SATURDAY, 1 APRIL 1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 14 P-38s hit a freight train and damage
a factory in the vicinity of Mandalay; near Rangoon, 16 B-24s hit a railroad
station and bomb Akyab while 6 B-25s damage a railroad bridge near Nattalin.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): A flight of the 21st Photographic Reconnaissance
Squadron, Fourteenth Air Force, based at Kunming, China begins operating from
Liangshan, China with F-4s and F-5s. Moves in China during Apr: HQ 69th Composite
Wing from Tsuyung to Kunming; 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, based
at Chengkung sends the detachment at Tsuyung to Szemao with P-40s.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Abemama Island, Gilbert
Islands, strike Ponape Island, Caroline Islands; B-24s from Makin and Kwajalein hit Truk Atoll, Caroline Islands;
and B-25s from Tarawa bomb Maloelap and Jaluit Atolls,
Marshall Islands. 78th Fighter Squadron, 15th Fighter Group, moves from Stanley
Field to Mokuleia Field, Territory of Hawaii with P-47s.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 24 B-25s bomb supply areas at Vunapope and Ratawul; 28 P-39s and
P-40s hit the Toboi wharf area at Simpson Harbor; 3 P-40s follow with a strike on oil and coal storage in same general area; fighters maintain
sweeps over Rabaul and New Ireland throughout
the day and B-25s harass Rabaul during the night of 1/2 Apr. On Bougainville, 12 P-38s bomb the mission at Monoitu and 12 P-40s
hit Numa Numa supply dumps. The detachment of the 17th Photographic Reconnaissance
Squadron, 4th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), operating from Munda,
with F-5s returns to base on Guadalcanal. Lost is SB-24D "Sergeant Stripes... Forever!" Serial Number 42-63805.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-25s and A-20s hit the Tadji and Hansa Bay area; B-24s bomb Boela; and B-25s attack Penfoei, Timor Island, Lesser Sunda Islands. Moves in New Guinea during Apr: 33d Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Troop Carrier Group, from Garbutt Field, Townsville, Australia to Port Moresby with C-47s; 63d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Dobodura to Nadzab with B-24s.
USN - US Aircraft & ships attacked
Woleai, including BB 60 USS Alabama
SUNDAY, 2 APRIL 1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 P-40s bomb Kamaing while 6 P-51s
over the Katha area hit trucks near Bhamo and a storage area at Indaw.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 2 B-24s on a sea sweep from Hong Kong to Formosa
bomb a 215-ft (66 m) ship (reported sunk) and damage a large motor launch.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (XX Bomber Command): First operational B-29, piloted
by Colonel Leonard F Harman, lands at Chakulia, India. HQ 40th Bombardment
Group (Very Heavy) arrives at Chakulia, India from the US.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall
Islands hit Truk Atoll during the night of 1/2 Apr. During the day B-25s
bomb Jaluit and Maloelap Atolls.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 31 B-24s fly a strike against
Dublon Island, Truk Atoll, causing considerable damage to the warehouse and
dock areas; the bombers claim 30+ fighters downed; 4 B-24s are lost. 40+ fighter-bombers over Rabaul hit the SE part of town,
the Toboi wharf area, and N section of town along the Malaguna road; and
7 B-25s hit Raluana Point while 23 pound Lakunai Airfield.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 120+ bombers
and fighters continue to hit targets in areas around Wewak, Hansa Bay, Madang,
Bogadjim, and other points along the NE coastline. B-25s hit Dili and
Penfoei and Rambutyo Island, Bismarck Archipelago. 310th
Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group, moves from Dobodura to Saidor with P-47s. Lost on a supply drop is P-70 42-33143 near Bogia.
MONDAY, 3 APRIL 1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 4 B-25s damage the Tangon bridge
while 6 P-51s hit Anisakan airstrip in the Mandalay area; 20+ fighter-bombers
and 6 B-25s hit targets of opportunity S of Mupaw Ga and W of Mogaung, troops
near Bhamo, and knock out a bridge near Mogaung; during the night of 3/4
Apr 16 B-24s bomb oil and power facilities at Yenangyaung, Chauk, and Lanywa
while 8 P-38s hit Meiktila Airfield.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 4 rocket-firing P-40s, with 8 other
as top cover, damage 2 large river boats between Hengyang and Ichang. In
French Indochina, 4 P-40s flying a Red River sweep from Vinh Yen to Dong
Cuong sink 4 small boats, damage 3 more, and strafe 50-100 persons at a loading
point on the river; and 3 B-24s lay mines in the Haiphong area.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s, staging through Eniwetok
Atoll during the night of 2/3 Apr, bomb Truk Atoll. B-25s from Abemama Island
follow with a daytime attack on Ponape Island; other B-25s from Abemama and
Tarawa Atoll hit Maloelap and Jaluit Atolls. 98th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy),
11th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Tarawa Atoll to Eniwetok Atoll
with B-24s.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain Island,
23 B-25s pound the NE section of Rabaul; this strike follows larger than
usual (6 B-25s) heckling raids during the night of 2/3 Apr; and 50+ fighter-bombers
blast fuel stores at Keravia Bay. On Bougainville Island, AAF and US Navy
(USN) fighters strafe the Numa Numa trail area and maintain patrols. 67th
Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, based in the Russells ceases operating from Bougainville Island with P-38s.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 300+ B-24s,
B-25s, A-20s, and P-38s blast airfields at Hollandia; most of the remaining
Japanese airplanes there are destroyed; of 60 intercepting Japanese fighters,
26 are claimed shot down; air opposition from Hollandia is very light hereafter;
50+ P-40s, P-47s, and P-39s hit villages, communications, AA positions,
and other targets in areas around Wewak, Hansa Bay, Bogia and
Madang; and B-24s hit Langgoer and B-25s bomb the Babo area
and Penfoei on Timor Island. HQ 58th Fighter Group and 69th Fighter Squadron
move from Dobodura to Saidor with P-47s.
TUESDAY, 4 APRIL 1944
ZONE OF INTERIOR: HQ Twentieth Air Force is activated in Washington, DC.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): The Japanese begin their move towards India
by attacking Kohima, an offensive doomed to failure by supply problems and
typhoon season. The Japanese would loose over 30,000 men to disease and starvation.
In Burma, 120+ fighter-bombers and 4 B-25s hit rail lines, storage areas
and Japanese held villages around Mogaung and Myitkyina and support ground
forces near Kamaing and Myitkyina; during the night of 4/5 Apr, 14 B-24s
bomb the Moulmein railroad yards and jetties and hit a Japanese HQ nearby
at Nagorn Sawarn; and 25 P-51s and P-38s attack Aungban and Anisakan Airfields.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): P-38s on armed reconnaissance strafe and destroy
2 big fuel dumps, 12 fuel trucks, and 15-20 troops in the Wan Mong Kang, Burma
area.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s, flying out of the Gilbert
Islands, bomb Truk Atoll during the night. B-25s, from Abemama Island and Tarawa
Atoll, followup during the day with raids on Ponape Island, and Jaluit and Maloelap Atolls
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville Island, 12 P-40s hit a barge hideout in Gazelle Harbor; 10 B-25s (rained out of Rabaul, New Britain Island) bomb Buka Airfield on Buka Island, 23 P-39s hit the Aitara area, and 11 P-40s bomb the Mamaregu barge hideout; 24 P-38s pound Mamagata, Dio Dio, and the Miwo River area; and ground support missions along Empress Augusta Bay are carried out by a variety of fighters.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 50+ B-24s pound the Wewak area; and 12 P-39s hit villages, bridges and wooded areas along the coast from Cape Gourdon to Bogia.
WEDNESDAY, 5 APRIL 1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 13 B-24s bomb the railroad from Moulmein
to Kanchanaburi, destroying 3 bridges, damaging several others, and causing
much damage to track and railroad cars.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): P-40s from Yungning, China pound a railroad siding at Na Cham, French Indochina, destroying 8 boxcars and a considerable amount of track.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Tarawa Atoll hit Maloelap Atoll, bomb up again at Majuro, Marshall Islands, and hit Jaluit Atoll during the return trip. HQ 11th Bombardment Group moves from Tarawa Atoll to Kwajalein Atoll.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 12 B-25s bomb Kara. Bad weather cancels all missions against targets in the Bismarck Archipelago.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 270+ B-24s, B-25s, A-20s and P-38s hit Hollandia town and dock area and villages and stores around Humboldt Bay. Lost is A-20G 43-9469. P-47s and P-40s blast numerous targets in the Hansa Bay-Bogia and Wewak areas; and B-24s hit Kaimana and Efman Island. B-25s bomb Koepang on Timor Island. Units moving from Dobodura to Saidor: 82d Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter), 71st Reconnaissance Group, with P-39s; and 311th Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group, with P-47s.
CARIBBEAN (Sixth Air Force): 3d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), VI Bomber Command, moves from David, Panama to Howard Field, Canal Zone with B-24s; the squadron serves as a replacement training unit.
ZONE OF INTERIOR: General of the Army Henry H "Hap" Arnold assumes
command of the Twentieth Air Force at Washington, DC where HQ will remain until
Jul 45. Chief of Staff is Brigadier General Haywood S Hansell, Jr (currently
Deputy Chief of Air Staff), with Colonel Cecil E Combs as his deputy for operations.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 6 B-25s damage railroad and rolling
stock at Shwebo. 80+ fighter-bombers and 2 B-25s hit troops in the Namti area,
support ground forces NE of Kamaing, damage a bridge near Myitkyina, and hit
troops, oil dumps, and supplies at Mogaung and Manywet.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, P-40s from Suichwan pound a barrack SW of Nanchang, causing heavy damage; a B-25 strike during the night of 6/7 Apr on airfields near Canton is curtailed by bad weather; only 1 B-25 reaches the target, dropping fragmentation bombs on revetments.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Kwajalein bomb
Wake. B-25s from Eniwetok Atoll hit Ponape Island twice. B-25s from Abemama
Island bomb Jaluit Atoll, rearm at Majuro, and hit Maloelap
Atoll during the return flight.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 34 B-24s pound Dublon Island, Truk Atoll. 22 B-25s bomb Lakunai Airfield and revetment area; 30+ fighter-bombers bomb the vicinity of Toboi wharf with incendiaries while 20+ others carry out incendiary strike on Vunapope, causing severe destruction to several buildings; and fighters maintain a sweep over Rabaul and New Ireland Island areas.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): P-39s, P-40s and P-47s continue to pound coastal targets in the Wewak, Aitape, and Madang areas and at numerous other points along the coast. B-25s bomb Koepang, Timor Island.
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 8 B-24s dispatched to destroy a convoy, believed SE of Matsuwa Island, Kurile Islands, turn back due to engine, navigation and weather difficulties. A flight of F-7As of the 2d Photographic Charting Squadron, 1st Photographic Charting Group, 311th Photographic Wing (Mapping and Charting), arrives in the Aleutian Islands; its mission is mapping of the Kurile Islands. The squadron is based at Peterson Field, Colorado Springs, Colorado and sends detachments to various parts of the world to photo map.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 20+ P-51s and B-25s hit gun positions at Mawlu; throughout the Mogaung Valley 100+ fighter-bombers and 2 B-25s hit numerous targets including fuel and ammunition stores near Manywet, supplies and a railroad station at Myitkyina, supplies and radio station at Sahmaw, the Kamaing area, bridges at Nsopzup and supply dumps W of Mogaung; 30+ of the fighter-bombers carry out ground support missions at Shaduzup.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 7 P-40s strafe 3 barges and several junks at
Saint John Island, China, leaving them burning. 2 B-24s on a sweep from Hong
Kong to Formosa claim a large river boat and a small freighter sunk and 2 other
freighters damaged; 1 B-24 is lost. 4 P-40s attack a large concentration of
small vessels at Haiphong, French Indochina, sinking at
least 4.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (XX Bomber Command): HQ 462d Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) arrives at Piardoba, India from the US.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Tarawa Atoll hit Maloelap Atoll, rearm at Majuro, and bomb Jaluit Atoll on the return flight.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 50+ fighter-bombers pound supply areas at Ratawul; 9 B-25s hit Talili Bay, 11 bomb Vunakanau Airfield and 13 blast Tobera Airfield; 6 B-25s maintain night heckling of the Rabaul area. On Bougainville Island, 4 P-40s bomb pillboxes near the Reini River while 2 B-24s bomb Monoitu Mission. HQ 5th Bombardment Group moves from Munda to Momote Airfield.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-25s, A-20s and P-39s hit villages, barges, a supply area, and coastal road in areas around Madang, Tadji, Bogia, and Uligan Harbor; and B-24s bomb Langgoer and Wakde. Other B-25s bomb barracks at Penfoei, Timor Island.
SATURDAY, 8 APRIL 1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, nearly 100 fighter-bombers and 2 B-25s
again pound Mogaung Valley targets, including Manywet, storage areas and railroad
at Mogaung, positions at Shaduzup and general targets of opportunity around
Kamaing; 4 B-25s damage bridge and track at Sittang.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 11 B-24s bomb railroad yards at Hanoi, French Indochina. In China, 6 B-25s damage several small ships in Yulinkan Bay; 2 others strafe an airfield on Weichow Island; 8 P-40s pound oil dumps at Wanling, leaving the target area in flames. 9 B-24s bomb the airfield on Samah Bay, Hainan Island; 4 others lay mines in the bay.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s flying out of Kwajalein strike Truk Atoll; Abemama Island-based B-25s pound Ponape Island; B-25s from Tarawa Atoll hit Maloelap Atoll, rearm at Majuro and bomb Jaluit Atoll during the return flight.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): During the night of 7/8 Apr 6 B-25s heckle the Kavieng Airfield area on New Ireland Island. On New Britain Island, 50+ fighter-bombers hit the NE section of Rabaul and 24 B-25s bomb the center of Lakunai Airfield. 4 B-24s again pound Monoitu Mission on Bougainville Island.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, P-40s attack targets of opportunity in the Aitape-Wewak area; and A-20s hit targets in the Hansa Bay area, firing a fuel dump and destroying several warehouses and other buildings at 3 plantations and strafing and bombing roads and bridges along the coast. HQ 417th Bombardment Group moves from Dobodura to Saidor.
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A weather sortie over Matsuwa Island is negative due to low clouds and fog.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, the Mogaung Valley is pounded by 100+ fighter-bombers and a few B-25s; the aircraft hit town areas, bridges, storage areas, support ground forces, and hit targets of opportunity in general in or near Mogaung, Kamaing, Laban, Hopin, Myitkyina, and Nsopzup; 25 B-25s and P-51s hit fuel dumps at Indaw, bomb a road near Manhton and support ground forces at Lasai; 6 B-24s bomb Mandalay railroad yards, another bombs nearby Maymyo, and 13 others mine areas near Mandalay and Magwe; also in the Mandalay area, 11 P-38s damage several locomotives, numerous railroad cars and set a steamer afire near Ywataung. The detachment of the 24th Combat Mapping Squadron, Tenth Air Force, operating from Hsinching, China transfers to Jorhat, India with F-7s; the squadron is based at Guskhara.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 2 B-25s claim a 200-ft (61 m) tanker sunk off Cape Bastion and 3 fighters shot down over Yulinkan Bay.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s on a photo reconnaissance mission over Maloelap, Wotje, and Mille Atolls, Marshall Islands, and a single Tarawa Atoll based B-25 bombs Taroa; B-25s, in a shuttle mission from Abemama Island, bomb Jaluit Atoll, rearm at Majuro, and then hit Maloelap Atoll.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 23 B-25s bomb Lakunai; 31 fighter-bombers hit Ralum supply areas while 22 others strike Vunapope; and during the night of 8/9 Apr, 7 B-25s fly heckling missions against Rabaul. 394th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), ceases operating from Munda; the squadron is based on Guadalcanal Island with B-24s.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 55 B-25s bomb the Aitape area while B-24s and A-20s hit Wewak, Boram, Cape Moem, AA positions along Hansa Bay, and barges SE of Mushu Island and in the Wagol River; and P-39s hit troops, barges, and bridges in the Madang, Awar, Bogia and Bunabun areas. Lost is B-24J "Super" 42-73338. 675th Bombardment Squadron, 417th Bombardment Group , moves from Dobodura to Saidor with A-20s.
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile Islands, 3 B-24s fly armed reconnaissance over Matsuwa and Onnekotan Islands.
CARIBBEAN (Sixth Air Force): 29th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), VI Bomber Command, moves from the Galapagos Islands to Howard Field, Canal Zone with B-24s.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, about 100 fighter-bombers and a few
B-25s pound numerous targets, including an encampment SW of Mogaung, positions
near Kazu, a railroad and truck park at Myitkyina, a supply area S of Myitkyina,
and a bivouac area and supplies at Kamaing; some of the fighter- bombers carry
out support of ground forces NE of Kamaing; 40+ fighter-bombers and B-25s over
the Katha area hit a bridge at Thityabin, troops and supplies at Shwegu, gun
positions and troops S of Mawlu, and targets of opportunity including a fuel
dump; and 9 B-24s bomb the railroad station and jetty area
at Moulmein while 4 others mine the mouth of the Tavoy River.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 3 B-25s damage 2 bridges at Phu Dien Chau, French Indochina, and destroy several buildings and some railroad track. 10 P-40s pound roads N and S of Wanling, Burma.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (XX Bomber Command): The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) informally approve Operation MATTERHORN, the plan for the bombing of Japan by B-29s based in the Calcutta area and staging through advanced fields in the Chengtu, China area, which had been approved in principle by President Franklin D Roosevelt on 10 Nov 43. The operational vehicle is to be the 58th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) (4 bombardment groups) of the XX Bomber Command, soon to be assigned to the newly activated Twentieth Air Force, operating under General of the Army Henry H "Hap" Arnold as executive agent for the JCS.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s, staging through Eniwetok Atoll, bomb Truk Atoll (1 hits Ponape Island) while B-25s, based on Abemama Island, strike Ponape. B-25s, flying a shuttle mission between Tarawa and Majuro, pound Maloelap and Jaluit Atolls.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain Island, 22 B-25s bomb the Ratawul supply area and 40+ fighter-bombers hit the runway at Tobera, both strikes causing considerable damage; night harassment of the Rabaul area continues. Lost is B-24D "Hot Garters" 42-41188.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): About 60 B-24s, teaming with US destroyers offshore, bombard the Hansa Bay area, concentrating on AA positions guarding airfields. 672d Bombardment Squadron, 417th Bombardment Group, moves from Dobodura to Saidor with A-20s.
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Of 3 B-24s attempting to fly a photographic and bombing run over Matsuwa Island installations, 2 must turn back; the third bombs the runway area.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 17 P-51s and B-25s fly ground support missions and bomb a road near Maungkan; Mogaung Valley targets are pounded by 50+ fighter-bombers and 2 B-25s; targets include HQ and stores at Sahmaw, HQ and ammunition dump SW of Mogaung, troops at Myitkyina, and targets of opportunity to the S, a gun position S of Kamaing, and HQ at Waingmaw.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In French Indochina, 3 B-25s hit railroad targets of opportunity N of Vinh and seriously damage a bridge S of Thanh Hoa.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (XX Bomber Command): Units arriving in India from the US: HQ 444th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) and 676th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy) at Charra with B-29s (first mission is 5 Jun); and 25th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy), 40th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), at Chakulia with B-29s (first mission is 5 Jun).
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from the Gilbert Islands hit Ponape Island, rearm at Majuro, and carry out a shuttle mission against Jaluit and Maloelap Atolls.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): Thirteenth Air Task Force (Provisional) is created by General George C Kenney, Commanding General Allied Air Force (Southwest Pacific Area), from elements of the Thirteenth Air Force and other units. On New Britain Island, about 40 fighter-bombers hit the E section of Rabaul while 12 others strike Talili Bay ammunition dump; 24 B-25s blast supply areas at Ratawul. On Bougainville Island, 20+ fighter-bombers are dispatched against coastal gun positions but fail to locate their objective; 12 of the fighter-bombers bomb Aitara while 2 claim destruction of a bridge near Mawareka.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 80+ A-20s and B-25s, supported by 30 P-47s and P-40s, blast AA positions, stores, dumps and personnel areas at Hollandia; 50+ B-24s bomb barges, AA guns, and other targets along Hansa Bay which is also hit by 12 B-25s. 12 other B-25s bomb targets on Karkar Island. Lost are P-47D 42-75291, P-47D 42-22953 and P-47D 42-75289. Also, P-47D 42-76059 goes MIA searching for these three lost P-47s the same day.
WEDNESDAY, 12 APRIL 1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 90+ P-40s, A-36s, P-51s, and B-25s
over the Mogaung Valley support ground forces, bomb supply areas, and hit numerous
targets of opportunity in areas around Mogaung, Myitkyina, Kamaing,
Taungni, and Shaduzup; 5 B-25s knock out a bridge at Natmauk while 2 others
damage the Pyu bridge near Rangoon; 5 B-24s bomb Nagorn Sawarn while 7 hit the
Moulmein railroad station and jetties and bomb the SE part of Prome.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s, flying out of Abemama Island, bomb Maloelap Atoll, rearm at Majuro, and hit Jaluit Atoll on the return trip.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): HQ 5th Bombardment Group
is ordered to move from Guadalcanal Island and New Georgia Island to
Los Negros Island where it will form the nucleus of the Thirteenth Air Task
Force. On New Britain Island, 23 B-25s and 11 P-39s pound the W section of Rabaul,
7 other B-25s cause considerable damage in the Ratawul supply area; 23 fighter-bombers
blast the concrete airstrip at Vunakanau. On Bougainville Island 12 fighter-bombers
bomb and strafe the Numa Numa trail and pound the harbor area.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and P-39s bomb and strafe various targets at Wewak, Madang, along Hansa Bay and on Karkar; other P-39s fly a barge sweep from Alexishafen up the coast as far as the mouth of the Sepik River. 2 B-25s bomb Penfoei on Timor. Lost is B-25G 42-64835. and B-24D "Yankee Doodle Dandy" 42-40077.
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 3 B-24s fly armed reconnaissance and bombing runs over the airfield on Matsuwa Island and installations on Onnekotan Island.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 90+ P-40s, P-51s and A-36s and a few B-25s carry out ground support missions near Kamaing and hit assorted targets throughout the Mogaung Valley; 12 B-25s and 11 P-51s support ground forces at Mawlu.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 28 fighters attempt to intercept but fail to make contact with 13 Japanese airplanes which bomb Namyung, China.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (XX Bomber Command): Units arriving in India with B-29s from the US: HQ 468th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) and 792d, 793d, 794th and 795th Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy) at Kharagpur; 677th and 679th Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy), 444th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), at Charra; first mission for all units is 5 Jun 44.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s out of Eniwetok Atoll strike Truk Atoll; B-25s from Abemama Island hit Ponape Island; B-25s from Tarawa bomb Jaluit Atoll, rearm at Majuro and hit Maloelap Atoll.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 24 B-25s blast Talili Bay and Ratawul supply areas and the town of Rabaul; 40+ fighter-bombers strike the Malaguna area SW of Rabaul; 17 fighter-bombers hit personnel and supply areas at Mosigetta, Mawareka, Meive, and Maririei. During the early morning 23 B-24s bomb Truk Atoll. 394th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Guadalcanal Island to Momote Airfield.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 80+ B-24s and A-20s pound the airfields at Dagua and But on the N coast of New Guinea; 33 A-20s hit Aitape; P-39s, B-25s, and B-24s fly light strikes against a variety of targets along Hansa Bay, on Wakde, at Uligan, and several other points along the coast.
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 3 B-24s fly armed photo reconnaissance mission during early the morning over Matsuwa, Onnekotan, and Paramushiru Islands, Kurile Islands. Photographs taken are negative due to cloud cover.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 20 P-40s over the Mogaung Valley attack a camp at Manywet; 20 P-51s and 3 B-25s support ground forces in the Mawlu area.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): A single B-24, enroute from Kwajalein to Tarawa, bombs Jaluit Atoll; B-25s from Eniwetok Atoll bomb Ponape Island while B-25s from Abemama Island strike Jaluit and Maloelap Atolls, using Majuro as an arming station between strikes; Japanese bombers carry out an ineffective raid on Eniwetok Atoll. 26th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Tarawa to Kwajalein with B-24s.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 19 B-24s on a mission to the Caroline Islands bomb Eten, Param, and Kuop Islands and targets ofopportunity in Truk Atoll. On New Britain Island, 24 B-25s and 40+ fighter- bombers blast a supply area at Ratawul; and 8 fighter-bombers hit Vunapope. 20+ fighter-bombers strike various targets in the NE part of Bougainville Island.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-25s and P-39s hit barges and luggers in Vanimo Harbor and at Bogia. 673d Bombardment Squadron , 417th Bombardment Group, moves from Dobodura to Saidor with A-20s.
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): During the night of 14/15 Apr 3 B-24s on armed reconnaissance mission over Matsuwa and Onnekotan Islands hit several targets including Matsuwa Airfield; reconnaissance over Paramushiru Island fails due to overcast.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 12 B-24s over the Andaman Islands attack shipping and other targets at Port Blair. 12 P-38s hit Heho Airfield, Burma, destroying several parked airplanes. 19th Liaison Squadron, US Army Forces, CBI, arrives at Kanchrapara, India with L-5s (first mission is in Jun 44).
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 3 B-25s knock out a bridge at Viet Tri, French Indochina, and damage another.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): Major General Robert W Douglass Jr becomes Commanding General Seventh Air Force. B-25s, based on Tarawa, bomb Maloelap Atoll, rearm at Majuro and hit Jaluit and Mille Atolls on the return trip.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 24 B-25s bomb an ammunition dump on Talili Bay; 11 P-39s follow with a strike on the same target; 3 P-38s fire the Vunapope supply area; other fighter-bomber strikes on the same area are cancelled by weather. A few P-38s hit targets in the NE part of Bougainville. 72d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Munda to Momote Airfield with B-24s.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 180+ B-24s, B-25s and A-20s bomb landing strips, off-shore islands and the entire coastal area in the vicinity of Aitape; 16 P-40s strafe barges at nearby Seleo Island; 20 P-39s hit villages, supply dumps, trucks and other targets along Hansa Bay and in the Alexishafen area.
RAAF Lost is Wirraway A20-480.
SUNDAY, 16 APRIL 1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s hit a bridge over the Mogaung
River while 9 others, along with 12 P-51s, hit a warehouse and railroad station
at Mohnyin; 9 P-38s destroy 3 medium bombers at Zayatkwin near Rangoon while
2 P-51s in the Mandalay area hit Anisakan Airfield, destroying 2 airplanes.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (XX Bomber Command): 768th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy), 462d Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), arrives at Piardoba, India with B-29s; first mission is 5 Jun.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s, staging through Eniwetok Atoll, strike Truk Atoll; B-25s from Abemama Island hit Maloelap and Mille Atolls, using Majuro as a rearming base between the strikes.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 15 B-24s bomb the runway at Satawan. On New Britain Island, 24 B-25s hit the Ratawul supply area and alternate target of Raluana; at Rabaul 30+ fighter-bombers attack area inland from Toboi wharf. 23d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Munda to Momote Airfield with B-24s.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): "Black Sunday": 170+ B-24s, B-25s and A-20s bomb Hollandia town and airfield and numerous other targets in the area. On the way back from the strike, the aircraft meet a massive weather front that causes 46 aircraft lost to weather. Listing of aircraft lost on Black Sunday. P-39s hit a wooded area and communications targets along Hansa Bay and attack villages and supply dumps from Bogia to Uligan Harbor; P-38s hit Madang area; B-24s fly a light strike against Wakde; other aircraft, operating singly or in pairs, attack targets of opportunity on the N coast of New Guinea and SE coast of New Britain Island. Other B-25s bomb Koepang on Timor Island.
MONDAY, 17 APRIL 1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 6 P-51s support ground forces near
Meza; 9 P-38s destroy several airplanes at Heho Airfield while 5 B-24s bomb
Ywataung; 26 B-25s and 36 P-51s support ground forces at Mawlu and bomb a fuel
dump at Kin; 13 other P-51s are diverted to intercept a Japanese force over
the Imphal, India area and claim 3 airplanes shot down.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s, based on Tarawa, strike Maloelap and Mille Atolls, rearming at Majuro between the raids.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 20 B-24s bomb the airfield at Satawan. On New Britain Island, 24 B-25s pound runway and revetments at Rapopo Airfield; 40+ fighter-bombers hit Matupi with incendiaries while 10 others pound the runway at Keravat.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 20+ B-24s bomb storage areas and troop concentrations in Kai Island, Moluccas Islands. P-39s attack AA positions at Bogia; other planes, operating individually or in pairs, attack Hollandia, Uligan Harbor and vicinity and the Madang area. 674th Bombardment Squadron, 417th Bombardment Group, moves from Dobodura to Saidor with A-20s.
RNZAF - Lost on a strke against Lakunai Airfield is SBD NZ5050.
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 3 B-24s fly armed reconnaissance over Matsuwa,
Onnekotan, and Paramushiru Islands; cloud cover and lack of moonlight permit
only bombing of Kashiwabara Airfield and the Banjo Cape area.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 7 B-24s bomb an oil plant at Yenangyaung
while 5, along with 7 P-38s, hit Ywataung; 6 B-25s score numerous hits on the
Mandalay-Shwebo railroad; and 15 B-25s and 4 P-51s bomb Kamaing
and hit the Myitkyina-Bhamo road.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): HQ 33d Fighter Group moves from Karachi, India to Shwangliu, China. Lost on a mission to Hong Kong is B-24D "Sweepy Time Gal" 42-40622.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): First Seventh Air Force attack on the Marianas Islands takes place as B-24s escorting USN aircraft on a photographic reconnaissance mission from Eniwetok Atoll bomb Saipan. Other B-24s staging through Eniwetok hit Truk. B-25s from Tarawa bomb Ponape Island; B-24s from Kwajalein bomb Wake after failing to find shipping reported in the area; and B-25s from Abemama Island bomb Jaluit and Maloelap Atolls, using Majuro as a shuttle base between strikes. 19th Fighter Squadron, 318th Fighter Group, moves from Kualoa Field to Bellows Field, Hawaii with P-47s.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 14 B-24s bomb the airfield at Satawan. 23 B-25s, weathered out of Vunakanau, bomb Tobera Airfield; 12 others and 9 fighter-bombers which fail to reach Rapopo bomb the airstrip at Keravat; Vunapope is hit by about 40 fighter-bombers, with considerable damage to the supply area. Lost is F-5B 42-67328.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): The newly created (11 Apr) Thirteenth Air Task Force (Provisional) commanded by Major General St Clair Streett and temporarily composed of elements of the Thirteenth Air Force (which is being moved to the SWPA), a few Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) squadrons, USN Seventh Fleet air units, and Fifth Air Force units in the Admiralty Islands and New Britain Island, is placed under operational control of Fifth Air Force Advanced Echelon. Operating out of Momote Airfield, B-24s of Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb Woleai Atoll and Mariaon Island, Caroline Islands. B-24s of the Fifth Air Force hit Manokwari and Babo; and the Madang area is hit by fighter-bombers. HQ 54th Troop Carrier Wing moves from Port Moresby to Nadzab, New Guinea.
WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 6 B-25s and 8 P-51s attack troops and
stores NW of Banmauk; 10 P-38s hit the airfield near Meiktila; and 5 P-51s attack
troop positions near Mawlu and a bridge at Shweli.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 3 B-25s damage a bridge at Thanh Moi, French Indochina and score hits on railroad and buildings S of the bridge. 4 P-40s attack the village of Takaw, Burma, causing several fires and sink a ferry-boat in the area.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): XX Bomber Command is assigned
to HQ Twentieth Air Force.
769th and 770th Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy), 462d Bombardment Group (Very
Heavy), arrive 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 Atoll, bomb Truk Atoll. B-25s from the Gilbert Islands strike Ponape Island.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 21 B-24s bomb the airfield at Satawan, hitting the target area with about 50 tons of high explosives. On New Britain Island, 38 fighter-bombers hit Matupi supply areas while 7 bomb Rapopo airstrip. Fighters hit the Numa Numa area on Bougainville Island.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s hit Urarom and Manokwari; B-25s, A-20s, and fighter aircraft strike a wide variety of targets around Hollandia, Aitape, Bogia, Uligan, Bunabun, Madang and Cape Croisilles. B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb Woleai Atoll. Unit moves in New Guinea: HQ 49th Fighter Group from Gusap to Finschhafen; HQ 317th Troop Carrier Group from Port Moresby to Finschhafen; the detachment of the 82d Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter), 71st Reconnaissance Group, ceases operating from Finschhafen with returns to base at Saidor with P-39s.
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A B-24 aborts a weather mission to Shasukotan Island, Kurile Islands
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 11 B-25s hit a bivouac and supply area NW of Manywet, Burma. 5th Liaison Squadron, AAF, India-Burma Sector, arrives at Ledo, India from the US with L-5s; first mission is 1 May.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Kwajalein search the area near Wake for shipping; finding none, the bombers hit Wake and Peale. Tarawa based B-25s, using Majuro as a shuttle base between strikes, bomb Maloelap and Jaluit Atolls. 396th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 41st Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Tarawa to Makin with B-25s.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): Major General Field Harris, USMC, becomes Commander Air Solomons (COMAIRSOLS). With improved weather conditions bombing of targets in the Bismarck Archipelago resumes; 22 B-25s hit the Matupi supply area and 40+ fighter-bombers blast the airfields at Lakunai and Keravat. 31st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Guadalcanal to Momote Airfield with B-24s.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s bomb airfields on Noemfoor. B-25s, A-20s, and fighters hit a variety of targets around Hollandia, on Cape Croisilles, in the Bunabun area and along Hansa Bay. Woleai Atoll is again bombed by B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force.
FRIDAY, 21 APRIL 1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s and 14 P-51s pound Indaw and
Mawlu, causing several fires in supply dumps and in the general target areas;
12 B-25s bomb the camp and supply area at Kamaing. 8 B-24s bomb storage and
fuel dumps at Lashio and bomb Namtu; 13 B-24s bomb Maymyo while 5 B-25s knock
out 3 bridges in the Tangon area; and 4 P-51s knock out a bridge at Shweli.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 12 P-40s fly armed reconnaissance over roads in Burma, strafing bridges, buildings, steamrollers, trucks, and troops in areas around Takaw, Bhamo, Loiwing, Kutkai, Hsenwi, and Lashio; at least 3 steamrollers and 7 trucks are destroyed.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Kwajalein hit Wotje Atoll. B-24s from Eniwetok Atoll, staging through Kwajalein, bomb Truk Atoll. B-25s from Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll, bomb Ponape Island. Abemama Island-based B-25s, using Majuro as a shuttle base, bomb Jaluit and Maloelap Atolls. HQ 7th Fighter Wing and 21st Fighter Group are activated at Ft Shafter and Wheeler Field, Hawaii respectively to provide air defense of the Hawaiian Islands. No squadrons are assigned to the group until 15 Jun. 531st Fighter Squadron, Seventh Air Force, moves from Bellows Field to Kuoloa, Hawaii with P-38s.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): HQ 307th Bombardment Group is ordered to move from New Georgia and Guadalcanal Islands to the Admiralty Islands, where it will become part of the Thirteenth Air Task Force, serving operationally under the Fifth Air Force. In spite of heavy weather in the Bismarck Archipelago, 24 B-25s blast Matupi supply area on New Britain Island; and 11 P-39s, closed out of Rabaul, New Britain Island, bomb Tinputs Harbor on Bougainville Island.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 21 B-24s bomb airstrips on Noemfoor. About 320 B-24s, B-25s, and A-20s hit numerous targets in the Tadji, Wewak, and Madang area.
USN - Task Force 58 (Vice Admiral M. A. Mitscher) supported the landings of Southwest Pacific Forces in the Hollandia-Aitape section of the north New Guinea coast. The force of five heavy and seven light carriers organized in three groups, launched preliminary strikes on airfields around Hollandia and at Wakde and Sawar, as assault convoys approach the target area of Hollandia.
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A weather sortie is aborted soon after take off
due to weather.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s hit Kamaing while 5 B-25s
and 6 P-51s attack ammunition and other supplies at Hopin; 3 B-25s and 4 P-51s
hit a village NE of Bhamo while 7 P-51s attack Gokteik Viaduct. Detachment of
24th Combat Mapping Squadron, Tenth Air Force, operating from Jorhat, India
with F-7s returns to base at Guskhara.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In French Indochina, 6 B-24s claim 4 freighters and a gunboat sunk near Cap-Saint-Jacques and 1 other knocks out a bridge SW of Vinh. P-40s on armed reconnaissance over N Burma destroy 10 boxcars and a truck N of Lashio.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): During the night of 21/22 Apr, B-24s from Kwajalein bomb Wotje Atoll; other B-24s from Kwajalein follow with another raid on Wotje during the day. B-25s from Tarawa, using Majuro as a shuttle base for rearming, bomb Jaluit, Maloelap and Mille Atolls.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 40 B-25s bomb supply areas at Ratawul and Talili Bay, pound Keravat and hit the area between Rapopo and Cape Gazelle; and 40+ fighter-bombers attack the runway and gun positions at Rapopo while 9 strike Lakunai Airfield. During the night of 22/23 Apr, 17 B-24s bomb Dublon, Param, and Eten Islands in Truk Atoll.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 20+ B-24s bomb airstrips on Noemfoor. 80+ B-24s and A-20s hit Boram and But Airfields and other targets in the Wewak area; 100+ B-24s and B-25s pound targets along Hansa Bay; and all through the day B-25s and fighter-bombers, in flights of 1 to 20+ aircraft, attack areas around Hansa Bay, Wewak, Bogia, Madang, and many other points along the N and E coast of New Guinea; many of the strikes indirectly support HQ 375th Troop Carrier Group moves from Port Moresby to Nadzab.
HOLLANDIA - Allied amphibious landings on the N coast to the E and W of Hollandia and Aitape to seize Japanese airfields and leap frog closer to the Philippines.
USN - Task Force 58 (Vice Admiral M. A. Mitscher) covers the landings (22 April) at Aitape, Tanahmerah Bay, and Humboldt Bay, and supported troop movements ashore (23-24 April). Eight escort carriers of Task Force 78 (Rear Admiral R. E. Davison) flew cover and antisubmarine patrols over ships of the Attack Group during the approach and provided support for the amphibious assault at Aitape. Carrier aircraft accounted for the destruction of 30 enemy aircraft in the air and 103 on the ground.
USMC - PBJ 35087 is lost in bad weather near Luganville.
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 3 B-24s fly weather and photographic reconnaissance within 100 mi (160 km) of the Kurile Islands and photograph Matsuwa Island.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 24 P-51s, 8 B-25s and 51 RAF Vengeances attack Thetkegyin, Manipur bridge, Tiddim road and Japanese positions at Indaw. 12 P-38s hit Kangaung Airfield near Meiktila; and 21 B-24s bomb railroads and jetties at Moulmein and Martaban.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 14 P-40s pound an artillery post at Sienning and cavalry forces at Kuan-Fou-Chiao; 2 P-40s strafe barracks S of Tengchung and 2 P-38s hit a truck convoy and barracks S of Chiengmai. 4 P-40s blast a motor pool at Lashio, Burma.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): HQ 58th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) moves from Chakulia to Kharagpur.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s based at Kwajalein hit Truk and Wotje Atolls. Makin based B-25s hit Ponape Island and Jaluit and Maloelap Atolls.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): Weather again curtails strikes, but several fighter-bombers hit Tobera and 20+ B-25s blast Matupi. 72d Fighter Squadron, 318th Fighter Group, moves from Makin to Haleiwa Field, Hawaii with P-39Qs.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s continue to hit airstrips on Noemfoor; they claim 14 air victories. In New Guinea, 90+ B-24s bomb Wewak, Boram, and But Airfields, a road near Boram, and track and villages S of Dagua while 80+ B-24s, B-25s, and A-20s pound AA positions, airfields, stores and troop concentrations along Hansa Bay; throughout the day A-20s, P-47s, P-38s, and P-39s pound various targets along Hansa Bay, in the Wewak area, and in the vicinity of Uligan Harbor and Cape Croisilles. 20+ B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb airfield and supply areas on Woleai Atoll. In ground action Allied forces take Hollandia, Tumleo and Selo Islands, and objectives around Tadji. 39th Troop Carrier Squadron, 317th Troop Carrier Group, moves from Port Moresby to Finschhafen, New Guinea with C-47s.
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile Islands, a B-24 flies a photo and bombing run over Matsuwa Island; later another B-24 flies weather and bombing runs over Shasukotan, Yekaruma, Kharimkotan, and Onnekotan Islands.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 8 P-38s pound positions near Buthidaung
and in the Myohaung are; 100+ P-40s, P-51s, A-36s, and B-25s bomb storage areas
at Kamaing, Mogaung and Hopin, and railroads and other targets
at Myitkyina, Manywet and Chaungwa; 25 B-25s and P-51s hit Indaw and several
other B-25s bomb Pyingaing.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In Thailand, B-25s damage bridges near Dara and Kengluang and strafe a factory at Dhasan. P-40s on a diversionary strike strafe numerous targets of opportunity at Kengtung, Burma. B-25s on a sea sweep hit 2 small steamers off Cape Bastion, China with cannon fire, claiming 1 vessel sunk and the other left burning.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): A B-29 piloted by Brigadier General LaVern G Saunders, Commanding General 58th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy), arrives at Kwanghan, China. Accompanying the B-29 is another carrying Major General Kenneth B Wolfe, Commanding General XX Bomber Command. These are the first B-29s to fly over the Hump to China.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll, bomb Ponape Island while others, based on Makin, hit Jaluit and Wotje Atolls. HQ 41st Bombardment Group (Medium) moves from Tarawa to Makin.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (Thirteenth Air Force): Weather continues to curtail strikes in the the Bismarck Archipelago. 10 P-40s hit runway and revetments at Tobera; fighter sweeps account for several trucks and barges in the Rabaul-New Ireland Island area.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (Fifth Air Force): B-24s again bomb parked aircraft and other targets on Noemfoor. 40+ B-24s bomb airfields in the Wewak area; 140+ B-24s, B-25s, and A-20s hit stores, fuel dumps and personnel areas along Hansa Bay; throughout the day B-25s and fighter-bombers hit a variety of targets along the New Guinea coast including Karkar Island, Uligan Harbor, Cape Croisilles, and the Madang area; Madang falls to Australian ground forces. Lost is B-25H 43-4347.
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 3 B-24s photograph and bomb installations on Matsuwa Island.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 8 B-25s attack Tiddim road; 80+ fighter-bombers and 2 B-25s hit a variety of targets at Kamaing, Nsopzup and Mogaung; 12 P-51s hit Japanese HQ at Katha and supply huts at Hopin; near Mandalay 12 B-24s bomb Monywa-Alon while 21 P-38s hit airfields at Heho, destroying several aircraft in the air and on the ground.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): Kwajalein based B-24s, during the night of 24/25 Apr, staging through Eniwetok Atoll, strike Guam Island, Marianas Islands and Truk Atoll, and during the day hit Wotje and Maloelap Atolls. This is the first AAF mission against Guam. B-25s from Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll bomb Ponape Island, and Makin based B-25s hit Jaluit and Wotje Atolls.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): Just before dawn 15 B-24s hit Dublon, Moen, Fefan, Uman and Falo Islands, Truk Atoll. 23 B-25s bomb the airstrip and revetments at Tobera. 12 P-39s leave stockpiles aflame at Baitsi, Bougainville Island.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 12 B-25s bomb troop areas in the Hollandia vicinity, attacking villages S of Tanahmerah and huts and buildings along the road from Marneda to Banggerang; other aircraft carry out similar strikes against Karkar Island and along Hansa Bay.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 3 B-24s bomb Akyab; 6 P-38s hit the Tiddim road near Chindwin; 70 fighter-bombers and 3 B-25s pound numerous targets at Mogaung, Kamaing and several points in the N part of the Mogaung Valley; in Mandalay and the surrounding area, 9 B-24s bomb railroad yards and engine sheds, and 9 P-38s hit stores and hangars.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In Burma, P-40s on armed reconnaissance from Lashio to Man Kat cause considerable damage; 2 trucks, a warehouse, a water tank, and 2 locomotives are destroyed, gun positions and a bridge are strafed and a Japanese-occupied building is left in flames.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): Japanese fighters make their first interception of B-29s as they are flying over the Hump; the brief confrontation results in no losses on either aide.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s, having landed at Los Negros after bombing Guam Island on 25 Apr, hit Ponape Island and return to Kwajalein. B-25s based on Makin hit Jaluit and Wotje Atolls.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 24 B-25s bomb the runway and dispersal area at Lakunai Airfield; and 35 fighter-bombers pound the airfield at Tobera. 8 P-40s attack occupied areas along bays of Tabut and Wariki, Bougainville Island.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 120+ B-25s and A-20s pound the Wewak area, hitting airfields at Wewak, But, Dagua and Boram, and supply areas, troops, and several small villages. 13 B-24s bomb Awar Point, 20 P-39s and P-47s attack bridges and targets of opportunity near Madang and 8 P-39s attack roads, villages, and supply dump near Bunabun Harbor; a B-25 on reconnaissance sinks a lugger in the Sepik River; and Allied ground forces take Hollandia and occupy Alexishafen. The new US airbase in Aitape, New Guinea is up and running only two days after the US landings on the site. This location allows ground based air cover for the entire New Guinea region.
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A B-25 bombs a submarine without success.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s hit the Kalemyo storage area; 12 B-25s hit the railroad at 4 points around Shwebo; nearly 150 P-40s, P-51s, A-36s and B-25s blast troops, fuel dumps, gun positions and railroad yard at several locations in the Mogaung Valley, including Myitkyina, Mogaung, Namti, Kamaing, Mohnyin, Hopin, Nanyaseik, Chaungwa and Myothit. 24th Combat Mapping Squadron, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, based at Guskhara sends a detachment to Hsinching, China with F-7s.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): Rocket-firing P-40s attack 20 junks S of Shasi, China.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s, staging through Eniwetok Atoll, bomb Truk Atoll during the night of 26/27 Apr. B-25s from Eniwetok follow up during the day with 3 raids on Ponape Island; Makin based B-25s hit Jaluit, Wotje and Mille Atolls. 1 B-24 from Kwajalein, using Makin as a rearming base, bombs Jabor and Emidj and Enybor Islands, Jaluit Atoll. 820th Bombardment Squadron, 41st Bombardment Group, moves from Tarawa to Makin with B-25s.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 16 B-24s bomb Dublon, Eten,
Moen, and Fefan Islands, Truk Atoll in the early morning. On New Britain Island,
24 B-25s blast the Talili Bay supply area; later a few P-39s hit the
same target.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): Babo is bombed by 9 B-24s; 100+ B-24s, B-25s and A-20s attack Mushu and Kairiru Islands and airfields at Wewak, Boram, Dagua and But; 120+ A-20s and fighter-bombers blast the coastal areas of Hansa Bay and nearby villages, personnel areas NW of Bunabun, and AA positions, villages and bridges from Bunabun to Cape Croisilles. 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, moves from Gusap to Finschhafen with P-40s.
FRIDAY, 28 APRIL 1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 P-38s blast the Tiddim road, causing
a roadblock; in the Mogaung Valley 80+ A-36s, P-40s, P-51s, and a single B-25
pound the same general targets hit on the 27 Apr; in the Mandalay area 7 B-25s
knock out a railroad bridge S of Myingatha and a canal bridge between Ye-u and
Kinu.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 26 B-24s, escorted by 10 P-51s, damage 2 bridges over the Yellow River N of Chengchow (the capture of which by Japanese troops is acknowledged by the Chinese who evacuate Hulaokuan), and pound a nearby storage area; 2 P-40s on armed reconnaissance strafe a troop column NE of Tengchung; 3 B-25s on reconnaissance damage a small steamer off the E coast of Hainan Island; 16 P-40s and 6 B-25s pound Yangsin while 18 P-40s, P-38s, and P-51s strafe Nanchang barracks.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s, based on Makin strike Jaluit and Mille Atolls, using Majuro as a shuttle base between strikes. A single B-24 from Kwajalein bombs islands in Jaluit Atoll, hitting Emidj first, then rearming at Makin and attacking Jabor and Enybor during the return flight.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 24 B-25s bomb the Vunapope supply area and Rapopo airfield; and 30 fighter- bombers hit the runway and revetments at Vunakanau. 15 P-39s pound gun positions near Mamagata and hit nearby bivouac and supply areas. Lost is B-25G 43-4512.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 160+ B-24s and B-25s bomb Wakde, Biak and Efman Island airfields; 180+ P-47s, P-39s, A-20s and P-70s hit a variety of targets along the N and NE New Guinea coast including villages and supply areas in the Wewak and Boram areas, barges and troops at the mouth of the Sepik River and at Murik Lakes, and enemy communications and hideouts from the Sepik River to Cape Croisilles. 21 B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb the airfield on Woleai Atoll.
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-24s abort an armed photographic mission due to weather.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 21 P-38s hit airfields in the Heho area and claim 8 aircraft downed in combat; 25 P-51s and B-25s bomb several buildings at Meza; 19 B-24s over Prome blast supply dumps in the area. 19th Liaison Squadron, US Army Forces, CBI, moves from Kanchrapara to Ondal, India with L-1s and L-5s.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, B-25s bomb a warehouse and barracks at Shayang and attack 3 motor launches at Chiuchiang, leaving them burning. 22d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st Bombardment Group (Medium), based at Yankai, China with B-25s, sends a detachment to operate from Yunnani.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s, staging through Eniwetok Atoll from Kwajalein bomb Truk and Jaluit Atolls. B-25s from Makin also hit Jaluit Atoll and carry out 2 strikes against Ponape Island.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 40+ P-39s bomb and strafe targets throughout Bougainville and Buka Islands, including Sipaai Mission, the Kieta area, Lontis, Numa Numa, Ibu, Toborei, Totavi, Aitara and Baitsi; 24 B-25s bomb airfields at Kara and Buka. Allied fighter sweeps continue over the N Solomons and New Ireland Island, where huts, barges, and other targets of opportunity are attacked. HQ 307th Bombardment Group moves from Munda to Los Negros.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 90+ B-24s and B-25s bomb villages, AA positions and personnel areas in the Wakde Island, Maffin Bay area, and along the coast of New Guinea from Takar to Verkam Point; 40+ A-20s hit stores at Cape Wom, and targets of opportunity between But and Dagua; 130+ A-20s, P-47s, and P-39s hit hideouts and movements along the Sepik River and from the river's mouth to Cape Croisilles. MIA on a local flight is P-47D 42-22687.
USN - Two PT Boats: PT-347 and PT-346 are caught three miles behind the enemy demarkation line off off Cape Lambert. Attacked by friendly aircraft including Corsairs from VMF 215, Hellcats from VF 34 and SBDs and TBFs, two were shot down: F4U 13307 and F6F 09012. PBYs from VP 91 rescues survivors from the two PT-boats.
USMC - Lost on a flight from Espiritu Santo is SBD 10468.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 31 B-25s blast a tank concentration, bridges, supply dumps and general vicinity at Kalewa; 4 B-25s damage 2 bridges N of Yamethin. 5th Liaison Squadron, AAF, India-Burma Sector, moves from Ledo, India to Shaduzup, Burma with L-1s and L-5s; first mission is 1 May.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): P-40s from Yungning, China knock out a bridge near Dong Mo, French Indochina and strafe railroad targets of opportunity in the area. The detachment of the 74th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, operating from Liuchow returns to base at Kweilin, China with P-40s.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 41 Kwajalein based B-24s bomb various targets at Wake. 11 Makin based B-25s bomb Jaluit Atoll while 8 from Engebi Island, Eniwetok bomb Ponape Island.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 10 P-39s bomb Porton Plantations, Bougainville Island; 20+ other P-39s, in 11 sweeps, attack a variety of targets of opportunity on Buka and Bougainville Islands, including Ivituri Mission, the Kieta area and the Mamagata supply area. 30+ P-40s and P-38s bomb Vunakanau Airfield and 23 B-25s bomb Vunakambi Plantation.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 80+ P-39s and P-47s make almost continuous attacks throughout the day against troops and supplies along Hansa Bay; 40+ A-20s and B-25s bomb Wewak and nearby plantation; B-24s hit Noemfoor with a light raid; B-24 reconnaissance flights over the Manokwari area and Geelvink Bay result in claims of 6 Japanese interceptors shot down. P-70s hit targets of opportunity on the W shore of Hansa Bay . 23 B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb Woleai Atoll. Lost is F-5 42-67383.