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

[syscom3]

April 19th 1945

OKINAWA: An enormous bombardment precedes attacks on the Shuri Line, but the 7th, 27th and 96th Infantry Divisions make small gains and suffer severe losses. The 1st and 6th Marine divisions complete occupation of north and central Okinawa.

PHILLIPINES: Numerous missions are flown in support of ground forces on Luzon, Cebu, and Negros. On Mindanao, other B-24s bomb personnel areas at Kabacan, Cagayan, and along the Davao River.

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 8 B-25s off to bomb Kurile Island targets abort due to weather.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 12 B-24s bomb railway repair shops at Taiyuan; 3 others attack targets of opportunity in Bakli Bay on Hainan Island, 8 B-25s attack bridges and rail and road traffic N and NE of Anyang and NE of Taiku, damaging or destroying several locomotives and numerous boxcars; 100+ P-40s, P-51s, and P-47s attack town areas, troops, river, road, and rail traffic, and general targets of opportunity all over S and E China and hit a few targets of opportunity in N French Indochina.

BURMA: Pyinmana in the Sittang Valley, Burma falls to the 5th Indian Division. XXXIII Corps clears the Mt. Popo area in Burma. Magwe, Burma falls to the British 20th Indian Division.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 14 P-38s hit supplies near Paklu, a fuel dump at Hainang, and bridges near Kunna; 1 bridge is knocked out; 6 other P-38s attack targets of opportunity along roads behind enemy lines; air supply operations continue as 800 tons of supplies are landed or dropped in forward areas.

AAFPOA Seventh Air Force: 17 B-24s from Guam hit Dublon, Fefan and Eten in Truk Atoll. 25 B-24s, based in the Palau islands, bomb nearby Arakabesan and Koror Islands. VII Fighter Command: 8 P-51s from Iwo Jima bomb and strafe Futamiko in the Bonin Islands. During the night of 19/20 Apr, 6 P-61s from Iwo Jima, operating singly and at intervals, bomb and strafe Chichi, Haha, and Muko Jima. Very Long Range Mission 4: 104 P-51s fly a fighter sweep to Atsugi and Yokusuka Airfields in Japan; they claim 23-0-7 aircraft in the air and 14-0-23 on the ground; 2 P-51s are lost.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA: B-24s bomb Tainan Airfield and Shinchiku town. Tarakan is hit by a light B-25 strike while B-24s returning from a French Indochina coastal sweep bomb Sandakan. B-25s, with P-51 cover, hit Haimi. Unit moves on Luzon: HQ 3d Air Commando Group and the 3d Fighter Squadron (Commando) from Mangaldan to Laoag with P-51s; HQ 35th FG from Lingayen Airfield to Clark Field; HQ 312th BG from Mangaldan to Floridablanca; the 431st, 432d and 433d Fighter Squadrons, 475th FG, from Clark Field to Lingayen Airfield with P-38s. The 25th Liaison Squadron, 13 AF, moves from Dulag to Malabang with UC-78s and L-5s.

PACIFIC: US submarines sink 9 Japanese vessels at sea:
- Submarine USS Cero sinks a guardboat south of Japan.
- Submarine USS Sennet, attacking a convoy in Kii Suido off the south coast of Kyushu, sinks an auxiliary submarine chaser and a merchant cargo ship.
- Submarine USS Silversides sinks a guardboat .
- Submarine USS Sunfish attacks a convoy off Hokkaido, sinking a gunboat and a merchant cargo.
- Submarine USS Trutta sinks a merchant vessel and two merchant fishing boats.

 

[syscom3]

April 20th 1945

OKINAWA: III Corps completes its capture of Northern Okinawa. Attacks against the Shuri Line in the south begin.

PHILLIPINES: U.S. Army troops, supported by USAAF aircraft and USN vessels, land on Catanduanes Island (13.45N, 124.15E) in the Philippine Islands.
Large-scale FEAF support of ground forces on Luzon, Cebu, and Negros Islands continues.
USMC F4Us and SBDs attack targets on Mindanao and SBDs attack Japanese infantry positions on Jolo Island's Mount Daho.

EAST INDIES: Submarine USS Guitarro lays mines in Berhala Strait off the northeast coast of Sumatra.
Thirteenth Air Force B-24s bomb Sepinggang and Labuan Island Airfields on Borneo while USN PV Ventura attack various targets. P-38s and B-25s hit Tarakan Island.

FORMOSA: Fifth Air Force B-24s bomb Tainan Airfield while P-51s attack Koshun Airfield.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 7 B-25s hit the town of Neihsiang and attack railroad targets of opportunity from Saiping to Lohochai and from Linying, Burma to Hsuchang; 9 B-25s bomb Loyang and Luchou; 100+ P-51s, P-40s, and P-47s concentrate attacks against town areas throughout S and E China, also hitting troops, gun positions, river traffic, and other targets of opportunity.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): 32 P-38s knock out 3 bridges and damage 5 others in C Burma behind the enemy lines; 12 P-47s hit a troop concentration and ration dump at Tonglau, 18 attack a troop concentration around a monastery at Kengkawmanhaung, and 12 attack troops along a stream near Wan Nahpeit; 497 transport sorties land or drop 784 tons of supplies in forward areas. Unit moves: 1st Troop Carrier Squadron, 443d Troop Carrier Group, from Sookerating, India to Warazup, Burma with C-47s; 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, from Myitkyina, Burma to Nagaghuli with F-6s and P-40s (a flight is operating from Akyab, Burma); 164th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, from Asansol, India to Sinthe, Burma with UC-64s and L-5s.

JAPAN: B-29 bombers destroy Musashi aircraft assembly plants stopping production of the Nakajima Hayate Ki84-Ia fighter planes.

AAFPOA (VII Fighter Command): 11 P-51s from Iwo Jima bomb Haha Jima.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Unit moves on Luzon: HQ 475th FG from Clark Field to Lingayen Airfield; 386th, 388th and 389th Bombardment Squadrons, 312th BG from Mangaldan to Floridablanca with A-20s.

 

[syscom3]

April 21st 1945

OKINAWA: Off Okinawa, the destroyer USS Ammen is damaged by bomb that misses. Organized Japanese resistance on Ie Shima ends. Nearly 5,000 Japanese have been killed, 149 captured. The Americans have suffered 1,000 casualties.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: The Fifth and Thirteenth Air Force continue large scale support of ground forces on Luzon, Cebu, Negros, and Jolo Islands. USMC F4Us and SBDs attack highways and roads supporting the US X Corps on Mindanao. USMC SBDs also attack Japanese positions on Mount Daho on Jolo Island.
The US 37th Division makes some gains in heavy fighting near Baguio, Luzon, PI.

EAST INDIES: On Borneo, Thirteenth Air Force B-24s bomb Miri, Kudat, Manggar, and Sepinggang Airfields and P-38s hit Tarakan Island and Sandakan, Miri Airfield, oil storage near Lutong, and, with B-24s, attack targets of opportunity along the southwest Celebes coast. USN PV Venturas also attack various targets on Borneo.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 5 B-25s bomb Loyang; a single B-24 hits targets of opportunity in Bakli Bay on Hainan; 30 P-51s and P-47s attack railroad and road targets, barracks area, buildings, and bridges at or near Paoching, Chihsien, Taiku, Hsihhsiassuchi, Shaho, Linfen, Luan, Yutze, and Shanhsien.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): Bad weather over C Burma causes canceling or aborting of all combat missions however, transports complete 464 sorties, landing or dropping 682 tons of supplies to forward areas. The 81st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 12th BG (Medium), based at Fenny, India with B-25s, sends a detachment to operate from Meiktila, Burma.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 18 Guam Island-based B-24s bomb Marcus Island in the N Pacific.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Missions 82 to 90: The XXI Bomber Command continues to hit airfields in Japan; 217 B-29s blast airfields at Oita, 2 at Kanoya, Usa, Kokubu, Kushira, Tachiarai, Izumi, and Nittagahara; 21 other B-29s hit targets of opportunity including the city of Kagoshima.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th FG, moves from Lingayen Airfield to Clark Field, Luzon with P-47s.

 

[syscom3]

April 22nd 1945

OKINAWA: USN ships are again attacked by Japanese aircraft. Support landing craft LCS-15 is sunk by aircraft; kamikazes sink minesweeper USS Swallow, and damage destroyers USS Hudson and USS Wadsworth; destroyer USS Isherwood and minesweeper USS Ransom; and light minelayer USS Shea; minesweeper USS Gladiator is damaged by strafing and near-miss of a kamikaze.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: Numerous missions in support of ground forces are flown by the Far East Air Forces against targets on Luzon, Cebu, and Negros Islands. USMC PBJs and SBDs attack Japanese positions on Mount Daho on Jolo Island. The US 31st Divison lands at Mora Gulf in the Philippines.

U.S.: Soviet Foreign Minister V.M. Molotov arrives in Washington for talks with Secretary of State Edward R. Stettinius, Jr.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 2 B-24s bomb targets of opportunity at Canton and in Bakli Bay on Hainan; 5 B-25s bomb Hsuchang and hit the area to the NW; 19 P-51s and P-47s attack trains, trucks, troops, horses, and town areas at or near Linfen, Luan, Sincheng, Fentingtukou, Taiku, Chenghsien, Sinsiang, and Kaifeng.

BURMA: General Hyotaro Kimura evacuates Rangoon and prepares to make a last stand against the British 14th Army near the Burmese-Thai border. Toungoo in the Sittang Valley falls to the British 5th Indian Division.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, bad weather again cancels scheduled air strikes; 464 transport sorties fly 664 tons of supplies to forward areas.

AAFPOA (VII Fighter Command): 99 effective sorties are flown during fighter attack from Iwo Jima against Akenogahara and Suzuko Airfields in Japan; they claim 10 aircraft downed and 15 destroyed on the ground.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Missions 91 to 95: Strikes against airfields continue; 87 B-29s bomb airfields at Izumi, Kushira, Miyazaki, Tomitaka, and Kanoya and 6 others hit targets of opportunity; 1 B-29 is lost.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Borneo, B-24s bomb Manggar and Jesselton airfields and P-38s hit Kuching. B-24s hit shipping and harbor installations at Saigon, French Indochina.

PACIFIC: The Japanese lose 4 ships and have a cruiser damaged at sea:
- Submarine USS Cero sinks a guardboat west of Tori Jima.
- Submarine USS Hardhead sinks a cargo vessel off Chimpon.
- Dutch submarine HMNS O 19 torpedoes Japanese heavy cruiser HIJMS Ashigara as the latter proceeds in company with destroyer HIJMS Kamikaze toward Batavia.
- A guardboat is sunk by U.S. aircraft in Ise Bay.
- USAAF P-51s sink an auxiliary submarine chaser south of Toshi Jima.

 

[syscom3]

April 23rd 1945

OKINAWA: The XXIV Corps attack begins to gain ground on Okinawa.

PHILLIPINES: Units of the US 37th Division reach the outskirts of Baguio, Luzon, PI. Fighter bombers continue to support ground forces in the N and S parts of Luzon Island pounding numerous artillery positions, supply areas, and general targets of opportunity.

EAST INDIES: The US Navy's Patrol Bombing Squadron One Hundred Nine (VPB-109) based at Puerto Princessa, Palawan, Philippine Islands, launches the Special Weapons Ordnance Device (SWOD) Mk. 9 for the first time against an enemy target. The SWOD Mk. 9, or "Bat" missile, is a glide bomb consisting of a 1,000 pound (453.6 kg) bomb casing equipped with wings, twin tail and internal radar to guide it. Two Bats are launched by a VPB-109 Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer against Japanese shipping in Balikpapan harbor in Borneo but both are defective and do not hit any targets.
In Borneo, other B-24s bomb airfields at Sepinggang and Jesselton and P-38s drop napalm on Tarakan. Other B-24s fly a shipping sweep over the Makassar Strait and damage several small vessels.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 5 B-25s blast the Hsuchang railroad yards, completely demolishing a locomotive repair shop; 2 B-24s attack targets of opportunity in the S China Sea; 39 P-47s and P-51s attack troops, horses, trains, and rivercraft at or near Nanyang, Burma and Taiku, Shanhsien, Hsihhsiassuchi, Loning, Sinyang, Chenghsien, Sichuan, Lushan, and along the Pinghan railroad, and render a railroad tunnel near Sinyang unusable.

BURMA: The First Division of the Indian National Army, fighting with the Japanese, surrenders en masse to the Allies.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 7 P-61s attack with napalm, rockets, and cannon several targets during sweeps from Laihka to Loilem to Hopong to Wan Yin; Laihka Airfields, a bridge S of Wan Yin, trucks, and other targets are successfully pounded; 40+ fighter-bombers attack troop concentrations along and behind the lines at several points including Loilem, Nawng Leng, Mong Pawn, and Naungtaw; a bridge at Namhkok is temporarily out due to bomb damage to approaches; 570 transport sorties are flown to forward areas throughout the day.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 13 B-24s from Guam Island pound positions on Marcus Island. The 28th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Seventh AF, based on Kualoa Airfield with F-5Es, sends a detachment to operate from Okinawa, the first Seventh AF unit to arrive (another detachment is operating from Saipan Island).

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Formosa, B-25s hit the Shinei railroad yards, P-51s hit Karenko Airfield and P-38s attack various targets of opportunity. In China, B-24s bomb a military depot at Shanghai and shipping in Yulin harbor on Hainan. B-24s bomb the naval base at Saigon, French Indochina.

 

[syscom3]

April 24th 1945

OKINAWA: The Japanese forces on Okinawa begin to pull back to the 2nd section of the Shuri Line.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 2 B-24s bomb Hongay, French Indochina railroad yards and attack targets of opportunity in S China Sea. In China, 2 B-24s damage a vessel at Bakli Bay on Hainan; 4 B-25s hit railroad targets of opportunity from Siaokan to Sinyang while 2 damage a bridge at Kuanshuishih; 50+ P-51s, P-61s, and P-40s attack rivercraft, railroad targets, trucks, bridges, troops, horses, and other targets of opportunity at numerous S and E China locations as pressure by allied air and ground forces mounts against enemy movement and supply routes.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, about 40 P-47s and P-38s attack troop concentrations, storage areas, vehicles, and targets of opportunity in the Mong Nawng vicinity, W of Mong Kung-Laihka road, S of Loilem, and at Wan Hsan; transports land or drop 747 tons of supplies at advance bases and in frontline areas. The 71st and 115th Liaison Squadrons, Tenth AF [attached to 1st Liaison Group (Provisional)], move from Myityina, Burma to Dinjan, India (air echelons remain at Myitkyina with UC-64s, L-1s, L-4s and L-5s until May).

AAFPOA (VII Fighter Command): HQ 506th FG and the 457th, 458th and 462d Fighter Squadrons arrive at North Field from the US with P-51s.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 96: 101 B-29s strike the Hitahi aircraft plant at Tachikawa; 21 others hit alternates and targets of opportunity; they claim 16 Japanese aircraft; 5 B-29s are lost.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: A-20s and fighter bombers continue to strike in support of ground forces on Luzon. On Formosa, A-20s hit sugar refineries at Mizukami and Shinei while B-24s bomb Tainan and Hokko. Other B-24s bomb Tabanio and Miri.

 

[syscom3]

April 25th 1945 42,473

USA: US Secretary of War Stimson and General Leslie Groves arrive at the White House. They are here to brief President Truman on the Manhattan Project -- "S1" as Stimson preferred to call it.
Stimson meets alone with Truman at first. A memo of several pages, was given to Truman. Finished by Stimson that morning, it begins: "Within four months we shall in all probability have completed the most terrible weapon ever known in human history, one bomb of which could destroy a whole city." The memo acknowledges the shared development, by the US and Great Britain, of this "most terrible weapon".
General Groves then joins them with a memo of 25 pages on the status of the Manhattan Project. After President Truman reads this, Stimson and Groves answer his questions.
Stimson asked for an authorization to establish an advisory committee to "advise" the President regarding the implications and decisions of "this new force". The request is approved.
This is Truman's first briefing of specific activities at Hanford, Washington and other locations within the US. Truman had first become aware of the huge government activity during 1943 as Chairman of the "Truman Committee". At that time, after assurances by Col. Stimson, he kept the committee away from any serious investigations of the Manhattan Project.

An Allied conference at San Francisco meets to write a constitution for the post war organization "The United Nations". The meeting will conclude tomorrow.

PHILLIPINES: On Luzon, B-25s, A-20s, and fighters concentrate on Cagayan Valley bridges and support ground forces around Balete Pass, Baguio, and Solvee Cove; other FEAF support missions continue on S Luzon from Ipo Dam to New Bosoboso, E of Santa Maria, NE of Siniloan, Anuling, Monte Banahao, near Legaspi, and S of Camalig, and in the Monte Mandalagan-Monte Silay area.

EAST INDIES: and the airfields at Boeloedowang on Celebes Island and Basco.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 2 B-24s bomb the railroad yards at Hongay, French Indochina. In China, 4 B-25s and 4 P-47s damage a bridge and knock out an AA position N of Anyang; 50+ P-47s and P-51s hit river, road, and rail targets, troops, horses, and buildings in areas around Loning, Hsihhsiassuchi, Linfen, Kuanshuishih, Saiping, Yungcheng, Sichuan, and Tsingsinghsien.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 16 P-38s attack truck parks, fuel dumps, and supply areas at Hopong and Hotang; 20 other P-38s hit troops at Wan Kinglong and at other points in the C Burma battle area; transports complete 445 sorties to forward areas, landing or dropping 624 tons of supplies. The 165th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Sinthe, Burma to Asansol, India with UC-64s and L-5s.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Brigadier General Joseph Smith assumes command of HQ XX Bomber Command.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb the harbor at Saigon, French Indochina, Balete Pass bridges,

PACIFIC: Sunk by depth charges from USS HORACE A. BASS (APD-144) is RO-109.

 

[syscom3]

April 26th 1945

OKINAWA: Off Okinawa, the destroyer USS Hickox is damaged by Japanese aircraft.

PHILLIPINES: B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers continue to fly numerous sorties in support of ground forces on N and S Luzon. B-24s join USMC aircraft in pounding Cebu targets.

EAST INDIES: B-24s hit Miri Airfield and B-25s and fighters hit targets on Tarakan.

CARIBBEAN (Sixth Air Force): The 29th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), VI Bomber Command, moves from Rio Hato, Panama to the Galapagos Islands with B-24s.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 2 B-24s bomb docks at Hongay, French Indochina. In China, 10 B-25s and 4 P-47s knock out bridges near Wuchang and N of Taiku and damage a bridge near Kaifeng; 80+ fighter-bombers blast troops, horses, road and rail transport, tanks, gun positions, and targets of opportunity at numerous places in S and E China as the campaign against the occupying Japanese intensifies.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 30 P-38s and P-47s attack troop concentrations E of Wan Sing, at Naungtaw, and in the vicinity of Loilem; transports land or drop 553 tons of supplies at forward bases and frontline areas.

AAFPOA Seventh Air Force: 13 B-24s from Guam bomb Eten. VII Fighter Command: Mission 6: An unknown number of P-51s escort B-29s to Japan.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Missions 97 to 107: 195 B-29s (some escorted by fighters of the VII Fighter Command) bomb airfields at Usa, Oita, Saeki, Tomitaka, Imabari, Nittagahara, Miyazaki, Kanoya, Kokubu, and Miyakonojo, Japan; 41 other B-29s hit targets of opportunity.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb Shanghai, China. On Formosa, B-25s hit the Heito sugar refinery and nearby targets of opportunitys and P-38s on a sweep also hit several targets of opportunity. Unit moves: 12th Fighter Squadron, 18th FG, based at San Jose with P-38s, begins operating from Palawan; 421st Night Fighter Squadron, V Fighter Command, from San Marcelino to Clark Field with P-38s and P-61s.

 

[syscom3]

April 27th 1945

EAST INDIES: Admiral Berkey leads a squadron of 3 US cruisers and 6 destroyers in bombarding targets on Borneo, near Tarakan. These will continue through the 30th. B-24s hit Jesselton Airfield and B-25s bomb Tarakan. B-24s bomb Mandai Airfield and other B-24s hit Soerabaja, Java.

PHILLIPINES: Baguio on Luzon in the Philippines is taken by US forces. On Luzon Island, B-25s attack Japanese installations at Cabatuan, La-lo, and Garit Norte; A-20s hit towns throughout the area; in S Luzon, fighter-bombers and A-20s hit targets E of Manila, in the Legaspi area, and at other scattered points.

OKINAWA: Off Okinawa, kamikaze aircraft sink the U.S. freighter SS Canada Victory and damage the destroyer USS Ralph Talbot, destroyer escort USS England and high-speed transport USS Rathburne. Japanese demolition boats are also active damaging a large support landing craft [LCS(L)] and the destroyer USS Hutchins; another boat is sunk by an infantry landing craft (rocket) [LCI(R)]. Japanese shore batteries damage the heavy cruiser USS Wichita.

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): On Shimushu, 6 B-24s drop fragmentation bombs on the Kataoka naval base, 1 B-24 hits Minami Cape, and another flies a radar-ferret mission.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 5 B-25s and 70+ fighter bombers attack bridges, positions, villages and town areas, gun emplacements, and river, road, and rail traffic at many points in S and E China chiefly around Fantung.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 37 P-38s and P-47s hit troop concentrations in the Wan Pong and Nawng Leng areas; 12 other fighter bombers sweep roads S of the bomb line; transports complete 408 sorties throughout the day, landing or dropping 618 tons of supplies at forward bases and frontline areas; the 166th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Meiktila to Toungoo with UC-64s and L-5s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 11 Guam Island-based B-24s bomb Woleai.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Missions 108 to 113: 109 B-29s strike airfields at Izumi, Miyazaki, Kokubu, Miyakonojo, Kanoya, and Kushira on Kyushu Island, Japan; 3 B-29s hit targets of opportunity; 2 bombers are lost.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The 550th Night Fighter Squadron, XIII Fighter Command (attached to 85th Fighter Wing), based at Tacloban, Leyte Island with P-38s, P-61s and P-70s, sends a detachment to operate from Zamboanga, Mindanao Island.

 

[syscom3]

April 28th 1945

OKINAWA: Japanese defensive positions, in the Shuri Line on southern Okinawa, hold out against US forces employing tanks, flame throwers and artillery of all sizes.
The fourth phase of Kamikaze attacks has been underway since yesterday on Okinawa. 125 Japanese aircraft are involved. 9 destroyers and other smaller ships are hit.
The kamikazes damage four destroyers, USS Wadsworth, USS Daly, USS Twiggs and USS Bennion; the high-speed minesweeper USS Butler; the hospital ship USS Comfort; and the transport fitted for the evacuation of wounded USS Pinkney. The destroyer USS Brown is damaged by aerial attack while a Japanese assault demolition boat causes extensive damage to the U.S. freighter SS Bozeman Victory.

PHILLIPINES: On N Luzon Island, B-25s hit targets in the Itogon area; A-20s attack Itogon mines and start fires among huts at Fabrica; fighter-bombers attack Balete Pass, Cagayan Valley, Tuguegarao, Trinidad, and Cervantes; on S Luzon A-20s and fighter-bombers support ground forces at various points including the Batangas sector and hit targets around Norzagaray, Ipo Dam, Montalban, New Bosoboso, and along the San Andres trail.

EAST INDIES: In Borneo, B-24s hit Kuching while B-25s and P-38s hit Tarakan and targets of opportunity along the Sarawak coast. B-24s over the Celebes bomb Masamba, Malimpoeng, and Mandai Airfields.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 10 B-25s bomb Paoching Airfield and the Shaho railroad yards, knock out a bridge near Kaifeng, and damage a bridge W of Showyang; about 80 fighter-bombers attack troops, airfields, storage facilities, railroad targets, rivercraft, trucks, and enemy positions in S and E China, again concentrating on the Fantung area; a B-24 claims a freighter sunk in the S China Sea.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 8 P-38s attack a cavalry regiment and supplies in the Namhok area; 6 others hit a bivouac area near Pawngleng; 22 P-47s are detailed to strike at troops, artillery positions, trucks, elephants, and carts along and behind the enemy lines in C Burma; despite bad weather most of the fighter-bombers complete their missions; transports make 441 flights to forward areas, landing or dropping 610 tons of supplies. The 82d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 12th BG (Medium), ceases operating from Meiktila, Burma and returns to base at Fenny, India with B-25s.

AAFPOA Seventh Air Force: 12 B-24s from Guam hit Param during the early morning hours; 12 more attack Param during the afternoon. 20 P-47s from Saipan sweep Truk, strafing small vessels and airfields on Param and Moen.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Missions 114 to 119: 119 B-29s hit airfields at Kushira, Kanoya, Miyakonojo, Kokubu, Miyazaki, and Izumi on Kyushu Island, Japan; 4 others hit targets of opportunity; they claim a total of 14 Japanese fighters; 5 B-29s are lost.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA: B-24s bomb Toshien, Formosa and several secondary targets. B-25s sink about 20,000 tons of merchant shipping in Saigon, French Indochina harbor. The 36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, moves from Biak Island, New Guinea to Clark Field, Luzon with F-5s.

 

[syscom3]

April 29th 1945

OKINAWA: Off Okinawa, kamikazes damage the destroyers USS Hazelwood and USS Haggard and the light minelayers USS Shannon and USS Harry F. Baurer.

PHILLIPINES: In support of ground forces on Luzon Island, fighter-bombers hit troop concentrations, supply areas, pillboxes, gun positions, vehicles, and other targets mainly in the Balete Pass, Baguio, and Echague areas and A-20s hit the New Bosoboso area, where fighters also support ground forces concentrating in the Ipo Dam area.

EAST INDIES: In Borneo, B-24s pound Kuching Airfield while B-25s bomb Tarakan. Other B-24s hit Langoan, Mandai Airfield, and Mapanget Airfields.

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 12 B-25s attempting to bomb targets in the Kurile Islands abort due to a weather front. 6 B-24s radar-bomb Kataoka naval base on Shimushu.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 3 B-25s and 4 P-47s blast targets at the Taiyuan railroad yards; about 50 fighter-bombers, operating in forces of 1 to 4 aircraft, blast numerous targets of opportunity in S and E China, hitting especially the Fantung area.

BURMA: The XXXIII Corps takes Allanmyo in the Irrawaddy Valley, Burma. The series of British attacks has caused a great deal of disorganization among Japanese forces in this area. The British 17th Indian Division has captured Nyaunglebim and continuing toward Payagyi, in the Sittang Valley, Burma.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 5 P-47s attack Laihka Airfield; 6 others strafe troops and horses at Tadamo; transports fly 427 sorties to forward areas, landing or dropping 537 tons of supplies. Unit moves: 81st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 12th BG (Medium), ceases operating from Meiktila, Burma with B-25s and returns to base at Fenny, India; 317th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, based at Kalaikunda, India with C-47s, sends a detachment to operate from Akyab, Burma.

AAFPOA VII Fighter Command: 20 Saipan Island-based P-47s sweep Truk Atoll, strafing airfields, defenses, and gun positions on Moen and Param and hit Param and Falas with rockets. Seventh Air Force: 24 Guam-based B-24s subsequently attack the same airfields as the fighters above. 20 B-24s, operating in 2 forces, pound air installations on Marcus Island in the N Pacific.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Missions 120 to 125: 111 B-29s strike airfields on Kyushu Island, Japan, i.e., Miyazaki, Miyakonojo, Kokubu, 2 at Kanoya, and Kushira Airfields; they claim nearly 30 Japanese aircraft shot down; 2 B-29s are lost.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA: P-38s sweep French Indochina and strafe Thu Dau Mot Airfield. The 318th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), 3d Air Commando Group, moves from Mangaldan to Laoag with C-47s.

 

[syscom3]

April 30th 1945 42,603

OKINAWA: Japanese counterattacks and other movements on the Shuri Line are defeated on Okinawa. The Maeda and Kochi Ridge positions are the scenes of heavy fighting. The 1st Marine Division and the 77th Division US Army take over from the 27th and 96th Divisions.

Off Okinawa, the light minelayer USS J. William Ditter is damaged during an air raid while kamikazes damage minelayer USS Terror and the U.S. freighter SS S. Hall Young. A kamikaze plane hits the hospital ship USS Comfort, killing eleven medical staff and 30 of the wounded. This is the third attack on medical vessels.

PHILLIPINES: Numerous missions are flown over Luzon and Negros Islands by B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers in support of the ground forces. B-24s attack the Davao area on Mindanao.

EAST INDIES: In Borneo, P-38s hit Tarakan and B-24s bomb Manggar Airfield. Other B-24s bomb Malimpoeng Airfield on Celebes Island.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 6 B-25s and 9 P-47s hit railroad yards at Taiyuan; 50+ P-47s, P-51s, and P-40s attack troops, defensive positions, bridges, rail targets, and scattered targets of opportunity in S and E China, concentrating around Laohokow, Hsihhsiassuchi, and Loning.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, bad weather cancels scheduled combat strikes; air supply operations to forward areas continue on a steady basis.

AAFPOA VII Fighter Command: In a thorough strafing and rocket strike on several islands of Truk Atoll, 20 P-47s from Saipan Island attack the seaplane base, several small vessels, the airfield, barracks, radio station, and numerous other targets. Long range mission 7: 104 P-51s escort B-29s to hit the Tachikawa air depot claiming 0-1-0 Japanese aircraft; 1 P-51 is lost. HQ 318th FG and the 19th, 73d and 333d Fighter Squadrons move from Saipan to Ie Shima with P-38s.

Seventh Air Force: 24 B-24s from Guam pound the airfields on Moen and Param. 22 B-24s, operating in 2 waves about 3 hours apart, bomb air installations on Marcus in the N Pacific.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Seven missions are flown. Mission 126: 69 B-29s hit the Tachikawa air depot; 25 others hit targets of opportunity. The escort is 104 P-51s. Missions 127 to 132: 56 B-29s hit airfields at Kokubu, Oita, Tomitaka, Saeki, and 2 at Kanoya and the city of Hamamatsu; 2 other B-29s hit targets of opportunity; the B-29s claim 10 aircraft downed.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Formosa, B-24s hit the Toshien fuel storage and bomb Tainan, Takao, and Okayama Airfields while B-25s hit Taito; escorting P-38s attack numerous targets of opportunity; and P-51s bomb Okayama Airfield. The 157th and 160th Liaison Squadrons (Commando), 3d Air Commando Group, move from Calasio to Mabalacat, Luzon with UC-64s and L-5s (the 160th has a detachment operating from Mindoro Island).

 

[syscom3]

May 1st 1945

PHILLIPINES: FEAF continues to support ground forces on Luzon and Negros Islands.

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 1 B-24 flies a weather reconnaissance mission over the Kurile Islands.

ZONE OF INTERIOR (Second Air Force): The detachment of the 4th Photographic Charting Squadron, 311th Photographic Wing (Mapping and Charting) [attached to 4th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance)] operating in Australia with F-7s, returns to base at Hollandia, New Guinea (the squadron is mapping areas of the SW Pacific).

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): During May the Japanese decide to give up their Greater E Asia Corridor and withdraw from S China; the Fourteenth AF further concentrates its attacks on rail and road movements and river shipping and thus plays a major role in critically reducing the enemy's mobility and supply lines. In China, 2 B-25s and 16 P-51s knock out bridges near Taiku and Kiehsiu and hit AA positions and locomotives near the bridges, blast gun emplacements in the Loning area, and hit several locomotives, near Shihkiachwang. Lieutenant General Albert C Wedemeyer, Commanding General US Forces China Theater, selects Lieutenant General George E Stratemeyer to command HQ AAF China Theater, with both HQ Tenth and Fourteenth AFs under his command. During May, the detachment of the 449th Fighter Squadron, 51st FG, operating from Posek, China with P-38s, returns to base at Chengkung.

BURMA: British forces in the Sittang Valley, Burma approach Pegu. There are also paratroop landings on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River with the intention of taking Rangoon, Burma.

BORNEO: General Whitehead and 18,000 troops of the 26th Australian Brigade land on
Borneo. On Borneo, B-24s support Australian landings on Tarakan Island and bomb Tawau and B-25s attack Jesselton, Tarakan, Sandakan, and Kudat, concentrating on airfields

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): Unit moves: 9th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, from Myitkyina, Burma to Piardoba, India with F-5s; the detachment of the 317th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, operating from Akyab Airfield with C-47s, to base at Kalaikunda, India.

AAFPOA Seventh Air Force): 16 Guam based B-24s bomb the airfield on Marcus in the N Pacific while 10 hit air installations on Param; during the night 9 more, flying individual snooper strikes, hit airfields on Param and Moen. VII Fighter Command: The 6th Night Fighter Squadron, VII Fighter Command, departs Kagman Field, Saipan Island, Mariana Islands for Kipapa, Hawaii with P-61s.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Formosa, B-25s hit the Heito sugar refinery and the town of Kagi. HQ 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group moves from Leyte Island to Clark Field, Luzon. Unit moves during May: HQ 309th Bombardment Wing from San Marcelino to Lingayen Airfield; 7th Combat Cargo Squadron, 2d Combat Cargo Group from Biak to Dulag; the detachment of the 160th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 3d Air Commando Group, ceases operating from Mindoro with UC-64s and L-5s and returns to base at Mabalacat, Luzon.

 

[syscom3]

May 2nd 1945

PHILLIPINES: B-24s and P-51s pound troops near Ipo Dam while B-25s, A-20s, and fighters hit Cagayan Valley targets; FEAF strikes in support of ground forces continue on Luzon and on Cebu.

BORNEO: B-25s continue support for Australian troops on Tarakan and, in conjunction with US Navy aircraft bomb Kudat Airfield.

BURMA: Operation Dracula, the capture of Rangoon, Burma, which began with a paratroop drop yesterday continues. The British 26th Indian Division lands for a naval TF which includes 6 escort carriers and BB Queen Elizabeth and Richelieu.
The British IV Corps north of Rangoon at Pagu complete the liberation of Rangoon.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 5 B-24s mine areas of the Yangtze River; 20+ B-25s and about 130 fighter-bombers attack communications targets and supply lines and hit a large variety of targets of opportunity throughout S and E China as the air campaign accelerates with the aim of disrupting the imminent withdrawal of the Japanese and the abandonment of their Greater E Asia Corridor.

AAFPOA Seventh Air Force: 12 B-24s from Guam pound the airfield on Param while 21, flying in 2 forces, hit airfields and gun positions on Marcus in the N Pacific. During the night of 2/3 May, 9 more B-24s make individual harassment bombings on Param, Moe, and Tol Island. VII Fighter Command: 12 Iwo Jima based P-51s strike a radio station on Chichi Jima.

 

[syscom3]

May 3rd 1945

PHILLIPINES: B-24s and P-51s pound the Ipo area while A-20s and fighters support ground forces. Davao City is taken by the US 27th Division.

OKINAWA: The IJA start a large scale counterattack on Okinawa; however, their artillery gives away their positions in support of this action and are taken out. Previously they had remained quiet.
Off Okinawa, kamikazes sink the destroyer USS Little and a medium landing ship (LSM); kamikazes also damage the destroyer USS Bache, the high-speed minesweeper USS Macomb, the light minelayer USS Aaron Ward and a large support landing craft (LCS). A Japanese assault demolition boat damages the cargo ship USS Carina.

BORNEO: In Borneo, B-25s continue support of ground forces on Tarakan and, with B-24s, carry out small raids against numerous targets on Borneo and Celebes, Manggar Airfield is heavily hit by B-24s and P-38s and USN airplanes hit warehouses in the Brunei Bay area.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 9 B-25s and 6 fighter- bombers attack truck convoys in the Hsiang River Valley and near Paoching, Changsha, and Hengyang, and pound railroad targets of opportunity and bridges in the Taiku, Singtai, and Linfen areas; 90+ fighter-bombers attack troops, town areas, ammunition dumps, river shipping and other targets of opportunity over wide areas of S and E China.

BURMA: Prome, Burma is liberated by the British XXXIII Corps. Rangoon, Burma is captured by Allied forces.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): With the fall of Rangoon, Burma on this date (Indian 26 Division elements occupy the city), the war against the Japanese in Burma is successfully concluded; pockets of resistance remain W of the Irrawaddy River and between that river and the Mandalay-Pegu, Thailand railway however, during May AAF operations are reduced drastically due to the lack of suitable air targets and because of the onset of bad weather preceding the monsoon. The Tenth AF is withdrawn from combat and moved back to India (see 15 May 45); 1 squadron of P-38s remains in Burma to patrol the roads leading into China. Unit moves: 88th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter Group, from Myitkyina, Burma to Moran, India with P-47s; the detachment of the 156th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, operating from Myitche with UC-64s and L-5s, to Magwe, Burma; the 317th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, based at Kalaikunda, India with C-47s, sends a detachment to operate from Comilla, India.

AAFPOA: The 163d Liaison Squadron, AAFPOA (attached to Tenth Army), arrives on Okinawa Island from Saipan Island with UC-64s and L-5s. Seventh Air Force: 10 Guam Island-based B-24s bomb airfields and targets of opportunity on several islands of Truk Atoll; during the night of 3/4 May, 8 more separately strike Param, Eten, and Moen and Truk airfields.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 7 missions are flown. Missions 127 to 132: 59 B-29s bomb airfields at Tachiarai, Miyazaki, Miyakonojo, Kokubu and 2 at Kanoya; 5 others hit targets of opportunity; they claim 10 Japanese fighters; 1 B-29 is lost.
Phase II of Operation STARVATION, the aerial mining of Shimonoseki Strait, Japan by B-29s, begins. Mission 133: On this night, 88 B-29s mine Shimonoseki Strait and the Inland Sea during the night of 3/4 May; 3 others mine other waters in Shimonoseki Strait and the waters off Kobe, Osaka and Suo Nada.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Saigon, French Indochina is bombed by B-24s, which greatly damage a boatyard and oil storage areas. The 63d Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Biak to Dulag with C-47s.

PACIFIC: The Submarine USS Lagarto, CO Frank D. Latta, is sunk by a Japanese minelayer in the Gulf of Siam. All hands lost.

 

[syscom3]

May 4th 1945

PHILLIPINES: B-25s bomb the Tuguegarao area on Luzon Island while other B-25s, A-20s, and fighter- bombers, in spite of bad weather, support ground forces in N and S Luzon and on Negros Island. P-38s pound Itu Aba Island, China.

OKINAWA: The British carrier HMS FORMIDABLE is damaged by a kamikaze attack off the Sakishima Islands. The carrier HMS VICTORIOUS is struck later in the day. There is little damage as the 'Kikusai' hit the carriers' armoured decks.

Off Okinawa, kamikazes sink the destroyers USS Luce and USS Morrison and two medium landing craft (LSMs); the kamikazes also damage the aircraft carrier HMS Formidable; light cruiser USS Birmingham; escort aircraft carrier USS Sangamon; destroyers USS Ingraham, USS Cowell and USS Lowry; light minelayer USS Gwin; high-speed minesweeper USS Hopkins; and a motor minesweeper (YMS). The Japanese also launch Yokosuka MXY7 Navy Suicide Attacker Ohka (Cherry Blossom) Model 11 rocket-propelled glide bombs known as "Baka;" they damage the light minelayer USS Shea; and minesweeper USS Gayety which is also attacked by a kamikaze.

BORNEO: On Borneo, B-25s and P-38s support ground forces on Tarakan and B-24s hit Sandakan and Kota Baru and on Celebes Island, bomb Mandai Airfield and Masamba Airfield.

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Brigadier General Isaiah Davies replaces Major General Davenport Johnson as Commanding General Eleventh AF on an interim basis.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 12 B-25s and 180+ fighter-bombers, mostly operating in flights of 2 to 4 aircraft, attack town areas, storage, troops, horses, trucks, river shipping, airfields, and many other targets of opportunity scattered over the vast expanse of S and E China.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): The 792d, 793d and 794th Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy), 468th BG (Very Heavy), begin a movement from Kharagpur to Tinian Island with B-29s.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): Unit moves in Burma: 83d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 12th BG (Medium), based at Fenny, India with B-25s, begins operating from Magwe, Burma; 164th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, from Sinthe to Magwe with UC-64s and L-5s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 22 B-24s from Angaur Airfield bomb AA positions on Koror. 11 B-24s from Guam Island hit the airfield on Marcus Island in the N Pacific.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Missions 140 to 143: 47 B-29s attack airfields at Oita, Omura, Saeki, and Matsuyama on Kyushu and Shikoku Islands, Japan; 2 others attack targets of opportunity; 1 B-29 is lost.
USN - Sunk by minesweeper is USS Lagarto SS 371.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s heavily damage oil installations at Saigon, French Indochina. HQ 18th FG and 12th and 70th Fighter Squadrons move from San Jose to Zamboang with P-38s.

 

[syscom3]

May 5th 1945 42,688

USA: The US War Department announces that 400,000 troops will remain in Europe as occupation forces. 2 million will be discharged leaving 6 million for the attack on Japan.

PHILLIPINES: . On Luzon Island, A-20s and fighter-bombers continue to hit Cagayan Valley targets and support ground forces at various locations.

BORNEO: In Borneo, B-25s and P-38s support Australian forces on Tarakan, P-38s hit the Miri waterfront on the W coast and Keningau airfield in the N and B-24s bomb the Kuching waterfront on the W coast.

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 1 B-24 flies weather mission over the Kurile Islands.

HQ AAF (Second Air Force): The 2d Photographic Charting Squadron, 311th Photographic Wing (attached to FEAF), moves from Morotai, Moluccas Islands, to Palawan Island, Philippine Islands with F-7s (the squadron is performing mapping and photographic reconnaissance in the SW Pacific).

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 3 B-25s knock out a bridge at Singtai and hit railroad traffic in the Sinsiang area; 5 B-25s hit railroad cars and other targets of opportunity at Kaifeng, Hsihhsiassuchi, and in the Tungkuan and Luan areas; 76 fighter-bombers, operating in flights of 2 to 4 aircraft, attack a variety of targets of opportunity throughout S and E China. The 530th Fighter Squadron, 311th Fighter Group, moves from Kwanghan to Pungchacheng, China with P-51s.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): Unit moves from Burma to India: HQ 33d Fighter Group from Sahmaw to Piardoba; 90th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter Group, from Myitkyina to Moran with P-47s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 12 Angaur Airfield based B-24s bomb Koror Island.
HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 7 missions are flown. Missions 144, 145 and 147 to 149: 55 B-29s bomb airfields at Oita, Tachiarai, Kanoya, and Chiran; 2 others attack targets of opportunity; 3 B-29s are lost. Mission 146: 148 B-29s [including the 58th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) flying their first attack of Japan from Tinian] hit a navy aircraft factory and arsenal at Kure, Japan; 4 others hit targets of opportunity; they claim 11 Japanese fighters; 2 B-29s are lost. Mission 150: During the night of 5/6 May, 86 B-29s drop mines in Tokyo Bay, Ise Bay, and at points in the Inland Sea; 4 others mine targets of opportunity.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In the first FEAF strike on the Amoy, China area, B-24s bomb an airfield and oil storage plant. On Formosa, B-24s bomb Shinchiku Airfield while B-25s and fighter-bombers hit the Taito sugar refinery, Shoka railroad yards, and Giran and Matsuyama Airfields.

 

[syscom3]

May 6th 1945

OKINAWA: On Okinawa, the Japanese counteroffensive fizzles out with heavy losses. This confirms US gains at Maeda Ridge and Marchinto Air Field.

PHILLIPINES: A-20s and fighter-bombers fly numerous attack sorties in support of ground forces in N and S Luzon Island and fighter-bombers fly support missions over Panay.

BORNEO: B-24s bomb Kudat and Keningau Airfields, P-38s hit Ranau and Labuan Island airstrips while B-25s support Australian troops on Tarakan Island. B-24s bomb Limboeng Airfield on Celebes Island.

BURMA: The British 26th Indian Division mops up in the area north of Rangoon, Burma

INDIAN OCEAN: The battleships and cruisers of TF 63 shell Port Blair in the Andaman Islands.

USA: A woman and 5 children are killed near Lakeview, Oregon. This is caused by a Japanese balloon bomb. This is the only effective bomb of this effort by the Japanese.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 3 B-25s and 4 P-51s knock out a bridge at Hsihhsiassuchi, China; 111 fighter-bombers, operating in flights of 2 to 4 aircraft, attack numerous targets of opportunity throughout S and E China.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 18 P-47s from Saipan Island sweep Truk Atoll, strafing the airfield on Moen Island, the seaplane base at Dublon Island, and shipping off Param, off Moen, and between Dublon and Fefan Islands.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Formosa, B-24s bomb Matsuyama Airfield and secondary nearby targets and later bomb Toshien, Toko, and Kiirun and B-25s pound the town of Mato. B-25s over French Indochina bomb warehouses at Dong Hoi.

 

[syscom3]

May 7th 1945

USA: The Big Four (China, UK, USA, USSR) nations reached agreement in San Francisco, California, USA, today on all except the Polish and trusteeship questions.
Tomorrow the smaller nations will finish the drafting of a charter for the new "United Nations". Two points of friction between the western Allies and the USSR were resolved here today. The General Assembly will have the power to arbitrate in international disputes which threaten to erupt into war, and the UN will be given jurisdiction over future alliances.
Settlement of the Polish question is being held up by the unexplained arrest of 16 Polish delegates in Moscow.

PHILLIPINES: B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers hit targets in the Cagayan Valley and support ground action in the Cervantes area, Balete Pass and N of Laguna de Bay.

NEI: In Borneo, P-38s hit Bintula, Kudat, and Ranau while B-25s, and P-38s hit gun positions and HQ on Tarakan. B-24s bomb Bingkalapa Airfield, Celebes and the harbor at Soerabaja, Java.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 3 B-25s and 4 P-47s knock out a bridge N of Singtai; 3 B-24s attack Yellow River targets of opportunity, damaging at least 1 bridge; 131 fighter-bombers again hit various targets of opportunity throughout S and E China, concentrating on railroad targets; the 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth AF, based at Kunming with F-5s, sends a flight to operate from Laifeng (other flights are at Hanchung, Lulinag and Hsian).

AAFPOA Seventh Air Force: 11 Guam Island-based B-24s pound runways on Marcus Island in the N Pacific. VII Fighter Command: 16 Saipan Island-based P-47s strafe a radio station, airfield installations, and gun positions on Moen and Falas Islands in Truk Atoll.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Missions 151 to 154: 41 B-29s bomb airfields at Usa, Oita, Ibusuki, and Kanoya on Kyushu Island; 34 Japanese aircraft are claimed destroyed by B-29s during the Usa and Oita missions; 3 B-29s are lost. The 792d, 793d and 794th Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy), 468th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), arrive at West Field, Tinian Island, Mariana Islands from India with B-29s.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In French Indochina, B-25s hit railroad targets between Cap Batangan and Cap Varella. The 17th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 4th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), moves from Morotai Island to Puerto Princesa with F-5s (a detachment is operating from Dulag).

 

[syscom3]

May 8th 1945

PTO: Submarine USS Snook, CO John F. Walling, is listed as missing after today, east of Formosa All hands lost.

PHILLIPINES: B-24s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers continue to pound Cagayan Valley on Luzon Island. On Mindanao Island, B-24s hit Davao while P-38s hit the Labugan Airfield area. Other B-24s bomb Mandai Airfield.

NEI: In Borneo, P-38s hit Jesselton, Sengkawang, and Kudat Airfield while B-25s bomb the Kuching and Labuan Island Airfield areas.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 13 B-25s knock out a bridge at Do Cam and damage others at Do Len, over the Song Chu River in French Indochina, and N of Kaifeng, China. In China, a single B-24 damages bridges at Huto; 20 P-51s pound rail and road traffic along the French Indochina coast while 12 P-51s and P-38s hit targets of opportunity in several cities; about 100 fighter- bombers over wide areas of S and E China continue to hit numerous targets of opportunity, concentrating on shipping and the dock area at Taku.

AAFPOA Seventh Air Force: 12 Guam based B-24s bomb the airfield on Marcus in the N Pacific. 12 others from Guam pound the runway on Param. The 28th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Seventh AF, arrives on Okinawa from Kualoa Airfield with F-5Es. VII Fighter Command: 94 of 104 P-51s from Iwo Jima abort a strike to Nagoya due to weather and attack Kisarazu airfield. Ditched is B-24J 44-40617.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Missions 155 to 158: 40 B-29s hit airfields at Kanoya, Miyakonojo, Oita, and Matsuyama on Kyushu and Shikoku Islands, Japan; 1 other hits a target of opportunity.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-25s bomb railway installations between Phan Rang and Binh Dinh, French Indochina.