THURSDAY, 28 DECEMBER 1944
CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, two B-25s and 16 fighter-bombers
hit town areas, railroad targets, and gun positionsin the Hengyang-Leiyang
area. Twenty P-51s and P-38s attack Gia Lam Airfield, pounding
the barracks area, hangars, shops, and railroad facilities. 40+ other P-51s, P-40s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance over S China and over French Indochina hit targets of opportunity at several locations including areas around Anking, Kinkiang Yungning, Siangtan, and Yuncheng, China; Wanling, Mongyu, Man Pong, and Namtao, Burma; and Hanoi and Lang Son, French Indochina.
INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 23 P-47s knock out a bridge at Nampawng and damage others at Man Pwe and Hsenwi; 8 B-25s destroy bridges at Kin and Kyaukhlebein, hit an already unserviceable bridge at Padon, damage a bypass road at Lashio and bomb troop concentrations, supplies, and artillery at Mong Hseng, Mong Tat, and Kathe. 297 transport sorties are flown to forward areas. 4 B-25s continue offensive reconnaissance over communications lines during the night of 28/29 Dec. In India, the 5th Fighter Squadron (Commando) moves from Asansol to Fenny with P-47s. The 165th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Asansol to Kawlin, Burma with UC-64s and L-5s.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 13 B-24s from Saipan bomb an airfield on Iwo Jima which is hit again during the night of 28/29 Dec when B-24s from Guam and Saipan fly two single-plane strikes.
HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Units arriving at North Field from the US with B-29s: HQ 6th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) and the 24th and 39th Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy) (first mission 27 Jan 45); HQ 9th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) and the 1st Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy), 5th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy) and 99th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy). Their first mission will be January 25, 1945.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA : B-25s pound Laha Airfield, Kairatoe
Airfield and Haroekoe Airfield while fighter-bombers hit Namlea Airfield. In the Soembawa-Flores area, B-24s attack Japanese shipping. Fighters and bombers on numerous
small raids hit targets on Palawan, Mindanao,
Borneo, Celebes, Halmahera, Timor and Tanimbar, the Lingayen
Gulf, and west of Mindoro. The 38th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron,
13 AF [attached to 4th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance)], moves from Hollandia,
New Guinea to Morotai Island
with F-5s (first mission is 21 Feb 45).
