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

[syscom3]

Dec 20th 1944 38,413

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A B-24 flies armed reconnaissance over the Kurile Islands; another B-24 strikes Onnekotan Island installations, while 2 more flying armed photo mission over Kashiwabara, Paramushiru Island, and Katoaka, Shimushu Island also strafe buildings on Onnekotan Island and bomb Nemo Bay. 4 B-25s abort a fighter-decoy mission due to weather.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 118 P-51s and P-40s on armed reconnaissance over S China and E Burma attack road, rail, and river traffic and other targets of opportunity, mainly in or near Wanling, Mongyu, Monhkong, and Lashio, Burma; and Hochih, Chinchengchiang, Hong Kong, Sinyang, Lohochai, Leiyang, Kweilin, Sintsiang, Siangtan, Paoching, Liuchenghsien, Hengshan, and Hengyang, China. HQ 1st Combat Cargo Group moves from Tulihal, India to Tsuyung, China.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 9 B-25s destroy 3 road bridges at Mongmit, bypass bridges at Tangon and Tantabin, and 3 bridges in N Burma; 3 other B-25s blast the ferry area at Thabeikkyin; 12 P-47s knock out the Hay-ti road bridge and damage the Pa-mao bridge; 12 other fighter-bombers sweep the Irrawaddy River from Sheinmaga to Twinnge, strafing several targets of opportunity; 13 P-47s support ground forces in the Namhkam sector; troops, supply areas, and buildings are pounded at Hseing-kai, Tigyaing, Na-kawnkongnyaung, and Man Hkunhawng. Transport operations to front areas total 284 sorties. The 492d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th BG (Heavy), based at Madhaiganij, India with B-24s, sends a detachment to Luliang, China to ferry gasoline to Suichwan, China.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 23 B-24s, based on Saipan, pound Iwo Jima. During the night of 20/21 Dec, 6 B-24s from Guam and Saipan hit Iwo Jima with 5 snooper strikes.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: 150+ B-24s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers pound 10 airfields throughout the C Philippine Islands and 3 on Mindanao Island. In the Netherland East Indies B-24s hit Malang Airfield and B-25s hit Haroekoe Island. Numerous other single FEAF flights and small forces attack a large variety of targets of opportunity throughout the Netherland East Indies and the Philippine Islands. HQ 8th FG and the 35th, 36th and 80th Fighter Squadrons move from Morotai to San Jose, Mindoro Island, Philippine Islands with P-38s.

 

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Dec 21st 1944

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 145 P-40s and P-51s fly armed reconnaissance over wide expanses of S China, E Burma and N French Indochina; the fighters attack chiefly troops and river, road, and rail traffic and a variety of targets of opportunity at numerous locations; 9 B-25s bomb Kunlong and Minkiang, China. The 4th Combat Cargo Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group, moves from Tulihal, India to Chengkung, China with C-47s.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 23: 49 B-29s from Chengtu, China are dispatched to attack Mukden; 19 hit the primary objective (the Manchuria Airplane Manufacturing Company) but it suffers little damage and a nearby arsenal and rail yards are slightly damaged; 8 other B-29s bomb alternate targets and targets of opportunity; they claim 21-6-19 Japanese aircraft; 2 B-29s are lost.

BURMA: In the Northern Combat Area Command (NCAC), the Chinese 114th Regiment, 38th Division, with orders to cut the Burma Road in the Ho-si area, is now near the U.S. 5332d Brigade (Provisonal) . The 5332d Brigade is composed of the Chinese 1st Separate Regiment and the U.S. 124th Cavalry Regiment (Special), 475th Infantry Regiment (Long Range Penetration, Special) and the 612th and 613th Field Artillery Battalions (75mm Pack Howitzer).
In the Allied Land Forces South East Asia (ALFSEA) area, the Indian XV Corps is making such rapid progress on the Arakan front that Admiral Louis Mountbatten, Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia Theatre, holds a commanders conference at Calcutta, India, to discuss exploitation and presents alternative plans for assault on Akyab. By this time, river craft have been launched in the Kalapanzin River to assist the Indian 24th Division.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s bomb a supply and personnel area at Magyidon; 13 P-47s damage bridges at Hay-ti, Mong Long, and Pa-mao; rail targets of opportunity from Hsumhsai to Hsipaw are attacked by 12 P-47s; 20+ fighter-bombers hit troop concentrations at several points including Man Ka-lao and the general area E of the Shweli River; 12 P-47s bomb and strafe the Lashio area. 290+ transport sorties are flown to forward bases and frontline areas. The detachment of the 9th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, operating from Chittagong with F-5s, returns to base at Myitkyina.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 23 Guam based B-24s hit Iwo Jima. During the night of 21/22 Dec, 4 B-24s from the Mariana fly 3 harassment strikes against Iwo Jima.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The 311th Fighter Squadron, 58th FG, moves from San Roque, Leyte Island to San Jose, Mindoro Island with P-47s.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25s attack Goeroea, Anggai, and Lolobata on Halmahera Island.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, Australian Beaufort fighter bombers attack the Japanese east of the Danmap River. The Japanese withdraw to the south and run into an ambush set up by a platoon of the 2/4th Battalion, 19th Brigade, 6th Division; 28 of 40 Japanese troops are killed.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Leyte Island, the U.S. Sixth Army effects a junction between the X and XXIV Corps just south of Kananga at 1645 hours, opening Highway 2 from Ormoc to Pinamopoan and gaining complete control of the Ormoc Valley. In the X Corps area, the 12th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry) attacks and takes Kananga and makes patrol contact with the 77th Infantry Division to the south. In the XXIV Corps area, the 3d Battalion, 306th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, continues east along the Palompon road to its junction with Highway 2, then north along the highway toward Kananga, making contact with Troop A of the 12th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry) at 1645 hours. The 307th Infantry Regiment reaches the road junction north of Libongao without trouble and assists the 306th Infantry Regiment. On the division's western flank, the 1st Battalion, 306th Infantry Regiment, after a concentrated artillery preparation, takes the ridge commanding the Togbong River bridge site a
nd outposts it but is driven off. In preparation for the next task of the 77th Infantry Division, a drive west and seizure of Palompon, artillery is emplaced near San Jose within range of Palompon.
On Mindoro Island, the Japanese, having received reinforcements by air for the defense of the island, attack a resupply convoy moving toward that island, destroying two tank landing ships (LSTs) and damaging other shipping. From the Pasugi-Pianag area, a patrol of guerrillas and the 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment sail north to Sabalayan; from there move on foot to Mamburao to reconnoiter toward Palauan and Abra de Ilog.
USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers attack ten airfields mostly on Negros Island and elsewhere in the central Philippine Islands. Leyte Island-based fighter-bombers fly over 100 attack sorties. Likanan Airfield on Mindanao Island is also hit by B-24s.

UNITED STATES: General Henry H. "Hap" Arnold, Commanding General U.S. Army Air Forces, is promoted to the (five star) rank of General of the Army.

 

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Dec 22nd 1944

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-25s damage a bridge at Song Hoa, French Indochina and 2 B-25s bomb Yungning, China. 80+ P-51s and P-40s on armed reconnaissance over wide reaches of S China, E Burma, and N French Indochina hit numerous targets of opportunity. Airfields at Heho, Burma and Tien Ho in Canton, China are strafed and several aircraft are destroyed in battles over Canton and Kai Tek Airfield in Hong Kong. Rail facilities, riverand road traffic, and other targets of opportunity are hit at several locations including Wanling, Burma; Gia Lam, French Indochina; and Chinchengehiang and the Pingsiang-Yungning, China area.

BURMA: In the Northern Combat Area Command area, the 29th Brigade, British 36th Division, moving down the Irrawaddy River, gets patrols to Tigyaing, from which the Japanese have withdrawn. From Tigyaing the brigade is to cross the river for a drive on Mongmit while the rest of the division closes in on Mongmit from the north.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s bomb a supply area at Magyidon; 8 P-47s knock out the Namhkai bypass bridge and damage 2 bridges at Kinu and 16 hit targets of opportunity along the Irrawaddy River from Tagaung to Thabeikkyin and along the road E and N to Mongmit; 12 P-47s bomb and strafe a personnel area at Onbauk and bridge at Na-lang. 300+ transport sorties are flown to forward areas.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): During the night of 22/23 Dec, 2 Guam and Saipan based B-24s make harassing strikes on Iwo Jima.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 14: 78 B-29s from the Mariana Islands are dispatched to hit the Mitsubishi aircraft industrial complex in Nagoya, Japan; 48 hit the primary target and 14 hit alternate targets; total cloud cover prevents accuracy, and damage is light; they claim 9-17-15 Japanese aircraft; 3 B-29s are lost.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Units moving from Letye Island to San Jose: HQ 417th BG and the 672d, 673d, 674th and 675th Bombardment Squadrons from Tacloban with A-20s; the 69th and 310th Fighter Squadrons, 58th FG, from San Roque with P-47s.

EAST INDIES: In the Moluccas Islands of the Netherlands East Indies, numerous fighter-bombers pound the Wasile Bay and Goeroea areas on Galela Island and Hate Tabako Aerodrome on Halmahera Island. USAAF and Australian B-24 Liberators, B-25 Mitchells, and fighter-bombers bomb Lolobato and Hate Tabako Aerodromes on Halmahera Island and the Goeroea area. The Australian First Tactical Air Force beings a four-day blitz on Japanese installations. A total of 384 Kittyhawk and 129 Beaufighter sorties are made in the four days.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte Island, the 127th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division reaches Lonoy. The 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, aided by a mortar platoon brought forward by sea, clears Tuktuk. In the XXIV Corps area, the 2d and 3d Battalions, 305th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, start west from Valencia toward the coast at Palompon, passing through the 1st Battalion, the 306th Infantry Regiment at the Togbong River and continuing across the Pagsangahan River toward Matagob. Engineers follow closely to work on the bridges.
On Luzon, USAAF Far East Air Forces (FEAF) B-24s, with P-47 support, bomb Clark Field while P-47 Thunderbolts bomb and strafe Lipa Airfield. On Negros Island, B-24s bomb Carolina Airfield while B-25s, with P-47 cover, hit Fabrica Aerodrome. On Mindanao Island, B-24s bomb storage and personnel areas while B-25s hit the waterfront at Zamboanga. FEAF aircraft fly numerous shipping searches, armed reconnaissance, and sweeps over Mindanao and throughout the Netherlands East Indies.

 

[syscom3]

Dec 23rd 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): The weather mission finds squall conditions and is aborted.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 8 B-25s pound points along the Burma Road. 13 B-25s hit town areas, trains, and other targets of opportunity at Vinh, French Indochina, from Dap Cau, French Indochina to Lungchow, China, and from Lang Son, French Indochina to Yungning, China. In China, 3 B-25s and 5 P-40s damage about 50 railroad cars in the area S of the Yellow River; 16 P-51s over Wuchang and Hankow damage 2 ferry ramps and blast 3 oil dumps. 12 P-51s and P-38s damage 2 hangars at Heho Airfield, Burma, and in China, 12 P-51s pound railroad shops at Chenghsien and bomb Houmachen with napalm.

BURMA: In the British Fourteenth Army's XXXIII Corps area, the Indian 19th Division takes Kokoggon.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 15 P-47s knock out and damage bridges at Mong Long, Pa-mao, and Man Pwe; 12 B-25s destroy bridges at Tonbo, Saye, Ketka, and Nampawng, and damage several others; 40+ fighter-bombers attack storage areas, bivouacs, and enemy-held points at Namhkam, Nyaunggyin, Hseing-hkai, Mongyin, and Kutkai. Transport sorties to forward bases and frontline areas total 353.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 12 B-24s from Saipan Island and 14 from Guam hit Iwo Jima; 3 others from Guam, flying armed reconnaissance bomb Woleai. During the night 2 B-24s from Guam and Saipan fly harassing strikes against Iwo Jima.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): HQ 313th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) and HQ 504th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) and the 398th and 421st Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy) arrive at North Field from the US with B-29s.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The air echelon of the 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment), 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from Biak Island to San Jose, Mindoro Island with B-25s (the squadron is based at Tacloban).

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25s and fighter-bombers blast Lolobata and Hate Tabako Aerodromes, and the Goeroea area on Halmahara Island.. Numerous FEAF aircraft fly various small strikes, armed reconnaissance, and sweeps over the Netherlands East Indies while fighter-bombers are especially active against targets on Halmahera Island.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In Pampanga Province on Luzon, 15 American POWs, who are too sick to work, are taken from their prison cells and driven to the outskirts of San Fernando. There, in a small cemetery, a hole 15 square feet is dug. Guards from the truck then take up positions around the hole. One by one, the POWs are brought to the edge of the hole and ordered to kneel. They are then bayoneted and decapitated. After the war, the guard commander, Lieutenant TOSHINO Junsabura , is tried, sentenced to death and hanged.
In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte Island, the corps begins an advance west toward the coast from Highway 2. The 1st Cavalry Division, on the southern flank, leads off, moving slowly over difficult terrain unopposed by the Japanese. The 32d Infantry Division reconnoiters with the 127th and 128th Infantry Regiments in preparation for a drive westward. In the XXIV Corps area, in preparation for an assault on Palompon by land and sea, 77th Infantry Division artillery and USAAF Fifth Air Force planes pound the town. The reinforced 1st Battalion, 305th Infantry Regiment, which is to make the amphibious assault, moves to Ormoc. The 305th Infantry Regiment (less 1st Battalion) continues an overland drive toward Palompon, pushing through Matagob under heavy fire. Japanese efforts to penetrate U.S. lines, during the night of 23/24 December, fail.
On Mindoro Island, a new airfield, called Ellmore Field, on the south bank of the Bugsanga River, is ready for limited use.
USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s bomb Fabrica and Silay Airfields on Negros Island while P-38s and P-47s provide cover. B-24s bomb Grace Park Airfield in the suburbs of Manila on Luzon. On Mindanao Island, B-25 Mitchells attack San Roque Airfield and the Davao and Zamboanga areas. Numerous FEAF aircraft fly various small strikes, armed reconnaissance, and sweeps over the Philippine Islands and fighter-bombers are especially active against targets in the central Philippines.

 

[syscom3]

Dec 24th 1944

ALASKA: A paper Japanese Fu Go balloon with the usual equipment lands at Holy Cross, Territory of Alaska. Holy Cross is located in southwestern Alaska about 235 miles SE of Nome.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 6 B-25s blast the Kunlong ferry area; 3 B-24s claim 1 tanker sunk in the S China Sea; 100+ P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance attack targets of opportunity throughout S China, especially river, road, and rail traffic, troops, and buildings around Hengyang, Lingling, Siangtan, and Changsha; also Hong Kong area shipping is pounded (1 tanker claimed sunk and other ships damaged) and 30+ enemy aircraft claimed destroyed at Tsinan Airfield; the 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, based at Chengkung with P-51s, sends a detachment to operate from Kwanghan (another detachment is at Liangshan).

BURMA: In the British Fourteenth Army's XXXIII Corps area, the British 2d and Indian 20th Divisions overcome strong opposition in Pyingaing

INDIA: The Japanese fly their last bombing raid against Calcutta.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 38 P-47s hit troop concentrations and supply areas at Pangkai, Man Namman, Man Om, Mong Nge, and Kyanhnyat; 6 support ground forces in the Si-U sector while 12 hit targets of opportunity along the Sinlum-Nawghkio rail line; and 8 P-47s strafe the Lashio Airfield. 287 transport sorties are flown to forward areas. The detachment of the 6th Fighter Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, operating from Fenny, India with P-47s, returns to base at Asansol, India.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 12 B-24s from Saipan and 38 from Guam strike Iwo Jima and 17 Saipan based P-38s make a low-level strafing attack on Iwo Jima. 23 other B-24s, based on Saipan, bomb Chichi Jima. 2 B-24s on harassment strikes from the Mariana hit Iwo Jima during the night of 24/25 Dec.

VOLCANO ISLANDS: USN Task Group 94.9, the heavy cruisers USS Chester, Pensacola and Salt Lake City, and nine destroyers, follows the USAAF bombing raids on Iwo Jima by shelling the airstrips and other installations there; destroyers USS Case and Roe sink Japanese fast transport T.8 and landing ship T.157.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 15: 29 Mariana based B-29s are dispatched to attack 2 airfields on Iwo Jima; 23 hit the primary targets and 1 hits an alternate target without loss. The 482d, 483d and 484th Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy), 505th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), arrive at North Field from the US with B-29s (first mission is 30 Dec).

EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Forces attack Kudat Airfield in North Borneo and B-25 Mitchells and fighter-bombers attack the Goeroea area in the Moluccas Islands of the Netherlands East Indies (NEI). Again FEAF aircraft on miscellaneous small operations attack many targets throughout the NEI.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, the 1st Cavalry Division continues steadily west against scattered resistance, the 12th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry) wading swamps in its sector. The 32d Infantry Division, with the 127th and 128th Infantry Regiments in assault, starts west toward the coast on northern flank of the corps, slowed more by terrain than resistance. In the XXIV Corps area, the 1st Battalion (reinforced) , 305th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, embarks at Ormoc and at 2000 hours sails for Palompon, the convoy protected by motor torpedo boats (PTs). The 305th Infantry Regiment, less the 1st Battalion, is lightly opposed as it continues west along the road to Palompon.
USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s bomb Clark Field on Luzon Island and Puerto Princesa Airfield on Palawan Island and Kudat Airfield. B-25s bomb Silay Airfield on Negros Island and on Mindanao Island, hit San Roque barracks, the Zamboanga waterfront, and Davao Bay shipping. Again FEAF aircraft on miscellaneous small operations attack many targets throughout the Philippine Islands. P-47 pilots shoot down 33 Japanese fighters over Luzon between 1015 and 1150 hours; four P-47s are lost.
During the night of 24/25 December, a Japanese bomber destroys a 100,000 U.S. gallon aviation storage tank at Hill Field on Mindoro Island. As a result, flight operations are restricted from this base for several weeks.

 

[syscom3]

Dec 25th 1944 38,727

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-25s and 8 fighter-bombers knock out a bridge at Wan Pa-Hsa, Burma. 22 P-51s pound a railroad ferry, damage a tanker at Nanking, China, and hit a nearby airfield, claiming 13 aircraft destroyed. 30+ other P-51s, P-40s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance hit various targets of opportunity around Yungning, Kunming, Kiungshan, and Paoching, China; and Wanling, Man Pong, and Mong Long, Burma. The detachment of the 426th Night Fighter Squadron, Fourteenth AF, operating from Kunming with P-61s, returns to base at Chengtu.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 4 P-47s bomb and strafe troop concentrations and supplies at Mabein; 8 others sweep Burma Road stretches and strafe Lashio Airfield. Transports fly 259 sorties delivering men and supplies to forward bases and frontline areas.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 12 B-24s from Saipan bomb Iwo Jima; B-24s from Guam and Saipan continue night strikes against Iwo Jima during the night of 25/26 Dec.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA: B-24s with P-38 fighter support including 475th FG, attack Mabalacat Airfield, Sasa Airfield, Sandakan and Jesselton Airfield. B-25s, along with RAAF fighter-bombers, hit the Galela area on Halmahera Island. Other B-25s and fighter-bombers pound Mindanao and Halmahera Islands targets again during several smaller raids throughout the day. The 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, based at Dulag begins operating from San Jose with P-40s.

 

[syscom3]

Dec 26th 1944

BURMA: In the British Fourteenth Army's XV Corps area, the Indian 25th Division reaches Foul Point, at the tip of the Mayu Peninsula, well ahead of the expected time. The Japanese decide to withdraw from Akyab.

CHINA: Major General Albert Wedemeyer, Commanding General U.S. China Theater of Operations and Chief of Staff to Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, meeting with Chiang Kai-shek, U.S. Ambassador Major General Patrick Hurley, and Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs, T. V. Soong, proposes that the food, clothing, and pay of Chinese Army be improved. He also informs the Generalissimo that plans are being made for an offensive (Operation BETA) against Kweilin, Liuchow, and Canton.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-25s bomb Wan Lai-Kam, Burma and in China, 5 B-25s hit targets of opportunity in the Formosa Strait, in the Siang-Chiang Valley, and at Ikiawan and Changsha and 12 P-51s attack the Tsinan Airfield. 46 P-51s, P-38s, and P-40s hit railroad targets, shipping, storage and other targets of opportunity at or near Kinkiang, Anking, and Ka-chun, China; Lampang, Thailand; and the Mong Long Valley, and Man Pong, Burma.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 8 B-25s knock out and damage bridges at Taunggon, Padan, and Kyaukhlebein; 34 P-47s hit troop concentrations at Panghai, Mongyu, Na-hsang, Man Om, and Hpa-lin; 8 others hit stores area and a distributing point at Hsenwi, 11 attack supplies at Pangpao, and 2 bomb rafts, boats, and landing points at the Myitson ferry; 4 B-25s fly offensive night reconnaissance against communications lines; HQ 33d Fighter Group moves from Nagaghuli to Sahmaw. 275 transport sorties are flown to forward areas. In India, HQ 4th Combat Cargo Group and the 16th Combat Cargo Squadron move from Sylhet to Agartala with C-46s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 13 Guam based B-24s hit Iwo Jima. 3 from Saipan fly armed reconnaissance and bomb Marcus. 2 B-24s from the Mariana Islands strike Iwo Jima during the night of 26/27 Dec.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The 418th Night Fighter Squadron, 310th Bombardment Wing (Medium), moves from Morotai to San Jose, Mindoro with P-61s. The 36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, moves from Hollandia, New Guinea to Biak Island with F-5s (first mission is 25 Mar 45).

EAST INDIES: On Halmahera Island, USAAF Far East Air Forces (FEAF) B-25s, B-24s, and fighter-bombers hit Galela, Lolobata, and Hate Tabako. Miscellaneous attacks by other FEAF aircraft are flown against targets in North Borneo, northeast Celebes, and Halmahera Islands. A B-24s sinks a Japanese cargo vessel off south coast of Boeroe Island.

PACIFIC OCEAN: In the South China Sea, the Japanese "Intrusion Force" under Rear Admiral KIMURA Masanori, consisting of the heavy cruiser HIJMS Ashigara, light cruiser HIJMS Oyodo, three destroyers and three escort destroyers, approaches Mindoro Island, Philippine Islands, to bombard the beachhead. USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25s, P-38s, P-40s, and P-47 Thunderbolts and USN PB4Ys and PBM Mariners successively attack the force. They damage heavy cruiser HIJMS Ashigara (near-misses), light cruiser HIJMS Oyodo, destroyers HIJMS Asashimo, Kiyoshimo, and Kasumi, and escort destroyers HIJMS Kaya and Kashi. KIMURA's force carries out its bombardment mission, then encounters U.S. motor torpedo boats; PT-77 is damaged, probably accidentally bombed by friendly aircraft. Subsequently, PT-223 sinks the already damaged destroyer HIJMS Kiyoshimo off San Jose, Mindoro. The Japanese ships arrive off Mindoro and about 2300 hours begin bombarding the beachhead.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Eighth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, the 1st Cavalry and 32d Infantry Divisions continue west over rough terrain. The 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, prepares to clear the northwestern part of the Leyte Peninsula. Companies F and G sail at 2300 hours through Biliran Strait to Gigantangan Island, where they spend the night. In the XXIV Corps area, the 77th Infantry Division remains in place in the Palompon sector.
USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s bomb Clark Field on Luzon Island. On Mindanao Island, B-25s hit Matina Airfield, shipping in the Davao River, and bomb nearby Samal Island while B-24s hit Libby airfield.
USAAF Fifth Air Force P-38 pilot Major Thomas B. McGuire, Jr., shoots down four Japanese "Zeke" fighters over Manila, Luzon. McGuire has shot down seven "Zekes" in two days and he is nominated and later awarded the Medal of Honor for these actions. This brings his total victories to 38.

 

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Dec 27th 1944

BONIN AND VOLCANO ISLANDS: USN Task Group 94.9, the heavy cruisers USS Chester, Pensacola and Salt Lake City and seven destroyers, follows up the USAAF strikes with a bombardment of Japanese installations on Iwo Jima and shipping offshore. Destroyer USS Dunlap is damaged by shore battery, but not before she teams with USS Fanning and Cummings to sink a fast transport and a landing ship.

BURMA: In the Northern Combat Area Command (NCAC) area, the U.S. 124th Cavalry Regiment (Special), upon completing its march to Momauk, begins reorganizing for combat.
In the British Fourteenth Army area, the XV Corps commander recommends that operations against Akyab be advanced to 3 January 1945.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 6 B-25s bomb the area W of Kengtung; 2 B-25s and 8 P-40s hit the Ishan area; 29 P-40s and P-51s attack the area S of Puchi; 17 P-51s over White Cloud, Whampoa, and Tien Ho Airfields in Canton, claim 10 airplanes destroyed; 2 P-51s are lost. 40+ P-40s and P-51s hit targets of opportunity at or near Kweiyi, China; Vinh, Yen, and Mong Khong, French Indochina; and Lungan, Mong Long, and Namtao, Burma.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 8 B-25s attack bridges at Kin and Kyaukhlebein, damaging the former; 28 P-47s hit troop and supply areas at Se-hai, Man Hkam, Mong Yok, and Mong Nge. American B-24's score direct hits on a railway bridge in Burma using guided bombs. 285 transport sorties are flown to forward areas. 4 B-25s continue offensive reconnaissance against communications lines during the night of 27/28 Dec. The 9th Combat Cargo Squadron, 3d Combat Cargo Group, moves from Moran, India to Warazup, Burma with C-47s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 13 Saipan based B-24s hit Iwo Jima while 21 more bomb Chichi Jima; 35 B-24s from Guam also pound Iwo Jima while P-38s strafe the island on which 2 B-24s also make snooper strikes during the night of 27/28 Dec.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 16: 72 B-29s from the Mariana Islands are sent to bomb Tokyo's Nakajima and Musashino aircraft plants; 39 hit the primary targets and 13 attack alternates and targets of opportunity; enemy fighters are active, flying 250+ individual attacks on the B-29s; B-29s claim 21-10-7 fighters; 3 B-29s are lost, 1 to fighters and 2 to mechanical difficulties. B-29s and crews of the 313th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy), commanded by Colonel John H Davies, begin to arrive on Tinian Island, joining the the 73d Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) as the XXI Bomber Command's second operational wing.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: HQ 345th BG (Medium) and the 498th, 499th, 500th and 501st Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) move from Dulag to Tacloban with B-25s.

EAST INDIES: Small miscellaneous strikes are carried out by the USAAF Far East Air Forces over Borneo, Celebes Islands, and the Lesser Sunda Islands.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Eighth Army's X Corps area on Leyte Island, Companies F and G, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, sail from Gigantangan Island. to Taglawigan, on the northwestern coast of Leyte Peninsula, and land without opposition, taking Taglawigan. They then proceed by sea and overland to Daha, which is also secured. Company G, reinforced, moves south by sea to the San Isidro area and goes ashore. The 1st Battalion, meanwhile, ordered to take San Isidro, moves overland from Calumbian to the heights overlooking the town. In the XXIV Corps area, the 3d Battalion, 305th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, takes the heights 600 yards ahead as it continues west along the Palompon road against tenacious resistance. The 2d Battalion is to move forward by water. The 1st Battalion,
305th Infantry Regiment, remains in the Palompon area, patrolling and awaiting the rest of regiment.
USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s bomb San Jose and Talisay Airfields on Negros Island and Matina Airfield on Mindanao Island.

 

[syscom3]

Dec 28th 1944

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 2 B-25s and 16 fighter-bombers hit town areas, railroad targets, and gun positionsin the Hengyang-Leiyang area. 20 P-51s and P-38s attack Gia Lam Airfield, French Indochina, pounding the barracks area, hangars, shops, and railroad facilities. 40+ other P-51s, P-40s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance over S China and over French Indochina hit targets of opportunity at several locations including areas around Anking, Kinkiang Yungning, Siangtan, and Yuncheng, China; Wanling, Mongyu, Man Pong, and Namtao, Burma; and Hanoi and Lang Son, French Indochina.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 23 P-47s knock out a bridge at Nampawng and damage others at Man Pwe and Hsenwi; 8 B-25s destroy bridges at Kin and Kyaukhlebein, hit an already unserviceable bridge at Padon, damage a bypass road at Lashio and bomb troop concentrations, supplies, and artillery at Mong Hseng, Mong Tat, and Kathe. 297 transport sorties are flown to forward areas. 4 B-25s continue offensive reconnaissance over communications lines during the night of 28/29 Dec. In India, the 5th Fighter Squadron (Commando) moves from Asansol to Fenny with P-47s. The 165th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Asansol, India to Kawlin, Burma with UC-64s and L-5s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 13 B-24s, flying out of Saipan, bomb an airfield on Iwo Jima which is hit again during the night of 28/29 Dec when B-24s from Guam and Saipan fly 2 single-plane strikes.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Units arriving at North Field from the US with B-29s: HQ 6th BG (Very Heavy) and the 24th and 39th Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy) (first mission 27 Jan 45); HQ 9th BG (Very Heavy) and the 1st, 5th and 99th Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy) (first mission 25 Jan 45).

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, the Australian Piper Force Piper Force (two battalions of the 2/11th Battalion, 19th Brigade, 6th Division) occupies the Musimbe area and the 2/8th Battalion, 19th Brigade, 6th Division, concentrates at Luain, 1 mile east of Suain.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA : The 38th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 13 AF [attached to 4th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance)], moves from Hollandia, New Guinea to Morotai Island with F-5s (first mission is 21 Feb 45).

EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25s attack Laha and Kairatoe Airfields on Ambon Island and Haroekoe Airfield on Haroekoe Island while fighter-bombers hit Namlea Airfield on Boeroe (Buroe) Island. In the Soembawa-Flores Island area in the Lesser Sunda Islands, B-24s attack Japanese shipping. FEAF fighters and bombers on numerous small raids hit targets on Borneo, Celebes, Halmahera, Timor and Tanimbar Islands.

PACIFIC OCEAN: Japanese air attacks commence against the 99-ship Mindoro Island, Philippine Island-bound USN Task Group 77.11; Allied air cover cannot be provided because of bad weather over the airfields within range. Kamikazes crash tank landing ship USS LST-750 and U.S. freighters SS William Sharon and SS John Burke. SS John Burke, carrying ammunition, explodes, the cataclysmic blast damaging station tanker USS Porcupine (IX-126) and motor torpedo boat PT-332. There are no survivors from among SS John Burke's 40-man merchant complement and 28-man Armed Guard. Fragments from John Burke also hit freighter SS Francisco Morozan 100 yards away, wounding three of that ship's merchant complement. SS William Sharon, set afire by the kamikaze and gutted by fires that are ultimately controlled, is abandoned, the survivors transferring to destroyer USS Wilson, whose assistance proves invaluable in extinguishing the blaze that has consumed the freighter. Combat-salvage vessel USS Grapple (ARS-7) later tows the merchantman to San Pedro Bay for repairs. USS LST-750, hit subsequently by an aerial torpedo, is consequently scuttled by destroyer USS Edwards off the southwestern coast of Negros Island. Japanese air attacks continue tomorrow.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Leyte in the U.S. Eighth Army's X Corps area, the 5th and 12th Cavalry Regiments (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division reach the west coast at Tibur, a barrio north of Abijao. The 1st and 2d Battalions, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, take San Isidro against light resistance. In the XXIV Corps area, the 2d Battalion, 305th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, moves by Landing Craft, Mechanized (LCM) from Ormoc to Palompon; the 3d Battalion continues an overland drive, gaining about 1,000 yards.
On Mindoro, Elmore Field is now fully operational.
USAAF Far East Air fighters and bombers on numerous small raids hit targets on Palawan and Mindanao and ,the Lingayen Gulf, and west of Mindoro Island.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Bougainville, Australian Brigadier Raymond Monaghan, General Officer Commanding 29th Brigade, 3rd Division, orders a deep advance along the coast. The 15th Battalion is to seize the south bank of the Tavera Rivera and the log crossing of the Mendai Track north of the river.

 

[syscom3]

Dec 29th 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 3 B-25s on a fighter decoy mission abort due to weather; 2 of them are missing on the return flight. A B-24 bombs Katoaka on Shimushu Island in the Kurile Islands.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-25s attack targets of opportunity from Dong Hoa to Lang Son, French Indochina; 37 P-51s and P-40s on armed reconnaissance attack Gia Lam Airfield in French Indochina and hit various targets of opportunity E of Man Pong and N of Mongyu, Burma; and at Shanhsien and Hei-Shih Kuan and E of Tsingsinghsien, China.

BURMA: The Northern Combat Area Command and British Fourteenth Army fronts are linked as patrols of the British 36th Division establish contact with the Indian 19th Division. On the Arakan front, the Indian XV Corps now holds Rathedaung and Kudaung Island.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 9 B-25s bomb troops and supplies at Panma; 15 P-47s hit the supply area at Twinnge and troop concentration at Wetwun; 4 B-25s continue armed night reconnaissance over communications facilities. Transports fly 289 sorties to forward bases and frontline areas. A detachment of the 166th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, begins operating from Arakan, Burma with UC-64s and L-5s (squadron is based at Asansol, India).

NEW GUINEA: The Australian Piper Force (two battalions of the 2/11th Battalion, 19th Brigade, 6th Division) occupies Musinau, Northeast New Guinea. Musinau is located about 42 miles SE of Aitape.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 26 B-24s, based on Guam pound Iwo Jima which is bombed again for a 6-hour period during the night of 29/30 Dec, by 9 B-24s, flying at varying intervals.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The air echelon of the 82d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, begins operating from San Jose with F-6s and P-40s (squadron is based on Morotai).

EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Forces (FEAF) B-25s and fighter-bombers hit Namlea on Boeroe (Buroe) Island. Fighter-bombers hit northeastern Celebes Island airfields while B-24s bomb Limboeng on Celebes Island. FEAF aircraft fly small strikes against a wide range of targets in northern Borneo and on Timor Island.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Eighth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, the 1st Cavalry Division reaches the west coast and takes Villaba, north of Tibur. The 32d Infantry Division gains its west coast objectives to the north of the 1st Cavalry Division, the 127th Infantry Regiment taking the heights commanding Antipolo Point and the 128th Infantry Regiment reaching the high ground overlooking Tabango and Campopo Bays. Troops of the 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, are eliminating small Japanese groups along the coast. In the XXIV Corps area, the 3d Battalion, 305th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, after advancing 650 yards along the road to Palompon, is pinned down by the Japanese. The Provisional Mountain Force gets into position for a drive east along the Palompon road.
USAAF Far East Air Forces (FEAF) B-24s bomb Sasa Airfield on Mindanao Island. FEAF aircraft fly small strikes against a wide range of targets in the central Philippine Islands and southern Luzon Island.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Bougainville, a company of the Australian 15th Battalion, 29th Brigade, 3rd Division, lands south of the Tavera River and the log crossing on the Mendai Track-Peters's Post and occupy it. Meanwhile, a company of the 47th Battalion, 29th Brigade, advances up the Jaba River and establishes a base about halfway to the junction with the Pagana River. The Australians destroy a Japanese pocket that has been holding up their advance along the Jaba River.

 

[syscom3]

Dec 30th 1944

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-24s damage a bridge W of Kengtung, China while 2 others NE of Thanh Moi, French Indochina, damage a bridge, railroad tracks, and 40+ boxcars. 40+ P-51s and P-40s on armed reconnaissance attack targets of opportunity at several points including areas around Mong Nawng, Man Pong, and Mong Long, Burma; and Ka-chun, Shanhsien, Ichang, and Shayang, China.

BURMA: In the British Fourteenth Army area, the XXXIII Corps takes Kaduma.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 P-47s knock out and damage bridges at Man Pwe, Ho-hko (2 bridges), and Inailong; 17 B-25s blast a troop and supply area at Kyatpyin; 28 P-47s and P-38s hit troops, supplies, and areas of enemy activity at Myethin, Manna, Nanponpon, Lawa, Sabenago, Hmattawmu, and Hosi. Transports complete 338 sorties to forward areas. 4 B-25s continue a single-plane offensive reconnaissance over communications lines during the night of 30/31 Dec.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 14 Saipan Island-based B-24s bomb Iwo Jima Island which is hit again over an almost 7-hour period during the night of 30/31 Dec by 9 B-24s singly operating from Guam Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: HQ 322d Troop Carrier Wing is activated at Hollandia, New Guinea. Units moving from Leyte Island to San Jose: HQ 3d BG and the 8th, 13th, 89th and 90th Bombardment Squadrons from Dulag with A-20s; HQ 49th FG and the 7th and 9th Fighter Squadrons from Tacloban with P-38s; and HQ 58th FG from San Roque.

EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Forces fighter-bombers attack airfields on northern Borneo and northern and southwestern Celebes Island while B-25s hit a barge anchorage and supplies at Haroekoe Island. Smaller strikes by B-25s, B-24s, and fighter-bombers are flown against shipping, oil targets, airfields, and targets of opportunity throughout the Netherlands East Indies.

PACIFIC OCEAN: Japanese air attacks continue on Mindoro, Philippine Islands-bound convoy; kamikazes damage destroyers USS Pringle and Gansevoort; motor torpedo boat tender USS Orestes (AGP-10); and auxiliary USS Porcupine (IX-126). USS Porcupine is ultimately scuttled by USS Gansevoort. A merchant freighter is sunk by bombs off Mindoro Island and a merchant freighter is damaged when a kamikaze is shot down by a U.S. fighter and explodes over the ship.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Eighth Army's X Corps area on Leyte Island, the 1st Cavalry Division makes contact with the 32d Infantry Division northeast of Villaba. In the XXIV Corps area, the 77th Infantry Division begins two-pronged attacks to open the Palompon road. While the 3d Battalion, 305th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, continues west to a point some 1,000 yards SW of Tipolo, the Provisional Mountain Force attacks east until stopped about 4 miles E of Palompon. The Japanese withdraw their main forces, during the night of 30/31 December. Company C, 305th Infantry Regiment, moves by water to Abiao, north of Palompon, and burns the town; continuing north, they gain radio contact with 1st Cavalry Division in the Villaba area.
On Mindoro Island, the second resupply convoy arrives. Under Japanese air attack while en route, the convoy loses three merchant ships, two destroyers, three tank landing ships (LSTs), and a landing craft, mechanized (LCM) at or near the island. Most of the 3d Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, arrives.
In the principal action of the day, USAAF Far East Air Forces fighter-bombers attack airfields in the central Philippines. Smaller strikes by B-25s, B-24s, and fighter-bombers are flown against shipping, and targets of opportunity throughout the Philippine Islands.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Bougainville, Australians of the 25th Battalion, 7th Brigade, 3rd Division, occupy Pearl Ridge. The capture of the heavily defended Japanese position on the Pearl Ridge give the Australians possession of this important vantage point that provided views over both sides of the island.

 

[syscom3]

Dec 31st 1944

CHINA: Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Sheik announces that his government will establish a constitutional government before the end of the war and make China a democratic republic.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-24s claim 1 freighter sunk and another damaged off Hainan Island. 4 B-25s damage 2 bridges and destroy or damage 5 buildings at Mong Ping, Burma. In China, 35 P-40s and P-51s attack troops, horses, town areas, and railroad targets at or near Hankow, Saiping, Siangtan, Hengyang, Lingling, and Kweilin. 29 other fighters on armed reconnaissance hit targets of opportunity at several points in N French Indochina, E Burma, and S China. The detachment of the 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, operating from Liangshan with P-51s, returns to base at Chengkung (another detachment is operating from Kwanghan).

BURMA: In the Northern Combat Area Command (NCAC) area, the U.S. 475th Infantry Regiment (Long Range Penetration, Special), upon relief at Tonk-wa by the Chinese 50th Division, which is now operating in the center, starts a march towards the Mong Wi area, where the 5332d Brigade (Provisional) is to assemble for its first operation as a brigade. The Chinese 1st Separate Regiment, which is to be a part of the 5332d Brigade, will be held in NCAC reserve. The 5332d Brigade consists of the 124th Cavalry Regiment (Special), the 475th Infantry Regiment (Long Range Penetration, Special), the 612th and 613th Field Artillery Battalions (75mm Pack Howitzer) and the Chinese 1st Separate Regiment. The Brigade is also known as the MARS Task Force.
In the British Fourteenth Army's XXXIII Corps area, Kabo falls to the British 2d Division.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 28 P-47s strafe Laihka, Namsang, Aungban, Kunlon, and Heho Airfields; 5 P-47s damage a bridge at Namhkai; a total of 65 P-47s and P-38s hit Japanese Division HQ at Ongyaw and troop concentrations and supply areas at Mongmit, Nawngka, Kawngtawng, Pangnim, Mong Tat, Kutkai, and Man Namman; a few B-25s fly night harassment missions against airfields. About 300 transport sorties are flown to forward areas throughout the day.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): From Guam 19 B-24s hit Iwo Jima airfields during the day; 10 more B-24s hit the island with individual harassment raids over a 6-hour period during the night of 31 Dec/1 Jan.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Brigadier General Haywood S Hansell, Jr, and his XXI Bomber Command Forward Echelon HQ staff close the Saipan Island HQ and move to Guam Island where the ground echelon arrived in early Dec.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The 63d Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, based on Biak with C-47s, ceases operating from Noemfoor. The ground echelon of the 82d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, begins a movement from Morotai to Lingayen (air echelon is operating from San Jose with F-6 and P-40s). The 550th Night Fighter Squadron, XIII Fighter Command, based at Hollandia with P-61s, sends a detachment to operate from Middleburg.

EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24 Liberators bomb Ambesia Airfield on Celebes Island, hit Dili on Portugese East Timor. Fighter-bombers are active against airfields, shipping, AA guns, and various targets of opportunity on Halmahera Island and on N Celebes Island.
PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Eighth Army's X Corps area on Leyte Island, the 1st Cavalry Division repels several counterattacks against Villaba. In the XXIV Corps area, the 77th Infantry Division's 305th Infantry Regiment finishes clearing the Palompon road. The 3d Battalion and the Provisional Mountain Force make contact 2 miles NE of San Miguel. The 77th Infantry Division estimates that, during the period 21-31 December, it has killed 5,779 Japanese at a cost of 17 killed.
On Mindoro Island, the Japanese continue air attacks on shipping, sinking a PT tender and badly damaging a destroyer. A platoon of Company F, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24 Infantry Division, lands at Bulalacao, on the south coast almost 25 miles SE of San Jose.
USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s and B-25s bomb airfields in the central Philippine Islands and on Luzon and Mindanao Islands.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Bougainville, the Australian 9th Battalion, 7th Brigade, 3rd Division, resumes their attack and capture Pearl Ridge. Lieutenant General Stanley Savige, General Officer Commanding Australian II Corps, tells Brigadier John Stevenson, General Office Commanding Australian 11th Brigade, to conduct operations with the objective of destroying the Japanese garrisons and establishing control along the northwest coast of Bougainville.

UNITED STATES: The remains of a Japanese Fu Go paper balloon including envelope, rigging and some apparatus, is recovered at Estacada, Oregon. It is estimated that the balloon landed between 27 and 31 December. Estacada is located about 22 miles SE of Portland.

 

[syscom3]

Jan 1st 1945

ALASKA: 5 B-24s fly coverage for a naval force upon aborting a bomb mission to Kuriles. A Japanese Fu Go paper, including envelope, rigging, apparatus and two sand bags, is recovered 15 miles north of Marshall, Territory of Alaska. It is believed that the balloon landed on 23 December 1944. Marshall is located about 210 miles southeast of Nome.

CHINA THEATER: In China, 3 B-24s bomb Ft Bayard; 40 P-51s and P-40s pound railroad targets, warehouses, industrial works, and gun positions from Yoyang to Puchi; 8 P-51s hit Suchow Airfield, claiming 25 aircraft destroyed; 47 other P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance hit troops, horses, town areas, and rail and road traffic at several locations especially at Liuchenghsien and between Siaokan and Hsuchang; a detachment of the 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, begins operating from Laohokow with P-51s (squadron is based at Chengkung; another detachment is at Kwanghan); during Jan 45, the detachment of the 25th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group operating from Poashan with P-51s moves to Leangshan; the 26th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group sends detachments to operate from Poseh, Liangshan and Laohokow with P-51s; and the detachments of the 528th Fighter Squadron, 311th Fighter Group, operating from Hanchung and Liangshan with P-51s, return to base at Shwangliu.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 71 P-47s and P-38s attack villages, general supply areas, fuel dumps, tanks and other vehicles, and troop concentrations at several locations including Man Hio, Bahe, Mongmit, Hatka, Namhpakka, Loi-hseng, Mong Yaw and in the Hsenwi area, 4 others hit targets of opportunity along the Irrawaddy River from Tanaung to Kyungyi; 4 B-25s harass communications lines during the night of 1/2 Jan. Large-scale air transport operations continue. The 14th and 15th Combat Cargo Squadrons, 4th Combat Cargo Group, move from Sylhet to Argartala, India with C-46s. During Jan, the detachment of the 436th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th BG (Heavy), based at Luliang, China with B-24s ferrying gasoline to Suichwan, China, returns to base at Madhaiganj, India.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 19 B-24s from Saipan bomb Iwo Jima; 9 more, during snooper missions on the night of 1/2 Jan, hit the at varying intervals.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA: HQ 345th BG (Medium) moves from Dulag to Tacloban. During Jan 44, the detachment of the 4th Photographic Charting Squadron, 311th Photographic Wing [attached to 4th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance)] ceases operating from Morotai with F-7s and returns to base at Hollandia, New Guinea; at the same time, a detachment of this squadron begins operating in Australia during the month (this squadron is mapping areas of the SW and W Pacific); in New Guinea, the detachment of the 64th Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, operating from Noemfoor returns to base on Biak with C-47s. During Jan, the 8th Combat Cargo Squadron, 2d Combat Cargo Group, moves from Finschhafen to Biak with C-46s.

CANADA: Several fragments of a Japanese Fu Go balloon are recovered near Stony Rapids, Saskatchewan. Stony Rapids is located about 490 miles north of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. It is unknown when this balloon landed.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: Elements of the 321st Infantry Regiment, U.S. 81st Infantry Division, land on Fais Island., southeast of Ulithi Atoll, and begin a search of the island.

EAST INDIES: On Halmahera Island, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s along with B-25 hit the Djailolo, Wasile Bay bivouac areas, and Miti ammunition dump. B-25s also bomb airfields on Ceram Island. Airfields, shipyards, and other targets in the Borneo, Celebes and Lesser Sunda Islands also sustain light raids, by fighters and bombers, which also fly armed reconnaissance. Twelve RAAF (P-40) Kittyhawks bomb Galela No. 2 Airstrip on the west side of the Wasile Bay.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: Operations to deceive the Japanese about Allied intentions against Luzon begin with limited action on Mindoro to clear the northeastern part of the island. Subsequent deceptive measures conducted on southern Luzon are on a much smaller scale than anticipated and have little effect on the main operation.
On Mindoro Island, control of the Western Visayan Task Force passes from the U.S. Sixth to the U.S. Eighth Army. Company I, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, moving by water from San Jose, lands on the east coast at Bongabong without incident and marches northward toward Pinamalayan.
On Leyte Island, the U.S. Eighth Army mops up, a tedious business that lasts until 8 May 1945. The 77th Infantry Division of the XXIV Corps is ordered to relieve the 1st Cavalry and 32d and 24th Infantry Divisions of X Corps.
USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25s and fighter-bombers make low level attacks on Negros Island airfields; B-24s, with P-38 cover, bomb Clark Field on Luzon and others bomb the Sasa area on Mindanao Island. B-25s bomb barracks at Laoag on Luzon. Fighter-bombers are active against targets in the Manila area on Luzon and also hit Silay on Negros.

UNITED STATES: The French government officially joins in full partnership in the United Nations, three years after the French Committee on National Liberation agreed to participate in the international organization.

 

[syscom3]

Jan 2nd 1944

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-25s bomb Kentung, Burma. 30+ P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance attack targets of opportunity, mainly railroad traffic, at or near Lohochai, Pengpu, and Sinyang, China; and Man Pong, Wanling, and Wan Pa-Hsa, Burma.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 24: 49 B-29s, operating from the Calcutta, India area, are dispatched to attack a railroad bridge at Bangkok; 44 hit the primary target and 2 hit an alternate and a target of opportunity; they claim 0-1-1 Japanese aircraft.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, troop concentrations and supplies are attacked at Mabein, Panghka, Mansut, Letpangon, Loi-mun, Panghkai, Namhsan, Thabeikkyin, and in the Lashio area by 66 P-47s and 13 P-38s. 546 transport sorties are flown to forward bases and frontline areas. In India, the 13th Combat Cargo Squadron, 4th Combat Cargo Group, moves from Sylhet to Agartala with C-46s.

AAFPOA: 12 Guam based B-24s hit Haha Jima while 14 others pound Iwo Jima; during the night of 2/3 Jan, 10 B-24s, flying snooper strikes out of Guam, hit Iwo Jima over a 7-hour period.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA: The 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th FG, moves from Tacloban, Leyte to San Jose, Mindoro, Philippines, with P-38s.

ADMIRALTY ISLANDS: USN Task Group 77.4, the Carrier Cover Transport Group, sails from Manus Island en route to Luzon, Philippine Islands, for the upcoming invasion. Included in this group are 17 escort aircraft carriers (CVEs), 18 destroyers and 9 destroyer escorts.

BONIN AND VOLCANO ISLANDS: Twelve USAAF Seventh Air Force B-24s based on Guam bomb Haha Jima in the Bonin Islands while 14 others attack Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands. During the night of 2/3 January, ten B-24s, flying snooper strikes out of Guam, hit Iwo Jima over a seven hour period.

BURMA: In the Northern Combat Area Command (NCAC), the U.S. 475th Infantry Regiment (Long Range Penetration, Special) begins crossing the Shweli River over a makeshift bridge put in by 138th Regiment, Chinese 50th Division, which crossed late in December.
In the air, troop concentrations and supplies are attacked at Mabein, Panghka, Mansut, Letpangon, Loi-mun, Panghkai, Namhsan, Thabeikkyin, and in the Lashio area by 66 USAAF Tenth Air Force P-47s and 13 P-38s .
Six USAAF Fourteenth Air Force B-25s bomb Kentung and over 30 P-40s and P-51 Mustangs on armed reconnaissance attack targets of opportunity, mainly railroad traffic, at or near Man Pong, Wanling, and Wan Pa-Hsa, Burma on the Burma-China frontier.

EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Forces (FEAF) B-24s bomb Menado Airfield on Celebes Island. On Galela Island, FEAF B-24s bomb the Wasile Bay area while 12 RAAF aircraft dive-bomb the area inland from Wasile Airfield and 36 RAAF Kittyhawks bomb Lolobato Aerodrome and nearby Hate Tabako Aerodrome.

NEW GUINEA: About 35 Japanese attack the perimeter of the, 2/11th Battalion, 19th Brigade, 6th Division, at Matapau, near Niap. Artillery fire disperses the attacks and the Japanese leave six dead.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: Convoys of the Luzon Attack Force are assembling in Leyte Gulf. The first echelon, Minesweeping and Hydrographic Group (Task Group 77.6), sails from Leyte Gulf for Luzon and is soon spotted and attacked by Japanese aircraft, including kamikazes. Task Group 77.6 consists of a destroyer, a light minelayer, ten high speed minesweepers, a frigate, a high speed transport, a small seaplane tender, an ocean going tug and a landing craft infantry (gunboat).
On Mindoro Island, a guerrilla patrol is reinforced for an attack on Palauan by Company B, 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment, which moves to Mamburao. Work begins on one of two heavy bomber airfields to be constructed. Japanese planes attacking San Jose Airfield on the southwest of Mindoro during the night of 2/3 January, destroy 17 P-38s and seven A-20s on the ground.
In the air, USAAF Far East Air Forces P-38s and A-20s hit shipping in San Fernando harbor on Luzon sinking seven ships while B-24s bomb Clark Field and B-25s hit the city of Batangas. Airfields in the central Philippines area are bombed by B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers while B-24s strike Likanan Aerodrome on Mindanao Island.

UNITED STATES: Restrictions preventing resettlement on the West Coast by Japanese-Americans are removed, although many exceptions continue to exist. A few carefully screened Japanese Americans had returned to the coast in late 1944.
The USN establishes 18 Fighter Bomber Squadrons (VBF) within existing Carrier Air Groups to adjust their composition to the needs of changed combat requirements in the Pacific.

 

[syscom3]

Jan 3rd 1945

ALASKA: B-25s fly coverage for a naval force over the Kuriles.

CHINA: On the Saiween front, the Chinese 9th Division, 2d Army, breaks into Wanting, at the Sino-Burmese border, but is driven out in night counterattack.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 10 P-51s hit the airfield at Tsinan, claiming 13 aircraft destroyed; 6 P-51s claim several river steamers sunk in the Hankow-Chiuchiang area while 6 others damage bridges at Chinchengchiang. 20+ other P-40s, P-51s, and P-47s on armed reconnaissance attack various targets of opportunity in the Wuchang-Hankow and Shwangliu, China areas, and at Namtao, S and SW of Man Pong, and W of Wanling, Burma.

BURMA: In the Allied Land Forces South East Asia (ALFSEA) area, the Indian XV Corps invades Akyab (Operation TALON), omitting preparatory bombardment since no opposition is expected. From landing craft in the Naaf River, the British 3d Commando Brigade lands and is followed by a brigade of the Indian 25th Division from Foul Point. Inland, troops of the British 2d Division, XXX Corps, Fourteenth Army, occupy Ye-u.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 10 B-25s, supported by 12 P-47s, attack the airfield at Aungban; troop concentrations and supply and ammunition dumps are pounded at several locations, including Man Kun, Loi Hkam, Ngawnga, Chakau, Mulaw, and Man Pwe. 575 transport flights are completed to forward areas; the 115th Liaison Squadron, Tenth AF [attached to 1st Liaison Group (Provisional)], based at Ledo, India, sends a detachment to operate from Myitkyina with L-1s and L-5s; the 165th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, based at Kawlin, sends a detachment to operate from Inbaung with UC-64s and L-5s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 22 B-24s from Saipan bomb Iwo Jima. 3 from Guam on armed reconnaissance, hit Marcus in the North Pacific. During a 6-hour period on the night of 3/4 Jan, 10 B-24s from Guam hit Iwo Jima.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 17: 97 Mariana based B-29s are sent to bomb docks and urban areas of Nagoya, Japan; 57 hit the primary target and 21 others bomb alternates and targets of opportunity; Japanese fighters fly 300+ attacks on the B-29s; B-29 gunners claim 14-14-20 Japanese aircraft. Lost are 5 including: B-29 42-24748, B-29 "Leading Lady" 42-24766, B-29 "Jumbo, King Of The Show" 42-63418, B-29 "Joker's Wild" 42-24626, B-29 42-24550. Additionally, B-29"American Maid" 42-24593, suffered a blister blowout at 29,000 feet over Nagoya. Gunner James B. Krantz was sucked outside but survived: held for 15 minutes by his home-made harness until pulled back in with frostbite and broken bones. (incident also described in Stephen Birdsall's "Saga of the Superfortress", page 136.)

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The 25th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, moves from Dulag to San Jose with F-5s.


CAROLINE ISLANDS: Occupation of Fais Island by elements of the 321st Infantry Regiment, U.S. 81st Infantry Division continues. They destroy a Japanese radio station found there. Interrogation of natives and Japanese prisoners reveals that Fais, located southeast of Ulithi Atoll, had never been used to base ships.


EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces (FEAF) B-24s attack the Djailolo supply area on Halmahera Island, while B-25sbomb Namlea Airfield on Boeroe (Buroe) Island, Moluccas Islands. Numerous other FEAF aircraft on armed reconnaissance, harassing raids, and light strikes attack a vast variety of targets throughout the Netherlands East Indies.

FORMOSA: UJSN Task Force 38 (Vice Admiral John S. McCain) begins operations against Japanese airfields and shipping in the Formosa area. Principally along the west coast of Formosa, TF 38 planes sink a landing ship, five cargo ships and damage five army cargo ships. TF 38 consists of five battleships, 11 aircraft carriers, five small aircraft carriers, three heavy cruisers, 14 light cruisters and 56 destroyers.

INDIAN OCEAN: The British submarine HMS/M Shakespeare (P 221) surfaces to engage a merchant ship and is damaged by gunfire and later aircraft in the Nankauri Strait, Andaman Islands. She reaches Ceylon and is written off as a constructive total loss.

JAPAN: USAAF Eleventh Air Force B-25s from the Aluetian Islands fly coverage for a naval force over the Kurile Islands.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, a strong Japanese position at Permembil is attacked by a company of the Australian 2/5th Battalion, 17th Brigade, 6th Division, and the Japanese are driven out.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Mindoro Island, a guerrilla force of about 70 unsuccessfully attacks the Japanese at Pinamalayan. From Mindoro, Company K, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, moves to Marinduque Island to help guerrillas destroy Japanese remnants concentrated at Boac in the northeastern part of island.
USAAF Far East Air Forces (FEAF) B-24s bomb Clark Field and the Mabalacat areas on Luzon. B-25sattack five airfields in the central Philippine Islands while B-24s bomb two on Mindanao. Numerous other FEAF aircraft on armed reconnaissance, harassing raids, and light strikes attack a vast variety of targets throughout the Philippine Islands.

UNITED STATES: General of the Army Douglas MacArthur is designated Commander in Chief US Army Forces in the Pacific and Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz is designated Commander in Chief US Naval Forces in the Pacific.

 

[syscom3]

Jan 4th 1945

ALASKA: A Japanese Fu Go balloon bomb crashes in the Gulf of Alaska about 391 nautical miles east of Unalaska, Territory of Alaska, but it is not recovered.

CHINA: Four USAAF Fourteenth Air Force B-24s bomb the Ft Bayard area and the Samah Bay area on Hainan Island. Twenty fighters hit targets of opportunity around Lohochai, Sinyang and Hankow.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-24s bomb the Ft Bayard area in China and the Samah Bay area on Hainan . In Burma, 6 B-25s damage a bridge and a warehouse, and destroy 2 other buildings at Kentung and 21 P-40s on armed reconnaissance pound targets of opportunity in the Wanling area. 8 P-51s knock out a bridge at Huizan, Thailand and damage another, and 20 other fighters hit targets of opportunity around Lohochai, Sinyang and Hankow, China.

BURMA: In the Allied Land Forces South East Asia (ALFSEA) area, the Indian XV Corps completes occupation of Akyab, key port and air base on the Arakan front.
In the Northern Combat Area Command (NCAC) area, the U.S. 475th Infantry Regiment (Long Range Penetration, Special) finishes crossing the Shweli River. The U.S. 124th Cavalry Regiment (Special) reconnoiters for a crossing site over the Shweli River while awaiting an airdrop.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 13 B-25s, escorted by 12 P-47s, bomb Namsang Airfield; 12 P-47s hit bypass road bridges at Inailong and Bawgyo, damaging approaches to the latter; troops and supply areas are hit at Man Kat, Hsenwi, Yi-ku, Se-hai, and near Nawnghkio by 36 P-47s and P-38s; 6 P-47s bomb cable and pontoons along the N riverbank at Na-lang; 6 hit enemy activity near Twinnge and 5 attack a truck dispersal area and warehouses at Mogok. Transports fly 597 sorties to front areas and forward bases.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 13 Guam based B-24s pound Iwo Jima. During the night of 4/5 Jan, 10 more hit the with individual harassment strikes.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: U.S. 81st Infantry Division troops on Fais complete search of the island and are withdrawn. Fais Island is located about 52 nautical miles E of Ulithi Atoll.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The ground echelon of the 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, begins a movement from Tacloban, Luzon (the air echelon is operating from San Jose, Mindoro with P-40s).

USN: Task Force 38 aircraft attack Kobi.

EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Forces (FEAF) B-25s and P-38s hit Tanamon and Sidate on Celebes Island; seven RAAF Beauforts attack Sidate and (P-40) Kittyhawks hit shipyards on Bangka Island. FEAF B-24ss and B-25s, flying small scale strikes, hit airfields on northeast Celebes Island bomb shipyards in northern Borneo.

FORMOSA: USN Task Force 38 continues operations against Japanese airfields and shipping in the Formosa area. Navy planes sink three auxiliary submarine chasers and damage an escort vessel and an auxiliary submarine chaser in the Formosa Strait; sink an auxiliary netlayer northeast of Taiwan; and damage a minesweeper near Takao,

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, Australian Lieutenant General Sir Vernon Sturdee, General Officer Commanding First Australian Army, writes to General Thomas Blamey, Commander in Chief Australian Military Force and Commander in Chief Allied Land Forces South-West Pacific: "I have been anxiously awaiting some Press announcement that the Australian Army still exists in New Guinea, and it seems that the Australian public must be wondering whether we are still in the war."

PACIFIC OCEAN: In the Sulu Sea northwest of Panay Island, Philippine Islands, the USN escort aircraft carrier USS Ommaney Bay is crashed on the starboard side by a Japanese twin-engine Kamikaze. Composite Squadron Seventy Five with FM Wildcats and TBM Avengers is aboard. Two bombs are released; one of them penetrates the flight deck and detonates below, setting off a series of explosions among the fully-fueled aircraft on the forward third of the hanger deck. The second bomb passes through the hanger deck, ruptures the fire main on the second deck, and explodes near the starboard side. Fires, fueled by fuel and ammunition, prevent other ships for coming close and by 1750 hours the entire topside area had become untenable, and the stored torpedo warheads threatened to explode at any time. The order to abandon ship is given and at 1945 hours, the ship is sunk about 53 nautical miles NW of San Jose, Panay, by a torpedo from the destroyer USS Burns. A total of 95 crewmen are lost, including two killed on an assisting destroyer when torpedo warheads on the carrier's hangar deck finally explode. The USN now has 66 escort aircraft carriers in commission.
Off San Jose, Mindoro Island, Philippine Islands, a Japanese kamikaze crashes U.S. freighter SS Lewis L. Dyche (carrying bombs and fuses), which disintegrates, killing all hands, including the 28-man Armed Guard; debris from the exploding freighter damages a nearby oiler and a minelayer.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: Japanese planes attack Task Groups 77.6 and 77.2 as they continue toward Lingayen Gulf, Luzon. At the request of General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, Commander-in- Chief South-West Pacific Area, Admiral William Halsey, Commander of the Third Fleet, orders Task Force 38 to extend its coverage of Luzon southward on 6 January. The main body of the Luzon Attack Force sorties from Leyte Gulf after nightfall. U.S. X Corps, Eighth Army, terminates offensive operations on Leyte.
USAAF Far East Air Forces (FEAF) B-24s bomb Puerto Princesa on Palawan Island while B-25shit a railroad and highways in the San Pedro area on Luzon Island. Other B-24s and B-25s, flying small scale strikes, hit airfields on southern Luzon and Mindanao Islands and in the central Philippine Islands.

UNITED STATES: Two Japanese Fu Go paper balloons land:
- The first which includes the envelope, fragments, rigging and apparatus, lands near Sebastopol, California, at 1815 hours local. Sebastopol is located in northern California about 6.5 miles W of Santa Rosa.
- Fragments of what is identified as an incendiary type bomb explode in a field 1 mile S of Medford, Oregon, at 1740 hours local. A whistling sound as if a bomb was falling is heard prior to the explosion. Medford is located about 210 miles S of Portland.

 

[syscom3]

Jan 5th 1945 39,162

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile , 4 B-24s fly an air coverage mission for a naval task force on its approach to Suribachi on Paramushiru .

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-25s pound 13 storage buildings at Kengtung, China. 5 B-25s knock out a bridge at Dara, Thailand. 3 B-25s bomb Wan Pa-Hsa and Hawng Luk, Burma while 1 B-24 bombs the Cap-Saint-Jacques, French Indochina area. 29 P-40s and P-51s hit airfields at Hankow and Wuchang, China, claiming 50 aircraft destroyed in the air and on the ground. 23 P-51s and P-38s hit the airfield and other targets in Samah Bay area on Hainan, claiming 11 aircraft destroyed. 30 P-40s and P-38s attack various targets of opportunity, Sinsiang, and Kengtung, China, and Wan Pa-Hsa and in the Wanling area of Burma. 4 P-40s pound fortified hill positions in the Salween, Burma area.

BURMA: Four weeks after crossing the Chindwin River the Indian 19th Division is poised to enter Shwebo. British Lieutenant General William Slim, General Officer Commanding Fourteenth Army, had hoped to bring the main Japanese army in central Burma to battle on the Shwebo Plain, with its back to the Irrawaddy River. Instead the Japanese are withdrawing east across the river. Now he is moving IV Corps 200 miles south in Operation EXTENDED CAPITAL, to take Japan's base at Meiktila and cut Japan's Fifteenth Army off from the rear.
In the Northern Combat Area Command (NCAC) area, elements of the 90th Regiment, Chinese 30th Division, begin crossing the Shweli River.
Sixteen USAAF Tenth Air Force B-25s flying an airfield sweep inflict considerable damage on the Laihka, Aungban, Kunlon, and Mong Long airfields; in the Namhkam sector, two P-47s join ground forces in attacking artillery positions at Wingkang; nine P-47s damage bypass bridges at Mongmit; over 70 fighter-bombers attack storage areas, tanks and trucks, and troop concentrations at Mong Yaw, Hsenwi, Hpa-Pen, Man Ton, Tunghka, Man Peng, and Longhsu.
USAAF transports fly 550+ sorties to forward bases and frontline areas. Operation GRUBWORM, one of the major transport achievements of the war, is completed on this date one month from its start. The Chinese 14th and 22d Divisions, Chinese Sixth Army Headquarters, a heavy mortar company, a signal company, and two portable surgical hospitals have been airlifted. The move required 1,328 transport sorties; Air Transport Command provided 597 sorties; the air commando squadrons, 488; and Tenth Air Force, 243; the airlift included over 25,000 Chinese soldiers, 396 U.S. soldiers, 1,596 animals, 42 jeeps, 48 howitzers, 48 heavy mortars, and 48 antitank guns; the troops and supplies have been landed at Chanyi, Kunming, Luliang, and Yunnani, China. Only three aircraft were lost during the operation.
Three USAAF Fourteenth Air Force B-25s bomb Wan Pa-Hsa and Hawng Luk and fighters attack various targets of opportunity at Wan Pa-Hsa and in the Wanling area. Four P-40s attack fortified hill positions in the Salween area.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 16 B-25s flying an airfield sweep inflict considerable damage on the Laihka, Aungban, Kunlon, and Mong Long airfields; in the Namhkam sector, 2 P-47s join ground forces in blasting artillery positions at Kunlong, China and Wingkang; 9 P-47s damage bypass bridges at Mongmit; 70+ fighter-bombers attack storage areas, tanks and trucks, and troop concentrations at Mong Yaw, Hsenwi, Hpa-Pen, Man Ton, Tunghka, Man Peng, and Longhsu. Transports fly 550+ sorties to forward bases and frontline areas. Operation GRUBWORM, one of the major transport achievements of the war, is completed on this date one month from its start.
The Chinese 14th and 22d Divisions, Chinese Sixth Army HQ, a heavy mortar Company, a signal Company, and 2 portable surgical hospitals have been airlifted; the move required 1,328 transport sorties; Air Transport Command provided 597 sorties; the air commando squadrons, 488; and Tenth AF, 243; the airlift included 25,000+ Chinese soldiers, 396 US soldiers, 1,596 animals, 42 jeeps, 48 howitzers, 48 heavy mortars, and 48 antitank guns; the troops and supplies have been landed at Chanyi, Kunming, Luliang, and Yunnani, China. Only 3 aircraft were lost during the operation. HQ 4th Combat Cargo Group moves from Agartala to Chittagong.

BONIN ISLANDS: Task Group 94.9 (Rear Admiral Allan E. Smith), consisting of the heavy cruisers USS Chester, Pensacola and Salt Lake City and destroyers USS Cummings, David W. Taylor, Dunlop, Ellet, Fanning and Roe, together with USAAF Seventh Air Force B-24s (escorted by P-38s) jointly bombard Japanese shipping and installations on Chichi Jima and Haha Jima. Approaching Chichi Jima, USS Dunlap, Fanning and Cummings damage a landing ship and USS Fanning sinks her. Off Chichi Jima, USS David W. Taylor is damaged by a mine and USS Fanning by gunfire. Off Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, USS Dunlap, Cummings, Ellet and Roe sink a landing ship.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 22 B-24s from Saipan in morning and afternoon raids, pound Iwo Jima; 7 P-38s, with 3 B-24s as navigational escort, fly a strafing mission against Iwo Jima. Other B-24s act as airborne spotters for the naval bombardment of Chichi Jima and Haha Jima. In addition, USN PB4Y-1s mount photographic reconnaissance missions against Iwo Jima.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The 4th Fighter Squadron (Commando), 3d Air Commando Group, arrives on Leyte from the US with P-51s. The detachment of the 68th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, operating from Nadzab, New Guinea with C-47s, returns to base on Biak . The 69th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group moves from Nadzab, New Guinea to Biak with C-47s. The 547th Night Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Wing [attached to 310th Bombardment Wing (Medium)], moves from Owi to San Jose, Mindoro with P-38s and P-61s. Destroyed on the ground is

EAST INDIES: In major strikes of the day in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI), USAAF Far East Air Forces (FEAF) B-25s and P-38s and RAAF Beaufighters bomb Menado on Celebes Island while FEAF B-24s attack Miri Airfield in Sarawak, British Borneo. Numerous smaller strikes are flown throughout the NEI. Fighter-bombers and B-24s hit the Pombelaa and Tondano area, and targets of opportunity on northeastern Celebes Island. Other FEAF aircraft fly scattered strikes at various targets in Borneo, Lesser Sunda Islands, and Tanimbar Island in the Moluccas Islands.

JAPAN: USN Task Force 92 (Rear Admiral John L. McCrea), consisting of the light cruisers USS Concord, Richmond and Trenton and eight destroyers, bombards Japanese installations (airfield and fish canneries) at Suribachi Wan, Paramushiro, Kurile Islands.

PACIFIC OCEAN: In the South China Sea, Japanese air attacks continue against the Lingayen Gulf-bound forces in the teeth of heavy antiaircraft fire and combat air patrol. Of the minesweeping group, an infantry landing craft (gunboat) is damaged by a kamikaze, a small seaplane tender and a fleet tug are damaged by near-misses of suiciders. Kamikazes attacking the bombardment and escort carrier groups succeed in damaging heavy cruiser USS Louisville and destroyer USS Helm about 71 nautical miles NW of Subic; escort aircraft carriers USS Manila Bay, about 63 nautical miles WNW of Subic, and USS Savo Island, about 77 nautical miles WNW of Subic; and destroyer escort USS Stafford, about 55 nautical miles SSW of Subic. Suiciders also damage Australian heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (D 84) and destroyer HMAS Arunta (I 30). Japanese escort destroyers approach the minesweeping group but turn away at approach of destroyer USS Bennion and Australian frigate HMAS Gascoyne (K 354) and sloop HMAS Warrego (L 73); subsequently, planes from TG 77.4 (escort carrier group) sink HIJMS Momi 20 nautical miles SW of the entrance to Manila Bay and damage HIJMS Hinoki and Sugi west of Manila Bay.
Two PB4Y-1s of Patrol Bombing Squadron One Hundred Eleven based on Tinian Island, Mariana Islands, sink Japanese midget submarine Ha.71 about 2 nautical miles SW of Chichi Jima, Bonin Islands.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Mindoro, Palauan falls to a composite force of guerrillas and 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment troops. Another platoon of Company F, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, arrives at Bulalacao and joins in the march northeast toward Paclasan and Dutagan Point.
On Leyte, U.S. Lieutenant General Richard Sutherland, Chief of Staff South West Pacific Area, tells Australian Lieutenant General Sir Frank Berryman, Chief of Staff Advanced Headquarter Allied Land Forces South West Pacific Area, that after Luzon is secured, eight divisions, including the Australian Imperial Force, will be used to conquer Borneo and the Netherlands East Indies.
In major strikes of the day, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25s hit shore installations along Lingayan Gulf, Luzon, while numerous smaller strikes are flown throughout the Philippine Islands. A-20s and fighter-bombers attack airfields on Luzon, the central Philippine Islands area and Mindanao Island.

 

[syscom3]

Jan 6th 1945

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): On Paramushiru , 2 B-24s bomb Suribachi Bay Airfield, also hitting buildings and pier areas. 10 B-25s fly single air coverage sorties for a naval task force.


BURMA: In the Northern Combat Area Command area, heavy rains begin as the U.S. 475th Infantry Regiment (Long Range Penetration, Special) goes into bivouac in the Mong Wi area and the U.S. 124th Cavalry Regiment (Special) makes its way toward Mong Wi. The Chinese 38th Division gains the distinction of being the first Chinese Army in India unit to return to Chinese soil: the 112th Regiment reaches Loiwing, from which it patrols across the Shweli River to Namhkam.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 40 P-40s, P-51s, and P-47s pound the Hankow-Wuchang area; 9 aircraft are claimed destroyed. 4 B-24s bomb the Cap-Saint-Jacques, French Indochina area.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): Bad weather cancels all combat missions. Transports manage 310 sorties, landing men and supplies at advanced bases and dropping supplies to frontline troops. The 317th Troop Carrier
Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, moves from Myitkyina, Burma to Kalaikunda, India with C-47s.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 25: 49 Chengtu, China-based B-29s are dispatched to bomb an aircraft factory at Omura, Kyushu , Japan; 28 hit the primary target, 13 bomb a secondary target at Nanking, China while 6 attack targets of opportunity; they claim 4-6-10 Japanese aircraft; 1 B-29 is lost. The is the XX Bomber Command's last mission against targets in Japan.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 15 B-24s, based on Guam bomb Iwo Jima airfields. During the night of 6/7 Jan, 9 B-24s on individual snooper strikes continue to pound the airfields. HQ 508th Fighter Group and the 466th, 467th and 468th Fighter Squadrons arrive at Kahuku, Hawaii from the US with P-47s (the group will serve as air defense for Hawaii, train replacement pilots and ferry aircraft to forward areas).

EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Forces (FEAF) B-25s and fighter-bombers hit Mapanget Airfield on Celebes Island, Netherlands East Indies (NEI). FEAF flies numerous smaller strikes against various points throughout the NEI.

NEW GUINEA: Australian General Sir Thomas Blamey, Commander in Chief Australian Military Force and Commander in Chief Allied Land Forces South West Pacific Area, sends a message to U.S. General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, Commander in Chief South West Pacific Area, suggesting that he should include in his next communique a reference to the fact that the Australians had taken over in New Guinea, thus making it possible to release the Australian correspondents' stories that have been censored for month.

PACIFIC OCEAN: In Lingayen Gulf, Japanese suicide plane attacks intensify against Lingayen Gulf invasion force; kamikazes damage battleships USS New Mexico (killing members of an observing British military mission) and California, heavy cruiser USS Louisville, light cruiser USS Columbia and destroyers USS Allen M. Sumner, Newcomb (she is also hit by friendly fire), O'Brien, and Richard P. Leary. Kamikazes attack the minesweeping group, sinking high speed minesweeper USS Long, and damaging high speed minesweeper USS Southard and high speed transport USS Brooks. Destroyer USS Walke, on detached duty covering the minesweeping operations is attacked by four enemy aircraft; one crashes the ship's bridge, drenching it with burning gasoline and mortally wounding Walke's commanding officer, Commander George F. Davis. Davis nevertheless remains at his post, conning his ship amidst the wreckage and rallying his crew. Carried below only when assured that his ship would survive, He dies of his wounds within hours. He is subsequently awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously.
As a consequence of the kamikaze attacks, Task Force 38 (Vice Admiral John S. McCain) shifts its focus from Formosa to begin operations against Japanese airfields and shipping in the Luzon area. In South China Sea off northern Luzon, Navy carrier-based planes sink an army cargo ship and six merchant tankers.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: Task Groups 77.2 [battleships USS California, Colorado, Mississippi, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and supporting cruisers and destroyers] and 77.6 (Minesweeping and Hydrographic Group) reach Lingayen Gulf area and begin naval bombardment and mine sweeping. Damaging enemy air attacks persist in spite of strong effort against Luzon by planes of Task Force 38, escort aircraft carriers covering TG 77.2, and USAAF Far East Air Forces. Japanese force of some 150 aircraft on Luzon at the beginning of the year has been reduced to about 35 planes, and air action drops off sharply after this.
On Mindoro, Pinamalayan, which the Japanese have recently abandoned, is reoccupied by fresh Japanese troops from Luzon. Company I, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, and guerrillas join in attack there, forcing the Japanese back toward Calapan.
USAAF Far East Air Forces (FEAF) B-24s bomb Clark Field while B-25 Mitchells, A-20s, and fighter-bombers hit bridges and targets of opportunity at Calumpit and Plaridel and in nearby southern Luzon Island areas. B-24 s bomb Nichols Field and Nielson Airfield on Luzon. A-20s, with P-38 cover, bomb Carolina Airfield on Negros Island. FEAF flies numerous smaller strikes against various points throughout the Philippine Islands.
While supporting the landings at Lingayen Gulf, Philippine Islands, on the destroyer USS Allen M. Sumner took charge of the minesweeper support unit in place of destroyer USS Barton. Japanese suicide planes approach out of the sun on the port bow, strafed and crashed into the rigging, the after stack, and after torpedo mount, killing 14 men, wounding 29 others, and causing extensive damage. Because of the damage USS Allen M. Sumner is ordered to return to screen of Task Group 77.2 and USS Barton take over as minesweeper support unit. Thirteen men will be buried at sea on tomorrow.

 

[syscom3]

Jan 7th 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 5 B-24s bomb Ft Bayard, China and attack shipping in Samah Bay on Hainan , claiming 1 vessel sunk.

BURMA: In the British Fourteenth Army's Indian XXIII Corps area, the Indian 19th and British 2d Divisions are converging on Shwebo, the Indian 19th Division pushing into the eastern outskirts.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): Bad weather cancels all combat missions. Transports complete 383 sorties to forward areas.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 11 B-24s, flying out of Saipan bomb an airfield on Iwo Jima. During the night of 7/8 Jan, 10 more B-24s again pound airfields, striking in single-bomber snooper missions over a 7-hour period.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment), 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from Tacloban to San Jose with B-25s.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25s and fighter-bombers hit Lembeh Strait and the Langoan areas on Celebes Island while RAAF aircraft fly 661 sorties against Halmahara and Morotai Islands.

PACIFIC OCEAN: In the South China Sea at about 2230 hours, USN destroyers USS Charles Ausburne, Braine, Russell, and Shaw open fire with their guns and sink the Japanese destroyer HIJMS Hinoki, about 86 nautical miles W of Manila, Philippine Islands.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: Underwater demolition teams begin a search for underwater obstacles in Lingayen Gulf as preinvasion aerial and naval bombardment of Luzon continues.
On Mindoro, Japanese planes for the first time are conspicuously absent from the San Jose area.
In major strikes of the day against targets on Luzon Island, large numbers of USAAF Far East Air Forces (FEAF) B-25s and A-20s, supported by P-38s, hit the network of airstrips from Clark Field to Angeles Airfield, B-24s bomb Nielson and Grace Park Airfields and Nichols Field and B-25s and fighter-bombers pound bridges in the Plaridel and Calumpit areas. B-24s raid Padada and Daliao Airfields on Mindanao Island. Other FEAF aircraft on small-scale armed reconnaissance missions strike targets of opportunity throughout the Philippine Islands.
In Lingayen Gulf, Japanese air attacks in the area continue and two USN high speed minesweepers are sunk: USS Hovey is sunk by an aerial torpedo and USS Palmer by bombs.

 

[syscom3]

Jan 8th 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In Burma, 8 P-51s hit targets of opportunity E of Muse and E of Wanling.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 21 B-25s hit troops and supply areas at Nampeng and Mong Long; 74 P-47s and P-38s attack troop concentrations and supply areas at Tunhunghkam, Monguy, Hpa-hpun, and Man Om; and 12 P-47s knock out a bypass bridge at Namhkai. Transports complete 470+ sorties to forward bases and frontline areas. The 317th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, based at Kalaikunda, India, sends a detachment to operate from Dinjan, India with C-47s.

BURMA: In the Northern Combat Area Command area, the U.S. 475th Infantry Regiment (Long Range Penetration, Special) at Mong Wi is ordered to move forward for action.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 26 Guam based B-24s bomb airfields on Iwo Jima, while, during the night of 8/9 Jan, 10 more B-24s subject the to individual snooper strikes over a 6-hour period.

PACIFIC OCEAN: During continuing Japanese aerial onslaught on the the Lingayen Gulf invasion force in the South China Sea, kamikazes damage escort aircraft carriers USS Kitkun Bay about 63 nautical miles WSW of Lingayen, Luzon in position 15.48N, 119.09E, and Kadashan Bay, about 87 nautical miles SW of Lingayen, Luzon in position 15.10N, 119.08E. A suicider also crashes close aboard Australian heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (D 84), ending her support operations this day.
The USN coordinated submarine attack group, Task Group 17.21 (Commander Charles E. Loughlin) attacks a Japanese convoy in the South China Sea about 52 nautical miles WSW of Taihoku, Formosa. USS Barb sinks two merchant cargo ships (the second explodes violently, forcing Barb deep and tearing off deck gratings); and a merchant tanker and damages an army cargo ship; USS Picuda damages a cargo ship and USS Queenfish damages a tanker. In the confusion generated by TG 17.21's attack, a merchant tanker runs aground in Tungshiao Bay.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Leyte, U.S. General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, Commander in Chief South West Pacific Area, sends a message to Australian General Sir Thomas Blamey, Commander in Chief Australian Military Force and Commander in Chief Allied Land Forces South West Pacific Area, in New Guinea and states that his communique tomorrow will "carry announcement Australian troop as requested by you" in a message on 6 January. Tomorrow's announcement states: "Australian forces have relieved United States Army elements along the Solomons axis, in New Britain and British New Guinea. Continuous actions of attrition at all points of contact have been in progress. So far 372 Japanese have been killed, 20 captured and 10 friendly nationals recovered."
Preinvasion aerial and naval bombardment of Lingayen Gulf area of Luzon continues. Mine sweeping is completed.
In the main strikes during the day on Luzon Island, USAAF Far East Air Forces P-51s and P-40s strafe airfields in the Lingayen Gulf area; A-20s hit railroad yards at Cabanatuan, motor convoys between Cabanatuan and Bongalion and between Bongabon and Mojon, Rosales and San Quintin rail installations, bridges at Cuyapo, Paniqui, and near Santa Rosa; P-47s hit rail yards and a truck convoy in the San Jose area; and B-24s and A-20s attack Nichols Field and Nielson, Lipa, and Calingatan Airfields. B-25s with P-47 cover, bomb Fabrica Airfield on Negros Island, while B-24s bomb Likanan Airfield and oil storage at Matina on Mindanano Island.

UNITED STATES: In California, the packing shed of the Doi family is burned and dynamited and shots are fired into their home. The family had been the first to return to California from the Amache Relocation Camp for Ethnic Japanese located 1.5 miles W of Granada, Colorado, and the first to return to Placer County, having arrived three days earlier. (Placer County is located northeast of Sacramento.) Although several men are arrested and confess to the acts, all would be acquitted. Some 30 similar incidents would greet other Japanese Americans returning to the West Coast between January and June.