FRIDAY, 1 SEPTEMBER 1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A B-24 bombs Kashiwabara on Paramushiru , Kurile
s during the night of 31 Aug/1 Sep; a B-25 bombs a shack on the SW coast of
Paramushiru and sinks a nearby ship; and 5 other B-25s on this mission turn
back due to overcast.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): A few P-47s attack Bhamo, Burma and strafe river
boats in the area. In India, the 164th, 165th and 166th Liaison Squadrons (Commando),
with UC-64s and L-5s, and the 319th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), with
C-47s, are activated at Asansol and assigned to the 1st Air Commando Group.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 4 B-24s claim a small freighter sunk
in Formosa Strait; 12 B-25s bomb Kai Tek Airfield, Hong Kong, and a supply depot
S of Canton; B-25s hit a road S of Nanyo, a runway at Hengyang, and targets
of opportunity near Anjen; 61 P-40s and P-51s attack bridges, roads, shipping,
airfields, troops, and other targets of opportunity at or near Yangtien, Nanyo,
Hengyang, Anjen, Changning, and Chiuchiang; and the 35th Photographic Reconnaissance
Squadron, Fourteenth Air Force, moves from Guskhara to Kunming with F-5s.
During Sep, the 528th Fighter Squadron, 311th Fighter Group, based at Shwangliu,
China with P-51s, sends detachments to operate from Hanchung and Liansshan.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Saipan based P-47s carry out
rocket and strafing strike against Pagan.
A single B-24 on armed reconnaissance bombs Yap
and Marshall based B-24s bomb Truk.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: 50+ B-24s bomb Sasa,
Matina, and Likanan; others, failing to reach
Mindanao, hit Beo in the Talaud Islands. Lost is B-24D 42-73453. Fighter- bombers hit Boela and Amahai Airfield. In New Guinea, A-20s, P-40s and B-25s bomb runways at Babo and Urarom; and HQ 374th Troop Carrier Group moves from Townsville,
Australia to Nadzab.
SATURDAY, 2 SEPTEMBER 1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 8 B-25s hit targets along the Burma
Road S of Wanling, including the road itself and bridges at Kawnghka and Namhpakka;
another B-25 hits an alternate target, an area in Indaw; and 24 B-24s haul fuel
to Kunming, China.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 2 B-25s bomb the runway at Hengyang
Airfield; 30 P-40s attack gun positions, troop concentrations, and sampans in
the Hengyang and Changning areas; 20 P-40s hit similar targets S of Changsha,
W of Pengtse, and in the Siangtan area; and 12 P-51s damage a bridge at Yangtien.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Two Saipan based B-24s hit Yap and Pagan.
P-47s hit AA positions on Pagan
with rocket and strafing attacks. Marshall s-based B-25s bomb Ponape , Caroline
and Nauru , Gilbert.
USN - Lost on a bombing mission against a radio installation on Chi Chi Jima is TBM Avenger 46214.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Mindanao,
24 B-24s bomb supply and personnel areas at Lasang, 12 B-24s hit shipyards
and personnel areas at Bunawan, and 22 B-24s hit Likanan Airfield. 345th BG
sends 13 B-25s are sent to hit Langoan Airstrip, but when their fighter cover
fails to arrive, they divert to hit troops, warehouses and shipyards along
Lembeh Strait. Two are lost: B-25
"Mexican Spitfire" 41-30592 and B-25 "Hell's Fire". Two B-25s are
damage and crassh land at Middleburg, one is repaired and returned to service,
the other is scrapped. Other B-25s hit a position near Pitoe Airfield
on S Morotai. B-24s bomb Koror , Palau. Fighter-bombers
hit the Sorong area and forces at Cape Pus and Boikin. Lost on a training mission is B-25H 43-4341.
SUNDAY, 3 SEPTEMBER 1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 4 B-25s attack and slightly damage
the Tabpalai Bridge NE of Hsipaw; 1 B-25 knocks out the center span of a railroad
bridge in the area and another causes considerable damage at Indaw. In India,
HQ 33d Fighter Group moves from Pungchacheng, China to Nagaghuli; and the 4th
Combat Cargo Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group, arrives at Sylhet from the US
with C-47s.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 12 B-24s pound marshalling yards at
Nanking; 7 B-25s destroy at least 45 trucks and damage about 100 others during
armed reconnaissance from Hengyang to Tungting Lake and Yoyang; 2 others bomb
Hengyang Airfield; 100+ P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s attack troops, railroad targets,
bridges, and other targets of opportunity in areas around Changning, Hengyang,
Sungpai, Chuki, Yangtien, Hengshan, and in French Indochina, near Haiphong,
and in the Red River Valley.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Saipan based B-24s bomb Iwo Jima. P-47s hit Pagan
and Maug with rockets. A single B-24 on armed reconnaissance bombs Yap.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Celebes, B-24s
pound Langoan Airfield and Lembeh Strait warehouses and shipping. B-25s hit
the village of Tobelo on Halmahera
. Fighter-bombers hit oil tanks and a radio station at Boela.
Fighter-bombers hit Babo,
Warren and Nabire Airfield, Manokwari storage and personnel areas, strafe
areas along MacCluer Gulf, and fly coastal sweeps in the Wewak area, strafing
troops, supplies, and occupied areas. 42nd BG B-25s fly sweep over New Britain in search of targets of opportunity. Lost is B-25H 43-4513 that force lands.
HQ XIII Bomber Command moves from Los Negros to Wakde; and the 20th Combat Mapping Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, moves from Nadzab to Biak with B-24s and F-7s.
USMC - Two Corsairs collide in an aerial collision. Lost is F4U 56260.
MONDAY, 4 SEPTEMBER 1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 6 B-25s fly an antishipping sweep close to Paramushiru
and draw shore-based AA fire; 8 fighters intercept but there are no losses on
either side.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 24 B-24s haul 32,000 US gallons (121,133 l) of
fuel to Kunming, China; and though heavy rains curtail combat operations, 9
P-47s attack Bhamo and Myothit, Burma.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 12 B-25s blast sampan, barge, and motor
launch concentrations in the Kweiyang area; 6 B-25s, with P-51 support, pound
the Paishul and Lingling areas, considerably damaging the town of Lingling and
killing an estimated 60 soldiers and 10 horses; 100+ P-40s and P-51s on armed
reconnaissance kill large numbers of troops and horses, pound river and road
traffic, and a variety of other targets of opportunity in the E Burma-SW China
region around Changning and Lungling and throughout areas mainly to the S of
the Tungting Lake-Yangtze River section of inland SE China, mainly around Hengyang,
Lingling, Leiyang, Yangtien, and Kiyang.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 5 B-24s, on armed reconnaissance, snooper mission,
and training flight, bomb Iwo Jima, Marcus, Yap and Pagan . P-47s hit Pagan with rockets
and strafing attacks. In the Marshall s, B-24s from Kwajalein strike Wotje
Atoll.
[SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Bad weather cancels most large-scale operations.
In New Guinea, A-20s and B-25s hit Urarom Airfield and fighter-bombers attack
Moemi and hit Napido. During the night of 4/5 Sep B-24s bomb Kendari Airfield
on Celebes .
TUESDAY, 5 SEPTEMBER 1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 8 B-25s pound targets at Indaw, Burma, 21 B-24s
fly fuel to Kunming, China and numerous other cargo and troop carrier sorties
are flown to various CBI terminals.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 25 B-25s pounding Kiyang and Hengyang
cause considerable damage in both towns and at the Hengyang Airfield; 6 others
attack trucks and other targets of opportunity at the Siangtan ferry crossing,
near Hengyang and Kiyang, in the Lingling and Yoyang areas, and at Samshui;
2 more B-25s bomb Kowloon shipyards; 26 P-40s blast concentrations of river
junks, troops and horses in the Kiyang-Wangyang area; and other fighter-bombers,
operating individually or in flights of 2-10 aircraft, hit a variety of targets
of opportunity throughout the Hengyang, Kiyang, Yungfengshih, and Lishui area.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 20 Saipan based B-24s bomb Iwo Jima and 2 others
on armed reconnaissance hit Marcus and Yap. P-47s make strafing and rocket
attacks on AA positions on Pagan. Gilbert s-based B-25s attack Nauru and Ponape.
[SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s hit Peleliu Airfield. Small-scale B-24 strikes hit Kendari Airfield on Celebes while fighter-bombers
attack Galela and nearby villages on Halmahera , Moluccas s. Almost 60 B-24s
blast Langoan Airfield on Celebes while a sizeable B-25 force bombs Djailolo
Airfield, several villages, and Kaoe AA positions on Halmahera . In New Guinea,
fighter-bombers hit Soepiori Peninsula villages and Waren and Moemi Airfields;
the 405th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves
from Nadzab to Biak with B-25s;
and the 547th Night Fighter Squadron, Fifth Air Force, arrives at Oro Bay from
the US with P-38s and P-61s.
WEDNESDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 6 B-25s hit Indaw while 3 bomb Katha;
24 B-24s fly about 34,000 US gallons (128,704 l) of fuel to Kunming, China;
and large-scale daily troop carrier and cargo operations to a variety of CBI
terminals continue.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 20 B-25s pound Yiyang, Lingkuantien
railroad yards, trucks N of Lingling, troops and occupied areas around Kiyang
and Paishui, and Hengyang Airfield; 45 P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance
attack troops, shipping, and communications targets in the Yiyang area, bomb
warehouses at Hukow, destroy a fuel barge at Pengtse, hit railroad yards, trucks,
troops, and sampans at Kweiyang and Lingkuantien, and attack general targets
of opportunity at Yangtien.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Saipan-based B-24s strike Iwo Jima while P-47s
make strafing and rocket runs on AA positions on Pagan. B-24s on armed reconnaissance bomb Marcus-Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall based
B-24s bomb Truk.
HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): HQ 498th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) arrives
at Isley Field from the US.
USN - Lost to anti-aircraft fire on Yap is F6F 58471.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Mindanao,
B-24s pound Santa Ana port and B-25s bomb Buayan Airfield in the first medium
bomber
raid in the Philippines since early 1942; several B-24s, turning back from
the Santa Ana strike, bomb Rainis in the Talaud; B-25s hit Galela on Halmahera
and the S coast of Morotai, fighter-bombers hit Kaoe Airfield and bomb a Djailolo Airfield runway. Lost is P-47 piloted by McDougal. A-20s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers
hit airfields at Manokwari, Moemi, Ransiki, and Waren, and stores and personnel
area at Nabire; P-40s attack S Soepiori and Napido; P-39s strafe barges and
huts at Suain; the 69th, 310th and 311th Fighter Squadrons, 58th Fighter Group,
move from Saidor to Noemfoor with P-47s; and the 71st Bombardment Squadron
(Medium),
38th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Nadzab to Biak with
B-25s.
THURSDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile s, 6 B-25s on a shipping sweep attack
a small fishing fleet between Paramushiru and Onnekotan s.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 22 B-24s fly fuel to Kunming, China and many
other troop carrier and cargo sorties are flown to numerous CBI terminals.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 24 B-25s attack town areas, river shipping
and trucks in and around Kiyang, Lingling, and Yoyang; 11 B-25s bomb Tien Ho
and White Cloud Airfields at Canton and 2 bomb the Siangtan ferry; 5 B-24s
hit 4 freighters SW of Hong Kong; nearly 100 P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance
over vast areas of SE China attack numerous targets of opportunity including
troops, railroad targets, river shipping, warehouses, and bridges. In French
Indochina, 4 P-38s hit targets of opportunity in the Hanoi-lower Red River
area.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): In the Mariana s, Saipan based P-47s make strafing and rocket attacks on Pagan and Aguijan. B-24s on snooper and armed reconnaissance missions hit Iwo Jima and Marcus.
HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Ground echelons of the 873d, 874th and 875th Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy), 498th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), arrive at Isley Field from the US (first mission is 28 Oct).
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s pound Menado area
on Celebes and B-25s hit Wasile Bay villages on Halmahera; other B-24s strike
Galela in force while P-38s dive-bomb Djailolo and airfield on Halmahera .
A-20s bomb Boela Airfield and B-25s sink a lugger in Bara Bay. In New
Guinea, A-20s hit Mongosah Airfield while fighter-bombers hit Manokwari Airstrip and villages and strafe and bomb Wewak
Airfield and surrounding areas; and the 25th Liaison Squadron, 91st Photographic
Wing (Reconnaissance), moves from Nadzab to Biak with
L-5s.
FRIDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER 1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 9 B-25's bomb Katha; 23 B-24s haul
fuel to Kunming, China; large-scale troop carrier operations to many CBI terminals
continue.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In French Indochina, 18 B-24s attack 5 railroad
bridges at Giap Nat, Dui Giang, Hue, Trach, Duc Tho, and Quang Tri, knocking
out the Quang Tri bridge. 3 B-24s claim a destroyer sunk S of Hong Kong. In
China, 5 B-25s destroy a bridge near Kiyang, bomb Hengyang and Lingling, and
damage a bridge near Hengyang; 100+ P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance
hit a large variety of targets of opportunity including troops, river shipping,
bridges, airstrips, supplies, trucks, and railroad targets over the vast SE
China areas at Lingling, Kiyang, Tunganhsien,Hengyang, Lingkuantien, and Leiyang;
HQ 23d Fighter Group moves from Kweilin to Liuchow.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): In China, 90 Chengtu-based B-29s
bomb the Showa Steel Works at Anshan, 3 others bomb other targets in Anshan,
5 hit Sinsiang railroad yards, and 3 others hit various targets of opportunity;
Major General Curtis Emerson LeMay, Commanding General XX Bomber Command, accompanies
the mission. During the night of 8/9 Sep Japanese bombers attack HQ, storage
areas, and parked aircraft at Hsinching (near Chengtu) damaging a B-29, a C-46,
and wounding 2 soldiers.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Saipan based B-24s bomb Iwo Jima and Pagan and hit shipping at Chichi Jima. B-25s from the Gilberts hit Ponape
and B-24s from Kwajalein bomb Wotje.
USN - Ditched near Yap is F6F 58140.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s pound Langoan
Airfield, Celebes . On Halmahera , B-25s hit Galela and Tobelo while B-24s
bomb Lolobata and P-47s attack Kaoe Airfield and AA positions, Djailolo Airfield and barges at Point Lelo; P-38s hit Boela while B-25s hit small
shipping at Ceram. In New Guinea, B-24s bomb airfields at Langgoer, Faan, Letfoean,
and Toeal; fighter-bombers and A-20s hit airstrips and targets of opportunity
at Efman, Samate, Babo, Urarom, Manokwari, Moemi, and Ranski; P-39s strafe the Wewak coastal area;
and the 673d and 674th Bombardment Squadrons, 417th Bombardment Group
, move from Saidor to Noemfoor with A-20s.
SATURDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 6 B-25s hunt shipping off Paramushiru; 4 return
to Attu , Aleutian s with bombs, finding no targets; one hits the mast of a
vessel and ditches in the water; the other lands on one engine in Petropavlovsk,
USSR; 3 B-24s make an uneventful raid during the night of 9/10 Sep on Kashiwabara,
Paramushiru ; later 2 photo planes escorting 2 bombers over the Kurile s on
a mapping project are attacked by fighters which inflict no damage.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 9 B-25s bomb a Japanese HQ and other
buildings at Manwing; 17 B-24s run fuel to Kunming, China; numerous other transport
sorties are flown to several points in the CBI.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 24 B-25s hit river traffic and troop
compounds in areas around Kiyang, Lingling, and Lingkwantien, bomb the towns
of Lingling and Samshui, and knock out the W end of a bridge at Lingling; about
50 P-40s and P 51s hit numerous targets of opportunity throughout inland SE
China including rivercraft and troop areas around Lingling, Lupao, Tsingyun,
Kiyang, Leiyang, and Yungfengshih, and a railroad bridge at Tunganhsien; 5
B-24s over the S China Sea claim 4 freighters sunk or heavily damaged; and
the 322d Troop Carrier Squadron, Fourteenth Air Force, is activated at Kunming
with C-47s.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): A B-24 on a snooper mission from Saipan bombs Iwo Jima during the night of 9/10. B-25s based in the Gilbert s bomb Nauru
.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb Mapanget
Airfield, Celebes . 100+ fighter-bombers and A-20s pound airfields in the Moluccas
s, i.e., Liang on Ambon ,
Haroekoe on Haroekoe , Boela on Ceram , and Namlea on Buru . B-24s hit Galela
Airfield on Halmahera . Fighter-bombers hit Moemi, Manokwari,
and Ransiki while B-25s hit Babo;
and HQ 417th Bombardment Group moves from Saidor to Noemfoor.
RNZAF - PV-1 Ventura NZ4522 force lands at Talasea
SUNDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 6 B-25s fly shipping sweep off Suribachi, Kurile.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, troop carrier and cargo hauls continue
on a large scale to numerous points in the CBI; 24 B-24s haul fuel to Kunming,
China.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 45 B-25s bomb the towns of Kutkai,
Ssutang, Samshui, Tunganhsien, Lingling, and Tunghsiangchiao, and hit a fuel
dump near Lingling; about 140 P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance over
E Burma, SW China, and inland SE China attack a huge number of targets of opportunity
including troops, aircraft, river shipping, trucks, runways, bridges, and supply
areas; and a flight of the 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth
Air Force, based at Kunming, begins operating from Liuchow with F-5s.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Saipan hit the island, and strike
shipping near Iwo Jima. Eniwetok Atoll-based B-24s bomb Truk.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Celebes B-24s
pound airfields at Langoan and Mapanget and hit Tomohon and the waterfront
area of Menado.
On Halmahera, Lolobata and Hate
Tabako Airfields are bombed and areas along Wasile Bay strafed. B-25s,
A-20s, and P-38s hit airfields and oil storage at Namlea on Buru, and Amahai and Boela on Ceram while B-24s hit Laha Airfield,
Celebes. A-20s and fighters hit airfields at Samate, Sagan, Nabire, Urarom, Manokwari, Moemi, and Ransiki. Lost is A-20G 43-9180. The 8th Photographic Reconnaissance
Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, moves from Nadzab to Biak with F-5s; and the 672d Bombardment Squadron, 417th Bombardment Group
, moves from Saidor to Noemfoor with A-20s.
MONDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER 1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 4 B-25s on a shipping search sink a small craft
off Shimushu; 2 other
B-25s fly a search mission for a B-25 (which force-landed in USSR on 9 Sep
but is still reported as missing).
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 12 P-47s hit roads, towns, and general targets
of opportunity in the Bhamo, Burma and Tengchung and Lungling, China areas;
23 B-24s fly fuel to Kunming, China; numerous other transport flights throughout
the CBI continue. Detachments of the 2d and 4th Combat Cargo Squadrons, 1st
Combat Cargo Group, based at Sylhet, India, begin operating from Yunnani, China
with C-47s.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 18 B-24s blast a storage area at Manling;
30 B-25s bomb Tunganhsien and Kiaotow and hit targets of opportunity in the
Lingling area; 12 P-40s blast trucks along Burma Road and around Lungling; 59
P-40s and P-51s hit river shipping, railroad targets, troop concentrations,
supply dumps, and other targets of opportunity in the Canton-Tungting Lake area.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Saipan -based B-24s bomb Iwo
Jima and hit shipping off Chici
Jima. P-47s pound Pagan
with strafing attacks and rockets.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s hit airfields
at Galela and Miti on Halmahera. B-25s bomb Kairatoe Airfield and village on
Celebes and Boela Airfield while P-38s hit airfields at Namlea on Buru
and Amahai and oil tanks at Boela Ceram . A-20s and B-25s hit Kaoe Airfield on Halmahera and scattered targets of opportunity. A-20s strike
Otawiri, Sagan, Nabire, and Urarom Airfields while fighter-bombers hit airfields
and AA guns at Manokwari and Ransiki; the 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron,
71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from Tadji to Biak
with P-40s. Lost on a ferry flight is B-25D "The Wolf Pack" 41-30099.
TUESDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile s, 6 bombers fly a negative shipping
sweep over Shimushu ; 3 more attack Suribachi Airfield and offshore shipping
targets; 1 B-24 flies negative reconnaissance.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 4 B-25s pound buildings in the Katha
area; 25 B-24s haul fuel to Kunming, China; 8 P-47s sweep a river from Bhamo
to Katha, 3 strafe official buildings at Bhamo, and 16 hit targets of opportunity
on the Burma Road from Lungling, China to Wanling to Namhkam and blast gun positions
N of Loiwing Airfield.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 10 B-25s and 6 P-40s pound Lungling;
14 B-25s hit the town area and destroy 2 bridges and damage another at Sungpai;
22 others bomb Kaochishih, Tunghsiangchiao, and the area E of Kiyang; 27 P-51s
and P-40s on armed reconnaissance over Hunan and other areas of inland SE China
attack road and river traffic and general targets of opportunity around Lingling,
Hengyang, Kiyang, Yangtien, and Patpo; and 15 P-40s hit coastal and river shipping
in S China and in Indochina on the S China Sea, in Chikhom Bay, and along the
Red River; the flight of the 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth
Air Force, operating from Kweilin with F-5s since Jul 43, returns to base at
Kunming; and the 74th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, moves from Kweilin
and Liuchow to Luliang with P-40s and P-51s.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): P-47s from Saipan hit AA positions on Pagan
with a rocket and bombing attack. A lone B-24 on armed reconnaissance bombs
the building area on Marcus . B-25s from the Gilbert s bomb Nauru.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s pound 3 airfields
in the Menado area
on Celebes . B-24s and B-25s bomb Kaoe and Galela Airfields on Halmahera
, and radar facilities on Morotai.
B-24s hit Lautem on Timor . P-38s dive-bomb Namlea runways on Buru while
P-47s hit Boela. In New Guinea, A-20s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers
hit airfields, AA guns, and other targets at Babo,
Mongosah, Manokwari, Sagan, Moemi, and Samate; and the 39th Fighter Squadron,
35th Fighter Group, move from Noemfoor to Owi
with P-47s.
WEDNESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 8 P-47s hit targets at Mawhun and some
of the fighter-bombers afterwards strafe targets of opportunity on the Irrawaddy
River from Katha to Shwegu; 8 others sweep the river between Bhamo and Katha;
12 more hit targets along a road in the Kutkai area; large-scale
transport operations in the CBI continue.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): B-24s claim 3 cargo vessels sunk off the Pescadores
s near Formosa.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Saipan based P-47s hit buildings on Pagan
with rockets and machine gun fire. B-24s on armed reconnaissance, snooper, and
training missions bomb Iwo Jima, Marcus, and Pagan
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s and B-25s hit
4 airfields and bomb villages on Morotai . In New Guinea, B-25s hit Langgoer
Airfield while A-20s and fighter-bombers hit 2 airfields on Efman; A-20s, B-25s,
and fighter-bombers hit Babo AA positions and airfields at Manokwari and Ransiki;
HQ Thirteenth AF moves from Los Negros to Hollandia.
USN - Lost on a mission against Peleliu is TBM Avenger 16956.
THURSDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): During the night of 13/14 Sep 3 B-24s strike Kurabu
Cape shipping and airfield on Paramushiru .
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 4 B-25s drop fragmentation- boobytrap
bombs on Bhamo; large-scale C-47 operations continue to various points in the
CBI.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 6 B-25s bomb Tunganhsien; 91 P-40s and
P-51s attack inland shipping, troop compounds, supplies, and numerous buildings
around the Lungling area, throughout the vast expanse of inland SE China, mainly
in Hunan, and other areas S of Tungting Lake; HQ 23d Fighter Group moves from
Liuchow to Luliang; the air echelon of the 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron,
Fourteenth Air Force (attached to 23d Fighter Group), moves from Kweilin to
Liuchow with P-51s (ground echelon is at Chengkung; and the 373d Bombardment
Squadron (Heavy), 308th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Yangkai to Luliang
with B-24s.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Saipan bomb Iwo Jima. P-47s make strafing
and rocket attacks on warehouses and shelters on Pagan . B-24s on armed reconnaissance bomb Marcus ; others from Eniwetok Atoll bomb
Truk while Gilbert s-based B-25s hit Ponape.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Celebes , B-25s
pound Mapanget airstrip and the Menado area. B-24s hit 4 airfields on Halmahera
. In New Guinea, A-20s and B-25s bomb Babo Airfield while fighter-bombers make
scattered small raids on AA positions, airfields, and targets of opportunity
on the Vogelkop Peninsula; the 69th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d Bombardment
Group (Medium), moves from Hollandia to Sansapor; and the 100th Bombardment
Squadron (Medium), Thirteenth Air Force [attached to 42d Bombardment Group (Medium)],
ceases operating from Hollandia with B-25s and returns to base at Sansapor. Lost on a flight from Townsville to Port Moresby is C-47A "Hell's Bells" 42-23959.
FRIDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 8 P-47s bomb Kutkai, 16 sweep the river
from Bhamo to Katha and bomb Naba, Katha, and Mohnyin; several other P-47s sweep
the Burma Road from Lungling, China to Muse to Bhamo and strafe a boat on the
river at Myothit; 12 P-51s hit Mawhun while 8 B-25s hit fuel storage and targets
of opportunity in the the Chefang, China area; 13 B-24s fly fuel to Liuchow,
China; a detachment of the 1st Combat Cargo Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group,
based at Sylhet, India begins operaing from Yunnani, China with C-47s; and the
89th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter Group, moves from Nagaghuli to Myitkyina
with P-47s.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 19 B-24s bomb a military storage area
at Hengyang; 20 B-25s hit Chuanhsien and 5 pound a ferry crossing and bus station
at Lingling; 90+ P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance attack river shipping,
numerous buildings, troops, and general targets of opportunity from NE of Ichang
to Liuchow Peninsula concentrating on the Kiyang and Changsha areas; and HQ
68th Composite Wing moves from Kweilin to Liuchow.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): P-47s from Saipan hit AA positions on Pagan
with machinegun and rocket fire. A lone B-24 on a snooper mission bombs Iwo
Jima; all other B-24 missions abort. US Army lands on Morotai.
USMC - Marines land on Peleliu.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s,
A-20s, and P-47s bomb Kaoe, Lolobata, and Hate
Tabako. P-39s
bomb Manokwari Airfield and town area; and the 675th Bombardment Squadron,
417th Bombardment Group, moves from Saidor to Noemfoor with A-20s.
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 3 B-24s bomb Kataoka naval base on Shimushu; 4 B-25s abort a shipping sweep due to weather and mechanical difficulties.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 19 B-24s haul fuel to Liuchow, China. In spite of bad weather in Burma, 4 P-47s sweep the Lungling, China-Wanling- Loiwing road and 5 damage a bridge approach at Manyut. A detachment of the 3d Combat Cargo Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group, based at Sylhet, India, begins operating from Yunnani, China with C-47s.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 20 B-24s bomb Hengyang; 12 B-25s bomb Kutkai; 28 B-25s hit targets in China, including the Yuangshaho ferry, Pakmushih, Chuanhsien, and Lengshuitang; 130+ P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance hit targets of opportunity in the Mangshih and Lungling area and from N of Tangyang and along the Yangtze River southward including areas around Changsha, Kiyang, Samshui, Chuanhsien, Lingling, and Kwongning; flights of the 35th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth AF, based at Kunming, begin operating from Nanning and Yunnani with F-5s.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 17 Saipan based B-24s bomb Iwo Jima; 3 others on training and armed reconnaissance missions bomb Pagan and Marcus s. P-47s pound enemy positions on Pagan. B-24s in the Marshall s bomb Emidj , Jaluit Atoll, Marshall s. The 548th Night Fighter Squadron, 7th Fighter Wing, arrives at Hickam Field, Hawaii from the US with P-61s and begins flying patrols over the Pacific.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb Kendari air depot and Ambesia Airfield while B-25s attack a large warehouse at Gorontalo and B-24s and B-25s hit Kairatoe and Kamarian. B-25s and B-24s pound Namlea on Buru , Liang on Ambon , Haroekoe on Haroekoe , and Laha on Amboina. Fighter-bombers hit Manokwari, Sagan, Moemi, and Warren airstrips; HQ 42d Bombardment Group (Medium) moves from Hollandia to Sansapor; the 64th Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon s, to Biak with C-47s; and the 418th Night Fighter Squadron, 310th Bombardment Wing (Medium), moves from Hollandia to Owi, with P-61s.
RAF: Grounded due to a storm at Diego Garcia is PBY Catalina VA718.
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile s, 2 B-24s abort a mission to Suribachi due to weather. 4 B-25s fly an unsuccessful shipping sweep.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 8 P-47s bomb Katha, 8 hit Momauk and Wanling, and 8 others attack Bhamo; 6 B-25s hit Mangshih while 3 others bomb Indaw; 16 B-24s haul fuel to Liuchow, China; C-47s fly 200+ sorties delivering personnel and supplies to various points in the CBI.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 29 B-24s bomb Changsha; 27 B-25s hit Hwangshapu, Kiyang, and Nanyo; 130+ P-51s and P-40s on armed reconnaissance attack town areas, strongpoints, shipping, railway targets, gun positions, trucks, and other targets of opportunity from NE of Ichang southward through Hunan Province and beyond; areas hit include Changsha, Kiyang, Lingling, Chuanhsien, Siangtan, Hengshan, Kweiyang, and Lingkuantien, plus scattered targets of opportunity elsewhere; the 35th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth AF, moves from Kunming to Chanyi with F-5s (flights are operating from Nanning and Yunnani).
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): A B-24 on a snooper mission from Saipan bombs Iwo Jima ; armed reconnaissance over Marcus is unsuccessful due to bad weather. Gilbert s-based B-25s pound Nauru
HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Ground echelon of HQ 497th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) and the 869th, 870th and 871st Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy), arrive at Isley Field from the US (first mission is 28 Oct).
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-25s bomb Buayoan Airfield on Mindanao . B-24s, B-25s, and P-38s hit Langoan Airfield on Celebes . B-25s and P-39s, fighting bad weather, attack a variety of targets, including airfields and villages in Amboina-Ceram s area. InNew Guinea, P-47s and P-40s pound the airfield on Samate.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 9 P-47s pound Japanese positions in the Myothit area; 8 B-25s hit supply dumps and installations at Chefang, China; 18 B-24s fly fuel to Liuchow, China; and 200+ other sorties by C-47s deliver men and supplies to several points in the CBI. The detachment of the 2d Combat Cargo Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group, operating from Yunnani, China with C-47s returns to base at Sylhet, India.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 30 B-25s attack town areas and fuel dumps at Lingling, Taohsien, and Chuanhsien and damage the approaches to the Lingling ferry crossing; 4 B-24s over the Formosa Strait claim 1 freighter sunk; about 115 P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance attack troops, trucks, tanks, shipping, town areas, and other targets of opportunity throughout Hunan Province S of Tungting Lake to Luicbow Peninsula and Chikhorn Bay; and the 529th Fighter Squadron, 311th Fighter Group, based at Pungchacheng with P-51s, sends a detachment to operate from Hsian.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 2 B-24s on armed reconnaissance from Saipan bomb Marcus . 28 Eniwetok Atoll-based B-24s bomb Truk . Gilbert s-based B-25s pound Ponape .
HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): HQ 499th and 500th Bombardment Groups (Very Heavy) arrive at Isley Field from the US; and the 3d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Heavy), 11th Photographic Group (Mapping), arrives on Saipan from the US with F-13s (the squadron will fly photo, electronic and weather recon in the W Pacific, 1 Nov 44-Sep 45).
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s blast several targets in the Davao, Mindanao area, including oil storage at Sasa. B-25s hit Langoan Airfield and lake area on Celebes . Bad weather forces B-24s over the Ceram-Amboina s area to individually attack targets which include 4 airfields. B-25s hit Samate Airfield and fighter-bombers hit the airfield and town of Manokwari and AA guns at Moemi; HQ 310th Bombardment Wing (Medium) moves from Hollandia to Morotai ; and the 371st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based on Wakde with B-24s begins operating from Noemfoor. Written off after a take off accident is A-20G "Je Reviens" 43-9458.
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile s, 2 B-25s fly a shipping sweep over Tomari Cape; and 4 B-24s off to strike Kurabu Cape turn back due to weather and mechanical failures.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 18 B-24s fly fuel to Liuchow and Chengkuing, China. C-47s transports fly 100+ sorties carrying men and supplies to several CBI locations.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 28 B-25s bomb Lingling, Lengsbuitang, Chuanhsien, Sinning, and Shanhsien; 150+ P-40s and P-51s pound numerous targets of opportunity during armed reconnaissance flights from the Tungting Lake-C Yangtze River area to the S China Sea; and the fighter-bombers particularly concentrate on road transport in the Changsha area and supply dumps, buildings, and trucks near Sintsiang.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 29 Saipan based B-24s blast shipping at Chichi Jima . 24 P-47s bomb and strafe AA positions and storage areas on Pagan. 3 B-24s on snooper and armed reconnaissance missions bomb Iwo Jima and Marcus.
HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Ground echelons of the 881st, 882d and 883d Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy), 500th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), arrive at Isley Field from the US (first mission is 11 Nov).
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Striking all principal targets in NE Celebes, B-24s, B-25s, and P-38s hit the Amoerang port area, Menado fuel tanks and shipping personnel areas and AA guns at Mapanget and Sidate, bivouac, supply areas, and lookout towers along Lembeh Strait, Langoan Airfield, and Kakas rest camp. In New Guinea, HQ 8th Fighter Group and the 36th Fighter Squadron move from Owi, to Morotai with P-38s; and HQ 347th Fighter Group and the 339th Fighter Squadron move from Sansapor to Middleburg with P-38s.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, P-47s hit the Kadu rail siding, Nyaungbintha, Indaw, and troops at Hkaungtung; 3 B-25s weathered out of the Bhamo area hit alternates at Indaw; C-47s continue large-scale operations to several points in the CBI.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 27 B-25s bomb Lingling, Chuanhsien, and Kiyang and hit targets of opportunity throughout the Chuanhsien area; 100+ P-51s and P-40s on armed reconnaissance over wide areas of SE China attack troops, horses, trucks, shipping, and other targets of opportunity, particularly concentrating on areas around Chuanhsien, Lingling, Kiyang, Changsha, and Yiyang.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): P-47s from Saipan bomb and strafe gun positions on Pagan. A lone B-24 on armed reconnaissance bombs Marcus. B-24s hit Jaluit Atoll while Makin based B-25s pound Nauru .
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Despite poor weather over Celebes, the Menado area is again attacked and B-24s hit Mapanget and Sidate Airfields and supply dumps and other targets of opportunity. B-24s hit Djailolo and A-20s and P-47s during the night of 19/20 Sep strike Kaoe Airfields. B-24s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers, striking during the night of 19/20 Sep and during the day, pound airfields at Amahai, Namlea on Buru , Liang and Ambon on Amboina , the town of Lautem on Timor , and several targets of opportunity. During the night of 20/21 Sep a few B-24s again hit the Menado and Sidate area.
Fighter-bombers hit AA guns and targets of opportunity at Moemi and Ransiki Airfield and hit a supply dump further E along the Orai River; the 75th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Hollandia to Sansapor with B-25s; the 80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, moves from Owi, to Morotai with P-38s; the 370th and 372d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based on Wakde with B-24s, begin operating from Noemfoor.
THURSDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 7 B-25s hit Man Mawn and 1 other bombs
Indaw; 21 B-24s haul fuel to Liuchow, China. 170+ other transport sorties are
flown to various terminal points in CBI.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 27 B-25s pound Kiyang, Yungming, Lingling and areas to the N, and the area W of Chuanhsien; 100+ P-40s and P-51s attack buildings, river shipping, troops, horses, and supplies at numerous points especially around Sinshih, Kiyang, Wuchou, and Isuho.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 5 B-24s on armed reconnaissance and training missions from Saipan bomb Marcus and Pagan s. B-25s, based in the Gilberts, strike Ponape .
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s attack Ambon on Amboina and Kairatoe Airfield on Celebes and shipping in Piroe Bay. On Celebes, P-38s and B-25s hit Menado, Tomohon, the Kakas rest camp, small craft near Belang , Kairatoe, and Namlea Airfield on Buru , and a barge off Kaoe Point, Halmahera. Fighter-bombers hit Windissi and Ransiki and strafe targets of opportunity near the Orai River; during the night of 21/22 Sep fighter-bombers hit the Geelvink Bay-Bentoni Bay area; the 13th Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Espiritu Santo to Biak with C-47s (squadron is operating from Los Negros); the detachment of the 421st Night Fighter Squadron, V Fighter Command, operating from Wakde with P-38s and P-61s, returns to base at Nadzab.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 13 B-24s fly fuel to Liuchow, China; C-47s fly 170+ sorties to various points in the CBI. The detachment of the 24th Combat Mapping Squadron, 8th Photogrpahic Reconnaissance Group, moves from Liuchow to Chanyi, China with F-7s (the squadron is based at Guskhara).
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 24 B-24s pound Hankow; 12 B-25s and 7 P-51s hit the Hengyang road junction and ferry; 7 B-25s bomb Kianghwa while 6 P-51s damage a nearby bridge; 5 B-25s hit Yungming; 44 P-40s and P-51s blast targets of opportunity along roads in the Changsha, Siangtaii, and Sintsiang areas. 50+ other P-40s and P-51s hit various targets of opportunity around Chuanhsien, Paoching, Lingling, Hankow, and Kiyang.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 15 Saipan -based B-24s strike shipping at Chichi Jima. In the Mariana s, 24 P-47s strafe Pagan and bomb Anatahan . 3 B-24s on a snooper mission and armed reconnaissance flight bomb Iwo Jima and Marcus. 15 B-25s, flying out of Makin bomb Nauru.
HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Ground echelons of the 877th, 878th and 879th Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy), 499th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), arrive at Isley Field (first mission is 24 Nov).
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s pound Sidate and Mapanget. B-24s and B-25s bomb Amahai and Liang on Ambon and the airfield on Haroekoe . In New Guinea, A-20s pound Urarom Airfield while fighter-bombers hit Idorra, Windissi, Moemi, and Kaimana; HQ 5th Bombardment Group moves from Wakde to Noemfoor; the 342d Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, moves from Wakde to Noemfoor with P-47s.
RAAF: Lost on a strike to Timor is B-25D A47-3
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 19 P-47s attack bridges along a line Wanling-Bhamo-Myitkyina destroying 1 bridge; 6 B-25s hit bridges S of Meza, destroying 1 and extensively damaging several others. In China, 19 B-24s fly fuel to Liuchow while 2 deliver fuel to Kunming.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 15 B-24s pound the Burma Road in the Chefang area; 36 B-25s hit Chuanhsien and targets of opportunity in surrounding areas; 6 B-25s bomb Kuanyang, 5 hit Yungming, 6 damage Dara bridge, 12 bomb Lungling, and 2 knock out a bridge near Jinyang; 2 B-24s bomb docks at Amoy; again 90+ P-40s and P-51s hit numerous targets of opportunity throughout SE China concentrating on Japanese troops in the Chuanhsien area and various targets around Jungyun, Yuankiang, Yungming, Lingling, and Hsuchang.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 15 B-24s from Saipan bomb Chichi Jima, Haha Jima, and Ani Jima. 2 B-24s on armed reconnaissance bomb Marcus while 1 on a training mission hits Pagan. On the night of 23/24 Sep a B-24 from Kwajalein bombs Wake.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: During night and day raids B-24s and B-25s concentrate on Sidate and Mapanget Airfields on Celebes . P-47s pound Kaoe Airfield. P-47s and P-40s bomb AA guns at Manokwari, Moemi, and Ransiki Airfield; HQ Thirteenth Air Force moves from Hollandia to Noemfoor; the 460th Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, moves from Nadzab to Noemfoor with P-47s.
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 8 B-24s striking Kurabu Cape Airfield on Paramushiru are challenged by 12 Japanese fighters and 1 of 2 damaged B-24s forcelands in the USSR; one fighter is downed; and 4 B-25s fly a negative shipping search.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, P-47s fly 20 attack sorties against targets in the Mawhun area, including Pinlon; other P-47s fly 13 sorties against targets in the Bhamo area, demolishing a bridge at Manyut and hitting enemy positions at Chayuhkwang. 11 B-24s haul fuel to Liuchow, China. 240+ other C-47 sorties are flown to various points in the CBI.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 26 B-25s bomb Mangshih, Taohsien, and Kuanyang, attack White Cloud Airfield at Canton, and knock out the Dara bridge; 3 others hit targets of opportunity near Changtuikuan and along the Lingling-Siangtan road; 70+ P-51s and P-40s on armed reconnaissance over SW and SE China pound numerous targets of opportunity, especially the town areas and river shipping at Takhing and Sinshih.
(Seventh Air Force): 18 B-24s from Saipan hit harbor facilities in the Bonin s, mostly at Chichi Jima ; 2 others on an armed reconnaissance mission bomb Marcus . 16 P-47s strafe AA positions on Rota , Mariana s. 26 B-24s from Kwajalein bomb Truk while 11 B-25s, based in the Gilbert s, hit Ponape ; the detachment of the 28th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Seventh AF, operating from Kwajalein with F-5s begins a movement to Peleliu Airfield.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s and B-25s bomb Amahai Airfield and Boela, Namlea Airfield on Buru , and Haroekoe Airfield on Haroekoe and B-24s hit Lautem on Timor. Fighter-bombers attack Babo, Urarom, and Manokwari Airfields while B-25s bomb Sorong.
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-25s fly a negative shipping sweep.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 13 P-47s attack the towns of Haungton, Myintha, and Mawlu. B-24s again haul fuel to China, 15 landing at Kunming, 3 at Liuchow, and 1 at Yungning and the Tenth AF flies 220+ other transport sorties to various CBI terminals.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 12 B-25s blast the barracks area at
Mangshih; 12 bomb Kweiyang, and 6 hit the town area and railroad yards at Hengyang;
11 B-24s pound Nanking; about 120 P-51s and P-40s on armed reconnaissance over
the vast expanses of China S of the Yangtze River attack
a large variety of targets of opportunity at numerous locations including troops,
buildings, and communications targets in the Paoching area and between Siangtan
and Fulinpu.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Saipan based B-24s strike Iwo Jima and Marcus. During the night of 25/26 Sep Kwajalein-based B-24s stage through Eniwetok Atoll on a strike at shipping at Truk; failing to locate the primary targets the B-24s bomb Tol, Eten, Param, and Moen while others hit Wake during the night of 25/26 Sep.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Celebes , B-24s hit Kendari Airfield and B-25s bomb Langoan Airfield. A-20s fire storage areas and hit personnel areas on the W shore of Kaoe Bay. Namlea Airfield on Buru is again bombed by B-24s. P-38s pound Kairatoe Airfield on Celebes and Boela Airfield on Ceram. B-25s and A-20s hit Sagan and Urarom Airfields while P-40s attack Kaimana.
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A B-24 flies weather reconnaissance; later 4 B-24s radar-bomb Suribachi Airfield in the Kurile s.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 2 P-47 flights hit targets in the Bhamo-Myothit area, including Sinkin, Momauk, and Nanhlaing; 3 other flights hit targets in the Pinwe-Mawlu area, including the town of Nyaungbintha; 20+ P-47s in 2 flights hit Tingka and in China, hit fuel storage at Chefang and repair shops at Wanting. In China, 9 B-25s blast troop concentrations and stores in Hinlong; and 19 B-24s haul fuel to Liuchow, Yangtong, and Yungning.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 12 B-25s bomb Lungfukwan and Mangshih while several P-40s hit targets of opportunity in same areas; 6 B-25s and 4 P-38s attack and slightly damage the Dara bridge and destroy road machinery nearby; about 50 P-40s and P-51s continue armed reconnaissance over the vast inland areas of S China, attacking troops, buildings, and other targets of opportunity.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): In China, 83 B-29s, staging from
Chengtu, bomb Anshan most of them striking the Showa Steel Works with poor results;
15 others bomb Dairen, Sinsiang, and various targets of opportunity; during
the night of 26/27 Sep, Japanese aircraft bomb the Chengtu area, damaging 5
B-29s; this attack along with the one on 8 Sep set the pattern for Japanese
raids which usually follow B-29 missions and continue until 19 Dec but are of
light nature and annoying rather than
seriously damaging.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 2 B-24s from Saipan on armed reconnaissance bomb Marcus . During the night of 26/27 a B-24 snooper hits Iwo Jima. B-25s from the Gilberts bomb Nauru. B-24s hit Wake during the night of 26/27 Sep.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-25s bomb Maumere Bay, Flores, Lesser Sunda s. B-25s and B-24s bomb Liang Airfield on Ambon and Kendari Airfield on Celebes. P-40s hit Kokas; the 31st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Wakde to Noemfoor with B-24s; the 424th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group (Medium), based on Wakde with B-24s, begins operating from Noemfoor.
WEDNESDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 13 P-47s bomb the area near Katba; 30 P-47s in 5 flights hit ammunition stores and the town area of Myothit, and attack Sinkin, Bhamo, and Ma-ubin; 7 other P-47s damage the approaches to a railroad bridge at Nansiaung, 7 more hit a bivouac area at Pinwe, and 7 B-25s pound Hsenwi. 10 B-24s fly fuel to Liuchow and Yungning, China. C-47s fly 200+ sorties to various points in CBI.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 40+ P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance attack communications targets, river shipping, buildings, and troops in the Kiyang, Lungfukwan, Sungpai, Chuanhsien, Lingling, Paishui, and Paoching areas.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Saipan -based P-47s bomb and strafe Pagan. 2 B-24s on armed reconnaissance hit Marcus . 14 Marshall based B-24s strike Truk .
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb Menado personnel and supply areas on Celebes. B-25s attack oil tanks at Boela, and hit Old Namba Airfield on Buru. P-40s hit Ransiki, Kokas, and Warren Airfield and shipping in the Vogelkop Peninsula area; HQ 375th Troop Carrier Group moves from Nadzab to Biak ; the 72d and 394th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), move from Wakde to Noemfoor with B-24s. HQ 35th Fighter Group moves from Owi, Schouten s to Morotai.
USN - Guided Missiles were used in the Pacific as Special Task Air Group 1 (STAG-1), from its base on Stirling began a combat demonstration of the TDR assault drone. The drones had been delivered to Banika Island by surface shipping and flown 45 miles to bases in the Northern Solomons where they were stripped for pilotless flight and armed with bombs of up to 2,000 pounds. For combat against heavily defended targets, a control operator in an accompanying TBM guided the drone by radio and directed the final assault by means of a picture received from a television camera mounted in the drone. In the initial attack, against antiaircraft emplacements in a beached merchant ship defending Kahili Airstrip, two out of four TDR's struck the target ship.
THURSDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER 1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 4 P-47s bomb and strafe Mawhun and
Nansiaung. 21 B-24s fly fuel to Liuchow, Yungning, and Kunming, China.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 26 B-24s pound the town of Samshui; 31 B-25s attack the towns of Taochuan and Shangchiebshou, Tien Ho and White Cloud Airfields at Canton, and river and road traffic around Lingling, Siangtan, and Chuchou; 100+ P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance attack numerous targets of opportunity including bridges, town areas, troops, and road, rail, and river traffic throughout inland SE China and, on a smaller scale, in SW China and in French Indochina.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Saipan bomb naval installations at Chichi Jima . P-47s bomb defenses on Pagan.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Celebes , B-25s on a shipping sweep attack small vessels off Kairatoe and A-20s bomb Langoan Airfield. P-38s hit barge and the town area at Pajahi in the Moluccas s. P-47s pound Manokwari Airfield.
USMC - Shore-to-shore movement from Peleliu to Ngesebus, support including strikes by Marine Corps land-based units from Peleliu, the first of which, VMF(N)-541, had arrived September 24.
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile s, 2 B-24s bomb Katooka naval base
and Kokutan Cape.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 11 B-25s attack and damage the main bridge, knock
out the bypass bridge and silence adjoining AA positions on the Burma Road near
Uambkai, Burma. 18 B-24s haul fuel to Yungning, Liuchow, and Kunming, China.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 11 B-25s bomb Mangshih, 24 bomb Tien Ho and White Cloud Airfields at Canton, and 15 hit targets of opportunity around Chuanhsien, Taochuan and Taohsien; about 100 P-51s, P-40s, and P-38s again attack various targets of opportunity throughout the vast expanses of China S of the Yangtze River, hitting road, rail, and river targets, troops, and town areas.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 3 B-24s from Saipan bomb Marcus; 2 others hit Iwo Jima and Pagan. P-47s bomb and strafe gun positions on Pagan. B-24s from Eniwetok Atoll pound Truk .
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Kendari Airfield
on Celebes is bombed by B-24s. B-25s hit both Namlea Airfields on Buru while
B-24s blast Liang on Ambon and Haroekoe Airfield on Haroekoe . A-20s and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircraft, continue to pound Urarom
Airfield; other A-20s bomb Faan Airfield.
SATURDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 50+ P-47s hit various targets in the Myothit and Bhamo areas, attack targets of opportunity at Khalayang, sweep the Anisakan and Nawnghkio Airfield areas, bomb Nansiaung railroad bridge, and hit targets of opportunity on or near the Burma Road between Mangshih and Lashio; 11 B-25s knock out a span of the main bridge and damage 2 bypass bridges at Hsenwi. 18 B-24s haul fuel to Liuchow, Yungning, and Kunming, China.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 29 B-24s and 12 B-25s bomb Wuchou and Tien Ho and White Cloud Airfields at Canton; 6 B-25s hit targets of opportunity S of Lungfukwan; nearly 100 P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance over wide areas of China S of the Yangtze River again hit numerous targets of opportunity, concentrating on river shipping.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Saipan -based P-47s blast the airfield area on Pagan; later in the day a B-24 hits the same target. During the night of 30 Sep/1 Oct a Kwajalein-based B-24 bombs Wake. HQ 494th Bombardment Group and the 864th, 865th, 866th and 867th Bombardment Squadrons move from Barking Sands, Hawaii to Angaur Airfield with B-24s (first mission is 22 Nov).
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s strike oil installations at Balikpapan. On Celebes , Ambesia Airfield is pounded by B-24s while B-25s hit Mapanget, Langoan, and Sidate, and P-38s hit shipping in Wasile Bay. Other B-25s attack shipping in the Halmahera waters. P-38s hit Amahai, Kairatoe and Halong seaplane base on Celebes , and Haroekoe Airfield on Haroekoe. A-20s and fighter-bombers hit Babo, Urarom, and Fak Fak; A-20s and B-25s bomb Faan; the 23d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Wakde to Noemfoor with B-24s. Lost are F7A 44-40422 and P-47D 42-23241. Lost in a crash near Brisbane is B-25D 43-3488.