USAAF CHRONOLOGY
APRIL - JUNE 1944
4/1/44 Eighth AF 438 B-17's and B-24's are dispatched to bomb chemical industry at Ludwigshafen (largest in Europe).
All 192 B-17's of the lead force abandon mission over French coast due to heavy clouds. The 246 B- 24's in second force became widely dispersed; 162 bomb T/Os (Pforzheim and Grafenhausen); 26 bomb Schaffhausen, Switzerland, and Strasbourg, France, mistaking them for German towns.
4/1/44 Twelfth AF B-25's attack Leghorn harbor, bridges at Orvieto, and railway track S of Poggibonsi. B-26's hit Arno R railroad bridges at Signa, Riva-Trigoso, and Valdarno, while A-20's hit ammo dumps. P-40's hit tgts in vicinity of Gaeta, Formia tunnel, several fuel dumps, bridges, and guns in battle areas. P-47's bomb Poggibonsi bridge and strafe train. Ftrs patrol Anzio battle area without incident.
4/1/44 Tenth AF 10 A-31's hit troop positions SW of Buthidaung. 40-plus A-31's pound Homalin-Thaungdut-Paungbyin areas. In vicinity of Mandalay 14 P-38's hit freight train and damage a factory. Near Rangoon 16 B- 24's hit a railroad station and bomb Akyab while 6 B-25's damage railroad bridge near Nattalin.
4/1/44 Fifth AF B-25's and A-20's hit Tadji and Hansa Bay areas. B-24's bomb Boela. B-25's attack Penfoei.
4/1/44 Thirteenth AF 24 B-25's bomb supply areas at Wunapope and RatawuI. 28 P-39's and P-40's hit Toboi wharf area at Simpson Harbor. 3 P-40's follow with strike on oil and coal storage in same general area. 12 P-38's bomb mission at Monoitu. Ftrs maintain sweeps over Rabaul and New Ireland throughout the day and B-25's harass Rabaul during 1/2 Apr. 12 P-40's hit Numa Numa supply dumps.
4/1/44 Seventh AF B-25's from Abemama strike Ponape; B-24's from Makin and Kwajalein hit Truk. B-25's from Tarawa bomb Maloelap and Jaluit.
4/2/44 Twelfth AF MBs attack railroad bridges at Arezzo, Fano, Ficulle, Magra, N of Orvieto, and S of Poggibonsi, scoring some direct hits, hits on approaches, and several near misses. FBs hit trucks and railroad station at Fara in Sabina and E and N of Anzio, attack Formia tunnel, fly armed rcn over Atina and Arce areas, bomb factory and buildings N of Cassino, town of Pignataro Interamna, and numerous bridges, dumps, gun positions and T/Os in or around battle areas.
4/2/44 Fifteenth AF 461st Bomb Gp (B-24) becomes operational, making 16 HB gps now operational in Fifteenth AF. More than 530 B-24's and B-17's (largest Fifteenth AF mission to date) attack ball bearing plant and aircraft factory at Steyr, M/Ys at Bihac and Brod, troop concentration at Bihac, and A/F at Mostar. Ftrs fly over 150 sorties in spt of the HBs. Hundreds of ftrs oppose the missions. Fierce air battles result in 19 HBs shot down and several missing. The HBs and ftr escorts claim to have destroyed over 150 ftrs in combat.
4/2/44 E Europe Soviet Army enters Rumania.
4/2/44 Tenth AF 12 A-31's hit troop positions E and S of Buthidaung. 60 A-31's pound positions along upper Chindwin R and hit Paungbyin and Nawngpu-awng. 12 P-40's bomb Kamaing while 6 P-51's over Katha area hit trucks near Bhamo and storage area at Indaw.
4/2/44 Fourteenth AF 2 B-24's on sea sweep from Hong Kong to Formosa bomb a 215-ft ship (reported sunk) and damage a large motor launch.
4/2/44 Fifth AF More than 120 bmrs and ftrs continue to hit tgts in areas around Wewak, Hansa Bay, Madang, Bogadjim, and other points along NE New Guinea coastline. MBs also hit Dili, Penfoei, and Rambutyo I.
4/2/44 Thirteenth AF 31 B-24's fly strike against Dublon, causing considerable damage to warehouse and dock areas The HBs claim 30-plus ftrs downed 4 B-24's are lost. 40-plus FBs over Rabaul hit SE part of town, Toboi wharf area, and N section of town along Malaguna road. 7 B-25's hit Raluana Pt while 23 pound Lakunai.
4/2/44 XX BC First operational B-29, piloted by Col Leonard F Harman, lands at Chakulia.
4/2/44 Seventh AF B-24's from Eniwetok hit Truk during 1/2 Apr. During the day B-25's bomb Jaluit and Maloelap.
4/3/44 Ninth AF Because of combat crew shortage which has caused abolition of the 50-mission limit tour of duty and resulted in fatigue and morale problems, IX BC establishes new operational leave policy. Maximum leaves for bmr crews are set at 1 week between the 25th and 30th missions and 2 weeks between the 40th and 50th missions.
4/3/44 Twelfth AF MBs attack railway bridges at Orvieto, cutting approaches to bridge at N of town. Other MB attacks on bridges abort because of weather but LBs successfully bomb ammo dump. A-36's attack railway at Attigliano and bomb underpass in the area, while P-40's hit Sesti Bagni railroad station, supply dump SE of Frosinone, town of Itri, bivouac area NW of Velletri, and several trucks. P-47's successfully bomb Pignataro Interamna and nearby road junction.
4/3/44 Fifteenth AF More than 450 B-17's and B-24's bomb aircraft factory and M/Y at Budapest, and M/Ys at Knin, Brod, and Drnis. 137 ftrs escort the B-17's (B-24's miss rendezvous) to Budapest. HBs and escorting ftrs claim 24 aircraft shot down.
4/3/44 Tenth AF 36 A-31's bomb areas along the upper Chindwin R. In Mandalay area 4 B-25's damage Tangon bridge while 6 P-61's hit Anisakan airstrip. 20-plus FBs and 6 B-25's hit T/Os S of Mupaw Ga and W of Mogaung, troops near Bhamo, and knock out bridge near Mogaung. During 3/4 Apr 16 B-24's bomb oil and power facilities at Yenangyaung, Chauk, and Lanywa while 8 P-38's hit Meiktila A/F.
4/3/44 Fourteenth AF 4 rocket-firing P-40's, with 8 other as top cover, damage 2 large river boats between Hengyang and Ichang. 4 others flying Red R sweep from Vinh Yen to Dong Cuong sink 4 small boats, damage 3 more, and strafe 50-100 persons at a loading point on the R. 3 B-24's lay mines in Haiphong area.
4/3/44 Fifth AF More than 300 B-24's, B-25's, A-20's, and P-38's blast A/Fs at Hollandia. Most of the remaining Japanese airplanes there are destroyed. Of 60 intercepting ftrs, 26 are claimed shot down. Air opposition from Hollandia is very light hereafter. 50-plus P-40's, P-47's, and P-39's hit villages, comm, AA positions, and other tgts in areas around Wewak, Hansa Bay, Bogia, and Madang. B-24's hit Langgoer and B-25's bomb Babo area and Penfoei.
4/3/44 Thirteenth AF 23 B-25's pound NE section of Rabaul. This strike follows larger than usual (6 B-25's) heckling raids during 2/3 Apr. 50-plus FBs blast fuel stores at Keravia Bay. On Bougainville, AF and Navy ftrs strafe Numa Numa trail area and maintain patrols.
4/3/44 Seventh AF B-24's, staging through Eniwetok during 2/3 Apr, bomb Truk. B-25's from Abemama follow with daytime attack on Ponape. Other B-25's from Abemama and Tarawa hit Maloelap and Jaluit.
4/4/44 Twelfth AF MB missions are aborted due to weather. LBs manage to bomb an ammo dump. FBs bomb Terracina and Formia, attack bridge and several vehicles during armed rcn of Rome-Orte area, bomb Itri and Fondi, hit numerous gun positions, a railway station, a bivouac area, and a vehicle concentration, and attack T/Os between Atina and Cassino.
4/4/44 Fifteenth AF Over 300 B-24's and B-17's attack M/Y at Budapest. Ftrs fly nearly 120 sorties in spt of the mission.
Between 150 and 200 enemy ftrs attack the HBs, shooting down 10. HBs and escorts claim over 50 aircraft destroyed in combat.
4/4/44 Tenth AF 120-plus FBs and 4 B-25's hit rail lines, storage areas and Japanese held villages around Mogaung and Myitkyina, and spt ground forces near Kamaing and Myitkyina. 80-plus A-31's hit enemy positions E of Imphal. During 4/5 Apr, 14 B-24's bomb Moulmein railroad yards and jetties and hit Japanese HQ nearby at Nagorn Sawarn. 27 P-51's and P-38's attack Aungban and Anisakan A/Fs.
4/4/44 Fourteenth AF P-38's on armed rcn strafe and destroy 2 big fuel dumps, 12 fuel trucks, and 15-20 troops in Wan Mong Kang area.
4/4/44 Fifth AF 50-plus B-24's pound Wewak area. 12 P-39's hit villages, bridges, and wooded areas along coast from Cape Gourdon to Bogia.
4/4/44 Thirteenth AF 12 P-40's hit barge hideout in Gazelle Harbor. 10 B-25's (rained out of Rabaul) bomb Buka A/F, 23 P- 39's hit Aitara area, and 11 P-40's bomb Mamaregu barge hideout. 24 P-38's pound Mamagata, Dio Dio, and Miwo R area. Ground spt missions along Empress Augusta Bay are carried out by a variety of ftrs.
4/4/44 Twentieth AF Twentieth AF is constituted and activated in Washington, DC.
4/4/44 Seventh AF B-24's, flying out of the Gilberts, bomb Truk during the night. B-25's, from Abemema and Tarawa, followup during the day with raids on Ponape, Jaluit, and Maloelap.
4/5/44 Eighth AF 21 B-24's bomb V-weapon installation at Saint-Pol/Siracourt. Heavy clouds and failure of blind-bombing equipment cause more than 30 other HBs to return to base without bombing. More than 450 P- 47's, P-38's, and P-51's attack A/Fs and other ground tgts in Germany and W Europe.
4/5/44 Twelfth AF Weather precludes all LB and MB action. P-40's hit Colleferro railway station, several fuel dumps, and gun positions in US Fifth Army battle areas. A-36's bomb Formia, and railway stations NW of Rome and in Frosinone area.
4/5/44 Fifteenth AF 334 B-17's and B-24's bomb Ploesti, town area of Leskovac, and M/Y at Nish. Ftrs and AA shoot down 13 HBs.
4/5/44 Tenth AF 13 B-24's bomb railroad from Moulmein to Kanchanaburi, destroying 3 bridges, damaging several others, and causing much damage to track and railroad cars. 6 A-31's over Chindwin area pound T/Os around Thaungdut.
4/5/44 Fourteenth AF P-40's from Yungning pound railroad siding at Na Cham, destroying 8 boxcars and a considerable amount of track.
4/5/44 Fifth AF 270-plus B-24's, B-25's, A-20's, and P-38's hit Hollandia town and dock area and villages and stores around Humboldt Bay. P-47's and P-40's blast numerous tgts in Hansa Bay-Bogia and Wewak areas.
B-24's hit Kaimana and Efman I. B-25's bomb Koepang.
4/5/44 Thirteenth AF 12 B-25's pound Kara. Bad weather cancels all missions against tgts in the Bismarcks.
4/5/44 Seventh AF B-25's from Tarawa hit Maloelap, bomb up again at Majuro, and hit Jaluit during return trip.
4/6/44 Eighth AF 12 B-24's bomb V-weapon site at Watten.
4/6/44 Twelfth AF B-25's hit Perugia A/F while B-26's bomb bridge and its approaches NW of Orvieto. Weather prevents other MB operations. FBs attack railroad stations at Capronica and Maccarese, guns SE of Littoria, road bridge E of Pescasseroli, railroad bridges in Arezzo area, other rail facilities in C Italy, and small transport vessels in the Aegean.
4/6/44 Fifteenth AF B-24's bomb Zagreb A/F. Numerous other B-24's and B-17's abort because of weather. Escorting ftrs and the HBs claim 17 ftrs destroyed in combat. 6 US aircraft are shot down.
4/6/44 Tenth AF 6 B-25's damage railroad and rolling stock at Shwebo. 6 A-31's bomb Tamanthi area. 80-plus FBs and 2 B-25's hit troops in Namti area, spt ground forces NE of Kamaing, damage a bridge near Myitkyina, and hit troops, oil dumps, and supplies at Mogaung and Manywet.
4/6/44 Fourteenth AF P-40's from Suichwan pound barrack SW of Nanchang, causing heavy damage. B-25 strike during 6/7 Apr on A/Fs near Canton is curtailed by bad weather; only 1 MB reaches tgt, dropping fragmentation bombs on revetments.
4/6/44 Fifth AF P-39's, P-40's, and P-47's continue to pound coastal tgts in Wewak, Aitape, and Madang areas and at numerous other points along coast. B-25's bomb Koepang.
4/6/44 Thirteenth AF 34 B-24's pound Dublon. 22 B-25's bomb Lakunai A/F and revetment area. 30-plus FBs bomb vicinity of Toboi wharf with incendiaries while more than 20 others carry out incendiary strike on Wunapope, causing severe destruction to several buildings. Ftrs maintain sweep over Rabaul and New Ireland areas.
4/6/44 Twentieth AF Gen Arnold assumes cmd of Twentieth AF at Washington, DC where HQ will remain until Jul 45. CoS is Gen Hansell (currently Dep Chief of Air Staff), with Col Cecil E Combs as his dep for operations.
4/6/44 Seventh AF B-24's from Kwajalein bomb Wake. B-25's from Eniwetok hit Ponape twice. B-25's from Abemama bomb Jaluit, rearm at Majuro, and hit Maloelap during return flight.
4/7/44 Twelfth AF MBs attack bridges, tracks, and viaduct at Attigliano, Ficulle, Certaldo, Pontassieve, and Incisa in Valdarno, and hit Prato M/Y. LBs hit ammo dump. Ausonia, Pignataro Interamna, San Apollinare, and Terracina are bombed by P-40's along with dump and several gun positions SE of Rome. P-47's also hit bridges and trucks in this same area and attack Empoli M/Y while A-36's hit gun emplacements, train and tracks in Orvieto area and vicinity and approaches to Montalto di Castro bridge.
4/7/44 Fifteenth AF Over 400 B-24's and B-17's attack M/Ys at Treviso, Mestre, Bologna, and Ferrara. Almost 100 P-38's provide escort. P-47's fly sweep over Gorizia-Udine area. HBs and ftrs claim almost 20 aircraft shot down.
4/7/44 Tenth AF 9 A-31's hit Japanese positions near Buthidaung in Arakan area while 24 others over Chindwin region attack villages around Thaungdut and Tamanthi. 20-plus P-51's and B-25's hit gun positions at Mawlu.
Throughout Mogaung Valley more than 100 FBs and 2 B-25's hit numerous tgts including fuel and ammo stores near Manywet, supplies and railroad station at Myitkyina, supplies and radio station at Sahmaw, Kamaing area, bridges at Nsopzup and supply dumps W of Mogaung. 30-plus of the FBs carry out ground spt missions at Shaduzup.
4/7/44 Fourteenth AF 7 P-40's strafe 3 barges and several junks at Saint John I, leaving them burning. 2 B-24's on sweep from Hong Kong to Formosa claim a large river boat and a small freighter sunk and 2 other freighters damaged. 1 HB is lost. 4 P-40's attack a large concentration of small vessels at Haiphong, sinking at least 4.
4/7/44 Fifth AF B-25's, A-20's, and P-39's hit villages, barges, supply area, and coastal road in areas around Madang, Tadji, Bogia, and Uligan Harbor. Other B-25's bomb barracks at Penfoei. B-24's pound Langgoer and Wakde Is.
4/7/44 Thirteenth AF 50-plus FBs pound supply areas at Ratawul. 9 B-25's hit Talili Bay, 11 bomb Vunakanau A/F, and 13 blast Tobera A/F. 6 B-25's maintain night heckling of Rabaul area. 4 P-40's bomb pillboxes near Reini R while 2 B-24's bomb Monoitu Mission.
4/7/44 Seventh AF B-25's from Tarawa hit Maloelap, rearm at Majuro, and bomb Jaluit on return flight.
4/7/44 Eleventh AF 8 B-24's dispatched to destroy a convoy, believed SE of Matsuwa I, turn back due to engine, navigation, and weather difficulties. A flight of F-7A's of the 2d Photo Charting Sq (1st Photo Gp, 311th Photo Wg), arrives. Its mission is mapping of Kuril Is.
4/8/44 Eighth AF 3 separate forces, a total of 639 B-17's and B-24's divided into 13 combat wgs, are dispatched against A/Fs in NW Germany and aircraft factories in Brunswick area. More than 600 HBs bomb tgts, with the largest force (192 B-17's) striking at Brunswick. The other HBs bomb A/Fs including those at Oldenburg, Quakenbruck, Achmer, Rheine, Hesepe, Handorf, and Twente. 34 US bmrs are lost.
4/8/44 Ninth AF 198 B-26's attack Hasselt M/Y and hit Coxyde A/F. 32 P-47's bomb area around Hasselt.
4/8/44 Twelfth AF MBs attack bridge NW of Orte while A-20's successfully attack supply stores. FBs hit several bridges, motor transport, and supply dumps in C Italy, and bomb railroad tracks at Sesti Bagni and Maccarese.
4/8/44 USSR Soviet forces open offensive in Crimea.
4/8/44 Tenth AF 20-plus A-31's hit troop positions near Buthidaung. Nearly 50 others bomb Kohima and Homalin.
Nearly 100 FBs and 2 B-25's again pound Mogaung Valley tgts, including Manywet, storage areas and railroad at Mogaung, positions at Shaduzup, and general T/Os around Kamaing. 4 B-25's damage bridge and track at Sittang.
4/8/44 Fourteenth AF 11 B-24's bomb railroad yards at Hanoi. 6 B-25's damage several small ships in Yulinkan Bay. 2 others strafe A/F on Weichow I. 8 P-40's pound oil dumps at Wanling, leaving tgt area in flames. 9 B-24's bomb A/F on Samah Bay; 4 other s lay mines in the bay.
4/8/44 Fifth AF P-40's attack T/Os in Aitape-Wewak area. A-20's hit tgts in Hansa Bay area, firing fuel dump and destroying several warehouses and other buildings at 3 plantations, and strafing and bombing roads and bridges along the coast.
4/8/44 Thirteenth AF During 7/8 Apr 6 B-25's heckle Kavieng A/F area. 50-plus FBs hit NE section of Rabaul. 24 B-25's bomb center of Lakunai A/F. 4 B-24's again pound Monoitu Mission.
4/8/44 Seventh AF B-24's flying out of Kwajalein, strike Truk. Abemamabased B-25's pound Ponape. B-25's from Tarawa hit Maloelap, rearm at Mojuro, and bomb Jaluit during return flight.
4/9/44 Eighth AF 399 B-17's and B-24's bomb aircraft factories and A/Fs in Germany and Poland: A/F and assembly plant at Tutow is hit by 104 B-24's; Focke-Wulf plant at Poznan by 33 B-17's; Heinkel plant at Warnemunde by 86 B-17's; aircraft plant and A/F at Rahmel by 40 HBs; A/F and assembly plant at Marienburg by 98 HBs; and A/Fs at Parchim and Rostock by 46 HBs. No ftr spt is available over the tgts because of bad weather or distance. No diversionary missions are flown. German ftrs are able to concentrate on the bmr formations, and 32 HBs are lost.
4/9/44 Twelfth AF P-40 and A-36 FBs bomb railroad line between Rome and Bracciano, hitting tracks, a station, and a warehouse; attack Littoria and Terracina, repair shops NW of Valmontone, and several gun positions; and bomb scattered motor transport during armed rcn of Avezzano-Sora-Pontecorvo-Ceprano areas.
4/9/44 Tenth AF 40-plus A-31's hit troop positions NW of Imphal and Thaungdut and bomb Kanglatongbi and Nawngpuawng. The Mogaung Valley is pounded by over 100 FBs and a few B-25's; the aircraft hit town areas, bridges, storage areas, spt ground forces, and hit T/Os in general in or near Mogaung, Kamaing, Laban, Hopin, Myitkyina, and Nsopzup. 25 B-25's and P-51's hit fuel dumps at Indaw, bomb road near Manhton, and spt ground forces at Lasai. 6 B-24's bomb Mandalay railroad yards, another bombs nearby Maymyo, and 13 others mine areas near Mandalay and Magwe. Also in Mandalay area, 11 P-38's damage several locomotives, numerous railroad cars, and set a steamer afire near Ywataung.
4/9/44 Fourteenth AF 2 B-25's claim a 200-ft tanker sunk off Cape Bastion and 3 ftrs shot down over Yulinkan Bay.
4/9/44 Fifth AF 55 B-25's bomb Aitape area while B-24's and A-20's hit Wewak, Boram, Cape Moem, AA positions along Hansa Bay, and barges SE of Mushu I and in Wagol R. P-39's hit troops, barges, and bridges in Madang, Awar, Bogia, and Bunabun areas.
4/9/44 Thirteenth AF 23 B-25's bomb Lakunai. 31 FBs hit Ralum supply areas while 22 others strike Wunapope. During 8/9 Apr 7 B-25's fly heckling missions against Rabaul.
4/9/44 Seventh AF B-24's on photo rcn mission over Maloelap, Wotje, and Mille, and a single Tarawa-based B-25 bombs Taroa. B-26's, in shuttle mission from Abemama, bomb Jaluit, rearm at Majuro, and then hit Maloelap.
4/9/44 Eleventh AF A weather sortie over Matsuwa is negative due to low clouds and fog.
4/10/44 Eighth AF More than 650 HBs hit A/Fs at Evere, Brussels, Florennes, Diest, Maldegem, Bourges, Orleans, and Romorantin, bomb aircraft factories at Evere, Brussels, Bourges, and Orleans, and attack a V-weapon site at Marquise/Mimoyecques.
4/10/44 Ninth AF 258 B-26's and 41 A-20's, including 12 aircraft dropping Window, attack coastal batteries at Le Harve/Le Grand Hameau and military installation nearby. During the afternoon 267 B-26's and A-20's bomb M/Y, A/F, coastal defenses, and NOBALL tgts at Charleroi/Montignies, Namur, Coxyde, Nieuport, and other points on N coast of W Europe. 47 P-47's dive-bomb Evreux A/F.
4/10/44 Twelfth AF A-20's hit ammo dump at Gallicano nel Lazio. B-25's bomb Orvieto M/Y and 2 bridges. B-26's hit Poggibonsi and Cecina railroad bridges and tracks, and viaducts at Bucine and W of Arezzo. FBs operating over wide areas of C Italy and in battle zones hit railroad bridges, railroad cars, motor transport, barracks, and troop concentrations with good effect.
4/10/44 USSR Red Army captures Odessa.
4/10/44 Tenth AF 18 A-31's pound troop positions throughout Arakan area. 18 others strike troops and other tgts around Maungkan and Kangpokpi. About 100 FBs and a few B-25's pound numerous tgts, including encampment SW of Mogaung, positions near Kazu, railroad and truck park at Myitkyina, supply area S of Myitkyina, and bivouac area and supplies at Kamaing. Some of the FBs carry out spt of ground forces NE of Kamaing. 40-plus FBs and B-25's over Katha area hit bridge at Thityabin, troops and supplies at Shwegu, gun positions and troops S of Mawlu, and T/Os including a fuel dump. 9 B-24's bomb railroad station and jetty area at Moulmein while 4 others mine mouth of Tavoy R.
4/10/44 Fourteenth AF 3 B-25's damage 2 bridges at Phu Dien Chau and destroy several buildings and some railroad track.
10 P-40's pound roads N and S of Wanling.
4/10/44 Fifth AF About 60 B-24's, teaming with US destroyers offshore, bombard Hansa Bay area, concentrating on AA positions guarding A/Fs.
4/10/44 Thirteenth AF 22 B-25's bomb Ratawul supply area and 40-plus FBs hit runway at Tobera, both strikes causing considerable damage. Night harassment of Rabaul area continues.
4/10/44 Twentieth AF JCS informally approve MATTERHORN plan (approved in principle by Roosevelt on 10 Nov 43) for early sustained bombing of Japan by B-29's based in Calcutta area and staging through fields in area of Chengtu. The operational vehicle is to be the 58th Bomb Wg (4 bomb gps) of XX BC, soon to be assigned to the newly activated Twentieth AF, operating under Gen Arnold as executive agent for JCS.
4/10/44 Seventh AF B-24's, staging through Eniwetok, bomb Truk (1 hits Ponape) while B-25's, based on Abemama, strike Ponape. B-25's, flying shuttle mission between Tarawa and Majuro, pound Maloelap and Jaluit.
4/10/44 Eleventh AF 3 B-24's fly armed rcn over Matsuwa and Onnekotan Is.
4/11/44 Eighth AF 830 B-17's and B-24's in 3 separate forces bomb production centers (primarily ftr aircraft factories) and T/Os in N Germany at Oschersleben, Bernburg, Halberstadt (Force I); Sorau, Cottbus, Arnimswalde, Stettin, Politz, Gulzow, Zarnglaff and Rostock (Forces II and III). Enemy opposition downs 64 HBs, one of the heaviest single-day losses of World War II.
4/11/44 Ninth AF 229 B-26's and 36 A-20's, including 3 dropping Window, attack Charleroi/Montignies, military installations on coast, and Chievres A/F. Over 90 P-47's dive-bomb military installation and Gael A/F.
4/11/44 Twelfth AF B-25's hit Montalto di Castro railroad bridge, while B-26's hit M/Ys at Ancona and Siena. FBs concentrate on attacks against railroad tgts NE of Rome and buildings inland from E coast. Tracks are hit hard in Arezzo-Pontassieve area as are stations at Maccarese and Cesano. Overpass, bridges, railroad cars, and dumps throughout C Italy are attacked, as is town of Gaeta.
4/11/44 Tenth AF 12 A-31's attack village SW of Buthidaung. 17 P-51's and B-25's fly ground spt missions and bomb road near Maungkan. Mogaung Valley tgts are pounded by 50-plus FBs and 2 B-25's; tgts include HQ and stores at Sahmaw, HQ and ammo dump SW of Mogaung, troops at Myitkyina, and T/Os to the S, gun position S of Kamaing, and HQ at Waingmaw.
4/11/44 Fourteenth AF 3 B-25's hit railroad T/Os N of Vinh and seriously damage a bridge S of Thanh Hoa.
4/11/44 Fifth AF 80-plus A-20's and B-25's, supported by 30 P-47's and P-40's, blast AA positions, stores, dumps, and personnel areas at Hollandia. More than 50 B-24's bomb barges, AA guns, and other tgts along Hansa Bay which is also hit by 12 B-25's. 12 other B-25's bomb tgts on Karkar I.
4/11/44 Thirteenth AF Thirteenth Air TF (Prov) is created by Gen Kenney, CG Allied AF (SWPA), from elements of Thirteenth AF and other units. About 40 FBs hit E section of Rabaul while 12 others strike Talili Bay ammo dump.
24 B-25's blast supply areas at Ratawul. On Bougainville 20-plus FBs are dispatched against coastal gun positions but fail to locate objective. 12 of the FBs bomb Aitara while 2 claim destruction of bridge near Mawareka.
4/11/44 Seventh AF B-25's from the Gilberts hit Ponape, rearm at Majuro, and carry out shuttle mission against Jaluit and Maloelap.
4/11/44 Eleventh AF Of 3 B-24's attempting to fly photo and bombing run over Matsuwa I installations, 2 must turn back.
The third bombs the runway area.
4/12/44 Eighth AF 443 B-17's and B-24's dispatched to bomb industrial tgts at Schweinfurt, Zwickau, Oschersleben, Leipzig, Schkeuditz, and Halle are forced to abandon mission because of haze and multilayer clouds.
Ftr opposition is concentrated over N France and 6 HBs are lost.
4/12/44 Ninth AF 231 B-26's and 20 A-20's attack railroad, shore batteries, radar installations, A/Fs, and V-weapon sites at Dunkirk, Courtrai/Wevelghem, Coxyde/Furnes, De Pannes-Bains, Saint Ghislain, Ostend, and points along coast. Over 70 P-47's dive-bomb military installations in N France.
4/12/44 Twelfth AF MBs bomb rail lines approaching Monte Molino bridge and at nearby j unction to Viterbo line, railroad and road bridges S of Orvieto and at Certaldo, tracks approaching bridge at Imperia, and railroad bridges over Var R and at Albenga. LBs pound Zagarolo supply dump. FBs and ftrs (some operating with British airplanes) hit comm (mainly railroad bridges), vehicles, a supply dumps at various places, including Arezzo, island of Elba, Orvieto, NE of Grosseto, NW of Bracciano, Civita Castellana, Montalto di Castro, between Piombino and Viterbo, in Castiglioncello area, NW of Montepescali, and S of Cecina.
4/12/44 Fifteenth AF 483d Bomb Gp (B-17) becomes operational, increasing number of combat status HB gps in Fifteenth AF to 17. Bad weather lifts, permitting HB operations. Almost 450 B-17's and B-24's attack aircraft factories at Fischamend Markt and Wiener-Neustadt and Bad Voslau assembly plant and A/F. Over 200 P-38's and P-47's provide escort. HBs and ftrs claim over 30 aircraft shot down. 8 US airplanes are known lost and several more fail to return.
4/12/44 Tenth AF 24 B-34's blast troop positions near Buthidaung. 35 A-31's hit Paungbyin and SW of Imphal. 90-plus P-40's, A-36's, P-51's, and B-25's over Mogaung Valley spt ground forces, bomb supply areas, and hit numerous T/Os in areas around Mogaung, Myitkyina, Kamaing, Taungni, and Shaduzup. 5 B-25's knock out bridge at Natmauk while 2 others damage Pyu bridge near Rangoon. 5 B-24's bomb Nagorn Sawarn while 7 hit Moulmein railroad station and jetties and bomb SE part of Prome.
4/12/44 Fifth AF 180-plus B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's, supported by over 60 P-38's, bomb AA positions, A/Fs, supply areas, and shipping construction. B-24's, B-25's, A-20's, and P-39's bomb and strafe various tgts at Wewak, Madang, along Hansa Bay, and on Karkar I. Other P-39's fly barge sweep from Alexishafen up the coast as far as mouth of Sepik R. 2 B-25's bomb Penfoei.
4/12/44 Thirteenth AF 5th Bomb Gp is ordered to move from Guadalcanal and New Georgia to Los Negros where it will form nucleus of Thirteenth Air TF. 23 B-25's and 11 P-39's pound W section of Rabaul, 7 other B-25's cause considerable damage in Ratawul supply area. 23 FBs blast concrete airstrip at Vunakanau. On Bougainville 12 FBs bomb and strafe Numa Numa trail and pound harbor area.
4/12/44 Seventh AF B-25's, flying out of Abemama, bomb Maloelap, rearm at Majuro, and hit Jaluit on return trip.
4/13/44 SHAEF Gen Eisenhower formally assumes direction of air operations out of UK at midnight (though he began informal exercise of this authority in late Mar). This assumption of authority gives Eisenhower direction over AEAF, RAF BC, and USSTAF (Fifteenth AF retains some degree of independence) along with US 1st Army Gp, 21 Army Gp, and Allied Naval Forces.
4/13/44 Eighth AF 153 HBs attack industrial tgts at Schweinfurt. 230 Hbs strike Augsburg, concentrating on Messerschmitt plant. 183 other bmrs hit A/Fs and other T/Os in Oberpfaffenhofen, Lechfeld, and Lauffen am Neckar. This mission is flown in conjunction with a raid on Hungary by over 500 Fifteenth AF HBs and a Ninth AF B-26 raid in S Netherlands. Although ftr opposition is dispersed, enemy aircraft and AA account for most of 38 HBs lost by Eighth AF.
4/13/44 Ninth AF 121 B-26's and 37 A-20's attack M/Y, coastal batteries, A/Fs, and V-weapon sites at Namur, Chievres, Nieuport, Le Havre, and along N coast of France in general. Nearly 175 other aircraft abort missions mainly because of weather. 48 P-47's also dive-bomb V-weapon sites.
4/13/44 Twelfth AF B-25's attack Terni and bridge at Marsciano while B-26's bomb Ancona M/Y and nearby railroad bridge. FBs again strike mainly at comm, town of Itri, Cesano station, factory at Fontana Liri, railroad overpass at Fara in Sabina, Anguillara, and bridges, trucks, and other tgts at points throughout C Italy.
4/13/44 Fifteenth AF 535 HBs (largest HB mission to date by Fifteenth AF) bomb A/F aircraft factory, and rolling stock plant at Gyor, Vecses and Tokol A/Fs and Repulogepgyar aircraft components plant at Budapest, and M/Y at Brod. Ftrs fly over 200 sorties in spt of the HBs. Ftr opposition and AA account for 14 US HBs and 1 ftr shot down. Nearly 40 ftrs are claimed shot down and 120-plus aircraft destroyed on the ground.
4/13/44 Tenth AF 24 A-31's hit gun positions and telegraph installations at Buthidaung. About 90 A-31's pound a variety of tgts at Churachandpur riddim, Sagolmang, Kanglatongbi, Thayaung, Tamanthi, Minthami, and Thaungdut. 90-plus P-40's, P-51's and A-36's and a few B-25's carry out ground spt missions near Kamaing and hit assorted tgts throughout the Mogaung Valley. 12 B-25's and 11 P-51's spt ground forces at Mawlu.
4/13/44 Fourteenth AF 28 ftrs attempt to intercept but fail to make contact with 13 Japanese airplanes which bomb Namyung.
4/13/44 Fifth AF 80-plus B-24's and A-20's pound the A/Fs at Dagua and But on N coast of New Guinea. 33 A-20's hit Aitape. P-39's, B-25's, and B-24's fly light strikes against a variety of tgts along Hansa Bay, on Wakde, at Uligan, and several other points along the coast.
4/13/44 Thirteenth AF 24 B-25's blast Talili Bay and Ratawul supply areas and town of Rabaul. 40-plus FBs strike Malaguna area NW of Rabaul. 17 FBs hit personnel and supply areas at Mosigetta, Mawareka, Meive, and Maririei. During the early morning 23 B-24's bomb Truk.
4/13/44 Seventh AF B-24's out of Eniwetok strike Truk. B-25's from Abemama hit Ponape. B-25's from Tarawa bomb Jaluit, rearm at Majuro, and hit Maloelap.
4/13/44 Eleventh AF 3 B-24's fly armed rcn and bombing runs over A/F at Matsuwa and installations on Onnekotan Is.
4/14/44 Twelfth AF B-25's attack Viterbo A/F and Leghorn M/Y, B-26's strike at Poggibonsi, Certaldo, Cecina, and Magra, attacking mostly rail facilities and hit Arezzo bridge and viaduct and Bucine viaducts. FBs also concentrate on rail lines and bridges and hit many supply dumps, gun positions and factories, generally located NE of Rome.
4/14/44 Tenth AF 20-plus A-31's hit troop positions near Buthidaung. 36 A-31's pound Paungbyin and area N of Imphal.
20 P-40's over Mogaung Valley attack camp at Manywet. 20 P-51's and 3 B-25's spt ground forces in Mawlu area.
4/14/44 Fifth AF B-25's and P-39's hit barges and luggers in Vanimo Harbor and at Bogia.
4/14/44 Thirteenth AF 19 B-24's on mission to the Carolines bomb Eten, Param, and Kuop Is and T/Os on Truk Atoll. 24 B- 25's and 40-plus FBs blast supply area at Ratawul. 8 other FBs hit Wunapope. More than 20 FBs strike various tgts in NE part of Bougainville.
4/14/44 Seventh AF A single B-24, en route from Kwajalein to Tarawa, bombs Jaluit. B-25's from Eniwetok bomb Ponape while B-25's from Abeama strike Jaluit and Maloelap, using Majuro as arming station between strikes.
Japanese bmrs carry out ineffective raid on Eniwetok.
4/14/44 Eleventh AF 3 B-24's fly armed photo rcn mission during early morning over Matsuwa, Onnekotan, and Paramushiru Is. Photographs taken are negative due to cloud cover.
4/15/44 Eighth & Ninth AFs 530 Eighth AF and 86 Ninth AF ftrs conduct sweeps over C and W Germany. Bad weather prevents attacks on most major ground tgts. Ftrs claim 58 aircraft destroyed in air and on ground. 33 US ftrs are lost, 19 to unknown causes (probably due mainly to bad weather) and the others to enemy action and accidents.
4/15/44 Twelfth AF XII A Spt Cmd is redesignated XII TAC. MBs strike M/Y at Leghorn and a tunnel and railroad bridges in C Italy. P-47's attack rail lines, bridges, and ammo dumps NE of Rome with good results. Other P- 47's and P-40's and A-36's hit numerous tgts, including rail lines, motor transport shop, vehicles, tanks, and gun positions, in C Italy and in US Fifth Army battle areas.
4/15/44 Fifteenth AF Clearing weather again permits HB operations. 448 B-24's and B-17's attack Bucharest, Ploesti, and Nish M/Y. Over 150 ftrs provide escort. A special group, led by Lt Col Louis A Neveleff, flies from HQ at Bari to Medeno Polji. From there the group proceeds to Marshal Tito's HQ at Drvar, where Col Neveleff confers with Tito and spends several days laying groundwork for evacuation of downed Fifteenth AF airmen in Yugoslav hands. Also, much information is gathered regarding military organization and political trend of the partisan movement. The mission returns to Italy on 2 May. 122 men, mostly Fifteenth AF airmen, are also evacuated.
4/15/44 Tenth AF 40-plus A-31's hit gun positions at Buthidaung. 12 B-24's over Andaman Is attack shipping and other tgts at Port Blair. 12 P-38's hit Heho A/F, destroying several parked airplanes.
4/15/44 Fourteenth AF 3 B-25's knock out a bridge at Viet Tri and damage another.
4/15/44 Fifth AF 180-plus B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's bomb landing strips, offshore islands, and entire coastal area in vicinity of Aitape. 16 P-40's strafe barges at nearby Seleo I. 20 P-39's hit villages, supply dumps, trucks, and other tgts along Hansa Bay and in Alexishafen area.
4/15/44 Thirteenth AF 24 B-25's bomb ammo dump on Talili Bay; 11 P-39's follow with strike on same tgt. 3 P-38's fire Wunapope supply area; other FB strikes on same area are cancelled by weather. A few P-38's hit tgts in NE part of Bougainville.
4/15/44 Seventh AF Gen Douglass becomes CG Seventh AF. B-25's, based on Tarawa, bomb Maloelap, rearm at Majuro, and hit Jaluit and Mille on return trip.
4/15/44 Eleventh AF During 14/15 Apr 3 B-24's on armed rcn mission over Matsuwa and Onnekotan I hit several tgts including Matsuwa A/F. Rcn over Paramushiru fails due to overcast.
4/16/44 Twelfth AF B-25's bomb approaches to Ficulle and Todi railway bridges. A-20's blast fuel supplies. P-40's, P-47's, and A-36's hit Capranica viaduct, town of Zagarolo, railway at Spigno Monferrato, M/Y at OrteTerni, tunnel at Capranica, and tracks, vehicles, railway cars, ammo dump, bridge, and T/Os at various points in C Italy.
4/16/44 Fifteenth AF 31st Ftr Gp (P-51) (transferred from Twelfth AF on 1 Apr) begins operations. It becomes the fifth operational ftr gp of Fifteenth AF. 432 HBs attack Brasov M/Y, Turnu Severin M/Y and A/F, aircraft factory and A/F at Belgrade, and M/Y at Nish. Over 90 ftrs fly escort while 50-plus others, failing to rendezvous with HBs, strafe trains on Crcliova line E of Turnu-Severin.
4/16/44 USSR Soviet forces capture Yalta.
4/16/44 Tenth AF In Arakan area 20-plus A-31's pound troop positions S and SW of Buthidaung. More than 50 others hit Churachandpur, Homalin, Nawngpu-awng, Tiddim Road, and bridge at Manipur Road. 12 B-25's hit bridge over Mogaung R while 9 others, along with 12 P-51's, hit warehouse and railroad station at Mohnyin. 9 P-38's destroy 3 MBs at Zayatkwin near Rangoon while 2 P-51's in Mandalay area hit Anisakan A/F, destroying 2 airplanes.
4/16/44 Fifth AF 170-plus B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's bomb Hollandia town and A/F and numerous other tgts in the area. P-39's hit wooded area and comm tgts along Hansa Bay and attack villages and supply dumps from Bogia to Uligan Harbor. P-38's hit Madang area. Other B-25's bomb Koepang. B-24's fly light strike against Wakde. Other aircraft, operating singly or in pairs, attack T/Os on N coast of New Guinea and SE coast of New Britain.
4/16/44 Thirteenth AF 15 B-24's bomb runway at Satawan. 24 B-25's hit Ratawul supply area and alternate tgt of Raluana.
At Rabaul 30-plus FBs attack area inland from Toboi wharf.
4/16/44 Seventh AF B-25's, staging through Eniwetok, strike Truk. B-25's from Abemama hit Maloelap and Mille, using Majuro as a rearming base between the strikes.
4/17/44 Eighth AF 14 B-24's bomb V-weapon installation at Wizernes in Pas de Calais area. No ftr opposition is offered and all US aircraft return without damage.
4/17/44 Twelfth AF B-25's attack bridges N of Orte and at Monte Molino, while A-20's pound fuel dump NE of Rome. P40, P-47, and A-6 FBs hit motor transport stores and gun positions N of Anzio, bomb Fara in Sabina station, hit tracks, trains and guns in Orte and Narni area and at other points N of Rome.
4/17/44 Fifteenth AF 470 B-17's and B-24's hit Belgrade/Sava M/Y and Rogozarski A/F and aircraft factory as well as lkarus aircraft factory at Belgrade, Zemun A/F, and M/Y at Sofia. More than 200 ftrs escort the missions. US aircraft claim 25 airplanes downed in combat.
4/17/44 Tenth AF 36 A-31's again pound positions SW of Buthidaung. 2 B-24's bomb Akyab. 6 P-51's spt ground forces near Meza. 60-plus A-31's hit scattered villages and pound Kalewa and Yaingangpokpi. 9 P-38's destroy several airplanes at Heho A/F while 5 B-24's bomb Ywataung. 26 B-25's and 36 P-51's spt ground forces at Mawlu and bomb fuel dump at Kin. 13 other P-51's are diverted to intercept Japanese force over Imphal area and claim 3 airplanes shot down.
4/17/44 Fifth AF 20-plus B-24's bomb storage areas and troop concentrations in Kai Is. P-39's attack AA positions at Bogia. Other planes, operating individually or in pairs, attack Hollandia, Uligan Harbor and vicinity, and Madang area.
4/17/44 Thirteenth AF 20 B-24's bomb A/F at Satawan. 24 B-25's pound runway and revetments at Rapopo A/F. 40-plus FBs hit Matupi with incendiaries while 10 others pound runway at Keravat.
4/17/44 Seventh AF B-25's, based on Tarawa, strike Maloelap and Mille, rearming at Majuro between the raids.
4/18/44 Eighth AF More than 750 HBs attack aircraft industries, A/Fs and T/Os at Germendorf, Annahof, Brandenburg, Rathenow, Luneburg, Perleberg, Wittenberge, Birkenwerder, Cuxhaven, and Barnewitz, and a Vweapon site at Watten. 19 US HBs are lost.
4/18/44 Ninth AF XIX A Spt Cmd is redesignated XIX TAC and becomes operational. IX A Spt Cmd is redesignated IX TAC. 277 B-26's (including 24 dropping Window) and 37 A-20's bomb gun positions and M/Ys at Dunkirk, Calais, and Charleroi/ Saint Martin.
4/18/44 Twelfth AF P-47 FBs cut several rail lines in Florence and Arezzo areas and strafe trains and motor transport. P- 40's and P-47's hit Itri and rail bridge and fuel dumps as campaign against comm continues.
4/18/44 Fifteenth AF P-38's and P-47's strafe Udine and Aiello A/Fs and T/ Os in Basiliano, Sant' Andrea I, and Cervignano del Friuli areas and in Golfo di Panzano. Other ftrs fly cover for the strafing missions.
4/18/44 Tenth AF 24 A-31's bomb positions SW of Buthidaung while 2 B-24's bomb Akyab. 7 B-24's bomb oil plant at Yenangyaung while 5, along with 7 P-38's, hit Ywataung. 6 B-25's score numerous hits on Mandalay- Shwebo railroad. 42 A-31's attack Ft White, Tiddim, and Tamu. 15 B-25's and 4 P-51's bomb Kamaing and hit Myitkyina-Bhamo road.
4/18/44 Fifth AF The newly created (11 Apr) Thirteenth Air TF (Prov), commanded by Gen Streett and temporarily composed of elements of Thirteenth AF (which is being moved to SWPA), a few RAAF sqs, Seventh US Fleet air units, and Fifth AF units in the Admiralties and New Britain, is placed under operational control of Fifth AF/ADVON. Operating out of Momote, B-24's of Thirteenth Air TF bomb Woleai and Mariaon Is. B-24's of Fifth AF hit Manokwari and Babo. Madang area is hit by FBs.
4/18/44 Thirteenth AF 14 B-24's bomb A/F at Satawan, 23 B-25's, weathered out of Vunakanau, bomb Tobera A/F. 12 others and 9 FBs which fail to reach Rapopo bomb airstrip at Keravat. Wunapope is hit by about 40 FBs, with considerable damage to the supply area.
4/18/44 Seventh AF First Seventh AF attack on the Marianas takes place as B-24's escorting Navy photo airplanes on rcn mission from Eniwetok bomb Saipan. Other B-24's staging through Eniwetok hit Truk. B-25's from Tarawa bomb Ponape. B-24's from Kwajalein bomb Wake after failing to find shipping reported in the area. B-25's from Abemama bomb Jaluit and Maloelap, using Majuro as shuttle base between strikes.
4/18/44 Eleventh AF 3 B-24's fly armed rcn over Matsuwa, Onnekotan, and Paramushiru Is. Cloud cover and lack of moon permit only bombing of Kashiwabara A/F and Banjo Cape area.
4/19/44 Eighth AF 747 HBs in three forces bomb industrial tgts in Kassel area; A/Fs at Eschwege, Lippstadt, Werl, Paderborn, and Gutersloh; and other tgts at Limburg, Buren, Kall, and Soest, in morning operations.
During afternoon 27 B-24's bomb V-weapon site at Watten. 6 HBs are lost.
4/19/44 Ninth AF After several weeks of instruction a IX AFSC trg exercise (Operation BOOMERANG) in waterproofing and landing motor vehicles gets under way. This exercise, in preparation for a cross-channel movement lasts several weeks and involves 55 units, over 650 vehicles, and more than 2,500 men. 350- plus B-26's and A-20's bomb M/Ys, city areas, and T/Os at Gunzburg, Ulm, Neu Ulm, Donauworth, and Schelklingen. Ftrs fly over 1,200 sorties against a variety of tgts in NW Europe.
4/19/44 Twelfth AF Bad weather severely restricts operations. B-26's hit Cecina railroad bridge and Ancona M/Y while B- 25's hit M/Y at Piombino. P-47's hit railroad tracks, M/Y, junction, and railway cars between Pontedera and Empoli and between Figline Valdarno and San Giovanni Valdarno.
4/19/44 Tenth AF 50-plus A-31's hit positions and supply dumps near Buthidaung and E of Maungdaw. 40-plus A-31's hit Churachandpur, Pyingaing, Tamu, and T/Os N of Kalewa. 6 B-25's and 8 P-51's attack troops and stores NW of Banmauk. 10 P-38's hit A/F near Meiktila. 5 P-51's attack troop positions near Mawlu and bridge at Shweli.
4/19/44 Fourteenth AF 3 B-25's damage a bridge at Thanh Moi and score hits on railroad and buildings S of bridge. 4 P-40's attack village of Takaw, causing several fires, and sink a ferryboat in the area.
4/19/44 Fifth AF B-24's hit Urarom and Manokwari. B-25's, A-20's, and ftr aircraft strike wide variety of tgts around Hollandia, Aitape, Bogia, Uligan, Bunabun, Madang, and Cape Croisilles. B-24's of Thirteenth Air TF bomb Woleai.
4/19/44 Thirteenth AF 21 B-24's bomb Satawan A/F, hitting the tgt area with about 50 tons of high explosives. 38 FBs hit Matupi supply areas while 7 bomb Rapopo airstrip. Ftrs hit Numa Numa area.
4/19/44 Twentieth AF XX BC is assigned to Twentieth AF.
4/19/44 Seventh AF B-24's, staging through Eniwetok, bomb Truk. B-25's from the Gilberts strike Ponape.
4/20/44 Eighth AF 666 HBs attack V-weapon installations and T/Os in Pas de Calais and Cherbourg areas. 33 P-51 FBs attack A/Fs at Cambrai/Epinoy, Vitry-en-Artois, and Laon/Athies. 53 P-38's dispatched to bomb Saint- Trond A/F jettison bombs in English Channel after overcast prevents location of tgts.
4/20/44 Ninth AF Almost 400 B-26's and A-20's attack gun positions at Etaples, Bazinghen, Villerville, Gravelines, and Fecamp, A/F at Poix, and V-weapon sites and T/Os in Pas de Calais area. Nearly 140 P-47's bomb M/Ys at Creil and Mantes-La-Jolie.
4/20/44 Twelfth AF MBs and LBs score hits on M/Y and 3 fuel dumps at Leghorn and near misses on Cecina and Certaldo bridges and Arezzo viaduct. FBs hit railroad lines and fuel dump in Florence area; bridges, dump, rail lines, and train cars near Civitavecchia and Zagarolo, at Sezze, near Ladispoli, SW of Stimigliano and N of Monterotondo; and guns S of Albano Laziale. In battle area around Cassino FBs blast several gun positions and hit bridges, trucks, troops and other tgts at several points, including at Falconara, Recanati, San Benedetto de Marsi, and Fondi-Itri and Orte-Orvieto areas.
4/20/44 Fifteenth AF More than 300 HBs attack Monfalcone shipyards, Tagliamento-Casarsa della Delizia railroad bridge, M/Ys at Fano, Vicenza, Ancona, Mestre, Treviso, and Trieste, and harbor and shipping at Venice. 180- plus other HBs dispatched against comm tgts in N Italy are forced to abort due to bad weather. About 250 ftrs provide cover for the bombing raids.
4/20/44 Tenth AF 11 B-25's hit bivouac and supply area NW of Manywet. 24 A-31's pound positions at Tiddim.
4/20/44 Fifth AF B-24's bomb A/Fs on Noemfoor. B-25's, A-20's, and ftrs hit a variety of tgts around Hollandia, on Cape Croisilles, in Bunabun area, and along Hansa Bay. Woleai is again bombed by B-24's of Thirteenth Air TF.
4/20/44 SOPAC Gen Harris, USMC, becomes COMAIRSOLS.
4/20/44 Thirteenth AF With improved weather conditions heavy bombing of tgts in the Bismarcks resumes. 22 B-25's hit Matupi supply area. 40-plus FBs blast the A/Fs at Lakunai and Keravat.
4/20/44 Seventh AF B-24's from Kwajalein search area near Wake for shipping. Finding none, the HBs hit Wake and Peale Is. Tarawa-based base between strikes, bomb Maloelap B-25's, using Majuro as a shuttle and Jaluit.
4/20/44 Eleventh AF A B-24 aborts a weather mission to Shasukotan I.
4/21/44 Eighth AF Eighth AF offensive against German oil tgts is scheduled to start on this date, but mission is cancelled because of bad weather.
4/21/44 Ninth AF 236 B-26's and 34 A-20's attack gun positions, coastal defenses and V-weapons sites at Etaples, at Berck-sur-Mer, near Doullens, and in Saint-Omer, Abbeville, and Amiens area. 4 B-26's are lost. More than 175 P-47's dive-bomb M/Ys and concentrations at Montignies-sur-Sambre, Hasselt, Namur, and Haine-Saint-Pierre.
4/21/44 Twelfth AF A-20's blast ammo dump while P-47's attack train, rail lines, and motor transport behind enemy lines.
Other P-47's, along with P-40's and A-36's, attack railway lines and trains between Rome and Terni, between Rome and Tivoli, and between Orte and Attigliano; hit motor transport concentration NE of Rome; and attack several bivouac areas and gun positions in battle areas.
4/21/44 Fifteenth AF Over 100 B-24's bomb Bucharest M/Y and Turnu-Severin. All 17 bomb gps dispatched are recalled due to bad weather but 7 gps fail to receive recall signal. Over 150 P-38's and P-51's are dispatched as escort. 40-plus rendezvous with the B-24's and battle some 30 ftrs that attack the HB force. The other ftrs, failing to meet the HBs, engage about 40 ftrs. HBs and ftrs claim 35 aerial combat victories.
10 US aircraft are shot down.
4/21/44 Tenth AF 20-plus A-31's hit villages and Japanese positions near Buthidaung. 12 B-25's and 14 P-51's pound Indaw and Mawlu, causing several fires in supply dumps and in the general tgt areas. 48 A-31's attack Tiddim Road and bridge at Manipur. 12 B-25's bomb camp and supply area at Kamaing. 8 B-24's bomb storage and fuel dumps at Lashio and bomb Namtu. 13 B-24's bomb Maymyo while 5 B-25's knock out 3 bridges in Tangon area. 4 P-51's knock out bridge at Shweli.
4/21/44 Fourteenth AF 12 P-40's fly armed rcn over roads in Burma, strafing bridges, buildings, steamrollers, trucks, and troops in areas around Takaw, Bhamo, Loiwing, Kutkai, Hsenwi, and Lashio. At least 3 steamrollers and 7 trucks are destroyed.
4/21/44 Fifth AF 21 B-24's bomb airstrips on Noemfoor. About 320 B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's hit numerous tgts in Tadji, Wewak, and Madang area, while a Navy carrier force hits Hollandia, Wakde, and Sawar as assault convoys approach the area.
4/21/44 Thirteenth AF 307th Bomb Gp (H) is ordered to move from New Georgia and Guadalcanal to the Admiralty Is, where it will become part of Thirteenth Air TF, serving operationally under Fifth AF. In spite of heavy weather in the Bismarcks, 24 B-25's blast Matupi supply area. 11 P-39's, closed out of Rabaul, bomb Tinputs Harbor.
4/21/44 Seventh AF B-24's from Kwajalein hit Wotje. B-24's from Eniwetok, staging through Kwajalein, bomb Truk. B-25's from Engebi bomb Ponape. Abemama-based B-25's, using Majuro as a shuttle base, bomb Jaluit and Maloelap.
4/22/44 Eighth AF 631 B-17's and B-24's bomb M/Y at Hamm. 18 others bomb secondary tgts in Hamm while 125 attack tgts at Koblenz, Bonn, and Soest. 15 HBs are lost, mostly to AA fire. 13 escorting ftrs are lost. US HBs claim 20 airplanes destroyed and ftrs claim 34 destroyed.
4/22/44 Ninth AF Over 400 B-26's and about 90 A-20's fly two missions against V-weapon sites in area of Saint-Omer and Hesdin. Nearly 275 P-47's and P-51's dive-bomb M/Ys in Belgium.
4/22/44 Twelfth AF B-25's bomb bridge and tracks S of Ficulle and bridge N of the town. Other B-25's and B-26's attack San Stefano al Mare harbor, N section of Orvieto, Chiusi railroad bridge, viaducts S and W of Arezzo and Bucine, Certaldo railroad bridge, bridge approaches at Incisa in Valdarno, bridge near Siena and viaduct at Poggibonsi. A-20's hit Valmontone ammo dump and Sonnino. P-47's hit railroad, trains, and tunnels in Florence area and W of Chiusi, M/Y at Siena, vessel S of Savona, railroad lines S of Orte, and town of Gaeta. P-40's attack gun positions N of Anzio beachhead and bomb Ferentino dump area and towns of Fondi, Terracina, and Formia.
4/22/44 Tenth AF More than 30 A-31's bomb Bishenpur and Kohima. 12 B-25's hit Kamaing while 5 B-25's and 6 P-51's attack ammo and other supplies at Hopin. 3 B-25's and 4 P-51's hit village NE of Bhamo while 7 P- 51's attack Gokteik Viaduct.
4/22/44 Fourteenth AF 6 B-24's claim 4 freighters and a gunboat sunk near Cap-Saint-Jacques. 1 other knocks out bridge SW of Vinh. P-40's on armed rcn over N Burma destroy 10 boxcars and a truck N of Lashio.
4/22/44 Fifth AF More than 20 B-24's bomb airstrips on Noemfoor. 80-plus B-24's and A-20's hit Boram and But A/Fs and other tgts in Wewak area; more than 100 B-24's and B-25's pound tgts along Hansa Bay; and all through the day B-25's and FBs, in flights of 1 to more than 20 aircraft, attack areas around Hansa Bay, Wewak, Bogia, Madang, and many other points along N and E coast of New Guinea. Many of the strikes indirectly spt Allied amphibious landings on N coast to the E and W of Hollandia, toward which a pincer movement is begun.
4/22/44 Thirteenth AF About 40 B-25's bomb supply areas at Ratawul and Talili Bay, pound Keravat, and hit area between Rapopo and Cape Gazelle. 40-plus FBs attack runway and gun positions at Rapopo while 9 strike Lakunai A/F. During 22/23 Apr, 17 B-24's bomb Dublon, Param, and Eten Is.
4/22/44 Seventh AF During 21/22 Apr, B-24's from Kwajalein bomb Wotje. Other B-24's from Kwajalein follow with another raid on Wotje during the day. B-25's from Tarawa, using Majuro as a shuttle base for rearming, bomb Jaluit, Maloelap, and Mille.
4/22/44 Eleventh AF A weather sortie is aborted soon after take off due to weather.
4/23/44 Eighth AF 346 P-47's, P-38's, and P-51's fly missions against A/Fs and other tgts in N France, Belgium, and NW Germany. Results are generally good. 7 airplanes are lost, all to flak.
4/23/44 Ninth AF 307 B-26's and 57 A-20's attack NOBALL tgts, gun positions, and M/Ys in Pas de Calais area and in adjacent area of Belgium. Around 1,000 P-47's and P-51's divebomb numerous tgts throughout France and the Low Countries.
4/23/44 Twelfth AF B-25's hit bridges and approaches at Attigliano. B-26's attack Incisa in Valdarno viaduct and bridge, Cecina M/Y, and attack, but fail to hit, Poggibonsi viaduct. P-47's, A-36's, and P-40's hit rail lines and bridges NE of Rome and along E coast in several areas including points around Orvieto, Orte, Tivoli, and Capronica.
4/23/44 Fifteenth AF Weather clears and HBs can resume operations. Over 500 B-24's and B-17's attack aircraft factories and A/Fs at Wiener-Neustadt, Schwechat, and Bad Voslau. Close to 300 ftrs provide spt. Many enemy ftrs attack fiercely, downing 12 HBs and 1 ftr. The HBs and escorts claim over 40 air victories.
4/23/44 Tenth AF 24 P-51's, 8 B-25's, and 51 A-31's attack Thetkegyin, Manipur bridge, Tiddim road, and Japanese positions at Indaw. 18 A-31's hit positions near Buthidaung. 12 P-38's hit Kangaung A/F near Meiktila.
21 B-24's bomb railroads and jetties at Moulmein and Martaban.
4/23/44 Fourteenth AF 14 P-40's pound arty post at Sienning and cav forces at Kuan-Fou-Chiao. 2 P-40's strafe barracks S of Tengchung, and 2 P-38's hit truck convoy and barracks S of Chiengmai. 4 P-40's blast motor pool at Lashio.
4/23/44 Fifth AF B-24's continue to hit airstrips on Noemfoor. The HBs claim 14 air victories. More than 90 B-24's bomb Wewak, Boram, and But A/Fs, road near Boram, and track and villages S of Dagua while 80- plus B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's pound AA positions, A/Fs, stores, and troop concentrations along Hansa Bay. Throughout the day A-20's, P-47's, P-38's, and P-39's pound various tgts along Hansa Bay, in Wewak area, and in vicinity of Uligan Harbor and Cape Croisilles. 20-plus B-24's of Thirteenth Air TF bomb A/F and supply areas on Woleai. In ground action Allied forces take Hollandia, Tumleo and Selo Is, and objectives around Tadji.
4/23/44 Thirteenth AF Weather again curtails strikes, but several FBs hit Tobera and 20-plus B-25's blast Matupi I.
4/23/44 Seventh AF B-24's based at Kwajalein hit Truk and Wotje. Makinbased B-25's hit Ponape, Jaluit, and Maloelap.
4/23/44 Eleventh AF 3 B-24's fly weather and photo rcn within 100 mi of the Kuril Is and photograph Matsuwa.
4/24/44 Eighth AF 716 B-17's and B-24's bomb A/Fs, aircraft production industries, and T/Os at Landsberg, Oberpfaffenhofen, Erding, Friedrichshafen, Manzell, Lowental, Gablingen, Leipheim and Neckarsulm.
Although a large Fifteenth AF raid on Ploesti and Bucharest draws many ftrs, 250 German aircraft oppose this Eighth AF mission. More than 125 of these ftrs concentrate on lead force over Landsberg- Oberpfaffenhofen-Erding area and down at least 15 HBs in a 30- to 45-min battle. Total losses for the day are 39 B-17's and B-24's.
4/24/44 Ninth AF 38 B-26's dispatched against tgts in France are recalled because of bad weather. 32 P-47's divebomb Louvain M/Y with good results.
4/24/44 Twelfth AF MBs attack railroad bridges N and S of Orvieto, at Arezzo, at Grosseto, and N and S of Incisa in Valdarno. A-20's hit dump at Valmontone. P-40's, P-47's, and A-36's hit shipping off Leghorn, Avezzano station, Orvieto and Terni M/Ys, Canino landing ground, railroad tracks at numerous points S of Orvieto, and rail lines, truck parks, and T/Os N of Rome.
4/24/44 Fifteenth AF 520-plus B-17's and B-24's bomb M/Ys at Bucharest and Ploesti, hit aircraft factory at Belgrade, and attack rail line between Rimini and Ancona. Over 250 ftrs fly spt for the HBs.
4/24/44 Tenth AF 36 A-31's and 8 P-38's pound positions near Buthidaung and Myohaung area. 60-plus A-31's hit troop concentration near Ft White and towns of Kohima and Ukhrul. 100-plus P-40's, P-51's, A-26's, and B- 25's bomb storage areas at Kamaing, Mogaung, and Hopin, and railroads and other tgts at Myitkyina, Manywet, and Chaungwa. 25 B-25's and P-51's hit Indaw and several other B-25's bomb Pyingaing.
4/24/44 Fourteenth AF B-25's damage bridges near Dara and Kengluang and strafe factory at Dhasan. P-40's on diversionary strike strafe numerous T/Os at Kengtung. B-25's on sea sweep hit 2 small steamers off Cape Bastion with cannon fire, claiming 1 vessel sunk and the other left burning.
4/24/44 Fifth AF B-24's again bomb parked aircraft and other tgts on Noemfoor. 40-plus B-24's bomb A/Fs in Wewak area. More than 140 B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's hit stores, fuel dumps, and personnel areas along Hansa Bay. Throughout the day MBs and FBs hit a variety of tgts along New Guinea coast including Karkar I, Uligan Harbor, Cape Croisilles, and Madang area. Madang falls to Allied ground forces.
4/24/44 Thirteenth AF Weather continues to curtail strikes in the Bismarcks. 10 P-40's hit runway and revetments at Tobera.
Ftr sweeps account for several trucks and barges in Rabaul New Ireland area.
4/24/44 Twentieth AF A B-29 piloted by Gen Saunders, CG 58th Bomb Wg, arrives at Kwanghan. Accompanying the VHB is another B-29 carrying Gen Wolfe, CG XX BC. These are the first B-29's to fly over the Hump to China.
4/24/44 Seventh AF B-25's from Engebi bomb Ponape while others, based at Makin, hit Jaluit and Wotje.
4/24/44 Eleventh AF A B-24 flies a photo and bomb run over Matsuwa I. Later another B-24 flies weather and bomb runs over Shasukotan, Yekaruma, Kharimkotan, and Onnekotan Is.
4/25/44 Eighth AF Nearly 300 B-17's and B-24's bomb M/Ys at Mannheim and Landau, and A/Fs at Esseyles-Nancy, Metz/Frescati, and Dijon/ Longvic.
4/25/44 Ninth AF 240 B-26's and 69 A-20's bomb V-weapon sites in coastal area of France and gun positions at Le Treport, Varengeville-sur-Mer, Fontenay-sur-Mer/Crisbec, Ault, Fecamp, Houlgate, and Saint-PierreduMont.
About 150 P-47's dive-bomb A/Fs in France and Belgium. Around 175 MBs are forced to abort missions because of bad weather.
4/25/44 Twelfth AF Attacks against lines of comm N of Rome continue. A-20's hit storage areas while MBs attack Pesaro M/Y, dumps at Manoppello, and bridges and approaches at Incisa in Valdarno, Arezzo, Asciano, Magra, Ficulle, and Orvieto. Viaducts at Incisa and Calafuria are attacked with poor results. P-40's and P-47's hit roads, gun positions, railroads, ammo dump and trucks N of Rome, near Ficulle, Orte and Orvieto. P-47's also damage destroyers off Elba.
4/25/44 Fifteenth AF Around 150 B-24's bomb aircraft factory at Turin, M/Y and bridge at Parma, M/Y at Ferrara, and several T/Os. Over 300 B-24's and B-17's are forced to abort missions due to bad weather. Over 100 ftrs escort the HB missions into N Italy.
4/25/44 Tenth AF 12 A-31's again hit positions at Buthidaung and bomb Paletwa. 12 A-31's bomb Kohima while 8 B-25's attack Tiddim road. 80-plus FBs and 2 B-25's hit a variety of tgts at Kamaing, Nsopzup, and Mogaung.
12 P-51's hit Japanese HQ at Katha and supply huts at Hopin. Near Mandalay 12 B-24's bomb Monywa-Alon while 21 P-38's hit A/Fs at Heho, destroying several aircraft in the air and on the ground.
4/25/44 Fifth AF 12 B-25's bomb troop areas in Hollandia vicinity, attacking villages S of Tanahmerah and huts and buildings along road from Marneda to Banggerang. Other airplanes carry out similar strikes against Karkar I and along Hansa Bay.
4/25/44 Thirteenth AF Just before dawn 15 B-24's hit Dublon, Moen, Fefan, Uman, and Falo Is. 23 B-25's bomb airstrip and revetments at Tobera. 12 P-39's leave stockpiles aflame at Baitsi.
4/25/44 Seventh AF Kwajalein-based B-24's, during 24/25 Apr, staging through Eniwetok, strike Truk and Guam and during day hit Wotje and Maloelap. This is first Seventh AF mission against Guam. B-25's from Engebi bomb Ponape, and Makinbased B-25's hit Jaluit and Wotje.
4/25/44 Eleventh AF 3 B-24's photograph and bomb installations on Matsuwa I.
4/26/44 Eighth AF 292 HBs strike at industrial center of Brunswick, a secondary tgt, when heavy cloud cover prevents bombing primary tgts of industry at Fallersleben, Waggum, Paderborn, Gutersloh and Cologne. Nearly 50 other HBs bomb T/Os in Hildesheim-Hannover area. 31 P-38 FBs attack A/F near Le Mans during morning, and 24 P-51's dive-bomb Cormeilles-en-Vexin A/F in afternoon. Opposition is very light and ineffective.
4/26/44 Ninth AF Ninth AF Tac Air Plan for Operation NEPTUNE is published, 10 days after receiving formal AEAF directive ordering such a plan. Around 125 MBs attack Plattling landing ground. Ftrs fly over 750 sorties against scattered tgts in NW Europe.
4/26/44 Twelfth AF Bad weather greatly curtails activity. P-47's attack motor transport and railroad tracks and hit gas dump near Trasimeno Lake, landing ground at Canino, and M/Ys of Leghorn.
4/26/44 Tenth AF 18 A-31's hit positions N and S of Buthidaung while 3 B-24's bomb Akyab. Near Chindwin 6 P-38's hit Tiddim road while 3 A-31's attack Japanese HQ in Kohima vicinity. 70 FBs and 3 B-25's pound numerous tgts at Mogaung, Kamaing, and several points in N part of the Mogaung Valley. In Mandalay and surrounding area, 9 B-24's bomb railroad yards and engine sheds, and 9 P-38's hit stores and hangars.
4/26/44 Fourteenth AF P-40's on armed rcn from Lashio to Man Kat cause considerable damage. 2 trucks, a warehouse, a water tank, and 2 locomotives are destroyed, gun positions and a bridge are strafed, and a Japaneseoccupied building is left in flames.
4/26/44 Fifth AF 120-plus B-25's and A-20's pound the Wewak area, hitting A/Fs at Wewak, But, Dagua, and Boram, and supply areas, troops, and several small villages. 13 B-24's bomb Awar Pt, 20 P-39's and P-47's attack bridges and T/Os near Madang and 8 P-39's attack roads, villages, and supply dump near Bunabun Harbor. A B-25 on rcn sinks a lugger in Sepik R. Allied ground forces take Hollandia and occupy Alexishafen.
4/26/44 Thirteenth AF 24 B-25's bomb runway and dispersal area at Lakunai. 35 FBs pound A/F at Tobera. 8 P-40's attack occupied areas along bays of Tabut and Wariki.
4/26/44 Twentieth AF Ftrs make first interception of B-29's as the VHBs are flying over the Hump. The brief confrontation results in no losses on either side.
4/26/44 Seventh AF B-24's, having landed at Los Negros after bombing Guam on 25 Apr, hit Ponape and return to Kwajalein. B-25's based on Makin hit Jaluit and Wotje.
4/27/44 Eighth AF More than 450 B-17's and B-24's bomb A/Fs, M/Ys, and T /Os in France and Belgium, the principal tgts being at Chalons-sur-Marne, Blainville-sur-l'Eau, Essey-lesNancy, Toul/Croix-de-Metz, Le Culot and Ostend/Middelkerke.
4/27/44 Ninth AF About 450 B-26's and A-20's and more than 275 P-47 and P-51 dive bmrs attack gun emplacements, M/Ys, coastal batteries, A/Fs, and several military installations in France and Belgium.
4/27/44 Twelfth AF Weather again severely restricts operations. P-40's attack a supply dump N of Rome, scoring 7 hits in tgt area.
4/27/44 Tenth AF 24 A-31's attack positions in Buthidaung area. 12 B-25's hit Kalemyo storage area while 36 A-31's pound Kohima-Kanglatongbi area. 12 B-25's hit railroad at 4 points around Shwebo. Nearly 150 P- 40's, P-51's, A-36's, and B-25's blast troops, fuel dumps, gun positions, and railroad yard at several locations in Mogaung Valley, including Myitkyina, Mogaung, Namti, Kamaing, Mohnyin, Hopin, Nanyaseik, Chaungwa, and Myothit.
4/27/44 Fourteenth AF Rocket-firing P-40's attack 20 junks S of Shasi.
4/27/44 Fifth AF Babo is bombed by 9 B-24's. More than 100 B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's attack Mushu and Kairiru Is and A/Fs at Wewak, Boram, Dagua, and But. 120-plus A-20's and FBs blast coastal areas of Hansa Bay and nearby villages, personnel areas NW of Bunabun, and AA positions, villages, and bridges from Bunabun to Cape Croisilles.
4/27/44 Thirteenth AF 16 B-24's bomb Dublon, Eten, Moen, and Fefan Is in early morning. 24 B-25's blast Talili Bay supply area; later a few P-39's hit same tgt.
4/27/44 Seventh AF B-24's, staging through Eniwetok, bomb Truk during 26/27 Apr. B-26's from Eniwetok follow up during the day with 3 raids on Ponape. Makin-based B-25's hit Jaluit, Wotje, and Mille. 1 B-24 from Kwajalein, using Makin as a rearming base, bombs Emidj, Jabor, and Enybor.
4/27/44 Eleventh AF A B-25 bombs a submarine without success.
4/28/44 Eighth AF 116 B-17's bomb Avord A/F and 14 attack V-weapons site at Sottevast. 34 P-38's attack aircraft repair depot at Tours while 49 P-38's, followed by 32 P-47 dive bmrs, strike A/F at Chateaudun. Later during the day 47 B-24's bomb V-weapon site at Marquise/Mimoyecques and 11 P-47's carrying fragmentation bombs attack A/F NE of Paris.
4/28/44 Ninth AF 18 B-26's bomb A/F at Cormeilles-en-Vexin as secondary tgt. Nearly 250 B-26's dispatched to bomb M/Ys are recalled because of heavy cloud over tgts.
4/28/44 Twelfth AF MBs attack Piombino, railway bridges in N Orvieto, Ficulle, and W of Arezzo, and hit viaducts at Incisa in Valdarno and Piteccio. A-20's score hits on fuel dump. P-40's and P-47's hit fuel dump NW of Ferentino, warehouses S of Avezzano, several railway lines and T/Os N of Rome, Orbetello railroad yards, San Stefano al Mare harbor, rail lines at points between Rome and Avezzano, several gun emplacements, Follonica and Chiusi M/Ys, and cut railroad lines at several points NW of Rome. FBs also hit Chiusi M/Y, tracks around Castiglione della Valle, Cortona M/Y, Grosseto railroad bridge, scattered motor transport, and a barge near Follonica.
4/28/44 Fifteenth AF Clearing weather again permits HB operations. More than 450 B-17's and B-24's attack harbors at Piombino and San Stefano al Mare and rail and road tgts at Orbetello. P-38's, P-51's, and P-47's provide escort.
4/28/44 Tenth AF 24 A-31's hit positions near Buthidaung. 36 A-31's bomb positions at Sangshak-Sansak while 12 P- 38's blast Tiddim road, causing a roadblock. In Mogaung Valley 80-plus A-36's, P-40's, P-51's, and a single B-25 pound same general tgts hit on the 27th. In Mandalay area 7 B-25's knock out railroad bridge S of Myingatha and canal bridge between Ye-u and Kinu.
4/28/44 Fourteenth AF 26 B-24's, escorted by 10 P-51's, damage 2 bridges over Yellow R N of Chengchow (the capture of which by Japanese troops is acknowledged by the Chinese who evacuate Hulaokuan), and pound nearby storage area. 2 P-40's on armed rcn strafe troop column NE of Tengchung. 3 B-25's on rcn damage small steamer off E coast of Hainan. 16 P-40's and 6 B-25's pound Yangsin while 18 P-40's, P-38's, and P-51's strafe Nanchang barracks.
4/28/44 Fifth AF More than 160 B-24's and B-25's bomb Wakde, Biak, and Efman I A/Fs. 180-plus P-47's, P-39's, A- 20's, and P-70's hit a variety of tgts along N and NE New Guinea coast including villages and supply areas in Wewak and Boram areas, barges and troops at mouth of Sepik R and at Murik Lakes, and enemy comm and hideouts from Sepik R to Cape Croisilles. 21 B-24's of Thirteenth Air TF bomb A/F on Woleai.
4/28/44 Thirteenth AF 24 B-25's bomb Wunapope supply area and Rapopo A/F. 30 FBs hit runway and revetments at Vunakanau. 15 P-39's pound gun positions near Mamagata and hit nearby bivouac and supply areas.
4/28/44 Seventh AF B-25's, based at Makin, strike Jaluit and Mille, using Majuro as a shuttle base between strikes. A single B-24 from Kwajalein bombs islands in Jaluit Atoll, hitting Emidj first, then rearming at Makin, and attacking Jabor and Enybor during return flight.
4/29/44 Eighth AF 679 B-17's and B-24's bomb Berlin, concentrating on railway facilities in Friedrichstrasse section in center of city. 38 other HBs bomb T/Os in area, including Magdeburg. Opposition by an estimated 350 ftrs is fierce. 64 HBs claim 73 ftrs destroyed while US ftrs claim 22.
4/29/44 Ninth AF 217 B-26's dispatched to bomb M/Ys in France abort mission because of heavy cloud cover over tgt area.
4/29/44 Twelfth AF B-25's attack Terni viaduct and Attigliano railway bridge, while B-26's bomb bridges and bridge approaches at Pontassieve and Incisa in Valdarno. A-20's attack dump NE of Rome. P-40's and P- 47's cut rail lines in many places NE of Rome, hit guns N of Anzio and dump SE of Rome, attack town of Acquapendente, hit approaches and tunnel S of Arezzo and bridge and trucks in area, bomb Sinalunga M/Y and bridge and approaches at Monte San Savino, and hit docks at San Vincenzo and boats at Follonica.
4/29/44 Fifteenth AF 484th Bomb Gp (B-24) is declared operational. The Fifteenth AF now has 18 HB gps. Over 400 B-24's and B-17's, with ftr escorts, attack Toulon naval base, Drnis M/Y, and Rimini-Ancona railroad.
4/29/44 Tenth AF 12 A-31's pound positions near Buthidaung. 21 P-38's hit A/Fs in Heho area and claim 3 aircraft downed in combat. 25 P-51's and B-25's bomb several buildings at Meza. 19 B-24's over Prome blast supply dumps in the area.
4/29/44 Fourteenth AF B-25's bomb warehouse and barracks at Shayang and attack 3 motor launches at Chiuchiang, leaving them burning.
4/29/44 Fifth AF More than 30 B-24's and B-25's bomb villages, AA positions, and personnel areas in Wakde Is, Maffin Bay area, and along coast of New Guinea from Takar to Verkam Pt. 40-plus A-20's hit stores at Cape Wom, and T/Os between But and Dagua. 130-plus A-20's, P-47's, and P-39's hit hideouts and movements along Sepik R and from the river's mouth to Cape Croisilles.
4/29/44 Thirteenth AF More than 40 P-39's bomb and strafe tgts throughout Bougainville and Buka, including Sipaai Mission, Kieta area, Lontis, Numa Numa, Ibu, Toborei, Totavi, Aitara, and Baitsi. 24 B-25's bomb A/Fs at Kara and Buka. Allied ftr sweeps continue over N Solomons and New Ireland, where huts, barges, and other T/Os are attacked.
4/29/44 Seventh AF B-24's, staging through Eniwetok from Kwajalein bomb Truk and Jaluit. B-25's from Makin also hit Jaluit and carry out 2 strikes against Ponape.
4/29/44 Eleventh AF 2 B-24's abort an armed photo mission due to weather.
4/30/44 Eighth AF 114 B-17's bomb Lyon/ Bron A/F, 117 B-17's bomb Clermont-Ferrand/Aulnat A/F, and 52 B-24's hit Vweapon site construction at Siracourt. In conjunction with these HB operations, 44 P-38's conduct high altitude bombing of A/F at Tours. During afternoon 22 P-38's, employing high-level bombing tactics, attack A/F at Orleans/Bricy, followed immediately by 21 P-47's that dive-bomb the tgt. Enemy opposition accounts for 1 HB and 5 ftrs.
4/30/44 Ninth AF Over 300 B-26's and A-20's attack V-weapon construction works and M/Ys in France.
4/30/44 Twelfth AF B-25's attack railroad bridges at Ficulle, N Orvieto and Marsciano, while B-26's hit bridges at Cortona and Incisa in Valdarno and in nearby areas. P-40's hit rail lines and storage in many locations N of Rome, hit rail lines and radar station in Orvieto area, cut railroads from Rome to Tivoli and to Civita Castellana, and hit T/Os in the area. P-47's hit numerous railroad lines, rail cars, and other tgts N of Rome.
4/30/44 Fifteenth AF 464th Bomb Gp (B-24) becomes the nineteenth HB gp declared operational by Fifteenth AF. Around 500 HBs, with ftr escorts, attack M/Ys at Alessandria, Milan, and Castel Maggiore, aircraft factory at Milan, and railroad between Rimini and Ancona.
4/30/44 Tenth AF In Chindwin area, 31 B-25's blast tank concentration, bridges, supply dumps, and general vicinity at Kalewa. 4 B-25's damage 2 bridges N of Yamethin.
4/30/44 Fourteenth AF P-40's from Yungning knock out bridge near Dong Mo and strafe railroad T/Os in the area.
4/30/44 Fifth AF More than 80 P-39's and P-47's make almost continuous attacks throughout the day against troops and supplies along Hansa Bay. 40-plus A-20's and B-25's bomb Wewak and nearby plantation. B-24's hit Noemfoor I with light raid. B-24 rcn flights over Manokwari area and Geelvink Bay result in claims of 6 interceptors shot down. P-70's hit T/Os on W shore of Hansa Bay. 23 B-24's of Thirteenth Air TF bomb Woleai Is.
4/30/44 Thirteenth AF 10 P-39's bomb Porton Plantations. 20-plus other P-39's, in 11 sweeps, attack a variety of T/Os on Buka and Bougainville, including Ivituri Mission, Kieta area, and Mamagata supply area. More than 30 P-40's and P-38's bomb Vunakanau A/F. 23 B-25's bcmb Vunakambi Plantation.
4/30/44 Seventh AF 41 Kwajalein-based B-24's bomb various tgts at Wake. 11 Makin-based B-25's bomb Jaluit, while 8 from Engebi bomb Ponape.
5/1/44 Eighth AF More than 500 HBs are dispatched on an early morning mission to attack 23 V-weapon sites in Pas de Calais area. Bad weather causes many aborts. 129 of these HBs manage to attack V-weapon sites at Marquise/Mimoyecques, Watten, and Bois de l'Enfer and A/Fs at Paix, Montdidier, and Roye/Amy.
In afternoon raid 328 B-17's and B-24's bomb M/Ys at Troyes, Reims, Sarreguemines, Metz, Liege, and Brussels.
5/1/44 Ninth AF The last of the 11 bomb gps (8 medium and 3 light) of IX BC becomes operational. 450 B-26's and A- 20's attack numerous M/Ys and industrial tgts in France and Belgium.
5/1/44 Twelfth AF MBs attack bridges at Albinia Station, NW of Chiusi, in and near Grosseto, near Monte Molino, Calafuria, and at Pontedera. Also attacked are viaduct at Monte Catellana and M/Ys at Florence/Campo di Marte and Florence, with particularly good results at Florence. LBs hit ammo dump at Fara in Sabina. P-40's and P-47's hit rail tracks in Rome area, Priverno station, guns N of Anzio, dumps at Frascati, stations at Colleferro and Frosinone, tracks at Orbetello and Orvieto, bridge and tunnel N of Todi, road in Canino, dump and factory at Stimigliano, vessels E of Piombino, factory E of Cecina, bridge approaches at Grosseto and Arezzo, dump at Grosseto, and tunnel at Rignano sull 'Arno.
5/1/44 Tenth AF 18 P-38's and A-31's hit troop positions and supply dumps. 7 P-40's over Mogaung Valley hit Kamaing and attack positions N of Nanyaseik. 30-plus B-24's bomb Maymyo, Mandalay M/Y, and oil facilities at Yenangyaung.
5/1/44 Fourteenth AF 32 P-40's hit tgts over wide areas of S China, Burma and Indochina. The FBs knock out bridge at Wan Lai-Kam, pound motor pool at Wan Pa-Hsa, and strafe railroad station and A/F at Yuncheng, damage 3 bridges and hit numerous boxcars at Bac Le, Dinh Ca, and Dong Mo, and bomb carbide mines at Loc Binh. Dong Dang and Na Cham railroad yards are also strafed. 7 B-25's and 8 P-40's bomb Tangyang A/F and nearby cav post. 2 B-25's over Amoy claim a small freighter sunk. 15 enemy airplanes bomb airstrips at Ankang and Hengyang.
5/1/44 Fifth AF 180-plus MBs, LBs, and ftrs pound Wewak and Hansa Bay areas throughout the day. Numerous coastline tgts are hit, including A/Fs, vehicles, comm, villages, AA positions, bivouacs, supplies, barges, and offshore islands. B-24's of Thirteenth Air TF hit Woleai and Eauriprik Is.
5/1/44 Thirteenth AF 24 B-24's over Borpop area attack coastal guns. 40-plus FBs and more than 30 Navy dive bmrs pound Vunakambi Plantation. 38 P-39's, flying 18 different missions, hit a variety of tgts on SW Bougainville, including missions at Tinputs, Koromira, and Tsimba, Hongorai R crossing, Numa Numa bridge, and huts at Aravia and Kunapaupau.
5/1/44 Twentieth AF By this date all 4 VHB fields in Chengtu area are open to B-29 traffic.
5/1/44 Seventh AF Shore-based AF Forward Area (TF 59) is activated to control all Army, Navy, and Marine shore-based aircraft in the C Pacific forward area. The cmd is headed by Gen Hale, former CG of the Seventh. B- 25's from Makin bomb Jaluit.
5/1/44 Eleventh AF A single weather sortie is flown.
5/2/44 Eighth AF 50 B-24's bomb V-weapon installation at Saint-Pol/Siracourt.
5/2/44 Ninth AF More than 250 B-26's and A-20's bomb M/Ys at Busigny, Valenciennes, and Blanc-Misseron. Over 400 P-47's and P-51's divebomb A/Fs and M/Ys in France and the Low Countries.
5/2/44 Twelfth AF Attacks against rail lines and bridges in N Italy continue. MBs bomb approach to bridge in N Oriveto, bridges in S Ficulle and in Marsciano, and M/Ys in Florence/ Campo di Marte and W and NW Florence. LBs hit ammunition dump NE of Rome. P-40's and P-47's hit rail lines N of Rome, bridges SW of Rome, guns N of Anzio, road at Montefiascone, road bridge at Cecina, trucks and planes at Malignano landing ground, and several other dumps, roads, and rail lines in N Italy.
5/2/44 Fifteenth AF More than 250 B-24's, most with ftr escort, attack La Spezia dock and harbor installations, M/Ys at Castel Maggiore and Parma, railroad bridges at Faenza and Orbetello, and several T/Os. Over 300 other HBs are forced to abort because of weather.
5/2/44 EAC TCC, until this date a major subordinate component of EAC, is placed under Third Tac AF, another EAC component.
5/2/44 Tenth AF 24 A-31's hit villages and defensive positions near Buthidaung.
5/2/44 Fourteenth AF 3 B-24's claim 2 freighters sunk in S end of Formosa straits.
5/2/44 Fifth AF 140-plus A-20's and FBs it bridges, barges, gun positions, roads, personnel, supplies, huts, and tent areas from Wewak to Hansa Bay throughout the day. 2 B-25's bomb A/Fs at Wewak and Boram. 8 others it Wakde I oil stores, huts, AA positions, trucks, and other T/Os. A/F on Biak I is bombed by 2 B-24's.
5/2/44 Thirteenth AF 22 P-39's bomb village N of Kieta, airstrip and buildings of Koromira and Rigu Missions. P-40's also hit Kieta area. Ftr sweeps over Rabaul area continue. FBs hit Vunakambi Plantation supply area with incendiaries. B-25's pound Talili area.
5/2/44 Seventh AF B-24's, staging through Eniwetok from Kwajalein, bomb Truk during the night. During the day B-25's based at Makin hit Jaluit and Wotje, using Majuro as a shuttle base to rearm between strikes. B-25's from Engebi pound Ponape.
5/3/44 Eighth AF 47 B-24's bomb V-weapon site at Wizernes.
5/3/44 Twelfth AF B-25's and B-26's pound railway bridges at Monte Molino, Orvieto, and Taggia, bridge approaches at Ficulle and Imperia, and Ventimiglia M/Ys. A-20's attack ammo dumps. P-40's and P-47's attack rail lines, bridge, dump, guns, and building in battle area and score 4 direct hits on observation post S of Cassino; vessels and docks at Civitavecchia and Montalto di Castro, and road bridges and rail lines in the area; town of Fondi and rail lines and bridges nearby; railway bridges at Foligno, Sant' Elpidio a Mare, and Grosseto; viaduct at Terni; and numerous vehicles, dumps, railroads, vessels, and other tgts in battle areas and in N Italy.
5/3/44 Tenth AF 18 A-31's again hit defensive positions near Buthidaung. 12 B-25's and 40-plus A-31's hit Kohima and Kalewa. 28 FBs pound ammo dumps and other supplies at Mohnyin and N of Nanyaseik. 9 P-38's hit A/Fs in Meiktila area. 7 P-40's attack Lakatkawng and spt ground forces in the area.
5/3/44 Fourteenth AF 7 CACW B-25's bomb Mihsien town area and also hit numerous vehicles and troops NE of Mihsien, between Yochou and Hsuchang, at Chihsien and N of Yenling. The MBs also strafe town of Hsiangcheng.
4 B-26's and 8 P-40's pound storage area at Tangyang A/F. 10 CACW P-40's score 11 direct hits on bridge over the Yellow R NW of Chenghsien, and destroy 15 trucks and many troops between Loyang and Luchou. 10 other P-40's on armed rcn sink 3 sampans near Cat Ba I, knock out bridge at Bac Le, damage another at Kep, and pound Na Cham railroad yards.
5/3/44 Fifth AF 72 B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's thoroughly blast Wewak and Boram A/Fs in a single raid. About 120 A- 20's, B-25's, and FBs, operating throughout the day, hit Wewak and Hansa Bay areas, including tgts at Nubia, Uligan, Mushu I, Wewak, and Boram. A/Fs at Maffin Bay is bombed by B-25's.
5/3/44 Thirteenth AF 8 P-39's bomb buildings at Monoitu. 17 others, in the course of 6 missions, hit T/Os, including Japanese-occupied huts and buildings at Toiemonapu, Tinputs, and Sisiruai, and bivouacs at Tarlena, Ratsua, and Mawareka. 24 B-25's bomb Kulon Plantation and a personnel concentration to the NE.
Allied ftr sweeps over N Solomons and the Bismarcks continue. P-40's returning from New Britain area bomb Pororan.
5/3/44 Seventh AF B-25's from Kwajalein bomb Wotje while others, based at Makin, strike both Jaluit and Wotje, using Majuro as a rearming base between raids.
5/4/44 Eighth AF 851 B-17's and B-24's (13 combat wgs) take off to bomb industries at Brunswick and Berlin. Because of thick cloud conditions less than 300 HBs proceed and these are forced to abandon mission over the Low Countries. 48 B-17's manage to attack Bergen/Alkmaar A/F during withdrawal.
5/4/44 Ninth AF More than 170 B-26's and 36 A-20's bomb gun emplacements and other military tgts at Etretat/Sainte- Marie-Au-Bosc, Etaples, Le Treport, Ault, Fecamp, and Ouistreham.
5/4/44 Twelfth AF Main effort again is against lines of comm. MBs hit bridges, tracks, and M/Ys. P-40's, A-36's, and P- 47's hit rail lines in and around Priverno, guns and radar station N of Anzio, railroad cars, rail lines, and bridge in Orte-Attigliano and Orte-Narni areas, motor transport and stores E of Frascati, M/Ys at Colleferro and Follonica, and trucks and personnel on Fondi-Pico road. Vessels at Leghorn and numerous railroad tgts at scattered points are attacked.
5/4/44 Tenth AF 12 A-31's bomb Kaladan while a single B-24 bombs Akyab. 12 B-25's damage bridge at Kalemyo and bomb Tiddim, while 24 A-31's hit Kohima. 24 B-24's bomb Mandalay M/Y and barracks and general area at Maymyo. 2 P-51's knock out bypass bridge near Shweli.
5/4/44 Fourteenth AF 8 P-40's hit gun positions at Pailochi. 2 B-25's strafe 12 sampans between Hong Kong and Luichow Peninsula, killing many soldiers on board.
5/4/44 Fifth AF 26 B-24's of Thirteenth Air TF bomb Mokmer A/F. 60-plus B-24's, B-25's, A-20's, and P-47's pound A/Fs, road, bridges, shipping, barges and other tgts in Wewak area. A-20's attack bridges over Awar R and T/Os in Hansa Bay area while FBs hit T/Os in Ramu R Valley and on Hansa Bay coast.
5/4/44 Thirteenth AF 24 B-25's bomb Talili Bay area. 43 FBs hit Vunakanau A/F. Allied ftr sweeps over the Bismarcks continue.
38 P-39's, flying 18 missions, hit several tgts on Bougainville, including buildings at Sovele, Tinputs, Reboine Bay area, Monoitu, and in area N of Taki. T/Os in Koromira area are also attacked.
5/4/44 Seventh AF 12 B-25's, based at Makin, pound Jaluit and Wotje, using Majuro as a shuttle base for rearming between the strikes. 39 B-24's from Kwajalein and Eniwetok hit Ponape.
5/5/44 Eighth AF 33 B-24's bomb V-weapon installation at Sottevast.
5/5/44 Ninth AF Gen Wood assumes cmd of IX AFSC.
5/5/44 Twelfth AF A-20's bomb supply dump W of Albano Laziale. XII TAC A-36's, P-47's, and P-40's fly 24 missions cutting rail lines N and NE of Rome, and hitting guns N of Anzio beachhead and N of Gaeta, and a dump near Frascati. Bridges at Orvieto and W of Lake Bolsena are damaged by direct hits, a barge at San Stefano al Mare is hit, several trucks destroyed or damaged, rail lines are cut in several places near Sesti Bagni, and airplanes are hit at Canino landing ground. DAF P-47's attacks S of Pisa.
5/5/44 Fifteenth AF 465th Bomb Gp (B-24) becomes operational, making total of 20 HB gps operational in Fifteenth AF.
640-plus B-24's and B-17's (the largest force of HBs dispatched by Fifteenth AF to date) attack M/Y at Ploesti and troop concentrations and town area at Podrorica. Ftrs fly over 240 sorties in spt.
5/5/44 Tenth AF 18 A-31's hit concentrations SE of Buthidaung. 15 P-38's hit tgts along Tiddim road while 40-plus A- 31's pound gun positions, camps, villages, and supply dumps SW of Bishenpur and at Kalewa. 3 B- 25's bomb Thayaung A/F area. More than 80 P-40's, P-51's, A-36's, and B-25's carry out spt of ground forces, hit gun positions and supply dumps, attack troop concentrations, and blast numerous T/Os throughout the Mogaung Valley. 11 A-31's bomb Naba and vicinity while 3 B-25's and 6 FBs hit ammo dump N of Mohnyin. 12 P-38's bomb large warehouse E of Monywa. 6 B-24's lay mines in harbor off Koh Si Chang I.
5/5/44 Fourteenth AF 11 B-24's bomb docks and shipping at Haiphong. 14 P-40's damage bridges at Hsenwi and Wan Pa- Hsa and hit barracks and destroy several trucks at Kentung. 8 B-25's and 23 FBs attack warehouse area at Chiuchiang, causing large fires. 25 CACW B-25's and P-40's thoroughly pound Sinyang M/ Y and storage area. 10 P-40's sweep road from Loyang to Juchou, claiming 40-50 vehicles and numerous troops destroyed.
5/5/44 Fifth AF B-24's bomb Mokmer A/ F while B-25's hit supply areas at Wakde I and along coast of Maffin Bay. A- 20's and FBs again pound tgts around Wewak and along coast of Hansa Bay, hitting supply and personnel areas, warehouses, and occupied villages.
5/5/44 Thirteenth AF 24 B-25's bomb gun positions at Buka. 34 P-39's hit various tgts on Bougainville and Buka, including buildings at Porton, Chabai, and Kohiso, pillbox at Pau I, and road near Tsundawan. Supply area at Chabai is bombed by 12 other P-39's. P-40's bomb buildings at Kieta and at nearby Rigu Mission. Ftr patrols continue over N Solomons and the Bismarcks.
5/5/44 Seventh AF During 4/5 May B-24's from Kwajalein stage through Eniwetok and bomb Truk. During the day B-25's from Eniwetok strike Ponape, and 10 from Makin hit Jaluit and Wotje, using Majuro as rearming base between the attacks.
5/6/44 Eighth AF 70 B-24's bomb V-weapon site at Siracourt. Over 90 others, scheduled to attack similar installations at Sottevast and La Glacerie, fail to bomb because of total overcast at tgts.
5/6/44 Ninth AF 76 B-26's and A-20's dispatched to attack coastal defenses abort mission because of weather.
5/6/44 Twelfth AF A-20's pound storage area at Itri. A-36's hit rail lines in Viterbo area. P-40's hit guns, tracks, and railroad station in and around Frosinone, and rail lines, stations, roads, and town area in and near Itri, Colleferro, and Sezze. P-47's hit Certaldo M/Y and numerous railroad and highway tgts, including several bridges.
5/6/44 Fifteenth AF About 300 B-17's and B-24's, escorted by P-51's and P-38's, bomb A/F, aircraft factory, and M/Y at Brasov.
5/6/44 Tenth AF 24 A-31's continue pounding positions near Buthidaung. 14 B-25's bomb Indainggyi, destroy Sibong bridge, and damage road at Hpaungzeik. 40-plus A-31's bomb troop concentrations NE of Palel and hit Thaungdut area. 90-plus P-40's, A-31's, P-51's, and B-25's attack wide variety of tgts throughout Mogaung Valley. 18 FBs and 6 B-25's spt ground forces at Mawlu while 3 B-25's and 4 P-51's hit positions at Nalong.
5/6/44 Fourteenth AF 61 P-40's and 5 B-25's attack tgts throughout S China and Indochina. Numerous vehicles and troops are destroyed in Hsiangcheng, Loyang, and Luchou areas. 8 boxcars are destroyed and 70 more damaged between Thanh Moi and Bac Le and between Phu Lang Thuong and Lang Son. A barge is sunk at Campha Port and numerous sampans and small craft sunk or damaged at Cat Ba I. Main buildings at Nanchang mines are destroyed, Sienning bridge is damaged, and several railroad cars and vehicles are destroyed near Puchi. 14 B-25's and 28 FBs pound A/F and surrounding area at Hankow.
5/6/44 Fifth AF B-24's bomb Penfoei and Biak I. 150-plus B-25's, A-20's, and FBs, operating almost continuously throughout the day, blast a variety of tgts from Wewak to the shores of Hansa Bay. B-24's of Thirteenth Air TF again bomb Woleai.
5/6/44 Thirteenth AF 24 B-25's and 12 P-39's pound the Talili Bay area. 37 P-39's and 19 P-40's attack tgts in Porton area.
5/6/44 Seventh AF B-25's from Makin and Kwajalein hit Wotje and Jaluit. B-24's, staging through Eniwetok, escort Navy airplanes on photo rcn of Guam. The B-24's bomb Guam from 20,000 ft, scoring hits on 2 A/Fs and a town area and proceed to Los Negros to prepare for return flight. The HBs claim 4 interceptors shot down.
5/7/44 Eighth AF 549 B-17's bomb city of Berlin, 167 B-24's bomb industrial center of Osnabruck, 145 B-24's strike industrial area of Munster, and around 30 other HBs bomb various T/Os in Germany in morning raids.
During the afternoon 19 B-24's bomb M/Ys at Liege and 9 bomb T/Os. This is the first day in which over 900 Eighth AF HBs attack tgts and the second time in which over 1,000 are airborne on a singleday's operations. 9 bmrs are lost.
5/7/44 Twelfth AF Weather remains poor and precludes MB operations. A-20's hit dump SW of Albano Laziale. FBs hit comm, especially roads, with excellent results. Roads, motor transports, trains, gun positions, bridges, tracks, M/Ys, harbor areas, and other tgts are attacked in areas around Stimigliano, Vetralla, Viterbo, Bracciano, Anzio, Manziana, Acquapendente, Civitavecchia, Terracina, Rome, and Elba I.
5/7/44 Fifteenth AF 420-plus B-17's and B-24's bomb M/Ys in Bucharest. 62 P-51's escort HBs to tgt and 53 provide withdrawal escort. 84 P-38's and P-51's fly tgt cover. 38 B-17's attack bridge at Belgrade.
5/7/44 Tenth AF 35 A-31's pound area around Bishenpur. 15 P-38's hit Kangaung area. 4 P-40's hit T/Os along road from N of Nanyaseik to Kamaing. 4 B-24's lay mines in Gulf of Siam off Sattahib.
5/7/44 Fourteenth AF 4 B-25's hit vehicle concentrations W and NW of Hsiangcheng and bomb town of Chiahsien, and 4 P- 40's destroy at least 25 trucks between the 2 towns. 8 P-40's destroy or damage 40-60 trucks, tanks, and other vehicles during road sweeps from Loyang to Yenshih and from Yehhsien to Paofeng. 8 P- 40's strafe forces and equipment E of Luchou, while 4 hit railroad T/Os at Lang Son.
5/7/44 Fifth AF B-24's, B-25's, and P-40's hit Urarom, Biak I, HollandiaWakde coast, and Sawar-Maffin Bay area. A- 20's, B-25's, and FBs again attack T/Os from Wewak to area around Hansa Bay and strafe villages along Sepik R.
5/7/44 Thirteenth AF 15 B-25's, hampered by bad weather, attack coastal gun on Cape Friendship and bomb W coast of Rantan I. 70-plus P-39's, P-38's, and P-40's bomb numerous tgts throughout Buka and bougainville, including shipping and supply area at Chabai and Tsirogei, huts at Hiru Hiru, near Tonu, and at Monoitu, and bridges W of Haigi and on Miwo R.
5/7/44 Seventh AF B-24's, staging through Eniwetok, bomb Truk during 6/7 May. B-25's from Engebi hit Ponape during the following day. Makin-based B-25's bomb Jaluit and Wotje.
5/8/44 ETO Gen Eisenhower sets D-Day for Normandy invasion as 5 Jun. Date subsequently will be changed to 6 Jun.
5/8/44 Eighth AF During the morning 378 B-17's bomb Berlin, 287 B-24's and 49 B-17's strike aircraft factories near Brunswick, and 29 HBs attack Brandenburg and scattered T/Os in the area; 36 bmrs are lost on these raids. In afternoon 52 B-17's bomb 1 V-weapon site at Sottevast, 29 B-17's bomb sites at La Glacerie, and 56 B-24's bomb M/Ys at Brussels, with 5 HBs being lost in these afternoon operations.
5/8/44 Ninth AF About 450 B-26's and A-20's bomb M/Ys, coastal defenses, bridges, A/Fs, and V-weapons sites in France and Belgium.
5/8/44 Twelfth AF FBs hit roads and railroads N of Rome, supply dump N of Anzio beachhead, and station at Colleferro.
Numerous trucks and railroad cars are destroyed and many troops killed. Attacks against rolling stock on Rome-Orte rail line are especially effective.
5/8/44 Tenth AF 12 A-31's continue attacks on sector SE of Buthidaung. 9 B-24's and 9 B-25's bomb Moirang and a village to the N, causing considerable damage including the destruction of a road bridge. 12 P-38's hit Kangaung A/F.
5/8/44 Fifth AF B-24's and P-40's operating in Geelvink Bay area attack Mokmer A/F and nearby shipping. A-20's and FBs continue to pound T/Os along NE New Guinea coast from Wewak to Hansa Bay and along Sepik R.
5/8/44 Thirteenth AF FBs pound Tobera A/F and strafe T/Os in the area. 2 sqs of B-24's bomb gun positions at Sohano I and Hahilia while 30-plus P-39's and P-40's hit areas around Porton, Tsimba, Tarara, Kieta, Numa Numa, Tsirogei, and at several other points. B-25's blast coast near Banin, hit Sohano I, and bomb A/F areas at Bonis and Buka.
5/8/44 Seventh AF B-25's from Engebi strike Ponape while Makin-based B-25's pound Jaluit and Wotje, using Majuro as a shuttle base between strikes. B-24's that landed at Los Negros after Guam strike on 6 May return to the Marshalls, bombing Ponape en route.
5/9/44 Eighth AF A total of 797 B-17's and B-24's bomb A/Fs at Saint Dizier Robinson, Thionville, Juvincourt-et-Damary, Laon/Athies, Laon/Couvron, Lille, Nivelles, Saint-Trond, and Florennes; and M/Ys at Liege, Thionville, and Luxembourg. This is start of an offensive against A/Fs, set within a month of Normandy invasion so that the GAF will not have time to recover before D-Day.
5/9/44 Ninth AF The 367th and 406th Ftr Gps become operational, bringing the ftr gp total of the Ninth AF to 18. over 40 MBs attack M/Ys, railway batteries, coastal defense batteries, bridges, and NOBALL sites in France.
5/9/44 Twelfth AF B-26's hit Incisa in Valdarno railroad bridge and viaduct while A-20's attack fuel dumps. FBs again blast roads and railroads and other tgts at various locations N of Rome, including Lake Bolsena, Civitavecchia, Colleferro, Civita Castel-lana, Orte, and San Giovanni Valdarno.
5/9/44 USSR Soviet Army captures Sevastopol.
5/9/44 Tenth AF 20-plus A-31's continue attacks on Buthidaung area, hitting troop concentrations and supply dumps.
More than 100 A-31's, P-51's, and B-25's hit positions and occupied areas at Moirang, Kanglatongbi, Myothit, and SE of Palel, and severely damage bridge over Uyu R near Nawngpuawng. Mogaung Valley tgts, including tgts in spt of ground forces near Kamaing, are pounded by more than 60 B-25's, A-36's, P-51's, and P-40's. 9 P-51's hit troops and gun positions at Mawlu and Namkwin and hit Nalong area. 3 B-24's blast barracks area at Nagorn Sawarn while 3 P-51's hit Anisakan A/F, destroying or damaging 20-plus trucks, 2 airplanes, and a locomotive. 8 B-24's lay mines in Moulmein area, 2 others make diversionary strike on Martaban, and 5 mine Mergui waterfront.
5/9/44 Fifth AF More than 50 B-24's and B-25's bomb Langgoer and Faan airstrips, and Bosnik supply area and Mokmer A/F. 220-plus A-20's and FBs continue to blast numerous T/Os along NE New Guinea coastline from Wewak to Hansa Bay area. 12 B-24's of Thirteenth Air TF bomb Woleai.
5/9/44 Thirteenth AF 33 FBs pound A/ F at Lakunai. Ftr sweeps over New Ireland and New Britain continue. On Bougainville 30-plus P-39's and P-38's hit barges in Porton-Chabai area, huts at Kieta, and ammo dump S of Aitara Mission. 10 other P-38's and 12 B-25's bomb Bonis A/F and nearby T/Os in Buka Passage.
5/9/44 Seventh AF During 8/9 May B-24's stage through Kwajalein to bomb Truk. Makin-based B-25's hit Wotje and Jaluit, using Majuro as a rearming point between attacks.
5/10/44 Ninth AF About 300 MBs attack M/Ys, A/Fs, and NOBALL tgts in France and Belgium. P-47's and P-51's divebomb tgts in NW Europe for the sixth straight day. Bad weather causes large number of aborts.
5/10/44 Twelfth AF Weather permits MB operations for first time in several days. B-25's hit bridges near San Giovanni Valdarno, Orvieto, and Monte Molino, and Terni viaduct. B-26's attack bridges W of Arezzo. FBs continue attacks on roads and railroads N of Rome. Tgts in areas of Avezzano, Civitavecchia, Furbara, Terni, Todi, Orvieto, Manciano, Perugia, Monte San Savino, and La Spezia, and near Rome are attacked.
5/10/44 Fifteenth AF 485th Bomb Gp (B-24) is declared operational, giving Fifteenth AF its planned operational strength of 21 HB gps. The 52d Ftr Gp (P-51) also begins operations with the Fifteenth on this date, making a total of 6 ftr gps. Around 400 HBs attack A/F and industrial complex at Wiener-Neustadt. Over 200 ftrs provide spt. 19 HBs hit Knin railroad center. Over 300 HBs are forced to abort due to bad weather which has halted operations for the past few days. Opposition is fierce against the Wiener-Neustadt missions. 21 HBs and 1 ftr are lost. US aircraft claim 50 combat victories.
5/10/44 CBI In drive to free the Burma Road, Chinese troops cross Salween R on a 100-mi front and attack Japanese positions in N Burma.
5/10/44 Tenth AF 12 A-31's hit Buthidaung area. More than 70 B-25's, A-36's, P-51's, P-40's, and 10 B-24's blast numerous tgts, concentrating on barracks and storage in Myitkyina-Mogaung vicinity and also hitting gun positions and bridges at Kamaing, and railroad siding and buildings at Mohnyin. 60-plus A-31's hit Kohima and Bishenpur, and damage bridge near Kalewa. 16 P-38's destroy several aircraft in strikes on Aungban and Kangaung A/Fs.
5/10/44 Fourteenth AF P-40's sink 6 large junks and damage several others in Fan Tou Bay, and destroy several trucks between Wan Pa-Hsa and Mong Ho Pung. 28 P-40's bomb Tengchung town area, strafe nearby truck convoy, damage bridges at Tingka, Bac Le and Hsenwi, hit power dam at Tasa, bomb tank and truck dispersal area at Hsiangcheng, and hit 30-plus railroad cars at Lang Giai, Dong Dang, and Na Cham.
5/10/44 Fifth AF 120-plus B-24's, A-20's, and FBs, along with RAAF airplanes, maintain attacks on T/Os along NE New Guinea coast from Hansa Bay area to Wewak. 2 B-24's hit Mokmer A/F. 45 B-24's of Thirteenth Air TF bomb A/F on Eten I and warehouse area at Dublon.
5/10/44 Thirteenth AF 41 FBs attack Tobera A/F. 11 B-25's hit Matupi I. Ftrs on sweep hit trucks W of Keravat. 4 B-25's bomb Muguai Mission. 61 P-39's (some back from Tobera strike) and 12 P-40's attack tgts throughout Buka-Bougainville area, including bridge over Crepers R, supply area at Mawareka, barge at Chabai, village on Schwarze Pt, pillbox at Gohi, and general area of Porton Plantations.
5/10/44 Seventh AF B-24's from Kwajalein bomb Wake during 9/10 May. During the day, B-25's from Engebi bomb Ponape while Makin-based B-25's raid Jaluit and Wotje.
5/10/44 Eleventh AF The Eleventh directs its components to place more emphasis on photographing and bombing of specific tgts instead of general rcn.
5/11/44 Eighth AF 164 B-24's bomb M/Ys at Mulhouse, Belfort, and Epinal; 24 bomb secondary tgts of M/Ys at Chaumont; 66 attack Orleans/Bricy and other tgts of last resort. 5 bmrs are lost in these early afternoon raids. In late afternoon 2 forces, totaling 549 B-17's, bomb M/Ys at Saarbrucken, Ehrang, Volkingen, KonzKarthaus, Thionville, Liege, Brussels/Midi, Brussels/Schaerbeek, Bettembourg, and elsewhere in Luxembourg. 8 bmrs are lost.
5/11/44 Ninth AF More than 330 MBs attack A/Fs at Beaumont-le-Roger and Cormeilles-en-Vexin and M/Ys at Aerschot and Mezieres/Charleville. Bad visibility and failure to rendezvous with ftrs cause over 100 aborts. This is start of Ninth's participation in AAF pre-invasion offensive against A/Fs.
5/11/44 Twelfth AF MBs, hampered by weather, attack Portoferraio, bridges near Orvieto and Ficulle, tracks at Piombino, viaduct at Poggibonsi, and bridges at Certaldo and Signa. FBs hit Fondi, rail lines NE of Rome, A/F at Littoria, rail facilities in Perugia area, barge, harbor area, and factory in Portoferraio area, and tracks near Castiglione d'Orcia. Other FBs attack numerous positions along main front as US Fifth and British Eighth Armies begin assault through the Gustav Line and the drive toward Rome.
5/11/44 Tenth AF 24 A-31's hit Japanese positions at Labawa and SE of Maungdaw. 36 A-31's hit positions at Kohima and Potsangbam. In Mogaung Valley 70-plus B-25's, A-36's, P-51's, and P-40's, attack Myitkyina and Pinbaw areas, Sahmaw, tgts NW of Kamaing, gun positions at Nsopzup, and T/Os along road from Inkangahtawng to Kamaing. 24 P-51's attack A/F at Meiktila, Anisakan, and Heho, shooting down 13 airplanes in the area. 14 B-24's pound Maymyo railroad station. 12 B-25's attack railroad in Shwebo- Sagaing area. 12 other B-25's knock out bridges at Pyu, Thawatti, Ela, and 7 mi S of Ela.
5/11/44 Fourteenth AF 24 P-40's knock out main bridge N of Mangshih, bomb town area of Lungchwanchiang, damage radio station on Cat Ba I and destroy several large junks off shore, and attack power dam W of Cao Bang, buildings at Dong Dang, and boxcars and oil drums at Lang Giai. 6 B-25's and 24 P-40's (some firing rockets) pound railroad yards and depot at Sinyang, blast warehouse area 30 mi to the N, and sink a small freighter, 3 motor launches, and several sampans between Siaokan and Chienli. 2 B-25's and 4 P-40's hit troops, tanks, and trucks in Yenshih-Tengfeng-Mihsien area and in Luchou-Hsiangcheng vicinity. 6 P-40's pound supply dumps at Mienchih and 13 P-40's sink at least 5 supply boats on the YanFtze in the Hosueh area.
5/11/44 Fifth AF 130-plus B-24's and B-25's bomb gun emplacements and supply areas on Wakde and Mokmer A/F and T/Os on Biak. 220-plus FBs, A-20's, B-24's, and B-25's continue to pound coastal bridges and villages, fuel dumps, vehicles, gun positions, supply areas, bivouacs, and various tgts along the shoreline from Hansa Bay to Wewak.
5/11/44 Thirteenth AF 8 P-38's bomb supply-personnel area W of Tobera. 12 B-25's, 12 P-40's and 3 B-24's hit Vunakanau A/F. Ftrs on sweeps and bombing missions over the Bismarcks hit various tgts at Kabanga Plantation, Gazelle Peninsula area, N of Sae R, and at Labout. 70-plus P-39's, P-40's, and P-38's (flying total of 18 missions) attack variety of tgts, including piers at Chabai, Ratsua, and Porton, wooded area near Pipipaia, town of Siruluna, bridge at Tokinotu, and A/F at Buka.
5/11/44 Seventh AF B-24's, staging through Eniwetok, bomb Truk during 10/11 May. During day B-25's from Engebi hit Ponape while others, based at Makin, pound Jaluit.
5/12/44 Eighth AF 800 B-17's and B-24's operating in 3 forces, bomb oil plants, other industrial tgts, M/Ys, A/Fs, and some unidentified T/Os at Merseburg, Lutzkendorf, Zeitz, Bohlen, Zwickau, Gera, Chemnitz, and Brux.
An estimated 430 ftrs offer intense opposition. 46 HBs are lost.
5/12/44 Ninth AF IX TCC carries out EAGLE, a full-scale exercise of the tactics and techniques of paradrop, glider tow, parapack in resupply, air landing of supplies, and medical evacuation as a dress rehearsal for the airborne invasion of Normandy. More than 450 MBs attack coastal defenses, A/Fs, bridges, railroads and railroad guns, and V-weapon sites in France and Belgium. Thick haze impedes visibility and causes many aborts.
5/12/44 Twelfth AF A-20's blast cmd posts along main battlefront as Allied ground forces seek to break through Gustav Line. MBs hit concentration near Fondi, attack forces at Vallecorsa and Pastena, and bomb numerous positions along main front. FBs pound cmd posts, guns, bridges, road and rail traffic, and troops along assault front and in rear areas, concentrating especially on the Monte Cassino Benedictine Abbey and surrounding area.
5/12/44 Fifteenth AF Around 730 B-17's and B-24's (largest HB force used by Fifteenth AF on any day to this time) attack German HQs at Massa d'Albe and Monte Soratte; town of Civitavecchia; A/Fs at Tarquinia and in surrounding area; M/Ys at Chivasso, Piombino, Marina di Carrara, Viareggio, and Ferrara; Orbetello I; Piombino harbor; docks and comm at San Stefano al Mare; harbor, M/Y, and railroad bridge at Chiavari; La Spezia M/Y and harbor; and several T/Os. 26 P-38's strafe Piacenza A/F. Other ftrs fly over 250 sorties in spt of bombing missions.
5/12/44 Tenth AF 24 A-31's hit positions at Labawa and SSE of Maungdaw. 36 A-31's hit villages around Bishenpur while 4 B-25's strike at Tiddim road NNW of Tonzang. 50-plus B-25's and FBs knock out railroad bridge at Pinbaw, pound gun positions and supply area at Myitkyina and hit defensive positions near Kazu-Tiangsup. 4 B-25's damage Myothit bridge while 8 P-38's bomb Kyaukye. 21 P-51's hit A/Fs at Meiktila and Heho, claiming 8 interceptors downed. 4 B-25's knock out bridge at Daga while 2 others bomb camp at Taungbaw.
5/12/44 Fourteenth AF 16 P-40's and 11 B-25's hit several tgts in S China and in Indochina. Military installations, arty positions, and tank concentrations are pounded in Yoyang area, a bridge and several trucks are damaged at Sienning, a naval vessel is attacked at Hong Kong, a radio station on Cat Ba I is bombed, and railroad yards, supply dump, and river junks are blasted in Phu Lang Thuong area.
5/12/44 Fifth AF B-24's bomb Mokmer A/F and attack tgts on Ceram, Amboina and Timor. A-20's, B-25's and FBs blast villages, coastal bridges and roads, vehicles, airstrip at Boram, and other tgts throughout WewakHansa Bay region.
5/12/44 Thirteenth AF 12 B-25's and 20plus P-40's and P-38's pound Tobera airstrip and nearby personnel areas; some of the B-25's returning from Tobera bomb Sohano I. 12 P-39's and about 70 Navy SB