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5/1/45
Eighth AF
Almost 400 B-17's drop food supplies in The Hague and Rotterdam
areas.
5/1/45
Ninth AF
9 A-26's bomb ammo plant at Stod. IX TAC escorts LBs, flies A/F
cover, and patrols Leipzig-Schwarzenberg area. XIX TAC flies patrols
and armed rcn over E Germany, W Czechoslovakia, and Austria,
dive-bombs Berchtesgaden, and operates with US XII Corps which is
advancing SE between the Danube and the Czech border and N into
Czechoslovakia N of Passau, and with XX Corps whose adv elements
speed toward the Inn R at Wasserburg.
5/1/45
Twelfth AF
During 30 Apr/1 May A-20's and A-26's bomb T/Os in N Italy. Bad
weather during the day cancels MB operations. FBs destroy numerous
motor and horse-drawn vehicles in NE Italy. US Fifth Army forces
approach Brenner Pass on Austro-ltalian border, while British Eighth
Army elements make contact with Yugoslav troops of Marshal Tito near
Monfalcone.
5/1/45
Fifteenth AF
Despite bad weather 27 B-17's bomb main station M/Y at Salzburg. This
is the final Fifteenth AF bombing mission of World War II. P-38's and
P-51's fly rcn and rcn escort missions.
5/1/45
Fourteenth AF
During May the Japanese decide to give up their Greater E Asia
Corridor and uithdraw from S China. Fourteenth AF further
concentrates its attacks on rail and road movements and river
shipping and thus plays a major role in critically reducing the
enemy's mobility and supply lines. 2 B-25's and 16 P-51's knock out
bridges near Taiku and Kiehsiu and hit AA positions and locomotives
near the bridges, blast gun emplacements in Loning area, and hit
several locomotives, near Shihkiachwang. Gen VVedemeyer selects Gen
Stratemeyer to cmd AAF China Theater, with both Tenth and Fourteenth
AFs under his cmd.
5/1/45
FEAF
B-25's hit Heito sugar refinery and town of Kagi. FEAF continues to
spt ground forces on Luzon and Negros. B-24's spt Australian landings
on Tarakan I and bomb Tawau. B-25's attack Jesselton, Tarakan,
Sandakan, and Kudat, concentrating on A/Fs.
5/1/45
Seventh AF
16 Guam-based B-24's bomb A/F on Marcus while 10 hit air
installations on Param. During the night 9 more, flying individual
snooper strikes, hit A/Fs on Param and Moen.
5/1/45
Eleventh AF
1 B-24 flies weather rcn over the Kurils.
5/2/45
Eighth AF
Almost 400 B-17's drop food supplies in populated areas in the
Netherlands, mostly at Schiphol and Alkmaar A/Fs, Vogelenzang,
Hilversum, and Utrecht.
5/2/45
Ninth AF
Weather cancels 9th Bomb Div operations. Ftrs fly A/F cover,
defensive-freelance patrols, sweep over Dessau area, and patrol
Straubing-Ingolstadt area and US Third Army front in Austria and
Czechoslovakia. Soviet forces are in complete cmd of Berlin.
5/2/45
Twelfth AF
Bad weather continues. MBs are grounded while XXII TAC flies
uneventful armed rcn in NE Italy.
5/2/45
Fifteenth AF
Bad weather limits operations to 1 weather rcn mission.
5/2/45
Fourteenth AF
5 B-24's mine areas of Yangtze R. 20-plus B-25's and about 130 FBs
attack comm tgts and supply lines and hit a large variety of T /Os
throughout S and E China as the air campaign accelerates with aim of
disrupting imminent withdrawal of Japanese and abandonment of their
Greater E Asia Corridor.
5/2/45
FEAF
B-24's and P-51's pound troops near Ipo Dam while B-25's, A-20's, and
ftrs hit Cagayan Valley tgts. FEAF strikes in spt of ground forces
continue on Luzon and on Cebu I. B-25's continue spt for Australian
troops on Tarakan I and, in conjunction with Navy airplanes, bomb
Kudat A/F.
5/2/45
Seventh AF
12 Iwo-based P-51's strike radio station on Chichi Jima. 12 B-24's
from Guam pound Param A/F while 21, flying in 2 forces, hit A/Fs and
gun positions on Marcus. During 2/3 May 9 more HBs make individual
harassment bombings on Param, Moen, and Tol I.
5/3/45
Eighth AF
390-plus B-17's drop food supplies at Schiphol and Alkmnar A/Fs, and
near Vogelenzang, Hilversum, and Utrecht.
5/3/45
Ninth AF
132 A-26's (on final 9th Bomb Div raid) bomb Stod ammo plant. IX TAC
escorts 9th Bomb Div and C-47's and flies A/F cover. XIX TAC patrols
US Third Army front, flies armed rcn over Germany, Austria, and
Czechoslovakia in frontline areas and around Kiel and Lubeck, and
escorts 9th Bomb Div. XXIX TAC escorts C47's, flies sweeps, and hits
shipping in Kiel-Lubeck area.
5/3/45
Twelfth AF
To assure that the enemy implements surrender terms and to observe
road activity, ftrs fly rcn missions over N Italy and SW Austria. MBs
drop leaflets in several areas where enemy troops might be unaware of
the surrender.
5/3/45
Fifteenth AF
Bad weather again restricts operations to rcn and rcn escort missions
by 20 P-38's and escort of MATAF B-25 leaflet dropping mission in N
Italy.
5/3/45
Tenth AF
With the fall of Rangoon on this date (Indian 26th Div elements
occupy the city), the war against the Japanese in Burma is
successfully concluded. Pockets of resistance remain W of the
Irrawaddy and between that river and the Mandalay-Pegu railway.
However, during May AAF operations are reduced drastically due to
lack of suitable air tgts and because of the onset of bad weather
preceding the monsoon. Tenth AF is withdrawn from combat and moved
back to India (see 15 May 45). 1 sq of P-38's remains in Burma to
patrol the roads leading into China.
5/3/45
Fourteenth AF
9 B-25's and 6 FBs attack truck convoys in Hsiang Valley and near
Paoching, Changsha, and Hengyang, and pound railroad T'Os and bridges
in Taiku, Singtai, and Linfen areas. 90-plus FBs attack troops, town
areas, ammo dumps, river shipping and other T/Os over wide areas of S
and E China.
5/3/45
FEAF
Saigon is bombed by B-24's, which greatly damage a boatyard and oil
storage areas. On Luzon B-24's and P-51's pound Ipo area while A-20's
and ftrs spt ground forces. B-25's continue spt of ground forces on
Tarakan and, with B-24's, carry out small raids against numerout tgts
on Borneo and Celebes. Manggar A/F is heavily hit by B-24's. P-38's
and Navy airplanes hit warehouses in Brunei Bay area.
5/3/45
Twentieth AF
68 B-29's bomb A/Fs at Tachiarai, Miyazaki, Miyakonojo, Kanoya (2),
and Kokubu. 88 other B-29's mine Shimonoseki Strait and Inland Sea.
10 ftrs are claimed destroyed by B-29's on the Tachiarai mission.
5/3/45
Seventh AF
10 Guam-based 1324's bomb A/Fs and T/Os on several islands of Truk
Atoll. During 3/4 May 8 more separately strike Param, Eten, Moen, and
Truk A/Fs.
5/4/45
Ninth AF
No bmr operations. IX TAC flies patrols and armed rcn, XIX TAC flies
patrols and armed rcn and operates in concert with XII Corps assault
on Linz, and with XX Corps which crosses the Inn R and pushes E and
SE. XXIX TAC sweeps Dessau and Wittenberg areas and attacks shipping
in Kiel and Flensburg areas. German forces in the Netherlands, NW
Germany and Denmark surrender.
5/4/45
Twelfth AF
XXII TAC continues flying visual rcn during night and day in N Italy.
US 85th Inf Div reaches Austrian border near San Candido and pushes
on to Brenner Pass at Vipiteno without opposition.
5/4/45
Fifteenth AF
No offensive operations. Activity is limited to rcn missions (with
escort), escort of MATAF leaflet drops in N Italy, and escort of
C-47's on supply dropping missions to Yugoslavia.
5/4/45
Fourteenth AF
12 B-25's and 180-plus FBs, mostly operating in flights of 2 to 4
aircraft, attack tc,wn areas, storage, troops, horses, trucks, river
shipping, A/Fs, and many other T/Os scattered over vast expanse of S
and E China.
5/4/45
FEAF
B-25's bomb Tuguegarao area while other B-25's, A-20's, and FBs, in
spite of bad weather, spt ground forces in N and S Luzon and on
Negros. P-38's pound Itu Aba I. B-24's heavily damage oil insta
llations at Saigon. B-25's and P-38's spt ground forces on Tarakan I
and B-24's hit Sandakan and Kota Baru and bomb Mandai and Masarnba
A/Fs.
5/4/45
Twentieth AF
47 B-29's attack A/Fs at Oita, Omura, Saeki, and Matsuyama.
5/4/45
Seventh AF
22 B-24's from Angaur bomb AA positions on Koror. 11 from Guam hit
A/F on Marcus.
5/4/45
Eleventh AF
Gen Isaiah Davies replaces Gen Johnson as CG Eleventh AF on an
interim basis.
5/5/45
Eighth AF
About 400 B-17's drop food at Schiphol and Alkrraar A/Fs,
Vogelenzang, Hilversum, and Utrecht, in the third food mission to
these locations.
5/5/45
Ninth AF
No Ninth AF operations except tac and photo rcn in forward areas.
5/5/45
Twelfth AF
XXII TAC ftrs continue rcn flights over N Italy, SW Austria, and as
far N as Munich. Ftrs destroy numerous aircraft at A/F SE of
Munich.
5/5/45
Fifteenth AF
14 P-51's escort MATAF C-47's on supply-dropping missions over
Yugoslavia.
5/5/45
Fourteenth AF
3 B-25's knock out bridge at Singtai and hit railroad traffic in
Sinsiang area. 5 B-25's hit railroad cars and other T/Os at Kaifeng,
Hsihhsiassuchi, and in Tungkuan and Luan areas. 76 FBs, operating in
flights of 2-4 aircraft, attack variety of T/Os throughout S and E
China.
5/5/45
FEAF
In first FEAF strike on Amoy area, B-24's bomb A/F and oil storage
plant. B-24's bomb Shinchiku A/F while B-25's and FBs hit Taito sugar
refinery, Shoka railroad yards, and Giran and Matsuyama A/Fs. A-20's
and FBs continue to hit Cagayan Valley tgts and spt ground forces at
various Luzon locations. B-25's and P-38's spt Australian forces on
Tarakan I. On Borneo P-38's hit Miri waterfront on W coast and
Keningau A/F in the N. B-24's bomb Kuching waterfront on W coast.
5/5/45
Twentieth AF
45 B-29's bomb A/Fs at Oita, Tachiarai, Kanoya, and Chiran; 148
(including B-29's of 58th Bomb Wg flying their first attack of Japan
from Tinian) hit navy aircraft factory and arsenal at Kure, and 86
drop mines in Tokyo Bay, Ise Bay, and at points in the Inland Sea.
The B-29's claim 11 ftrs downed.
5/5/45
Seventh AF
12 Angaur-based B-24's bomb Koror.
5/5/45
Eleventh AF
1 B-24 flies weather mission over the Kurils.
5/6/45
Eighth AF
Around 380 B-17's drop food supplies at Schiphol and Alkmaar A/Fs,
Vogelenzang, Hilversum, and Utrecht.
5/6/45
Ninth AF
No operations by 9th Bomb Div and IX and XIX TACs. XXIX TAC flies
demonstration mission in Klotze area.
5/6/45
Twelfth AF
Gen Israel takes cmd of XXII TAC. Ftrs fly rcn over French and
Italian Alps.
5/6/45
Fifteenth AF
9 P-38's escort Balkan AF supply-dropping missions to Yugoslavia.
5/6/45
Fourteenth AF
3 B-25's and 4 P-51's knock out bridge at Hsihhsiassuchi. 111 FBs,
operating in flights of 2 to 4 aircraft, attack numerous T /Os
throughout S and E China.
5/6/45
FEAF
B-24's bomb Matsuyama A/F and secondary nearby tgts and later bomb
Toshien, Toko, and Kiirun. B-25's pound town of Mato. A-20's and FBs
fly numerous attack sorties in spt of ground forces in N and S Luzon.
FBs fly spt missions over Panay I. B-24's bomb Kudat and Keningau
A/Fs. P-38's hit Ranau and Labuan airstrips while B-25's spt
Australian troops at Tarakan I. B-24's bomb Limboeng A/F. B-25's over
Indochina bomb Dong Hoi warehouses.
5/6/45
Seventh AF
18 P-47's from Saipan sweep Truk Atoll, strafing A/F on Moen,
seaplane base at Dublon, and shipping off Param, off Moen, and
between Dublon and Fefan.
5/7/45
International
German High Command surrenders unconditionally all land, sea, and air
forces at Reims effective 9 May.
5/7/45
Eighth AF
220-plus B-17's drop food near Schiphol A/F, Vogelenzang, Hilversum,
and Utrecht.
5/7/45
Ninth AF
XIX TAC flies sweeps over E Germany and W Czechoslovakia and carries
out demonstration flights over PW camps.
5/7/45
Twelfth AF
P-47's fly rcn over Austrian Alps.
5/7/45
Fifteenth AF
13 P-51's escort 3 Balkan AF supply dropping missions to
Yugoslavia.
5/7/45
Fourteenth AF
3 B-25's and 4 P-47's knock out bridge N of
Singtai. 3 B-24's attack Yellow R T/Os, damaging at least 1 bridge.
131 FBs again hit various T,'Os throughout S and E China,
concentrating on railroad tgts.
5/7/45
FEAF
B-25's, A-20's, and FBs hit tgts in Cagayan Valley and spt ground
action in Cervantes area, Balete Pass and N of Laguna de Bay. P-38's
hit Bintula, Kudat, and Ranau while B-25's, and P-38's hit gun
positions and HQ on Tarakan I. B-24's bomb Bingkalapa A/F and harbor
at Soerabaja. B-25's hit railroad tgts between Cap Batangan and Cap
Varella.
5/7/45
Twentieth AF
41 B-29's bomb A/Fs at Usa, Oita, Ibusuki, and Kanoya. 34 aircraf t
are claimed destroyed by B-29's during Usa and Oita missions.
5/7/45
Seventh AF
16 Saipan-based P-47's strafe radio station, A/F installations, and
gun positions on Moen and Falas. 11 Guam-based B-24's pound runways
on Marcus.
5/8/45
Ninth AF
IX and XIX TACs patrol Leipzig, Chemnitz, Adorf and Linz areas, and
fly sweeps and clemonstration missions.
5/8/45
Twelfth AF
Transports carry out evacuation and supply missions in S Europe.
5/8/45
Fifteenth AF
All Fifteenth AF aircraf t stand down on V-E -Day. Fifteenth AF
offensive operations end. Subsequent operations involve transport,
supply, try, and movement flights.
5/8/45
Fourteenth AF
13 B-25's knock out bridge at Do Cam and damage others at Do Len,
over the Song Chu R, and N of Kaifeng. A single B-24 damages bridges
at Huto. 20 P-51's pound rail and road traffic along Indochina coast
while 12 P-51's and P-38's hit T/Os in several cities. About 100 FBs
over wide areas of S and E China continue to hit numerous T/Os,
concentrating on shipping and dock area at Taku.
5/8/45
FEAF
P-38's hit Jesselton, Sengkawang, and Kudat A/Fs while B-25's bomb
Kuching and Labuan A/F areas. B-24's, B-25's, and Fbs continue to
pound Cagayan Valley. B-24's hit Davao while P-38's hit Labugan A/F
area. Other B-24's bomb Mandai A/F. B-25's bomb railway installations
between Phan Rang and Binh Dinh.
5/8/45
Twentieth AF
40 B-29's hit A/Fs at Kanoya, Miyakonojo, Oita,
and Matsuyama.
5/8/45
Seventh AF
12 Guam-based 1324's bomb A/F on Marcus. 12 others from Guam pound
runway on Param I.
5/8/45
VII FC
P-51's from Iwo Jima fly 94 effective sorties in strike against
Kisarazu A/F.
5/9/45
Eighth AF
453d Bomb Gp, first bomb gp to be redeployed after cessation of
hostilities, begins departure from Old Buckenham to US. It is only
bomb gp departing by ship.
5/9/45
Ninth AF
XIX TAC patrols Linz-Klatovy areas and carries out further
demonstration flights.
5/9/45
Twelfth AF
With combat operations in S Europe at an end, transport aircraft
continue supply and evacuation missions.
5/9/45
Fourteenth AF
14 B-24's, 14 B-25's, and 26 P-51's blast Paoching and various nearby
T/Os. Some of the FBs also attack T/Os W of Hengyang. 4 P-51's pound
boxcars, locomotives, and other railroad tgts from Tourane to
Hue.
5/9/45
FEAF
B-24's bomb 2 A/Fs in Canton area. A-20's and ftrs fly offensive
sweeps over Cagayan Valley and spt ground forces in the Cervantes
Baguio-Balete Pass area and the Ipo-New Bosoboso-Infanta area. B-24's
bomb area around Dalirig and MaluLo preparatory to allied landings in
Macajalar Bay area on 10 May. P-38's over Borneo hit Brooketon,
Sarawak and Tarakan I.
5/9/45
Seventh AF
14 P-47's from Saipan sweep Truk. 29 B-24's from Guam, operating in 3
forces over a 6-hr period, bomb A/Fs, barracks, and T/Os on Param and
Moen Is.
5/9/45
Eleventh AF
Radar discloses considerable shipping between Paramushiru and
Shimushu. Thus, 12 B-24's take off and radar-bomb through overcast.
Another B-24 flies a radar-ferreting sortie over Paramushiru and
Shimushu.
5/10/45
Eighth AF
Effective this date, Gen Doolittle, CG, is relieved of duty in ETO
and assigned to HQ AAF, Washington. He is relieved by Gen Kepner.
5/10/45
Ninth AF
9th Bomb Div is redesignated 9th Air Div. No operations for TACs and
9th Air Div.
5/10/45
Fourteenth AF
19 B-25's and 4 P-47's attack bridges at Fengstun and Pinyang, on the
Song Chu R, and N of Singtai ( Pinyang tgt is destroyed), hit
Yungfengshih and Chingshuping, and bomb A/F at Paoching. 100-120 FBs
pounding T/Os over S and E China, disrupt enemy movement and supply
lines.
5/10/45
FEAF
B-24's bomb A/F in Canton area. A-20's and FBs hit Cagayan Valley
tgts and spt ground action in battle zones throughout Luzon. B-24's
hit Impasugong, Kalasungay, and Malaybalay and B-25's in spt of
ground forces attack Kibawe and Tagolaan. B-24's bomb Makassar ship
basins, shore tgts at Balikpapan on Borneo, and Limboeng A/F on
Celebes. B-25's, with ftr escort, hit Kari and comm T/Os on
Formosa.
5/10/45
Twentieth AF
42 B-29's hit A/Fs at Matsuyama, Usa, Miyazaki, and Kanoya. 302
others bomb Tokuyama naval fuel station and coal yards, Otake oil
refinery, and Amami-O-Shima naval oil storage facilities. B-29's
claim 10 aircraft destroyed.
5/10/45
Seventh AF
11 Guam-based B-24's bomb A/F on Marcus in the morning. During
afternoon 19 B-24's flying in 2 forces, hit A/Fs on Param and
Moen.
5/10/45
Eleventh AF
The Eleventh and Fleet Air Wing Four execute the heaviest and most
successful joint mission to date. 12 B-24's bomb shipping tgts at
Kataoka naval base, and fly photo rcn over E and W Paramushiru on
return trip. Next, 16 Attu-based B-25's take off. 1 aborts while the
others hit shipping between Kashiwabara and Kataoka. Heavy AA fire
claims 1 B-25. A B-24 and a B-25 forceland in the USSR.
5/11/45
Fourteenth AF
6 B-25's and 4 P-47's knock out Chungmow bridge and damage bridge at
Sincheng. 2 B-25's bomb truck convoys in Paoching, Hengyang, and
Changsha areas. 60-plus FBs hit troops, arty positions, comm tgts,
and general T/Os in S and E China, concentrating on Yangchi and
Fantung areas.
5/11/45
FEAF
B-24's bomb Toshien A/F and towns of Koshun, Kato, Takao, Toko, and
Shajo. B-25's pound Kagi. B-25's, A-20's, and Fbs continue to spt
ground action near Paranum and in Ipo Dam sector. B-24's bomb A/F at
Keningau and B-25's bomb Brunei Bay area. B-24's hit Mandai and
Boeloedowang A/Fs.
5/11/45
Twentieth AF
About 50 B-29's attack A/Fs at Oita, Saeki, Nittagahara, Miyazaki,
and Miyakonojo. 92 others bomb Kawanishi aircraft plant at Kobe.
B-29's claim 9 ftrs downed on Kobe mission. Missions against Japanese
A/Fs terminate air campaign, begun on 17 Apr, during which Twentieth
AF has devoted major effort toward hitting sources of Kamikaze raids
against US Navy and Marine forces in the Battle of Okinawa.
5/11/45
Seventh AF
14 P-51's from Iwo Jima strafe and bomb radio station at Chichi Jima.
10 Guam-based B-24's hit A/F on Param, while 13 pound Marcus I
runways.
5/12/45
Ninth AF
XIX TAC flies demonstration missions.
5/12/45
Twelfth AF
Large-scale redeployment of Twelfth AF units officially begins
(although first large movement to ZI has earlier taken place on 12
Jan 45, followed by redeployment of various units to all the
theaters). On 12 May the Twelfth has 198 units assigned and 8
attached. By the end of May, 17 assigned units will be redeployed
from the theater, 43 assigned serv units disbanded (and personnel
used to form 21 new serv units), 9 assigned units transferred to
other HQ in the theater, and 1 attached unit released leaving 150
assigned and 7 attached units intact.
5/12/45
Fourteenth AF
17 B-25's and 8 P-51's bomb barracks and storage area at Loyang and
hit railroad tgts around Sinsiang and Sinyang, from Hankow to
Sinyang, from Chenghsien to Szeshui, from Kioshan to Lohochai, and
between Hengshan and Yoyang and knock out bridge N of Hengyang.
150-plus FBs again hit scattered tgts in S
and E China, concentrating on road, rail, and river traffic and
supply lines.
5/12/45
FEAF
A-20's and FBs spt ground forces on Luzon and Negros. B-24's pound
several railroad and road bridges at Binh Dinh, Phu My, Bong Son, Lai
Ha, Tuy Hoa, and Phu Hiep and attack railroad yard at An Trach and
other railroad tgts. B-24's, B-25's, and P-38's hit tgts in Brunei
Bay area including Labuan, Brooketon, and Jesselton A/Fs and troops
on Tarakan I. B-24's bomb Makassar shipyards and Limboeng A/F.
5/12/45
Seventh AF
9 Guam-based B-24's bomb A/F on Marcus while 12 more
hit A/F on Param.
5/13/45
Fourteenth AF
5 B-24's lay mines in Yangtze R. 10 B-25's and 5 ftrs knock out
bridges at Hankow and Hengyang but fail to hit bridge N of Siaokan.
130-plus FBs over areas of S and E China attack troops, bridges, rail
traffic, town areas, and other T/Os and generally disrupt Japanese
movement and comm.
5/13/45
FEAF
B-24's again pound bridges along Indochina coast. Bmrs and ftrs pound
Cagayan Valley tgts and continue spt of ground forces on Luzon.
B-24's hit troop concentrations and caves in Bugnay area. Other
B-24's bomb Oelin and Tabanio A/Fs while B-25's and P-38's bomb
Sandakan and spt ground forces on Tarakan I.
5/13/45
Twentieth AF
During 13/14 May 12 B-29's drop mines in Shimonoseki Strait.
5/13/45
Seventh AF
10 B-24's from Guam bomb underground hangar on Moen. 9 other HBs
strike A/F on Marcus.
5/14/45
Fourteenth AF
B-24's mine the Yangtze R. 15 B-25's and 6 FBs
hit river shipping near Hengshan and pound bridges and other railroad
tgts around Chushihtien, Sinyang, Kioshan, Kuanshuishih, Hengyang,
Chuchou, Changsha, Yoyang, Sintien, Hsuchang, Saiping, and Hengshan.
120-plus FBs over S and E China hit numerous T/Os at several
locations concentrating on Liping and Tungkow areas.
5/14/45
FEAF
B-24's bomb Hozan (largest military and air supply center on
Formosa). A-20's and FBs spt ground forces on Luzon and Negros.
B-24's attack Jesselton and Sepinggang A/Fs. B-25s hit Jesselton,
Kudat, and Bintula A/Fs and spt ground forces on Tarakan I. B-24's
lightly raid Makassar harbor, Sidate A/F, and Parepare warehouses and
bomb Bima A/F on Soembawa.
5/14/45
Twentieth AF
472 B-29's blast urban area of N Nagoya. 11 VHBs are lost. About 20
enemy ftrs are downed. This is the XXI BC's first 4-wg raid as VHBs
of the 58th Bomb Wg join bmrs from the 73d, 313th, and 314th Wgs in a
single mission.
5/15/45
Tenth AF
Tenth AF moves from Myitkyina to Piardoba.
5/15/45
Fourteenth AF
A single B-24, supported by 2 P-51's, seriously damages 3 bridges
near Singtai and Linmingkuan. 20 B-25's, some with ftr escort, bomb
bridges, barracks, troops, horses, road and railroad tgts, and
general T/Os around Sinyang, Yoyang, Changsha, Hsuchang, Chenghsien,
Sichuan, Pinyang, Tsinkong, Luchou, Kweiping, Tanchuk, Laohokow,
Siangyang, Nanying, Paoching, and Hengyang. 150 FBs over S and E
China attack a variety of tgts chiefly road, rail, and river traffic,
troops, and bridges, at many scattered locations. Liping and Tungkow
areas are again well covered.
5/15/45
FEAF
B-24's bomb Shinchiku. Other B-24's and B-25's hit Miri and Kudat
A/Fs and spt ground forces on Tarakan I. P-38's pound troop
concentrations and gun positions on Mount Mandalagan.
5/15/45
Eleventh AF
13 B-24's bomb Kashiwabara-Kataoka area, claiming one ship destroyed,
and a direct hit on another, and investigate radar activities. Low
fog limits observation of other results. AA fire damages 2 B-24's, 1
of which forcelands in USSR.
5/16/45
Fourteenth AF
B-24's continue to lay mines in Yangtze R. 33 B-25's and 16 P-47's
and P-51's attack railroad tgts, barracks, HQ, bridges, town areas,
river shipping, and T/Os at or near Kaifeng, Sinyang, Chungsiang,
Chienyangi, Ichang, Chingmen, Yanglowtung, Kiyang, Loyang, Szeshui,
Hsihhsiassuehi, Shanhsien, Neihsiang, Liuehou, Kweiping, Nanyo,
Shihlipu, Hojung, Mingkiang, and Kioshan. 100-plus FBs attack river,
road, and rail traffic, troops, gun positions, and generally harass
Japanese movement and supply lines in S and E China hitting
especially T/Os in Yangehi.
5/16/45
FEAF
Nearly 100 P-38's pound tgts in Ipo Dam area with napalm. B-24's hit
Manggar, Tondano, and Balikpapan while B-25's and P-38's hit Miri,
Brooketon, Bintula' Ft Brook, and a flak ship near Labuan I. P-38's
also spt ground forces on Tarakan I. B-24's bomb Taichu and B-25's
hit alcohol plants and railroad yards.
5/16/45
Twentieth AF
25 B-29's mine Shimonoseki Strait and Maizuru and Miyazu harbors.
5/16/45
Seventh AF
13 Guam-based B-24's bomb A/F on Marcus. 11 others sent against
Mareus abort because of bad weather.
5/17/45
Fourteenth AF
16 B-25's and about 100 ftrs continue to disrupt comm and supply
lines and hinder enemy withdrawal from numerous locations of S and E
China, pounding town areas, troop concentrations, storage areas,
river, road, and rail traffic and general T/Os.
5/17/45
FEAF
During sweeps over Formosa, B-25's and P-51's cause widespread damage
hitting railroad yards, bridges, and alcohol plants. B-24's bomb A/Fs
at Nanseiho and Matsuyama. Ftrs fly 130-plus sorties against Ipo Dam
area. B-24's bomb Sepinggang, Manggar, and Sidate A/Fs.
5/17/45
Twentieth AF
Between 0300 and 0600, 457 B-29's pound urban area of S Nagoya. 11
others hit T/Os.
5/17/45
Seventh AF
Ftrs from Iwo Jima fly 41 effective strike sorties against Atsugi.
Pilots claim 10 parked aircraft destroyed. During 17/18 May 2 P-47's
of 318th Gp, presently arriving on Ie Shima (between 13-19 May), fly
heckling mission over Kyushu the first such Seventh AF mission
against Japan.
5/18/45
Eighth AF
Troop Movement Section is organized at HQ Eighth AF under Director of
Operations. It is to be the control unit over all redeployment
activities.
5/18/45
Fourteenth AF
9 B-25's blast Siangtan supply areas. 8 B-25's, supported by 7
P-51's, hit railroad tgts and other T/Os around Sinyang, Kiaotow,
Sintsiang, and Chenghsien. About 75 FBs and rcn airplanes continue
harassment of enemy movement and supply lines throughout S and E
China, escort of C-47 transports, and surveillance of enemy
forces.
5/18/45
FEAF
B-24's bomb Taichu and Tainan A/Fs. B-25's and FBs sweep Formosa
hitting numerous tgts. B-25's, A-20's, and FBs spt ground forces in N
Luzon and pound concentrations in S Luzon. FBs also spt ground forces
on Negros. B-24's and B-25's hit Ft Brook and Sarawak while B-24's
and P-38's attack defenses on Tarakan I.
5/18/45
Twentieth AF
Adv air echelon of 509th Comp Gp arrives at North Field on Tinian.
The 509th is scheduled to deliver atomic bomb attacks on Japan. Its
CO is Col Paul W Tibbets Jr, a pilot with a distinguished record in
the 97th Bomb Gp (H) in Europe and N Africa. During 18/19 May, 30
B-29's mine Shimonoseki Strait and Tsuruga Harbor.
5/18/45
Seventh AF
8 P-47's from Ie Shima make bombing, strafing, and rocket attacks on
radar and ground installations on Kume Jima in Amami Gunto. Other
P-47's fly heckler strikes against Kyushu during 18/19 May.
5/18/45
Eleventh AF
8 B-24's bomb naval, harbor, and A/F tgts in Kataoka. Another B-24
searches for enemy radar along the Kuril Is.
5/19/45
Fourteenth AF
4 B-25's blast Kaifeng warehouse area, destroying at least 5
warehouses, while another hits nearby railroad tracks. Another B-25
bombs town of Shanhsien. About 90 FBs attack river, road, and rail
shipping, troops, supplies and general T/Os, continuing the
disruption of troop movement and withdrawal in S and E China.
5/19/45
FEAF
B-24's pound Kiirun harbor. B-25's sweep W Formosa coast, hitting
several tgts including Toyohara, Nisui, and along the Ts'eng-Wen R,
hitting railroad yard, storage facilities, and damaging alcohol plant
on the Ts'eng Wen. Ftrs sweep Giran, Tainan, and Heito areas. B-25's,
A-20's, and FBs spt ground forces throughout Luzon, concentrating in
Ipo Dam area. P-38's spt ground action on Cebu. B-24's bomb Oelin A/F
and, along with P-38's, attack tgts on Tarakan I.
5/19/45
Twentieth AF
272 B-29's bomb city of Hamamatsu.
5/19/45
Eleventh AF
8 B-25's try to bomb Minami Cape radar installation and cannery on
the Naka R. Only one gets near tgts and bombs and strafes the area,
while intense AA fire and enemy ftrs drive off the rest and down 1
B-25. Another is missing and a third reaches Petropavlovsk.
5/20/45
Fourteenth AF
55 P-51's and P-40's pound truck concentrations, f uel dumps, gun
positions, supply areas, troops, bridges, railroad, and river
traffic, and various T/Os around Liping, Yangchi, Siangtan, Yoyang,
Yungfengshih, Paoching, Taohwap
ing, Hengyang, Tungkow, and Changsha.
5/20/45
FEAF
Despite bad weather B-25's over Formosa bomb various comm tgts and
alcohol plant at Meiji. B-25's, A-20's, and FBs pound Cagayan Valley
tgts. B-24's bomb Piso Pt, and FBs spt ground action in Bukidnon
area. P-38's hit Sandakan, Keningau, and Tarakan I. B-25's hit
shipping at Balikpapan harbor and nearby barracks area and
sawmill.
5/20/45
Twentieth AF
During 20/21 May, 30 B-29's mine Shimonoseki Strait, Maizuru harbor,
and He-Saki anchorage.
5/20/45
Seventh AF
16 Saipan-based P-47's strafe A/Fs on Moen and Eten and seaplane base
and barges of Dublon. 10 Guam-based B-24's hit air operations
building on Marcus. 9 P-47's from Ie Shima hit hangar and 2 boats at
Fukue-Shima. 32 others hit A/Fs, railroads, buildings, and radar
facilities on Kyushu.
5/21/45
Fourteenth AF
8 B-25's bomb bridge approach N of Hankow, 1 damages railroad track
between Changsha and Kweiyi, and 2 score near misses on bridge at
Kuanhsuishih. 3 B-25's and 6 P-51's damage br idge at Chihsien and
hit railroad T/Os in Anyang area. 50-plus FBs on armed r cn continue
attacks against river, road, and rail traffic, positions, troops,
bridges, and numerous other tgts in S and E China.
5/21/45
FEAF
B-25's blast numerous tgts in Cagayan valley while A-20's and P-51's
spt ground forces in NW Luzon sectors. P-38's napalm-bomb Ipo Dam and
Marikina R sectors and hit positions throughout Negros T. B-24's hit
Brunei, Melak airstrip, Samarinda shipyards, and troop concentrations
on Tarakan I. P-38's strafe railroad rolling stock in Saigon
area.
5/21/45
Seventh AF
P-47's fly heckler strikes against Kyushu during 21/22 May.
5/22/45
Fourteenth AF
15 B-25's and 7 FBs knock out rail bridge at HeiShih Kuan, damage
bridge approach at Hwayuan, and hit a variety of tgts S of
Kuo-lueh-chen. 10 P-51's drop napalm on trucks, barracks, storage,
trains, and town areas at Sinyang, and Shanyangchen. 45 other FBs and
photo rcn airplanes attack railroad tgts, bridges, troops, and other
tgts at several S and E China points and survey enemy movements.
5/22/45
FEAF
B-24's bomb Toshien and Okayama while B-25's hit oil plant W of Kagi
and several T/Os. B-25's, A-20's, and FBs attack Santa Fe, Fula, and
Casambalangan areas in the N part of Luzon and spt ground forces in
Ipo Dam and Marikina areas in the S. HBs, Mbs, and FBs attack
Jesselton, Kudat, Bintula, and Tarakan I.
5/22/45
Twentieth AF
During 22/23 May, 30 B-29's mine Shimonoseki Strait and
approaches.
5/23/45
Ninth AF
Gen Weyland assumes cmd of Ninth AF. Gen Sanders becomes CG XIX TAC.
XIX TAC flies navigational patrol to Gmunden, Liezen, Radstadt, and
Innsbruck.
5/23/45
Fourteenth AF
14 B-25's and 6 P-51's attack bridge and gun positions N and S of
Hwayuan, knock out bridge and hit boxcars at (Chungmow, damage bridge
N of Lohochai, damage bridge and nearby gun positions at
Kuanshuishih, and pound truck convoys around Paoching, Hengyang, and
Changsha. 30-plus FBs hit various T/Os around Liping, Yoyang,
Changsha, Hengyang, Luntangpu, Chingmen, Shasi, and Ichang.
5/23/45
FEAF
A-20's and B-25's hit Cagayan Valley and Balete Pass tgts. P-51's spt
ground forces in Baguio area and P-38's hit Ipo-Antipolo areas.
Tawau, Bintula, Samarinda, and Miri are hit by HBs, Ft Brook and
Weston by MBs, and Tarakan I by FBs.
5/23/45
Twentieth AF
During 23/24 May, 520 out of 562 B-29's sent against Tokyo bomb an
urban-industrial area S of the Imperial Palace along W side of the
harbor. 5 others hit T/Os. 17 B-29's are lost. This is the largest
number of B-29's participating in a single mission during World War
II.
5/23/45
Seventh AF
32 P-47's from Saipan strafe Moen A/Fs and boats off Tol, buildings
on Tarik, and seaplane base, buildings, and small boats at
Dublon.
5/23/45
Eleventh AF
7 B-24's radar-bomb Kataoka naval base area while another flies a
radar-ferret mission in the same area.
5/24/45
Ninth AF
Gen Sanders becomes CG 9th Air Div.
5/24/45
Fourteenth AF
5 B-25's knock out railroad bridge N of Anyang. 30-plus FBs attack
railroad tgts, truck convoys, bridges, and other T/Os around Anyang,
Sichuan, Kuolueh-chen, Kuantaokou, Luntangpu, Tioupo T,anhokow,
Sinsiang, Nanyang, Kiehsiu, Linfen, Taiyuan, Puchou, and Yutze.
5/24/45
FEAF
B-24's pound Cagayan Valley tgts including Aparri. B-25's, A-20's,
and P-51's hit numerous tgts throughout the Valley and in NW and S
Luzon, including Vira, Callang, Santa Cruz, Baguio, Balete Pass, Ipo,
and Antipolo areas. FBs also spt ground forces on Negros. B-24's,
B-25's, and P-38's attack Ft Brook, Bintula, Tawau, Beaufort,
Jesselton, along the Lawas R, and Malinau.
5/24/45
Twentieth AF
During 24/25 May, 25 B-29's lay mines in Shimonoseki Strait and at
Niigata, Nanao, and Fushiki.
5/24/45
Seventh AF
26 Guam-based B-24's pound A/F and surrounding area on Marcus. P-47's
fly heckler strikes against Kyushu during 24/25 May.
5/24/45
VII FC
120 Iwo Jima-based ftrs dispatched against Matsudo and Tokorozawa
abort because of weather.
5/25/45
JCS
JCS approve directive for Operation OLYMPIC, the invasion of the
Japanese Home Islands, scheduled for 1 Nov 45.
5/25/45
Fourteenth AF
5 B-25's and 2 P-51's knock out a bridge N of Kioshan, damage another
N of Changtuikuan, and pound railroad tgts around Sinyang, Saiping,
Sinantien, Hsuchang, and Chenghsien. 16 FBs on armed rcn hit various
T/Os in Anyang, Hantan, Chenghsien, Kaifeng, Linfen, Shihkiachwang,
Sinsiang, Miyanghsien, Nanyang, Tenghsien, Loning, Sichuan, and
Hsuchang areas.
5/25/45
FEAF
B-25's, A-20's, and FBs fly numerous strikes and ground spt missions.
FBs also spt ground forces on Cebu I. B-24's bomb Oelin, Ft Brook,
and Tarakan I while B-25's and P-38's hit Kudat. P-38's also spt
ground action on Tarakan.
5/25/45
Twentieth AF
During 25/26 May, 464 B-29's pound urban area of Tokyo immediately S
of the Imperial Palace just N of that bombed on 23/24 May, including
financial, commercial, and governmental districts as well as
factories and homes. 26 B-29's are lost on this mission, the highest
single-day loss of VHBs in World War II. US gunners claim 19 ftrs
destroyed.
5/25/45
VII FC
By concurrence of CINCPOA, VII FC, with its subordinate units, is
assigned to operational and administrative control of Twentieth AF.
Iwo Jima-based ftrs fly 73 effective strike sorties against Matsudo
and Tokorozawa.
5/25/45
Eleventh AF
2 B-24's fly a radar ferret mission over Matsuwa and bomb Tagan Cape
area. Another B-24 flies armed weather rcn.
5/26/45
Twelfth AF
Gen Myers assumes cmd of Twelfth AF.
5/26/45
Fifteenth AF
Gen Mollison assumes cmd of Fifteenth AF.
5/26/45
Fourteenth AF
12 B-25's and 6 P-51's damage 2 bridges N of Hankow. 4 B-25's hit
railroad tgts around Lohochai and between Kinkiang and Kioshan. 3
B-25's attack truck convoys in Siangtan and Paoching areas and along
Paoching-HengyangChangsha highway. 80-plus FBs over several areas in
S and E China continue to harass Japanese movements, attacking troops
and positions and hitting rail and road traffic. Japanese . complete
withdrawal from Yungning, severing land connection with Indochina.
Chinese retake Nanning.
5/26/45
FEAF
B-25's and P-38's sweep W part of Formosa causing extensive damage to
a variety of comm and industrial tgts. A-20's and FBs pound numerous
Luzon tgts, particularly in Balete Pass area. B-24's bomb Tuguegarao
and Echague. FBs also spt ground forces on Cebu. B-24's, B-25's, and
FBs hit Tarakan I, Beaufort, Weston, Tenom, Trusan Haji, Sandakan,
and Jesselton.
5/26/45
Twentieth AF
During 26/27 May, 29 B-29's mine waters in Shimonoseki Strait and at
Fushiki, Fukuoka, and Karatsu.
5/26/45
Seventh AF
16 P-47's from Saipan strafe A/Fs on Moen, seaplane base on Dublon,
and several T/Os. 10 Guam-based B-24's bomb A/F on Marcus.
5/27/45
Fourteenth AF
16 B-25's bomb textile mill at Chenghsien, attack trains, railroad
track and bridge in Lohochai area, and bomb railroad yards at
Sinyang. 80-plus FBs attack town areas, trucks, railroad tgts,
bridges, and general T/Os at scattered S and E China locations.
5/27/45
FEAF
B-24's pound railroad yards and rolling stock at Muong Man and Phan
Rang. B-25's and FBs attack tgts at Koshun, Shinei, Tairin, Ensui,
Kohyo, and Kobi and attack numerous T/Os at many other Formosan
locations. B-24's, A-20's, and FBs hit Cagayan Valley tgts while
other FBs spt ground forces in Balete Pass, Baguio, and Ipo Dam
sectors. HBs, MBs, and FBs attack Tawau, Kudat, Langkon, and
Sandakan, and hit tgts on Tarakan I.
5/27/45
Twentieth AF
During 27/28 May 9 B-29's drop mines in Shimonoseki Strait and in
Moji area.
5/27/45
Seventh AF
16 Saipan-based P-47's sweep Truk, strafing A/F, aircraft, and radio
tower and facilities at Moen, buildings at Dublon seaplane base and
on Udot I, and small craft off Dublon and Fanamu.
5/28/45
Fourteenth AF
19 B-25's, along with 8 FBs, hit railroad, road, and river traffic
around Vinh, Quang Tri, Dap Cau, and Song Chu, knock out bridge at
Hwayuan, and demolish tunnel opening near Wuchang. 16 P-51's cause
heavy damage and casualties blasting a bridge and military
installations near Wuchang. 27 P-51's hit bridges, troops, storage,
trucks, trains, rivercraft, and other tgts in Yoyang area. 65 other
FBs attack T/Os at several locations throughout S and E China. 15
photo rcn airplanes continue to maintain good coverage of enemy
movements.
5/28/45
FEAF
B-24's again bomb railroad yards E of Saigon at Phan Rang and Muong
Man. B-25's and FBs attack industrial T/Os at Shoka, Taichu, Ujitsu,
Byoritsu, and other Formosan locations. B-24's, B-25's, A-20's, and
FBs attack Pateng, Ipo Dam area, Tuguegarao and Ugac airstrips,
Anuling, Baguio area, guns and defenses in Balete Pass area, and spt
ground forces at several points. B-24's, B-25's, and ftrs hit; gun
positions and other tgts at Balikpapan. P-38's dive-bomb Keningau and
Jesselton A/Fs.
5/28/45
VII FC
Ftrs from Iwo Jima hit Kasumigaura and its A/F. 6 planes are claimed
destroyed and 40-plus damaged. P-47's fly heckler strikes against
Kyushu during 28/29 May. Japanese wage their last strong air effort
on Okinawa hitting a number of ships and sinking destroyer USS
Drexler.
5/29/45
Fourteenth AF
A single B-24 damages railroad bridge over Huto R. 4 B-25's and 4
P-51's knock out bridge S of Kuanshuishih. 2 B-25's over Indochina
attack locomotives near Vinh. About 30 Fbs attack comm and
transportation tgts around Yoyang, Thanh Hoa, Vinh, Quang Tri, Vinh
Yen, and Chenghsien.
5/29/45
FEAF
More than 100 B-24's bomb Kiirun and several other towns on Formosa.
B-25's, and FBs hit Tainan alcohol plant and T/Os in Tokyo area.
B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's hit a variety of tgts in N while other FBs
hit C part of Luzon including Cagayan Valley, Baguio, Balete, and Ipo
areas. HBs hit A/Fs at Oelin, Tabanio, and Ft Brook.
5/29/45
Twentieth AF
Ground echelon of 509th Comp Gp begins to arrive on Tinian. 454
B-29's, escorted by 101 P-51's from the VII FC for first time on a
fire-bomb raid, bomb Yokohama with incendiaries and destroy the main
business district (a third of the city's area) along the waterfront.
Burned out area of Yokohama now amounts to almost 9 sq mi. About 150
ftrs attack the formations. 7 B-29's and 3 P-51's are lost. The
P-51's claim 26 ftrs shot down while the VHBs claim 6.
5/29/45
Eleventh AF
4 B-25's weatherabort a shipping sweep along the E coasts of
Paramushiru and Shimushu.
5/30/45
Fourteenth AF
7 B-25's pound railroad yards at Sinsiang and knock out bridge at
Sincheng. 28 FBs attack bridges, enemy positions, trucks, railroad
tgts, barracks, and general T/Os around Anyang, Liuchow, Chingmen,
Chungmow, Linfen, Huluehchen, Kweilin, Hsinganhsien, Leiyang, and
Yenkoupu.
5/30/45
FEAF
On Formosa 100-plus B-24's pound Takao while ftrs sweep coastal
areas. B-25's concentrate on Shinei area. A-20's hit Cagayan Valley
tgts. HBs and ftrs hit several tgts in Borneo, concentrating on Tawau
personnel and supply area and airstrip at Ranau.
5/30/45
Seventh AF
10 Guam-based B-24's hit Marcus A /F. 14 P-47's strafe barges at Truk
Atoll. 28 P-47's from Ie Shima hit shipping and lighthouse at
Amami-O-Shima and Okino Erabu.
5/31/45
AAF
USAAF units, including Tenth AF and US components of EAC, are
withdrawn from SEAC and returned to operational control of AAF. EAC
is inactivated, along with the Strategic AF and Combat Cargo TF.
5/31/45
Fourteenth AF
5 B-25's and 4 P-47's hit railroad tracks and cars in Chenghsien and
Kaifeng areas, knock out bridge at Sinyang, damage bridge at
Lohochai, and strafe AA positions at both bridges. 30-plus FBs damage
4 bridges, hit several railroad tgts and rivercraft, attack trucks
and troops, and strafe numerous T/Os around Shihkiachwang, Changsha,
Yoyang, Yenkoupu, Taohwaping, Changanyi, Chiuchiang, Liuchow,
Tsingkonp, and Paoching.
5/31/45
FEAF
B-24's, B-25's, and FBs attack Formosan tgts, with 90-plus HBs
concentrating on Takao. Other planes hit Koshun, Giran warehouses and
comm tgts, and blast transportation and comm tgts over wide areas of
Formosa. B-25's, A-20's, and FBs hit tgts in Cagayan Valley, in
Balete Pass, and in Baguio and Ipo areas. Fbs also hit Negros I.
B-25's and FBs hit troop concentrations on Tarakan I and occupied
building area at Belait. FBs also blast A/Fs at Kudat, Jesselton,
Keningau, and Labuan.
5/31/45
Seventh AF
8 P-47's from Ie Shima strafe buildings, barracks, and seaplane ramps
at Amami-O-Shima.
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