January 5, 1944
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

WEDNESDAY, 5 JANUARY 1944

(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 3 B-25's, supported by 8 P-38's, attack the Mu River bridge between Monywa and Ywataung which is being rebuilt; hits are scored on the E bank near the bridge and several sheds are set afire; the escorting fighters damage several nearby railway cars, strafe the nearby town, set a barge afire, blow up 4 tin buildings, and claim a river steamer sunk. 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron and 24th Combat Mapping Squadron, AAF India-Burma Sector, arrive at Guskhara from the US with P-40's and F-7's respectively; first missions are 31 Jan and in Mar 44 respectively.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): B-25's bomb concentrations around Choiseul Bay, New Georgia and Hahela Mission on southern Buka, while B-24's attack Tonolai, Kahili supply areas, Fauro and Poporang building area.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24's and medium bombers bomb Alexishafen, Madang, and Bogadjim areas and attack barges from Finschhafen to Saidor; and P-39's hit barges and gun positions during a sweep from Sio to Bogadjim.

USN: Damaged by swells during take off is PBY Catalina 08377 crew rescued by PT Boat and return to duty.

PB4Y-1 Liberator 31987 pilot Commander Robert J. Stroh and PB4Y-1 Liberator 32019 pilot Lt. Larren M. Allen from Photographic Squadron Three (VD-3) fly a low level oblique photographic reconaissiance mission over Kwajalein Atoll. The pair photographed a section of the seaward beach on the northern side of the atoll from Roi to the west was photographed from 200'. As the pair of bombers departed the target, they were intercepted by tweleve fighters. Lost is PB4Y-1P Liberator 32019 pilot Lt. Larren M. Allen (MIA).