-26's) of Fifteenth AF are transferred to Twelfth AF, leaving the Fifteenth with 6 HB (2d, 93d, 97th, 99th, 301st, 376th) and 4 ftr gps (1st, 14th, 82d, and 325th), or 4 B-17, 2 B- 24, 1 P-47, and 3 P-38 gps.
1/1/44 Tenth AF 6 B-25's, along with 16 P-38's, attack bridge on Mu R between Ywataung and Monywa. Maj Robert A Erdin, piloting the lead MB, pulls up during his bomb run to avoid a tree. He releases his bombs as he noses up, and topples 2 spans of the bridge into the river. Subsequent tests prove this is a good bridge-bombing maneuver. The tactic is refined and the sq (490th Sq) becomes so proficient as to gain the sobriquet 'Burma Bridge Busters.' Further N, 11 A-36's and 15 P-51's pound A/F at Myitkyina.
1/1/44 Fourteenth AF 4 P-40's bomb and strafe T/Os in Indochina, including barracks and rafts along the Yuan R in the Cam Duong-Lao Kay area.
1/1/44 Fifth AF 120-plus B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's pound Saidor area in preparation for Allied invasion. Other B-25's bomb Madang and Alexishafen. A-20's continue to hit troop concentration in Cape Gloucester area. B- 25's hit positions at Borgen Bay. P-39's strafe barges along New Britain's N coast.
1/1/44 Thirteenth AF 868th Bomb Sq is activated to work directly under XIII BC. The unit, equipped with SB-24's (radar equipped aircraft used for night missions), becomes known as the 'Snooper Squadron.' 15 B-24's, escorted by 70-plus P-38's and F6F's, bomb Lakunai A/F. Ftr and AA opposition is heavy, with 80-90 ftrs attempting interception. US airplanes claim 20 ftrs shot down. 1 B-24 is shot down and 2, severely damaged, crash-land at Torokina. Allied ftrs join Navy dive bmrs in spt of ground forces in Torokina area. 6 B-25's and 2 B-24's bomb Kahili. 4 B-24's hit Manob.
1/1/44 Seventh AF 16 P-39's strafe Mille harbor and attack shipping N of Mille. 2 small vessels are heavily damaged.
1944 1/2/44 Twelfth AF B-26's bomb Terni M/Y and iron works and nearby barracks. P-40's and Spitfires from AAF, RCAF, RAAF, SAAF, and RAF blast snowbound vehicles in Avezzano-Popoli area, warehouses at San Benedetto de Marsi and gun positions and defended areas around Chieti. A-36's hit Civitavecchia harbor and M/Y to the S of town, Anagni M/Y and nearby gun positions, and other T/Os. B-26's bomb bridges at Riva Santo Stefano and Ventimiglia, M/Y at Arma di Taggia, and bridge over Var R.
1/2/44 Fifteenth AF P-47's fly uneventful sweep over Rome area.
1/2/44 Tenth AF 27 B-25's and 16 P-39's hit fuel plant and work shops at Yenangyaung and set oilfield aflame. 13 B- 24's also hit the refinery, causing large fire, and bomb a power station. 4 other B-24's bomb Akyab on W coast. About 30 A-36's and P-51's score hits on Loilaw bridge approaches and bomb towns in the vicinity.
1/2/44 Fourteenth AF 8 P-40's bomb and strafe Japanese HQ and barracks at Hopang.
1/2/44 Fifth AF Elements of US 32d Div make amphibious landing at Saidor following preparatory naval bombardment.
Bad weather prevents preparatory air strikes, but over 80 B-24's and A-20's pound positions in coordination with the landings. Harbor and A/F are captured. Other B-24's bomb Pombelaa and Amboina. B-25's and B-26's bomb Madang. P-40's strafe A/F, AA positions, barges, and supply dump at Cape Hoskins.
1/2/44 Thirteenth AF 24 B-25's bomb Buka supply area. 30-plus Allied ftrs sweep Rabaul area, claiming 11 airplanes shot down. 1 Navy ftr is lost.
1/2/44 Seventh AF B-24's, staging through Tarawa, bomb Maloelap. 9 B-25's hit tgts on Jaluit. P-39's strafe shipping at Mille.
1/3/44 Twelfth AF Gen Morris assumes cmd of XII FC. B-25's bomb troop concentration area at Prijedor, and along with SAAF and RAF Baltimores, hit Split and Sibenik. P-40's and A-36's bomb gun positions near Cassino, Anagni railroad station, village near Vicenza, railway and trains between Ceccano and Segni, and harbor at Civitavecchia. P-40's, with SAAF and RCAF Spitfires, hit over 100 vehicles in Avezzano- Sulmona area. Other P-40's, with AAF, RAF, SAAF, and RAAF ftrs, hit tgts in Filetto-Tollo areas in spt of ground troops.
1/3/44 Fifteenth AF Gen Twining becomes CG. B-17's, escorted by P-38's bomb Villarperosa ball bearing works and Lingotto M/Y and Fiat motor works in Turin area. P-47's fly top cover for the HBs as far as Italian coast, then turn and carry out uneventful sweep over Rome area.
1/3/44 Tenth AF 22 A-36's and P-51's hit warehouses and dump area at Sahmaw. 19 B-25's, along with 16 P-38's, bomb pumping station at Yenangyaung, setting oil tanks afire. 10 B-24's follow with strike on a pumping station at Yenangyaung, causing explosions and leaving tgt in flames.
1/3/44 Fourteenth AF 28 B-24's attack railroad yards at Lampang. 5 FB's attack town of Pingkai.
1/3/44 Fifth AF 50-plus B-24's and B-25's bomb Alexishafen area. More than 20 A-20's hit positions at Borgen Bay.
1/3/44 Thirteenth AF 30-plus Allied ftrs again sweep Rabaul area, claiming 6 Zeros shot down. 6 B-24's bomb Kavieng, and several others abort due to bad weather. 6 B-25's bomb Moisuru bivouac area near Kahili, and 15 more hit supply areas near Buka Passage.
1/3/44 Seventh AF 24 A-24's from Makin dive-bomb AA positions and radar and radio facilities on Mille. 20 supporting P- 39's strafe runways and oil storage.
1/4/44 Eighth AF Over 500 HBs attack tgts in Germany with most of them bombing port area, sub yards, and industrial area of Kiel. City of Munster i9 also attacked. US airplanes begin flying supplies from UK to underground resistance forces in W Europe, this operation being coded CARPETBAGGER.
1/4/44 Ninth AF XIX A Spt Cmd is activated in England, and stationed at Middle Wallop. Gen Quesada assumes cmd.
253 B-26's bomb NOBALL tgts in France. Weather makes bombing difficult, and results range from unknown to good.
1/4/44 Twelfth AF B-25's bomb Brodac town area and M/Y, and town of Travnik. P-40's hit bridge and trains and fly patrols over battleline in Italy.
1/4/44 Fifteenth AF Over 100 B-17's are dispatched to bomb Dupnica area in Bulgaria. 29 bomb the tgt area, but heavy cloud cover causes 77 HBs to return bombs to base. P-38's escort the HBs the total distance to and from tgts. P-47's provide escort part way.
1/4/44 Fifth AF Over 100 HBs and MBs bomb Alexishafen, Madang, and Bogadj im areas and hit troops and supplies between Finschhafen and Saidor. B-25's attack arty positions in Cape Gloucester area. B-24's and B- 25's hit shipping at Koepang and in nearby waters.
1/4/44 Thirteenth AF B-24's bomb Sohano I, concentrating on seaplane base and supply area. B-25's pound gun positions at Tonolai and bomb Chabai. P-39's, B-34's, and night ftrs, operating individually or in small flights, hit tgts on Bougainville, including barges at Mutupina Pt and along Jaba R, and areas around Buka, Bonis, Poporang I, Papas, and Banin. 40-plus Allied ftrs attack Rabaul area and claim at least 10 airplanes shot down.
1/4/44 Seventh AF 18 B-24's, staging through Tarawa, bomb Emidj.
1/5/44 Eighth AF Eighth AF report concludes that US daylight strategic bombing program against Germany will be threatened unless steps are taken to reduce the enemy's ftr force, which has increased in strength in the W as a result of step-up in production, strengthening of firepower, and transfer of larger percentage of ftrs to Western Front. 426 HBs attack tgts in Germany and France. 216 of these hit Kiel while the others bomb Tours and Bordeaux A/Fs, and metals plant and M/Y at Neuss. About 25 losses are suffered in these raids.
1/5/44 Twelfth AF A-36's hit gun positions N of Mignano and on S slope of Monte Porchia. Weather cancels other operations.
1/5/44 Tenth AF 3 B-25's, supported by 8 P-38's, attack Mu R bridge between Monywa and Ywataung which is being rebuilt. Hits are scored on E bank near the bridge and several sheds are set afire. The escorting ftrs damage several nearby railway cars, strafe nearby town, set a barge afire, blow up 4 tin buildings, and claim a river steamer sunk.
1/5/44 Fifth AF HBs and MBs bomb Alexishafen, Madang, and Bogadjim areas and attack barges from Finschhafen to Saidor. P-39's hit barges and gun positions during sweep from Sio to Bogadjim.
1/5/44 Thirteenth AF B-25's bomb concentrations in Choiseul Bay area and Hahela Mission on S Buka I, while B-24's attack Tonolai, Kahili supply area, Fauro I, and Poporang building area.
1/6/44 USSAFE Gen Spaatz assumes cmd and names Gen Frederick Anderson and Gen Knerr as Dep CGs for operations and administration.
1/6/44 Eighth AF Gen Doolittle assumes cmd, replacing Gen Eaker who will go to Italy as CG MAAF.
1/6/44 Twelfth AF B-26's bomb Pontedera hitting M/Y and Piaggio aircraft factory there, Lucca M/Y, and railway N of Follonica. P-40 and A-36 FBs attack gun positions in Cervaro-Monte Trocchio area and near Aquino, town of Cervaro, railway at Civitavecchia, trains N and E of Rome, Velletri train station, and town of Fondi.
1/6/44 Fifteenth AF Control of Fifteenth AF operations against tgts of CBO is placed under USSAFE.
1/6/44 Tenth AF P-51's and A-36's carry out ground spt missions at Sumprabum and Taihpa Ga and hit cav bivouac and dumps at Kamaing. 12 P-40's attack supply dump S of Sahmaw Junction and strafe Pahok.
1/6/44 Fourteenth AF 2 B-25's bomb a troop ship on the Yangtze, NE of Tungting Lake. The vessel is reported as sunk.
1/6/44 Fifth AF B-24's and B-25's bomb Alexishafen and Bogadjim areas. A-20's attack tgts along road from Bogadjim to Yaula. B-25's attack T/Os on Huon Peninsula and others hit Borgen Bay area. P-39's strafe barges at Borgen and Rein Bays.
1/6/44 Thirteenth AF P-38's sweep Rabaul area, claiming 9 Zeros shot down during running battle over Cape Gazelle area.
B-25's and B-34's bomb and strafe tgts in Choiseul Bay area, including jetty areas and buildings at Tarekekori, tgts on Morgusaia I, and gun positions on Kondakanimboko I.
1/7/44 Eighth AF 420 HBs hit I G Farben Industrie plant at Ludwigshafen. 12 aircraft are lost on mission.
1/7/44 Ninth AF 35 B-36's bomb Cherbourg/Maupertus A/F. Bad weather restricts further operations.
1/7/44 Twelfth AF B-25's strike Perugia A/F. A-20's hit defenses in close spt of US Fifth Army. B-26's hit M/Ys at Foligno and Arezzo and attack bridge at Roccasecca. A-36's hit gun positions, trucks, and trains in Cervaro- Aquino-Cassino area, bomb Aquino station, and hit Velletri railway yards. P-40's give close spt in Monte Maio, Monte La Chiaia, Monte Porchia, and Cedro Hill areas as Fifth Army drives toward Rapido R.
1/7/44 Fifteenth AF B-17's, with P-38 escort, bomb an aircraft factory at Maribor and a torpedo factory at Fiume. The P- 38's battle a superior number of enemy ftrs over Maribor area. 3 P-38's are lost and several others are missing. 4 ftrs are claimed destroyed, with 1 probably downed and 4 damaged, during the fierce half-hr fight.
1/7/44 Tenth AF 7 B-25's and 15 P-38's pound Lanywa area, hitting oil plant and storage tanks, causing several fires, and strafe several AA positions. 19 A-36's and P-51's bomb supply and troop concentrations at Nanyaseik.
1/7/44 Fourteenth AF 4 B-25's and 6 P-40's sink 2 large boats on the Yangtze S of Hukow and sink a large powerboat, a barge, and a small ore craft at Shihhweiyao. 11 P-38's claim between 30 and 40 sampans destroyed along the river from Hankow to Chiuchiang. 2 B-25's on sea sweep claim a 300-ft passenger vessel sunk S of Hong Kong.
1/7/44 Fifth AF B-24's, B-25's, P-39's, and P-47's bomb Alexishafen-Madang area, hit Erima, Bogadjim, and tgts along Bogadjim Road, attack positions from Weber Pt to Vincke Pt, and strafe huts and barges near Saidor. B-24's bomb Cape Gloucester area. A-20's hit forces near Arawe. B-24's also hit Lorengau and Boela.
1/7/44 Thirteenth AF Gen Hubert Harmon becomes CG. 8 sqs of Allied ftrs spt Navy dive bmrs in attack on Cape Saint George area. B-24's bomb Vunakanau A/F.
1/8/44 Twelfth AF B-25's bomb harbor, warehouses, and railway at Metkovic. A-20's hit railway stations at Frosinone and in the Colleferro-Segni area. B-26's bomb M/Ys at Grosseto and Lucca. P-40's spt US Fifth Army in mts E and SE of Cassino, and, with A-36's, hit railway tgts S or Rome at Aquino, Frosinone, Palestrina, and Castelforte. Other P-40's hit Avezzano, and A-36's blast trains and vessels in vicinity of Tarquinia.
1/8/44 Fifteenth AF The 449th and 450th Bomb Gps (B-24's) become operational, giving the Fifteenth a total of 8 HB gps.
B-24's bomb Mostar A/F. B-17's hit Reggio Emilia aircraft factory. P-38's and P-47's fly escort.
1/8/44 Tenth AF 20 P-51's and A-36's knock out bridge N of Hopin, destroy warehouse and railroad tracks in the area, and destroy a locomotive and damage numerous railroad cars at Tigyaingza.
1/8/44 Fifth AF HBs, MBs, and a few ftrs, attack Madang area, bomb Uligan Harbor, and hit Bogadjim and Bogadjim Road. Ftrs strafe Sag Sag sawmill in Cape Gloucester area. B-25's and A-20's hit positions near Arawe. HBs bomb Kendari and other tgts on Celebes.
1/8/44 Thirteenth AF B-24's bomb Kahili. B-25's hit concentrations on Siposai and Kondakanimboko Is.
1/8/44 Seventh AF 15 B-24's, staging through Tarawa, bomb shipping and shore installations at several locations on Wotje, Maloelap, and Jaluit Atolls. 2 B-25's from Tarawa hit shipping and gun positions on Jaluit.
1/9/44 International Churchill and De Gaulle meet at Marrakesh. They discuss cooperation of a French expeditionary force in invasion of Europe and the degree of authority of the French inside France after the invasion.
1/9/44 Twelfth AF B-25's attack M/Y and docks at Ancona. P-40's hit tanks and trucks at Palena and S of Sulmona, and positions and vehicles near Cervaro. A-36's hit positions in same area.
1/9/44 Fifteenth AF B-24's bomb Mostar A/F. B-17's hit aircraft factory and M/Y at Reggio Emilia. P-38's and P-47's provide escort.
1/9/44 Tenth AF 21 P-51's and A-36's attack Loilaw area, severely damaging a bridge, hitting ammo storage building, and scoring direct hits on large barracks.
1/9/44 Fourteenth AF 9 ftrs strafe 6 steamboats and many smaller craft on the Yangtze at Puchi. 2 B-25's on sea sweep bomb 200-ft vessel S of Swatow, reporting the ship destroyed. 8 FBs hit Sadon, and 4 bomb Atson railroad yards and Lao Kay railroad station.
1/9/44 Fifth AF Ftrs and bmrs attack Alexishafen, Madang, Bogadjim, Uligan Harbor, and area E of Saidor. Cape Beechey is strafed by P-40's.
1/9/44 Thirteenth AF B-25's hit Buka seaplane base and Kahili supply area. Ftrs strafe Cape Dunganon area and along Ramusian R W of Teop. 7 sqs of Allied ftrs cover Navy dive bmr strike on Tobera. 2 sqs of B-24's pound Vunakanau A/F. 6 B-25's bomb Taharai A/F and afterwards some hit T/Os on New Ireland.
1/10/44 Twelfth AF B-25's hit San Benedetto de Marsi. P-40's, with RAF, SAAF, and RAAF airplanes, hit comm, gun positions, trucks, and tanks at numerous points in and NW of battle area. Other P-40's give close spt to ground forces in Chieti area. A-36's hit trucks, tanks, trains, and other T/Os N of Rome.
1/10/44 Fifteenth AF B-17's bomb Sofia, causing considerable damage in M/Ys. B-24's hit M/Y at Skoplje. P-38's and P- 47's provide escort. Around 60 ftrs attack the Sofia force and fierce air battle ensues. 2 HBs are lost.
The B-17's and ftr escorts claim 28 aircraft shot down.
1/10/44 Tenth AF 12 A-36's and P-51's hit bivouac area at Nanyaseik. 15 P-40's attack bridge at Namti, damaging railroad tracks and the S approach to the bridge. During 9/10 Jan 7 B-24's lay mines in Menam R estuary near Bangkok and in Rangoon estuary. The HBs during the day bomb M/Y and A/F in Bangkok area and hit main jetty at Akyab. 9 B-25's mine Mokpalin ferry crossing over Sittang R.
1/10/44 Fourteenth AF 8 P-31's bomb approach to Kienchang bridge and attack troop train N of Teian damaging the train and killing an estimated 100 soldiers. 3 B-25's and 8 P-40's sweep area from Anking to Chiuchiang, sinking a large motor launch, 2 100-ft barges, and a tug on the Yangtze, and attacking a bridge at Teian and tracks S of Chiuchiang. 2 B-25's and 4 P-40's attack shipping on the Yangtze near Wusueh, sinking a launch and leaving 3 tankers burning.
1/10/44 Fifth AF Over 100 HBs, MBs, LBs, and ftrs attack Madang, Alexishafen, and Bogadjim areas and coastline from Madang to Sio. P-39's strafe scattered villages and barges in New Britain. B-25's bomb Koepang.
1/10/44 Thirteenth AF Gen Hubert Harmon, CG, begins HB campaign of night strikes. The 5th Bomb Gp opens the night raids sending 20 HBs on a strike against Lakunai A/F after a morning raid by 10 B-24's against nearby Vunakanau A/F. 5 B-24's hit Kahili supply area while 4 hit Chinatown area of Buka. AAF and Navy ftrs cover Navy dive bmr strike against Cape Saint George.
1/10/44 Seventh AF 4 P-39's from Makin strafe Mille. 1 of the ftrs drops 2 500-lb bombs on fuel storage area. During 10/11 Jan, 16 B-24's, staging through Tarawa from Ellice Is, bomb Maloelap; 4 others, staging through Baker from Canton I, hit Mille.
1/11/44 Eighth AF Over 570 B-17's and B-24's bomb industrial tgts and T/Os in Oschersleben, Halberstadt, and near Brunswick. Fierce opposition, estimated at 500 ftrs, is encountered, and 60 bmrs are lost. Among the Pathfinder aircraft are 4 B-24's, this being the first time B-24's are used in this capacity.
1/11/44 Twelfth AF B-26's attack iron and steel works at Piombino during 10/11 Jan. During the day, B-25's bomb Falconara (hitting railroad junction) and railroad yards at Fabriano. P-40's and A-36's blast defenses and gun positions in CervaroMonte Trocchio, gun position N of Minturno, towns of Sora and Isola del Liri, road traffic in Macerata\\Aquila-Popoli area, and railroad facilities at San Giorgio del Sannio.
1/11/44 Fifteenth AF B-17's, with P-38 escort, bomb harbor at Piraeus. The HBs and ftrs destroy 8 attacking ftrs. 6 HBs are lost in midair collisions in heavy overcast.
1/11/44 Tenth AF 36 A-36's, P-51's, and P-40's pound encampment containing about 4,900 troops and a large quantity of supplies, causing considerable damage by accurate bombing and strafing.
1/11/44 Fourteenth AF Before daylight 14 Japanese bmrs hit Suichwan A/F. During the morning 3 MBs and 15 ftrs follow up with second strike. 7 P-51's and 5 P-40's intercept the second attack, claiming 3 MBs shot down. 8 B- 24's bomb harbor, aluminum plant, and A/F at Takao. 1 bombs oil storage at Swatow. 4 B-24's mine harbors at Takao and Hong Kong. 1 HB is lost.
1/11/44 Fifth AF B-25's, P-39's, and P-40's hit Uligan Harbor, barges and road near Bogadjim, Hansa Bay area, and town of Alexishafen.
1/11/44 Thirteenth AF About 90 Allied ftrs cover 60-plus Navy dive bmrs attacking Cape Saint George area. 2 flights of P- 39's strafe T/Os from Numa Numa to Koromira.
1/11/44 Seventh AF 9 B-25's from Tarawa hit 5 vessels and land installations at Maloelap. A 5000-ton cargo ship and a small vessel are P-39's from Makin dive-bomb and strafe runways on Mille.
1/12/44 Twelfth AF Col Archibald Y Smith assumes cmd of XII AF Trg and Repl Cmd. B-25's and B-26's bomb Giulianova railway bridge and attack a dam and road bridge. A-20's hit San Donato. P-40's attack vessel in Krka R, hit enemy defensive positions at San Biagio Saracinesa, Sant' Elia Fiumerapido, Monte Trocchio, and Atina, and bomb Vallerotonda. A-36's attack Avezzano railroad yards, village near Atina, railroad facilities at Cisterna di Latina, and numerous trucks and train cars in Rome area.
1/12/44 Fifteenth AF P-47's fly ftr sweep in Rome area, strafing M/Y at Teramo and buildings between Tronto and Tesino Rivers.
1/12/44 Tenth AF 20-plus B-25's and P-38's hit M/Y at Letpadan, damaging warehouses, engine sheds, and other buildings.
The ftrs also strafe Myohaung, setting 3 buildings afire.
1/12/44 Fourteenth AF 14 B-24's bomb Bangsue M/Y at Bangkok.
1/12/44 Fifth AF B-24's and B-25's attack Alexishafen area. A-20's hit Warai. B-24's attack Balikpapan, Makassar, and Dili.
1/12/44 Thirteenth AF 13 B-25's of 42d Bomb Gp, on their first mission against Rabaul area, bomb Vunakanau A/F in early morning, and 16 B-24's hit Lakunai A/F during 12/13 Jan. 19 B-24's, with escort of about 50 ftrs, pound airstrip and other tgts at Tobera. 3 flights of P-39's bomb and strafe Teop, Inus Pt, Numa Numa, and Piano Mission. Other aircraft on armed rcn and sweeps hit several T/Os throughout Bougainville area.
1/12/44 Seventh AF 21 A-24's from Makin dive-bomb AA positions and storage area on Mille. 20 supporting P-39's strafe runways.
1/13/44 Ninth AF 193 B-26's bomb NOBALL tgts in France. Ftr pilots report being tracked by AA rockets.
1/13/44 Twelfth AF B-25's and B-26's bomb Guidonia, Centocelle, and Ciampino A/Fs. A-20's strike town of Atina. AAF, RAF, SAAF, and RAAF FBs hit shipping along Dalmatian coast at Sibenik and in Krka R. A-36's hit town and railway yards at Isola del Liri, factory at Colleferro, docks at Formia, railroad yards at Valmontone, and railway station SE of Frosinone. P-40's hit Sant' Elia Fiumerapido, San Biagio, Saracinesa, and rail and road junction near Villa Latina.
1/13/44 Fifteenth AF B-17's bomb Centocelle and Guidonia A/Fs and B-24's hit Perugia A/F. P-38's provide escort, and P- 47's fly top cover for the B-17 missions. The HBs destroy several ftrs in aerial combat.
1/13/44 Tenth AF Gen Wolfe, CG, arrives at New Delhi with ADVON of XX BC staff. This is the first important movement of personnel for Operation MATTERHORN. 6 P-51's hit troop concentrations at Lalawng Ga and bomb Maran Ga and Shaduzup. 27 P-40's attack comm center and dumps along Kamaing-Mogaung road. 4 P-51's and a B-25 pound A/F and supply area at Myitkyina.
1/13/44 Fourteenth AF 2 B-25's on sweep from Hong Kong to Hainan attack 4 large boats, several warehouses, radio station, and a car at Ft Bayard. 1 of the vessels explodes. 6 P-40's on armed rcn strafe 4 pack trains of about 15 animals each between Lungling and Tengchung.
1/13/44 Fifth AF Gen Wurtsmith becomes CG V FC. 130-plus B-24's, B-25's, and P-40's attack Alexishafen. B-24's bomb Gasmata. B-24's and B-25's strike Kaukenau and Timoeka and score hit on freighter off Tanimbar Is.
1/13/44 Thirteenth AF HQ moves from Espiritu Santo to Guadalcanal. During predawn hrs 11 B-25's bomb Tobera, Rapopo, Wide Bay area, and coast S of Rapopo. P-39's strafe Tinputs area.
1/13/44 Seventh AF 9 B-25's from Tarawa attack harbor shipping at Wotje. 21 A-24's from Makin dive-bomb dock, barracks, and storage area on Mille. Some of 16 escorting P-39's strafe ground tgts, and 10 other P-39's carry out strafing mission over Mille.
1/14/44 Eighth AF 527 B-17's and B-24's bomb 20 V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area.
1/14/44 Twelfth AF B-25's strike Pontecorvo bridge. A-20's offer close spt to US Fifth Army forces in Monte Trocchio area.
P-40's blast Loreto tank repair shops. P-40's and A-36's hit defenses in San Giuseppe, Sant' Elia Fiumerapido, and Monte Trocchio areas. A-36's also attack road and buildings E of Minturno, town of Isola del Liri, and harbor at Anzio.
1/14/44 Fifteenth AF Around 200 B-24's and B-17's attack town area and A/F at Mostar. P-38's provide escort throughout the missions, and P-47's join the B-17's at the tgt and cover the flight back to base.
1/14/44 Tenth AF Bad weather limits operations to ftr patrols in Sumprabum area.
1/14/44 Fourteenth AF 4 B-25's on coastal sweep from Pakhoi to Haiphong bomb group of buildings on Weichow I. 2 B-24's damage 2 vessels near Saint John I.
1/14/44 Fifth AF 50-plus B-24's, B-25's, and P-40's hit Alexishafen and Erima area. B-24's bomb Cape Busching. B- 25's attack T/Os along N coast of New Britain, and A-20's strike villages along S coast.
1/14/44 Thirteenth AF During 13/14 Jan, 15 B-24's bomb Vunakanau and Lakunai A/Fs, Rabaul, Rapopo, and Malaguna.
Just before dawn, 12 B-25's hit Au, Cape Gazelle, and Buka. P-39's join Navy SBD's in bombing Wakunai. 70-plus Allied ftrs spt strike by more than 50 Navy dive bmrs against shipping in Simpson Harbor. Ftrs claim 27 aircraft shot down.
1/14/44 Seventh AF 12 B-24's, staging through Tarawa, bomb 3 islands in Kwajalein Atoll. 3 B-25's from Makin fly mission against shipping at Wotje. 2 of the MBs attack 2 small vessels, sinking 1 and damaging the other. The other B-25 bombs a runway and building on S part of Wotje.
1/15/44 MAAF Gen Eaker assumes cmd of MAAF and AAFMTO, replacing ACM Tedder and Gen Spaatz, who along with AVM Coningham and numerous other American and British officers have departed for UK.
1/15/44 Twelfth AF B-25's attack Foligno railway junction. B-26's bomb bridges at Orvieto, P-40's of 79th Ftr Gp and RAF 239 Wg hit San Valentino station in joint attack. A-36's and other P-40's, in spt of US Fifth Army forces, hit gun positions and strongpoints, especially at Picinisco and Atina. P-40's on armed rcn hit railroad W of Frosinone station and strafe Ceccano station and railway cars.
1/15/44 Fifteenth AF B-24's bomb Prato M/Y and industrial area, and also hit roads in area and drop several bombs in town of Pistoia. B-17's concentrate on railroad yards and bridges in Florence area at Certaldo, Poggibonsi, Montalto di Castro, Arezzo, Civitavecchia, and near Porto Civitanova and Orvieto, and hit scattered T/Os. Ftrs escort all the missions.
1/15/44 Tenth AF 4 P-40's and a B-25 over N Burma hit train at Pinwe.
1/15/44 Fourteenth AF 2 B-25's on sea sweep along Indochina coast bomb Hongay power plant and sink gunboat in nearby cove to the SW. Coal grading building at Campha Port is also bombed. 2 B-25's on sweep off SE China coast sink wooden vessel off Swatow and damage lighthouse on Nampang I. 2 others shoot down Japanese bmr N of Chikhom.
1/15/44 Fifth AF B-24's and B-25's pound Uligan Harbor. P 10's, P 17's, and B-25's hit Madang, Alexishafen, Erima, and Bogadj im area. Enemy positions along S coast of New Britain are attacked by B-25's and P-39's.
1/15/44 Thirteenth AF 24 B-25's, with 60 ftrs escorting, pound East Cape. P-39's attack barges and trucks at Chabai.
1/15/44 Seventh AF 9 B-25's from Tarawa flying at deck-level bomb and strafe shipping and shore installations at Maloelap. 2 vessels are hit and oil dump, hangars, other buildings, and runways are damaged. 1 B-25 crashes at sea after being hit by AA fire.
1/16/44 ETO Gen Eisenhower assumes duties of Supreme Cmdr, AEF.
1/16/44 Twelfth AF B-25's bomb M/Y and choke points at Terni. B-26's attack M/Y and bridge at Orte. A-20's bomb town of Atina. P-40's attack bridges in San Giorgio del Sannio area and gun emplacements near Cassino, Sant' Angelo in Theodice, and Picinisco. A-36's hit railway junction at Cecina, road and railway S of Siena, and town areas of Avezzano and Formia.
1/16/44 Fifteenth AF B-24's attack Osoppo landing ground and town of Zara. The HBs claim 9 ftrs shot down. 1 B-24 is destroyed in aerial combat. B-17's bomb Messerschmitt factory at Klagenfurt and landing ground at Villaorba. Escorting ftrs claim 3 aircraft destroyed. 3 P-38's are shot down.
1/16/44 Fourteenth AF 8 P-40's attack town of Pingkai and strafe T/Os in surrounding valley area.
1/16/44 Fifth AF Madang, Erima, and Bogadjim areas are hit by B-25's, A-20's, and P-40's. P-39's strafe area from Sio to Bogadjim. B-25's bomb area N from Cape Croisilles. B-24's and B-25's attack positions near Arawe.
B-24's carry out light raid on Amboina harbor.
1/16/44 Seventh AF 25 A-24's, 16 P-39's, and 8 P-40's from Makin strike Mille. The A-24's bomb and strafe AA positions and storage areas, the P-40's bomb and strafe barracks and AA emplacements, and the P-39's strafe runways. 2 P-39's are lost. P-39's sent up on interceptor missions claim 3 airplanes destroyed over Mille and Makin.
1/17/44 Twelfth AF B-25's attack M/Ys at Terni, Chiaravalle, and Montemarciano. B-26's strike Orte railway bridge and Viterbo M/Y. P-40's hit Sibenik harbor, bridge at San Giorgio del Sannio, gun positions at San Giuseppe and Formia, and docks at Anzio. A-36's bomb Anzio, Avezzano town area and road junction, and Tarquinia town and factory buildings.
1/17/44 Fifteenth AF B-17's attack M/Y at Prato and M/Y and bridge at Pontassieve. B-24's bomb M/Y at Arezzo. P-38's and P-47's provide escort.
1/17/44 Tenth AF A-36's and P-51's spt ground forces in Shaduzup-Ngamaw Ga area and near Taro. Others bomb supply dumps, warehouses, and rolling stock at Sahmaw. P-40's hit Myitkyina A/F.
1/17/44 Fifth AF 47 B-24's and B-25's bomb Hansa Bay area. B-25's bomb Nubia. P-39's strafe Rai Coast. B-24's bomb Bandanaira.
1/17/44 Thirteenth AF AAF and Navy ftrs spt Navy dive-bmr strike on shipping at Rabaul. 18 airplanes are claimed shot down. 10 Allied ftrs fail to return from mission. During 17/18 Jan, a few B-24's, in 2 flights, bomb Rabaul area, while 2 B-34's bomb Kalakapisi coast watcher station at Choiseul I.
1/17/44 Seventh AF 9 B-25's from Abemama bomb and strafe Mille, hitting runway, AA positions, radio tower, warehouse area, lagoon dredges, and possible oil dumps. 4 P-40's from Makin bomb and strafe Mille landing ground.
1/18/44 Twelfth AF B-26's hit harbor, tin mills, steel works, power house, and blast furnaces at Piombino, and bomb Montalto di Castro railroad and bridge. B-25's hit town and railway viaduct at Terni, and A-20's blast gun positions in Minturno area. P-40's hit trains, wharves and vessels in Ploca and Metkovic areas. A- 36's and P-40's pound troops, trucks, and gun positions in Minturno area and near Pontecorvo and Atina, hit petrol dump at Pignataro Interamna, warehouse at Fontana Liri, factory at Ceprano, rail and road junction at Avezzano, and railway at Santa Marinella.
1/18/44 Fifteenth AF B-17's attack M/Ys, a bridge and an A/F in Florence area. P-38's and P-47's provide close escort.
1/18/44 Tenth AF 12 P-38's hit A/F and satellite field at Meiktila. 18 B-24's and 9 B-25's bomb encampment area at Kyaukchaw. 17 A-36's and P-51's hit troops, dumps, and workshops at Sawnghka. 11 P-40's attack troops and stores at Shaduzup. 3 transport airplanes are lost to Japanese ftrs during supply dropping mission SE of Sumprabum.
1/18/44 Fourteenth AF 2 B-25's bomb railroad yard and wharf at Campha Port and oil storage facilities at Mon Cay.
1/18/44 Fifth AF Hansa Bay area is bombed by 40 B-24's. Other B-24's positions around Shaggy Ridge. 55 P-38's and P-40's engage a like number of ftrs over Wewak, losing 3 P-38's and claiming 12 shot down.
1/18/44 Thirteenth AF 34 B-25's supported by 70-plus ftrs, pound Tobera. Single B-24's on armed rcn bomb Maliai, Vunakanau, and Lakunai areas.
1/18/44 Seventh AF 12 B-25's from Abemama attack barracks area, runway, and gun positions on N part of Mille. 25 A24' s and 8 P-40's from Makin pound oil storage area S of Jabor on Jaluit. The P-40's also strafe a radio station in tgt area.
1/19/44 Twelfth AF B-25's bomb Rieti A/F. B-26's hit A/F at Viterbo. A-20's attack M/Y at Colleferro. P-40's bomb and strafe 2 schooners at Makarska. A-36's hit guns, trucks, and trains N of Rome and fly over 70 sorties against rail, comm and troop positions in US Fifth Army battle area as Garigliano bridgehead expands.
P-40's also hit defended positions in battle area and near Scauri, Tremensuoli, and Alvito.
1/19/44 Fifteenth AF B-24's and B-17's hit A/Fs at Perugia, Iesi, Centocelle, and Ciampino. P-38's fly close escort for all the missions while P-47's fly top cover over Ciampino and Centocelle and carry out sweep over Rome area.
1/19/44 Tenth AF 16 B-24's bomb M/Y and Don Maung railroad station at Bangkok. 4 P-40's hit town of Wakshang. 26 A-36's and P-51's hit tgts along roads from Ngamaw Ga to Maingkwan to Mashi Daru.
1/19/44 Fourteenth AF 14 P-40's and 2 B-25's attack barracks area at Mon Cay.
1/19/44 Fifth AF 57 B-24's bomb Boram, 17 more bomb Amboina and Halong, and 2 others score hits on freighter near Aitape. 65 B-25's, along with RAAF airplanes, pound positions in Shaggy Ridge area. 2 P-39's bomb barges in Cape Raoult area.
1/19/44 Thirteenth AF Attacks during the day are limited to isolated strikes on shipping and other T/Os by aircraft on armed rcn over Bougainville, New Ireland, and Saint George Channel. During 19/20 Jan, 11 B-24's, in 2 waves, fly strikes against Rabaul and Vunakanau tgts.
1/19/44 Seventh AF 17 B-25's from Tarawa hit Mille. Flying at low altitude, the MBs score hits on gun positions, fuel dumps, and the A/F area in general. AA fire claims 2 B-25's.
1/20/44 USSAFE Gen Spaatz, as CG US SAFE, formally assumes administrative responsibility for all US AAFs in UK.
His HQ is located at Bushy Park, formerly Eighth AF HQ.
1/20/44 Twelfth AF B-26's bomb Viterbo M/Y and attack bridge at Pontecorvo. B-25's attack railroads in Carsoli area. A- 20's give close spt to US 5th Div in Minturno area. British and US P-40's follow RAF LBs in raid on Popoli station. A-36's pound rail and road crossing at Viterbo, and P-40's hit comm at Frosinone, Palestrina, and Carsoli, where a traffic block is created. A-36's and P-40's fly nearly 200 sorties in spt of US Fifth Army ground forces as 36th Div begins assault across the Rapido R in Sant' Angelo in Theodice area. P-40's also hit tgts along British Eighth Army front.
1/20/44 Fifteenth AF B-24's and B-17's bomb A/Fs at Guidonia, Centocelle, and Ciampino. P-38's provide escort, and P- 47's carry out sweeps over the tgts. Other P-47's escort transport airplanes on mission to Yugoslavia.
1/20/44 Tenth AF In N Burma, 40-plus A-36's and P-51's hit storage dumps along railway in Mogaung area and billets and warehouse area at Mohnyin. In S Burma, 16 P-38's and 5 B-25's knock out railroad bridge, pipeline, and railroad tracks in Nattalin area.
1/20/44 Fourteenth AF 2 B-24's on sweep from Hong Kong to Swatow attack a freighter and a tanker, which are reported sinking.
1/20/44 Fifth AF 37 B-25's and a B-24 bomb and strafe Hansa Bay area. Over 60 B-25's hit positions on Shaggy Ridge. P-39's strafe troops at Weber Pt. 25 A-20's hit positions between Borgen Bay and Rein Bay and hit barge hideouts and enemy held areas in Gasmata area.
1/20/44 Thirteenth AF Several tgts on Bougainville are bombed by 2 sqs of B-24's. 18 B-25's, with about 70 escorting ftrs, pound A/F, fuel dump, gun positions, at Vunakanau and Rabaul.
1/20/44 Seventh AF 13 B-24's, staging through Tarawa, hit Wotje Atoll during 19/20 Jan. 8 B-25's from Abemama bomb Rakaaru. Other B-25's sent from Tarawa against shipping at Ailinglapalap Atoll abort because of bad weather. 9 P-40's from Gilbert Is strafe a corvette and a schooner at Jaluit, mortally damaging both vessels. 4 other P-40's bomb Mille.
1/21/44 Eighth AF 390 HBs attack 24 V-weapon sites and T/Os in France, concentrating on Pas de Calais area. Of the nearly 800 HBs dispatched, 401 are forced to abort because of clouds which prevent 12 objectives from being attacked.
1/21/44 Ninth AF 119 B-25's bomb V-weapon sites in France.
1/21/44 Twelfth AF B-26's hit railroad bridges N and S of Orvieto. B-25's bomb chokepoints around Rome and unsuccessfully attack Pontecorvo bridge. A-20's attack comm at Atina. P-40's hit shipping at Povlje. Other P-40's and A-36's attack strongpoints, trucks, a cmd post, HQ building, and radar station in battle area. P- 40's also give close spt to US Fifth Army troops which are hardpressed at both Garigliano and Rapido R bridgeheads. A-36's bomb Velletri, concentration at Minturno, and area S of Viterbo.
1/21/44 Fifteenth AF B-17's bomb A/Fs at Istres-Le-Tube and Salon-de-Provence, railroad bridges at Porto Civitanova, and bridge and M/Y at Rimini. B-24's attack M/Ys at Ponte-dera and Prato. P-38's fly escort. P-47's sweep over wide areas around Rome and Florence.
1/21/44 Tenth AF 11 P-40's score near misses on Loilaw bridge and strafe Budagon nearby, starting several fires. 16 A- 36's and P-51's spt ground forces near Sumprabum, and 11 more bomb forces SW of Kamaing.
1/21/44 Fifth AF B-25's, A-20's, and P-39's bomb Madang area, and strafe villages near Saidor and troops from Reiss Pt to Erima. B-25's and P-39's strafe barges from Cape Raoult to Rein Bay and hit T/Os along N coast of New Britain. Single B-24's on armed rcn blast control tower at Hoskins A/F, and hit ships near Kavieng and at Lorengau. 2 B-24's bomb Waingapoe.
1/21/44 Thirteenth AF 38 B-24's pound runway and revetment area at Borpop A/F. P-39's strafe Kara and Kahili. B-34's and B-24's on armed rcn bomb Kalakapisi, Nukiki, and Buka A/F.
1/21/44 Seventh AF 16 B-24's staging through Tarawa during 20/21 Jan, bomb tgts on Kwajalein. 6 Tarawa-based B-25's hit Arno Atoll and 12 bomb Aur Atoll. 9 B-26's from Abemama hit gun positions, barracks, and runways on Mille. 23 A-24's and 11 P-40's from Gilbert Is base attack gun positions, ammo and oil storage, barracks, and 2 small vessels at Jaluit.
1/22/44 Twelfth AF Maximum spt is given to Allied landings at Anzio, which are begun by US Fifth Army's VI Corps at 0200. FBs, LBs, and MBs direct efforts toward isolating landing area by cutting roads, bridges, and railroads and obstructing towns in the surrounding region, at Velletri, Valmontone, Colleferro, Ceprano, and Fondi, and hitting traffic and comm throughout the area. Ftrs maintain patrol over shipping and beachhead and successfully intercept several enemy FB missions directed against the landings.
1/22/44 Fifteenth AF Unescorted B-17's and B-24's bomb Terni and Arezzo M/Ys, Pontedera M/Y and A/F, road and rail junction NW of Frascati, Terracina road defile, and Pontecorvo bridge and town area. P-38's strafe tgts in Arce-Frosinone area, including several vehicles and train cars. P-47's on sweep over Rome area encounter several ftrs, and claim 5 shot down; 2 P-47's fail to return.
1/22/44 Tenth AF 16 B-24's bomb encampment at Prome. 16 A-36's and P-51's and a single B-25 attack comm and supply dumps between Kumnyen and Ngamaw Ga. 12 A-36's and P-51's spt ground forces in Sumprabum area. 11 P-40's severely damage Namkwin railroad bridge.
1/22/44 Fourteenth AF 11 P-40's and 5 P-51's strafe newly opened Nanchang A/F, killing about 20 troops and destroying an airplane and a truck. 12 P-38's knock out bridges at Shektan and Sheklung.
1/22/44 Fifth AF B-25's strafe villages, bridges, and barges from Cape Gourdon to Cape Croisilles, and hit shipping at Papitalai, sinking small vessel and a barge and severely damaging jetty. A-20's, P-40's and RAAF aircraft hit numerous scattered T/Os on New Britain.
1/22/44 Thirteenth AF 27 B-25's, with 90-plus supporting ftrs, attack Lakunai A/F, doing considerable damage to runway and revetment areas. 1 B-25 and 4 ftrs are shot down. US airplanes claim 18 Japanese downed. 6 B-25's and 30-plus B-24's pound town of Rabaul.
1/22/44 Seventh AF 18 B-24's, flying from Tarawa, hit tgts on Kwajalein, Jaluit, and Mille. 10 B-25's from Abemama hit Maloelap; 9 others, flying out of Tarawa, bomb shipping and shore installations at Wotje. 3 B-25's are lost during the day's missions. 10 aircraft are claimed shot down.
1/23/44 Eighth AF 23 P-47's attack Gilze-Rijen A/F.
1/23/44 Ninth AF Nearly 200 B-26's bomb V-weapon sites in French coastal area.
1/23/44 Twelfth AF Col William S Gravely takes cmd of XII AF Trg and Repl Cmd. B-26's bomb area S of Avezzano while B-25's hit town of Avezzano and road junction at Monte Cornacchia. A-20's bomb Vallecorsa with good results. A-36's attack Vallecorsa, road junctions at Fondi and in Priverno area, town of Ceccano, and railroad at Sezze. P-47's bomb bridge at Skradin. DAF ftrs strafe tanks and trucks on British Eighth Army front, and XII A Spt Cmd ftrs cover US Fifth Army's Anzio beachhead during the day.
1/23/44 Fifteenth AF B-17's bomb road bridges at Pontecorvo and Ceprano, railroad line and bridge at Falconara Marittima, and M/Ys at Poggibonsi and Siena. P-47's escort HBs to latter 2 tgts. B-24's bomb Rieti A/F, Porto Civitanova M/Y, and T/Os, including bridge near Cagli, M/Y N of Perugia, and landing strip S of Iesi. P- 47's and P-38's carry out sweeps in wide areas around Rome and Florence, reaching out to Viterbo, Rieti, Orte, and Terni.
1/23/44 Tenth AF 19 B-24's, in 2 waves, attack shipping at Mergui, claiming a 350-ft vessel and 2 small boats destroyed. 6 B-25's and 16 P-38's knock out bridge at Myittha, damage bridge at Samon, and damage several trucks and railroad cars. 28 A-36's and P-51's and a single B-25 pound supply dumps at Kamaing and Mogaung, achieving excellent results. 16 P-40's hit Myitkyina A/F, railroad cars at Pidaung, and railroad bridge at Loilaw.
1/23/44 Fourteenth AF 28 P-40's and 9 B-25's from Kweilin pound Kai Tek A/F in Hong Kong-Kowloon area. 2 B-25's heavily damage 3 merchant vessels S of Wenchow.
1/23/44 Fifth AF 35 B-24's, with ftr escort, bomb Wewak. 50 Japanese ftrs intercept. In the ensuing air battle US aircraft claim 12 of the ftrs shot down. 5 US ftrs are lost. P-39's strafe barges and AA positions at Uligan Harbor and on Rai Coast. A-20's hit forces and AA positions near Cape Raoult and Gasmata. B-24's hit Flores I.
1/23/44 Thirteenth AF 80 AAF, Navy, and Marine ftrs spt 60-plus Navy dive bmrs in strike on Lakunai A/F and Matupi Harbor area. 3 Allied ftrs are lost. US airplanes claim more than 30 aircraft shot down. Later, 40-plus ftrs sweep Rabaul area. 20 P-39's strafe T/Os in Shortland I area. During 23/24 Jan, 7 B-25's hit Tobera and Lakunai.
1/23/44 Seventh AF 21 B-25's from Tarawa and Abemama hit Taroa I. The MBs claim 3 ftrs shot down. 23 B-24's, flying out of Makin and Abemama, bomb Wotje at dusk. 1 HB bombs Mille during return flight after developing engine trouble.
1/24/44 Eighth AF 857 HBs are put into the air with intentions of bombing transportation and industrial tgts at Frankfurt- Heddernheim, Frankfurt/Main, and Russelsheim. Unpredicted multi-layer clouds and haze impede assemblies, and only 452 planes are dispatched to the tgts. Cloud formations and dense contrails over English Channel make holding formation impossible, and the bmrs are recalled, with exception of a combat wg which is approaching German border. 56 planes of this wg attack power station near Eschweiler before returning to base. British and US in UK agree to place most of the available P-51's in the Eighth AF for long-range escort of HBs. Eventually the Eighth is to be equipped almost exclusively with P-51's, with the P-38's and P-47's to be transferred to the Ninth AF.
1/24/44 Ninth AF More than 175 MBs attack V-weapon sites in coastal area of France.
1/24/44 Twelfth AF Weather cancels all MB and LB operations. Ftrs maintain cover over Anzio beachhead (Anzio and Nettuno are captured during the day) and encounter increased air attacks. 3 ftrs are claimed destroyed in aerial combat, while 1 Allied ftr is lost. P-40 FBs hit road at Penne, while A-36's bomb Velletri and road junction E of town, and hit other comm tgts.
1/24/44 Fifteenth AF B-24's bomb A/F and town area at Skoplje. B-17's hit M/Y at Vrattsa and Dolno Tserovene area, both T/Os. P-38's escort the B-24's while P-47's accompany the B-17's.
1/24/44 Fourteenth AF B-25's on sea sweeps claim sinking of merchant ship W of Nampang I, 2 freighters, a cargo-passenger vessel, and a coastal cargo boat anchored in LiShan Bay, and a cargo-passenger vessel at Paichuan I.
1/24/44 Fifth AF 40-plus B-24's bomb A/Fs at Wewak and Boram. More than 50 B-25's and P-47's hit Madang and troops in vicinity and bomb Hansa Bay area. 38 other B-25's attack shipping and harbor installations on Manus I.
1/24/44 Thirteenth AF A large concentration of AAF, Navy, Marine, and RN ZAF ftrs spt Navy and Marine TBFs dive-bombing shipping in Simpson Harbor and Keravia Bay. Several 300500-ft vessels are damaged or sunk. US airplanes claim more than 20 ftrs shot down.
1/24/44 Seventh AF 24 A-24's from Makin, supported by 12 P-39's and 7 P-40's, hit gun positions, storage areas, and barracks on Mille. In late afternoon, 8 B-25's, staging through Makin, bomb A/F on Wotje. During 24/25 Jan, 9 B-25's from Tarawa and 12 B-24's from Taroa bomb several tgts in Maloelap. 1 other B-24 bombs Mille.
1/25/44 Eighth AF 62 P-47's attack Leeuwarden and Gilze-Rijen A/Fs.
1/25/44 Ninth AF Nearly 150 B-26's, airborne to bomb V-weapon sites in France, are forced to abandon missions because of heavy clouds.
1/25/44 Twelfth AF B-25's bomb Valmontone. B-26's hit Sezze M/Y, Sezze-Bassiano road, Amelia, and Rieti M/Y. A-20's attack Terelle. A-36's hit Civita Castellana, Itri, Velletri, and railroad rolling stock in the area. P-40's hit Velletri and Belmonte in Sabina and strafe trucks E of Fondi. P-40's and P-47's hit shipping in Dubrovnik, and nearby road and rail traffic. British and AAF ftrs of DAF hit bridge approaches at Popoli, near British Eighth Army front.
1/25/44 Fifteenth AF B-17's bomb T/Os highways and railroad bridges) at Pedaso, SE of Pedaso, at Stazione di Monte Silvano, and on Vomano R NW of Pescara. Other B-17's return bombs to base after finding tgts obscured by bad weather.
1/25/44 Fourteenth AF B-25's on sweeps of E China coast claim a patrol boat, a tanker and 2 freighters sunk S of Wenchow.
1/25/44 Fifth AF 50-plus B-24's pound Hansa Bay area. 37 B-25's bomb Alexishafen and Madang. P-39's strafe barges on Rai Coast. P-40's and A-20's hit Gasmata. More than 50 B-25's bomb Lorengau and Momote.
1/25/44 Thirteenth AF 19 B-24's, following 3 which drop flares, attack Lakunai A/F during late evening.
1/25/44 Seventh AF 24 A-24's from Makin, supported by 12 P-39's, attack gun positions on Mille. 8 B-25's from Tarawa bomb a vessel and shore tgts at Taroa. Later, in a dusk attack, 18 B-24's flying out of Gilbert Is bomb Kwajalein, hitting runways and AA positions.
1/26/44 Ninth AF 144 B-26's scheduled to bomb V-weapon sites in France are recalled because of bad weather.
1/26/44 Twelfth AF A-20's attack Cisterna di Latina, toward which US Fifth Army's VI Corps is moving. A-36's and P-40's fly harassing attacks against roads and railroads, bombing at Belmonte in Sabina, Cisterna, Itri, Ceccano, Frosinone, Poggio Mirteto, and at points around these towns. A-36's destroy fuel dump and several trucks and arty caissons in Ceprano-Priverno area.
1/26/44 Tenth AF 15 B-24's bomb Maungdaw. 7 B-25's and 3 ftrs hit camp at Razabil and attack T/Os between Maungdaw and Buthidslung.
1/26/44 Fourteenth AF 18 P-40's from Kunming bomb and strafe A/F and barracks at Kengtung.
1/26/44 Fifth AF 42 B-24's bomb Momote and Lorengau. 140-plus B-24's, A-20's, P-39's, and P-40's hit Alexishafen- Madang area. 18 B-25's bomb Bogia village. A-20's hit Cape Raoult area and P-40's strafe barges along N coast of New Britain.
1/26/44 Thirteenth AF 80-plus Allied ftrs cover strike by more than 50 Navy dive bmrs on Lakunai area AA positions and revetments. 3 Allied ftrs are lost. More than 20 airplanes are claimed shot down.
1/26/44 Seventh AF 9 B-25's from Makin hit several tgts in Maloelap Atoll. About 20 ftrs attack the formation. 12 P-40's, meeting the returning MBs over Aur Atoll, join battle against the ftrs, claiming more than 10 destroyed.
The MBs claim 5 shot down. Several more are destroyed on ground or while taking off during the bombing raid. 9 B-25's from Tarawa hit Aineman I, Jaluit Atoll, and nearby shipping.
1/27/44 Twelfth AF B-25's attack roads at Velletri, railway at Colleferro, and M/Y at Orte. B-26's bomb bridges at Ceprano and M/Y at Terni. A-20's give close spt to US Fifth Army attack near Terelle. A-26's bomb railways and buildings at Poggio Mirteto, Ceccano, and Ciampino, hit rail and road traffic S of Rome, and, with P- 40's, hit town of Piedimonte. More than 70 P-40's provide close spt to Fifth Army forces in Cisterna di Latina and Atina, bombing gun positions. Allied ftrs over Anzio beachhead successfully meet increased enemy air effort, claiming 28 airplanes downed in aerial combat.
1/27/44 Fifteenth AF B-17's bomb A/Fs at Salon-de-Provence and Montpellier-Frejorgues. B-24's hit Istres-Le-Tube A/F. P- 38's fly escort. Other P-38's sweep Rome area, and P-47's sweep Florence area. HBs and ftr escorts claim over 20 aircraft shot down.
1/27/44 Fifth AF 41 B-24's bomb Lorengau. Almost 70 B-25's, A-20's, and P-39's, along with several RAAF airplanes attack Madang and Bogia areas. B-24's hit freighter and town area at Dili and shipping at Sorong and MacCluer Gulf.
1/27/44 Thirteenth AF 19 B-25's, with escort of 60-plus AAF and Navy ftrs, pound Lakunai A/F. 6 US ftrs are lost. US airplanes claim more than 20 ftrs shot down. P-39's ranging over wide areas strafe T/Os at Motupena, Gazelle Harbor, and Buka I. 2 sqs of B-24's blast concentrations at Sulphur Creek in Rabaul area.
1/27/44 Seventh AF 6 B-2B's from Tarawa hit Nauru, and 9 staging through Makin hit Wotje. 23 A-24's, supported by 10 P- 39's, pound Mille. 7 B-24's, staging through Makin, bomb Taroa in a dusk attack.
1/28/44 Eighth AF 43 B-24 is bomb V-weapon site at Bonnieres, using GeeH blind-bombing device for first time. (Gee-H is more accurate than H2X but is of use only against tgts within the 200-mi beacon range. Later, aircraft are equipped with both devices).
1/28/44 Twelfth AF B-25's attack Orte M/Y. B-26's hit bridges at Orvieto and Montalto di Castro. A-20's bomb Cisterna di Latina with good results. P-40's and P-47's bomb Popoli road junction, and A-36's hit railroad, road, and gun positions in Cassino-Vicenza-Velletri areas, Colleferro M/Y, and Atina town area. P-40's hit Terelle, Belmonte in Sabina, and Cisterna. Allied ftrs over Anzio area claim 21 airplanes shot down.
1/28/44 Fifteenth AF B-17's, with ftr escorts, bomb Aviano A/F and Verona M/Y. B-24's hit M/Y at Ferrara.
1/28/44 Fifth AF B-25's attack T/Os from Bogia to Cape Croisilles. A-20's attack in Cape Gloucester area. P-40's hit A/F at Hoskins. P-39's strafe barges in Rein Bay.
1/28/44 Thirteenth AF AAF and Navy ftrs spt Navy dive-bmr attack on tgts in Rabaul area. 5 P-38's are lost. Allied aircraft claim about 30 airplanes shot down. At Lakunai A/F, one of the tgts, 20-30 parked airplanes are destroyed and several AA positions are destroyed or damaged. 25 B-25's, covered by 12 P-38's, pound Tobera A/F. 16 P-39's strafe Shortland I area.
1/28/44 Seventh AF 9 B-25's, staging through Makin, bomb Taroa. B-24's, staging through Tarawa and Makin and taking off at varying intervals, carry out several hours of strikes against Wotje, Kwajalein, Maloelap, and Jaluit.
1/29/44 Eighth AF 763 HBs led by Path finder aircraft hit war industries at Frankfurt/Main. 46 HBs bomb Ludwigshafen (T/O) due to deviation from planned bomb route. Ftr opposition is fierce and 29 aircraft are lost. This is first Eighth AF mission in which more than 700 aircraft attack tgts.
1/29/44 Ninth AF More than 80 B-26's bomb V-weapon sites in coastal France.
1/29/44 Twelfth AF B-25's bon San Benedetto de Marsi M/Y. B-26's hit bridges N of Rome. P-47's bomb munitions factory at Bussi sul Tirino. P-40's and A-36's, in spt of US Fifth Army Forces, bomb positions in Anzio beachhead are and hit enemy forward road and rail comm. Ftrs on patrol over Anzio meet little air opposition.
1/29/44 Fifteenth AF B-24's bomb Siena M/Y through overcast. B-17's bomb M/Y's at Ancona, Fabriano, Rimini, and Bologna. P-47's sweep over Rome and Florence areas.
1/29/44 USSR Soviet Army clears Germans from Moscow-Leningrad rail line. Russians launch attack against German salient in Ukraine.
1/29/44 Tenth AF 13 B-24's, supported by 16 P-38's, bomb gasoline plants at Yenangyaung, causing large fires. 1 HB later bombs Akyab. 6 B-25's attack bridges at Meza and Pyintha, damaging the former and blasting railroad approaches to the latter.
1/29/44 Fifth AF 40-plus B-25's bomb Bogia and Nubia landing grounds. 45 A-20's hit positions in Cape Gloucester area.
1/29/44 Thirteenth AF About 60 Allied ftrs cover strike by 40 Navy dive bmrs on Tobera. Lakunai A/F is pounded by 19 B- 24's, escorted by P-38's and Navy ftrs. At Tobera and Lakunai, Allied airplanes claim more than 20 Japanese shot down.
1/29/44 Seventh AF As US invasion force approaches the Marshalls, B-24's, attacking from bases in the Gilberts, maintain day and night attacks (both multiple-plane missions and single-plane attacks at intervals) against Maloelap, Jaluit, Aur Atoll, Wotje, and Mille. 9 B-25's from Tarawa also carry out strike against shipping and shore installations at Wotje. 18 A-24's, supported by 12 P-40's hit Jaluit. 12 P-39's, operating in flights of 4 aircraft, patrol and strafe Mille all day to deny use of the A/F to the enemy.
1/30/44 Eighth AF 701 Hbs hit city of Brunswick, using blind-bombing equipment to bomb through the overcast. 51 Hbs bomb T/Os, including city of Hannover. 20 aircraft are lost on mission.
1/30/44 Twelfth AF B-25's hit road junctions at Valmonte and Genzano di Roma, and bomb town of Monte Compatri.
Weather cancels all B-26 operations and several B-25 missions. A-20's hit town of and road junction near Cori, and XII A Spt Cmd Fbs hit Sora. US and British ftrs hit Barges and fishing boats of Zara and Trojica. Ftrs on patrol over Anzio meet no air opposition.
1/30/44 Fifteenth AF 451st Bomb Gp (B-24) becomes operational, making a total of 9 HB gps in Fifteenth AF. B-17's hit A/Fs and landing grounds at Villaorba, Maniago, and Lavariano. B-24's bomb Udine A/F and Fier radar station. P-38's escort B-17's on Villaorba and Maniago missions, and P-38's and some British Spitfires escort B-24's on Udine mission. P-47's carry out sweep over Villaorba area. The Hbs and ftrs claim over 60 airplanes shot down and a number destroyed on the ground.
1/30/44 Tenth AF 6 B-25's attack bridges at Mexa, Zawchaung, and N of Kyungon. Meza bridge is put out of commission, Kyungon bridge demolished, and Zawchaung bridge damaged. A locomotive and tender are destroyed at the latter tgt. A single B-25 attacks vehicles and other T/Os between Taihpa Ga and Tsumhpawng Ga.
1/30/44 Fourteenth AF 20 P-40's fly armed rcn over E Burma. 8 of them strafe buildings at Loiwing A/F.
1/30/44 Fifth AF 34 B-25's bomb Hansa Bay area and Nubia landing strip. A-20's fly barge sweep along N coast of New Britain. P-39's strafe barges and fuel dumps at Rein Bay.
1/30/44 Thirteenth AF 20 P-39's attack Kunrai. 26 B-25's, with large ftr cover, bomb Lakunai A/F. 18 B-24's, supported by ftrs, hit Vunakanau A/F. 50 Allied ftrs spt Navy dive bmr strike on shipping in Rabaul area. Altogether 20-plus ftrs are claimed shot down in the attacks in New Britain area.
1/30/44 Seventh AF P-40's and P-39's maintain patrols over Mille, bombing and strafing the A/F to prevent its use by the enemy against invading forces. B-24's maintain all-night strikes against Kwajalein in preparation for the invasion the following morning. Invasion of Majuro Atoll begins during 30/31 Jan.
1/31/44 Eighth AF 74 B-24's bomb V-weapons site construction at Saint-Pol/Siracourt. 70 P-47 Fbs, escorted by 87 P- 47's and 47 P-38's, bomb Gilze-Rijen A/F; 84 ftrs are encountered and fighting is fierce; 6 P-38's are lost in battle; US aircraft account for 13 ftrs destroyed.
1/31/44 Twelfth AF A-20's bomb Artena and road junction to N of Town. P-40's and A-36's, operating E of Anzio battle area, hit road junction at Sezze, town of Fondi, and junction and town area at Priverno. P-47's bomb San Benedetto de Marsi. XII A Spt Cmd flies over 250 sorties over Anzio beachhead. Air Opposition is absent.
1/31/44 Fifteenth AF B-17's and B-24's bomb A/F at Aviano and Udine. P-38's and P-47's provide escort, hit Klagenfurt A/F.
Hbs and ftrs claim 16 airplanes shot down.
1/31/44 Fifth AF A-20's attack Uligan Harbor. P-39's strafe Bogadjim, Bostrem Bay, and landing strip at Alexishafen. B- 24's hit motor vessel off Ceram.
1/31/44 Thirteenth AF 40-plus Allied ftrs cover strike by Navy dive bmrs on Tobera. 8 airplanes are claimed shot down. The strike is immediately followed by an attack by 17 B-24's, with ftr spt, on same tgt.
1/31/44 Seventh AF As US Army and Marine troops land on Kwajalein, under overall cmd of Adm Spurance, Seventh AF hits other atolls in the Marshalls. 19 A-24's bomb Mille A/F, over which P-39's and P-40's maintain allday cover and harassment. 9 P-40's carry out strafing mission against Jaluit. During 31 Jan/1 Feb, 8 B-24's, attacking at intervals, bomb Wotje.
1/31/44 Eleventh AF 5 bmrs fly a negative sea-search mission.
2/2/44 Fifteenth AF B-24's, with Spitfire escort, bomb radar station at Durazzo.
2/2/44 USSR Stalin agrees to provide 6 bases for US aircraft in USSR. Soviet Army crosses into Estonia, and in Ukraine attacks along a 60-mile front.
2/2/44 Fifth AF B-24's bomb Sorong and Alexishafen. Nearly 50 A-20's pound installations in Madang area. B-25's hit New Britain coastal tgts from Cape Gauffre to Rein Bay. Other B-25's attack shipping off Tingwon Is and off SE coast of New Britain.
2/2/44 Seventh AF A-24's and P-40's from Makin bomb Mille runways and gun positions and along with P-39 escort strafe NE tip of the island. B-24's from Tarawa bomb Rongelap I.
2/3/44 Eighth AF 543 Hbs attack Wilhelmshaven while 61 bomb Emden T/Os. Bad weather causes more than 100 HB to abort mission.
2/3/44 Ninth AF 358th Ftr Gp becomes operational. This is the first of 17 ftr gps which are to be added by 9 May 44 to the Ninth AF, which previously had only 1 ftr gp, the 354th. 52 B-26's bomb V-weapon sites on W coast of France. Weather causes over 100 other aircraft to abandon mission.
2/3/44 Twelfth AF MB missions are all abortive. A-36's, hit roads and other tgts S of Rome, destroying or damaging numerous trucks and bombing towns of Seese and Fondi as US ground forces meet strong resistance in drive toward Cassino. P-47's hit Manopello and railroad facilities at Sulmona. Ftrs patrol Anzio area.
2/3/44 Fifteenth AF B-24's, finding primary tgt obscured by bad weather, bomb T/Os (railroad yards and stations) at Stimigliano and Sulmona. Other B-24's return to base without bombing. P-47's fly ftr sweep over Prato-Pontassieve area.
2/3/44 Tenth AF 16 P-38's attack bridges, encampments, and buildings along Prome-Taungup road. 1 bridge is knocked out and another damaged. Atugboat is sunk at Akyab. 14 A-36's and a B-25 attack troops and camp area at Kumnyen and Lalawng Ga, and hit motor pool and repair depot at Shingban. 16 P- 51's hit encampment at Sawnghka.
2/3/44 Fifth AF Nearly 100 B-24's and B-25's, supported by P-38's, P-40's and P-47's, pound A/Fs in Wewak area.
About 80 airplanes are destroyed on the ground an in the air. A-20's attack Alexishafen and Hansa Bay areas. P-39's and B-25's on armed rcn hit trucks at Erima, barges on New Britain coast, shipping in N Bismarck Sea, and Momote and Hyane Harbor.
2/3/44 Thirteenth AF AAF P-40's and Navy ftrs cover Navy dive-bmr strike on Tobera. 15 B-24's with P-38 and Navy ftr escort bomb A/F at Lakunai. Allied aircraft claim 13 interceptors downed during the 2 strikes.
2/3/44 Seventh AF P-40's from Makin bomb and strafe Mille.
2/4/44 USSTAF Abbreviation for US Strategic Air Forces in Europe is changed from USSAFE to USSTAF.
2/4/44 Eighth AF 433 HBs are to attack industry and railroad yards at Frankfurt/Main but due to bad weather and navigational difficulties more than 200 of them bomb T/Os, including Koblenz, Giessen, Siegen and Trier.
2/4/44 Ninth AF Gen Weyland becomes CG of XIXA Spt Cmd.
2/4/44 Twelfth AF Weather prevents all MB, LB, and FB missions. P-40's and Spitfires maintain patrols over Aniz area, where a strong German counter-offensive had been launched during 3/4 Feb.
2/4/44 Fifteenth AF B-17's bomb Antheror viaduct and Toulon harbor. B-24's are forced by bad weather to return bombs to base. Many of the B-17's returning from Toulon raid are forced to land at various friendly fields because of unsafe flying conditions.
2/4/44 Tenth AF 12 P-51's strafe runways and buildings at Indaw.
2/4/44 Fifth AF B-24's and B-25's carry out small raids against Laha, Namlea, and Amboina. 170-plus B-24's, A-20's, and B-25's bomb But and Dagua A/Fs, Marienberg, and Madang-Alexishafen area. P-39's bomb and strafe Atemble and strafe T/O's in Alexishafen area.
2/4/44 Thirteenth AF 25 B-25's, escorted by 40-plus ftrs, pound A/F at Tobera. 18 B-24's, covered by 30-plus P-38's and Navy ftrs, hit A/F at Vunakanau.
2/4/44 Seventh AF B-24's, flying from Tarawa and Makin, bomb Wotje, Maloelap, and Mille. B-25's from Tarawa and Abemama also hit Wotje and Maloelap. P-40's based at Makin bomb and strafe Mille.
2/5/44 Eighth AF 450 B-17's and B-24's attack A/Fs at Chateauroux, Avord, Tours, Chateaudum, Orleans, and Villacoublay, and aircraft works at Villacoublay. In view of previous decision to concentrate most of trg activities of Eighth AF in Com Cmd, a decision is made to transfer HQ from Limavady, N Ireland, to Cheddington, England, to bring it closer to the combat crew trg stations over which it is to be given supervision. Most of the transfer is completed between 7 and 15 Feb.
2/5/44 Ninth AF Around 180 B-26's attack 6 V-weapon sites in N France.
2/5/44 Twelfth AF B-25's bomb Terni M/Y, and A-20's hit Lanuvio and Piedimonte areas. P-40's and A-36's hit road junctions at Cisterna di Latina, Vetralla, and Velletri, bomb towns of Vetralla, Ardea, and Villa Santa Lucia degli Abruzzi, and attack motor transport at several points, including areas N, NE and SE of Rome.
2/5/44 Tenth AF In early morning hours, 8 B-24's bomb A/F at Heho while 6 others hit Aungban A/F. 9 B-25's follow with strikes on Heho, Sagaing, and Myittha A/Fs. During daylight hrs 14 FBs hit M/Y at Wuntho.
During 5/6 Feb, 9 B-24's again hit Heho and 4 bomb Aungban.
2/5/44 Fourteenth AF 8 B-24's during 5/6 Feb bomb Bangkok. 3 others hit Nakhon Nayok and unidentified A/F on Mekong R. 2 B-24's and 2 B-25's attack convoy E of Hong Kong and claim 2 freighters and 3 smaller cargo vessels sunk. 4 P-40's on armed rcn strafe big wagon and truck column N of Hsenwi. 4 others bomb and strafe Hopang, causing large fires in the village.
2/5/44 Fifth AF 70-plus B-25's and A-20's attack Hansa Bay area. 48 B-24's pound Hoskins A/F, and some also bomb Gasmata, after weather prevents attack on Kavieng. B-24's fly light raid on Kamimana. B-25's on armed rcn in W Bismarck Sea claim 1 freighter sunk; others bomb wrecked ships off New Hanover.
2/5/44 Thirteenth AF 24 P-40's join 40 plus Navy ftrs in covering a strike by more than 60 Navy dive bmrs on Lakunai. This strike is followed by an attack of 13 B-24's, with 30-plus P-38 and Navy ftr escort, on same tgt.
2/5/44 Seventh AF P-40's from Makin dive-bomb and strafe oil storage area, radio facilities, and small craft at Jaluit. P- 39's strafe runways on Mille.
2/5/44 Eleventh AF 6 B-24's and 16 P-38's join Navy aircraft to fly air cover in several relays during retirement of US light cruisers and destroyers following bombardment of installations in the Kurabu Cape-Musashi Bay areas. Shortly afterwards, the aircraft also photograph and attack installations at Paramushiru and Shimushu.
2/6/44 Eighth AF 206 HBs attack A/Fs at Sanint-Andre-de-L'Eure, Evreux/Fauville, Chateaudun, and Caen/Carpiquet, and rocket-launching installation at Eclimeux as T/Os. Bad weather causes more than 400 HBs to abandon mission.
2/6/44 Ninth AF Around 120 B-26's bomb V-weapons sites, A/Fs, and a factory, all in France. Principal tgts bombed are at Rosieres-en-Santerre, Amiens/Glisy, Cormeilles-en-Vexin, and Grandvilliers.
2/6/44 Twelfth AF B-26's bomb Orte M/Y while B-25's hit Frascati road junction. A-20's bomb Campoleone railroad station and town of Roccasecca. P-40's bomb Cisterna di Latina, Santa Lucia (near Campoleone), Cori (and nearby road junction), and Atina. A-36's hit San Stefano al Mare, Cisterna di Latina, Frascati and Albano Laziale, and strike numerous vehicles, railroad cars and other T/Os on armed rcn missions N and S of Rome. German counteroffensive against Anzio beachhead and on Cassino front forces Allied withdrawal.
2/6/44 Fifteenth AF Bad weather restricts operations to photo and weather rcn flights.
2/6/44 Tenth AF 12 P-51's hit warehouses and freight cars at Wuntho and claim 4 warehouses destroyed.
2/6/44 Fourteenth AF 11 P-40's on armed rcn strafe sampans and power launches between Yoyang and Puchi. 6 B-25's knock out bridges and damage 3 trains at Anxuan, Tien An, Phong Loc and Dong Hoi.
2/6/44 Fifth AF B-25's and B-24's pound Bunabun Harbor, Madang, and tgts from Bogia to Cape Croisilles. Others bomb tgts in Admiralty Is (concentrating on Momote) and carry out light attacks on Talasea village and Cape Dampier gun positions in New Britain. P-39's strafe and sink barges near Nubia. A-20's hit shipping near Kairiru and Mushu Is causing considerable damage and destruction.
2/6/44 Thirteenth AF B-34's and P-39's hit barges in Green I area. Lakunai A/F is hit by 32 B-25's, covered by more than 60 AAF and Navy ftrs, and shortly afterwards by 19 B-24's, escorted by nearly 50 Allied ftrs. Allied aircraft claim 16 airplanes shot down. Lakunai is practically unserviceable as result of cumulative damage.
2/6/44 Seventh AF B-24's from Tarawa hit Maloelap and Wotje. A-24's and P-40's from Makin attack Mille. Tarawa-based P-39's strafe Jaluit.
2/7/44 Twelfth AF B-26's bomb bridge approach S of Manziana. B-25's hit Viterbo M/Y and, in spt of US Fifth Army troops, bomb town of Cisterna di Latina as enemy counterattack begins in Anzio area. A-20's hit Piedimonte and road junction and railway station at Campoleone. A-36's hit San Stefano al Mare and nearby railroad siding, Pontecorvo and Belmonte in Sabina, plus several T/Os and tgts in spt of ground forces in battle areas. P-40's attack observation tower at Littoria, trucks at Villa Santa Lucia degli Abruzzi, Campoleone, a railroad gun, Sezze railroad yards, Cisterna di Latina, and gun positions in battle areas. Ftrs encounter heavy aircraft activity over Anzio battle area and claim 16 shot down.
2/7/44 Fifteenth AF Bad weather again limits operations to photo and weather rcn missions.
2/7/44 Tenth AF A single B-25 bombs motor pool at Sumprabum.
2/7/44 Fourteenth AF 16 P-40's and 4 P-51's damage railroad bridges at Kienchang and Puchi and strafe warehouses at Teian. 2 B-25's score 2 direct hits on powerplant at Thanh Hoa, strafe nearby barracks, and attack radio station at Vinh.
2/7/44 Fifth AF 14 B-24's bomb Amboina and Lautem. P-39's fly strafing sweeps over New Britain. Single B-25's on rcn bomb Garua Harbor, Cape Dampier, and Kavieng.
2/7/44 Thirteenth AF P-40's join Navy ftrs in covering Navy dive-bmr strike on Tobera. Several gun positions and grounded aircraft are hit and runway is bombed into unserviceable condition. 11 aircraft are claimed shot down.
Vunakanau A/F is bombed by 17 B-24's, escorted by P-38's and Navy ftrs.
2/7/44 Seventh AF B-25's from Tarawa and Abemama hit Wotje and Maloelap. P-40's from Makin hit storage area at Jaluit.
2/8/44 Eighth AF 237 HBs attack Frankfurt/Main (using blindbombing techniques), and 127 bomb V-weapon installations at Watten and Siracourt. 78 HBs bomb T/Os, including Wiesbaden.
2/8/44 Ninth AF HQ Ninth AF extends IX BC's choice of tgts considerably, although first priority for POINTBLANK missions (spt of CBO) and next priority for CROSSBOW tgts (V-weapon sites) is maintained. In morning raid, nearly 200 MBs attack V-weapon sites and T/Os in NW France. In afternoon raid, more than 100 B-26's bomb V-weapon sites and military installations in same general area, most of the MBs attacking Breck-sur-Mer. This is IX BC's first 2-mission day.
2/8/44 Twelfth AF B-25's bomb Cisterna di Latina. B-26's hit Siena M/Y and warehouses, and railway bridge NE of Civita Castellana. A-20's bomb Piedimonte. A-36's attack gun positions near Ausonia, tracks between Rome and Orte, and town of Veroli, and fly strafing and bombing sweeps in Anzio battle area against motor transport, gun positions, road junction E of Cisterna di Latina, and town of Pontecorvo. P-40's hit Roccasecca, Castello, Caprile, Piedimonte, Aquino, and other tgts, including supply dump and gun positions. P-47's bomb Atina. DAF Mrs (US and British) destroy large number of trucks near Sora.
2/8/44 Fifteenth AF 454th Bomb Gp (B-24) becomes operational, giving Fifteenth 10 operational HB gps. B-24's bomb A/Fs at Viterbo, Tarquinia, Orvieto, Piombino, and Prato. B-17's hit M/Y at Verona. P-38's and P-47's escort the Orvieto, Piombino, and Prato missions.
2/8/44 Tenth AF 7 B-25's bomb bridges at Budalin and Songon, displacing a section of the former and destroying an approach to the latter. 7 others hit stronghold at Badana. 16 A-36's and P-51's and a single B-25 hit camp at Mogaung. 4 P-51's strafe railroad cars NW of Myitkyina while a lone B-25 bombs camp at Kumnyen.
2/8/44 Fifth AF Nearly 50 A-20's and B-25's hit Alexishafen and Madang areas. P-39's strafe T/Os during sweeps over wide areas of NE New Guinea and New Britain. During 8/9 Feb, B-25's bomb Toeal.
2/8/44 Thirteenth AF P-39's over Bougainville bomb and strafe Tiaraka huts and bivouac area.
2/8/44 Seventh AF B-24's from Makin and Abemama hit Maloelap and Mille.
2/9/44 Ninth AF 133 B-26's bomb V-weapon sites in coastal France, M/Ys t Tergnier, and T/Os in area. This marks the first of the IX BC raids on M/Ys.
2/9/44 Twelfth AF B-25's and B-26's, in lose spt to US Fifth Army forces, attack motor transport and troop concentrations in Campoleone area while A-20's blast another troop concentration to the W. P-40's hit Cisterna di Latina and gun positions. A-36's and P-40's pound concentration points of counterattack against Fifth Army beachhead in Anzio area, strike along main Fifth Army front, and attack villages of Piedimonte and Aquino and gun positions near Cassino and Ausonia.
2/9/44 Fifteenth AF Weather grounds all aircraft with exception of 1 P-38 which flies weather rcn mission.
2/9/44 Tenth AF B-25's, P-51's, P-38's, P-40's, and A-36's carry out 75 attack sorties against Seinnyinba, bivouac and supply areas in MogaungLoilaw area, bivouac and buildings at Pyindaw, camps at Kumnyen and near Maingkwan and Shingban, and storage area and bivouac on Mogaung/Kamaing road near Sawnghka.
A bridge over Namtawng R near Maingkwan also is destroyed.
2/9/44 Fourteenth AF 16 P-40's strafe and bomb large barracks and oil storage at Chefang and pound town areas of Homun and Mangshih. 2 B-25's demolish wireless station SW of Haiphong.
2/9/44 Fifth AF Occupation of Huon Peninsula is completed as US and Australian forces meet SE of Saidor. A-20's pound village of Mindiri. B-24's bomb Amboina and Lautem.
2/9/44 Thirteenth AF P-40's and Navy ftrs cover Navy dive-bmr attack on Vunakanau A/F, scoring many hits on AA positions, buildings, and runways. 24 B-24's with Navy ftr escort follow with strike on same tgt, hitting runways and revetment area. 19 B-24's, with 20 P-38's supporting, hit Tobera A/F, thoroughly saturating runway.
2/9/44 Seventh AF A-24's from Makin, along with supporting P-40's, bomb and strafe oil storage and gun positions on Jaluit. During a dusk-to-dawn operation on 9/10 Feb B-24's operating at intervals from Tarawa maintain strikes against Wotje Atoll and Taroa.
2/10/44 Eighth AF 138 HBs attack industrial area of Brunswick; fierce opposition accounts for loss of 29 aircraft. 28 airplanes bomb A/F at Gilze-Rijen.
2/10/44 Ninth AF 114 B-26's attack V-weapon sites in coastal France, A/Fs at Poix and Beauvais/Tille, bridge at Le Crotoy, and coastal battery N of Conch R.
2/10/44 Twelfth AF LB and MB missions are aborted because of bad weather. P-40's and A-36's spt unsuccessful attempt of US Fifth Army's 1st Div to stem attack in Carroceto area. P-47's fail to locate tgt (Sora) and drop bombs at T/Os.
2/10/44 Fifteenth AF B-17's bomb Albano Laziale, Cisterna di Latina, and Cecina. B-24's strike Campoleone and Velletri. P- 38's bomb and strafe Tivoli, Vicovaro, and Monterotondo area. P-47's fly uneventful sweeps over Cisterna di Roma and Albano. Numerous HBs are forced to abort operations because of unsafe flying conditions.
2/10/44 Tenth AF 9 B-24's bomb Ban Mah arsenal at Bangkok and Don Maung A/F immediately to the N. 3 B-24's bomb Prome and Akyab, 9 B-25's pound Chiradan and Godusara, and 16 P-51's hit barracks and road at Chishidu.
2/10/44 Fourteenth AF 8 P-40's bomb Wanling and vicinity while 3 others fly top cover. The tgt area, a supply, staging, and trg center, is heavily damaged. 5 B-24's during 9/10 Feb mine mouth of the Yangtze. B-25's on sea sweeps claim 2 freighters sunk near Hainan I and SW of Hong Kong. 12 P-51's and P-38's strafe boats and parked airplanes in Chiuchiang area. 12 P-40's strafe power boats and sampans along the Yangtze from Puchi to Yoyang.
2/10/44 Fifth AF 50-plus B-24's bomb Boram A/F and harbor at Wewak. 6 B-25's and a B-24 hit Momote A/F and jetties at Manus I. P-39's strafe T/Os during sweep over wide areas of New Britain. The junction of Allied forces from Arawe and Cape Gloucester marks completion of campaign for W end of New Britain; occasional missions will still be flown in the area, but most will be restricted to barge sweeps and patrols.
2/10/44 Thirteenth AF P-40's and Navy ftrs cover Navy dive-bmr attack on Vunakanau A/F. B-25's with ftr escort bomb Vunakanau later in the day. Tobera is pounded by 21 B-24's supported by P-38's and Navy ftrs. The Allied airplanes claim 30-plus aircraft downed in New Britain area. P-39's hit buildings at Bonis and barges in Matchin Bay and near Green I.
2/10/44 Seventh AF B-25's from Tarawa hit Wotje and Maloelap. 3 B-24's from Abemama, sent to bomb weather and radio station on Rongelap I, abort due to fuel leak in lead HB. Attempt to bomb Jaluit during return flight is unsuccessful.
2/11/44 Eighth AF 180 HBs attack industrial tgts at Frankfurt/Main and V-weapon site at Saint-Pol/Siracourt. 130 HBs bomb Ludwigshafen and other T/Os when failure of blind-bombing equipment causes diversion from primary tgts. First P-51's join VIII FC.
2/11/44 Ninth AF Most of 139 B-26's dispatched to attack NOBALL tgts in N France are recalled because of bad weather.
35 manage to bomb M/Y at Amiens.
2/11/44 Fifteenth AF All operations grounded by bad weather.
2/11/44 Twelfth AF Bad weather cancels operations.
2/11/44 Tenth AF 10 A-36's and P-51's hit supply area at Sawnghka. 12 A-36's and P-51's and a single B-25 bomb supply and bivouac area at Pyindaw. 8 P-51's hit road junction near Mogaung and nearby supply area. 8 P-51's and P-40's on armed rcn strafe large river steamer and a launch in Mandalay-Shwebo area.
2/11/44 Fourteenth AF 12 P-38's knock out 1 bridge and damage another at Sheklung. 6 B-25's, escorted by 20 US and Chinese P-40's, bomb storage area at Kai Tek A/F. The P-40's claim 5 ftrs shot down. Japanese aircraft bomb and strafe Namyung, putting the field out of use for several days.
2/11/44 Fifth AF About 50 B-24's pound A/F at Kavieng, and 2 bomb Garove I. 7 B-24's bomb Kendari A/F and Dili. P- 40's and RAAF airplanes pound forces still remaining in Saidor area. Ftr sweeps and armed rcn continue over wide areas of SWPA.
2/11/44 Thirteenth AF P-40's join Navy ftrs in covering Navy dive-bmr strike on Wunapope. 22 B-25's, escorted by Navy ftrs, pound Vunakanau A/F. Tobera A/F is bombed by 15 B-24's with P-38 and Navy ftr escort.
2/11/44 Seventh AF P-40's and P-39's dive-bomb and strafe hangar and A/F installations and gun positions on Mille.
2/12/44 Eighth AF 85 B-24's bomb V-weapon installation at Saint-Pol/Siraourt.
2/12/44 Twelfth AF B-25's attack gun positions at Campoleone and surrounding area. B-26's hit Cecina. A-36's hit airplanes and trucks on landing ground and in area near Fabrica di Roma, attack troops in the area, bomb gun positions SW of Rocasecca, and hit towns of Fondi and Januvio. P-40's attack Cisterna di Roma, Sezze station and road junction, Cori, and gun positions NW of Atina.
2/12/44 Fifteenth AF B-17's and B-24's strike troop concentrations and highways in Cecina area and near Lake Nemi. Bad weather causes all other missions to abort.
2/12/44 Tenth AF 8 P-40's hit town of Ransa and motor convoys S of Sumrabum. 40 P-51's and A-36's attack bivouacs at Walawbum, bivouac and motor pool at Padaw, storage area at road junction near Chishidu, and town of Chishidu. 30-plus P-51's and B-25's hit camps between Tsumhpawng Ga and Walawbum, storage area and motor pool S of Kamaing, motor convoy on Myitkyina-Sumprabum road, town of Namting, and bridges at Meza and Kanni.
2/12/44 Fourteenth AF 9 P-40's pound warehouse area at Wanling. 6 others bomb barracks at Vinh and strafe Dong Cuong A/F, railroad yards at Cam Duong, and sampans at Phu Tho. 5 B-25's on sea sweep in Gulf of Tonkin claim 2 trawlers sunk and hit shore T/Os SW of Haiphong. A single B-25 damages bridge at Ha Trung.
24 P-38's, P-51's, and P-40's intercept 25 ftrs near Suichwan, claiming 7 shot down. 2 US ftrs are lost.
2/12/44 Fifth AF Gen Connell resumes cmd of V AFSC. About 50 A-20's blast occupied areas SE of Wewak.
2/12/44 Thirteenth AF 23 B-25's, with Navy ftrs in spt, bomb Tobera A/F. 21 B-24's, escorted by P-39's and Navy ftrs, pound Vunakanau A/F. P-40's join Navy ftrs in covering Navy dive-bmr strike on Lakunai.
2/12/44 Seventh AF B-25's from Tarawa and Abemama hit Wotje and Maloelap. A-24's and P-39's from Makin bomb and strafe Mille.
2/13/44 CCS CCS accepts revision of CBO Plan. The tgts are reduced to a number that can be decisively attacked and tgt lists are revised to keep up with the effort of the Germans to relocate vital industrial plants.
Disruption of comm lines and reduction of German air power are high priority aims included in CCS directive on this date.
2/13/44 Eighth AF 377 B-17's and B-24's bomb 17 V-weapon tgts in Pas de Calais area. 39 bomb T/Os in the area.
2/13/44 Ninth AF 182 MBs attack V-weapon sites in coastal area of France. 16 others bomb secondary tgts in the area.
2/13/44 Twelfth AF B-26's bomb Bucine viaduct. B-25's and A-20's spt Fifth Army forces N and E of Anzio beachhead, blasting ammo dump and troop and vehicle concentrations. P-40 and A-36 FBs give spt in same areas, hitting troop concentrations, railway tunnel, buildings, vehicles, supply dump, and gun positions.
2/13/44 Fifteenth AF Operations are restricted to weather rcn.
2/13/44 Tenth AF 6 P-51's and a B-25 damage road bridge and 2 warehouses in Wuntho area. 32 P-51's and A-36's hit supply area and radio installations S of Kamaing and blast bivouacs S of Walawbum. 18 P-51's hit road and railroad junction N of Sahmaw, bivouac N of Kamaing, and camp between Tsumhpawng Ga and Walawbum. During the night, 16 B-24's bomb Heho A/F.
2/13/44 Fourteenth AF 23 B-24's pound railroad shops at Vinh. 4 B-25's hit convoy E of Foochow, claiming 3 freighters and a transport sunk. 4 other B-25's damage 2 vessels off SW Hainan I and bomb dock, railroad, and oil dump at Bakli. 6 P-40's bomb and strafe barracks and hangars at Phu Tho and strafe freight cars at Yen Bay and Suo Ha.
2/13/44 Fifth AF 24 A-20's hit Aitape. 70-plus B-25's pound Momote A/F. 35 B-24's bomb Kavieng A/F.
2/13/44 Thirteenth AF 20 B-25's bomb Tobera A/F, and 23 B-24's bomb Lakunai A/Fs. Both forces are escorted by ftrs. P- 40's and Navy ftrs escort Navy SBD's and TBF's divebombing runway and AA positions at Vunakanau.
2/13/44 Seventh AF During 13/14 Feb, B-24's from Tarawa, operating individually at intervals, bomb Wotje, Taroa, and Mille.
2/14/44 SHAEF Gen Eisenhower establishes HQ SHAEF. COSSAC comes under control of SHAEF.
2/14/44 Eighth AF 46 P-47 FBs attack Gilze-Rijen A/F. (Primary tgt, Eindhoven A/F, is overcast).
2/14/44 Twelfth AF Twelfth AF loses several of its operational units, the 12th Bomb and 33d and 81st Ftr Gps being transferred to India, and the 52d TC Wg and its 4 gps being sent to UK. B-25's bomb Perugia M/Y, A-20's hit Grottaferrata. A-36's attack guns in Pontecorvo area, railway yards at Civita Castellana and Frosinone, motor transport near Genzano di Roma, A/F at Furbara, and Ferentino railway station, some of the missions being in direct spt of US Fifth Army main front. P-40's bomb and strafe troop concentrations N and E of Anzio beachhead, scoring hits on tanks, motor transport, and guns near Cisterna di Roma, Cori, and Rocca di Papa. P-47's hit Colleferro and dump at Valmontone. P-40's score direct hits on vessel and fuel dump in Rogoznica area.
2/14/44 Fifteenth AF B-17's attack M/Ys at Modena, Brescia, and Verona and several T/Os including A/F and Piaggio aircraft factory at Pontedera and railroad bridges and lines at Parma, Sassuolo, Rubiera, and S of Vicenza. HBs and escorting P-47's claim 20 ftrs shot down. B-24's bomb M/Ys at Mantua, Verona, Massa Lombarda, Ferrara and Arezzo, and T/Os including Pisa M/Y, Prato M/Y, A/Fs at Pisa and Pontedera, and road-rail junction near Vaiano.
2/14/44 Tenth AF P-51's and A-36's carry out 70-plus sorties against a variety of tgts in Burma. Tgts include supply area at Shingban, truck convoy N of Maingkwan, supply dumps and motor transport in Kamaing area, bivouac near Mogaung, troop and vehicle concentrations between Mogaung and Kamaing, arty positions at Laawn Ga, and railroad station and warehouses at Lundaung.
2/14/44 Fifth AF A-20's with P-40 spt, bomb and strafe Dagua A/F, destroying and damaging over 20 aircraft. 80 plus B-25's pound Momote A/F. More Lhan 40 B-24's bomb A/Fs at Kavieng and Panapai.
2/14/44 Thirteenth AF B-24's bomb Rabaul area in a diversionary strike while Navy TBF's lay mines in Simpson Harbor. 30 escorted B-25's pound Vunakanau A/F while 28 B-24's, also with escort, bomb Rapopo A/F. P-40's and Navy ftrs escort Navy dive-bmr raid on Tobera gun positions and A/F revetments. 4 B-25's also bomb Tobera. On Bougainville weather clears, permitting the first attacks, by 19 B-25's, on Kara and Kahili, in recent weeks. P-39's attack Puriata R bridges.
2/14/44 Seventh AF 40-plus B-24's from 11th and 30th Bomb Gps, flying out of Makin and Tarawa, strike Ponape in first Seventh AF raid on the Caroline Is. 2 of the HBs hit alternate tgt of Emidj I.
2/15/44 Eighth AF 51 B-24's bomb V-weapon site at Saint-Pol/Siracourt. 34 P-47's bomb T/O, an A/F believed to be Coxyde or Nieuport.
2/15/44 Ninth AF 194 B-26's bomb V-weapon sites, Cherbourg/Maupertus A/F, and T/Os during morning mission. 122 B-26's again bomb V-weapon construction sites in coastal area of N France during afternoon.
2/15/44 Twelfth AF B-26's and B-25's bomb Monte Cassino Benedictine Abbey in spt of NZ Corps assault to establish bridgehead across the Rapido S of Cassino. Other B-26's bomb railroad at Monte Molino and M/Y at Montepescali. A-20's attack motor transport, roads, and road junction in Albano Laziale area and NW of Valmontone. P-40's bomb concentrations near Cisterna di Roma, and dumps in Valmontone and Rocca di Papa areas. A-36's hit concentrations N of Anzio beachhead, strafe trucks and barracks in Frosinone-Rieti areas, bomb Tiburtina and Trastevere M/Ys in Rome area, and hit buildings N of Velletri.
2/15/44 Fifteenth AF Around 100 B-17's bomb Monte Cassino Benedictine Abbey. 60-plus B-24's attack Poggibonsi M/Y, Campoleone, and Porto d' Ascoli. Heavy cloud cover causes numerous aborts. All the missions are unescorted.
2/15/44 Tenth AF P-40's, P-51's, and A-36's hit tgts in Burma, including rice mill and radio station at Waingmaw, T/Os along Hukawng-Walawbum road, motor pool and dumps in Kamaing area, troops and supplies at Padi Ga and canal bridge at Ye-u. P-40's also drop land mines on Nampaung.
2/15/44 Fourteenth AF 4 B-25's on sweep of Gulf of Tonkin coastal areas and N Indochina score direct hit on steamer at Haiphong and nearby railroad station, damage bridges near Viet Tri and patrol launch at Hanoi, and hit engine sheds at Thanh Hoa.
2/15/44 Fifth AF 70-plus B-24's, A-20's, and B-25's bomb Kavieng town area, harbor, and shipping and Panapai A/F. 17 other B-24's, prevented by weather from reaching Panapai, bomb Talasea on New Britain.
2/15/44 Thirteenth AF 23 B-25's, with ftr cover, bomb runway and dispersal area of Vunakanau A/F. 20 B-24's hit Borpop A/F, causing heavy damage in runway and revetment areas. In ground action, US and NZ troops land on Nissan I in Green Is, 40 mi NW of Buka; opposition is weak and organized resistance will end on 23 Feb.
2/15/44 Seventh AF B-24's from Tarawa and Makin pound Ponape and Mille. 10 P-40's from Makin bomb and strafe runways and a disabled vessel at Mille.
2/16/44 Twelfth AF B-25's bomb Orte M/Y and attack Campoleone area. B-26's bomb San Stefano al Mare and hit area near Perugia railroad bridge, bridge N of Orvieto, factory near Marsciano bridge, and bridge at Albinia Station. A-20's, with RAF and SAAF Baltimores and Spitfires, hit concentrations in Anzio battle area.
A-36's bomb Rome/Tiburtina and Rome/Ostiense M/Ys in Rome area. P-40's attack Monte Cassino Abbey, pound tanks, trucks, and troop concentrations along US Fifth Army front, and hit towns of Fondi and Roccasecca. Ftrs over Anzio encounter increased air effort in conjunction with all-out ground offensive against Allied beachhead.
2/16/44 Fifteenth AF B-24's, unescorted, bomb M/Ys at Pontassieve, Siena, Poggibonsi, and Prato, bridge at Cecina, and railroad and highway near Rieti.
2/16/44 Tenth AF A-36's and P-51's hit supply dumps, troop concentrations, and encampment area near Myitkyina, Kamaing, Tonkin, and Walawbum. B-25's and P-51's destroy 3 locomotives at Kyaingkwin.
2/16/44 Fourteenth AF 2 B-25's knock out railroad bridge at Yen Bay and damage 2 other bridges to the S near the coast.
2/16/44 Fifth AF 40-plus B-25's attack convoy off New Hanover. Over 30 B-24's bomb Panapai A/F and Kavieng, and some hit Cape Balangori and Talasea. 19 B-24's and B-25's bomb Halong. P-40's hit shipping and barges in Wewak area.
2/16/44 Thirteenth AF 12 B-24's, with 30 plus P-38's and Navy F4U's, pound runway at Vunakanau A/F.
2/16/44 Seventh AF B-24's from Tarawa bomb Wotje Atoll and Taroa I. P-40's from Makin fly 2 bombing/strafing strikes against Jaluit. A-24's bomb Mille.
2/17/44 Ninth AF Advanced HQ, Ninth AF, is opened at Hillingdon House, Uxbridge. It is later joined in the area by advanced units of IX FC and by troop carrier units, all of which form a nucleus of advons so as to centralize tac operations in anticipation of combat on the Continent.
2/17/44 Twelfth AF B-25's bomb Campoeone and Lanuvio area, B-25's hit dumps SW of Rome and N of Anzio, also hitting guns nearby. A-20's blast dump and troop concentrations in Anzio area. P-47's bomb dumps near Valmontone. A-36's hit Carroceto, concentrations SE of Rome, and railroad underpass and a factory N of Anzio. P-40's blast enemy transport, runs, and assembly areas N of Cisterna di Latina, trucks N of Anzio and N of beachhead battleline, railroad stations at Campoleone and Caroceto, and bivouac areas, dumps, a factory, and bridge in battle area. This entire air effort (the heaviest o date in spt of troops) is aimed at helping prevent breakthrough at he beachhead, where Germans are committed to full-strength counteroffensive. A-36's bomb Monte Casino Abbey in only air action on US Fifth Army main front.
2/17/44 Fifteenth AF 455th and 456th bomb Gps become operational giving he Fifteenth AF 12 B-24 gps. Unescorted B- 17's and B-24's attack Camoleone and Grottaferrata, motor transport parks in Campoleone junction and Rocca di Papa areas, troop concentration near Frascati, stores depots in Grottaferrata area, and other tgts in adv of US Fifth Army's Anzio battle line which is under heavy counterattack by German forces.
2/17/44 USSR Soviet Army completes reduction of German pockets W of Cherkassy.
2/17/44 Tenth AF 38 A-36's and P-51's on armed rcn hit troops and supplies from Lonkin to Kamaing. 6 P-51's hit supply areas along roads around Lonton and Manywet; 2 others hit road junction near Maingkwan. 2 B- 25's and 6 P-51's strike road bridge, railroad station, and rail cars in Pyingaing area. 2 B-25's and 6 P- 51's attack but fail to damage bridge near Ye-u.
2/17/44 Fourteenth AF 4 B-25's on sweep of Gulf of Tonkin score 2 direct hits on freighter at Vinh, damage bridge approach and locomotive at Yen Xuon Station, and destroy locomotive at Yen Ly Station.
2/17/44 Fifth AF 40 B-24's bomb Panapai A/F and Talasea. 16 B-25's claim 2 surface vessels and a submarine sunk off New Hanover. 16 P-47's strafe T/Os in Alexishafen area.
2/17/44 Thirteenth AF 20 P-40's join 40 plus Navy ftrs in covering an attack by 70 Navy dive bmrs on shipping in Keravia Bay. 8 airplanes are claimed shot down. 2 Navy ftrs are lost. In N Solomons Allied ftrs hit Queen Carola Harbor, Kessa Plantation and bridge N of Kahili.
2/17/44 Seventh AF B-24's from Tarawa and Abemama hit Ponape, Kusaie I, and Jaluit. P-40's strafe floatplanes off Emidj, as USN TF begins heavy attack on Truk.
2/18/44 Eighth AF HQ issues orders to establish a photo rcn wg (8th Rcn Wg (Prov) ) in Cheddington. The purpose is to make the Eighth independent in aerial rcn and to consolidate the efforts of units presently engaged in this and related activities. Col Elliott Roosevelt, Director of Rcn for Ninth AF, is named CO.
2/18/44 Twelfth AF A-20's hit troop concentration near Piedimonte. XII A Spt Cmd P-40's and A-36's fly 17 missions in spt of US Fifth Army troops resisting counteroffensive, which reaches its deepest penetration into Anzio beachhead on this day. Objectives include tanks, vehicles, gun positions, troop concentrations, and railroad underpass along the Anzio/Albano Laziale axis. Ftrs over Anzio successfully intercept air strikes on beachhead. NZ troops capture Cassino Station.
2/18/44 Fifteenth AF Operations are restricted to photo and weather rcn.
2/18/44 Tenth AF 40-plus B-25's, A-36's and P-51's attack town of Ye-u and nearby bridge, bivouacs N of Laban, bridges in Pyingaing area and along Mu R, supply and troop concentrations at Waingmaw, radio station and supply area near Kamaing, and gun emplacements SE of Taihpa Ga. The strikes are generally successful.
2/18/44 Fourteenth AF 4 B-25's on sweep of Gulf of Tonkin damage 2 large boats N of Bakli Bay, destroy ammo dump at Phu Ly, and knock out nearby railroad bridge.
2/18/44 Fifth AF B-25's and RAAF Beaufighters hit Koepang. P-39's strafe T/Os at Madang and Cape Raoult.
2/18/44 Thirteenth AF 34 B-25's and 18 B-24's, both forces with ftr escorts, pound Vunakanau A/F. 2 B-25's and 4 P-38's hit Tobera A/F.
2/18/44 Seventh AF P-40's from Makin bomb and strafe Jaluit and Mille. US forces land at Engebi.
2/19/44 Twelfth AF Col Peter S Rask becomes acting CO of XII TCC until its disbandment on 5 Mar 44. B-25's blast troop concentrations to N of Anzio beachhead. A-36's and P-40's keep troops, tanks, and motor transport in beachhead battle area under attack, flying over 200 sorties in more than 20 missions as Allied counterattack turns tide of battle. Ftrs maintain control over N part of battle area.
2/19/44 Fifteenth AF Operations are again limited to rcn flights.
2/19/44 Tenth AF 60-plus A-36's and P-51's and a few B-25's hit a variety of tgts in Burma. Tgts include fuel and supply dumps at Manywet and in Shaduzup area, Tonkin-Kansi road and a junction W of Manywet, Mu R bridge at Ye-u, railroad cars and tracks, locomotives, and river traffic between Monywa and Natyekan and between Alon and Segyi. Rail and road traffic in Bhamo and Hukawng Valley-Kamaing areas is also hit.
2/19/44 Fourteenth AF B-24's, B-25's, and P-40's fly sea sweeps over widespread coastal areas from Formosa Straits to Indochina, claiming 3 ships sunk and others damaged. Railroad bridges, trains, and other T/Os near coastal areas are also attacked.
2/19/44 Fifth AF 12 B-25's attack shipping SW of New Ireland, claiming a small freighter and a patrol boat sunk and other vessels damaged. 7 A-20's hit shipping at Kavieng. Single B-24's and B-25's carry out armed rcn over wide areas of Bismarck Sea.
2/19/44 Thirteenth AF 20 P-40's and 40-plus Navy ftrs escort about 70 Navy dive bmrs in attack on Lakunai A/F. Ftr cover claims 22 airplanes shot down. 6 B-24's bomb same tgt immediately afterward. 14 B-24's, with P-38 and Navy ftr escort, hit Tobera A/F.
2/19/44 Seventh AF B-24's from Tarawa and Makin pound Ponape and Kusaie I. B-25's from Tarawa hit Wotje while Makin-based P-40's bomb and strafe Mille. US forces land on Eniwetok Is.
2/20/44 Eighth AF Over 1,000 HBs are dispatched to bomb German ftr aircraft production centers. Nearly 900 HBs attack assigned tgts or T/Os. This mission, the first in which the Eighth dispatches over 1,000 planes, begins 'Big Week' attacks on German aircraft plants and A/Fs.
2/20/44 Ninth AF 35 B-26's bomb Haamstede A/F as a T/O, after about 100 MBs abort attacks on other A/Fs because of weather.
2/20/44 Twelfth AF B-26's hit troop concentrations along roads in Vallalta area, B-25's hit dumps and assembly areas at N edge of Anzio beachhead, and A-20's bomb troop and motor transport concentration SE of Carroceto.
A-26's and P-40's hit troops, trucks, and tanks NE of Carroceto, bomb town of Fondi, factory E of Carroceto, town of Piedimonte, and hit guns and T/Os along N line of beachhead. Axis attempt to achieve breakthrough is decisively defeated in center of salient created by counteroffensive and efforts end.
2/20/44 Fifteenth AF B-24's blast troop concentrations in Anzio beachhead area as Axis efforts end.
2/20/44 Tenth AF Bad weather limits operations to routine patrol over Sumprabum.
2/20/44 Fifth AF HQ Fifth AF ADVON and HQ V BC move from Nadzab to Port Moresby. 38 B-24's bomb Alexishafen- Hansa Bay area. 18 B-24's bomb A/F at Laha and 12 others hit shipping off Kavieng.
2/20/44 Thirteenth AF 35 B-25's, with ftr escort, pound Lakunai A/F. P-39's attack barge traffic, which has greatly increased off SE and NW Bougainville, claiming 20 of the craft sunk.
2/20/44 Seventh AF 9 B-25's from Tarawa bomb A/F at Wotje. P-40's from Makin strafe and bomb runways and small vessels at Mille.
2/21/44 Eighth AF 764 B-17's and B-24's bomb aircraft industry at Brunswick and A/F and storage park at Diepholz. T/Os hit in W Germany because of thick overcast over primary tgts are Hannover, M/Y at Lingen, and A/Fs at Achmer, Bramsche, Hopsten, Rheine, Quakenbruck, Vorden, Ahlhorn, and Hesepe. Only 3 airplanes are lost.
2/21/44 Ninth AF 18 B-26's bomb Coxyde A/F. Weather causes almost 190 aborts. The Ninth's Pathfinder Sq (provisionally activated on 13 Feb) takes part in this operation, its first venture into combat. 185 aircraft scheduled to attack other A/Fs in the Netherlands and France in afternoon are recalled because of bad weather.
2/21/44 Twelfth AF B-25's bomb Orte M/Y, and B-26's hit Imperia docks. A-20's pound troop concentrations near Campoleone, along with P-40's and A-36's which also hit a fuel dump, tank and truck concentrations, and gun positions in the area. FBs also bomb and block Itri-Gaeta road.
2/21/44 Tenth AF 50-plus P-51's and A-36's and a few B-25's hit cmd post at Shingban, town of Mohnyin, bridge at Loilaw, camp at Shaduzup, 2 bridges at Namkwin, and warehouses and other buildings at Kawlin and Wuntho. FBs attacking fuel dump at Pin Hmi drop bombs in wrong area. B-25's, escorted by Spitfires and Hurricanes, score effective hits on tunnel on Maungdaw-Buthidaung road.
2/21/44 Fifth AF Almost 30 A-20's hit Madang and Hansa Bay area. P-39's hit Raiven Plantation. 40-plus B-24's bomb Rein Bay and Eleonora Bay areas; others attack shipping off New Hanover.
2/21/44 Thirteenth AF 15 B-24's bomb Lakunai A/F; 4 others, with ftr spt, attack A/F at Rapopo. 20 P-38's join Navy ftrs in covering Navy dive bmr strikes on Lakunai gun positions. In Bougainville area 3 B-24's bomb Kara A/F while P-39's hit buildings at Tsundawan and in area S of Tabut, and bomb barges and jetty in Matchin Bay area.
2/21/44 Seventh AF B-24's from Tarawa and Abemama hit Ponape, Kusaie, and Jaluit. B-25's from Abemama bomb Maloelap. P-40's from Makin hit Mille. US forces gain complete control of Eniwetok Is.
2/22/44 USSTAF HQ Eighth AF is redesignated as Hq, USSTAF.
2/22/44 Eighth AF HQ VIII BC is redesignated as HQ, Eighth AF. 101 HBs hit aircraft production centers at Bernburg, Halberstadt, and Aschersleben in conjunction with Fifteenth AF strike at Regensburg; 35 aircraft are lost to fierce ftr opposition. 154 HBs attack various T/Os (Wernigerode, Marburg/Lahn, Magdeburg, Bunde, Nijmegen, Arnhem, and Enschede) and fly diversionary attack against A/F at Aalborg, which cannot be bombed because of clouds; 6 aircraft are lost.
2/22/44 Ninth AF 66 B-26's bomb Gilze-Rijen A/F. Bad weather causes more than 100 others to abort.
2/22/44 Twelfth AF B-25's bomb Foligno M/Y and Montalto di Castro railroad bridge, and B-26's attack Albinia Station railroad bridge. A-20's hit area E of Campoleone. P-47's strike troops, gun positions, and road junction N of Carroceto, roads near Roccasecca, and town of Campoleone. A-36's hit guns NW of Carroceto and town of Formia. P-40's attack guns SE of Campoleone.
2/22/44 Fifteenth AF B-17's attack Petershausen M/Y, Regensburg aircraft factory, and Zagreb. A large force of B-24's hits Regensburg aircraft plants about the same time as the B-17 attack. Other B-24's pound town of Sibenik and harbor at Zara. HBs claim 40 ftrs destroyed. 13 HBs are lost.
2/22/44 Tenth AF 70-plus B-25's, P-51's, and P-40's again hit variety of tgts in Burma. Bridges are severely damaged or put out of use at Zawa, Tindeinyan, Ye-u, Namkwin, and Loilaw. Warehouses and supply dumps are hit at Segyi and at Chantha, and at Pahok road and railroad junction are blasted. Also hit are T/Os at Kawlum and along Walawbum-Kamaing road.
2/22/44 Fourteenth AF P-40's on armed rcn strafe A/F at Kengtung and nearby truck convoy. At Bhamo a large rivercraft is hit and left sinking.
2/22/44 Fifth AF 30-plus B-25's and P-39's attack Madang area. More than 60 B-25's and B-24's pound Iboki Plantation in spt of US Marines advancing on the area from Natamo, (and who capture Perry I).
2/22/44 Thirteenth AF 20 P-40's and 40-plus Navy ftrs cover 70 Navy dive bmrs attacking Keravia Bay shipping. 40-plus B- 24's, with ftr escorts, bomb Lakunai and Keravat A/Fs.
2/22/44 Seventh AF 1 B-24 bombs Kusaie. 8 A-24's and 9 P-40's from Makin bomb Mille. 1 P-40 launches rockets against A/F tgts in first such attack by a Seventh AF aircraft.
2/23/44 Twelfth AF P-40's hit gun position N of Campoleone and patrol Anzio area. Weather forbids other operations by Twelfth AF.
2/23/44 Fifteenth AF B-24's bomb industrial complex at Steyr. Other HBs are forced to abort because of bad weather. HBs and escorting ftrs claim over 30 aircraft shot down.
2/23/44 Tenth AF 14 B-24's bomb A/Fs and other tgts at Akyab and Dabaing. 3 B-26's and 12 P-51's hit radio station at Man Pang; 4 other P-51's hit warehouses at Chantha.
2/23/44 Fourteenth AF 4 B-25's attack 2 ships in Gulf of Tonkin and hit railroad cars and engine shed at Van Trai Station. 4 P- 40's strafe Lashio A/F.
2/23/44 Fifth AF Almost 50 A-20's and B-24's blast A/F, buildings, and AA positions in Wewak area.
2/23/44 Thirteenth AF 9 B-25's, with Navy ftr spt, bomb Vunakanau A/F; 10 other B-25's hit Keravat A/F. 4 B-34's on armed rcn over New Ireland strafe Cape Saint George area and bomb buildings and pier at Labur Bay. 4 B- 24's attack bivouacs in upper Saua R area. 16 P-38's dive-bomb Wunapope supply area. Some attack town of Rabaul. This is first P-38 bombing raid on the Rabaul area. (P-38's, now free from constant responsibility of guarding bmrs against interceptors, will continue to divebomb Rabaul area through April. During the latter part of this campaign against the famed Japanese garrison, which is to be bypassed by Allied ground forces, P-39's will add their strength due to completion of an airstrip on Nissan I in the Green Is. By 20 Apr only 120 of 1400 buildings in Rabaul will still be standing).
2/23/44 Seventh AF P-40's from Makin bomb Mille. 2 small boats are destroyed by strafing. B-25's from Abemama hit Taroa. B-24's from Makin and Tarawa bomb Kusaie, Ponape, and Jaluit.
2/24/44 Eighth AF 231 B-17's bomb Schweinfurt ball bearing plant (11 losses suffered) while 238 B-24's hit factory and A/F at Gotha (33 aircraft lost). 236 HBs attack secondary tgt of Rostock due to overcast at primary objectives of Poznan, Tutow, and Krzesiny. 61 HBs attack Eisenach, a T/O. RAF BC follows up with attack during 24/26 Feb of Schweinfurt.
2/24/44 Ninth AF Advanced HQ IX A Spt Cmd (set up at Uxbridge on 15 Feb) assumes operational control of its gps, which hitherto had operated under orders from VIII FC. 22 B-26's bomb A/Fs at Leeuwarden, Deelen, and Gilze-Rijen on morning mission. 145 B-26's bomb NOBALL tgts between Saint-Omer and Abbeville during afternoon.
2/24/44 Twelfth AF B-26's hit Fabrica di Roma landing ground. P-40's and A-36's hit gun positions, troop concentrations, trucks, and tanks in battle areas. P-47's bomb bridge at Arce.
2/24/44 Fifteenth AF B-17's (in coordination with Eighth AF raids on Germany) bomb aircraft factory at Steyr and oil refinery at Fiume. HBs and escorting ftrs claim 35 ftrs shot down. 19 US aircraft are lost.
2/24/44 Tenth AF 12 B-24's pound harbor area at Moulmein, railroad sidings at Martaban, and T/Os near Mingaladon A/F and Zayat. Ftrs carry out numerous patrol and offensive sorties over Sumprabum area.
2/24/44 Fourteenth AF 7 B-25's bomb warehouse and dock area at Wuhu and 3 hit railroad yards and docks at Hongay. 9 P- 40's attack docks and railroad yards at Campha Port. 10 P-38's on sweep of Yangtze R from Chihchow to Pengtse claim 4 river steamers, 5 tugs, 5 motor launches, and 15 sampans destroyed.
2/24/44 Fifth AF 30-plus A-20's hit Wewak area, blasting fuel dumps, trucks, A/Fs, aircraft, and supply stores. B-24's bomb Momote and Alexishafen.
2/24/44 Thirteenth AF P-40's and Navy ftrs escort Navy dive bmr attack on Wunapope supply area. Some of the ftrs later strafe sub off Cape Gazelle. 20-plus B-25's, some with Navy ftr escorts, attack Tobera, Keravat, and Vunakanau A/Fs and town of Rabaul. 14 P-38's hit Wunapope and Cape Gazelle area. Cape Saint George is attacked by 24 B-24's when Vunakanau area is overcast.
2/24/44 Seventh AF A-24's and P-40's from Makin bomb and strafe small vessels, radio facilities, barracks, and gun positions at Jaluit and Mille. B-25's from Tarawa pound Wotje.
2/24/44 Eleventh AF 6 bmrs take off for armed rcn and shipping search over the Kurils. Only 1 gets through and jettisons bombs upon finding tgt overcast.
2/25/44 Eighth AF 680 B-17's and B-24's bomb airplane factories at Regensburg, Augsburg, and Furth, and ball bearing plant at Stuttgart. This mission is flown in conjunction with Fifteenth AF attack on Regensburg and with major efforts by RAF against Schweinfurt during 24/25 Feb and Augsburg during 25/26 Feb. 31 aircraft are lost.
2/25/44 Ninth AF Gen Williams becomes CG IX TCC. 191 B-26's bomb Venlo, Saint-Trond, and Cambrai/Epinoy A/Fs in morning raid as diversion in spt of VIII BC HBs over Germany. 36 abort, mainly because of navigational error. 164 B-26's dispatched against military tgts in France during afternoon are recalled because of bad weather.
2/25/44 Twelfth AF P-40's attack guns and troop concentrations E of Campoleone and in Carroceto area. A-36's bomb towns of Terracina and Sperlonga and roads in the area. P-40's also maintain patrols over Anzio.
2/25/44 Fifteenth AF Continuing coordinated attacks with Eighth AF on European tgts, B-17's with ftr escorts pound Regensburg aircraft factory; enemy ftr opposition is heavy. Other B-17's hit Zara harbor and Pola. B- 24's attack Fiume M/Y and port and hit Zell am See railroad and Graz A/F. Over 30 US airplanes are lost. HBs claim more than 90 ftrs shot down.
2/25/44 Tenth AF 8 B-25's and 4 P-51's attack bridges at Meza, Sinthe, and Natmauk, causing light damage to the bridges and destroying 3 locomotives and several railroad cars.
2/25/44 Fourteenth AF 16 P-40's attack docks, railroad yards, and warehouses at Hongay. In the harbor 1 large boat is sunk and another damaged. 2 P-40's hit a cargo vessel at Campha Port, leaving it sinking. 2 others bomb and strafe Weichow I.
2/25/44 Fifth AF B-25's pound Lorengau and Alexishafen-Madang areas and Momote A/F, and A-20's bomb A/Fs at Alexishafen.
2/25/44 Thirteenth AF P-39's on armed rcn bomb AA position at Monoitu, hit Aitara area, and attack barge in Cape Gazelle area. 20-plus B-25's hit Matupi and Rapopo. 21 B-24's and 17 P-38's follow shortly with another strike on Rapopo.
2/25/44 Seventh AF P-40's out of Makin bomb and strafe tgts at Jaluit. B-26's from Tarawa and Abemama hit Mille and Wotje. B-24's from Abemama and Tarawa pound Ponape.
2/25/44 Eleventh AF 3 B-24's from Shemya are over Matsuwa I shortly after midnight 24/25 Feb on a photo rcn and bomb run. Mission is not completed due to weather.
2/26/44 Twelfth AF Weather limits operations severely, but P-47's hit shipping N and S of Velaluka.
2/26/44 Tenth AF 15 B-25's and P-51's demolish warehouses, in Naba and Hopin, attack bridges at Ye-u, Bawgyo, and Tantabin, and strafe railroad cars and tracks at Tangon, Namyao, and Pyintha. The Tantabin bridge is rendered unusable while approaches of the Ye-u and Bawgyo bridges are damaged.
2/26/44 Fourteenth AF 11 B-25's from Nanning attack tgts at Tourane, destroying 5 warehouses and a hangar at the A/F and a locomotive and 4 buildings at the railroad yard.
2/26/44 Fifth AF B-24's bomb Wewak and Momote. B-25's, along with P-39's, hit Madang-Alexishafen area and A-20's hit Angorum.
2/26/44 Thirteenth AF P-40's join Navy ftrs in covering Navy dive bmr strike on Wunapope supply and shipping facilities. 22 B-25's, with ftr spt, follow up with the day's second strike on Wunapope. Shortly afterwards, 17 P-38's strike the same tgt. 12 P-39's bomb and strafe Monoitu, Ruisei, Makapeko, and Mawareka.
2/26/44 Seventh AF B-25's from Tarawa and Abemama attack Wotje and Jaluit. P-40's from Makin bomb and strafe tgts on Mille.
2/26/44 Eleventh AF XI BC (Air Striking Group TG 90.1) is directed to conduct armed photo rcn missions in the Kurils, day or night, as weather permits.
2/27/44 Ninth AF Gen Quesada (reappointed CG IX FC on 21 Feb) receives authority to revive IX FC (existing only on paper since creation of IX A Spt Cmd) on temporary basis as an operational HQ to function as a Combined Control Center with RAF 11 Gp at Uxbridge, where FC will prepare operations orders for Ninth AF ftr and FB gps. Quesada retains command of IX A Spt Cmd.
2/27/44 Twelfth AF A-36's attack Littoria A/F, Guidonia A/F, and Ladispoli dock area. Rail cars NE of Rome are also attacked. P-40's follow up with raid against Littoria and hit trucks and other tgts in the area. Weather prevents other operations by the Twelfth.
2/27/44 Tenth AF 30-plus P-51's and A-36's and 2 B-25's hit ammo dumps near the Kamaing-Walawbum road, stores and troops at Warazup, and warehouses, railroad and power facilities, bridges, and T/Os in Ye-u and Tindeinyan areas.
2/27/44 Fourteenth AF 4 B-25's fly sea sweep from Vinh to Nam Dinh, bombing Nam Dinh distillery and railroad yards. No ships are sighted. 8 P-40's hit railroad bridge at Puchi, rendering it unusable.
2/27/44 Fifth AF Col Jarred V Crabb becomes CG V BC. 30-plus B-24's, with P-40 spt, hit A/Fs at Boram, Wewak, and Tadji, 27 B-25's hit Hansa Bay area, and over 30 A-20's attack Alexishafen and Marakum village. More than 30 other B-25's attack Momote, Lorengau, and other tgts in the Admiralties. P-39's maintain armed rcn over New Britain.
2/27/44 Thirteenth AF 16 P-39's strafe barges and other T/Os along SW coast of Bougainville throughout the day.
Wunapope is attacked by 21 B-24's and 24 B-25's (both forces supported by ftr escorts) and by 14 P- 38's. P-40's and Navy ftrs cover Navy dive bmr strike on Lakunai AA positions. 3 other P-38's strafe radar station at Cape Saint George.
2/27/44 Seventh AF A-24's and P-40's from Makin pound Jaluit and Mille, while B-25's from Abemama hit Wotje and Mille.
B-24's from Makin and Tarawa bomb Ponape.
2/28/44 Eighth AF 181 B-17's and B-24's bomb 9 V-weapon sites in Pas de Calais area. Heavy clouds cause over half the HBs dispatched to return without bombing. 7 aircraft are lost, most to AA fire.
2/28/44 Ninth AF 180 B-26's attack NOBALL tgts and Rosieres-en-Santerre. Bad weather makes bombing difficult and causes 34 other B-26's to abort.
2/28/44 Twelfth AF B-25's attack Canino landing ground, but clouds prevent accurate bombing and most bombs fall W and SW of main tgt area. A-36's attack A/Fs at Littoria, Guidonia, and Marcigliana. P-47's hit motor vessels and tug off Dubrovnik and T/Os inland.
2/28/44 Tenth AF 6 B-25's hit bridges and trains between Pintha and Kinu; 1 bridge is damaged and several boxcars are destroyed. 13 B-24's bomb M/Y at Mandalay and T/Os at Akyab, Monywa, and Pakokku. P-51's, A-36's and P-40's attack bridges, radio stations, supply dumps, bivouacs, troop concentrations, railroad bypasses, AA positions, and other tgts at Seton, Sinkan, Ye-u, Kawlin, Loilaw, Namkwin, Shaduzup, and Mogaung-Kamaing area.
2/28/44 Fourteenth AF 6 P-40's on armed rcn strafe A/F at Myitkyina.
2/28/44 Fifth AF 23 B-24's and 39 A-20's thoroughly pound Hansa Bay area. Nearly 20 other B-24's bomb Nubia and Awar A/Fs. In preparation for Allied landing, 50-plus B-25's and B-24's pound Momote, Lorengau and other tgts in Admiralty Is.
2/28/44 Thirteenth AF 22 B-25's, with ftr escort, pound Rabaul; 9 mins later 12 P-38's glide-bomb Rabaul; 2 mins afterward 11 B-24's pound the same tgt. 6 other B-24's bomb Rapopo. P-40's and Navy ftrs escort Navy dive bmrs in strike on Wunapope. P-39's attack Monoitu Mission.
2/28/44 Seventh AF P-40's from Makin strafe and bomb runway and radio installation on Mille. B-25's from Tarawa pound A/F on Wotje.
2/28/44 Eleventh AF 3 B-24's from Shemya search for enemy shipping. 1 HB crashes during takeoff, the others find nothing.
2/29/44 Eighth AF 215 B-17's attack aircraft production plants at Brunswick. 38 B-24's bomb V-weapon site at Lottinghen.
2/29/44 Ninth AF 19 B-26's bomb coastal gun position and nearby Breck-sur-Mer A/F. 216 MBs abort mission against 8 V-weapon sites in France because of total cloud cover over tgts.
2/29/44 Twelfth AF B-26's bomb main and satellite A/Fs at Viterbo and several T/Os along W coast of Italy. B-26's bomb troops and gun positions W of Cisterna di Roma, while A-20's hit concentrations to the S. P-40's and A-36's strike at troop concentrations along N perimeter of beachhead. Other P-40's hit barracks and railroad yards at Littoria and tank concentration S of Cisterna. P-47's (with British aircraft) hit Giulianova railway station and shipping off Dubrovnik. Ftrs maintain patrol over Anzio beachhead.
2/29/44 Fifteenth AF For fourth consecutive day, bad weather limits operations to rcn missions.
2/29/44 Tenth AF 7 B-25's knock spans out of 2 bridges N of Taungtha and damage bridges S of Myingyan and between Panaing and Mahlaing. 7 B-26's and 4 P-51's bomb wireless station at Sinkan, score near misses on bridge below Kawlin, and knock out 2 bridges in Ye-u area. 40-plus P-51's, A-36's, and P- 40's hit supply area S of Seton, camp and stores near Mogaung (at Pagoda Peak), and railroad station at Myitkyina.
2/29/44 Fourteenth AF 23 B-24's pound warehouse area at Yoyang, causing several fires and secondary explosions. 12 B- 25's bomb Yoyang railroad yards. 16 P-40's provide spt. 2 B-25's on sweep of NE China coast sink 3 sampans and damage a merchant ship at Siachwan Tao. 6 P-40's bomb and strafe ammo dumps at Kunlong. 12 P-38's and P-51's sink large motor launch NE of Anking, strafe barracks and 3 tugs in Teian area, hit barracks NW of Nanchang, and strafe railroad installations at Yangsin. 4 P-40's hit a barracks W of Nanchang. 2 B-25's sink a large rivercraft on the Yangtze near Chiuhsienchen and damage 2 more nearby.
2/29/44 Fifth AF Allied amphibious forces land on Los Negros I, temporarily taking Momote A/F and then falling back to beachhead on Jamandilai Pt. Weather prevents full air spt but 7 B-24's and 8 B-25's manage to attack enemy positions and guns. Other B-24's and A-20's hit Erima, Wewak, Tadji, Awar, and Hollandia.
2/29/44 Thirteenth AF 23 B-25's, with Navy ftr escort, pound Rabaul area. Later 12 P-38's hit tgts in same area. 16 AAF ftrs, along with 16 Navy ftrs, hit T/Os throughout S Bougainville and Shortland I. Numerous other ftrs, in forces of varying sizes, attack barges and scattered T/Os throughout N Solomons, Bismarck Archipelago, and waters in between.
2/29/44 Seventh AF B-24's bomb Maloelap, Mille, and Wotje; B-25's hit Jaluit and Mille; P-40's attack Mille.
3/1/44 Eighth AF HQ and HQ Sq, VIII AFSC is redesignated as HQ and HQ Sq, ASC, USSTAF, after functioning as such during Jan and Feb while redesignation was being authorized. 8th Strat Air Depot Area is redesignated VIII AFSC.
3/1/44 Ninth AF IX TCC establishes Pathfinder school to provide pre-invasion trg in all navigational aids.
3/1/44 Twelfth AF Twelfth AF undergoes a reorganization as a result of 1099 of several operational units (see 14 Feb 44). XII TCC (Prov), consisting of a single wg, is disbanded and its personnel absorbed into 61st TC Wg and other units, the 51st Wg being placed under the administrative control of Twelfth AF. HQ XII BC is reduced to 1 officer and 1 enlisted man as other personnel are transferred to 57th Bomb Wg, which along with 42d Bomb Wg, is placed under the administrative control of Twelfth AF. HQ XII BC will exist as a retaining cadre until 10 Jun 44 when it is officially disbanded. P-40's attack gun positions and vehicles in US Fifth Army battle area. P-47's attack 2000 ton vessel in the Adriatic. P-40's and Spitfires of XII A Spt Cmd maintain cover over Anzio beachhead area.
3/1/44 Fifteenth AF For the 6th consecutive day, bad weather forbids all operations except rcn missions.
3/1/44 Tenth AF 8 P-40's score 3 hits on bridge at Namkwin. 4 others hit Myitkyina A/F dispersal area. 56 A-36's and P-51's attack stores and personnel areas at Sawnghka.
3/1/44 Fourteenth AF 14 B-25's and 16 P-40's pound military zone in NE part of Nanchang.
3/1/44 Fifth AF About 30 B-24's and B-25's hit Los Negros I and Lorengau. Other HBs and MBs drop supplies to Allied ground forces on Los Negros I. More than 100 B-24's, B-25's, A-20's, and ftr aircraft, along with RAAF airplanes, pound Hansa Bay, Awar Pt, A/F in Wewak area, and enemy installations and positions at Madang, Alexishafen, and Saiba.
3/1/44 Thirteenth AF B-24's bomb Kahili. P-38's hit Ballale and Buka. P-39's bomb and strafe Monoitu Mission.
3/1/44 Seventh AF A-24's and P-40's from Makin hit Jaluit and Mille while B-25's pound Maloelap.
3/1/44 Eleventh AF XI Strat AF is activated at Shemya. It includes all units of XI BC and XI FC stationed at Near Is, and is only a tac operating agency without administrative functions.
3/2/44 Eighth AF 232 HBs attack M/Y at Frankfurt/Main (using blind-bombing technique) while 133 bomb T/Os in SW Germany, including Mannheim/Ludwigshafen, Limburg, and Dernbach. 84 HBs hit A/F at Chartres.
Failure of Pathfinder equipment causes many aircraft assigned to Frankfurt mission to return without bombing tgt.
3/2/44 Ninth AF 353 B-26's attack NOBALL tgts, Tergnier, and Amiens/Glisy and Rosieres-en-Santerre A/Fs in morning and afternoon missions.
3/2/44 Twelfth AF B-26's attack assembly area E of Carroceto and, with B-25's, bomb guns and assembly area NW of Cisterna di Roma, A-20's hit troops in beachhead battle area. P-40's and A-36's blast troops and guns throughout Anzio battle area, also hitting Cisterna and Littoria. P-47's hit motor vessel of Sibenik, leaving it burning. P-40's and A-36's fly uneventful cover over Anzio.
3/2/44 Fifteenth AF 459th Bomb Gp (B-24) becomes operational, giving the Fifteenth AF 13 HB gps on combat status.
Nearly 300 B-17's and B-24's, escorted by more than 150 P-38's and P-47's, spt US Fifth Army's Anzio beachhead, bombing Cisterna di Roma-La Villa area, Velletri, and troop concentrations, guns, and other military tgts in battle area at several points, including Stazione di Campoleone and Carroceto areas.
3/2/44 Tenth AF 5 P-51's bomb arty positions in Maingkwan area. 20 P-40's hit fuel dump at Myitkyina, arty at Shingban, and trucks on road near Walawbum. 8 A-36's and P-51's hit encampment on Pagoda Peak near Mogaung.
3/2/44 Fourteenth AF 4 B-25's sink small steamer near Mon Cay and bomb railroad shops and coal treating plant at Campho. 10 P-38's damage 2 bridges and strafe 2 barracks areas N of Nanchang. 2 P-40's bomb and strafe A/F and barracks at Keng-tung.
3/2/44 Fifth AF 80-plus B-24's and P-40's hit Hansa Bay area, airstrip at Nubia, and Madang-Alexishafen area. More than 60 B-25's and A-20's pound enemy forces on Los Negros I as Allied ground forces occupy Momote A/F. P-47's providing cover for the MBs claim 7 enemy ftrs shot down.
3/2/44 Thirteenth AF P-40's join Navy ftrs in covering Navy dive bmr strike on shipping installations in Keravia Bay area. 12 B-25's pound Rabaul while 11 others, with Navy ftr spt, bomb Rapopo. Shortly afterwards, 20 escorted B-24's blast town area of Rabaul. 14 P-38's follow immediately with strike on same tgt. P-39's hit Japanese-occupied Piano and Monoitu Missions.
3/2/44 Seventh AF B-24's from Makin and Abemama bomb Ponape and Kusaie. B-25's bomb Maloelap.
3/2/44 Eleventh AF 9 B-24's fly a futile shipping search over the Kurils. Turned back by a weather front, they either jettison or bring back their bombs.
3/3/44 US Roosevelt announces that the Italian Fleet will be divided equally among US, UK, and USSR.
3/3/44 Eighth AF Thick clouds cause abandonment of mission to bomb industry at Erkner, Germendorf, Annahof and Berlin. Of more than 750 HBs dispatched, 79 manage to bomb T/Os, including Wilhelmshaven and Helgoland. 11 HBs are lost on mission.
3/3/44 Ninth AF 218 B-26's bomb A/Fs at Laon/Couvron, Beauvais/Tille, Rosieres-en-Santerre, Roye/Amy, and Montdidier, and military installations at Juvincourt-et-Damary and Berneval-le-Grand.
3/3/44 Twelfth AF B-25's bomb Rome/Ostiense and railroad stations at San Benedetto de Marsi. Weather cancels LB and other MB operations. P-40's hit gun positions in N Anzio beachhead area while A-36's attack train and tented area between Magliano Romano and Rome. Other P-40's fly patrol over Anzio beachhead area.
3/3/44 Fifteenth AF Around 200 B-17's and B-24's, with over 50 P-47's as escort, bomb M/Ys in Rome area and A/Fs and landing grounds at Viterbo, Canino, and Fabrica di Roma. More than 80 B-24's and over 100 P-38's abort because of bad weather.
3/3/44 Tenth AF 22 B-25's, some supported by Spitfires and Hurricanes, bomb Ft White area; 10 B-25's and 4 P-51's pound A/Fs at Katha, MawIu, and Shwebo. 12 B-25's and 8 P-51's hit railroad tgts and a warehouse at Kyaikthin and Kyunhla. 14 B-24's covered by 22 P-40's, hit A/Fs at Lashio, Hsenwi, and Loiwing.
70-plus P-40's, A-36's, P-51's, and B-26's hit fuel storage, supply areas, roads, and other tgts over widespread areas of Burma, including Shingban, Myitkyina, Zigyun, Mogaung, Manywet, and Washawng. 6 P-38's attack Okshitpin bridge but tgt is not damaged.
3/3/44 Fourteenth AF P-40's damage coal grading building at Campha Port.
3/3/44 Fifth AF More than 30 B-24's hit Hansa Bay and Alexishafen areas while 20 P-39's attack Madang and Bogadjim and 22 A-20's pound Erima. 14 A-20's and B-25's hit enemy positions on Los Negros I.
3/3/44 Thirteenth AF P-40's and Navy ftrs cover Navy dive bmr strike on Rabaul and Simpson Harbor. 24 B-25's follow with attack on Rabaul, which later in the day is bombed by 20 B-24's. 5 P-38's bomb radar installations at Cape Saint George while 10 bomb Buka A/F. P-39's hit T/Os on E part of Shortland I and W part of Buka I.
3/3/44 Seventh AF B-24's out of Makin bomb Ponape. B-25's from Tarawa hit Maloelap. This date marks beginning of Operation FORAGER, the capture of the S Marianas (Saipan, Tinian, and Guam) for bases for B-29 strikes against Japan. Seventh AF aircraft maintain neutralization strikes against A/Fs in the Carolines and continue hitting Wake and the bypassed Marshalls.
3/3/44 Eleventh AF 9 B-24's take off from Shemya to search for enemy shipping, but return due to heavy icing and squalls. 6 P-40's fly a search mission between Shemya and halfway to Attu.
3/4/44 Eighth AF 31 B-17's bomb Kleinmachnow area SW of Berlin, becoming the first US bmrs to hit the German capital area. Around 180 HBs attack T/Os including Bonn, Dusseldorf, and Cologne. Snow flurries and clouds cause cancellation of 1 bomb div's participation in mission and more than 250 of the 510 HBs dispatched abort.
3/4/44 Ninth AF 251 B-26's and 21 A-20's scheduled to bomb Malines M/Y and Bernay/Saint Martin A/F abort mission because of heavy cloud cover over tgts.
3/4/44 Twelfth AF Weather cancels most Twelfth AF operations. P-40's fly a few sorties against gun emplacements in battle area, and others uneventfully patrol Anzio area.
3/4/44 Tenth AF 60-plus A-36's, P-51's, and P-40's, and a single B-25 bomb dumps, roads, bivouac area, and other tgts in Seton, Sawnghka, Pinbaw, and Walawbum areas. Numerous ftrs carry out patrol and armed rcn sorties in Sumprabum area.
3/4/44 Fourteenth AF 5 B-25's and 23 P-40's (16 of them Chinese) pound A/F at Kiungshan. The A/F is heavily damaged and several parked airplanes are destroyed. The MBs and ftrs claim 17 interceptors shot down. 4 P- 38's and 2 Chinese B-25's claim a freighter, a tanker, and a motor launch sunk in Shihhweiyao and Wuhu areas. 6 B-25's bomb Thanh Hoa chromium mine and Campha Port docks. 2 P-40's strafe railroad yards and warehouses at Hongay and Campha Port. 5 P-40's are dispatched to bomb Cao Bang but because of bad weather attack Chinese-held Lungchow by mistake. 6 waves of Japanese airplanes bomb A/F at Suichwan, causing considerable damage.
3/4/44 Fifth AF 20-plus A-20's and B-25's spt ground forces on Los Negros I. More than 30 B-24's with ftr escort, pound A/Fs in Wewak area. More than 20 other B-24's bomb Hollandia. A-20's bomb buildings and gun positions in Saidor area.
3/4/44 Thirteenth AF P-40's join Navy ftrs and dive bmrs in strike on AA positions and T/Os in Rabaul area. 4 patrolling B- 34's hit T/Os along both coasts on New Ireland and at Vunalama and Mandres Plantations on New Britain. 48 B-25's and 12 P-38's, along with 20-plus Navy ftrs, hit Rabaul town area in 3 closely spaced attacks. P-38's also attack T/Os on Duke of York I. 12 P-39's hit Monoitu and T/Os along SW coast of Bougainville. B-34's join Navy planes in attacks on Japanese embarkation ports around Choiseul Bay. Shortland I T/Os are hit by P-40's on patrol.
3/4/44 Seventh AF P-40's from Makin bomb and strafe runways at Mille. B-25's from Tarawa bomb A/F installations and runways on Wotje.
3/5/44 Eighth AF 219 B-24's are dispatched to bomb A/Fs at Mont-de-Marsan, Cazaux, and Bordeaux but bad cloud conditions force a tgt change and multiple aborts. 152 HBs bomb A/Fs (secondary and last resort tgts) at Bergerac, Cognac, and Landes de Bussac.
3/5/44 Ninth AF 217 B-26's attack NOBALL tgts in Saint-Omer-Abbeville area.
3/5/44 Twelfth AF XII TCC (Prov) is disbanded at Palermo. Weather again severely hampers operations, but P-40's hit Pontecorvo and A-36's attack Formia.
3/5/44 EAC During the night, Gen Wingate's Special Force of long-range penetration troops begin dropping by glider onto Japanese lines of comm in C Burma. US engineer troops drop first, followed by British 77th and 111th Brigs. Col Philip G Cochran's Air Commando unit flies them in, dropping them on a strip designated Broadway, about 50 mi NE of Indaw. Another projected drop site, Piccadilly, is unusable as the Japanese have blocked it with fallen trees. Of 67 gliders dispatched, 32 reach Broadway. 539 men, 3 mules, and 65,972 Ibs of supplies are safely put down, including such items as bulldozers and lighting apparatus.
3/5/44 Tenth AF B-25's, A-36's, P-51's, and P-40's fly more than 60 sorties against tgts in Burma, including arty positions, storage areas, ground troops, roads, and a bridge. The tgts are in the Zigon, Shingban, and Myitkyina areas.
3/5/44 Fourteenth AF 8 B-25's bomb and strafe Chiengmai A/F, destroying 9 airplanes, the water tower, and nearby railroad station. Barracks area is also damaged.
3/5/44 Fifth AF About 30 B-24's bomb enemy positions on Los Negros. In NE New Guinea, elements of US 32d Div land at Yaula. A-20's bomb and strafe the area. P-39's pound areas around Madang and Erima.
Australian ground forces break out of Ramu Valley and retreat toward Madang.
3/5/44 Thirteenth AF 22 B-25's, with Navy ftr escort, bomb Simpson Harbor. 4 B-34's on patrol hit barges anchored off supply dock at nearby Raulavat Plantation. 9 B-24's follow with raid on Rabaul town area. 13 others, with Navy ftrs covering, blast revetment area and airstrip at Tobera. 11 P-38's hit Borpop A/F, and P-40's and Navy ftrs hit barges at Kabanga Bay and off Warangoi R. 16 P-39's attack AA positions at Monoitu bridge, and 3 P-38's hit Siar.
3/5/44 Seventh AF The Seventh continues to hit the Marshalls and Carolines. P-40's from Makin carry out FB mission against runways and A/F installations at Mille. B-25's hit Maloelap and Mille. B-24's bomb Ponape and last resort tgts at Kusaie and Mille.
3/6/44 Eighth AF 658 HBs attack Berlin area, bombing the metropolitan area and T/Os in nearby cities of Potsdam, Wittenberge, Templin, Oranienburg, and Kalkberg. Fierce ftr opposition claims 69 of the bmrs, the highest number lost by the Eighth in a single day.
3/6/44 Ninth AF 260 B-26's bomb NOBALL tgts, Hirson M/Y, and A/F at Beauvais/Tille. Heavy clouds cause over 50 B- 26's and A-20's to abort missions.
3/6/44 Twelfth AF P-40's pound gun positions N of Anzio beachhead (mostly NE of Ardea), and bomb Frosinone and hit guns near Littoria. A-36's fly armed rcn of roads and railroad NE of Rome, hitting several vehicles and bombing railroad cars at Capranica.
3/6/44 Tenth AF 4 B-25's knock center span out of Sittang bridge and blast 2 AA positions. 14 B-25's lay mines around Kham Yai I, bomb nearby Prong I, and hit M/Y at Pegu. 18 P-51's and P-40's attack Sawnghka bridge with poor results, start fires near Lalawng Ga, and bomb dumps near Walawbum.
3/6/44 Fifth AF B-25's continue to hit Japanese forces on Los Negros. B-24's bomb airstrip and other tgts in Awar- Nubia area. P-39's and RAAF airplanes hit Japanese forces around Madang. P-39's and P-38's strafe and dive-bomb Cape Hoskins-Talasea area as US Marines land about midway up the coast of Willaumez Peninsula in preparation for drive on Talasea.
3/6/44 Thirteenth AF P-39's hit Monoitu Mission and huts and bridge on Miwo R. 24 B-25's, with ftr escort, pound Tobera while 24 B-24's and 12 P-38's hit Kavieng and Panapai A/F.
3/6/44 Seventh AF A-24's and P-40's from Makin bomb and strafe runways at Mille. B-25's from Tarawa pound A/F at Wotje.
3/7/44 Ninth AF 112 B-25's and 18 A-20's attack V-weapon sites on Channel coast of France, military installations near Criel-sur-Mer and Greny, and T/Os in the area. Bad weather causes recall of over 150 other HBs before they attack tgts.
3/7/44 Twelfth AF B-25's bomb Rome/Ostiense M/Y while B-25's hit M/Y at Littoria. A-20's strike Zagarolo railroad station.
P-40's attack enemy positions in Anzio beachhead area with good results, while A-36's hit comm at Montebello, railroad station near Civitavecchia, gun emplacements near Littoria A/F, and train at Monterotondo. P-40's over Anzio beachhead encounter no air opposition.
3/7/44 Fifteenth AF Around 300 B-17's and B-24's bomb Toulon submarine base, M/Ys at Poggibonsi, Prato, and Pontassieve, A/Fs at Fabrica di Roma, Viterbo, and Orvieto, and town of Castelfiorentino. P-47's and P-38's fly about 150 sorties in spt of HBs.
3/7/44 Tenth AF 20-plus P-51's and A-36's on armed rcn hit T/Os from Walawbum to Shaduzup. 2 B-25's hit troop concentrations NW of Shaduzup. Another attacks road bridge and barges near Shwebo and along the Irrawaddy. Offensive rcn over several A/F in Burma results in no major action.
3/7/44 Fifth AF B-24's and B-25's continue to hit tgts on Los Negros and other of the Admiralty Is and bomb Boram A/F. P-38's and RAAF airplanes attack tgts in Talasea area.
3/7/44 Thirteenth AF 24 B-25's, with Navy ftr spt, hit Tobera A/F. 24 B-24's and 14 P-38's hit Panapai A/F. 19 P-40's bomb and strafe Rabaul. Ftr aircraft pound tac tgts on Bougainville, including Koromira Mission, supply area on Jaba R, and bivouac S of Maririei R near Menoavi.
3/7/44 Seventh AF B-24's out of Abemama hit Kusaie and Jaluit. P-40's bomb and strafe A/F at Mille. B-25's pound runways, AA positions, storage areas, and barracks on Taroa.
3/7/44 Eleventh AF B-24's and B-25's fly negative search mission for an enemy submarine.
3/8/44 Eighth AF More than 460 HBs attack ball bearing plant at Erkner with good results. 75 other HBs attack T/Os, including factory at Wildau and center of Berlin. Enemy opposition is heavy, and 36 bmrs are lost.
3/8/44 Ninth AF Over 225 B-26's attack Volkel A/F once and Soesterberg A/F twice in morning and afternoon missions.
3/8/44 Twelfth AF B-25's strike at Orte M/Y and Orte-Fabrica di Roma railroad. B-26's hit Rome/Tiburtina M/Y and dock area at Porto Santo Stefano. P-40 FBs hit gun positions and road junction near Rome while A-36's attack road junction near Montalto di Castro, also hitting a bridge and a train, and guns and a castle SW of Celano. P-47's hit gun emplacements. P-40's strafe vehicles near Rome/Via Appia.
3/8/44 Tenth AF 23 P-51's hit A/F at Anisakan, Shwebo, and Onbauk, destroying more than 30 Japanese airplanes.
Later 5 B-25's and 2 P-51's hit Shwebo, scoring hits along runway and in dispersal area and leaving several Japanese aircraft aflame. 3 B-25's hit 2 bridges at Lalawng Ga and Warazup, knocking out the latter. 16 A-36's and P-51's hit T/Os from Chanmoi to Shaduzup.
3/8/44 Fifth AF B-25's carry out a number of low-level strikes as Allied ground forces capture Lombrun Plantation on Los Negros, virtually completing capture of the island. More than 70 B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's bomb Nubia and Awar airstrips; the bmrs and escorting ftrs claim 17 airplanes shot down in Wewak area.
Ftrs continue to strafe coastal tgts in NE New Guinea and on New Britain.
3/8/44 Thirteenth AF 23 B-24's and 23 B-25's pound Rabaul, blasting Chinatown and wharf area. 46 P-40's and P-39's pound dock area E of Rabaul. 9 P-38's, turning back from Rabaul, bomb Buka A/F.
3/8/44 Seventh AF B-24's, striking from Makin, bomb Ponape and Kusaie. A-24's and P-40's, also from Makin, bomb and strafe runways and AA positions at Mille. Tarawa-based B-25's pound Wotje.
3/8/44 Eleventh AF Bmrs fly negative search and patrol missions for an enemy submarine. B-24's fly cover for a convoy en route from Adak to Shemya.
3/9/44 Eighth AF About 300 B-17's attack Berlin. 158 B-24's bomb other tgts, including Brunswick, Hannover, and Nienburg areas.
3/9/44 Twelfth AF B-25's strike dock area of Porto Stefano, some bombs falling in Port'oErcole area. B-25's bomb bridge at Montalto di Castro. A-20's hit tank repair depot N of Tivoli. P-40's blast gun positions W of Campoleone, W of Pratica di Mare, and S of Ciampino. A-36's bomb Capranica railroad station and tgts nearby. Ftrs fly uneventful patrols over Anzio.
3/9/44 Tenth AF 6 B-24's bomb Tavoy A/F and office area while 8 others hit town of Mogaung. Town area, supply dumps and road bridge at Kamaing are pounded by 10 B-24's, 16 P-51's, and 10 P-40's. The bridge is knocked out. 10 B-25's score numerous hits on airstrips at Indaw and Katha. P-51's, P-40's, and A- 36's hit storage at Pyindaw, and spt ground forces at Walawbum and Shaduzup.
3/9/44 Fourteenth AF 13 CACW B-25's and 24 Chinese P-40's pound foundry and floating docks at Shihhweiyao. 40-plus P- 40's carry out several sea sweeps off Indochina coast and fly armed rcn over NE Indochina. The ftrs damage vessels off Campha Port, strafe A/F at Mon Cay, bomb A/F at Weichow I (causing heavy damage), hit barracks at Luc Nam, damage vessels at Hongay, and bomb military installations at Cao Bang.
3/9/44 Fifth AF B-25's pound Lorengau and other tgts on Manus. Numerous other Fifth AF aircraft carry out armed rcn over wide reaches of SWPA, attacking a variety of tgts.
3/9/44 Thirteenth AF 24 B-25's bomb dock area along N shore of Simpson Harbor at Rabaul. 19 B-24's follow with strike on Rabaul town and wharf area and also hit A/Fs in the vicinity. 40-plus P-39's and P-40's hit dock area E of Simpson Harbor. At Empress Augusta Bay, 2 sqs of B-25's hit Japanese installations on nearby hills.
3/9/44 Seventh AF B-25's based on Abemama attack Taroa I. B-24's from Tarawa hit Ponape and Kusaie.
3/10/44 Twelfth AF B-26's bomb Rome/Tiburtina M/Y and unsuccessfully attack Orvieto railroad bridge, while B-25's hit Littoria M/Y. P-40's and A-36's strike at enemy positions on coast at San Felice Circeo, gun positions E of Littoria, guns and tanks at Cisterna di Roma, railroad at Montalto di Castro, train at Monte Libretti station, and railway buildings at Zagarolo. Ftrs patrol Anzio area without incident.
3/10/44 Tenth AF 23 B-24's pound town areas of Mogaung and Kamaing during the afternoon, following an earlier B-25 raid on Kamaing. 40-plus P40's, P-51's, and P-38's hit gun positions S of Walawbum, troops and storage areas W of Mogaung at Pahok, trains near Myitnge and Anisakan, A/F at Anisakan, and town area of Laban.
3/10/44 Fourteenth AF 6 B-24's bomb Kowloon Docks. B-25's from Suichwan sink a motor launch and damage 2 cargo vessels and a barge in Anking area. Escorting P-38's shoot down several interceptors. P-40's and P-51's on armed rcn bomb or strafe barracks and shipping at Foochow, A/F and barracks at Nanchang, factory, barracks, and bridge near Sienning, freighters at Hongay and Campha Port, barracks at Ha Coi, and area E of Lang Son.
3/10/44 Fifth AF 11 B-25's bomb Lorengau and several T/Os on Manus. B-24's and P-39's, operating singly or in pairs, attack numerous scattered T/Os throughout SWPA during armed rcn flights.
3/10/44 Thirteenth AF P-40's and P-39's attack Wunapope supply area. 19 B-24's pound Rabaul area, starting several large fires. 40 B-25's hit Japanese positions in the hills near Empress Augusta Bay. P-39's attack tgts at Kepiai Plantation.
3/10/44 Seventh AF A-24's and P-40's from Makin and B-26's from Tarawa attack A/Fs, AA positions, and radio installations at Mille and Wotje. B-25's, operating out of Engebi on Eniwetok Atoll (secured by invading forces on 22 Feb) in the Marshalls for the first time, bomb Kusaie I.
3/11/44 Eighth AF 121 B-17's bomb Munster while 34 B-24's hit V-weapon site at Wizernes. Both attacking forces use blind-bombing techniques due to thick overcast.
3/11/44 Ninth AF 61 B-26's bomb V-weapon sites in N France. 53 abort because of weather and navigational difficulties.
3/11/44 Twelfth AF MBs strike at Florence, Orvieto, and Fabriano M/Ys with good results. P-40, A-36, and P-47 FBs attack supply depot, railroad station, and factory in areas NE of Monterotondo, and numerous other tgts, including gun positions in battle areas, railroad facilities, and 2 supply trains.
3/11/44 Fifteenth AF About 100 B-24's, escorted by 30-plus P-38's, bomb harbor at Toulon. More than 100 B-17's, escorted by more than 50 P-47's, hit M/Y at Padua. Other B-24's bomb M/Ys at Pontassieve and Prato and hit A/F at Iesi. HBs and ftrs claim destruction of more than 30 enemy airplanes in the air.
3/11/44 Tenth AF 70-plus FBs (P-40's, P-51's, and A-36's) and 2 B-25's hit fuel and ammo dumps, gun positions, roads, and general T/Os in or near Saungka, Pandaw, Walawbum, Labang Gahtawng, Shaduzup, and Mogaung.
3/11/44 Fourteenth AF 10 P-40's damage 3 barges at Campha Port, hit buildings on Weichow I, and attack town area at Ha Coi.
3/11/44 Fifth AF 12 B-25's pound Lorengau while 7 B-24's bomb enemy positions to the W of the town, as preliminaries for invasion of Manus increase. 80-plus B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's hit Boram A/F while more than 40 A-20's and P-39's attack tgts in Madang area. P-47's strafe Hansa Bay area. Other aircraft carry out armed rcn and sweeps over wide reaches of NE New Guinea and New Britain coastal areas.
3/11/44 Thirteenth AF 40-plus B-24's and B-25's, supported by 20-plus P-38's, pound Rabaul town area. 20 P-40's bomb Wunapope. 43 P-40's bomb Mosigetta area while 4 B-24's pound Monoitu Mission.
3/11/44 Seventh AF B-24's, operating out of Kwajalein for first time, carry out the Seventh's first raid from the Marshalls against Wake. P-40's and B-25's, operating from bases in the Gilberts, pound Mille and Maloelap.
3/12/44 Eighth AF 52 B-24's attack V-weapon site at Saint-Pol/Siracourt, using blind-bombing technique.
3/12/44 Tenth AF 50-plus P-40's, A-36's, and P-51's, along with a single B-25, pound troops and supply areas at Shedwiyang and near Kamaing, bomb town of Shaduzup, and hit storage areas near Manywet and Malakawng.
3/12/44 Fifth AF 12 B-25's hit enemy positions and comm at Lorengau as landings on small offshore islands continue with beachhead being established on Hauwei I. 40-plus B-24's B-26's, and A-20's hit Wewak area.
3/12/44 Thirteenth AF 22 B-25's, with Navy ftr cover, pound Rabaul area, concentrating on N rim of Simpson Harbor. 18 B- 24's, with Navy ftr cover, follow with strike against Rabaul customs wharf area. The HB strike is followed by an attack on town area of Rabaul by 64 P-40's, P-38's, and P-39's.
3/12/44 Seventh AF B-24's from Tarawa bomb Mille, Wotje, Maloelap, and Nauru. B-25's hit Jaluit.
3/13/44 Eighth AF 270 HBs are dispatched to bomb V-weapon installations in Pas de Calais area, but strike is cancelled because of bad weather. 7 bmrs manage to attack Paix A/F as T/O. 2 airplanes are lost to AA fire.
3/13/44 Ninth AF 40 B-26's attack V-weapon site at Lottinghen/Les Grands Bois. 37 abort due to bad weather.
3/13/44 Twelfth AF B-26's bomb railway bridges NW and W of Sarzana and at Viareggio, hit tracks S of the latter, and, along with SAAF LBs, bomb Fabriano M/Y. B-25's bomb Spoleto M/Y, hitting E and W chokepoints and line to Terni, and also attack Perugia M/Y with less successful results. A-36's bomb railroad station between Orte and Orvieto while P-40's hit supply dump near Velletri and gun positions along beachhead line directly S of Rome.
3/13/44 Tenth AF 140-plus P-40's, A-36's, and P-51's along with 2 B-25's pound numerous T/Os in Shaduzup area, knock out a span of bridge in Shaduzup, hit town of Loilaw, pound supply and ammo dumps near Warazup and Seton, and bomb building area N of Namti.
3/13/44 Fourteenth AF 8 B-24's and 4 P-40's attack A/F and seaplane anchorage at Kiungshan on Hainan I. 16 P-40's bomb bridge at Puchi, scoring direct hits on both approaches.
3/13/44 Fifth AF 160-plus B-24's, B-25's, A-20's, P-47's, and P-40's thoroughly pound Wewak area; US aircraft claim 8 interceptors shot down. Other aircraft, operating singly or in flights of 2 or 3, attack several tgts in NE New Guinea-New Britain area. In the Admiralties, Hauwei I is cleared of enemy opposition and arty is brought ashore.
3/13/44 Thirteenth AF 2 B-24's, with Navy ftr escort, and 22 B-25's bomb Rabaul area, hitting NW part of Rabaul and harbor and waterfront section. 27 P-39's, P-40's, and P-38's pound Wunapope supply area.
3/13/44 Seventh AF B-25's from Engebi bomb Kusaie while B-24's from Tarawa hit Ponape. B-25's from Abemama and Tarawa pound Mille.
3/14/44 Twelfth AF B-26's bomb Prenestina M/Y and nearby chemical plant. B-25's strike Terni and Orte M/Ys, causing considerable damage, while A-20's attack tank repair facilities unsuccessfully. P-40's attack guns in Anzio beachhead area and also hit supply dump. A-36's and P-47's hit railway stations and town of Ostia.
3/14/44 Tenth AF 41 A-31's join British aircraft in hitting Japanese positions in Arakan and Chin Hills areas. 90-plus P- 51's, A-36's, and P-40's, along with 3 B-25's, hit Japanese troops, bridges, dumps, and villages in Mogaung Valley.
3/14/44 Fourteenth AF 20 Japanese bmrs hit A/Fs at Hengyang and Suichwan. Surprise prevents effective interception by Fourteenth AF ftrs.
3/14/44 Fifth AF More than 80 B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's, supported by Allied ftrs, pound Wewak area. 17 other B-24's bomb A/F at Tadji. 8 A-20's carry out sweep over Madang area while 12 bomb airstrip at Alexishafen.
3/14/44 Thirteenth AF 22 P-40's and P-39's hit Wunapope. 23 B-24's, with naval ftr cover, bomb N waterfront area of Simpson Harbor. 22 B-25's, with Navy ftr escort, bomb E section of town of Rabaul. P-39's, P-38's, P- 40's, and Navy ftrs hit barges and other T/Os around coast of Bougainville and along NE New Ireland coast.
3/14/44 Seventh AF B-25's from Engebi bomb Kusaie. B-25's from Tarawa hit Wotje.
3/15/44 Eighth AF 330 B-17's and B-24's bomb industrial area of Brunswick. 2 P-47's each carrying 2 1,000-lb bombs, escorted by 6 P-47's, fly mission against enemy barge in Zuider Zee to test feasibility of this type of operation. The FBs score near misses.
3/15/44 Ninth AF Ninth AF directive states that the Ninth is released from first priority commitment to assist Eighth AF.
P-51's of the Ninth AF (committed to AEAF) will continue to escort HBs when required by the Eighth.
Ninth AF Adv HQ assumes function of tgt selection and mission planning for IX BC. AEAF HQ has authority to indicate percentage of effect to be expended on each type of tgt on a long-term basis. 118 B-26's attack M/Ys at Aulnoye and Haine-Saint-Pierre and Chievres A/F. During the afternoon, 10 MBs using 'Oboe' to test its accuracy, bomb Coxyde A/F with poor results. Dive-bombing missions using ftrs begin with a 7-aircraft attack on SaintValery-en-Caux A/F.
3/15/44 Twelfth AF MBs and FBs, together with MASAF HBs and other aircraft of MATAF in greatest air effort yet made in MTO, rain bombs upon enemy concentrations in Cassino and surrounding areas as NZ Corps begins third battle of Cassino. LBs and MBs also hit a cmd post E of Ceprano and town of San Benedetto de Marsi. Ftrs on patrol and sweep over Anzio, Cassino, and Rome meet no air opposition.
3/15/44 Fifteenth AF More than 300 B-24's and B-17's bomb Cassino, area S of Cassino, and areas near Venafro, in spt of US Fifth Army. Over 250 other HBs return to base without bombing because of complete cloud cover of their tgt areas. Extensive ftr cover over Cassino area is provided by P-38's, and P-47's fly 2 sweeps over Viterbo-Canino area. There is no ftr opposition.
3/15/44 Tenth AF 24 A-31's join British aircraft in pounding villages and Japanese positions in Arakan area. 31 B-24's and 20-plus RAF Wellingtons and Beaufighters pound supply dumps and T/Os in Rangoon area while 8 other B-24's hit barracks near Bangkok. Numerous US and RAF MBs and FBs attack villages, Japanese positions, ammo dumps, tanks, and many other T/Os in the Chin Hills, at Chindwin, in the Mogaung Valley, and in areas around Mandalay.
3/15/44 Fifth AF More than 200 B-24's, B-25's, A-20's, P-38's, P-47's, and P-40's pound Wewak township, blasting docks, warehouses, gun positions, and numerous other tgts. Ftrs claim 11 enemy airplanes shot down. 36 B-25's bomb Tingo village and Lugos Mission area on Manus, where elements of 1st Cav Div make amphibious landing, take the mission, and head E toward Lorengau.
3/15/44 Thirteenth AF Gen Hubert Harmon, CG Thirteenth AF, becomes COMAIRSOLS. 50-plus B-25's, P-40's, P-39's, and P-38's and Navy ftrs pound Wunapope supply areas. 24 B-25's, with Navy ftr escort, bomb Lakunai A/F. 22 unescorted B-24's, finding Tobera clouded over, bomb A/F at Rapopo as a secondary tgt.
3/15/44 Seventh AF B-24's from Kwajalein fly first Seventh AF mission against Truk Atoll, hitting Dublon I and Eten I before dawn; alternate tgts of Oroluk Anchorage and Ponape Town are also hit. B-25's from Tarawa hit Maloelap. By this date the A-24's, P-39's, and P-40's used against Mille and Jaluit during FLINTLOCK and CATCHPOLE have returned to Oahu for rest and reequipment.
3/16/44 Eighth AF 679 B-17's and B-24's bomb aircraft factories and A/Fs at Augsburg, Friedrichshafen, Gessertshausen, and Ulm. Ftr opposition is heavy against the first force of bmrs over France and Germany. 23 US bmrs are lost on mission.
3/16/44 Twelfth AF FBs, LBs, and MBs blast gun positions in Cassino-Piedimonte area as battle of Cassino rages on.
FBs also hit gun positions along Anzio beachhead front.
3/16/44 Tenth AF 29 A-31's hit Japanese positions in Arakan area. 6 B-25's damage bridge at Nattalin near Rangoon.
3/16/44 Fourteenth AF 7 P-40's on Yangtze R sweep damage 2 launches near Yoyang and pound barracks and storage at Sienning.
3/16/44 Fifth AF 70-plus B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's hit AA positions, buildings and salvage dumps at Wewak and nearby Brandi Plantation. 19 B-25's bomb personnel and storage areas at Nubia. B-24's and Catalinas attack Japanese convoy near Hollandia. Other B-24's bomb docks and factory area at Soerabaja.
3/16/44 Thirteenth AF 13 B-24's bomb Vunakanau A/F, and 12 B-25's follow with raid on Vunakanau radar Installations. 9 B- 25's, 12 P-39's, and 11 P-40's hit Wunapope supply areas. 10 P-38's attack Cape Tawui while 11 B- 25's pound N edge of Simpson Harbor. 7 P-38's strafe barges W of Raluana Pt. At Monoitu Mission, a raid by B-24's demolishes several buildings.
3/16/44 Seventh AF B-25's from Tarawa from Abemama pound Wotje, Ormed I and Mille.
3/16/44 Eleventh AF 3 B-24's take off from Shemya shortly before midnight 15/16 Mar to fly armed rcn over Matsuwa I, but turn back prematurely. Some of the bmrs jettison their bomb-loads over the tgt area.
3/17/44 Eighth AF P-47 FBs, escorted by P-47 ftrs, attack Chartres A/F. 16 others bomb Soesterberg A/F, losing 2 aircraft to AA fire.
3/17/44 Ninth AF 70 B-25's bomb M/Y at Criel-sur-Mer.
3/17/44 Twelfth AF B-25's bomb Montepescali M/Y and Cecina. B-25's hit Roccasecca and Castrocielo, while A-20's hit troop concentration in Cassino area. FBs hit guns in Cassino lrea and attack nearby railroad bridge and underpass with good results.
3/17/44 Fifteenth AF More than 200 B-24's bomb Vienna and various T/Os. P-47's and P-38's provide escort. Over 100 B- 17's abort because of bad weather.
3/17/44 Tenth AF 24 B-24's and 12 P-38's attack supply dumps in Kalewa area in Chin Hills region. 18 A-31's hit villages and positions in same general area while 22 others attack troops near Thaungdut. 30-plus B- 25's, P-51's, and A-36's damage Shweli and Mogaung bridges and hit positions and supply dumps in Kamaing area. 37 P-40's blast A/F at Myitkyina. Numerous other aircraft fly miscellaneous sorties over Sumprabum area. 2 B-25's cause fires among oil installations at Chauk.
3/17/44 Fourteenth AF 5 B-25's bomb and strafe boatyards at Vinh and hit lumber stores and sawmills at nearby Ben Thuy.
3/17/44 Fifth AF Almost 100 B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's attack Wewak area. P-38's hit Hansa Bay area while other B- 25's bomb Madang-Alexishafen area. Soerabaja naval base is bombed by B-24's.
3/17/44 Thirteenth AF 31 FBs and 31 B-25's pound supply areas at Wunapope and at Ralum. A few FBs hit Japanese bivouac area on Matchin Bay. 20-plus B-24's pound airstrip at Namatanai.
3/17/44 Seventh AF B-24's and B-25's from Tarawa bomb, respectively, Ponape and Jaluit.
3/17/44 Eleventh AF 3 B-24's fly armed rcn over Onnekotan I before dawn releasing bombs through overcast.
3/18/44 Eighth AF 679 B-17's and B-24's bomb aircraft plants and A/Fs at Oberpfaffenhofen, Friedrichshafen, Lechfeld, Munich, Landsberg, and Memmingen. Enemy ftrs attack in force and AA fire is heavy. 43 US bmrs and 13 escorting ftrs are lost. Total US claims for enemy aircraft destroyed are 84.
3/18/44 Twelfth AF B-25's, B-26's, and A-20's bomb Foligno M/Y, Orvieto M/Y and railroad bridge, Poggibonsi railroad bridge, Piombino dock area, Colleferro railroad tracks, and assembly area N of Anzio. P-40's, A-36's, and P-47's attack gun positions in Anzio beachhead area, factory at Carroceto, motor transport concentrations in Cassino area, fuel dump, tank repair depot, and bivouac in beachhead area, motor transport around Ladispoli, railroad bridge N of Rome, and railroad tracks and cars at other points.
3/18/44 Fifteenth AF More than 350 B-17's and B-24's bomb A/Fs at Villaorba, Udine, Gorizia, Lavariano, and Maniago.
126 P-38's and P-47's carry out sweeps in Udine-Maniago area, and strafe aircraft at Udine A/F tanker S of Marano Lagoon and a hangar, 2 trains, 2 radar stations, and seaplane anchorage (destroying 6 seaplanes) at Belvedere. HBs and escorts claim 48 enemy ftrs destroyed. 9 US aircraft are downed.
3/18/44 Tenth AF 12 A-31's hit Japanese positions W of Buthidaung in Arakan area. In the Chin Hills, 22 B-25's attack villages and oil storage areas near Kalewa while 16 B-24's and 41 A-31's pound same general area hitting Japanese positions and causing many fires. 20-plus P-51's and B-25's spt ground forces near Chindwin. 14 others hit truck park and supply area near Mandalay. 20-plus FBs (P-51's, P-40's, and A- 36's) bomb Kamaing area while 10 more damage several riverboats near Katha.
3/18/44 Fourteenth AF 16 P-40's on Yangtze R sweep sink 1 large sailboat and strafe a transport ship at Chiuchiang. 2 P- 40's damage bridge N of Haiphong and attack T/Os in the area, while 2 others sink 2 large junks at Thuong Mo. 12 P-40's on armed rcn from Nanning sink barge and damage other craft at Quang Yen, sink a transport vessel at Campha Port and damage a nearby bridge, attack a train and several buildings in Lang Son area, and damage a railroad bridge between Lang Son and Phu Lang Thuong.
3/18/44 Fifth AF More than 100 B-24's B-25's, and A-20's continue to pound Wewak area, hitting AA positions and nearby Brandi Plantation. Japanese supply convoy reaches Wewak but escapes bombardment.
3/18/44 Thirteenth AF 12 P-40's pound fuel stores on Keravia Bay. 13 P-38's follow with strike on ammo dump at nearby Cape Tawui. 12 P-39's later hit Keravia Bay area. Still later, 24 B-24's and 13 B-25's blast town of Rabaul and foothills nearby. 18 P-39's, along with several naval FBs, hit shipping at mouths of Jaba and Tavena Rivers.
3/18/44 Seventh AF 2 B-25's from Engebi bomb and strafe Ponape. 13 B-25's from Abemama bomb Jaluit while 5 from Tawara hit the Atoll with bombs and cannon fire. 1 B-24 from Tarawa bombs Mille and photographs Mille and Majuro Atolls.
3/19/44 Eighth AF 172 B-17's attack V-weapon installations at Wizernes, Watten, and Marquise. 24 P-47 FBs dive-bomb Gilze-Rijen A/F. 11 P-47's fly top cover while 39 P-51's fly uneventful supporting sweep over S Netherlands.
3/19/44 Ninth AF 152 B-26's and 65 A-20's attack NOBALL tgts in Saint-Omer area during morning and afternoon missions.
16 P-47's dive-bomb A/F between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Le Touquet. The morning raids precede Eighth AF attack with HBs on V-weapon sites.
3/19/44 MAAF MATAF issues directive for Operation STRANGLE, to interdict supply movements in Italy by destroying M/Ys and attacking rail lines and ports in a concentrated campaign.
3/19/44 Twelfth AF B-26's attack road bridge W of Arezzo and port installations at San Stefano al Mare. B-25's hit bridge approach in S Orvieto, M/Y's at Avezzano and Orte, and bridge at Orte. Tank repair shops near Tivoli are bombed by A-20's. P-47's and P-40's strike at enemy concentrations, dumps, and guns in US Fifth Army main battle area and in area N of Anzio beachhead.
3/19/44 Fifteenth AF 460th Bomb Gp (B-24) is declared operational making total of 14 HB gps operational in Fifteenth AF.
234 B-17's and B-24's, escorted by 100-plus ftrs, bomb A/F and town of Klagenfurt. Other B-24's (over 150) hit Graz factory complex M/Ys at Metkovic and Knin. Enemy (ftrs provide fierce opposition and along with AA fire, shoot down 17 HBs and 1 ftr. US aircraft claim 30 enemy ftrs destroyed in combat.
3/19/44 Tenth AF 20-plus B-25's and P-38's hit Wuntho. More than 20 A-31's attack villages and Japanese positions in the Chin Hills and near Chindwin. 70-plus FBs and 2 B-25's over Mogaung Valley bomb supply dumps, enemy positions, and T/Os throughout the area, concentrating attacks in and near Kamaing, Mogaung, and Sumprabum. 16 P-51's hit barracks and supply area at Meiktila A/F near Mandalay while 3 B-25's hit Indaw.
3/19/44 Fourteenth AF 2 B-25's, 9 P-38's, and 3 P-51's on Yangtze R sweep damage several river vessels, hit fort at Chihchow, and bomb A/F at Nanchang.
3/19/44 Fifth AF Over 100 B-24's, B-25's, A-20's, and P-47's pound Wewak area, hitting especially hard the Cape Moem and Cape Boram areas. Other B-25's and P-39's, along with RAAF airplanes, bomb Hansa Bay, Nubia, Madang, and Alexishafen area and hit tgts along Bogadjim Road. P-40's attack bivouac area and AA on Garove I. 130 B-24's, B-25's, A-20's, and P-38's virtually destroy supply convoy proceeding from Wewak toward Hollandia, sinking at least 5 vessels.
3/19/44 Thirteenth AF 30-plus FBs over Rabaul area pound ammo dump and other tgts around Cape Tawui. 24 B-25's blast Wunapope area, concentrating on workers' quarters. 24 B-24's bomb airstrip at Panapai, causing considerable damage to runways.
3/19/44 Seventh AF B-24's pound Wake from Kwajalein. B-25's from Abemama and Tarawa hit Maloelap, Jaluit, and Mille.
1 B-24 from Tarawa bombs Mille and photographs Mille and Majuro Atolls.
3/20/44 Eighth AF 51 B-17's bomb industry and transportation tgts at Frankfurt/Main. 99 HBs attack T/Os, including Bingen, Mannheim area, and Mainz area. Bad weather and malfunction of blind-bombing equipment cause nearly 300 HBs to abandon mission.
3/20/44 Ninth AF 67th Tac Rcn Gp completes series of 83 missions (begun on 23 Feb) during which photos were made of 160 mi of French coastline and 2 inshore strips, each 120 mi long; 9500 prints are produced and no aircraft are lost. Over 200 B-26's and A-20's bomb 4 NOBALL tgts and Creil M/Y. 85 P-47's dive-bomb A/Fs at Abbeville, Poix, and Conches.
3/20/44 Twelfth AF 310th Bomb Gp (M) is transferred from XII FC to 57th Bomb Wg, thus consolidating all B-25 units of the Twelfth under 1 wg. B-25's strike harbor and shipping at Piombino, Poggibonsi railroad bridge, Port' Ercole, and area around Orvieto railroad bridge. B-25's hit Orvieto M/Y and underpass and road bridge nearby, Terni M/Y, and dock at San Stefano al Mare. Factory at Fontana Liri is accurately bombed by A-20's. P-40's hit troop concentrations, guns, and fuel dump in Cassino-Fontana Liri area while A-36's blast railway station at Frosinone and also drop food for troops in Cassino area. P-47's hit fuel dump at Fontana Liri.
3/20/44 USSR Red Army sweeps into Bessarabia.
3/20/44 Tenth AF In the Arakan area, 12 A-31's hit Japanese positions near Kaladan and Buthidaung while 6 P-38's severely damage bridge at Lamu. 20-plus B-25's, and P-51's hit comm and transportation tgts in Katha area. 6 B-24's bomb Moulmein-Martaban area. More than 100 FBs strike Mogaung Valley buildings and supply areas, and fuel dumps at Mogaung, Myitkyina, Sumprabum, and Sahmaw.
3/20/44 Fourteenth AF Photo rcn sorties are flown over C China and NE Burma.
3/20/44 Fifth AF 30-plus B-24's bomb A/F at Aitape. Over 20 P-39's and A-20's hit Japanese HQ and other tgts along Bogadjim Road while B-25's and P-39's on armed rcn hit tgts at Milhanak, along Gogol R, at Yeschan, Burui A/F, and at Erima. P-40's on armed rcn hit villages and barges along Bangula Bay coast. At night B-24's bomb remnants of supply convoy off Cape Terabu.
3/20/44 Thirteenth AF 20-plus FBs hit Ratawul supply area. Later 20-plus ftrs attack barges in Rabaul area while 3 B-34's blast several buildings at nearby Massava Bay. 23 B-24's bomb A/F at Vunakanau while 24 B-25's pound Lakunai. 10 P-40's and P-39's bomb Numa Numa and strafe coastal T/Os. Rcn patrol of SB- 24's cover Marines moving onto Emirau I. Ftr patrol is unnecessary due to unexpected lack of opposition.
After initial landing by Marines other Allied ground forces move ashore. By afternoon of 21 Mar the occupation of the island is complete. Construction of a base begins shortly.
3/20/44 Seventh AF 12 B-25's from Tarawa bomb radio station and pier on Emidj. 1 other B-25 from Tarawa bombs Mille, rearms at Majuro, and again bombs Mille on return trip.
3/21/44 Eighth AF 56 B-24's bomb V-weapon launching installation at Watten. 41 P-51's in a ftr sweep over S France claim 21 aircraft destroyed. About 650 B-17's and B-24's bomb Berlin area, including aircraft factories at Basdorf and Oranienburg. Of 12 brms lost, 1 B-17 is destroyed by a bomb dropped by a B-17 from a sq flying at a higher altitude.
3/21/44 Ninth AF All B-26's dispatched to bomb NOBALL tgts in France are recalled because of bad weather.
3/21/44 Twelfth AF B-25's make unsuccessful attempt to bomb Poggibonsi bridge. Weather cancels other B-25 missions and all A-20 operations. B-26's attack Arezzo and Bucine viaducts and Poggibonsi and Cecina railroad bridges. P-47's hit railroad bridges N of Rome while P-40's bomb tgts in Anzio area. A-36's drop food in Cassino area.
3/21/44 Fifteenth AF Bad weather limits operations to photo and weather rcn missions.
3/21/44 Tenth AF 30-plus A-31's hit Japanese positions near Arakan and in the Chin Hills. 25 B-25's and P-51's destroy 1 bridge and damage another near Meza, pound buildings and T/Os in Mawlu area and hit a locomotive and several trucks in Banmauk-Indaw area. 6 P-38's bomb Monywa oil dumps, causing several large fires. 80-plus FBs and 2 B-25's hit town of Manywet, storage area at Myitkyina, buildings at Kamaing and Myitkyina, and warehouses, bypass, and bridge at Hopin.
3/21/44 Fifth AF 140-plus B-24's, B-25's, A-20's, P-38's, and P-40's attack numerous tgts in Wewak-Tadji-Hansa Bay- Schouten Is areas. P-39's and RAAF FBs blast Japanese positions in Madang area. P-40's and A-20's on armed rcn attack tgts on New Britain and on Garove I to the N.
3/21/44 Thirteenth AF 30-plus FBs and 24 B-25's pound Lakunai A/F area. 22 B-24's bomb Vunakanau A/F. Ftrs carry out barge sweeps in Rabaul area. 14 P-39's hit Numa Numa. Small strikes are flown against Monoitu and a bridge at Meive, and FBs spt ground forces and bomb bivouac along Empress Augusta Bay.
3/21/44 Seventh AF B-24's from Tarawa hit Mille, Maloelap and Ponape. Tarawa-based B-25's also pound Maloelap.
3/22/44 Twelfth AF B-26's attack Poggibonsi railroad bridge and viaduct W of Arezzo. B-25's hit road bridge near Poggibonsi. P-40's bomb guns in Avezzano and Pico areas. P-40's on patrols over Anzio and Cassino claim 2 ftrs destroyed.
3/22/44 Fifteenth AF Around 100 B-17's bomb M/Ys at Verona while about 100 B-24's hit M/Ys at Bologna and Rimini. P- 38's and P-47's provide cover for all the missions. 2 HBs are lost to flak and another has to ditch.
3/22/44 CBI Japanese move into India from Burma, penetrate to 30 mi E of Imphal.
3/22/44 Tenth AF 36 A-31's hit villages of Homalin and Myothit and bomb Japanese positions near Chindwin. Over 100 ftrs and FBs over Mogaung Valley attack troops, storage, and other tgts and cause several fires throughout the area. 20-plus P-51's and B-25's carry out ground spt missions in Mawlu area near Katha. Near Rangoon 4 B-24's set fire to Prome supply dumps while a single P-38 damages railroad bridges and several trucks at Pyinmana.
3/22/44 Fourteenth AF 4 B-25's from Yangkai hit several tgts in and around Phu Dien Chau, Ha Trung, Dong Giao, and Nam Dinh. Results in(lude 3 locomotives destroyed and another damaged, 3 125-ft steamers damaged, and a bridge roadbed weakened. I B-25 is lost.
3/22/44 Fifth AF 130-plus B-24's, B-25's. B-20's, and P-40's attack Wewak area, hitting enemy positions, AA guns, storage areas at Wewak, Boram, and Yeschan, and hitting shipping offshore. Japanese HQ and troops are hit by 25 other aircraft in Aitape-Tadji area. P-47's hit barges at Alexishafen while P-39's hit HQ and supply dump along Bogadjim Road. A-20's hit barges near Pondo Plantation and hit Ewasse village.
3/22/44 Thirteenth AF 30-plus FBs hit supply area along Laruma R. A total of 13 B-24's carry out small strikes against Buka, Monoitu, Kahili, and Kara. 23 B-25's pound Lakunai A/F, 10 B-24's bomb Tobera, and a single B-24 hits Rabaul.
3/22/44 Seventh AF B-25's from Abemama and Tarawa bomb Mille and Jaluit.
3/23/44 Eighth AF 767 HBs are dispatched to attack A/Fs in W Germany and aircraft factories in Brunswick area. Due to unfavorable weather conditions, only 68 Hbs bomb primary tgt (A/F at Handorf). 205 bomb city of Brunswick (secondary tgt) and 432 others bomb T/Os, including Hamm M/Y, Osnabruck, Munster, Ahlen, Beckum, Neubeckum, and Drensteinfurt. 28 aircraft are lost, mostly to ftrs.
3/23/44 Ninth AF 220 B-26's on morning mission bomb Creil M/Y and A/Fs at Beaumont-le-Roger and Beauvais/Tille. In afternoon raid, 146 bomb Haine-Saint-Pierre M/Y.
3/23/44 Twelfth AF B-26's bomb Florence/Campo di Marte M/Y while B-25's hit Pontassieve railway bridge and its approaches. P-40's attack guns in Cassino-Esperia area, causing many fires and explosions. A-36's bomb Cassino area with good results. Germans have been forced into narrow zone in W edge of Cassino but still hold positions commanding the town and the Abbey; NZ Corps breaks off attack.
3/23/44 Tenth AF In Chin Hills region 12 A-31's hit Japanese positions, 12 B-24's and 10 P-38's bomb Kalewa, and 9 B- 25's attack Kaing and Shwebo. In Katha area 12 P-51's bomb Naba Station while 12 others join 9 B- 25's in attacking ammo and gas dumps at Indaw. 4 P-40's bomb stores at Kamaing while 30-plus other ftrs fly armed rcn over the Mogaung Valley in general. 12 B-24's pound Moulmein jetty and attack Moulmein-Bangkok railroad tgts, destroying 2 bridges, damaging several others, and scoring effective hits on 2 trains.
3/23/44 Fourteenth AF B-25's on railroad sweep N from Vinh destroy 2 engines and several boxcars at Van Trai Station yards and attack 3 bridges between Vinh and Thanh Hoa.
3/23/44 Fifth AF Nearly 100 B-24's, B-25's, A-20's, and P-47's hit numerous tgts in Aitape, Wewak, Alexishafen, and Hansa Bay areas. 29 P-40's attack Talasea and nearby bivouacs, including Gogosi. B-24's bomb Babo and during the night attack shipping in Bismarck Sea.
3/23/44 Thirteenth AF 14 P-38's bomb T/Os at Komaleai Pt while 24 B-25's hit Buka area after weather prevented scheduled attacks on Rabaul. Ftrs fly sweeps over Rabaul and general New Ireland area, and 12 P-40's bomb fuel dump at Keravia Bay. 15 B-24's out of 24 dispatched plow through the bad weather and bomb Ratawul supply area.
3/23/44 Seventh AF B-24's from Kwajalein bomb Wake. B-25's flying out of Eniwetok hit Ponape. Tarawa-based B-25's strike Maloelap and Jaluit, commencing a series of B-25 shuttlemissions between Tarawa or Makin and the Navy's new base at Majuro Atoll which is used as the rearming base for the return strike.
3/24/44 Eighth AF 59 B-17's bomb Schweinfurt, using blind-bombing equipment. 162 other B-17's diverting from primary tgt at Schweinfurt because of clouds, bomb M/Y at Frankfurt/Main. Primary B-24 tgts, A/Fs at Metz and Nancy, are overcast, but 33 are able to bomb Nancy while 147 Dthers bomb secondary tgt of Saint Dizier/Robinson A/F.
3/24/44 Twelfth AF B-25's pound supply and bivouac areas in Piedimonte and Castrocielo and harbor installations at Leghorn. B-25's hit bridge and railroad tracks NW of Orvieto, and A-20's bomb guns in Cassino area.
P-40's and A-36's in Cassino area hit guns, troop concentrations, road, and causeway. P-47's on armed rcn in Rome-Orvieto-Orte areas hit train and bridge.
3/24/44 Fifteenth AF More than 100 B-24's bomb Rimini M/Ys while 32 others attack Ancona, Senigallia, and rail and road bridges over Vomano R S of Giulianova. Over 200 other B-17's and B-24's turn back before reaching tgt and before rendezvous with ftr escorts. 3 B-17's and 1 B-24 hit T/Os in Italy and Yugoslavia. 6 B- 24's are lost. The HBs claim 10 enemy ftrs destroyed.
3/24/44 Tenth AF Near Chindwin 50-plus A-31's attack Homalin and Tamanthi. In Mandalay area 12 B-24's and 10 P- 38's bomb Pyingaing dump, 9 B-25's hit Shwebo railroad yards and a nearby factory, and 8 P-51's attack Gokteik Viaduct. 4 P-40's bomb Japanese positions near Shaduzup.
3/24/44 Fifth AF P-39's and P-40's hit Alexishafen with dive bombing and strafing attack at midday. A single B-24 bombs nearby Sek I. Other B-24's on armed rcn score hit on minesweeper. Organized Japanese resistance ends on Los Negros and Bougainville, although considerable time will be required for mopping- up operations.
3/24/44 Thirteenth AF 20-plus B-25's hit airstrip at Tobera. A few which lost contact with formation bomb Vunakanau instead.
More than 30 P-38's, P-39's, and P-40's hit Wunapope with incendiary clusters, causing numerous fires.
3/24/44 Seventh AF B-25's from Tarawa bomb Jaluit while others, flying out of Eniwetok, hit Ponape and Ant Is.
3/24/44 Eleventh AF 3 B-24's fly photo mission over Onnekotan.
3/25/44 Ninth AF More than 140 MBs attack Hirson M/Y.
3/25/44 Twelfth AF Weather severely curtails operations. B-26's bomb Leghorn dockyard and town of Rignano sull' Arno.
P-40 FBs attack gun positions in Anzio beachhead battle area. Ftrs fly cover over Anzio and Cassino areas.
3/25/44 Tenth AF 50-plus A-31's attack Japanese-held villages and gun positions from Kalewa to Homalin. 8 B-24's hit Mogaung supply dumps, causing fires and much smoke. 12 P-40's bomb Kamaing area. Japanese aircraft (5 MBs and 30 ftrs) attack Allied airstrips at Chittagong, Cox's Bazaar and Anisakan. Tenth AF and RAF interceptors claim 7 airplanes shot down.
3/25/44 Fourteenth AF 6 B-24's from Chengkung bomb motor pool and fuel dump at Mangshih, demolishing a sizeable portion of the tgt area.
3/25/44 Fifth AF More than 100 B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's continue pounding of Wewak area, destroying supply dumps along coast from Wewak Pt to the A/F, fuel dump W of Boram, and tgts along Sauri road and in Cape Wom area. Other A-20's attack coastal area around Bunabun Harbor. P-40's attack a Japanese HQ at Cape Hoskins. B-24's bomb BaboUrarom area. On Manus, last major battle takes place; isolated enemy positions remain to be eliminated.
3/25/44 Thirteenth AF 23 B-25's pound Ratawul supply area while 34 FBs hit Keravia Bay fuel stores. 20-plus FBs hit Miwo R bridge and nearby bivouac area and bomb truck park W of Omoi R.
3/25/44 Seventh AF Adv HQ in Tarawa is disbanded and the Seventh's operations in C Pacific forward area are placed under VII BC at Kwajalein. B-25's from Eniwetok pound Ponape and claim 4 ftrs shot down. B-25's from Abemama bomb Maloelap.
3/25/44 Eleventh AF 2 Shemya-based B-24's bomb Kurabu Cape and N coast of Onnekotan.
3/26/44 Eighth AF Nearly 500 B-17's and B-24's bomb V-weapon installations and T/Os in the Pas de Calais and Cherbourg areas.
3/26/44 Ninth AF 338 B-26's and 35 A-20's attack Ijmuiden torpedo-boat pens. Nearly 140 P-47's and P-51's dive-bomb Creil M/Y and military installations in France.
3/26/44 Twelfth AF Operations are at a minimum as bad weather continues. B-26's score numerous hits on Arezzo viaducts, B-25's attack Perugia railway bridge, scoring near misses, and A-20's successfully bomb troop concentrations N of Velletri. P-47's achieve direct hits on railway bridge NW of Stimigliano and near misses on railway bridge SW of Tarquinia. P-40's hit guns near Fontana Liri and N of Anzio beachhead with good results.
3/26/44 Fifteenth AF 60-plus B-17's and B-24's hit port of Fiume and M/Ys at Rimini and Maniago. P-47's and P-38's provide escort. Over 150 other B-17's and B-24's abort missions because of bad weather.
3/26/44 Tenth AF In Chin Hills region 40-plus A-31's pound Japanese positions in Tonzang-Kalewa area and near Kalemyo. The FBs also claim more than 20 trucks destroyed in the Kalemyo area. Near Chindwin 3 B- 24's and 3 B-25's bomb troops along Imphal-Tiddim road. 70-plus Fbs and a lone B-25 attack tgts in Moraung Valley area, including A/Fs at Manywet and Myitkyina, and bridges, roads, railroads and T/Os at Mogaung, Kamaing, and Myitkyina. In the Katha area 8 P-51's and 3 B-25's hit Japanese bivouac NE of Bhamo and claim 6 warehouses destroyed at Nankan.
3/26/44 Fourteenth AF 4 B-25's hit Bakli bay area. 2 merchant vessels are claimed sunk, and damage is done to tracks and loading equipment. 4 P-40's on sweep of N coast of Gulf of Tonkin sink ore boat and damage 4 barges.
3/26/44 Fifth AF 220-plus B-24's, B-25's, A-20's, and ftrs hit Wewak, Boram, Cape Wom, Aitape, Hansa Bay coast, Mushu I, and general area along N coast of NE New Guinea, blasting storage areas, barges, shipping, rounded airplanes, fuel dumps, and enemy troops. Other A-20's hit Bunaun Harbor while P-39's hit Madang area. P-39's and P-40's attack Cape Hoskins and troops in Talasea area. On Manus I A- 20's hit buildings and Japanese positions on S shore.
3/26/44 Thirteenth AF 23 B-25's hit Vunakanau A/F and 37 FBs attack supply areas along Talili Bay. B-25's continue to heckle Rabaul area during the night. In Bougainville area 3 B-24's and 20 FBs hit pillboxes and T/Os on islands off Tekessi R mouth and near Monoitu. FBs again spt round forces along Empress Auusta Bay, hitting supply dump N of Reini R and enemy positions near mouths of Tekessi and Maririei rivers. The FBs claim destruction of bridge over the Puriata R. 24 B-24's on mission against Truk I fail to reach tgt and bomb Pulusuk I instead. Several of the HBs are forced to land on Green I because of fuel shortages.
3/26/44 Seventh AF Eniwetok-based B-25's strike Ponape. B-25's from Tarawa hit Jaluit, rearm at Majuro, and hit Jaluit again on return flight to Tarawa.
3/27/44 Eighth AF Almost 700 B-17's and B-24's bomb A/Fs at Cazaux, Bordeaux, Pau, Biarritz, Mont-de-Marsan, Saint- Jean-d'Angely, La Rochelle, Tours, and Chartres, and an aircraft works at Tours.
3/27/44 Ninth AF 18 B-26's attack V-weapon sites in N France. 35 others abort due primarily to failure of blind-bombing equipment. Onset of bad weather makes this the last MB mission until 8 Apr.
3/27/44 Twelfth AF A-20's successfully bomb Sesti Bagni railway station; B-26's hit Poggibonsi railway bridge, and tracks and train cars in the area; and B-25's attack bridges at Marsciano, Perugia, and Grosseto railroad bridges, scoring damaging hits at Grosseto. P-40's hit cmd post and supply dumps, and fly road rcn SE of Rome with good results. A-36's bomb Sesti Bagni railway station and nearby trucks, while P- 47's attack bridge, junctions, and train cars on Rome-Orvieto railroad. P-47's and P-40's maintain cover over Cassino and Anzio battle areas.
3/27/44 Tenth AF 8 B-24's hit supply dumps at Kamaing, while about 50 FBs and 2 B-25's hit troops in Myitkinya area and spt ground forces near Kamaing. In Katha area 12 B-25's and 16 P-38's and P-51's hit bridge and railroad facilities near Meza and railroad near Kawlin. 60 A-31's pound T/Os along upper Chindwin R.
3/27/44 Fourteenth AF 6 B-25's pound Viet Tri area, damaging 2 factories, a bridge, and several railroad cars. 60-plus P-40's, P-38's, and P-51's attack troops and buildings at Sienning and Kwanyinchow hit bridge, warehouse, and general area at Anyi, damage bridges at Kienchang and Puchi, and pound Nanchang A/F and surrounding areas.
3/27/44 Fifth AF More than 200 B-24's, B-25's, A-20's, P-47's, P-40's, and P-39's attack storage areas, shipping, bridges, fuel dumps, enemy troop concentrations, and other tgts in areas around Wewak, Hansa Bay, Uligan Harbor, and Madang. Other aircraft carry out sweeps and armed rcn over New Britain and Bismarck Sea.
3/27/44 Thirteenth AF 23 B-25's hit Wunapope with incendiaries. 34 FBs follow in rapid succession with another incendiary strike, leaving the entire vicinity in flames. 8 P-40's hit fuel dump at mouth of Tekessi R.
3/27/44 Seventh AF B-25's and B-24's from Tarawa hit Maloelap, Mille, and Wotje. B-25's from Eniwetok Atoll bomb Jaluit and strafe and cannonade Ponape. A single B-24 from Tarawa bombs Jabor.
3/28/44 Eighth AF 363 B-17's attack A/Fs at Dijon, Reims, Chateaudun, and Chartres. 78 B-24's dispatched to bomb port area of Ijmuiden are recalled because of thick cloud cover over North Sea.
3/28/44 Twelfth AF B-25's knock out bridge approach E of Perugia and bomb railway junction and M/Y at Montepescali.
B-25's bomb railway bridge S of Mignano and viaduct to the SE, and hit Certaldo railway bridge. A- 20's attack tank factory N of Tivoli. P-40's strike guns in Anzio area; guns, trucks, and roads during armed rcn of Cassino-Giulianello area; and supply dumps and truck parks near Velletri and Sora. A- 36's attack 2 railroad bridges and tracks at Montalto di Castro and near Orvieto. Ftrs carry out patrols over Anzio and Cassino areas.
3/28/44 Fifteenth AF Almost 400 B-17's and B-24's, largest Fifteenth AF attack to date, bomb M/Ys at Verona and Mestre, and railroad and highway bridges at Cesano and Fano. P-38's and P-40's provide excellent coverage and no HBs are lost. HBs and escorts claim 12 ftrs destroyed. 5 US ftrs are lost.
3/28/44 Tenth AF In the Mogaung Valley 8 B-24's bomb Kamaing storage area, while 60-plus FBs and 9 B-25's furnish ground spt in Sumprabum, Mogaung, and Kamaing areas, and bomb storage and town areas of Manywet, Mohnyin, and Kamaing. 60 A-31's over Chindwin area attack villages from Thaungdut northward, while 6 others hit Kalewa.
3/28/44 Fourteenth AF 4 B-25's bomb barracks area at Vinh Yen, scoring direct hits on 4 buildings.
3/28/44 Fifth AF B-24's hit Hollandia and Penfoei.
3/28/44 Thirteenth AF 24 B-25's bomb Tobera A/F, causing considerable damage to landing strip. FBs hit Ratawul supply area and SW part of Rabaul. A few P-40's attack Numa Numa supply area, a single B-24 scores damaging hits on Japanese-held mission at Monoitu, and other planes hit scattered T/Os.
3/28/44 Seventh AF B-25's from Abenama and Tarawa pound Jaluit, Mille, and Maloelap. A single B-24 from Kwajalein, en route to Eniwetok, bombs Rongelap. B-24's, flying night mission from Kwajalein, bomb tgts Lt Truk.
3/29/44 Eighth AF 187 B-17's bomb industrial area of Brunswick. 40 attack T/Os, including Stedorf and Unterluss. 77 B- 24's are dispatched to bomb V-weapon installation at Watten, but malfunction of Pathfinder equipment and navigational difficulties result in only 31 bombing the tgt.
3/29/44 Twelfth AF B-25's attack Viterbo A/F, causing considerable damage to tgt. B-26's hit Leghorn and many mall craft nearby. French B-26's attached to Twelfth AF bomb Portoerraio on Elba. P-40's attack supply dumps and bivouac area SE of Rome, tank repair shop E of Rome, and guns and supply dumps E of Velletri.
P-47's cut lines at railway overpass of Rome while A-36's bomb harbors at San Stefano al Mare and Civitavecchia and hit nearby T/Os. spitfires, P-40's, and P-47's patrol Anzio battle area.
3/29/44 Fifteenth AF About 400 B-17's cmd B-24's (largest Fifteenth AF total to date) bomb M/Ys at Bolzano, Turin, and Milan. P-47's and P-38's fly escort. The HBs and ftrs claim 13 aircraft destroyed. 6 US aircraft are lost.
3/29/44 Tenth AF In Chindwin area 70-plus A-31's hit Japanese positions and T/Os near Tonzang, Homalin, Imphal, Ukhrul, Tamu, and Jessami. 20-plus P-51's and B-25's over Katha area hit railroad and warehouse at Indaw spt ground forces nearby. 12 P-38's join numerous RAF airplanes in strikes on A/Fs, railroads, riverboats, and a variety of tgts in Mandalay area. 12 B-24's pound Victoria Lake region near Rangoon. 80-plus FBs and a few B-25's blast tgts throughout Mogaung Valley, including Waingmaw area, Mogaung, Nanyaseik, guns NE of Kamaing, and numerous scattered fortifications, supply areas, troop concentrations, and pillboxes. 80-plus other ftrs maintain patrol of Sumprabum area.
3/29/44 Fourteenth AF 12 P-40's and 3 P-51's attack railroad station area at Nanchang, causing much damage to buildings and yards. The FBs also strafe A/F and attack nearby bridge.
3/29/44 Fifth AF Gen Prentiss is announced as CG V AFSC and Gen Carter as CG 54th TC Wg. B-24's bomb Hollandia. B-25's and A-20's pound Wewak area, hitting tgts at Cape Wom and Dagua and attacking shipping throughout the day. More A-20's pound Bogia-Bunabun area and P-39's hit AA position at Erima in Madang area. P-47's and P-40's on ftr sweep and armed rcn strafe coastal T/Os in NE New Guinea and New Britain.
3/29/44 Thirteenth AF In Rabaul area 19 FBs hit T/Os along Miwo R and at Mawareka and Kimaku; 8 others abort because of bad weather. Ftrs sweeping vicinity of Rabaul strafe shipping in Keravia Bay and knock out gun position at Cape Tawui. 24 B-25's and 11 P-40's get through the bad weather and pound supply areas at Wunapope and Ratawul, respectively. A few P-38's hit Numa Numa while other FBs again spt ground forces at mouth of Tekessi R. B-24's of 307th Bomb Gp carry out the first daylight raid on Truk Atoll, bombing the A/F on Eten I. The mission is staged from Munda through Torokina for arming and Nissan for refueling before the strike. The unescorted HBs claim 31 interceptors destroyed, along with almost 50 airplanes on the ground. 2 B-24's are lost.
3/29/44 Seventh AF B-25's from Kwajalein hit Jaluit and Rongelap. B-25's from Eniwetok strike Ponape while others from Tarawa bomb Maloelap and Jaluit.
3/30/44 Eighth AF 23 P-47 FBs of 2 gps launch dive-bombing attack on Eindhoven and Soesterberg A/Fs. A third gp of P-47's strafes A/Fs at Venlo, Deelen, and Twente and other military objectives in E Netherlands and NW Germany, including M/Y at Viersen, shipping on Rhine R, flak towers, and gun emplacements. 1 ftr is lost.
3/30/44 Ninth AF IX Engineer Cmd is formally activated by WD. CG is Gen Newman.
3/30/44 Twelfth AF B-25's hit harbor at Leghorn and railroad bridge NW of Orte. P-40's and A-36's attack ammo dump NW of Roccasecca, trucks and supply dump NE of Tivoli and near Fumone and Gaeta, railroad bridges SE of Civita Castellana and NW of Stimigliano and Orvieto, and motor transport N of Cori and at scattered points.
3/30/44 Fifteenth AF 463d Bomb Gp (B-17) becomes the fifteenth HB gp declared operational by Fifteenth AF. Nearly 350 B-24's and B-17's bomb M/Ys at Sofia and industrial complex and A/F at Imotski. Escorting ftrs and the HBs claim 13 enemy ftrs shot down. 4 HBs are lost.
3/30/44 Tenth AF 17 A-31's bomb Kaing area and NW Paungbyin. 5 others hit T/Os around Thayaung. 6 P-51's hit Anisakan A/F.
3/30/44 Fourteenth AF 2 B-24's fly sea sweep from Kunming, around Hainan I, and across Gulf of Tonkin to Nam Dinh. En route, a freighter is strafed. 1 HB bombs spinning mills at Nam Sinh, causing considerable damage.
3/30/44 Fifth AF 60-plus B-24's, with spt from more than 90 P-38's and P-47's, hit Hollandia in first big daylight raid.
A/Fs and fuel dumps are bombed. A large number of enemy aircraft are destroyed or damaged on the ground. Escorting ftrs claim about 10 interceptors shot down. B-25's, A-20's, P-47's, P-40's, and P- 39's continue to blast Japanese installations and forces in areas around Wewak, Tadji, and Madang.
3/30/44 Thirteenth AF 11 B-24's fly longrange strike against Moen I. The HBs score damaging hits on the A/F and claim 11 ftrs shot down. 1 B-24 is lost. The raid follows a snooper strike by 2 B-24's the previous night. In Rabaul area 10 P-38's hit SW part of the town with incendiaries while 24 B-25's pound nearby Wunapope. FBs and MBs, operating mainly in pairs, hit supply area on Mupeka R and Japaneseoccupied areas at mouths of Puriata and Mamaregu Rivers. FBs continue to spt ground forces along Empress Augusta Bay perimeter hitting bivouac and truck park at Numa Numa, fords across Hongorai R, and bridge across the Puriata.
3/30/44 Seventh AF B-24's from Kawajalein and Eniwetok hit Truk before dawn. B-25's from Kwajalein and Tarawa strike Wotje, Mille, Jaluit, and Maloelap.
3/31/44 Twelfth AF Weather prevents completion of most Twelfth AF operations. P-47's carry out sweep N of Rome.
3/31/44 Tenth AF 24 A-31's bomb Kaing and Homalin areas. 60 A-31's hit supply dumps and villages around Mintha, Ft Keary, Thaungdut, and Ukhrul. 9 B-25's hit nearby Pinlebu area. 10 P-51's hit Japanese positions near 'Broadway' airstrip. 12 P-40's bomb Warong area while others patrol around Sumprabum. Near Katha 3 B-25's and 6 P-51's hit warehouse, railroad cars, and track at Zawchaung.
3/31/44 Fifth AF 60-plus B-24's, with P-38 spt, pound Hollandia for second successive day. 3 A/Fs in area are thoroughly blasted and a large number of enemy airplanes destroyed. US aircraft claim 14 interceptors shot down. Supplies, enemy troops, and coastal tgts in Tadji, Wewak, and Hansa Bay areas are hit by 120-plus A-20's and B-25's.
3/31/44 Thirteenth AF 23 B-25's bomb Ratawul supply point, 11 P-40's hit Wunapope, and 26 P-39's and P-38's bomb NE part of Rabaul with incendiaries. Ftr sweeps over Rabaul and New Ireland continue. 25 FBs pound Numa Numa supply area.
3/31/44 Seventh AF B-24's from Eniwetok bomb Truk in predawn mission. B-25's from Eniwetok hit Ponape while others, flying out of Tarawa, pound Maloelap and Jaluit.
3/31/44 Eleventh AF XI BG and XI FC are disbanded. Their headquarters personnel is absorbed by the 28th Bomb Gp and the 343d Ftr Gp, respectively.
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