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

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May 19th 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A B-24 flies armed reconnaissance over Shimushu and Ketoi Islands, Kurile Islands.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, A-36s, P-40s, P-51s and a few B-25s fly 140+ attack sorties against various targets in the Mogaung Valley, concentrating on gun positions in the Myitkyina area; 8 B-25s damage railroad tracks in the Myingatha-Saye area and 16 P-38s hit the airfield at Nawnghkio.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 31 fighters support ground forces in the Salween area at Chiangtso, Watien, and Mamien Pass; 4 P-40s knock out a bridge at Shweli, Burma, 13 P-40s bomb and strafe the Puchi area and 16 P-40s and P-38s damage a bridge at Tayeh and hit military installations and other buildings at Yangsin; 11 P-51s bomb a village near Anking, causing large explosions and fires; 2 B-24s on a sea sweep seriously damage 2 freighters S of Hong Kong; 16 CACW P-40s pound trucks, tanks and troops in the Ichang-Tangyang-Loyang area and attack river traffic at Itu on the Yangtze River.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s based on Engebi hit Ponape Island and B-25s from Makin hit Nanru.

MARCUS - Third Raid on Marcus - Planes from a three-carrier task force USS Essex, Wasp and San Jacinto, (Rear Admiral A. E. Montgomery) hit Marcus with a predawn fighter sweep and strafed and bombed the island for 2 consecutive days.
Rear Admiral Alfred E. Montgomery's Task Group 58.6, consisting of the aircraft carriers USS Essex, with Carrier Air Group Fifteen, and USS Wasp, with CVG-14, attack Marcus Island in the North Pacific. The new light aircraft carrier USS San Jacinto, with Light Carrier Air Group 51, is detached to the north to screen for the rest of the force. Two of the purposes of the raid are to test new target-briefing procedures and also determine the effect of high-velocity attack rockets (HVARs) on ground targets.

PTO: The Japanese establish a line of submarines in the South Pacific (Operation "NA") to intercept USN aircraft carriers however, the USN has deduced the purpose and location of these subs based on radio traffic analysis. On 18 May 1944, the destroyer escort USS England, Lt. Commander Walton B. Pendleton, got underway with two other destroyers and during the next eight days, she sinks five of the submarines, starting with HIJMS I-16, Lt. Commander Yoshitaka Takeuchi.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 40+ P-39s, P-38s and P-40s hit Makada Island, Bismarck Archipelago. 16 B-25s bomb gun positions and supply area at Talili Bay, New Britain Island. On Bougainville Island, 20 AAF fighters and a few USN aircraft bomb huts and bridges at Monoitu, Porton, Toborei, Moisuru and Tsimba.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s, A-20s and P-38s hit airfields and shipping in the Manokwari-Noemfoor Island area; other B-24s pound beach defenses at Bosnik on Biak Island and hit the area between Bosnik and Mokmer; 270+ A-20s, P-47s, P-38s and B-25s continue to blast Wewak, knocking out radar and radio stations and attack targets of opportunity from Wewak to the Hansa Bay area.

USA: The Undersecretary of the Navy, James V. Forrestal, becomes the Secretary of the Navy.

 

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May 20th 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 100+ A-36s, P-40s and P-51s pound gun positions, attack bridges, bomb troops and hit numerous targets of opportunity in areas around Myitkyina, Kamaing, Nanyaseik, and Nsopzup; 16 RAF Vengeances and 2 P-38s hit targets in the Arakan area, including a signal center SE of Buthidaung, gun positions SE of Maungdaw and a jetty at Akyab; about 40 B-24s and P-51s hit oil installations at Yenangyaung and Chauk, airfield at Pakokku, and town of Akyab. In India, HQ 1st Air Commando Group moves from Hailakandi to Asansol; the group consists of the following sections: bomber (B-25s), fighter (P-51s), light-plane (L-1 L-5), transport (C-47), glider (CG-4) and light-cargo (UC-64); the bomber section is eliminated and after converting from P-51s to P-47s, the group begins a training program; a detachment of 9th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, operating from Dinjan since Sep 43 returns to base at Barrackpore with F-5s.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 19 B-24s attack a convoy S of Hong Kong claiming 2 motor launches sunk and damaging several larger vessels; 3 B-24s are lost at sea; 37 P-40s hit trucks, armored vehicles, river traffic
and troops in or near Shasi, Ichang, Tangyang, Chingmen, Loyang and Loning; on the Salween front 43 fighters and 8 B-25s support ground forces and damage a bridge N of Tengchung over the Shweli River.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Engebi bomb Ponape.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville Island, 22 B-25s, 44 P-39s, P-40s, and P-38s and 30+ USN and US Marine Corps (USMC) aircraft pound AA positions, bivouacs and supply areas from the Muguai- Ebery's Lease area to the Maika area; 24 other P-39s hit barges in Matchin Bay, AA guns on Sohano, and bridges at Kieta. 3 B-24s bomb the Tobera runway.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s, A-20s and B-25s hit airstrips, revetments, supply area, AA positions and shipping at Manokwari, Noemfoor and Biak Islands, and Mawi Bay; A-20s, B-25s and fighter-bombers continue to pound airfields, coastal villages, bridges, supply dumps, trucks and various other targets at Wewak and from Wewak to the shore of Hansa Bay.

PTO: Aircraft from the carriers USS Essex and USS Wasp continue their attacks on Marcus Island in the North Pacific but bad weather halts operations. Meanwhile, aircraft from the light aircraft carrier USS San Jacinto, which has been positioned to the northwest of Marcus as a screen, sink a Japanese guardboat.

SOLOMONS, BOUGAINVILLE: Three light cruisers and eight destroyers (USN Task Group 53.18) bombard Japanese installations on Alu, Poporang and Morgusia Islands in the Shortland Islands off the south end of Bougainville Island, Solomon Islands.

 

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May 21st 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 120+ P-40s, P-51s, A-36s and B-25s hit Mogaung, Myitkyina, the Talawgyi-Hokat area, and Kamaing; gun positions around Myitkyina and Mogaung are also hit; a single B-24 bombs NW part of Mandalay; 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, based at Kisselbari, India with P-40s, sends a detachment to Tingkawk Sakan.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 27th Troop Carrier Squadron, 443d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Sylhet, India to Yunnani, China; during the next nine months, detachments will operate from Chanyi, Chengtu and Kunming at various times.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 53 B-24s from Kwajalein bomb various targets in Wotje Atoll; 41 B-25s, based on Makin, follow up with bombing, cannonading and strafing attack on the atoll. 8 B-24s stage through Eniwetok to strike Rota and rearm at Los Negros.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain Island, 3 B-24s, 30+ P-39s and P-40s, and 40+ USN dive bombers hit Vunakanau Airfield and nearby plantation; 8 P-38s, followed shortly by USN aircraft, bomb Lakunai Airfield. Lost is TBF 23987.

40+ P-39s, P-38s, and P-40s fly sweeps over Bougainville; bridges at Rigu Mission and Shishigatero are reported demolished.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s, A-20s and P-38s attack airfields, town areas, barges, personnel and supply areas, and fuel dumps at Manokwari, Urarom, along the Moemi River and on Noemfoor and Biak Islands; fighter-bombers. A-20s and B-25s continue almost constant pounding of supply dumps, camps, AA positions and a variety of targets along the coast from Wewak to Hansa Bay. Lost is B-25D "Tin Liz" 41-30074; and 13th Bombardment Squadron, 3d Bombardment Group, moves from Nadzab to Hollandia with A-20s. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s bomb Truk Atoll.
NEW GUINEA: The Airfield at Arare is reopened by US engineers.

HAWAII: In the Territory of Hawaii, the accidental explosion of mortar ammunition being loaded in the tank landing ship USS LST-353 at West Loch, Pearl Harbor, destroys this ship and five other LSTs; three tank landing craft (LCTs); 17 tracked landing vehicles (LVTs); and eight 155 mm guns. Two other LSTs are damaged.

 

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MONDAY, 22 MAY 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 Attu Island, Aleutian Island-based B-25s on a shipping strike near Paramushiru bomb and strafe a picket boat, which is left sinking.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 2 B-25s attack a large concentration of sampans in Honghai Bay; 2 others heavily damage a 150-ft (45.7 m) cargo vessel near Hong Kong; 22 P-51s pound the town of Anking and military area NE of Nanchang; 24 P-40s hit the Sienning area, bombing a factory W of town, damaging a bridge near town, and strafing numerous trucks in the vicinity; 23 P-40s hit road and river traffic in areas around Loyang, Loning, and Itu; and 5 P-40s bomb Yangsin.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 8 B-25s based on Engebi bomb Ponape. Weather cancels other strikes.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 40+ P-39s, P-38s and P-40s hit targets of opportunity in the coastal area near Talili Bay on New Britain Island. 24 B-25s pound Mioko I, Bismarck Archipelago. On Bougainville Island, 40+ P-39s bomb the Bonis supply area and blast 4 small bridges near Kieta.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s and B-25s bomb Manokwari, shipping E of Cape Manggoear and storage areas and Sorido village on Biak Island; P-40s hit supply and fuel dumps, trucks and other targets of opportunity in the area of Wakde Island; B-24s, B-25s and fighter-bombers continue to bomb and strafe various targets in the Wewak- Hansa Bay area; and HQ 348th Fighter Group and 341st and 342d Fighter Squadrons move from Saidor Airfield to Wakde Airfield with P-47s. Lost are F-7A "Under Exposed" 42-73052 and B-25D "Torrid Tess The Terror" 41-29692.

RAAF: Lost is Anson A4-20.

PTO: A US submarine spots the IJN forces near Tawi Tawi.
Wake Island is bombarded by a strong US destroyer force.
The destroyer escort USS England sinks a second Japanese submarine in three days. HIJMS RO-106, Lt. Eyasu Uda, part of Operation "NA," is sunk 250 miles north of Kavieng, New Ireland, Bismarck Archipelago.
Two USN destroyers bombard Wotje Atoll, consisting of 65 islets in the Marshall Islands.

 

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TUESDAY, 23 MAY 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 P-38s bomb Tiddim road; 12 B-24s bomb the Indaw marshalling yard and Homalin; 16 P-38s attack Kangaung Airfield; and 23 P-40s and 4 A-36s bomb gun positions, troops and supply dumps in the Myitkyina area.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): Makin based B-25s strike Jaluit Atoll. B-24s returning from Los Negros where they landed after the raid on Rota on 21 May, bomb Ponape.

USN - Third Wake Raid--Carrier Task Group 58.6 (Rear Admiral A. E. Montgomery) shifted from Marcus to hit Wake with five composite bombing, strafing and rocket strikes.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 2 B-24s bomb Tobera, while 32 B-25s and 40+ P-39s, P-38s and P-40s attack gun positions near Rabaul, near Lakunai and in the vicinity of Tunnel Hill Road. On Bougainville Island, 51 P-39s and 8 P-40s attack huts, barges, bridges and
other targets of opportunity at several locations.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (Fifth Air Force): B-24s hit Manokwari while B-24s, A-20s and P-38s hit targets on Biak Island, including trucks at Borokoe, AA positions and control tower at Mokmer Airfield, the village of Sorido and offshore targets at Bransfari; P-40s hit troops on Wakde Island and on the Biri River; P-38s support ground forces in the Aitape area; A-20s, P-39s. B-24s and B-25s maintain bombing and strafing of the Wewak-Hansa Bay area.

PTO: Aircraft of Task Group 58.6, the USS Essex with Carrier Air Group Fifteen, USS Wasp with CVG-14, and USS San Jacinto with Light Carrier Air Group Fifty One, attack Wake Island.
The destroyer escort USS England sinks another Japanese submarine, RO-104, Lt. Hisashi Izubuchi, involved in Operation "NA;" this is the third submarine sunk by the DE in four days. The sub is sunk 250 miles NNW of Kavieng, New Ireland Island, Bismarck Archipelago.

 

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WEDNESDAY, 24 MAY 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 bombers fly weather and photo reconnaissance over Shimushu Island and bomb the Matsuwa Island area.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 20+ P-40s in the Myitkyina vicinity destroy 8 barracks buildings and knock out a railway bridge and a machinegun post; a single B-24 bombs Gwa in the Arakan area.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Makin pound Wotje and Jaluit Atolls, using Majuro as a shuttle base for rearming between the strikes. B-25s based at Engebi hit Ponape.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): In the Rabaul area of New Britain Island, 19 P-38s, P-40s and 22 B-25s attack Hospital Point gun positions; 2 other B-25s hit the town of Rabaul; fighter patrols hit various targets of opportunity in the Rabaul area and S New Ireland Island. In the Solomon Islands, 51 P-39s, P-40s, and P-38s, and a single B-24, attack various targets on Buka-Bougainville Islands including Buka Airfield, E Bougainville coastal bridges, and Lahan radar station.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): A-20s hit airfields at Namber and Kamiri; 200+ A-20s, P-38s, P-47s, P-39s and B-25s continue to blast targets of opportunity in the Wewak-Hansa Bay area throughout the day.

PTO: The destroyer escort USS England (DE-635) sinks Japanese submarine HIJMS RO-116 225 miles NNW of Kavieng, New Ireland Island, Bismarck Archipelago. This is the fourth submarine involved in Operation "NA" sunk by USS England in five days.

 

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THURSDAY, 25 MAY 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 1 Shemya based B-24 flies reconnaissance and bombing mission in the C Kurile Islands; another B-24 aborts due to equipment failure.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 28 P-38s sweep over the Mandalay area; 12 of them hit about 10 railroad cars near Shwebo, leaving them burning; B-24s hit targets in the Katha area, 6 of them bombing Indaw and 4 bombing the Naba rail junction area.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s flying out of Engebi bomb Ponape.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 3 B-24s bomb Rabaul, Lakunai, and Rapopo; 8 P-38s hit Vulcan Crater barge hideout; 12 B-25s, clouded out of Vunakanau, hit the Talili Bay supply area. On Bougainville Island, 15 B-25s, 32 P-39s and P-40s, and 25 USN dive bombers hit supply areas at Porton; 4 other P-40s hit trucks at Monoitu Mission; 16 P-39s attack several targets of opportunity, including the Cape Lahan radar station.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s attack shipping at Halmahera Island and in New Guinea, hit Mokmer and targets in the Wakde area; 90+ fighter-bombers, A-20s, B-25s, and B-24s pound numerous targets in the Wewak area. Units of the 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group moving in New Guinea: air echelon of 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment), from Finschhafen to Wakde with B-25s; 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, based at Gusap begins operating from Tadji with P-40s.

RAAF - Lost in an aerial collision is Vengence A27-49 and Vengence A27-92.

 

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FRIDAY, 26 MAY 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-24s off on an armed photo mission over Shimushu Island turn back due to mechanical troubles.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 23 P-40s sink several supply boats on the Yangtze River near Shihshow, strafe troops at Shasi, hit road traffic near Loyang and strafe pontoon bridges, supply dumps and troops at Shanhsien; 7 P-40s bomb the town of Hsing-tzu; and 2 B-25s damage a small tanker N of Swatow.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 45 B-25s, flying out of Makin attack Emidj Island, Jaluit Atoll, Marshall Islands. 9 B-25s from Engebi fly a successful search mission for a downed B-25 crew in the vicinity of Ponape and Pakin Islands, Caroline Islands; after locating the survivors, later picked up by USN destroyer, the B-25s attack Pakin and Ponape Islands with cannon and machine gun fire.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain Island, 24 P-39s and P-40s hit the Rabaul area while 12 B-25s bomb supply areas at Talili Bay. 40+ P-39s and P-40s hit barges NW of Ballale, supply areas and other targets at Porton, and piers at Ratsua and Soraken, all on Bougainville Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-24s bomb Biak Island while B-25s hit Wakde Island and nearby coastal areas; other B-25s bomb a variety of targets on Aroe Island; 100+ A-20s, B-25s and fighter-bombers continue to blast the coastal region around Wewak; villages and gun positions on Hansa Bay are also hit; and the 340th Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, moves from Saidor to Wakde Island with P-47s.

PTO: The destroyers of Task Group 57.8 bombard Japanese installations on Mili Atoll in the southeastern Marshall Islands.
The destroyer escort USS England sinks Japanese submarine HIJMS RO-108 110 miles NE of Manus Island, Admiralty Islands . This is the fifth submarine involved in Operation "NA" sunk by USS England in seven days.

 

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SATURDAY, 27 MAY 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 bombers fly weather and armed photo reconnaissance and bomb Ushishiru Island, Kurile Islands.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 15 B-24s bomb Pakokku and Nyaung-u, Burma.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 24 rocket-firing P-40s hit the barracks area W of Sinyang, military installations and trucks at Nanchang, and troops, trucks, barracks, and warehouse area in the Puchi vicinity.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 24 B-24s from Kwajalein and 52 B-25s from Engebi pound Ponape.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain Island, about 200 AAF, USMC and USN aircraft (fighters, dive-bombers, and B-25s) are sent against gun positions on Hospital Point; 160+ aircraft bomb the targets with more than 90 tons (99.2 tonnes) of explosives, destroying or damaging several of the guns; other fighters hit targets of opportunity in the Rabaul area and a barge off SW New Ireland Island; and 4 B-24s bomb Tobera. AAF fighters attack beached barges in the Chabai area and in Buka Passage, Aku and Nova Plantation and a bridge over the Oamai River; detachment of 419th Night Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, operating from Bougainville since Jan with P-61s, returns to base on Guadalcanal Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): Babo and Biak are pounded by 170+ B-24s and B-25s; after the aerial and naval bombardment, Allied amphibious forces land on Biak in the Bosnik area, secure the beachhead, and gain control of a trail over ridges to the inland plateau to the N. Japanese aircraft attack the landing area. Lost is Ki-45 piloted by Takada. About 170 A-20s, P-38s, P-40s and B-25s blast the Wewak area. Lost is P-47D 42-22661.
The US 41st Division lands at Biak, New Guinea.
Amplifying the above:
In New Guinea, Operation HORLICKS commences. A naval bombardment by heavy and light cruisers and destroyers of the U.S. Navy's Task Groups 77.2 and 77.3. The U.S. 41st Infantry Division (minus) then lands on Biak Island in Geelvink Bay.
The first wave lands exactly as planned, but strong currents carry subsequent units well west of their designated landing beaches. Fortunately, only nominal Japanese resistance is encountered because the landings catch the Japanese flat-footed. After securing the beachhead, the soldiers gain control of a trail over ridges to the inland plateau to the north.

 

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SUNDAY, 28 MAY 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-24s fly reconnaissance and drop bombs on Shimushu and Matsuwa Islands. 1 B-25 and P-38s fly a guardship coverage mission, 2 other B-25s fly a negative anti-shipping sweep.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 10 B-24s pound Kalemyo while 8 B-25s hit Tiddim road; 50+ fighter-bombers and a few B-25s hit various targets at or near Mogaung, Myitkyina, Hopin and Sahmaw; 76 fighter-bombers and 24 B-25s bomb marshalling yards at Namma and Katha, hit several targets in the Mohnyin-Hopin area, and bomb a railroad between Naba and Namma. 530th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 311th Fighter-Bomber Group, based at Dinjan, India with P-51s sends a detachment to operated from Kurmitola, India.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 14 P-40s in support of ground forces in the Salween area strafe oil storage at Hsiangta, bomb and strafe the Watien area, and destroy a bridge and damage another on the Shweli River N of Tengchung; and 2 B-25s sink a patrol boat and damage another near Saint John Island.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 29 B-25s stage from Eniwetok bomb Jaluit Atoll, and land at Makin. B-24s from Eniwetok bomb Saipan and Guam Islands, Marianas Islands; those bombing Guam turn S to Los Negros Island to rearm while the others return to Eniwetok. B-25s flying from Engebi bomb Mille Atoll. B-24s escort USN photo planes over the Marianas Islands.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 3 B-24s, followed by 23 B-25s and 12 P-38s, blast Lakunai Airfield; 33 P-39s and P-40s join 40+ USN dive bombers in a strike on Tobera airstrip. 5 B-25s hit Namatanai supply and personnel area on New Ireland Island. On Bougainville Island, fighter-bombers hit the Tsundan supply area, huts and buildings at Gohi, Nova and Monoitu, suspected barge hideout near Tonolai, and AA guns on Ballale.

RNZAF Lost on a bombing mission to Vunakanau is TBF Avenger NZ2530

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-24s and B-25s in support of ground forces on Biak Island hit villages, supply areas, troop concentrations and gun positions on Biak, Noemfoor, and Japen Islands; A-20s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers blast troop concentrations, AA positions and supply dumps in the Wewak area; A-20s supporting ground forces in heavy fighting in the Sarmi area, hit positions with minimum-level strikes. B-24s bomb Boela and 421st Night Fighter Squadron, V Fighter Command, based at Nadzab with P-70s, sends a detachment to operate from Wakde. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s bomb the airfield on Woleai.

BISK ISLAND, NEW GUINEA: the US forces extend their perimeter.
The advance of the 162d Infantry Regiment along the coastal track toward the airstrips is slowed by equatorial heat; thick, 12-foot scrub growth; rugged terrain; and small parties of Japanese entrenched in caves cut into the face of a 200-foot high cliff. Patrols advance to within 200 yards of the airfields when a Japanese counterattack drives them back. The infantry is now under attack from the west and the targets of well-aimed fire from the East Caves which dominate the coastal road. In danger of being cut off, the regiment withdraws late in the afternoon. USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24s and B-25 Mitchells in support of ground forces on Biak Island hit villages, supply areas, troop concentrations and gun positions on Biak, Noemfoor, and Japen Islands.

PTO: General MacArthur announces that the strategic campaign for New Guinea is complete. He cautions that some hard tactical fighting remains to clean up the remaining Japanese.

PHILIPINES: The submarine USS Narwhal lands 23-men and 25 tons of supplies on Samar Island, Philippine Islands.

 

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MONDAY, 29 MAY 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): At dawn 2 B-25s photograph and bomb Shimushu and Matsuwa Islands (secondary). During the early afternoon 2 B-25s escorted by 4 P-38s strafe, bomb and sink a patrol boat in the Kurile Islands. Later 4 other B-25s unsuccessfully attack 2 vessels off Shimushu.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 27 B-25s and 40+ fighter-bombers pound troops and positions at Bhamo and Mohnyin, the railroad at Mogaung and warehouses at Sahmaw.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 7 B-24s pound areas along the Burma Road, 3 bomb the town of Wanling, Burma, and 2 attack a convoy of Hainan Island, China, claiming a 250-ft (76 m) freighter sunk. In China, 26 P-40s and P-38s attack troops at Lushan, pound barracks and demolish 7 trucks at Yuanchu, bomb and strafe the general area at Nanchang and destroy several buildings along the Hsiang River N of Changsha; and 19th Liaison Squadron, Fourteenth Air Force, attached to Y Force, moves from Ondal, India to Kunming with L-1s and L-5s.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): Operations are restricted to photo missions over Wotje, Mille, and Jaluit Atolls.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): Major General James T Moore, USMC, takes over as Commander Air Solomons (COMAIRSOLS). On New Britain Island, almost 100 B-25s, P-38s, P-39s and a variety of USN aircraft pound the Rabaul area, with AAF aircraft concentrating on the Nordup supply area and the others concentrating on Hospital Point AA positions. On Bougainville Island, 24 P-39s and 16 P-40s blast occupied areas W of Tinputs Harbor and at Arigua Plantation.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-24s pound gun positions, defense areas and troops, as the first tank battle of the SWPA is fought W of Parai on Biak Island; other B-24s pound airfields on nearby mainland at Timoeka and Babo; A-20s, B-25s and P-47s, along with RAAF aircraft and a few B-24s from the Biak strike, saturate the Wewak area with continuous air strikes; in the Wakde-Sarmi battle zone, B-25s and P-40s hit forces in the Mount Saskin area; B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb Woleai and other nearby islands in the Caroline Islands.

BIAK ISLAND, NEW GUINEA: On Biak Island off New Guinea, the Japanese 222d Infantry Regiment attacks the American lines supported by six light tanks. American M4 Sherman tanks dispatched the Japanese tanks and troops of the 162d Infantry Regiment broke the Japanese attack. The Japanese regroup for another attack and the Americans finally realize that they must clear the high ground before they can drive to the airfields.

NEW IRELAND: USN destroyers shell Japanese installations on the north coast of New Ireland Island in the Bismarck Archipelago.

 

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TUESDAY, 30 MAY 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 1 B-25 and 2 P-38s fly guardship cover.

ZONE OF INTERIOR (HQ USAAF): All Fighter-Bomber Groups/Squadrons are redesignated Fighter Groups/Squadrons.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 9 B-25s attack the railroad between Namma and Hopin; B-25s and fighter-bombers fly 100 sorties against railroad targets, hitting tracks, rolling stock, stations, and bridges in the vicinities of Mogaung, Myitkyina, Hopin and Loilaw; the Imphal-Tiddim road is bombed by 3 B-24s.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 48 fighters support ground forces in the Mamien Pass-Watien-Chiangtso area; 31 supply aircraft drop food and ammunition to friendly forces in the Mamien Pass area; 13 B-25s damage the Wan Pa-Hsa, Burma bridge and bomb Lungling, destroying 6 warehouses and starting several big fires; 8 P-51s hit railroad targets of opportunity on sweeps from Peking, Chengting, Pingting, Linfen and Puchou; 16 P-38s and P-51s dive-bomb installations at the W end of the Nanchang bridge, causing much damage; 5 B-25s and 12 P-40s strafe troops, supplies, and occupied strongpoints at Loyang and at several locations along the Yangtze and Yellow
Rivers; Japanese air strikes on Hengyang and Liangshan Airfields destroy 4 AAF aircraft, damage several others, and blow up a fuel dump.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Engebi bomb Ponape, which is also hit by B-24s returning from the shuttle base on Los Negros. 2 forces of B-24s from Kwajalein strike Truk Atoll and Wake.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 23 B-25s bomb personnel areas NE of Tobera; 40+ P-38s, P-40s and P-39s bomb a supply dump near Ratawul. On Bougainville island, 33 P-39s and 8 P-40s demolish bridges at Kirinani and over the Siaibai River; a log ramp over the Miwo River is damaged and a road between the Purlata River and Kiaraba is hit; the fighter-bombers also attack Buka runway, Chabai barge anchorage and Soraken supply area.

USMC - Lost over New Ireland is SBD 54217.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): On New Guinea, B-25s hit enemy positions as fighting on Biak Island slacks temporarily; other B-25s bomb the airfield and nearby AA guns and fuel at Timoeka; B-24s and A-20s hit Japen Island; in the Wakde Island-Sarmi battle area, B-25s bomb and strafe the shoreline from the NW of Sawar to Sarmi Point; the Wewak area is again blasted by 70+ A-20s, B-24s and B-25s, along with RAAF aircraft. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s hit Truk Atoll and Woleai and Puluwat, Caroline Islands.

 

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WEDNESDAY, 31 MAY 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): During the morning 2 B-25s and 4 P-38s fly guardship cover. A bomber flies a weather mission while another reconnoiters and hits Buroton Bay, Kurile Islands.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s hit the Tiddim road; 130+ B-25s, A-36s, P-51s, and P-40s hit troops, defensive positions, artillery emplacements, boats, railroad facilities, and villages in the 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-25s and fighter-bombers pound the Bhamo town area and airfield; and 10 B-24s bomb Ye-u, demolishing several buildings.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 51 P-51s and P-40s pound shipping along the Yangtze River, claiming direct hits on 5 small ships; 16 P-51s and P-40s bomb Kweiyi and Yoyang and installations on the river to the S; 10 P-38s bomb the bridge and warehouse area at Nanchang; 12 P-40s bomb Pingkiang; 4 B-25s bombHankow airfield, Pailochi, and motor convoy at Yoyang; 6 other B-25s knock out the bridge at Kengluang; 13 B-24s pound the town of Lungling, causing big fires, while 14 B-24s, supported by P-40s blast the warehouse area at Lashio, Burma; 4 P-40s destroy several aircraft during strafing runs on Linfen and Hohsien Airfields.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain Island, 12 P-38s bomb Vulcan Crater barge hideout; 22 P-39s and 12 P-40s blast supply dumps near Ratawul; 33 B-25s pound Rabaul truck concentrations, wharf area, and NE section of town. 5 B-25s bomb targets of opportunity along the NW coast of New Ireland. On Bougainville, P-39s bomb several targets, including Soraken, Arigua, and several barges and vehicles.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-25s and A-20s hit the Babo area, bomb the airfield near the Ransiki River, cover the beachhead on Biak Island and attack fishing boats on the shore of Japen Island; P-47s and B-25s pound villages, barges, and gun positions in the Wakde-Sarmi battle area; B-24s, P-39s and RAAF aircraft continue to hit the Wewak and Hansa Bay areas. Lost over Rabaul is TBF Avenger NZ2521

PTO: The destroyer escort USS England sinks Japanese submarine HIJMS RO-105 200 miles NNW of Kavieng on New Ireland Island, Bismarck Archipelago. USS England is assisted by the destroyers USS McCord and USS Hazelwood and destroyer escorts USS George, USS Raby and USS Spangler. This is the sixth submarine involved in Operation "NA" sunk by USS England.

 

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THURSDAY, 1 JUNE 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-24s from Shemya photograph and bomb installations at Buroton Bay, Kurile Islands, including a suspected seaplane base and the harbor area. Of 2 B-25s and 4 P-38s taking off for a guardship cover mission, 3 aircraft abort with engine trouble; 2 other B-25s fly a negative antishipping sweep.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 7 B-25s pound bridges at Songon and Bongyaung and hit the Imphal, India-Tiddim road; 20+ others fly ammunition into the Imphal area. 19 P-40s hit targets in the Myitkyina area.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 25 fighter-bombers hit the Chenghsien railroad yards; 18 fighter-bombers bomb docks, a gunboat, and barracks in the Chiuchiang area and strafe about 300 troops at Sanyenchiao; 76th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, moves from Suichwan to Lingling with P-51s; 91st Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Group, moves from Karachi, India to Fungwanshan with P-47s; and during Jun, the 449th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, moves from Suichwan to Kweilin with P-38s.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Eniwetok hit Ponape.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): HQ XIII Bomber Command moves from Guadalcanal to Los Negros. In the Bismarck Archipelago, 9 B-25s bomb Matupi Island and 3 hit the SE part of Rabaul and 12 others pound personnel and the supply area NE of Tobera; 30+ P-38s and P-40s hit Talili Bay supply areas; and 5 medium bombers hit a barge hideout and buildings on Duke of York Island. In the Solomon Islands, 30+ P-39s attack Tonolai, Arigua and Arawa on Bougainville Island and barges at Sohano.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s bomb Amboina on Ambon and Kai Island in the Moluccas Islands and Boeroe Island in the Sunda Islands. B-25s and A-20s attack targets of opportunity in the Kaukenau area, at Ransiki and on Noemfoor and Biak Islands; A-20s, B-25s and P-39s hit villages, bivouac, and other targets of opportunity in the coastal area from Wakde Island to Hollandia; the bombing of the Wewak-Hansa Bay coast continues.

RAAF: During a training flight, two Boomerangs collid over Mildura: Boomerang A46-144 and Boomerang A46- 14.

PTO: The submarine USS Narwhal lands 16-men and 25 tons of supplies on the southwest coast of Mindanao Island in the Philippine Islands. The sub takes out two men to help plan future missions.
The submarine USS Herring, CO David Zabriskie, Jr., is lost. Possibly sunk by a Japanese shore battery -Kurile Is. All hands are lost.

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 428, Shimushu Island in the Kuriles was bombed by Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four before dawn on May 30 (West Longitude Date). Moderate antiaircraft fire was encountered. Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two, Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, and Navy Hellcat fighters bombed and strafed enemy positions in the Marshalls on May 29. Runways, piers, and antiaircraft batteries were hit. Meager antiaircraft fire was encountered.
CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 429, Guam Island was bombed by Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force during daylight on May 28 (West Longitude Date). Approximately ten enemy fighters attempted to intercept our formation. One fighter was prob-ably shot down. Antiaircraft fire ranged from moderate to intense.
Truk Atoll was attacked by Seventh Army Air Force B24's at night on May 30. The airstrips were hit, and a fire started which was visible one hundred fifty miles. One enemy plane was in the air over the target. Anti- aircraft fire was meager.
Wake Island was bombed on May 30 by Seventh Army Air Force B-24's, which obtained hits on Peacock and Wilkes Islands and Heel Point. Moderate antiaircraft fire was encountered.
Ponape Island was raided by Seventh Army Air Force B-25's during daylight on May 30. Gun positions, runways, and defense installations were hit. Antiaircraft fire was meager and no interception was attempted.
Enemy positions in the Marshall Islands were bombed and severely strafed on May 30 by Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two, Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing and Navy Hellcat fighters. Blockhouses, barracks and coastal guns were hit. Antiaircraft fire was meager.

 

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FRIDAY, 2 JUNE 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile Islands, 2 B-24s, finding Shimushiru Island overcast, bomb and photograph Matsuwa Island (the secondary) during dawn.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): B-25s continue to fly ammunition into the Imphal, India area. 12 B-24s airborne against Yenangyaung, Burma fail to hit the primary but unload against alternates in the area. The final seige of Myitkyina, Burma begins.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 80+ P-40s and P-51s pound troopsand vehicles at Tungcheng and Chungyang and strafe a concentration of about 75 sampans on Tungting Lake.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): In the Gilbert Islands, B-25s based on Makin strike Nauru Island.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain Island, 24 B-24s pound the Nordup area and 48 P-38s, P-39s, and P-40s attack the Vunakanau area. 30+ P-39s attack the airfield at Buka, Buka Island and supplies in the Kara-Kahili area.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-25s bomb the Kaukenau-Timoeka area while B-24s bomb positions N of Mokmer Airfield; B-24s and B-25s hit bivouacs NE of Sawar airfield and near the Wiske River and bomb roads along W bank of the Orai River; B-24s, P-39s, and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) airplanes hit the Wewak area; C-47s of the 65th and 66th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 433d Troop Carrier Group, cease operating from Tsili Tsili and return to base at Nadzab. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s bomb Dublon Island, Truk Atoll, Caroline Islands.

 

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SATURDAY, 3 JUNE 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-25s and 2 P-38s fly guardship cover; 2 other B-25s fly a negative shipping search.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 15 B-25s pound the Imphal, India- Tiddim road while a few P-40s hit the Mogaung area; the B-25 ammunition lift to the Imphal area continues.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, P-40s support ground forces at Watien and Tatangtzu, destroy 2 barges and damage others in the Gulf of Tonkin, and strafe 40 barges carrying horses and troops in the Tungting Lake area N of Nanhsien; B-25s, P-40s, and P-51s pound the Pingkiang area.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s staging through Eniwetok strike Truk Atoll in a pre-dawn raid; B-25s from Engebi bomb Nauru. HQ 15th Fighter Group moves from Wheeler Field to Bellows Field.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): All scheduled strikes on the Rabaul area of New Britain Island are cancelled due to weather conditions. 20+ P-39s, turned back from the Rabaul area, hit the Tsundawan-Porton road, vehicles in the Komai area, and AA position at Kara.

NEW GUINEA: US forces advance against heavy Japanese resistance on Biak.

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 431:
A single search plane of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed and strafed shipping and shore installations at Truk Atoll at night on June 1 (West Longitude Date). Four one-thousand-pound bombs were dropped over a medium cargo vessel, two of them scoring direct hits and two straddling the vessel, which was believed sunk. The search plane then strafed a number of small cargo vessels, the seaplane base at Dublon and the airstrips at Eten Island. Two of the small vessels were set on fire, fires were started at Dublon Island and Eten Island, and an ammunition dump exploded. In retiring the search plane was pursued by a single enemy plane which did not make an attack. Over the target antiaircraft fire was moderate.
Two Liberators of the Eleventh Army Air Force bombed Shimushiru Island in the Kuriles before dawn on June 1. No opposition was encountered. Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four bombed Paramushiru and Shimushu Island before dawn on June 1. Fires were started. Antiaircraft fire was light and inaccurate.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-25s, A-20s and B-24s hit Timoeka Airfield and nearby villages, shipping off Manokwari, Seroei Village on Japen Island, positions N of Mokmer, Sorido and Kamiri Airfields; P-38s and P-47s battle fighters over Biak Island and over the Babo area, lost is P-38J 43-28516; P-47s and P-40s hit Sawar Airfield, supplies and fuel dumps in the Sarmi and Orai River areas, and hideouts and occupied areas along the coast; B-24s and fighter-bombers maintain consistent pounding of numerous targets in the Wewak-Hansa Bay coastal region; HQ 49th Fighter Group moves from Hollandia to Biak Island; and the ground echelon of the 82d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, begins a movement from Saidor to Biak; the air echelon operates from Saidor with P-39s. B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb Eten and Dublon Islands, Truk Atoll.

 

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SUNDAY, 4 JUNE 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-24s fly an uneventful reconnaissance over Shimushiru Island; fuel shortage and equipment failure prevent flying to Matsuwa Island (the secondary). Later, a B-25 and 2 P-38s fly a guardship cover mission.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 20+ P-40s hit the Myitkyina area while 19 others hit various points in N Burma, including Haka, Kamaing, Kamasaing, Tagwin, and Bilumyo. B-25s continue the ammunition lift to Imphal, India.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, P-40s bomb artillery positions and targets of opportunity in the Watien area of the Salween battle front. Others bomb railroad targets of opportunity in NE French Indochina.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): During the night B-24s, staging through Eniwetok hit Truk Atoll; B-25s from Engebi follow with a daylight raid on Ponape.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): Bad weather again prevents strikes against the Rabaul area of New Britain Island. On Bougainville Island, P-39s flying a total of 55 sorties, blast a truck park near Komai, strafe huts at Doure, and attack a pier at Tunuru; 9 P-38s weathered out of the Rabaul strike the Tonolai supply area; and a lone B-25 bombs Kahili.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): A-20s bomb the town and harbor at Manokwari and shipping to the E in Geelvink Bay; B-24s bomb Namber and Borokoe Airfields while fighters battle enemy airplanes in the general area; B-24s bomb the area near the Orai River mouth while A-20s hit Wewak and fighter-bombers pound the Hansa Bay coast; a detachment of the 68th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, ceases operating from Tadji with C-47s and returns to base at Nadzab.

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 432:
Shimushu and Paramushiru Islands in the Kuriles were bombed by Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four before dawn on June 2 (West Longitude Date). Two large fires were started on Shimushu. Antiaircraft fire was moderate. Matsuwa Island was bombed by Liberators of the Eleventh Army Air Force before dawn on June 2. No opposition was encountered. All of our planes returned.
Truk Atoll was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators before dawn on June 3. Forty-one tons of bombs were dropped on storage areas and on runways. Several fires and explosions were observed. Antiaircraft fire was meager. Two enemy fighters attempted to attack our force but did no damage.
Nauru Island was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Mitchell bombers and search Venturas of Fleet Air Wing Two on June 2. Antiaircraft batteries were hit and fires Started. Antiaircraft fire was moderate.
Ponape Island was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Mitchells on June 1. An airfield, hangars, and adjacent buildings were hit. No antiairraft fire was encountered.
Remaining enemy objectives in the Marshalls were attacked by Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two, Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, and Navy Hellcat fighters on May 31 and on June 1 and 2. In these raids antiaircraft batteries, coastal defense guns, runways and barracks were strafed and bombed. Antiaircraft fire was generally meager.

 

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MONDAY, 5 JUNE 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 9 B-25s bomb Bhamo and 4 hit the bridge at Ledan Chaung, while others continue ammunition haul into Imphal, India; 50 fighter-bombers pound the Myitkyina area and 20+ others hit Loilaw, Tagwin, Namti, and Mogaung. In India, HQ 3d Combat Cargo Group and 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Combat Cargo Squadrons are activated at Sylhet with C-47s. With this activation, the following squadrons, which have been operating from bases in India since Apr 44, will shortly return to their bases in Italy and Sicily: 4th Troop Carrier Squadron, 62d Troop Carrier Group, to Gaudo Airfield, Italy and 16th, 17th, 18th and 35th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 64th Troop Carrier Group, to Comiso, Sicily.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 12 P-40s support ground forces at Watien and Lameng on the Salween front; 18 B-24s and 12 P-40s bomb Lashio; 7 B-24s blast the barracks and warehouse area at Namhkam; 8 P-40s hit 15 tanks at Taying; 29 P-40s attack numerous oil barges near Yuankiang, leaving
16 of them burning.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): The Twentieth Air Force flies its first B-29 combat mission. Of 98 B-29s airborne from India, 77 bomb the primary target-the railroad shops at Bangkok, Siam; 5 B-29s are lost to non-battle causes.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Makin hit Nauru Island; B-24s from Eniwetok escort photo aircraft over Guam Island, Marianas Islands, bomb the island, and proceed to Los Negros for rearming. B-25s from Engebi strike Ponape.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 23 B-25s bomb a truck park at Rabaul; 22 P-39s strike Ratawul; 11 P-38s hit barges and buildings in the Vulcan Crater area. On Bougainville Island, 30+ P-39s hit vehicles in the Komai-Tobago vicinity, a wooded supply area N of Buka airfield, and Cape Tanabom and Kangu Hill areas.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): P-39s and RAAF aircraft attack the Wewak area; B-24s bomb the area N of Sorido airfield; during the night of 5/6 Jun an all-night series of harassing raids by Japanese airplanes destroy six planes and damage 80 on Wakde Island; 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, moves from Hollandia to Biak Island with P-38s; and 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from Gusap to Tadji with P-39s.

RNZAF: Lost on a strike against Rabaul is TBF Avenger NZ2518.

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 433:
Several enemy patrol-type vessels were sighted west of Truk Atoll on June 2 (West Longitude Date) and attacked by a single search plane. One was probably sunk and all
were heavily strafed. On June 3 another search plane sighted the disposition and made an attack which resulted in the sink-ing of one of the auxiliaries and severe damage to another.
Liberators of the Eleventh Army Air Force bombed Ketoi Island in the Kuriles before dawn on June 4. No opposition was encountered. A single search plane of Fleet Air Wing Four bombed Paramushiru Island before dawn on June 4. All of our planes

 

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TUESDAY, 6 JUNE 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 24 B-25s attack the Waingmaw, Wuntho-Hopin area, and Imphal, India-Tiddim road; others maintain ammunition lift into Imphal; 24 A-36s, 11 P-51s, and 45 P-40s pound Myitkyina; about 40 A-36s and P-40s hit the Mogaung, Mohnyin, Lachigahtawng, Pakhren-Sakan and Kadu areas. In India, HQ 443d Troop Carrier Group moves from Sylhet to Sookerating; and 11th and 12th Combat Cargo Squadron, 3d Combat Cargo Group, move from Sylhet to Dinjan and Fenny respectively with C-47s.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 50 P-40s attack shipping, horses, and troops in the Fulinpu Kweiyi vicinity, 10 P-51s and 6 B-25s pound Tayang Chiang, and 5 B-25s bomb Pailochi Airfield; 9 P-40s hit road and rail targets of opportunity in the Yellow River area; 2 others sink a junk and damage others at Kwangchow Wan.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s returning to Eniwetok from Los Negros (where they rearmed after bombing Guam Island the previous day) hit Ponape Island.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): P-38s bomb a supply dump near Nordup, New Britain Island. On Bougainville Island, P-39s and US Navy (USN) aircraft hit vehicles near Hari; other P-39s pound a pier and buildings in SE Kahili.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-24s and B-25s bomb shipping near Efman and Waigeo Islands; A-20s hit the airfield at Babo, and A-20s and B-25s hit Namber Airfield and tanks near Mokmer; and P-39s, A-20s and RAAF aircraft continue to pound the Wewak-Hansa Bay area, hitting supply dumps and hideouts. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s hit islands in Truk Atoll.

NEW GUINEA: The 186th Infantry prepares an attack on Mokmar Air Field on Biak.

USA: The U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff issue a report entitled "Operations Against Japan, Subsequent to Formosa" which includes three phases of operations in 1945:
Phase I: Attack the Bonin and Ryukyu Islands and the east Coast of China between 1 April and 30 June 1945.
Phase II: Consolidate and exploit Phase I gains between 30 June and 30 September 1945.
Phase III: Invasion of the Japanese home islands beginning with Kyushu on 1 November 1945 and then Honshu on 31 December 1945.

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 434:
Truk Atoll was bombed during the night of June 3-4 (West Longitude Date) by Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force. The airfields at Moen and Param Islands were hit. Four enemy fighters were airborne but did not attack our force. Antiaircraft fire was meager and inaccurate.
Ponape Island was attacked on the night of June 3 by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators and on June 4 by Seventh Army Air Force Mitchells. Installations on Langar Island and antiaircraft batteries were hit. Lauru Island was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Mitchells during daylight on June 3, and by Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two on June 5. Gun positions were the principal targets. Antiaircraft fire was intense.
Enemy positions in the Marshalls were bombed and strafed on June 3-4 search Venturas of Fleet Air Wing Two, Corsair fighters and Dauntless light bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, and Navy Hellcat fighters. Gun positions and runways were hit. Antiaircraft fire was meager.

 

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WEDNESDAY, 7 JUNE 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 11 B-24s bomb Wuntho and Kalemyo; 9 B-25s hit the Wuntho-Shwebo railroad and bridge at Thityabin; other B-25s continue flying ammunition to Imphal, India; and a few P-51s hit Lachigahtawng.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 10 B-25s bomb Lashio and targets of opportunity along the Salween front; 3 B-25s and 15 fighter-bombers bomb tank concentrations at Taying, destroy several locomotives at Linfen, and pound railroad yards at Chenghsien; and P-40s and B-25s strafe sampans at Fort Bayard and sink a schooner off Nampang Island. 2 rocket-firing P-40s damage a processing building at the carbide mines at Na Duonp, French Indochina.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Makin bomb Ponape Island.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): All scheduled strikes in the Rabaul area of New Britain Island are weathered out. P-39s and P-38s hit several targets of opportunity on Bougainville Island, including occupied areas at Monoitu.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-25s bomb Biak Island, hitting pun positions near Bosnik, the airstrip at Sorido, and Borokoe road; A-20s hit shipping in the Manokwari area; B-25s blast supply areas near the Orai River; fighter-bombers and A-20s continue pounding the Wewak-Hansa Bay coast. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s hit various targets in Truk Atoll (weather permits only 10 of the 48-airplane force to reach the target area). Lost is P-40N piloted by Todd.

NEW GUINEA: Mikmer Air Field on Biak Island is captured.

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 435:
Guam Island was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators and Liberator search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two during daylight on June 5 (West Longitude Date). Antiaircraft fire ranged from moderate to intense. Our force was not attacked by enemy aircraft. All of our planes returned.
Nauru Island was bombed on June 5 by Mitchell bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force and Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two. The barracks area, phosphate plant, and gun positions were principal targets.
Ponape Island was attacked by Seventh Army Air Force Mitchells on June 5. Antiaircraft fire was meager.
On June 4 Mille Atoll in the Marshalls was attacked by Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing. Runways were principal targets. Light caliber antiaircraft fire was intense.
A search plane of Fleet Air Wing Two sighted a group of small enemy cargo ships proceeding northwest of Truk on June 5, and attacked and damaged one of the vessels. Another search plane shot down an enemy torpedo bomber west of Truk on June 5