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

Jan 29th 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, Pailochi Airfield, river and road shipping, troops, gun positions, buildings, and other targets of opportunity are attacked at Kweiyi, Hankow, Sinyang and Chihkiang, between Hengshan and Siangtan, between Wuhu and Anking, N of Hengyang, and E and S of Yutze.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 13 B-25s knock out road bridges at Loi-leng and Tonglau and hit several nearby targets of opportunity; 26 P-47s hit troop positions in the Namhkai area; 11 P-38s and 16 P-47s attack airfields at Aungban and Heho; 8 P-47s support ground forces near Banwe; 70 P-47s and P-38s pound troop concentrations and supplies at Panglong, Tangyan, Wengnan, Homang, Mong Long, Namtu, Mongyin, Mong Yang, and Namhsam. Largescale transport operations continue. The 1st Combat Cargo Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group, moves from Tsuyung to Hsinching, China with C-47s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 19 Guam based B-24s bomb Iwo Jima airfields. 2 from Saipan, on an armed reconnaissance flight, bomb Marcus. 1 B-24 from Angaur Airfield bombs Arakabesan. During the night of 29/30 Jan, 5 B-24s from Saipan continue harassment raids on Iwo Jima airfields.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 25: 28 of 33 Mariana based B-29s strike at 2 airfields on Iwo Jima without loss.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Heavy B-24 daylight raids concentrate on the Heito airfield area of Formosa and Corregidor in Manila Bay while B-25s bomb nearby Cabcaben. On Luzon, fighter-bombers and A-20s hit targets of opportunity from Aparri to Echague; further S, two P-38s and two B-25s hit gun positions in the Batangas and Verde areas; A-20s support ground forces inland from Lingayen by hitting the Carranglen road network; others hit Talavera and Carabao. HQ 38th BG (Medium) and the 822d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), move from Morotai to Lingayen Airfield with B-25s. The 319th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 90th BG (Heavy), moves from Biak to San Jose, Mindoro with B-24s.

USN - Four PT-Boats, lead by PT-222 (lead by Lt. Robert J. Wehrli, USNR), covered by two P-38s and two B-25s enter Batangas Bay, the boats preformed a 67 minute strike hitting small craft and shore installations at Batangas. For 37 minutes they were under intense shore fire. In the end destroyed 2 luggers, 3 barges and 24 sailing vessels, and unknown number of suicide boats hidden along the shore in huts. With help from the aircraft, they target several guns and knock them out, and start 8 fires, one in a fuel dump.
PHIIPINES: US landing at San Antonio, Luzon, Phillipine Islands by the US XI Corps.

Jan 30th 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 27 B-24s, escorted by 32 P-40s and P-51s, bomb Hankow; 8 P-51s hit targets of opportunity in the areas around Loyang, Yuncheng, and Sinantien; the detachment of the 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, at Kwanghan with P-51s returns to base at Chengkung (another detachment is at Laohokow).

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 65 fighter-bombers support ground forces in the Banwe, Yenya-u, Hsenwi, Molo, and Mongmit areas; 5 others knock out a bridge E of Mong Long; 100+ fighter-bombers attack troops, supplies, artillery, and communications targets at several locations including Kutkai, Bawgyo, Hamn gai, Namhsan, Naleng, Pangsari, Hsenwi, and Wengnan. Transports again fly 500+ sorties to forward areas. HQ 1st Combat Cargo Group moves from Tsuyung, China to Dohazari, India. The detachment of the 317th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, operating from Bikram, India with C-47s, returns to base at Kalaikunda, India. The detachment of the 492d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), at Luliang, China ferrying gasoline to Suichwan, China in B-24s, returns to base at Madhaiganij, India.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 17 B-24s from Saipan bomb an Iwo Jima airfield. 3 others bomb the airfield on Woleai. 5 B-24s from Angaur Airfield strike Koror and Arakabesan. During the night of 30/31 Jan, 10 B-24s from Saipan fly single-bomber snooper raids against Iwo Jima airfields.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Bad weather cancels most of the scheduled strikes over Luzon; however, B-24s bomb Cavite while fighter-bombers flying support for ground forces hit artillery and troop concentrations NE of Labayug and others attack ammunition dumps N of San Isidro. The 405th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Morotai to Lingayen Airfield with B-25s.
RNZAF - Fighter sweeps against Rabaul.

Jan 31st 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, P-51s strafe targets of opportunity along the Pinghan (Hankow-Peking) railroad.

BURMA: Myitkyina: The Burma Road from India to China has re-opened, bringing supplies to Chiang Kei-shek's Nationalist armies. The road - which Chiang has named the "Stilwell Road" - runs via Ledo, Myitkyina and Bhamo.
The first convoy, carrying 75mm and 105mm guns, has crossed the Chinese border and been greeted with fireworks. "During the years that China stood alone the Japanese militarists told their people that if the Burma Road were closed our courage would collapse," Chiang said. "Now comes this caravan, roaring into China over an area which they thought just yesterday to hold in everlasting peace."
Kangaw: Lt. George Arthur Knowland (b.1922), Royal Norfolk Regt., held up 300 Japanese with a Bren gun, standing firm for 12 hours before being fatally hit. (Victoria Cross)

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s hit troops and stores at Namlan; 50+ P-47s attack troops and supplies at several locations including Na-mawtawng, Tawkut, Mong Long, Hsipaw, Hsenwi, and Namhpakka. Transports complete 535 sorties to forward bases and frontline areas. The 13th, 14th and 16th Combat Cargo Squadrons, 4th Combat Cargo Group, move from Agartala to Chittagong with C-46s. The 164th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Kan, Burma to Asansol, India with UC-64s and L-5s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 20 B-24s from Guam bomb airfields and AA defenses on Iwo Jima; during the night of 31 Jan/1 Feb, 9 more B-24s, flying single-bomber harassment strikes, hit the island. HQ 419th Troop Carrier Group is activated on Guam; no tactical squadrons or aircraft are assigned; the group's HQ had detachments on Saipan, Tinian and Angaur Airfield to operate transportation terminals that assisted in moving troops, equipment, food and mail to, and in evacuating wounded personnel from combat areas.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Brigadier General Earl W Barnes again assumes command of the XIII Fighter Command. The 157th, 159th and 160th Liaison Squadrons (Commando), 3d Air Commando Group, move from Leyte to Calasio, Mangaldan and Calasio, Luzon respectively with UC-64s and L-5s (first mission is 17 Feb and 7 Feb espectively).

PHILLIPINES: Luzon: General MacArthur's US forces are closing fast on all sides on Manila since landing at Lingayen on Luzon three weeks ago. Clark Field, a key airbase 50 miles north of the Philippines capital, was recaptured today by XIV Corps. South of the city US paratroops of the 11th Airborne Division landed at Nasagbu, on the west coast, taking the Japanese defence forces by surprise.
The fierce seven-day battle for Clark Field's cave and tunnel complex ended with survivors of the 30,000-man Kembu Group retreating further into the Zambales Mountains. General Yamashita, the Japanese Philippines C-in-C is fighting similar delaying actions in the north-east with his 150,000-man Shobu Group, hoping to prevent Luzon from becoming the launching pad for an attack on Japan.

USA: Hanford, Washington: The first weapon-grade plutonium is ready for shipment

Feb 1st 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-24s attack shipping off the French Indochina coast, claiming 1 cargo vessel sunk and a patrol boat damaged. In China, 4 P-40s attack a division HQ SW of Yungning; the 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, based at Chengkung with P-51s, sends a detachment to operate from Poseh (another detachment is operating from Laohowkow). Lost is B-24D 41-24183.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 33: 113 B-29s are dispatched to hit the naval base at Singapore, Malayan States; 67 bomb the Admiralty IX Floating Drydock (and a vessel berthed in it) and 21 bomb the West Wall area of the naval base; 21 others hit alternate targets at Martaban, Burma and George Town, Malayan States; they claim 3-4-14 Japanese aircraft; 2 B-29s are lost.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 28 fighter-bombers support ground forces around Hosi and Molo; 12 B-25s knock out the Mong Pawn bridge; 8 P-47s damage the approach to the Pa-mao bridge; 8 others hit Hsumhsai Airfield; 90+ fighter-bombers hit troops, supplies, vehicles, a ferry crossing, and various targets of opportunity at several locations including Nauchye, Hsenwi, Man Pwe, Pongkalau, Nawng Mawn, Na-lang, Kunhkan, and Panghtu-Iin. 550 transport sorties are flown to forward areas. The 2d and 4th Combat Cargo Squadrons, 1st Combat Cargo Group, move from Tsuyung and Chengkung, China respectively to Dohazari, India with C-47s; the 459th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter Group, moves from Chittagong to Rumkha, India with P-38s. During Feb 45, the 24th Combat Mapping Squadron, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, based at Guskhara sends elements to operate from Tulihal and Cox's Bazar, India with F-7s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 21 Saipan , Mariana -based B-24s hit Iwo Jima in the afternoon, and 10 more, flying individual snooper raids, hit the during the night of 1/2 Feb. 20 B-24s from Angaur Airfield bomb Corregidor in Manila Bay, Luzon , Philippine . During Feb 45, the 6th Night Fighter Squadron, VII Fighter Command (attached to 318th Fighter Group) moves from East Field to Kaman Field, Saipan with P-61s (a detachment is operating from Kipapa, Hawaii); the detachment of the 17th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 4th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), operating from Bougainville , Solomon with F-5s, returns to base on Morotai , Moluccas .

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s pound the Canacao Peninsula and Cavite areas; targets include a shipyard, seaplane base, communications, and supply. B-25s hit Puerto Princesa. On Formosa, B-24s bomb Okayama Airfield during the night of 31 Jan/1 Feb and hit Okayama and Heito Airfields and Toko seaplane base during the following day. The 71st and 823d Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 38th BG (Medium), move from Morotai to Lingayen Airfield with B-25s. During Feb 45, the 160th Liaison Squadron, 3d Air Commando Group, based at Calasio, Luzon with UC-64 and L-5s sends a detachment to operate from Mindoro , Philippines; the 529th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 380th BG (Heavy), moves from Darwin to San Jose, Mindoro with B-24s.

MALAYA - B-29 attacked Penang.

PHILIPPINES: U.S. Rangers and Filipino guerrillas rescue 513 American survivors of the Bataan "death march".

Feb 2nd 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 P-40s attack a regimental HQ and a storage area at Lungchow, China.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 11 B-25s pound troops and supplies at Loilem; 60+ fighter-bombers support ground forces in the Molo, Hosi, and Mabein areas; troops, supplies, town areas, and vehicles are attacked at Panma, Kan-loi, Pansak, Man Ho Pang, Pongkalau, Hsenwi, Namtu, Panghai, Kong kang, and Ondon. Transports complete 485 sorties to forward bases and over the frontline areas.
21st BC: 88 US B-29s destroy the docks and Japanese naval base at Singapore.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 20 Guam based B-24s pound a storage area on Iwo Jima. During the night of 2/3 Feb, 10 B-24s, flying individual harassment raids, bomb the island's airfields. 4 P-47s, on a reconnaissance flight, strafe buildings on Pagan. 22 B-24s from Angaur Airfield bomb Corregidor.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Colonel Carl A Brandt becomes Commanding Officer XIII Bomber Command. B-24s continue to pound Corregidor and Cavite and A-20s hit the Baler Bay area. In the Cagayan Valley on Mindanao , Philippine , B-25s attack pillboxes, gun positions, and river barges. B-24s hit Okayama Airfield on Formosa during a dawn raid. HQ 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group moves from Leyte , Philippine to Binmaley, Luzon.

Feb 3rd 1945

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s attack troops and supplies at Loilem; 27 fighter-bombers support ground forces in the Molo, Hosi, and Myitson areas; 80+ fighter-bombers hit troop concentrations, supplies, town areas, tanks, and other targets at Kyaung-hen, Mongkyet, Hsipaw, Hsenwi, Na-sang, Konghsa, and Hkaihsi. Transports complete 531 sorties, landing men and supplies at advanced bases and dropping supplies to forward troops.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA: On Luzon , B-24s again pound Corregidor and the Canacao peninsula; other B-24s hit Aparri and Tuguegarao an in the Batangas area, A-20s continue ground support missions. B-24s bomb Cebu City and surrounding targets. On Mindanao B-25s and P-38s hit Matina, Daliao Airfield and Padada Airfield. Lost is P-61

PHILIPPINES: Fighting gets fiercer north of Manila, on Luzon in the Philippines, the 511th Parachute Inf Regt, 11th Abn Div (US) jumped on to Tagaytag Ridge near Manila. The first 915 paratroopers were flown in forty-eight Douglas C-47s of the 317th Troop Carrier Group. The first serial of eighteen aircraft dropped their troops with pinpoint accuracy on the selected drop zone. The second serial of thirty aircraft dropped its planeloads early five miles from the drop zone. At noon that same day, the mistake was repeated again as another serial of fifty-one planeloads of paratroopers jumped early onto the same spot five miles short of the drop zone. In spite of the confused parachute drop, the paratroopers managed to successfully link-up at 1500 hours that afternoon with the 187th and 188th Glider Regiments of the 11th Airborne Division attacking north toward Manila.

Feb 4th 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 10 P-40s bomb the airfield and Japanese HQ at Yungning and railroad yards at Sinyang; 2 of the P-40s over Sinyang are lost to ground fire. The detachments of the 25th and 26th Fighter Squadrons, 51st Fighter Group, operating from Leangshan and Laohokow, China respectfully with P-51s, return to base at Yunnani and Kunming, China respectfully; the 25th Fighter Squadron sends a detachment to operate from Poseh with P-51s.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 54 P-38s and P-47s destroy or damage bridges at Inailong, Bawgyo, Ho-hko, Hay-ti, Mong Long, and Pa-mao; 26 P-47s support ground forces in the Myitson and Hosi areas. Troops, supplies, and vehicles are attacked at Nam Yem, Na-makhkaw, Mansam, Kong kang, Nawngsong, Mong Yai, Na-lang, and Pangmit. Again transports complete 500+ sorties to advanced bases and over forward areas, where supplies are dropped to troops. The 166th Liaison Squadron, 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Asansol, India to Sinthe, Burma with UC-64s and L-5s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 9 B-24s from Guam bomb AA defenses on Iwo Jima while 10 hit the town of Okimura on Haha Jima in the Bonin. 2 B-24s from Saipan on an armed reconnaissance flight, bomb Marcus in the North Pacific. 23 B-24s from Angaur Airfield bomb Caballo. During the night of 4/5 Feb, 8 Guam based B-24s, operating singly, pound airfields on Iwo Jima.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 26: For the first time the XXI Bomber Command sends B-29s from 2 wings [the 73d and 313th Bombardment Wings (Very Heavy)] against Japanese Home . 110 B-29s are dispatched; 69 bomb the urban area of Kobe; 30 others, including 15 hitting Natsusaka, bomb last resort targets and targets of opportunity; about 200 attacking fighters down 1 B-29 and damage 35 others; 1 other crashes upon landing at Saipan ; B-29s claim 4-20-39 Japanese aircraft.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s continue to hit Corregidor and Cavite; in support of ground forces B-25s bomb and strafe coast targets from San Felipe to Maloma, hit targets around lba, and drop napalm on San Jose del Monte and A-20s bomb Lipa and Calingatan Airfields. HQ 348th FG and the 340th Fighter Squadron move from Tanauan to San Marcelino with P-47s.
PHILIPPINES: Advance units of the US 1st Cavalry Division reach the Manila.
The US submarine Barbel, commanded by Conde L. Raguet, is sunk by Japanese aircraft off Palawan Island. All hands are lost.

RUSSIA: The Conference at Yalta, in the Crimea begins. The main participants are Josef Stalin representing the USSR; Winston Churchill representing Great Britain and the British Empire; and Franklin D. Roosevelt, representing the United States.

Feb 5th 1945

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 5 B-24s bomb Kataoka on Shimushu through solid overcast; a shipping sweep by B-25s is cancelled due to weather.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 14 P-51s and P-40s attack locomotives and trucks at the Pinghan railroad yards, Hsiangcheng, and Lohochai; at least 9 locomotives and an undetermined number of trucks are destroyed; the 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth AF, based at Kunming with F-4s and F-5s, sends a flight to operate from Hsian (another flight is operating from Luliang).

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 35 P-47s support ground forces in the Myitson, Hosi, and Molo areas; 8 P-38s bomb Mong Long; 60 P-38s and P-47s hit troops and supplies at Kan-loi, Nam-yang, Man Peng, Pangmakheleng, Kwangteng, Mong Pa, and Mansam. Transports fly 554 sorties to forward areas.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 21 B-24s from Saipan bomb AA positions, defense installations, and a bivouac on the N end of Iwo Jima; during the night of 5/6 Feb, Iwo Jima airfields are pounded by 10 Saipan based B-24s flying individual snooper strikes. HQ 15th FG departs Hawaii for Iwo Jima.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: 60 B-24s deliver the heaviest attack yet on Corregidor; support for ground forces continues in various Luzon battle zones. B-25s on a shipping sweep of the E coast claim 9 barges and luggers sunk and several more damaged. B-24s bomb Manggar and Sepinggang Airfields on Borneo. HQ 475th FG moves from Dulag to San Jose (the group's 3 squadrons, the 431st, 432d and 433d Fighter Squadrons, remain at Dulag with P-38s and send detachments to operate from San Jose).

Feb 6th 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 20 P-51s pound and considerably damage Peking Airfield, claiming 7 aircraft destroyed; other fighter-bombers on armed reconnaissance hit several targets of opportunity (mainly rail and river traffic) around Tsingpu, Wuhu, Suchow, Hsiangcheng, Ichang, Chingmen, and Yungning. Fighter-bombers sink numerous river craft on the Mekong River from Wan Mai-Lo to Nguen, Burma.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 86 P-47s and P-38s and 25 B-25s pound troop concentrations, supplies, and AA positions in the Lashio area; 4 P-38s damage the approach to Mong Tong bridge. Transports complete 514 sorties, carrying men and supplies to forward areas.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 9 Guam based B-24s hit AA defenses and radar and radio installations on Iwo Jima; 10 more bomb Ototo Jima in the Volcano and the the town of Omura on Kyushu, Japan. 1 B-24 from Angaur Airfield bombs Koror. On Luzon 2 B-24s hit Bulan Airfield and 19 B-24s bomb Corregidor. 8 B-24s from Guam fly individual strikes against Iwo Jima airfields during the night of 6/7 Feb.
USMC - PBJs from Eniwetok attack Ponape Palikir Airfield Number 2. PBJ-1H 35275 is shot down by anti-aircraft fire.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb Corregidor gun positions; B-25s and P-38s hit Echague and a camp on the Rosario-Baguio road; A-20s attack gun positions and defenses at Nichols Field in support of ground forces and bomb Caballo . B-24s and B-25s fly coastal sweeps hitting various targets at Divilacan Bay, Hondagua, and the Bicol Peninsula. A-20s attack Fabrica Airfield. B-24s with P-38 support hit Manggar and Sepinggang Airfield. The detachment of the 25th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, operating from Dulag with F-5s, returns to base at San Jose, Mindoro. The 342d and 460th Fighter Squadrons, 348th FG, move from Tanauan to San Marcelino with P-47s.

Feb 7th 1945

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 6 B-24s off to Kataoka, Shimushu abort the mission when all aircraft accidentally drop bombs prior to the bombing run. 4 B-25s weather abort.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 11 P-51s knock out a bridge at Hengshan; 34 P-40s hit river, road, and rail traffic from Kweiyi to Hengshan, from Chiuchiang to Wuhu, from Siaokan southward, in the area S of Tsinan, and N of Tehsien, and from Wan Mai-Lo, Burma to Luang Prabang, French Indochina. 2 fighter-bombers hit the warehouse area at Kweihsien, China.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 34: 67 B-29s are dispatched to hit Saigon, French Indochina; 44 bomb the primary target (11 drop prematurely and 33 hit a residential section), 19 hit Pnom Penh, a target of opportunity, and 2 bomb the last resort target, the marshalling yard at Martaban, Burma; they claim 0-0-1 Japanese aircraft; 1 B-29 is lost. Mission 35: 64 B-29s are dispatched to hit the Rama VI bridge at Bangkok, 58 bomb and effect the collapse of most of middle span of the bridge (this is the 3d strike at this target) and destroy the NE approach; 1 B-29 bombs the Martaban, Burma marshalling yard; no B-29s are lost.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 11 B-25s attack tanks and troops at Man Namman; 50 P-47s support forces preparing to cross the Shweli River in the Myitson area; 40+ P-47s and P-40s attack troops and supply areas at Nawngkalio, Man Li, Hsunkwe, Nawnghkio, Loi Hkam, Panghsapye, Na-lang, Wingnang, and Pang Eng Hkye. 464 transport sorties are flown to advanced bases and frontline areas. In India, the 5th and 6th Fighter Squadrons (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, move from Fenny and Asansol respectfully to Hay with P-47s; the detachment of the 127th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, operating from Cox's Bazar with UC-64s and L-5s returns to base at Kalaikunda; and the 317th Troop Carrier Squadron(Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, moves from Kalaikunda to Palel with C-47s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 6 B-24s from Saipan bomb the town of Okimura on Haha Jima ; 8 B-24s hit AA positions and radio and radar installations on Iwo Jima, while 2 others bomb the airfield in Woleai. From Angaur Airfield 20 B-24s bomb Silay and Talisay Airfields on Negros and 1 bombs Opon Airfield. 9 B-24s on snooper raids from Saipan duringthe night of 7/8 Feb, bomb Iwo Jima airfields.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Formosa, B-24s, with P-38 support hit targets of opportunity at Heito Airfield and other points (after weather prevents the bombing of Takao) and B-25s, with P-51 cover, fly several sweeps, claiming a sub sunk, a tanker set afire, a large motor launch sunk, other shipping damaged, and several vehicles and an airplane destroyed. On Luzon , A-20s, supporting ground operations, attack the hills W of Clark Field. B-24s hit Bago and Mandaue on Negros. In Borneo, other B-24s bomb Tawau and-in another mission Miri Airfield, Tutong oil refinery pump station and power house. The 341st Fighter Squadron, 348th FG, moves from Tanauan to San Marcelino with P-47s.

PHILLIPINES: General Douglas MacArthur enters Manila, Luzon, Philippine Islands.

Feb 8th 1945

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile , 4 B-25s abort a mission to the Masugawa River when unable to identify the target.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 10 P-51s knock out a bridge at Shihtangchung and blast a bridge approach at Changsha; 9 other fighters knock out another bridge N of Changsha; 4 fighters hit railroad targets of opportunity from Linfen to Yutze to Shihkiachwang and bomb Tsinan Airfield.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): In India, HQ 58th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) moves from Kharagpur to Hijli Base Area.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 72 P-47s support ground forces in the Myitson area; 37 P-47s and P-38s hit troops, supply areas, ammunition dumps, and targets of opportunity at Namsaw, Hsunkwe, Loi-Kong, Nawng-un, Hsipaw, Panghai, and Kongnio, and bomb a village near Pangkawn. Transports fly 581 sorties carrying men and supplies to forward bases and dropping supplies to frontline areas. The 155th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, based at Kalaikunda, India with UC-64s and L-5s, sends a detachment to operate from various bases in Burma.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 20 B-24s from Guam bomb radar and radio installations and AA defenses on Iwo Jima in the afternoon; during the night of 8/9 Feb, 10 B-24s fly single-plane snooper strikes against Iwo Jima airfields.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 27: 30 of 31 B-29s from the Mariana bomb Airfield Number 1 on Moen in Truk Atoll

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Luzon, B-24s bomb the town of Mariveles on Bataan Peninsula and B-25s sink or damage several small vessels along the E coast and hit Legaspi Airfield. B-24s bomb Manggar and Sepinggang Airfields. Units moving to San Marcelino: HQ 309th Bombardment Wing from Owi, and the 421st Night Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Wing, from Tacloban, with P-38s and P-61s.

Feb 9th 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 8 fighters hit rail bridges in the Kiyang and Lukou areas, damaging 1 bridge; several trucks are strafed and destroyed; 3 fighters on a railroad sweep destroy several locomotives between Peking and Sinsiang; several other fighters bomb railroad yards at Kaifeng and the airfield at Sinsiang; Chinese-American Composite Wing (CACW) fighters make a surprise strike at Tsingtao Airfield, and claim about 100 aircraft destroyed and damaged, and also destroy several nearby locomotives.

BURMA: Indian troops complete the capture of Ramree Island, Burma.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 10 B-25s damage a bridge at Tonglau and destroy 1 bridge and damage another at Ke-hsi Mansam; 2 others pound trucks, gun positions, and buildings during a road sweep from Hsipaw to Loilem to Lashio; 9 P-47s knock out a bridge at Bawgyo and damage another at Inailong; 22 P-47s support ground forces in the Myitson area; troops, supplies, and communications are attacked at Tangtong, Man Mau, Se-u, Mansam, Panghai, Na-lang, and Man hpat by 40+ fighter-bombers. 479 transport sorties are flown to forward areas.

AAFPOA: Seventh Air Force: 22 B-24s from Guam and Saipan bomb airfields, defense and radar-radio installations and AA positions on Iwo Jima; during the night of 9/10 Feb, 11 more B-24s from Saipan make separate strikes against airfields and AA defenses. HQ 21st Fighter Group departs Hawaii for Iwo Jima. VI Air Service Area Command: The 311th Troop Carrier Squadron arrives at Kahuku, Hawaii from the U.S. with C-47s (the squadron will perform aerial transportation in the C and W Pacific, Feb-2 Sep 45).

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 28: 29 XXI Bomber Command B-29s hit Moen for the second consecutive day, bombing airfield number 2.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s fly morning and afternoon raids against Corregidor gun positions; A-20s also hit Corregidor; Mariveles and the S part of Bataan Peninsula are pounded by B-24s and A-20s throughout the morning and afternoon; B-25s and P-51s hit shipping near Legaspi and in San Miguel Bay and destroy buildings at San Fernando on Negros . In support of ground forces, A-24s and P-40s over Balete Pass area attack bridges and roads. The 17th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Thirteenth AF, based at Morotai with B-25s and F-5s, sends a detachment to operate from Dulag. The 421st Night Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Wing, based at San Marcelino, with P-38s and P-61s, sends a detachment to operate from Tacloban.

Feb 10th 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, HQ 308th Bombardment Group moves from Kunming to Hsinching; the 35th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth AF, based at Chanyi with F-5s, sends a flight to operate from Chengkung (another flight is at Chihkiang).

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 5 B-25s destroy the Laihka Bridge; 4 others hit the Namsang Bridge, with poor results; 9 P-47s knock out approaches to the Pa-mao Bridge while 8 others destroy half of the bridge at Inailong; 15 P-47s support ground forces in the Mongmit area, concentrating on Japanese positions S of Myitson; 76 fighter-bombers attack troops and supply areas at Panglong, Namsangsok, Namtu, Kutkai, Mong Yaw, Mongmit, Ho-mong, Man Pwe, Namsam, and Loiya. Again transports fly 500+ sorties to forward areas.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 10 Guam based B-24s bomb Okimura on Haha Jima. Lost is B-24L 44-41465; 6 P-38s escort a photo mission and fly fighter a sweep over Iwo Jima. 17 B-24s from Guam, with P-38 escort, pound Iwo Jima in the late afternoon, and 9 more make single bomber harassment strikes on the during the night of 10/11 Feb.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 29: 118 B-29s from the Mariana are dispatched to hit the Nakajima aircraft plant at Ota, Japan; 84 hit the primary target and 14 hit other targets; they claim 21-15-26 Japanese aircraft; 12 B-29s are lost.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Brigadier General Frederick H Smith Jr becomes Commanding General V Fighter Command. On Luzon, B-24s again blast Japanese gun positions while P-51s and P-38s, supporting ground forces hit communications targets in the Bayambang-Santa Fe area, while B-25s in the area blast villages where vehicles are hidden; B-24s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers completely saturate the S part of Bataan Peninsula with bombs during morning and afternoon attacks, thoroughly pummelling defenses and forces. P-47s on a fighter sweep over Formosa claim 10 aerial victories. HQ 312th BG and the 386th and 387th Bombardment Squadrons move from Tanauan to Mangaldan with A-20s.

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Of 7 B-24s off on an air cover mission for a naval task force, only 3 reach the target.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 17 B-25s hit railroad yards at Sinyang and Lohochai and a locomotive foundry at Hsuchang; 23 P-47s pound Hankow Airfield; 8 fighters hit Anyang Airfield and Pinghan railroad targets of opportunity; B-24s claim 2 cargo vessels sunk in the S China Sea.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 36: 56 of 59 B-29s bomb storage dumps around Rangoon; they claim 0-0-3 Japanese aircraft; no B-29s are lost; the mission is flown in conjunction with B-24s of the Eastern Air Command's Strategic AF which also hit the target.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 11 B-25s bomb troops and supplies at Loilem; 22 P-47s support ground forces in the Mongmit area, hitting buildings at Nabu and Japanese positions S of Myitson; 100+ fighter-bombers pound troop concentrations, supplies, ammunition dumps, gun positions, and targets of opportunity at several locations including Pangsang, Taung-gaing, Panghsapye, Nampok, Byaungbyan, Manai, Kutkai, Mongmit, Namun, and Pangmakhe-leng. Transports complete 503 sorties to forward bases and over frontline areas (dropping supplies).

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 21 B-24s from Saipan operating in 2 separate forces, bomb airfields and defenses on Iwo Jima; 3 others, on armed reconnaissance, bomb Marcus. 25 B-24s based on Angaur Airfield bomb Corregidor. During the night of 11/12 Feb, 10 B-24s from Saipan fly individual harassment strikes against Iwo Jima.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 30: 9 B-29s from the Mariana carry out a reconnaissance mission for the US Navy; 1 returns early; the area covers 135-OOE to 148-OOE to 30-OON.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s attack Corregidor almost continuously throughout the day; fighter-bombers support ground forces blasting numerous targets from Cauringan to Taytay and at Wawa, Montalban, Antipolo, and Marikina. P-47s blast a train NE of Heito, Formosa. B-24s fly a light strike against Bago on Negros . The 388th and 389th Bombardment Squadrons, 312th BG, move from San Jose to Mangaldan with A-20s.

RUSSIA: At the Yalta Conference, President Roosevelt, Marshal Stalin and the British prime minister Winston Churchill, the leaders of the "Big Three" Allied powers, today spelt out the decisions reached in a week's conference here. They have decided to divide Germany into four zones of occupation, one for each of the Big Three and a fourth for France. A conference will be held in San Francisco in April to prepare the charter of a new United Nations organization.
Agreement was reached on new governments for Poland and Yugoslavia. The Soviet-backed Lublin government for Poland would include members from London, and the partisan leader, Marshal Tito, would join Ivan Subasich, the royalist prime minister, in the Yugoslav government. Other agreements are being kept a little quieter: Stalin is to declare war on Japan within two months of the end of the war in Europe, and changes to the Polish borders will in effect move the country westwards, enabling the Russians to annex areas in the east. The conference was held in a former czarist palace overlooking the Black Sea, beautiful but plagued with bedbugs

Feb 12th 1945

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): B-25s cancel a cover mission for a naval force because of weather.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 6 P-51s destroy 6 locomotives between Suchow and Pengpu and strafe the Nanking and Suchow airfields; other fighters claim at least 10 more locomotives destroyed in areas S of the Yellow River; P-40s bomb troops in the Hsiangcheng area and hit trains on the Pinghan railroad; HQ 81st Fighter Group and the 92d Fighter Squadron move from Kwanghan to Fungwansham with P-47s.

BURMA: The 20th Indian Division takes a bridgehead over the Irrawaddy River west of Mandalay.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): 23 P-47s support ground forces hitting NE of Nabu and bombing mortar positions S of Myitson; 4 others support forces at Loiya; 3 P-47s severely damage a bridge at Pa-mao; 60+ P-47s and P-38s pound supply areas, troops, tanks, and trucks at various locations including Hu-kawt, Kongtap, Namtu, Namta-gun, Mongmit, Loingu, and Tonsing. 520 transport sorties are flown to forward areas throughout the day.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 9 Guam based B-24s pound Chichi Jima naval installations while 19 bomb airfields and defenses on Iwo Jima; during the night of 12/13 Feb, 8 B-24s from Guam fly single bomber harassment strikes against both Iwo and Chichi Jima.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 31: 21 B-29s from the Mariana bomb heavy AA sites on Iwo Jima in preparation for the amphibious invasion of the on 19 Feb; no losses. Mission 32: 10 B-29s fly a reconnaissance mission for the US Navy covering from 135-00E to 148-00E and to 30-00N; 1 B-29 is lost.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s continue to pound Corregidor; A-20s sweeping S Bataan Peninsula, sink about 30 barges loaded with troops, ammunition, and supplies; throughout the day B-25s and fighters directly support ground forces on the Bataan Peninsula and from Lingayen Gulf area to Nichols Field. The 67th Fighter Squadron, 347th FG, based on Middelburg with P-38s, begins operating from Morotai. The 498th, 499th, 500th and 501st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 345th BG (Medium), move from Tacloban to San Marcelino with B-25s.

Feb 13th 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, fighters sweep the railroad from Sinyang to Hsuchang, bomb the approach to a Hsuchang bridge, and strafe Sinyang and Ichang Airfields; B-25s bomb a foundry at Hsuchang

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, troop concentrations, supply areas, and targets of opportunity are pounded by 70 fighter-bombers at several locations including Kongpaw, Namtu, Kyao-hpak, Laihka, Kon-wet, Mong Pa, Hkom-nio, and Naung-lang; 19 fighter-bombers support ground forces in the Mongmit-Myitson area; 16 fighter-bombers knock out the approach to the main bridge and damage the bypass bridge at Hay-ti. 477 air supply sorties are flown by transports throughout the day. In India, the 1st and 2d Fighter Squadrons (Commando) move from Kalaikunda to Cox's Bazar with P-51s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 25 B-24s from Saipan fly two strikes against Iwo Jima, while 10 others hit Haha Jima ; during the night of 13/14 Feb, 5 B-24s, flying individual harassment strikes, bomb Iwo Jima at intervals over an 8-hour period.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s continue to pound Corregidor as a large segment of B-24s attack the main coastal guns and score direct hits on several batteries; B-24s bomb Mariveles on Bataan Peninsula while A-20s and P-47s bomb and strafe targets of opportunity throughout the S part of Bataan Peninsula; B-25s and fighters attack small shipping during sweeps of E and N coasts. B-25s, with fighter support, hit Kagi Airfield on Formosa. HQ 345th BG (Medium), moves from Tacloban to San Marcelino. The 339th Fighter Squadron, 347th FG, based on Middelburg with P-38s, begins operating from Morotai.

Feb 14th 1945

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 3 B-24s bomb and photograph Suribachi Airfield on Paramushiru , Kurile (the secondary target).

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, P-47s bomb Kaifeng Airfield and P-51s hit Shihkiachwang Airfield, destroying several parked aircraft; the
P-51s afterwards blast 7 locomotives between Puchou and Sinsiang; other fighters destroy 7 more locomotives between Sinyang and Hsuchang, bomb the railroad yards at Lohochai, and destroy a fuel dump at Hsiangcheng.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s attack vehicles along roads from Lashio to Takaw to Hopong; 7 P-47s strafe Laihka Airfield; bad weather cancels other scheduled offensive missions. Transports continue to operate despite the weather, completing 520 sorties to forward areas.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 17 Guam based B-24s pound defenses and radar and radio installations on Iwo Jima at midday; during the night of 14/15 Feb, 5 more B-24s, flying individual snooper missions bomb Iwo Jima Airfield and AA positions while 4 in separate strikes hit Susaki Airfield on Chichi Jima .

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 33: 6 B-29s from the Mariana again carry out a reconnaissance mission for the US Navy, covering the area northward from the base line at 28-02N 145-55E to 28-44N 148-OOE.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s continue to bomb Corregidor, concentrating on the dock area and gun positions; other B-24s bomb Mariveles on Bataan Peninsula and B-25s bomb the airfield at Tuguegarao; B-25s and fighters provide excellent support for ground forces, blasting guns and troops W of Clark Field, N of Marikina airfield, and N of Montalban; A-20s pound the general area of S Bataan. On Mindanao , B-25s bomb barges at Zamboanga and P-38s bomb Matina Airfield. Fighters on armed reconnaissance strafe airfields on Negros and Cebu . A few B-25s bomb Kagi Airfield on Formosa and nearby targets of opportunity. HQ 54th Troop Carrier Wing moves from Biak , New Guinea to Leyte . The 550th Night Fighter Squadron, XIII Fighter Command (attached to XIII Bomber Command) moves from Hollandia, New Guinea to Morotai with P-38s, P-61s and P-70s (the detachment operating from Middelburg also moves to Morotai).

Feb 15th 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 15 fighter-bombers attack railroad targets at Saiping, in the Hankow area, N of Sinantien, between Hsuchang and Loyang, and along the Yangtze River from Wuhu to Hankow; the 27th Troop Carrier Squadron, 443d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Yunnani to Chengkung with C-47s; the 528th Fighter Squadron, 311th Fighter Group, based at Shwangliu with P-51s, sends a detachment to operate from Hsian.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s hit buildings, troops, and other targets of opportunity during a sweep from Lashio to Loilem and along the road E and W from Loilem; 20 P-47s fly close support strikes in the Mongmit-Myitson area; a bridge at Hay-ti is knocked out by 6 P-47s; 56 P-47s attack troops, town areas, and supplies at Paukmyaing, Nam-hpuktok, Namtoi, and Namhu-tau and 8 P-47s hit the Li-lu ferry area. Large-scale transport operations continue; 511 sorties are flown to forward areas.

VI Air Service Area Command: The 311th Troop Carrier Squadron, VI Air Service Area Command, moves from Kahuku to Bellows Field with C-47s.

Seventh Air Force: 24 B-24s from Saipan in two separate strikes, bomb Iwo Jima airfields and AA defenses; 12 others hit the airfield on Chichi Jima; 4 B-24s from Guam, escorting photo aircraft bomb airfields on Param and Moen; 5 B-24s fly night harassment raids against Iwo Jima and Chichi Jima
USN - The first carrier plane strikes take place on Tokyo. The pre-invasion offensive begins on Iwo Jima. Lost on a training flight is SBD-5 piloted by Battenfield.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 34: 117 B-29s from the Mariana are dispatched to hit the Mitsubishi aircraft engine works at Nagoya, Japan; 33 hit the primary; 68 hit targets of last resort and targets of opportunity, 54 of them bombing Hamamatsu; they claim 7-8-23 Japanese aircraft; 1 B-29 is lost.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-25s attack bridges in the S part of Formosa. B-24s again blast Corregidor with A-20s and fighter-bombers bombing and strafing its few remaining gun positions; fighter-bombers hit Caballo and fighter-bombers, B-25s, and A-20s hit Bataan Peninsula all day; also hit are troops and gun positions in the Ft William McKinley area and airfields at Tuguegarao and Echague. The 68th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Biak , New Guinea to Tanauan, Leyte with C-46s.

Feb 16th 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 33 fighter-bombers attack airfields in the Nanking area, railroad yards at Hsuchang and Tungpu, and hit rail and river traffic from Wuhu to Hankow, in the Sinsiang area, and in French Indochina, the Luang Prabang area, and from Muong Soui to the Mekong River.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s bomb troops, storage areas, and vehicles during offensive reconnaissance along roads S of Lashio and from Hsenwi to Loilem; 31 P-47s support ground forces in the Myitson area; about 160 fighter-bombers attack town areas, troop concentrations, artillery positions, transportation targets, and general targets of opportunity at Namtu, Wengkau, Hsipaw, Namhsawng-hawng, Hunhla, Mong Yai, Sinkin, Panghung, Hatka, Na-kyeh, and Panglong and similar targets at Kyawngsu, Kunsanlek, Namloi, Man-kyawng, Tonsing, Sam-Lau, and Mong Li. Transports fly 632 sorties delivering men and supplies to forward bases and dropping supplies to frontline troops.

USN - First carrier strike mission over Tokyo.

MALAYA - One B-29 was shot down over Singapore.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (Army Air Forces, Pacific Ocean Area) VI Air Service Area Command: The 316th Troop Carrier Squadron, VI Air Service Area Command, moves from Kahuku to Bellows Field with C-47s. Seventh Air Force: 2 Guam -based B-24s on an armed reconnaissance flight bomb Marcus in the N Pacific. 42 sent against Iwo Jima are recalled due to total cloud cover over the target. During the night of 16/17 Feb, 4 Guam-based B-24s, striking separately, hit Susaki Airfield on Chichi Jima .

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Fighters attack vehicles and trains in the S part of Formosa. On Luzon , 120+ A-20s and B-24s pound Corregidor during the early daylight hours; amphibious and airborne landings follow and the paratroops soon link up with the beachhead; A-20s and fighter-bombers also bomb nearby Caballo ; B-25s support ground forces in the Mariveles area, hit facilities at Baguio and Santa Fe, and bomb Camalaniugan Airfield. P-38s hit Likanan and Matina Airfields on Mindanao and B-24s pound Kendari Airfield.

PHILLIPINES: Corregidor Island, in Manila Bay, is attacked. One battalion is air dropped and one battalion lands from the sea.

IWO JIMA: USN surface warships and aircraft of Task Group 52.2 plus 42 Seventh Air Force B-24s scheduled to open the bombardment against Iwo Jima. However, the weather is poor and the B-24s are recalled and attacks by carrier-based Eastern Aircraft TBM Avengers are hindered.

Feb 17th 1945

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 4 B-25s provide air coverage for a naval task force en route to Paramushiru .

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 30 B-25s bomb Linfen and Yuncheng; a single B-25 hits railroad targets of opportunity from Hengyang to Lingling; 27 P-40s and P-51s attack animal transport, barracks, railroad targets, and the town area at Puchi; 16 P-47s hit the Hankow-Wuchang area; 37 other fighter-bombers attack railroad yards and targets of opportunity and road and river traffic near Tsinan, Changsha, and Kweiyi, and at Sinyang, Linfen, and Lung Hai.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): 14 P-47s support ground forces in the Mongmit-Myitson area; 140+ fighter-bombers strike at troop concentrations, supply points, transport, animal concentrations, tanks, and arms and ammunition stores are pounded in N Burma including at Hko-lawng, Hai-pu, Na-kyeh, Man Sang, Samlan, Hkummanmao, Mong Lang, Na-leng, Honwo, and Loi-pyek; and 10 B-25s bomb troops and supplies at Hai-hseng. 603 transport sorties are flown. The detachment of the 24th Combat Mapping Squadron, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, operating from Chanyi, China with F-7s returns to base at Guskhara.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 42 B-24s from Saipan blast defense installations and a bivouac area on Iwo Jima; 3 others, on an armed reconnaissance flight, bomb Marcus; 3 B-24s from Guam escorting a photo plane over Truk Atoll bomb Param, Uman, and Eten at Truk Lagoon. 5 B-24s from Saipan fly individual snooper strikes during the night of 17/18 Feb, against Chichi Jima. The air echelon of the 548th Night Fighter Squadron, VII Fighter Command, begins operating from Saipan with P-61s (ground echelon is enroute from Hawaii to Iwo Jima).

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 35: 8 of 9 B-29s from Saipan bomb the submarine pens on Dublon, Truk Atoll without loss.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s, with fighter support attack the airfield, railroad yard, and aluminum plant at Takao, Formosa. On Luzon , A-20s support ground forces in the Mariveles area and hit caves and dugouts in hills W of Ft Stotsenburg; A-20s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers attack Tuguegarao and the coastal town of San Fernando. B-24s pound Miri Airfield in Borneo. HQ 375th Troop Carrier Group moves from Biak to San Jose, Mindoro.

JAPAN: In Japan, aircraft from Task Force 58 (TF 58) under Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher bomb airfields, aircraft factories, and shipping in the Tokyo area.

IWO JIMA: Off Iwo Jima in the Bonin Islands, fire support ships, minesweeping units, and underwater demolition teams (UDT) arrive and encounter fire from shore batteries. UDT reconnaissance discloses that no underwater obstacles exist, and that the surf and beach conditions are suitable for landings. Infantry landing craft (gunboat) USS LCI(G)-474 is sunk by shore battery, while supporting UDT operations. Japanese guns also account for damage to the battleship USS Tennessee; heavy cruiser USS Pensacola and destroyer USS Leutze (DD-481); as well as to infantry landing craft (gunboats) USS LCI(G)-346, USS LCI(G)-348, USS LCI(G)-438, USS LCI(G)-441, USS LCI(G)-449, USS LCI(G)-450, USS LCI(G)-457, USS LCI(G)-466, USS LCI(G)-469, USS LCI(G)-471, and USS LCI(G)-473. On board the damaged USS LCI(G)-449, her commanding officer, Lieutenant Rufus G. Herring, although badly wounded, cons his crippled ship himself, maintaining her position in support of the unfolding UDT operations until she is able to move to safety. For his heroism, Herring is awarded the Medal of Honor.
The weather clears and aircraft from the Jeep carriers of TG 52.2 fly 226 sorties against airfield defenses on Iwo Jima. Surface ships bombard the island and 42 Seventh Air Force B-24s bomb from 5,000 feet.

PHILLIPINES: In the Philippines, the light cruisers USS Phoenix and USS Boise, along with three destroyers, provide call-fire support for continuing operations on Corregidor Island in Manila Bay. Light cruiser USS Cleveland and destroyers USS O'Bannon and USS Taylor bombard the Ternate area on the south shore of Manila Bay.

PACIFIC: In the Pacific, 13 Japanese ships are sunk by USN surface vessels, RN and USN submarines and USAAF and USN aircraft.

HAWAII: In Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, during diving operations in West Loch on the wreckage of tank landing ships (LSTs) sunk in the ammunition explosions in that area in 1944, Boatswain's Mate Second Class Owen F. P. Hammerberg risks his own life to save two fellow divers trapped while tunnelling under a wrecked LST. Although Hammerberg's efforts are successful, he suffers mortal injuries in a cave-in, to which he succumbs 18 hours later. For his heroism, Hammerberg is awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously.