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.
