This day in the war in the Pacific 65 years ago.

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 9 B-24s take off from Shemya to search for enemy shipping, but return due to heavy icing and squalls; 6 P-40s fly a search mission between Shemya and halfway to Attu; and HQ XI Bomber Command moves from Adak to Shemya.

KURILES: SHirakami IJN, Japanese Minelayer, Sunk south of the Kuriles in a collision with army transport Nachiran Maru.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 22 B-25s, some supported by Royal Air Force (RAF) Spitfires and Hurricanes, bomb the Ft White area; 10 B-25s and 4 P-51s pound airfields at Katha, Mawlu and Shwebo; 12 B-25s and 8 P-51s hit railroad targets and a warehouse at Kyaikthin and Kyunhla; 14 B-24s covered by 22 P-40s hit airfields at Lashio, Hsenwi and Loiwing; 70+ P-40s, A-36s, P-51s, and B-25s hit fuel storage, supply areas, roads, and other
targets over widespread areas of Burma, including Shingban, Myitkyina, Zigyun, Mogaung, Manywet, and Washawng; 6 P-38s attack the Okshitpin bridge but the target is not damaged.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): P-40s damage a coal grading building at Campha Port, French Indochina.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s out of Makin bomb Ponape . B-25s from Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert , hit Maloelap Atoll. This date marks the beginning of Operation FORAGER, the capture of the S Marianas (Saipan, Tinian, and Guam ) for bases for B-29 strikes against Japan. Seventh Air Force aircraft maintain neutralization strikes against airfields in the Caroline and continue hitting Wake and the bypassed Marshalls.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): P-40s and USN fighters cover a USN dive bomber strike on Rabaul and Simpson Harbor; 24 B-25s follow with an attack on Rabaul, which later in the day is bombed by 20 B-24s. 5 P-38s bomb radar installations at Cape Saint George, while 10 bomb Buka Airfield, Buka, Solomon . P-39s hit targets of opportunity on the E part of Shortland and the W part of Buka.

RNZAF - 18 Squadron F4Us spot a pair of Japanese tanks near Ruri Bay on Bougainville, and return to bomb them. Later, seven more aircraft bomb and strafe them, leaving one on fire and exploding.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 30+ B-24s hit the Hansa Bay and Alexishafen areas while 20 P-39s attack Madang and Bogadjim and 22 A-20s pound Erima. 14 A-20s and B-25s hit enemy positions on Los Negros.

PACIFIC SUB OPS:
0100: USS Gurnard sinks a civilian cargo ship at 05-53 N, 111-12 E.
2200: USS Pintado sinks the destroyer AKIKAZE at 16-48 N, 117-17 E, NW of Manila.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 60+ A-36s, P-51s and P-40s, and a single B-25 bomb dumps, roads, bivouac area, and other targets in the Seton, Sawnghka, Pinbaw and Walawbum areas; numerous fighters carry out patrol and armed reconnaissance sorties in the Sumprabum area. 459th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter Group, moves from Kurmitola to Chittagong with P-38s.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 5 B-25s and 23 P-40s (16 of them Chinese) pound the airfield at Kiungshan; the airfield is heavily damaged and several parked aircraft are destroyed; 17 Japanese aircraft are claimed shot
down; 4 P-38s and 2 Chinese B-25s claim a freighter, a tanker, and a motor launch sunk in the Shihhweiyao and Wuhu areas; 6 waves of Japanese aircraft bomb the airfield at Suichwan, causing considerable damage. In French
Indochina, 6 B-25s bomb the Thanh Hoa chromium mine and Campha Port; 2 P-40s strafe railroad yards and warehouses at Hongay and Campha Port; 5 P-40s are dispatched to bomb Cao Bang but because of bad weather attack Chinese-held Lungchow, China by mistake.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): P-40s from Makin bomb and strafe runways at Mille Atoll. B-25s from Tarawa Atoll bomb airfield installations and runways in Wotje Atoll.

RNZAF - In the morning, the remaining two Japanese tanks at Ruri Bay are attacked yesterday were discovered camoflaged by a Boomerang and attacked by three other 18 Squadron F4Us, but they arrived too late to destroy them.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain , P-40s join USN fighters and dive bombers in a strike on AA positions and targets of opportunity in the Rabaul area; 4 patrolling Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Venturas hit targets of opportunity along both coasts and at Vunalama and Mandres Plantations; 48 B-25s and 12 P-38s, along with 20+ USN fighters, hit the Rabaul town area in 3 closely spaced attacks. P-38s also attack targets of opportunity on Duke of York , Admiralty . 12 P-39s hit Monoitu and targets of opportunity along the SW coast of Bougainville. RNZAF Venturas join USN planes in attacks on Japanese embarkation ports around Choiseul Bay. Shortland targets of opportunity are hit by P-40s on patrol.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 20+ A-20s and B-25s support ground forces on Los Negros. More than 30 B-24s with fighter escort, pound airfields in the Wewak area; 20+ other B-24s bomb Hollandia; and A-20s bomb buildings and gun positions in the Saidor area. Moves in New Guinea: HQ 38th Bombardment Group (Medium) from Port Moresby to Nadzab; HQ 43d Bombardment Group from Dobodura to Nadzab. Lost is P-38G "Veni Vidi Vici" 42-12705 on a patrol mission.

LOS NEGROS - The Japanese on the island launch a series of suicide charges, and fail to route the Americans.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): B-25s, A-36s, P-51s and P-40s fly more than 60 sorties against targets in Burma, including artillery positions, storage areas, ground troops, roads, and a bridge; the targets are in the Zigon,
Shingban, and Myitkyina areas.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 8 B-25s bomb and strafe Chiengmai Airfield, destroying 9 aircraft, the water tower and nearby railroad station; the barracks area is also damaged.

EASTERN AIR COMMAND (EAC): During the night, British Major General Orde C Wingate's Special Force of long-range penetration troops begin dropping by glider onto Japanese lines of communication in C Burma. US engineer troops drop first, followed by the British 77 and 111 Brigades. USAAF Colonel Philip G Cochran's Air Commando unit flies them in, dropping them on a strip designated Broadway, about 50 miles (80 km) NE of Indaw. Another projected drop site, Piccadilly, is unusable as the Japanese have blocked it with fallen trees. Of 67 gliders dispatched, 32 reach Broadway. 539 men, 3 mules and 65,972 pounds (29,925 kg) of supplies are safely put down, including such items as bulldozers and lighting apparatus.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): P-40s from Makin carry out fighter-bomber mission against runways and airfield installations at Mille Atoll; B-25s hit Maloelap and Mille Atolls; B-24s bomb Ponape and last resort targets at Kusaie and Mille Atoll.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain , 22 B-25s, with USN fighter escort, bomb Simpson Harbor; 4 RNZAF Venturas on patrol hit barges anchored off a supply dock at nearby Raulavat Plantation; 9 B-24s follow with a raid on the Rabaul town area; 13 B-24, with USN fighters covering, blast the revetment area and airstrip at Tobera; 11 P-38s hit Borpop Airfield, and P-40s and USN fighters hit barges at Kabanga Bay and off the Warangoi River; 16 P-39s attack AA positions at Monoitu bridge, and 3 P-38s hit Siar.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): About 30 B-24s bomb enemy positions on Los Negros. In NE Nea Guinea, elements of the US 32d Infantry Division land at Yaula; A-20s bomb and strafe the area; P-39's pound the areas around Madang and Erima; P-47 sweep the Wewak / Dagua area. Lost are P-47D "Fiery Ginger IV" 42-22668, B-24D "Ready, Willing Able" 42-41135 and F5B Lightning 42-67360. Australian ground forces break out of the Ramu Valley and Japanese retreat toward Madang. 71st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Port Moresby to Nadzab, New Guinea with B-25s.

RAAF: Crashed on Goodenough is Beaufort A9-480.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 4 B-25s knock the center span out of the Sittang bridge and blast 2 AA positions; 14 B-25s lay mines around Kham Yai , bomb nearby Prong , and hit the marshalling yard at
Pegu; 18 P-51s and P-40s attack Sawnghka bridge with poor results, start fires near Lalawng Ga, and bomb dumps near Walawbum. A flight of the 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, AAF India-Burma Sector (attached to Tenth Air Force), begins operating from Kisselbari, India with P-40s; the squadron is based at Guskhara.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): A-24s and P-40s from Makin bomb and strafe runways at Mille Atoll. B-25s from Tarawa Atoll pound the airfield at Wotje Atoll.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville, P-39s hit Monoitu Mission and huts and bridge on the Miwo River. 24 B-25s with fighter escort, pound Tobera, while 24 B-24s and 12 P-38s hit Kavieng and Panapai Airfield.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-25s continue to hit Japanese forces on Los Negros. B-24s bomb the airstrip and other targets in the Awar-Nubia area; P-39s and RAAF aircraft hit Japanese forces around Madang. P-39s and P-38s strafe and dive-bomb the Cape Hoskins-Talasea area as US Marines land about midway up the coast of the Willaumez Peninsula in preparation for a drive on Talasea. 405th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Port Moresby to Nadzab, New Guinea with B-25s. Lost is C-47A "Our Lillian Ethel Form 1A" 42-24228.

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutian , B-24s and B-25s fly a negative search mission for an enemy submarine.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 20+ P-51s and A-36s on armed reconnaissance hit targets of opportunity from Walawbum to Shaduzup; 2 B-25s hit troop concentrations NW of Shaduzup and another attacks road bridge and barges near Shwebo and along the Irrawaddy River; offensive reconnaissance over several airfields in Burma results in no major action.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Abemama hit Kusaie and Jaluit Atoll. P-40s bomb and strafe the airfield at Mille Atoll. B-25s pound runways, AA positions, storage areas, and barracks on Taroa.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 24 B-25s, with USN fighter support, hit Tobera Airfield; 19 P-40s bomb and strafe Rabaul. 24 B-24s and 14 P-38s hit Panapai Airfield. Fighter aircraft pound tactical targets on Bougainville including Koromira Mission, a supply area on the Jaba River, and bivouac S of the Maririei River near Menoavi.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s and B-25s continue to hit targets on Los Negros and other of the Admiralty and bomb Boram Airfield. P-38s and RAAF aircraft attack targets in the Talasea area of New Britain. 823d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Port Moresby to Nadzab, New Guinea with B-25s.

USN: Sunk is PT-337.

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutian , bombers fly negative search and patrol missions for an enemy submarine; B-24s fly cover for a convoy en route from Adak to Shemya.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 28 P-51s hit the airfields at Anisakan, Shwebo, and Onbauk, destroying 30+ Japanese aircraft; later 5 B-25s and 2 P-51s hit Shwebo, scoring hits along the runway and in the dispersal area and leaving several Japanese aircraft aflame; 3 B-25s hit 2 bridges at Lalawng Ga and Warazup, knocking out the latter; and 16 A-36s and P-51s hit targets of opportunity from Chanmoi to Shaduzup.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 26th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, based at Kunming, China with P-51s sends a detachment to operate from Nanning.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s, striking from Makin bomb Ponape and Kusaie. A-24s and P-40s, also from Makin , bomb and strafe runways and AA positions at Mille Atoll. Tarawa Atoll-based B-25s pound Wotje Atoll.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain , 23 B-24s and 23 B-25s pound Rabaul, blasting Chinatown and the wharf area; 46 P-40s and P-39s pound the dock area E of Rabaul; 9 P-38s, turning back from Rabaul bomb Buka Airfield on Buka. 390th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group (Medium), based in the Renard Field with B-25s begins operating from Stirling

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-25s carry out a number of low-level strikes as Allied ground forces capture Lombrun Plantation, virtually completing the capture of the island. 70+ B-24s, B-25s, and A-20s bomb Nubia and Awar airstrips; the bombers and escorting fighters claim 17 aircraft shot down in the Wewak area. Lost over Aitape is P-38J 42-103987. Fighters continue to strafe coastal targets in NE New Guinea and on New Britain. 822d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Port Moresby to Nadzab, New Guinea with B-25s.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 6 B-24s bomb Tavoy Airfield and office area while 8 others hit the town of Mogaung; the town area, supply dumps and road bridge at Kamaing are pounded by 10 B-24s, 16 P-51s, and 10 P-40s; the bridge is knocked out; 10 B-25s score numerous hits on airstrips at Indaw and Katha; and P-51s, P-40s, and A-36s hit storage at Pyindaw, and support ground forces at Walawbum and Shaduzup.

BURMA: Indaw: Operation Thursday, one of the most spectacular operations of the war in Burma, was launched when Brigadier Wingate's Chindits struck again some 200 miles behind the Japanese front lines. At dusk on 5 March, 9,000 members of two brigades began flying into an area known as "Broadway" in gliders. A third brigade is marching into enemy territory, but stores, mules and equipment have been flown in. "Broadway" is 50 miles northeast of Indaw, and Wingate's task is to sever the arteries of supply to the enemy forces opposing General Stilwell's march towards Myitkyina from the north and the advance of the Chinese troops from Yunnan.
The expedition was nearly cancelled when aerial photographs showed logs laid by the Japanese obstructing the ground at "Piccadilly" - 20 miles south of "Broadway" - where gliders crashed on landing, killing 31 crewmen. But landings at "Broadway" went ahead, and in 12 hours engineers had prepared an airstrip. The next night 55 DC-3 Dakota transports landed. The operation is to be supplied by air, and casualties are to be flown out by No. 1 Air Commando of the USAAF.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 18 Chinese-American Composite Wing (CACW) B-25s and 24 Chinese P-40s pound a foundry and floating docks at Shihhweiyao, China. In French Indochina, 40+ P-40s carry out several sea sweeps off the coast and fly armed reconnaissance over the NE; the fighters damage vessels off Campha Port, strafe the airfield at Mon Cay, bomb the airfield at Weichow (causing heavy damage), hit barracks at Luc Nam, damage vessels at Hongay and bomb military installations at Cao Bang.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s based on Abemama attack Taroa. B-24s from Tarawa Atoll hit Ponape and Kusaie.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain , 24 B-25s bomb the dock area along the N shore of Simpson Harbor at Rabaul; 19 B-24s follow with a strike on Rabaul town and wharf area and also hit airfields in the vicinity; and 40+ P-39s and P-40s hit the dock area E of Simpson Harbor. At Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville , 2 squadrons of B-25s hit Japanese installations on the nearby hills. Detachment of 17th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 4th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), begins operating from Munda, New Georgia with F-5s; the squadron is based on Guadalcanal , Solomon .

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-25s pound Lorengau and other targets on Manus. Numerous other Fifth Air Force aircraft carry out armed reconnaissance over wide reaches of the SWPA, attacking a variety of targets.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 23 B-24s pound the town areas of Mogaung and Kamaing during the afternoon, following an earlier B-25 raid on Kamaing; 40+ P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s hit gun positions S of Walawbum, troops and storage areas W of Mogaung at Pahok, trains near Myitnge and Anisakan, the airfield at Anisakan, and the town area of Laban.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 6 B-24s bomb Kowloon Docks; B-25s from Suichwan sink a motor launch and damage 2 cargo vessels and a barge in the Anking area; escorting P-38s shoot down several interceptors; P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance bomb or strafe barracks and shipping at Foochow, airfield and barracks at Nanchang, factory, barracks, and bridge near Sienning, and in French Indochina, freighters at Hongay and Campha Port, barracks at Ha Coi, and the area E of Lang Son.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): A-24s and P-40s from Makin and B-25s from Tarawa Atoll attack airfields, AA positions and radio installations at Mille and Wotje Atolls. B-25s, operating out of Engebi (secured by invading forces on 22 Feb) for the first time, bomb Kusaie.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): P-40s and P-39s attack the Vunapope supply area; 19 B-24s pound the Rabaul area, starting several large fires. 40 B-25s hit Japanese positions in the hills near Empress Augusta Bay; P-39s attack targets at Kepiai Plantation.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 11 B-25s bomb Lorengau and several targets of opportunity on Manus. B-24s and P-39s, operating singly or in pairs, attack numerous scattered targets of opportunity throughout the SWPA during armed reconnaissance flights.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 70+ fighter-bombers (P-40s, P-51s and A-36s) and 2 B-25s hit fuel and ammunition dumps, gun positions, roads and general targets of opportunity in or near Saungka, Pandaw, Walawbum, Labang Gahtawng, Shaduzup and Mogaung.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In French Indochina, 10 P-40s damage 3 barges at Campha Port, hit buildings on Weichow , China and attack the town area at Ha Coi.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s, operating out of Kwajalein, for first time, carry out the Seventh's first raid from the Marshall against Wake. P-40s and B-25s, operating from bases in the Gilbert , pound Mille and Maloelap Atolls.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 40+ B-24s and B-25s, supported by 20+ P-38s, pound Rabaul town area; and 20 P-40s bomb Vunapope. On Bougainville , 43 P-40s bomb the Mosigetta area while 4 B-24s pound Monoitu Mission.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 12 B-25s pound Lorengau while 7 B-24s bomb enemy positions to the W of the town, as the preliminaries for invasion of Manus increase. 80+ B-24s, B-25s, and A-20s hit Boram Airfield while 40+ A-20s and P-39s attack targets in the Madang area; P-47s strafe the Hansa Bay area; other aircraft carry out armed reconnaissance and sweeps over wide reaches of NE New Guinea and the New Britain coastal areas. 64th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Dobodura to Nadzab, New Guinea with B-24s. Lost are B-24D "Heaven Can Wait" 42-41216 and P-47D 42-22896.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 50+ P-40s, A-36s, and P-51s, along with a single B-25, pound troops and supply areas at Shedwiyang and near Kamaing, bomb the town of Shaduzup, and hit storage areas near Manywet and Malakawng.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Tarawa Atoll bomb Mille, Wotje and Maloelap Atolls and Nauru , Gilbert . B-25s hit Jaluit Atoll.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 22 B-25s, with USN fighter cover, pound the Rabaul area, concentrating on the N rim of Simpson Harbor; 18 B-24s, with USN fighter cover, follow with a strike against Rabaul customs wharf area; the B-24 strike is followed by an attack on the town area of Rabaul by 64 P-40s, P-38s, and P-39s. Missing is P-39Q 44-2451.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 12 B-25s hit enemy positions and communication at Lorengau as landings on small offshore continue with a beachhead being established on Hauwei. 40+ B-24s B-25s, and A-20s hit the Wewak, New Guinea area. Lost on a ferry flight is B-24J 42-100205. 403d Bombardment Squadron, 43d Bombardment Group, moves from Dobodura to Nadzab with B-24s.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 140+ P-40s, A-36s, and P-51s along with 2 B-25s pound numerous targets of opportunity in the Shaduzup area, knock out a span of a bridge in Shaduzup, hit the town of Loilaw, pound supply and ammunition dumps near Warazup and Seton, and bomb a building area N of Namti.
Air Commando Combat Mission N0. 20. 2:55 Flight Time. Hailakandi, Assam to Wuntho, Burma. The Chindits had established a road block at Wuntho and through radio directions and targeting the area with colored smoke, we were able bomb the Japanese position although no results were noted.
Note: Our missions were very short ones and we usually had an idea of the munitions required before taking off. When working with the Chindits on close support we usually carried fragmentation cluster bombs. There were two types; a 20 pound cluster of 6 per station we dropped from a minimum of 2000 feet (not sure if I have the altitude right) or a parachute type which came in clusters of 3. We could drop these flying from a very low altitude as the chutes delayed the bombs from detonating, giving the aircraft time to get clear. One of my missions included flying with another pilot, this hot shot put 57 fragments into the bottom of our plane when he dropped the load too low. Claimed it was from flak hits but we knew better.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 8 B-24s and 4 P-40s attack the airfield and seaplane anchorage at Kiungshan on Hainan ; and 16 P-40s bomb a bridge at Puchi, scoring direct hits on both approaches. HQ 312th Fighter Wing is activated at Kunming, China.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Engebi bomb Kusaie while B-24s from Tarawa Atoll hit Ponape. B-25s from Abemama and Tarawa Atoll pound Mille Atoll. 38th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 30th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Nanumea to Kwajalein Atoll; the squadron continues operating from Makin with B-24s until 22 Mar.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain , 2 B-24s, with USN fighter escort, and 22 B-25s bomb the Rabaul area, hitting the NW part of Rabaul and harbor and waterfront section; and 27 P-39s, P-40s, and P-38s pound the Vunapope supply area. 31st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), ceases operating from Munda, New Georgia with B-24s and returns to base on Guadalcanal.
Fierce fighting continues on Bougainville, Solomon Islands. Heavy US counterattacks begin to blunt the recent gains by the Japanese. Japanese forces ended their attack on American troops on Hill 700, Bougainville.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 160+ B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, P-47s, and P-40s thoroughly pound the Wewak, New Guinea area; US aircraft claim 8 interceptors shot down. Other aircraft, operating singly or in flights of 2 or 3, attack several targets in the NE New Guinea-New Britain area. 312th BG strikes Alexishafen and loose three planese due to weather: A-20G 42-54117, A-20G 42-54082 and A-20G 42-54085. In the Admiralties, Hauwei is cleared of enemy opposition and artillery is brought ashore. 340th Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, moves from Finschhafen to Saidor with P-47s.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 90+ P-51s, A-36s, and P-40s, along with 3 B-25s, hit Japanese troops, bridges, dumps, and villages in the Mogaung Valley. Air Commando Combat Mission N0.28. 2:40 Flight Time Hailakandi, Assam to Meza, Burma. Bombed Meza railroad bridges with excellent results. Two direct hits on the bridge and one on tracks just short of the bridge. The fighter dive bombed a truck pontoon bridge a few hundred yards away. Both bridges destroyed.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 20 Japanese bombers hit airfields at Hengyang and Suichwan; surprise prevents effective interception by AAF fighters.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Engebi bomb Kusaie . B-25s from Tarawa Atoll hit Wotje Atoll.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 22 P-40s and P-39s hit Vunapope; 23 B-24s, with USN fighter cover, bomb the N waterfront area of Simpson Harbor; and 22 B-25s, with USN fighter escort, bomb the E section of town of Rabaul. P-39s, P-38s, P-40s, and USN fighters hit barges and other targets of opportunity around the coast of Bougainville and along the NE coast of New Ireland .

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 80+ B-24s, B-25s, and A-20s, supported by Allied fighters, pound the Wewak area. Lost is P-47D 42-22920. Two force land but the pilots return to duty: P-47D piloted by Murr and P-47D piloted by Schatzman; 17 other B-24s bomb the airfield at Tadji; and 8 A-20s carry out a sweep over the Madang area while 12 bomb the airstrip at Alexishafen. HQ 8th Fighter Group and 35th and 36th Fighter Squadrons move from Cape Gloucester to Nadzab with P-40s and P-47s respectively.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 31 B-24s and 20+ Royal Air Force (RAF) Wellingtons and Beaufighters pound supply dumps and targets of opportunity in the Rangoon area while 8 other B-24s hit barracks near Bangkok; numerous US and RAF medium and fighter-bombers attack villages, Japanese positions, ammunition dumps, tanks, and many other targets of opportunity in the Chin Hills, at Chindwin, in the Mogaung Valley, and in areas around Mandalay. Air Commando Combat Mission N0. 29. 2:35 Flight time Hailakandi, Eassam to Kawlin, Burma. Bombed supply dumps.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Kwajalein Atoll fly the first Seventh Air Force mission against Truk Atoll, Caroline, hitting Dublon and Eten before dawn; alternate targets of Oroluk Anchorage and Ponape Town are also hit. B-25s from Tarawa Atoll hit Maloelap Atoll. A-24s, P-39s, and P-40s used against Mille and Jaluit Atolls during Operations FLINTLOCK (operations against Kwajalein and Majuro) and CATCHPOLE ( have returned to Oahu for rest and re-equipment. 27th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 30th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Nanumea to Kwajalein Atoll with B-24s; they have been operating from Abemama since 26 Feb.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): Major General Hubert R Harmon, Commanding General Thirteenth Air Force, becomes Commander Air Solomons (COMAIRSOLS). 50+ B-25s, P-40s, P-39s and P-38s and USN fighters pound Vunapope supply areas; 24 B-25s, with USN fighter escort, bomb Lakunai Airfield; 22 unescorted B-24s, finding Tobera clouded over, bomb the airfield at Rapopo as a secondary target.

USMC - Marine Bombing Squadron 413 flies its first combat mission over Rabaul in the PBJ (B-25 Mitchell).

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 200+ B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, P-38s, P-47s and P-40s pound Wewak township, blasting docks, warehouses, gun positions, and numerous other targets; fighters claim 11 enemy aircraft shot down. 36 B-25s bomb Tingo village and Lugos Mission area on Manus, where elements of the 1st Cavalry Division make an amphibious landing, take the mission and head E toward Lorengau.

ADMIRALTIES: US 7th 8th Cavalry Divisions land on Manus Island in the Admiralities.
Amplifying the above:
This refers to the 7th and 8th Cavalry Regiments of the 2nd Cavalry Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division land at Lorengau on Manus. The first landing on Manus was at Los Negros and occurred on 29 Feb 44. The 1st Cavalry Division was the last "square" division in the Army. It also had some commanders with humorous names -- from 19 Apr 41 until 19 Aug 44, it was headed up by Major General IP Swift and then, until Jul 45, by Major General Verne D Mudge. The commander on V-J Day had the much more acceptable moniker of Major General William G Chase. The trend continued in the early days of the Korean War, where the initial commander was Major General Hobart Gay. (Swift and Gay were outstanding officers: Gay had been the right-hand man to Patton through much of the European fighting.)

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 3 B-24s take off from Shemya shortly before midnight 15/16 Mar to fly armed reconnaissance over Matsuwa, Kurile , but turn back prematurely. Some of the bombers jettison their bombloads over the target area.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 6 B-25s damage a bridge at Nattalin near Rangoon, Burma. Air Commando Combat Mission No. 30 2:45 Flight time Hailakandi, Assam to Kalu, Burma.

BURMA: Allied troops take Mawlu, cutting the vital rail link from Mandalay
to Myitkyina.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 7 P-40s on a Yangtze River sweep damage 2 launches near Yoyang and pound barracks and storage at Sienning.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Tarawa Atoll and Abemama pound Wotje and Mille Atolls and Ormed , Marshall.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 13 B-24s bomb Vunakanau Airfield, and 12 B-25s follow with a raid on Vunakanau radar installations; 9 B-25s, 12 P-39s, and 11 P-40s hit Vunapope supply areas; 10 P-38s attack Cape Tawui while 11 B-25s pound the N edge of Simpson Harbor; and 7 P-38s strafe barges W of Raluana Point. At Monoitu Mission on Bougainville , a raid by B-24s demolishes several buildings.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): On New Guinea, 70+ B-24s, B-25s and A-20s hit AA positions, buildings and salvage dumps at Wewak and nearby Brandi Plantation; 19 B-25s bomb personnel and storage areas at Nubia; and B-24s and Catalinas attack a Japanese convoy near Hollandia. 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, moves from Port Moresby to Nadzab, New Guinea with F-5s.

NEI: B-24s bomb docks and factory area at Soerabaja, Java.

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 3 B-24s fly armed reconnaissance over Onnekotan , Kurile , before dawn releasing bombs through the overcast.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 24 B-24s and 12 P-38s attack supply dumps in the Kalewa area in the Chin Hills region; 30+ B-25s, P-51s and A-36s damage Shweli and Mogaung bridges and hit positions and supply dumps in the Kamaing area; 37 P-40s blast the Myitkyina Airfield; numerous other aircraft fly miscellaneous sorties over the Sumprabum area; and 2 B-25s cause fires among oil installations at Chauk. 24th Photographic Squadron (Heavy), Tenth Air Force, based at Guskhara with F-7s, sends a detachment to operate from Hsinching, China.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In French Indochina, 5 B-25s bomb and strafe boatyards at Vinh and hit lumber stores and sawmills at nearby Ben Thuy.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s and B-25s from Tarawa Atoll bomb, respectively, Ponape and Jaluit Atoll Atoll. 392d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 30th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Abemama to Kwajalein Atoll with B-24s.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 31 fighter-bombers and 31 B-25s pound supply areas at Vunapope and at Ralum. On Bougainville, a few fighter-bombers hit a Japanese bivouac area on Matchin Bay. 20+ B-24s pound the airstrip at Namatanai, New Ireland.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): Almost 100 B-24s, B-25s and A-20s attack the Wewak area; P-38s hit the Hansa Bay area while other B-25s bomb the Madang-Alexishafen area. Soerabaja, Java naval base is bombed by B-24s.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 22 B-25s attack villages and oil storage areas near Kalewa while 16 B-24s and 41 RAF Vengeance's pound the same general area hitting Japanese positions and causing many fires; 20+ P-51s and B-25s support ground forces near Chindwin; 14 others hit a truck park and supply area near Mandalay; and 20+ fighter-bombers (P-51s, P-40s and A-36s) bomb the Kamaing area while 10 more damage several riverboats near Katha.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 16 P-40s on a Yangtze River sweep sink 1 large sailboat and strafe a transport ship at Chiuchiang. In French Indochina, 2 P-40s damage a bridge N of Haiphong and attack targets of opportunity in the area, while 2 others sink 2 large junks at Thuong Mo; 12 P-40s on armed reconnaissance from Nanning, China sink a barge and damage other craft at Quang Yen, sink a transport vessel at Campha Port and damage a nearby bridge, attack a train and several buildings in the Lang Son area, and damage a railroad bridge between Lang Son and Phu Lang Thuong.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 2 B-25s from Engebi bomb and strafe Ponape . 13 B-25s from Abemama bomb Jaluit Atoll while 5 from Tarawa Atoll hit the Atoll with bombs and cannon fire. 1 B-24 from Tarawa Atoll bombs Mille Atoll and photographs Mille and Majuro.

USN - Task Group 50.10 (Rear Admiral W. A. Lee), composed of the Lexington, two battleships, and a destroyer screen, bombed and bombard bypassed Mili.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain , 12 P-40s pound fuel stores on Keravia Bay; 13 P-38s follow with a strike on an ammunition dump at nearby Cape Tawui; 12 P-39s later hit the Keravia Bay area; and still later, 24 B-24s and 13 B-25s blast the town of Rabaul and foothills nearby. On Bougainville, 18 P-39s, along with several USN fighter-bombers, hit shipping at the mouths of the Jaba and Tavena Rivers.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force) 100+ B-24s, B-25s, and A-20s continue to pound the Wewak area, hitting AA positions and nearby Brandi Plantation; a Japanese supply convoy reaches Wewak but escapes bombardment. Lost overnight is B-24D "Big Ass Bird II" 42-72801. Lost is A-20G 43-9626.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 20+ B-25s and P-38s hit Wuntho; 70+ fighter-bombers and 2 B-25s over the Mogaung Valley bomb supply dumps, enemy positions, and targets of opportunity throughout the area, concentrating attacks in and near Kamaing, Mogaung and Sumprabum; and 16 P-51s hit barracks and a supply area at Meiktila Airfield near Mandalay while B-25s hit Indaw. 82d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 12th Bombardment Group (Medium), arrives at Tezgaon, India from Italy with B-25s; first mission is 21 Apr.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 2 B-25s, 9 P-38s and 3 P-51s on a Yangtze River sweep damage several river vessels, hit a fort at Chihchow and bomb Nanchang Airfield.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s pound Wake from Kwajalein. B-25s from Abemama and Tarawa Atoll hit Maloelap, Jaluit, and Mille Atolls. 1 B-24 from Tarawa bombs Mille and photographs Mille and Majuro Atolls.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 30+ fighter-bombers over the Rabaul area pound an ammunition dump and other targets around Cape Tawui; and 24 B-25s blast the Vunapope area, concentrating on workers' quarters. 24 B-24s bomb Panapai Airstrip causing considerable damage to the runways.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 100+ B-24s, B-25s, A-20s and P-47s pound the Wewak area, hitting especially hard the Cape Moem and Cape Boram areas; other B-25s and P-39s, along with RAAF aircraft, bomb the Hansa Bay, Nubia, Madang, and Alexishafen areas and hit targets along Bogadjim Road; and 130 B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and P-38s virtually destroy a supply convoy proceeding from Wewak toward Hollandia, sinking at least 5 vessels. P-40s attack a bivouac area and AA on Garove , Bismarck Archipelago.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In the Arakan area of Burma, 12 RAF Vengeance's hit Japanese positions near Kaladan and Buthidaung while 6 P-38s severely damage a bridge at Lamu; 20+ B-25s and P-51s hit communication and transportation targets in the Katha area; 6 B-24s bomb the Moulmein-Martaban area; and 100+ fighter-bombers strike Mogaung Valley buildings and supply areas, and fuel dumps at Mogaung, Myitkyina, Sumprabum and Sahmaw. 81st Bombardment Group (Medium), 12th Bombardment Group (Medium), arrives at Tezgaon, India from Italy with B-25s; first mission is 16 Apr.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): Photo reconnaissance sorties are flown orer C China and NE Burma.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 12 B-25s from Tarawa Atoll bomb the radio station and pier on Emidj , Marshall . 1 other B-25 from Tarawa bombs Mille Atoll, rearms at Majuro, and again bombs Mille on the return trip. HQ 30th Bombardment Group moves from Abemama to Kwajalein.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 20+ fighter-bombers hit the Ratawul supply area; later 20+ fighters attack barges in the Rabaul area while 3 RNZAF Venturas blast several buildings at nearby Massava Bay; and 23 B-24s bomb the airfield at Vunakanau while 24 B-25s pound Lakunai. 10 P-40s and P-39s bomb Numa Numa and strafe coastal targets of opportunity. A reconnaissance patrol of snooper B-24s cover US Marines moving onto Emirau , Bismarck Archipelago; a fighter patrol is unnecessary due to unexpected lack of opposition and after the initial landing by the Marines other Allied ground forces move ashore; by the afternoon of 21 Mar the occupation of the is complete and construction of a base begins shortly. 868th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), Thirteenth Air Force, moves from Munda to Los Negros with B-24s; this squadron uses radar-equipped "snooper" B-24s for low-level attacks at night and for pathfinder operations.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 30+ B-24s bomb the airfield at Aitape; 20+ P-39s and A-20s hit Japanese HQ and other targets along the Bogadjim Road while B-25s and P-39s on armed reconnaissance hit targets at Milhanak, along the Gogol River, at Yeschan, Burui Airfield and at Erima; and at night B-24s bomb remnants of a supply convoy off Cape Terabu. On New Britain, P-40s on armed reconnaissance hit villages and barges along the Bangula Bay coast.

(USN) Two escort carriers provided cover and airspot for the battleship and destroyer bombardment of Kavieng and nearby airfields in a covering action for the occupation of Emirau.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 25 B-25s and P-51s destroy 1 bridge and damage another near Meza, pound buildings and targets of opportunity in the Mawlu area and hit a locomotive and several trucks in the Banmauk-Indaw area; 6 P-38s bomb Monywa oil dumps, causing several large fires; and 80+ fighter-bombers and 2 B-25s hit the town of Manywet, storage area at Myitkyina, buildings at Kamaing and Myitkyina, and warehouses, bypass, and bridge at Hopin. HQ 12th Bombardment Group (Medium) arrives at Tezgaon, India and 83d and 434th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) arrive at Kurmitola, India from Italy with B-25s; first mission is 27 Apr.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Tarawa Atoll hit Mille and Maloelap Atolls and Ponape. Tarawa-based B-25s also pound Maloelap.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 30+ fighter-bombers and 24 B-25s pound the Lakunai Airfield area; 22 B-24s bomb Vunakanau Airfield; and fighters carry out barge sweeps in the Rabaul area. On Bougainville , 14 P-39s hit Numa Numa; small strikes are flown against Monoitu and a bridge at Meive, and fighter-bombers support ground forces and bomb a bivouac along Empress Augusta Bay.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 140+ B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, P-38s and P-40s attack numerous targets at Kairiru Island, Wewak-Tadji- Hansa Bay-Schouten areas; and P-39s and RAAF fighter-bombers blast Japanese positions in the Madang area. P-40s and A-20s on armed reconnaissance attack targets on New Britain and on Garove to the N.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): Japanese troops move into India from Burma and penetrate to 30 miles (48 km) E of Imphal. In Burma, 100+ fighters and fighter-bombers over the Mogaung Valley attack troops, storage, and other targets and cause several fires throughout the area; 20+ P-51s and B-25s carry out ground support missions in the Mawlu area near Katha; near Rangoon 4 B-24s set fire to P-38 damages railroad bridges and several trucks at Pyinmana. 92d Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Group, arrives at Karachi, India from Italy; they will be equipped with P-47s and enter combat on 1 Jun.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In French Indochina, 4 B-25s from Yangkai, China hit several targets in and around Phu Dien Chau, Ha Trung, Dong Giao and Nam Dinh; results include 3 locomotives destroyed and another damaged, 3 125-ft (38 m) steamers damaged, and a bridge roadbed weakened; 1 B-25 is lost.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Abemama and Tarawa Atoll bomb Mille and Jaluit Atolls. 38th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 30th Bombardment Group (Heavy), ceases operating from Makin and returns to base on Kwajalein Atoll with B-24s.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville , 30+ fighter-bombers hit a supply area along the Laruma River; a total of 13 B-24s carry out small strikes against Buka, Monoitu, Kahili, and Kara. 23 B-25s pound Lakunai Airfield, 10 B-24s bomb Tobera, and a single B-24 hits Rabaul.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 130+ B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and P-40s attack the Wewak area, hitting enemy positions, AA guns, storage areas at Wewak, Boram, and Yeschan and hitting shipping offshore at Kairiru Island. Japanese HQ and troops are hit by 25 other aircraft in the Aitape-Tadji area; P-47s hit barges at Alexishafen while P-39s hit a HQ and supply dump along the Bogadjim Road: and A-20s hit barges near Pondo Plantation and hit Ewasse village. 49th FG P-40 bomb the Tadji area. Lost is P-40N piloted by Cash and B-24D "Weezie" 42-41081 on a courier flight. Also P-38J "Marge" 42-103993.