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

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ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 5 B-24s radar-bomb targets at Kataoka on Shimushu, and Suribachi and Kakumabetsu on Paramushiru with unobserved results; 1 fighter is sighted but no attack is made; 2 other B-24s on this mission abort due to weather and mechanical trouble. B-25 missions to the Hayakegawa River and Paramushiru are also cancelled due to weather.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 32 B-24s blast the railroad yards at Tsanghsien and Tehsien; 10 B-24s and 4 P-40s attack Siangtan and nearby targets of opportunity; 60+ fighter-bombers hit river, road, and railroad targets, gun positions, warehouses, airstrips, and troops around Sinyang, Yiyang, Changsha, Kiyang, Yoyang, Hengyang, Hankow, and Wuchang.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 43: 24 of 29 B-29s bomb the marshalling yard at Kuala Lumpur; 1 of the B-29s drops over half of its bombs at Alor Star Airfield and another attacks a freighter in the channel leading to Port Swettenham. 3 others attack Khao Huakhang, Thailand.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): 13 P-47s support forces of the British 36 Division in the Mogok area; 46 P-47s and P-38s sweep the roads S of the bomb line; 49 others hit supply areas behind the enemy lines, attack a bivouac near Nam-yang, and bomb a truck park N of Mong Yai. 537 air supply sorties are flown to forward areas.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 10 B-24s from Guam hit Susaki Airfield which 9 B-24s again hit during the night of 10/11 Mar on separate snooper strikes. 23 B-24s from Angaur Airfield bomb Calarian Airfield on Mindanao.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 40: During the predawn hours, 279 B-29s, of 325 airborne, blast the Tokyo urban area with incendiaries, destroying 267,171 buildings, about one-fourth in the city, killing 83,793 and wounding 40,918 people and destroying 15.8 square miles; this death total is the highest of any single day's action during the war, exceeding the deaths caused by the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima; 20 other B-29s bomb alternates and targets of opportunity; 14 B-29s are lost; the participating B-29s are from the XXI Bomber Command's 73d, 313th, and 314th Bombardment Wings (Very Heavy) the raids are flown at levels ranging from 4,900 to 9,200 feet.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Mindanao, B-24s and B-25s over the Zamboanga Peninsula area bomb the town of Zamboanga, Calarian Airfield, Pangasahan, Port Holland, Kulibato Point, and Sibago. B-24s bomb the Ipo area and Aparri Airfield; B-25s and A-20s support guerrillas near San Fernando and bomb Cabugao; fighter-bombers hit Caballo in Manila Bay, bomb the town of Minanga, hit enemy concentrations at Burgos, near Ft Stotsenburg, in Batangag Province, and at other locations, and attack Teresa. B-24s bomb Kudat and Jesselton Airfields.

VIETNAM: Japan declares Vietnam to be independent. This increases the anti-colonial feeling that would leave the region war-torn for the next quarter century.

 

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March 11th 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In French Indochina, 4 B-25s knock out 1 bridge and hit numerous boxcars at Kep and near Don Met. In China, 5 B-24s over the S China Sea and Gulf of Tonkin claim 1 freighter sunk and another damaged; 10 P-40s and P-51s blast locomotives on the Tsinpu railroad and demolish 3 villages E of Lohochai; the 1st Combat Cargo Group, 1st Combat Cargo Group, based at Hsinching with C-47s, sends a detachment to operate from Liangshan.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 14 B-25s pound stores, troops, vehicles, and ammunition dumps at Konghsa, Kwai-Kong, Man Kat, and Mong Yai; 4 P-38s knock out a bridge at Mong Tong; 8 P-47s hit troop concentration at Kyaukme; 30+ P-47s hit targets of opportunity during a road sweeps behind enemy lines. Transports fly 547 sorties to forward areas.

AAFPOA Seventh Air Force: 11 B-24s from Guam again hit Susaki Airfield, while 8 more during the night of 11/12 Mar, pound the airfield individually. VII Fighter Command: Iwo Jima based P-51s also bomb Susaki Airfield and strafe Okimura and Kitamura on Haha Jima.
(IJN) Only two P1Ys, instead of the original 24 bombers that departed Japan, reached Ulithi. The Gingas approached Ulithi at high altitude. They dropped tin foil chaff to deceive the American's radars. then dove and flew in low over the water. The two Gingas flew into Ulithi's anchorage undetected. They wanted one of the large fast carriers. The pilot of the first Ginga radioed "Successful attack!" before crashing. No alert had been sounded. The islets and ships were all well lit, the ships' crews relaxed and movies were being shown. At 2007, a P1Y slammed into the starboard side of the USS RANDOLPH (CV-15), a 27,100-ton TICONDEROGA-class carrier, anchored off Sorlen Islet. The bomber hit aft just below the flight deck, but had so little fuel left in its tanks that it did not burst into flames. The explosion of its bomb destroyed planes in the vicinity of the flight and hangar decks. The RANDOLPH was badly damaged and 26 men were killed and another 105 wounded. The other Ginga mistook Sorlen Islet for another aircraft carrier and plowed into it. The RANDOLPH was repaired locally and returned to action in early April 1945. She served as flagship of Task Force 58 during the latter part of the Okinawa campaign.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 41: Attacking at altitudes ranging from 5,100 to 8,500 feet, 285 of 310 B-29s bomb the Nagoya, Japan urban area with incendiaries during the night of 11/12 Mar destroying 2.05 square miles; 6 others hit a secondary target; 1 B-29 is lost.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Mindanao, B-24s bomb the Zamboanga area, Mercedes village, and San Roque Airfield and B-25s hit Mercedes, support ground forces near Zamboanga, and in conjunction with PT boats, hit Isabela, Barlak, Taluksangay, and a HQ N of Zamboanga. On Luzon , B-24s hit the Aparri area and support ground forces at Wawa; A-20s and fighter-bombers fly ground support missions and attack supply dumps and numerous targets of opportunity throughout Luzon. On Formosa, fighter-bombers hit Takao and B-24s bomb Mako.

 

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March 12th 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-25s knock out the Song Rang bridge in French Indochina; 6 P-51s hit road communications at Hwayuan, China and bomb a building at Ha Coi, French Indochina.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 42: 44 of 49 B-29s hit oil storage facilities on Bukum , Malayan States, and Samboe and Sebarok s, Sumatra; 1 other B-29 bombs Arang Hill, Malayan States; they claim 0-0-1 Japanese aircraft; results are poor.

BURMA: Byotha, Burma falls to the 20th Indian Division.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 13 B-25s and 35 P-47s hit troop concentrations, supplies, vehicles, and AA guns along the battlefront and behind enemy lines; 66 P-47s hit transportation targets and a bridge during several road sweeps in C Burma; 12 others damage a bypass bridge at Hay-ti. Transports complete 677 sorties delivering men and supplies to advanced bases and dropping supplies to frontline forces. The 164th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Shwebo to Ondaw, Burma with UC-64s and L-5s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 16 P-51s bomb and strafe Okimura on Haha Jima. 13 B-24s fly daylight strike against Susaki Airfield; during the night of 12/13 Mar, 8 B-24s hit Susaki Airfield and Okimura. 24 B-24s from Angaur Airfield hit a Saragani Bay storage area on Mindanao.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s hit Mercedes and Malabang on Mindanao. On Luzon , other B-24s bomb Japanese troops near Ipo, B-25s hit supply area at Bangued and troops at Pattao, A-20s and fighter-bombers fly ground forces support missions. fighter-bombers also bomb Calallo. On Formosa B-24s, with P-38 support bomb Takao and Tainan and P-51s also hit Tainan and bomb Jitsugetsu power plants. The 6th Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Troop Carrier Group, moves from Biak to Tacloban, Leyte with C-47s; the 33d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d BG (Heavy), moves from Guiuan Airfield to Clark Field with B-24s; the 69th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d BG (Medium), moves from Sansapor to Puerto Princesa with B-25s (the 69th is operating from Morotai).

 

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March 13th 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 7 B-24s over the Gulf of Tonkin and the S China Sea claim a cargo vessel and a large junk destroyed. 13 P-40s, P-38s, and P-51s destroy a storehouse and damage a compound at Chinchengchiang, China and knock out a bridge and hit machinegun positions and other targets of opportunity at Lang Son, French Indochina.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 16 P-47s support forces of the Chinese 50th Division, hitting Japanese positions along the Namtu River in the Namhsan area; 26 P-38s hit road targets S of the bomb line in C Burma; 12 B-25s attack troop concentrations, supplies, and gun positions behind enemy lines; 4 P-47s hit a wooded area in the British 36 Division battle sector; other fighter-bombers make ineffective bridge strikes. Transports complete 500+ sorties to forward areas.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 6 B-24s from Guam hit Woleai while 10 others bomb Susaki Airfield; during the night of 13/14 Mar, 8 B-24s, flying individual strikes pound Susaki Airfield. 24 B-24s from Angaur Airfield bomb a storage area at Saragani Bay, Mindanao.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 42: In the third of the Twentieth AF's great fire raids, 274 of 301 B-29s begin bombing Osaka, shortly after 2400 hours local on the night of 13/14 Mar; because of 8/10 cloud cover, bombing is by radar; the heart of the city, an area of 8.1 square miles, is wiped out during 3 hours of bombing from altitudes of 5,000 to 9,600 ft; 134,744 houses are destroyed, 1,363 houses damaged and Japanese casualties are 3,988 dead, 678 missing and 8,463 dead; 5 other B-29s bomb other targets; the B-29s claim 1-0-0 Japanese aircraft; 2 B-29s are lost.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA: On Mindanao , B-24s hit targets in the Saragani Bay area and effectively hit the town of Lagao and B-25s support ground operations in the Zamboanga area. B-25s, A-20s, and fighters support ground forces hitting forces and positions in the Cagayan Valley on Luzon . B-25s hit sampans off Hainan , China while P-51s sweep Samah Airfield on the island. B-24s hit installations in WC Formosa and at Mako. The 408th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d BG (Heavy), moves from Guiuan Airfield to Clark Field with B-24s.

 

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March 14th 1945

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Of 12 B-25s taking off to cover a naval task force on its way to Matsuwa in the Kurile s, 6 abort due to weather and failure to locate the task force; the others fly coverage sorties throughout the day.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 3 B-24s claim 1 cargo vessel sunk in the S China Sea; 1 B-25 and 4 fighter-bombers damage 12 track sections near Tungyangchen; and 4 P-51s hit railroad targets of opportunity near Chihsien. 19 P-51s and P-38s blast the barracks area at Vinh Yen, French Indochina.

BURMA: The last rail line for the Japanese into Mandalay, Burma is cut by the 62nd Indian Brigade when they take Maymo.
INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 20 P-47s fly close support for elements of the Chinese 50th Division in the Mansam area; 3 B-25s knock out a bridge at Laihka while 11 others bomb troop and a vehicle concentration nearby; 39 P-47s hit troop concentrations, supplies and vehicles at Laihka and Namlan while 29 others sweep roads S of the bomb line. 614 air supply sorties are flown to forward areas. The 165th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Asansol, India to Sinthe, Burma with UC-64s and L-5s and the 166th Liaison Squadron (Commando) moves from Sinthe to Asansol with the same aircraft.

Seventh Air Force: 11 B-24s from Guam bomb Susaki Airfield while 23 from Angaur Airfield hit a Saragani Bay supply area on Mindanao . During the night of 14/15 Mar, 5 more B-24s flying individually hit Susaki Airfield. VII Fighter Command: 16 Iwo Jima based P-51s strafe and dive-bomb Susaki Airfield, the town of Okimura on Haha Jima, and several gun positions on Chichi Jima. The ground echelon of the 549th Night Fighter Squadron, VII Fighter Command, arrives on Iwo Jima from Hawaii (air echelon is operating from Saipan with P-61s).
IWO JIMA - At 9:30 a.m. Americans consider the capture of Iwo Jima complete.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Mindanao, B-24s bomb the Konel area while B-25s and B-24s hit the village and AA positions near Zamboanga and dock area at Isabela. A-20s and numerous fighter-bombers (including some US Marine aircraft) hit installations and defensive positions throughout Luzon . A-20s over Palawan hit Pandanan . B-24s bomb the Mako, Formosa naval base. B-25s on an armed reconnaissance and shipping sweep along the China coast bomb the secondary targets when no ships are sighted. The 2d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d BG (Heavy), moves from Guiuan Airfield to Clark Field with B-24s.

 

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March 15th 1945

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 1 B-24 flies air coverage for a naval task force; 7 others weather-abort.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-24s claim 1 vessel sunk in the S China Sea. In China, 4 B-25s hit the area E of Pingsiang; 4 P-51s hit locomotives between Sinsiang and Shihkiachwang and 4 attack motor transport in the Paotou area.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 30 P-47s support elements of the Chinese 50th Division in the Namhsan area; 32 P-38s sweep roads S of the bomb line. Transports fly 625 sorties to forward areas.
MALAYA - B-29 bomber bombed Royal Selangor museum. Victim of the US bombers. (The B-29 was assigned to bomb KL marshalling yards and train station on 10 Mar 1945, the bombs strayed and hit the Royal Selangor Museum beside the Train station. The Japanese used it as propaganda in Penang Shimbun.)

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 8 Guam based B-24s bomb Susaki Airfield; 3 more, on snooper strikes, hit the airfield during the night of 15/16 Mar.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In support of US ground forces on Luzon, B-24s, A-20s, and P-38s hit a HQ area at Baguio; P-47s hit Minuli bridge and enemy concentrations in the Balete Pass and W of Ft Stotsenburg; and A-20s and P-47s hit gun positions and occupied areas around Batangas. On Mindanao, B-24s and B-25s hit personnel N of Saragani Bay and troops and gun positions in the Zamboanga area. B-24s bomb Lahug. P-47s dive-bomb Takao power installations on Formosa. HQ 22d BG and the 19th Bombardment Squadron move from Guiuan Airfield to Clark Field with B-24s; the 100th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d BG (Medium), moves from Sansapor to Palawan with B-25s; the 403d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d BG (Heavy), moves from Tacloban to Clark Field with B-24s.

IWO JIMA: The fighting continues on Iwo Jima. The Japanese forces are mostly confined in a small area in the northwest of the island.

JAPAN: Matsuwa in the Kurile Islands is bombarded by the US.

 

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March 16th 1945

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Because of a navigational error, 2 B-24s on a photo mission to Matsuwa reach 130 miles S of the island, the deepest penetration of the Japanese Home s to date; the B-24s turn N, photograph Matsuwa and bomb Shimushiru with unobserved results.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 32 B-24s, escorted by 10 P-51s, pound the N railroad yards at Shihkiachwang; 1 B-25 and 2 P-51s attack the railroad between Sinsiang and Shihkiachwang; the detachment of the 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st FG, operating from Laohokow with P-51s, returns to base at Chengkung (another detachment is operating from Poseh).

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 23 P-47s support forces of the Chinese 50th Division in the Hsipaw area; 4 P-38s, supporting the British 36 Division, bomb artillery positions NE of Mogok; 12 B-25s blast a fuel dump and troop concentration at Panghai; and 40 P-38s sweep roads S of the bomb line. Transport operations continue on a steady basis.

Seventh Air Force: 13 Guam based B-24s bomb Susaki Airfield; during the night of 16/17 Mar, Susaki Airfield is hit again, by 5 B-24s flying individual harassment strikes. Iwo Jima is declared secure although fierce resistance continues on some parts of the island. VII Fighter Command: 16 Iwo Jima based P-51s dive-bomb and strafe radio and radar installations, gun positions, and a storage area on Chichi Jima. In Mar 45 HQ VII Fighter Command will be established on Iwo Jima from where some of its units escort B-29 missions.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 43: 307 XXI Bomber Command B-29s, of 331 airborne, fire-raid Kobe in the heaviest attack to date, bombing from 5,000 to 9,500 feet during the predawn hours of 16/17 Mar; the attack lasts for 2 hours and 8 minutes; about 2.9 square miles, i.e., 20%, of the city's area is burned destroying about 500 industrial buildings and damaging 162; 65,951 homes are lost leaving 242,468 people homeless. Casualties are 2,669 dead or missing and 11,289 injured. The B-29 crews see 314 enemy aircraft which make a total of 93 individual attacks; the AAF claims 1-0-? Japanese aircraft; 3 B-29s are lost, none to the fighters.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Luzon, A-20s and B-24s continue pounding Japanese installations at Baguio; P-51s strike Patapat, hitting vehicles and supplies; fighters on patrol hit Caballo in Manila Bay; the Batangas area is again pounded by fighter-bombers and A-20s. B-24s hit Talisay and Carolina Airfields on Negros and bomb targets pinpointed by guerrillas on Cebu. B-25s bomb San Roque Airfield on Mindanao and attack Tarakan and Jesselton Airfields. On Formosa, B-24s also hit the town of Taihoku, airfields at Heito, and the Okayama naval airbase. HQ 43d BG and the 65th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) move from Tacloban, Leyte to Clark Field, Luzon with B-24s; the 419th Night Fighter Squadron, XIII Fighter Command, moves from Middelburg to Puerto Princesa, Palawan with P-61s.
PHILLIPINES: US troops land on Basilan island.

 

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March 17th 1945

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile s, 2 B-24s fly bombing and photo missions over Matsuwa , concentrating on the airfield, and on returning photograph Shasukotan, Harumukotan, and Onnekotan.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 1 B-25 and 12 P-51s damage 21 locomotives and a river launch in the Peking area, around Tsinan, and between Taiyuan and Tatung.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 44: In Burma, 70 of 77 B-29s hit a storage dump at Rangoon; 2 others bomb targets of opportunity, the Sagyi Airfield and warehouses at Bassein without loss.
BURMA: The Chinese Sixth Army captures Hsipaw.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 16 P-47s support the British 36 Division around Mogok; 12 B-25s bomb troops and supplies near Namlan; 33 P-47s hit road targets behind enemy lines, concentrating on the Hay-ti and Mong Yai sectors; 40+ other fighter-bombers attack troops, supplies, tanks, and trucks behind the battleline including the Ta-mun, Namsaw, Pansupe, Tal-ti, and Kankang areas. Transports continue to fly troops and supplies to frontline areas.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 11 Guam based B-24s hit Susaki Airfield; during the night of 17/18 Mar, 5 B-24s again hit the airfield. HQ 30th BG and the 27th, 30th and 819th Bombardment Squadrons move from Saipan to Wheeler Field with B-24s (the group will train and fly patrol missions until VJ-Day).

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Formosa airfields are pounded by B-24s operating in force. On Luzon, nearly 500 sorties are flown in support of ground forces by B-25s, A-20s, and fighters. B-24s hit Panay beaches preparatory to allied landings on 18 Mar and bomb troops in the combat areas on Mindanao. Bacolod Airfield on Negros is also bombed. HQ 317th Troop Carrier Group moves from Leyte to Clark Field; the 31st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th BG (Heavy), moves from Morotai to Guiuan Airfield with B-24s.

JAPAN: Tokyo: Japanese children from the age of seven are to give up school to work in factories to help the war effort, the cabinet ordered today. The drastic new measures will take effect from 1 April for a year. Only primary schools for children up to six will remain open. All other schools, colleges and universities will close, and students and teachers will work in food and munitions factories, air defence, research work and anything else that helps the war effort.

 

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March 18th 1945

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A weather sortie is flown.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-24s sweep the Gulf of Tonkin and S China Sea, claiming 1 freighter damaged. 2 P-51s over N French Indochina strafe trucks, troops, and horsecarts.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 P-47s support the Chinese ground forces near Hsipaw; 8 others support British 36 Division troops by dropping napalm NE of Mogok; 11 B-25s and 20 fighter-bombers hit troop concentrations and supplies immediately behind the battlefront and roads S of the bomb line are swept by 16 P-38s. Transports continue steady operations.

Seventh Air Force: 14 B-24s from Guam pound Susaki Airfield and 1 other hits Haha Jima; during the night of 18/19 Mar, 5 more B-24s individually strike Susaki Airfield. The 392d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 30th BG (Heavy), moves from Saipan to Kipapa, Hawaii with B-24s. VII Fighter Command: 16 P-51s from Iwo Jima dive-bomb radar and radio installations and barges on Chichi Jima.

USN Vice Admiral Mitscher's fast carrier squadron attacks the Japanese fleet in in the Kure-Kobe area. USS Wasp is badly damaged by a Kamikaze Attack.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 44: During the night of 18/19 Mar, 290 of 313 XXI Bomber Command B-29s continue the fire raids on Japanese cities, bombing Nagoya from 4,500 to 9,000 feet with incendiaries for the second time this month; an additional 3 square miles are destroyed; the Nagoya arsenal, Aichi engine plant and freight yards are damaged but the Mitsubishi plants escape with minor damage; this mission ends the March fire raids.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s, A-20s, and fighters support ground forces by hitting the Ipo area and various targets in Batangas Province. B-24s again bomb Bacolod, hit several targets on Cebu, and bomb Sepinggang and Jesselton Airfields. On Formosa, Tainan Airfield, seaplane base at Takao, and emergency field at Koshun are also hit. The 419th Night Fighter Squadron, XIII Fighter Command, based at Puerto Princesa, Palawan with P-61s, sends a detachment to operate from Zamboanga, Mindanao.

 

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March 19th 1945

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 5 B-24s bomb and photograph the Kashiwabara naval base on Paramushiru . 8 B-25s bomb canneries along the Masugawa and Asahigawa Rivers.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 5 B-24s on a sweep over the S China Sea and Gulf of Tonkin claim a large freighter sunk. 4 P-38s strafe trucks from Son La to Hoa Binh, French Indochina.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 24 P-38s support the forces of the Chinese 50th Division near Hsipaw; 12 P-38s sweep roads S of the bomb line while 27 P-47s operating over and behind enemy lines hit troop concentrations and supplies at Namlan, Namio, and Nam-maw-long and a Japanese-held monastery at Nammaw-long. Transports fly 502 sorties to forward areas.

AAFPOA Seventh Air Force: 12 Guam based B-24s attack the Susaki Airfield and radio installations in the afternoon. During the night of 19/20 Mar, Susaki Airfield is hit again by 5 B-24s flying separate snooper strikes. VII Fighter Command: 16 P-51s from Iwo Jima bomb and strafe Susaki Airfield, a radio installation, and storage area on Chichi Jima.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s and fighter-bombers again hit installations on N Luzon. B-24s hit a variety of targets on Cebu including the town of Minglanilla. The 8th Combat Cargo Squadron, 2d Combat Cargo Group, moves from Biak to Dulag with C-46s; the 63d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d BG (Heavy), moves from Tacloban, Leyte to Clark Field, Luzon with B-24s.

 

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March 20th 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In French Indochina, 4 P-38s claim 11 trucks destroyed and 9 damaged between Son La and Hoa Binh.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): 20 P-47s sweep roads S of the bomb line in C Burma; 16 others hit supply dumps behind Japanese lines. Transports continue to supply forward areas.

AAFPOA Seventh Air Force: 12 Guam based B-24s bomb Susaki Airfield; during the night of 20/21 Mar, 4 other B-24s fly single strikes against the airfield. VII Fighter Command: The air echelon of the 549th Night Fighter Squadron, ceases operating from Saipan and moves to Iwo Jima with P-61s.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Luzon, B-24s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers fly numerous ground support missions and hit targets at Balete Pass, Bayombong, Tuguegarao, Antamok, San Fernando, Bontoc and along roads. B-24s pound the supply and personnel area E of Cebu City and N of Mambaling on Cebu, defensive positions NW of Talisay and AA guns to the N, and also bomb Talisay. Other B-24s bomb the town of Tainan. B-25s on a shipping sweep sink 3 small vessels near Qui Nhon, French Indochina. The 72d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th BG (Heavy), moves from Morotai to Guiuan Airfield with B-24s; the detachments of the 75th and 390th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 42d BG (Medium), operating from Morotai return to base at Sansapor with B-25s.

USN: The US submarine Kete, commanded by Edward Ackerman, is listed as missing between Okinawa and Midway. The probable cause of loss is by Jap submarine. All hands are lost.

 

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March 21st 1945

ZONE OF INTERIOR (Fourth Air Force): A P-63 from Walla Walla AAFld, Washington, intercepts a Japanese balloon near Redmond, Washington, and, after a chase that includes 2 refueling stops, shoots it down near Reno, Nevada.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 P-51s damage several locomotives and boxcars at Vinh Airfield, French Indochina and along the railroad to the N. 6 B-24s claim 1 vessel damaged in S China Sea.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 30 P-47s support Chinese ground forces in the Hsipaw area; 34 P-38s sweep roads S of the bomb line; 13 B-25s and 18 P-47s attack troop concentrations and vehicles at several points behind the Japanese lines; 526 air supply sorties are flown to the forward areas; in ground action in the area of the British Fourteenth Army's 33 Corps, organized resistance ceases in Mandalay and Allied forces completely take over that city.

Seventh Air Force: 13 B-24s, based on Guam hit Susaki Airfield, which is hit again during the night of 21/22 Mar by 5 more, flying separate strikes. VII Fighter Command: 16 P-51s from Iwo Jima strafe and bomb barracks and radio and radar installations on Chichi Jima.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-25s, A-20s, and fighters continue large-scale support missions, hitting a variety of targets including Japanese defenses at Lipa and Tarlac and the town of Naga and Camiling. In the C Philippines B-24s hit targets near Cebu City while A-20s pound other towns on Cebu. B-24s bomb Samah Airfield on Hainan. B-25s on a shipping sweep attack and set afire a freighter SE of Nanao, China. HQ 42d BG (Medium) and the 390th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) move from Morotai to Puerto Princesa with B-25s; the 67th Fighter Squadron, 347th FG, ceases operating from Morotai with P-38s and returns to base at Puerto Princesa.

 

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March 22nd 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 24 fighter-bombers and a single B-25 attack railroad traffic and railroad yards in and around Shihkiachwang, at Chukiatsi, and from Sinsiang to Chenghsien.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 45: 76 of 78 B-29s, operating in 2 waves, blast storage dumps at Rangoon without loss.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 16 fighter-bombers support Chinese ground forces near Hsipaw; 12 B-25s and 41 fighter-bombers hit numerous targets along and immediately behind the enemy lines; troops, supplies, and communications are attacked and 2 bridges are knocked out; 547 air supply sorties are flown to forward areas; the 71st Liaison Squadron, Tenth Air Force [attached to 1st Liaison Group (Provisional)], moves from Katha to Myitkyina with L-1s, L-4s, L-5s and UC-64s.

AAFPOA Seventh Air Force: 13 B-24s from Guam bomb Susaki Airfield. 20 B-24s from Angaur Airfield bomb Cebu. During the night of 22/23 Mar, 4 B-24s from Guam make individual raids on Susaki Airfield. VII Fighter Command: 16 Iwo Jima based P-51s bomb and strafe a weather station fuel storage, and radar installations on Chichi Jima.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA: B-24s and A-20s (along with US Marine Corps aircraft) hit Cebu City, defenses at several locations on Cebu, and targets on Inampulugan nearby. On Luzon , B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and fighters continue to hit numerous objectives, chiefly Balete Pass, Tangadon, San Fernando, and the Batangas areas. On Formosa, other B-24s hit Tainan and Okayama Airfields, destroying several hangars, planes, and gun positions. The 64th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d BG (Heavy), moves from Tacloban, Leyte to Clark Field, Luzon with B-24s; the 69th and 100th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 42d BG (Medium), cease operating from Morotai with B-25s and move to base at Puerto Princesa, Palawan; the 75th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d BG (Medium), moves from Sansapor to Puerto Princesa with B-25s; and the 868th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), Thirteenth AF, moves from Noemfoor to Morotai with B-24s (the squadron uses airborne radar for low-level attacks at night and for pathfinder operations).

SOLOMONS: Bougainville, British Solomon Islands: CPL (later SGT) Reginald Roy Rattey wins the Victoria Cross.

 

[syscom3]

March 23rd 1945

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): An 8-bomber strike is called off due to weather.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 28 B-24s bomb the Tsinan railroad shops and Yellow River bridge; 5 B-25s bomb town areas, storage facilities, and targets of opportunity at Sinsiang and Wu-yang and chiefly in the Hsiangcheng area; 50+ fighter-bombers attack troops, horses, and river, road, and railroad targets in N French Indochina and S and E China.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 15 P-47s support Chinese ground forces, bomb troops, and positions at Nampongpang and Nakang; 16 P-47s hit targets of opportunity along roads from Mong Nawng to Wan Sing and to Kunlong, China; 11 P-47s hit quarters at Monglawng while 3 others attack supply dumps at Laihka; 9 B-25s bomb communications routes, creating 2 road blocks behind enemy lines. In large-scale air supply operations, 536 sorties
are flown.

AAFPOA Seventh Air Force: During the night of 23/24 Mar, 5 Guam based B-24s, flying single-bomber strikes, pound Susaki Airfield. VII Fighter Command: 15 P-51s from Iwo Jima bomb and strafe various targets on Chichi Jima, Haha Jima, and Ani Jima.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and fighters hit bomb Cebu City, hitting defenses on Cebu and other islands, and on Luzon, bomb the Antamok mines, Balete Pass, and the Tangadon areas, along with several other targets. B-24s also hit targets on Mindanao and fighter-bombers attack Takao, Formosa. The detachment of the 421st Night Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Wing, operating from Tacloban with P-61s, returns to base at San Marcelino.

 

[syscom3]

March 24th 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 34 B-24s, with an escort of 9 fighters, pound the Chenghsien locomotive park and Yellow River bridge; 30+ B-25s and 100+ fighter-bombers, operating in forces of 1 to 8 aircraft, attack tanks, trucks, locomotives, troop concentrations, storage areas, airstrips, bridges, gun positions, and general targets of opportunity throughout S and E China.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): 31 fighter-bombers and 9 B-25s operating over the battlefront and behind enemy lines in C Burma pound troop concentrations, supply areas, a truck park, and general targets of opportunity; 9 other fighter-bombers attack targets of opportunity along roads S of the bomb line; 504 air supply sorties are flown, landing men and supplies at advanced bases and dropping supplies to frontline forces. Lost is B-24L 44-49607.

AAFPOA Seventh Air Force: 9 B-24s from Guam bomb the torpedo storage area on Marcus in the N Pacific. 24 Angaur Airfield based B-24s bomb defensive positions and the town of Naga on Luzon . During the night of 24/25 Mar, 5 Guam -based B-24s hit the airfield and town of Okimura on Haha Jima. VII Fighter Command: 16 Iwo Jima based P-51s hit air, naval, and radar installations and targets of opportunity on Chichi Jima.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 45: 223 of 248 B-29s, from the Marianas, attack the Mitsubishi aircraft engine plant at Nagoya, Japan during the night of 24/25 Mar; 3 other B-29s hit alternate targets; 5 B-29s are lost.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s and A-20s pound Cebu City and defenses and installations on Cebu. On Luzon, B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and P-38s attack Balete Pass, Legaspi, the Batangas area, and scattered targets throughout Luzon. On Formosa, B-24s hit the harbor at Takao and power plant and alcohol factory E of Okayama. HQ 91st Photographic Wing (Reconnaissance) moves from Mindoro to Clark Field.

 

[syscom3]

March 25th 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 20+ B-25s and 150+ fighters, operating individually and in flights of up to 8 aircraft, continue attacks on numerous targets including river, road, and rail traffic, airfields, troop concentrations, storage areas, horses, and gun positions throughout S and E China; the detachment of the 22d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st BG (Medium), operating from Peishiyi with B-25s, returns to base at Yangkai.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 26 P-47s support forces of the Chinese 50th Division in the Hsipaw area; 44 fighter-bombers and 14 B-25s attack troops and supplies and hit targets of opportunity along roads behind the battleline in C Burma; 557 transport sorties are flown to forward areas.
Seventh Air Force: During the night of 25/26 Mar, 5 B-24s from Guam Island hit Susaki Airfield. 23 B-24s from Angaur Airfield bomb defenses on Cebu. The US Marines complete the reduction of the final resistance pocket on Iwo Jima. VII Fighter Command: 16 Iwo Jima based P-51s bomb and strafe Susaki Airfield, and naval and radar installations on Chichi Jima; 16 more follow with attacks on a radar station and personnel concentration on the island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Cebu City is thoroughly pounded by nearly 70 B-24s. B-24s hit Legaspi, and B-25s and fighter-bombers fly numerous ground support missions, especially between Montalban and Laguna de Bay. B-25s attack Pandanan Island, Philippine Islands. The 6th Combat Cargo Squadron, 2d Combat Cargo Group, moves from Biak to Dulag with C-46s; and the 339th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, ceases operating from Morotai with P-38s and returns to base at Puerto Princesa.

 

[syscom3]

March 26th 1945

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile s, 2 missions, each by 4 B-25s, attempt to bomb canneries on the Masugawa and the Hayakegawa Rivers; fighters drive off the Masugawa mission and the other mision cannot find the target due to weather. 4 B-24s bomb the Kataoka naval base on Shimushu.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 15 B-25s and 80+ fighter-bombers, operating individually or in small flights, continue to disrupt mobility and supply lines throughout S and E China, hitting numerous targets of opportunity chiefly trucks, tanks, supply areas, horses, troops, artillery pieces; several of the fighter-bombers also considerably damage Puchou Airfield.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 28 P-47s and 10 B-25s operating over and behind the C Burma battlelines attack artillery positions, troop concentrations, road communications, and supply areas; 522 air supply sorties are being completed throughout the day.

Seventh Air Force: During the night of 26/27 Mar, 3 B-24s from Guam on individual snooper strikes hit Chichi Jima. 9 Guam-based B-24s pound Marcus in the N Pacific. The capture and occupation phase of the island ends at 0800 hours when Major General James E Chaney becomes Commander. VII Fighter Command: 21 P-51s from Iwo Jima bomb and strafe Susaki Airfield while 16 bomb and strafe weather and radar stations and the town of Kitamura. HQ 21st FG arrives at Central Field, Iwo Jima from Hawaii; the 72d and 531st Fighter Squadrons, 21st FG, move from Mokuleia Field to Iwo Jima with P-51s.

IWO JIMA: A final suicide attack by the Japanese on Iwo Jima is reported by the 5th MarDiv. 200 of the Japanese Garrison of 20,700 are left as prisoners.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers bomb Legaspi and targets in the area including a fuel dump at Camalig; fighter-bombers hit numerous targets in the N at Solvec Cove, Baguio, Mankayan, Sante Fe, and other areas; in the SW, A-20s and fighter-bombers support US ground forces, hitting Ternate, and towns in Tayabas and Batangas Provinces. B-24s and A-20s hit Cebu City and E coast targets on Cebu. B-24s hit Takao, Formosa. The 6th Combat Cargo Squadron, 2d Combat Cargo Group, moves from Biak to Dulag with C-46s.

 

[syscom3]

March 27th 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 25 B-25s hit towns, rail, road, and river traffic, and targets of opportunity around Kweilin, Liuchow, Hengyang, Hochih, Kaifeng, Anlu, Ishan, Kiyang, and the Siang Chiang Valley, China and Nanyang, Burma. 44 fighter-bombers hit trucks, trains, sampans, power facilities, and other targets around Nanyo, China and Hongay, Son Tay, Na Cham, Cao Bang, Lang Son, Moc Chau, Muong Hang, and Bac Quang, French Indochina. In China, 28 fighter-bombers knock out a bridge NE of Liuchow, hit the town of Szeenhsien, and attack ammunition dumps and road and river traffic around Hochih, Ishan, Liuchow, Pingnam, Liangfeng, and Kweilin.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 80+ fighter-bombers over the battle areas and behind enemy lines in C Burma pound troops and supplies at several locations including the Mong Kung, Man Namkat, Nam-yang, Tonglau, Ho-na, Hkai-wun, Longwai, Monglawng, Laihka, and Namlan areas. Transports are exceptionally active, flying 635 sorties to forward areas.

Seventh Air Force: During the night of 27/28 Mar 5 B-24s, flying individual strikes from Guam , hit Susaki Airfield on Chichi Jima. VII Fighter Command: On Chichi Jima, 16 P-51s from Iwo Jima bomb ammunition stores and the town of Kitamura.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 2 missions are flown: Mission 46: 151 of 165 Marianas based B-29s flying the first of many raids in support of the impending Okinawa invasion, hit Tachiarai Army Airfield and Oita Naval Airfield and the Omura aircraft factory on Kyushu, Japan; 3 others hit alternate targets; they claim 1-2-4 Japanese aircraft. Mission 47: 92 of 102 B-29s mine Shimonoseki Strait between Honshu and Kyushu s during the night of 27/28 Mar; 2 others hit alternate targets; they claim 1-0-0 Japanese aircraft; 3 B-29s are lost; this is first of many mining operations by B-29s in Japanese waters.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers bomb Legaspi, the Balete area, the Ipo-Siniloan sector, the Batangas area, and several other locations throughout Luzon; fighters support the US amphibious landings on Caballo in Manila Bay. B-24s bomb Negros Airfields while B-25s and P-38s hit the Cebu City area. Other B-25s bomb Kinsui, Formosa, and B-24s lightly attack Sandakan.

 

[syscom3]

March 28th 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-24s bomb Haiphong and Hanoi docks in French Indochina and the Bakli Bay barracks on Hainan . In China, 9 B-25s and 8 P-40s hit rivercraft and other targets from Yanglowtung to Sienning; 9 other B-25s hit junks, storage, and targets of opportunity in the Lushan area and 7 bomb Chingmen; 14 B-25s, operating in groups of 1 to 4 aircraft, hit rivercraft and scattered targets of opportunity at several other points in S and E China; 120+ fighter-bombers over French Indochina and S and E China continue to pound numerous targets of opportunity, mainly river, road, and rail traffic and troop concentrations; rivercraft and airfields in areas around Kai Tek Airfield in Hong Kong and Canton, Hankow, and Wuchang, China are severely hit. In China, the 11th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st Bombardment Group (Medium), based at Yangkai sends a detachment to operate from Chihkiang with B-25s; the 19th Liaison Squadron, 69th Composite Wing, moves from Kunming to Chengkung with L-1s and L-5s.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 3 mining missions are flown during the night of 28/29 Mar without loss:
Mission 46: 10 of 10 B-29s mine the mouth of the Hwangpoo River and the S channel of the Yangtze River at Shanghai, China.
Mission 47: 17 of 18 B-29s mine the waters at Saigon and Camranh Bay, French Indochina.
Mission 48: 32 of 33 B-29s mine the Singapore, Malayan States area.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): 30+ fighter-bombers operating over and behind the battlelines in C Burma attack troop concentrations, supply areas, elephant transport, and general targets of opportunity at or near Wan Hong, Ho-na, Kyu-sawk, Nawnghkio, and Na-ti; 642 air supply sorties are flown
to advanced bases and over the frontlines, where supplies are dropped, throughout the day.

Seventh Air Force: 10 Guam based B-24s bomb Truk Atoll flying separate snooper strikes, 5 hit Susaki Airfield during the night of 28/29 Mar. VII Fighter Command: On Chichi Jima 15 P-51s from Iwo Jima hit airfields and defenses.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA: B-24s and fighter-bombers hit Balete Pass tracts and ridges, installations at Santa Fe, and ground support targets N of Laguna de Bay and in Cavite and Batangas Provinces and B-25s and A-20s attack troop concentrations at Baguio and Ilagan. Bombers hit the Cebu City area and pound airfields on Negros . B-24s bomb Likanan Airfield on Mindanao . Other B-24s hit Takao and Tainan, Formosa while B-25s hit shore targets along the French Indochina coast. The 39th Troop Carrier Squadron, 317th Troop Carrier Group, moves from Leyte to Clark Field, Luzon with C-47s.

 

[syscom3]

March 29th 1945

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 6 B-24s bomb Kataoka naval base on Shimushu; 8 B-25s weatherabort a mission to Tomari Cape and 1 B-24 flies a radar-ferret mission along the Paramushiru coast.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 11 B-24s attack shipping in the S China Sea, at Bakli and Samah Bays on Hainan , and at Haiphong, French Indochina, heavily damaging a destroyer and a merchant vessel. In China, 18 B-25s, escorted by 12 P-40s, bomb railroad yards at Yoyang; 4 B-25s claim 6 small steamers sunk and several vessels damaged in the Liuchow area while 2 others hit the town area and railroad targets in the Dong Giao area of French Indochina; single B-25s hit targets of opportunity at or near Loyang, Loning, Neihsiang, Yiyang, and Hsuchang; 90+ fighter-bombers over S and E China and French Indochina attack troops, supplies, transport, and communications targets at several places, concentrating strikes around Hengyang, Chuchou, Isuho, Nanking, and Namyung, and among many targets hit airfields at Amoy and Kai Tek in Hong Kong; the 22d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st BG (Medium), based at Yangkai with B-25s, sends a detachment to operate from Chihkiang.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 49: 24 of 29 B-29s fly the last mission under the XX Bomber Command, attacking oil storage facilities on Bukum in the Malayan States during the night of 29/30 Mar; 2 other B-29s bomb individual targets on the Malay Peninsula.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): Bad weather curtails operations in C Burma; 6 B-25s hit troop concentrations and 8 others attack unsuccessfully 2 bridges immediately behind the enemy lines. Transports complete 560 sorties to forward areas. The 166th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Asansol, India to Ondaw, Burma with UC-64s and L-5s.
Seventh Air Force: 9 B-24s from Guam bomb Dublon in Truk Atoll. VII Fighter Command: 31 Iwo-based P-51s bomb and strafe Haha Jima .

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): HQ 58th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) arrives at West Field, Tinian from India.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s and B-25s attack Toshien, Byoritsu, and Eiko, Formosa. On Luzon, B-24s bomb Camalaniugan, B-24s and P-51s hit Legaspi and the surrounding area, and A-20s and numerous fighters hit various targets in SW Luzon. Cebu is bombed by B-25s in support of ground forces while A-20s support troops landing on Negros . B-24s bomb Oelin Airfield in Borneo.

PHILIPINES: US landing on Negros in the Phillipine Islands.