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

[syscom3]

Nov 30th 1944 37,501

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A weather sortie is the only mission.

CHINA: Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek decides to move the Chinese 22d and 38th Divisions from Burma to China for defense of Kunming. The Chinese 14th Division is eventually substituted for the 38th, so that current operations in Burma will suffer less. Major General Albert Wederneyer, Commanding General US China Theater of Operations and Chief of Staff to Chiang Kai-shek, informs the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Admiral Louis Mountbatten, Supreme Allied Commander of the South-East Asia Theatre, of the Generalissimo' s decision. Chiang Kai-shek also agrees to provide 270,000 replacements for ALPHA (the plan to defend Kunming and Chungking) by 1 April 1945 but refuses a request to supply arms to the Chineses forces of the IX War Area.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 12 B-25s and 8 P-51s damage 2 railroad bridges and several buildings at Phu Lang Thuong and Phu Ly, French Indochina. 11 bomb 5 warehouses and several other buildings at Lashio and Wanling, Burma. 9 fighter-bombers hit shipping, rail targets, and troops at various points in Thailand. In China, 23 fighter-bombers attack targets of opportunity in the Chefang area; the 25th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, based at Yunnani with P-40s and P-51s, sends a detachment to operate from Poashan.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 9 B-25s knock out and damage bridges at Bawgyo, Namhkai, and Hsenwi; 16 P-47s support ground forces at Bhamo; the town of Pinwe is found to be free of enemy forces; about 70 fighter-bombers attack troops and supply areas at several locations including Molo, Naungmo, Namun, Hkumpen, Myadaung, Kutkai, Kanbalu, Kyauk, and Natpe; 13 others attack bridges at Meza and in the Bawdwin area; 8 strafe targets of opportunity along the Kyaukme-Panglong road. 321 transport sorties are flown to forward areas. In India, HQ 1st Combat Cargo Group and the 4th Combat Cargo Squadron move from Sylhet to Tulihal with C-47s; the detachment of the 5th Fighter Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, operating from Fenny with P-47s, returns to base at Asansol; the detachment of the 9th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, operating from Tingkawk Sakan, Burma with F-5s, returns to base at Barrackpore (other detachments are at Myitkyina, Burma and Chittagong); the 317th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, moves from Sylhet to Bikram with C-47s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 23 B-24s from Saipan bomb the airfield on Iwo Jima. 8 Guam based B-24s, escorting photo aircraft over the Kazan and Bonins, bomb Haha Jima. 37 from Angaur hit Legaspi Airfield. During the night of 29/30 Nov, 2 B-24s from Guam and Saipan bomb the Iwo Jima airfield on snooper missions.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The air echelons of the 36th and 80th Fighter Squadrons, 8th FG, operating from Morotai with P-38s, return to base at Dulag; the 340th Fighter Squadron, 348th FG, moves from Noemfoor Island to Tacloban with P-47s; the ground echelon of the 418th Night Fighter Squadron begins a movement from Dulag to San Jose (air echelon is on Morotai with P-61s).

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s in major strikes of the day hit Malimpoeng and Parepare Airfields on Celebes Island and four airfields on Halmahera Island. Fighter-bombers, B-24s, and B-25s fly armed reconnaissance, harassing strikes, and light raids over various areas of the Netherlands East Indies.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: The projected Mindoro operation is postponed for ten days by General Douglas MacArthur, Commander in Chief South-West Pacific Area, in order to release shipping and naval support forces for landing in the Ormoc area on Leyte. The final target dates for Mindoro and Luzon are 15 December 1944 and 9 January 1945, respectively.
In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, the 112th Cavalry Regiment (Special), which has been driving south to ease the pressure on the 32d Infantry Division in the Limon area, halts at a ridge east of Highway 2 about 5,000 yards SE of Limon; unable to progress farther because of strong opposition, the cavalrymen dig in and drive off Japanese patrols. In the XXIV Corps area, the battle of Shoestring Ridge ends successfully as elements of the 184th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, clear the bamboo thicket and establish the night perimeter on the forward slope of the ridge.
USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s bomb Legaspi Airfield on the southeastern tip of Luzon Island and Matina Aerodrome on Mindanao Island. B-25s strike Dumaguete Airfield on Negros Island and fighter-bombers, B-24s, and B-25s fly armed reconnaissance, harassing strikes, and light raids over various areas.

 

[syscom3]

Dec 1st 1944

ALASKA: A small amount of material believed to be from a Japanese "Fu-Go Weapon" (balloon bomb) lands on St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea. The island is located about 143 nautical miles southwest of Nome. The exact date the balloon landed is unknown.
BURMA: Major General George Stratemeyer, Commanding General Army Air Forces, China Theater and Commanding General Eastern Air Command (EAC), issues a general order, effective December, reorganizing EAC. On the Northern Combat Area Command front, the Chinese 30th Division, with the 90th Regiment in the lead, is moving southward from the Bhamo area toward Namhkam over rough terrain.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-24s attack targets of opportunity in the S China Sea. 8 B-25s destroy 3 storage buildings and damage 6 others at Wanling, Burma; 9 fighter-bombers pound troop positions in the area and destroy or damage several trucks. Several other fighter-bombers hit trucks, locomotives, and villages in the Chefang, China area; between Lashio and Hsenwi, Burma; and from Linfen to Taiyuan, and at Kunlong, China.
CAROLINE ISLANDS: In the Palau Islands, elements of the 81st Infantry Division complete the occupation of Kayangel Atoll in the northern Palaus.

CHINA: Major General Albert Wedemeyer, Commanding General U.S. China Theater of Operations and Chief of Staff to Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek directs Major General Claire Chennault, Commanding General USAAF Fourteenth Air Force, to make the main effort of the Fourteenth Air Force in defense of the air line to China and Service of Supply; in addition to providing logistical support of U.S. military activities, to support certain Chinese forces in the China Theater.
On the Salween front, Chinese forces take Che-fang.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 30+ P-47s continue support of ground forces in the Bhamo area; town areas, troops, warehouses, and supply dumps at Myitson, Mingon, Alezeik, Lenaung, and Old Lashioare are pounded by 30+ P-47s; 17 more hit bridges in N Burma and 8 strafe the Hsenwi landing ground. 290 transport sorties are flown to forward areas. In India, a detachment of the 6th Fighter Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, begins operating from Fenny with P-47s (squadron is based at Asansol); the 14th and 15th Combat Cargo Squadrons, 4th Combat Cargo Group, arrive at Sylhet from the US with C-46s; during Dec 44, the detachment of the 1st Combat Cargo Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group, operating from Hathazari with C-47s, returns to base at Tulihal, the 427th Night Fighter Squadron, AAF, India-Burma Theater, moves from Pandaveswar to Myitkyina, Burma with P-61s, and the 436th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based at Madhaiganj, India with B-24s sends a detachment to Luliang, China to ferry gasoline to Suichwan, China.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 26 Guam based B-24s pound the airfield on Iwo Jima. During the night of 1/2, a B-24 bombs Iwo Jima during a snooper mission.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Lost on a training flight is F-6D Mustang 44-14621. HQ 3d Air Commando Group, the 3d Fighter Squadron (Commando) and the 157th, 159th and 160th Liaison Squadrons (Commando), arrive on Leyte Island from the US with P-51s and UC-64s and L-5s (first mission is 8 Jan and 7 Feb 45); a detachment of the 4th Photographic Charting Squadron, 311th Photographic Wing (attached to Thirteenth AF), begins operating from Morotai, with F-7s (squadron is based at Hollandia, New Guinea); the 342d Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, moves from Noemfoor to Tacloban Airfield with P-47s; the 408th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d BG (Heavy), moves from Leyte to Angaur Airfield with B-24s.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Leyte, the Japanese food supply is exhausted by this time. In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area, after preparatory fire, Company E, 128th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, attacks through Company C of the 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, to clear the knolls on the southeastern end of Kilay Ridge, taking the first. The 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, is ordered to withdraw from the ridge but is unable to do so for several days. The 112th Cavalry Regiment (Special) attempts in vain to clear the ridge southeast of Limon. In the XXIV Corps area, a warning order for an assault on Ormoc is issued.
Major USAAF Far East Air Forces strikes in the Philippine Islands include B-24 raids on Bacalod Airstrip and Fabrica Aerodrome on Negros Island; a B-25s attack, with P-47 support, on Lahug Airfield on Cebu Island; and B-25s attack Cagayan Airfield on Mindanao Island. Other FEAF aircraft maintain armed reconnaissance and sweeps over a wide area of the Philippine Islands.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25 and fighter-bombers hit several airfields and numerous targets of opportunity on Halmahera Island, Moluccas Islands, during a series of raids. Other FEAF aircraft maintain armed reconnaissance and sweeps over a wide area of the Netherland East Indies.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, The Australians take over from U.S. troops at Aitape.

INDIAN OCEAN: In the Sunda Strait which connects the Indian Ocean and Java Sea between Sumatra and Java, German submarine U-196 is listed as missing; all 65 crewmen are lost.

 

[syscom3]

Dec 2nd 1944

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-25s damage several buildings at Hsenwi, Burma. 39 P-51s, P-40s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance attack troops, horses, trucks, railroad yards, shipping, storage facilities, and road machinery between Yungfengshih and Paoching, China; N of Wanling, from Wanling to Lashio and in Lashio Burma; in the Chiuchiang area, Nan Tan, and at Kichang, China.

CHINA: Major General Albert Wedemeyer, Commanding General U.S. China Theater of Operations and Chief of Staff to Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, presents Chiang Kai-shek a proposal, suggested by Colonel David D. Barrett of the American Observer Group in Yenan, to form three communist regiments in Yenan, to be equipped by the U.S., for use in Nationalist territory under command of a U.S. officer. The plan is rejected. Later in December, Major General Robert McClure, Chief of Staff U.S. Forces US China Theater of Operations, drafts a plan for U.S. airborne units of technicians to go into communist China and informally presents it to the nationalists and communists for approval. A Japanese column driving on Kweiyang reaches Tu-shan

BURMA: In the British Fourteenth Army's XXXIII Corps area, the East African 11th Division reaches the Chindwin River at Kalewa.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 40 fighter-bombers fly close support strikes in the Bhamo battle sector; supply areas, ammunition dumps, personnel and tank concentrations, and strongholds at Mayathein, Kwingyi, Nanthe, Hsai-hkao, Hsenwi, Man Hkam, Wuntho, Tedaw, and Old Lashio are hit by 60+ fighter-bombers; 16 others hit rolling stock on the rail line between Hsipaw and Lashio and strafe a supply train in Pangkyawng; 10 B-25s pound several N Burma bridges, knocking out road bridges at Tonglau and Nam Nung and 2 railroad bridges at Tangon. Transports fly 286 sorties to forward areas.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 23 B-24s from Guam hit Iwo Jima. During the night of 2/3 Dec 3 B-24s on snooper missions from Saipan and Guam bomb an airfield on Iwo Jima.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Fighter-bombers in the C Philippine Islands and Mindanao Island support ground forces and hit supplies, communications, and a variety of targets of opportunity. The 19th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d BG (Heavy), moves from Leyte Island to Angaur Airfield with B-24s.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s and B-25 Mitchells attack Baoebaoe Airfield and Kendari on Celebes Island. B-25s bomb Namlea Airfield on Boeroe Island and attack shipping off Ceram Island.
Australian B-24s attack a small Japanese convoy in the Makassar Strait between Borneo and Celebes Island, Netherlands East Indies. The aircraft sink a small freighter and damage a freighter and a fuel barge.

PACIFIC OCEAN: During a USN attack on Japanese shipping in Ormoc Bay, Leyte, on the night of 2/3 December, USN destroyer USS Cooper, accompanied by destroyers USS Allen M Sumner and Moale, engage two Japanese destroyers, HIJMS Kuwa and Take. USS Cooper is struck by a torpedo possibly from HIJMS Kuwa causing an explosion on her starboard side and breaking the ship in two about 9 nautical miles S of Ormoc in position 10.54N, 124.36E. Before being hit, USS Cooper and the other two destroyers sink HIJMS Kuwa and damages her sistership HIJMS Take. Cooper sinks within minutes taking the lives of 191 crewmen. "Black Cat" PBY-5A Catalinas pick up 168 survivors that night and the next day. One PBY carries 56 in addition to its eight-man crew. USS Allen M. Sumner is damaged by horizontal bomber, and USS Moale is damaged (possibly by Kuwa) in Ormoc Bay. This is the only naval engagement of the Pacific War in which US ships are fired upon simultaneously from the air, sea and from shore batteries in one short desperate four hour battle.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, Companies E and F, 128 Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, extend southward on Kilay Ridge against firm resistance. The 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, is ordered by the 128th Infantry Regiment commander to remain on the ridge until further notice. The 112th Cavalry Regiment (Special) continues efforts to clear the ridge southeast of Limon and sends Troop A toward Highway 2 to make contact with the 32d Infantry Division.
USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s hit Dumaguete Airfield on Negros Island and Matina and Cagayan Airfields on Mindanao Island. Fighter-bombers in the central Philippines and Mindanao Island support ground forces and hit supplies, communications, and a variety of targets of opportunity.
USN submarine USS Gunnel lands supplies and evacuates Allied aviators from Palawan.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Australian Lieutenant General William Bridgeford, General Officer Commanding 3rd Australian Division, informs his senior officers that the first phase of operations in the southern sector of Bougainville will be the capture of Mosigetta and Mawaraka which are about 25 miles SE of Torokina.

 

[syscom3]

Dec 3rd 1944

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 5 B-24s place delayed action bombs near Pengpu bridge; 4 B-25s and 10 P-51s bomb a storage area at Sintsiang; 67 fighter-bombers on armed reconnaissance blast trucks, railroad targets, warehouses, shipping and other targets of opportunity at Wanling, Burma, and in China, Loyang, Yuncheng, Hei-Shih Kuan, Wuhu, and particularly in areas around Shihhweiyao and from Hengyang to Siangtan and Lingling.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 32 P-47s continue close support of ground forces attacking Bhamo; 18 others damage road bridges at Hay-ti and Tonbo and 6 attack several railroad bridges in N Burma; 4 drop delay-fuse bombs on the Myitson ferry landing; 30+ fighter-bombers hit troop and equipment concentrations, fuel and other supplies, artillery, ammunition dumps, and general town areas in or near Hopaw, Loipao, Man Kat, Namhpai, and Indaw; 9 strafe targets of opportunity along the Shwebo-Wuntho rail line; 4 B-25s during the night of 3/4 Dec, destroy a train on the Tangon railroad bridge and attack several other targets of opportunity. 323 transport sorties are flown to forward bases and frontline areas.

CHINA: The Japanese 11th Army halts its unauthorized drive into Kweichow Province toward Kweiyang as its supplies run out.

BURMA: In the British Fourteenth Army's XXXIII Corps area, the East African 11th Division establishes a bridgehead across the Chindwin River at Kalewa, where bridging is undertaken under fire. The Indian 20th Division secures a bridgehead across the river to the north in the Mawlaik area, crossing a brigade and uses Kalewa site for crossing the rest of the division

CEYLON: Admiral Louis Mountbatten, Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia Theatre, agrees to permit the Chines 22d and 38th Divisions to move from Burma to China to defend Kunming.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 17 Guam B-24s pound Iwo Jima; 7 others, escorting photo aircraft over the Bonin and Kazan, bomb Haha Jima and Iwo Jima. B-24s on snooper missions from the Mariana during the night of 3/4, continue to bomb Iwo Jima.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 10: 86 Mariana Island-based B-29s are dispatched to attack the Musashino aircraft plant and docks and urban areas in Tokyo, Japan; 60 B-29s hit the primary target and 15 hit alternate targets; they claim 10-11-18 Japanese aircraft; 5 B-29s are lost including: B-29 "Rosalia Rocket" 42-24656,

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, major USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24 strikes include raids against Malimpoeng and Mandai on Celebes Island while B-25s attack four airfields on Halmahera Island..
NEW GUINEA: USAAF Far East Air Forces A-20s attack Point Noejew, Dutch New Guinea.

PACIFIC OCEAN: USN hospital ship USS Hope (AH-7), fully illuminated in accordance with the dictates of the Geneva Convention, is followed by a Japanese submarine during the morning and is then attacked by Japanese torpedo planes but not damaged, 125 nautical miles (231 kilometers) east of Mindanao, Philippine Islands.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area, Troop G of the 112th Cavalry Regiment (Special) tries unsuccessfully to scale the steep slopes of a ridge southeast of Limon. Troop A makes contact with the 126th Infantry Regiment west of Hill 1525 without incident. In the XXIV Corps area, at a commanders' conference, Major General Archibald V. Arnold, Commanding General 7th Infantry Division, orders the division to clear the region south of the Talisayan River, including Hills 918. 380, and 606, beginning on 5 December.
USAAF Far East Air Forces fighter-bombers hit a storage area at Palompon on Leyte Island and airfields near Masbate Island.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Bougainville, a platoon of the Australian 9th Battalion, 7th Brigade, 3rd Division attacks the village of Sisivie, about 10 miles N of Torokina but is forced to withdraw.

 

[syscom3]

Dec 4th 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A weather aircraft aborts shortly after takeoff.

CHINA: In the course of reorganizing the government to make it more progressive and efficient, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek names T. V. Soong premier as well as foreign minister.

CHINA 20TH BOMBER COMMAND: U.S. Major General Albert Wedemeyer, Commander in Chief US China Theater of Operations and Chief of Staff to Chiang Kai-shek, asks that USAAF XX Bomber Command's B-29 Superfortresses, which are a strain on Hump tonnage, be moved from China. He suggests redeploying the aircraft to the Mariana Islands.

INDIA: The RAF 3rd Tactical Air Force, which is tasked with supporting the British Fourteenth Army in Burma, is dissolved and replaced by Headquarters RAF Bengal and Burma. Two groups, No. 221 Group RAF supporting the Indian IV Corps and No. 224 Group RAF supporting the Indian XV Corps, are assigned.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 24 B-25s, supported by 12 P-40s, hit bridges, buildings, and river, road, and rail traffic at several points in China, French Indochina, and Burma including Lashio, Kutkai and Namhkai, Burma; and Saiping, Hsiangcheng, Lingling, the Kweilin area, between Minkiang, and Sinantien, and between Sinyang and Saiping, China; 90+ fighter-bombers on armed reconnaissance pound numerous targets of opportunity from Hsenwi, Burma to Nanning, China; Lang Son, French Indochina; and Namhkai, Burma and across S China from the Burma border to Amoy, China.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 28 P-47s attack and damage bridges at Kawnghka, Namyao, Nampawng, Namhkai, and Hsenwi and demolish the main bridge at Ho-kho; 8 P-47s support ground forces in the Bhamo area; 60+ fighter-bombers hit enemy-held positions, troop concentrations, supply areas, warehouses, and general targets of opportunity at Man Mau, Nwegyo, Mogok, Hkayanzatkon, Pangpong, Namahokgyi, Kyu-sa, Man Maw, Mongnaw, and Man Htam. Transports fly 308 sorties to forward areas. The 319th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, based at Asansol, India with C-47s begins operating from various forward bases in Burma.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 3 B-24s from Guam Island hit Marcus while 3 from Saipan Island bomb Pagan Island in the Mariana Islands. Snooper missions continue as 2 Mariana Islands-based B-24s bomb Iwo Jima Island during the night of 4/5 Dec.

MARIANA ISLANDS: Headquarters of the USAAF Twentieth Air Force's XXI Bomber Command arrives at Harmon Field, Guam, from the US.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: USAAF Seventh Air Force bombers begin harassing night attacks on Luzon airfields.
On Leyte, Lieutenant General Walter Krueger, Commanding General Sixth Army, orders an attack tomorrow to destroy the Japanese in the Ormoc area, with the X Corps moving southward astride Highway 2 to support the XXIV Corps. In the X Corps area, the 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, begins a withdrawal from the Kilay Ridge toward Pinamopoan. The 112th Cavalry Regiment (Special) continues futile efforts to clear the ridge southeast of Limon. The XXIV Corps prepares for an assault on Ormoc with the 7th Infantry Division by land and the 77th Infantry Division by sea. The 184th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, gets patrols as far north as Balogo. The 776th Amphibious Tank Battalion after dark moves to waters 1,000 yards W of Balogo.

 

[syscom3]

Dec 5th 1944 37,924

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 6 B-24s off for a strike on Kakumabetsu in the Kurile Islands abort due to weather and B-25s cancel a shipping sweep.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 7 B-24s on sweeps over the Gulf of Tonkin, the S China Sea, and Formosa Strait bomb Ft Bayard, China and Kowloon Docks in Hong Kong and damage a freighter. 6 B-25s pound targets of opportunity from Liuchow to Liuchenghsien, China; 61 P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance hit river, road, and rail traffic and other targets of opportunity at scattered points mainly in S China.

BURMA: In the Northern Combat Area Command area, the Japanese send a strong Task Force toward Bhamo to assist the withdrawal of the beleaguered garrison. This force of about 3,000 starts north from Namhkam in the evening. The Chinese 30th Division continues a southward drive toward Namhkam against Japanese opposition from hill positions.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 31 fighter-bombers support ground forces in the Bhamo area; 25 fighter-bombers hit Hay-ti, Meza, and 3 other road bridges; 20+ fighter-bombers attack town areas, troop concentrations and storage facilities in or near Kawngwai, Kunmong, Settawagon, and Thitpoklwin; 8 attack targets of opportunity along the Shwebo-Wuntho rail line; transports complete 285 sorties carrying troops to forward bases and dropping supplies to frontline forces; 10 B-25s bomb a communications center, supplies, and personnel concentration at Mogok; on this date Tenth AF aircraft begin Operation GRUBWORM, flying the Chinese 14th and 22d Divisions from Burma to China in preparation for the Yunnan campaign to counter a probable Japanese drive toward Kunming, China; the 9th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, moves from Barrackpore, India to Myitkyina with B-25s and F-5s (a detachment is operating from Chittagong); the 317th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, moves from Bikram, India to Myitkyina with C-47s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): P-47s from Saipan strafe the runway on Pagan.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s strike Galela Airfield on Galela Island, 20 miles from Morotai; and Djailolo and Hate Tabako Aerodromes on Halmahera Island. B-25s and A-20s lightly raid Kaoe Aerodrome and Miti Aerodrome on Miti Island off the east coast of Halmahera. B-25s hit Langoan Airfield on Celebes Island while B-24s flying in pairs hit targets of opportunity nearby and in northern Borneo.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: Australian General Thomas Blamey, Commander in Chief Allied Land Forces Southwest Pacific Area and Commander in Chief Australian Military Force, and Lieutenant General Frank Berryman, Chief of Staff Advanced Headquarter Allied Land Forces Southwest Pacific Area, meet with U.S. General Douglas MacArthur, Commander in Chief Southwest Pacific Area, to discuss the forward movement of Australian troops to the Philippine Islands. The Australians receives "very little satisfaction" from the discussions, with MacArthur saying that he would probably want the Australian Imperial Force to clean up Luzon.
On Leyte, the U.S. Sixth Army begins an offensive against Ormoc. In the X Corps area the 112th Cavalry Regiment (Special) is still stalemated on the ridge southeast of Limon. The 32d Infantry Division prepares to drive down Highway 2. In the XXIV Corps area, the 776th Amphibious Tank Battalion, moving north by sea beyond Balogo, lands in the Tabgas area to fire on hills in front of the 7th Infantry Division; the battalion continues northward by sea to reconnoiter the Calingatngan region, then returns to their bivouac area. The 7th Infantry Division attacks with the 184th Infantry Regiment on the left and 17th Infantry Regiment on the right: the 184th secures the line from the beach some 300 yards south of Balogo on the left to the heights southeast of the Palanas River on the right. The 17th Infantry Regiment takes the ridge west of Hill 918. The 77th Infantry Division, at the Tarragona beach assembly area on the east coast of Leyte, begins loading supplies and equipment for a landing below Ormoc.
USAAF Far East Air Forces fighter-bombers over the central Philippines area hit Japanese positions, barges, and communications targets.
USN submarine USS Hake lands supplies on Panay Island.

 

[syscom3]

Dec 6th 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 4 B-24s bomb Suribachi Airfield on Paramushiru Island, scoring hits on the runway, and blast batteries; on the return flight, 1 is hit by AA fire. 1 B-25 flies a negative shipping search. A B-24 weather airplane force-lands in the USSR.

BURMA: In the Northern Combat Area Command (NCAC) area, the U.S. 475th Infantry Regiment (Long Range Penetration, Special), also known as the MARS Task Force, is ordered to relieve the Chinese 22d Division in the Mo-hlaing area, about 1 mile N of Tonk-wa. About this time, a Japanese task force starts across the Shweli River toward Tonk-wa.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In Burma, 8 P-51s attack road traffic in the Hsenwi area and from there to Wanling.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 9 P-47s damage a bridge at Namhkai and knock out a bridge at Mongmit; 10 B-25s knock out the main bridge at Bawgyo and damage the bypass; 15 P-47s support ground forces in the Bhamo area, 4 bomb Hsenwi Airfield, and 8 strafe Bawgyo AA positions; 12 P-47s hit troops, artillery, and supplies at Banmauk, the W side of Indawgyi Lake, and Namhkam. Transports fly 300 sorties to forward areas.


21ST BOMBER COMMAND: The USAAF Twentieth Air Force's XXI Bomber Command in the Mariana Islands, dispatches three B-29 Superfortresses to fly a weather strike mission. These missions usually consist of two or three B-29s that gather weather information and drop incendiary bombs on cities to lower the morale of the civilian population.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: HQ 417th BG and the 672d, 673d, 674th and 675th Bombardment Squadrons move from Noemfoor to Tacloban with A-20s.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s hit airfields at Kendari and Borebore on Celebes Island. Fighter- bombers and B-25s attack Halmahera Island airfields while A-20s and B-25s bomb the Namlea area on Buru Island.

PHILIPPINES ISLANDS: In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte Island, repeated efforts of the 112th Cavalry Regiment (Special) to eliminate the Japanese on a ridge southeast of Limon fail. In the XXIV Corps area, the 7th Infantry Division continues their northward drive on Ormoc, taking Balogo, Hill 918, and Kang Dagit; some elements are on the Palanas River and others are on a ridge of Hill 380. The 77th Infantry Division loads for landing in Ormoc Bay at Deposito and sails with USN destroyers and USAAF Fifth Air Force protection for the target area. About 150 Japanese attack Buri airstrip, surprising the defense force and entering the woods north of the strip.
USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s bomb Bacalod Airfield on Negros Island. P-38s over Bacalod and others covering a convoy off southern Leyte Island claim several aircraft downed. B-25s, with P-47 support, hit Cagayan, Jacgol, and Del Monte Airfields on Mindanao Island.

RAAF - Beaufighters sweep water craft sweep in the Celebes. Lost is Beaufighter A9-202.

UNITED STATES: Bomb fragments of a 33 pound Japanese anti-personnel high explosive bomb is recovered at 1800 hours local about 15 miles NW of Thermopolis, Wyoming. Thermopolis is located about 110 miles NW of Casper, Wyoming. An explosion occurred followed by the sighting of what appeared to be a parachute descending to earth. A bright red flame was also seen by observers of the explosion.

 

[syscom3]

Dec 7th 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 9 bombers fly 2 negative shipping searches.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 8 B-25s hit a storage area at Lashio, Burma. In China, 4 B-25s and 8 P-40s attack and considerably damage Sankiao; 4 B-25s, operating individually, attack truck convoys and other targets of opportunity in the Hengyang area and in Siang-Chiang Valley; 2 B-24s claim 1 cargo vessel sunk in the S China Sea while 15 P-51s hit shipping at Hong Kong, claiming a destroyer and freighter sunk; 65 P-51s, P-40s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance over wide areas of China attack storage areas, troops, bridges, railroad targets, and gun positions around Paoching, Anking, Hengyang, Tuhshan, Nan Tan, Kengtung, and Luchai and between Kweilin and Liuchow.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 9 B-25s knock out the E span of the road bridge at Tonbo; 21 P-47s support ground forces in the Bhamo area; 63 blast concentrations of enemy troops and supplies at Male while 4 others hit supplies at Myauk-le; 14 P-47s knock out a bridge at Mansam and damage 3 bridges at Mongmit and Namyao; 17 others hit Nawnghkio and bomb supply areas at Na-kawnkongnyauiig. Transports fly 267 sorties to forward areas. The 16th Combat Cargo Squadron, 4th Combat Cargo Group, arrives at Sylhet, India from the US with C-46s.

JAPAN: American troops waging war against Japan in the Pacific have come to know one Japanese voice better than any other. It belongs to "Tokyo Rose", an American citizen of Japanese parentage featured in regular propaganda broadcasts to the Allied troops by the Japanese Broadcasting Company. Her message is not always very subtle; in a sexy, sultry voice she tells the GIs that the girls they left behind are being unfaithful. "Rose's" real name is Iva Ikuko Toguri d'Aquino.

MARIANA ISLANDS: Several "Betty" bombers based on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, strafe airfields on Saipan at 0404 hours. In the afternoon, 13 "Betty" bombers bomb the bases at 1435 hours; six of the aircraft are shot down by antiaircraft fire but three B-29s are destroyed, three are seriously damaged and 20 are slightly damaged.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 19: 108 B-29s, operating from Chengtu, China, are dispatched to bomb the Manchuria Airplane Manufacturing Company and an adjacent arsenal at Mukden; 80 hit primary target and 10 other B-29s bomb a rail yard short of the primary target, and several other bombers strike alternate targets; the B-29s claim 10-10-30 fighters; 7 B-29s are lost.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Immediately following an enemy bombing raid on Saipan, 4 P-47s fly reconnaissance over Pagan searching for aircraft but observe none.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces (FEAF), B-25s hit Miti (Miti Island), Kaoe and Lolobata Airdromes on Halmahera Island and Galela Airfield on Galela Island.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area, the Japanese continue to cling stubbornly to the ridge southeast of Limon, preventing the 2d Squadron, 112th Cavalry Regiment (Special) from advancing. The 1st Squadron reaches the Leyte River, where it makes contact with Troop A and 126th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division. In the XXIV Corps area, USN Task Group Task Group 78.3 lands troops of the 77th Infantry Division at Deposito on the eastern shore of Ormoc Bay. Leyte, at 0707 hours after a bombardment by destroyers and LCI(R)s; the troops move inland at once, at 0707 307th Infantry Regiment clearing Ipil and at the 305th Infantry Regiment reaching the Bagonbon River. The 7th Infantry Division pushes on toward Ormoc, the 184th Infantry Regiment reaching the Tabgas River and the 17th Infantry Regiment taking Hill 380. This virtually completes the battle of the ridges, although fighting continues for several days before the division reaches its objective, the
Talisayan River. Fighting continues in the Buro Airstrip area. The 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry Regiment, 38th Infantry Division, gains a hold on the southwestern edge, making contact with the 1st Battalion, 187th Glider Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division.
Within three hours of the first soldiers' going ashore, however, enemy air attacks begin. Kamikazes damage destroyers USS Mahan and Lamson; USS Mahan is scuttled about off Ormoc by destroyer USS Walke; destroyer USS Flusser and rescue tug ATR-31 extinguish USS Lamson's fires and she is towed to Leyte Gulf. Other suiciders damage high speed transports USS Ward and Liddle; Ward is scuttled by destroyer USS O'Brien. Still other kamikazes damage tank landing ship USS LST-737, sink medium landing ship LSM-318 and damage (by near-misses) LSM-18 and LSM-19.
USAAF Far East Air Forces (FEAF) B-24s bomb Malogo Airfield, the town of Masbate on Masbate Island, and Sanbon Field on the southeastern tip of Luzon Island. Other FEAF aircraft fly armed reconnaissance and harassing missions over Mindanao Island attacking various targets of opportunity.
Opposing the 8th phase of the TA Operation, USAAF Fifth Air Force fighter-bombers and USMC Corsairs attack Japanese shipping in San Isidro Bay, Leyte, sinking a fast transport and four army cargo ships; and damaging the escort destroyers HIJMS Ume and Sugi. .
Both USAAF Majors Richard I. Bong and Thomas B. McGuire shoot down two Japanese aircraft while covering American landings at Ormoc, Leyte Island. Bong gets his 37th and 38th victories when he shoots down a "Sally" bomber and a "Tojo" fighter. McGuire shoots down two "Tojo" fighters for his 29th and 30th victories.

 

[syscom3]

Dec 8th 1944

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 4 B-25s hit the Nan Tan area, killing many horses; 14 P-51s hit the airfield and other targets at Nanking, claiming 24 airplanes, a freighter, and 2 locomotives destroyed; 15 P-40s blast railroad targets and buildings from Nan Tan area to Liuchow; 25 P-51s hit Hochih and troops, warehouses, trucks and ammunition dump in the area; 20+ other fighter-bombers on armed reconnaissance hit various targets of opportunity around the Lipo, Shihhweiyao, Tuhshan, Santon, Paoching, Hengyang, Taiyuan, and Linfen areas.

BURMA: In the Northern Combat Area Command area, the Japanese take Tonkwa from the outnumbered Chinese.
In the British Fourteenth Army area, IV Corps headquarters moves from Imphal, India, to Tamu and is placed under Lieutenant General Frank Messervy, who succeeds Lieutenant General Sir Geoffrey Scoones. The corps is to move secretly southward down the Gangaw Valley to the
southern flank of the army, where it will seize a bridgehead over the Irrawaddy River in the Pakokku area and thrust toward Meiktila and Thazi.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 30+ P-47s support ground forces in the Bhamo area; 28 hit supply areas at Kyingyi, Loi-lun, and Hke-hkun; 12 bomb troop concentrations at Namti and 4 hit village on the Nawnghkem River; 16 fighter-bombers attack a Shwebo motor pool and radio station while 6 others hit the Namun ferry landing; 7 aircraft knock out a bypass bridge at Namhkai and 8 fighter-bombers hit railroad targets of opportunity between Sedaw and Nawnghkio. Large-scale transport operations continue.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 89 B-24s from Guam and Saipan join B-29s and naval vessels in bombarding Iwo Jima airfields; 28 P-38s escort the B-29s; the strikes are aimed at reducing the raids against US bases in the Marianas.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 11: 82 B-29s from the Mariana join Seventh AF P-38s, B-24s and Navy cruisers in a strike against airfields on Iwo Jima from which Japanese strikes against US airfields in the Mariana Islands are being launched; 61 B-29s bomb the airfields and 4 bomb other targets without loss; [Japanese aircraft strike the Mariana airfields on 2, 7, and 27 Nov, 7 and 25 Dec (the largest attack 25 aircraft), and from 25 Dec 44 to 2 Jan 45 in very minor degrees; altogether about 80 Japanese aircraft attack, and nearly 40 are downed; 11 B-29s are destroyed and 43 damaged on the ground in these attacks].

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, over 60 USAAF Far East Air Forces (FEAF) B-25s and fighter-bombers, along with Australian aircraft, hit airfield and various other targets on Halmahera Island.
FEAF aircraft fly armed reconnaissance and light raids over northern Borneo, northern Celebes, Flores Island in the Lesser Sunda Islands, and the Wewak, New Guinea area.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, the 1st Squadron of the 112th Cavalry Regiment (Special) begins an action to locate and sever the Japanese supply line to the ridge southeast of Limon. In the XXIV Corps area, the 307th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division (reinforced by the 2d Battalion, 306th Infantry Regiment and supported by artillery, Company A of the 776th Amphibious Tank Battalion and Company A of the 88th Chemical Weapons Battalion) drives north astride Highway 2 from Ipil toward Camp Downes, less than 1 mile from Ormoc. A platoon of Company A, 776th Amphibious Tank Battalion, moving by sea, reconnoiters the Camp Downes area, meeting Japanese fire. The 305th Infantry Regiment protects the southern flank of the division, holding the perimeter from Ipil area south to the Baod River. The Americans consolidate their positions in Buri airfield area.
Over 60 USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s bomb Mandurriao, Lahug and La Carlota Airfields on Cebu and Negros Island while fighter-bombers hit the San Isidro area.

VOLCANO ISLANDS: The USAAF Twentieth Air Force's XXI Bomber Command flies Mission 11: 82 B-29s from the Mariana Islands join USAAF Seventh Air Force P-38s, 89 B-24s and Navy cruisers in a strike against airfields on Iwo Jima Island from which Japanese strikes against U.S. airfields in the Mariana Islands are being launched; 61 B-29s bomb the airfields and four bomb other targets without loss.
The USN bombardment force is Task Group 94.9 (Rear Admiral Allan E. Smith) consisting of the heavy cruisers USS Chester, Pensacola and Salt Lake City and eight destroyers.
Japanese aircraft strike the Mariana Island airfields on 2, 7, and 27 November, 7 and 25 December (the largest attack-25 aircraft), and from 25 December 1944 to 2 January 1945 in very minor degrees; altogether about 80 Japanese aircraft attack, and nearly 40 are downed. Because of these strikes, 11 B-29s are destroyed and 43 damaged on the ground.

 

[syscom3]

Dec 9th 1944

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 12 B-25s bomb Lipo, Tuhshan, and Hochih; a B-25 attacks a truck convoy in the Siang-Chiang Valley while a B-24 claims 1 cargo ship sunk in the S China Sea; 19 P-40s and P-51s hit river, road, and rail shipping and other targets of opportunity from Kweiyi to Siangtan; 65 P-51s and P-40s hit similar targets of opportunity around Kweilin, Liuchow, Lingling, Hengyang, Tuhshan, and Chuchou; 50 more fighter-bombers hit targets of opportunity at several other locations scattered throughout S China.

CHINA: The failure of two Chinese armies (the 5th and 53d) to concentrate for the defense of Kunming endangers the success of the ALPHA plan (the plan to defend Kunming and Chungking) and brings a protest from U.S. Lieutenant General Albert Wedemeyer, Chief of staff to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek and Commanding General, U.S. forces in China, to Chiang Kai-shek, who replies that he is keeping the 5th back to defend Kunming.

BURMA: In the Northern Combat Area Command area, Japanese forces from Tonk-wa reach Mo-hlaing, where the Chinese 22d Division command post is located. the U.S. 475th Infantry Regiment (Long Range Penetration, Special), which is arriving in this area, joins the Chinese in a counterattack that restores the positions. The 113th Regiment, Chinese 38th Division, has been unable to penetrate into Bhamo; the 114th Regiment adopts an American suggestion of taking full advantage of supporting artillery and aircraft and is working forward methodically in the northern defenses. South of Bhamo, elements of the Chinese 90th Regiment, 30th Division, becomes isolated during a Japanese counterattack.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 P-47s knock out a bridge at Mongmit, damage another and blast approach to the Namyao bridge; villages and building areas, supply dumps, and targets of opportunity are attacked at Man Mao, Etgyi, Namhsim, Tawma and other points in N Burma. Transports continue flying men and supplies to forward areas, completing nearly 300 sorties.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): During the night of 9/10 Nov, 2 B-24s from Saipan fly harassment strikes against Iwo Jima.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: P-38s hit Old Namlea Airfield on Buru Island. B-25s attack the Wasile Bay area.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s bomb the Lingkas tank farm, Dondang River bridge and Sanga Sanga oil installations on Borneo and three airfields in the Ambon Island-Ceram Island area. P-38s hit Namlea Airfield on Boeroe Island west of Ceram. B-25s attack the Wasile Bay area of Galela Island located 20 miles from Morotai. Ninety one Australian (P-40) Kittyhawks attack Galela Airfield on Galela Island and Miti and Hate Tabako Airfields on Halmahara Island while 14 Beaufighters attack Jolo Island.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Leyte, the last of the Japanese reinforcements arrive at Palompon.
In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, the 112th Cavalry Regiment (Special) continues their efforts to dislodge the Japanese from the ridge southeast of Limon and to cut the Japanese supply line. In the XXIV Corps area, convoy arrives with supplies and rest of the 306th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division. The 307th Infantry Regiment continues toward Camp Downes and takes it. The 305th Infantry Regiment secures the region northeast of Camp Downes and protects the northeastern flank of the division. The 2d Battalion of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division, joins the 3d Battalion at Mahonag, from which patrols are being sent out. The 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry Regiment, drives north across Buri airstrip but is forced back to the southern edge by Japanese fire. The 1st Battalion, 382d Infantry Regiment, probes to locate the Japanese and contains a night counterattack against its perimeter.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Bougainville, the Australian 9th Battalion, 7th Brigade, 3rd Division, moves forward on Bawabu Ridge toward Pearl Ridge which dominates the area north of Torokina. It becomes evident that the Japanese lines of communications lay along the latter ridge.

 

[syscom3]

Dec 10th 1944 38,170

AUSTRALIA: Vice Admiral Bruce Fraser, Commander-in-Chief British Pacific Fleet (BPF), flies to Sydney, New South Wales, the planned main base for the BPF.
The British battleship HMS Howe, flagship of the British Pacific Fleet, arrives at Fremantle, Western Australian.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 8 B-25s bomb Kutkai, Burma and hit targets of opportunity in the Liuchow, China area. In China, 25 B-24s bomb the city of Hankow; 3 others bomb Samah Bay docks on Hainan Island; 118 P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance over wide areas of China attack numerous targets of opportunity, concentrating on rail, river, and road traffic, especially in the Hochih, Changsha, and Yuncheng areas.

CHINA: U.S. Lieutenant General Albert, Chief of staff to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek and Commanding General, U.S. forces in China urges, Chiang Kai-shek to order troops of the Yunnan Force (Y-Force) on the Saiween front to take Wanting, at the northeast exit of the Shweli Valley where the Ledo Road is to meet the old Burma Road. The Chinese halted their offensive operations with the fall of Che-fang on 1 December. The Japanese in southern China link up with the Japanese French Indochina Garrison Army, thus opening the route for the movement of two divisions in small groups into French Indochina. This, plus their push into Kweichow, which ended on 3 December, marks a high tide of the Japanese invasion of continent of Asia.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 20 P-47s fly close support strikes in the Bhamo area; 8 others blast approaches to the Hay-ti road bridge; 50+ P-47s hit warehouses and other storage areas, troop concentrations, and positions at Daungbin, Myebalin, Kyaunghkam, Pongon, Thinbaung, Kawnghkang, Pangteng, and Hsipaw; 12 B-25s hit storage areas at Meza, Namun, and Kungmong. Transports fly 178 sorties to forward areas.

BURMA: Allied engineers complete a 1,154 foot long Bailey bridge, the worlds largest, across the Chindwin River.
In the Northern Combat Area Command (NCAC) area, the British 36th Division completes its part of Phase I, Operation CAPITAL (the attack across the Chindwin River to Mandalay), ahead of schedule as patrols enter Indaw and Katha. Later in the month, the division crosses the Irrawaddy River at Katha and drives toward Kyaukme. Japanese forces working toward Bhamo to assist the withdrawal of the garrison penetrate positions of the Chinese 30th Division south of Bhamo; a vigorous counterattack forces the Japanese to go on the defensive. The U.S. 475th Infantry Regiment (Long Range Penetration, Special), less the 1st Battalion in the Shwegu area, is concentrated in the Mo-hlaing--Tonk-wa area, where it will conduct a holding action while the Chinese 22d Division flies to China.

FRENCH INDOCHINA: Japanese troops from Operation ICHI-GO link up with compatriots from the French Indochina Garrison Army, gaining control of the vital Indochina to China rail link.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 3 B-24s from Saipan and 1 from Guam fly harassment strikes against Iwo Jima during the night of 10/11 Dec.

EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s hit the Pamoesian tank farm and nearby alternates of Lingkas tank farm, Labuan Islands docks, and Lutong refinery all in British North Borneo, while in the Netherlands East Indies, B-25s hit Sidate Airfield on Celebes Island and bomb airfields on Boeroe Island west of Ceram Island and Ambon Island.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, the 32d Infantry Division continues to press southward as does the 112th Cavalry Regiment (Special) to the east. The 12th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division, prepares to attack to reduce a strongpoint in Mt Cabungaan area. In the XXIV Corps area, the 77th Infantry Division, supported by artillery and naval vessels, takes Ormoc. Company A of the 776th Amphibious Tank Battalion moves into the city at 0900 hours, before the infantry assault begins, and starts shelling buildings there. The 307th and 306th Regiments, the former driving along a highway and latter to the east, attack northward and clear the city. The 7th Infantry Division continues forward toward the 77th Infantry Division. The 11th Airborne Division defeats a dispirited counterattack in the Burauen area by a Japanese battalion that has made its way over mountains from Ormoc Bay. The 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry Regiment, 38th Infantry Division, attacks and clears the Buri Airfield area. In a final major effort against the Burauen airfields, beginning at 1930 hours, the Japanese force USAAF Fifth Air Force personnel to fall back, but positions are restored in a counterattack.
USAAF Far East Air Force P-38s hit Port Misamis on Mindanao Island and fighter- bombers attack storage facilities and targets of opportunity in the central Philippines.
Off Leyte, USN destroyer USS Hughes is damaged by kamikaze; south of Dulag, a suicide plane crashes the previously damaged freighter SS Marcus Daly, which is discharging cargo to tank landing craft LCT-1075 alongside. LCT-1075 is hit by part of the kamikaze and sunk; SS Marcus Daly suffers no fatalities among the embarked complement (38 merchant sailors, 26-man Armed Guard, 60 stevedores and 124 troops) although eight men are wounded. Nearby freighter SS William S. Ladd is hit by a kamikaze and gutted by fire despite the efforts of four infantry landing craft (LCI) that come alongside; there are no fatalities among the 41-man merchant complement, the 29-man Armed Guard and the 50 stevedores on board to work cargo, although six men are injured. Motor torpedo boat PT-323, damaged by suicide plane is beached and abandoned.

 

[syscom3]

Dec 11th 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 4 B-25s fly a negative enemy shipping search.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: USN Task Force 38 (TF 38 ) sails from Ulithi Atoll to participate in the invasions of Mindoro and Luzon Islands, Philippine Islands. TF 38 consists of six aircraft carriers (CVs) and six small aircraft carriers (CVLs) with six carrier air groups (CVGs), five light carrier air groups (CVLGs) and one night light carrier air group [CVLG(N)] .
- Task Group (TG) 38.1: USS Cowpens (CVL-25) with CVLG-22, USS Monterey
(CVL-26) with CVLG-28 ), USS Wasp (CV-18 ) with CVG-81 and USS Yorktown (CV-10)
with CVG-3.
- TG 38.2: USS Cabot (CVL-28 ) with CVLG-29, USS Hancock (CV-19) with CVG-11,
USS Independence (CVL-22) with CVLG(N)-41 and USS Lexington (CV-16) with
CVG-20
- TG 38.3: USS Essex (CV-9) with CVG-4, USS Langley (CVL-27) with CVLG-44),
USS San Jacinto (CV-30) with CVLG-45) and USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) with
CVG-80).

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-24s and 6 B-25s, supported by 8 P-51s, pound the Hai Duong, French Indochina area. 12 B-25s bomb Kutkai, Burma. 16 fighter-bombers attack Tien Ho Airfield at Canton and the Kengtung barracks in China; and Lashio, and Wan Lai-Kam, Burma.

CHINA: U.S. Lieutenant General Albert Wedemeyer, Commanding General U.S. China Theater of Operations and Chief of Staff to Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, Chairman of the National Government, drafts directives for Operation ALPHA (the plan to defend Kunming and Chungking) that Chiang Kai-shek later approves. Chinese General Ying-chin Ho, Commander-in-Chief Chinese Army General Headquarters, is to command ALPHA forces, but U.S. Major General Claire Chennault, Commanding General USAAF Fourteenth Air Force, will command air forces in the area. ALPHA forces are to complete concentration in the Kweiyang area, protect Kunming and Kweiyang, and train reserves.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s hit the stores area at Hpaklon; 16 P-47s support ground forces in the Bhamo area; 21 P-47s knock out and damage bridges at Mongmit, Man Aitau, Ho-hko, and Pa-mao; 7 fighter-bombers severely damage the Hsipaw ferry; supply and personnel concentrations and town areas are hit at Lawa, Myitson, Pemnegon, Nam Pan, Hsenwi, and Nawngpeng. 270 transport sorties are flown to forward areas.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Colonel Lawrence J Carr becomes Commanding Officer of the VII Bomber Command. On Iwo Jima, 28 B-24s from Guam pound the airfield and ammunition storage area; night harassment continues as individual B-24s from Guam and Saipan fly 3 snooper strikes against the island during the night of 11/12 Dec.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces (FEAF) B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers attack Japanese supply and troop concentrations on the southern shore of Wasile Bay on Galela Island off Morotai and along the shores of north Halmahera, sinking a freighter. Other FEAF planes make small raids on oil and shipping targets around northern Borneo.

PACIFIC OCEAN: In the Bohol Sea, Japanese planes attack a resupply convoy of 13 USN medium landing ships (LSMs) and landing craft, infantry (LCIs), bound for Ormoc Bay, Leyte, Philippine Islands; escorting destroyer USS Reid shoots down seven aircraft but is sunk by two kamikazes off the southern coast of Leyte about 75 nautical miles SSE of Ormoc in position 09.50N, 124.55E; 52 of her crew are lost.
In the Visayan Sea, USMC F4U Corsairs repeat a mast-head attack on a Japanese convoy about 31 nautical miles NW of Ormoc, Leyte, in position 11.20N, 124.10E.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, 1st Squadron, 12th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division, reduces the strongpoint north of its perimeter in the Mt. Cabungaan area after intense preparatory fire. Patrols of the 2d Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), probe both sides of the ridge southeast of Limon before the general frontal and flanking attack is begun behind artillery bombardment; the advance stops for the night at the base of the hill. The 128th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, begins patrolling the Limon area. The XXIV Corps gains firm control of Ormoc Bay as advance elements of the 7th Infantry Division overtake the 77th Infantry Division troops at Ipil. Japanese forces on Leyte are thus divided.
The 77th Infantry Division attacks from Ormoc with the 307th and 306th Infantry Regiments but makes little progress. Japanese attempts to land reinforcements at Ormoc Bay, during the night of 11/12 December, are frustrated. A few Japanese succeed in landing but are unable to take an active part in the battle for the Ormoc corridor.
USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s bomb Mandurriao Airfield on Cebu Island. B-25s, with P-47 support, hit Padada Aerodrome on Mindanao Island and Fifth Air Force fighters join U.S. Marine Corps aircraft in attacks on a 13-ship convoy off northwestern Leyte Island. Leyte-based planes begin missions in support of the coming invasion of Mindoro. USN submarine USS Gar lands supplies on the west coast of Luzon, and picks up intelligence documents.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Bougainville, the Australian 11th Brigade, 3rd Division, relieves the U.S. 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division.

UNITED STATES: The remains of a paper Japanese Fu Go paper balloon including envelope, rigging and some apparatus, is recovered at Kalispell, Montana. It is believed that the balloon landed between 11 and 25 November. Kalispell is located about 150 miles NW of Great Falls.

 

[syscom3]

Dec 12th 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): The weather aircraft aborts the mission due to the weather.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-25s bomb Kutkai, Burma, damaging 3 warehouses and 2 other buildings. 50+ P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance attack many targets of opportunity including town areas, road and rail traffic, and supplies at or near Wan Pa-Hsa, Burma, Chiengmai, Thailand, and Sinantien, Paoching, Hengyang, Changsha, Kweilin, Nan Tan, Hochih, and Szeenhsien, China. Several fighter-bombers drop napalm on Yangtong Airfield, China. The 2d Combat Cargo Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group, moves from Imphal, India to Tsuyung, China.

BURMA: In the Allied Land Forces South East Asia (ALFSEA) area, the British XV Corps begins an offensive (Operation ROMULUS) to clear the Arakan coastal sector and gain air and naval bases from which to support future operations.

While the Indian 25th Division pushes southward along the Mayu Peninsula toward Akyab, the West African 82d Division begins clearing the Kalapanzin Valley in the Buthidaung area and the West African 81st Division attacks in the Kaladan Valley in the vicinity of Kyauktaw.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 11 B-25s bomb several storage areas N of Lashio; 20+ P-47s knock out bridges at Namyao and Inailong, Burma, and Kunlong, China, and damage others at Ho-hko, Burma and
Hinlong, and Kunlong, China; 40+ fighter-bombers hit Japanese HQ, trucks, town areas, troop concentrations, and supplies at Sedo, Pale, Chaunggyi, Tada-u, Hsenwi, Shwebo, and Thabyetha. 263 transport sorties are flown to forward areas. The 166th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Yazagyo to Inbaung, Burma with UC-64s and L-5s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 24 Saipan based B-24s pound Iwo Jima. Individual B-24s from Saipan and Guam fly 5 snooper strikes against Iwo Jima during the night of 12/13 Dec.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): The service groups of the 313th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) arrive on Tinian.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: HQ 4th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) moves from Guadalcanal to Morotai Island. The 460th Fighter Squadron, 348th FG, moves from Tacloban to Tanauan with P-47s.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s bomb Kendari Airfield on Celebes Island. In the Ambon-Ceram-Boeroe Islands area, B-25s hit three airfields and attack barges.

NEW GUINEA: In Dutch New Guinea, USAAF Far East Air Forces A-20s hit the airfield on Jefman Island a small island off the coast.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, the 32d Infantry Division straightens their lines south of Limon and during the night of 12/13 December and shells Japanese positions ahead of it on Highway 2 as far south as Lonoy. XXIV Corps chases off a Japanese vessel sighted near Linao at dawn. The 77th Infantry Division consolidates positions just north of Ormoc while amassing supplies and artillery.
USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s, with fighter cover, bomb Bacolod Airstrip on Negros Island while B-25s hit San Roque Airfield on Mindanao Island.
General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific Area, presents Major Richard I. Bong with the Medal of Honor he was awarded "for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty in the Southwest Pacific area from 10 October to 15 November 1944" at Tacloban Field, Leyte.

 

[syscom3]

Dec 13th 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 4 B-25s weather abort a shipping search.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-25s severely damage the warehouse area at Hsenwi, Burma. 2 bomb the town of Wuming, China. 24 P-51s and P-38s hit the town of Bac Ninh and the rail yards at Phu Lang Thuong, French Indochina, and damage a bridge at Chiengmai, Thailand. HQ 341st Bombardment Group (Medium) moves from Kunming to Yangkai, China.

BURMA: In the Northern Combat Area Command, the 114th Regiment, Chinese 38th Division, breaks through the northern defenses of Bhamo and is pushing into the central part. In the Tonk-wa area, the U.S. 475th Infantry Regiment (Long Range Penetration, Special) quickly repels a Japanese attack.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s bomb the storage and personnel area at Mongmit; 7 P-47s damage the approach to the Hay-ti road bridge while 4 support US infantry forces near Tonkwa; supply areas, personnel, Japanese-held buildings, vehicles, and general targets of opportunity are hit by 60+ fighter-bombers at several places including Hosi, Longkin, Kyauktaing, Tigyaing, Kantha, Man Pwe, and Konnyaung. 260+ transport sorties carry men and supplies to forward areas.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): With most of its personnel aboard the SS Sea Flasher and its equipment aboard the SS Cape Catoche, HQ Seventh AF arrives at Tanapag from Hawaii; the remainder of HQ arrives by air, 14-19 Dec. 15 Guam based B-24s bomb Iwo Jima; 3 from Saipan, on an armed reconnaissance mission, bomb Marcus. During the night of 13/14 Dec, 6 B-24s make individual harassment raids against Iwo Jima from Saipan and Guam.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 12: 90 B-29s from the Mariana Islands are dispatched to attack the Mitsubishi aircraft engine plant at Nagoya, Japan; 71 hit the primary target causing considerable damage as bombing accuracy is improved; 9 others hit alternate targets; they claim 4-1-0 Japanese aircraft; 4 B-29s are lost.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The 2d Photographic Charting Squadron, 311th Photographic Wing (attached to FEAF), moves from Hollandia, New Guinea to Morotai with F-7s.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25s bomb Haroekoe Drome on Haroekoe Island off Ambon Island; Amahai Airfield on Amahai Island south of Ceram; Old Namlea Airfield on Buru Island; and Liang Airfield on Ambon Island. B-25s, P-38s, and P-47s on small raids hit shore positions at Galela Bay on Galela Island, while covering an attempted rescue of a downed pilot by a PT boat, and bomb the Goeroea supply area in the Moluccas Islands.

PACIFIC OCEAN: As U.S. Seventh Fleet task groups move west through the Mindanao Sea, covered by escort aircraft carrier aircraft of USN Task Unit 77.12.7, which make a few air strikes. This task unit consists of the escort aircraft carriers USS Kadashan Bay with Composite Squadron Twenty, Manila Bay with VC-80, Marcus Island with VC-21, Natoma Bay with VC-81, Ommaney Bay with VC-75 and Savo Island with VC-27.
Japanese planes, including kamikazes, begin strikes that damage light cruiser USS Nashville and destroyer USS Haraden off the southwestern coast of Negros Island. Both ships retire. From the Action Reports of the USN destroyer USS Allen M. Sumner that supported the landings on Mindanao, Philippine Islands: At 1010 hours 13 December formed cruising disposition M-IV. At 1548 hours light cruiser USS Nashville hit by suicide bomber; observed dense cloud of black smoke followed by flames in vicinity of number one stack. Went to General Quarters, increased speed and fishtailed.
From 1507 to 1900 hours many bogies reported by ships of the formation. At 1756 hours sighted Jap plane bearing 125º True., distant six miles with two USAAF P-38s on his tail. One P-38 set Jap port wing on fire with machine guns. The Jap then put his plane in a left turn and dive, and dove for a destroyer in the screen in about station number 16. On the way down he dropped his bomb. Machine gun fire caused the plane to miss and crash astern by 200 yards.
At 1758 hours opened fire with main battery on Jap "Betty" bearing 260º True, range 5 miles. Crossing bow from port to starboard. Plane turned left and was engaged by Combat Air Patrol which shot him down bearing 340º True, distant about 8 miles. This plane caught fire on crashing. At 1812 hours a low flying Jap plane was sighted, being engaged by six or eight planes of the CAP which first set him on fire and then splashed him bearing 340º True, distant about 6 miles at 1814 hours. At 1813 hours another low flying Jap plane was engaged by two planes of the CAP and splashed by them one minute later bearing 349º True, distant about 3 miles.This plane bounced off the water two or three times at altitudes of about 50 feet, then dropped its right wing and crashed.
All Japs were twin engine bombers. At 1815 hours possible periscope reported by destroyer USS Barton. At 1816 hours headed for periscope at flank speed. Investigation showed object to be ends of poles used by native fishermen. At 1851 hours fired at Jap plane, no results. At 1935 hours secured from General quarters. From 1935 hours 13 December to 1630 hours 14 December all quiet except for occasional bogey reports from ships of the formation.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, the 32d Infantry Division makes limited progress southward; the southern-most elements are isolated from the main body and out of food. A Japanese counterattack, during the night of 13/14 December, penetrates the command post of the 126th Infantry Regiment. The Japanese are driven back before dawn. The 2d Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division, again attempts to take the ridge southeast of Limon but cannot advance. In the XXIV Corps area, the 305th Infantry Regiment, making the main effort of the 77th Infantry Division, is held up in the Cogon area, north of the Antilao River on Highway 2 just north of Ormoc, where the Japanese are strongly entrenched and hold a blockhouse strongpoint.
A special Task Force under Colonel Paul L. Freeman, consisting of Companies E and L, is unable to take the blockhouse by storm. The 306th Infantry Regiment assists the 305th with fire. The 307th Infantry Regiment, on the left flank, drives west along the Ormoc-Linao road and takes Linao. Japanese positions in the Cogon area are shelled during the night of 13/14 December. The 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, starts northeast from Ormoc Bay in an effort to make contact with the 11th Airborne Division moving west.
USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s bomb Carolina and Talisay Airfields on Negros Island and B-25s bomb San Roque Airfield on Mindanao Island. Other B-25s and B-24s on reconnaissance hit targets of opportunity in the Sulu Archipelago.

 

[syscom3]

Dec 14th 1944

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-25s bomb Loi Mwe, Burma while 10 P-38s and P-51s hit Kentung, China.
HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 20: 48 B-29s, flying out of the Calcutta, India area, are sent to bomb a railroad bridge at Bangkok; 33 hit the primary and 14 others hit targets of opportunity and alternate targets; they claim 0-1-0 enemy aircraft; 4 B-29s are lost.

BURMA: In the Northern Combat Area Command area, the Japanese garrison of Bhamo prepares to withdraw. The U.S. 475th Infantry Regiment (Long Range Penetration, Special) repels another Japanese attack on Tonk-wa, after which their activity subsides to patrolling; makes patrol contact with the British 36th Division at Katha.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s again bomb the supply and personnel area at Mongmit; Bodegon railroad bridge is severely damaged by 4 P-47s; 48 P-47s hit troop concentrations, supplies, and areas of active enemy movement at Nawngkyaung and Kunlong, China and Panghkam, Hohai, Dobin, Kyaukpyintha, and Ho-naw; 4 others support ground forces near Tonkwa. Large-scale transport operations to forward areas continue. The Japanese garrison at Bhamo, Burma prepares to withdraw. The 1st Fighter Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, arrives at Kalaikunda, India from the US with P-51s (first mission is 14 Feb 45).

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 24 Saipan based B-24s pound Iwo Jima. During the night of 14/15 Dec, 6 B-24s from Guam and Saipan fly individual snooper strikes against Iwo Jima.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The 38th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Thirteenth AAF [attached to 4th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance)] arrives at Hollandia, New Guinea from the US with B-25s (first mission is 21 Feb 45); the 340th Fighter Squadron, 348th FG, moves from Tacloban to Tanauan, Leyte Island with P-47s; the 550th Night Fighter Squadron, XIII Fighter Command, arrives at Hollandia, New Guinea from the US with P-61s (first mission is 15 Jan 45).

EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25s bomb Namlea on Buru Island. Other planes carry out sweeps, armed reconnaissance, and light raids against various targets one Halmahera Island, northern Borneo, and the Sulu Archipelago.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Palawan Island, 150 American POWs are incarcerated in a POW enclosure situated on top of the cliffs overlooking the Bay of Puerto Princesa. While working on the construction of an airfield they are made to dig three trenches 150-feet long and 4.5-feet deep within the camp. They are told that the trenches are air-raid shelters and practice drills are carried out. The shelters are small and cramped, the prisoners sitting bunched up with their knees under their chins.
When a USN convoy is sighted heading for Mindoro Island, an air-raid alarm is sounded. The Japanese guards, thinking the island is about to be invaded, herd the prisoners into the covered trenches and then proceed to pour buckets of gasoline into the entrances followed by a match to ignite the fuel. As the prisoners storm the exits, their clothes on fire, they are mowed down by light machine-gun fire or bayoneted, shot or clubbed. Dozens manage to get through the barbed wire and tumble down the 50-foot high cliff to the waters edge only to be shot at by a Japanese manned landing barge which is patrolling the shore.
Only five survive by swimming across the bay and reaching the safety of a Filipino guerrilla camp. One prisoner, who tries to swim the bay, is recaptured and brought back to the beach. There, he suffers the agony of having gasoline poured on his foot and set alight. His screams delight the guards who then deliberately set fire to his other foot while at the same time prodding and stabbing his body with bayonets until he collapses. His body is then doused with gasoline and cremated. His remains, and the bodies of the other dead on the beach, are then buried in the sand. U.S. Forces capture Puerto Princesa on 28 February 1945, and weeks later discover 79 skeletons within the enclosure and they are given a proper burial. In all, 145 Americans are killed.
In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, the 126th and 127th Infantry Regiments, 32d Infantry Division, pressing slowly southward down Highway 2, come up against the Japanese main line of resistance on a series of ridges commanding the highway and for the next few days can make only minor gains. The 2d Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division, succeeds in dislodging the Japanese from the ridge southeast of Limon. The 12th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), which has been patrolling in the Mt Cabungaan area, is ordered west to block Highway 2 south of the 32d Infantry Division and then attack north toward that division. In the XXIV Corps area, the 305th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, reduces the opposition in the Cogon area, Task Force Freeman taking the blockhouse and road junction north of Ormoc to sever the Japanese line of communication. The 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, is advancing steadily over precipitous terrain
toward 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division.
USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24 Liberators bomb airfields on Negros Island and B-25s hit Zettlefield airdrome on Jolo Island. Other planes carry out sweeps, armed reconnaissance, and light raids against various targets in the central Philippine Islands, Luzon, Mindanao and Palawan Islands.
Aircraft of the USN's Third Fleet's fast carrier groups begin attacks on Japanese airfields on Luzon. The Japanese continue air attacks on the Mindoro-bound task groups of USN Seventh Fleet.
Twenty four Australian (PBY) Catalinas of Nos. 11 and 43 Squadrons, begin operations from Leyte conducting a minelaying mission in Manila Bay, Luzon.

 

[syscom3]

Dec 15th 1944 38,253

USA: The newly created five start rank of "General of the Army" is awarded to General MacArthur, Eisenhower, Arnold and Marshall.

AUSTRALIA: Sir Frederick Geoffrey Shedden, Australian Secretary of the Department of Defence, writes to U.S. General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific, asking why Australian troops are not being used in the Philippines and claiming that "Australian opinion considered it a point of honour for their troops to be used in such operations."

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: The USN's Battleships Pacific Fleet command is divided into two battleship squadrons. Battleship Squadron ONE is commanded by Vice Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf and Battleship Squadron TWO Vice Admiral Willis A. "Ching" Lee.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-25s blast a storage building at Kunlong, China. 5 P-51s hit and damage a bridge and a building S of Huizan, Thailand. 4 P-38s knock out a bridge at Hawng Luk, Burma.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 10 B-25s destroy the Hsipaw railroad bridge and a bypass bridge at Namhkai and damage other bridges at Namhkai; 4 P-47s severely damage 2 bridges at Ho-hko; 7 P-47s fly close support strikes along the Namh-Kam-Bhamo road; the Japanese garrison at Bhamo escapes through Chinese lines early in the morning and later Chinese troops occupy the town; 13 P-47s hit Lashio Airfield; town areas, troop concentrations, and supply areas are attacked at Panglong, Nanponpon, Panghkam, Kinu, Man Hpai, and Namhkam; a steady air movement of men and supplies to forward bases and frontline areas continues. The 2d Fighter Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, arrives at Kalaikunda, India from the US with P-51s (first mission is 14 Feb 45).

BURMA: In the Northern Combat Area Command area, the Japanese garrison of Bhamo escapes through Chinese lines early in morning and the relief force south of the town begins to disengage. The Chinese 38th Division moves into Bhamo. The Chinese Army in India (CAI) and Yunnan Force (Y-Force) are only 50 air miles apart. The 112th Regiment, Chinese 38th Division, which was recently withdrawn from the Bhamo battle, is driving on Namhkam. Elements of the U.S. 475th Infantry Regiment (Long Range Penetration, Special) move from the Mo-hlaing to the Tonk-wa area.
In the British Fourteenth Army area, XV Corps makes rapid strides on the Arakan front. The West African 82d Division takes Buthidaung and establishes a bridgehead across the Kalapanzin River.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 13 B-24s from Guam bomb Iwo Jima. During the night of 15/16 Dec, a B-24 on a snooper raid from Guam hits Iwo Jima.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA: HQ 310th Bombardment Wing (Medium) moves from Leyte Island to San Jose, Mindoro Island, Philippine Islands; the 36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fifth AF, arrives are Hollandia, New Guinea from the US with F-5s (first mission is 25 Mar 45); the 341st Fighter Squadron, 348th FG, moves from Tacloban to Tanauan, with P-47s; the ground echelon of the 418th Night Fighter Squadron, Thirteenth AF, arrives at San Jose from Dulag (air echelon is on Morotai with P-61s.)

EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25 Mitchells hit airfields on Ceram and Ambon Islands. Miscellaneous armed reconnaissance and light raids by fighters and bombers are flown against airfields on Boeroe and Halmahera Islands. Shipping and other targets of opportunity are attacked at several points throughout the Netherlands East Indies.

PACIFIC OCEAN: USN submarine USS Hawkbill sinks Japanese destroyer HIJMS Momo west of Luzon about 167 nautical miles W of Baguio, Philippine Islands, in position 16.40N, 117.42E.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: The Western Visayan Task Force invades Mindoro Island at 0735 hours local after a preparatory bombardment. The 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, lands between Caminawit Point and San Agustin; the reinforced 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment, less Company C, on the beach fronting San Agustin; Company, 503d, across the river mouth from San Agustin. From San Agustin, the 3d Battalion, 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment drives inland about 8 miles to final the beachhead line, securing the airstrip, sugar plant, and village of San Jose without opposition. The 19th Infantry Regiment also drives inland to the final beachhead line, the only contact with the Japanese being made at Caminawit Point. The Western Visayan Task Force suffers no casualties. Rear Admiral Arthur Struble, commander of Task Group 78.3, turns over command ashore to Brigadier General William Dunckel, Chief of Planning Division Southwest Pacific Area. Airdrome construction is begun at once and a new site, about 2 miles NW of White Beach, is selected. Although there is no ground opposition, Kamikazes are active: two tank landing ships damaged off the southern tip of Mindoro, are scuttled by destroyer USS Hall. Elsewhere off Mindoro, Japanese Kamikazes damage the escort aircraft carrier USS Marcus Island; destroyers USS Paul Hamilton and Howorth; and motor torpedo boat PT-223.
In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte Island, the 1st Squadron ( ) of 12th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry) starts west toward Highway 2, reaching previously a selected drop area, a banana plantation about 1,800 yards E of Lonoy; the rest of the regiment joins the 1st Squadron there by 17 December. In the XXIV Corps area, with the port of Ormoc sealed off, the 77th Infantry Division pauses to consolidate. The 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, makes contact with the 11th Airborne Division's 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Company G of which enters its lines. Company G has been isolated for four days. It is decided to withdraw the 1st and 3d Battalions of the 32d Infantry Regiment to clear pockets in the Ormoc area and let the 2d Battalion continue eastward to establish contact with the rest of 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment force.
In major strikes of the day, USAAF Far East Air Forces fighter-bombers hit a fuel dump at San Fernando on Negros Island; B-24 Liberators and B-25 Mitchells bomb Sasa and San Roque Airfields on Mindanao Island; and B-24 Liberators bomb Puerto Princesa on Palawan Island.
Marjor Richard I. "Dick" Bong shoots down a Japanese "Oscar" fighter. This is his 39th victory.

UNITED STATES: USN Admiral William D. Leahy, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), is promoted to the (five star) rank of Fleet Admiral.
The USAAF activates Headquarters, Continental Air Force (CAF) at Bolling Field, Washington, D.C., to coordinate the work of the four domestic air forces (First, Second, Third and Fourth) and the I Troop Carrier Command but will not assume jurisdiction until 8 May 1945. On 21 March 1946, CAF is redesignated Strategic Air Command (SAC).

 

[syscom3]

Dec 16th 1944

UNITED STATES: General George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff U.S. Army, is promoted to the (five star) rank of General of the Army.

BURMA: In the Northern Combat Area Command (NCAC) area, the U.S. 124th Cavalry Regiment (Special) moves forward from the Myitkyina area toward Bhamo to join in the action.
In the British Fourteenth Army's IV Corps area, Pinlebu and Banmauk fall to the Indian 19th Division. From Banmauk, a patrol reaches Indaw and makes contact with the British 36th Division, NCAC.

CHINA: Learning from Brigadier General Frank Dorn, the U.S. adviser to ALPHA forces, that the Chinese 57th Army is refusing to move to defend Kunming, Major General Robert B. McClure, Chief of Staff US Forces US China Theater of Operations, protests to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, and part of the army is flown to the Kunming area. Few of the Chinese forces are in place as planned to stop the Japanese short of Kunming. The Chinese Communist leader Chou En-lai terminates negotiations between Nationalist and Communist Chinese.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, the 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, based at Chengkung with P-51s, sends a detachment to operate from Liangshan.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 4 P-47s support US ground forces near Tonkwa; locomotives, storage areas, buildings, personnel, and areas of Japanese activity are attacked at Se-eng, Nanponpon, Kangon, Winghsa, Inywa, Molo, and Mabein. Large-scale air supply to forward areas continues. The 127th, 155th and 156th Liaison Squadrons (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, arrive at Kalaikunda, India from the US with UC-64s and L-5s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Daytime activities are limited to reconnaissance flights by B-24s over the Bonin and Kazan and by P-47s over Pagan. During the night of 16/17 Dec, 3 B-24s from Guam and Saipan fly individual snooper strikes against Iwo Jima.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The 342d Fighter Squadron, 348th FG, moves from Tacloban Airfield to Tanauan Airfield with P-47s.

EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers attack airfields and targets of opportunity including shipping in the Ceram Island area. Targets of opportunity are also attacked in northern Borneo and in the Vogelkop Peninsula area of New Guinea.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: The 7,000 ton Japanese freighter SS Oryoku Maru is being used to transport some 1,619 American POWs, mostly officers, to Japan. Marched through the streets of Manila from the Bilibid POW Camp to Pier 7 for boarding, the prisoners are crammed into the holds, standing room only. Also on board are around 700 civilians plus 100 crew and 30 Japanese guards. Already overloaded, the SS Oryoku Maru then takes on about 1,000 Japanese seamen, survivors of ships sunk in Manila Harbor. She is spotted on her next day out at sea by USN planes from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet and attacked.
Oryoku Maru sails into Subic Bay and is run aground to prevent her sinking. The attack continues over a period of two days in which 286 US soldiers are killed. The survivors, numbering 925, who are forced to swim ashore, are then transported by truck and train to San Fernando and thence to other ships, SS Enoura Maru and SS Brazil Maru. The SS Brazil Maru, which also carries a cargo of 12,000 bags of sugar, sails for Japan on 14 January 1945. Conditions on board are indescribable, hundreds dying on the way from the cold, lack of air and water. On arrival at Moji, Japan, two weeks later, only 475 are alive. Of these, 161 die within the first month ashore. Of the original 1,619 Americans on board the SS Oryoku Maru, around 300 had died. In a period of just over six weeks American submarines had killed over 4,000 Allied POWs.
On Leyte, the airfield in Tanauan area becomes operational. In the U.S. Sixth Army's XXIV Corps area, the 2d Battalion, 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, starts eastward along the Talisayan River bank toward the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 11th Airborne Division. While the 305th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, takes Cogon and clears that area, the 307th Infantry Regiment pushes toward Valencia, reaching San Jose.
On Luzon, the USN Third Fleet continues air attacks and in the evening starts eastward to refuel. In three days of continuous patrol, TF 38 aircraft have destroyed an estimated 208 Japanese aircraft on the ground and 72 in the air; U.S. losses are 27 to the Japanese and 38 in operational accidents.
On Mindoro during this and the next few days, action is limited to patrolling in the beachhead area and organizing defenses about the airfield perimeter. The Japanese continue air attacks on shipping but the USN Seventh Fleet detachments sail for Leyte.
Major operations of the USAAF Far East Air Forces include B-24 strikes on Padada Airfield on Mindanao Island and Puerto Princesa Airfield on Palawan Island. B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers attack airfields and targets of opportunity in the central Philippine Islands

 

[syscom3]

Dec 17th 1944

UNITED STATES: Admiral Ernest J. King, Chief of Naval Operations, is promoted to the (five star) rank of Fleet Admiral.
The USAAF 509th Composite Group, the first group to be organized, equipped and trained for atomic warfare, is activated at Wendover Field, Wendover, Utah. Two squadrons are assigned to the group, the 320th Troop Carrier Squadron, also activated today and initially equipped with C-47 Skytrains and later C-54 Skymasters, and the 393d Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy) equipped with B-29 Superfortresses. The 393d had been activated on 11 March 1944 and has been training in Texas, Nebraska and Wendover.
Major General Henry C. Pratt, Commanding General Western Defense Command, issues Public Proclamation No. 21, declaring that, effective 2 January 1945, Japanese-American "evacuees" from the West Coast could return to their homes. Some individual exclusions continue under the new policy. On 19 February 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, authorizing the removal of any or all people from military areas "as deemed necessary or desirable." The military in turn defined the entire West Coast, home to the majority of Americans of Japanese ancestry or citizenship, as a military area. By June 1942, more than 110,000 Japanese-Americans were relocated to remote internment camps built by the military in scattered locations around the country.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 9 B-24s pound the Camranh Bay area of French Indochina. 5 B-25s bomb a road at Wan Pa-Hsa, Burma while 12 fighter-bombers hit a nearby railroad bridge, damaging it severely.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 8 P-47s support ground forces in the Namhkam sector; 8 more P-47s hit rail targets of opportunity between Kyaikthin to Kinu, then E to the Irrawaddy River and up the river to Tigyaing; 4 hit rivercraft at Tagaung; 50+ fighter-bombers attack storage areas, vehicles, bivouacs, personnel areas, and general targets of opportunity at Pang-hsao, Kyaukme, Manai, Kutkai, Ma-ugon, Hpa-ye, and Man Namman; 12 more strafe targets of opportunity during a Kyaukme-Nampyao railroad sweep. 290 transport sorties are flown. The 493d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th BG (Heavy), based at Pandaveswar, India with B-24s, sends a detachment to operate from Luliang, China to transport gasoline to Suichwan, China.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 24 B-24s from Saipan and 26 from Guam pound Iwo Jima. 3 B-24s from Saipan on armed reconnaissance, bomb Woleai and Eauriprik Atolls, Caroline Islands. During the night of 17/18 Dec, B-24s from Saipan and Guam fly 3 single-plane harassment strikes against Iwo Jima.

EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24 Liberators and fighter-bombers attack Jesselton Airfield, British North Borneo, and Laha Airfield on Ambon Island, Netherlands East Indies.

PACIFIC OCEAN: U.S. Seventh Fleet Task Groups 77.3, 78.3, and 77.12 safely reach Leyte Gulf from Mindoro.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, the 32d Infantry Division progresses slowly south of Limon. In the XXIV Corps area, the 307th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division attacks at 1415 hours local, after artillery and air preparation, toward Valencia and reaches the edge of the airfield. The 306th Infantry Regiment stops for the night 500 yards south of its objective, Cabulihan. The 305th Infantry Regiment gains positions along the Tambuco- Dolores road and clears Tambuco.
On Mindoro, patrolling and work on defenses continue.
USAAF Major Richard I. "Dick" Bong shoots down a Japanese "Oscar" fighter over San Jose, Mindoro Island at 1625 hours local. This is his 40th victory and Lieutenant General George Kenney, Commanding General Far East Air Forces, orders him grounded and returned to the U.S. Bong is the most successful U.S. fighter pilot ever.
On Negros Islands, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s bomb Bacolod while B-25s hit Silay Airfield and U.S. Marine Corps fighter-bombers in attacking the Cananga area and P-38s destroy several aircraft during sweeps. B-25s bomb Likanan on Mindanao Island while B-24s with P-47 support, hit the airfield on Jolo Island; and fighter-bombers hit positions at Valencia on Mindanao Island.

 

[syscom3]

Dec 18th 1944

UNITED STATES: General Douglas MacArthur, Commander in Chief Southwest Pacific Area, is promoted to the (five star) rank of General of the Army.
The U.S. Supreme Court rules that the U.S. Army's removal of Japanese-Americans from the West Coast early in 1942 was constitutional at the time it was carried out, but that citizens must be permitted to return to their homes when their loyalty to U.S. is established. The tribunal acted in two cases. It upheld the constitutionality of the removal program by a 6 to 3 decision, and was unanimous in holding that loyal citizens should be released. The ruling came one day after the War Department announced that loyal citizens of Japanese ancestry would be permitted to return to their former homes after 33 months of enforced absence in relocation centers. In a second decision, the court rules that Fred Toyosaburo Korematsu is indeed guilty of remaining in a military area contrary to the exclusion order. This case challenged the constitutionality of the entire exclusion process.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Bougainville, "Arty Hill" as it was known, is captured by the Queensland 9th Battalion, 7th Brigade, and is a major Japanese position on the Numa Numa Trail leading across Bougainville.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 33 B-24s bomb barracks and administrative buildings at Hankow; 23 B-25s hit Wuchang; 7 B-25s bomb barracks and damage a bridge at Siaokan Airfield while 6 others pound storage buildings at Kunlong; 149 P-40s and P-51s support the Hankow, Siaokan, and Wuchang raids and claim 42 aircraft downed and destroyed on the ground; 20 P-51s and P-38s follow the B-25 strike on Kunlong with napalm attacks, causing considerable damage; 28 other P-40s and P-51s attack various targets of opportunity around Hochih, Nanning and Mengmao, China; Wanling, Burma; and Sang Song and and Phu Lang Thuong, French Indochina.
77 B-29 Superfortresses and 200 other aircraft of the U.S. 14th Air Force carry out a raid on Hankow. This industrial town served as a supply base in China.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 21: 94 B-29s, flying out of the Chengtu, China area, are dispatched to drop incendiaries on the docks at Hankow, China in the first mass firebomb attack by B-29s; the strike is made in conjunction with 200 aircraft of the Fourteenth AF; 84 bomb the primary target and 5 others hit alternate targets; they claim 1-3-10 Japanese aircraft.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): 17 P-47s destroy bypass bridges at Hinlong, China and Wingkang, Burma. In Burma, 12 B-25s knock out two railroad bridges at Wetlet and damage another at Saye; 11 P-47s hit the airfield at Nawnghkio while 12 others sweep airfields at Anisakan, Hsumhsai, and Nawnghkio; 9 fighter-bombers provide close support to ground forces in Namhkam; 17 P-47s attack personnel and supply areas at Man Ton and Hseing- hkai. 292 transports fly men and supplies to forward bases and battle areas. The 427th Night Fighter Squadron, Tenth AF, based at Myitkyina, Burma with P-61s, sends a detachment to operate from Kunming, China.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 6 Guam based B-24s flying armed photo reconnaissance over Moen Airfield, Param Airfield, and Eten Airfield and bomb Dublon; after photographing the airfields on the 3 islands, the B-24s return by way of Woleai and Puluwat Atolls, and Namonuito and photograph all 3. During the night of 18/19 Dec, 4 B-24s from Guam and Saipan fly snooper strikes against Iwo Jima.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 13: 89 B-29s flying out of the Mariana are sent to hit the Mitsubishi aircraft plant at Nagoya, Japan; 63 hit the primary target and 10 bomb last resort targets and targets of opportunity; they claim 5-11-12 enemy aircraft; 4 B-29s are lost.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces fighter-bombers attack targets of opportunity in the Tarakan Island, Borneo, area, strafe seaplane facilities at Sanga Sanga, Borneo, and bomb Haroekoe Airfield on Haroekoe Island off Ambon Island.

PACIFIC OCEAN: The USN's Third Fleet (Admiral William F. Halsey Jr.) encounters a typhoon 220 nautical miles NE of Samar Island, Philippine Islands. The destroyers USS Hull, Monaghan, and Spence are sunk about 281 nautical miles NE of Tacloban, Leyte Island, Philippine Islands, in position 14.57N, 127.58E. Typhoon "Cobra," with 70 foot waves toss the three destroyers about like corks. Water pouring down the funnels cause the ships to turn over 60 degrees and finally capsize and only 92 crewmen of the three destroyers are rescued. Destroyer escort USS Tabberer, which herself sustains storm damage, rescues 41 USS Hull survivors and 14 from USS Spence (remaining men will be rescued on 20 December). Ships that suffer varying degrees of damage include small aircraft carriers USS Cowpens, Monterey, Cabot, and San Jacinto; escort aircraft carriers USS Altamaha, Nehenta Bay, Cape Esperance, and Kwajalein; light cruiser USS Miami; destroyers USS Dewey, Aylwin, Buchanan, Dyson, Hickox, Maddox, and Benham; destroyer escorts USS Melvin R. Nawman, Tabberer, and Waterman; oiler USS Nantahala; and fleet tug USS Jicarilla. In all, 765 men and 146 aircraft are lost. Admiral Halsey is held responsible for the disaster for failing to sail the Third Fleet ships out of the typhoon's path.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte Island, the 126th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, works slowly forward south of Limon and closes the gap between it and 127th Infantry Regiment. The 12th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division, patrols and prepares to drive on Lonoy and Kananga. In the XXIV Corps area, the 307th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, takes Valencia and its airstrip without opposition. The 306th Infantry Regiment overtakes the 307th at Valencia and makes patrol contact with the 305th Infantry Regiment. The 305th blocks off the road to Dolores. The southern part of the Ormoc Valley from Ormoc to Valencia is now clear of Japanese.
On Leyte Island, USAAF Far East Air Forces fighter-bombers destroy a bridge on the Palompon-Cananga road and attack Calatagan Airfield on Cebu Island; B-25s hit San Roque Airfield on Mindanao Island; and fighter-bombers attack Tanao harbor on Panay Island.

 

[syscom3]

Dec 19th 1944

UNITED STATES: Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander of the Pacific Fleet and Commander of the Pacific Ocean Area, is promoted to the (five-star) rank of Fleet Admiral.
A 3 by 4 feet piece from a paper Japanese Fu-Go balloon is found at Manderson, Wyoming. The date of the landing cannot be determined. Manderson is located about 105 miles south of Billings, Montana.

ZONE OF INTERIOR (HQ AAF): 4 fighters of the Fourth AF, directed by the Los Angeles Control Group to search for a Japanese balloon reported over Santa Monica, are unable to locate the target.
BURMA: In the British Fourteenth Army's IV Corps area, the Indian 19th Division takes Wunthe. In the XXXIII Corps area, the British 2nd Division, having moved forward from Kohima, crosses the Chindwin River at Kalewa and is relieving the East African 11th Division.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 16 B-25s, escorted by 24 P-40s, attack Pengpu; 4 P-51s claim 2 freighters sunk off Hong Kong; and 2 P-40s destroy 3 locomotives and a truck at Sinyang. In Burma, 4 P-38s bomb the Wanling-Mongyu road causing a traffic block.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 22: 36 B-29s, from the Chengtu, China area, are dispatched to hit an aircraft plant at Omura, Japan; 17 hit the primary target and 13 others hit secondary target of Shanghai, China, and another 2 strike other alternates; they claim 5-4-12 Japanese aircraft; 2 B-29s are lost.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s hit road junctions at Mongmit and S of Kyaukme, the Kyaukme railroad station, and Hsenwi bridge; 7 P-47s severely damage the Tonbo road bridge, and 11 others hit targets of opportunity during a Onmaka-Hsoplong rail sweep; 42 P-47s pound supply and personnel areas and troops at Myadaung, Tantabin, and Twinnge, the village of Nyaugbintha, and a truck park near Humon. 300+ transport sorties are flown to forward areas; the 164th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Asansol, India to Inbaung with UC-64s and L-5s (first mission is today) replacing the 166th Liaison Squadron (Commando) which moves from Inbaung to Asansol.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): HQ Seventh AF is officially opened at Tanapag. 27 B-24s from Saipan and 25 from Guam strike Iwo Jima. 3 B-24s on armed reconnaissance from Guam bomb Marcus. 14 P-38s from Saipan, with 3 B-29s as navigational escort, strafe airfields on Iwo Jima. 4 B-25s from Guam and Saipan carry out 3 snooper strikes against Iwo Jima during the night of 19/20 Dec.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): HQ 505th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) arrives at North Field from the US.

NEW GUINEA: Australian Lieutenant General Frank Berryman, Chief of Staff Advanced Headquarter Allied Land Forces South West Pacific, is convinced that U.S. Lieutenant General Richard Sutherland, Chief of Staff South West Pacific Area, is trying to hinder Australian liaison with General Headquarters, and sends a message to U.S. General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, Commander in Chief South West Pacific Area, stating: "General (Thomas) Blamey (Commander in Chief Allied Land Forces South West Pacific and Commander in Chief Australian Military Force) desires direct liaison and would appreciate attachment of Lieutenant General Berryman and small personal staff to Advanced General Headquarters (at Hollandia) as early as convenient to you."

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies (NEI), USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25s, A-20s, and P-38s attack the Kairatoe area on Celebes Island. Other FEAF aircraft on armed reconnaissance, sweeps, and small strikes hit targets of opportunity at many locations throughout the NEI.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: While the fighting on Leyte and Mindoro continues, the Japanese high command decides that no more reinforcements or supplies will be sent to the 35th Army.
In the U.S. Army's X Corps area on Leyte Island, the 127th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division continues to battle the Japanese south of Limon. The 12th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division, attacks toward Lonoy, on Highway 2, and seizes this barrio. In the XXIV Corps area, the 307th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division attacks north astride Highway 2 toward Libongao, gaining nearly 3 miles (4,8 kilometers); the 306th Infantry Regiment to the west pushes toward the Palompon road, which patrols reach. On Mindoro Island, the Western Visayan Task Force, helped by Mindoro guerrillas, begins a series of patrol actions along the south, west and northwest shores of Mindoro and a reconnaissance of small islands offshore.
USAAF Far East Air Forces fighter-supported B-25s bomb Fabrica Airfield on Negros Island. Fighters on a sweep over Ponay, and Leyte Islands hit Fabrica, Bacolod, Silay, Dumaguete and Alicante Airfields, and the town of Palompon on Leyte Island. On Luzon, B-24s bomb Legaspi Airfield while P-38s hit Batangas Airfield.
The planned bombardment of Luzon by the large carriers of U.S. Third Fleet is canceled because of weather conditions.

PACIFIC OCEAN: In the East China Sea, the Japanese aircraft carrier HIJMS Unryu is torpedoed and sunk by the USN submarine USS Redfish about 204 nautical miles NW of Naha, Okinawa, in position 28.19N, 124.40E. This was the first war voyage for HIJMS Unryu. The ship is carrying a special cargo of 30 Yokosuka MXY7 Navy Suicide Attacker Ohka (Cherry Blossom) Model 11 rocket propelled suicide aircraft before being sent on her way to confront the U.S. invasion forces in the Philippine Islands. The first torpedo strikes Unryu on the starboard side under the bridge; the second torpedo struck 15 minutes later under the forward elevator setting off the deadly Ohka bombs and aviation gas stored in the lower hanger deck. The detonations literally blows the bow area apart. After the boiler rooms flood, the ship lists to over 30 degrees and the order to abandon ship is given. Minutes later, with a 90 degree list, the carrier plunges headfirst into the water. There are only 147 survivors of the 1,241 crew plus an unknown number of passengers. Redfish is damaged in the resultant depth charging, and is forced to terminate her patrol.