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

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THURSDAY, 8 JUNE 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): B-24s mine the Bangkok and Mergui, Burma areas. B-25s maintain the ammunition supply to Imphal, India. In Burma, 9 B-25s pound the Imphal, India-Tiddim road and a few A-36s and P-51s hit the enemy in the Mogaung area.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 19 P-40s bomb docks, warehouses and military installations at Ichang and Shasi and strafe 2 cavalry units at Nanying; 4 P-51s attack railroad traffic in the Singtai-Chengting area.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): During the night of 7/8 Jun, B-24s from Eniwetok bomb Truk and Ponape. B-25s from Makin follow up during the day with a strike against Nauru Island. In Hawaii, 72d Fighter Squadron, 318th Fighter Group, moves from Haleiwa Field to Mokuleia Field with P-38s; 78th Fighter Squadron, 15th Fighter Group, moves from Mokuleia Field to Bellows Field with P-47s.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 24 B-25s bomb a supply area at Ratawul, New Britain Island. On Bougainville Island, 32 P-39s bomb Tsirogei and a supply area N of Buka, Buka Island and 6 P-38s hit Monoitu Mission.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-25s, P-38s, B-24s and A-20s battle enemy fighters over Manokwari and Efman-Schouten area, bomb a small freighter off Manokwari and hit gun emplacements and occupied areas at Kamiri, at Namber, and near Sorido; P-40s hit supply areas and villages in the vicinity of Sarmi; and A-20s again hit Wewak area. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s from the Admiralty Islands hit Truk Atoll.

(IJN) - Destroyer Harusame is sunk 30 miles off Manokwari

 

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FRIDAY, 9 JUNE 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 5 B-25s carry out a strike on the Imphal, India-Tiddim road while 20+ others continue to supply ammunition to the Imphal area; 40+ A-36s, P-51s, and P-40s hit Myitkyina, Mogaung and Kadu.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, P-40s, P-51s and B-25s fly 200+ sorties against numerous targets throughout the Tungting Lake area; river shipping of all description is pounded, several troop concentrations are attacked, airfields at Hankow and Wuchang are bombed, and the towns of Ichang, Siangyin, Yuankiang and Kiaotow are hit; and 4 B-24 and fighter- bomber sorties over the S China Sea result in claims of 3 sea going vessels, a tug and a barge sunk.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): During the night of 8/9 Jun B-24s from Eniwetok bomb Truk.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain Island, 32 B-25s, 20 P-39s and 5 P-38s pound supplies and gun positions in the Rataaul- Talili Bay area; 5 other B-25s attack a pier at New Massava Plantation and railroad to Mandres Saw Mill. On Buka Island, P-39s hit the town of Buka, a supply area to the N of the airfield, and Arigua Plantation.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s bomb Peleliu Airfield, lost is B-24J 42-100180. A-20s bomb shipping in Manokwari harbor; B-24s, A-20s, B-25s and P-39s, along with RAAF planes, drop about 140 tons of bombs on various targets in the Wewak area; and 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, moves from Gusap to Nadzab with P-47s. B-24s of Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb Alet Airfield and targets of opportunity in Truk Atoll.

From the Cincpac Press Office: CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 438:
Truk Atoll was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators on the night of June 7-8 (West Longitude Date). Airfields were the principal tar-gets. Antiaircraft fire was meager and inaccurate.
Ponape Island was attacked by Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force on the evening of June 6 and at night on June 8. Airfields, plantation areas, and Ponape Town were bombed. Antiaircraft fire was meager.
Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed Pakin and Nauru Islands on June 6. Antiaircraft batteries were hit at Pakin Island.
Enemy positions in the Marshalls were bombed and strafed by Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing and Navy Hellcat fighters on June 6 and 7. Runways, coastal gun emplacements, and antiaircraft batteries were principal targets. A Corsair fighter was downed near Mille Atoll on June 7 and its pilot rescued by a destroyer.

 

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SATURDAY, 10 JUNE 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 23 B-24s bomb targets at Chauk, Lonywa and Yenangyaung while 29 others supply ammunition to the Imphal, India area; 50 A-36s, P-51s and P-40s blast targets at Myitkyina, Mogaung and Tapo. 315th Troop Carrier Squadron, 443d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Sylhet to Sookerating, India with C-47s.
British carriers Illustrious and Atheling raid Sabong.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 23 P-40s and P-51s hit railroad traffic and tracks at Linfen and Loning and a tank concentration at Lingpao; 6 P-40s hit a bridge at Tasa; B-25s, P-40s, P-51s and P-38s carry out 150+ sorties against numerous targets throughout the Tungting Lake area; numerous rivercraft are destroyed or damaged, Kukang and other villages WE of Changsha are bombed, Hankow-Wuchang Airfield revetments and buildings are pounded, the Changshowkai area is blasted and several river landings and storage installations in the lake area are attacked; 3 B-24s on a S China Sea sweep claim 1 small cargo ship sunk; and 75th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, moves from Hengyang to Lingling with P-51s.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s, staging through Eniwetok, bomb Truk Atoll and Ponape Island during the night of 9/10 Jun. B-25s from Makin hit Nauru Island during the day.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain Island, 8 P-38s skip-bomb supply tunnels at Keravia Bay while 4 others strafe nearby AA positions; AA guns S of Rapopo are attacked by 12 B-25s, 20 P-39s, and 20+ US Navy (USN) dive bombers; other B-25s bomb Ratawul. 31 P-39s and 20+ USN aircraft hit Chinatown at Buka on Buka Island and a supply area NE of the airstrip, a barge at Sohano, and on Bougainville Island, trucks near Tsirogei and a ford near Monoitu.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, A-20s hit the airfield at Babo, destroying grounded aircraft, a fuel dump, several buildings, and a gun position; A-20s, B-25s, and RAAF aircraft hit the Wewak area with 100+ tons of bombs; Lost is A-20G 43-21299, A-20G 43-9475 and A-20G-20 42-86621. HQ 312th Bombardment Group and 387th and 389th Bombardment Squadrons move from Gusap to Hollandia (Group and 389th) and Nadzab (387th) with A-20s; air echelon of 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment), 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, that has been operating from Wakde with B-25s since 25 May, returns to base at Finschhafen.

MARIANA ISLANDS: As Task Force 58 approaches the Mariana Islands prior to the invasion of Saipan on 15 June, PB4Y-1 Liberators of Bombing Squadron One Hundred
Eight and VB-109 based at NAB Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands, fly ahead of the task force to intercept and destroy any patrolling Japanese aircraft. These sweeps continue tomorrow and an aircraft from each squadron shoots down a Japanese patrol plane some distance from the fleet. These four-engine planes are used because they are a common sighting and will not arouse Japanese suspicions.

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 439:
Truk Atoll was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators on June 8 (West Longitude Date). No opposition was encountered.
Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed Nauru Island on June 7 and 8 and Ocean Island on June 7. Barracks and gun emplacements were hit. Antiaircraft fire ranged from moderate to intense. Seventh Army Air Force Mitchells bombed Nauru Island on June 8, hitting coastal defense guns and antiaircraft emplacements. Antiaircraft fire was intense.
A single search plane of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed gun positions at Puluwat Island on June 9.
Mitchell bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force attacked Ponape Island on June 7. Hangars near the seaplane base and shops were hit. Meager antiaircraft fire was encountered. On June 8 a single Seventh Army Air Force Liberator bombed Ponape.
Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two, and Navy Hellcat fighters bombed and strafed remaining enemy positions in the Marshalls on June 7 and 8. Piers and antiaircraft batteries were bombed. At one objective a large explosion was caused near an antiaircraft emplacement.
On June 8 two Corsair fighters were downed by antiaircraft fire near Maloelap. One of the pilots was rescued by a destroyer. A Dauntless dive bomber was shot down near Mille the same day and its pilot rescued by a destroyer.

 

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SUNDAY, 11 JUNE 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 55 A-36s, P-51s and P-40s attack targets at Myitkyina, Mogaung, Indawgyi Lake and Padaung, Burma. In India, 30 B-25s continue flying ammunition to the Imphal area; 9th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Pandaveswar to Kurmitola with B-24s; and detachment of 530th Fighter Squadron, 311th Fighter Group, operating from Kurmitola with P-40s, returns to base at Dinjan.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China's Tungting Lake area 80+ P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s pound the towns of Lanchi and Anking, hit a cavalry compound at Kintsing, attack Japanese HQ, positions, and river traffic N of Changsha, destroy or damage several boats, barges, and sampans at Changsha, and strafe numerous targets of opportunity throughout the entire region; in the Yellow River area, 27 B-25s and P-40s pound barracks, fortifications, tank concentration, several armored vehicles, and cavalry forces at Iching and Lingpao; 3 B-25s on a sea sweep in the S China Sea claim a 600-ft (183 m) freighter sunk.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Eniwetok hit Truk during the night of 11/12 Jun. B-25s follow with a raid against Ponape during the morning.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 130+ B-25s, P-38s P-39s and USN dive bombers pound AA positions S and SW of Rapopo. On Bougainville Island, P-39s fly 44 sorties against occupied areas at Komai, Kakaura, and Quaga, AA guns at Kangu Hill, and plantations at Arigua and Tsirogei.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-24s bomb Sorido Airfield and surrounding areas as US carrier forces attack Saipan, Tinian and Guam Islands in the Marianas Islands; B-25s, A-20s, and P-47s continue to saturate the Wewak-Hansa Bay coastline with bombs; 388th Bombardment Squadron, 312th Bombardment Group, moves from Gusap to Nadzab with A-20s. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s bomb Dublon Island in Truk Atoll and Peleliu Airfield.

MARIANA ISLANDS: US TF 58 with 9 fleet carriers and 6 light carriers, strike Saipan and Tinian in the Marianias. Admiral Willis Lee with TF 58.7 commands 7 battleships closes the island for a naval bombardment. Admiral Spruance in overall command flies his flag from the cruiser USS Indianapolis.
Amplifying the above:
In preparation for the invasion of Saipan Island on 15 June, the USN's Task Force 58 dispatches 208 F6F Hellcats and eight TBM Avenger and SB2C Helldivers to fly fighter sweeps over Guam, Saipan, Pagan, Rota and Tinian Islands in the Mariana Islands at 1430 hours local. (The TBMs and SB2Cs are command aircraft to lead the fighters to the target and return to the ships.) The Japanese are completely surprised and the fighters quickly gain air superiority by destroying 100-150 Japanese aircraft on the ground at a cost of eleven F6Fs and eight pilots.

 

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MONDAY, 12 JUNE 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 30+ B-25s continue to supply troops at Imphal, India with ammunition. 16 P-40s hit Mogaung and targets of opportunity in N Burma.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 50 P-40s, P-51s and B-25s hit troop concentrations in the Yellow River area at Lingpao and S of Loyang; in the Tungting Lake area about 100 P-40s and P-51s attack numerous supply boats and other river and lake traffic, and hit dock areas and warehouses at Lanchi, Yuankiang and at scattered points; also hit are villages and troops in the Changsha and Kuanchuang areas; 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth Air Force, moves from Gushkara, India to Chengkung with P-51s.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): Eniwetok Atoll-based B-24s hit Truk Atoll during the night of 11/12 Jun and again during the day.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 6 B-24s bomb runways at Tobera and Rapopo; 22 P-39s and 10 P-38s join 20+ USN aircraft in attacks on supply dumps near Ralum; and 20 B-25s pound Malapau village. 44 P-39s hit the airfield on Buka Island and on Bougainville Island, Tsirogei plantation, barges and pier S of Kleine Island and the occupied area W of Komai.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): Fierce ground fighting continues on Biak Island while Japanese aircraft attack Allied ground forces and shipping offshore; P-47s battle attacking aircraft, shooting down several; P-47s and A-20s hit troop concentrations, communications and various other targets in the Wewak and Hansa Bay areas; 82d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from Saidor to Biak with P-39s; and 386th Bombardment Squadron, 312th Bombardment Group, moves from Gusap to Nadzab with A-20s. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s bomb Dublon Island, Truk Atoll and the airfield on Peleliu Airfield.

MARIANA ISLANDS: US TF 58 continues to attack Tinian, Saipan and Guam. The Japanese naval forces sail from Tawi Tawi and Batavia, and are sighted. The Japanese intend to fight their "Decisive Battle". The land element of their plan has been destroyed by the US carrier attacks.
Amplifying the above:
In the Mariana Islands, eight IJN Betty attack bombers based on Truk Atoll, attack the USN's Task Force 58 between 0315 and 0415 hours but cause no damage. Beginning at dawn, carrier aircraft attack Japanese installations on Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Rota and Pagan Islands. Aircraft of Task Group 58.1 tasked with attacking Guam shoot down 22 Japanese aircraft over Guam and Rota beginning at 0620 hours local while aircraft of Task Group 58.4 attack a Japanese convoy northwest of Saipan sinking thirteen ships and damaging seven others.

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 441, Carrier aircraft again struck Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan on- June 11 (West Longitude Date).
Truk Atoll was attacked by Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force at night on June 9 and 10. Airfields at Param, Eten, Dublon and Moen Islands were principal targets. Several fires were started.
Ponape Island was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators on the night of June 9. Ponape Town and gun positions were hit.
Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed Ocean Island during daylight on June 9, encountering moderate antiaircraft fire. Two of the planes continued to Nauru Island to strafe small craft there.
On June 10 Mitchells of the Seventh Army Air Force bombed Nauru, and started fires visible twenty miles. Heavy antiaircraft fire downed one Mitchell bomber. A Catalina search plane of Fleet Air Wing Two rescued the crew. Enemy Positions in the Marshalls were bombed and strafed on June 9, during the night of June 9-10, and on June 10. Corsair fighters and Dauntless dive bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, Catalina search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two and Navy Hellcat fighters participated in these attacks. Coastal defense guns and antiaircraft batteries were hit.

 

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TUESDAY, 13 JUNE 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): During the night of 12/13 Jun 6 B-24s dispatched to fly an offensive sweep and provide air cover for a naval task force abort the missions due to weather.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): A few P-51s hit Mogaung, Burma. In India, 39 B-25s fly ammunition to the Imphal area; HQ 12th Bombardment Group (Medium) and 81st, 83d and 434th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) move from Tezgaon to Pandaveswar (group and 83d) and Madhaiganj Airfield (81st and 434th) with B-25s; and 35th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, AAF, India-Burma Sector, arrives at Guskhara from the US with F-5s.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 18 B-25s and 56 fighter-bombers pound the marshalling yard at Wuchang; about 70 other B-25s and fighter- bombers attack a variety of other targets in the Tungting Lake region, including many river vessels, the airfield at Pailochi, troop positions NE of Changsha, warehouse and factory area at Shasi and numerous general targets of opportunity; 12 fighter-bombers hit Japanese HQ and barracks at Loyang; 4 B-24s over the S China Sea claim 1 cargo vessel sunk; 4 P-40s pound Japanese positions at Watien and Kaitou; and 491st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st Bombardment Group (Medium), based at Yangkai, sends a detachment to operate from Kweilin and Liuchow with B-25s.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): An attack during the night of 12/13 Jun by B-24s from Eniwetok against Truk and Ponape is followed by a daylight attack by Makin Island-based B-25s against Nauru and Ponape Islands.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain Island, 9 P-38s and 23 P-39s hit Ralum and AA positions to the S; 24 B-25s bomb Tobera AA guns and airfield; 15 others, in 2 waves, bomb Praed Point; and 6 B-24s also bomb Tobera. 31 P-39s and 12 USN aircraft attack supply dumps at Buka on Buka Island and Tapsadawato, Bougainville Island, bomb approach to the Abia River bridge, and hit a garden area at Tabago all on Bougainville Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 100+ A-20s and a few B-25s and P-39s attack miscellaneous targets in the Wewak area; P-39s hit the area around Hollandia and P-47s bomb a bridge over the Orai River and fuel dumps near Sarmi; and A-20s blast enemy positions N of Borokoe. B-24s bomb the Liang Airstrip on Ambon. B-24s from Los Negros bomb Dublon and Woleai and Satawan.

MARIANA ISLANDS: In the Mariana Islands, the battleships and destroyers of Task Group 58.7 conduct almost a day-long bombardment of Japanese installations on Saipan and Tinian. Carrier-based aircraft from fleet and jeep carriers again attack targets on Guam, Saipan and Tinian. During the strikes, the commanding officer of Torpedo Squadron Ten in USS Enterprise is shot down. After parachuting from the aircraft, he lands in the sea off Red Beach Three and notes that the Japanese have marked the length of the reef with red and white pennants, indicating presited artillery ranges. He reports this after he is rescued and this intelligence gem is forwarded to the amphibious forces.
During the night of 12/13 June, 20 F6F Hellcats, guided by two radar-equipped F6F night fighters, attack an IJN convoy 132 miles sw of Guam. The F6F pilots are inexperienced in attacking moving targets at sea at night and only damages one fast transport.

BORNEO: The IJN's First Mobile Fleet sails from the Tawi Tawi anchorage in the Sulu Archipelago with the intention of challenging the USN in the Mariana Islands. The departure is seen and reported by a U.S. submarine.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUE NO. 47, Supplementing Pacific Ocean Areas
communique Number 46, the following information is now available concerning operations of Pacific Fleet Forces against enemy installations at Guam, Saipan, Tinian, and Rota Islands in the Marianas. These objectives were attacked by carrier aircraft on June 10 and 11 (West Longitude Dates). On June 10 our fighter planes swept the objectives in force and destroyed 124 enemy aircraft. A large majority of these were destroyed in the sir. Our losses were 11 Hellcat fighters and eight pilots.
On June 11 our attacks were continued, resulting in the destruction of 16 enemy aircraft, two small cargo ships at Saipan, and a small oiler north-west of Saipan.
A formation of enemy ships apparently attempting to escape from Saipan was brought under attack on June 11. One large oiler, one destroyer, three corvettes, one large cargo ship, one medium cargo ship, and three small cargo ships were sunk; five medium cargo ships and five escort vessels were damaged. A second formation of enemy ships several hundred miles away was attacked and heavily damaged by our aircraft on June 12. These were: three destroyers, one destroyer escort, and two cargo ships.
In the operations on June 11 our losses were four aircraft and seven flight personnel.
On the night of June 10 several enemy planes approached our force, but failed to drive home an attack, and one of them was shot down by antiaircraft fire.
CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 442, Truk Atoll was bombed by Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force be-fore dawn on June 12 (West Longitude Date). Thirty-eight tons of bombs were dropped on airfields and the seaplane base. Three enemy fighters Inter-cepted our force, and damaged one Liberator. Antiaircraft fire was meager. All of our planes returned.
Ventura search planes of Group One, Fleet Air Wing Two, bombed Nauru and Ocean Islands on June 11. Gun positions and barracks were attacked. Moderate antiaircraft fire was encountered.
Ponape Island was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Mitchells on June 11, meeting light antiaircraft fire.
In the Marshalls Navy and Marine fighters and dive bombers attacked Maloelap and Wotje Atolls on June 11.

 

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WEDNESDAY, 14 JUNE 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 4 B-24s fly extensive photo reconnaissance over the C and N Kurile Islands; they are attacked by about 20 fighters of which 3 are damaged.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): A few P-40s hit the Mogaung, Burma area. In India, 21 B-25s continue ammunition supply to the Imphal vicinity; and 436th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Majhaiganj to Tezgaon with B-24s.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 43 P-40s attack river shipping,troops and villages in the Tungting Lake area, at or near Lanchi, Changsha, Chulianchiao and Linyang.

MARIANA'S: US 5th Fleet battleships bombard the Marianias Islands in the Pacific.
Amplifying the above:
The bombardment groups, Task Groups 52.17 and 52.18, begin bombardment of Japanese positions on Saipan and Tinian in preparation for the invasion of Saipan. Enemy shore batteries return fire and damage two battleships, a heavy and light cruiser, and two destroyers.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain Island, 80+ B-25s, P-38s, P-39s and USN aircraft hit supply areas and underground storages along the N shore of Gazelle Peninsula from Vulcan Crater to Vunapope; Ralum, Keravia Bay and Vunapope stores are the hardest hit. P-39s fly 27 sorties along the E shoreline of Bougainville Island from Bonis to Kieta, hitting Monoitu, Bonis and a pier at Kieta Mission.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, A-20s, B-25s and P-39s hit the Wewak area; B-24s bomb Kamiri Airfield; A-20s hit the airfield at Babo, the Orai River bridge, and fuel dumps and other targets near the river's mouth. B-24s bomb the seaplane base at Halong, Celebes Islands. Lost on a recon mission is B-24J 42-73197.

JAPAN: The Submarine USS Golet, is sunk by ASW forces off Northern Honshu All hands are lost.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUE' NO. 48, Attacks directed against enemy positions in the Southern Marianas con-tinued on June 13 (West Longitude Date). Battleships, cruisers, and destroyers of the Pacific Fleet bombarded Tinian and Saipan Islands on June 12. Large fires were started at Tanapag Harbor, and in the towns of Garapan and Charan Kanoa. Our ships suffered no damage. Further air attacks were coordinated with the Naval shelling of Tinian and Saipan.
Pagan island was attacked by carrier aircraft on June 12. Enemy In-stallations were well worked over and three enemy aircraft were destroyed and one probably destroyed.
In operations on June 11 our forces have reported the following additional losses: Three fighter planes, one dive bomber, and four flight personnel. More than 60 survivors of an enemy ship bombed and sunk northwest of Saipan on June 11 have been rescued and made prisoners of war.
On June 12 and 13 ships and aircraft of the Pacific Fleet attacked enemy installations in the Kuriles. A fleet task force bombarded Matsuwa Island and aircraft bombed Shimushu and Paramushiru Islands with airfields as their principal targets.
CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 443, The Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, has received a preliminary re-port from Rear Admiral J. F. Shafroth, U. S. Navy, president of a board of inquiry convened to investigate an explosion and fire which occurred on May 21, 1944, among a group of landing craft moored in Pearl Harbor. The following casualties were caused by the explosion of ammunition being unloaded and the subsequent fire: Dead; Army 8, Navy 9, Marine Corps 10. Missing; Army 53, Navy 21, Coast Guard 26. Injured; Army 56, Navy 143, Coast Guard 3, Marine Corps 159, civilian 19. This accident was originally announced in Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas Press Release Number 414.
CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 444, On June 11 an explosion occurred near a magazine maintained by the Naval Ammunition Depot on Oahu Island. Several torpedo warheads being transferred from a truck to a platform were detonated in the explosion. Some damage was caused in the magazine area and minor damage was done to power lines and railroad tracks. Three men were killed and seven are missing as a result of the accident. The names of casualties are being withheld pending notification
to the next of kin. A court of inquiry of which Rear Admiral T. S. Wilkinson, U. S. Navy, is senior member, has been convened to investigate the accident.
CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 445, Liberator bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force and Liberator search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two, Group One, bombed Truk Atoll during daylight on June 12 (West Longitude Date). Airfields were hit and several fires started. Approximately 15 enemy fighters attempted to attack our force. One
of their planes was shot down, two probably shot down, and four damaged. Two additional fighters were probably destroyed on the ground. All of our planes returned.
Ponape Island was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators on June 12. Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two, Group One, attacked Ocean and Nauru Islands on June 12. Barracks and antiaircraft positions were hit.
Enemy positions in the Marshalls were attacked by Ventura and Catalina search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two, Corsair fighters and Dauntless dive bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, and Navy Hellcat fighters on June 12 and during the night of June 12-13.

 

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THURSDAY, 15 JUNE 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-24s fly armed photo reconnaissance over Shimushiru Island.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 27 A-36s, P-51s, and P-40s pound Mogaung and Myitkyina, Burma. In India, 30 B-25s fly ammunition to the Imphal area; and 82d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 12th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Tezgaon to Pandaveswar with B-25s.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 24 P-40s hit Japanese cavalry forces at Chuchou and several supply boats on the Siang-Chiang River; 10 P-40s destroy or damage several tanks, trucks, and train cars between Loyang and Shanhsien; 24 B-24s bomb the warehouse area at Canton, causing heavy damage.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): B-29's bomb take off from China to raid the steel works at Yawata, on Kyushu Island, Japan. With the exception of the Eleventh Air Force's raids on the Kurile Islands, this is the first air attack against Japan since the Doolittle's raid in Apr 42. 47 B-29s operating out of Chengtu, Chian, bomb the primary target, the Imperial Iron and Steel Works at Yawata, Japan. The Twentieth's first combat loss during a bombing mission results when Japanese fighters destroy a B-29 down with engine trouble at Neihsiang Airfield, China.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): HQ 494th Bombardment Group and 864th, 865th, 866th and 867th Bombardment Squadrons arrive at Barking Sands, Territory of Hawaii from the US with B-24s.

MARIANA'S Parts of TF 58 raid the Bonin Islands, taking a break from operations against the Marianias Islands.
Amplifying the above:
Carrier-based aircraft of the USN's Task Groups 58.1 and 58.4 attack Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands and Chichi Jima and Haha Jima in the Bonin Islands during the afternoon. The attacks are an attempt to block the only viable route for the Japanese to reinforce the Mariana islands with land-based aircraft. The main targets are airfields, fuel supplies and barracks. U.S. losses are two TBM Avengers, two SB2C Helldivers and three F6F Hellcats; all of the crews of the seven aircraft are lost.
The 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions under General HM Smith land on Saipan in Operation Forager. Admiral RK Turner is in a familiar command of landing vessels and support ships.
The defending Japanese are commanded by General Saito and the 43rd Division and Admiral Nagumo.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): Commander Air Solomons (COMAIRSOLS) is dissolved, to be replaced by a new command, Commander Air North Solomons (COMAIRNORSOLS). HQ Thirteenth Air Force moves from Guadalcanal to Los Negros Island, from which the B-24s have been operating since Apr as the Thirteenth Air Task Force. Major General St Clair Streett becomes Commanding General Thirteenth Air Force, which becomes part of Far East Air Force (FEAF) (see below). The B-25s and fighters, together with other COMAIRSOLS aircraft, continue to maintain the neutralization of Rabaul and the pounding of the Bougainville-Buka Islands area through Jul and into Aug 44. Lost is TBF Avenger 24390.

BIAK, NEI: A Japanese counterattack on Biak Island, New Guinea fails.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: FEAF is formed with jurisdiction over the Fifth and Thirteenth Air Forces. General George C Kenney becomes Commanding General FEAF, with HQ in Brisbane, Australia; HQ Fifth Air Force moves from Brisbane to Nadzab, New Guinea and Lieutenant General Ennis C Whitehead becomes Commanding General Fifth Air Force. FEAF B-24s, B-25s, A-20s and fighters attack barges in the Manokwari area and a village in the Wakde area. Also bombed are airfields on Timor Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, and Truk Atoll. Thirteenth Air Force aircraft still in the Solomon area hit Tobera Airfield and forces on Bougainville Island.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: Truk Atoll: British Task Group 111.2, RADM E.J.P. Brind, consisting of aircraft carrier IMPLACABLE, escort carrier RULER, light cruiser SWIFTSURE, NEWFOUNDLAND, HMCS UGANDA and HMNZS ACHILLES, and destroyers TERMAGENT, TROUBRIDGE, TENACIOUS, TERPSICHORE and TEASER, commences air strikes on Truk just after 1100. Prior to that, the four light cruisers and destroyers TEASER, TENACIOUS and TROUBRIDGE shell Truk. They continues attacks against Truk Atoll in the Caroline Islands begun yesterday.

USN - Lost on a practice dive-bombing mission on Oahu is F6F Hellcat 41525.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUE NO. 49, Operations for the seizure of Saipan Island in the Mariana Group have been initiated by strong Pacific Ocean Areas forces.
Assault troops have effected landings on Saipan Island, following intensive preparatory bombardment of Saipan, Tinian, Pagan, Guam and Rota Islands by carrier-based aircraft and by a portion of the battleships, cruisers and destroyers of the Pacific Fleet.
Landings are being continued against strong opposition under cover of supporting bombardment by our air and surface forces. Initial reports indicate that our casualties are moderate.
CINCPAC COMMUNIQUE NO. 50, Assault troops have secured beachheads on Saipan Island and are advancing inland against artillery, mortar, and machine gun fire. Virtually all heavy coastal and antiaircraft batteries on the island were knocked out by Naval gunfire and bombing. Our troops have captured Agingan Point. In the town of Charan Kanoa, brisk fighting is continuing.
The enemy has attempted several counterattacks with tanks. These attacks have been broken up by our troops with the support of ships and aircraft.
In general, fighting is heavy but good progress is being made against well organized defenses.

 

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FRIDAY, 16 JUNE 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 28 A-36s, P-51s and P-40s hit Myitkyina and targets of opportunity in N Burma. In India, 11th Combat Cargo Squadron, 3d Combat Cargo Group, based at Dinjan, sends a detachment to operate from Sookerating (attached to 443d Troop Carrier Group) with C-47s.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, air echelon of 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth Air Force (attached to 23d Fighter Group), based at Chengkung, begins operating from Kweilin.

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

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC): Major General Ralph J Mitchell, USMC, becomes Commander Air North Solomons (COMAIRNORSOLS).

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Bombers and fighters hit widespread targets in the SWPA and in SOPAC. Personnel areas and barges along the coast in the Wewak and Hansa Bay areas are hit throughout the day; airfields and shipping at Efman and Samate and at Babo and Sorong are attacked. Lost is B-25D "Hell's Belles" 41-30019. Dublon Island in Truk Atoll and Yap are hit by B-24s. B-24s hit Vunakanau Airfield; B-24s, B-25s, A-20s and fighters attack a large variety of targets of opportunity on Gazelle from Tobera Airfield to Rabaul.

MARIANA'S: US Fifth Fleet battleships under the command of Admiral Ainsworth shell Guam. Marines advance on Saipan taking Chaan Karoa and Point Afetna. This links the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions.
In response to the sighting of the IJN's First Mobile Fleet sailing from the Philippines towards the Mariana Islands by a U.S. submarine, Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, commander Fifth Fleet, orders that the antiaircraft screens around USN carriers be augmented by drawing additional cruisers and destroyers from fire-support and shore-bombardment groups. The entire burden of ground-support missions and on-call air-support is shifted from the fast carriers of Task Force 58 to the escort aircraft carriers of the Fifth Fleet.
Carrier-based aircraft of Task Groups 58.2 and 58.3 attempt to neutralize all of the airfields on Guam and Tinian. The airmen maintain that big guns should also be used against these targets but their suggestions are ignored.
A TBM Avenger from an escort aircraft carrier drops heavy weapons to a USMC infantry battalion on Saipan but the aircraft is too low and many weapons are damaged or destroyed.

PTO: Carrier-based aircraft from the USN's Task Groups 58.1 and 58.4 again mount attacks on Iwo Jima, in the Volcano Islands, and Chichi Jima and Haha Jima, in the Bonin Islands, during the afternoon. Targets include airfields, fuel supplies and barracks. Two F6F Hellcats and their pilots are lost. After the attacks, both task groups retire to the Mariana Islands.

RAAF: Lost on a mission against Muschu Island is Beafighter A19-120. In Australia on a training flight, Beafighter A19-36 collided with another aircraft over Evans Head

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUE NO. 51, Chichi Jima, and Haha Jima in the Bonin Islands and Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands were attacked by carrier aircraft on June 14 (West Longitude Date). Thirty-three enemy fighters which attempted to intercept our forces at Chichi Jima were shot down. Four multi-engined seaplanes were damaged at Chichi Jima. At Iwo Jima two airborne enemy aircraft were probably destroyed and 14 were destroyed on the ground.
One medium cargo ship was sunk by bombing at Chichi Jima, and four small cargo ships and six small craft were damaged. A medium transport, discovered underway near the Bonins, was heavily damaged by aircraft and later sunk by one of our destroyers. One hundred and twelve survivors were rescued and made prisoners of war.
Ground installations, including barracks, airfields, and fuel tanks were bombed by our aircraft.
Our losses were four aircraft and five flight personnel.
CINCPAC COMMUNIQUE NO. 52, United States assault troops are engaged in bitter fighting against defend-ing forces on Saipan Island.
On June 14 (West Longitude Date) and during the night of June 14-15 our troops were withdrawn a short distance toward the beach in some sectors in the face of intense mortar and artillery fire. Positions were consolidated and during the night our Naval forces carried out a heavy bombardment of enemy strong points.
On the morning of June 15 enemy resistance in the strongly held sector north of Charan Kanoa was broken. At midday a majorelement of our forces commenced an attack which advanced our line nearly one half mile in the southern sector of the island. Lesser advances were made in other sectors.
Our assumption that Saipan Island would be strongly held because of its strategic location in the Japanese defensive system hasbeen proven correct. Preliminary estimates indicate there are upwards of two divisions of enemy troops defending Saipan.

 

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SATURDAY, 17 JUNE 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 12 B-25s fly 3 air missions for a Naval Task Force on withdrawal, following the shelling of Kurabu Cape installations on Paramushiru Island, Kurile Islands.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 8 A-36s attack forces at Mogaung, Burma. In India, 25 B-25s fly ammunition to the Imphal area; and the 492d and 493d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), move from Madhaiganj and Pandaveswar respectively to Tezgaon with B-24s.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, B-25s and fighter-bombers attack large troop concentrations at Shanglishih and Fenglinpu, bomb the town of Lanchi and nearby villages, attack 4 villages in the Chuchou area, hit troop barges at Changsha, damage several supply boats at Yiyang, and bomb military installations at Ichang.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s, flying from Kwajalein bomb Ponape Island. B-25s from Makin hit Nauru Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s again bomb Truk Atoll, hitting targets on Eten and Dublon. B-24s hit Lakunai Airfield while A-20s, B-25s and fighters attack numerous targets between Rapopo and Tobera. A-20s and B-25s and fighters hit shipping in Sorong harbor and airstrips in the Babo area; in the Wewak area, A-20s, B-25s and fighters continue to pound barges and villages; HQ 8th Fighter Group and 36th Fighter Squadron move from Nadzab to Owi with P-38s; and in the Solomon Islands, 390th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group (Medium), based in the Renard Field begins operating from Stirling with B-25s. Lost are B-24D "Dropsnoot" 42-41246, A-20G 43-9395.

MARIANA'S: The 165th Infantry Regiment and three Field Artillery Battalions of the 27th Infantry Division landed on Saipan on 16 June. The 165th (the old New York Fighting 69th Regiment of Civil War fame), was tasked with sweeping the southern shore of Saipan and taking Aslito Airfield. Today, the 165th mounted three attacks and reached the edge of the airfield by dusk while the 105th Infantry Regiment and the 27th Infantry Division headquarters came ashore.
IJN aircraft mount several attacks against U.S. shipping in the
Marianas:
At about 1750 hours local, five "Kate," Carrier Torpedo Bombers, and one night fighter, a Nakajima J1N1-S Navy Type 2 Gekko, Allied Code Name "Irving," from Truk attack landing craft east of Saipan. One infantry landing craft is sunk while three "Kates" are shot down by AA fire.
Between 1850 and 1912 hours local, 17 Kugisho D4Y "Judy," Navy Carrier Bombers, 31 Zero fighters and two Kugisho P1Y "Frances," Navy Bombers based on Yap, attack Task Force 52 escort aircraft carriers The carriers scramble 46 FM Wildcats but give them the wrong vector taking them out of the action. AA fire from the ships down several D4Ys and both P1Ys. The escort aircraft carrier
USS Fanshaw Bay is struck by a bomb that penetrates the after elevator and explodes in midair above the hanger deck, killing 14 and wounding 23. Fire breaks out and the fire main is ruptured, flooding several compartments aft. In just under an hour, the damage was brought under control, but the ship is listing 3 degrees to port and settles 6-feet by the stern. After controlling the fires, the ship sets sail for Pearl Harbor and battle damage repairs.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUE' NO. 53, United States Marines supported by elements of an Army Infantry division have improved their positions on Saipan Island, and are driving forward toward Aslito airdrome. Harassment of our beachheads by enemy mortar fire has been considerably reduced.
On the night of June 14 (West Longitude Date) enemy torpedo planes launched an attack against our carrier force, but were repulsed without damage to our ships. Our heavy surface units bombarded Guam Island on June 15.
Liberators of the Eleventh Army Air Force bombed Matsuwa, Paramushiru and Shimushiru on June 14. Five enemy aircraft were airborne near Matsuwa but only one attempted to attack our force, and did no damage.
Fourteen enemy fighters appeared over Paramushiru and several made attacks causing damage to one of our planes. One enemy fighter was probably shot down and an enemy medium bomber was damaged. Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four also bombed Paramushiru and Shimushu on June 14.
Fifteen enemy fighters attacked our force, causing minor damage to
several of our aircraft. Shimushiru was again attacked by Eleventh
Army Air Force Liberators on June 15.
Army, Navy and Marine aircraft of Central Pacific Air Forces bombed objectives in the Marshall Islands and Eastern Caroline Islands on June 13 and 15 (West Longitude Date.)
CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÆ' NO. 54, JUNE 17, 1944 United States Marines and Army troops advancing east across the southern portion of Saipan Island, made gains averaging 1500 yards during the night of June 15-16 and on June 16 (West Longitude Date). The area now held by our forces extends from a point just south of Garapan for a distance of approximately five and one half miles to Agingan and extends inland two miles at the point of deepest penetration. Our forces have captured Hinashisu due east of Lake Susupe.
Our positions were under sustained enemy fire during the night of June 15-16, and before dawn on June 16 the enemy launched a determined counterattack. This attack, which was broken up, cost the enemy heavily in lives and destroyed more than 25 enemy tanks.
Early in the morning of June 16 our troops launched the offensive which resulted in general advances. Some of our forward echelons penetrated the Naval air base at Aslito Airdrome but were later withdrawn under severe enemy fire.
During the action on June 16 our aircraft bombed and strafed enemy positions, and during the night of June 15-16 enemy strong points were shelled by our ships.
On June 15 one of our destroyer transports encountered five enemy coastal cargo ships and sank them. Twenty-nine survivors were rescued and made prisoners of war.
CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 448, As the South Pacific has become relatively quiet, Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr., U. S. Navy, has been relieved of command of the South Pacific Area and the South Pacific Force. He will henceforth command the Third Fleet which will operate in the Pacific Ocean in the same way that the Fifth Fleet is operating under command of Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, USN

 

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SUNDAY, 18 JUNE 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 16 A-36s, P-51s, and P-40s hit Myitkyina and Mogaung, Burma.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, B-25s and P-40s bomb Yoyang and hit shipping and boats in the Siang-Chiang River delta area; P-40s and P-51s attack about 100 supply boats in the lower Tungting Lake area, strafe cavalry forces between Siangyin and Changsha, and hit a village just E of Changsha.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Makin pound Nauru Island. B-24s stage through Eniwetok to bomb Truk.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In New Guinea, A-20s, B-25s, and fighters, along with RAAF aircraft, continue to pound supplies and occupied areas along the coast in the Wewak area; and 80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, moves from Nadzab to Owi, Schouten Islands with P-38s. B-24s hit targets in Truk Atoll. A variety of fighter and bomber aircraft unload 18 tons of bombs on numerous targets around Rabaul, New Britain Island. Fighters continue sweeps against targets of opportunity along coastal areas of Bougainville Island.

USN: Lost in a refueling accident is PT-107 and PT-63. Both were destroyed by an accidental gasoline fire in Hamburg Bay, Emirau Island [New Ireland Islands].

 

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MONDAY, 19 JUNE 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-24s fly armored photo reconnaissance over Paramushiru Island and bomb the Suribachi area with unobserved results.

INDIAN OCEAN: HMS Illustrious raids Port Blair in the Nicobars in the Indian Ocean.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 30 B-25s complete an ammunition run to Imphal, India. 33 A-36s, P-51s, and P-40s strike Myitkyina, Mogaung and Pinbaw, Burma.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, about 150 fighter-bombers and 8 B-25s again pound a variety of targets throughout the Tungting Lake area; targets include much shipping from Siangyin to Chuchou, and at various points along the Siang-Chiang River, villages and compounds between Yiyang and Changsha, and boats and river area at Anking; 18 P-40s damage 2 bridges and destroy about 20 fuel trucks at Yuncheng; on the Salween front 15 P-40s hit trucks and military installations; and 4 B-25s bomb Kengluang bridge.

JAPAN - The fall of Saipan costs Japanese leader Hidecki Tojo his position as chief of general staff and most of his cabinet their jobs.

USN - During the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot", the most de- cisive defensive air battle of all time, Americans destroyed 243 Japanese shipborne aircraft plus 58 planes from Guam. American losses were 14 Hellcats, a Dauntless, and minor damage to four ships.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s, staging through Eniwetok, strike Truk Atoll. B-24s from Kwajalein and B-25s out of Makin pound Ponape Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: 100+ A-20s and fighter-bombers maintain strikes along the coast around Wewak, hitting supply and bivouac areas, roads, personnel, and a coastal gun position; A-20s hit airfields at Manokwari, Noemfoor and Moemi. Lost on weather reconnaissance is B-24J 42-73185. B-25s hit forces in the Cape Orford region of New Britain Island. B-24s bomb Dublon and Eten Island in Truk Atoll.

SAIPAN: Lieutenant General Holland M. Smith, USMC, Commanding General, V Amphibious Corps, reorients his corps to attack in two different directions. The 2d and 4th Marine Divisions and the Army's 106th Infantry Regiment of the 27th Infantry Division will advance north; the other two regiments of the 27th Infantry Division, the 105th and 165th, will mop-up the Nafutan Peninsula.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUE NO. 56, Our assault troops on Saipan Island have captured Aslito Airdrome and have driven eastward across the island to Magicienne Bay, where we hold the western shore. Two pockets of enemy resistance remain east of Lake Susupe. The enemy continues to counterattack, but all attacks have been suc-cessfully repulsed. Seabees are at work on the airstrips at Aslito Airdrome.
On June 18 (West Longitude Date) our carrier task force providing cover and support for our amphibious force was subjected to a severe aerial attack which continued for several hours.
The attack was successfully repulsed by our carrier aircraft and antiair-craft fire. Information presently available indicates that only one of our surface units was damaged, and this damage was minor.
It is believed a portion of the enemy planes were carrier-based, and used nearby shore bases as shuttle points. However the effectiveness of this pro-cedure was sharply limited by our systematic bombing and strafing of the air-fields at Guam and Rota.
It is estimated that more than 300 enemy aircraft were destroyed by our forces during this engagement. No estimate is yet available of our own air-craft losses.

 

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TUESDAY, 20 JUNE 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 5 B-24s fly fuel to Kamaing; 2 B-25s hit a bridge at Banchaung; and 8 A-36s and 3 P-40s attack targets at Myitkyina. In India, 13 B-25s supply ammunition to Imphal; 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, based at Kisselbari, ceases operating from Dinjan with P-40s; and 315th Troop Carrier Squadron, 443d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Sookerating to Moran with C-47s.

In the China-Burma- India Theater, the unified Eastern Air Command (EAC), which has operational control of RAF and USAAF units in the CBI, is reorganized into six components:
1. EAC Strategic Air Force consisting of RAF and USAAF heavy bombers.
2. Third Tactical Air Force consisting of RAF and USAAF medium bombers.
3. Photographic Reconnaissance Force consisting of RAF and USAAF photo recon units.
4. Tenth Air Force consisting of USAAF fighter and troop carrier units and a combat cargo squadron.
5. RAF 239 Wing
6. Air Task Force consisting of the USAAF's 1st Air Commando Group and
3d Combat Cargo Group.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In the Yangtze River-Tungting Lake area of China, about 120 B-25s and fighter-bombers again attack a wide variety of targets, pound river shipping at numerous points, hit villages and supply lines in the Pinkiang area, and bomb the towns of Changsha, Pingsiang and Ikiawan; in the Salween River area 24 B-25s pound Lungling and 16 P-40s hit troops and positions at Tengchung and Chenanso; in the Yellow River area 8 P-40s pound railroad yards and strafe about 75 trucks, destroying20+ of them; 3 B-24s over the S China Sea attack shipping, claiming a 5,000-ton commercial ship sunk; and a detachment of 26th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, moves from Liangshan to Kweilin with P-40s (squadron is based at Kunming).

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Makin strike Ponape Island. Kwajalein based B-24s bomb Truk Atoll. HQ 318th Fighter Group and 19th Fighter Squadron move from Bellow Field, Territory of Hawaii to Saipan Island with P-47s [the aircraft are launched from the deck of the USS Natoma Bay (CVE-62)].

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: A-20s, P-39s, and RAAF aircraft, pound areas along the coast in the general area of Wewak and B-24s bomb Kamiri Airfield; and 82d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from Biak to Owi (squadron is operating from Saidor with P-39s). B-24s attack Woleai and Dublon in Truk Atoll. B-25s, P-38s and other Allied aircraft, including some of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, blast AA positions S and SW of Rapopo. Lost is F4U Corsair NZ5274.

PHILLIPINE SEA: The Japanese Fleet withdraws after yesterdays action against TF 58 off the Marianias Islands. They intend to refuel so they can continue their plan with the aircraft launched yesterday. They believe these planes have landed on bases in the islands. They are unaware of the actual losses.
Late in the afternoon, planes from TF 58 are attacking. The carrier Hiyo is sunk, a battleship and a cruiser are damaged. The returning US strike plans reach their carriers in darkness. Admiral Mischner orders the flight decks illuminated to assist their return. Although 72 planes are lost in addition to the 20 in combat; only 16 pilots and 33 aircrew are not rescued.
Adding to the above:
During the night of 19/20 June, the USN's Task Groups 58.1, 58.2 and 58.3 sailed westward to attack the Japanese First Mobile Fleet which has about 100 operation aircraft. The Americans launch carrier-based search planes at dawn in addition to PBM Mariners based at Saipan and PB4Y-1 Liberators based on Los Negros Island. The Japanese are finally located at 1540 hours by a Torpedo Squadron Ten (VT-10) TBM Avenger in USS Enterprise (CV-6) but the radio message from the aircraft is garbled. It isn't until 1605 hours that the position of the Japanese ships is pinpointed and at 1621 hours the carriers turned into the wind and launch 216 aircraft in just 11 minutes. The air strike consists of 84 F6F Hellcat fighters, 54 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers (VT-24 aircraft are the only ones carrying torpedoes; the rest have
bombs), and 51 SB2C Helldiver and 26 SBD Dauntless dive bombers.
The Japanese ships are located at 1830 hours, 30 minutes prior to dusk. Due to their losses, only 35 fighters (Mitsubishi A6M Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighters, Allied Code Name "Zeke") are airborne. The first ships sighted by the Americans are two oilers and two of them are attacked and so badly damaged that they were later scuttled. The aircraft carrier HIJMS Hiyo is attacked by four TBM Avengers of VT-24 in the light aircraft carrier USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) and the ship is hit by at least one torpedo and later sinks. U.S. dive bombers then attack the aircraft carriers HIJMS Zuikaku and HIJMS Junyo and the light aircraft carriers HIJMS Chiyoda and HIJMS Ryuho and the battleship HIJMS Haruna; all five ships are damaged. U.S. losses are ten SB2Cs, six F6Fs and four TBMs.
By nightfall, the Japanese had lost three aircraft carriers and of the 430 aircraft available prior to the battle, only 35 are still operational. The Americans also have problems; their aircraft are 275-300 miles (443-483 km) from their carriers and they will be low on fuel when they arrive. The first aircraft return to their ships at 2045 hours on an exceptionally dark night. Admiral Mitscher, who always showed an unusual concern for his flyers, makes an unusual decision. He orders that all ships in the fleet turn on their lights and destroyers are to fire star shells during the two hours it takes to recover the aircraft. Despite these efforts, 35 SB2Cs, 28 TBMs and 17 F6Fs are forced to ditch at sea; all but 16 pilots and 33 aircrew are rescued.
At 2046 hours, the Japanese fleet is ordered to withdraw from the Philippine Sea the ships of Task Force 58 continue westward during the night of 20/21 June still hunting for the remaining Japanese ships.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS: A USN submarine in the Pacific sinks an army cargo ship. The submarine USS Narwhal lands four U.S. enlisted men and supplies on Panay Island in the Philippines and then evacuates 13 men and one woman.

usa: "Attack! Battle of New Britain," a 59-minute documentary depicting the attack by Allied forces on the Japanese strong-holds on New Britain Island, is released in the U.S. The film is narrated by Leo Genn and Burgess Meredith.

SAIPAN: The US 27th Division begins clearing the south end of Saipan while the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions continue their advance north.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUE NO. 526, 1. The submarine, USS Grayback, is overdue from patrol and must be presumed to be lost. 2. The next of kin of casualties of the Grayback have been so notified.
CINCPAC COMMUNIQUE NO. 57, United States Marines and Army infantrymen are continuing to advance on Saipan Island closely supported by aircraft bombing by Army and Marine artillery and Naval gunfire against severe enemy artillery fire. Our troops now hold the entire southern portion of the island from the southern out-skirts of Garapan across to the center of the western shore of Magicienne Bay. Several strong pockets of enemy resistance within this area are being heavily attacked by our forces.
During June 19 (West Longitude Date) the airfields on Tinian Island were bombed by our aircraft and shelled by our surface units.
CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 450, Truk Atoll was bombed by Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force on June 18 (West Longitude Date). Airfields on Moen Island were principal targets. No fighter interference was encountered and antiaircraft fire was meager.
A single Seventh Army Air Force Liberator bombed Ponape on June 18.
Nauru Island was attacked on June 18 by Seventh Army Air Force Mitchell bombers which shelled and bombed antiaircraft emplacements and buildings. Antiaircraft fire was intense but inaccurate.
Enemy positions in the Marshalls were attacked during the day and night of June 18 by Catalina search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two, Corsair fighters and Dauntless dive bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, and Navy Hellcat fighters. Antiaircraft fire did sufficient damage to a Dauntless dive bomber to force it down on the water before reaching its base. The crew was rescued by a Catalina search plane of Group One, Fleet Air Wing Two.

 

[syscom3]

WEDNESDAY 21 JUNE 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 34 B-25s maintain an ammunition run to Imphal, India. In Burma, 61 A-36s, P-51s, and P-40s pound Myitkyina and Mogaung; 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, based at Kisselbari, India begins operating from Tingkawk Sakan with P-40s.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 11 fighter-bombers hit river shipping, barracks, and cavalry forces at Siangtan and Hengshan, China.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s based on Kwajalein, bomb Truk Atoll. 6th Night Fighter Squadron, VII Fighter Command, based at John Rodgers Airport, Territory of Hawaii sends a detachment with P-61s to Saipan Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In New Guinea, P-39s and RAAF aircraft hit dumps and bivouacs at Suain and attack other targets in the Wewak area; A-20s attack various targets of opportunity in the Paniai Lakes area while B-25s hit villages on the coast of Netherlands New Guinea E of Maffin Bay; B-24s bomb Kamiri Airfield and other targets on Noemfoor and attack shipping in the Palau Islands and on Dublon Island in Truk Atoll.

PHILLIPINE SEA: The USN's Task Groups 58.1, 58.2 and 58.3 continues searching for the remaining ships of the IJN's First Mobile Fleet. At 2030 hours local, the task groups begin retiring towards Saipan.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUE NO. 58, In the afternoon of June 19 (West Longitude Date) carrier-based reconnaissance planes of the Fifth Fleet sighted a Japanese fleet, which included carriers and battleships, approximately midway between the Mariana Islands and Luzon. Aircraft of our fast carrier task force were immediately ordered to attack and made contact with the enemy fleet before dusk. Enemy losses and our own losses have not yet been assessed. Additional details will be made known as they become available.
In the ground fighting on Saipan Island, our assault troops made advances in a northly direction along the western shore of Magicienne Bay and made progress against an enemy strong point at Nafutan Point. Severe fighting continues.
CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 452, Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four bombed Shimushu in the Kuriles before dawn on June 17 (West Longitude Date). Fires were started near the airfield. No opposition was encountered. Paramushiru Island was bombed by Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four and Liberators of the Eleventh Army Air Force before dawn on June 19. Antiaircraft fire was meager and no attempt was made, to intercept our force.
Truk Atoll was attacked by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators during daylight on June 19. Intense antiaircraft fire was encountered but there was no fighter opposition. Ponape Island was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators and Mitchells on June 19.
Mille, Maloelap and Wotje Atolls were bombed on June 19 by Corsair fighters and Dauntless dive bombers of the Fourth

 

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THURSDAY, 22 JUNE 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 6 B-24s fly fuel to Kamaing while 40 B-25s supply Imphal, India with ammunition; 40 A-36s, P-51s and P-40s hit Mogaung and Myitkyina while 10 others hit targets at Hopin, Namma and Sahmaw.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 18 P-40s destroy 20+ trucks between Hsuchang and Lohochai; 4 P-40s damage a troop steamer in Tungting Lake; 13 B-24s bomb Bakli harbor, Hainan Island, damaging dock facilities and claiming 1 freighter sunk.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s, staging through Eniwetok from Kwajalein hit Truk Atoll; 1 bombs Ponape Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-25s, A-20s, and P-47s hit shipping at Efman and airfields and targets of opportunity on Noemfoor, attack Manokwari and hit villages in the Sarmi area; attacks by A-20s and fighters, along with RAAF aircraft, on the wide coastal area around Wewak continue; and HQ 317th Troop Carrier Group moves from Finschhafen to Hollandia. B-24s bomb Yap; Sorol Atoll, Caroline Islands; and Woleai. On New Britain, B-25s join the Allied aircraft in pounding Nordup and Ralum.

USA: US President Roosevelt signs the "GI Bill". This will give a range of various benefits to returning veterans. Education and home loans are among the benefits included.

BIAK, NEW GUINEA: The fighting for the island of Biak, New Guinea is essentially finished after the US attacks today.

SAIPAN: The 2nd Marines take Mount Tipo Pale and move on to Mount Tapotchau on Saipan. The 4th Marines are fighting east on the Kagman Peninsula.

BURMA: The siege of Imphal is raised as advance units of the British 2nd Indian Division link with the British 5th Indian Division at mile 107 of the Imphal-Kohima road.
Amplifying the siege of Impal
The siege of Imphal is raised as advance units of the British 2nd Indian
Division link with the British 5th Indian Division at mile 107 of the Imphal-Kohima road. The Japanese Fifteenth Army which invaded India in Operation U-Go has failed. Of the 100,000 Japanese who marched from Burma, 30,502 are dead and 23,003 wounded, at a total loss to the Allies of 2,700 killed and 10,000 wounded.
Imphal was under siege for three months. General Renya Mutaguchi sent three divisions of the Fifteenth Army against the Allies: the 33rd drove north from Tiddim, and the 15th and 31st attacked the Allied bases at Imphal and Kohima from the east. Against this the Allies mustered four Indian divisions under Lt-Gen Geoffrey Scoones. The 17th and 20th held the Imphal perimeter, and the 5th and 23rd hunted out the overstretched Japanese on the Imphal plain, hammering them against Imphal's anvil.
Allied control of the Imphal plain and the skies above it was backed by secure communications. Imphal has been supplied by air since April. Mutaguchi, however, refused to admit defeat at Imphal or Kohima, ignoring the realities of the field. Lt-Gen Kotoku Sato withdrew his 31st Division from Kohima on 3 June with no prospect of supply, it ran out of ammunition and food rations; he had refused Mutaguchi's demand to regroup and attack Imphal without even finding food. Sato's withdrawal freed two more Allied divisions for Imphal.
Mutaguchi has been ordering the 15th Division to mount ever more ambitious operations, simultaneously stripping its commander Lt-Gen Masafumi Yamauchi, of manpower until today he commands a mere battalion and a half. No wonder Yamauchi has spent much of his time writing despairing haiku poetry. The fighting has been close and bloody, with the besieging Japanese crawling over their dead to reach the trenches surrounding Imphal.
Outside, the battle swayed to and fro, the highest casualties on both sides suffered on the Ukhrul road and the Shenam Saddle. Conditions are appalling: heavy rain, mist and thick jungle have made transport and observations difficult. The Imphal to Kohima road itself is a single track overlooked by high ridges from which the Japanese launched a series of deadly attacks and stubborn defences.
The turning-point in the battle came on 17 June, when the Japanese abandoned Mao Songsan ridge, the first time that they had given up a position without a fight in the entire campaign.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUE NO. 59, 1. During the attack by enemy carrier-type aircraft on our ships on June 18 (West Longitude Date), 353 enemy aircraft were shot down of which 335 were destroyed by our carrier aircraft and 18 by our own antiaircraft fire. This is a revision of the estimate contained in communiquŽ No. 56.
Two of our carriers and one of our battleships received superficial dam-age. We lost 21 aircraft in combat.
2. The following information is now available concerning the attack of our carrier aircraft upon units of the Japanese fleet in the late afternoon of June 19 (West Longitude Date).
The enemy forces attacked consisted of: Four or more battleships, five or six carriers, five fleet tankers, and attached cruisers and destroyers.
On the basis of information presently available, our planes inflicted the following damage
One carrier, believed to be the Zuikaku, received three 1,000-pound bomb hits.
One Hayataka Class carrier was sunk.
One Hayataka Class carrier was severely damaged and left burning furiously.
One light carrier of the Zuiho or Taiho Class received at least one bomb hit.
One Kongo Class battleship was damaged.
One cruiser was damaged.
Three destroyers were damaged, one of which is believed to have sunk.
Three tankers were sunk.
Two tankers were severely damaged and left burning.
Fifteen to 20 defending aircraft were shot down.
Our losses were 49 aircraft, including many which landed in the water at night and from which an as yet undetermined number of pilots and aircrewmen have been rescued. Search for others is continuing.
3. The engagement was broken off by the Japanese fleet which fled during the night toward the channel between Formosa and Luzon.
The Pacific Fleet units in these two actions were commanded by Admiral R. A: Spruance. The carrier task force was under the immediate tactical command of Vice Admiral M. A. Mitscher.
CINCPAC COMMUNIQUE NO. 60, Our troops on Saipan Island have made further advances of more than a mile along the shoreline of Magicienne Bay to the town of Laulau and have advanced about a mile up Mount Tapotchau. The pocket of enemy resistance tat Nafutan Point has been reduced by one half, and our forces have gained the heights of Mount Nafutan on the east coast. Heavy pressure is being maintained night and day against enemy troop concentrations and defense works by our aircraft, Army and Marine artillery, and Naval gunfire.
At night on June 20 (West Longitude Date) several enemy aircraft dropped bombs near our transports and along shore but did no damage. Sporadic fire has been directed against our ships by shore batteries but the enemy emplacements have been quickly knocked out.
JUNE 22, 1944 STATEMENT BY SECRETARY OF THE NAVY JAMES FORRESTAL
"Under the circumstances our Fleet did a magnificent job, but the Navy is not going to be satisfied until the Japanese Fleet is wiped out.
"The Japanese were extremely cautious and never came very far to the eastward so that the bulk of our forces could engage them. As a result, we were able to send home but one air attack at very long range from our carriers just before dark.
"Some of the Japanese vessels which were damaged may be able to make port and eventually return to the fight. This is especially true of the war-ships, only one of which is reported as definitely sunk."

 

[syscom3]

FRIDAY, 23 JUNE 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-25s fly a negative shipping sweep.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-24s fly gasoline to Kamaing while 29 B-25s make an ammunition run to Imphal, India; about 80 A-36s, P-51s and P-40s attack Mogaung, Myitkyina, Taungni and a bridge at Namkwi.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 20 B-24s bomb docks at Hankow; in the Tungting Lake area 70+ B-25s and fighter-bombers attack a wide variety of river shipping at several locations, bomb a runway at Hengyang, strafe cavalry troops in the area, and hit the towns and villages of Chuchou, Ikiawan, Chuting, Chwanchishih, and Siangtan; 30 B-25s and fighter-bombers hit various targets of opportunity along the Yellow River.

USN - Carrier aircraft strike Pagan. Lost are F6F Hellcat 42135 and F6F Hellcat 42117.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): Eniwetok based B-24s strike Truk Atoll. B-25s from Engebi pound Ponape. During the evening, B-24s from Kwajalein also attack Ponape. P-47s of the 73d Fighter Squadron, 318th Fighter Group, are launched off the USS Manila Bay (CVE-61) and land on Saipan Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The Wewak area is again pounded throughout the day by A-20s, P-39s, P-47s and RAAF aircraft; a few A-20s and A-26s on a barge search bomb offshore islands near Manokwari; this marks the SWPA debut of the A-26; P-47s on sweeps strafe areas E of Maffin; and 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, moves from Hollandia to Biak Island with P-38s. B-24s hit the airfield at Yap and Woleai. B-24s on armed reconnaissance bomb Dublon Island, Truk Atoll and Koror and Peleliu. B-24s bomb Tobera Airfield and B-25s along with other Allied aircraft, hit AA positions S and SW of Rapopo. Lost is P-38H 42-66828.

 

[syscom3]

SATURDAY, 24 JUNE 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 3 B-24s at dawn bomb the area N of the airfield at Kurabu Cape on Paramushiru Island; later 2 B-25s fly a negative shipping search.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 11 B-24s fly gasoline to Kamaing while 35 B-25s supply Imphal, India with ammunition; 60+ A-36s, P-51s, P-40s, and P-38s attack the Myitkyina, Mogaung, Mawlaik-Kin area, Pinbaw, and Hopin.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 60+ P-40s and P-38s bomb the towns of Siangsiang and Yuankiang, attack cavalry forces in the Hengyang area, and damage a pontoon bridge between Tungcheng and Pingkiang; 4 B-25s and a few P-40s knock out a bridge N of Chenghsien.

MARIANA'S: The 27th Division has completed clearing the southern part of the island of Saipan. It is now ordered to join the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions in the fierce fighting in the northern part of the island. Elements of the 27th remain under Corps control.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): P-47s, based on Saipan, strafe the remnants of the enemy forces on the island and also hit forces left on Tinian Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In New Guinea, Fifth Air Force and RAAF aircraft continue to blast stores, personnel areas, roads, and bridges in the general area of Wewak; B-25s, A-26s, and A-20s hit enemy positions in caves E of Mokmer Airfield, attack shipping in the Babo area (on MacCluer Gulf), and bomb Kamiri and Kornasoren Airfield. B-24s, B-25s and fighters, along with other Allied aircraft, hit Tobera Airfield, AA guns at Vunapope, and buildings at Nordup.

PTO: US carriers Hornet, Yorktown, Bataan and Belleau Wood send strikes against the Bonins, Chichi and Iwo Jima.
Amplifying the above: Carrier-based aircraft of the USN's Task Group 58.1, the aircraft carriers USS Hornet and USS Yorktown and light aircraft carriers USS Bataan and USS Belleau Wood, attack Japanese airfields, fuel supplies and barracks on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands. Over 140 IJN aircraft rise to challenge the attackers but USN F6F
Hellcat pilots claim 116 enemy aircraft destroyed; ship AA fire downs others. After sunset, TG 58.1 retires towards Eniwetok Atoll.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUE NO. 62,
1. Carrier aircraft of the fast carrier task force swept Iwo Jima in the Bonin Islands on June 23 (West Longitude Date). Sixty or more enemy aircraft of a force which attempted to intercept our fighters were shot down. Twelve of the enemy planes found our carriers and all of these were shot down by our combat air patrols. We lost four fighters. There was no damage to our surface ships.
2. Pagan Island in the northern Marianas was attacked by carrier aircraft on June 22. The following damage was inflicted on the enemy;
Four small cargo ships and one sampan, sunk. Two small cargo ships and 12 sampans, damaged. Four enemy aircraft destroyed and two probably destroyed on the ground.
A flight consisting of one twin-engine bomber and five Zero fighters Intercepted some distance from our carrier force was shot down. A wharf and fuel dumps at Pagan were destroyed and buildings and runways were damaged. We lost one Hellcat fighter and one pilot.
3. United States Marines and Army troops are pushing ahead on Saipan Island and have made new gains along the northern shore of Magicienne Bay. Booby traps and land mines are being extensively employed by the enemy. Two enemy aircraft detected in the Saipan area were shot down by carrier aircraft of the fighter screen on June 21. Coastal guns on Tinian Island have intermittently shelled our ships at anchor of Saipan, but have done little damage. On June 23 the airfields on Tinian Island were heavily bombed and shelled.
4. The airstrip and buildings at Rota Island were attacked by carrier aircraft on June 22. A medium cargo ship at Rota was sunk by an aerial torpedo. Our planes received no damage.
5. Shimushu Island in the Kuriles was attacked by Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four before dawn on June 23. In the Central Pacific, Army, Navy, and Marine aircraft continued neutralization raids on June 23 against enemy positions in the Marshall and Caroline Islands.

 

[syscom3]

SUNDAY, 25 JUNE 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Two B-24s bomb the airfield at Kurabu Cape, Paramushiru Island.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 50+ B-25s make an ammunition run to Imphal, India. In Burma, 60+ A-36s, P-51s, and P-40s pound Myitkyina and Mogaung; 2 B-25s bomb the Mohnyin-Mawhun railroad.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 31 B-25s, P-40s, and P-51s hit the towns of Siangtan and Ichang, attack sampans at Wukou, destroy about 50 trucks and strafe concentrations of troops and horses in the Tangyang- Pingkiang and Siangtan-Yungfengshih areas, and pound river dock and sampans at Siangsiang; 7 Chinese-American Composite Wing (CACW) B-25s bomb the Shayang storage area; 23 B-25s and P-40s bomb a storage area and damage a bridge at Chenghsien; and 75th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, moves from Lingling to Kweilin with P-40s.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): P-47s based on Saipan Island carry out reconnaissance and strafing missions over Saipan and Tinian Islands. B-24s based on Kwajelein Atoll hit Truk and Wotje Atolls.

MARIANA'S: The battle for Mount Tapotchau, on Saipan is marked by attacks and counterattacks between the opposing Japanese and US forces.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Wewak area continues under attack of Fifth Air Force and RAAF aircraft; personnel areas at But, Dagua, and Suain and barges at Mushu and Kairiru Islands are hit; P-40s and B-24s strike Kamiri Airfield while A-20s, P-47s, and B-25s hit villages along the Tor River and P-47s hit tanks along the Wiske River; and air echelon of the 26th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, based at Nadzab begins operating from Hollandia with F-5s. B-24s pound Yap and Sorol Atoll, lost is B-24J 44-40598. B-25s and fighters, along with other Allied aircraft, hit AA positions near Vunapope and blast plantations along Wide Bay.
US aircraft begin operating from Mokmer Airfield on Biak, New Guinea. The air echelons of the 49th Fighter Group have arrived between 21 June and today

USN - Lost is PT-193 "Bitchin' Witch" on a reef off Noemfoor.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUE NO. 63, On the basis of latest reports received tabulating damage inflicted upon the enemy during operations in the Mariana Islands, the following revisions are necessary.
A) During the attack by enemy carrier aircraft on our ships on June 18 (West Longitude Date), 402 enemy aircraft were destroyed, of which 369 were shot down by our carrier-based fighters, 18 by antiaircraft fire; and 15 were destroyed on the ground. We lost 18 pilots and 6 aircrewmen from 27 aircraft shot down by the enemy.
B) In the attack by our carrier aircraft upon units of the Japanese Fleet in the late afternoon of June 19, one heavy cruiser and one light cruiser, neither of which was previously reported, were damaged. One light carrier, not previously reported, received seven 500-pound bomb hits. One of the three tankers previously reported sunk has been. transferred to the severely damaged category. 26 enemy aircraft were shot down, instead of the previously reported 17 to 22. We lost 22 pilots and 27 aircrewmen from 95 aircraft either shot down by the enemy or forced to land in the water.
C) In the fighter sweep over Iwo Jima in the Volcano Island on June 23, 116 enemy aircraft were shot down, and 11 were probably shot down. We lost five fighters instead of four.
On June 24, United States Marines and Army troops on Saipan launched an attack, preceded by intense artillery and Naval gunfire preparation, which resulted in advances on our Western flank around Mount Tapotchau, ranging from 500 to 800 yards. Strong enemy opposition continues.
Enemy aircraft dropped bombs among our transports off Saipan on June 23, doing minor damage to several landing craft. During the evening of June 23 a small fight of enemy planes dropped several bombs in the area occupied by our forces on Saipan. Casualties were very light.
On June 23, Seventh Army Air Force Liberators bombed Truk Atoll, and Army, Navy and Marine aircraft continued their reduction of enemy defenses in the Marshall and Caroline Islands.

 

[syscom3]

MONDAY, 26 JUNE 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 12 B-25s fly three 4-plane air cover missions for a Naval task force on withdrawal following shelling of Kurabu Cape installations on Paramushiru Island.

JAPAN - KURILES: In the Kurile Islands, cruisers and destroyers of the USN's Task Force 94 bombards Kurabu Zaki on Paramushiru Island for 13 minutes, firing over 1,000 rounds of 5-inch shells into aircraft revetments, assorted buildings and the runways. Postwar documents reveal that eight aircraft were destroyed, seven heavily damaged and 16 damaged by the bombardment. TF 94 is covered by 12 Eleventh Air Force B-25's in three flights.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 30+ B-25s fly ammunition to Imphal, India. 80+ A-36s, P-51s, and P-40s pound Myitkyina; 7 other fighter-bombers hit Waingmaw, Loilaw, and Pyindaw.

CHINA: Japanese forces smash Chinese Tenth Army defences to capture Hengyang airfield from the US.
BURMA: Subadar Netrabahadur Thapa (b.1916), 5th Gurkha Rifles, led the defence of a hill post. With many of his men casualties, he fought with grenades and kukri until he was killed. (Victoria Cross)
Naik Agansing Rai (b.1920), 5th Gurkha Rifles, led his men in capturing two machine-gun nests and alone, wiped out a bunker. The Japanese fled, allowing another position to fall.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 14 B-24s blast Hankow, causing heavy damage and fires; 180+ B-25s and fighter-bombers attack river shipping and several villages in the Tungting Lake area; the towns of Yuankiang, Sinshih, Siangtan, Liling, and Hengshan are bombed, as is the warehouse area at Yuhsien; numerous troop and truck concentrations and other targets of opportunity throughout the entire region are attacked; in the Salween area 14 B-25s and 36 P-40s knock out a bridge at Tingka, damage another near
Mangshih, bomb military installations at Tengchung, strafe Japanese positions at Lungling, and hit targets of opportunity between Lungling and Tengchung; the Japanese bomb Lingling Airfield, damaging the runway and destroying a P-51; and the flight of the 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth Air Force, operating from Suichwan with F-5s returns to base at Kunming.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): Saipan Island-based P-47s continue to hit enemy forces remaining on Saipan and Tinian Islands while P-61s carry out night patrols over Saipan. B-25s from Makin pound Ponape Island and Nauru Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb targets on Yap and Sorol Atoll; others on armed reconnaissance bomb airstrips at Woleai and Peleliu Airfield. AAF and other Allied aircraft hit airfields, AA positions, and other targets in the Rabaul and Cape Orford areas. The Wewak area is hit throughout the day by Fifth Air Force B-24s and P-39s, along with USN and RAAF aircraft; P-38s, P-47s, A-20s, A-26s, B-24s, and B-25s attack airfields, shipping, villages, town areas, roads, and numerous other targets at Efman, Noemfoor, Japen, and Biak, at Manokwari and Ransiki, and near Sarmi; 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, moves from Hollandia to Biak Island with P-38s; and 419th Night Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, based on Guadalcanal sends a detachment to operate from Nadzab with P-61s.

MARIANA'S: US naval forces force a small Japanese reinforcement convoy to turn away from Saipan and return to the Home Islands.
Amplifying The Above: Two infantry landing craft (gunboat) [LCI(G)] repel an attack by Japanese barges, come firing torpedoes, off Saipan. Both LCI(G)s are damaged.

 

[syscom3]

TUESDAY, 27 JUNE 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 8 B-24s fly gasoline to Kamaing, Burma while 52 B-25s continue an ammunition run to Imphal, India.

BURMA: Mogaung: The Chindit 77th Special Force Brigade under Brigadier Mike Calvert, supported by two battalions of the Chinese 114th Regiment, has taken Mogaung. The Japanese 18th Division, fighting Lt-Gen Joseph Stilwell's Chinese troops and the remnants of "Merrill's Marauders" at Myitkyina, is now isolated. (Andy Etherington)
The Gurkha, Lancashire Fusilier, Staffordshire and Liverpool men have been fighting for Mogaung for a month. Casualties of battle wounds and ill-health have been so high that for today's assault across the key railway bridge Calvert had only 230 Gurkhas, 110 Fusiliers and men of the King's Regiment (Liverpool), and 180 Staffordshire men from battalions once 800 strong.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In the Tungting Lake area of China, 160 B-25s and fighter-bombers hit troop concentrations, supplies, and river and road traffic between Changsha and Hengyang, bomb artillery concentrations at Sinsiang, attack waterfront and docks at Hengshan, pound villages near Chuchou, and attack numerous targets of opportunity throughout the lake region; 4 B-25s over the Formosa Strait claim 2 cargo vessels sunk and others damaged.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): P-47s continue strafing and rocket attacks on Tinian, Saipan, and Rota Islands, Marianas Islands, while P-61s carry out defensive night patrols. B-24s, staging through Eniwetok pound Truk Atoll. During the night a single B-24 bombs Ponape Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In New Guinea, Fifth Air Force and RAAF light bombers and fighter-bombers continue to attack the Wewak area, hitting troop concentrations, villages, ammunition dumps, and warehouses; B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, A-26s, P-40s and P-47s hit airfields, gun positions, and various other targets in or near Babo, Manokwari, Biak and Noemfoor, Ransiki, Waren, and Moemi; movements of units assigned to 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group: air echelon of 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment) from Finschhafen, to Biak with B-25s; and 82d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron ceases operating from Saidor and returns to Owi with P-39s. B-24s bomb Yap and Sorol Atoll; others on a photo reconnaissance flight bomb Woleai and Ifalik Atolls, Caroline Islands. Fighters and bombers join other Allied aircraft from the Solomon in bombing AA positions at Ralum and other targets in the Rabaul area. 419th Night Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, based on Guadalcanal, sends a detachment to Los Negros with P-61s.