March 27, 1944
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

MONDAY, 27 MARCH 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, eight B-24s hit supply dumps at Kamaing, while about 50 fighter-bombers and 2 B-25s hit troops in in the Myitkinya area and support ground forces near Kamaing; in the Katha area 12 B-25s and 16 P-38s and P-51s hit a bridge and railroad facilities near Meza and a railroad near Kawlin.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-25s pound the Viet Tri, French Indochina area, damaging 2 factories, a bridge and several railroad cars. In China 60+ P-40s, P-38s, and P-51s attack troops and buildings at Sienning and Kwanyinchow, hit a bridge, warehouse, and general area at Anyi, damage bridges at Kienchang and Puchi and pound Nanchang Airfield and surrounding areas.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s and B-24s from Tarawa hit Maloelap, Mille and Wotje; B-25s from Eniwetok bomb Jaluit and strafe Ponape; and a single B-24 from Tarawa bombs Jabor. 9th Troop Carrier Squadron, Seventh Air Force, moves from Hickam Field to Abemama with C-47s.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 23 B-25s hit Vunapope with incendiaries; and 34 fighter-bombers follow in rapid succession with another incendiary strike, leaving the entire vicinity in flames. 9 P-40s hit fuel dump at the mouth of Tekessi River on Bougainville.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 200+ B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, P-47s, P-40s and P-39s attack storage areas, shipping, bridges, fuel dumps, enemy troop concentrations and other targets in areas around Wewak, Hansa Bay, Uligan Harbor, and Madang. Other aircraft carry out sweeps and armed reconnaissance over New Britain and the Bismarck Sea. The 341st Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group moves from Finschhafen to Saidor with P-47s. Lost is B-25H 43-4179 pilot 1st Lt. George A. Young (MIA).

USN: PT-121 and PT-353 were attacked by Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-40 Kittyhawks then again attacked by four other P-40 Kittyhawks and a Beaufighter that cause both boats to burn and sink.

RAAF: Over New Britain, Four Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-40 Kittyhawks from 78 Squadron attack a schooner actually two PT Boats. Later, four other RAAF P-40 Kittyhawks from 78 Squadron and a Beaufighter from 30 Squadron accidentally attack, set fire to and sink PT-121 "Snafu" and PT-353. In Australia, lost is Hudson A16-230 on a reconnaissance mission.