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10/01/43
Eighth AF
Report by intelligence section of Eighth AF shows that despite recent
efforts of Allies to destroy German aircraft industry, ftr production
has expanded greatly and enemy ftr strength on the Western Front has
increased.
10/01/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC B-26's hit comm tgts in Capua, Grazzanise, Arce, and Mignano
areas. B-24's, including Hbs on DS from Eighth AF, bomb
Wiener-Neustadt. B-17's, sent against airplane factory at Augsburg,
fail to locate tgt, and bomb several alternate tgts and T/Os in
Austria, Italy, and off Corsica and Elba. NATBF and XII A Spt Cmd
Mbs, Lbs, and Fbs hit Benevento town area and M/Y, bridge at Capua,
and motor transport, trains, and railroads mainly in Isernia area and
N to Avezzano. British King's Dragoon Gds (with US Fifth Army) occupy
Naples. British Eighth Army troops occupy Foggia A/Fs.
10/01/43
Tenth AF
Tenth AF ftr situation has improved with arrival of the 80th Ftr Gp
(P-40's) and 311th FB Gp (A-36's and P-51's), and the activation of
an additional sq for the 80th Gp. The new sq, 459th flies P-38's, the
first to be used in India.
10/01/43
Fourteenth AF
21 B-24's, supported by 21 ftrs, bomb power plant, warehouse and dock
area at Hiaphong. 40-65 ftrs intercept, shooting down 2 US aircraft.
30 ftrs are claimed destroyed by Fourteenth in air battle.
10/01/43
Fifth AF
A-20's and RAAF aircraft bomb and strafe Finschhafen area as
Australian 9th Div pours more troops into the assault on the town.
B-25's strafe power boat near Gasmata.
10/01/43
Thirteenth AF
24 B-24's bomb supply and bivouac area N of Vila A/F. B-25's and
P-38's join Navy dive bmrs in strike on barge depot at Kakasa.
10/02/43
Eighth AF
About 340 HBs led by 2 Pathfinders attack industrial areas of Emden.
6 of 72 B-26's dispatched bomb Saint-Omer/Longuenesse A/F; unable to
identify tgt because of cloud formations above it, remainder of
aircraft refrain from bombing."
10/02/43
Twelfth AF
Gen Saville becomes CG, XII FC. Weather curtails operations. FBs of
XII A Spt Cmd attack motor transport, roads, and bridges during al
med rcn missions from Volturno Valley N to Isernia and W to
Benevento.
10/02/43
Fourteenth AF
5 P-40's divebomb and strafe Yangtze R shipping in Chiuchiang area.
Strafing damages several small craft.
10/02/43
Fifth AF
B-25's strafe villages in Talasea area and barges off Gasmata. B-26's
bomb Hoskins A/F. A B-24 bombs Cape Gloucester A/F. Other B-24's bomb
Amboina. Australian forces take town and harbor of Finschhafen and
prepare to take nearby commanding positions still held by the
Japanese.
10/02/43
Thirteenth AF
6 B-25's join Navy dive bmrs in attacking Hamberi Cove barge hideout
near Vila.
10/03/43
Eighth AF
Almost 200 B-26's bomb A/Fs of Woensdrecht, Haamstede, Schiphol, and
Beauvais/Tille. No aircraft are lost.
10/03/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC B-26's, B-25's, and P-38's bomb railroad, highway, and pontoon
bridges, overpass, and road junction at Capua, Castel Volturno,
Piana, Arce, Mignano, and Isernia. P-38's also hit shipping between
Corsica and Italy. XII BC FBs hit motor transport in battle area as
US Fifth Army troops take Benevento.
10/03/43
Fourteenth AF
7 P-40's damage a 250-ft vessel on the Yangtze R near Chiuchiang. 4
P-38's bomb Chiuchiang docks. 6 B-24's damage a 100 ft coastal
freighter off Tonkon Pt.
10/03/43
Fifth AF
B-25's continue to hit barges along W coast of New Britain.
10/03/43
Thirteenth AF
P-39's strafe several barges W of Choiseul.
10/04/43
Eighth AF
282 HBs attack industrial areas of Frankfurt/Main, Wiesbaden, and
Saarlautern, M/Ys at Sarreguemines and Saarbrucken, and Saint
Dizier/Robinson A/F. The raid on Frankfurt is followed by a night
raid on that city by more than 350 RAF Hbs.
10/04/43
Twelfth AF
Over 100 XII BC B-17's bomb Pisa M/Y and Bolzano bridges. B-25's and
B-26's attack A/F at Argos, road defiles at Terracina and Isernia,
highway overpass at Mignano, and shipping at Bastia. Allies now have
complete control of Corsica. NATBF aircraft hit road and rail j
unctions on main road N from Capua. XII A Spt Cmd FBs hit trains,
roads, railroads, and vehicles near Isernia, Avezzano, Pescara, and
Isolella.
10/04/43
Ninth AF
Lt Col Ray J Stecker becomes cmdr of IX FC.
10/04/43
Fourteenth AF
17 Japanese bmrs and 25 Zeros attack Kweilin A/F. The bombs, dropped
from 20,000 ft, fail to hit tgt. Fourteenth AF ftrs fail to make
effective contact with the force.
10/04/43
Fifth AF
B-25's bomb and strafe barges, small craft, and villages in Vitu Is.
10/04/43
Thirteenth AF
23 B-24's, covered by 16 P-38's and several Navy F4U's, bomb Kahili
A/F. 20-30 ftrs intercept, and a running battle occurs between
Bougainville and Vella Lavella. US ftrs and bmrs claim 9 ftrs downed.
No American losses are suffered. 4 P-39's and 4 Corsairs sink 16
barges in strike along W coast of Choiseul 1. The P-39's are
especially effective because of their nose cannon.
10/05/43
Twelfth AF
Gen Doolittle assumes cmd of Twelfth AF during absence of Gen Spaatz.
XII BC B-17's hit Bologna M/Y. B-25's and B-26's bomb Formia road,
road loop N of Mignano, and Isernia chokepoint. NATBF, XII A Spt Cmd,
and DAF aircraft bomb numerous tgts in and N of battle area,
including heavy traffic in Isernia area, petrol dumps at Alfedena,
trains at Termoli, and towns of Venafro and Isolella.
10/05/43
Fourteenth AF
A few B-25's and P-40's attack foundry at Shihhweiyao. Damaging hits
are scored on barracks, on AA position, blast furnaces, hoppers, and
a steam plant. 10 ftrs intercept a force of about 50 Zeros W of
Kweilin, shoot down 1 enemy ftr. The enemy force turns back.
10/05/43
Fifth AF
B-25's carry out coastal sweep W to Madang, bombing and strafing
villages and barges. B-17's hit Bogadjim Road and jetties at Erima.
B-24's bomb Babo area.
10/06/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC B-17's bomb Mestre M/Y while B-26's hit highway chokepoint at
Isernia, highway at Mignano, and road j unction at Formia. P-38's
strafe Araxos A/F. NATBF planes on road-blocking missions hit tgts at
Teano, at Alfedena, between Cassino and Capua, and near Sessa
Aurunca. XII A Spt Cmd P-40's and A-36's attack roads and vehicles N
of US Fifth Army battle zone and patrol Naples area. Fifth Army
reaches S bank of Volturno R. Capua falls to British units.
10/06/43
Fourteenth AF
7 P-40's from Suichwan intercept an attacking force of 27 bmrs and 21
Zeros. 1 bmr and mainly in Isernia area and N to Avezzano. British
King's Dragoon Gds (with US Fifth Army) occupy Naples. British Eighth
Army troops occupy Foggia A/Fs.
10/06/43
Fifth AF
B-25's sweep along coastal areas of New Britain and through islands
to the N and W, bombing and strafing T/Os.
10/06/43
Thirteenth AF
8 P-39's and 8 Navy F4U's strafe barges off W coast of Choiseul. 24
B-25's and 14 P-38's carry out low-level strike against Kahili A/F,
damaging or destroying several parked aircraft.
10/07/43
Eighth AF
First of a series of Eighth AF night missions to drop propaganda
leaflets is flown over Europe.
10/07/43
Twelfth AF
Bad weather cancels many operations. NATBF MBs and LBs strike roads,
railway, junction, and town areas in Capua and Guglionesi regions.
DAF FBs hit trucks in Termoli-Vasto areas.
10/07/43
Fourteenth AF
4 B-25's attack 2,500-ton freighter 100 mi S of Amoy, scoring 3
direct hits. Vessel is left burning and listing. 9 B-24's and 22 ftrs
hit cement plant at Haiphong, causing heavy damage to the kiln
building.
10/07/43
Fifth AF
A B-24 on patrol bombs Umboi I, scoring damaging hits on several
buildings.
10/08/43
Eighth AF
More than 350 HBs attack city and industrial areas of Bremen and
U-boat yards at Vegesack. Nearly 30 US aircraft are lost in the main
attack on Bremen. On this mission the Eighth uses, for first time,
airborne transmitters (Carpet equipment) to jam German radar. Over
140 MBs are recalled from missions to bomb A/Fs of Chievres and
Lille/Vendeville due to thick haze and generally unsuitable weather.
10/08/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC B-24's bomb Tatoi and Eleusis A/Fs at Athens, A/Fs at Kastelli
and Heraklion, and Maritsa A/F on Rhodes. B-25's also hit Eleusis
A/F. P-38's fly convoy cover, patrols, and sweeps over the Aegean
Sea. Weather prevents XII A Spt Cmd from operating. NATBF and DAF hit
bridge at Minturno and road junction and military concentration at
Termoli.
10/08/43
Fourteenth AF
9 B-24's, supported by 20 P-40's, bomb Gia Lam A/F. While on ferry
mission over the Hump, 3 B-24's bomb Tengchung, scoring hits on
warehouses, barracks, and HQ area.
10/08/43
Fifth AF
A single B-24 on armed rcn bombs Cape Gloucester A/F.
10/08/43
Thirteenth AF
B-25's and P-40's sink barge off W coast of Choiseul I.
10/09/43
Eighth AF
68 B-26's bomb Woensdrecht A/F. 352 HBs strike industrial areas at
Anklam and Marienburg, U-boat yards at Danzig, and port area at
Gdynia. 28 HBs are lost.
10/09/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC B-17's bomb A/Fs at Larissa, Athens, Salonika, and Argos.
B-24's hit Kastelli/Pediada A/F. P-38's fly sweep between island of
Corfu and Dubrovnik, and escort shipping in Karpathos Straits. XII A
Spt Cmd does not operate, but NATBF and DAF hit traffic in Terrnoli
and Montenero area, guns N of Capua, HQ at Palata, and roads and
railroads N of Naples.
10/09/43
Fourteenth AF
4 B-25's on shipping sweep off SE China coast in Amoy-Quemoy area
sink a 150-ft tanker and damage a patrol vessel, and a freighter. 1
MB crashes into a hill and explodes. 10 P-40's bomb fuel storage and
barracks at Mangshih. I P-40 is downed by ground fire.
10/09/43
Fifth AF
A-20's and RAAF airplanes bomb and strafe defensive positions in
Sattelberg and Finschhafen areas. B-24's bomb Makassar.
10/09/43
Thirteenth AF
B-25's and P-40's hit barges and concentrations on W Choiseul. P-39's
and Navy F4U's strafe buildings, radar station, and gun positions at
Poporang I.
10/09/43
Eleventh AF
12 Kuril-based enemy bmrs attack Attu.
10/10/43
Eighth AF
236 HBs attack railroads and waterways in and around Munster.
10/10/43
Twelfth AF
B-17's bomb 2 A/Fs at Athens. B-24's hit Maritsa, Calato, and
Heraklion A/Fs. P-38's escort shipping off Rhodes I, hit Antimachia
A/F in Dodecanese Is, and attack vessels in Corfu harbor, in Cadre
harbor, and off Tivat, and hit T/Os in Aegean and along its E
coastline. NATBF and DAF concentrate on gun positions on both US
Fifth and British Eighth Army battlefronts. Vehicles, railroads, and
town areas also are hit. Attacks take place NE of Capua, at
Guglionesi, at Cassino and Mondragone, between Rome and Terracina,
and around Termoli-IserniaPescara areas.
10/10/43
Tenth AF
7 B-24's pound Meza railway bridge, destroying the 3 spans on the E
end and dropping the end of a central span into the river.
10/10/43
Fourteenth AF
20 B-24's and 18 P-40's pound docks at Haiphong. 8 P-40's bomb match
factory and ammo dump at Tengchung; 8 others hit supply dump and T/Os
in Lungling area.
10/10/43
Fifth AF
A-20's, along with RAAF airplanes, again pound Sattelberg area.
B-25's hit Saumlakki 10/11 Oct.
10/10/43
Thirteenth AF
24 B-24's, 50-plus P-38's, P-40's, and P-39's, and 50 plus Navy ftrs
and dive bmrs pound Kahili A/F and surrounding areas, hitting
runways, fuel dump, supply area, buildings, and Malabita Ilill gun
positions. US airplanes claim 15 interceptors shot down.
10/11/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC B-25's bomb Garitsa A/F and P-38's hit vessel in Corfu harbor.
XII A Spt Cmd and NATBF operations are cancelled or aborted due to
weather, but DAF ftrs hit trains, trucks, and gun positions near
Montesilvano and Vasto.
10/11/43
Fourteenth AF
8 B-24's bomb town areas of Tengchung, Sadon, and Myitkyina.
10/11/43
Fifth AF
B-24's attack towns of Manokwari, Bira, and Fak Fak and score hits on
small vessel at Fak Fak. B-25's bomb Cape Chater A/F and Lautem
during 11/12 Oct.
10/11/43
Thirteenth AF
22 B-24's join 30 plus Navy dive bmrs in pounding Kahili A/F and
nearby area. Hits are scored on the airstrip, fuel dumps, supply
areas, gun positions, bridges between Kangu and Jakohina, barges at
mouth of Uguima R, and several other tgts. The HBs and the Navy and
AAF ftrs covering the attack claim 12 airplanes downed. 1 ftr are
shot down, and the attackers retire in the direction of Canton
without dropping their bombs.
10/12/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC operations are canceled by weather. XII A Spt Cmd and other
NATAF elements (NATBF and DAF) operate on reduced scale, hitting road
junctions at Vasto and Fossacesia, Aquino A/F, motor transport on
Itri-Pico road and on road N of Rome in Bolsena and Capranica areas,
roads near Tarquinia, rail facilities at Cisterna di Latina, trains
between Pescara and Benedello, and guns and troops near
Cercemaggiore.
10/12/43
Fourteenth AF
5 B-24's bomb warehouse area and railroad yards at Myitkyina.
10/12/43
Fifth AF
Allied AF begins major air offensive against Rabaul with aim of
isolating and neutralizing Bismarck Archipelago. Almost 350 B-24's,
B-25's, P-38's, and RAAF airplanes pound the town, harbor, and A/Fs
in the area. More than 50 aircraft are destroyed, 3 ships are sunk
and several damaged, and several small harbor craft are sunk. B-25's
fly small strikes against tgts on Timor and other areas of NEI.
10/12/43
Thirteenth AF
2 B-25's skipbomb 2 small vessels in Matchin Bay.
10/13/43
International
Italy declares war against Germany.
10/13/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC B-25's and B-26's bomb town of Alife, road junction at Sessa
Aurunca, and A/F at Tirana. XII A Spt Cmd, supplemented by DAF ftrs,
supports US Fifth Army, which begins assault crossing of Volturno R
on 40-mi front during 12/13 Oct. Ftrs and FBs hit troop and tank
concentrations, trains, trucks, and comm lines in forward areas,
especially around Ortona, Giulianova, and Campobasso. NATBF LBs join
in the attacks, hitting road junctions in Vairano, Carinola, Dragoni,
Vasto, Terracina, and Minturno areas.
10/13/43
Tenth AF
Japanese ftrs appear in strength over Sumprabum to attack
over-the-Hump flights. The enemy evades US patrols and shoots down 3
transports. FB offensive against A/Fs in Burma from which ftrs might
operate against Hump transports opens with attack by P-40's on
Myitkyina.
10/13/43
Fourteenth AF
3 B-25's on sea sweep off SE China hit shipping in Amoy harbor,
claiming 1 freighter sunk and another damaged.
10/13/43
Fifth AF
More than 100 B-24's and B-25's are sent against Rabaul. Bad weather
forces the bmrs to turn back, but 40-plus B-24's hit tgts on New
Britain including Hoskins, Lindenhafen, Gasmata, and Cape Gloucester.
10/13/43
Eleventh AF
11 P-40's unsuccessfully intercept 8 MBs attacking Massacre Bay and
the nearby A/F.
10/14/43
Eighth AF
Almost 230 HBs attack city area and ball bearing plants at
Schweinfurt. The attack which causes great damage and interference
with production, results in German reorganization of bearing
industry. Fierce opposition of great numbers of ftrs, many of them
firing rockets, accounts for 60 US aircraft shot down. As a result of
these heavy losses, daylight bombing against strategic tgts deep in
Germany are discontinued for a short period.
10/14/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC B-25's hit and hit Argos A/F. B-17's bomb Terni M/Y. Other
B-17's and B-24's attack bridge at Giulianova, town area of
Piano-Vomano and railroad and highway bridges N of Pescara and along
E coast of Italy. Weather hinders tac aircraft operations, but XII A
Spt Cmd and DAF hit trains and vehicles and fly patrols from N of
Volturno R to Formia and N of Pescara.
10/14/43
Fourteenth AF
4 B-25's attack shipping in Amoy area, damaging 2 freighters, and
also bomb Amoy A/F.
10/14/43
Fifth AF
More than 60 MBs pound Cape Gloucester and Alexishafen. 3 others fly
harassing strikes against Dili and Lautem.
10/14/43
Thirteenth AF
A single B-24 on armed rcn bombs 4 barges W of Taiof 1, leaving 1
sinking.
10/15/43
USAAFUK
HQ USAAFUK is activated to exercise supervision over and provide
coordination between Eighth and Ninth AFs in UK. Gen Eaker is
appointed CG in addition to his duties as CG Eighth AF.
10/15/43
Eighth AF
A much needed P-38 gp (55th Ftr) becomes operational in UK.
10/15/43
Twelfth AF
B-25's of XII BC hit A/Fs at Salonika and Megalo Mikra. XII A Spt Cmd
and other elements of NATAF hit roads, railroads, bridges, junctions,
railway facilities, town areas, and motor transport at or near
Piedimonte, Vairano, Termoli, Petacciato, Sparanise, and Civitanova,
and hit gun positions and comm in general battle area N of Volturno
R.
10/15/43
Fifth AF
More than 50 P-38's and P-40's intercept around 100 aircraft
attacking Allied shipping in Oro Bay. The US ftrs claim more than 40
shot down. 4 other P-40's, encountering 20-plus airplanes E of
Finschhafen, claim 5 destroyed. More than 70 MBs hit positions and
villages from Sio to Saidor. 6 B-24's bomb Boela.
10/15/43
Thirteenth AF
21 B-24's, 12 P-38's, and 17 Navy F4U's pound Kahili A/F supply and
personnel area. 6 Zeros are claimed shot down. During the late
evening B-25's bomb A/F at Buka I.
10/16/43
US
JCS sends to Gen Eisenhower a proposed directive, submitted by Gen
Arnold on 9 Oct, for establishment of a new AF (Fifteenth) in Italy
to be used when needed as part of CBO against strategic tgts in
Germany.
10/16/43
Ninth AF
Ninth AF is established in UK as tac AF with Gen Brereton as CG. 3d
Bomb Wg is transferred from VIII A Spt Cmd to IX BC commanded by Gen
Frederick L Anderson. IX FC is re-formed in UK. IX TCC (constituted
on 11 Oct 43) is activated in UK with Gen Giles as CG. IX ASC is
re-formed in UK under Gen Miller."
10/16/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC B-25's bomb M/Y and rail lines, railroad tunnel, highway
underpass, warehouses, industrial buildings, and gas works in or near
Bologna. P-38's bomb a vessel in Leukas Channel off W coast of
Greece. XII A Spt Cmd and other NATAF elements provide close spt to
US Fifth and British Eighth Armies. Ftrs, LBs, and MBs hit comm
centers of Venafro, Vairano, Sparanise, Latina, Alife, and town of
Pietravairano; roads, railroads, and j unctions in areas SE of Rome
to bomb line, between Vasto and Pescara, and at Mondragone; gun
positions, trucks, and military concentrations near Vinchiaturo,
Boiano, and Termoli; landing ground of Cisterna di Latina; and
several other tgts in area between Rome and Ancona.
10/16/43
Tenth AF
Ftr patrols are increased from 4 to 8 aircraft with little effect on
enemy marauders over the Hump. 3 A-36's fail to return from mission
over Sumprabum.
10/16/43
Fifth AF
More than 60 B-25's attack Alexishafen area, hit coastal tgts between
Reiss Pt and Sio, and bomb A/F at Wewak. A-20's bomb and strafe
Gasmata. A lone B-24 destroys a patrol craft between Hoskins and
Rabaul.
10/16/43
Thirteenth AF
8 B-24's bomb Kara A/F. 6 B-25's hit Ballale I A/F.
10/17/43
Twelfth AF
Weather prevents operations by XII BC. US and RAF units of NATAF
operate at reduced pace. LBs and MBs hit towns of Teano and Alife and
motor transport at Benedello, Penna, and Pedaso. FBs bomb and strafe
troops, trucks, guns, train stations, and bridge near Vinchiaturo,
Benedello, Teramo, and Sparanise. Other ftrs strafe locomotives S of
Ancona.
10/17/43
Tenth AF
HBs and MBs bomb Naba.
10/17/43
Fourteenth AF
7 B-24's bomb Htawgaw.
10/17/43
Fifth AF
18 A-20's and B-25's bomb and strafe Sattelberg and 7 B-25's hit
Wewak and Boram A/F with low-level attack during which 15 aircraft
are destroyed on the ground and 4 claimed shot down. 4 P-39's
intercept 18 airplanes attacking Finschhafen, claiming 6 shot down.
40-plus ftrs intercept large group of enemy aircraft attempting to
attack Oro Bay; US ftrs claim 24 shot down. 6 B-24's bomb Ternate, a
2,200-mi round trip.
10/18/43
Ninth AF
228 MBs dispatched to bomb 4 A/Fs in France are recalled before
attacking because of unfavorable weather. Gen Quesada becomes CG IX
FC.
10/18/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC B-25's bomb M/Y at Skoplje. P-38's follow with strafing
mission, damaging or destroying several locomotives and vehicles. XII
A Spt Cmd A-36's hit Venafro railroad yards, and other FBs hit gun
positions, troops, and railway stations in or near Boiano,
Petacciato, and Vairano. Ftrs strafe A/Fs around Rome and also hit
Viterbo, Grosseto, and seaplane base at Bracciano, and attack trains
on RomeOrte and Rome-Naples lines. NATBF LBs bomb road and railway
near Cassino, town of Carpinone, road junction at Castiglione della
Valle, and roads, bridges, and motor transport near Minturno and
Chieti.
10/18/43
Fifth AF
Nearly 80 HBs and ftrs sent against Rabaul are forced to abort by bad
weather. However, more than 50 B-25's slip beneath low clouds and
pound town, A/Fs, and shipping from treetop and mast-height level.
The MBs sink 2 vessels and claim more than 70 planes destroyed on the
ground and in the air. 13 of the HBs bomb Cape Hoskins; 7 others bomb
Cape Gloucester and hit Sio. B-25's bomb and strafe Bogadjim road.
10/18/43
Thirteenth AF
28 B-24's and 40 plus Navy dive bmrs, with cover of more than 50
ftrs, hit Ballale I A/F. 14 P-39's join 20-plus Navy aircraft in
strike on Kakasa village and tent area on Choiseul.
10/18/43
Eleventh AF
The 406th Bomb Sq departs for the ZI.
10/19/43
International
Tripartite conference opens in Moscow. Hull, Eden, and Molotov
discuss measures to shorten the war and promote postwar cooperation.
10/19/43
Twelfth AF
During low-level raid, XII BC B-24's bomb bridges at Porto
Civitanova, S of Porto Sant' Elpidio, N of Pedaso, and N of Cupra
Marittima. Ftrs, FBs, and LBs of XII A Spt Cmd, NATBF, and DAF attack
town of Boiano, gun positions and troop concentrations on the
outskirts of town, and ammo dump and railroad tunnel nearby, Viterbo
and Tarquinia landing fields, towns of Cassino and Anzio, railroad N
of Pesaro and near Pineto, trains near Barisciano, troops near
Minturno, and vehicles at several points."
10/19/43
Fifth AF
A-20's and RAAF airplanes hit Sattelberg and surrounding areas and
bomb Gasmata. B-25's and RAAF Hudsons bomb Fuiloro. Enemy air raid on
Finschhafen causes no effective damage.
10/19/43
Thirteenth AF
Kara and Kahili A/F are hit by B-24's, B-34's, P-38's, P-40's, and
Navy ftrs and dive bmrs.
10/20/43
Eighth AF
114 HBs bomb industrial areas of Duren. Failure of blindbombing
equipment (Oboe) is major cause of aborts by nearly 100 other HBs.
10/20/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC B-17's, B-26's, B-25's and P-38's bomb RomeCasale landing
ground, Marcigliana and Cerveteri A/Fs, railroad bridges at Montalto
di Castro, Grosseto, and 13 mi SE of Orvieto, and M/Y at Nish,
obstructing Belgrade-Sofia line. XII A Spt Cmd, NATBF, and other
aircraft of NATAF devote most of their efforts to bombing gun
positions, trucks, and rail and road comm S of Vasto, at Mignano, N
of Cassino, in Cassino and Chieti, at Castropignano, Carpinone, Arce,
Tratella, and at various other points along highways and railroads.
FBs also hit shipping along Dalmatian coast claiming 2 vessels sunk.
10/20/43
Tenth AF
Bridge at Meza, being repaired after being damaged severely on 10
Oct, is attacked and damaged by B-25's."
10/20/43
Fifth AF
B-25's bomb and strafe Bogadjim area. A-20's hit Gasmata. B-24's hit
2 freighters near Manokwari and bomb Manokwari area. Attack on
Finschhafen by 30 enemy aircraft causes minor damage.
10/20/43
Thirteenth AF
Kakasa is attacked 3 times by B-34's, P-40's, and Navy ftrs and dive
bmrs. 24 P-40's and nearly 50 Navy F4U's sweep Kahili. One force of
F4U's encounters ftrs, claiming 3 destroyed.
10/21/43
Ninth AF
Bad weather causes 72 MBs sent to bomb Evreux/Fauville A/F to abort
mission.
10/21/43
Twelfth AF
Col Arthur Thomas takes cmd of XII AFSC XII BC B-17's hit railroad
viaduct at Terni and rail and road bridges in Albania. B-24's hit
Orvieto railroad bridge. B-26's and B-25's bomb bridges at Montalto
di Castro and NW of Acquapendente and railroad at Orbetello. P-38's
bomb radar station at Pellegrino and M/Y at Skoplje. RAF and US NATAF
Lbs and MBs concentrate on Cassino, hitting town, bivouac area
nearby, and railroad to the S. Vessels along Dalmatian coast are also
attacked. XII A Spt Cmd ftrs and FBs patrol Naples area and attack
numerous roads, railroads, bridges, junctions, trucks, gun
emplacements, and other tgts in battle area."
10/21/43
Fourteenth AF
6 B-24's bomb Nawlang; barracks area is blasted by at least 3 direct
hits. 6 P-40's pound barracks area at Kunlong.
10/21/43
Fifth AF
More than 50 B-24's bomb positions at Sattelberg. 19 B-25's follow
with low-level strike. Other B-25's carry out sweep along Bogadjim
road. P-40's bomb Gasmata area and attack 2 light cruisers off New
Ireland, damaging 1 of them.
10/21/43
Thirteenth AF
12 B-25's, with escort of 36 ftrs, attack Kara A/F. Runway and
several buildings suffer direct hits.
10/22/43
CCS
CCS approve plan, submitted by Gen Arnold and JCS, to create a new AF
(Fifteenth) in Italy from part of the Twelfth AF to be used in
strategic bombing against Germany as well as in spt of ground
operations.
10/22/43
Ninth AF
About 60 B-26's bomb Evreux/Fauville A/F. Over 140 other abort
missions against other A/Fs because of bad weather.
10/22/43
Twelfth AF
XII AF Engineer Cmd (Prov) is activated. XII BC B-26's bomb railroad
bridges N and SE of Orvieto. B-25's hit railroad bridge S of Grosseto
and Eleusis A/F. XII A Spt Cmd, along with other elements of NATAF,
hit town areas, highways, vehicles, gun positions, railroad comm,
strongpoints, and T/Os at or near San Salvo, Teano, Venafro, Catalupo
hel Sannio, Isernia, Cassino, Montenero, and Boiano. Aquino A/F is
also bombed.
10/22/43
Tenth AF
MB strike against railroad bridge on Ye-u branch line over Mu R
between Ywataung and Monywa fails to damage the structure. This raid
marks the final assault of the year on this bridge.
10/22/43
Fifth AF
20-plus B-25's carry out low-level attack on Wewak area, sinking 2
small freighters, and strafing barges and airplanes. Madang is
strafed by 4 P-39's and 2 RAAF Boomerangs. More than 50 P-40's hit
Gasmata. 11 B-24's bomb Pombelaa nickel mines.
10/22/43
Thirteenth AF
Kahili A/F and surrounding areas are pounded by 22 B-24's, 30 plus
P-39's and P-40's and about 160 Navy ftrs and dive bmrs. 18 B-24's
and Navy airplanes hit tgts in Choiseul I area. Other Navy aircraft
hit Kara A/F. A single B-24 claims hits on a carrier NW of Buka.
10/23/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC B-26's bomb railroad and road bridges ar Marsicano and
Montalto di Castro. P-38's hit A/F at Tirana. B-25's hit bridge in
Albania. XII A Spt Cmd, DAF, and NATBF attack troop concentrations in
Spinete area, and town areas, vehicles, trains, railroads, highways,
bridges, and gun positions at or near Gaeta, Pescara, Vasto,
Isolella, Sulrnona, Isernia, Vairano, and Ancona.
10/23/43
Tenth AF
MBs bomb Meza railroad bridge, which is still being repaired
following damaging raid of 10 Oct. Damage is done to approaches.
10/23/43
Fourteenth AF
6 B-24's bomb Htawgaw.
10/23/43
Fifth AF
40-plus B-24's escorted by P-38's, bomb Rapopo airstrip, destroying
about 20 airplanes on the ground. 20 enemy interceptors are claimed
shot down. 9 B-25's hit Bogadjim area.
10/23/43
Thirteenth AF
11 B-24's and 16 P-38's hit Kahili A/F. 36 P-40's and P-39's join
60-plus Navy dive bmrs and ftrs in strike on Kara A/F. Both Kahili
and Kara are attacked again later in the day, the former by 6 B-24's
and 16 Navy ftrs and the latter by 35 AAF ftrs and 42 Navy dive bmrs.
6 B-24's bomb Kakasa.
10/23/43
Seventh AF
Ftrs shoot down a Japanese flying boat 70 mi S of Baker I.
10/24/43
Ninth AF
200 B-26's bomb A/Fs at Montdidier, Beauvais/Nivillers, arld
Saint-Andre-de-L'Eure.
10/24/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC B-24's of 98th Bomb Gp hit Wiener-Neustadt. 376th Gp fails to
complete mission because of clouds. MBs hit Tirana A/F, railroad
bridge N of Orvieto, and viaduct at Terni. XII A Spt Cmd, NATBF, and
DAF attack comm and shipping tgts, hitting vessels, vehicles, trains,
roads, bridges, and town areas in and around Formia, Sora, Chieti,
Minturno, Sessa Aurunca, Popoli, Terracina, between Ancona-Pedaso,
Frosolone (just before it is taken by allied ground forces), and
along Dalmatian coast.
10/24/43
Fourteenth AF
14 B-24's and 13 P-40's pound Co Bi barracks area. 8 B-24's bomb
Htawgaw while on ferry flight over the Hump.
10/24/43
Fifth AF
At least 45 bmrs are destroyed on the ground at Vunakanau, Rapopo,
and Tobera airstrips during attacks by 50-plus B-25's. The MBs and
the more than 50 escorting P-38's claim over 40 airplanes shot down.
A-20's hit enemy positions in Lae area. B-24's carry out light attack
on Manokwari.
10/24/43
Thirteenth AF
36 B-25's, along with 24 RNZAF P-40's and 4 Navy F4U's, in 1 force,
and 20 AAF ftr and 70-plus Navy ftrs and dive bmrs in another force,
pound Kahili A/F.
10/25/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC P-39's strafe and bomb landing ground at Podgorica. XII A Spt
Cmd, NATBF and DAF concentrate on blocking roads and destroying
bridges. Town areas, vehicles, radio stations, trains, and vessels
are also attacked. Tgts attacked are in or near Frosinone, Formia,
Gaeta, Cetraro, along Sangro R, Kuna, along Dalmatian coast, W of
Lagosta I and S of Rome. Tarquinia A/F is also bombed.
10/25/43
Fourteenth AF
6 P-40's strafe shipping at Haiphong, claiming 3 small boats sunk and
damaging 6 larger boats. 2 B-25's and 4 P-40's attack shipping in
Gulf of Tonkin, claiming a 150-ft tanker sunk and 200-ft freighter
damaged.
10/25/43
Fifth AF
More than 60 B-24's bomb Rabaul area, destroying more than 20
airplanes on the ground. Of the 60-70 ftrs which intercept, the HBs
claim over 30 shot down. A-20's hit positions near Lae. B-24's carry
out light strike against Manokwari."
10/26/43
Twelfth AF
B-25's and P-38's of XII BC attack A/Fs of Salonika/Sedhes and Megalo
Mikra. XII A Spt Cmd and DAF ftrs and FBs attack gun emplacements and
road junctions in battle area along E coast and in center of Italy,
destroying also many vehicles and parked aircraft in Ancona area,
where railroad facilities are also hit. Schooner at Porto Civitanova
is left smoking. MBs of NATBF bomb Terracina and an ammo dump.
10/26/43
Fourteenth AF
13 B-24's and 15 P-40's pound railroad yards at Haiphong. 2 B-25's
attack several vessels at Kiungshan, claiming 4 sunk or badly
damaged. Later 6 more B-25's hit shipping nearby, claiming 1
freighter sunk. A/F at Kiungshan is strafed by 1 of the MBs.
10/26/43
Fifth AF
B-24's fly small raid against Pombelaa. Ftrs shoot down 2 HBs. US
gunners claim 11 aircraft downed. B-25's hit tgts in Tanimbar Is.
10/26/43
Thirteenth AF
Kahili A/F is hit twice during the day by B-24's, B-25's, P-38's,
P-40's, P-39's, and Navy ftrs and dive bmrs. Buka I A/F is strafed by
P-38's and then bombed and strafed by B-25's and P-38's. P-39's and
P-40's join Navy ftrs and dive bmrs in strike on Kara A/F.
10/27/43
Twelfth AF
More than 150 B-17's and B-24's bomb Wiener-Neustadt and railroad
tracks and installations and bridges at Friedberg and Ebenfurth.
Weather severely curtails NATBF missions and XII A Spt Cmd operation
in spt of ground forces. FBs attack Gaeta and bomb small vessels on
Dalmatian coast at Opuzen."
10/27/43
Fourteenth AF
6 B-24's bomb city of Tungling, claim 8 intercepting Zeros shot down.
10/27/43
Fifth AF
P-40's and P-39's intercept escorted bmr force dropping supplies over
Sattelberg area. The US ftrs claim 12 airplanes downed. A-20's hit
harbor and supply dump area at Gasmata.
10/27/43
Thirteenth AF
B-24's pound Kahili and Kara A/Fs. P-40's over Kahili claim 3 Zeros
shot down. P-38's, P-40's, and P-39's, plus some RNZAF P-40's and
P-39's, cover landing by NZ troops on Stirling and Mono Is. The ftrs
claim destruction of 12 Japanese dive bmrs attacking the landing
force and afterwards claim 3 ftrs shot down.
10/28/43
Twelfth AF
Weather prevents most Twelfth AF operations planned for the day. No
missions are flown by XII BC. XII A Spt Cmd A-36's hit several
highways and bridges in adv of battleline and attack gun positions in
Vairano area and transportation tgts in Rome area.
10/28/43
Fourteenth AF
7 B-24's bomb Mangshih. 6 P-40's strafe warehouse and revetments at
Yoyang A/F. 3 B-25's and 7 P-38's hit barracks at Ft Bayard. 2 B-25's
on shipping sweep over S China Sea damage 2 freighters near Saint
John I and sink a junk W of Kwangchow Wan.
10/28/43
Fifth AF
P-40's hit Gasmata area. P-47's attack barges at Talasea and strafe
surrounding area. P-47's also strafe area from Sio to Fortification
Pt.
10/28/43
Thirteenth AF
P-40's and P-39's join Navy ftrs and dive bmrs in attacks on Kara and
Ballale I A/Fs. Almost 200 aircraft are involved in the 2 strikes.
Kara A/F is also pounded by 19 B-24's.
10/28/43
ZI
AAF School of Applied Tactics is redesignated AAF Tac Center.
10/29/43
Twelfth AF
More than 100 XII BC B-17's, escorted by P-38's, bomb Genoa M/Y and
also hit Sampierdarena M/Y, San Giorgio instrument factory, and
ordnance, electric, and fitting plants and bridges at Genoa-Ansaldo.
XII A Spt Cmd, NATBF, and DAF are forced by bad weather to abandon
several missions in spt of ground forces. Troops and gun positions
are attacked on 2 occasions and several bridges are hit. Giulianova
harbor and shipping are successfully attacked.
10/29/43
Fourteenth AF
14 B-24's and 16 P-40's pound smelter area at Quang Yen. 2 B-25's
bomb administration building and runway at Ft Bayard A/F. 9 P-40's on
offensive ren in Chiuchiang area strafe 200-ft steamer and attack a
train, destroying the locomotive."
10/29/43
Fifth AF
37 B-24's, escorted by 53 P-38's, pound Rabaul area, claiming 45
airplanes destroyed on the ground and in the air. 17 B-25's hit
Madang area. P-47's attack shipping in Hansa Bay and strafe Cape
Gloucester area. B-25's sink vessel off Tanimbar Is while B-24's bomb
Selaroe airstrip and attack Waroe Bay area.
10/29/43
Thirteenth AF
B-25's and B-24's, along with 40-plus Navy aircraft, bomb A/Fs at
Buka and Bonis.
10/30/43
Ninth AF
5 A-20's bomb Cherbourg/Maupertus A/F.
10/30/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC B-24's bomb Genoa M/Y and nearby Sampierdarena and
Genoa-Ansaldo steel works. B-17's bomb Savona and Varazze, Porto
Maurizio, and Imperia M/Y. Weather reduces efforts of NATAF elements.
NATBF B-25's bomb Frosinone. FBs, mainly of XII A Spt Cmd, hit
bridges, junctions, shipping, M/Y, gun positions, and vehicles at
several locations, including Giulianova, Ancona, Ortona, Sessa
Aurunca, Mignano, and Cassino.
10/30/43
Fourteenth AF
7 B-25's and 12 P-40's pound motor pool and barracks at Shayang. 9
P-38's hit Chiuchiang dock area. 2 interceptors are shot down.
10/30/43
Fifth AF
B-25's strafe barges in Rein Bay."
10/30/43
Thirteenth AF
Kara A/F is bombed by 16 B-24's and shortly afterwards is hit by
90-plus Navy dive bmrs escorted by Navy and AAF ftrs. Airstrip and
other tgts at Kieta are attacked by 6 B-25's, 12 P-39's and Navy
aircraft. Tonolai harbor area is hit by 8 P-40's and 17 Navy planes.
10/31/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC B-17's bomb Antheor viaduct. B-26's hit Anzio. B-25's attack
docks and shipping at Civitavecchia. P-38's strafe and bomb Tirana
A/F. Weather cancels all NATAF attacks except for 11 P-40's which
bomb and strafe tanker off Split, leaving it burning. XII A Spt Cmd
ftrs fly uneventful naval escort.
10/31/43
Tenth AF
In an attempt to knock out Japanese base from which ftrs are
attacking ferrying operations, P-40's carrying 1000-lb bombs fly 4
strikes against Myitkyina. Following the bomb runs, the ftrs strafe
AA positions. The attacks cause considerable damage to the base. MBs
attack Meza railroad bridge, scoring hits on approaches but missing
the structure. The bridge remains unusable due to damage caused by
the 10 Oct strike.
10/31/43
Fifth AF
P-40's sink barge off New Britain coast.
10/31/43
Thirteenth AF
20-plus B-25's, with ftr spt, bomb Kara A/F.
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