05/01/44
Eighth AF
More than 500 HBs are dispatched on an early morning mission to
attack 23 V-weapon sites in Pas de Calais area. Bad weather causes
many aborts. 129 of these HBs manage to attack V-weapon sites at
Marquise/Mimoyecques, Watten, and Bois de l'Enfer and A/Fs at Paix,
Montdidier, and Roye/Amy. In afternoon raid 328 B-17's and B-24's
bomb M/Ys at Troyes, Reims, Sarreguemines, Metz, Liege, and Brussels.
05/01/44
Ninth AF
The last of the 11 bomb gps (8 medium and 3 light) of IX BC becomes
operational. 450 B-26's and A-20's attack numerous M/Ys and
industrial tgts in France and Belgium.
05/01/44
Twelfth AF
MBs attack bridges at Albinia Station, NW of Chiusi, in and near
Grosseto, near Monte Molino, Calafuria, and at Pontedera. Also
attacked are viaduct at Monte Catellana and M/Ys at Florence/Campo di
Marte and Florence, with particularly good results at Florence. LBs
hit ammo dump at Fara in Sabina. P-40's and P-47's hit rail tracks in
Rome area, Priverno station, guns N of Anzio, dumps at Frascati,
stations at Colleferro and Frosinone, tracks at Orbetello and
Orvieto, bridge and tunnel N of Todi, road in Canino, dump and
factory at Stimigliano, vessels E of Piombino, factory E of Cecina,
bridge approaches at Grosseto and Arezzo, dump at Grosseto, and
tunnel at Rignano sull 'Arno.
05/01/44
Tenth AF
18 P-38's and A-31's hit troop positions and supply dumps. 7 P-40's
over Mogaung Valley hit Kamaing and attack positions N of Nanyaseik.
30-plus B-24's bomb Maymyo, Mandalay M/Y, and oil facilities at
Yenangyaung.
05/01/44
Fourteenth AF
32 P-40's hit tgts over wide areas of S China, Burma and Indochina.
The FBs knock out bridge at Wan Lai-Kam, pound motor pool at Wan
Pa-Hsa, and strafe railroad station and A/F at Yuncheng, damage 3
bridges and hit numerous boxcars at Bac Le, Dinh Ca, and Dong Mo, and
bomb carbide mines at Loc Binh. Dong Dang and Na Cham railroad yards
are also strafed. 7 B-25's and 8 P-40's bomb Tangyang A/F and nearby
cav post. 2 B-25's over Amoy claim a small freighter sunk. 15 enemy
airplanes bomb airstrips at Ankang and Hengyang.
05/01/44
Fifth AF
180-plus MBs, LBs, and ftrs pound Wewak and Hansa Bay areas
throughout the day. Numerous coastline tgts are hit, including A/Fs,
vehicles, comm, villages, AA positions, bivouacs, supplies, barges,
and offshore islands. B-24's of Thirteenth Air TF hit Woleai and
Eauriprik Is.
05/01/44
Thirteenth AF
24 B-24's over Borpop area attack coastal guns. 40-plus FBs and more
than 30 Navy dive bmrs pound Vunakambi Plantation. 38 P-39's, flying
18 different missions, hit a variety of tgts on SW Bougainville,
including missions at Tinputs, Koromira, and Tsimba, Hongorai R
crossing, Numa Numa bridge, and huts at Aravia and Kunapaupau.
05/01/44
Twentieth AF
By this date all 4 VHB fields in Chengtu area are open to B-29
traffic.
05/01/44
Seventh AF
Shore-based AF Forward Area (TF 59) is activated to control all Army,
Navy, and Marine shore-based aircraft in the C Pacific forward area.
The cmd is headed by Gen Hale, former CG of the Seventh. B-25's from
Makin bomb Jaluit.
05/01/44
Eleventh AF
A single weather sortie is flown."
05/02/44
Eighth AF
50 B-24's bomb V-weapon installation at Saint-Pol/Siracourt.
05/02/44
Ninth AF
More than 250 B-26's and A-20's bomb M/Ys at Busigny, Valenciennes,
and Blanc-Misseron. Over 400 P-47's and P-51's divebomb A/Fs and M/Ys
in France and the Low Countries."
05/02/44
Twelfth AF
Attacks against rail lines and bridges in N Italy continue. MBs bomb
approach to bridge in N Oriveto, bridges in S Ficulle and in
Marsciano, and M/Ys in Florence/ Campo di Marte and W and NW
Florence. LBs hit ammunition dump NE of Rome. P-40's and P-47's hit
rail lines N of Rome, bridges SW of Rome, guns N of Anzio, road at
Montefiascone, road bridge at Cecina, trucks and planes at Malignano
landing ground, and several other dumps, roads, and rail lines in N
Italy.
05/02/44
Fifteenth AF
More than 250 B-24's, most with ftr escort, attack La Spezia dock and
harbor installations, M/Ys at Castel Maggiore and Parma, railroad
bridges at Faenza and Orbetello, and several T/Os. Over 300 other HBs
are forced to abort because of weather.
05/02/44
EAC
TCC, until this date a major subordinate component of EAC, is placed
under Third Tac AF, another EAC component.
05/02/44
Tenth AF
24 A-31's hit villages nd defensive positions near Buthidaung.
05/02/44
Fourteenth AF
3 B-24's claim 2 freighters sunk in S end of Formosa straits.
05/02/44
Fifth AF
140-plus A-20's and FBs it bridges, barges, gun positions, roads,
personnel, supplies, huts, and tent areas from Wewak to Hansa Bay
throughout the day. 2 B-25's bomb A/Fs at Wewak and Boram. 8 others
it Wakde I oil stores, huts, AA positions, trucks, and other T/Os.
A/F on Biak I is bombed by 2 B-24's.
05/02/44
Thirteenth AF
22 P-39's bomb village N of Kieta, airstrip and buildngs of Koromira
and Rigu Missions. P-40's also hit Kieta area. Ftr sweeps over Rabaul
area continue. FBs hit Vunakambi Plantation supply rea with
incendiaries. B-25's pound Talili area.
05/02/44
Seventh AF
B-24's, staging through Eniwetok from Kwajalein, bomb Truk during the
night. During the day B-25's based at Makin hit Jaluit and Wotje,
using Majuro as a shuttle base to rearm between strikes. B-25's from
Engebi pound Ponape.
05/03/44
Eighth AF
47 B-24's bomb Vweapon site at Wizernes.
05/03/44
Twelfth AF
B-25's and B-26's pound railway bridges at Monte Molino, Orvieto, and
Taggia, bridge approaches at Ficulle and Imperia, and Ventimiglia
M/Ys. A-20's attack ammo dumps. P-40's and P-47's attack rail lines,
bridge, dump, guns, and building in battle area and score 4 direct
hits on observation post S of Cassino; vessels and docks at
Civitavecchia and Montalto di Castro, and road bridges and rail lines
in the area; town of Fondi and rail lines and bridges nearby; railway
bridges at Foligno, Sant'Elpidio a Mare, and Grosseto; viaduct at
Terni; and numerous vehicles, dumps, railroads, vessels, and other
tgts in battle areas and in N Italy."
05/03/44
Tenth AF
18 A-31's again hit defensive positions near Buthidaung. 12 B-25's
and 40-plus A-31's hit Kohima and Kalewa. 28 FBs pound ammo dumps and
other supplies at Mohnyin and N of Nanyaseik.9 P-38's hit A/Fs in
Meiktila area. 7 P-40's attack Lakatkawng and spt ground forces in
the area.
05/03/44
Fourteenth AF
7 CACW B-25's bomb Mihsien town area and also hit numerous vehicles
and troops NE of Mihsien, between Yochou and Hsuchang, at Chihsien
and N of Yenling. The MBs also strafe town of Hsiang-cheng. 4 B-26's
and 8 P-40's pound storage area at Tangyang A/F. 10 CACW P-40's score
11 direct hits on bridge over the Yellow R NW of Chenghsien, and
destroy 15 trucks and many troops between Loyang and Luchou. 10 other
P-40's on armed rcn sink 3 sampans near Cat Ba I, knock out bridge at
Bac Le, damage another at Kep, and pound Na Cham railroad yards.
05/03/44
Fifth AF
72 B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's thoroughly blast Wewak and Boram A/Fs
in a single raid. About 120 A-20's, B-25's, and FBs, operating
throughout the day, hit Wewak and Hansa Bay areas, including tgts at
Nubia, Uligan, Mushu I, Wewak, and Boram. A/Fs at Maffin Bay is
bombed by B-25's.
05/03/44
Thirteenth AF
8 P-39's bomb buildings at Monoitu. 17 others, in the course of 6
missions, hit T/Os, including Japanese-occupied huts and buildings at
Toiemonapu, Tinputs, and Sisiruai, and bivouacs at Tarlena, Ratsua,
and Mawareka. 24 B-25's bomb Kulon Plantation and a personnel
concentration to the NE. Allied ftr sweeps over N Solomons and the
Bismarcks continue. P-40's returning from New Britain area bomb
Pororan.
05/03/44
Seventh AF
B-25's from Kwajalein bomb Wotje while others, based at Makin, strike
both Jaluit and Wotje, using Majuro as a rearming base between raids.
05/04/44
Eighth AF
851 B-17's and B-24's (13 combat wgs) take off to bomb industries at
Brunswick and Berlin. Because of thick cloud conditions less than 300
HBs proceed and these are forced to abandon mission over the Low
Countries. 48 B-17's manage to attack Bergen/Alkmaar A/F during
withdrawal.
05/04/44
Ninth AF
More than 170 B-26's and 36 A-20's bomb gun emplacements and other
military tgts at Etretat/Sainte-Marie-Au-Bosc, Etaples, Le Treport,
Ault, Fecamp, and Ouistreham.
05/04/44
Twelfth AF
Main effort again is against lines of comm. MBs hit bridges, tracks,
and M/Ys. P-40's, A-36's, and P-47's hit rail lines in and around
Priverno, guns and radar station N of Anzio, railroad cars, rail
lines, and bridge in Orte-Attigliano and Orte-Narni areas, motor
transport and stores E of Frascati, M/Ys at Colleferro and Follonica,
and trucks and personnel on Fondi-Pico road. Vessels at Leghorn and
numerous railroad tgts at scattered points are attacked.
05/04/44
Tenth AF
12 A-31's bomb Kaladan while a single B-24 bombs Akyab. 12 B-25's
damage bridge at Kalemyo and bomb Tiddim, while 24 A-31's hit Kohima.
24 B-24's bomb Mandalay M/Y and barracks and general area at Maymyo.
2 P-51's knock out bypass bridge near Shweli.
05/04/44
Fourteenth AF
8 P-40's hit gun positions at Pailochi. 2 B-25's strafe 12 sampans
between Hong Kong and Luichow Peninsula, killing many soldiers on
board.
05/04/44
Fifth AF
26 B-24's of Thirteenth Air TF bomb Mokmer A/F. 60-plus B-24's,
B-25's, A-20's, and P-47's pound A/Fs, road, bridges, shipping,
barges and other tgts in Wewak area. A-20's attack bridges over Awar
R and T/Os in Hansa Bay area while FBs hit T/Os in Ramu R Valley and
on Hansa Bay coast.
05/04/44
Thirteenth AF
24 B-25's bomb Talili Bay area. 43 FBs hit Vunakanau A/F. Allied ftr
sweeps over the Bismarcks continue. 38 P-39's, flying 18 missions,
hit several tgts on Bougainville, including buildings at Sovele,
Tinputs, Reboine Bay area, Monoitu, and in area N of Taki. T/Os in
Koromira area are also attacked.
05/04/44
Seventh AF
12 B-25's, based at Makin, pound Jaluit and Wotje, using Majuro as a
shuttle base for rearming between the strikes. 39 B-24's from
Kwajalein and Eniwetok hit Ponape.
05/05/44
Eighth AF
33 B-24's bomb Vweapon installation at Sottevast.
05/05/44
Ninth AF
Gen Wood assumes cmd of IX AFSC."
05/05/44
Twelfth AF
A-20's bomb supply dump W of Albano Laziale. XII TAC A-36's, P-47's,
and P-40's fly 24 missions cutting rail lines N and NE of Rome, and
hitting guns N of Anzio beachhead and N of Gaeta, and a dump near
Frascati. Bridges at Orvieto and W of Lake Bolsena are damaged by
direct hits, a barge at San Stefano al Mare is hit, several trucks
destroyed or damaged, rail lines are cut in several places near Sesti
Bagni, and airplanes are hit at Canino landing ground. DAF P-47's ut
tracks S of Pisa.
05/05/44
Fifteenth AF
465th Bomb Gp (B-24) becomes operational, making total of 20 HB gps
operational in Fifteenth AF. 640-plus B-24's and B-17's (the largest
force of HBs disatched by Fifteenth AF to date) attack M/Y at Ploesti
and troop conentrations and town area at Podrorica. Ftrs fly over 240
sorties in spt.
05/05/44
Tenth AF
18 A-31's hit concentrations SE of Buthidaung. 15 P-38's hit tgts
along Tiddim road while 40-plus A-31's pound gun positions, camps,
villages, and supply dumps SW of Bishenpur and at Kalewa. 3 B-25's
bomb Thayaung A/F area. More than 80 P-40's, P-51's, A-36's, and
B-25's carry out spt of ground forces, hit gun positions and supply
dumps, attack troop concentrations, and blast numerous T/Os
throughout the Mogaung Valley. 11 A-31's bomb Naba and vicinity while
3 B-25's and 6 FBs hit ammo dump N of Mohnyin. 12 P-38's bomb large
warehouse E of Monywa. 6 B-24's lay mines in harbor off Koh Si Chang
I.
05/05/44
Fourteenth AF
11 B-24's bomb docks and shipping at Haiphong. 14 P-40's damage
bridges at Hsenwi and Wan Pa-Hsa and hit barracks and destroy several
trucks at Kentung. 8 B-25's and 23 FBs attack warehouse area at
Chiuchiang, causing large fires. 25 CACW B-25's and P-40's thoroughly
pound Sinyang M/ Y and storage area. 10 P-40's sweep road from Loyang
to Juchou, claiming 40-50 vehicles and numerous troops destroyed.
05/05/44
Fifth AF
B-24's bomb Mokmer A/ F while B-25's hit supply areas at Wakde I and
along coast of Maffin Bay. A-20's and FBs again pound tgts around
Wewak and along coast of Hansa Bay, hitting supply and personnel
areas, warehouses, and occupied villages.
05/05/44
Thirteenth AF
24 B-25's bomb gun positions at Buka. 34 P-39's hit various tgts on
Bougainville and Buka, including buildings at Porton, Chabai, and
Kohiso, pillbox at Pau I, and road near Tsundawan. Supply area at
Chabai is bombed by 12 other P-39's. P-40's bomb buildings at Kieta
and at nearby Rigu Mission. Ftr patrols continue over N Solomons and
the Bismarcks.
05/05/44
Seventh AF
During 4/5 May B-24's from Kwajalein stage through Eniwetok and bomb
Truk. During the day B-25's from Eniwetok strike Ponape, and 10 from
Makin hit Jaluit and Wotje, using Majuro as rearming base between the
attacks.
05/06/44
Eighth AF
70 B-24's bomb V-weapon site at Siracourt. Over 90 others, scheduled
to attack similar installations at Sottevast and La Glacerie, fail to
bomb because of total overcast at tgts.
05/06/44
Ninth AF
76 B-26's and A-20's dispatched to attack coastal defenses abort
mission because of weather.
05/06/44
Twelfth AF
A-20's pound storage area at Itri. A-36's hit rail lines in Viterbo
area. P-40's hit guns, tracks, and railroad station in and around
Frosinone, and rail lines, stations, roads, and town area in and near
Itri, Colleferro, and Sezze. P-47's hit Certaldo M/Y and numerous
railroad and highway tgts, including several bridges.
05/06/44
Fifteenth AF
About 300 B-17's and B-24's, escorted by P-51's and P-38's, bomb A/F,
aircraft factory, and M/Y at Brasov.
05/06/44
Tenth AF
24 A-31's continue pounding positions near Buthidaung. 14 B-25's bomb
Indainggyi, destroy Sibong bridge, and damage road at Hpaungzeik.
40-plus A-31's bomb troop concentrations NE of Palel and hit
Thaungdut area. 90-plus P-40's, A-31's, P-51's, and B-25's attack
wide variety of tgts throughout Mogaung Valley. 18 FBs and 6 B-25's
spt ground forces at Mawlu while 3 B-25's and 4 P-51's hit positions
at Nalong.
05/06/44
Fourteenth AF
61 P-40's and 5 B-25's attack tgts throughout S China and Indochina.
Numerous vehicles and troops are destroyed in Hsiangcheng, Loyang,
and Luchou areas. 8 boxcars are destroyed and 70 more damaged between
Thanh Moi and Bac Le and between Phu Lang Thuong and Lang Son. A
barge is sunk at Campha Port and numerous sampans and small craft
sunk or damaged at Cat Ba I. Main buildings at Nanchang mines are
destroyed, Sienning bridge is damaged, and several railroad cars and
vehicles are destroyed near Puchi. 14 B-25's and 28 FBs pound A/F and
surrounding area at Hankow.
05/06/44
Fifth AF
B-24's bomb Penfoei and Biak I. 150-plus B-25's, A-20's, and FBs,
operating almost continuously throughout the day, blast a variety of
tgts from Wewak to the shores of Hansa Bay. B-24's of Thirteenth Air
TF again bomb Woleai.
05/06/44
Thirteenth AF
24 B-25's and 12 P-39's pound the Talili Bay area. 37 P-39's and 19
P-40's attack tgts in Porton area.
05/06/44
Seventh AF
B-25's from Makin and Kwajalein hit Wotje and Jaluit. B-24's, staging
through Eniwetok, escort Navy airplanes on photo rcn of Guam. The
B-24's bomb Guam from 20,000 ft, scoring hits on 2 A/Fs and a town
area and proceed to Los Negros to prepare for return flight. The HBs
claim 4 interceptors shot down."
05/07/44
Eighth AF
549 B-17's bomb city of Berlin, 167 B-24's bomb industrial center of
Osnabruck, 145 B-24's strike industrial area of Munster, and around
30 other HBs bomb various T/Os in Germany in morning raids. During
the afternoon 19 B-24's bomb M/Ys at Liege and 9 bomb T/Os. This is
the first day in which over 900 Eighth AF HBs attack tgts and the
second time in which over 1,000 are airborne on a single-day's
operations. 9 bmrs are lost.
05/07/44
Twelfth AF
Weather remains poor and precludes MB operations. A-20's hit dump SW
of Albano Laziale. FBs hit comm, especially roads, with excellent
results. Roads, motor transports, trains, gun positions, bridges,
tracks, M/Ys, harbor areas, and other tgts are attacked in areas
around Stimigliano, Vetralla, Viterbo, Bracciano, Anzio, Manziana,
Acquapendente, Civitavecchia, Terracina, Rome, and Elba I.
05/07/44
Fifteenth AF
420-plus B-17's and B-24's bomb M/Ys in Bucharest. 62 P-51's escort
HBs to tgt and 53 provide withdrawal escort. 84 P-38's and P-51's fly
tgt cover. 38 B-17's attack bridge at Belgrade.
05/07/44
Tenth AF
35 A-31's pound area around Bishenpur. 15 P-38's hit Kangaung area. 4
P-40's hit T/Os along road from N of Nanyaseik to Kamaing. 4 B-24's
lay mines in Gulf of Siam off Sattahib.
05/07/44
Fourteenth AF
4 B-25's hit vehicle concentrations W and NW of Hsiangcheng and bomb
town of Chiahsien, and 4 P-40's destroy at least 25 trucks between
the 2 towns. 8 P-40's destroy or damage 40-60 trucks, tanks, and
other vehicles during road sweeps from Loyang to Yenshih and from
Yehhsien to Paofeng. 8 P-40's strafe forces and equipment E of
Luchou, while 4 hit railroad T/Os at Lang Son.
05/07/44
Fifth AF
B-24's, B-25's, and P-40's hit Urarom, Biak I, HollandiaWakde coast,
and Sawar-Maffin Bay area. A-20's, B-25's, and FBs again attack T/Os
from Wewak to area around Hansa Bay and strafe villages along Sepik
R.
05/07/44
Thirteenth AF
15 B-25's, hampered by bad weather, attack coastal gun on Cape
Friendship and bomb W coast of Rantan I. 70-plus P-39's, P-38's, and
P-40's bomb numerous tgts throughout Buka and Bougainville, including
shipping and supply area at Chabai and Tsirogei, huts at Hiru Hiru,
near Tonu, and at Monoitu, and bridges W of Haigi and on Miwo R.
05/07/44
Seventh AF
B-24's, staging through Eniwetok, bomb Truk during 6/7 May. B-25's
from Engebi hit Ponape during the following day. Makin-based B-25's
bomb Jaluit and Wotje.
05/08/44
ETO
Gen Eisenhower sets D-Day for Normandy invasion as 5 Jun. Date
subsequently will be changed to 6 Jun.
05/08/44
Eighth AF
During the morning 378 B-17's bomb Berlin, 287 B-24's and 49 B-17's
strike aircraft factories near Brunswick, and 29 HBs attack
Brandenburg and scattered T/Os in the area; 36 bmrs are lost on these
raids. In afternoon 52 B-17's bomb 1 V-weapon site at Sottevast, 29
B-17's bomb sites at La Glacerie, and 56 B-24's bomb M/Ys at
Brussels, with 5 HBs being lost in these afternoon operations.
05/08/44
Ninth AF
About 450 B-26's and A-20's bomb M/Ys, coastal defenses, bridges,
A/Fs, and V-weapons sites in France and Belgium.
05/08/44
Twelfth AF
FBs hit roads and railroads N of Rome, supply dump N of Anzio
beachhead, and station at Colleferro. Numerous trucks and railroad
cars are destroyed and many troops killed. Attacks against rolling
stock on Rome-Orte rail line are especially effective.
05/08/44
Tenth AF
12 A-31's continue attacks on sector SE of Buthidaung. 9 B-24's and 9
B-25's bomb Moirang and a village to the N, causing considerable
damage including the destruction of a road bridge. 12 P-38's hit
Kangaung A/F.
05/08/44
Fifth AF
B-24's and P-40's operating in Geelvink Bay area attack Mokmer A/F
and nearby shipping. A-20's and FBs continue to pound T/Os along NE
New Guinea coast from Wewak to Hansa Bay and along Sepik R.
05/08/44
Thirteenth AF
FBs pound Tobera A/F and strafe T/Os in the area. 2 sqs of B-24's
bomb gun positions at Sohano I and Hahilia while 30-plus P-39's and
P-40's hit areas around Porton, Tsimba, Tarara, Kieta, Numa Numa,
Tsirogei, and at several other points. B-25's blast coast near Banin,
hit Sohano I, and bomb A/F areas at Bonis and Buka.
05/08/44
Seventh AF
B-25's from Engebi strike Ponape while Makin-based B-25's pound
Jaluit and Wotje, using Maj uro as a shuttle base between strikes.
B-24's that landed at Los Negros after Guam strike on 6 May return to
the Marshalls, bombing Ponape en route.
05/09/44
Eighth AF
A total of 797 B-17's and B-24's bomb A/Fs at Saint Dizier Robinson,
Thionville, Juvincourt-etDamary, Laon/Athies, Laon/Couvron, Lille,
Nivelles, Saint-Trond, and Florennes; and M/Ys at Liege, Thionville,
and Luxembourg. This is start of an offensive against A/Fs, set
within a month of Normandy invasion so that the GAF will not have
time to recover before D-Day."
05/09/44
Ninth AF
The 367th and 406th Ftr Gps become operational, bringing the ftr gp
total of the Ninth AF to 18. over 40 MBs attack M/Ys, railway
batteries, coastal defense batteries, bridges, and NOBALL sites in
France.
05/09/44
Twelfth AF
B-26's hit Incisa in Valdarno railroad bridge and viaduct while
A-20's attack fuel dumps. FBs again blast roads and railroads and
other tgts at various locations N of Rome, including Lake Bolsena,
Civitavecchia, Colleferro, Civita Castel-lana, Orte, and San Giovanni
Valdarno.
05/09/44
USSR
Soviet Army captures Sevastopol.
05/09/44
Tenth AF
20-plus A-31's continue attacks on Buthidaung area, hitting troop
concentrations and supply dumps. More than 100 A-31's, P-51's, and
B-25's hit positions and occupied areas at Moirang, Kanglatongbi,
Myothit, and SE of Palel, and severely damage bridge over Uyu R near
Nawngpu-awng. Mogaung Valley tgts, including tgts in spt of ground
forces near Kamaing, are pounded by more than 60 B-25's, A-36's,
P-51's, and P-40's. 9 P-51's hit troops and gun positions at Mawlu
and Namkwin and hit Nalong area. 3 B-24's blast barracks area at
Nagorn Sawarn while 3 P-51's hit Anisakan A/F, destroying or damaging
20-plus trucks, 2 airplanes, and a locomotive. 8 B-24's lay mines in
Moulmein area, 2 others make diversionary strike on Martaban, and 5
mine Mergui waterfront.
05/09/44
Fifth AF
More than 50 B-24's and B-25's bomb Langgoer and Faan airstrips, and
Bosnik supply area and Mokmer A/F. 220-plus A-20's and FBs continue
to blast numerous T/Os along NE New Guinea coastline from Wewak to
Hansa Bay area. 12 B-24's of Thirteenth Air TF bomb Woleai.
05/09/44
Thirteenth AF
33 FBs pound A/ F at Lakunai. Ftr sweeps over New Ireland and New
Britain continue. On Bougainville 30-plus P-39's and P-38's hit
barges in Porton-Chabai area, huts at Kieta, and ammo dump S of
Aitara Mission. 10 other P-38's and 12 B-25's bomb Bonis A/F and
nearby T/Os in Buka Passage.
05/09/44
Seventh AF
During 8/9 May B-24's stage through Kwajalein to bomb Truk.
Makin-based B-25's hit Wotje and Jaluit, using Majuro as a rearming
point between attacks.
05/10/44
Ninth AF
About 300 MBs attack M/Ys, A/Fs, and NOBALL tgts in France and
Belgium. P-47's and P-51's dive-bomb tgts in NW Europe for the sixth
straight day. Bad weather causes large number of aborts.
05/10/44
Twelfth AF
Weather permits MB operations for first time in several days. B-25's
hit bridges near San Giovanni Valdarno, Orvieto, and Monte Molino,
and Terni viaduct. B-26's attack bridges W of Arezzo. FBs continue
attacks on roads and railroads N of Rome. Tgts in areas of Avezzano,
Civitavecchia, Furbara, Terni, Todi, Orvieto, Manciano, Perugia,
Monte San Savino, and La Spezia, and near Rome are attacked.
05/10/44
Fifteenth AF
485th Bomb Gp (B-24) is declared operational, giving Fifteenth AF its
planned operational strength of 21 HB gps. The 52d Ftr Gp (P-51) also
begins operations with the Fifteenth on this date, making a total of
6 ftr gps. Around 400 HBs attack A/F and industrial complex at
Wiener-Neustadt. Over 200 ftrs provide spt. 19 HBs hit Knin railroad
center. Over 300 HBs are forced to abort due to bad weather which has
halted operations for the past few days. Opposition is fierce against
the Wiener-Neustadt missions. 21 HBs and 1 ftr are lost. US aircraft
claim 50 combat victories."
05/10/44
CBI
In drive to free the Burma Road, Chinese troops cross Salween R on a
100-mi front and attack Japanese positions in N Burma.
05/10/44
Tenth AF
12 A-31's hit Buthidaung area. More than 70 B-25's, A-36's, P-51's,
P-40's, and 10 B-24's blast numerous tgts, concentrating on barracks
and storage in Myitkyina-Mogaung vicinity and also hitting gun
positions and bridges at Kamaing, and railroad siding and buildings
at Mohnyin. 60-plus A-31's hit Kohima and Bishenpur, and damage
bridge near Kalewa. 16 P-38's destroy several aircraft in strikes on
Aungban and Kangaung A/Fs.
05/10/44
Fourteenth AF
P-40's sink 6 large junks and damage several others in Fan Tou Bay,
and destroy several trucks between Wan Pa-Hsa and Mong Ho Pung. 28
P-40's bomb Tengchung town area, strafe nearby truck convoy, damage
bridges at Tingka, Bac Le and Hsenwi, hit power dam at Tasa, bomb
tank and truck dispersal area at Hsiangcheng, and hit 30plus railroad
cars at Lang Giai, Dong Dang, and Na Cham.
05/10/44
Fifth AF
120-plus B-24's, A-20's, and FBs, along with RAAF airplanes, maintain
attacks on T/Os along NE New Guinea coast from Hansa Bay area to
Wewak. 2 B-24's hit Mokmer A/F. 45 B-24's of Thirteenth Air TF bomb
A/F on Eten I and warehouse area at Dublon.
05/10/44
Thirteenth AF
41 FBs attack Tobera A/F. 11 B-25's hit Matupi I. Ftrs on sweep hit
trucks W of Keravat. 4 B-25's bomb Muguai Mission. 61 P-39's (some
back from Tobera strike) and 12 P-40's attack tgts throughout
Buka-Bougainville area, including bridge over Crepers R, supply area
at Mawareka, barge at Chabai, village on Schwarze Pt, pillbox at
Gohi, and general area of Porton Plantations.
05/10/44
Seventh AF
B-24's from Kwajalein bomb Wake during 9/10 May. During the day,
B-25's from Engebi bomb Ponape while Makin-based B-25's raid Jaluit
and Wotje.
05/10/44
Eleventh AF
The Eleventh directs its components to place more emphasis on
photographing and bombing of specific tgts instead of general rcn.
05/11/44
Eighth AF
164 B-24's bomb M/Ys at Mulhouse, Belfort, and Epinal; 24 bomb
secondary tgts of M/Ys at Chaumont; 66 attack Orleans/Bricy and other
tgts of last resort. 5 bmrs are lost in these early afternoon raids.
In late afternoon 2 forces, totalling 549 B-17's, bomb M/Ys at
Saarbrucken, Ehrang, Volkingen, KonzKarthaus, Thionville, Liege,
Brussels/Midi, Brussels/Schaerbeek, Bettembourg, and elsewhere in
Luxembourg. 8 bmrs are lost.
05/11/44
Ninth AF
More than 330 MBs attack A/Fs at Beaumont-le-Roger and
Cormeilles-en-Vexin and M/Ys at Aerschot and Mezieres/Charleville.
Bad visibility and failure to rendezvous with ftrs cause over 100
aborts. This is start of Ninth's participation in AAF pre-invasion
offensive against A/Fs.
05/11/44
Twelfth AF
MBs, hampered by weather, attack Portoferraio, bridges near Orvieto
and Ficulle, tracks at Piombino, viaduct at Poggibonsi, and bridges
at Certaldo and Signa. FBs hit Fondi, rail lines NE of Rome, A/F at
Littoria, rail facilities in Perugia area, barge, harbor area, and
factory in Portoferraio area, and tracks near Castiglione d'Orcia.
Other FBs attack numerous positions along main front as US Fifth and
British Eighth Armies begin assault through the Gustav Line and the
drive toward Rome."
05/11/44
Tenth AF
24 A-31's hit Japanese positions at Labawa and SE of Maungdaw. 36
A-31's hit positions at Kohima and Potsangbam. In Mogaung Valley
70-plus B-25's, A-36's, P-51's, and P-40's, attack Myitkyina and
Pinbaw areas, Sahmaw, tgts NW of Kamaing, gun positions at Nsopzup,
and T/Os along road from Inkangahtawng to Kamaing. 24 P-51's attack
A/F at Meiktila, Anisakan, and Heho, shooting down 13 airplanes in
the area. 14 B-24's pound Maymyo railroad station. 12 B-25's attack
railroad in Shwebo-Sagaing area. 12 other B-25's knock out bridges at
Pyu, Thawatti, Ela, and 7 mi S of Ela.
05/11/44
Fourteenth AF
24 P-40's knock out main bridge N of Mangshih, bomb town area of
Lungchwanchiang, damage radio station on Cat Ba I and destroy several
large junks off shore, and attack power dam W of Cao Bang, buildings
at Dong Dang, and boxcars and oil drums at Lang Giai. 6 B-25's and 24
P-40's (some firing rockets) pound railroad yards and depot at
Sinyang, blast warehouse area 30 mi to the N, and sink a small
freighter, 3 motor launches, and several sampans between Siaokan and
Chienli. 2 B-25's and 4 P-40's hit troops, tanks, and trucks in
YenshihTengfeng-Mihsien area and in Luchou-Hsiangcheng vicinity. 6
P-40's pound supply dumps at Mienchih and 13 P-40's sink at least 5
supply boats on the YanFtze in the Hosueh area.
05/11/44
Fifth AF
130-plus B-24's and B-25's bomb gun emplacements and supply areas on
Wakde and Mokmer A/F and T/Os on Biak. 220-plus FBs, A-20's, B-24's,
and B-25's continue to pound coastal bridges and villages, fuel
dumps, vehicles, gun positions, supply areas, bivouacs, and various
tgts along the shoreline from Hansa Bay to Wewak.
05/11/44
Thirteenth AF
8 P-38's bomb supply-personnel area W of Tobera. 12 B-25's, 12 P-40's
and 3 B-24's hit Vunakanau A/F. Ftrs on sweeps and bombing missions
over the Bismarcks hit various tgts at Kabanga Plantation, Gazelle
Peninsula area, N of Sae R, and at Labout. 70-plus P-39's, P-40's,
and P-38's (flying total of 18 missions) attack variety of tgts,
including piers at Chabai, Ratsua, and Porton, wooded area near
Pipipaia, town of Siruluna, bridge at Tokinotu, and A/F at Buka.
05/11/44
Seventh AF
B-24's, staging through Eniwetok, bomb Truk during 10/11 May. During
day B-25's from Engebi hit Ponape while others, based at Makin, pound
Jaluit.
05/12/44
Eighth AF
800 B-17's and B-24's operating in 3 forces, bomb oil plants, other
industrial tgts, M/Ys, A/Fs, and some unidentified T/Os at Merseburg,
Lutzkendorf, Zeitz, Bohlen, Zwickau, Gera, Chemnitz, and Brux. An
estimated 430 ftrs offer intense opposition. 46 HBs are lost.
05/12/44
Ninth AF
IX TCC carries out EAGLE, a full-scale exercise of the tactics and
techniques of paradrop, glider tow, parapack in resupply, air landing
of supplies, and medical evacuation as a dress rehearsal for the
airborne invasion of Normandy. More than 450 MBs attack coastal
defenses, A/Fs, bridges, railroads and railroad guns, and V-weapon
sites in France and Belgium. Thick haze impedes visibility and causes
many aborts.
05/12/44
Twelfth AF
A-20's blast cmd posts along main battlefront as Allied ground forces
seek to break through Gustav Line. MBs hit concentration near Fondi,
attack forces at Vallecorsa and Pastena, and bomb numerous positions
along main front. FBs pound cmd posts, guns, bridges, road and rail
traffic, and troops along assault front and in rear areas,
concentrating especially on the Monte Cassino Benedictine Abbey and
surrounding area.
05/12/44
Fifteenth AF
Around 730 B-17's and B-24's (largest HB force used by Fifteenth AF
on any day to this time) attack German HQs at Massa d'Albe and Monte
Soratte; town of Civitavecchia; A/Fs at Tarquinia and in surrounding
area; M/Ys at Chivasso, Piombino, Marina di Carrara, Viareggio, and
Ferrara; Orbetello I; Piombino harbor; docks and comm at San Stefano
al Mare; harbor, M/Y, and railroad bridge at Chiavari; La Spezia M/Y
and harbor; and several T/Os. 26 P-38's strafe Piacenza A/F. Other
ftrs fly over 250 sorties in spt of bombing missions.
05/12/44
Tenth AF
24 A-31's hit positions at Labawa and SSE of Maungdaw. 36 A-31's hit
villages around Bishenpur while 4 B-25's strike at Tiddim road NNW of
Tonzang. 50-plus B-25's and FBs knock out railroad bridge at Pinbaw,
pound gun positions and supply area at Myitkyina and hit defensive
positions near Kazu-Tiangsup. 4 B-25's damage Myothit bridge while 8
P-38's bomb Kyaukye. 21 P-51's hit A/Fs at Meiktila and Heho,
claiming 8 interceptors downed. 4 B-25's knock out bridge at Daga
while 2 others bomb camp at Taungbaw.
05/12/44
Fourteenth AF
16 P-40's and 11 B-25's hit several tgts in S China and in Indochina.
Military installations, arty positions, and tank concentrations are
pounded in Yoyang area, a bridge and several trucks are damaged at
Sienning, a naval vessel is attacked at Hong Kong, a radio station on
Cat Ba I is bombed, and railroad yards, supply dump, and river junks
are blasted in Phu Lang Thuong area.
05/12/44
Fifth AF
B-24's bomb Mokmer A/F and attack tgts on Ceram, Amboina and Timor.
A-20's, B-25's and FBs blast villages, coastal bridges and roads,
vehicles, airstrip at Boram, and other tgts throughout WewakHansa Bay
region.
05/12/44
Thirteenth AF
12 B-25's and 20plus P-40's and P-38's pound Tobera airstrip and
nearby personnel areas; some of the B-25's returning from Tobera bomb
Sohano I. 12 P-39's and about 70 Navy SBD's and TBF's sink numerous
barges throughout Rabaul area, especially at Simpson Harbor and
Keravia Bay. Gun positions in Matupi area are also attacked.
05/12/44
Seventh AF
12 Makin-based B-25's bomb Nauru. A single B-24 from Kwajalein bombs
Jaluit.
05/12/44
Eleventh AF
1 B-24 reconnoiters and bombs Matsuwa I installations, concentrating
on the A/F on Tagan Cape."
05/13/44
Eighth AF
689 B-17's and B-24's bomb A/Fs, M/Ys, aircraft assembly plant, and
T/Os at Tutow, Osnabruck, Barth, Sylt I, Stettin, and Stralsund. 12
HBs are lost.
05/13/44
Ninth AF
More than 300 B-26's and A-20's bomb A/Fs, coastal defenses, railway
battery, and V-weapon sites in France and Belgium. P-47's carry out
dive-bombing raids on various tgts."
05/13/44
Twelfth AF
MBs, LBs, and FBs continue to attack lines of comm but devote main
effort to spt of Allied ground forces push against Gustav Line
(French Expeditionary Force with US Fifth Army gains spectacular
breakthrough by fierce assault). A-20's hit cmd post; B-26's damage
Cortona, Certaldo, Signa, and Montepescali bridges; B-25's blast
towns in rear of battleline with good results at Pastena, Pico,
Vallecorsa and Itri; and FBs carry out armed rcn and scheduled
attacks against comm, road and rail traffic, and gun positions along
immediate battleline and in areas around Esperia, Pico, Sant' Oliva,
Pignataro Interamna, Arce, Fondi, Perugia, Todi, Spoleto, Terni,
Orvieto, Chiusi, Rieti, and N of Rome.
05/13/44
Fifteenth AF
HBs continue interdiction in spt of ground forces. 670-plus B-17's
and B-24's, mostly with ftr escort, attack M/Ys at Trento, Bronzola,
Fidenza, Piacenza, Faenza, Imola, Cesena, Modena, Parma, San Rufillo,
Borgo San Lorenzo, Castel Maggiore and Bologna, and hit railroad
bridges at Bolzano and Avisio. Ftrs sweep Bologna-Modena area.
05/13/44
Tenth AF
Nearly 100 P-40's and P-51's over Mogaung Valley hit gun positions,
bridges, spt ground forces (near Nanyaseik), and hit numerous T/Os
throughout the whole valley. 12 A-36's hit positions near Maungdaw.
19 B-25's and 46 A-31's pound several points along road and bomb
troop concentrations at Bishenpur. 30-plus B-24's, B-25's, A-36's,
and P-51's hit Indaw, Taungbaw, and Mohnyin. 11 B-25's bomb Monywa.
05/13/44
Fourteenth AF
19 B-25's hit storage and warehouse areas at Mangshik and Lungling,
bridge at Hsenwi, truck and tank concentrations SW of Loyang, and
town area of Lungling. 39 P-40's hit military installations at Mengta
and Tating, village N of Kaitou bridge at Tingka, and truck
concentration at Yingyangchen."
05/13/44
Fifth AF
B-24's hit dispersal areas on Japen I, supply areas and AA guns at
Bosnik, and A/Fs at Sorido, Namber, and near Moemi R. B-24's and
B-25's hit A/Fs in the Wakde-Maffin-Sawar-Arare area. More than 200
FBs, A-20's, and B-25's thoroughly pound A/Fs, bridges, fuel dumps,
vehicles, villages, AA guns, and supply areas in WewakHansa area.
05/13/44
Thirteenth AF
50-plus P-39's and P-40's attack piers at Ratsua, Porton, Chabai, and
Tarlena. 30-plus other FBs hit various tgts, including supply area SE
of Bonis, town of Chabai, village near Ibu, and huts and villages
along Numa Numa trail. 3 B-25's hit coastal guns at Hahela Mission.
21 B-25's and more than 40 P-39's, P-40's, and P-38's pound supply
areas at Talili Bay. Ftr sweeps over N New Britain and New Ireland
continue. Many T/Os are strafed.
05/13/44
Seventh AF
B-24's, staging through Eniwetok from Kwajalein, bomb Truk during the
early morning hours. Other HBs from Kwajalein bomb Maloelap and
Jaluit. B-25's from Engebi hit Ponape.
05/13/44
Eleventh AF
1 B-25 flies a shipping strike and strafes 2 fishing vessels.
05/14/44
Twelfth AF
Spt for Allied ground assault into Gustav Line continues as aircraft
hit at lines of comm N and NW of Rome and blast tgts in immediate
battle area. MBs claim hits on bridges, bridge approaches, and
viaducts at Chiani, Marsciano, Monte Molino, Castiglione d'Orcia, San
Giovanni Valdarno, Poggibonsi, Tabianello, and Arezzo. A-20's pound
cmd posts in battle area. FBs hit stations, tracks, roads, town
areas, bridges, gun positions, and T/Os in immediate battle area and
in or near Esperia, Terni, Narni, Itri, Terracina, Perugia, Chiusi,
Orvieto, San Giovanni Valdarno, Maranola, and other locations N of
Rome.
05/14/44
Fifteenth AF
Just over 700 B-24's and B-17's attack M/Ys at Vicenza, Padua,
Ferrara, Treviso, Mestre, Mantua, and Piove di Sacco, and A/Fs at
Piacenza and Reggio Emilia. Ftrs fly over 170 sorties in escort. 48
P-38's strafe Aviano and Villaorba A/Fs."
05/14/44
Tenth AF
24 A-31's bomb troops and gun positions at Lahaw. 12 P-38's hit
Tiddim road at Tonzang, causing roadblock. 48 A-31's bomb positions
at Kalewa and S of Bishenpur. 11 P-40's hit bridge and road at Kazu
and railroad shed at Myitkyina. 25 B-25's and P-51's hit troop
positions at Hopin. Meiktila and Heho A/Fs are hit by 20-plus P-51's
and P-38's. The ftrs claim 4 airplanes downed in combat.
05/14/44
Fourteenth AF
60 P-40's and P51's hit trucks at Yoyang, river shipping, boxcars,
and trucks at Pailochi and Sienning, and storage area at Shayang. 20
other P-40's bomb and strafe towns near Mamien Pass, Pingkai and
areas around Mengta and Tating. 6 Japanese bmrs hit Kienow, rendering
A/F temporarily unusable.
05/14/44
Fifth AF
B-24's bomb Bosnik supply areas and Sorido runway. In
Wakde-Sawar-Maffln Bay area, villages and AA positions are pounded by
B-24's and B-25's. FBs, A-20's, B-24's, and B-25's maintain strikes
against A/Fs, bridges, trucks, villages, and other tgts in
Wewak-Hansa Bay area.
05/14/44
Thirteenth AF
23 B-25's bomb Tobera airstrip. 44 FBs pound supply and personnel
areas at Vunakanau. P-39's and P-40's strafe tgts in N and E Gazelle
Peninsula, and ftr patrols over Rabaul area attack several T/Os. In
Buka-Bougainville area, 40-plus P-39's and P-40's bomb Hangan,
Tsirogei, Tokiparo, pier at Kessa Plantation, and near Ibu.
05/14/44
Seventh AF
53 B-24's from Kwajalein and 43 B-25's from Makin join Navy aircraft
in pounding Jaluit.
05/15/44
Eighth AF
38 B-17's attack V-weapon site at Marquise/Mimoyecques while 90
B-24's bomb similar tgt at Saint-Pol/Siracourt.
05/15/44
Ninth AF
45 A-20's and B-26's bomb A/Fs at Creil and Evreux/Fauville, and
Somain M/Y. Over 300 others are forced to abandon missions because of
thick clouds.
05/15/44
Twelfth AF
MBs and LBs again hit comm lines N and NW of the front while FBs in
close spt of Allied ground assault through Gustav Line blast gun
positions, motor transport, ammo supplies, bridges, rolling stock,
and other military tgts in the battle area. The MBs and LBs also hit
harbors and vessels along coasts at Piombino, Talamone, Portoferraio,
and Ancona.
05/15/44
Fifteenth AF
Weather cancels all operations except ftr sweep over Toulon-Marseille
area.
05/15/44
Tenth AF
20-plus A-31's hit gun positions W of Buthidaung and signal center to
the SE. 19 B-25's pound T/Os along Tiddim road while 36 A-31's hit
Moirang. 20-plus B-25's and FBs hit gun positions at Hopin and A/F at
Myitkyina. 17 P-38's attack Heho and Kangaung A/F, claiming 15
aircraft destroyed, most of them in the air. 7 B-24's bomb Myitkyina,
Kalewa, and Mandalay.
05/15/44
Fourteenth AF
B-25's strike Kengluang bridge and hit installations near Wan Pa-Hsa.
P-40's strafe troops near Pingkai, along Mamien Pass, and in the
Mengta area.
05/15/44
Fifth AF
Wewak-Hansa Bay area is again hit by A-20's, B-24's, and FBs. B-24's
and B-25's attack numerous tgts in Wakde-Sawar-SarmiMaffin Bay areas
and on Biak I. Thirteenth Air TF B-24's from the Admiralties bomb
supply and bivouac areas on Mariaon and Tagaulap Is and AA guns on
Woleai and Paliau Is.
05/15/44
Thirteenth AF
24 B-25's and 40-plus P-40's, P-38's, and P-39's, along with TBF's
and SBD's, pound area N of Muguai, and hit Maika area between Muguai
and Ebery's Lease. 40-plus ftrs on sweeps over Bougainville and
Shortland Is attack AA positions, trucks, and huts at several
locations including Kieta, Cape Friendship, and Chabai areas. Allied
ftr sweeps continue over Rabaul area; several T/Os, including a
concentration of barges in Keravia Bay, are hit.
05/15/44
Seventh AF
Operations are limited to photo rcn of Jaluit from Kwajalein.
05/16/44
International
US, UK, USSR, Belgium, Norway and the Netherlands sign agreement
concerning the administration of countries as they are liberated.
05/16/44
Twelfth AF
MBs attack railroad bridges and a tunnel in C Italy. LBs blast guns
in Roccasecca while FBs and ftrs just behind enemy lines seek out
motor transport tgts, crater roads, and hit bridges, harassing the
already strained comm network, while US Fifth Army troops push
rapidly W and NW and British Eighth Army forces push through last
defenses of Gustav Line in effort to isolate Cassino, a joint effort
by British 13 Corps and Polish 2 Corps.
05/16/44
Tenth AF
30-plus A-31's pound Kohima, Moirang, and S of Buthidaung. About 70
B-25's and FBs hit Myitkyina and Hopin areas. 11 B-24's hit Ywataung
and Sagaing M/Ys and town of Akyab."
05/16/44
Fourteenth AF
8 B-24's blast motor pool and warehouse areas at Mangshih.
05/16/44
Fifth AF
Fifth AF aircraft continue to pound a variety of tgts in Netherlands
New Guinea and NE New Guinea. Tgts include A/Fs and supply areas on
Noemfoor and Biak Is, AA guns, supplies, and occupied villages in
Wakde I-Maffin-Sawar coastal area, and bridges, villages, troop
concentrations, and AA positions.
05/16/44
Thirteenth AF
40-plus FBs hit Vunakanau area. Ftrs on sweeps hit barges at
Jacquinot Bay and Mioko Harbour, vehicles at Kurakakaul, Mandres Bay,
and Vunarima, and N of Vunakanau, a small vessel in Mandres Bay, and
a sawmill at Keravat. FBs hit occupied areas at Tunuru, near Kieta,
near Manetai Mission, and at Tinputs.
05/16/44
Seventh AF
Kwajalein-based B-24's pound Wake. B-25's from Makin hit Nauru and
Ponape.
05/17/44
Twelfth AF
Operations continue in spt of Allied ground assault. B-26's bomb road
bridges in immediate battle area with generally fair results. Roads
are blocked in Frosinone. B-25's bomb landing ground at Viterbo while
A-20's bomb cmd post near Valmontone and drop supplies to French
troops on Monte Revole. FBs hit railroads, bridges, trucks, and gun
positions behind and along battle front with good results, destroying
or severely damaging 6 bridges, creating road blocks in towns of
Vallecorsa and Pico, blasting gun emplacements at Cassino, and
hitting numerous T/Os."
05/17/44
Fifteenth AF
More than 450 B-24's and B-17's bomb Piombino and San Stefano al Mare
harbors and shipping in the areas, harbor area and nearby steel works
in Portoferraio, causeway at Orbetello, M/Y at Ancona, and town of
Bihac. P-38's strafe A/Fs at Ghedi, Villafranca di Verona, Modena,
Forli, and Reggio Emilia while other ftrs fly over 130 sorties of
escort duty.
05/17/44
Tenth AF
20-plus A-31's hit positions S of Buthidaung and S of Labawa. An
equal number pound Bishenpur-Moirang area. 18 B-25's bomb Chauk oil
installations while 20 P-38's hit Kangaung A/F. B-25's and FBs fly 90
sorties against Mogaung Valley tgts, hitting T/Os at Kazu and Namti
and bridge at Kamaing, and supporting ground forces in Myitkyina
area.
05/17/44
Fourteenth AF
P-40's spt ground forces at Mamien Pass, hit Japanese positions at
Tatangtzu, damage bridge and several trucks at Shweli, strafe troops
at Luchiangpa, and bomb and strafe horse pack train near Tengchung. 7
B-25's and 13 P-40's pound Shayang barracks area and hit troops and
vehicles NE of Shasi.
05/17/44
Fifth AF
Allied forces land without opposition near Arare after naval
bombardment. Fifth AF B-24's and B-25's hit tgts in general vicinity
at Sawar, Sarmi, and mouth of Orai R. More than 100 B-24's, with P-38
escort, pound AA positions on Bosnik, Sorido, and Mokmer, and supply
areas and A/F on Noemfoor. 120 plus FBs, A-20's, B-25's, and B-24's
continue to hit Wewak-Hansa Bay area.
05/17/44
Thirteenth AF
25 B-25's bomb A/F at Tobera while 43 P-39's, P-40's, and P-38's, in
conjunction with 40-plus Navy dive bmrs, blast Vunakanau area. Ftrs
on sweeps over the Bismarcks hit Nubai R bridge and strafe tgts on
Gazelle Peninsula. 39 FBs hit numerous tgts in Bougainville area,
including Muguai area, bridge N of Numa Numa, barges at Banin Harbor,
and area around Ratsua.
05/17/44
Seventh AF
B-24's from Kwajalein bomb Wake while Engebi-based B-25's hit Ponape.
05/18/44
Twelfth AF
MBs continue to hit rail bridges, bombing farther into the N of Italy
and thus putting more pressure on the strained German comm system.
LBs hit storage areas. FBs continue close spt to Allied ground
forces, hitting town areas, roads, enemy positions, railroads, and
numerous other tgts in battle area, including points in or around
Pico, Pontecorvo, Fondi, Terracina, Ceccano, Pastena, San Giovanni
Valdarno, Perugia, Terni, Spoleto, Sant' Elpidio a Mare, Pedaso, and
N of Rome, as British Eighth Army completes reduction of Gustav Line
in Liri R Valley with capture of Cassino, while US Fifth Army takes
Formia.
05/18/44
Fifteenth AF
Almost 450 B-17's and B-24's, most with ftr escort, attack M/Ys at
Belgrade and Nish and oil refineries at Ploesti. Over 300 other HBs
abandon missions because of bad weather. Ftrs strafe Nish and Scutari
A/Fs.
05/18/44
Tenth AF
12 A-31's bomb Daletme while 36 hit tgts SW of Homalin, S of
Bishenpur, and at Moirang. 140-plus FBs and 6 B-25's pound numerous
tgts throughout Mogaung Valley, concentrating on bridges (at least 4
are knocked out) and spt of ground forces in areas around Myitkyina,
Nanyaseik, Kamaing, Namkwin, Kazu, Lonkin, and Katkyo. 8 B-25's knock
out Mu R bridge and damage Chaungu bridge approaches. 12 P-38's
destroy several airplanes at Shwebo.
05/18/44
Fourteenth AF
6 B-25's and 12 P-40's pound barracks and warehouse areas at
Chienyangi, causing many fires. 30 P-40's spt ground forces in
Salween area, hitting troops and positions at Tengchung, Tatangtzu,
Mamien Pass, and Luchiangpa. 12 B-24's bomb towns of Lungling and
Tengchung. 25 CACW and CAF P-40's attack trucks, armor, and troops at
Chueh-shan and Loning, causing widespread destruction.
05/18/44
Fifth AF
More than 100 FBs, A-20's, B-25's, and B-24's pound T/Os in
Wewak-Hansa Bay area throughout the day. B-24's hit T/Os on Halmahera
I and bomb Bosnik. B-25's hit Larot and Saumlakki.
05/18/44
Thirteenth AF
10 P-39's hit barges off Porton. 40-plus P-38's and P-39's pound
supply area N of Muguai.
05/18/44
Seventh AF
B-25's based at Makin bomb Taroa, rearm at Majuro, and attack same
tgt during return flight to base."
05/18/44
Eleventh AF
Over the Kurils, a B-24 on weather rcn hits a Japanese aircraft and 2
B-25's sink an auxiliary vessel. Another is sunk shortly before
midnight by 2 other B-25's.
05/19/44
Eighth AF
493 B-17's bomb Friedrichstrasse section of Berlin, and 49 bomb port
facilities at Kiel. 273 B-24's hit industrial area at Brunswick. 8
other HBs attack T/Os and last resort tgts in Germany. Enemy
resistance is heavy, and 28 HBs and 20 escort ftrs are lost. US bmrs
and ftrs claim 164 aircraft destroyed."
05/19/44
Ninth AF
About 290 B-26's and A-20's bomb coastal defenses, port area, railway
battery, and NOBALL tgts in France. More than 125 others fail to bomb
because of extremely thick haze. About 300 P-47's divebomb tgts in
France.
05/19/44
Twelfth AF
MBs hit railroad bridges in NC Italy while LBs bomb ammo dump. FBs
continue spt to Allied forces advancing rapidly N and W, blasting
road network in battle area, and hitting motor transport, bridges,
town areas, and T/Os, in areas around San Giovanni Valdarno, Pastena,
Vallecorsa, Terracina, Fondi, Pistoia and elsewhere.
05/19/44
Fifteenth AF
HBs hit comm tgts, ports, and oil storage in NE, C, and NW Italy.
Over 500 B-17's and B-24's hit railroad bridges at Latisana,
Tagliamento, Casarsa della Delizia, and Rimini, M/Ys at Forli,
Faenza, and Bologna, oil storage at Porto Marghera, port and M/Y at
La Spezia, harbor at Leghorn, and harbor and rail installations at
Genoa. Ftrs fly over 250 sorties in spt. These operations are notable
for absence of ftr opposition.
05/19/44
Tenth AF
A-31's again hit various tgts in Arakan area. A-31's fly over 60
sorties against villages S of Bishenpur and gun positions at
Kanglatongbi. A-36's, P-40's, P-51's and a few B-25's fly 140-plus
attack sorties against various tgts in the Mogaung Valley,
concentrating on gun positions in Myitkyina area. 8 B-25's damage
railroad tracks in Myingatha-Saye area and 16 P-38's hit A/F at
Nawnghkio.
05/19/44
Fourteenth AF
31 ftrs spt ground forces in Salween area at Chiangtso, Watien, and
Mamien Pass. 4 P-40's knock out bridge at Shweli, 13 P-40's bomb and
strafe Puchi area, and 16 P-40's and P-38's damage bridge at Tayeh
and hit military installations and other buildings at Yangsin. 11
P-51's bomb village near Anking, causing large explosions and fires.
2 B-24's on sea sweep seriously damage 2 freighters S of Hong Kong.
16 CACW P-40's pound trucks, tanks, and troops in
Ichang-TangyangLoyang area and attack river trafflc at Itu on the
Yangtze R.
05/19/44
Fifth AF
B-24's, A-20's and P-38's hit A/Fs and shipping in Manokwari-Noemfoor
I area. Other B-24's pound beach defenses at Bosnik on Biak I and hit
area between Bosnik and Mokmer. 270-plus A-20's, P-47's, P-38's, and
B-2B's continue to blast Wewak, knocking out radar and radio
stations, and attack T/Os from Wewak to Hansa Bay area.
05/19/44
Thirteenth AF
More than 40 P-39's, P-38's, and P-40's hit Makada I. 16 B-25's bomb
gun positions and supply area at Talili Bay. 20 AAF ftrs and a few
Navy airplanes bomb huts and bridges at Monoitu, Porton, Toborei,
Moisuru, and Tsimba.
05/19/44
Seventh AF
B-25's based at Engebi hit Ponape and B-25's from Makin hit Nauru.
05/19/44
Eleventh AF
A B-24 flies armed rcn over Shimushu and Ketoi Is.
05/20/44
Eighth AF
287 B-17's and B-24's bomb A/Fs, aircraft works, and M/Ys at Orly,
Villacoublay, Reims and Reims/Champagne. Large force of nearly 250
HBs scheduled to bomb at Liege and Brussels is forced to abort
because of dense cloud cover over tgts.
05/20/44
Ninth AF
Around 450 MBs attack A/Fs, coastal defenses, and Vweapon site in
France. About 250 aborts are caused mainly by bad cloud conditions
and failure to rendezvous with ftrs. P-47's dive-bomb tgts in NW
Europe.
05/20/44
Twelfth AF
Weather prevents operations by MBs and LBs. FBs continue to hit comm
and gun positions in battle area. Areas in and around Vallecorsa and
Terracina are hit especially hard. Ftrs maintain patrols and rcn,
destroying or damaging numerous vehicles between Pisa and Pistoia.
05/20/44
Tenth AF
100-plus A-36's, P-40's, and P-51's pound gun positions, attack
bridges, bomb troops, and hit numerous T/Os in areas around
Myitkyina, Kamaing, Nanyaseik, and Nsopzup. 16 A-31's and 2 P-38's
hit tgts in Arakan area, including signal center SE of Buthidaung,
gun positions SE of Maungdaw, and jetty at Akyab. 24 A-31's bomb
positions at Churachandpur. About 40 B-24's and P-51's hit oil
installations at Yenangyaung and Chauk, A/F at Pakokku, and town of
Akyab.
05/20/44
Fourteenth AF
13 B-24's attack convoy S of Hong Kong claiming 2 motor launches sunk
and damaging several larger vessels. 3 HBs are lost at sea. 37 P-40's
hit trucks, armored vehicles, river trafflc, and troops in or near
Shasi, Ichang, Tangyang, Chingmen, Loyang, and Loning. On Salween
front 43 ftrs and 8 MBs spt ground forces and damage bridge N of
Tengchung over Shweli R.
05/20/44
Fifth AF
B-24's, A-20's, and B-25's hit airstrips, revetments, supply areas,
AA positions, and shipping at Manokwari, Noemfoor and Biak Is, and
Mawi Bay. A-20's, B-25's, and FBs continue to pound A/Fs, coastal
villages, bridges, supply dumps, trucks, and various other tgts at
Wewak and from Wewak to shore of Hansa Bay.
05/20/44
Thirteenth AF
22 B-25's, 44 P-39's, P-40's, and P-38's and 30-plus Navy and Marine
aircraft pound AA positions, bivouacs, and supply areas from
Muguai-Ebery's Lease area to Maika area. 24 other P-39's hit barges
in Matchin Bay, AA guns at Sohano I, and bridges at Kieta. 3 B-24's
bomb Tobera runway while 2 B-24's, with Navy ftr escort, attack
barges and a launch NW of Rabaul.
05/20/44
Seventh AF
B-25's from Engebi bomb Ponape."
05/21/44
Eighth AF
99 B-24's bomb V-weapon site at Siracourt while 25 B-17's strike
similar installation at Marquise/Mimoyecques.
05/21/44
Ninth AF
50 B-26's bomb A/F at Abbeville/Drucat. Over 600 P-47's and P-51's
attack railroad rolling stock in France.
05/21/44
Twelfth AF
In NC Italy, MBs are restricted by bad weather but bomb a few bridges
and roads, while LBs hit a bivouac area. FBs continue spt of ground
forces, hitting troops, vehicles, roads, and railroads in or near
battle areas, particularly around Sezze, Ceccano, San Giovanni
Valdarno, and Pontecorvo.
05/21/44
Tenth AF
A few A-31's continue attacks against gun positions in Arakan area.
120-plus P-40's, P-51's, A-36's, and B-25's hit Mogaung, Myitkyina,
Talawgyi-Hokat area, and Kamaing. Gun positions around Myitkyina and
Mogaung are also hit. 21 A-31's hit troop concentrations at Homalin
and score hits on Manipur bridge. A single B-24 bombs NW part of
Mandalay.
05/21/44
Fifth AF
B-24's, A-20's, and P-38's attack A/Fs, town areas, barges, personnel
and supply areas, and fuel dumps at Manokwari, Urarom, along Moemi R,
and on Noemfoor and Biak Is. FBs, A-20's, and B-25's continue almost
constant pounding of supply dumps, camps, AA positions and a variety
of tgts along coast from Wewak to Hansa Bay. Thirteenth Air TF B-24's
bomb Truk.
05/21/44
Thirteenth AF
3 B-24's, 30-plus P-39's and P-40's, and over 40 Navy dive bmrs hit
Vunakanau A/F and nearby plantation. 8 P-38's, followed shortly by
Navy aircraft, bomb Lakunai A/F. More than 40 P-39's, P-38's, and
P-40's fly sweeps over Bougainville. Bridges at Rigu Mission and
Shishigatero are reported demolished.
05/21/44
Seventh AF
53 B-24's from Kwajalein bomb various tgts in Wotje Atoll. 41 B-25's,
based on Makin, follow up with bombing, cannonading, and strafing
attack on the atoll. 8 B-24's stage through Eniwetok, strike Rota,
and rearm at Los Negros.
05/22/44
Eighth AF
Occupancy of all planned Eighth AF stations in Britain is completed
with transfer of A/F at N Pickenham from RAF to the Eighth. Total
stations number 77, including 66 A/Fs, occupied by 82 operational or
HQ units. 269 B-17's bomb shipyards at Kiel and 23 others release
bombs prematurely in Kiel area. 94 B-24's attack V-weapon site at
Siracourt.
05/22/44
Ninth AF
Around 330 B-26's and A-20's bomb A/Fs and other tgts in Cherbourg,
Calais, and Paris areas while a like number of P-47's and P-51's
dive-bomb M/Ys, A/Fs and other tgts in same general areas.
05/22/44
Twelfth AF
332d Ftr Gp is assigned to Fifteenth AF. This move, following a
series of reassignments of ftr gps to Fifteenth AF and to India,
leaves XII FC with only 1 ftr gp. MBs are inactive or abortive except
for a raid on Cave. FBs maintain close spt of the ground adv, hitting
at motor transport, roads, and bridges in battle areas and nearby
points in C Italy, including Terracina, Ceccano, Sezze, Bastia,
points between Rome and Bracciano Lake, and near Balsorano.
05/22/44
Fifteenth AF
As weather again clears, 550-plus B-17's and B-24's concentrate on
comm and military tgts in C and NW Italy, attacking P-49 Pescina,
troop concentrations at Avezzano, port and oil depot at La Spezia,
supply and ammo dumps at Marina di Carrara, port and harbor
installations at Piombino, railroad and highway bridges in Pineto
area, railroad from Ancona to Pescara and N of Pescara, and towns of
Valmontone and Palestrina. Ftrs fly over 200 sorties in escort to
HBs. There is no ftr opposition.
05/22/44
Fourteenth AF
2 B-25's attack large concentration of sampans in Honghai Bay. 2
others heavily damage a 150-ft cargo vessel near Hong Kong. 22 P-51's
pound town of Anking and military area NE of Nanchang. 24 P-40's hit
Sienning area, bombing factory W of town, damaging bridge near town,
and strafing numerous trucks in the vicinity. 23 P-40's hit road and
river traffic in areas around Loyang, Loning, and Itu. 5 P-40's bomb
Yangsin.
05/22/44
Fifth AF
B-24's and B-25's bomb Manokwari, shipping E of Cape Manggoear, and
storage areas and Sorido village on Biak I. P-40's hit supply and
fuel dumps, trucks, and other T/Os in area of Wakde Is. B-24's,
B-25's, and FBs continue to bomb and strafe various tgts in
Wewak-Hansa Bay area.
05/22/44
Thirteenth AF
40-plus P-39's, P-38's, and P-40's hit T/Os in coastal area near
Talili Bay. 24 B-25's pound Mioko I. 40-plus P-39's bomb Bonis supply
area and blast 4 small bridges near Kieta.
05/22/44
Seventh AF
8 B-25's based on Engebi bomb Ponape. Weather cancels other strikes.
05/22/44
Eleventh AF
2 Attu-based B-25's on a shipping strike near Paramushiru bomb and
strafe a picket boat, which is left sinking.
05/23/44
Eighth AF
804 B-17's and B-24's bomb tgts at Hamburg, Saarbrucken, Metz,
Epinal, Bayon, Chaumont, Etampes, Chateaudun, Caen/Carpiquet,
Bourges, Avord, and Orleans/Bricy. Ftr opposition is very light; one
bmr is downed by AA fire.
05/23/44
Ninth AF
In predawn mission 15 B-26's bomb A/F at Beaumont-leRoger. During
afternoon 58 B-26's bomb coastal batteries at Etretat/
Sainte-Marie-Au-Bosc, Maisy, and Mont Fleury. Over 120 P-38's strafe
and bomb rolling stock in C France.
05/23/44
Twelfth AF
MBs abort missions because of weather. LBs hit comm between Cisterna
di Roma and Campoleone. FBs actively spt general offensive of Allied
ground forces in Liri Valley and at Anzio where US and British forces
break out of the beachhead. Ftrs on armed rcn join in the attacks and
numerous enemy vehicles, gun positions, transport routes, and
personnel are hit hard in areas in and around Terracina, Littoria,
Norma, Marcigliana, Fara in Sabina, Borghetto, Arezzo, and Civita
Castellena. M/Y on Empoli-Siena line is hit also.
05/23/44
Fifteenth AF
300-plus B-17's and B-24's concentrate attacks on troop
concentrations and comm in rear of battle area, at Avezzano, Subiaco,
Valmontone, Marino, Nemi and Grottaferrata. P-38's and P-51's provide
escort. Other P-38's, covered by P-47's, strafe A /F at Ferrara.
05/23/44
Tenth AF
Tenth AF"
"12 P-38's bomb Tiddim road and 32 A-31's bomb Kohima, Tiddim, and
Kalewa. 12 B-24's bomb Indaw M/Y and Homalin. 16 P-38's attack
Kangaung A/F. 23 P-40's and 4 A-36's bomb gun positions, troops, and
supply dumps in Myitkyina area.
05/23/44
Fifth AF
B-24's hit Manokwari while B-24's, A-20's, and P-38's hit tgts at
Biak I, including trucks at Borokoe, AA positions and control tower
at Mokmer A/F, village of Sorido, and offshore tgts at Bransfari.
P-40's hit troops on Wakde and on Biri R. P-38's spt ground forces in
Aitape area. A-20's, P-39's, B-24's, and B-25's maintain bombing and
strafing of Wewak-Hansa Bay area.
05/23/44
Thirteenth AF
2 B-24's bomb Tobera, while 32 B-25's and 40-plus P-39's, P-38's, and
P-40's attack gun positions near Rabaul, near Lakunai, and in
vicinity of Tunnel Hill Road. In Bougainville area 51 P-39's and 8
P-40's attack huts, barges, bridges, and other T/Os at several
locations.
05/23/44
Seventh AF
Makin-based B-25's strike Jaluit. B-24's returning from Los Negros,
where they landed after raid on Rota on 21 May, bomb Ponape.
05/24/44
Eighth AF
400 B-24's attack A/Fs at Orly, Melun, Creil, and Poix. 447 B-17's
bomb Berlin while 72 attack T/Os in the area. Enemy opposition is
heavy and 33 HBs are lost.
05/24/44
Ninth AF
More than 450 MBs attack A/Fs, coastal defenses, and Vweapon sites in
France. P-38's and P-47's dive-bomb 4 landing fields in France.
05/24/44
Twelfth AF
MBs, LBs, and Fbs fly numerous sorties in spt of rapidly advancing
ground forces and in attacks against rail lines, bridges, and roads
in NC Italy. MBs hit at least 5 bridges, create several road blocks
and cause havoc in comm to N of battle area. LBs blast bivouac area.
FBs have great success in attacks on motor transports, mainly in
battle area, and in conjunction with British airplanes destroy over
300 and damage as many more.
05/24/44
Fifteenth AF
620-plus B-17's and B-24's attack Avisio viaduct, Atzgersdorf
aircraft components factory, town of Neunkirchen, A/Fs at
Munchendorf, Graz, Wollersdorf, Bad Voslau and Zagreb, and Varazdin
M/Y. Escorting ftrs fly over 250 sorties. Enemy ftr opposition is
especially heavy against Bad Voslau force, downing 6 HBs.
05/24/44
Tenth AF
60-plus A-31's bomb enemy positions in Palel-Chassud area, hit
village near Moirang, and attack truck park beside Tiddim road.
20-plus P-40's in Myitkyina vicinity destroy 3 barracks buildings and
knock out a railway bridge and a machinegun post. A single B-24 bombs
Gwa in Arakan area.
05/24/44
Fifth AF
A-20's hit A/Fs at Namber and Kamiri. More than 200 A-20's, P-38's,
P-47's P-39's, and B-25's continue to blast T/Os in WewakHansa Bay
area throughout the day.
05/24/44
Thirteenth AF
In Rabaul area 19 P-38's, P-40's, and 22 B-25's attack Hospital Point
gun positions. 2 other B-25's hit town of Rabaul. Ftr patrols hit
various T/Os in Rabaul area and S New Ireland. 51 P-39's, P-40's, and
P-38's, and a single B-24, attack various Buka-Bougainville tgts
including Buka A/F, E Bougainville coastal bridges, and Cape Lalahan
radar station.
05/24/44
Seventh AF
B-25's from Makin pound Wotje and Jaluit, using Majuro as a shuttle
base for rearming between the strikes. B-25's based at Engebi hit
Ponape.
05/24/44
Eleventh AF
2 bmrs fly weather and photo rcn over Shimushu and bomb Matsuwa area.
05/25/44
Eighth AF
859 B-17's and B-24's operating in 4 forces bomb M/Ys at Mulhouse,
Troyes, Tonnerre, Belfort, Sarreguemines, Thionville, Metz,
Blainville-sur-l'Eau, Liege, Brussels, Alost, and Charleroi; A/Fs at
Esseyles-Nancy and Bretigny-sur-Orge; and coastal batteries at Fecamp
and Saint-Valery-en-Caux. 2 HBs are downed by AA fire and 2 are lost
to unknown causes.
05/25/44
Ninth AF
Over 225 MBs attack bridges near Liege and A/Fs at Lille/ Nord and
Monchy-Breton. About 250 P-47's dive-bomb various tgts in NW Europe.
05/25/44
Twe1fth AF
Twelfth AF has most active day to date against enemy forces in Italy.
Some MBs continue to pound bridges in NC Italy, damaging several
bridges and viaducts, while others join FBs and LBs in close spt of
ground troops in battle area and behind enemy lines. Motor transport
N and S of Rome and N of Anzio is hit hard by the air attacks. US
Fifth Army achieves a solid front with junction of VI Corps (Anzio
force) and II Corps (advancing along W coast) during the morning near
Borgo Grappa.
05/25/44
Fifteenth AF
340-plus B-17's and B-24's attack M/Y's at Lyon, Carnoules,
Amberieu-en-Buguey, and Givors, while another 250-plus Hbs hit Porto
Marghera oil stores, Monfalcone harbor and shipping, and Piacenza A/F
and dispersal area. P-38's and P-51's fly more than 200 sorties in
spt.
05/25/44
SE Europe
German paratroops attack Marshal Tito's HQ in Bosnia, but Tito and
Maj Randolph Churchill escape to the mountains.
05/25/44
Tenth AF
28 P-38's sweep over Mandalay area. 12 of them hit about 10 railroad
cars near Shwebo, leaving them burning. In the Chindwin area 20
A-31's attack a bivouac and score hits on Manipur R bridge at
Tonzang. B-24's hit tgts in Katha area, 6 of them bombing Indaw and 4
bombing Naba rail junction area.
05/25/44
Fifth AF
B-24's attack shipping at Halmahera and hit Mokmer and tgts in Wakde
area. 90-plus FBs, A-20's, B-25's, and B-24's pound numerous tgts in
Wewak area.
05/25/44
Thirteenth AF
3 B-24's bomb Rabaul, Lakunai, and Rapopo. 8 P-38's hit Vulcan Crater
barge hideout. 12 B-25's, clouded out of Vunakanau, hit Talili Bay
supply area. 15 B-25's, 32 P-39's, and P-40's, and 25 Navy dive bmrs
hit supply areas at Porton. 4 other P-40's hit trucks at Monoitu
Mission. 16 P-39's attack several T/Os, including Cape Lalahan radar
station.
05/25/44
Seventh AF
B-25's flying out of Engebi bomb Ponape.
05/25/44
Eleventh AF
1 Shemya-based B-24 flies rcn and bombing mission in the C Kurils.
Another B-24 aborts due to equipment failure.
05/26/44
Eighth AF
Eighth AF reaches its peak strength in number of ftr gps when 479th
Ftr Gp (P-38) becomes operational. (By end of year all ftr gps except
one will be converted to P-51's)."
05/26/44
Ninth AF
Nearly 400 B-26's and A-20's attack A/Fs at Beaumont-surOise and
Chartres and bridges at Vernon and Poissy. 108 P-47 and P-51 FBs hit
bridge at Oissel and A/Fs at Creil, Cormeilles-en-Vexin and
Evreux/Fauville. P-47's and P-38's dive-bomb tgts in NW Europe.
05/26/44
Twelfth AF
MBs hit railway tgts in Florence area and bomb roads in battle area
with good results. LBs hit Frascati. Other MBs join FBs in assault
against motor transport achieving wide-spread enemy vehicle
destruction, especially on the RomeBracciano road over which enemy is
pouring reinforcements S toward battle area.
05/26/44
Fifteenth AF
Almost 700 B-17's and B-24's attack M/Ys at SaintEtienne, Lyon, Nice,
Chambery, and Grenoble. HBs also hit Var R bridge and troop
concentrations at Bihac. Ftrs escort the HBs and strafe and dive-bomb
A/F at Donji Zemunik.
05/26/44
Fourteenth AF
23 P-40's sink several supply boats on Yangtze R near Shihshow,
strafe troops at Shasi, hit road traffic near Loyang, and strafe
pontoon bridges, supply dumps, and troops at Shanhsien. 7 P-40's bomb
town of Hsing-tzu. 2 B-25's damage a small tanker N of Swatow.
05/26/44
Fifth AF
B-24's bomb Biak I while B-25's hit Wakde I and nearby coastal areas.
Other B-25's bomb a variety of tgts in Aroe Is. 100-plus A-20's,
B-25's and FBs continue to blast coastal region around Wewak.
Villages and gun positions on Hansa Bay are also hit.
05/26/44
Thirteenth AF
24 P-39's and P-40's hit Rabaul area while 12 B-25's bomb supply
areas at Talili Bay. More than 40 P-39's and P-40's hit barges NW of
Ballale I, supply areas and other tgts at Porton, and piers at Ratsua
and Soraken.
05/26/44
Seventh AF
46 B-25's, flying out of Makin, attack Emidj. 9 B-25's from Engebi
fly successful search mission for a downed B-25 crew in the vicinity
of Ponape and Pakin Is. After locating the survivors, later picked up
by Navy destroyer, the MBs attack Pakin and Ponape with cannon and
machinegun fire.
05/26/44
Eleventh AF
2 B-24's off on an armed photo mission over Shimushu turn back due to
mechanical troubles.
05/27/44
Eighth AF
923 B-17's and B-24's bomb M/Ys, aircraft industries, and A/F at
Ludwigshafen, Mannheim, Karlsruhe, Konz-Karthaus, Neunkirchen,
Saarbrucken, Lachen/Speyerdorf, Strasbourg, and Woippy. Coastal
batteries at Fecamp and Saint-Valeryen-Caux also are bombed.
Opposition is heavy and 24 HBs are lost on mission.
05/27/44
Ninth AF
About 690 MBs attack railroad, bridges, and M/Ys in France. P-47's
bomb tgts in NW Europe.
05/27/44
Twelfth AF
MBs concentrate efforts against lines of comm in Orvieto area. A-20's
bomb storage area. FBs pound a much reduced flow of motor transport
behind enemy lines and hit railroads, gun positions, bridges, and
T/Os in and behind battle area, hitting tgts at Subiaco, Sora,
Tivoli, Frosinone, Capena, and Orvieto, W of Bracciano Lake, between
Sulmona and San Benedetto de Marsi, and at several other points.
05/27/44
fifteenth AF
Almost 700 B-17's and B-24's, with P-38 and P-51 escorts, bomb M/Ys
at Avignon, Montpellier-Frejorgues, Nimes, MarseillesBlancarde, and
Marseille-SaintCharles, A/F at Salon-de-Provence, and port of
Razanac.
05/27/44
Tenth AF
15 B-24's bomb Pakokku and Nyaung-u."
05/27/44
Fourteenth AF
24 rocket-firing P-40's hit barracks area W of Sinyang, militay
installations and trucks at Nanchang, and troops, trucks, barracks,
and warehouse area in Puchi vicinity.
05/27/44
Fifth AF
Babo A/F and Biak I are pounded by 170-plus B-24's and B-25's. After
the aerial and naval bombardment, Allied amphibious forces land on
Biak in the Bosnik area, secure beachhead, and gain control of trail
over ridges to inland plateau to the N. About 170 A-20's, P-38's,
P-40's, and B-25's blast Wewak area.
05/27/44
Thirteenth AF
About 200 AAF, Marine, and Navy aircraft (ftrs, dive bmrs, and
B-25's) are sent against gun positions on Hospital Pt. 160plus
aircraft bomb the tgts with more than 90 tons of explosives,
destroying or damaging several of the guns. Other ftrs hit T/Os in
Rabaul area and a barge off SW New Ireland. 4 B-24's bomb Tobera. AAF
ftrs attack beached barges in Chabai area and in Buka Passage, Aku
and Nova Plantation, and bridge over Oamai R.
05/27/44
Seventh AF
24 B-24's from Kwajalein and 52 B-25's from Engebi pound Ponape.
05/27/44
Eleventh AF
2 bmrs fly weather and armed photo rcn and bomb Ushishiru I.
05/28/44
Eighth AF
Almost 900 HBs attack aircraft works, synthetic oil plants, military
vehicle plants and repair depots at Ruhland, Dessau, Cologne,
Merseburg, Zeitz, Konigsberg, Lutzkendorf, Magdeburg, and nearly 30
different T/Os. An estimated 450 ftrs oppose the mission with about
350 concentrating in Magdeburg area. 32 US bmrs are lost.
05/28/44
Ninth AF
Over 600 B-26's and A-20's bomb M/Ys, naval yards, railway bridges,
and V-weapon sites in France and Belgium. 8 aircraft are lost. P-47's
dive-bomb several tgts in same general area.
05/28/44
Twelfth AF
MBs hit bridges, viaducts, and railroad lines at several locations in
C Italy, including Narni, Cortona, Terni, Ladispoli, Torrita di
Siena, Magnano, Recco, Arezzo, Rapallo, Vado, Bucine, and Castiglion
Fiorentino. LBs hit ammo dump while FBs continue close spt to
advancing ground forces, encountering considerably less enemy motor
transport behind lines because of the heavy attrition of recent days.
Many roads, railroads, and bridges are hit as well as numerous other
tgts along the battlefront which now stretches from W coast SW of
Carroceto to the NE almost to Valmontone, then SW to just above
Sezze, and from there rambles E to NE to E coast below Pescara.
05/28/44
Fifteenth AF
More than 100 B-24's bomb Genoa harbor and Vercelli M/Y. P-38's fly
ftr sweeps against A/Fs in Kurilovec area and vehicles, comm lines,
and T/Os in Knin-Bihac-Banjaluka area.
05/28/44
Tenth AF
10 B-24's pound Kalemyo while 3 B-25's hit Tiddim road. 50-plus FBs
and a few B-25's hit various tgts at or near Mogaung, Myitkyina,
Hopin, and Sahmaw. 76 FBs and 24 B-25's bomb M/Ys at Namma and Katha,
hit several tgts in Mohnyin-Hopin area, and bomb railroad between
Naba and Namma.
05/28/44
Fourteenth AF
14 P-40's in spt of ground forces in Salween area strafe oil storage
at Hsiangta, bomb and strafe Watien area, and destroy 1 bridge and
damage another on Shweli R N of Tengchung. 2 B-25's sink a patrol
boat and damage another near Saint John I.
05/28/44
Fifth AF
In spt of ground forces on Biak I, B-24's and B-25's hit villages,
supply areas, troop concentrations, and gun positions on Biak,
Noemfoor, and Japen Is. A-20's, B-25's, and FBs blast troop
concentrations, AA positions, and supply dumps in Wewak area. A-20's
supporting ground forces in heavy fighting in Sarmi area, hit
positions with minimum-level strikes. B-24's bomb Boela. Thirteenth
Air TF B-24's bomb A/F on Woleai.
05/28/44
Thirteenth AF
3 B-24's, followed by 23 B-25's and 12 P-38's, blast A/F at Lakunai.
33 P-39's and P-40's join 40-plus dive bmrs in strike on Tobera
airstrip. 5 MBs hit Namatanai supply and personnel area. FBs hit
Tsun-dawan supply area, huts and buildings at Gohi, Nova, and
Monoitu, suspected barge hideout near Tonolai, and AA guns at Ballale
I.
05/28/44
Seventh AF
29 B-25's stage from Eniwetok, bomb Jaluit, and land at Makin. B-24's
from Eniwetok bomb Saipan and Guam. Those bombing Guam turn S to Los
Negros to rearm while the others return to Eniwetok. B-25's flying
from Engebi bomb Mille. HBs escort Navy photo planes over the
Marianas.
05/28/44
Eleventh AF
2 B-24's fly rcn and drop bombs on Shimushu and Matsuwa. 1 B-25 and
P-38's fly guardship coverage mission, 2 other B-25's fly a negative
anti-shipping sweep.
05/29/44
Eighth AF
881 HBs attack synthetic oil plant at Politz, A/Fs at Hohn and
Schneidemuhl, A/F and aircraft assembly plant at Tutow, and aircraft
factories and assembly plants at Leipzig, Cottbus, Sorau, Krzesiny,
and Poznan. 34 HBs are lost on misslon.
05/29/44
Ninth AF
Over 450 B-26's and A-20's bomb A/F, M/Ys, railroad bridges, coastal
battery, and NOBALL tgts in France and Belgium. Over 200 P-47's bomb
tgts in same area.
05/29/44
Twelfth AF
B-25's bomb rail bridges near Bucine and at Poggibonsi and Lisciano.
B-26's hit viaducts at Terni and near Stifone, railroad junction and
M/Y at Terentola, Castiglion Fiorentino bridge, the Voltri shipyards,
and a bridge nearby. A-20's hit troops in bivouac and bomb supply
dump. FBs continue to blast motor transport between battlelines and
Rome. Transports evacuate over 400 wounded from Anzio area.
05/29/44
Fifteenth AF
829 B-17's and B-24's (largest number of Fifteenth AF HBs completing
attacks in a single day up to this time) bomb A/Fs and aircraft
factories at Wollersdorf, Wiener-Neustadt, and Atzgersdorf, and
attack A/Fs, troops, and supply concentrations at Zegar, Zavalje,
Prijedor, Bosanski Novi, Knin, Banjaluka, Drvar, Livno, and Basanska
Krupa. P-38's and P-51's escort the Austrian missions while P-38's
accompany the HBs to Yugoslav tgts and afterwards strafe numerous
T/Os. Ftr opposition over Yugoslavia is negligible but around 150
ftrs attempt interception over Austria, principally in
Wiener-Neustadt area. 23 US aircraft are lost. HBs and ftrs claim
over 60 ftrs shot down.
05/29/44
Tenth AF
27 B-25's and 40-plus FBs pound troops and positions at Bhamo and
Mohnyin, railroad at Mogaung, and warehouses at Sahmaw.
05/29/44
Fourteenth AF
7 B-24's pound areas along Burma Road, 3 bomb town of Wanling, and 2
attack convoy of Hainan, claiming a 250-ft freighter sunk. 26 P-40's
and P-38's attack troops at Lushan, pound barracks and demolish 7
trucks at Yuanchu, bomb and strafe general area at Nanchang, and
destroy several buildings along Hsiang R N of Changsha.
05/29/44
Fifth AF
B-24's pound gun positions, defense areas, and troops, as first tank
battle of SWPA is fought W of Parai on Biak I. Other B-24's pound
A/Fs on nearby mainland at Timoeka and Babo. A-20's, B-25's, and
P-47's, along with RAAF airplanes and a few HBs from the Biak strike,
saturating Wewak area with continuous air strikes. In WakdeSarmi
battle zone, B-25's and P-40's hit forces in Mount Saskin area.
B-24's of Thirteenth Air TF bomb Woleai and other nearby islands in
the Carolines.
05/29/44
SOPAC
Gen Moore, USMC, takes over as COMAIRSOLS.
05/29/44
Thirteenth AF
Almost 100 B-25's, P-38's, P-39's, and a variety of Navy airplanes
pound the Rabaul area, with AAF aircraft concentrating on Nordup
supply area and the others concentrating on Hospital Pt AA positions.
24 P-39's and 16 P-40's blast occupied areas W of Tinputs Harbor and
at Arigua Plantation."
05/29/44
Seventh AF
Operations are restricted to photo missions over Wotje, Mille, and
Jaluit.
05/29/44
Eleventh AF
At dawn 2 B-25's photograph and bomb Shimushu and Matsuwa
(secondary). During early afternoon 2 B-25's escorted by 4 P-38's
strafe, bomb and sink a patrol boat in the Kurils. Later 4 other
B-25's unsuccessfully attack 2 vessels off Shimushu.
05/30/44
UK
Loading of assault forces for OVERLORD begins.
05/30/44
Eighth AF
911 HBs operating in 6 forces attack aircraft factories, A/Fs, and
depots at Dessau, Oschersleben, Halberstadt, Rotenburg, Zwischenahn,
Oldenburg, Diepholz, and Handorf; M/Ys at Brussels, Troyes, and
Reims; V-weapon sites at Watten and Siracourt; and various T/Os.
05/30/44
Ninth AF
Over 320 MBs attack A/Fs at Denain/Prouvy and Mantes/ Limay, and
highway bridges at Meulan and Rouen. Nearly 400 P-47's dive-bomb tgts
in NW Europe.
05/30/44
Twelfth AF
B-26's and B-25's destroy or damage 10 bridges, bridge approaches,
and viaducts which affect supply routes to battlefronts across C
Italy. LBs and FBs blast motor transports and gun positions in battle
area and hit tgts in and around towns in the area, including
Guidonia, Ariccia, Alatri, and Veroli. Transport airplanes evacuate
wounded from Nettuno.
05/30/44
Fifteenth AF
Nearly 500 B-17's and B-24's attack A/F and aircraft factory at Wels,
factories at Pottendorf, Neudorfl, and Neunkirchen and M/Y at Zagreb.
P-38's and P-51's provide escort. Many of the ftrs strafe T/Os in
areas around Zut, Brod, Susak, Bihac, Medak, and along Karlovac-Livno
road.
05/30/44
Tenth AF
9 B-25's attack railroad between Namma and Hopin. B-25's and FBs fly
100 sorties against railroad tgts, hitting tracks, rolling stock,
stations, and bridges in vicinities of Mogaung, Myitkyina, Hopin, and
Loilaw. Imphal-Tiddim road is bombed by 3 B-24's.
05/30/44
Fourteenth AF
48 ftrs spt ground forces in Mamien Pass-WatienChiangtso area. 31
supply airplanes drop food and ammo to friendly forces in Mamien Pass
area. 13 B-25's damage Wan Pa-Hsa bridge and bomb town of Lungling,
destroying 6 warehouses and starting several big fires. 8 P-51's hit
railroad T/Os on sweeps from Peking, Chengting, Pingting, Linfen, and
Puchou. 16 P-38's and P-51's dive-bomb installations at W end of
Nanchang bridge, causing much damage. 5 B-25's and 12 P-40's strafe
troops, supplies, and occupied strongpoints at Loyang and at several
locations along Yangtze and Yellow Rivers. Japanese air strikes on
Hengyang and Liangshan A/Fs destroy 4 US airplanes, damage several
others, and blow up a fuel dump.
05/30/44
Fifth AF
B-25's hit enemy positions as fighting on Biak I slacks temporarily.
Other B-25's bomb A/F and nearby AA guns and fuel at Timoeka. B-24's
and A-20's hit Japen I. In Wakde-Sarmi battle area, B-25's bomb and
strafe shoreline from NW of Sawar to Sarmi Pt. Wewak area is again
blasted by 70-plus A-20's, B-24's, and B-25's, along with RAAF
aircraft. Thirteenth Air TF B-24's hit Truk Atoll, Woleai, and
Puluwat group.
05/30/44
Thirteenth AF
23 B-26's bomb personnel areas NE of Tobera. 40-plus P-38's, P-40's,
and P-39's bomb supply dump near Ratawul. 33 P-39's and 8 P-40's
demolish bridges at Kirinani and over the Siaibai R. Log ramp over
Miwo R is damaged and road between Puriata R and Kiaraba is hit. The
FBs also attack Buka runway, Chabai barge anchorage, and Soraken
supply area.
05/30/44
Seventh AF
B-25's from Engebi bomb Ponape, which is also hit by B-24's returning
from shuttle base at Los Negros. 2 forces of B-24's from Kwajalein
strike Truk and Wake.
05/30/44
Eleventh AF
1 B-25 and 2 P-38's fly guardship cover.
05/31/44
Eighth AF
371 HBs attack M/Ys at Schwerte, Hamm, Osnabruck, Geseke, and
Roosendaal; A/Fs at Luxeuil-les-Bains, Gilze-Rijen, and Florennes;
and 5 bridges in France. The mission against the bridges, using
radio-controlled bombs, is unsuccessful. 6 combat wgs sent to bomb
A/Fs, M/Ys, and factories in France are recalled because of bad
weather. 79 P-47's using dive bombing and 'Droopsnoot' (ftr equipped
with bombsight) tactics attack Gutersloh A/F. 35 P-38's, unable to
locate primary tgt of Lingen A/F, bomb A/F NE of Rheine, believed to
be Hopsten.
05/31/44
Ninth AF
About 200 B-26's bomb lock and highway bridges at Bennecourt,
Courcelles-sur-Seine, and Rouen.
05/31/44
Twelfth AF
MBs of 43d and 57th Bomb Wgs give close spt to ground forces in
fierce fighting S of Rome, hitting numerous troop concentrations,
roads and town areas, including points in or near Albano Laziale,
Genzano di Roma, Ariccia, Frascati, Civitella Roveta, Subiaco, Cave,
Nettuno, and Grottaferrata. XII TAC A-20's and FBs blast tgts in same
general area, hitting troops bridges, supplies, guns, and vehicles at
or near Rocca di Papa, Ariccia, Marino, Frascati, Grottaferrata,
Lanuvio, Montalto di Castro, and Manciano. C-47's evacuate casualties
from Anzio.
05/31/44
Fifteenth AF
480-plus B-17's and B-24's bomb oil refineries and comm tgts in
Ploesti area. Ftrs fly over 200 sorties in spt. 15 HBs are lost to
flak and ftrs. Over 40 enemy airplanes are shot down.
05/31/44
Tenth AF
12 B-25's hit Tiddim road while 36 A-31's hit supply dumps, villages,
and gun positions in the Ukhrul-Moirang area. 130-plus B-25's,
A-36's, P-51's, and P-40's hit troops, defensive positions, arty
emplacements, boats, railroad facilities, and villages in
Myitkyina-Mogaung area, buildings at Tahona, river boats at Lonkin
and Kamaing, docks at Bhamo, railroad cars at Namti, and positions NW
of Mohnyin. 21 other B-25's and FBs pound the Bhamo town area and
A/F. 10 B-24's bomb Ye-u, demolishing several buildings.
05/31/44
Fourteenth AF
51 P-51's and P-40's pound shipping along the Yangtze, claiming
direct hits on 5 small ships. 16 P-51's and P-40's bomb Kweiyi and
Yoyang and installations on river to the S. 10 P-38's bomb bridge and
warehouse area at Nanchang. 12 P-40's bomb Pingkiang. 4 B-25's bomb
Hankow A/F, Pailochi, and motor convoy at Yoyang. 6 other B-25's
knock out bridge at Kengluang. 13 B-24's pound town of Lungling,
causing big fires, while 14 B-24's, supported by P-40's blast
warehouse area at Lashio. 4 P-40's destroy several aircraft during
strafing runs on Linfen and Hohsien A/Fs."
05/31/44
Fifth AF
B-25's and A-20's hit Babo area, bomb A/F near Ransiki R, cover
beachhead on Biak I, and attack fishing boats on shore of Japen I.
P-47's and B-25's pound villages, barges, and gun positions in
WakdeSarmi battle area. B-24's, P-39's, and RAAF airplanes continue
to hit Wewak and Hansa Bay areas.
05/31/44
Thirteenth AF
12 P-38's bomb Vulcan Crater barge hideout. 22 P3P-39'sand 12 P-40's
blast supply dumps near Ratawul. 33 B-25's pound Rabaul truck
concentrations, wharf area, and NE section of town. 5 B-25's bomb
T/Os along NW New Ireland coast. P-39's bomb several tgts, including
Soraken, Arigua, and several barges and vehicles.
05/31/44
Eleventh AF
During the morning 2 B-25's and 4 P-38's fly guardship cover. A bmr
flies a weather mission while another reconnoiters and hits Buroton
Bay.
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