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

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May 2nd 1944

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 3 B-24s claim 2 freighters sunk in the S end of Formosa Straits.

EASTERN AIR COMMAND (EAC): Troop Carrier Command, until this date a major subordinate component of EAC, is placed under Third Tactical Air Force, another EAC component.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s, staging through Eniwetok and Kwajalein, bomb Truk Atoll, Caroline Islands, during the night. During the day B-25s based on Makin hit Jaluit and Wotje Atolls, Marshall Islands, using Majuro as a shuttle base to rearm between strikes. B-25s from Engebi pound Ponape.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville Island, 22 P-39s bomb a village N of Kieta, airstrip and buildings of Koromira and Rigu Missions and 8 P-40s also hit the Kieta area. On New Britain Island, fighter sweeps over the Rabaul area continue; fighter-bombers hit the Vunakambi Plantation supply area with incendiaries and B-25s pound the Talili area.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 140+ A-20s and fighter-bombers hit bridges, barges, gun positions, roads, personnel, supplies, huts and tent areas from Wewak to Hansa Bay throughout the day; 2 B-25s bomb airfields at Wewak and Boram; 8 others hit Wakde Island oil stores, huts, AA positions, trucks, and other targets of opportunity; and the airfield on Biak Island is bombed by 2 B-24s.
 
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May 3rd 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s hit Kohima and Kalewa; 28 fighter-bombers pound ammunition dumps and other supplies at Mohnyin and N of Nanyaseik; 9 P-38s hit airfields in the Meiktila area; and 7 P-40s attack Lakatkawng and support ground forces in the area; 88th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter Group, moves from Mokelbari, India to Shingbwiyang with P-40s and during the month, a detachment begins operating from Myitkyina.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 7 Chinese-American Composite Wing (CACW) B-25s bomb the Mihsien town area and also hit numerous vehicles and troops NE of Mihsien, between Yochou and Hsuchang, at Chihsien and N of Yenling; the B-25s also strafe the town of Hsiangcheng; 4 B-25s and 8 P-40s pound storage area at Tangyang airfield; 10 CACW P-40s score 11 direct hits on a bridge over the Yellow River NW of Chenghsien, and destroy 15 trucks and many troops between Loyang and Luchou. In French Indochina, 10 other P-40s on armed reconnaissance sink 9 sampans near Cat Ba Island, knock out a bridge at Bac Le, damage another at Kep, and pound Na Cham railroad yards.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Kwajalein Atoll bomb Wotje Atoll while others, based at Makin strike both Jaluit and Wotje Atolls, using Majuro as a rearming base between raids.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville Island, 8 P-39s bomb buildings at Monoitu; 17 others, in the course of 6 missions, hit targets of opportunity, including Japanese-occupied huts and buildings at Toiemonapu, Tinputs and Sisiruai, and bivouacs at Tarlena, Ratsua and Mawareka. On New Britain Island, 24 B-25s bomb Kulon Plantation and a personnel concentration to the NE. Allied fighter sweeps over the N Solomons and the Bismarck Archipelago continue. P-40s returning from the New Britain Island area bomb Pororan, Bougainville Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 72 B-24s, B-25s and A-20s thoroughly blast Wewak and Boram Airfield in a single raid; about 120 A-20s, B-25s and fighter-bombers, operating throughout the day, hit the Wewak and Hansa Bay areas, including targets at Nubia, Uligan, Mushu Island, Wewak and Boram. Lost is A-20G 43-9436. Airfields at Maffin Bay are bombed by B-25s. 7th and 8th Fighter Squadrons, 49th Fighter Group, from Finschhafen and Gusap respectively to Hollandia with P-40s; 65th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, based at Nadzab with C-47s, begins operating from Tadji.

JAPAN: Admiral Toyoda is named Commander in Chief of the Japanese Combined Fleet. This appointment is to replace Admiral Koga who was killed in an air accident on March 31.
 
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May 4th 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, a single B-24 bombs Akyab; 12 B-25s damage a bridge at Kalemyo and bomb Tiddim; 24 B-24s bomb Mandalay marshalling yard and barracks and the general area at Maymyo; 2 P-51s knock out a bypass bridge near Shweli.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 8 P-40s hit gun positions at Pailochi; 2 B-25s strafe 12 sampans between Hong Kong and the Luichow Peninsula, killing many soldiers on board.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 12 B-25s, based at Makin pound Jaluit and Wotje, using Majuro as a shuttle base for rearming between the strikes. 39 B-24s from Kwajalein and Eniwetok hit Ponape. Lost is B-24J "Heaven Can Wait" 42-73496.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 24 B-25s bomb the Talili Bay area; 43 fighter-bombers hit Vunakanau Airfield; Allied fighter sweeps over the Bismarck Archipelago continue. 38 P-39s, flying 18 missions, hit several targets on Bougainville, including buildings at Sovele, Tinputs, the Reboine Bay area, Monoitu and in the area N of Taki; targets of opportunity in the Koromira area are also attacked.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 26 B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb Mokmer Airfield; 60+ B-24s, B-25s, A-20s and P-47s pound airfields, road, bridges, shipping, barges and other targets in the Wewak area; A-20s attack bridges over the Awar River and targets of opportunity in the Hansa Bay area while fighter-bombers hit targets of opportunity in the Ramu River Valley and on the Hansa Bay coast. Force landed is B-17E "War Horse" 41-24548

USA: Most cuts of meat are removed from rationing in the US. Steaks and other choice cuts for roasting remain rationed.
 
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May 5th 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 15 P-38s hit targets along Tiddim road; 3 B-25s bomb the Thayaung Airfield area; 80+ P-40s, P-51s, A-36s and B-25s carry out support of ground forces, hit gun positions and supply dumps, attack troop concentrations and blast numerous targets of opportunity throughout the Mogaung Valley; 3 B-25s and 6 fighter-bombers hit an ammunition dump N of Mohnyin; and 12 P-38s bomb a large warehouse E of Monywa. 6 B-24s lay mines in the harbor off Koh Si Chang Island, Thailand.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 11 B-24s bomb docks and shipping at Haiphong, French Indochina. In Burma, P-40s damage bridges at Hsenwi and Wan Pa-Hsa and hit barracks and destroy several trucks at Kentung. In China, 8 B-25s and 23 fighter-bombers attack the warehouse area at Chiuchiang, causing large fires; 25 CACW B-25s and P-40s thoroughly pound Sinyang marshalling yard and storage area; and 10 P-40s sweep the road from Loyang to Juchou, claiming 40-50 vehicles and numerous troops destroyed.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): During the night of 4/5 May B-24s from Kwajalein stage through Eniwetok and bomb Truk Atoll. During the day B-25s from Eniwetok strike Ponape, and 10 from Makin hit Jaluit and Wotje Atolls, Marshall Islands, using Majuro Atoll as a rearming base between the attacks. Lost is B-24J 44-40332.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 24 B-25s bomb gun positions at Buka on Buka Island and 34 P-39s hit various targets on Bougainville and Buka Islands, including buildings at Porton, Chabai and Kohiso, a pillbox on Pau Island and a road near Tsundawan; supply area at Chabai is bombed by 12 other P-39s; P-40s bomb buildings at Kieta and at nearby Rigu Mission. Fighter patrols continue over the N Solomons Islands and the Bismarck Archipelago.

USMC - PBJs of VMB-413 took off from Green Island on a strike against Tobera Airfield. Lost is PBJ-1 35143. Off Efaté F4U 02270 force lands.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s bomb Mokmer Airfield while B-25s hit supply areas at Wakde Island and along the coast of Maffin Bay; A-20s and fighter-bombers again pound targets around Wewak and along the coast of Hansa Bay, hitting supply and personnel areas, warehouses and occupied villages.
 
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May 6th 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 14 B-25s bomb Indainggyi, destroy the Sibong bridge and damage a road at Hpaungzeik; 90+ P-40s, P-51s and B-25s attack a wide variety of targets throughout the Mogaung Valley; 18 fighter-bombers and 6 B-25s support ground forces at Mawlu while 3 B-25s and 4 P-51s hit positions at Nalong.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 61 P-40s and 5 B-25s attack targets throughout S China and French Indochina. In China, numerous vehicles and troops are destroyed in the Hsiangcheng, Loyang and Luchou areas; main buildings at Nanchang mines are destroyed, Sienning bridge is damaged and several railroad cars and vehicles are destroyed near Puchi; and 14 B-25s and 25 fighter-bombers pound the airfield and surrounding area at Hankow. In French Indochina, 8 boxcars are destroyed and 70 more damaged between Thanh Moi and Bac Le and between Phu Lang Thuong and Lang Son; a barge is sunk at Campha Port and numerous sampans and small craft sunk or damaged at Cat Ba Island. Detachment of 22d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st Bombardment Group (Medium), operating from Yunnani, China with B-25s returns to base at Yangkai.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Makin and Kwajalein hit Wotje and Jaluit Atolls. B-24s, staging through Eniwetok, escort USN aircraft on a photo reconnaissance of Guam Island, Marianas Islands. The B-24s bomb Guam from 20,000 ft (6,096 m), scoring hits on 2 airfields and a town area and proceed to Los Negros to prepare for the return flight; the B-24s claim 4 enemy aircraft shot down.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 24 B-25s and 12 P-39s pound the Talili Bay area on New Britain Island. 37 P-39s and 19 P-40s attack targets in the Porton area, Bougainville Island. HQ 4th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) moves from Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides Islands to Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s bomb Penfoei, Timor Island, Lesser Sunda Islands and Biak. In New Guinea, 150+ B-25s, A-20s and fighter-bombers, operating almost continuously throughout the day, blast a variety of targets from Wewak to the shores of Hansa Bay. B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force again bomb Woleai.

JAPAN: The Mitsubishi A7M1, Navy Experimental 17-Shi Ko (A) Type Carrier Fighter Reppu (Hurricane) makes its first flight. The aircraft had been under development since 1942 as a replacement for the Mitsubishi A6M, Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighter, Allied Code Name "Zeke." The A7M1 was as maneuverable as the "Zeke" but was underpowered and lacked performance. Only ten of these aircraft, given the Allied Code Name "Sam," were built by Mitsubishi at Nagoya.
 
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still reading, appreciate the amount of work you have put into the site
 
May 7th 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 15 P-38s hit the Kangaung area; 4 P-40s hit targets of opportunity along the road from N of Nanyaseik to Kamaing. 4 B-24s lay mines in the Gulf of Siam off Sattahib, Thailand.

INDIA: The Allies call off their attack in the Imphal area, having achieved little.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 4 B-25s hit vehicle concentrations W and NW of Hsiangcheng and bomb the town of Chiahsien and 4 P-40s destroy at least 25 trucks between the 2 towns; 8 P-40s destroy or damage 40-60 trucks, tanks and other vehicles during road sweeps from Loyang to Yenshih and from Yehhsien to Paofeng; 8 P-40s strafe forces and equipment E of Luchou, while 4 hit railroad targets of opportunity at Lang Son, French Indochina.
Japanese forces link up at Suiping, China, on the Peking to Hankow railway.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s, staging through Eniwetok, bomb Truk Atoll during the night of 6/7 May. B-25s from Engebi hit Ponape Island during the following day. Makin based B-25s bomb Jaluit and Wotje Atolls.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 15 B-25s, hampered by bad weather, attack a coastal gun on Cape Friendship, Bougainville Island and bomb the west coast of Rantan Island, Solomon Islands; 70+ P-39s, P-38s and P-40s bomb numerous targets throughout Buka and Bougainville Islands including shipping and supply area at Chabai and Tsirogei, huts at Hiru Hiru, near Tonu, and at Monoitu and bridges W of Haigi and on the Miwo River.

NEW BRITAIN: The US 46th Division takes Cape Hopkins Airfield on New Britain.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s, B-25s and P-40s hit Urarom, Biak, Hollandia-Wakde coast, and Sawar-Maffin Bay area; A-20s, B-25s and fighter-bombers again attack targets of opportunity from Wewak to the area around Hansa Bay and strafe villages along the Sepik River; Lost are B-24D "Toughy" 42-40525 and P-38J "Jandina III" 42-103980. 90th Bombardment Squadron, 3d Bombardment Group, moves from Nadzab to Hollandia with A-20s.
 
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May 8th 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 9 B-24s and 9 B-25s bomb Moirang and a village to the N, causing considerable damage including the destruction of a road bridge; 12 P-38s hit Kangaung Airfield.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Engebi strike Ponape Island while Makin based B-25s pound Jaluit and Wotje Atolls, using Majuro Atoll as a shuttle base between strikes. B-24s that landed at Los Negros Island after the strike on Guam Island on 6 May return to the Marshall Islands, bombing Ponape Island en route.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): Fighter-bombers pound Tobera Airfield and strafe targets of opportunity in the area. 2 squadrons of B-24s bomb gun positions at Sohano, Solomon Islands and Hahilia, New Britain Island while on Bougainville Island, 30+ P-39s and P-40s hit areas around Porton, Tsimba, Tarara, Kieta, Numa Numa, Tsirogei and at several other points and B-25s blast the coast near Banin, hit Sohano, and bomb airfield areas at Bonis and Buka on Buka Island. 390th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group (Medium), based in the Renard Field with B-25s, ceases operating from Stirling.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-24s and P-40s operating in the Geelvink Bay area attack Mokmer Airfield and nearby shipping; A-20s and fighter-bombers continue to pound targets of opportunity along the NE New Guinea coast from Wewak to Hansa Bay and along the Sepik River.
 
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May 9th 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 100+ RAF Vengeances, P-51s and B-25s hit positions and occupied areas at Moirang, Kanglatongbi, Myothit and SE of Palel, and severely damage a bridge over the Uyu River near Nawngpu-awng; Mogaung Valley targets, including targets in support of ground forces near Kamaing, are pounded by 60+ B-25s, A-36s, P-51s and P-40s; 9 P-51s hit troops and gun positions at Mawlu and Namkwin and hit the Nalong area; 3 B-24s blast the barracks area at Nagorn Sawarn while 3 P-51s hit Anisakan Airfield, destroying or damaging 20+ trucks, 2 aircraft and a locomotive; 8 B-24s lay mines in the Moulmein area, 2 others make a diversionary strike on Martaban, and 5 mine the Mergui waterfront.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): HQ 33d Fighter Group moves from Shwangliu to Pungchacheng, China.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): During the night of 8/9 May B-24s stage through Kwajalein to bomb Truk Atoll. Makin based B-25s hit Wotje and Jaluit Atolls, using Majuro Atoll as a rearming point between attacks.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 33 fighter-bombers pound the airfield at Lakunai Airfield; fighter sweeps over New Ireland and New Britain Islands, Bismarck Archipelago, continue. On Bougainville Island, 30+ P-39s and P-38s hit barges in the Porton-Chabai area, huts at Kieta and an ammunition dump S of Aitara Mission; 10 other P-38s and 12 B-25s bomb Bonis Airfield and nearby targets of opportunity in Buka Passage.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 50+ B-24s and B-25s bomb Langgoer and Faan airstrips, Bosnik supply area and Mokmer Airfield; 220+ A-20s and fighter-bombers continue to blast numerous targets of opportunity along the NE coastline from Wewak to the Hansa Bay area. 12 B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb Woleai.
 
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May 10th 1944

USA: James V. Forrestal becomes US Secretary of the Navy to succeed Frank Knox.

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): The Eleventh directs its components to place more emphasis on photographing and bombing of specific targets instead of general reconnaissance.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS: In a drive to free the Burma Road, Chinese troops cross the Salween River on a 100-mi (160 km) front and attack Japanese positions in N Burma.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 70+ B-25s, A-36s, P-51s, P-40s and 10 B-24s blast numerous targets, concentrating on barracks and storage in the Myitkyina-Mogaung vicinity and also hitting gun positions and bridges at Kamaing and railroad siding and buildings at Mohnyin; 16 P-38s destroy several aircraft in strikes on Aungban and Kangaung Airfields.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): P-40s sink 6 large junks and damage several others in Fan Tou Bay, China and destroy several trucks between Wan Pa-Hsa and Mong Ho Pung, Burma. 28 P-40s bomb Tengchung, China town area, strafe a nearby truck convoy, damage bridges at Tingka, China; Bac Le, French Indochina; and Hsenwi, Burma; hit a power dam at Tasa, French Indochina; bomb a tank and truck dispersal area at Hsiangcheng, China; and hit 30+ railroad cars at Lang Giai, Dong Dang and Na Cham, French Indochina.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Kwajalein bomb Wake during the night of 9/10 May. During the day, B-25s from Engebi bomb Ponape while Makin based B-25s raid Jaluit and Wotje Atolls.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 41 fighter-bombers attack Tobera Airfield; 11 B-25s hit Matupi Island, Bismarck Archipelago; fighters on a sweep, hit trucks W of Keravat. On Bougainville Island, 4 B-25s bomb Majuai Mission; 61 P-39s (some back from the Tobera strike) and 12 P-40s attack targets throughout the Buka-Bougainville Islands area, including a bridge over the Crepers River, a supply area at Mawareka, a barge at Chabai, a village on Schwarze Point, a pillbox at Gohi and the general area of Porton Plantations. Lost is SBD Dauntless NZ5051.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 120+ B-24s, A-20s and fighter-bombers, along with RAAF aircraft, maintain attacks on targets of opportunity along the NE coast from the Hansa Bay area to Wewak; 2 B-24s hit Mokmer Airfield. 45 B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb the airfield on Eten Island and warehouse area at Dublon, both in Truk Atoll.
 
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May 11th 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 70+ B-25s, A-36s, P-51s and P-40s, attack the Myitkyina and Pinbaw areas, Sahmaw, targets NW of Kamaing, gun positions at Nsopzup and targets of opportunity along the road from Inkangahtawng to Kamaing; 24 P-51s attack the airfield at Meiktila, Anisakan and Heho, shooting down 13 aircraft in the area; 14 B-24s pound Maymyo railroad station; 12 B-25s attack the railroad in the Shwebo-Sagaing area; and 12 other B-25s knock out bridges at Pyu, Thawatti, Ela and 7 mi (11.2 km) S of Ela.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 24 P-40s knock out the main bridge N of Mangshih, bomb the town area of Lungchwanchiang, and in French Indochina, damage a radio station on Cat Ba Island and destroy several large junks off shore, and attack a power dam W of Cao Bang, buildings at Dong Dang, and boxcars and oil drums at Lang Giai. In China, 6 B-25s and 24 P-40s (some firing rockets) pound railroad yards and depot at Sinyang, blast a warehouse area 30 mi (48 km) to the N and sink a small freighter, 3 motor launches and several sampans between Siaokan and Chienli; 2 B-25s and 4 P-40s hit troops, tanks and trucks in the Yenshih-Tengfeng-Mihsien area and in the Luchou-Hsiangcheng vicinity; 6 P-40s pound supply dumps at Mienchih and 13 P-40s sink at least 5 supply boats on the Yangtze River in the Hosueh area.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s, staging through Eniwetok, bomb Truk Atoll during the night of 10/11 May. During the day B-25s from Engebi hit Ponape while others, based on Makin pound Jaluit Atoll.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 8 P-38s bomb a supply-personnel area W of Tobera; 12 B-25s, 12 P-40s and 3 B-24s hit Vunakanau Airfield; fighters on sweeps and bombing missions hit various targets at Kabanga Plantation, the Gazelle Peninsula area, N of the Sae River and at Labout. On Bougainville Island, 70+ P-39s, P-40s, and P-38s (flying a total of 18 missions) attack a variety of targets, including piers at Chabai, Ratsua and Porton, wooded area near Pipipaia, town of Siruluna, bridge at Tokinotu, and Buka Airfield on Buka Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 190+ B-24s and B-25s bomb gun emplacements and supply areas on Wakde and Mokmer Airfield and targets of opportunity on Biak Island; 220+ fighter-bombers, A-20s, B-24s and B-25s continue to pound coastal bridges and villages, fuel dumps, vehicles, gun positions, supply areas, bivouacs and various targets along the shoreline from Hansa Bay to Wewak.
 
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May 12th 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 1 B-24 reconnoiters and bombs installations on Matsuwa Island, Kurile Islands, concentrating on the airfield on Tagan Cape.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 4 B-25s strike the Tiddim road NNW of Tonzang; 50+ B-25s and fighter-bombers knock out a railroad bridge at Pinbaw, pound gun positions and supply area at Myitkyina and hit defensive positions near Kazu-Tiangsup; 4 B-25s damage Myothit bridge while 8 P-38s bomb Kyaukye; 21 P-51s hit airfields at Meiktila and Heho, claiming 8 Japanese aircraft downed; 4 B-25s knock out a bridge at Daga while 2 others bomb a camp at Taungbaw.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 16 P-40s and 11 B-25s hit several targets in S China and in French Indochina. In China, military installations, artillery positions and tank concentrations are pounded in the Yoyang area, a bridge and several trucks are damaged at Sienning, a naval vessel is attacked at Hong Kong and in French Indochina, a radio station on Cat Ba Island is bombed and railroad yards, supply dump, and river junks are blasted in the Phu Langi Thuong area; and HQ 81st Fighter Group moves from Karachi, India to Kwanghan.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 12 Makin based B-25s bomb Nauru Island. A single B-24 from Kwajalein bombs Jaluit Atoll.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 12 B-25s and 20+ P-40s and P-38s pound Tobera Airstrip and nearby personnel areas; some of the B-25s returning from Tobera bomb Sohano; 12 P-39s and about 70 USN SBDs and TBFs sink numerous barges throughout the Rabaul area, especially at Simpson Harbor and Keravia Bay; gun positions in the Matupi area are also attacked.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s bomb Mokmer Airfield, New Guinea, and attack targets on Ceram Island, Moluccas Islands; Amboina, Ambon Island, Moluccas Islands; and Timor Island. In New Guinea, A-20s, B-25s and fighter-bombers blast villages, coastal bridges and roads, vehicles, the airstrip at Boram and other targets throughout the Wewak-Hansa Bay region; HQ 3d Bombardment Group moves from Nadzab to Hollandia; 66th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, based at Nadzab begins operating from Tadji with C-47s; 418th Night Fighter Squadron, 310th Bombardment Wing (Medium), moves from Finschhafen to Hollandia with B-25Hs, P-38s and P-70s.
 
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May 13th 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 1 B-25 flies a shipping strike and strafes 2 fishing vessels.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, nearly 100 P-40s and P-51s over the Mogaung Valley hit gun positions, bridges, support ground forces (near Nanyaseik) and hit numerous targets of opportunity throughout the whole valley; 12 A-36s hit positions near Maungdaw; 19 B-25s pound several points along the road and bomb troop concentrations at Bishenpur; 30+ B-24s, B-25s, A-36s, and P-51s hit Indaw, Taungbaw and Mohnyin; and 11 B-25s bomb Monywa.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 19 B-25s hit storage and warehouse areas at Mangshik and Lungling, a bridge at Hsenwi, truck and tank concentrations SW of Loyang, and town area of Lungling; 39 P-40s hit military installations at Mengta and Tating, a village N of Kaitou bridge at Tingka and a truck concentration at Yingyangchen.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): 771st Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy), 462d Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy), arrives at Piardoba, India from the US with B-29s; first mission is 5 Jun.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s. staging through Eniwetok from Kwajalein bomb Truk Atoll during the early morning hours. Other B-24s from Kwajalein bomb Maloelap and Jaluit Atolls, Marshall Islands. B-25s from Engebi hit Ponape.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville Island, 50+ P-39s and P-40s attack piers at Ratsua, Porton, Chabai, and Tarlena; 30+ fighter-bombers hit various targets, including a supply area SE of Bonis, the town of Chabai, a village near Ibu, and huts and villages along the Numa Numa trail; 3 B-25s hit coastal guns at Hahela Mission. On New Britain Island, 21 B-25s and 40+ P-39s, P-40s, and P-38s pound supply areas at Talili Bay. Fighter sweeps over N New Britain and New Ireland Islands continue; many targets of opportunity are strafed. 370th, 371st, 372d and 424th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group (Heavy), move from Munda, and Guadalcanal Island (424th Bomb Squadron) to Los Negros with B-24s.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-24s hit dispersal areas on Jaspen Island, supply areas and AA guns at Bosnik and airfields at Sorido, Namber and near the Moemi River; B-24s and B-25s hit airfields in the Wakde-Maffin-Sawar-Arare area; 200+ fighter-bombers, A-20s, and B-25s thoroughly pound airfields, bridges, fuel dumps, vehicles, villages, AA guns, and supply areas in the Wewak-Hansa Bay area; and 89th Bombardment Squadron, 3d Bombardment Group, moves from Nadzab to Hollandia with A-20s.
 
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May 14th 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 P-38s hit Tiddim road at Tonzang, causing a roadblock; 11 P-40s hit a bridge and road at Kazu and railroad shed at Myitkyina; 25 B-25s and P-51s hit troop positions at Hopin; Meiktila and Heho Airfields are hit by 20+ P-51s and P-38s; the fighters claim 4 aircraft downed in combat; and 528th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 311th Fighter-Bomber Group, moves from Dinjan, India to Tingkawk Sakan with P-51s.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 60 P-40s and P-51s hit trucks at Yoyang, river shipping, boxcars, and trucks at Pailochi and Sienning and a storage area at Shayang; 20 other P-40s bomb and strafe towns near Mamien Pass, Pingkai and areas around Mengta and Tating; 6 Japanese bombers hit Kienow, rendering the airfield temporarily unusable.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 53 B-24s from Kwajalein and 43 B-25s from Makin join USN aircraft in pounding Jaluit Atoll.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 23 B-25s bomb Tobera Airstrip; 44 fighter-bombers pound supply and personnel areas at Vunakanau; P-39s and P-40s strafe targets in N and E Gazelle Peninsula, and fighter patrols over Rabaul area attack several targets of opportunity. In the Buka-Bougainville Island area, 40+ P-39s and P-40s bomb Hangan, Tsirogei, Tokiparo, a pier at Kessa Plantation, and near Ibu.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s bomb Bosnik supply areas and Sorido runway; in the Wakde-Sawar-Maffin Bay area, villages and AA positions are pounded by B-24s and B-25s; fighter-bombers, A-20s, B-24s and B-25s maintain strikes against airfields, bridges, trucks, villages, and other targets in the Wewak-Hansa Bay area.
 
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May 15th 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 19 B-25s pound targets of opportunity along the Tiddim road; 20+ B-25s and fighter-bombers hit gun positions at Hopin and the airfield at Myitkyina; 17 P-38s attack Heho and Kangaung Airfield, claiming 15 aircraft destroyed, most of them in the air; 7 B-24s bomb Myitkyina, Kalewa and Mandalay.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): B-25s strike Kengluang bridge, Siam and hit installations near Wan Pa-Hsa, Burma. P-40s strafe troops near Pingkai, Burma, and along Mamien Pass and in the Mengta area of China. 92d Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Group, moves from Karachi, India to Kwanghan, China with P-47s; first mission is 1 Jun.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): Operations are limited to photo reconnaissance of Jaluit from Kwajalein.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville Island, 24 B-25s and 40+ P-40s, P-38s, and P-39s, along with TBFs and SBDs, pound the area N of Muguai and hit the Maika area between Muguai and Ebery's Lease; 40+ fighters on sweeps over Bougainville and Shortland attack AA positions, trucks and huts at several locations including the Kieta, Cape Friendship and Chabai areas. On New Britain Island, Allied fighter sweeps continue over the Rabaul area; several targets of opportunity, including a concentration of barges in Keravia Bay, are hit.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): The Wewak-Hansa Bay area is again hit by A-20s, B-24s and fighter-bombers. Lost is A-20G "Sweet Milk / Baby Doll II" 43-9113. B-24s and B-25s attack numerous targets in the Wakde-Sawar-Sarmi-Maffin Bay areas and on Biak Island; and HQ 475th Fighter Group and 431st, 432d and 433d Fighter Squadrons move from Nadzab to Hollandia with P-38s. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s from Los Negros bomb supply and bivouac areas on Mariaon and Tagaulap Islands and AA guns on Woleai and Paliau at Woleai. Crashed on take off is B-24D 41-23722.
 
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May 16th 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, about 70 B-25s and fighter-bombers hit the Myitkyina and Hogin areas; 11 B-24s hit Ywataung and Sagaing marshalling yards and the town of Akyab.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 8 B-24s blast the motor pool and warehouse areas at Mangshih.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): Kwajalein based B-24s pound Wake. B-25s from Makin hit Nauru and Ponape Islands.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 40+ fighter-bombers hit the Vunakanau area; fighters on sweeps hit barges at Jacquinot Bay and Mioko Harbour, vehicles at Kurakakaul, Mandres Bay and Vunarima, and N of Vunakanau, a small vessel in Mandres Bay and a sawmill at Keravat. On Bougainville Island, fighter-bombers hit occupied areas at Tunuru, near Kieta and Manetai Mission, and at Tinputs.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): Aircraft continue to pound a variety of targets including airfields and supply areas on Noemfoor and Biak Islands, AA guns, supplies and occupied villages in the Wakde Island-Maffin-Sawar coastal area, and bridges, villages, troop concentrations and AA positions; 8th Bombardment Squadron, 3d Bombardment Group, moves from Nadzab to Hollandia with A-20s; and 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, moves from Gusap to Hollandia with P-47s. Lost is B-24D "Ready, Willing and Able" 42-41078.
 
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May 17th 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 18 B-25s bomb Chauk oil installations while 20 P-38s hit Kangaung Airfield; B-25s and fighter-bombers fly 90 sorties against Mogaung Valley targets, hitting targets of opportunity at Kazu and Namti and a bridge at Kamaing and supporting ground forces in the Myitkyina area.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, P-40s support ground forces at Mamien Pass, hit Japanese positions at Tatangtzu, damage a bridge and several trucks at Shweli, Burma, strafe troops at Luchiangpa and bomb and strafe a horse pack train near Tengchung; 7 B-25s and 13 P-40s pound the Shayang barracks area and hit troops and vehicles NE of Shasi.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Kwajalein bomb Wake while Engebi based B-25s hit Ponape.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 25 B-25s bomb the airfield at Tobera while 43 P-39s, P-40s and P-38s, in conjunction with 40+ USN dive bombers, blast the Vunakanau area; fighters on sweeps hit a Nubai River bridge and strafe targets on Gazelle Peninsula. 39 fighter-bombers hit numerous targets in Bougainville Island area, including the Muguai area, a bridge N of Numa Numa, barges at Banin Harbor and the area around Ratsua.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, Allied forces land without opposition near Arare after a naval bombardment; B-24s and B-25s hit targets in the general vicinity at Sawar, Sarmi and the mouth of the Orai River; 100+ B-24s, with P-38 escort, pound AA positions at Bosnik, Sorido and Mokmer, and supply areas and airfield on Noemfoor; 120+ fighter- bombers, A-20s, B-25s and B-24s continue to hit the Wewak-Hansa Bay area; and HQ 49th Fighter Group moves from Finschhafen to Hollandia.
 
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May 18th 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Over the Kurile Islands, a B-24 on weather reconnaissance attacks a Japanese aircraft and 2 B-25s sink an auxiliary vessel; another is sunk shortly before 2400 hours by 2 other B-25s.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 140+ fighter-bombers and 6 B-25s pound numerous targets throughout the Mogaung Valley, concentrating on bridges (at least 4 are knocked out) and support of ground forces in areas around Myitkyina, Nanyaseik, Kamaing, Namkwin, Kazu, Lonkin and Katkyo; 8 B-25s knock out a Mu River bridge and damage Chaungu bridge approaches; 12 P-38s destroy several aircraft at Shwebo.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 6 B-25s and 12 P-40s pound barracks and warehouse areas at Chienyangi, causing many fires; 30 P-40s support ground forces in the Salween area, hitting troops and positions at Tengchung, Tatangtzu, Mamien Pass and Luchiangpa; 12 B-24s bomb the towns of Lungling and Tengchung; 25 CACW and Chinese Air Force (CAF) P-40s attack trucks, armor and troops at Chueh-shan and Loning, causing widespread destruction.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s based on Makin bomb Taroa, rearm at Majuro and attack the same target during the return flight to base.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville Island, 10 P-39s hit barges off Porton; 40+ P-38s and P-39s pound a supply area N of Mupuai.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 100+ fighter- bombers, A-20s, B-25s and B-24s pound targets of opportunity in the Wewak-Hansa Bay area throughout the day; and 68th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, based at Nadzab sends a detachment to operate from Tadji with C 47s. B-24s hit targets of opportunity on Halmahera Island, Moluccas Islands and bomb Bosnik. B-25s hit Larot, Celebes Islands and Saumlakki, Tanimbar Island, Moluccas Islands.
 
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