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

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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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May 19th 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A B-24 flies armed reconnaissance over Shimushu and Ketoi Islands, Kurile Islands.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, A-36s, P-40s, P-51s and a few B-25s fly 140+ attack sorties against various targets in the Mogaung Valley, concentrating on gun positions in the Myitkyina area; 8 B-25s damage railroad tracks in the Myingatha-Saye area and 16 P-38s hit the airfield at Nawnghkio.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 31 fighters support ground forces in the Salween area at Chiangtso, Watien, and Mamien Pass; 4 P-40s knock out a bridge at Shweli, Burma, 13 P-40s bomb and strafe the Puchi area and 16 P-40s and P-38s damage a bridge at Tayeh and hit military installations and other buildings at Yangsin; 11 P-51s bomb a village near Anking, causing large explosions and fires; 2 B-24s on a sea sweep seriously damage 2 freighters S of Hong Kong; 16 CACW P-40s pound trucks, tanks and troops in the Ichang-Tangyang-Loyang area and attack river traffic at Itu on the Yangtze River.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s based on Engebi hit Ponape Island and B-25s from Makin hit Nanru.

MARCUS - Third Raid on Marcus - Planes from a three-carrier task force USS Essex, Wasp and San Jacinto, (Rear Admiral A. E. Montgomery) hit Marcus with a predawn fighter sweep and strafed and bombed the island for 2 consecutive days.
Rear Admiral Alfred E. Montgomery's Task Group 58.6, consisting of the aircraft carriers USS Essex, with Carrier Air Group Fifteen, and USS Wasp, with CVG-14, attack Marcus Island in the North Pacific. The new light aircraft carrier USS San Jacinto, with Light Carrier Air Group 51, is detached to the north to screen for the rest of the force. Two of the purposes of the raid are to test new target-briefing procedures and also determine the effect of high-velocity attack rockets (HVARs) on ground targets.

PTO: The Japanese establish a line of submarines in the South Pacific (Operation "NA") to intercept USN aircraft carriers however, the USN has deduced the purpose and location of these subs based on radio traffic analysis. On 18 May 1944, the destroyer escort USS England, Lt. Commander Walton B. Pendleton, got underway with two other destroyers and during the next eight days, she sinks five of the submarines, starting with HIJMS I-16, Lt. Commander Yoshitaka Takeuchi.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 40+ P-39s, P-38s and P-40s hit Makada Island, Bismarck Archipelago. 16 B-25s bomb gun positions and supply area at Talili Bay, New Britain Island. On Bougainville Island, 20 AAF fighters and a few USN aircraft bomb huts and bridges at Monoitu, Porton, Toborei, Moisuru and Tsimba.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s, A-20s and P-38s hit airfields and shipping in the Manokwari-Noemfoor Island area; other B-24s pound beach defenses at Bosnik on Biak Island and hit the area between Bosnik and Mokmer; 270+ A-20s, P-47s, P-38s and B-25s continue to blast Wewak, knocking out radar and radio stations and attack targets of opportunity from Wewak to the Hansa Bay area.

USA: The Undersecretary of the Navy, James V. Forrestal, becomes the Secretary of the Navy.

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May 20th 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 100+ A-36s, P-40s and P-51s pound gun positions, attack bridges, bomb troops and hit numerous targets of opportunity in areas around Myitkyina, Kamaing, Nanyaseik, and Nsopzup; 16 RAF Vengeances and 2 P-38s hit targets in the Arakan area, including a signal center SE of Buthidaung, gun positions SE of Maungdaw and a jetty at Akyab; about 40 B-24s and P-51s hit oil installations at Yenangyaung and Chauk, airfield at Pakokku, and town of Akyab. In India, HQ 1st Air Commando Group moves from Hailakandi to Asansol; the group consists of the following sections: bomber (B-25s), fighter (P-51s), light-plane (L-1 & L-5), transport (C-47), glider (CG-4) and light-cargo (UC-64); the bomber section is eliminated and after converting from P-51s to P-47s, the group begins a training program; a detachment of 9th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, operating from Dinjan since Sep 43 returns to base at Barrackpore with F-5s.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 19 B-24s attack a convoy S of Hong Kong claiming 2 motor launches sunk and damaging several larger vessels; 3 B-24s are lost at sea; 37 P-40s hit trucks, armored vehicles, river traffic
and troops in or near Shasi, Ichang, Tangyang, Chingmen, Loyang and Loning; on the Salween front 43 fighters and 8 B-25s support ground forces and damage a bridge N of Tengchung over the Shweli River.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Engebi bomb Ponape.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville Island, 22 B-25s, 44 P-39s, P-40s, and P-38s and 30+ USN and US Marine Corps (USMC) aircraft pound AA positions, bivouacs and supply areas from the Muguai- Ebery's Lease area to the Maika area; 24 other P-39s hit barges in Matchin Bay, AA guns on Sohano, and bridges at Kieta. 3 B-24s bomb the Tobera runway.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s, A-20s and B-25s hit airstrips, revetments, supply area, AA positions and shipping at Manokwari, Noemfoor and Biak Islands, and Mawi Bay; A-20s, B-25s and fighter-bombers continue to pound airfields, coastal villages, bridges, supply dumps, trucks and various other targets at Wewak and from Wewak to the shore of Hansa Bay.

PTO: Aircraft from the carriers USS Essex and USS Wasp continue their attacks on Marcus Island in the North Pacific but bad weather halts operations. Meanwhile, aircraft from the light aircraft carrier USS San Jacinto, which has been positioned to the northwest of Marcus as a screen, sink a Japanese guardboat.

SOLOMONS, BOUGAINVILLE: Three light cruisers and eight destroyers (USN Task Group 53.1 bombard Japanese installations on Alu, Poporang and Morgusia Islands in the Shortland Islands off the south end of Bougainville Island, Solomon Islands.

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May 21st 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 120+ P-40s, P-51s, A-36s and B-25s hit Mogaung, Myitkyina, the Talawgyi-Hokat area, and Kamaing; gun positions around Myitkyina and Mogaung are also hit; a single B-24 bombs NW part of Mandalay; 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, based at Kisselbari, India with P-40s, sends a detachment to Tingkawk Sakan.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 27th Troop Carrier Squadron, 443d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Sylhet, India to Yunnani, China; during the next nine months, detachments will operate from Chanyi, Chengtu and Kunming at various times.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 53 B-24s from Kwajalein bomb various targets in Wotje Atoll; 41 B-25s, based on Makin, follow up with bombing, cannonading and strafing attack on the atoll. 8 B-24s stage through Eniwetok to strike Rota and rearm at Los Negros.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain Island, 3 B-24s, 30+ P-39s and P-40s, and 40+ USN dive bombers hit Vunakanau Airfield and nearby plantation; 8 P-38s, followed shortly by USN aircraft, bomb Lakunai Airfield. Lost is TBF 23987.

40+ P-39s, P-38s, and P-40s fly sweeps over Bougainville; bridges at Rigu Mission and Shishigatero are reported demolished.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s, A-20s and P-38s attack airfields, town areas, barges, personnel and supply areas, and fuel dumps at Manokwari, Urarom, along the Moemi River and on Noemfoor and Biak Islands; fighter-bombers. A-20s and B-25s continue almost constant pounding of supply dumps, camps, AA positions and a variety of targets along the coast from Wewak to Hansa Bay. Lost is B-25D "Tin Liz" 41-30074; and 13th Bombardment Squadron, 3d Bombardment Group, moves from Nadzab to Hollandia with A-20s. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s bomb Truk Atoll.
NEW GUINEA: The Airfield at Arare is reopened by US engineers.

HAWAII: In the Territory of Hawaii, the accidental explosion of mortar ammunition being loaded in the tank landing ship USS LST-353 at West Loch, Pearl Harbor, destroys this ship and five other LSTs; three tank landing craft (LCTs); 17 tracked landing vehicles (LVTs); and eight 155 mm guns. Two other LSTs are damaged.

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MONDAY, 22 MAY 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 Attu Island, Aleutian Island-based B-25s on a shipping strike near Paramushiru bomb and strafe a picket boat, which is left sinking.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 2 B-25s attack a large concentration of sampans in Honghai Bay; 2 others heavily damage a 150-ft (45.7 m) cargo vessel near Hong Kong; 22 P-51s pound the town of Anking and military area NE of Nanchang; 24 P-40s hit the Sienning area, bombing a factory W of town, damaging a bridge near town, and strafing numerous trucks in the vicinity; 23 P-40s hit road and river traffic in areas around Loyang, Loning, and Itu; and 5 P-40s bomb Yangsin.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 8 B-25s based on Engebi bomb Ponape. Weather cancels other strikes.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 40+ P-39s, P-38s and P-40s hit targets of opportunity in the coastal area near Talili Bay on New Britain Island. 24 B-25s pound Mioko I, Bismarck Archipelago. On Bougainville Island, 40+ P-39s bomb the Bonis supply area and blast 4 small bridges near Kieta.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s and B-25s bomb Manokwari, shipping E of Cape Manggoear and storage areas and Sorido village on Biak Island; P-40s hit supply and fuel dumps, trucks and other targets of opportunity in the area of Wakde Island; B-24s, B-25s and fighter-bombers continue to bomb and strafe various targets in the Wewak- Hansa Bay area; and HQ 348th Fighter Group and 341st and 342d Fighter Squadrons move from Saidor Airfield to Wakde Airfield with P-47s. Lost are F-7A "Under Exposed" 42-73052 and B-25D "Torrid Tess The Terror" 41-29692.

RAAF: Lost is Anson A4-20.

PTO: A US submarine spots the IJN forces near Tawi Tawi.
Wake Island is bombarded by a strong US destroyer force.
The destroyer escort USS England sinks a second Japanese submarine in three days. HIJMS RO-106, Lt. Eyasu Uda, part of Operation "NA," is sunk 250 miles north of Kavieng, New Ireland, Bismarck Archipelago.
Two USN destroyers bombard Wotje Atoll, consisting of 65 islets in the Marshall Islands.

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TUESDAY, 23 MAY 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 P-38s bomb Tiddim road; 12 B-24s bomb the Indaw marshalling yard and Homalin; 16 P-38s attack Kangaung Airfield; and 23 P-40s and 4 A-36s bomb gun positions, troops and supply dumps in the Myitkyina area.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): Makin based B-25s strike Jaluit Atoll. B-24s returning from Los Negros where they landed after the raid on Rota on 21 May, bomb Ponape.

USN - Third Wake Raid--Carrier Task Group 58.6 (Rear Admiral A. E. Montgomery) shifted from Marcus to hit Wake with five composite bombing, strafing and rocket strikes.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 2 B-24s bomb Tobera, while 32 B-25s and 40+ P-39s, P-38s and P-40s attack gun positions near Rabaul, near Lakunai and in the vicinity of Tunnel Hill Road. On Bougainville Island, 51 P-39s and 8 P-40s attack huts, barges, bridges and
other targets of opportunity at several locations.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (Fifth Air Force): B-24s hit Manokwari while B-24s, A-20s and P-38s hit targets on Biak Island, including trucks at Borokoe, AA positions and control tower at Mokmer Airfield, the village of Sorido and offshore targets at Bransfari; P-40s hit troops on Wakde Island and on the Biri River; P-38s support ground forces in the Aitape area; A-20s, P-39s. B-24s and B-25s maintain bombing and strafing of the Wewak-Hansa Bay area.

PTO: Aircraft of Task Group 58.6, the USS Essex with Carrier Air Group Fifteen, USS Wasp with CVG-14, and USS San Jacinto with Light Carrier Air Group Fifty One, attack Wake Island.
The destroyer escort USS England sinks another Japanese submarine, RO-104, Lt. Hisashi Izubuchi, involved in Operation "NA;" this is the third submarine sunk by the DE in four days. The sub is sunk 250 miles NNW of Kavieng, New Ireland Island, Bismarck Archipelago.

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WEDNESDAY, 24 MAY 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 bombers fly weather and photo reconnaissance over Shimushu Island and bomb the Matsuwa Island area.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 20+ P-40s in the Myitkyina vicinity destroy 8 barracks buildings and knock out a railway bridge and a machinegun post; a single B-24 bombs Gwa in the Arakan area.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Makin pound Wotje and Jaluit Atolls, using Majuro as a shuttle base for rearming between the strikes. B-25s based at Engebi hit Ponape.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): In the Rabaul area of New Britain Island, 19 P-38s, P-40s and 22 B-25s attack Hospital Point gun positions; 2 other B-25s hit the town of Rabaul; fighter patrols hit various targets of opportunity in the Rabaul area and S New Ireland Island. In the Solomon Islands, 51 P-39s, P-40s, and P-38s, and a single B-24, attack various targets on Buka-Bougainville Islands including Buka Airfield, E Bougainville coastal bridges, and Lahan radar station.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): A-20s hit airfields at Namber and Kamiri; 200+ A-20s, P-38s, P-47s, P-39s and B-25s continue to blast targets of opportunity in the Wewak-Hansa Bay area throughout the day.

PTO: The destroyer escort USS England (DE-635) sinks Japanese submarine HIJMS RO-116 225 miles NNW of Kavieng, New Ireland Island, Bismarck Archipelago. This is the fourth submarine involved in Operation "NA" sunk by USS England in five days.

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THURSDAY, 25 MAY 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 1 Shemya based B-24 flies reconnaissance and bombing mission in the C Kurile Islands; another B-24 aborts due to equipment failure.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 28 P-38s sweep over the Mandalay area; 12 of them hit about 10 railroad cars near Shwebo, leaving them burning; B-24s hit targets in the Katha area, 6 of them bombing Indaw and 4 bombing the Naba rail junction area.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s flying out of Engebi bomb Ponape.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 3 B-24s bomb Rabaul, Lakunai, and Rapopo; 8 P-38s hit Vulcan Crater barge hideout; 12 B-25s, clouded out of Vunakanau, hit the Talili Bay supply area. On Bougainville Island, 15 B-25s, 32 P-39s and P-40s, and 25 USN dive bombers hit supply areas at Porton; 4 other P-40s hit trucks at Monoitu Mission; 16 P-39s attack several targets of opportunity, including the Cape Lahan radar station.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s attack shipping at Halmahera Island and in New Guinea, hit Mokmer and targets in the Wakde area; 90+ fighter-bombers, A-20s, B-25s, and B-24s pound numerous targets in the Wewak area. Units of the 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group moving in New Guinea: air echelon of 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment), from Finschhafen to Wakde with B-25s; 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, based at Gusap begins operating from Tadji with P-40s.

RAAF - Lost in an aerial collision is Vengence A27-49 and Vengence A27-92.

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FRIDAY, 26 MAY 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-24s off on an armed photo mission over Shimushu Island turn back due to mechanical troubles.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 23 P-40s sink several supply boats on the Yangtze River near Shihshow, strafe troops at Shasi, hit road traffic near Loyang and strafe pontoon bridges, supply dumps and troops at Shanhsien; 7 P-40s bomb the town of Hsing-tzu; and 2 B-25s damage a small tanker N of Swatow.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 45 B-25s, flying out of Makin attack Emidj Island, Jaluit Atoll, Marshall Islands. 9 B-25s from Engebi fly a successful search mission for a downed B-25 crew in the vicinity of Ponape and Pakin Islands, Caroline Islands; after locating the survivors, later picked up by USN destroyer, the B-25s attack Pakin and Ponape Islands with cannon and machine gun fire.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain Island, 24 P-39s and P-40s hit the Rabaul area while 12 B-25s bomb supply areas at Talili Bay. 40+ P-39s and P-40s hit barges NW of Ballale, supply areas and other targets at Porton, and piers at Ratsua and Soraken, all on Bougainville Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-24s bomb Biak Island while B-25s hit Wakde Island and nearby coastal areas; other B-25s bomb a variety of targets on Aroe Island; 100+ A-20s, B-25s and fighter-bombers continue to blast the coastal region around Wewak; villages and gun positions on Hansa Bay are also hit; and the 340th Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, moves from Saidor to Wakde Island with P-47s.

PTO: The destroyers of Task Group 57.8 bombard Japanese installations on Mili Atoll in the southeastern Marshall Islands.
The destroyer escort USS England sinks Japanese submarine HIJMS RO-108 110 miles NE of Manus Island, Admiralty Islands . This is the fifth submarine involved in Operation "NA" sunk by USS England in seven days.

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SATURDAY, 27 MAY 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 bombers fly weather and armed photo reconnaissance and bomb Ushishiru Island, Kurile Islands.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 15 B-24s bomb Pakokku and Nyaung-u, Burma.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 24 rocket-firing P-40s hit the barracks area W of Sinyang, military installations and trucks at Nanchang, and troops, trucks, barracks, and warehouse area in the Puchi vicinity.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 24 B-24s from Kwajalein and 52 B-25s from Engebi pound Ponape.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain Island, about 200 AAF, USMC and USN aircraft (fighters, dive-bombers, and B-25s) are sent against gun positions on Hospital Point; 160+ aircraft bomb the targets with more than 90 tons (99.2 tonnes) of explosives, destroying or damaging several of the guns; other fighters hit targets of opportunity in the Rabaul area and a barge off SW New Ireland Island; and 4 B-24s bomb Tobera. AAF fighters attack beached barges in the Chabai area and in Buka Passage, Aku and Nova Plantation and a bridge over the Oamai River; detachment of 419th Night Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, operating from Bougainville since Jan with P-61s, returns to base on Guadalcanal Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): Babo and Biak are pounded by 170+ B-24s and B-25s; after the aerial and naval bombardment, Allied amphibious forces land on Biak in the Bosnik area, secure the beachhead, and gain control of a trail over ridges to the inland plateau to the N. Japanese aircraft attack the landing area. Lost is Ki-45 piloted by Takada. About 170 A-20s, P-38s, P-40s and B-25s blast the Wewak area. Lost is P-47D 42-22661.
The US 41st Division lands at Biak, New Guinea.
Amplifying the above:
In New Guinea, Operation HORLICKS commences. A naval bombardment by heavy and light cruisers and destroyers of the U.S. Navy's Task Groups 77.2 and 77.3. The U.S. 41st Infantry Division (minus) then lands on Biak Island in Geelvink Bay.
The first wave lands exactly as planned, but strong currents carry subsequent units well west of their designated landing beaches. Fortunately, only nominal Japanese resistance is encountered because the landings catch the Japanese flat-footed. After securing the beachhead, the soldiers gain control of a trail over ridges to the inland plateau to the north.

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SUNDAY, 28 MAY 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-24s fly reconnaissance and drop bombs on Shimushu and Matsuwa Islands. 1 B-25 and P-38s fly a guardship coverage mission, 2 other B-25s fly a negative anti-shipping sweep.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 10 B-24s pound Kalemyo while 8 B-25s hit Tiddim road; 50+ fighter-bombers and a few B-25s hit various targets at or near Mogaung, Myitkyina, Hopin and Sahmaw; 76 fighter-bombers and 24 B-25s bomb marshalling yards at Namma and Katha, hit several targets in the Mohnyin-Hopin area, and bomb a railroad between Naba and Namma. 530th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 311th Fighter-Bomber Group, based at Dinjan, India with P-51s sends a detachment to operated from Kurmitola, India.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 14 P-40s in support of ground forces in the Salween area strafe oil storage at Hsiangta, bomb and strafe the Watien area, and destroy a bridge and damage another on the Shweli River N of Tengchung; and 2 B-25s sink a patrol boat and damage another near Saint John Island.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 29 B-25s stage from Eniwetok bomb Jaluit Atoll, and land at Makin. B-24s from Eniwetok bomb Saipan and Guam Islands, Marianas Islands; those bombing Guam turn S to Los Negros Island to rearm while the others return to Eniwetok. B-25s flying from Engebi bomb Mille Atoll. B-24s escort USN photo planes over the Marianas Islands.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 3 B-24s, followed by 23 B-25s and 12 P-38s, blast Lakunai Airfield; 33 P-39s and P-40s join 40+ USN dive bombers in a strike on Tobera airstrip. 5 B-25s hit Namatanai supply and personnel area on New Ireland Island. On Bougainville Island, fighter-bombers hit the Tsundan supply area, huts and buildings at Gohi, Nova and Monoitu, suspected barge hideout near Tonolai, and AA guns on Ballale.

RNZAF Lost on a bombing mission to Vunakanau is TBF Avenger NZ2530

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-24s and B-25s in support of ground forces on Biak Island hit villages, supply areas, troop concentrations and gun positions on Biak, Noemfoor, and Japen Islands; A-20s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers blast troop concentrations, AA positions and supply dumps in the Wewak area; A-20s supporting ground forces in heavy fighting in the Sarmi area, hit positions with minimum-level strikes. B-24s bomb Boela and 421st Night Fighter Squadron, V Fighter Command, based at Nadzab with P-70s, sends a detachment to operate from Wakde. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s bomb the airfield on Woleai.

BISK ISLAND, NEW GUINEA: the US forces extend their perimeter.
The advance of the 162d Infantry Regiment along the coastal track toward the airstrips is slowed by equatorial heat; thick, 12-foot scrub growth; rugged terrain; and small parties of Japanese entrenched in caves cut into the face of a 200-foot high cliff. Patrols advance to within 200 yards of the airfields when a Japanese counterattack drives them back. The infantry is now under attack from the west and the targets of well-aimed fire from the East Caves which dominate the coastal road. In danger of being cut off, the regiment withdraws late in the afternoon. USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24s and B-25 Mitchells in support of ground forces on Biak Island hit villages, supply areas, troop concentrations and gun positions on Biak, Noemfoor, and Japen Islands.

PTO: General MacArthur announces that the strategic campaign for New Guinea is complete. He cautions that some hard tactical fighting remains to clean up the remaining Japanese.

PHILIPINES: The submarine USS Narwhal lands 23-men and 25 tons of supplies on Samar Island, Philippine Islands.