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03/01/44
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.
03/01/44
Ninth AF
IX TCC establishes Pathfinder school to provide pre-invasion trg in
all navigational aids.
03/01/44
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 offlcer 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 offlcially 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.
03/01/44
Fifteenth AF
For the 6th consecutive day, bad weather forbids all operations
except rcn missions.
03/01/44
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.
03/01/44
Fourteenth AF
14 B-25's and 16 P-40's pound military zone in NE part of Nanchang.
03/01/44
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.
03/01/44
Thirteenth AF
B-24's bomb Kahili. P-38's hit Ballale and Buka. P-39's bomb and
strafe Monoitu Mission.
03/01/44
Seventh AF
A-24's and P-40's from Makin hit Jaluit and Mille while B-25's pound
Maloelap.
03/01/44
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.
03/02/44
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.
03/02/44
Ninth AF
353 B-26's attack NOBALL tgts, Tergnier, and Amiens/Glisy and
Rosieres-en-Santerre A/Fs in morning and afternoon missions.
03/02/44
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.
03/02/44
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.
03/02/44
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.
03/02/44
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.
03/02/44
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.
03/02/44
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.
03/02/44
Seventh AF
B-24's from Makin and Abemama bomb Ponape and Kusaie. B-25's bomb
Maloelap.
03/02/44
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.
03/03/44
US
Roosevelt announces that the Italian Fleet will be divided equally
among US, UK, and USSR.
03/03/44
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.
03/03/44
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.
03/03/44
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."
03/03/44
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.
03/03/44
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."
03/03/44
Fourteenth AF
P-40's damage coal grading building at Campha Port.
03/03/44
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.
03/03/44
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.
03/03/44
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.
03/03/44
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."
03/04/44
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.
03/04/44
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.
03/04/44
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.
03/04/44
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.
03/04/44
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.
03/04/44
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.
03/04/44
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.
03/04/44
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.
03/05/44
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."
03/05/44
Ninth AF
217 B-26's attack NOBALL tgts in Saint-Omer-Abbeville area.
03/05/44
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.
03/05/44
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.
03/05/44
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.
03/05/44
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.
03/05/44
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.
03/05/44
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."
03/05/44
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.
03/06/44
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.
03/06/44
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.
03/06/44
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."
03/06/44
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.
03/06/44
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.
03/06/44
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.
03/06/44
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."
03/07/44
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.
03/07/44
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.
03/07/44
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.
03/07/44
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.
03/07/44
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.
03/07/44
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.
03/07/44
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.
03/07/44
Eleventh AF
B-24's and B-25's fly negative search mission for an enemy submarine.
03/08/44
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.
03/08/44
Ninth AF
Over 225 B-26's attack Volkel A/F once and Soesterberg A/F twice in
morning and afternoon missions."
03/08/44
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.
03/08/44
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.
03/08/44
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."
03/08/44
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.
03/08/44
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.
03/08/44
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.
03/09/44
Eighth AF
About 300 B-17's attack Berlin. 158 B-24's bomb other tgts, including
Brunswick, Hannover, and Nienburg areas.
03/09/44
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 gUll 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.
03/09/44
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.
03/09/44
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.
03/09/44
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.
03/09/44
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.
03/09/44
Seventh AF
B-25's based on Abemama attack Taroa I. B-24's from Tarawa hit Ponape
and Kusaie.
03/10/44
Twelfth AF
B-26's bomb Rome/Tiburtina M/Y and unsuccessfully attack Orvieto
railrGad 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.
03/10/44
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.
03/10/44
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.
03/10/44
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.
03/10/44
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.
03/10/44
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.
03/11/44
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.
03/11/44
Ninth AF
61 B-26's bomb Vweapon sites in N France. 53 abort because of weather
and navigational difficulties."
03/11/44
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.
03/11/44
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.
03/11/44
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.
03/11/44
Fourteenth AF
10 P-40's damage 3 barges at Campha Port, hit buildings on Weichow I,
and attack town area at Ha Coi.
03/11/44
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.
03/11/44
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.
03/11/44
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.
03/12/44
Eighth AF
52 B-24's attack V-weapon site at Saint-Pol/Siracourt, using
blind-bombing technique.
03/12/44
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.
03/12/44
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.
03/12/44
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.
03/12/44
Seventh AF
B-24's from Tarawa bomb Mille, Wotje, Maloelap, and Nauru. B-25's hit
Jaluit.
03/13/44
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.
03/13/44
Ninth AF
40 B-26's attack V-weapOn site at Lottinghen/Les Grands Bois. 37
abort due to bad weather.
03/13/44
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.
03/13/44
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."
03/13/44
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.
03/13/44
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.
03/13/44
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.
03/13/44
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.
03/14/44
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.
03/14/44
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.
03/14/44
Fourteenth AF
20 Japanese bmrs hit A/Fs at Hengyang and Suichwan. Surprise prevents
effective interception by Fourteenth AF ftrs.
03/14/44
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.
03/14/44
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.
03/14/44
Seventh AF
B-25's from Engebi bomb Kusaie. B-25's from Tarawa hit Wotje.
03/15/44
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.
03/15/44
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.
03/15/44
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.
03/15/44
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.
03/15/44
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.
03/15/44
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.
03/15/44
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.
03/15/44
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.
03/16/44
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.
03/16/44
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.
03/16/44
Tenth AF
29 A-31's hit Japanese positions in Arakan area. 6 B-25's damage
bridge at Nattalin near Rangoon.
03/16/44
Fourteenth AF
7 P-40's on Yangtze R sweep damage 2 launches near Yoyang and pound
barracks and storage at Sienning.
03/16/44
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.
03/16/44
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, md 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.
03/16/44
Seventh AF
B-25's from Tarawa from Abemama pound Wotje, Ormed I and Mille.
03/16/44
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 bombloads over the tgt area.
03/17/44
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.
03/17/44
Ninth AF
70 B-25's bomb M/Y at Criel-sur-Mer."
03/17/44
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.
03/17/44
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.
03/17/44
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.
03/17/44
Fourteenth AF
5 B-25's bomb and strafe boatyards at Vinh and hit lumber stores and
sawmills at nearby Ben Thuy.
03/17/44
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."
03/17/44
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."
03/17/44
Seventh AF
B-24's and B-25's from Tarawa bomb, respectively, Ponape and Jaluit.
03/17/44
Eleventh AF
3 B-24's fly armed rcn over Onnekotan I before dawn releasing bombs
through overcast.
03/18/44
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.
03/18/44
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.
03/18/44
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.
03/18/44
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.
03/18/44
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.
03/18/44
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.
03/18/44
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.
03/18/44
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.
03/19/44
Eighth AF
172 B-17's attack Vweapon 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.
03/19/44
Ninth AF
152 B-26's and 65 A-20's attack NOBALL tgts in SaintOmer 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."
03/19/44
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.
03/19/44
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.
03/19/44
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.
03/19/44
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.
03/19/44
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.
03/19/44
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.
03/19/44
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.
03/19/44
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.
03/20/44
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."
03/20/44
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.
03/20/44
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."
03/20/44
USSR
Red Army sweeps into Bessarabia.
03/20/44
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.
03/20/44
Fourteenth AF
Photo rcn sorties are flown over C China and NE Burma.
03/20/44
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.
03/20/44
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.
03/20/44
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.
03/21/44
Eighth AF
56 B-24's bomb Vweapon 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.
03/21/44
Ninth AF
All B-26's dispatched to bomb NOBALL tgts in France are recalled
because of bad weather.
03/21/44
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.
03/21/44
Fifteenth AF
Bad weather limits operations to photo and weather rcn missions.
03/21/44
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.
03/21/44
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.
03/21/44
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.
03/21/44
Seventh AF
B-24's from Tarawa hit Mille, Maloelap and Ponape. Tarawa-based
B-25's also pound Maloelap.
03/22/44
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.
03/22/44
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.
03/22/44
CBI
Japanese move into India from Burma, penetrate to 30 mi E of Imphal.
03/22/44
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.
03/22/44
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.
03/22/44
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.
03/22/44
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.
03/22/44
Seventh AF
B-25's from Abemama and Tarawa bomb Mille and Jaluit.
03/23/44
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."
03/23/44
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.
03/23/44
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.
03/23/44
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.
03/23/44
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.
03/23/44
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.
03/23/44
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.
03/23/44
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.
03/24/44
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.
03/24/44
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.
03/24/44
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.
03/24/44
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.
03/24/44
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.
03/24/44
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.
03/24/44
Seventh AF
B-25's from Tarawa bomb Jaluit while others, flying out of Eniwetok,
hit Ponape and Ant Is.
03/24/44
Eleventh AF
3 B-24's fly photo mission over Onnekotan.
03/25/44
Ninth AF
More than 140 MBs attack Hirson M/Y."
03/25/44
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.
03/25/44
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.
03/25/44
Fourteenth AF
6 B-24's from Chengkung bomb motor pool and fuel dump at Mangshih,
demolishing a sizeable portion of the tgt area.
03/25/44
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.
03/25/44
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.
03/25/44
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.
03/25/44
Eleventh AF
2 Shemya-based B-24's bomb Kurabu Cape and N coast of Onnekotan.
03/26/44
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.
03/26/44
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.
03/26/44
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.
03/26/44
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.
03/26/44
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 detroyed at
Nankan.
03/26/44
Fourteenth AF
4 B-25's hit Bakli bay area. 2 merchant vessels are laimed 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.
03/26/44
Fifth AF
220-plus B-24's, B-25's, A-20's, and ftrs hit Wewak, Boram, lape Wom,
Aitape, Hansa Bay coast, Mushu I, and general area along N oast of NE
New Guinea, blasting torage areas, barges, shipping, rounded
airplanes, fuel dumps, and enemy troops. Other A-20's hit Bunaun
Harbor while P-39's hit Madang rea. P-39's and P-40's attack Cape
roskins and troops in Talasea area. On Manus I A-20's hit buildings
and Japanese positions on S shore.
03/26/44
Thirteenth AF
23 B-25's hit Vunakanau A/F and 37 FBs attack upply areas along
Talili Bay. B-25's ontinue to heckle Rabaul area durg 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.
03/26/44
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.
03/27/44
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.
03/27/44
Ninth AF
18 B-26's attack Vweapon 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.
03/27/44
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.
03/27/44
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.
03/27/44
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.
03/27/44
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."
03/27/44
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.
03/27/44
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.
03/28/44
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.
03/28/44
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.
03/28/44
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.
03/28/44
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.
03/28/44
Fourteenth AF
4 B-25's bomb barracks area at Vinh Yen, scoring direct hits on 4
buildings.
03/28/44
Fifth AF
B-24's hit Hollandia and Penfoei."
03/28/44
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.
03/28/44
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 nission from Kwajalein, bomb tgts Lt Truk.
03/29/44
Eighth AF
187 B-17's bomb industrial area of Brunswick. 40 atack T/Os,
including Stedorf and Unterluss. 77 B-24's are dispatched to omb
V-weapon installation at Watten, but malfunction of Pathfinder
equipment and navigational difficulties result in only 31 bombing the
tgt.
03/29/44
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.
03/29/44
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.
03/29/44
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.
03/29/44
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.
03/29/44
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.
03/29/44
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.
03/29/44
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.
03/30/44
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.
03/30/44
Ninth AF
IX Engineer Cmd is formally activated by WD. CG is Gen Newman.
03/30/44
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."
03/30/44
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.
03/30/44
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.
03/30/44
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.
03/30/44
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.
03/30/44
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 Japanese-occupied 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.
03/30/44
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.
03/31/44
Twelfth AF
Weather prevents completion of most Twelfth AF operations. P-47's
carry out sweep N of Rome.
03/31/44
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.
03/31/44
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.
03/31/44
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.
03/31/44
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.
03/31/44
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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