12/01/43
Eighth AF
281 HBs hit industrial tgts at Solingen after malfunction of
Pathfinder equipment prevents attack on primary tgt at Leverkusen.
Over 20 aircraft are lost on the raid."
12/01/43
Ninth AF
Over 175 B-26's bomb A/Fs at Chievres, Cambrai/Epinoy,
Lille/Vendeville, and Cambrai/Niergnies. 28 P-51's execute a sweep
over NW France, marking first Ninth AF ftr operation from UK.
12/01/43
Twelfth AF
B-25's bomb gun positions in Sant' Ambrogio area. FBs (including some
RAF, RAAF, and SAAF aircraft) hit trucks, gun positions, and other
military tgts E of Casoli, at Lanciano, near Guardiagrele, W of
Mignano, W of Minturno, and near Chieti. Several of these missions
are in spt of US Fifth and British Eighth Army.
12/01/43
Fifteenth AF
HQ closes at Tunis and opens at Bari. Over 100 B-17's homb Turin ball
bearing works and M/Y. Escorting P-38's battle enemy ftrs without
either losses or positive victories. HBs claim 2 enemy ftrs shot
down. B-24's and other P-38's are recalled because of weather.
B-26's, with ftr escort, attack bridges and railroad facilities at
Aulla, Cecina, and Sestri Levante.
12/01/43
Tenth AF
B-24's bomb Insein. The HBs and escorting P-38 encounter large number
of Japanese ftrs over the tgts. P-51's which failed to make
rendezvous with the HBs before the attack join the formations on
return trip. US losses are high: 6 B-24's and a P-51 shot down and 5
more HBs are seriously damaged. MBs hit the newly repaired bridge at
Myitnge, rendering it temporarily unserviceable.
12/01/43
Fourteenth AF
19 B-25's, 24 P-40's, and 10 P-51's pound Kowloon shipyards. 2 B-25's
hit nearby Taikoo Docks, Hong Kong. 4 P-40's strafe truck convoy near
Lashio, 16 sink about 30 boats in area around Changte, and 8 bomb Bac
Ninh and vicinity.
12/01/43
Fifth AF
40-plus B-24's bomb Wewak, the HBs and P-47 escorts claiming 11 enemy
ftrs shot down out of interception force of about 50. 3 B-24's are
lost. 16 A-20's hit Cape Gloucester area. 35 B-25's and B-26's bomb
Borgen Bay area.
12/01/43
Thirteenth AF
18 B-25's and 8 P-38's attack Malai. P-39's strafe Tonolai and spt
Navy dive bmrs in attack on Jaba R area near Empress Augusta Bay.
Other AAF and Navy ftrs cover dive bmr strikes on Kara and Ballale I
supply areas and strafe tgts at Tenekow, Chabai, and Mutupina Pt. 6
B-25's bomb Sarime Plantation."
12/01/43
Seventh AF
4 B-24's, flying out of Funafuti, bomb Mille.
12/02/43
AEAF
CCS authorizes AEAF to attack 'sky sites' in Pas de Calais area and
on Cherbourg Peninsula, which RAF photography and British
intelligence have virtually identified as missile-launching sites.
12/02/43
Twelfth AF
B-25's, A-20's, and RAF LBs spt ground forces in Monte Trocchio area,
and other B-25's, A-20's, and RAF and SAAF airplanes spt ground
forces near Sant' Ambrogio. More B-25's hit bridge and approaches
near Chieti. Ftts strafe trucks and trains while FBs blast gun
positions along US Fifth and British Eighth Army fronts, and hit
harbors and shipping along Yugoslav coast at or near Omis, Drvenicki,
Trogir, Vrbnik, and Ston.
12/02/43
Fifteenth AF
B-24's, with ftr escort, bomb town area, railroad bridge, and M/Y at
Bolzano. B-26's achieve excellent results in raid on bridge S of
Orvieto and M/Y at Arezzo. B-17's blast submarine pens at Marseille.
12/02/43
Fourteenth AF
18 Japanese bmrs and 30 Zeros attack Suichwan A/F. 9 P-40's
intercept, shooting down 1 Japanese airplane. 2 P-40's are lost. 6
P-40's on armed rcn bomb villages between Sha Nyao and Chiao Tou
Chieh. 16 others bomb Japanese positions NE of Changte.
12/02/43
Fifth AF
50-plus B-25's pound Borgen Bay area. 20 B-25's and B-26's hit enemy
forces in Finschhafen area. Sio area is bombed by 2 B-24's.
12/02/43
Thirteenth AF
20-plus B-25's hit Malai and attack position.s on Porror R and Rigu
Mission at Kieta. More than 20 R-24's bomb Korovo. Ftr patrol strafes
Chabai area.
12/03/43
Eighth AF
Note from ACM Portal to CCS states that POINTBLANK (CBO against GAF)
is 3 months behind in relationship to tentative date for OVERLORD
which had been set for 1 May 44. This brings more pressure on Eighth
AF to destroy industrial plants of importance to aircraft production.
12/03/43
Twelfth AF
Twelfth AF transfers its entire II Air Serv Area Cmd with all of its
subordinate units to Fifteenth AF, where it shortly becomes XV AFSC.
This is a major step toward making the Fifteenth a separate,
self-sufficient AF. B-25's bomb harbor and M/Y at Sibenik. FBs, along
with DAF airplanes, hit tanks and trucks in GuardiagreleLanciano
areas. Other FBs attack vessel at Sibenik and vehicles and trains N
of Rome. Anzio and Nettuno are also bombed."
12/03/43
Fifteenth AF
B-24's, with ftr escort, hit Rome/Casale A/F. B-26's and escorting
P-38's are recalled due to weather. Other P-38's escort supply
mission to Yugoslavia.
12/03/43
Fourteenth AF
8 P-40's attack barracks and other buildings at Wanling.
12/03/43
Fifth AF
More than 60 B-24's and B-25's bomb Cape Gloucester A/F. 1 B-24 sinks
several barges in Johann Albrecht Harbor while another bomhs a large
transport near New Hanover. 20-plus B-24's bomb Waingapoe. A-20's
attack villages around Finschhafen. P-47's shoot down .several
airplanes over Wewak.
12/03/43
Thirteenth AF
23 B-25's bomb Kieta Harbor and nearby supply and bivouac areas. 6
others hit Aitara Mission. 21 B-24's pound Bonis. Ftr aircraft (AAF
and Navy) on patrol hit T Os in areas from Numa Numa to Koromira, at
Mosiga and Chabai, and W of Mutupina Pt. B-24's on armed rcn hit a
variety of tgts, including Kieta, Green I, Greenwich I, and Korovo.
12/04/43
International
Second Cairo conference (SEXTANT) opens and lasts until 6 Dec.
Roosevelt, Churchill, and Inonu attend. Churchill discusses
possibility of Turkey entering the war. Plan for amphibious assault
in Bay of Bengal is cancelled. A tentative timetable is set up for
Pacific offensive. Unified Cmd is established in the Mediterranean
effective 10 Dec.
12/04/43
Ninth AF
Ninth AF directive establishes Operation CROSSBOW for IX BC and
provides a list of tgts to be attacked immediately. IX A Spt Cmd,
constituted on 29 Nov 43, is assigned to Ninth AF, activated, and
stationed at Aldermaston Court in England with Col Clarence E
Crumrine as CO. 203 B-26's dispatched to attack Chievres and
Lille/Vendeville A/Fs must abort mission due to bad weather.
12/04/43
Twelfth AF
Weather grounds Twelfth AF elements of NATAF.
12/04/43
Fifteenth AF
All missions are cancelled by bad weather.
12/04/43
Tenth AF
5 B-24's mine Rangoon R while 12 others mine the SalNveen R at
Moulmein during 4/5 Dec.
12/04/43
Fourteenth AF
11 B-25's and 12 P-40's bomb Changte, which was taken by the Japanese
earlier in the day. 11 more B-25's and 24 P-40's follow with 2 more
attacks on Changte. Other P-40's drop ammo to Chinese troops on
Tehshan Mt.
12/04/43
Fifth AF
Nearly 50 bmrs hit Cape Gloucester A/F and attack shore tgt.s from
Rottock Bay to Rein Bay. 12 A-20's hit villages and supply dumps in
Finschhafen area. 30-plus P-40's sink an oil laden lugger and 2
barges off Bogia and bomb bridge near Bogadjim.
12/04/43
Thirteenth AF
XIII FC completes move from the New Hebrides to Guadalcanal. 21
B-24's attack Chabai. 17 B-25's follow with strike on same tgt.
12/04/43
Seventh AF
34 B-24's from Ellice and Canton Is bomb Mille. Over 20 others abort
due to bad weather. 8 B-24's from Funafuti attack Nauru.
12/04/43
Eleventh AF
3 bmrs return early from an armed seasearch, due to weather.
12/05/43
International
At Cairo Conference Roosevelt decides on Gen Eisenhower as supreme
allied cmdr for OVERLORD.
12/05/43
Eighth AF
Around 550 HBs are dispatched to attack A/Fs at Bordeaux, Cognac, La
Rochelle, and Saint-Jean-d,Angely, and industries at Paris. Cloud
conditions prevent bombing of tgts except for 3 HBs that attack A/Fs
at Bordeaux and Cognac. 9 aircraft are lost on the mission.
12/05/43
Ninth AF
52 R-26's bomb Ligescourt, Campagne-les-Hesdin, and Saint-Josse. 200
others are forced to abandon mission because of heavy cloud cover
over tgts, including Vweapon sites which the Ninth had scheduled to
attack for the first time. Ninth AF P-51's (354th Ftr Sq) fly first
escort mission, accompanying Eighth AF HBs in raid against tgts in
areas near Amiens.
12/05/43
MAAF
CCS issues directive for organization of Mediterranean Allied Air
Forces consolidating British and US forces of MAC and NAAFs.
12/05/43
Twelfth AF
Weather hampers MB operations, but B-25's manage to bomb bridge at
Pescara and M/Y and shipyards at Split. US FBs and ftrs (and a number
of other Allied airplanes) hit gun positions S of Chieti, vessel in
Poljud harbor (near Split), trains and trucks W of Aquino, bridges
near Mignano and Ladispoli, town of Arezzo, A/Fs at Piombino and
Aviano, and building S of Garda Bake.
12/05/43
Tenth AF
During 5/6 Dec B-24's mine waters in Moulmein area while 5 others lay
mines in Rangoon R.
12/05/43
Fourteenth AF
16 P-40's over Changte area damage several large supply sampans near
Ansiang and strafe various T/Os in Tehshan and Hsutu Lake areas. More
than 20 other P-40's on patrols over Changte area attack numerous
boats and other tgts throughout the nearby lake region.
12/05/43
Fifth AF
40 B-24's bomb Cape Gloucester. A-20's destroy small craft off New
Britain. Other A-20's hit enemy forces in Finschhafen area. B-25's,
B-26's, and P-40's attack tgts along Bogadjim Road.
12/05/43
Thirteenth AF
23 B-25's and 20plus Navy dive bmrs hit Monoitu, Aitara Mission, and
Mosigetta area. Ftr patrols hit several areas on Bougainville and on
Shortland, including Chabai, Numa Numa, Mosigetta, Monoitu, and Faisi
I.
12/06/43
Twelfth AF
P-40 and A-36 FBs bomb bridges at Ceprano and W of Mignano. Weather
cancels other operations.
12/06/43
Fifteenth AF
45 B-24's bomb Eleusis A/F while 56 B-17's hit Kalamaki A/F. Other
B-17's return to base with bombs because of heavy overcast. The HBs
and escorting P-38's claim several enemy ftrs shot down. 1 B-24 is
destroyed by flak.
12/06/43
Fourteenth AF
Changte is pounded throughout the day by more than 30 B-25's and
numerous ftrs. Other ftrs strafe T/Os in railway yard at Hsipaw and
damage train at Hopong.
12/06/43
Fifth AF
Nearly 100 B-24's and B-25's hit Cape Gloucester and Borgen Bay
areas. P-40's strafe Cape Hoskins. A-20's and B-25's attack villages
and supply dumps around Finschhafen.
12/06/43
Thirteenth AF
6 B-25's bomb Monoitu Mission area, and 24 others, with ftr spt,
pound Tarlena village. P-40's carry out strafing strike in Arawa Bay
area near Kieta. P-3S's strafe W coast of Buka. General ftr patrols
strafe Chabai, Koromira, and Monoitu areas. Kieta supply area is
bombed by a B-24 on armed rcn."
12/07/43
USSAFE
CCS accept US plan for a strategic air cmd to coordinate operations
of Fifteenth and Eighth AFs.
12/07/43
Twelfth AF
B-25's and A-36's bomb harbor and town of Civitavecchia. B-25's also
attack Pescara, hitting railroad, road, and town area. A-36's,
P-40's, and DAF ftrs hit gun position W of Orsogna, towns of Viticuso
and San Vittoria, and bridge at Civitella Roveto.
12/07/43
Fifteenth AF
Heavy cloud cover severely restricts operations. 1 B-26 attacks
bridge S of Arma di Taggia."
12/07/43
Fourteenth AF
Changte is hit twice by a total of 13 B-25's and several escorting
ftrs. 8 P-40's strafe freight ears between Mogaung and Myitkyina.
12/07/43
Fifth AF
More that 90 B-24's and B-25's attack Cape Gloucester and Borgen Bay
areas. A-20's bomb troop encampments and dumps in Finschhafen area.
P-40's strafe boats and barges near Madang. B-24's bomb A/F and
village on Haroekoe.
12/07/43
Thirteenth AF
18 B-25's carry out strikes against Kahili and Kieta Harbor. Torokina
I is bombed by 2 B-34's on patrol.
12/07/43
Seventh AF
During 6/7 Dec, 14 B-24's, staging through Tarawa, hit tgts on
Maloelap and Wotje Atolls. 22 A-24's from Makin, escorted by Marine
F6F's, hit Emidj. 6 B-24's from Nukufetau bomb Maloelap, and 1 other,
failing to reach the primary, drops bombs on Mille. This date marks
beginning of FLINTLOCK (capture and def of Kwajulein and Majuro
Atolls).
12/08/43
USSAFE
Gen Arnold notifies Gen Spuatz that he is to cmd USSAFE (later
USSTAF).
12/08/43
Twelfth AF
B-25's bomb bridges, industrial tgts, M/Y, and town areas of Pescara,
Aneona, and Aquila. A-20's hit gun emplacements and bivouac area near
Sant' Elia Fiumerapido. Other A-20's, operating with RAF and SAAF
aircraft attack troop concentration and gun positions near
Miglianico. FBs of AAF, RAF, RAAF, and SAAF bomb tgts in spt of
ground troops near Orsogna. US A-36's and P-40's hit comm tgts
(roads, railroads, bridges) at Avezzano, Frosinone, Viticuso, Gaeta,
and Sant'Elia Fiumerapido."
12/08/43
Fifteenth AF
More than 120 B-24's and B-17's attack Tatoi and Eleusis A/Fs,
railroad bridges near Orbetello Lake and town of Porto Santo Stefano.
B-26's hit Spoleto viaduct, Orte M /Y, and Civitavecchia harbor.
Other B-26's abort mission because of weather.
12/08/43
Fourteenth AF
9 B-25's, escorted by 16 P-40's, pound Changte. 9 other B-25's bomb
Hofuh and the 16 escorting P-40's bomb 2 villages to the N.
12/08/43
Fifth AF
B-25's attack PenfoeiKoepang area. B-25's and B-26's pound enemy
supply dumps on Huon Peninsula near Finschhafen. P-39's strafe barges
from Saidor to Fortification Pt."
12/08/43
Thirteenth AF
Ftr patrols and aircraft on armed rcn bomb and strafe several T'Os
near Kieta, SE of Cape Torokina, at Baniu Plantation, and along NE
coast of Rougainville."
12/08/43
Seventh AF
22 B-24's from Nanumea bomb Jaluit, and 11 from Canton I bomb Mille.
12/08/43
Eleventh AF
3 B-24's fly armed rcn. During 8/9 Dec another B-24 off on a
photographic mission over Kasatochi I, turns back because of
mechanical trouble.
12/09/43
Twelfth AF
B-25's bomb railway and road bridges at Giulianova, tracks at Pescara
and Teramo, and M/Y and ironworks at Terni. A-20's hit gun positions
and bivouac area at Sant' Elia Fiumerapido. A-36's and P-40's attack
Orsogna and coastal tgts in spt of British Eighth Army, Avezzano M/Y
and villages along US Fifth Army front, troops at San Pietro Infine
and Viticuso and nearby gun positions, viaduct and railway bridge E
of Guidonia A/F, crossing at Furbara, and trains and trucks in Rome
area. Gen Beverley takes over as new CG, XII TCC (Prov).
12/09/43
Fifteenth AF
P-38's carry out weather rcn over the Adriatic. B-17's of 2d and 99th
Bomb Gps are recalled because of weather. All gps of 47th (B-24) and
42d (B-26) Bomb Wgs cancel operations.
12/09/43
Fourteenth AF
15 B-25's bomb Wuchang and Hankow, and 3 bomb Changte. P-40's strafe
sampans above Nanhsien and attack T/Os in Salween R area, including
road traffic S of Hsia Chai, barracks at Tachai, and town of San
Tsun.
12/09/43
Fifth AF
50 B-25's bomb and strafe New Britain coast from Borgen Bay to Rein
Bay. 19 B-25's and A-20's hit barges coastal installations, and roads
in Fortification Pt area. 60-plus P-39's hit Bogadjim Road, barges
and enemy held villages along N coast of Huon Peninsula, and enemy
positions in Ramu R valley.
12/09/43
Seventh AF
19 B-24's from Funafuti bomb Mille. The HEs claim 5 ftrs destroyed.
12/10/43
Ninth AF
20 German aircraft attack 4 Ninth AF A/Fs in UK (Gosfield, Andrews
Field, Earls Colne, and Great Dunmow), killing 8 and wounding more
than 20 men.
12/10/43
Twelfth AF
P-40's and A-36's attack oil tanks, warehouses, railroads, and vessel
at Civitavecchia, town of Acquafondata, and (with RAF, SAAF, and RAAF
airplanes) hit tac tgts along British Eighth Army front, and later
strafe road traffic in Canosa Sannita-Chieti area. Ftrs also bomb
vessel in harbor at Split.
12/10/43
MAAF
MAAF is established (see 20 Dec 43)."
12/10/43
Fifteenth AF
B-24's, with ftr escort, bomb M/Y at Sofia. B-26's hit bridge
approaches W and E of Ventimiglia. P-38's fly weather rcn in Sofia
and Zara areas.
12/10/43
Fourteenth AF
12 B-25's and 16 P-40's attack M/Y at Hanoi. Warehouse area and
railroad station suffer heavy damage. Japanese aircraft bomb Hengyang
A/F. 8 P-40's intercept 1 wave of airplanes over the field, shooting
down 3 of them. 2 P-40's are lost in the combat.
12/10/43
Fifth AF
27 B-24's bomb tgts at Cape Gloucester and Huon Peninsula. 40 B-25's
and B-26's bomb supply and bivouac areas and bridges along Bogadjim
Road. P-39's strafe barges in Madang area.
12/10/43
Thirteenth AF
B-25's bomb Kahili supply area and A/F. P-39's bomb supply area and
AA positions at Tonolai and strafe 4 barges in the harbor. B-34's hit
buildings at Arigua Plantation.
12/11/43
Eighth AF
523 B-17's and B-24's hit docks and industrial area of Emden. 17
aircraft are lost to enemy action.
12/11/43
Twelfth AF
P-40's and A-36's attack Anzio, Nettuno, Viticuso, San Vittore del
Lazio, Pontecorvo, Acquafondata, railway siding at Arce, tracks and
junction N of Ostia, and railway between Ostia and Lido di Roma.
Weather causes abandonment of MB operations.
12/11/43
Fifteenth AF
All operations except weather rcn are cancelled or recalled because
of bad weather.
12/11/43
Fourteenth AF
14 B-25's and 10 P-40's attack Shihshow and Ansiang. 3 B-24's bomb
Hankow A/F. 9 P-40's intercept about 30 airplanes over Nanchang
shortly after the enemy force bombs Suichwan. The P-40's claim 10
aircraft shot down.
12/11/43
Fifth AF
B-25's bomb and strafe Borgen Bay area. B-25's and B-26's hit
bivouacs and other installations near Fortification Pt and in
Finschhafen area. B-24's bomb Makassar and Balikpapan.
12/11/43
Thirteenth AF
16 B-25's, in 2 u aves, attack Kahili. Several other B-25's hit
Arigua Plantation. 20-plus B-24's bomb village and wharf area at
Tsirogei. 8 P-39's bomb Tonolai. Several aircraft on armed rcn,
operating individually or in small flights, attack T/Os scattered
throughout Bougainville and Shortland area. Allied night ftrs carry
out strike on Japanese bivouac along Jaba R. Others hit Buka and
Bonis.
12/12/43
Twelfth AF
Weather curtails operations. B-25's bomb road, railroad, and landing
ground at Terracina. P-40 and A-36 FBs hit trucks along roads in
Chieti-Francavilla area and bomb town of Itri. Ftrs fly patrols and
rcn over battle area.
12/12/43
Fifteenth AF
Operations are limited to weather rcn.
12/12/43
Tenth AF
28 B-25's and 13 B-24's carry out saturation bombing strike against
bridge at Myittha, over which large volume of Japanese goods is
flowing to the N. Despite this large air effort only the approach
spans suffer effective damage.
12/12/43
Fourteenth AF
41 Japanese bmrs and ftrs bomb W side of Hengyang A/F, causing
considerable damage. 31 P-40's and 6 P-38's intercept the enemy
force, claiming 20 airplanes shot down. 2 P-40's are lost. 9 B-24's
bomb Hankow A/F.
12/12/43
Fifth AF
P-40's dive-bomb Bogadjim Road. B-24's make light raids on Ceram and
in far W part of Netherlands New Guinea.
12/12/43
Thirteenth AF
6 B-25's strafe Arigua Plantation. 8 others, with ftr spt, bomb
supply area at Bonis. The ftrs afterwards strafe Japanese forces
between Kieta and the Aropa R. Other ftr aircraft strafe harbor at
Tonolai and cover Navy dive bmr strikes against tgts in
Ratsua-PortonChabai-Soraken areas and Kieta Harbor-Tobera Bay area.
20-plus B-24's bomb Kahili area and Poporang.
12/12/43
Seventh AF
25 B-24's flying out of Ellice Is bases, bomb Emidj I.
12/13/43
Eighth AF
649 B-17's and B-24's, out of 710 dispatched, bomb port areas of
Bremen and Hamburg and U-boat yards at Kiel. This is first Eighth AF
mission in which more than 600 HBs attack tgts. P-51's escorting the
HBs reach the limit of their escort range for the first time.
12/13/43
Ninth AF
Nearly 200 MBs attack Schiphol A/F. IX FC P-61's, working with VIII
FC P-38's, fly longest escort mission to date, escorting HBs to and
from Kiel.
12/13/43
Twelfth AF
B-25's bomb oil depot, harbor, warehouses, and railway yard at
Sibenik and Split. P-40 and A-36 FBs attack defended points in
Miglionico area; quays, roads, railway yard, and gun emplacements at
Terracina; and bridges at Pontecorvo and W of Isolella. Town areas
and bridges at and near Atina and Acquafondata are also hit.
12/13/43
Fifteenth AF
Operations are restricted to weather rcn.
12/13/43
Tenth AF
20 Japanese bmrs, escorted by 25 ftrs, hit Dinjan A/F before US
interceptors make contact. However, little damage is done and the US
ftrs catch the attackers shortly afterward. 12 Japanese bmrs and 5
ftrs are claimed knocked down."
12/13/43
Fourteenth AF
12 B-25's, with ftr escort, bomb Li-Chou and Kungan. 8 B-25's pound
Wuchang A/F. 16 P-40's on armed rcn strafe T/Os from Changte to Linli
to Li-Chou.
12/13/43
Fifth AF
More than 100 B-24's and B-25's and several P-40's bomb Gasmata.
A-20's hit villages along Bogadjim Road. A small flight of P-39's
strafe barges along Huon Peninsula.
12/13/43
Thirteenth AF
17 B-25's bomb Porton, and their ftr escorts strafe Tenekow bivouac
areas during return flight. 24 B-24's bomb Bonis. 6 B-25's carry out
low-level strikes against concentrations on Numa Numa.
12/13/43
Seventh AF
10 B-24's, staging through Baker I from Canton I, bomb Wotje.
12/14/43
Twelfth AF
MBs hit Orte, concentrating on M/Y. LBs attack road bridge SW of
Pontecorvo in front of US Fifth Army lines. P-40 FBs hit bridges S of
Roccasecca and E of Atina. A-36's destroy bridge at Ceprano and bomb
railroad yards, town area, and highway at Sora, and docks and town
area of Civitavecchia.
12/14/43
Fifteenth AF
More than 15() R17's and B-24's, with ftr escorts, bomb Kalamaki,
Eleusis, and Tatoi A/Fs. HBs claim 10 ftrs shot down.
12/14/43
Fourteenth AF
13 B-25's, with ftr escort, bomb Shasi. 6 P-40's on armed rcn strafe
Gia Lam A/F and railroad yard. 2 others strafe supply trucks S of
Tengchung.
12/14/43
Fifth AF
In heaviest raid to date in SWPA, 228 B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's bomb
Arawe in an almost continuous attack from 0645 to 1548. Gasmata is
hit by B-25's and B-26's. P-39's strafe barges along Huon Peninsula.
B-24's on armed rcn hit Saidor, Gasmata, and Unea.
12/14/43
Thirteenth AF
18 B-24's, with ftr spt, bomb positions on Sohano I. 18 B-25's and 8
ftrs hit Manob village E of Buka Passage. Other Thirteenth AF ftrs
hit gun positions, comm tgts, and other T/Os at scattered points in
Bougainville-Shortland areas and cover Navy dive bmr strikes against
AA positions in Chabai area."
12/14/43
Seventh AF
16 B-24's, flying out of bases in Ellice Is, bomb Maloelap.
12/15/43
Ninth AF
Ninth AF comes under operational control of AEAF. New directive for
tac bmr operations lists reduction of enemy ftr forces as basic
objective. A Ninth AF planning staff, composed of officers who have
had service with COSSAC, is set up in London.
12/15/43
Twelfth AF
B-25's bomb A/F at Mostar, and A-36 and P-40 FBs attack vessels,
vehicles, and parked aircraft N and E of Peljesac Peninsula, near
Mostar, and at Zemonico landing ground. B-25's and A-20's bomb roads
at Pontecorvo and N of Frosinone. FBs blast gun positions along US
Fifth Army front.
12/15/43
Fifteenth AF
B-17's, with P-38 and P-47 escorts, bomb M/Ys at Bolzano and
Innsbruck. B-24's, with P-38 escort, attack Avisio viaduct. All tgts
suffer considerable damage."
12/15/43
EAC
EAC, a combined USBritish Cmd, is formed under Gen Stratemeyer, with
AVM Williams as Asst Cmdr. HQ, at New Delhi, will control all
operational air units in Assam and Burma which presently make up
Tenth AF and RAF Bengal Air Cmd. Major components of EAC are to be
Third Tac AF' under AM Baldwin, Strategic AF under Gen Davidson, TCC
under Gen Old, and Photo Rcn Force under Gp Capt Stewart G Wise.
Strategic AF and TCC are activated on this date, the former having HQ
at Belvedere Palace, Calcutta, and the latter at Comilla.
12/15/43
Fourteenth AF
25 P-40's strafe parked aircraft, trucks, and several buildings at
Pailochi. At least 3 enemy airplanes are destroyed. 2 B-25's on sea
sweep over Gulf of Tonkin claim 1 ocean-going tug sunk. 16 P-40's on
armed rcn strafe towns of Owchihow and Shihshow. 6 others attack town
of Luchiangpa and villages in the area.
12/15/43
Fifth AF
As a preliminary to main invasion of New Britahl, US forces under cmd
of Gen Cunningham land on W coast of Arawe peninsula about 0700
following naval and air bombardment B-25's pound villages in Arawe
area. B-24's bomb Cape Gloucester while P-39's strafe barges at Reiss
Pt. B-25's hit 2 freighters on Timor."
12/15/43
Thirteenth AF
21 B-24's strike Sohano I. 6 B-25's hit installations in Numa
Numa-Arigua area. 23 B-25's and 16 ftrs attack Buka, causing heavy
damage in Chinatown area. P-40's destroy bridge at Runai. Numerous
T/Os are attacked by AAF aircraft, operating individually and in
small flights, on armed rcn over Bougainville and other N Solomons
areas.
12/15/43
Seventh AF
20 B-24's from Nanumea hit Maloelap. 10, staging from Canton I
through Baker I, bomb Wotje. 1 B-24 is lost on Maloelap raid. 2 enemy
ftrs are claimed destroyed."
12/16/43
Eighth AF
535 HBs attack port area and T/Os at Bremen. Due to faulty comm, 1
combat wg mistakenly assumes mission is being abandoned and returns
to base without attacking.
12/16/43
Ninth AF
Basic directive for IX BC trg is issued on this date. Since most of
IX BC's combat units have been operational for some time earlier
under VIII A Spt Cmd extensive trg will not begin until after the
first of the year when inexperienced units begin to arrive.
12/16/43
Twelfth AF
B-25's bomb shipping at Zara and harbor and M/Y at Sibenik. A-20's
attack gun positions near Mignano. P-40's and A-36's hit gun
batteries and strongpoints along British Eighth Army front S and E of
Chieti, gun emplacements and troop concentrations all along US Fifth
Army front, especially NE and S of Cassino, and also bomb Roccasecca
and docks at Civitavecchia. P-40's and P-47's hit vessel S of Zara
and strafe T/Os on Peljesac Peninsula.
12/16/43
Fifteenth AF
B-24's attack railroad bridge and tunnel at Dogna and railroad
between Dogna and Chiusaforte.
Escorting P-38's strafe trains and oil tanks between Portogruaro and Latisana. B-17's, escorted by P-38's and P-47's, bomb Padua M/Y and rail junction Rail lines, rolling stock, and buildings are damaged extensively.
12/16/43
Fourteenth AF
9 B-25's and 11 P-40's hit NW part of Owchihkow. 4 B-25's on sweeps
over S China Sea damage freighter S of Nampang I, bomb Tunguan docks,
and shoot down 1 bmr. 15 P-40's on armed rcn strafe Pailochi A/F. 11
others strafe boats in channels N of Nanhsien. 6 P-38's strafe troop
train near Changanyi and attack 25 sampans (destroying most of them)
on Yangtze R just above Huangtang Lake.
12/16/43
Fifth AF
HBs hit Cape Gloucester. MBs hit Sio and Kelana Harbor. P-40's hit
Timoeka area.
12/16/43
Thirteenth AF
14 B-24's bomb Monoitu. Smaller flights of B-24's bomb Poporang I,
Sohano I, and dispersal areas at Bonis A/F. 5 B-25's, with ftr cover,
hit Sankau I. B-34's attack tgts on Green I and in Mawareka,
Marveiropa, and Mamaregu areas. Ftr aircraft spt Navy dive bmr
strikes on Sohano I and gun positions at Bonis and afterwards strafe
T/Os at several points on Bougainville."
12/17/43
Ninth AF
Ninth AF planning gp joins 21 Army Gp, AEAF, and RAF Second Tac AF in
preparation of air section of initial joint plan (Operation NEPTUNE)
for Operation OVERLORD. This begins planning which later results in
massive Ninth AF plan for moving the Ninth into battle on continent
of Europe.
12/17/43
Twelfth AF
A-20's strike arty concentration near Sant'Elia Fiumerapido. All B-25
missions are abortive. P-40's and P-51's (with SAAF escort) strafe
vessel near Trpanj. A-36's and P-40 FBs bomb positions at Monte
Trocchio, Cervaro, and Cardito, and M/Y, barracks, warehouses, and
docks at Nettuno and Anzio.
12/17/43
Fifteenth AF
Operations are restricted to weather rcn.
12/17/43
Fourteenth AF
6 P-40's bomb and strafe barracks near Kunlong. 6 others bomb and
strafe T/Os in Hanoi.
12/17/43
Fifth AF
P-47's intercept 35-40 aircraft attacking Allied forces on Arawe
peninsula. At least 10 airplanes are claimed shot down. Cape
Gloucester and nearby shipping are attacked by B-24's and B-25's.
B-25's bomb Sio area. P-39's sink 2 barges during sweep along Huon
Peninsula.
12/17/43
Thirteenth AF
18 B-25's strike Malai. 6 others join Navy dive bmrs in pounding
Mutupina Pt area. 5 B-34's hit Poroporo and Tarekekori.
12/17/43
Seventh AF
10 B-24's are dispatched from Nanumea to bomb Maloelap. 9 are
recalled because of weather. 1 bombs alternate tgt of Mille.
12/17/43
AAF
Gen Arnold sends to ACM Portal announcement of US air officers for
top cmds in Europe for 44. The list includes Gen Eaker, Allied Air
Forces in MTO; Gen Cannon, Twelfth AF; Gen Twining, Fifteenth AF; Gen
Spaatz, US Strategic Air Forces; Gen Doolittle, Eighth AF; and Gen
Brereton, Ninth AF.
12/18/43
Twelfth AF
Weather limits operations. P-40 FBs attack positions in Tollo, Canosa
Sannita, and Orsogna, and strafe schooner off Trogir. A-36's hit
defended areas near Cassino and at Viticuso, supply dump and gun
emplacement near Terracina, and positions at Monte Trocchio.
12/18/43
Fifteenth AF
B-26's bomb Var R bridges, destroying a highway bridge and damaging a
railroad bridge. Other B-26's have less success against Antheor
viaduct, although there are several near misses.
12/18/43
EAC
Third Tac AF is activated under AM Baldwin as a major component of
EAC.
12/18/43
Fourteenth AF
27 B-24's, supported by 28 P-40's, pound A/F at Namsang. Some of the
P-40's strafe Laihka A/F.
2 B-25's on sea sweep claim damaging hits on a freighter and a tanker in Hainan Straits. 5 B-25's bomb SW part of Nanbsien.
12/18/43
Fifth AF
Over 70 B-24's, B-25's, and B-26's bomb Cape Gloucester. 20 plus
B-25's bomb Borgen Bay area. Nearly 40 B-24's hit Hoskins A/F. 33
A-20's bomb and strafe dumps and bivouacs N of Finschhafen.
12/18/43
Thirteenth AF
10 B-24's bomb Kahili supply area, 5 more hit Bonis supply area, and
19 others hit tgts in
Chabai-Porton area. 5 B-25's carry out low-level strike on troop concentrations at Poroporo and 11 bomb Korovo. B-24's, operating individually and in small flights, on armed rcn attack Kahili, Kieta, and Poporang. Ftrs strafe T/Os at Numa Numa, Cape Pui Pui, and E coast of Buka.
12/18/43
Seventh AF
14 B-24's bomb Mille. 30-plus P-39's and A-24's fly strafing and
bombing raids against the .same tgt.
12/19/43
Twelfth AF
B-25's bomb Terni M/Y and Orte M/Y and A/F. A-20's attack road,
bridge, and town of Orte and hit Cassino. P-40's bomb Orsogna,
Sant'Elia Fiumerapido, and dump near Arce, and hit shipping at Split,
Trogir, and Solin. A-36's hit railroad and harbor area at
Civitavecchia.
12/19/43
Fifteenth AF
About 150 B-17's attack Messerschmitt plant at Augsburg and M/Y at
Innsbruck. P-38's and P-47's provide partial escort. P-47's of 325th
Ftr Gp, dispatched for escort duty, miss rendezvous with HBs and
instead strafe Ancona A/F, truck convoys at Porto Civitanova, train
near Senigallia, and vessel at Roseto degli Abruzzi. B-26's bomb
Perugia railroad installations and M/Ys at Castiglione della Valle
and Foligno. 9 HBs are lost. US aircraft claim 37 ftrs shot down.
12/19/43
Tenth AF
20 B-24's fly night strike against newly expanded dock area at
Bangkok, causing considerable destruction.
12/19/43
Fourteenth AF
About 35 Japanese bmrs and ftrs attack Hengyang A/F. 26 P-40's are
sent up against the attacking force and shoot down 9. 2 P-40's are
lost. 12 B-25's and 8 P-40's attack Nanbsien and Ansiang.
12/19/43
Fifth AF
Cape Gloucester is bombed by more than 140 B-24's, B-25's, and B-26's
as pre-invasion operations against New Britain increase. 37 P-40's
hit Gasmata. 20 A-20's pound forces NE of Arawe. About 30 B-25's,
A-20's, and P-39's hit barges, bivouac areas, and gun positions N and
W of Finschhafen. 30 B-25's and B-26's pound Madang. P-47's sweep
coastline of NE New Guinea."
12/19/43
Thirteenth AF
24 B-25's bomb Moisuru bivouac and supply dump. 16 B-24's, escorted
by 50 AAF and RNZAF ftrs, homb town of Rabaul and Simpson Harbor.
Other planes on armed rcn hit T/Os at Buka, Bonis, Ratsua, Poporang,
Kara, Kahili, Koiaris, and Nissan I.
12/19/43
Seventh AF
29 B-24's from Nanumea and Baker bomb barracks, hangars, and wharf
areas on Mille and Maloelap Atolls. HBs claim 7 ftrs shot down.
P-39's from Makin strafe Mille, destroying 3 airplanes and firing an
oil dump. 2 P-39's are lost."
12/20/43
Eighth AF
Window metal foil strips which, when dropped from an airplane,
provide an echo which confuses radar locating equipment is used for
the first time on an Eighth AF mission, when more than 470 HBs attack
port area at Bremen
12/20/43
Ninth AF
35 B-26's attack Vweapon sites in N France. More than 150 others
abort because of weather.
12/20/43
MAAF
MAAF is established, retroactive to 10 Dec 43. Commanded by ACM
Tedder, MAAF is comprised of all Allied air elements (RAF, USAAF,
French, and other) which are operating in MTO. These elements
previously were part of MAC and NAAF, which are disbanded. USAAFNATO
is established with Gen Spaatz as cmdr, to facilitate administration
of AAF units of Twelfth and Fifteenth AFs."
12/20/43
Twelfth AF
P-40's and RAF, SAAF, and RAAF FBs blast vehicles and heavily
defended areas near Chieti and Orsogna, and hit fuel dump near
Manoppello. A-36's bomb Terracina and hit water towers, a train, and
a railway station S of Rome.
12/20/43
Fifteenth AF
30-plus B-24's bomb M/Y at Sofia, and more than 100 B-17's hit
Eleusis A/F. HBs and escorting ftrs claim over 30 ftrs destroyed in
combat. 9 of the escorts are lost."
12/20/43
Fourteenth AF
11 B-25's and 6 P-40's from Kweilin pound Yoyang railroad yards.
P-40's from Hengyang also provide spt for the MBs.
12/20/43
Fifth AF
Enemy bivouac is blasted by more than 90 B-24's and B-25's. A-20's
hit Arawe area and P-38's in the area claim 10 enemy ftts shot down.
P-40's strafe T/O along S coast of New Britain. B-24's on armed rcn
bomb merchant ship off Cape Pomax. B-26's and B-25's hit bivouacs in
Finschhafen area and bomb town of Alexishafen.
12/20/43
Thirteenth AF
13 B-25's, with ftr cover, bomb Korovo village and docks on Shortland
I. 8 others, with ftr escort, hit Buka. Afterwards the ftrs xtrafe
Kieta and Tenekow. Other ftrs and B-34's on armed rcn, patrol, and
night snooper missions attack numerous T/Os throughout Bougainville.
12/20/43
Seventh AF
16 B-24's flying out of Baker and Nanumea bomb Maloelap. 3 HBs are
shot down; US gunners claim 8 ftrs destroyed.
12/21/43
Ninth AF
84 R-26's bomb Vweapon sites and other tgts in France.
12/21/43
Twelfth AF
Gen Cannon takes cmd. B-25's bomb Terracina. P-40's hit same tgt and
also bomb positions and munitions factory S of Sant'Elia Fiumerapido.
A-36's bomb positions, fuel dump, and munitions factory in Cervaro
area, and hit trains, seaplane base, radar station, trucks, and other
tgts in Rome-Civitavecchia area."
12/21/43
Fifteenth AF
Operations are restricted to weather rcn and to airsea r escue
patrols N of Corfu.
12/21/43
Fourteenth AF
29 B-24's pound railroad yards at Chiengmai. Warehouse area along W
side of the yards suffers very heavy damage. 14 B-25's, with ftr
escort, attack Hwajung.
12/21/43
Fifth AF
Pre-invasion air strikes continue against Cape Gloucester as more
than 100 B-24's, B-25's and A 20's pound the area. P-39's strafe tgts
along Borgen and Rein Bays. P-40's and A-20's hit Hoskins A/F. P-47's
claim 17 ftrs shot down in Arawe area. A-20's hit camps N of
Finschhafen. B-25's bomb and cannon Madang. B-24's bomb Amahai A/F.
P-40's hit Kaukenau.
12/21/43
Thirteenth AF
6 B-25's attack Monoitu Mission. During 21/22 Dec .snoopers bomb
various bivouac areas on
Bougainville.
12/21/43
Seventh AF
8 B-24's from Nanumea escort 4 Navy PB4Y's on photo mission over
Kwajalein Atoll. The B-24's bomb shipping and aircraft landing
grounds and other facilities at Roi, Ennuebing, and Kwajalein Is.
A-24's, along with Navy and Marine aircraft, hit shipping and A /Fs
at Emidj I. 16 P-39's strafe fuel dumps, shipping, and AA at Mille.
12/22/43
AAF
Orders are issued for Gen Spaatz to take cmd of USSAFE. Gen Eaker,
Eighth AF CG, is to cmd Allied AFs in MTO, after remaining in UK
until mid-Jan to advise Spaatz and Gen Doolittle, the new CG, Eighth
AF.
12/22/43
Eighth AF
439 B-17's and B-24's bomb M/Ys at Osnabruck and Munster. Heavy cloud
conditions along with malfunction of Pathfinder equipment result in a
large number of HBs failing to attack tgts. 2 aircraft are lost on
this mission. RAF LBs attack numerous NOBALL tgts in France in
conjunction with Osnahruck-Munster raids.
12/22/43
Ninth AF
210 B-26's sent to bomb special tgts in France are recalled because
of bad weather.
12/22/43
Twelfth AF
Gen Williams reassumes cmd of XII TCC (Prov). P-40's and Spitfires of
Twelfth AF, RAF, SAAF, and RAAF hit strong points in
Tollo-Miglianico-Chieti ar east P-40's hlast bridge, locomotives,
trucks, and railroad tracks at and near Tortoreto and Benedello.
P-47's strafe T/Os in area around Zara."
12/22/43
Fifteenth AF
Operations are again limited to weather rcn.
12/22/43
Fourteenth AF
7 B-25's, with ftr escort, bomb Hwajung. 2 others claim 3 direct hits
on freighter 105 mi S of Hong
Kong. 65 Japanese bmrs and ftrs attack Kunming A/F. 10 P-40's and a P-38 from Kunming and several ftrs from Yunnani engage the enemy force in a 50-min running battle, claiming 12 airplanes shot down. 2 US aircraft are destroyed on the ground. Damage to A/F is not serious. 7 P-40's intercept a force of 58 airplanes heading toward Chengkung, shooting down 3 of them and preventing attack on the A/F."
12/22/43
Fifth AF
130-plus B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's continue bombardment of Cape
Gloucester. Japanese air raid on Arawe causes minor damage. Nearly 40
B-25's, with P-38 escort, bomb Wewak and Boram. The P-38's, B-25's,
and some P-47's on sweep claim at least 13 aircraft shot down.
B-25'.s and P-39's bomb A/F and barges at Madang and town of
Alexishafen. A-20's and B-26's pound occupied area N of Finschhafen.
12/22/43
Thirteenth AF
B-25's carry out .strikes against Numa Numa, Kahili supply area,
Buka's Chinatown area, and scattered T/Os. Ftr aircraft and B-24'.s
attack barge concentrations and hide-outs at Sohano I, ChabaiPorton
area, Anewa Bay, and Ambitle I, and several T/Os throughout
Bougainville. B-24's, operating individually and in pairs, attack
T/Os neaP Bonis, near Porton, and at Sohano I.
12/22/43
Seventh AF
11 A-24 from Makin dive-bomb cargo ships in Mille lagoon. Escort is
provided by 32 P-39's and F6F's. The P-39's strafe the ship and AA
and gasoline dumps on the island. The vessel is left burning.
12/23/43
Eighth AF
3 P-47 sqs (2 sqs carrying bombs) attack Gilze 'Rijen A/F.
12/23/43
Twelfth AF
P-40's and P-47's attempt to spt Yugoslav partisans resisting German
invasion of Korcula I off Peljesac Peninsula, but bad weather
prevents location of tgts.
12/23/43
Fifteenth AF
B-26's hit viaduct at Antheor and railroad bridge and M/Y at Imperia.
Ventimiglia railroad bridge is attacked. Bridge is not hit but
overpass, tunnel, tracks, and transformer station nearby are damaged.
12/23/43
Fourteenth AF
29 B-24's, escorted by 7 P-51's and 23 P-40's, pound White Cloud A /F
in Canton area. The HBs and ftrs claim 11 interceptors downed. 14
P-38's dive-bomb and strafe Huang Shan Kou. 2 B-25's claim l gunboat
sunk in Formosa Straits."
12/23/43
Tenth AF
19 B-24's on night raid bomb railroad terminal at Bangkok. Heavy
explosions and large fires result.
12/23/43
Fifth AF
61 B-24's bomb Cape Gloucester during the day. B-24's follow during
23/24 Dec with harassing attacks with small bombs, hand grenades,
ancl beer bottles. P-39's hit barges between Borgen Bay and Rein Ray,
and P-40's bomb Gasmata and strafe Cape Hoskins. 80-plus B-25's,
B-26's, and A-20's attack coastal tgis from Wewak to Hansa Bay, wide
areas of Huon Peninsula, and A/Fs at Alexishafen. B-24's bomb Nabire.
12/23/43
Thirteenth AF
17 B-25's attack gun po.sitions and other tgts at Sohano I, and 6 hit
positions at Malevoli in Choiseul Bay. 6 B-34's attack radar station
and lighthouse on Cape Saint George. 16 P-39's on patrol bomb and
strafe tgts on Shortland I. 18 B-24's bomb Taharai A/F in llabaul
area. Vunakanau also is hit. Ftr escorts claim 30 aircraft shot clown
over Rabaul area. This begins a COMAIRSOLS all-out offensive against
Rabaul area that continues until the end of Mar 44.
12/23/43
Seventh AF
During 23/24 Dec, P-39's are airborne over Makin to intercept enemy
bmrs. 2 bmrs are shot down. 1 P-39 is lost. During the day, 19
B-24's, staging through Tarawa from Nanumea, bomb Kwajalein. 9
others, staging through Baker from Canton I, hit Wotje and Maloelap.
10 A-24's, escorted by 20 P-39's, attack Mille, hitting shore
installations and cargo vessel (wrecked by previous day's raid) in
lagoon.
12/24/43
Eighth AF
26 HB gps are now operational. 670 HBs attack 23 missile-launching
sites being constructed in Pas de Calais area. This is largest number
of aircraft carrying out attacks of any Eighth AF mission to date and
the first of its major strikes against missile sites. No aircraft are
lost.
12/24/43
Ninth AF
Over 60 MBs attack NOBALL tgts in Pas de Calais area. More than 30
other MBs abort due to bad weather."
12/24/43
Twelf th AF
Weather severely hampers operations. P-40's fail to locate tat, a
vessel at Ugljan I, but shoot down 1 airplane in the Adriatic.
12/24/43
Fifteenth AF
Over 100 B-26's dispatched to bomb Pisa M/Y fail to locate tat due to
overcast. 24 of the MBs bomb M/Y at Cecina.
12/24/43
Fourteenth AF
18 B-24's bomb Tien Ho satellite A/F. The HBs and 18 escorting ftrs
claim 20 interceptors shot down. 1 HB is lost over the tgt.
12/24/43
Fifth AF
Pre-invasion bombing effort against Cape Gloucester reaches its peak
as nearly 190 B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's pound the area in a day-long
bombardment. P-39's hit disabled destroyer offshore. Japanese forces
in Arawe area are hit by A-20's. A-20's also sweep NE New Guinea
coastline. B-25's bomb Atamboea."
12/24/43
Thirteenth AF
During 23/24 Dec, single aircraft carry out harassing strikes against
Buka, Kieta, and Faisi. During the day, 24 B-25's attack seaplane
anchorage at Bonis. 18 B-24's bomb Vunakanau A/F at Rabaul. 6 others
hit Lakunai. Ftr cover for the strike fights fierce air action with
interceptors, claiming 25 shot down. 7 Allied ftrs are lost. B-34's
on armed rcn bomb barges and troops in N Bougainville and claim 2
ftrs shot down E of Cape Saint George.
12/24/43
Seventh AF
18 B-24's, staging through the Gilberts from the Ellice Is, bomb
Wotje.
12/25/43
Twelfth AF
A-36's bomb road, trucks, and town area at Pontecorvo. P-40's, with a
few SAAF Spitfires, hit motor launch in Peljesae Channel.
12/25/43
Fifteenth AF
B-26's pound PisaPorta Nuova area, scoring especially clamaging hits
in M/Ys. B-17's hit Bolzano M/Y. B-24's hit Pordenone M/Y and T/Os at
Vicenza. B-17's of 2 gps fail to locate tgts due to bad weather, and
many ftrs ticketed for escort duty fail to rendezvous with llBs in
the overcast skies.
12/25/43
Fourteenth AF
2 B-25's claim heavy damage to passenger ship S of Hong Kong.
12/25/43
Fifth AF
Cape Gloueester is subjeeted to almost around the clock air attacks
by 180-plus B-24's, B-25's, B-26's, and A-20's. A-20's attack
Japanese forces in Arawe area where Allied outposts and observation
posts are being pushed back by fierce enemy assaults on beachhead.
12/25/43
Thirteenth AF
A few B-24's, fighting bad weather, attack Rabaul area, eoneentrating
on Lakunai A/F. Covering ftrs claim 13 airplanes shot clown. 2 P-38's
are lost.
12/25/43
Seventh AF
10 A-24's from Makin, supported by P-39's, attack Mille, hitting
runway, ammunition storage, and an AA position.
12/26/43
Norwegian Sea
British Home Fleet units sink battleeruiser Scharnhorst off North
Cape.
12/26/43
Twelfth AF
Weather limits operations to uneventful rcn flights.
12/26/43
Fifteenth AF
B-26's bomb M/Ys at Prato, Empoli, and Pistoia.
12/26/43
Fifth AF
US 1st Marine Div lands at Cape Gloucester at 0746. 270-plus B-25's,
B-24's, and A-20's plaster the area between the Cape and Borgen Bay
from 0714 to 1614. Enemy aircraft attacking the landing force sink a
destroyer and cause considerable damage to other ships, but P-38's,
P-40's, and P-47's claim over 60 airplanes shot down over the
invasion area.
12/26/43
Thirteenth AF
7 B-25's, with 34 ftrs, attack Cape Saint George area. 25 B-25's
pound bivouac and supply area at Kahili. B-34's on rcn bomb Chivaroi
and Faisi.
12/26/43
Seventh AF
16 B-24's, staging through Tarawa, bomb Wotje. P-39's fly rcn and
strafing missions over Mille.
12/27/43
Twelfth AF
B-25's attack vessel near Zara. A-36's attack tgts in Italy, hitting
factory and railroad at Anagni, harbor and railroad facilities at
Civitavecchia, bridge at Pontecorvo, and several gun positions and
vehicles.
12/27/43
Fifteenth AF
B-26's hit viaducts at Zoagli and Recco and attack, but fail to hit,
M/Y at Poggibonsi.
12/27/43
Fourteenth AF
10 P-40's strafe buildings on Pailochi A/F and sink nearby river
boat. 2 locomotives N of Yoyang are also destroyed. 4 P-40's bomb Phu
Tho A/F, and strafe A/F at Dong Cuong. 36 Japanese airplanes attack
Suichwan A/F, destroying 1 B-25, the alert shack, and 3 fuel dumps.
US interceptors claim 4 of the attackers shot down. 1 P-40 is lost.
12/27/43
Fifth AF
A-20's attack positions in Cape Gloucester battle zone. B-25's hit
villages and tracks from Rottock Bay to Riebeck Bay and strafe barges
along New Britain's S coast. B-24's bomb A/F at lloskins. B-25's bomb
Madang and hit coastal tgts along Huon Peninsula. B-24's bomb
Alexishafen. P-47's strafe road near Bogia.
12/27/43
Thirteenth AF
20-plus B-25's bomb .seaplane anchorage at Buka, xtrafe AA guns SE of
Ramandata, bomb Kahili supply dumps, and attack Kieta bivouac and
other tgts in the area. A few B-34's hit barges at Ambitle and Anir
IY. 16 P-38's join 70-plus Navy dive bmrs in strikes on Buka AA
positions. About 40 Allied ftrs sweep Rabaul area, claiming 17
aircraft shot down.
12/28/43
Eighth AF
20th Ftr Gp (P-38) becomes operational, making a total of 11
operational ftr gps in Eighth AF. VIII FC has flown over 17,500
sorties and destroyed more than 200 aircraft. VIII BC is charged with
forming and trg special organization (Radio Counter Measure Unit) to
use radio countermeasures against enemy defenses. 24 specially
equipped HBs, contributed by both US and British forces, are to
operate in spt of both night and day raids.
12/28/43
Twelfth AF
B-25's, A-20's, and A-36's, in coordination with MA CAF HRs and MBs
operating against tgts in Rome area, bomb landing grounds at
Ciampino, bridge at Roccasecca and road and railway to the E of town,
ships and harbor at Civitavecchia, and railway sidings W of
Frosinone. P-40's hit harbor at Anzio and comm in Pontecorvo and
Atina areas.
12/28/43
Fifteenth AF
15th Combat Mapping Sq (attached to Fifteenth AF from Mediterranean
Allied Photo Rcn Wg) begins operations, carrying out rcn of area from
France to Greece and thus providing Fifteenth AF with rcn of its tat
system. Over 100 B-26's hit Guidonia and Centocelle A/Fs and railroad
bridges N and S of Orvieto. A like number of B-17's and B-24's bomb
Rimini M/Y and, on return flight, hit bridge over Foglia R at Pesaro
and road-raiway intersection S of town. 17 B-24's dispatched to hit
Vicenza M/Y are attacked by about 50 ftrs before reaching tgt. 10 of
the unescorted HBs are lost. Several B-24's salvo bombs over tat area
and, in the fierce battle, claim 18 ftrs shot down.
12/28/43
Fourteenth AF
4 B-25's and 4 P51's attack Yangtze R shipping at Chihchow. 1 cargo
ship is claimed sunk, 2 others damaged, and an armed motor vessel set
aflame. 7 P-40's bomb building on railroad siding at Yun-chi.
12/28/43
Thirteenth AF
14 B-24's bomb supply areas at Bonis. 22 B-25's hit Kahili supply
area. Another large fir sweep of Rabaul area results in claims of
more than 20 airplanes shot down."
12/28/43
Seventh AF
15 B-24's from Funafuti and Canton Is, staging through Baker and
Tarawa, hit Maloelap, Mille, and Majuro. 18 A-24's from Makin, vvith
escort of 20 P-39's, attack Mille. This attack is followed by another
against the atoll carried out by 9 B-25's from Tarawa, supported by
12 Makin-based P-39's."
12/29/43
Twelfth AF
P-40's hit vessel on N side of Peljesac Peninsula and railway station
at Anagni. A-36's attack railway station at Ferentino, harbor and
railroad yard at Civitavecchia, and truck park near Aquino.
12/29/43
Fifteenth AF
B-26's attack M/Y and bridge at Certaldo, M/Ys at Poggibonsi and
viaduct at Bucine, and bridge in NW part of Orvieto. B-17's blast
M/Ys at Ferrara and Rimini.
12/29/43
Fourteenth AF
4 P-40's on armed rcn strafe railroad station, yards, and town area
at Hsipaw, hit numerous freight cars between Hsipaw and Mansam Falls,
and attack railroad yards at Hopong. 3 B-25's on shipping sweep along
Yangtze R claim a cargo vessel and an armed passenger ship sunk SW of
Wuhu.
12/29/43
Fifth AF
120-plus B-24's, B-25's, and B-26's pound positions at Cape
Gloucester as US Marines take major objective, the A/F. B-25's hit
Madang. B-24's bomb bivouac and comm tgtx near Sio, and other B-24's
fly light attack against Manokwari, hitting town and shipping.
12/30/43
Eighth AF
658 HBs, escorted by P-51's and P-38's, attack oil plant at
Ludwigshafen. 23 HBs are lost on mission.
12/30/43
Ninth AF
About 100 B-26's bomb Saint-Omer A/F and V-weapon sites on French N
coast. About 100 others abort missions because of bad weather.
12/30/43
Twelfth AF
B-25's bomb Zara, hitting junction, railway station, repair shops,
warehouse, and harbor. A-20's hit Atina. P-40's and A-36's spt ground
forces, hitting tgts in Chieti-Miglianico area. Vessels are hit at
Crkvice, railway sidings near Frosinone, gun positions near Arce and
W of Minturno, and town areas of Sant' Elia Fiumerapido, Ferentino,
and .Atina are bombing."
12/30/43
Fifteenth AF
B-17's bomb M/Ys at Rimini and Padua. 2 HBs are lost on the Rimini
mission. The HBs and escorting P-38's and P-47's claim destruction of
9 ftrs during air battles in Padua-Vicenza area, off coast E of
Ravenna, and S of Aquila. B-26's hit Borgo San Lorenzo M'Y and
viaduct, M /Y at Viareggio, and road junction near Roccasecca.
12/30/43
Tenth AF
20 B-24's pound Monywa, hitting railway facilities and the area in
general.
12/30/43
Fourteenth AF
8 Japanese ftrs strafe Suichwan A/F while 12 others provide cover. 2
US airplanes are destroyed on the ground. 8 P-40's intercept the
formation after the attack and shoot down 3 aircraft.
12/30/43
Fifth AF
A-20's hit positions in Cape Gloucester area as US Marines completely
secure A/F. B-24's and B-25's bomb Alexishafen and Madang areas, Sio,
and T/Os along coast of Huon Peninsula. P-39's strafe barges along
Huon Peninsula. P-47's strafe Madang area and huts between Sio and
Vincke Pt.
12/30/43
Thirteenth AF
16 B-24's and 35 B-25's bomb Kahili and bivouac and supply areas in
the vicinity. 19 B-24's, with 25 ftrs covering, attack shipping at
Ftabaul and also hit Tobera A/F. The escorts encounter aggressive ftr
opposition and claim 12 shot down. 6 B-25's bomb Korovo area.
12/30/43
Seventh AF
17 B-24's, flying from Tarawa, bomb Kwajaleill. 9 B-25's from Tarawa
hit town of Jabor on Jaluit Atoll. A-24's from Makin, escorted by 24
P-39's, divebomb gun positions on Mille. Adv HQ, Seventh AF, is moved
from Funafuti to Tarawa, where it remains until completion of main
campaign in Gilbert and Marshall Is.
12/31/43
Eighth AF
Almost 500 HBs attack tgts in France and off French coast. Tgts
include a blockade runner, industries at Paris, and A/Fs at Bordeaux,
Cognac, Saint-Jean-d' Angely, La Rochelle, and Landes de Bussac. 25
airplanes are lost to AA fire and ftrs. Total bomb tonnage dropped by
the Eighth in Dec, 13,142 tons, for the first time exceeds that
dropped by RAF BC.
12/31/43
Ninth AF
Around 200 B-26's bomb V-weapon sites in French coastal area.
12/31/43
Twelfth AF
P-40's and Spitfires of AAF, RAF, RAAF, and SAAF, strike inf and
heavy arty around Tollo, Orsogna, Miglianico, Ripa, and Teatina in
spt of British Eighth Army. A-36's bomb town of Formia and hit gun
positions.
12/31/43
Fifteenth AF
154th Tac Rcn Sq is transferred from XII Trg Cmd to Fifteenth AF for
purpose of flying weather rcn, a duty presently being handled by a
P-38 unit called Fifteenth AF Weather Rcn Det (and by some B-26's of
3 MB gps which are transferred to Twelfth AF after this date).
Personnel and equipment of the 154th Tac Rcn Sq and the Weather Rcn
Det are subsequently integrated, and the unit is redesignated the
154th Tac Rcn Sq (Weather). Operations are limited to weather rcn.
12/31/43
Fourteenth AF
25 B-24's pound Lampang railroad yards, causing several big fires and
many secondary explosions. 6 B-25's hit Yangtze R shipping in Anking
and Lu-Kuan areas, claiming 3 cargo vessels and a troop carrier sunk.
2 others on sea sweep damage passenger vessel in Hainan Straits.
12/31/43
Fifth AF
A-20's hit troop concentrations in Cape Gloucester area. Nearly 50
P-40's and P-47's intercept small force of airplanes attacking Arawe
beachhead area. 12 aircraft are claimed shot down. Almost 150 HBs and
MBs pound Madang, Alexishafen, and Bogadjim areas.
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