USAAF CHRONOLOGY
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1945
1/1/45 Eighth AF The 3 Bomb Divs of the Eighth are redesignated Air Divs. Over 700 HBs attack 3 oil tgts, 5 Rhine R bridges, and rail junctions, 3 M/Ys, various other tgts in 10 cities, and several T/Os-all in Germany.
14 escorting ftr gps battle over 120 ftrs in Frankfurt/Main and Hannover areas, claiming 17 kills, including a jet ftr.
1/1/45 Ninth AF GAF launches attack of 700-800 airplanes against Ninth AF and Allied A/Fs, mainly in Brussels and Eindhoven areas, and to a lesser degree in Metz area. 127 operational Allied aircraft are destroyed.
Allied ftrs claim 160 air victories while AA claims 300. 190 A-20's, A-26's, and B-26's hit rail bridges, comm centers, road junction, a cmd post, and HQ, all in Belgium and Germany. Ftrs escort 9th Bomb Div and Eighth AF bmrs, fly patrols, sweeps, and armed rcn (claiming 39 air victories and numerous ground tgts destroyed) and spt US III, VII, and XII Corps between Saint-Hubert and the Mosel R.
1/1/45 Twelfth AF MBs attack bridges at Palazzuolo sull'Oglio, Parma, and Calcinato (latter 2 tgts are missed) and ammo dump at Parma. FBs spt ground forces S of Bologna, hit comm and numerous T/Os to the N and completely destroy a fuel dump at Parma. LBs on intruder missions during 31 Dec/1 Jan achieve excellent results on motor park near Molinella and hit M/Y near Milan.
1/1/45 Fifteenth AF Unfavorable weather permits only P-38 rcn flights.
1/1/45 Tenth AF 71 P-47's and P-38's attack villages, general supply areas, fuel dumps, tanks and other vehicles, and troop concentrations at several locations including Man Hio, Bahe, Mongmit, Hatka, Namhpakha, Loihseng, Mong Yaw and in Hsenwi area. 4 others hit T/Os along the Irrawaddy from Tanaung to Kyungyi. 4 B-25's harass comm lines during 1/2 Jan. Large-scale air transport operations continue.
1/1/45 Fourteenth AF 3 B-24's bomb Ft Bayard. 40 P-51's and P-40's pound railroad tgts, warehouses, industrial works, and gun positions from Yoyang to Puchi. 8 P-51's hit Suchow A/F, claiming 25 airplanes destroyed. 47 other P-40's and P-51's on armed rcn hit troops, horses, town areas, and rail and road traffic at several locations. Especially at Liuchenghsien and between Siaokan and Hsuchang.
1/1/45 FEAF B-25's and FBs make low-level attacks on Negros I A/Fs. B-24's, with P-38 cover, bomb Clark Field.
Others pound Sasa area and along with B-25's hit Djailolo, Wasile Bay bivouac areas, and Miti ammo dump. B-25's bomb A/Fs on Ceram and barracks at Laoag. FBs are active against tgts in Manila area and also hit Silay. A/Fs, shipyards, and other tgts in Borneo, Celebes and Lesser Sunda Is also sustain light raids, by FEAF ftrs and bmrs, which also fly armed rcn.
1/1/45 Seventh AF 19 B-24's from Saipan bomb Iwo Jima. 9 more, during 1/2 Jan snooper missions, hit the island at varying intervals.
1/1/45 Eleventh AF 5 B-24's fly coverage for a naval force upon aborting bomb mission to the Kurils.
1/2/45 Eighth AF HQ VIII AFSC (Adv) is established in Brussels, along with a 'Far Shore' staff division. Through this HQ, the CG AFSC can administer his cmd and closely communicate with other cmds operating on the Continent. This arrangement functions until 29 Apr when it is relieved by 5th Strategic Air Depot at Merville. About 950 HBs attack 5 M/Ys, 6 bridges, B comm centers, a rail junction, 2 tank concentrations, and several T/Os in battle area of W Germany. 10 ftr gps escort HBs while 2 others spt MBs of Ninth AF. 3 gps fly sweeps in which 1 gp strafes transportation tgts near Frankfurt/Main and Giessen.
1/2/45 Ninth AF 135 A-20's, A-26's, and B-26's hit rail bridges and comm centers in Belgium and Germany. Ftrs escort 9th Bomb Div, fly patrols, sweeps, and armed rcn and spt US III and VIII Corps in Bastogne area and XII Corps S of Clerf R and W of the Sauer R.
1/2/45 Twelfth AF FBs concentrate effort in W Po Valley and Brenner area, claiming large number of rail lines cut and many vehicles and trains destroyed and damaged. Milan M/Y is hit hard and good coverage is achieved on spt tgts in US Fifth Army battle area. LBs during 1/2 Jan continue intruder missions over Po Valley.
1/2/45 Fifteenth AF Again bad weather restricts operations to rcn flights.
1/2/45 Tenth AF Troop concentrations and supplies are attacked at Mabein, Panghka, Mansut, Letpangon, Loimun, Panghkai, Namhsan, Thabeikkyin, and in Lashio area by 66 P-47's and 13 P-38's. 546 transport sorties are flown to forward bases and front-line areas.
1/2/45 Fourteenth AF 6 B-25's bomb Kentung. 30-plus P-40's and P-51's on armed rcn attack T/Os, mainly railroad traffic, at or near Lohochai, Pengpu, Man Pong, Wanling, Wan Pa-Hsa, and Sinyang.
1/2/45 FEAF P-38's and A-20's hit shipping in San Fernando harbor. B-24's pound Clark Field and B-25's hit Batangas. A/Fs in C Phil area are bombed by B-25's, A-20's, and FBs while B-24's strike Likanan, Menado, and Wasile Bay area. Other FEAF aircraft make armed rcn and harassing strikes on T/Os throughout C Phil area and NEI.
1/2/45 Twentieth AF 44 B-29's, operating from Calcutta area, attack railroad bridge at Bangkok. 2 others hit alternate and T/O.
1/2/45 Seventh AF 12 Guam-based B-24's hit Haha Jima while 14 others pound Iwo Jima. During 2/3 Jan 10 Hbs, flying snooper strikes out of Guam, hit Iwo Jima over a 7-hr period.
1/3/45 Eighth AF Almost 1,100 HBs, escorted by 11 ftr gps, bomb tgts in W Germany, including 11 M/Ys, 3 comm centers, 2 rail junctions, a railhead, 2 city areas, and T/Os. 2 ftr gps fly area sweeps in spt.
1/3/45 Ninth AF All combat operations are canceled because of weather.
1/3/45 Twelfth AF MBs score direct hits on 2 railroad bridges at Lavis and fly good coverage of Chiusaforte, Canale d'Isonzo, and Padua railroad bridges. FBs hit large number of comm tgts (mainly railroad tgts) in Po Valley which is also subjected to intruder missions during 2/3 Jan, when pontoon bridges, vehicles, and Ghedi A/F are hit.
1/3/45 Fifteenth AF Bad weather curtails operations for fifth successive day. P-38's fly photo and weather rcn missions.
1/3/45 Tenth AF 10 B-25's, supported by 12 P-47's, attack A/F at Aungban. Troop concentrations and supply and ammo dumps are pounded at several locations, including Man Kun, Loi Hkam, Ngawnga, Chakau, Mulaw, and Man Pwe. 575 transport flights are completed to forward areas.
1/3/45 Fourteenth AF 10 P-51's hit A/F at Tsinan, claiming 13 airplanes destroyed. 6 P-51's claim several river steamers sunk in Hankow-Chiuchiang area while 6 others damage bridges at Chinchengchiang. 20-plus other P-40's, P-51's, and P-47's on armed rcn attack various T/Os in WuchangHankow and Shwangliu areas, at Namtao, S and SW of Man Pong, and W of Wanling.
1/3/45 FEAF B-24's pound Clark Field and Mabalacat areas. B-25's hit 5 A/Fs in C Phil Is while B-24's bomb 2 on Mindanao. B-24's attack Djailolo supply area, while B-25's bomb Namlea A/F. Numerous other FEAF aircraft on armed rcn, harassing raids, and light strikes attack a vast variety of tgts throughout NEI and Phil Is.
1/3/45 Twentieth AF 57 Marianasbased B-29's bomb docks and urban areas of Nagoya. 21 others bomb alternates and T/Os. Japanese ftrs fly 300-plus attacks on the B-29's. 5 VHBs are lost. B-29 gunners claim 14 kills.
1/3/45 Seventh AF 22 B-24's from Saipan bomb Iwo Jima. 3 from Guam, on armed rcn, hit Marcus. During a 6-hr period on 3/4 Jan, 10 HBs from Guam hit Iwo Jima.
1/3/45 Eleventh AF B-25's fly coverage for a naval force over the Kurils.
1/4/45 Eighth AF Transfer of HQ, VIII FC from Bushey Hall to Charleroi begins. HQ is to provide administrative and operational spt for ftr gps operating with Ninth AF on tac spt missions.
1/4/45 Ninth AF All combat operations, except a defensive patrol by 4 ftrs, are canceled because of bad weather.
1/4/45 Twelfth AF MBs hit bridges at Lavis and Calliano. Ftrs and FBs interdict Po Valley comm and hit ammo dump at San Felice del Benaco. During 3/4 Jan LBs successfully hit stores dump and bridge near Mestre, and destroy or damage over 50 vehicles.
1/4/45 Fifteenth AF 370-plus B-24's and B-17's bomb M/Ys at Verona (2), Bronzolo (2), Vicenza, Padua (2), Trento, and Bolzano, and station sidings at Trento. 54 P-38's attempt high-level bombing of Cismon del Grappa but fail to hit tgt. 9 B-24's drop supplies in Yugoslavia. P-38's and P-51's fly rcn and escort operations.
Over 200 ftrs accompany Hbs.
1/4/45 Tenth AF 13 B-25's, escorted by 12 P-47's, bomb Namsang A/F. 12 P-47's hit bypass road bridges at Inailong and Bawgyo, damaging approaches to the latter. Troops and supply areas are hit at Man Kat, Hsenwi, Yi-ku, Se-hai, and near Nawnghkio by 36 P-47's and P-38's. 6 P-47's bomb cable and pontoons along N riverbank at Na-lang. 6 hit enemy activity near Twinnge and 5 attack truck dispersal area and ware - houses at Mogok. Transports fly 597 sorties to front areas and forward bases.
1/4/45 Fourteenth AF 4 B-24's bomb Ft Bayard and Samah Bay areas. 6 B-25's damage a bridge and a warehouse, and destroy 2 other buildings at Kentung. 21 P-40's on armed rcn pound T/Os in Wanling area. 8 P-51's knock out bridge at Huizan and damage another, and 20 other ftrs hit T/Os around Lohochai, Sinyang and Hankow.
1/4/45 FEAF B-24's pound Puerto Princesa. B-25's hit railroad and highways in San Pedro area. B-25's and P-38's hit Tanamon and Sidate. Other B-24's and B-25's, flying smallscale strikes, hit A/Fs in S Luzon, on Mindanao, in NE Celebes, and in C Phil Is, and bomb shipyards in N Borneo.
1/4/45 Seventh AF 13 Guam-based B-24's pound Iwo Jima. During 4/5 Jan, 10 more hit the island with individual harassment strikes.
1/5/45 Eighth AF Over 850 HBs, supported by 11 ftr gps, bomb 9 M/Ys, 8 comm centers, 3 rail tgts, 5 city areas, and 15 T/Os in battle areas and C Germany. 1 ftr gp flies uneventful sweep while another bombs and strafes Siegen M/Y.
1/5/45 Ninth AF 9th Bomb Div attacks rail bridges at Ahrweiler, Simmern, and Bullay and comm centers at Gouvy, Houffalize, Massen, and near Durler. Ftrs escort 9th Bomb Div and VIII BC, fly armed rcn, attack A/Fs, comm center, traffic concentration, and other tgts, and spt US III and VIII Corps W and E of Bastogne and 2d and 3d Armd Divs near Manhay.
1/5/45 Twelfth AF During 4/5 Jan A-20's on S Po Valley intruder mission bomb Modena area. Bad weather cancels all other operations.
1/5/45 Fifteenth AF 1 B-24 bombs Zagreb railroad sidings. 69 others abort due to total cloud cover over tgt. 38 P-51's fly cover over tgt area. 33 P-38's bomb N railroad bridge at Doboj. other operations are limited to rcn, supply drops, and escort.
1/5/45 Tenth AF 16 B-25's flying A/F sweep inflict considerable damage on Laihka, Aungban, Kunlon, and Mong Long A/Fs. In Namhkam sector, 2 P-47's join ground forces in blasting arty positions at Wingkang and Kunlong. 9 P-47's damage bypass bridges at Mongmit. 70-plus FBs attack storage areas, tanks and trucks, and troop concentrations at Mong Yaw, Hsenwi, Hpa-Pen, Man Ton, Tunghka, Man Peng, and Longhsu. Transports fly 550-plus sorties to forward bases and front-line areas. Operation GRUBWORM, one of the major transport achievements of the war, is completed on this date 1 month from its start. Chinese 14th and 22d Divs, Chinese Sixth Army HQ, a heavy mortar co, a signal co, and 2 portable surgical hospitals have been airlifted. The move required 1,328 transport sorties. ATC provided 597 sorties; the air commando sqs, 488; and Tenth AF, 243. The lift included more than 25,000 Chinese soldiers, 396 US soldiers, 1,596 animals, 42 jeeps, 48 howitzers, 48 heavy mortars, and 48 antitank guns. The troops and supplies have been landed at Chanyi, Kunming, Luliang, and Yunnani.
Only 3 planes were lost during the operation.
1/5/45 Fourteenth AF 4 B-25's pound 13 storage buildings at Kengtung. 5 B-25's knock out bridge at Dara. 3 B-25's bomb Wan Pa-Hsa and Hawng Luk while 1 B-24 bombs CapSaint-Jacques area. 29 P-40's and P-51's hit A/Fs at Hankow and Wuchang, claiming 50 airplanes destroyed in the air and on the ground. 23 P- 51's and P-38's hit A/F and other tgts in Samah Bay area, claiming 11 airplanes destroyed. 30 P-40's and P-38's attack various T/Os, Sinsiang, Kengtung, and Wan Pa-Hsa, and in Wanling area. 4 P-40's pound fortified hill positions in Salween area.
1/5/45 FEAF In major strikes of the day B-25's hit shore installations along Lingayan Gulf, and bomb Menado. B- 24's attack Miri A/F. Numerous smaller strikes are flown throughout Phil Is and NEI. A-20's and FBs attack A/Fs in Luzon, C Phil area and Mindanao, FBs and B-24's hit Pombelaa, Tondano area, and T/Os in NE Celebes. Other FEAF aircraft fly scattered strikes at various tgts in Borneo, Lesser Sunda, and Tanimbar Is.
1/5/45 Seventh AF 22 B-24's from Saipan, in morning and afternoon raids, pound Iwo Jima. 7 P-38's, with 3 B-24's as navigational escort, fly strafing mission against Iwo Jima. Other B-24's act as airborne spotters for naval bombardment of Chichi Jima and Haha Jima.
1/5/45 Eleventh AF 4 B-24's fly an air coverage mission for a naval TF on its approach to Suribachi.
1/6/45 Eighth AF More than 750 HBs attack 6 M/Ys, 4 bridges, a comm center, a city area, and 14 T/Os in battle zone of W Germany. 7 ftr gps fly escort and 1 gp strafes A/F and transportation tgts. 1 gp of FBs bombs Siegen M/Y.
1/6/45 Ninth AF 26 bmrs of 9th Bomb Div strike Prum. Bad weather prevents all ftr operations.
1/6/45 Twelfth AF Bad weather over N Italy grounds MBs. XXII TAC ftrs and FBs hit rail lines and bridges in Genoa-La Spezia coastline area, and bomb vessels in harbors at Genoa and Imperia.
1/6/45 Fifteenth AF Bad weather precludes all operations except a single rcn mission by 2 P-38's.
1/6/45 Tenth AF Bad weather cancels all combat missions. Transports manage 310 sorties, landing men and supplies at advanced bases and dropping supplies to frontline troops.
1/6/45 Fourteenth AF 40 P-40's, P-51's, and P-47's pound Hankow-Wuchang area. 9 airplanes are claimed destroyed. 4 B- 24's bomb Cap-SaintJacques area.
1/6/45 FEAF In the day's major operations, B-24's bomb Clark Field while B-25's, A-20's, and FBs blast bridges and T/Os at Calumpit and Plaridel and in nearby S Luzon areas. B-24's bomb Nichols Field and Nielson A/F. A-20's, with P-38 cover, bomb Carolina A/F. B-25's and FBs hit Mapanget A/F. FEAF flies numerous smaller strikes against various points throughout NEI and Phil Is.
1/6/45 Twentieth AF 28 Chengtu-based B-29's bomb aircraft factory at Omura. 13 bomb secondary tgt at Nanking while 6 attack T/Os.
1/6/45 Seventh AF 15 B-24's, based at Guam, bomb Iwo Jima A/Fs. During 6/7 Jan, 9 B-24's on individual snooper strikes continue to pound the A/Fs.
1/6/45 Eleventh AF 2 B-24's bomb Suribachi Bay A/F, also hitting buildings and pier areas. 10 B-25's fly single air coverage sorties for naval TF.
1/7/45 Eighth AF Over 1,000 HBs, escorted by 11 ftr gps, bomb 7 M/Ys, 6 comm centers, 3 bridges, railroad lines, along with several city areas and T/Os in Germany. 2 ftr gps sweep Cologne and Osnabruck areas.
1/7/45 Ninth AF XXIX TAC ftrs escort VIII BC HBs. All other cmds and 9th Bomb Div cancel operations as weather is bad.
1/7/45 Twelfth AF Weather grounds MBs and LBs. XXII TAC ftrs and FBs make 6 cuts on Brenner rail line, damage W end of rail bridge at Cittadella, and hit M/Y S of Trento. Most of XXII TAC's effort is concentrated against land and water comm in La Spezia-Genoa area, including attacks on shipping at Savona and San Remo harbors.
1/7/45 Fifteenth AF Unfavorable weather again curtails operations. 3 P-38's complete photo and weather rcn missions.
1/7/45 Tenth AF Bad weather cancels all combat missions. Transports complete 383 sorties to forward areas.
1/7/45 Fourteenth AF 5 B-24's bomb Ft Bayard and attack shipping in Samah Bay, claiming 1 vessel sunk.
1/7/45 FEAF In major strikes of the day, large numbers of B-25's and A-20's, supported by P-38's, hit network of airstrips from Clark Field to Angeles A/F. B-24's bomb Nielson and Grace Park A/Fs and Nichols Field, and B-25's and FBs pound bridges in the Plaridel and Calumpit areas. B-24's raid Padada and Daliao A/Fs. B-25's and FBs hit Lembeh Strait and Langoan areas. Other FEAF aircraft on small-scale armed rcn missions strike T/Os throughout Phil Is.
1/7/45 Seventh AF 11 B-24's, flying out of Saipan, bomb A/F on Iwo Jima. During 7/8 Jan, 10 more HBs again pound A/Fs, striking in single-bmr snooper missions over a 7-hr period.
1/8/45 Eighth AF Nearly 600 HBs, given area spt by 6 ftr gps, bomb 4 M/Ys, 12 comm centers, a rail-over-road bridge, and 5 T/Os in Germany.
1/8/45 Ninth AF Weather prevents operations.
1/8/45 Twelfth AF XXII TAC A-20's fly 33 effective sorties in Po Valley during 7/8 Jan. Bad weather sharply reduces daytime operations. Of 3 MB missions dispatched, only 1 reaches tgt (Chivasso railway bridge) where only 6 Mbs bomb through overcast. Less than 20 XXII TAC ftrs hit scattered tgts in Po Valley.
1/8/45 Fifteenth AF More than 300 B-17's and B-24's bomb Linz main station yard and N main M/Y plus M/Ys at Graz, Villach, Klagenfurt, and Salzburg, escorted by 200-plus P-38's and P-51's. Over 30 other P-38's fly rcn and rcn escort.
1/8/45 Tenth AF 21 B-25's hit troops and supply areas at Nampeng and Mong Long. 74 P-47's and P-38's attack troop concentrations and supply areas at Tunhunghkam, Mongyu, Hpa-hpun, and Man Om. 12 P-47's knock out bypass bridge at Namhkai. Transports complete 470-plus sorties to forward bases and frontline areas.
1/8/45 Fourteenth AF 8 P-51's hit T/Os E of Muse and E of Wanling.
1/8/45 FEAF In the main strikes during the day, P-51's and P-40's strafe A/Fs in the Lingayen Gulf area. A-20's pound railroad yards at Cabanatuan, motor convoys between Cabanatuan and Bongalion and between Bongabon and Mojon, Rosales and San Quintin rail installations, bridges at Cuyapo, Paniqui, and near Santa Rosa. P-47's hit rail yards and truck convoy in San Jose area. B-24's and A-20's attack Nichols Field and Nielson, Lipa, and Calingatan A/Fs. B-25's with P-47 cover, bomb Fabrica A/F, while B-24's bomb Likanan A/F and oil storage at Matina. P-38's attack Manggar and Sepinggang A/Fs. Numerous small-scale attacks over the Phil Is and NEI continue.
1/8/45 Seventh AF 26 Guam-based B-24's bomb A/Fs on Iwo Jima, which, during 8/9 Jan, 10 more B-24's subject to individual snooper strikes over a 6-hr period.
1/9/45 Ninth AF 15 B-26's bomb Rinnthal rail bridge with aim of isolating 3 enemy armd divs in Landau area. XXIX TAC ftrs escort the Mbs. Weather prevents other operations.
1/9/45 Twelfth AF MBs attack bridges at Palazzuolo sull'Oglio, Pontetidone, Romano di Lombardia, and assembly area at Crespellano. Ftrs and FBs in excellent day against comm in W and C Po Valley and other points in N Italy make numerous rail cuts, destroy or damage many vehicles and trains and effectively hit ammo and fuel dumps, guns, and strongpoints along US Fifth Army front in the N Apennines.
1/9/45 Fifteenth AF Bad weather permits only rcn missions.
1/9/45 EAC Col Minton W Kaye assumes cmd of Photo Rcn Force, a component of EAC.
1/9/45 Tenth AF 8 P-47's hit div HQ at Ho-na while 4 others spt ground forces in Si-U sector. 90-plus FBs hit supply areas, tanks, AA positions, and troop concentrations at Man Kat, Tonghsim, Kong-lin, Bawdwin, Mong Tat, and in Hsenwi vicinity. 488 transport sorties are flown to forward areas.
1/9/45 Fourteenth AF 6 B-25's hit railroad tgts, road bridge, and building area NE of Thanh Moi. 25 P-40's, P-38's, and P- 51's hit T/Os S, SW, and NE of Wanling. 8 P-51's bomb railroad repair shops at Sinsiang while 3 P- 40's hit road W of Muse, causing traffic block.
1/9/45 FEAF Amphibious forces of US Sixth Army begin landing on shores of Lingayen Gulf at 0930. In N Luzon, B- 24's bomb Mabalacat while B-25's, A-20's, and FBs destroy several bridges and numerous vehicles and trains throughout Luzon, and bomb several A/Fs. B-24's also hit Nielson A/F and Nichols Field.
FEAF airplanes make small-scale attacks on barges, A/Fs, and T/Os on Mindanao, Halmahera, Ceram area, N Borneo, and on Timor.
1/9/45 Twentieth AF 39 B-29's from Chengtu bomb harbor at Kirun. This raid is first of several such operations against Formosa in conjunction with the US invasion of Luzon. 6 B-29's bomb last resort tgts along China coast. 72 Marianas-based B-29's are dispatched against Musashino aircraft plant near Tokyo. High winds break up formations so that only 18 V HBs can bomb the primary tgt. A large number hits alternates and T/Os.
1/9/45 Seventh AF 24 B-24's, based on Saipan, hit A/F on Iwo Jima which is struck again by 8 HBs on individual snooper missions during 9/10 Jan.
1/9/45 Eleventh AF For the first time the Eleventh radar-bombs with H2X equipment as 4 B-24's hit Suribachi Bay A/F.
1/10/45 Eighth AF Over 912 HBs attack 10 bridges, 6 M/Ys, 5 A/Fs, and numerous T/Os. 3 ftr gps fly close escort and 3 other gps give area spt. 1 gp of P-51's bombs M/Ys in Neustadt area. Heavy AA fire accounts for almost 20 Hbs.
1/10/45 Ninth AF Over 30 B-26's sent against comm center and road bridge abort due to weather. XIX TAC escorts MBs, flies patrols, attacks bridges and other tgts and supports US III, VIII, XII, and XX Corps in Saint- Hubert-Bastogne-Wiltz area, in Diekirch and Echternach area and points to the SE.
1/10/45 Twelfth AF Weather restricts operations but FBs effectively attack comm and supply dumps in C and N Po Valley.
The strikes are concentrated in the N and around Piacenza, and score nearly 50 rail cuts, along with destruction of 80 motor transports and several trains. Fuel and ammo dumps in Milan area are bombed and a 400-ft naval vessel at Venice is destroyed.
1/10/45 Fifteenth AF Weather restricts operations to photo and weather rcn missions.
1/10/45 Tenth AF 75 FBs pound troop concentrations, supplies, tanks, arty, and buildings at Kawnglang, Nampachi, Man Namman, Pangkai, Mong Yai, Namhsan, Namyao, Se-ping, Panghai, and in Hosi area. 17 P-47's knock out a bridge, damage another at Bawgyo and 2 others at Ho-kho. 8 P-47's spt ground forces in Si-U battle sector. 8 others hit supplies and ferry crossing at Tamawngtawn. 472 transport sorties are flown to forward bases and frontline areas.
1/10/45 Fourteenth AF 2 B-24's bomb Cap-Saint-Jacques area. 50-plus P-51's, P-40's, and P-38's pound various T/Os throughout Wanling area. 6 P-40's hit T/Os in Muse area.
1/10/45 FEAF B-24's bomb Grace Park A/F and warehouse area, A-20's and FBs pound trucks, trains, railroad yards, railroads, and highways over wide areas of N and S Luzon, and bomb Vigan and Laoag A/Fs.
About 60 P-40's bomb and strafe Galela area. B-25's and P-38's hit Kendari A/F. Other B-25's, A-20's, and FBs, operating in smaller forces, hit numerous shipping and comm tgts, A/Fs, and other tgts throughout the Phil Is.
1/10/45 Thirteenth AF XIII FC moves from New Guinea to Leyte.
1/10/45 Seventh AF 30 Guam-based B-24's operating in 2 separate formations, bomb A/Fs on Iwo Jima. 2 other Hbs, on armed rcn, hit A/F at Woleai. Iwo Jima A/Fs are hit again on 10/11 Jan by B-24's flying snooper missions from Guam.
1/10/45 Eleventh AF 3 B-24's on an armed photo mission bomb and photograph Kurabu A/F scoring hits on the runway.
1/11/45 Ninth AF About 120 A-20's, A-26's, and B-26's attack comm centers and rail bridges in Belgium and Germany.
Ftrs escort bmrs, hit Mayen ammo dump, and patrol areas around Malmedy and NE of Trier.
1/11/45 Twelfth AF During 10/11 Jan LBs attack T/Os in W Po Valley. Clearing weather during the day enables increase of ftr and FB attacks in Po Valley and in US Fifth Army battle area in the N Apennines. Many ammo and fuel dumps, rail lines, trains, and vehicles are pounded, and an alcohol refinery at Piacenza is severely damaged.
1/11/45 Fifteenth AF Bad weather limits operations. P-38's fly rcn and rcn escort missions.
1/11/45 Tenth AF 12 P-47's spt ground forces in Si-U and Namhkam sectors. 3 others strafe trucks between Namkham and Selan. Troop concentrations, vehicles, arty pieces, supply areas, and general enemy movement are pounded by 80-plus FBs. 12 B-26's bomb storage buildings in Lashio area. 609 transport sorties are flown to forward areas.
1/11/45 Fourteenth AF 5 B-25's damage bridge at Wan Mai-Lo. 12 FBs hit T/Os NE of Wanling, 7 drop napalm on T/Os NE of Muse, and 11 attack T/Os SE of Wanting and in E end of Wanting R valley.
1/11/45 FEAF Large numbers of B-24's, B-25's, A-20's, and FBs concentrate on comm tgts throughout N Luzon and attack A/Fs, comm, and town areas in S Luzon, C Phil, and on Mindanao. B-25's and P-38's attack Kendari A/F.
1/11/45 Twentieth AF 25 B-29's out of Calcutta bomb 2 large drydocks at Singapore. Around 15 others bomb Penang I, Mergui, and various T/Os.
1/11/45 Seventh AF 23 B-24's from Saipan pound A/Fs on Iwo Jima. Bombing of Iwo Jima is continued during 11/12 Jan by 3 HBs flying individual snooper strikes from the Marianas.
1/11/45 Eleventh AF 3 B-24's on an armed rcn to Suribachi bomb NW of Taro Lake. 5 B-25's hit Kotani Shima.
1/12/45 Ninth AF All combat operations are canceled because of weather.
1/12/45 Twelfth AF 319th Bomb Gp and a serv gp, relieved of assignment to the Twelfth AF, return to US. These are the first Twelfth AF gps to return directly to ZI from the theater of operations. Weather severely curtails operations, but ftrs and FBs of XXII TAC score successfully against comm tgts in W and C Po Valley, claiming over 50 rail cuts and destruction or damage of 100-plus vehicles.
1/12/45 Fifteenth AF For fourth consecutive day, all bombing operations are cancelled by bad weather. P-38's fly photo and weather rcn and escort missions.
1/12/45 Tenth AF 16 FBs spt ground forces in battle sectors at Si-U and at Lawa on the Irrawaddy. More than 70 FBs hit troops, supplies, vehicles, and general enemy movement at Namsa-lap, Longmao, Hsaihkao, Mangpu, Pangnim, and near Lashio, Hsipaw, and Hsenwi. Transports fly 544 sorties, landing men and supplies at forward bases and dropping supplies to troops in battle sectors.
1/12/45 Fourteenth AF 6 B-25's again damage bridge at Wan Mai-Lo. 35 FBs pound T/Os around Wanting and Muse.
1/12/45 FEAF B-24's bomb San Jose del Monte area and bivouac areas in N Luzon. Other B-24's hit Legaspi, Batangas and Matina A/Fs while B-25's bomb Fabrica warehouses.
1/12/45 Seventh AF 28 Guam-based B-24's bomb A/Fs at Iwo Jima. 3 HBs, on armed rcn from Saipan, bomb Marcus. Iwo Jima is hit by snooper strikes during 12/13 Jan by 4 B-24's from the Marianas.
1/13/45 Eighth AF 900-plus HBs bomb 7 Rhine bridges, 3 M/Ys, a rail junction, and T/Os in battle zone. 7 ftr gps fly close escort while 5 gps fly area spt. 1 P-51 gp bombs M/Y.
1/13/45 Ninth AF 95 9th Bomb Div bmrs strike road and rail bridges at Dasburg, Steinebruck, and Simmern to disrupt enemy movements. Ftrs escort 9th Bomb Div, Eighth AF, and RAF bmrs, fly armed rcn and patrols, and bomb and strafe numerous ground tgts. IX TAC supports US VII Corps near Houffalize, XIX TAC supports US III, VIII, XII, and XX Corps elements in Saint-Hubert-BastogneWiltz areas and points E and S near Clerf and Mosel Rivers.
1/13/45 Twelfth AF Bad weather prohibits all but weather rcn and a scramble mission, all uneventful.
1/13/45 Fifteenth AF For fifth successive day no bombing operations are flown. Weather permits only rcn and escort missions.
1/13/45 Tenth AF 10 FBs hit Aungban A/F while 4 others spt ground forces along the Irrawaddy at Molo. 20-plus FBs hit horses and vehicles at Hsaihkao, buildings at Man Ping, and troops at Mankang and Man Sang.
Transports fly 556 sorties to forward areas.
1/13/45 Fourteenth AF 6 B-25's blast 6 storage buildings at Kengtung. 3 others damage bridge at Hawng Luk. 31 P-51's, P- 38's, and P-40's hit T/Os in Wanting area. 16 P-51's hit T/Os around Shanhsien, Chiatsochen, and Chaling.
1/13/45 FEAF B-24's over Luzon hit Tarlac barracks and storage area, Batangas A/F, and troop concentrations at San Juan, Del Monte, Muzon, and San Vicente. P-47's fly sweep from Laguna de Bay to Tarlac, destroying parked airplanes and vehicles. A-20's hit town of Batangas and nearby railroads and highways, and bomb Lucena and Calingatan A/Fs. Also the N Luzon area is hit throughout the day by small raids.
1/13/45 Seventh AF 14 Saipan-based B-24's hit Iwo Jima A/F. 2 HBs from Guam and Saipan, again raid the A/Fs on 13/14 Jan.
1/14/45 Eighth AF Over 650 HBs attack 4 oil tgts, 2 steel mills and benzol plant W of Berlin, plus M/Y, Wangerooge I, and T/Os. 150-plus other HBs bomb 3 bridges in Cologne area. 15 escorting ftr gps battle about 250 ftrs, claiming about 100 kills. 4 gps on ftr sweeps engage over 150 ftrs, claiming over 40 destroyed.
1/14/45 Ninth AF 280-plus MBs and LBs strike bridges and comm centers in base area of Ardennes salient and in other areas of W Germany. Ftrs escort 9th Bomb Div and Eighth AF HBs, fly armed rcn and patrols, attack numerous ground tgts, and spt US First Army in Vielsalm area and US Third Army around Diekirch.
1/14/45 Twelfth AF Weather again cancels all combat missions.
1/14/45 Fifteenth AF For sixth consecutive day bad weather permits only rcn missions.
1/14/45 Tenth AF 12 B-25's hit troops, stores area, and knock out 3 bridges near Nampawng and Hay-ti. 26 FBs spt ground forces at Si-U and at Mabein. 60-plus FBs pound supply areas, troop concentrations, and general T/Os at or near Hsenwi, Se-u, Kongnyaung, Kutkai, Mongmit, Manai, and Kawnghka. Transports fly 487 sorties to forward areas.
1/14/45 Fourteenth AF 27 B-24's, supported by 45 P-51's and P-40's, pound Hankow. 8 enemy airplanes are claimed destroyed. 7 B-25's hit tgts at and W of Kengtung. 42 P-47's, P-40's, and P-51's attack A/Fs at Wuchang and Hankow. 17 Japanese airplanes are claimed destroyed. 21 P-40's and P-51's hit T/Os in Wanting area. 5 P-51's blast trucks and buildings at Shanhsien. 8 others attack shipping on the Yangtze near Anking.
1/14/45 FEAF B-25's pound Aparri A/F while supporting P-51's destroy several parked aircraft. A-20's bomb Clark Field destroying numerous parked airplanes, while B-24's hit troop concentrations at Cabanatuan. B- 24's, B-25's, A-20's, and FBs over wide areas of Luzon hit tanks, trucks, and other vehicles near Norzagaray, Masbate, Tartaro, Bulac, Banglos, and San Felipe; bomb bridge N of Bocaue; hit A/Fs at Tuguegarao, Malabang, Batangas, and Silay; bomb Cotabato supply area; and attack numerous other tgts. B-25's bomb Goeroea area.
1/14/45 Twentieth AF 54 B-29's, out of Chengtu, bomb air installations at Kagi while 1 VHB bombs Heito. 22 others hit alternates and T/Os at several points, among them Taichu A/F and Hengyang. 40 B-29's from the Marianas bomb Mitsubishi aircraft plant at Nagoya. Over 20 others hit alternates and T/Os.
1/14/45 Seventh AF 22 B-24's from Saipan and 21 from Guam bomb A/Fs on Moen. 9 P-38's escort the Saipanbased HBs.
12 B-24's from Guam pound A/F on Iwo Jima. 2 B-24's from the Marianas fly snooper strikes against Iwo Jima A/Fs during 14/15 Jan.
1/15/45 Eighth AF 600-plus HBs, escorted by Mrs from 10 gps, bomb 4 M/Ys at Ingolstadt, Freiburg, Reutlingen, and Augsburg, and several other tgts in SW Germany. 3 ftr gps fly sweeps and strafe ground tgts while 3 gps of FBs bomb M/Ys, roads and rail tgts.
1/15/45 Ninth AF 16 9th Bomb Div bmrs hit Simmern bridge to help thwart movement in Trier area. XIX TAC escorts MBs, flies armed rcn and patrols, and supports US III and VIII Corps in Houffalize-Bastogne-Wiltz areas.
1/15/45 Twelfth AF Operations resume as weather clears. MBs concentrate on Brenner rail line, flying nearly 150 sorties against bridges at San Michele all'Adige, Rovereto, Ala, Lavis, Santa Margherita d'Adige, and Motta di Livenza. XXII TAC attacks comm in Po Valley and further N, destroying or damaging several bridges and a very large number of railway cars (most of them at Como M/Y). During 14/15 Jan LBs hit tgts in Po Valley, including Po crossings at Borgoforte, Piacenza, and San Benedetto Po.
1/15/45 Fifteenth AF 400-plus B-24's and B-17's escorted by 270-plus P-38's and P-51's, bomb M/Ys and other railroad comm in NE and SE Vienna and M/Y at Treviso.
1/15/45 Tenth AF 12 B-24's bomb troop concentration and supply area at Mong Ngaw. 6 FBs damage bridge at Namhkai. 11 spt ground forces along the Irrawaddy, bombing Mabein, hitting cable crossing at Myitson, and attacking ferry landing on Nampaw R, a tributary. Troops, supplies, tanks and T/Os are attacked at several points in N Burma including Mong Tat, Mong Yok and Mong Pa. Transports fly 527 sorties to forward areas. Gens Wedeymeyer, Stratemeyer, and Sultan confer at Myitkyina and agree that an AAF HQ to cmd US Tenth and Fourteenth AFs should be set up in China.
1/15/45 Fourteenth AF 18 B-26's, supported by 20 P-51's and P-40's, attack Hankow. Others hit Wan Pa-Hsa town area and damage nearby bridge, attack shipping near Amoy, and hit T/Os in Siang-Chiang and Hsiang Valleys and from Hong Kong to Foochow. 130-plus P-40's and P-51's on armed rcn attack numerous T/Os throughout S China from Burma border to SE coast.
1/15/45 FEAF B-24's, B-25's, A-20's, and FBs attack objectives on Luzon, in C Phil, and on Palawan, hitting highways, railroads, A/Fs and numerous T/Os including tanks, trucks, and other vehicles. B-24's also bomb Jesselton A/Fs.
1/15/45 Seventh AF 12 B-24's from Saipan hit A/Fs on Iwo Jima. 2 HBs, operating singly from Guam and Saipan, strike Iwo Jima A/Fs during 15/16 Jan.
1/16/45 Eighth AF Over 550 HBs, supported by 13 ftr gps, bomb 2 synthetic oil plants, 2 aircraft engine plants, 2 M/Ys, a tank factory and several T/Os in C Germany. Due to heavy fog a large percentage of the HBs are diverted to various landing fields in UK and on Continent.
1/16/45 Ninth AF 311 A-20's, A-26's, and B-26's hit road and rail bridges, comm centers, motor transport repair center, and other tgts in Germany. Ftrs escort 9th Bomb Div and Eighth AF HBs, fly armed rcn and defensive patrols, and spt US First Army elements along battleline NE of Houffalize, and III Corps along battleline SE of Houffalize.
1/16/45 Twelfth AF During 15/16 Jan A-20's exploit a break in the bad weather and blast motor transport around Genoa and NE of Milan. During the day bad weather returns, grounding MBs and limiting FBs to 16 completed sorties against comm in Po Valley and NE Italy.
1/16/45 Fifteenth AF Bad weather restricts operations to rcn and rcn escort missions by 30 P-38's.
1/16/45 Tenth AF 12 B-25's attack troop concentration and supply dump at Namtoi. 15 P-47's spt ground forces near Yenya-u and S of Shadaw. 22 bomb A/Fs at Anisakan and Nawnghkio. Troop concentration, supplies, town areas, vehicles, and other tgts are attacked by 40-plus FBs. Transports fly 550 sorties to forward areas.
1/16/45 Fourteenth AF 4 B-25's and 8 P-40's destroy train N of Hankow. 8 B-25's pound Wanting. 180-plus P-51's, P-40's, and P-38's on armed rcn over vast expanses of China S of the Yangtze and from Burma border to S China Sea attack numerous T/Os. Wanting, Muse, and Changsha areas are hit especially hard.
1/16/45 FEAF In the day's principal strikes B-24's, A-20's, and FBs pound Japanese concentrations, trains, trucks, and T/Os on Luzon. Other B-24's hit A/Fs in N Borneo and Halmahera I. B-25's, A-20's, and FBs on small raids, armed rcn, and harassing strikes hit Negros A/Fs and A/Fs, comm tgts, trains, trucks, and other T/Os throughout Luzon.
1/16/45 Twentieth AF 313th Bomb Wg (VH) flies shakedown mission. 32 of 44 B-29's bomb A/F on Pagan I.
1/16/45 Seventh AF 10 B-24's from Guam bomb A/F on Iwo Jima. 12 P-38's from Saipan assigned to high cover for the HB strike fail to make contact with the formation due to bad weather. 3 of the ftrs strafe beached vessels.
3 B-24's fly snooper strikes against Iwo Jima A/Fs during 16/17 Jan.
1/17/45 Eighth AF 650-plus HBs, supported by 8 ftr gps in close escort and 3 more in area sweeps, bomb 3 oil refineries, 2 viaducts, a M/Y, a U-boat yard, an A/F, and T/Os in NW Germany. The ftrs strafe rail tgt.
1/17/45 Ninth AF Weather cancels all bmr operations and limits ftrs. XIX TAC flies night patrol while IX TAC flies leaflet mission and patrols XIX Corps area around Hurtgen Forest.
1/17/45 Twelfth AF MBs, taking advantage of improved weather conditions, attack 6 rail tgts on Brenner rail line, blocking line at Calliano, cutting tracks at Ora, and destroying a section of bridge at Sacile. In NE Italy ftrs and FBs concentrate large effort on rail lines and bridges, destroying 4 and damaging another, cutting tracks at numerous points, and blasting vehicles and trains.
1/17/45 Fifteenth AF Continued bad weather cancels all operations.
1/17/45 Tenth AF 4 B-25's demolish 2 bypass bridges at Ho-hko. 8 pound village of Mansam. 20 P-47's spt ground forces along the Irrawaddy, hitting tgts at Konkha, Onbaing, and Wabyudaung. Troop concentrations and supplies are bombed by 75 FBs at Nawngchio, No-na, Man Hpa-yaw, Man Namket, Nanhu, Panghai, Mong Nge, and Ho-Pok. Transports fly 489 sorties to forward bases and frontline areas.
1/17/45 Fourteenth AF 12 B-25's bomb town area, river shipping, and trucks at Ishan. 3 B-25's and 8 P-40's pound sampans and storage areas W of Hengshan while 2 B-25's hit oil dump and other T/Os in Hsiang Valley and another blasts troop compound at Chaling. 4 B-25's damage bridge at Phu Lang Thuong. 180-plus P- 40's, P-51's, and P-38's hit large number of T/Os from Burma border to Shanghai, concentrating on Wanling area and A/Fs in Shanghai, Wuchou and Wuchang areas.
1/17/45 FEAF In principal strikes of the day B-24's bomb railroad yards at Legaspi while B-25's hit roads and railways E of Manila, destroying many railroad cars and troop-laden trucks. Other B-24's pound Daliao area on Mindanao and Talisay A/F. B-25's, A-20's, and FBs continue to fly small strikes and armed rcn against bridges, shipping, port areas, A/Fs, trucks, and other T/Os throughout Luzon and at C Phil Is.
1/17/45 Twentieth AF Nearly 80 B-29's, out of Chengtu, bomb A/F at Shinchiku. 8 other VHBs hit alternates and T/Os in SE China.
1/17/45 Seventh AF 14 B-24's from Saipan pound A/Fs on Iwo Jima. 3 from Guam, on armed rcn flight, bomb Marcus. 2 B- 24's, from Guam and Saipan, fly individual harassment strikes against Iwo Jima during 17/ 18 Jan.
1/18/45 Eighth AF Over 100 B-17's supported by 3 ftr gps bomb Kaiserslautern M/Y. Most of the HBs are diverted, after bombing, to bases on Continent because of heavy clouds.
1/18/45 Ninth AF IX TAC returns to operational control of Ninth AF (from Second Tac AF) as US First Army returns from 21st Army Gp to 12th Army Gp. IX TAC HQ (Rear) returns to Verviers from Charleroi. Weather prevents all Ninth AF operations except for alert flights by 11 ftrs of IX and XXIX TACs.
1/18/45 Twelfth AF During 17/18 Jan A-20's attack Po R crossings, lights and movement throughout Po Valley. During the day MBs pound tgts on the Brenner line, including temporary bridge between San Michele all'Adige and Ora, and overhanging cliff over railroad at San Ambrogio di Valpolicella. Ftrs and FBs blast comm lines in NE Italy and fuel and supply dumps in Piacenza area, destroying numerous railroad tracks, trains, and vehicles, and causing explosions or fires in most of the dumps.
1/18/45 Fifteenth AF Weather prevents bombing operations. P-38's and P-51's fly photo rcn and escort missions.
1/18/45 Tenth AF 23 P-47's and P-38's hit Anisakan and Hsumhsai A/Fs. 12 B-25's bomb A/F at Nawnghkio. 20-plus P- 47's spt ground forces at Si-U and near Yenya-u and Mahlainggon. Troops, supplies, and general T/Os are attacked at Antawsai, Mong Nak, Namhpakka, Mong Yok, Loi-pyek, Kyawnghkam, Pangnok, and in Namtu vicinity. 529 transport sorties are flown to forward areas.
1/18/45 Fourteenth AF 29 B-24's bomb Hong Kong. 7 B-25's bomb Ishan and Chinchengchiang, 4 B-25's and 12 P-40's hit shipping in Puchi area, 4 B-25's bomb town of Wanting, and 2 hit troop compounds at Chaling. 11 B- 25's and 12 FBs attack Phu Lang Thuong. 25 P-40's pound shipping and railroad tgts at Hong Kong.
About 140 P-51's, P-40's, and P-38's on armed rcn over S China from Burma boundary to Hong Kong attack a huge variety of T/Os.
1/18/45 FEAF B-25's blast Cotabato area. B-24's bomb tgts in Miti area, B-25's hit troop concentrations at Bamban, A-20's hit warehouses and highway traffic N of Bataan, and P-38's strafe parked airplanes at Tuguegarao and vehicles at Enrile, Calarian, and Butigui. A variety of FEAF aircraft fly small-scale raids and armed rcn missions against road and rail tgts, bridges, A/Fs, and numerous T/Os throughout the Phil Is.
1/18/45 Seventh AF 19 Saipan-based B-24's bomb tgts on Chichi Jima and Haha Jima, damaging naval base and town of Okimura. 10 B-24's from Guam pound A/F on Iwo Jima. 3 B-24's during 18/19 Jan continue snooper strikes against Iwo Jima A/Fs.
1/18/45 Eleventh AF 3 B-24's fly unsuccessful rcn to Kurabu A/F. One of the B-24's force-lands in USSR on return trip.
1/19/45 Ninth AF Bad weather cancels bmr operations. Ftrs fly patrols and armed rcn. XIX TAC also supports elements of US III and VIII Corps NE of Houffalize and around Clervaux, and 5th Inf Div around Bettendorf.
1/19/45 Twelfth AF During 18/19 Jan A-20's bomb motor transport movements, lights, roads, and railroads throughout Po Valley. Weather cancels MB operations and prevents FBs from completing XXII TAC's only mission airborne during the day.
1/19/45 Fifteenth AF Over 400 HBs attack N and S M/Ys, a railroad bridge, and a highway bridge at Brod. Because of overcast, only 1 of 112 HBs sent against Zagreb M/Y bombs tgt while others abort. 46 P-38's bomb S railroad bridge at Doboj and 59 P-51's sweep from Zagreb to Gyor. Other P-38's fly rcn missions and rcn escort and cover MATAF B-25's on supply run.
1/19/45 Tenth AF 9 B-25's bomb troops and stores at Na-mon and near Hsenwi. 28 FBs spt ground forces in Si-U and Namhkam battle sectors and I along the Irrawaddy near Yenya-u, Kyaukpyu, and Myitson. 4 others bomb causeway in lake at Mogok. Troops, supplies, and arty are hit by 80-plus FBs at Tonghsim, Konghsa, Mankang, Mong Pa, Pangkawlong, Saihkao, Man Hio, Man Mao, and other locations in N Burma. Transports complete 500-plus sorties to forward areas.
1/19/45 Fourteenth AF 4 B-25's bomb Mongyu and vicinity, 5 bomb Ishan, 8 hit shipping and rail tgts at Song Cau, and 4 hit shipping, railroad tgts, and bridge at Do Len. About 115 P-51's, P-40's, and P-38's on armed rcn over S China and N Indochina attack a great variety of T/Os covering especially Wanting area.
1/19/45 FEAF In principal missions of the day, B-24's and B-25's bomb La Carlota and Bacolod A/Fs. A-20's attack shipping at Salomague and Callaguip. B-25's, A-20's, and FBs attack throughout Luzon, hitting A/Fs, vehicles, storage areas, highways, and a variety of other tgts.
1/19/45 Twentieth AF 62 XXI BC B-29's hit Kawasaki aircraft plant at Akashi. 9 others bomb alternates and T/ Os.
1/19/45 Seventh AF 7 B-24's from Saipan bomb harbor installations at Chichi Jima. 9 from Guam hit A/Fs on Iwo Jima. 7 B-24's escort photo planes over the Bonin and Kazan Is and 1 bombs Iwo Jima. During the night 3 B- 24's on individual snooper strikes from the Marianas bomb Iwo Jima.
1/19/45 Eleventh AF 1 B-24 flies radarferret mission over Shimushu and Onnekotan. 2 other B-24's hit Matsuwa and Onnekotan.
1/20/45 International Provisional National Government of Hungary signs armistice in Moscow with US, USSR, and Great Britain.
1/20/45 Eighth AF Approximately 675 HBs attack 3 M/Ys, a synthetic oil plant, and 2 T/Os in W Germany. 9 ftr gps fly close escort, 2 others fly area patrols in Duren and Frankfurt/Main areas, strafing ground tgts.
1/20/45 Ninth AF Bmr operations cancelled due to weather. Ftrs fly armed rcn, alerts, and night patrol. IX TAC also supports 7th Armd Div on DutchGerman boundary.
1/20/45 Twelfth AF MBs destroy 1 and damage another bridge near San Michele all'Adige, and score good coverage on Trento M/Y. XXII TAC FBs very successfully blast comm and fuel and ammo dumps in Po Valley.
1/20/45 Fifteenth AF The tac organization of Fifteenth AF becomes fully developed when a supply-dropping gp, 15th Special Gp (Prov), organized on 18 Jan, is given control of the 859th (B-24) and 885th (B-17) Bomb Sqs which drop supplies in France, Italy, and Yugoslavia. (In Mar the 15th Gp will be redesignated the 2641st Special Gp (Prov) and with its units attached to Twelfth AF for operational control, the Fifteenth retaining administrative control). 345 B-17's and B-24's attack N and S main M/Ys and station sidings at Linz, M/Ys at Salzburg and Rosenheim, and oil storage at Regensburg. Ftrs escort HBs and fly rcn and rcn escort missions.
1/20/45 Tenth AF 16 FBs spt ground forces along the Irrawaddy near Mabein, Shadaw, and Myitson. 8 others hit ammo dump at Namhkai and supply dump at Kutkai. Also hit are troop concentrations, supply areas and T/Os at Kyaunghkam, Panghung, Kawnglom, Namhsan, Loi-kang, and in Hsenwi area. 482 transport sorties are flown to advanced bases and battle sectors.
1/20/45 Fourteenth AF 4 B-25's hit bridge and railroad cars near Hanoi. 3 B-25's attack T/Os W of Hengshan, 2 hit troop compound and other tgts at Chaling and Anjen, and 1 damages a small freighter in E China Sea. 32 P-51's pound A/Fs in Shanghai area, claiming 22 airplanes destroyed. More than 200 P-40's, P-51's, and P-38's on armed rcn over vast S China and N Indochina areas attack bridges, town areas, rail, road and river trafflc, and other T/Os at numerous points.
1/20/45 FEAF B-24's pound Fabrica A/F and bomb underground storage area at Bamban. A-20's and B-25's hit railroads and trains near Bicol R and between Calauag and Legaspi. Other A-20's and FBs hit Aparri- Laoag and Tubang A/Fs, hit arty positions W of Bong Bong and destroy railroad bridge at Aloneros.
1/20/45 Twentieth AF Gen LeMay takes cmd of XXI BC. Gen Ramey officially becomes CG XX BC.
1/20/45 Seventh AF 12 Guam-based B-24's bomb A/Fs on Iwo Jima. 5 from Saipan hit town of Okimura. During 20/21 Jan, 10 HBs from Guam fly separate snooper strikes against Iwo Jima A/Fs.
1/20/45 Eleventh AF 4 B-24's bomb Kataoka area.
1/21/45 Eighth AF About 750 HBs hit M/Y and tank factory at Aschaffenburg, military vehicle plant, bridge, comm center and M/Y at Mannheim, M/Ys at Heilbronn and Pforzheim, comm center at Arnbach, town of Reutlingen, and 3 T/Os. 9 ftr gps fly close spt and strafe 4 A/Fs plus numerous miscellaneous ground tgts. 1 P-51 gp flies area sweep in spt of HBs and another supports Ninth AF Mbs.
1/21/45 Ninth AF IX TAC HQ (main) returns to Verviers from Liege. 166 A-26's, A-20's, and B-26's hit rail junction and bridge at Euskirchen and M/Y and defended positions at Mayen. Ftrs fly armed rcn, escort bmrs, bomb bridges, and spt US 7th Armd Div.
1/21/45 Twelfth AF Weather restricts operations during 21/22 Jan to armd rcn by 5 A-20's. The LBs bomb comm tgts in Po Valley. During day B-25's hit bridges at Rovereto and Lavis, destroy bridge at Pontetidone, and blast railroad fill at San Michele all' Adige, and supply dump at Cremona. Ftrs and FBs concentrate on comm in same area as MBs, destroying 1 bridge, inflicting 36 rail cuts, hitting fuel and ammo dumps, and destroying and damaging many vehicles and much railroad rolling stock, mostly in Milan area.
1/21/45 Fifteenth AF 170 B-17's bomb Lobau and Schwechat oil refineries at Vienna. 131 P-51's and P-38's provide spt. 43 P-38's bomb oil refinery at Fiume. Other ftrs escort rcn missions and accompany supply-dropping operations to Yugoslavia.
1/21/45 Tenth AF 10 B-25's bomb Heho A/F. 12 P-38's bomb bridge area at Nampawng. 26 P-47's spt ground forces near Twinnge, Mahlainggon, and Konkha along the Irrawaddy, and in the Si-U sector. 50-plus P-38's and P-47's hit troop concentrations, supplies, and T/Os at Me-han, Mogok, Hsenwi, Na-makhkaw, Kutkai, Kunhkan, and Man On. Nearly 500 transports sorties are flown to forward areas.
1/21/45 Fourteenth AF 30 B-24's pound Hong Kong area. 12 P-51's hit Nanking A/F (claiming 11 enemy airplanes destroyed) and T/Os along the Yangtze to Hankow. 30 P-51's and P-40's on armed rcn hit T/Os at several locations.
12 of the FBs concentrate on Wanting area.
1/21/45 FEAF B-24's bomb Marikina A/F and hit barracks and coastal def guns at Calabasan. B-25's, A-20's, and FBs fly sweeps, small strikes, and armed rcn attacks on A/Fs, road networks, bridges, gun positions, numerous vehicles, and other T/Os throughout C and S Luzon.
1/21/45 Twentieth AF 30 B-29's, flying out of the Marianas, bomb Moen A/F.
1/21/45 Seventh AF 12 Guam-based B-24's bomb A/Fs on Iwo Jima. During 21/22 Jan, 8 more, flying separate snooper strikes from Saipan, pound the A/Fs.
1/22/45 Eighth AF Nearly 200 B-17's, supported by 85 ftr sorties, bomb Sterkrade-Holten synthetic oil plant, Rheine M/Y, Dinslaken, Osnabruck, and T/Os. 2 P-51 gps fly area sweeps (1 in escort to Ninth AF Mbs).
1/22/45 Ninth AF 304 B-26's, A-26's, and A-20's bomb M/Y, railhead, and road and rail bridges in Germany with aim of obstructing troop movement. Ftrs escort 9th Bomb Div, fly armed rcn and sweeps and A/F cover, and spt US 7 Armd Div near Montfort, III, VIII, and XII Corps from S of Saint-Vith along battlefront to NW of Echternach, and 4th, 5th, 94th, and 95th Inf Divs from Echternach S to just W of Saarlautern.
1/22/45 Twelfth AF B-25's score damaging hits at Rovereto, San Michele all' Adige and on Dogna bridge, and attack Chiari and Crema bridges with fair results. FBs range over practically all of N Italy destroying and damaging large number of vehicles and railway cars and several locomotives, also hitting fuel and ammo dumps around Mantua.
1/22/45 Fifteenth AF Bad weather limits operations to 1 P-38 weather rcn flight.
1/22/45 Tenth AF 46 P-47's spt ground forces near Si-U, Namhkam, and along the Irrawaddy near Twinnge, Bahe, Nam Mit R, Myitson, and Banwe. 12 others hit T/Os along roads near Kutkai, Hsenwi, Lashio, and Namtu.
Troop concentrations, fuel and ammo dumps, vehicles, and general supplies are pounded at Kin, Padan, Man Lom, Namtu, Hkamtung, Kabaing, Nammaw-hpek, Panglaw, and Na-hsang. Transports fly 449 sorties to advanced bases and frontline areas.
1/22/45 Fourteenth AF 16 P-40's and P-51's on armed rcn attack various tgts in Wanting area and in SW China. 10 P-51's komb buildings at Kunlong ferry. 14 P-51's and P-40's hit Sintsiang railroad yards and destroy several locomotives and trucks E of Tsinan and Suchow.
1/22/45 FEAF B-24's, escorted by P-38's, bomb Heito A/F in first major Fifth AF strike on Formosa. Other B-24's bomb barracks in the Cabaruan Hills and gun positions across Manila Bay and hit Fabrica A/F. In smaller miscellaneous strikes, FEAF ftrs and bmrs over C and S Luzon hit enemy positions, small shipping, and highways at several points, and damage bridge over Magata R.
1/22/45 Seventh AF 20 B-24's from Guam blast A/Fs at Iwo Jima, while 8 more B-24's flying individual strikes from Guam pound the A/Fs again during 22/23 Jan.
1/23/45 Eighth AF 150-plus B-17's, escorted by 2 P-51 gps, bomb M/Y and bridge at Neuss. A P-51 Continent-based gp flies uneventful sweep over Neuss area.
1/23/45 Ninth AF A small B-26 force hits troop concentrations, road bridge, and military transport tgts at Blankenheim, Dasburg, and Arzfeld. Ftrs fly armed rcn, alert flights, and patrols, and spt US III, VIII, and XII Corps and 4th, 94th, and 95th Inf Divs from S of Saint-Vith, S and E along the battleline to just W of Saarlautern.
1/23/45 Twelfth AF During 22/23 Jan A-20's bomb lights, roads, and river crossings at over 50 locations in Po Valley, hit several T/Os, and attack Borgoforte and San Benedetto Po and A/Fs at Villafranca di Verona and Ghedi. Weather cancels MB operations during the day. FBs operate mainly against comm, principally railroad tgts, in Po Valley but also hit ammo dumps, shipping, guns, vehicles, and other tgts in N Italy scattered from Genoa to NE Italy.
1/23/45 Fifteenth AF Continued bad weather cancels all operations.
1/23/45 Tenth AF 12 B-25's bomb A/Fs at Aungban and Hsumhsai. 34 P-47's spt ground forces near Namhkam and along the Irrawaddy in the Twinnge and Bahe areas. 55 P-47's and P-38's hit troop concentrations, storage areas and vehicles at Kawngwang, Sati, Kyaukme, Wengnan, Hko-lawng, Lothke, and Panglaw. Transports fly 542 sorties, carrying men and supplies to advanced bases and drop supplies to troops in frontline areas.
1/23/45 Fourteenth AF 40 P-51's and P-40's on armed rcn attack T/Os (mainly river, road, and rail traffic) at several locations in both S China and in N China plain, including WantingSuchow and Yuankiang areas, lower Tungting Lake region, points between Kiaotow and Kweiyi, and points as far N as Peking.
1/23/45 FEAF On 22/23 Jan B-24's again hit Formosa in force, bombing aluminum factory at Takao. In the day's principal missions, B-24's bomb Baguio and, along with A-20's, hit Corregidor I. Other A-20's attack Aparri A/F while FBs hit bridge at Digdig, luggers S of Alcala, guns on Grande I, bridge over Magata R, and base at Camp John Hay. B-24s hit Silay A/F.
1/23/45 Twentieth AF 28 B-29's of XXI BC bomb Mitsubishi engine plant at Nagoya. 27 hit secondary tgt, the urban area of the city. 9 bomb other alternates and T/Os. An estimated 600-plus ftrs offer heavy and aggressive opposition but down only 1 VHB. US gunners claim 32 ftrs downed.
1/23/45 Seventh AF 12 B-24's from Saipan bomb Iwo Jima A/Fs. 3 from Guam fly armed rcn over Woleai, 2 of them bombing the main runway on the island. During 23/24 Jan, 10 B-24's from Saipan strike Iwo Jima singly at about 45-min intervals.
1/23/45 Eleventh AF 1 B-24 flies rcn sortie along Onnekotan-Matsuwa E coasts. 4 B-24's strike Kakumabetsu cannery and tgts on Paramushiru. 810 ftrs intercept and the B-24's claim 2 victories. 1 B-24 is lost.
1/24/45 Eighth AF 2 P-51 gps fly sweeps over Wahn A/F-Dorweiler area and Karlsruhe-Koblenz area, claiming 3 ftrs downed.
1/24/45 Ninth AF 25 9th Bomb Div bmrs hit comm centers at Schleiden, Stadtkyll, and Pronsfeld. Ftrs fly armed rcn, sweeps, A/F cover, and bomb 1 bridge. XIX TAC supports US III, VIII, XII, and XX Corps elements along battlefront at several points from SW of Saint-Vith to Saarlautern area.
1/24/45 Twelfth AF Cloud conditions and ground fog at bases nearby halt operations. 1 MB flies weather rcn over Venice area and P-47's fly weather rcn over Bologna-Parma area. 2 of the P-47's destroy a truck and damage a train near Parma.
1/24/45 Fifteenth AF Unfavorable weather limits operations to 1 complete weather rcn mission.
1/24/45 Tenth AF 12 B-25's bomb Hsumhsai A/F. 17 P-47's spt ground forces at Padin near Namhkam, and along the Irrawaddy in Bahe area. 6 P-47's knock out Inailong bypass bridge. Troop concentrations and supply areas are attacked at Nawngang, Pangsan, Mansak, Konsan, Yaunggwin, Mangkung, Nawngngun, Mong Long, Mogok, Namhsan, and in Mongmit area. Transports again fly over 500 sorties to forward areas.
1/24/45 Fourteenth AF 12 P-51's on armed rcn attack railroad tgts N of Siangsiang, between Loyang and Kaifeng, and near Tungchen. 21 locomotives are claimed destroyed.
1/24/45 FEAF B-24's pound Corregidor, Cavite, Canacao peninsula seaplane base, and Grande I. FEAF ftrs and bmrs on sweeps, armed rcn, and light raids attack a variety of tgts all over Luzon including small shipping, A/Fs, def positions, storage and town areas, roads, and vehicles. During 24/25 Jan, B-24's on snooper mission again hit Takao A/F.
1/24/45 Twentieth AF 20 B-29's of 313th Bomb Wg hit 2 A/Fs on Iwo Jima.
1/24/45 Seventh AF 33 B-24's, from Guam and Saipan, pound Iwo Jima during 4 raids. 6 others act as airborne spotters for naval bombardment of Iwo. During 5 hrs of 24/25 Jan, 10 HBs maintain harassment strikes against the island's A/Fs.
1/24/45 Eleventh AF 4 B-25's on a low-level attack on Torishima abort due to mechanical trouble. 4 more B-25's bomb buildings on Torishima. AA fire damages 2 B-25's. 6 ftrs take off after radar reports an unidentified tgt SE of Attu. They spot a balloon which they shoot down with tracers.
1/25/45 US Gen Stilwell is assigned cmdr of Army Ground Forces.
1/25/45 Eighth AF 2 ftr gps sweep over wide areas of SW Germany, claiming 2 ftrs downed NE of Mannheim and E of Kirrlach.
1/25/45 Ninth AF 170 MBs and LBs hit comm centers and railroad bridges, overpasses, and lines in W Germany with aim of harassing and obstructing troop movement. Ftrs of the 3 TACs fly armed rcn, alerts and night patrols, escort bmrs, and attack numerous ground tgts. XIX TAC supports US 5th Inf Div in Echternach area.
1/25/45 Twelfth AF During 24/25 Jan A-20's make several intruder attacks on roads, motor transport, bridges, and trains.
Bad weather during the day greatly curtails flying. The only MB mission dispatched achieves poor results on Cremona ammo dump. FBs and ftrs of XXII TAC hit comm and dump areas, mainly in Milan area, with good general success.
1/25/45 Fifteenth AF Weather curtails operations. P-38's fly photo and weather rcn. P-51's escort the photo rcn missions.
1/25/45 Tenth AF 24 P-47's spt ground forces in Namhkam area, near Molo, and near Myitson. 12 B-25's pound A/F at Heho. 80-plus FBs attack troops, supplies, and T/Os at Hsenwi, Loi-weng, Ho hpong, Loi Nan, Tingyet, Mong Tat, Ho-mong, Mong Long, Pangkwai, and in Kutkai area. Transports fly 581 sorties to forward areas.
1/25/45 Fourteenth AF 21 P-51's hit rail tgts and A/Fs in Peking area, claiming 4 locomotives and 40 aircraft destroyed. 16 P- 40's and P-51's attack railroad tgts around Kaifeng, Shihkiachwang, Pengpu, and Chingmen. 42 locomotives are claimed destroyed.
1/25/45 FEAF B-24's, operating in force, again pound Corregidor I. B-24's, B-25's, A-20's, and FBs on sweeps, armed rcn, and small-scale strikes hit vehicles, enemy positions, A/Fs, ammo and supply dumps, barges, comm, and T/Os in general, over wide areas of Luzon, Palawan, and in C Phil Is. During 25/26 Jan B-24's fly harassing raid on Takao.
1/25/45 Seventh AF 14 Saipan-based B-24's bomb Iwo Jima in the afternoon. During 25/26 Jan, 10 more, flying individual harassment strikes at intervals, pound the island.
1/26/45 Eighth AF 1 P-51 gp, based on Continent, flies uneventful ftr sweeps over Heilbronn, Aschaffenburg, Giessen, and Trier areas.
1/26/45 Ninth AF 27 B-26's bomb Euskirchen rail bridge to interdict rail trafflc SW from Euskirchen, much of which comes from Cologne and Bonn. The 3 TACs fly armed rcn, alert flights, and patrols. XIX TAC supports US Third Army elements from S of Saint-Vith to W of Saarlautern.
1/26/45 Twelfth AF During 25/26 Jan A-20's fly armed rcn of Po Valley, bombing Po R crossings, Ghedi A/F, and general movement throughout the area. Both 57th Bomb Wg and XXII TAC cancel all operations for the day because of bad weather.
1/26/45 Fifteenth AF Weather prevents bombing operations. P-38's fly rcn and rcn-escort missions and escort RAF supply drop over Yugoslavia.
1/26/45 Tenth AF 8 FBs spt ground forces in Namhkam area. 140-plus FBs hit troops, supplies, guns, railroad tgts, and T/Os at Tangtong, Panghai, Man Pwe, Kyaunghkam, Mong Pa, Nalang, Hsenwi, Molo, Mong Tat, Humon, Tonghkan, Pangnim, Konghsa, Namtu, Namhsan, and in Nampok area. Transports fly more than 500 sorties to advanced bases and frontline areas.
1/26/45 Fourteenth AF 15 P-51's and P-40's hit Chenghsien A/F and locomotives, tracks, and motor transport at Nanking and Sinsiang.
1/26/45 FEAF B-24's hit coastal guns on Corregidor and in Balete Pass. B-25's bomb Cabcaben A/F area and coastal guns on Carabao I and A-20's attack Grande I coastal defenses. B-26's bomb Likanan and Sasa. P-38's strafe same tgts and also hit Padada. A-20's and FBs, along with a few B-24's, continue armed rcn and miscellaneous attacks against A/Fs, comm, vehicles, coastal guns, town areas, and other tgts throughout Luzon and in C Phils.
1/26/45 Twentieth AF During 25/26 Jan, 70-plus B-29's of XX BC mine the 6 approaches to Singapore harbor and at Saigon, Camranh Bay, Pakchan R, Penang harbor, Koh Si Chang Channel, and Phan Rang Bay.
1/26/45 Seventh AF 17 Guam-based B-24's bomb Iwo Jima A/Fs. During 26/27 Jan the A/Fs are hit by 9 B-24's on individual harassment missions.
1/27/45 Ninth AF Weather grounds 9th Bomb Div and XIX TAC. IX and XXIX TACs fly armed rcn over battle area and parts of W Germany, along with alert flights and leaflet mission.
1/27/45 Twelfth AF Bad weather during morning causes all MBs to abort except for an attack on bridge at Bressana Bottarone. XXII TAC ftrs and FBs continue interdiction of comm with good results against motor transport, trains, rail lines, bridges, and storage dumps. P-47's of 57th Ftr Gp destroy oil plant near Fornovo di Taro.
1/27/45 Fifteenth AF For sixth consecutive day bad weather restricts operations to rcn and escort missions.
1/27/45 Tenth AF 30-plus FBs spt ground forces at Man Sak, Molo Ywama, area S of Molo, and area S of Banwe. 8 others knock out bypass bridge at Bawgyo. About 100 FBs hit troop concentrations, supplies, and T/Os at or near Man Kyan, Kuinkuiloi, Hohkun, Pongalau, Hsenwi, Kutkai, Hsatong, Ping hoi, Ho-mong, Padon, and Kyaunghen. Transports fly 527 sorties to advanced bases and over forward areas, landing men and landing and dropping supplies.
1/27/45 Fourteenth AF 22 P-40's and P-51's attack locomotives, trucks, and shipping at Sinsiang, Kihsien, and Nanking, from Taiyuan to Puchou, and E of Yiyang.
1/27/45 FEAF B-24's pound Canacao seaplane base, Cavite, and Grande I while B-25's hit Cabcaben and A/F at Calingatan. Other FEAF aircraft continue small-scale strikes against numerous other A/Fs, town areas, gun emplacements, harbors, and comm and transportation tgts throughout Luzon.
1/27/45 Twentieth AF By this date the complete forward dets of the 4 B-29 gps in the Chengtu area have evacuated their bases and moved to more permanent bases in India. This move complies with JCS directive formulated on 16 Dec 44 and received on 18 Dec. The long-existing understanding that XX BC might be moved from CBI when more convenient bases are available is thus put into its initial stage when XX BC's CG, Gen LeMay, and JCS agree that on logistical grounds XX BC's operating scheme is basically unsound, a situation made more apparent when in Nov the Japanese had overrun Luchou and Yungning and threatened Kunming. This development necessitated air tonnage flown over the Hump being diverted to Chinese ground forces and Fourteenth AF, resulting in curtailed supplies to XX BC and providing the catalyst for beginning movement of the cmd from China. 22 XX BC B-29's based in India hit navy yard and arsenal at Saigon. 1 bombs bridge at Bangkok. Results are poor. 76 B-29's of 73d Bomb Wg are airborne from the Marianas against Musashiho and Nakajima aircraft plants near Tokyo. Clouds and high winds over tgt area prevent bombing of the primary. 56 VHBs bomb secondary tgt of Tokyo urban area and 6 others attack alternates and T/Os. Ftr opposition is the heaviest to date and 5 B-29's are downed. 4 others ditch or crash-land. B-29 gunners claim 60 ftr kills, the highest VHB claim to date.
1/27/45 Seventh AF 19 B-24's, based at Saipan, bomb Iwo Jima. 10 HBs from Saipan and Guam follow up with individual harassment raids against the island during 27/28 Jan. 1 B-24 from Angaur bombs Arakabesan.
1/28/45 Eighth AF Nearly 900 HBs attack 2 benzol plants, 3 M/Ys, 3 bridges, 4 city areas, and T/Os in W Germany. 5 P- 51 gps fly escort. 1 gp escorts MBs of Ninth AF.
1/28/45 Ninth AF 95 9th Bomb Div bmrs hit comm center at Mayen, rail bridges and overpass at Eller, Sinzig, Remagen, and Kaiserslautern, T/Os in W Germany, and fly cover for US First Army forces on frontline in Monschau-Butgenbach area.
1/28/45 Twelfth AF Weather again hampers operations. B-25's have good results on railroad bridges at Lavis and San Michele all'Adige. XXII TAC aircraft operate effectively against comm and transport tgts throughout N Italy including at Milan, Pavia, Cremona, Nervesa della Battaglia, Treviso, Genoa, Padua, and Lake Maggiore areas.
1/28/45 Fifteenth AF Continued bad weather (seventh successive day) restricts operations to 3 weather rcn flights.
1/28/45 Tenth AF 40 FBs spt ground forces SE of Banwe, E of Molo, S of Molo Ywama, and near Namhkam. 80 FBs hit troop concentrations, supply areas, and enemy movement and active areas at or near Namsangsok, Namlan, Pangmakmo, Wengnan, Kutkai, and Mu-lwat. Again well over 500 sorties are flown to forward areas by transports. First convoy from Ledo crosses Chinese border heading for Kunming.
1/28/45 Fourteenth AF 23 P-40's and P-51's attack railway and river trafflc at Wuhu, Sinyang, and Linfen, in Sinsiang-Hantan area, between Loyang and Sinyang, and along Pinghan railroad.
1/28/45 FEAF B-24's, B-25's, A-20's and FBs concentrate attacks on Luzon, heaviest tonnage (from B-24's) falling on Corregidor. Cavite and tgts between Manila and Subic Bay, including Laoag A/F, are also hit. A- 20's concentrate on tgts in AparriGattaran area while FBs and A-20's hit A/Fs in Cagayan Valley and troops, trucks, and roads in San Felipe and Talavera areas.
1/28/45 Seventh AF 10 B-24's from Guam and 10 from Saipan bomb A/Fs on Iwo Jima. 10 more follow during 28/29 Jan with single-bmr harassment raids on the A/Fs. 2 B-24's from Angaur bomb Arakabesan.
1/29/45 Eighth AF 1000-plus HBs bomb 7 M/Ys, 2 rail centers, 2 viaducts, a city area, military vehicle and aircraft factories, and T/Os in W Germany. 14 ftr gps fly spt and strafe ground tgts.
1/29/45 Ninth AF 364 A-20's, B-26's, and A-26's bomb rail bridges, supply and comm centers, and defended areas in W Germany. Ftrs escort the bmrs, fly armed rcn and patrols and spt US Third Army units at points along frontlines from S of Saint-Vith to bridgehead area around Saarlautern.
1/29/45 Twelfth AF Gen Barcus becomes CG XII TAC. Due to high winds and generally bad weather, MBs successfully bomb only 2 tgts, the railway bridges at Calliano and Rovereto, and attack with less success bridges at Motta di Livenza, Lavis, Mantua, and Chiusaforte, and railway station at Lavis. XXII TAC ftrs and FBs operate primarily against comm throughout Po Valley. Results are generally good and bridge at Nervesa della Battaglia is cut. Bridges or their approaches at Cittadella, Santa Margherita d'Adige and Cismon del Grappa are damaged along with a variety of tgts. During 28/29 Jan intruder LBs hit rail facilities, pontoon bridge, lights, and motor transport at nearly 50 locations in Po Valley.
1/29/45 Fifteenth AF Weather prevents bombing operations for eighth consecutive day. P-38's fly photo and weather rcn missions.
1/29/45 Tenth AF 13 B-25's knock out road bridges at Loi-leng and Tonglau and hit several nearby T/Os. 26 P-47's hit troop positions in Namhkai area. 11 P-38's and 16 P-47's attack A/Fs at Aungban and Heho. 8 P-47's spt ground forces near Banwe. 70 P-47's and P-38's pound troop concentrations and supplies at Panglong, Tangyan, Wengnan, Homang, Mong Long, Namtu, Mongyin, Mong Yang, and Namhsam.
Largescale transport operations continue.
1/29/45 Fourteenth AF Pailochi A/F, river and road shipping, troops, gun positions, buildings, and other T/Os are attacked at Kweiyi, Hankow, Sinyang and Chihkiang, between Hengshan and Siangtan, between Wuhu and Anking, N of Hengyang, and E and S of Yutze.
1/29/45 FEAF Heavy B-24 daylight raids concentrate on Heito A/F area and Corregidor while B-25's bomb nearby Cabcaben. FBs and A-20's hit T/Os from Aparri to Echague. Further S ftrs hit gun positions in the Batangas and Verde Is areas. A-20's spt ground forces inland from Lingayen by hitting Carranglen road net. Others hit Talavera and Carabao I.
1/29/45 Twentieth AF About 30 Marianasbased B-29's strike at 2 A/Fs on Iwo Jima.
1/29/45 Seventh AF 19 Guam-based B-24's bomb Iwo Jima A/Fs. 2 from Saipan, on armed rcn flight, bomb Marcus. 1 B- 24 from Angaur bombs Arakabesan. During 29/30 Jan, 5 HBs from Saipan continue harassment raids on Iwo Jima A/Fs.
1/30/45 International Preliminary part of Malta-Yalta conferences begin at Malta.
1/30/45 Ninth AF Weather cancels bmr operations. Ftrs fly nightfighter and intruder rcn missions. Ftr cover for US 5th Armd Div W of Gemund is recalled during the day.
1/30/45 Twelfth AF Good weather in Po Valley permits full-scale operations against comm lines. During 29/30 Jan intruding A-20's pound scattered movement (much of it near Milan), several Po R crossings including at Borgoforte, Piacenza, and San Benedetto Po, harbor at La Spezia, and fuel dumps and other tgts at many locations. B-25's effectively strike Brenner rail line during the day, especially Lavis and Trento M/Ys and bridges at Lavis and Calliano. XXII TAC ftrs and FBs strike railroads and bridges in NE Italy cutting many lines and damaging several bridges, and hit fuel dumps and factories around Parma.
1/30/45 Fifteenth AF For ninth successive day weather prevents bombing operations. During 29/30 Jan, 13 B-24's drop supplies in N Italy. During the day P-38's fly rcn and rcn-escort and carry out supply missions and strafing attacks in Austria.
1/30/45 Tenth AF 65 FBs spt ground forces in Banwe, Yenya-u, Hsenwi, Molo, and Mongmit areas. 5 others knock out bridge E of Mong Long. 100-plus FBs attack troops, supplies, arty, and comm tgts at several locations including Kutkai, Bawgyo, Hamngai, Namhsan, Naleng, Pangsari, Hsenwi, and Wengnan. Transports again fly over 500 sorties to forward areas.
1/30/45 Fourteenth AF 27 B-24's bomb Hankow. 32 P-40's and P-51's spt the HBs. 8 P-51's hit T/Os in areas around Loyang, Yuncheng, and Sinantien.
1/30/45 FEAF Bad weather cancels most of scheduled strikes over Luzon. However, B-24's bomb Cavite while FBs flying spt for ground forces hit arty and troop concentrations NE of Labayug and others attack ammo dumps N of San Isidro.
1/30/45 Seventh AF 17 B-24's from Saipan bomb Iwo Jima A/F. 3 others bomb A/F on Woleai. 6 B-24's from Angaur strike Koror and Arakabesan. During 30/31 Jan, 10 HBs from Saipan fly single-bmr snooper raids against Iwo Jima A/Fs.
1/31/45 International Conference at Malta begins. Churchill, Eden, Stettinius, and the CCS discuss Western Front strategy, Anglo-US forces of occupation in Germany, and shipping problems.
1/31/45 Eighth AF 400-plus HBs and 4 gps of escorting ftrs are recalled from mission against tgts in Germany because of expected bad weather at UK bases and heavy clouds.
1/31/45 Ninth AF All operations cancelled due to weather.
1/31/45 Twelfth AF MBs attack railroad bridges at Chiusaforte, Voghera, Lavis, Rovereto, and San Michele all' Adige, and M/Y at Rovereto, with only fair results. Ftrs and FBs hit bridges, rail lines, trains, vehicles, and other tgts over widespread areas of N Italy. During 30/31 Jan LBs hit several railroad tgts during intruder missions in Po Valley.
1/31/45 Fifteenth AF 670-plus B-24's and B-17's bomb Moosbierbaum oil refinery, M/Ys at Graz and Maribor, and scattered T/Os. P-38's and P-51's fly over 300 escorting sorties for the HBs. Other P-38's fly rcn and rcn escort and drop supplies into Austria. During 30/31 Jan B-24's drop supplies in N Italy.
1/31/45 Tenth AF 12 B-25's hit troops and stores at Namlan. 50-plus P-47's attack troops and supplies at several locations including Na-mawtawng, Tawkut, Mong Long, Hsipaw, Hsenwi, and Namhpakka. Transports complete 535 sorties to forward bases and frontline areas.
1/31/45 Fourteenth AF P-51's strafe T/Os along Pinghan railroad.
1/31/45 Thirteenth AF Gen Barnes again assumes cmd of XIII FC.
1/31/45 Seventh AF 20 B-24's from Guam bomb A/Fs and AA defenses on Iwo Jima. During 31 Jan/1 Feb, 9 more HBs, flying single-bmr harassment strikes, hit the island.
2/1/45 Eighth AF 600-plus HBs hit 3 M/Ys at Mannheim, Ludwigshafen, and Krefeld, and 3 bridges at Wesel and Mannheim, along with towns of Pforzheim and Barth and T/Os in the area. 6 ftr gps fly close and freelance spt.
2/1/45 Ninth AF 146 B-26's, A-26's, and A-20's bomb rail bridges and defended areas on Rhine and Mosel Rivers and in W Germany near battlefront. IX and XIX TACs escort MBs and LBs, fly armed rcn, and attack Euskirchen M/Y and town of Arloff.
2/1/45 Twelfth AF Bad weather curtails operations. LBs and MBs are grounded and ftrs and FBs fly only 14 sorties, 12 against comm tgts N of battle area and 2 weather rcn sorties.
2/1/45 Fifteenth AF Over 300 B-17's and B-24's attack Moosbierbaum oil refinery and M/Ys at Graz, Furstenfeld, and Klagenfurt. 1 HB bombs Pula. P-38's and P-51's fly 270-plus sorties escorting HBs. Other P-38's carry out rcn and rcn escort missions.
2/1/45 Tenth AF 28 FBs spt ground forces around Hosi and Molo. 12 B-25's knock out Mong Pawn bridge. 8 P-47's damage approach to Pa-mao bridge. 8 others hit Hsumhsai A/F. 90-plus FBs hit troops, supplies, vehicles, ferry crossing, and various T/Os at several locations including Nauchye, Hsenwi, Man Pwe, Pongkalau, Nawng Mawn, Na-lang, Kunhkan, and Panghtu-lin. 550 transport sorties are flown to forward areas.
2/1/45 Fourteenth AF 6 B-24's attack shipping off Indochina coast, claiming 1 cargo vessel sunk and a patrol boat damaged.
4 P-40's attack div HQ SW of Yungning.
2/1/45 FEAF B-24's pound Canacao peninsula and Cavite areas. Tgts include shipyard, seaplane base, comm, and supply. B-25's hit Puerto Princesa. B-24's bomb Okayama A/F during 31 Jan/1 Feb and hit Okayama and Heito A/F and Toko seaplane base during the following day.
2/1/45 Twentieth AF 67 B-29's bomb the Admiralty IX Floating Drydock (and vessel berthed in it) at Singapore navy yard.
21 other B-29's bomb West Wall area of the naval base. 21 others hit alternate tgts at Martaban and George Town.
2/1/45 Seventh AF 21 Saipan-based B-24's hit Iwo Jima in the afternoon, and 10 more, flying individual snooper raids, hit the island during 1/2 Feb. 20 B-24's from Angaur bomb Corregidor.
2/2/45 Eighth AF 1 ftr gp flies uneventful sweep in Koblenz-Wetzlar-Siegen-Siegburg area.
2/2/45 Ninth AF 350-plus B-26's, A-26's, and A-20's bomb road and rail bridges to block E-W movement E of the Rhine and defended localities E of battlefront in W Germany. Ftrs hit bridges and fly escort, armed rcn and patrols, and spt US Third Army elements along the Our-Sauer Rivers.
2/2/45 Twelfth AF MBs, taking advantage of improving weather conditions in NE Italy, hit bridges at Lavis, Chiusaforte, Calliano, Mantua, Rovereto, Calcinato, and Dogna. Bad weather at bases restricts XXII TAC aircraft to 5 weather rcn sorties.
2/2/45 Fifteenth AF Bad weather cancels bombing operations. 1 B-17 and 1 B-24 drop supplies in N Italy. 33 P-51's, with 14 others flying top cover, strafe Kurilovec A/F. 11 other P-51's escort RAF supply dropping mission over Yugoslavia. 11 P-38's fly photo and weather rcn. Photo rcn is covered by 24 other P-38's.
2/2/45 Tenth AF 11 B-25's pound troops and supplies at Loilem. 60-plus FBs spt ground forces in Molo, Hosi, and Mabein areas. Troops, supplies, town areas, and vehicles are attacked at Panma, Kan-loi, Pansak, Man Ho Pang, Pongkalau, Hsenwi, Namtu, Panghai, Kong kang, and Ondon. Transports complete 485 sorties to forward bases and over frontline areas.
2/2/45 Fourteenth AF 4 P-40's attack regimental HQ and a storage area at Lungchow.
2/2/45 FEAF B-24's continue to pound Corregidor and Cavite. In the Cagayan Valley B-25's attack pillboxes, gun positions, and river barges. A-20's hit Baler Bay area. B-24's hit Okayama A/F during dawn raid.
2/2/45 Thirteenth AF Col Carl A Brandt becomes CO XIII BC.
2/2/45 Seventh AF 20 Guam-based B-24's pound Iwo Jima storage area. During 2/3 Feb, 10 more, flying individual harassment raids, bomb the island's A/Fs. 4 P-47's, on rcn flight, strafe buildings on Pagan. 22 B-24's from Angaur bomb Corregidor.
2/3/45 Eighth AF Over 1,200 B-17's and B-24's bomb M/Y in Berlin and a synthetic oil plant and transportation tgts at Magdeburg. Around 900 ftrs spt the Hbs.
2/3/45 Ninth AF 9th Bomb Div attacks Berg-Gladbach storage and repair depot, Dahlem comm center, rail bridges at Ahrweiler and Sinzig, and M/Y at Junkerath. Ftrs escort 9th Bomb Div, fly patrols, and carry out armed rcn over W Germany.
2/3/45 Twelfth AF Weather restricts combat operations to an attack by 4 P-47's on Sonico M/Y.
2/3/45 Fifteenth AF Weather again cancels bombing operations. P-38's fly photo and weather rcn. P-51's escort photo rcn while other P-38's escort MATAF B-26's on transport run to Yugoslavia.
2/3/45 Tenth AF 12 B-26's attack troops and supplies at Loilem. 27 FBs close by spt ground forces in Molo, Hosi, and Myitson areas. 80-plus FBs hit troop concentrations, supplies, town areas, tanks, and other tgts at Kyaung-hen, Mongkyet, Hsipaw, Hsenwi, Nasang, Konghsa, and Hkaihsi. Transports complete 531 sorties, landing men and supplies at advanced bases and dropping supplies to forward troops.
2/3/45 FEAF B-24's again pound Corregidor and Canacao peninsula. Other B-24's hit Aparri and Tuguegarao. In Batangas area A-20's continue ground spt missions. B-24's bomb Cebu City and surrounding tgts. B- 26's and P-38's hit Matina, Daliao, and Padada A/Fs.
2/3/45 Seventh AF 9 Saipan-based B-24's hit Chichi Jima. 10 others hit Iwo Jima while 9, flying singlebmr harassment strikes, pound Iwo Jima during 3/4 Feb. 16 P-38's, part of a force escorting photo airplanes, strafe the island in 2-wave attack.
2/4/45 International US-British-Soviet conference opens at Yalta. Stalin, Churchill, Roosevelt, their CoS, Molotov, Eden, Stettinius, and Hopkins attend. Discussed are USSR's entry into war against Japan, policy toward Germany, Polish problem, Security Council voting formula, policy toward liberated Europe, and the calling of a United Nations conference.
2/4/45 Ninth AF 9th Bomb Div attacks repair depot at Mechernich, Arloff road and rail junction, and flies a leaflet mission.
IX and XIX TACs patrol battle area.
2/4/45 Twelfth AF MBs bomb railroad bridges at Ala, San Michele all' Adige, Lavis, Dogna, and Bodrez, and attack Ala M/Y. XXII TAC ftrs and FBs escort MBs and, in widespread areas of N Italy, destroy 2 bridges, damage 8 others, and blast. rolling stock.
2/4/45 Fifteenth AF Bad weather cancels bombing operations for third successive day. 24 B-24's and 1 B-17 drop supplies and leaflets in N Yugoslavia. 8 P-38's carry out photo and weather rcn missions.
2/4/45 Tenth AF 54 P-38's and P-47's destroy or damage bridges at Inailong, Bawgyo, Ho-hko, Hay-ti, Mong Long, and Pa-mao. 26 P-47's spt ground forces in Myitson and Hosi areas. Troops, supplies, and vehicles are attacked at Nam Yem, Namakhkaw, Mansam, Kong kang, Nawngsong, Mong Yai, Nalang, and Pangmit. Again transports complete more than 500 sorties to advanced bases and over forward areas, where supplies are dropped to troops.
2/4/45 Fourteenth AF 10 P-40's bomb A/F and Japanese HQ at Yungning and railroad yards at Sinyang. 2 of the P-40's over Sinyang are lost to ground fire.
2/4/45 FEAF B-24's continue to hit Corregidor and Cavite. In spt of ground forces B-25's bomb and strafe coast tgts from San Felipe to Maloma, hit tgts around Iba, and drop napalm on San Jose del Monte. A-20's bomb Lipa and Calingatan A/Fs.
2/4/45 Twentieth AF For the first time XXI BC sends VHBs from 2 wgs (73d and 313th) against Japanese Home Islands.
69 B-29's bomb urban area of Kobe. 30 others, including 15 hitting Natsusaka, bomb last resort tgts and T/Os. About 200 attacking ftrs down 1 B-29 and damage 35 others. 1 other crashes upon landing at Saipan. B-29's claim 4 ftrs downed, 20 probably destroyed, and 39 damaged.
2/4/45 Seventh AF 9 B-24's from Guam bomb AA defenses on Iwo Jima while 10 hit town of Okimura. 2 B-24's from Saipan, on armed rcn flight, bomb Marcus. 23 B-24's from Angaur bomb Caballo I. During 4/5 Feb, 8 Guam-based B-24's, operating singly, pound A/Fs on Iwo Jima.
2/5/45 Ninth AF Weather cancels all operations except IX TAC ftr patrols over US First Army area around Butgenbach.
2/5/45 Twelfth AF B-25's score excellently against San Ambrogio di Valpolicella landslide (overhanging cliff collapses on railroad by bombing) and bridges at San Michele all' Adige and Calliano. During 4/5 Feb XXII TAC A- 20's intruder missions hit lights, motor transport, and roads in Po Valley and areas S of Bologna. Ftrs and FBs fly over 270 sorties against comm tgts in N Italy. Incendiary bombing of a truck park damages numerous vehicles.
2/5/45 Fifteenth AF 730-plus HBs bomb oil storage at Regensburg, main station and 2 M/Ys at Salzburg, M/Ys at Rosenheim and Villach, and Straubing railroad installations. 6 HBs bomb Comeglians road bridge. P- 38's and P-51's escort HBs, fly rcn and rcn spt missions, and accompany 25 B-24's on supply mission to Yugoslavia.
2/5/45 Tenth AF 35 P-47's spt ground forces in Myitson, Hosi, and Molo areas. 8 P-38's bomb Mong Long. 60 P-38's and P-47's hit troops and supplies at Kan-loi, Namyang, ManPeng, Pangmakhe leng, Kwangteng, Mong Pa, and Mansam. Transports fly 554 sorties to forward areas.
2/5/45 Fourteenth AF 14 P-51's and P-40's attack locomotives and trucks at Pinghan railroad yards, Hsiang-cheng, and Lohochai. At least 9 locomotives and an undetermined number of trucks are destroyed.
2/5/45 FEAF 60 B-24's deliver heaviest attack yet on Corregidor. Spt for ground forces continues in various Luzon battle zones. B-25's on shipping sweep of E coast claim 9 barges and luggers sunk and several more damaged. B-24's bomb Manggar and Sepinggang A/Fs.
2/5/45 Seventh AF 21 B-24's from Saipan bomb AA positions, def installations, and bivouac on N end of Iwo Jima. During 5/6 Feb Iwo Jima A/Fs are pounded by 10 Saipan-based B-24's flying individual snooper strikes.
2/5/45 Eleventh AF 5 B-24's bomb Kataoka through solid overcast. A shipping sweep by B-25's is cancelled due to weather.
2/6/45 Eighth AF 1,300-plus HBs attack M/Ys at Chemnitz and Magdeburg, and over 20 T/Os, including Gotha M/Y. 15 P-51 gps fly spt and 2 of the gps strafe ground tgts.
2/6/45 Ninth AF 261 MBs and LBs attack Rheinbach ammo dump, Sotenich comm center, Vlatten defended village, Berg-Gladbach motor transport center, and several casual tgts. Ftrs fly armed rcn, alert flights and patrols, dive-bomb Horrem bridge, cut rails, and escort 9th Bomb Div.
2/6/45 Twelfth AF B-25's attack railroad tgts on the line running N to Brenner Pass, damaging bridges at Rovereto and Ala. M/Ys at Rovereto and San Ambrogio di Valpolicella and bridge at Crema are less successfully hit.
FBs cut railroad bridges at Nervesa della Battaglia and San Michele all'Adige. The P-47's claim 3 ftrs destroyed in combat N of Verona and attack numerous T/Os throughout tgt areas. During 5/6 Feb A- 20's attack lights, roads, and motor transport in C Po Valley.
2/6/45 Fifteenth AF Bad weather permits only supply and rcn missions. 5 P-38's complete weather and photo rcn while 12 B-24's and 1 B-17 drop supplies in Yugoslavia.
2/6/45 Tenth AF 86 P-47's and P-38's and 25 B-25's pound troop concentrations, supplies, and AA positions in Lashio area. 4 P-38's damage approach to Mong Tong bridge. Transports complete 514 sorties, carrying men and supplies to forward areas.
2/6/45 Fourteenth AF 20 P-51's pound and considerably damage Peking A/F, claiming 7 airplanes destroyed. Other FBs on armed rcn hit several T/Os (mainly rail and river trafflc) around Tsingpu, Wuhu, Suchow, Hsiangcheng, Ichang, Chingmen, and Yungning. FBs sink numerous river craft on Mekong R from Wan Mai-Lo to Nguen.
2/6/45 FEAF B-24's bomb Corregidor gun positions. B-25's and P-38's hit Echague and camp on Rosario-Baguio road. A-20's attack gun positions and defenses at Nichols Field in spt of ground forces and bomb Caballo I. A-20's attack Fabrica A/F. B-24's and B-25's fly coastal sweeps hitting various tgts at Divilacan Bay, Hondagua, and Bicol Peninsula. B-24's, with P-38 spt hit Manggar and Sepinggang A/Fs.
2/6/45 Seventh AF 9 Guam-based B-24's hit AA defenses and radar and radio installations on Iwo Jima. 10 more bomb Ototo Jima island and town of Omura. 1 B-24 from Angaur bombs Koror, 2 hit Bulan A/Fs and 19 bomb Corregidor. 8 B-24's from Guam fly individual strikes against Iwo Jima A/Fs during 6/7 Feb.
2/7/45 Eighth AF High, heavy clouds necessitate recall of about 300 B-17's and 3 ftr gps from mission to attack tgts in W Germany.
2/7/45 Ninth AF 16 B-26's strike rail siding at Lipp. Weather cancels other operations.
2/7/45 Twelfth AF During 6/7 Feb A-20's bomb lights and movement over extensive areas of N Italy. During day B-25 blasts cut bridges at Bodrez and Lavis, viaduct at Lavis, and block rail lines at San Michele all'Adige and Mantua. XXII TAC P-47's destroy 4 railroad bridges and damage another severely in NE and C Po Valley and Brenner Pass, and blast dumps and sugar refineries in the Mantua, Brescia, and Reggio Emilia areas.
2/7/45 Fifteenth AF 680 B-17's and B-24's bomb oil refineries at Moosbierbaum, Lobau, Schwechat, Vienna/Floridsdorf, Korneuburg and Kagran in Vienna area, oil storage at Pula, shipyard and harbor of Trieste, town of Bratislava, A/F at Zwolfaxing, and several scattered T/Os. 274 P-38's and P-51's provide escort. 8 B- 24's drop supplies in Yugoslavia. 18 P-51's strafe Zeltweg A/F and surrounding area while 10 P-38's sweep Zagreb-Karlovac-Sisak area. Other P-38's fly rcn and escort operations.
2/7/45 Tenth AF 11 B-25's attack tanks and troops at Man Namman. 50 P-47's spt forces preparing to cross Shweli R in Myitson area. 40-plus P-47's and P-40's attack troops and supply areas at Nawngkalio, Man Li, Hsunkwe, Nawnghkio, Loi Hkam, Panghsapye, Na-lang, Wingnang, and Pang Eng Hkye. 464 transport sorties are flown to advanced bases and frontline areas.
2/7/45 Fourteenth AF 11 P-51's knock out bridge at Hengshan. 34 P-40's hit river, road, and rail traffic from Kweiyi to Hengshan, from Chiuchiang to Wuhu, from Wan Mai-Lo to Luang Prabang, from Siaokan southward, in area S of Tsinan, and N of Tehsien. 2 FBs hit warehouse area at Kweihsien.
2/7/45 FEAF B-24's, with P-38 spt hit T/Os at Heito A/F and other points (after weather prevents bombing of Takao).
A-20's, supporting ground operations, attack hills W of Clark Field. B-25's, with P-51 cover, fly several sweeps over Formosa, claiming a sub sunk, a tanker set afire, a large motor launch sunk, other shipping damaged, and several vehicles and an airplane destroyed. B-24's hit Bago and Mandaue. Other B-24's bomb Tawau and-in another mission-Miri A/F, Tutong oil refinery pump station and power house.
2/7/45 Twentieth AF 44 B-29's bomb primary tgt of Saigon (11 drop prematurely and 33 hit residential section), 19 hit T/O of Pnom Penh, and 2 bomb last resort tgt, a M/Y at Martaban. In a more successful mission, almost 60 B-29's bomb and effect the collapse of most of middle span of Rama VI bridge at Bangkok (3d strike at this tgt) and destroy NE approach. 1 VHB bombs Martaben M/Y.
2/7/45 Seventh AF 6 B-24's from Saipan bomb town of Okimura. 8 B-24's hit AA positions and radio and radar installations on Iwo Jima, while 2 others bomb Woleai A/F. From Angaur 20 B-24's bomb Silay and Talisay A/Fs and 1 bombs Opon A/F on Mactan I. 9 B-24's, during 7/8 Feb snooper raids from Saipan, bomb Iwo Jima A/Fs.
2/7/45 Eleventh AF 6 B-24's off to Kataoka abort mission when all aircraft accidentally drop bombs prior to bombing run. 4 B-25's weather abort.
2/8/45 Eighth AF Over 400 HBs dispatched to attack tgts in W Germany are recalled before leaving UK coast due to clouds over bases, routes, and tgts. 2 Continent-based P-51 gps strafe rail tgts and parked aircraft.
2/8/45 Ninth AF 320-plus B-26's, A-20's, and A-26's strike road junction, M/Y, 3 defended areas, and 10 casual tgts in Germany. Ftrs fly armed rcn, bomb numerous ground tgts, and spt US XII Corps which has, on 7 Feb, crossed Our and Sauer Rivers between Vianden and Echternach and established bridgeheads.
2/8/45 Twelfth AF During 7/8 Feb on intruder missions A-20's bomb various tgts at 58 points in Po Valley and Brenner Pass area. MBs during day attack bridges at Calliano, Chiusaforte, Dogna and Piacenza. Ftrs and FBs closely spt US Fifth Army forces in Serchio Valley- where counterattacks oppose Allied offensive-- and destroy Nervesa della Battaglia railroad bridge and oil dump N of Mestre.
2/8/45 Fifteenth AF Over 500 B-24's and B-17's bomb SE Vienna comm tgts and M/Y at Graz, plus several T/Os. 270-plus P-38's and P-51's escort. 12 B-24's drop supplies in Yugoslavia. 11 P-51's sweep Zagreb area. Other P-51's and P-38's fly rcn and rcn escort.
2/8/45 Tenth AF 72 P-47's spt ground forces in Myitson area. 37 P-47's and P-38's hit troops, supply areas, ammo dumps, and T/Os at Namsaw, Hsun-kwe, Loi-Kong, Nawng-un, Hsipaw, Panghai, and Kongnio, and bomb village near Pangkawn. Transports fly 581 sorties carrying men and supplies to forward bases and dropping supplies to frontline areas.
2/8/45 Fourteenth AF 10 P-51's knock out bridge at Shihtangchung and blast bridge approach at Changsha. 9 other ftrs knock out another bridge N of Changsha. 4 ftrs hit railroad T/Os from Linfen to Yutze to Shihkiachwang and bomb Tsinan A/F.
2/8/45 FEAF B-24's bomb town of Mariveles. B-25's sink or damage several small vessels along Luzon's E coast and hit Legaspi A/F. B-24's bomb Manggar and Sepinggang A/F.
2/8/45 Twentieth AF 30 B-29's from the Marianas bomb Moen I A/F number 1.
2/8/45 Seventh AF 20 B-24's from Guam bomb radar and radio installations and AA defenses on Iwo Jima in the afternoon.
During 8/9 Feb, 10 fly single-plane snooper strikes against the island's A/Fs.
2/8/45 Eleventh AF 4 B-25's abort mission to Masugawa R when unable to identify the tgt.
2/9/45 International Malta-Yalta conferences end. Conferees agree to plan for invasion of Japan following defeat of Germany, anticipated for about 1 Jul 45. Until then pace of the Pacific war will be slowed. USSR will acquire parts of Manchuria in return for participating in war against Japan.
2/9/45 Eighth AF 1,200 HBs operating in 6 forces attack Rothensee and Lutzkendorf synthetic oil plants, Bielefeld/Schildesche rail viaduct, Arnsberg viaduct, and numerous secondary tgts and T/Os. 15 ftr gps provide escort, with 6 gps later strafing rail and road transportation, hangars, and an ammunition dump.
2/9/45 Ninth AF 347 A-20's, A-26's, and B-26's bomb comm centers at Viersen and Kempen, M/Ys at Rheydt, Grevenbroich, and Viersen, and rail bridges at Neuwied-Irlich and Sinzig. Ftrs fly armed rcn over E and W of the Rhine, attack rail bridges, and spt US XII Corps bridgeheads across the Our and Sauer Rivers.
2/9/45 Twelfth AF During 8/9 Feb A-20's and A-26's on intruder missions attack comm tgts throughout C and NE Po Valley. Weather restricts daytime operations to weather rcn and supply dropping missions.
2/9/45 Fifteenth AF During 8/9 Feb 1 B-17 and 10 B-24's drop supplies in N Italy. During the day 49 HBs hit Moosbierbaum oil refinery. 5 others bomb M/Ys at Graz and Bruck an der Mur. 11 B-24's drop supplies in C Yugoslavia, while P-38's and P-51's fly rcn missions and rcn and supply escort.
2/9/45 Tenth AF 10 B-25's damage bridge at Tonglau and destroy 1 bridge and damage another at Ke-hsi Mansam. 2 others pound trucks, gun positions, and buildings during road sweep from Hsipaw to Loilem to Lashio.
9 P-47's knock out bridge at Bawgyo and damage another at Inailong. 22 P-47's spt ground forces in Myitson area. Troops, supplies, and comm are attacked at Tangtong, Man Mau, Se-u, Mansam, Panghai, Nalang, and Manhpat by 40-plus FBs. 479 transport sorties are flown to forward areas.
2/9/45 Fourteenth AF 8 ftrs hit rail bridges in Kiyang and Lukou areas, damaging 1 bridge. Several trucks are strafed and destroyed. 3 ftrs on railroad sweep destroy several locomotives between Peking and Sinsiang.
Several other ftrs bomb railroad yards at Kaifeng and A/F at Sinsiang. CACW ftrs make surprise strike at Tsingtao A/F, claim about 100 airplanes destroyed and damaged, and also destroy several nearby locomotives.
2/9/45 FEAF B-24's fly morning and afternoon raids against Corregidor gun positions. A-20's also hit the island fortress. Mariveles and S part of Bataan Peninsula are pounded by B-24's and A-20's throughout the morning and afternoon. B-25's and P-51's hit shipping near Legaspi and in San Miguel Bay and destroy buildings at San Fernando. In spt of ground forces, A-24's and P-40's over Balete Pass area attack bridges and roads.
2/9/45 Twentieth AF 29 XXI BC B-29's hit Moen I for second consecutive day, bombing A/F number 2.
2/9/45 Seventh AF 22 B-24's from Guam and Saipan bomb A/Fs, def and radar-radio installations and AA positions on Iwo Jima. During 9/10 Feb, 11 more B-24's from Saipan make separate strikes against A/Fs and AA defenses.
2/10/45 Eighth AF 150 B-17's bomb Dulmen oil depot, Ijmuiden sub pens, and town of Lingen. 3 ftr gps escort Hbs. 2 gps of FBs sent against transportation tgts abort because of bad weather.
2/10/45 Ninth AF 320-plus bmrs of 9th Bomb Div attack comm centers at Kempen, Horrem, and Euskirchen, vehicle center and depot at Munstereifel and at Berg-Gladbach, and several casual tgts including rail bridge at Bullay. Ftrs escort bmrs, fly patrols and armed rcn, bomb bridges, attack railroad cars and other tgts, and spt US VIII and XII Corps in Prum area on Prum R and in bridgehead area E of Sauer R NW of Echternach.
2/10/45 Twelfth AF During 9/10 Feb A-20's and A-26's hit railroads, lights, and movement in Po Valley and Brenner area and bomb docks at La Spezia. Weather cancels all but 2 MB missions. However, the B-25's cut bridges at Palazzuolo sull' Oglio and Romano di Lombardia. FBs concentrate on railroads in NE Italy, and destroy numerous vehicles in truck park in Mantua area.
2/10/45 Fifteenth AF Bad weather prevents bombing. 12 B-24's drop supplies in Yugoslavia while P-38's fly rcn and escort missions.
2/10/45 Tenth AF 5 B-25's destroy Laihka bridge. 4 others hit Namsang bridge, with poor results. 9 P-47's knock out approaches to Pa-mao bridge while 8 others destroy half of bridge at Inailong. 15 P-47's spt ground forces in Mongmit area, concentrating on Japanese positions S of Myitson. 76 FBs attack troops and supply areas at Panglong, Namsangsok, Namtu, Kutkai, Mong Yaw, Mongmit, Ho-mong, Man Pwe, Namsam, and Loiya. Again transports fly more than 500 sorties to forward areas.
2/10/45 FEAF B-24's again blast Japanese gun positions while P-51's and P-38's, supporting ground forces hit comm tgts in Bayambang-Santa Fe area, while B-25's in the area blast villages where vehicles are hidden. B-24's, A-20's, and FBs completely saturate the S part of Bataan Peninsula with bombs during morning and afternoon attacks, thoroughly pummeling defenses and forces. P-47's on ftr sweep over Formosa claim 10 air victories.
2/10/45 Fifth AF Gen Frederick H Smith Jr becomes CG V FC.
2/10/45 Twentieth AF 84 B-29's, from the Marianas, hit Nakajima aircraft plant at Ota. 12 B-29's are lost. 21 aircraft are downed.
2/10/45 Seventh AF 10 Guam-based B-24's bomb Okimura. 6 P-38's escort photo mission and fly ftr sweep over Iwo Jima.
17 B-24's from Guam, with P-38 escort, pound Iwo Jima in late afternoon, and 9 more make singlebmr harassment strikes on the island during 10/11 Feb.
2/11/45 International US, Britain, and USSR issue Yalta declaration.
2/11/45 Eighth AF Over 120 B-17's bomb Dulmen oil depot and a T/O (road junction). A P-51 gp provides close escort. 4 P-51 gps strafe rail and road transportation in E Netherlands and NW Germany, while 1 other gp bombs and strafes a truck park in Germany.
2/11/45 Ninth AF 97 B-26's and A-20's bomb Bingen and Modrath M/Ys. Ftrs fly armed rcn and patrols, attack special tgts and T/Os, and attack in cooperation with US XII Corps across Sauer R NW of Echternach.
2/11/45 Twelfth AF LBs on night intruder missions attack enemy movement and lights at various points in N Italy, hit bridges in Po Valley, and attack frontline positions in N Apennines. in NE and C Po Valley and stores Weather grounds MBs but ftrs and FBs blast railroad bridges and lines and supply dumps in C and W Po areas.
2/11/45 Fifteenth AF Bad weather limits operations to B-24 supply mission to Yugoslavia during 10/11 Feb and to P-38 rcn missions.
2/11/45 Tenth AF 11 B-25's bomb troops and supplies at Loilem. 22 P-47's spt ground forces in Mongmit area, hitting buildings at Nabu and Japanese positions S of Myitson. 100-plus FBs pound troop concentrations, supplies, ammo dumps, gun positions, and T/Os at several locations including Pangsang, Taunggaing, Panghsapye, Nam Pok, Byaungbyan, Manai, Kutkai, Mongmit, Namun, and Pangmahe-leng.
Transports complete 503 sorties to forward bases and over frontline areas (dropping supplies).
2/11/45 Fourteenth AF 17 B-25's hit railroad yards at Sinyang and Lohochai and locomotive foundry at Hsuchang. 23 P-47's pound Hankow A/F. 8 ftrs hit Anyang A/F and Pinghan railroad T/Os. B-24's claim 2 cargo vessels sunk in S China Sea.
2/11/45 FEAF B-24's attack Corregidor almost continuously throughout the day. FBs spt ground forces blasting numerous tgts from Cauringan to Taytay and at Wawa, Montalban, Antipolo, and Marikina. P-47's blast train NE of Heito. B-24's fly light strike against Bago.
2/11/45 Twentieth AF 56 B-29's bomb storage dumps around Rangoon. Mission is flown in conjunction with B-24's of EAC's Strategic AF which hit tgt. 9 B-29's from the Marianas carry out rcn mission for Navy. 1 other returns early. Tgt area covers 135-00E to 148-00E to 30-00N.
2/11/45 Seventh AF 21 B-24's from Saipan, operating in 2 separate forces, bomb A/Fs and defenses on Iwo Jima. 3 others, on armed rcn, bomb Marcus. 25 B-24's based on Angaur bomb Corregidor. During 11/12 Feb, 10 B-24's from Saipan fly individual harassment strikes against Iwo Jima.
2/11/45 Eleventh AF Of 7 B-24's off on an air cover mission for a naval TF, only 3 reach the tgt.
2/12/45 Ninth AF All combat operations cancelled because of bad weather.
2/12/45 Twelfth AF LBs, during 11/12 Feb, bomb comm tgts in Po Valley and NE Italy, including Brenner Pass area. Bad weather during day restricts MB operations to bombing the bridge at Ala and a sugar refinery at Legnago. Only 1 ftr gp, the 57th, can operate, hitting bridges, rail lines, and guns in Po Valley.
2/12/45 Fifteenth AF Continued bad weather restricts operations to rcn and rcn escort by P-38's and P-51's.
2/12/45 Tenth AF 23 P-47's spt ground forces hitting NE of Nabu and bombing mortar positions S of Myitson. 4 others spt forces at Loiya. 3 P-47's severely damage bridge at Pa-mao. 60-plus P-47's and P-38's pound supply areas, troops, tanks, and trucks at various locations including Hukawt, Kongtap, Namtu, Namta-gun, Mongmit, Loingu, and Tonsing. 520 transport sorties are flown to forward areas throughout the day.
2/12/45 Fourteenth AF 6 P-51's destroy 6 locomotives between Suchow and Pengpu and strafe Nanking and Suchow A/Fs.
Other ftrs claim at least 10 more locomotives destroyed in areas S of Yellow R. P-40's bomb troops in Hsiancheng area and hit trains on Pinghan railroad.
2/12/45 FEAF B-24's continue to pound Corregidor. A-20's sweeping S Bataan Peninsula, sink about 30 barges loaded with troops, ammo, and supplies. Throughout the day MBs and ftrs directly spt ground forces on Bataan Peninsula and from Lingayen Gulf area to Nichols Field.
2/12/45 Twentieth AF 8 B-29's complete rcn mission for Navy covering from 135-OOE to 148-OOE and to 30-OON. 21 other B-29's from the Marianas bomb heavy AA on Iwo Jima in preparation for amphibious invasion of the island on 19 Feb.
2/12/45 Seventh AF 9 Guam-based B-24's pound Chichi Jima naval installations while 19 bomb A/Fs and defenses on Iwo Jima. During 12/13 Feb, 8 B-24's from Guam fly singlebmr harassment strikes against both Iwo and Chichi Jima.
2/12/45 Eleventh AF B-25's cancel cover mission for a naval force because of weather.
2/13/45 Ninth AF 320-plus B-26's, A-26's, and A-20's, attack rail bridges at Sinzig, Neuwied-Irlich, and Euskirchen, military transport depots at Schwelm and Iserlohn, defended points at Wittlich, and T/Os. Ftrs escort MBs and LBs, bomb Neuss and Zieverich bridges and other tgts, fly armed rcn, and spt Third Army elements from Prum to Saarlautern along the Our, Sauer, and Saar R bridgehead areas.
2/13/45 Twelfth AF During 12/13 Feb LBs attack enemy movement in C and NC Po Valley. MBs hit bridges at Calcinato, Dogna, and Chiusaforte and bridge approach at Lavis. FBs fly nearly 350 sorties against enemy comm in N Italy including M/Ys at Verona, Parma, and Vicenza.
2/13/45 Fifteenth AF In the Vienna area 640-plus HBs with ftr spt hit S ordnance depot, S and SE goods yards and depot, C repair shops, and Matzleinsdorf M/Y, and M/Ys at Graz, Sarvar, Zagreb (2) and Maribor (2), Pula harbor, Maribor locomotive depot and rolling stock repair shops, and several T/Os. P-38's and P-51's carry out rcn and rcn escort missions.
2/13/45 Tenth AF Troops concentrations, supply areas, and T/Os are pounded by 70 FBs at several locations including Kongpaw, Namtu, Kyaohpak, Laihka, Konwet, Mong Pa, Hkom-nio, and Naung-lang. 19 FBs spt ground forces in MongmitMyitson area. 16 FBs knock out approach to main bridge and damage bypass bridge at Hay-ti. 477 air supply sorties are flown by transports throughout the day.
2/13/45 Fourteenth AF Ftrs sweep railroad from Sinyang to Hsuchang, bomb approach to Hsuchang bridge, and strafe Sinyang and Ichang A/Fs. B-25's bomb Hsuchang foundry.
2/13/45 FEAF B-24's continue to pound Corregidor as large segment of HBs attack main coastal guns and score direct hits on several batteries. B-24's bomb Mariveles while A-20's and P-47's bomb and strafe T/Os throughout S part of Bataan Peninsula. MBs and ftrs attack small shipping during sweeps of E and N coasts of Luzon. B-25's, with ftr spt, hit Kagi A/F.
2/13/45 Seventh AF 25 B-24's from Saipan fly two strikes against Iwo Jima, while 10 others hit Haha Jima. During 13/14 Feb, 5 B-24's, flying individual harassment strikes, bomb Iwo Jima at intervals over an 8-hr period.
2/14/45 Eighth AF Nearly 1,300 HBs attack M/Ys at Dresden, Chemnitz, Magdeburg, and Hof, road bridge at Wesel, Dulmen oil depot 2 A/Fs, 10 town aras, and numerous T/Os. 16 ftr gps escort HBs or fly area sweeps, strafe ground tgts, and battle over 75 ftrs, claiming 20 destroyed.
2/14/45 Ninth AF 600-plus A-20's, A-26's, and B-26's attack rail bridges, M/Y, comm centers, ammo dump, prime mover depot, and several T/Os in Germany in morning and afternoon missions aimed primarily at obstructing enemy movement and supply. Ftrs fly armed rcn over wide areas of Germany, escort 9th Bomb Div, attack river traffic, bridges, and other tgts, and spt US Third Army elements E of Our and Sauer Rivers.
2/14/45 Twelfth AF During 13/14 Feb A-20's bomb bridge approach at Castelnuovo di Garfagnana and hit T/Os in Po Valley. During the day MBs bomb bridges or bridge approaches at San Michele all'Adige, Tarvisio, Bressanone, and hit guns near Ponte Gardena. Ftrs and FBs