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

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Nov 13th 1944

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In Burma, 4 B-25s bomb Man Pwe while 4 others blast 3 warehouses at Wanling. 60+ P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance over S China and as far W and SW as Burma and Thailand hit numerous targets of opportunity including shipping, troops, and railroad targets.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 100+ fighter-bombers pound numerous targets in N Burma; close support strikes are made on the Pinwe area, bridges at Namhkai, Meza, and Thegyaung, on troop concentrations and on supplies at Loi-Lum and Namhpakka; the ferry crossing at Shweli is hit by 12-hour delay bombs, the Nawnghkio landing ground is strafed, and numerous targets of opportunity along the Irrawaddy River and rail lines in N Burma are hit. Transports fly 300+ sorties to forward areas; the 166th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Asansol, India to Yazagyo with UC-64s and L-5s; the 427th Night Fighter Squadron, AAF, India-Burma Theater, based at Pandaveswar, India, sends detachment to operate from Myitkyina with P-61s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 6 B-24s from Guam escorting US Navy photo aircraft over Iwo Jima and the Bonin Islands, attack shipping at Futamiko in the Bonin; 1 B-24 from Saipan carrying out an unsuccessful shipping search, bombs Iwo Jima. 7 B-24s from Angaur Airfield hit oil storage on Malakal Island, Palau Islands and attack a bridge between Malakal and Koror Islands.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: the 433d Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, moves from Biak to Dulag with P-38s; the 501st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 345th BG(Medium), moves from Biak to Dulag but continues to operate from Biak.

EAST INDIES: Over Halmahera Island and in the Ceram Island area fighter-bombers and A-20s bomb airfields and various targets of opportunity.

NEW GUINEA: Pegun Island, New Guinea, is blasted by 2 waves of 70 A-20s.

PHILIPPINES: Aircraft from three USN carrier task groups (Task Group 38.1, TG 38.3, and TG 38.4) of Task Force 38, under Admiral McCain, hit Japanese shipping and port facilities at Manila and in central Luzon. At the former place, TF 38 planes sink light cruiser HIJMS Kiso, destroyers HIJMS Hatsuharu and Okinami, and auxiliary submarine chaser Cha; and five army cargo ships and as well as four merchant cargo ships, and damage destroyer HIJMS Ushio. At Cavite, Navy carrier planes sink destroyers HIJMS Akebono and Akishimo, a fleet tanker and a guardboat. TF 38 planes also sink an army cargo ship at Cabcaben, and an auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 116 some 20 nautical miles west of Cavite.
In the Philippine Islands, B-24s pound Fabrica Airfield on Negros Island while fighter-bombers hit shipping and other targets of opportunity; a few fighter-bombers hit Legaspi Airfield; B-25s, with P-38 cover, hit San Roque Airfield and the town of Zamboanga on Mindanao Island;

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 181, NOVEMBER 13, 1944
Under cover of a storm during the night of November 7‑8, an enemy force of approximately 200 troops, equipped with knee mortars and machine guns, went ashore on Ngeregong island northeast of Peleliu in the Palau Group. This island had previously been occupied by a small patrol of United States Marines. Several LCI's took off our patrol without casualties. Two of our gunboats and a destroyer blocked Denges Passage to the north from which the enemy troops had apparently come, and bombarded the island. On November 9 our planes bombed and strafed the island, sinking a barge.
On November 9 Corsairs and Avengers of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing attacked Ngesang on Babelthuap Island in the Northern Palaus, sinking one barge and setting fire to a fuel tank. Moderate antiaircraft fire was en*countered. Hellcat fighters bombed Koror and Babelthuap. Corsairs sank a barge at Babelthuap and scored a direct bit on a radio station. Yap Island was bombed by Corsairs of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing.
Corsairs of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing on November 10 sank a Japanese destroyer previously damaged near Golou in the Palau Islands. Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force on November 10 bombed Koror Island starting large fires. Several small islands in the Northern Palaus were hit by Catalinas of Fleet Air Wing One and Corsairs and Avengers of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing in night operations, and two fuel dumps were set afire.
Airfields on Peleliu Island and Angaur Island are now being used by United States land‑based aircraft of the Seventh Army Air Force and the Second Marine Aircraft Wing.
On November 10 Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force bombed air*strips on Iwo Jima causing large fires in storage areas. Meager antiaircraft fire was encountered. Another force of Liberators bombed the Iwo Jima air*fields the next day. Three enemy fighters were seen in the air but did not attack our planes.
Thunderbolts of the Seventh Army Air Force attacked Pagan Island In the Marianas without encountering resistance on November 10 and 11. Cor*sairs of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing also attacked installations on Rota on November 10 and 11.
On November 10 enemy‑held positions. in the Marshall Islands were further neutralized by Navy search Venturas of Fleet Air Wing Two and Corsairs of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing.
 
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Nov 14th 1944

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In E Burma and in the China-Burma boundary areas 8 B-25s bomb Wanling and Hsenwi, Burma; 15 P-38s and P-40s on armed reconnaissance hit targets of opportunity around Wanling, Burma and Mangshih, China.

BURMA: In the Northern Combat Area Command (NCAC) area, the Chinese 22d Division, upon taking Man-tha with ease and blocking the road from Bhamo, is ordered to continue the drive to Si-u. The Chinese 38th Division's 114th and 113th Regiments are converging on Bhamo: the 114th, pressing west toward the town, is bitterly opposed by the Japanese in the Mornauk area, 8 miles east of Bhamo; the 113th, upon crossing the Taping River at Myothit, moves west along the south bank of the river toward Bhamo.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s bomb a supply area near Lashio; 56 fighter-bombers hit supply areas, enemy concentrations, town areas, and general targets of opportunity at Tingka, China and Kutkai, Sandaya, Palaung, Kawlin, and in the Shwebo-Kyaukmyaung area. 12 support ground forces in the Pinwe area, 4 bomb Sindaw River bridges and 30+ others maintain patrols S of Myitkyina. 300+ transport sorties are flown to forward areas.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 22 Saipan and Guam based B-24s bomb Woleai, hitting an airfield and adjacent installations and firing an oil dump. 4 Saipan based P-47s hit the airfield on Pagan. During the night of 14/15 Nov a B-24 from Saipan on a snooper mission attacks shipping SW of the Bonin.

BONIN ISLANDS: Project MIKE continues as USAAF B-24s (42d Bomb Squadron) lay six mines in effective locations off Ani Jima and Haha Jima.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: the 310th Bombardment Wing (Medium) moves from Morotai to Leyte; the ground echelon of the 418th Night Fighter Squadron, 13 AF, moves from Morotai to Dulag (the air echelon remains on Morotai with P-61s). The 370th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 307th BG (Heavy), moves form Wakde to Morotai with B-24s.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, B-24s strike Langoan Airfield on the northeastern tip of Celebes Island.

NEW GUINEA: B-25s pound Pegun Island, New Guinea in preparation for allied amphibious landings early the following morning

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area, Lieutenant General Walter Krueger, Commanding General Sixth Army, orders Major General Franklin Sibert, Commanding General X Corps, to commit the 32d Infantry Division, originally intended to operate on southern Samar, in the zone of the 24th Infantry Division in order to relieve elements of that division. Breakneck Ridge is now largely clear, but the Japanese still retain several adjacent spurs. The 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, patrols actively on Kilay Ridge; supplies for the battalion are hand carried by Filipinos from Consuegra. In the XXIV Corps area, the 32d Infantry Regiment of 7th Infantry Division is ordered to start north to the Damulaan-Caridad area and upon order to advance upon Ormoc.
USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s, with P-38 and P-47 cover, bomb Bacalod (Bacolod) Airfield on Negros Island while fighter-bombers hit trucks and buildings in the Valencia, Mindanao Island area. On Leyte Island, fighter-bombers attack targets near Linao and hit shipping south of Ormoc. On Cebu Island, B-25s and fighter-bombers attack Lahug and Opon Airfields.
USN Task Force 38 (Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman) air strikes against Japanese shipping in Philippines continue. At Manila, Navy carrier-based planes sink a transport, a merchant tanker, two merchant cargo ships, and damage a transport and an army cargo ship; a cargo ship is sunk just outside Manila Bay. Off Mindoro, F6Fs from the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown attack Japanese convoy SIMA-04, sinking a merchant tanker; and damaging an army cargo ship as well as four escorting submarine chasers.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 182, NOVEMBER 14, 1944
Hellcat fighters, Avenger torpedo planes and Helldiver bombers from car*rier task groups of the Pacific Fleet attacked enemy shipping and installations in and around Manila Bay on November 12 (West Longitude Date). The following damage was done to enemy shipping:
One light cruiser badly damaged.
Two destroyers exploded.
An estimated 11 cargo vessels and oilers sunk or blazing.
One floating dock hit by torpedoes.
Many docks in Manila Bay and at Cavite Navy Yard were struck.
In the attack, 18 of 20 intercepting enemy aircraft were shot down over Luzon and 10 others were shot down near the task groups.
An estimated 130 to 140 single and twin‑engined enemy planes on Legaspi, Manila and Clark Airstrips were strafed.
One of our surface ships was damaged.
The carrier task groups engaged in this operation were under the tactical command of Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman, United States Navy.
Corsairs of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing strafed and bombed the Northern Palau Area on November 11. One small enemy vessel was sunk. Hellcats bombed Koror , Malakal and Arakabesan in the Palaus on the same day. Avengers and Corsairs loosed bombs on the Yap Airstrip the same day. Liberators of the Seventh Air Force bombed a power station at Koror on November 11, but results were not observed.
A Navy search Liberator of Fleet Air Wing One dropped bombs on Iwo Jima in the Bonins on November 11. Results were unobserved.
Aircraft of Fleet Air Wing One bombed islands in the Bonins on Novem*ber 13. A near miss was scored on a medium cargo vessel, and two near misses on an escort surface craft at Chichi Jima. A few airborne enemy planes which were over Iwo Jima did not attack our planes.
 
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Nov 15th 1944 36,896

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 8 B-25s weather-abort an armed photo reconnaissance over Paramushiru Island.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 19 B-25s and 16 P-51s and P-40s over SW China, W Burma, and N Indochina hit railroad targets, villages, town areas, and general targets of opportunity at or near man Pwe and Wanling, Burma; Mangshih and Tingka, China; Quang Yen, Nam Dinh, and Thanh Hoa, French Indochina.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s attack the airfield at Kawlin; 42 P-47s hit supplies, troop and vehicle concentrations, and targets of opportunity at Mansak, Gyogon, Banmauk, Namtao, and Wuntho; 20 support ground forces in the Pinwe area while 16 attack bypass bridges at Kawnghka and Namhkai, knocking out the latter; 8 P-47s bomb Kyaikthin rail sidings and junction, 8 strafe Anisakan Airfield, and 12 hit targets of opportunity during N Burma road sweeps. 280 transport sorties are flown.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Guam based B-24s on a shipping strike to the Bonin, attack vessels at Haha Jima and near Chichi Jima. 1 Saipan Island-based B-24, during the night of 15/16 Nov snooper mission, bombs Iwo Jima after failing to find shipping targets in the Bonin.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: HQ 22d and 43d BGs move from Owi to Leyte; the 8th Bombardment Squadron, 3d BG, moves from Hollandia to Dulag; the 20th Combat Mapping Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, moves from Biak Island to Dulag (air echelon continues operating from Biak Island with F-7s; the 80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, moves from Morotai to Dulag but continues to operate from Morotai with P-38s. 68th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Nadzab to Biak (detachment remains at Biak) with C-47s.

EAST INDIES: In NE Celebes B-24s bomb Tanamon, Celebes Island while other B-24s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers hit scattered targets of opportunity on Celebes and Halmahera Islands.

NEW GUINEA: A regiment of the US 31st Division occupies Mapia Island, 160 miles north of the west end of New Guinea. B-25s and fighter-bombers support the allied amphibious landings.

PHILIPINES: In the Philippine Islands, B-24s, with P-38 support, bomb La Carlota Airfield while B-25s hit Lahug; B-25s and fighter-bombers attack targets of opportunity on Cebu and shipping off the W coast of Leyte Island; on Mindanao Island B-24s hit 3 airfields while P-38s hit shipping and other targets of opportunity;

USN Communique:
DETAILS OF SURFACE BOMBARDMENT OF MARCUS ISLAND
An advanced base in the Western Pacific, October 9‑(Delayed)‑In a surprise dawn assault against another of Japan's inner island defenses, U. S. Navy surface units today heavily bombarded enemy shore installations on strategic Marcus Island.
It was the first American surface ship bombardment of the island, which lies 989 miles southeast of the Japanese mainland and 727 miles northeast of the U. S.‑held Mariana Group.
Units of the Third Fleet, cruisers and destroyers commanded by Rear Admiral Allan E. Smith, U. S. N., of Fairfax, Virginia, lobbed heavy caliber shells into the enemy positions intermittently during the 15‑hour attack period. Shore battery fire directed against the American warships was moderate. Most of the island defense batteries were silenced during the engagement.
There was no damage to the American ships.
In a continuous procession, the warships steamed past the island and hammered defense positions with accurate 8‑inch and 5‑inch rifle fire. Several fires were started and hits were scored on the enemy radio station, operations and administration buildings, and other shore installations.
The attack was conducted in three phases and was concluded with a night operation during which the American warships used smoke screens and night emergency pyrotechnics.
Air spotting revealed that the enemy garrison sustained considerable damage in the battering assault by the big Navy guns.
There was unrestricted visibility and an unlimited ceiling, but no Jap aircraft was encountered.
Rear Admiral Smith's flagship during the engagement, a veteran of numerous Pacific bombardments, is commanded by Captain Henry Hartley, USN, of Bladensburg, Maryland. Other cruisers and destroyers supported the assault with sustained gun fire.
 
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Nov 16th 1944

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 23 B-24s bomb Changsha; 8 B-25s hit Lohochai and bomb the Wanling, Burma area. In French Indochina, 16 B-25s hit Nghia Trang, Duc Tho, Nha Trang, and Do Len. 70+ P-40s and P-51s over SE and SW China on armed reconnaissance attack road, river, and rail traffic, town areas, and other targets of opportunity at several scattered locations.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 30 P-47s hit troop concentrations and supply areas at Naungmo, Nawngmoloi, and Lashio; 11 support ground forces in the Pinwe area, 4 attack bridges at Meza and over the Sindaw River; 4 bomb the Meza railroad station, 16 sweep the railroad from Sagaing to Kanbalu, and 16 strafe Nawnghkioand Hsumhsai Airfields. Transports fly 270+ sorties to forward bases and frontline areas.

BURMA: In the Northern Combat Area Command (NCAC) area, the British 36th Division is still held up in the railroad corridor by stubborn opposition in the Pinwe area. Two companies are isolated by a Japanese roadblock and have to be withdrawn.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 12 Saipan Island-based B-24s bomb shipping at Chichi Jima Island while 2 others attack barges at Haha Jima. 12 P-47s and 3 P-38s hit the airfield on Pagan in the first combat strike by P-38s in the Mariana Islands. During the night of 16/17 Nov a snooper mission in the Bonin Islands, a B-24 attacks shipping.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Colonel Willard R Wolfinbarger becomes Commanding Officer of the XIII Fighter Command. Units moving to Leyte: HQ 3d BG and 90th Bombardment Squadron from Hollandia, New Guinea with A-20s; HQ 348th Fighter Group from Noemfoor.
EAST INDIES: In the Kendari area and on the northeast peninsula of Celebes Island, and on Halmahera Island in the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers pound airfields, villages and shipping. B-25 also support ground forces in the Mapia Island and bomb Namlea Airfield on Boeroe Island.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: LEYTE In the U.S. Sixth Armys X Corps area on Leyte, two battalions of the 128th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, begin a drive on Ormoc, passing through the 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, on Breakneck Ridge. One battalion is soon halted but the second pushes forward 350 yards without opposition.
In the central Philippines and in the Mindanao Island area, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25s, B-24s, and fighter-bombers hit airfields, harbors, shipping, and targets of opportunity.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 183, NOVEMBER 16, 1944
A revision based on evidence gathered after the carrier task group at¬tacks in the Manila Bay Area on November 12 (West Longitude Date) raises the damage figures (given in communiqué Number 182) on Jap ship losses. It is now known that:
A light cruiser was sunk, it had been reported as badly damaged.
Four destroyers were sunk; two had been reported as exploded.
Eleven cargo vessels and oilers were sunk; this number had been reported as sunk or blazing.
There are no other revisions of any information contained in communiqué Number 182.
On the night of November 10 11 (West Longitude Date) search Liberators of Fleet Air Wing One bombed airplane storage areas on Iwo Jima in the Bonin Islands. Weak fighter opposition was encountered. On November 12 Navy search Liberators again bombed installations on Iwo Jima and scored near misses on a medium cargo vessel at Chichi Jima. The following day a Navy search Liberator was credited with probable hits on a small cargo ship near Iwo Jima. On November 13 a Mitchell of tile Second Marine Aircraft Wing made possible hits on a medium cargo vessel near Haha Jima.
Search Venturas of Fleet Air Wing One bombed installations on the Yap Airstrip on the night of November 10 11, meeting meager antiaircraft fire. On November 12 Corsairs and Hellcats of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing with Navy search Liberators of Fleet Air Wing One bombed and destroyed warehouses and vehicles on Japanese bases in the Northern Palau Islands. Corsairs of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing struck the airstrip on Yap on the same day.
Strafing Corsairs of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing sank several barges and small craft on November 13 in the Northern Palaus and Yap areas and
struck the airstrip on Yap, and Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force pounded docks and a radio station on Arakabesan. Hellcats of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing made harassing attacks on Japanese bases in the Palaus on the night of November 13.
On November 13 bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force and Navy search Liberators struck the airstrip and installations on Woleai in the Western Carolines.
Avengers and Corsairs of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing bombed Rota in the Marianas on November 12 13. Thunderbolts of the Seventh Army Air Force hit Pagan on November 13.
Continuing neutralization raids were made in the Marshalls on Novem¬ber 11. Corsairs of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing and a Navy search Ventura of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed Jaluit on the same day. Nine fires were seen. Dauntless dive bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing at¬tacked installations at Mille on November 11.
 
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Nov 17th 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 4 B-24s bomb Suribachi Airfield on Paramushiru; 2 fighters intercept and damage 1 B-24 which force-lands on Kamchatka, USSR.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 3 B-24s bomb Kowloon Docks, Hong Kong; 15 B-25s, in flights of 2 or 3 each, attack gun positions, storage areas, and village and town areas N of Chuchou, W of Nanyo, and at Chefang and Nanyo and S of Hpalen, Burma; also a bridge at Tingka is knocked out; 100+ P-40s and P-51s hit targets of opportunity throughout SE and SW China, concentrating on the Mangshih and Changsha areas.

CHINA: From the Kweilin-Liuchow area, the Japanese begin a drive on Kweiyang, possession of which would open way to Kunming, the Hump terminus, and Chungking, the capital.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 33 P-47s hit troop and vehicle concentrations and supply areas at Manlu, Loi-Lum, Nawngmoloi, and Kyaukme; 10 P-47s support ground forces in the N Burma railroad corridor near Meza; 16 others sweep the rail line from Hsipaw to Sedaw hitting rolling stock, gun positions and other targets of opportunity while 3 bomb the Meza railroad station; 16 others strafe airfields at Nawnghkio, Anisakan, and Onbauk; 9 B-25s bomb bridges at Lashio, knocking out a bypass bridge and damaging others; several machinegun positions are silenced in the bridge area; transports continue to operate on large scale, flying 266 sorties to forward areas.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): In the Bonin Islands, 15 B-24s, flying a shipping strike out of Saipan Island, attack vessels SW of Muko Jima Island and the attack harbor and town of Okimura.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force]:HQ 317th Troop Carrier Group moves from Hollandia, New Guinea to Leyte Island.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25s fly heckling missions over northeastern Celebes Island.

NEW GUINEA: In Dutch New Guinea, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25s continue to support ground forces on Mapia Island.

PACIFIC OCEAN: In the Philippine Sea, a USN TBM Avenger of Composite Squadron Eight Two (VC 82) in the escort aircraft carrier USS Anzio and destroyer escort USS Lawrence C. Taylor sink Japanese submarine HIJMS I-26 about 345 nautical miles ENE of Tacloban, Leyte, Philippine Islands, in position 12.44N, 130.42E.
In the East China Sea, USN Submarine USS Spadefish sinks Japanese escort aircraft carrier HIJMS Shinyo about 153 nautical miles NE of Shanghai, China, in position 33.02N, 123.33E.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, a battalion of the 128th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, gets to within 500 yards of Limon, but the 1st Battalion is still held up by the Japanese on the slopes of Corkscrew Ridge.
USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s bomb Sanbon Field at Legaspi on the southeastern tip of Luzon Island; on Mindanao Island, B-24s bomb Sasa and Likanan Airfields; other B-24s and B-25s fly heckling missions over the central Philippine Islands and Mindanao Island.

UNITED STATES: The Combined Chiefs of Staff approve the proposal of Admiral Louis Mountbatten, Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia Command (SEAC), made in late October to clear the Arakan, Burma area along the northeast coast of the Bay of Bengal; reject the Kra Isthmus operation in the north central section of southwestern Thailand; and ask for a plan to develop the Cocos Islands in the Indian Ocean as a staging base.
 
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Nov 18th 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): On Paramushiru Island, 4 B-24s strike Suribachi shore batteries, including one on Takikawa Cape. A shipping sweep by 6 B-25s is cancelled due to weather.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 10 B-25s blast stores at Hengshan and hit populated areas from Ishan to Liuchow; 130+ P-51s, P-40s, and P-38s pound targets of opportunity scattered over vast areas of S China; troops, shipping, supplies, trucks, and railroad targets are hit particularly hard N of Lingling, from Liuchow to Ishan, from Hengshan to Hengyang, from Kweilin to Liuchou, from Siangtan to Paoching, and at Chuanhsien, Hwaiyuanchen, Chingmen, Chuchiang, and Shihkiachwang.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 27 fighter-bombers support ground forces S of Pinwe and in the Bhamo area; 16 attack troops and supply area at Panglong and Nga-pwegyi while 7 hit the ferry area at Meza; 20 hit targets of opportunity along the Kanbalu-Wuntho railroad and at Maymyo and Wetwin; 9 B-25s pound Man Pwe rail yards, destroying warehouses and other buildings and causing much general damage. Transports continue large-scale operations to forward areas. In India, the detachment of the 317th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, operating from Tulihal with C-47s returns to base at Sylhet.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Saipan and Guam hit shipping at Chichi Jima and Haha Jima. P-38s and B-24s from Saipan escort photo planes over Iwo Jima. Project MIKE continues as USAAF B-24 Liberators lay 12 mines in effective locations in Futami Ko, Chichi Jima.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: HQ 58th FG and the 310th and 311th Fighter Squadrons move from Noemfoor to San Roque with P-47s. 66th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Nadzab to Biak with C-47s. Lost is P-61 42-5515.

EAST INDIES: USAAF East Air Force B-24s, with P-38s and P-47s supporting, launch a major strike against oil installations at Tarakan, Dutch Borneo; other B-24s and B-25s hit shipping off Tarakan and in Brunei Bay, Brunei On Celebes Island in the Netherlands East Indies, B-24s bomb the Makassar and Kendari area and the Polewali shipyards. Other B-24s bomb airfields in the Ceram Island-Ambon Island area while P-38s strafe shipping.
RAAF No. 22 Squadron flying (A-20C) Boston Mk. IIIs fly their first mission from Morotai
against targets on northern Celebes Island.

NEW GUINEA: In Dutch New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25s continue to support ground forces on Mapia Island off the northwest coast of New Guinea.

PACIFIC OCEAN: In the Philippine Sea, USN destroyer escort USS Lawrence C. Taylor and a TBM Avenger of Composite Squadron Eighty Two in the escort aircraft carrier USS Anzio, sink Japanese submarine HIJMS I-41 about 345 nautical miles ENE of Tacloban, Leyte, Philippine Islands in position 12.44N, 130.42E. This is the second submarine sunk by these units in two days.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, the 3d Battalion of 128th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, halts on a ridge 500 yards north of Limon to await the 1st Battalion, which is still battling the Japanese on Corkscrew Ridge. Positions of the 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, on Kilay Ridge are seriously threatened and under heavy fire.
USAAF Far East Air Force B-24s, B-25s and A-20s again hit airfields and targets of opportunity on Mindanao Island. Fighter-bombers, A-20s and B-25s over several locations in the Philippine Islands attack shipping, supply and personnel areas, harbors, barges, airstrips, and communications targets.
 
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Nov 19th 1944

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 3 B-24s bomb Samah Bay docks on Hainan Island. In China, 10 B-25s damage 2 buildings N of Chefang and score hits on bridges at Tingka and Wan Lai-Kam, Burma; 8 P-40s and P-38s hit targets of opportunity S of Tingka and Chefang; 19 P-40s blast troops and river, rail, and road traffic in the Hankow area; 27 P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s hit numerous targets of opportunity in the Mangshih area. The 35th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth AF, based at Chanyi, sends a flight to operate from Suichwan with F-5s.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 15 P-47s support ground forces attacking Bhamo and fighting in the Pinwe area; 36 P-47s pound enemy concentrations at Man Mao, Sekang, and Manlu. Transports fly 290 sorties to forward areas.

BURMA: In the British Fourteenth Army's IV Corps area, the Indian 19th Division begins crossing the Chindwin River at Sittaung.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 5 B-24s from Guam on armed reconnaissance over Iwo Jima and bomb airfields on Iwo Jima while 15 hit shipping at Chichi Jima and Haha Jima Islands. 1 B-24 from Angaur Airfield bombs Legaspi Airfield.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Units moving to Leyte Island: HQ 312th BG and the 386th, 387th, 388th and 389th Bombardment Squadrons from Hollandia, New Guinea with A-20s; 2d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d BG (Heavy), from Owi with B-24s; 39th Troop Carrier Squadron, 317th Troop Carrier Group, from Hollandia; 403d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d BG (Heavy) from Owi with B-24s. Lost is B-24J 44-41258.

EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25s hit Sidate, Mapanget, and Borebore on Celebes Island while other B-25s and A-20s hit airfields and shipping in the Ceram Island-Ambon Island-Boeroe Island area.

NEW GUINEA: In Dutch New Guinea, elements of Task Group 78.14 land Army troops, a company of the 124th Infantry Regiment, 31st Infantry Division, U.S. Eighth Army, on Asia Island, 100 nautical miles W of Sansapor. The landing is supported by USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25s and A-20s.

PACIFIC OCEAN: USN destroyer escorts USS Conklin and McCoy Reynolds sink Japanese submarine HIJMS I-37 about 49 nautical mile NNW of Koror, Palau Islands, Caroline Islands in position 08.07N, 134.16E.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: The 77th Infantry Division, en route to Leyte, is ordered to release a detachment of some 1,200 men, upon landing, for a projected operation against Mindoro.
In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, the 1st Battalion of the 128th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, continues efforts to drive the Japanese from Corkscrew Ridge. The 1st Battalion of the 34th Infantry Regiment, still under heavy fire on Kilay Ridge, withdraws 100 yards N, abandoning the knoll on the south.
USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s bomb Alicante on the northeast of Negros Island and Palompon on Leyte Island while P-47s hit the Valencia, Mindanao Island, and Ormoc, Leyte Island areas. On Mindanao Island B-24s hit Libby Aerodrome while others bomb airfields at Sasa.
One USAAF Seventh Air Force B-24 from Angaur Island, Palau Islands, Caroline Islands, bombs Sanbon Field near Legaspi on Luzon Island.
Carrier-based aircraft of Task Force 38 attack Japanese shipping off Luzon, in addition to airfields on that island. Navy carrier-based planes attack a convoy 10 nautical miles off San Fernando, Luzon, sinking a merchant cargo ship and damaging two escorting submarine chasers.

UNITED STATES: Looking for ways to fund World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt announces the 6th War Loan Drive today. The Loan Drive floods the market with war bonds intended to meet Roosevelt's goals of "immediately" raising US$14 billion (US$155.35 billion in year 2005 dollars) for the war.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 184, NOVEMBER 19, 1944
Before dawn on November 10 (West Longitude Date) ships of the Pacific Fleet bombarded installations on Iwo Jima in the Bonins. Several explosions were observed after the first salvos. Large fires ashore were started, which could be seen by ships 35 miles away. The enemy apparently was surprised, and his shore batteries replied ineffectively to our fire, causing no damage or casualties to our forces. Only one enemy plane was in the air.
On November 14 units of the 81st Army Division reoccupied Ngeregong Island in the Palaus without resistance. The island had been occupied by an enemy force of approximately 200 men on the night of November 7 8 (reported in communiqué Number 181) which meanwhile had been heavily attacked with bombs and gunfire. Corsairs and Hellcats of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing with Navy search Liberators of Fleet Air Wing One bombed enemy held islands in the Northern Palaus on November 14, destroyed vehicles and barges and starting fires in ammunition dumps. Fighters of the Second Marine Air¬craft Wing pounded the airfield on Yap the same day.
Navy search Liberators of Fleet Air Wing One attacked Haha Jima and Iwo Jima in the Bonins on November 14. On the next day Navy search Liberators hit Chichi Jima and Haha Jima. One coastal cargo ship was hit at Chichi Jima. Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force on November 16 sank one medium cargo ship at Haha Jima in the Bonins and caused explosions and fires in two other cargo ships. Other Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force the same day struck at shipping in Chichi Jima, and Navy search Liberators of Fleet Air Wing One bombed Okimura Town on Haha Jima. Results were not observed.
From November 14 to 16 Marine units on Saipan killed 248 and captured 47 Japanese in a drive to clear the island of remnants of the enemy garrison. A number of machine guns were captured. Our losses were nine killed and 40 wounded.
Fighters of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing blasted airfields at Yap on November 16. Fires were started in fuel storage spaces and storage buildings In the Northern Palaus.
Avengers and Corsairs of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing hit Rota on November 17.
Eleventh Army Air Force Liberators on November 16 bombed Suribachi in the Northern Kuriles. Meager antiaircraft fire was met.
Fighters of the Seventh Army Air Force made strafing attacks on Pagan in the Marianas on November 15.
The Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing continued neutralizing attacks in the Marshalls on November 16.
 
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Nov 20th 1944 37,091

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 3 B-24s fly an air cover mission for the US Navy.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 8 B-25s hit the barracks area at Lashio, Burma; 60+ P-38s, P-40s, and P-51s on armed reconnaissance over parts of SE and SW China and French Indochina attack shipping--especially severely in the Chiuchiang, China area--and barracks, radio stations, villages, and other targets of opportunity. In China, the flight of the 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth AF, operating from Kanchow with F-5s, returns to base at Kunming.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 7 B-25s knock out the Hsipaw road bridge; 4 others fail to damage the Bawgyo bridge; 12 P-47s support ground forces in the Pinwe sector; 20+ others hit defenses at Mong Nge, a horse transport unit at Selan, bomb storage areas at Kyungon and Kyakataing, Japanese HQ and troop concentration at Man Mao, and several scattered targets of opportunity. Transports maintain continuous flights to forward bases and frontline areas.

BURMA: On the Salween front, the Chinese of the XI Group Army push through Mangshih, whose airfield is soon used to land supplies.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Bad weather cancels all bombing missions.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: Fleet oiler USS Mississinewa is sunk in the harbor of Ulithi Atoll, Admiral Halsey's Third Fleet anchorage, after being hit by a Japanese one man suicide submarine (Kaiten) while at anchor. The destruction of the Mississinewa proved to be one of the most important sinkings of the Pacific war as this was the first time the US Navy had encountered this type of submarine. Two kaitens, launched from their mother submarines HIJMS I-36 and I-47 had penetrated the safety nets across the mouth of the harbor. One ran ashore but failed to explode and is recovered by the USN. The second kaiten found its mark on the starboard side of the Mississinewa which is loaded with 440,000 U.S. gallons of aviation fuel which explodes and erupts into a blazing inferno at 0547 hours local. At about 0900 hours the ship slowly turns over and disappeares. Casualties are three officers and 47 enlisted men killed, 11 officers and 81 enlisted wounded from the ships complement of 298.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Units moving to Leyte Island: HQ Fifth AF moves from Owi; 13th Bombardment Squadron, 3d BG, from Hollandia, New Guinea to Dulag with A-20s. The 371st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 307th BG (Heavy), ceases operating form Noemfoor with B-24s and moves forward to Morotai.

EAST INDIES: British carrier aircraft strike Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies. The targets are the airfields at Sabang and oil installations at Belawan Deli. The two carriers launch two strikes at these targets.
In the air, USAAF Far East Air Forces (FEAF) B-25s bomb Haroekoe Drome on Haroekoe Island, an island off Ambon Island, and Laha Drome on Amon Island. On Celebes Island, P-38s hit targets of opportunity over Sidate and in the Makassar areas.
Eight Australian Bostons and four Beaufighters attack the airfield and buildings at Tanamon Airfield on Celebes Island.

NEW GUINEA: The U.S. Eighth Army's operations on Asia and Mapia Islands are successfully concluded. The islands are to become sites for loran and radar stations.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, the 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, is still held up on Corkscrew Ridge. Company C, 34th Infantry Regiment, joins the main body of the 1st Battalion on Kilay Ridge, abandoning forward positions. Company B tries unsuccessfully to recover knoll lost yesterday. The ammunition supply is critically low.
The U.S. merchant ship SS Thomas Nelson, at anchor with twenty other ships in Dulag Bay. Leyte Island, is attacked by a Japanese suicide plane that has dived through a barrage of anti-aircraft fire to crash on her deck. On board are hundreds of tons of ammunition. The plane's single bomb explodes on impact, the explosion and fire causing the deaths of some 140 US Army enlisted men, navy gunners and merchant navy crewmen.
USN submarine USS Gar lands supplies on the north coast of Mindoro.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 185, NOVEMBER 20, 1944
Aircraft from a carrier task force under the tactical command of Vice Admiral J. S. McCain struck at shipping and airfields in and around Manila on November 18 (West Longitude Date). Incomplete reports show that two large cargo ships and one large oiler were burned in Manila Harbor and about 100 enemy planes were destroyed on the ground. Light fighter opposition was met over the targets and 10 Japanese aircraft were shot down. Our fighters destroyed eight additional attacking planes near our carriers.
Fighter planes of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing hit a fuel dump and other storage areas on Babelthuap in the Palaus and sank two enemy barges in waters around this island on November 17. On the same day Catalinas of Fleet Air Wing One bombed the town on Koror in the Palaus. Fighters of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing pounded the runways on Yap Airfield.
On November 18 strafing and bombing attacks were made by planes of Fleet Air Wing One on barges near Kits. Iwo Jima in the Bonins. Unaggressive attacks were made on our planes by five enemy fighters.
Liberators of the Eleventh Army Air Force on November 18 bombed targets in Suribachi in the Northern Kuriles. Intense antiaircraft fire was encountered.
Second Marine Aircraft Wing fighters attacked the phosphate plant on Rota in the Marianas on November 18.
Fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing encountered intense antiaircraft fire in bombing attacks on the power plant and other installations on Nauru on November 18. An explosion was observed near the power station.
 
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Nov 21st 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Advance HQ Eleventh AF is established on Shemya with Brigadier General Harry A Johnson as Deputy Commander. 5 B-24s fly air coverage for naval units; another fleet coverage mission by 10 B-25s is cancelled due to weather; before clearance can be obtained from the Soviets through diplomatic channels, a B-24 air-drops provisions to a marooned crew of a B-24 which forcelanded on Kamchatka Island on 17 Nov 44.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 42 P-51s and P-38s on armed reconnaissance attack fuel supplies and the town area at Ishan and road and rail traffic and other targets of opportunity N of Wanling, Burma and in the Chiuchiang area, S of Foochow, and at Hsuchang, Sincheng, and Sheklung.

CHINA: Major General Albert C. Wedemeyer Commanding General China Theater, U.S. Army, and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek's Chief of Staff, formally presents his recently formulated ALPHA Plan to concentrate Chinese forces in the Kunming area as quickly as possible and place them under command of China's best general in order to avert a threat to Kunrning–to Chiang Kai-shek. General Chen Cheng is recommended for command of ALPHA forces, but Chiang Kai-shek prefers General Ho Ying-chin. American assistance will consist of maximum air support and liaison officers to advise the Chinese Army.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 61 B-29s from Chengtu, China bomb an aircraft plant at Omura, Kyushu Island, Japan; 13 B-29s bomb Shanghai, China, and several others hit alternates and targets of opportunity; the B-29s claim 27 fighters downed, the highest Twentieth AF claim to date.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 28 P-47s support ground forces in the Pinwe and Bhamo areas; 37 others hit supply areas, troop concentrations and strongholds at Langwa, Pinmalut, Hlebwe, Mutawng, and
Nawnghkem; 15 P-47s hit targets of opportunity while sweeping the Kyaukme-Namyao road; 10 B-25s knock out bridges at Hsipaw and Bawgyo. Transports fly 280+ sorties to forward areas.
BURMA: USAAF Major General George Stratemeyer Commanding General AAF, India-Burma Sector, CBI Theater and commander of the Eastern Air Command, South East Asia Command, inactivates the Third Tactical Air Force so that the RAF 221 Group may provide close support for the British Fourteenth Army and the RAF 224 Group can support the British XV Corps for the Arakan offensive.
On the Northern Combat Area Command (NCAC) front, the Chinese 38th Division continues to close in on Bhamo. The 114th Regiment, bypassing a Japanese outpost at Subbawng, which detachment of 113th Regiment is containing, drives into Shwekyina.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Seventh AF service groups are reassigned from the VII Air Service Area Command to the VII Bomber Command and VII Fighter Command, with one service group to support each tactical group in the field. B-24s from Guam bomb shipping and naval shore installations at Chichi Jima and Haha Jima. 5 B-24s from Guam on armed reconnaissance bomb airfields on Iwo Jima

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25s hit Langoan and Mapanget Airfields on Celebes Island while B-24s in the Kendari area bomb Ambesia Airfield. B-24s sink a Japanese ship in Makassar Strait off Dutch Borneo.

PACIFIC OCEAN: The USN submarine USS Sealion is on patrol north of Formosa. At 0220 hours, radar contact is made with two Japanese battleships, HIJMS Kongo and Haruna, two cruiser and three destoryers. By 0257 hours, the submarine is in position and fires six torpedoes at Haruna but they miss and three hit the destroyer HIJMS Urakaze. After a series of explosions, Urakaze simply blows apart and in less than two minutes, the vessel sinks taking her entire crew of 14 officers and 293 men with her. At 0259 hours, Sealion fires three additional torpedoes and one strikes the battleship HIJMS Kongo. Kongo had been badly damaged by air attacks on 25 October during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. A gash on her starboard side opened up 15 oil tanks, the contents of which poured into the sea. The damage forced the Kongo to attempt a return voyage to Japan for repairs. The torpedo hit causes Kongo to list 20 degrees. Heading for the nearest port on northern Formosa, the list increases to 45 degrees. It becomes obvious that the Kongo is sinking and the order is given to abandon ship. When the list accelerates past 60 degrees, tragedy strikes. At 0525 hours local, her forward 14-inch magazine explodes with horrifying results and the Kongo rolls over and slips beneath the waves about 67 nautical miles north of Taipei, Formosa, in position 26.07N, 121.36E. Some 1,250 officers and men are lost. Two of her escorts, the destroyers HIJMS Hamakaze and Isokaze rescue survivors, Hamakaze picking up seven officers and 139 men and Isokaze rescued six officers and 85 men, a total of 347 survivors.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, the 128th Infantry Regiment, less 1st Battalion, which is to contain the Corkscrew Ridge, is ordered to capture Limon and secure a crossing of the Leyte River tributary to the south. In preparation for this attack, fire is placed on Japanese positions along Highway 2 during the night. The action on Kilay Ridge is confined to patrolling and fire exchanges. Supplies brought by hand from Consuegra are being supplemented by airdrops. In the XXIV Corps area, the 3d Battalion of the 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, moves from Baybay to position just south of the 2d Battalion. Artillery is being emplaced at Damulaan.
USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s bomb Matina and Lumbia Aerodromes on Mindanao Island. On Leyte Island, fighter-bombers hit troop barges and supply dumps in Ormoc Bay and numerous targets of opportunity throughout the central Philippine Islands.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 186, NOVEMBER 21, 1944
Army and Marine Infantry units in the Marianas and Palaus continued to clear captured islands of remnants of Japanese garrisons. Total enemy casualties given below are through November 13 (West Longitude Date)
Saipan, killed, 26,277; captured, 2,068
Guam, killed, 17,238; captured, 463
Tinian, killed, 6,893; captured, 316
Angaur and Peleliu, killed, 12,980; captured, 420
On November 18, aircraft of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing made a strafing attack on installations on Haha Jima and shipping at Chichi Jima.
Additional reports on aircraft strikes by carrier based planes over Manila on November 18 now show that a total of 26 Japanese planes were shot out of the air. Four of these were destroyed by ships' antiaircraft fire. (A total of 18 planes had been reported shot down in communiqué No. 185. )
Japanese bases in the Palaus were hit by planes of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing and Fleet Air Wing One on November 18. Several large fires were started. On the same day fighters of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing carried out bombing attacks on the airfield at Yap.
Air attacks were made on enemy held bases in the Marshalls on November 19 and 20 as the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing and search planes of Meet. Air Wing Two continued neutralizing raids on those islands. The enemy sent up meager antiaircraft fire.
 
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Nov 22nd 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 4 B-25s abort an air coverage mission due to weather.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 22 B-24s bomb Hankow; 11 B-25s pound the Ishan and Liuchenghsien areas while 8 hit storage facilities at Wanling and Kutkai, Burma; 95 P-51s, P-40s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance over wide expanses of S China attack town areas, supplies, and road and rail traffic, hitting the Chefang area especially hard.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 15 P-47s support ground forces at Bhamo while 37 others fly close support in the Pinwe area; supply and personnel areas at Nawngchio, Kutkai, Ingon, Selong, Man Mao, and in the vicinity of Kanbalu are pounded by more than 40 P-47s; 12 others attack the airfield at Kawlin Transports fly 188 sorties to forward areas. In India, the 2d Combat Cargo Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group, moves from Sylhet to Imphal with C-47s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 22 B-24s from Saipan escorted by 22 P-38s (the first long-range P-38 escort of Seventh AF bombers), bomb airfields on Moen and Param. P-47s from Saipan pound the airfield on Pagan.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: Aircraft from a USN Task Group 38.4 bomb Japanese air facilities on Yap using napalm, the first time this weapon had been used by carrier-based aircraft.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Fighter-bombers hit targets of opportunity in the Makassar area, loosing the P-38 piloted by Robert Westbrook.

EAST INDIES: On Celebes Island in the Netherlands East Indies, fighter-bombers hit targets of opportunity in the Makassar area while B-24s bomb the nickel mine and targets of opportunity in the Kendari area and hit airfields in northeastern Celebes. Other B-24s hit small shipping during a sweep over Brunei Bay, British Brunei, Borneo.
Nine Japanese aircraft raid Pitu and Wama Airfields on Morotai Island, Netherlands East Indies, destroying 15 RAAF and USAAF aircraft on the ground and damaging 29.

PACIFIC OCEAN: The British submarine HMS/M Stratagem (P 234) is sunk by a Japanese patrol craft approximately 3 nautical miles SW of Malacca, Malaya, in the shallow Strait of Malacca. The bow strikes the bottom and the sub begins flooding. Unable to shut the watertight doors, the crew scuttles the boat. Ten men escape from the stricken boat, though only eight manage to make it to the surface alive and are taken prisoner by the Japanese. Three of the eight are taken to Japan and survived the war; the fate of the other five is unknown.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, the 2d and 3d Battalions of the 128th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, attack south astride Highway 2 and take Limon, virtually completing the battle of Breakneck Ridge. Bypassed Japanese pockets are eliminated by mid-December. Forward elements of the 128th Infantry Regiment cross the tributary of the Leyte River south of Limon. The 1st Battalion of the 34th Infantry Regiment, under heavy Japanese attack on Kilay Ridge, is forced to compress its defense perimeter to avoid encirclement. In the XXIV Corps area, the 7th Infantry Division is ordered to assemble in the Baybay area as quickly as possible. The 11th Airborne Division, although not originally intended to operate on Leyte, is ordered to relieve the 7th Infantry Division, less the 17th Infantry Regiment, so the 7th can clear the eastern shore of Ormoc Bay.
USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers pound Bacalod Airstrip and Ipil on Negros Island, and Ormoc, Leyte Island area bridges, barges, and targets of opportunity. B-24s also bomb Sasa Airfield on Mindanao Island.

UNITED KINGDOM: The USAAF Eighth Air Force's 2d and 4th Combat Bombardment Wings (Heavy) of the 3d Bombardment Division are combined to form the Administrative Bombardment Wing (Provisional) ; this type of unit is expected to be highly suitable for conditions in the Pacific theater where bomb division HQ might be located far from its wing HQ; under this new plan, the administrative wing can absorb many functions of the division HQ; this experiment will be judged acceptable during February 1945.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 187, NOVEMBER 22, 1944
Further reports of the air strikes in and around Manila on November 18 (West Longitude Date) reveal the following total damage to shipping and Installations by planes of the Third Fleet:
One medium cargo ship and one small coastal cargo ship set afire in Subic Bay.
Two medium cargo ships burning and one small coastal cargo ship sunk near San Fernando.
One cargo ship burned and another burning in Manila Bay.
An oiler in flames and one medium cargo ship and two other oilers hit in Manila Bay.
Five luggers burning off Batangas and another sunk at Laoag.
Locomotive destroyed at Lucena.
Our planes strafed a heavy cruiser which appeared to be beached or in shallow water near Santa Cruz.
Ten fires were started in fuel dumps at San Fernando, Del Carmen Field and Clark Field while buildings and other installations were destroyed at West Lipa, Nichols, Malvar and Del Carmen Fields.
Liberators and Lightnings of the Seventh Army Air Force on November 21 strafed and bombed airfields on Truk. Five enemy fighters were seen of which four were destroyed.
Fighters of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing on November 19 hit Babelthuap in the Palaus, setting fuel dumps afire, and pounded the airfield on Yap.
Defenses on Rota in the Marianas were pounded by fighters of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing on November 19.
 
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Nov 23rd 1944

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s bomb a storage area near Lashio and 8 hit Kutkai and Wanling. 2 B-24s bomb Kowloon Docks in Hong Kong. 120+ P-40s, P-51s and P-38s hit targets of opportunity throughout SW and SE China; 32 of the fighter-bombers support ground forces in the Chefang, China area.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 50+ P-47s support ground forces in the Pinwe and Bhamo areas; 16 sweep and strafe airfields and many targets of opportunity from Anisakan to Nawnghkio; 3 hit an ammunition dump at Man Naung; 21 P-47s sweep roads in the Ye-U area and strafe rail installations at Kanbalu; 10 B-25s knock out the Tantabin main bridge and Tangon and Thegyaung bypass bridges, and blast approaches to the Tangon main bridge and Tantabin bypass bridge. 282 transport sorties are flown to forward bases and frontline areas.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 17 B-24s from Guam Island hit shipping at Chichi Jima and Haha Jima Islands and bomb the town of Okimura in the Bonin Islands.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: The RAAF's No. 6 Squadron resumes their attack on Rabaul, New Britain Island, with Beauforts. The town will be attacked three more times before the end of the month.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The 63d and 64th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 43d BG (Heavy), move from Owi to Tacloban, Leyte Island with B-24s.

EAST INDIES: Eleven RAAF (P-40) Kittyhawks dive bomb Lolobato and Hatetabako Aerodromes on Halmahera Island and 12 others dive bomb Galela Airfield on Galela Island 20 miles from Morotai Island.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, the 128th Infantry Regiment of the 32d Infantry Division improves and consolidates positions south of Limon and for the next few days patrols actively. The 112th Cavalry Regiment, which has been patrolling the Mt. Minoro area, is ordered southwest toward Highway 2 to relieve pressure on the 32d Infantry Division. In the XXIV Corps area, the 77th Infantry Division begins unloading on Leyte and is assigned to the corps. The Battle of Shoestring Ridge opens as the Japanese attack the sector of thinly spread 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, along the Palanas River, forcing a limited withdrawal.
USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s bomb Matina Aerodrome on Mindanao Island.
The USN submarine USS Gar lands men and supplies on west coast of Luzon.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Australian troops of the 9th Battalion, 7th Brigade, 3rd Division, relieve the U.S. 2d Battalion, 132d Infantry Regiment, Americal Division, at Cape Torokina, Bougainville. The Australian arrival opens the campaign on Bougainville that cost over 500 Australian lives by the war's end.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 188, NOVEMBER 23, 1944
Matsuwa in Kuriles was bombarded by a Naval task force on November 21 (West Longitude Date). Large fires and explosions were observed. Enemy guns did not reply. None of our ships was damaged.
Fighters of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing destroyed an ammunition dump and set fire to trucks and a barge at Babelthuap in the Northern Palau Islands on November 20. One of our planes was lost, but the pilot was rescued.
Fighters of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing bombed the airstrip on Yap on November 20.
Aircraft of the Seventh Army Air Force bombed and strafed shipping and harbor installations at Chichi Jima and Haha Jima in the Bonin Islands on November 20. One enemy plane was seen over Chichi Jima. Antiaircraft fire was moderate.
Venturas of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed and strafed the barracks area and power plant on Wake Island on November 22. A large explosion was observed north of the power plant. Antiaircraft fire was meager and In¬accurate.
Search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two and fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing continued neutralization raids in the Marshall Islands on November 21 and 22.
 
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Nov 24th 1944

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 21 B-24s bomb the warehouse area and docks at Hankow, China. 3 others hit the Haiphong, French Indochina area. 22 B-25s bomb a storage area near Lashio, Burma, targets of opportunity in the Hankow, China area, and the towns of Wanling and Wan Lai-Kam, Burma, and Siangtan, and Wuchang, China. 120+ P-40s, P-38s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance attack many targets of opportunity in E Burma and SW and SE China, concentrating on river and rail traffic and supplies at Chefang, Hengshan, and the Sinshih-Changsha, China area.

CHINA: Japanese forces in southern China, attempting to gain contact with their forces garrisoning French Indochina, take Nanning.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 32 P-47s fly close support strikes in the Pinwe and Bhamo se#2ctors; 50 P-47s attack troops and supply areas at Panma, Hpa-Hpen, Nawng-Sang, Kawlin, Wahkyet, Kawngai, and in the Pintha area, 8 damage bridges at Meza, Namhkai, and Hsenwi while 10 others hit Lashio Airfield; 6 B-25s pound the storage and ferry area at Meza and 4 damage approaches to the Namhkai and Hsenwi road bridges. 323 transport sorties are flown to forward areas.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 2 B-24s from Saipan Island on a shipping reconnaissance attack vessels at Haha Jima and Chichi Jima Islands. 3 B-24s from Guam Island on armed reconnaissance bomb Marcus. 14 Saipan based P-47s strafe landing ground on Pagan.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): The XXI Bomber Command flies its first mission against Japan; the objective is Tokyo; the 111 B-29s are led by 73d Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) Commanding General, Brigadier General Emmett O'Donnell Jr piloting DAUNTLESS DOTTY, copiloted by Major Robert K Morgan, erstwhile pilot of the famed B-17, MEMPHIS BELLE; 35 B-29s bomb the primary target, the Musashino aircraft plant; 50 bomb the secondary target, the urban area and docks; 17 abort enroute; the remainder are unable to bomb due to mechanical difficulties; 1 B-29 crashes off Honshu Island when a fighter rams the bomber, shearing off the elevator and right horizontal stabilizer, becoming the first XXI Bomber Command B-29 lost to Japanese action; 1 other ditches after running out of fuel; B-29 gunners claim 7 aircraft downed.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In the Philippine Islands, B-24s bomb AA positions and targets of opportunity at Camp Downes and Panalisan Point and US fighters attack and destroy several aircraft over Carigara Bay and the Leyte Island area; B-24s hit AA positions and other targets at Matina Airfield on Mindanao; units arriving on Leyte Island: 25th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, at Dulag from Biak Island with F-5s; 65th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), at Tacloban from Owi with B-24s. Lost on a flight from Biak to Hollanida is C-46 42-101046.

JAPAN: The USAAF Twentieth Air Force's XXI Bomber Command flies Mission 7, their first against Japan; the objective is Tokyo. The 111 B-29s are led by Brigadier General Emmett O'Donnell Jr, Commanding General, 73d Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy), piloting "Dauntless Dotty," copiloted by Major Robert K Morgan, erstwhile pilot of the famed B-17 "Memphis Belle." Thirty five B-29s bomb the primary target, the Musashino aircraft plant while 50 bomb the secondary target, the urban area and docks. Seventeen others abort en route, the remainder are unable to bomb due to mechanical difficulties. Unfortunately, even with the use of radar, overcast skies and bad weather prove an insurmountable obstacle at 30,000 feet and fewer than 50 bombs hit the primary target. One B-29 crashes off Honshu Island when a fighter rams the bomber, shearing off the elevator and right horizontal stabilizer, becoming the first XXI Bomber Command B-29 lost to Japanese action; one
other ditches after running out of fuel. B-29 gunners claim 7-18-9 Japanese aircraft. This is the first time Tokyo has been bombed since the Doolittle raid of 18 April 1942.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, the 1st Battalion of the 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, repels a minor counterattack against Kilay Ridge. In the XXIV Corps area, the 32d Infantry Regiment recovers some ground previously lost on Shoestring Ridge and holds the perimeter--about 2,000 yards long and less than 1,500 yards deep against a vigorous counterattack during the night of 24/25 November.
USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s bomb antiaircraft positions and targets of opportunity at Camp Downes and Panalisan Point and fighters attack and destroy several aircraft over Carigara Bay and the Leyte Island area. B-24s hit antiaircraft positions and other targets at Matina Aerodrome on Mindanao Island. P-40s and P-47s attack one of the groups of ships involved in the 5th phase of the TA Operation, sinking a submarine chaser and three landing ships in Cataingan Bay, Masbate Island.

VOLCANO ISLANDS: USN heavy cruisers USS Chester, Pensacola and Salt Lake City bombard Iwo Jima.
 
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Nov 25th 1944 37,253

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A B-24 aborts an armed photo mission over Matsuwa Island due to weather and instead radarbombs Kurabu Airfield on Paramushiru Island; B-25s cancel a shipping sweep due to weather.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 12 B-25s hit warehouses, village and town areas at Lashio and Wanling, Burma. 6 attack rail targets, trucks, and buildings at Phu Lang Thuong, French Indochina. 75 P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance attack river, road, and rail traffic, troops, buildings, and other targets of opportunity at several Thailand, Burma, S China, and N French Indochina locations, including areas around Bhre and Lampang, Thailand; Paoching, Ankang, Ishan, and Hochih, China; Namsang, and Mongyu, Burma; and Phu Lang Thuong, French Indochina.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 24 fighter-bombers support ground forces in the Bhamo area; 24 bomb an airfield at Kawlin while 8 more strafe Tabingaung Airfield and town area; 12 attack the Meza railroad station and boxcars in nearby bridge area, storage and personnel areas in the Lashio area and at Nawngyang, Ashang, and Man Mao; 8 P-47s strafe targets of opportunity along the Wuntho-Shwebo rail line. Transports fly 325 sorties to forward bases and frontline areas.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 7 Guam Island-based B-24s, escorting a photo aircraft over the Bonin and Kazan Islands, bomb Chichi Jima, Muko Jima, and Haha Jima Islands.

EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25s and fighter-bombers hit airfields on Ceram and Boeroe (Buroe) Islands and B-24s on armed reconnaissance over northern Borneo hit shipping and other targets of opportunity. During the night of 25/26 November, B-25s hit airfields in northeastern Celebes and Halmahera Islands.

PACIFIC OCEAN: In the South China Sea, USN submarine USS Cavalla sinks Japanese destroyer HIJMS Shimotsuki about 220 nautical miles ENE of Singapore, Malaya.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Leyte, Lieutenant General Walter Krueger, Commanding General Sixth Army, halts work on airfields. In the X Corps area, Company A, the most advanced unit of the 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, on Kilay Ridge, repels a heavy Japanese counterattack, during the night of 25/26 November. In the XXIV Corps area, the 32d Infantry Regiment of the 7th Infantry Division contains another Japanese counterattack, which is made in less strength after nightfall. The 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division, starts s difficult westward trek over the mountains from Burauen toward Mahonag, 10 miles distant, to ease pressure on the corps units driving on Ormoc.
USAAF Far East Air Forces fighter-bombers range over wide areas of Masbate, Cebu, and Leyte Islands, and surrounding waters, attacking shipping, airfields, bivouacs, and a variety of targets.
Carrier-based aircraft of USN Task Groups 38.3 and 38.4 bomb Japanese shipping off central Luzon. Planes from carrier USS Ticonderoga sink heavy cruiser Kumano in Dasol Bay on west central Luzon. F6Fs, SB2Cs and TBMs from carriers USS Ticonderoga and Essex , along with F6Fs and TBMs from small carrier USS Langley attack a convoy about 15 nautical miles SW of Santa Cruz, on the west coast of Luzon, and sink a coast defense ship and three landing ships. Planes from carrier USS Intrepid sink two fast transports and damage a fast transport and ah escort destroyer in Balanacan Harbor on Marinduque Island. Planes from USS Essex and Langley sink an army cargo ship and damage a cargo ship in San Fernando harbor.
Kamikazes breach the fleet's fighter defenses, however, and press home determined attacks, damaging carriers USS Essex, Intrepid and Hancock and small carrier USS Cabot. Small carrier USS Independence is damaged by crash of own aircraft into island structure.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Bougainville, the Australian 9th Battalion, 7th Brigade, 3rd Division, relieves the 2d Battalion, U.S. 132d Infantry Regiment, Americal Division.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Ocean Area (CINCPOA) issues Operation Plan 11-44 for the invasion of Iwo Jima. The USN Fifth Fleet commander is to seize Iwo and develop air bases there. The invasion date is tentatively set for 3 February 1945.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 189, NOVEMBER 25, 1944
Seventh Army Air Force planes bombed shipping and dock installations at Chichi Jima and Haha Jima in the Bonins on November 22 (West Longi¬tude Date). Hits were scored on docking facilities on Haha Jima. On November 24, Chichi Jima was again struck by Seventh Air Force planes.
On November 22, Corsairs of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing destroyed a number of barges and struck at installations in the Northern Palaus. The airfield at Yap was hit on the same date by Marine Corsairs.
Three barges were sunk and fires were started in enemy held bases in the Northern Palaus which were attacked by Second Marine Aircraft Wing fighters on November 24. On the same date Seventh Army Air Force planes bombed Arakabesan, leaving large fires.
Installations on Marcus Island were bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators on November 24.
Second Marine Aircraft Wing Corsairs encountered moderate antiaircraft fire in attacks on Yap airfield on November 21. On the same date, Marine night fighters hit enemy held bases in the Northern Palaus and Seventh Army Air Force bombers pounded Arakabesan and Yap.
Thunderbolts of the Seventh Army Air Force attacked the airfield on Pagan in the Marianas on November 21. A Japanese reconnaissance plane was shot down by an Army fighter over Saipan on November 24.
Ponape in the Carolines was bombed on November 21 and 23 by fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing. Targets were hit in the area of the airfield, the seaplane ramp and fuel dumps.
Planes of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing on November 21 and 23, carried out neutralization raids in the Marshalls.
 
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Nov 26th 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A shipping sweep by 4 B-25s is called off due to weather.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 19 B-25s and 20 P-51s blast railway cars, station, and track, hit several trucks, and hit town areas at Hochih, China and Phu Lang Thuong, French Indochina. 6 B-25s damage a bridge at Kengluang, Thailand. 90+ P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s hit river, rail, and road traffic and other targets of opportunity over wide S China areas, 40 of them concentrating on targets between Kweiyi and Changsha and around Liuchow, China. A flight of the 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth AF, begins operating from Luliang, China with F-5s (squadron is based at Kunming).

BURMA: In the Northern Combat Area Command area, the British 36th Division, replacing the 72nd Brigade with the 29th Brigade, patrols actively in the Pinwe area.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 16 P-47s continue close support strikes; about 60 fighter-bombers hit concentrations, supply and ammunition dumps, and rail targets at Panghkai, Kunmong, Mabein, Lashio, Panku, and around Meza; 7 others on a railroad sweep hit targets of opportunity between Maymyo and Man Pyen. Transports fly 300+ sorties to forward areas.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): P-47s from Saipan strafe the airfield on Pagan. During the night a B-24 on a snooper mission from Guam bombs Iwo Jima. B-24s from Angaur Airfield bomb Arakabesan in the Palau.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: HQ 22d BG and the 33d Bombardment Squadron move from Leyte to Angaur Airfield with B-24s.

EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25s pound airfields in the Ambon-Ceram Islands area. Other bombers and fighters fly light strikes and armed reconnaissance missions against a variety of targets on northern Celebes, northern Borneo and the Halmahera Islands.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, the 1st Battalion of the 34th Infantry Regiment, 24 Infantry Division, relieves Company A with Company C on Kilay Ridge. The battalion is highly vulnerable to Japanese attack from different directions and is maintaining positions with the use of artillery. In the XXIV Corps area, the Japanese make another night attack, on the night of 26/27 November, on Shoestring Ridge, about 200 Japanese troops gaining positions in the bamboo thicket within the American lines, but 400 Japanese dead are counted at the conclusion of the action.
Over 40 USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s, some with fighter support, bomb La Carlota and Talisay Airfields on Negros and Cebu Islands respectively; fighter-bombers hit an airfield and various targets of opportunity throughout the area. B-24 Liberators bomb an airfield near Davao, Mindanano Island. Other bombers and fighters fly light strikes and armed reconnaissance missions against a variety of targets in southern Luzon and Mindanao.
 
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Nov 27th 1944

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 17 B-24s bomb Gia Lam, French Indochina. 17 B-25s blast the Hochih, China area, 6 bomb Phu Lang Thuong, French Indochina, and 8 pound warehouses at Lashio, Burma. 56 P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance over E Burma, N French Indochina, and vast areas of S China attack town areas, railroad targets, bridges and other targets of opportunity around Lampang, Thailand; Phu Binh, French Indochina; Pachai, Ishan, and Chefang, China; and Wanling, Hsenwi, and Kawnghka, Burma. A detachment of the 426th Night Fighter Squadron, Fourteenth AF, begins operating from Hsian, China with P-61s (squadron is based at Chengtu with a detachment at Kunming).

CHINA: U.S. Major General Albert Wedemeyer, Commanding General, U.S. China Theater of Operations and Chief of Staff to Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, presents a plan to Chiang Kai-shek to furnish munitions to Chinese Communists. The proposal is rejected.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 P-47s fly close support strikes in the Pinwe area; 21 fighter-bombers destroy bridges at Inailong and Thegyaung and damage bridges at Ho-hko and Kawnghka; 60+ fighter-bombers attack personnel and supply areas at Kutkai, Kyungon, Kodaungbo, Mongmit, Datwin, Man Namsawk, Old Lashio, and Ugingyi. Transports fly 280+ sorties, carrying men and supplies to forward bases and frontline areas. A detachment of the 9th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, begins operating from Myitkyina, Burma with F-5s (squadron is based at Barrackpore, India); the 165th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Yazagyo, Burma to Asansol, India with UC-64s and L-5s; the 434th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 12th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Comilla to Fenny, India with B-25s.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): The USAAF Twentieth Air Force's XX Bomber Command flies Mission 18: 60 B-29 Superfortresses operating from the Calcutta, India area, are dispatched to bomb the Bangsue railroad yards at Bangkok; 55 bomb the target and three others hit individual targets. One aircraft is lost.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: Hostilities on Peleliu in the Palau Islands end. Approximately 13,600 Japanese have been killed on Angaur, Peleliu, and small islands off Peleliu; prisoners total about 400. The 81st Infantry Division and attached units have suffered over 3,275 casualties, including 542 killed. The reinforced 1st Marine Division's casualties total about 5,250 killed and 5,275 wounded.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 24 B-24s from Saipan escorted by 12 P-38s, hit Iwo Jima; 29 more B-24s, from Guam fly a second strike against the island. 25 B-24s from Angaur Airfield bomb Del Monte Airfield.

MARIANA ISLANDS: At 0005 hours, two Japanese "Betty" bombers bombed and strafed Isley Field on Saipan destroying a B-29 Superfortress. At 1210 hours, 17 "Zeke" fighters staging through Iwo Jima, strafed Isley Field destroying two B-29s and damaging seven others. Virtually all of them are shot down by antiaircraft and intercepting fighters.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 81 Mariana Islands-based B-29s fly against Tokyo; none of the B-29s bomb the primary targets, the Musashino and Nakajima plants, but 59 hit the secondary, the urban area and docks; 7 bomb Hamamatsu, a target of opportunity; while the mission is in progress 11 enemy airplanes attack Isley Field destroying or damaging several B-29s; AA and intercepting fighters down 10 aircraft.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The detachment of the 419th Night Fighter Squadron, XIII Fighter Command, operating from Noemfoor moves to Morotai with P-61s (squadron is based on Middleburg).

EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Forces (FEAF) B-25s blast Namlea Airfield on Boeroe Island and Liang and Laha Dromes on Ambon Island. A variety of FEAF aircraft attack airfields, shipping, and targets of opportunity on Celebes Island, North Borneo, and in the Halmahera and the Ceram Islands areas.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Leyte, a battalion of 306th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, leaves for operation against Mindoro. In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area, the 1st Battalion of the 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, on Kilay Ridge, learns from a patrol that help is coming however they undergo a strong Japanese counterattack from the east and its supply line to Consuegra is temporarily cut. In the XXIV Corps area, the 1st Battalion (-) of the 84th Infantry Regiment moves from Caridad to Damulaan to help the 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division; attacks toward Albuera, clearing the Japanese from the bamboo thicket within the 32d Infantry Regiment's zone; 109 Japanese dead are counted. The 32d Infantry Regiment and 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, establish defense perimeters and repel light infiltration attempts during the night. The Japanese begin operations to regain airfields. Corps has learned of a Japanese plan to capture airfields in the Burauen area and is taking countermeasures.
USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s bomb Malogo and Bacalod Airfields on Negros Island and Degos Aerodromes on Mindanao Island.
Twenty five USAAF Seventh Air Force B-24 Liberators from Angaur Island bomb Del Monte Airfield on Mindanano Island.
USN destroyers bombard Japanese positions at Ormoc Bay, Leyte; firing continues on 28 November.
 
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Nov 28th 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 1 B-24 photographs and bombs the Matsuwa Island shore area in the Kurile Islands.

CHINA: The Japanese 11th Army, acting independently and against orders, drives across the Kwangsi-Kweichow border although it has been ordered to halt at the border.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In French Indochina, 17 B-24s, escorted by 12 P-51s, bomb Gia Lam and 6 B-25s hit a railroad bridge at Phu Lang Thuong. In Burma, 3 B-25s blast 6 warehouses at Hsenwi, 3 bomb Wan Lai- Kam, 1 hits Kutkai, and 4 attack buildings in the Wanling and Chefang, China areas. 60+ P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance over wide areas of E Burma and S China hit troops, bridges, horses, and other targets of opportunity at many locations.

BURMA: In the Northern Combat Area Command (NCAC) area, the Chinese 38th Division maintains pressure on the main northern defenses of Bhamo with the 114th Regiment; the 113th Regiment has the mission of entering the city but has been unable to do so.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 39 P-47s support ground forces in the Pinwe and Bhamo areas; supply and personnel concentrations and targets of opportunity at Nwegyo, Kutkai, the Meza area, Mankang, Manai, Nawnglok, Nawnglong, Loimawk, Man Myeng, Mong Wi and Kungmong are attacked by about 80 fighter-bombers; 16 hit targets of opportunity along the Maymyo- Bawgyo rail line. Transports fly 317 sorties to forward areas. HQ 4th Combat Cargo Group and the 13th Combat Cargo Squadron arrive at Sylhet, India from the US with C-46s.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: In the Palau Islands, elements of the 81st Infantry Division begin to clear Kayangel Atoll, north of Kossol Passage. In the air, three USAAF Seventh Air Force B-24 Liberators from Angaur Island bomb the radio station on Arakabesan Island.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 21 Saipan based B-24s bomb the airfield on Iwo Jima; 3 others, flying an armed reconnaissance mission, bomb Marcus. During the night of 28/29 Nov a B-24 on a snooper mission hits Iwo Jima.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The 2d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d BG (Heavy), moves from Leyte to Angaur Airfield Island with B-24s; the 35th Fighter Squadron, 8th FG, that has been operating from Morotai Island, joins the ground echelon at Dulag, Leyte Island with P-38s.

EAST INDIES: Small attacks by USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers are launched against airfields, shipping, and targets of opportunity over wide areas in the Halmahera and Timor Islands area.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, the Japanese try to recover Kilay Ridge, during the night of 28/29 November, moving onto it in strength and isolating Company C, 34th Infantry Regiment, on the southwestern end. The 12th Cavalry Regiment, mopping up in the Mt Badian-Hill 2348 region, about 5 miles NE of Kananga, inches westward from this time until 9 December. In the XXIV Corps area, the 32d Infantry Regiment of the 7th Infantry Division, now greatly weakened, is to be withdrawn to reserve while the 184th and 17th Infantry Regiments continue the battle for Shoestring Ridge.
USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s bomb Degos and Matina Aerodromes on Mindanao Island. Small attacks by B-24s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers are launched against airfields, shipping, and targets of opportunity over wide areas including the central Philippines.
During the night of 28/29 November, three Japanese Army transports attempt to drop 45 paratroopers on Tacloban Airfield on Leyte where their mission is to disrupt flight operations. One of the aircraft is shot down by antiaircraft fire and the other two crash near Dulag Airfield.

PACIFIC OCEAN: In the Camotes Sea, Japanese submarine HIJMS I-46 is sunk about 16 nautical miles S of Ormoc, Leyte, Philippine Islands, in position 10.48N, 124.35E, by the USN destroyers USS Saufley, Waller, Pringle, and Renshaw
 
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Nov 29th 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 3 B-24s bomb Kashiwabara on Paramushiru. B-25s call off a shipping sweep due to weather.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-25s bomb Ninh Binh, French Indochina and 8 hit Lashio and 3 attack Hsenwi, Burma. 20 P-40s, P-38s and P-51s hit targets of opportunity in the Chefang, China area. 23 P-38s and P-51s attack bridges, horses, shipping, and rail traffic around Hochih and Nanning, China; Quang Yen, French Indochina; and Hsenwi, Kawnghka, and Namhkai, Burma.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 50+ fighter-bombers fly close support strikes in the battle areas around Bhamo and Pinwe; bridges at Tonbo, Pauktaw, Man Loi, Meza, Bon Chaung, and at 2 unnamed points in N Burma are pounded by 60+ fighter-bombers; 8 others bomb supplies, personnel and ammunition stores at Tigyaing. 323 transport sorties are flown to forward areas. The 1st Combat Cargo Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group, moves from Sylhet to Tulihal, India with C-47s; the 490th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Moran, India to Warazup, Burma with B-25s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 18 B-24s from Guam bomb Iwo Jima. 4 P-47s from Saipan strafe Pagan.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 24 Mariana Islands-based B-29s strike the Tokyo dock and industrial area during the night of 29/30 Nov; 2 B-29s bomb the last resort targets of Yokohama and Numazu.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s bomb Kendari Airfield on Celebes Island. B-24s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers fly several light raids against Halmahera Island airfields and against shipping and other targets of opportunity in the Ceram Island area, northern Celebes Island, and northern Borneo.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, the Japanese continue attacks on Kilay Ridge, but the 1st Battalion of the 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, succeeds in relieving Company C. An urgent request for reinforcements, 2d Battalion of 528th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, moves forward, Company G, the first to arrive, immediately reinforcing Company C. In the XXIV Corps area, elements of the 184th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, recover some ground at the bamboo thicket but are unable to clear the Japanese from the thicket and they repel three heavy Japanese counterattacks.
In Leyte Gulf, Japanese kamikazes crash the battleship USS Maryland between turrets Nos. 1 and 2 killing 31 sailors but the ships remained on station. Also hit are the destroyers USS Saufley killing one sailor and Aulick killing 31.
USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s bomb Matina Aerodrome on Mindanao Island while A-20s and P-47s hit the airfield at Pangsagan. B-24s, with fighter cover, bomb Puerto Princesa Airfield on Palawan Island. B-25s and P-47s attack Japanese shipping near Ormoc Bay sinking a submarine chaser. P-40s and P-47s sink an army cargo ship off Camotes Island, and a cargo ship Shinsho Maru off Ormoc. B-25s, and fighter-bombers fly several light raids against targets of opportunity in the Philippine Islands.

PACIFIC OCEAN: USN submarine USS Archerfish torpedoes and sinks the 68,059 ton Japanese aircraft carrier HIJMS Shinano about 190 nautical miles S of Nagoya, Japan, in position 32.00N, 137.00E. This was the carrier's maiden voyage and there were 2515 sailors, 300 shipyard workers and 40 civilian employees aboard. She had sailed from Yokosuka yesterday with three destroyers en route to Kure for fitting out. Unfortunately for those aboard, her watertight compartmentation not yet being installed Archerfish fired six torpedoes and four hit on the starboard side and Shinano becomes the largest warship ever lost in combat when she sank at 1055 hours. The ship had been at see for a total of 17 hours. Of the 2,515 men aboard, 1,435 are lost and 1,080 are rescued.
USN submarine USS Scabbardfish sinks the Japanese submarine HIJMS I-365 with one torpedo about 84 nautical miles SE of Tokyo, Japan, in position 34.44N, 141.01E. Scabbardfish rescues one survivor.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Bougainville, Australian troops of the 9th Battalion, 7th Brigade, 3rd Division, attack Japanese positions on Little George Hill about 9 miles NNE of the Torokina perimeter and takes the hill in less than 30 minutes. The Japanese counter-attack in the evening but are driven off.
 
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