This day in the war in the Pacific 65 years ago. (1 Viewer)

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(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 22 A-36's and P-51's hit warehouses and dump area at Sahmaw; 19 B-25's, along with 16 P-38's, bomb a pumping station at Yenangyaung, setting oil tanks afire; 10 B-24's follow with a strike on the same target, causing explosions and leaving the target in flames.
BURMA: To hasten the clearing of the Tanai River line, U.S. Lieutenant General Joseph Stilwell, Commanding General US China-Burma-India Theater of Operations, Chief of Staff to Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek, Commander in Chief Northern Area Combat Command, and Deputy Commander in Chief South-East Asia Command, promises the commander of the Chinese 38th Infantry Division the use of the Chinese 3d Battalion, 112th Regiment, from reserve, provided he takes Taihpa Ga in two days.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 28 B-24's attack the railroad yards at Lampang; 5 fighter-bombers attack the town of Pingkai.

MARSHALL ISLANDS: Twenty four USAAF Seventh Air Force A-24s from Makin Island, Gilbert Islands, dive-bomb antiaircraft positions and radar and radio facilities on Mili Atoll. Twenty supporting P-39s strafe runways and oil storage.
Aerial minelaying operations in the Marshalls continue: seven USN PB4Y-1s of VB-108 and VB-109, flying from Apemama, Gilbert Islands, mine the waters northwest of Enijun Island, off west side of Taroa, and outside lagoon off Kumaru Island, and strafe shipping anchored off Taroa. Four PV-1s of VB-137, flying from Tarawa, mine the southeast pass of Jaluit Atoll.
GILBERT ISLANDS: Japanese planes again bomb Abemama Airfield on Abemama Island but inflict neither casualties nor serious damage to installations.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 30+ Allied fighters again sweep the Rabaul area, New Britain , claiming 6 Zekes shot down. 6 B-24's bomb Kavieng and several others abort due to bad weather. 6 B-25's bomb Moisuru a bivouac area near Kahili, on Bougainville and 15 more hit supply areas near the Buka Passage. 23d Bombardment Squadron, 5th BG (Heavy), begins movement from Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides to Munda, New Georgia with B-24's.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: On New Britain Island, aviation engineers begin work on Cape Gloucester airdrome. The Japanese attack Target Hill in the early morning and are beaten back. The attack of the ADC Group (7th Marine Regiment, reinforced by the 3d Battalion of the 5th Marine Regiment, and supporting units) halts at small stream, dubbed Suicide Creek, northwest of Target Hill. Efforts to bridge the creek so that tanks can cross are unsuccessful.
Gregory 'Pappy' Boyington commanded 46 fighters, including 8 F4Us from VMF-214, 12 F4Us from VMF-211 and 16 F6F from VF-33 flying from Ondonga. Several planes aborted due to mechanical failures (three from VMF-214). The fighters reached Rabaul for a fighter sweep, flying from 20,000 - 24,000 feet, spotting Zeros below, they dove to intercept (probably 29 Zeros of the 253rd Kokutai). Also, 27 Zeros of the 204th Kokutai already in the air, joined the fight. Boyington's F4U 17915 and his wingman F4U 02723 are both shot down and listed as missing in action. Boyington survives the war as a POW.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 50+ B-24's and B-25's bomb the Alexishafen area. 20+ A-20's hit positions at Borgen Bay. 388th Bombardment Squadron, 312th Bombardment Group , transfers from Port Moresby to Gusap with P-40's; first mission is 13 Jan; they will transition to A-20's in Feb.

NEW GUINEA: The airlift of the Australian 18th Brigade, 7th Division, to Dumpu is completed and the brigade takes up positions on Shaggy Ridge.
 
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PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 18 B-24's, staging through Tarawa Atoll bomb Emidj , Marshall . HQ 30th Bombardment Group transfers from Nanumea to Abemama.
MARSHALL ISLANDS: Aerial minelaying operations in the Marshalls continue: two PV-1 Venturas of VB-137 and a PBY-5 Catalina of Patrol Squadron VP-72, flying from Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands, mine southeast pass, Jaluit Atoll.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: On New Britain Island, the ADC Group (7th Marine Regiment, reinforced by the 3d Battalion of the 5th Marine Regiment, and supporting units) continues their attack after artillery preparation,. Tanks cross an improvised ramp over Suicide Creek and support marines by destroying enemy positions at point-blank range. The assault force, now expanded to four battalions, pushes southward without opposition to the next phase line, north of Hill 150 and Aogiri Ridge.
Aircraft of USN Task Group 37.2 bomb Japanese shipping at Kavieng, New Ireland Island, damaging destroyers HIJMS Fumizuki and Satsuki in Stephen Strait. Task Group 37.2 is comprised of the aircraft carrier USS Bunker Hill, with CVG-17, the small aircraft carrier USS Monterey with CVLG-30, the battleship USS Washington and six destroyers.
USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25 Mitchells attack artillery positions in the Cape Gloucester area on New Britain Island while over 40 land-based Allied fighters from the Solomon Islands attack the Rabaul area and claim at least ten Japanese airplanes shot down.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): B-24's bomb Sohano, concentrating on the seaplane base and supply area. B-25's pound gun positions at Tonolai and bomb Chabai. P-39's, (RNZAF) Ventura's, and night fighters, operating individually or in small flights, hit targets on Bougainville, including barges at Mutupina Point and along the Jaba River, and areas around Buka, Buka , Bonis, Poporang , Papas, and Banin. 40+ Allied fighters attack the Rabaul area on New Britain and claim at least 10 airplanes shot down.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 100+ heavy and medium bombers bomb Alexishafen, Madang, and Bogadjim areas and hit troops and supplies between Finschhafen and Saidor. B-25's attack artillery positions in the Cape Gloucester area. B-24's and B-25's hit shipping at Koepang, Timor and in nearby waters. 421st Night Fighter Squadron, V Fighter Command, arrives at Milne Bay, New Guinea from the US with P-70's; first mission is 29 Feb.

EAST INDIES: USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25 Mitchells covered by RAAF Beaufighters, attack Japanese shipping in Tenau harbor, Dutch Timor, sinking a Japanese army cargo ship.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, Japanese Lieutenant General ADACHI Hatazo, commanding the Eighteenth Army, order his 20th and 51st Divisions to withdraw to Madang without any more attempts at a delaying action. Extensive patrolling of the Saidor area by the Allies is uneventful. The Australians reach Cape King William, 16 miles southeast of Sio.
 
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(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 3 B-25's, supported by 8 P-38's, attack the Mu River bridge between Monywa and Ywataung which is being rebuilt; hits are scored on the E bank near the bridge and several sheds are set afire; the escorting fighters damage several nearby railway cars, strafe the nearby town, set a barge afire, blow up 4 tin buildings, and claim a river steamer sunk. 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron and 24th Combat Mapping Squadron, AAF India-Burma Sector, arrive at Guskhara from the US with P-40's and F-7's respectively; first missions are 31 Jan and in Mar 44 respectively.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: On New Britain Island, the ADC Group (7th Marine Regiment reinforced by a battalion of the 5th Marine Regiment and supporting units) remains in place in the Cape Gloucester area,
patrolling and regrouping.

BURMA: The Chinese 38th Division makes a vain attempt to clear the last strongpoint remaining between it and the Tarung River.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): B-25's bomb concentrations in the Choiseul Bay area, New Georgia and Hahela Mission on S Buka , while B-24's attack Tonolai, the Kahili supply area, Fauro , and Poporang building area.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24's and medium bombers bomb Alexishafen, Madang, and Bogadjim areas and attack barges from Finschhafen to Saidor; and P-39's hit barges and gun positions during a sweep from Sio to Bogadjim.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, the gap between U.S. and Australian troops is narrowed to about 60 miles as the Australians reach Kelanoa on the north coast of the Huon Peninsula. U.S. patrols
meet opposition at Cape Iris, west of Saidor.

PACIFIC OCEAN: USN submarine USS Scorpion departed Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, on 29 December for her fourth war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Yellow Sea. On 3 January, she tops off her fuel at Midway Islands and heads west. Today, she attempts to rendezvous with sister ship USS Herring to transfer an injured crewmember. Heavy seas prevented the transfer, and Scorpion continues west. She is not heard from again and is assumed to be the victim of a Japanese mine, she was declared lost on 6 March 1944.

USN: Lost is PBY Catalina 08377.
 
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(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, P-51's and A-36's carry out ground support missions at Sumprabum and Taihpa Ga and hit a cavalry bivouac and dumps at Kamaing; 12 P-40's attack a supply dump S of Sahmaw Junction and strafe Pahok.

BURMA: Since all remaining landing craft are recalled to the Mediterranean, Admiral Louis Mountbatten, Commander-in-Chief South East Asia Command (SEAC), cancels Operation PIGSTICK, the proposed operation on the southern Mayu Peninsula.
U.S. Brigadier General Gen Frank D. Merrill is assigned command of the GALAHAD force, whose designation is made "unit." The GALAHAD force is the U.S. long-range penetration groups.
The Chinese make another unsuccessful attempt to reduce the Japanese strongpoint on the Tarung River.

CHINA: Lieutenant General Daniel Sultan, Deputy Commander-in-Chief US China-Burma- Indian Theater of Operation, warns General Joseph Stilwell, Commander-in-Chief US China-Burma-India Theater of Operations, Chief of Staff to Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek Commander-in-Chief Northern Area Combat Command and Deputy Commander-in-Chief South East Asia Command (SEAC) that SEAC planners want to bypass Burma until Germany is defeated, then mount a major offensive beginning with invasion of Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 2 B-25's bomb a troop ship on the Yangtze River, NE of Tungting Lake; the vessel is reported as sunk.

NEW BRITAIN: The ADC Group (7th Marine Regiment reinforced by a battalion of the 5th Marine Regiment and supporting units) renewing their southward attack, clears Hill 150, south of Target Hill.
Brigadier General Julian Cunningham, Commanding General Task Force DIRECTOR, reports to Lieutenant General Walter Krueger, Commanding General Sixth Army, the presence of Japanese positions near the Arawe beachhead.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 78th Fighter Squadron, 15th Fighter Group, transfers from Haleiwa Field to Stanley Field with P-40's. SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): P-38's sweep the Rabaul area, New Britain , claiming 9 Zekes shot down during a running battle over the Cape Gazelle area. B-25's and RNZAF Ventura's bomb and strafe targets in the Choiseul Bay area, New Georgia , including jetty areas and buildings at Tarekekori, targets on Morgusaia , and gun positions on Kondakanimboko .

NEW HEBRIDES ISLANDS: On Espiritu Santo, Major General Hubert R. Harmon takes command of the USAAF Thirteenth Air Force.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24's and B-25's bomb Alexishafen and Bogadjim areas; A-20's attack targets along the road from Bogadjim to Yaula; B-25's attack targets of opportunity on the Huon Peninsula and others hit the Borgen Bay area; and P-39's strafe barges at Borgen and Rein Bays. 389th Bombardment Squadron, 312th Bombardment Group, transfers from Port Moresby to Gusap with P-40's; first mission is 14 Jan; they transition to A-20's in Feb.
 
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(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 7 B-25's and 15 P-38's pound the Lanywa area, hitting the oil plant and storage tanks, causing several fires, and strafe several AA positions; 19 A-36's and P-51's bomb supply and troop concentrations at Nanyaseik.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 4 B-25's and 6 P-40's sink 2 large boats on the Yangtze River S of Hukow and sink a large powerboat, a barge, and a small ore craft at Shihhweiyao; 11 P-38's claim between 30 and 40 sampans destroyed along the river from Hankow to Chiuchiang; and 2 B-25's on a sea sweep claim a 300-ft (91 m) passenger vessel sunk S of Hong Kong. HQ 341st BG (Medium) transfers from the Tenth Air Force to the Fourteenth Air Force and moves from Kurmitola, India to Kunming, China.

ADMIRALTY ISLANDS: USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24s hit Lorengau, Manus Island.

JAPAN: Imperial General Headquarters authorizes the Southern Army to secure positions in the Imphal area of India when the opportunity presents itself.

CEYLON: Admiral Louis Mountbatten, Supreme Commander Southeast Asia Command, drops plans for Operation CUDGEL, small-scale operation in the Arakan coastal sector of Burma.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24's, B-25's, P-39's, and P-47's bomb the Alexishafen-Madang area, hit Erima, Bogadjim, and targets along the Bogadjim Road, attack positions from Weber Point to Vincke Point, and strafe huts and barges near Sidor. B-24's bomb the Cape Gloucester area and A-20's hit forces near Arawe.

NEI: B-24's also hit Lorengau and Boela.
 
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(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 20 P-51's and A-36's knock out a bridge N of Hopin, destroy a warehouse and railroad tracks in the area, and destroy a locomotive and damage numerous railroad cars at Tigyaingza.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 22d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st Bombardment Group (Medium), transfers from Chakulia, India to Yangkai, China with B-25's.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force):
MARSHALL ISLANDS: Fifteen B-24s, staging through Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands, bomb shipping and shore installations at several locations on Wotje, Maloelap and Jaluit Atolls; and two B-25s from Tarawa hit shipping and gun positions on Jaluit.
Aerial minelaying operations in the Marshalls continue: eight USN PB4Y-1s of Bombing VB-108 and VB-109, flying from Apemama Atoll, Gilbert Islands, mine the waters off Wotje Atoll and then strafe Japanese facilities on the island and shipping offshore; seven USN PBY-5s of Patrol VP-72, flying from Tarawa Atoll, mine Wotje anchorage and Schischmarov Strait.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): B-24's bomb Kahili; and B-25's hit concentrations on Siposai and Kondakanimboko.
Task Force 38 (Rear Admiral Walden L. Ainsworth), consisting of the light cruisers USS Honolulu and St. Louis and three destroyers, bombards Japanese shore installations on Faisi, Poporang, and Shortland Islands starting large fires.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force):
NEW GUINIEA: B-24's, medium bombers, and a few fighters, attack the Madang area, bomb Uligan Harbor, and hit Bogadjim and the Bogadjim Road.
NEW BRITAIN: fighters strafe the Sag Sag sawmill in the Cape Gloucester area and B-25's and A-20's hit positions near Arawe.
NEI: B-24's bomb Kendari and other targets on Celebes.

UNITED STATES: War Department Operations Division planners decide that the present positions in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations (CBI) should be maintained and that airpower should be built up so that the CBI can support a main offensive against Japan to be made in the Pacific.
 
(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 21 P-51's and A-36's attack the Loilaw, Burma area, severely damaging a bridge, hitting an ammunition storage building, and scoring direct hits on large barracks. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 9 fighters strafe 6 steamboats and many smaller craft on the Yangtze River at Puchi; 2 B-25's on a sea sweep bomb a 200-ft (61 m) vessel S of Swatow, reporting the ship destroyed. 8 fighter-bombers hit Sadon, Burma and in French Indochina, 4 bomb the Atson railroad yards and Lao Kay railroad station.

BURMA: In the Hukawng Valley of northern Burma, the 112th and 113th Regiments of the Chinese 38th Division are converging on Taihpa Ga, and the 114th Regiment is active in the jungle south of the Tanai River. The 3d Battalion, 114th Regiment, begins a lively action with Japanese infiltrators who have surrounded its supporting battery.

THAILAND: During the night of 9/10 January, seven B-24 Liberators lay mines in the Menam River estuary near Bangkok, Thailand and in the Rangoon River estuary.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): B-25's hit Buka seaplane base on Buka and the Kahili supply area on Bougainville; fighters strafe the Cape Dunganon area and along the Ramusian River W of Teop. 7 squadrons of Allied fighters cover a USN dive bomber strike on Tobera; 2 squadrons of B-24's pound Vunakanau Airfield. 6 B-25's bomb Taharai Airfield, New Ireland and afterwards some hit targets of opportunity on the .
Transfers from Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides to Munda, New Georgia : 23d and 72d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 5th BG (Heavy), with B-24's. 371st and 372d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 307th BG (Heavy), with B-24's.
On New Britain Island, RAAF, USMC and USN aircraft attack Tobera Airfield at Rabaul; 16 TBF Avengers and 23 SBD Dauntlesses bomb the airfield which is closed due to the damage. About 40 Japanese fighters are engaged by Marine F4U Corsairs and Navy F6F Hellcats over Rabaul; 18 Zero fighters and Tony fighters are shot down over Tobera Airfield between 1200 and 1345 hours. A USN F6F and two RAAF (P-40) Kittyhawks are lost.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Bougainville, the Americal Division continues their relief of the 3d Marine Division: the 132d Infantry Regiment enters the line.
A second airfield, Piva North (Piva Yoke), is completed on Bougainville. The strip is plagued with problems for heavy bomber operations, as the soil is too soft from the constant rain. Although Marston
matting is laid, it was not an ideal forward base.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: On New Britain Island, the ADC Group (7th Marine Regiment reinforced by a battalion of the 5th Marine Regiment and supporting units) secures a foothold on Aogiri Ridge, west of Hill 150, which the Japanese have been told to hold at all costs since it covers a good supply route that they have constructed.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): Fighters and bombers attack Alexishafen, Madang, Bogadjim, Uligan Harbor, and the area E of Saidor; and Cape Beechey is strafed by P-40's. Transfers in New Guinea: 36th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, from Nadzab to Finschhafen with P-47's. 498th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 345th Bombardment Group (Medium), from Port Moresby to Dobodura with B-25's.
 
(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 A-36's and P-51's hit a bivouac area at Nanyaseik; and 15 P-40's attack a bridge at Namti, damaging railroad tracks and the S approach to the bridge. During the night of 9/10 Jan, 7 B-24's lay mines in the Menam River estuary near Bangkok, Thailand and in the Rangoon River estuary. B-24's during the day bomb marshalling yard and airfield in the Bangkok area and hit the main jetty at Akyab, Burma. 9 B-25's mine the Mokpalin, Burma ferry crossing over the Sittang River. 315th Troop Carrier Squadron, Tenth Air Force, transfers from Dinjan to Sylhet, India with C-47's.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 8 P-51's bomb the approach to the Kienchang bridge and attack a troop train N of Teian damaging the train and killing an estimated 100 soldiers; 3 B-25's and 8 P-40's sweep the area from Anking to Chiuchiang, sinking a large motor launch, 2 100-ft (30.5 m) barges, and a tug on the Yangtze River, and attacking a bridge at Teian and tracks S of Chiuchiang; 2 B-25's and 4 P-40's attack shipping on the Yangtze River near Wusueh, sinking a launch and leaving 3 tankers burning. 491st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st Bombardment Group (Medium), transfers from Chakulia, India to Yangkai, China with B-25's.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): In the Marshall , 4 P-39's from Makin strafe Mille Atoll; 1 of the P-39's drops 2 500-lb (227 kg) bombs on the fuel storage area; during the night of 10/11 Jan, 16 B-24's, staging through Tarawa Atoll from Ellice bomb Maloelap; 4 others, staging through Baker from Canton , Phoenix , hit Mille Atoll. 392d Bombardment Squadron, 30th BG (Heavy), transfers from Canton to Abemama , Gilbert with B-24's. Japanese planes again bomb the advanced base at Apamama Atoll, but inflict neither casualties nor serious damage to installations.
Aerial minelaying operations in the Marshalls continue: two PBY-5 Catalinas of USN Patrol Squadron VP-72, flying from Tarawa, mine Meichen Channel and Legediak Strait, Wotje Atoll.

NEW GUINEA: Since a Japanese attack on Saidor, Northeast New Guinea is expected, Brigadier General Clarence Martin, Assistant Division Commander, 32nd Infantry Division, asks Lieutenant General Walter
Krueger, Commanding General Sixth Army, for reinforcements and is granted Battalion Combat Teams 1 and 3 of Regimental Combat Team 128.

THAILAND: USAAF Tenth Air Force B-24 Liberators bomb the marshalling yard and airfield in the Bangkok area.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): Major General Hubert R Harmon, Commanding General, begins a heavy bomber campaign of night strikes. 5th Bombardment Group night raids sending 20 B-24's on a strike against Lakunai Airfield, after a morning raid by 10 B-24's against nearby Vunakanau Airfield. 5 B-24's hit the Kahili supply area, Bougainville while 4 hit the Chinatown area of Buka. AAF and USN fighters cover a USN dive bomber strike against Cape Saint George.
BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: The ADC Group (7th Marine Regiment reinforced by a battalion of the 5th Marine Regiment and supporting units) repels Japanese charges against Aogiri Ridge, beginning at 0115 hours, then continues their attack southward toward Hill 660. The Arawe beachhead is being reinforced.
USAAF Fifth Air Force P-39 Airacobras strafe scattered villages and barges on New Britain Island.
Ten USAAF Thirteenth Air Force B-24 Liberators bomb Vunakanau Airfield at Rabaul, New Britain Island. USMC and USN Avengers and Dauntlesses, escorted by USAAF and USN fighters, are prevented from
attacking Lakunai Airfield at Rabaul because of bad weather but hit the lighthouse at Cape St. George on New Ireland Island.
Major General Hubert R Harmon, Commanding General USAAF Thirteenth Air Force, begins a heavy bomber campaign of night strikes tonight sending 20 B-24s on a strike against Lakunai Airfield, New Britain Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 100+ heavy, medium, and light bombers, and fighters attack Madang, Alexishafen, and Bogadjim areas and the coastline from Madang to Sio. P-39's strafe scattered villages and barges on New Britain . Transfers to Nadzab New Guinea: 33d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 22d Bombardment Group (Medium), from Dobodura with B-25's; squadron will be redesignated 33d Bombardment Squadron on 3 Feb and transition to B-24's. 69th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, from Port Moresby with C-47's.
NEI: B-25's bomb Koepang, Timor .
 
(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 36 A-36's, P-51's, and P-40's pound an encampment containing about 4,900 troops and a large quantity of supplies, causing considerable damage by accurate bombing and strafing.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): Before daylight 14 Japanese bombers hit the airfield at Suichwan, China; during the morning 3 medium bombers and 15 fighters follow up with a second strike; 7 P-51's and 5 P-40's intercept the second attack, claiming 3 medium bombers shot down.
FORMOSA: 8 B-24's bomb the harbor, aluminum plant, and airfield at Takao, Formosa; 1 bombs oil storage at Swatow, China. 4 B-24's mine harbors at Takao and Hong Kong; 1 B-24 is lost.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): In the Marshall , 9 B-25's from Tarawa Atoll hit 5 vessels and land installations at Maloelap; a 5000-ton cargo ship and a small vessel are sunk; 4 P-39's from Makin dive-bomb and strafe runways on Mille Atoll.
Aerial minelaying operations in the Marshalls continue: four PBY-5As of VP-72, flying from Tarawa, mine Meichen Channel and Schischmarov Strait, Wotje Atoll and Enibin and Torappu channels, Maleolap Atoll.
U.S. Naval aircraft based in the Gilbert and Ellice attack Japanese installations on Kwajalein Atoll prior to invasion.

INDIAN OCEAN: In the Strait of Malacca, the British submarine, HMS/M Tally-Ho (P-317), torpedoes and sinks the Japanese light cruiser HIJMS Kuma about 27 nautical miles W of Georgetown, Malaya, in position 05.25N, 99.52E.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: The ADC Group (7th Marine Regiment reinforced by
a battalion of the 5th Marine Regiment and supporting units) reaches the next phase line south of Aogiri Ridge and Hill 150.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): About 90 Allied fighters cover 60+ USN dive bombers attacking Cape Saint George area. 2 flights of P-39's strafe targets of opportunity from Numa Numa to Koromira, Bougainville.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-25's, P-39's, and P-40's hit Uligan Harbor, barges and the road near Bogadjim, the Hansa Bay area, and the town of Alexishafen.
The airfield at Saidor, Northeast New Guinea becomes operational after repairs.
 
(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 20+ B-25's and P-38's hit the marshalling yard at Letpadan, damaging warehouses, engine sheds, and other buildings; the fighters also strafe Myohaung, setting 3 buildings afire. 27th Troop Carrier Squadron, Tenth Air Force (attached to the Troop Carrier Command, Eastern Air Command), arrives at Sylhet, India from the US with C-47's.

THAILAND: 14 14th AF B-24s bomb the Bangsue marshalling yard at Bangkok.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): HQ 69th Composite Wing transfers from Kunming to Tsuyung, China.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 21 A-24s from Makin dive-bomb AA positions and the storage area on Mille Atoll, Marshall and 20 supporting P-39's strafe runways.
USN PB4Y-1s of VB-108 and VB-109 bomb Japanese shipping in Kwajalein lagoon, sinking a gunboat. Aerial minelaying operations continue as five PBY-5s, flying from Tarawa, mine Tokowa and Torappu channels and the south entrance to Maleolap; one Catalina goes on to bomb Jabor but is forced down by antiaircraft fire 6 miles E of Jaluit.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 13 B-25's of the 42d Bombardment Group on their first mission against the Rabaul area, bomb Vunakanau Airfield in the early morning, and 16 B-24's hit Lakunai Airfield during the night of 12/13 Jan; 19 B-24's, with an escort of about 50 fighters, pound the airstrip and other targets at Tobera. On Bougainville , 3 flights of P-39's bomb and strafe Teop, Inus Point, Numa Numa, and Piano Mission; other aircraft on armed reconnaissance and sweeps hit several targets of opportunity throughout the Bougainville area.
SOLOMON ISLANDS: The U.S. Americal Division completes their movement to
Bougainville Island.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: The Arawe beachhead, New Britain Island, is now
strengthened by Company B, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, and
Company F, 158th Infantry Regiment.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24's and B-25's attack Alexishafen area and A-20's hit Warai. Lost is P-39Q 42-19949 on a local flight.
NEI: B-24's attack Balikpapan; Makassar, Celebes ; and Dili.

RAAF: Damaged in for landing is Spitfire A58-178.

UNITED STATES: War Department planners in Washington, considering the matter of a new directive for the South East Asia Command (SEAC), reject Operation CULVERIN, the assault on Sumatra, and favor opening of a land route to China.
 
(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 6 P-51's hit troop concentrations at Lalawng Ga and bomb Maran Ga and Shaduzup; 27 P-40's attack a communication center and dumps along the Kamaing-Mogaung road; and 4 P-51's and a B-25 pound the airfield and supply area at Myitkyina. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 2 B-25's on a sweep from Hong Kong to Hainan attack 4 large boats, several warehouses, a radio station, and a car at Fort Bayard, China; 1 of the vessels explodes; 6 P-40's on armed reconnaissance strafe 4 pack trains of about 15 animals each between Lungling and Tengchung.

BURMA: In the Hukawng Valley, the Chinese 38th Division gains firm control of the Tarung River line as the 114th Regiment reduces the last strongpoint in the Yupbang Ga area. The 112th Regiment, to the north, has cleared the region between the Tarung and Sanip Rivers. The 1st Battalion, 113th Regiment, upon crossing the Tarung River at Yupbang Ga, patrols north to Tabawng Ga.

INDIA: Major General Kenneth B Wolfe, Commanding General of the USAAF
Twentieth Air Force's XX Bomber Command, arrives at New Delhi with the
advanced echelon staff. This is the first important movement of personnel for Operation MATTERHORN, the plan which will be approved in April 1944 for the bombing of Japan by B-29 Supergortresses based in the Calcutta area and staging through advanced fields in the Chengtu, China, area.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: Campaign Plan GRANITE outlines tentative operations
to be conducted and a timetable:
(1) carrier raid on Truk Atoll, Caroline Islands, about 24 March in support of invasion of the Admiralty Islands and Kavieng, on New Ireland Island, Bismarck Archipelago;
(2) capture of Eniwetok and Ujelang Atolls, Marshall Islands, (Operation
CATCHPOLE), on 1 May;
(3) capture of Mortlock and Truk, Caroline Islands, on 1 August;
(4) invasion of the Mariana Islands (Operation FORAGER), on 1 November.
If the Truk attack can be bypassed, it is proposed that the Palau Islands be invaded on 1 August. The Army's 27th Infantry Division is alerted to prepare to seize Eniwetok.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): In the Marshall, 9 B-25's from Tarawa attack harbor shipping at Wotje Atoll; 21 A-24s from Makin dive-bomb dock, barracks, and storage area on Mille Atoll; some of the 16 escorting P-39's strafe ground targets, and 10 other P-39's carry out strafing mission over Mille Atoll.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): HQ Thirteenth Air Force moves from Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides to Guadalcanal. During predawn hours 11 B-25's bomb Tobera, Rapopo, the Wide Bay area, and coast S of Rapopo. P-39's strafe Tinputs, Bougainville.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: On New Britain Island, the ADC Group (7th Marine
Regiment reinforced by a battalion of the 5th Marine Regiment and supporting units) continues their attack toward Hill 660 with the 3d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, but is pinned down short of their objective.
Artillery and aerial bombardment precede the attack.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): HQ V Fighter Command transfers from Port Moresby to Nadzab and Major General Paul B Wurtsmith becomes Commanding General, V Fighter Command. 130+ B-24's, B-25's and P-40's attack Alexishafen. B-24's bomb Gasmata.
NEI: B-24's and B-25's strike Kaukenau and Timoeka and score hit on a freighter off Tanimbar, Moluccas.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Bougainville, artillery units of the Army's Americal Division begins relieving those of the 3d Marine Division.
Headquarters USAAF Thirteenth Air Force moves from Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides Islands to Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.

USMC: Lost is F4U Corsair 18045
 
(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): Bad weather limits operations to fighter patrols in the Sumprabum, Burma area.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 4 B-25's on a coastal sweep from Pakhoi to Haiphong, French Indochina bomb a group of buildings on Weichow ; 2 B-24's damage 2 vessels near Saint John .

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 12 B-24's, staging through Tarawa Atoll bomb Kwajalein Atoll; 3 B-25's from Makin fly a mission against shipping at Wotje Atoll; 2 of the B-25's attack 2 small vessels, sinking 1 and damaging the other; the other B-25 bombs a runway and building on the S part of Wotje.

PACIFIC OCEAN: In the South China Sea on the night of 14/15 January, USN submarine USS Crevalle, on her second patrol, lays mines off Kega Point, about 84 nautical miles E of Saigon, French Indochina, in position 10.33N, 108.01E.
The submarine USS Albacore, on her eighth patrol, sinks the 2,090 ton Japanese destroyer HIJMS Sazanami about 178 nautical miles SW of Woleai Atoll, Caroline Islands, in position 5.30N, 141.34E.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): During the night of 13/14 Jan, 15 B-24's take off to bomb Vunakanau and Lakunai, Rabaul, Rapopo and Malaguna; just before dawn. Some meet bad weather and bomb alternate targets on New Ireland and Buka. Lost is B-25D 41-30566. Twelve B-25's hit Au and Cape Gazelle and Buka. P-39's join USN SBD's in bombing Wakunai, Bougainville. 70+ Allied fighters support a strike by 50+ USN USMC dive bombers against shipping in Simpson Harbor; the fighters claim 27 aircraft shot down. Lost are SBD-5 35971, F4U 17722 and F4U 17807.
BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: On New Britain Island, the 3d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, drives to the top of Hill 660, the final objective of the ADC Group.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 50+ B-24's, B-25's, and P-40's hit the Alexishafen and Erima area. On New Britain, B-24's bomb Cape Busching; B-25's attack targets of opportunity along the N coast, and A-20's strike villages along the S coast.

IJN: Ditched is G4M1 Betty 6107.

UNITED SATES: Nisei (people born in the U.S. of parents who emigrated from Japan) eligibility for the draft is restored. The reaction to this announcement in the camps would be mixed.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in a message to Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek sent today, asks that the Yunnan forces be committed in Burma in conjunction with operations from India; and he hints that if they are not, lend-lease to China may be curtailed.
 
(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 4 P-40's and a B-25 over N Burma hit a train at Pinwe.

BURMA: In the Hukawng Valley, the 1st Battalion, 113th Regiment, Chinese 38th Division, followed by the 3d Battalion, reaches Kaduja Ga; the 2nd Battalion is in reserve at Yupbang Ga.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 2 B-25's on a sea sweep along the French Indochina coast bomb the Hongay power plant and sink a gunboat in a nearby cove to the SW; a coal grading building at Campha Port is also bombed. 2 B-25's on a sweep off the SE China coast sink a wooden vessel off Swatow and damage the lighthouse on Nampana . 2 others shoot down a Japanese bomber N of Chikhom, China.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 9 B-25's from Tarawa Atoll flying at deck-level bomb and strafe shipping and shore installations at Maloelap; 2 vessels are hit and the oil dump, hangars, other buildings, and runways are damaged; 1 B-25 crashes at sea after being hit by AA fire.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville in the Solomon , 24 B-25's, with 60 fighters escorting, pound East Cape; and P-39's attack barges and trucks at Chabai. HQ 347th Fighter Group and it's 339th Fighter Squadron transfer from Guadalcanal to Stirling with P-38's.
BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: The relief of the ADC Group (7th Marine Regiment
reinforced by a battalion of the 5th Marine Regiment and supporting units) is begun.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24's and B-25's pound Uligan Harbor; P-40's, P-47's, and B-25's hit the Madang, Alexishafen, Erima, and Bogadjim area. Enemy positions along the S coast of New Britain are attacked by B-25's and P-39's. 499th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 345th Bombardment Group (Medium), transfers from Port Moresby to Dobodura, New Guinea with B-25's.

NEW GUINEA: The capture of Sio by the Australian 2/17th Battalion, 21st Brigade, 9th Division, represents the final destruction of the Japanese 20th Division in the protracted Huon Peninsula campaign of 1943-1944.
 
(CBI) CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 8 P-40's attack the town of Pingkai, China and strafe targets of opportunity in the surrounding valley area.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 25 A-24s, 16 P-39's, and 8 P-40's from Makin strike Mille Atoll; A-24s bomb and strafe AA positions and storage areas, the P-40's bomb and strafe barracks and AA emplacements and the P-39's strafe runways; 2 P-39's are lost; P-39's sent up on interceptor missions claim 3 Japanese airplanes destroyed over Mille Atoll and Makin. Transfers: 28th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Seventh Air Force, to Kipapa Airfield, Territory of Hawaii from the US with F-5's. 431st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Funafuti Atoll to Tarawa Atoll with B-24's.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): Madang, Erima, and Bogadjim areas are hit by B-25's, A-20's, and P-40's; P-39's strafe the area from Sio to Bogadjim; and B-25's bomb the area N from Cape Croisilles. Lost are B-25G 42-64827, B-25D "Exotic Express" 41-30179 and P-40N 42-105909. B-24's and B-25's attack positions near Arawe. B-24's carry out a light raid on the harbor of Amboina.

JAAF - Ki-61 Tony of the 68th Sentai strafe American airfields in the Markham Valley. On the return flight, Ki-61 Tony 388 was intercepted by P-38s and shot down.

PACIFIC: Submarine U.S.S. Blackfish, sailing through the Caroline Islands during her seventh patrol, attacks a convoy approximately 275 SW of Truk. In the course of the attack, Blackfish fires from all ten torpedo tubes. The sub claims damage from one hit in a four torpedo salvo (the victim is not identified in postwar analysis).
From the six fish spread, three find the XAP Kaika Maru (2087T) and sink her in position 04°03'N, 148°41'E.
Submarine U.S.S. Redfin, on her first outing, patrols the South China Sea. Firing four torpedoes, she attacks and heavily damages DD Amatsukaze (2033T) with all four torpedoes in a twilight surface attack about 250 miles N of the Spratly Islands, 14°40'N, 113°50'E.
Submarine U.S.S. Seahorse, patrolling east of the Marianas during her third patrol, attacks and sinks C-AK Nikko Maru (784T) in a night surface radar attack ESE of the Marianas in position 12°49'N, 150°19'E. Three of four torpedoes fired find their target.
Submarine U.S.S. Sturgeon, cruising in the Honshu area on her ninth patrol, heavily damages DD Suzutsuki (2700T) in Bungo Suido in position 32°11'N, 132°22'E. However, Sturgeon fails to press home an attack against the accompanying merchant vessel Azaki Maru.
Submarine U.S.S. Swordfish, patrolling south of Honshu on her tenth patrol, hits with all three torpedoes fired in a night periscope attack. XPG Delhi Maru (2205T) sinks south of Tokyo Bay in position 34°04'N, 139°56'E.
Submarine U.S.S. Whale, on her sixth patrol cruising between the Volcano and the Daito Islands, attacks a Japanese convoy in a twilight periscope attack, firing three torpedoes. Two torpedoes hit and sink A-AK Denmark Maru (5869T) about 400 miles ESE of Okinawa in position 23°09'N, 135°14'E
Nearby, U. S. S. Seawolf, on her twelfth patrol, conducts a nighttime gun attack and damages XAP Tarushima Maru (4865T) in approximately 22°45'N, 135°00'E.
 
(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, A-36's and P-51's support ground forces in the Shaduzup-Ngamaw Ga area and near Taro; others bomb supply dumps, warehouses, and rolling stock at Sahmaw; and P-40's hit Myitkyina Airfield. Transfer: HQ 7th Bombardment Group from Pandaveswar to Kurmitola, India.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 9 B-25's from Abemama bomb and strafe Mille Atoll, Marshall , hitting the runway, AA positions, radio tower, warehouse area, lagoon dredges and possible oil dumps. 4 P-40's from Makin bomb and strafe the Mille Atoll landing ground.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): AAF and US fighters support a USN dive-bomber strike on shipping at Rabaul; they claim 18 Japanese airplanes; Kanshin Maru is sunk. 10 Allied fighters are lost. Japanese Zeros from the 204th Kokutai and 16 Zeros from the 252nd Kokutai at Tobera Airfield intercept. Lost are P-38J piloted by Munson (MIA), P-38J 42-67785 (MIA), P-38J 42-67179 (MIA), P-38J 42-67611 (MIA), P-38H 42-66680 (MIA), P-38H 42-66897 (MIA), P-38H 42-66897 (rescued), P-38J 42-67171 (MIA), F6F 26031 (MIA), SBD-5 28316 (MIA), TBF-1C 24363 (MIA). Damaged are TBF-1 24489 and SBD-5 35933.

During the night of 17/18 Jan, a few B-24's, in 2 flights, bomb the Rabaul area, while 2 RNZAF Ventura's bomb the Kalakapisi coast watcher station on Choiseul.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 47 B-24's and B-25's bomb the Hansa Bay area; B-25's bomb Nubia; P-39's strafe the Rai Coast; and B-24's bomb Bandanaira, Celebes. Lost is B-24J "Milady" 42-73134.

AUSTRALIA: Australia begins rationing on meat.
 
(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 P-38's hit the airfield and satellite field at Meiktila; 18 B-24's and 9 B-25's bomb the encampment area at Kyaukchaw; 17 A-36's and P-51's hit troops, dumps, and workshops at Sawnghka; 11 P-40's attack troops and stores at Shaduzup; 3 transport aircraft are lost to Japanese fighters during a supply dropping mission SE of Sumprabum.

BURMA: Lt Alec George Horwood (b.1914), Queen's Royal Regt., braved constant danger as a forward observer and died in an attack he volunteered to lead. (Victoria Cross)

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In French Indochina, 2 B-25's bomb the railroad yard and wharf at Campha Port and oil storage facilities at Mon Cay.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 12 B-25's from Abemama attack barracks area, runway and gun position on the N part of Mille Atoll; 25 A-24s and 8 P-40's from Makin pound the oil storage area on the S side of Jabor in Jaluit Atoll; the P-40's also strafe a radio station in the target area.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 34 B-25's supported by 70+ fighters, pound Tobera; and single B-24's on armed reconnaissance bomb the Maliai, Vunakanau, and Lakunai areas. Lost is P-38J 42-67155

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): Hansa Bay area is bombed by 40 B-24's. 70+ B-25's pound the Madang and Bogadjim areas and positions around Shaggy Ridge; 55 P-38's and P-40's engage a like number of Japanese fighters over Wewak, claiming 12 shot down. Lost are P-38H 42-66534, P-38H 42-66545 and P-38H 42-66554. Other B-24's bomb Laha, Celebes . HQ 345th Bombardment Group transfers from Port Moresby to Dobodura.
 
(Tenth Air Force): 16 B-24's bomb the marshalling yard and Don Maung railroad station at Bangkok. In Burma, 4 P-40's hit the town of Wakshang; 26 A-36's and P-51's hit targets along roads from Ngamaw Ga to Maingkwan to Mashi Daru. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 14 P-40's and 2 B-25's attack the barracks area at Mon Cay, French Indochina.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 17 B-25's from Tarawa Atoll, hit Mille Atoll; flying at low altitude, the B-25's score hits on gun positions, fuel dumps, and the airfield area in general; AA fire claims. Lost is B-25G ??-????? and B-25G ??-?????

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): Attacks during the day are limited to isolated strikes on shipping and other targets of opportunity by aircraft on armed reconnaissance over Bougainville , New Ireland, and Saint George Channel. During the night of 19/20 Jan, 11 B-24's, in 2 waves, fly strikes against Rabaul and Vunakanau.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 57 B-24's bomb Boram; 17 more bomb Amboina , Molucca, and Halong, Celebes ; and 2 others score hits on freighter near Aitape. 65 B-25's, along with RAAF airplanes, pound positions in the Shaggy Ridge area. 2 P-39's bomb barges in the Cape Raoult, New Britain area. 25th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group begins transfer from Brisbane, Australia to Lae, New Guinea with F-5's. Lost are A-20G 42-86620, A-20G 42-86724, B-24J "Doodlebug" 42-73117 and B-24J "Paper Doll" 42-73187.
 
(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In N Burma, 40+ A-36's and P-51's hit storage dumps along the railway in the Mogaung area and billets and warehouse area at Mohnyin. In S Burma, 16 P-38's and 6 B-25's knock out a railroad bridge, pipeline, and railroad tracks in the Nattalin area.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 2 B-24's on sweep from Hong Kong to Swatow, China, attack a freighter and a tanker, which are reported sinking.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 13 B-24's, staging through Tarawa Atoll hit Wotje Atoll during the night of 19/20 Jan. Lost is B-24D "Sexy Sue" 41-23938. Eight B-25's from Abemama , Gilbert , bomb Rakaaru ; other B-25's sent from Tarawa Atoll against shipping at Ailinglapalap Atoll, abort because of bad weather; 9 P-40's from the Gilbert strafe a corvette and a schooner at Jaluit Atoll, mortally damaging both vessels; 4 other P-40's bomb Mille Atoll. HQ 11th Bombardment Group and 98th Bombardment Squadron transfer from Funafuti and Nukufetau respectively to Tarawa Atoll with B-24's.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): Several targets on Bougainville are bombed by 2 squadrons of B-24's. 18 B-25's, with about 70 escorting fighters, pound the airfield, fuel dump and gun positions, at Vunakanau Airfield. Lost are F4U 02402, F4U 17914 and F4U 55835. Also B-25C "Skilla" 42-64570 and P-38J 42-67618. HQ 42d Bombardment Group (Medium) and 75th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) transfer from the Renard Field to Sterling with B-25's.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 37 B-25's and a B-24 bomb and strafe the Hansa Bay area; 60+ B-25's hit positions on Shaggy Ridge; and P-39's strafe troops at Weber Point. 25 A-20's hit positions between Borgen Bay and Rein Bay, New Britain, and hit barge hideouts and enemy held areas on Gasmata. Transfers in New Guinea: HQ 71st Reconnaissance Group from Port Moresby to Nadzab; "A" flight of the 110th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter), 71st Reconnaissance Group, based at Port Moresby, begins operating from Gusap with P-39Q's.
 
(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 11 P-40's score near misses on the Loilaw bridge and strafe Budagon nearby, starting several fires. 16 A-36's and P-51's support ground forces near Sumprabum, and 11 more bomb forces SW of Kamaing.

AUSTRALIA: After a week of talks here the prime ministers of Australia and New Zealand have today signed the Australian-New Zealand pact. Australia's leader, Mr John Curtin, described the agreement as a landmark in international collaboration in the Pacific. The text of the pact will not be published until it is formally ratified, but it covers the establishment of a regional defence zone in the South-west Pacific, co-operation in the war effort and agreement of armistice terms.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 16 B-24's staging through Tarawa Atoll during the night of 20/21 bomb targets on Kwajalein Atoll; 6 Tarawa-based B-25's hit Arno Atoll, and 12 bomb Aur Atoll; 9 B-25's from Abemama hit gun positions, barracks, and runways on Mille Atoll; 23 A-24s and 11 P-40's from Makin attack gun positions, ammunition and oil storage, barracks, and 2 small vessels at Jaluit Atoll.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 38 B-24's pound the runway and revetment area at Borpop Airfield. P-39's strafe Kara and Kahili; and RNZAF Ventura's and B-24's on armed reconnaissance bomb Kalakapisi, Nukiki, and Buka on Buka .

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-25's, A-20's, and P-39's bomb the Madang area, and strafe villages near Saidor and troops from Reiss Point to Erima. On New Britain, B-25's and P-39's strafe barges from Cape Raoult to Rein Bay and hit targets of opportunity along the the N coast; single B-24's on armed reconnaissance blast a control tower at Hoskins Airfield, and hit ships near Kavieng and at Lorengau. 2 B-24's bomb Waingapoe, Sunda .
 
AMERICAN ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): HQ 343d Fighter Group transfers from Amchitka , Aleutian to Alexai Point, Alaska.

(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 16 B-24's bomb an encampment at Prome; 16 A-36's and P-51's and a single B-25 attack communications and supply dumps between Kumnyen and Ngamaw Ga; 12 A-36's and P-51's support ground forces in the Sumprabum area; 11 P-40's severely damage the Namkwin railroad bridge. 492d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfers from Panagarh to Madhaiganj, India with B-24's.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 11 P-40's and 5 P-51's strafe the newly opened Nanchang airfield, killing about 20 troops and destroying an airplane and a truck; 12 P-38's knock out bridges at Shektan and Sheklung.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): In the Marshall , 18 B-24's, flying from Tarawa Atoll hit targets on Kwajalein, Jaluit and Mille Atoll; 10 B-25's from Abemama hit Maloelap; 9 others, flying out of Tarawa, bomb shipping and shore installations at Wotje Atoll; 3 B-25's are lost during the day's missions; 10 Japanese aircraft are claimed shot down.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 27 B-25's, with 90+ supporting fighters, attack Lakunai Airfield, doing considerable damage to runway and revetment areas; they claim 18 Japanese aircraft; 1 B-25 and 4 fighters are lost. 6 B-25's and 30+ B-24's pound the town of Rabaul.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-25's strafe villages, bridges, and barges from Cape Gourdon to Cape Croisilles, New Guinea, and hit shipping at Papitalai, Los Negros , sinking a small vessel and a barge and severely damaging a jetty. A-20's, P-40's and RAAF aircraft hit numerous scattered targets of opportunity on New Britain. Lost on a test flight is P-38G 42-12711.
 

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